From the mouth of a commoner

It's strange, this world we live in today. In light of the royal wedding, I've been thinking a lot about America's royalty and how they've come to be.

Some are singers, actors, sports stars. Others simply are born into money and lay themselves before the spotlight, shamelessly basking in glory that is not even their own. Minutes ago, I found myself fumbling through Twitter, seeing what my favorite celebrities were up to and I came upon a startling discovery about myself. I don't much care for celebrities. They're a strange breed, many of which are more in love with themselves than any other person or thing. Even those that claim to be of good moral fiber and standards still gloat about meeting fellow celebutantes or being on this show or that. Granted, this is the life these people intentionally lead and perhaps they cannot see outside the very small social circle they've created amongst themselves. Or maybe they have low enough self esteem that they feel every detail about them is so divine and worthy of mention that it is pasted on virtually every technological outlet in existence, just as a reminder that they are still here.

This may seem like projected jealously, but I assure you that it is not. I feel sorry for those that use their celebrity status to create a selfish vacuum that sucks in their fans attention, yet gives nothing in return. It seems that one in high standing in society should use it for good, not simply for self promotion. We know who these people are, we don't need them plugging their shows in every breath or name dropping left and right. Seriously, we know they exist. There is no shortage of media exposure for the latest album to have dropped or to boost views for the most recent #winning reality show. What I can't seem to wrap my head around is how can these American princes and princesses live with themselves knowing that at the end of the day, really most of what they did was talk about themselves.

I want desperately to see and hear more about how to make this society a better place. As a "commoner," I'd like to see those in higher power in our tainted society use their standing for the betterment of their country and world. It's a breath of fresh air to see the select handful of these people reach out to those in need, raise awareness in the face of tragedy, and humble themselves enough to be real humans. I'm not talking about single acts of "charity" as a publicity stunt, but maintained passion for a cause that matters, something that is genuine and real, that can engage anyone in helping and is truly a form of outreach. That is a rare act in society at all, but more so in the land of the rich, which seems cliche since that is where such giving should be born. Honestly, how many million is necessary to maintain a lifestyle that is comfortable? It seems that selflessness is an old fashioned practice these days, but indeed it is still necessary.

Without one another we stand alone. Alone we can accomplish very little. United, a people can create tidal waves of mercy, compassion and change. If used correctly, celebrity can create sparks that ignite fires in the movement of truly any worthwhile cause. I wish to challenge this to happen, but you see, I am no one significant in the grand scheme of society, a simple pleb amongst the masses. My voice will be heard by those whom choose to open their hearts for long enough to give up part of their day to read this. To those that have, I am grateful, thank you :)

How and when did our country deteriorate from a united front to a vast land with millions of tiny pieces that happen to simply coexist, on the best of days?

There are so many people that chase fame as an ultimate goal, as the defining point in their life when they know that they have arrived and fulfilled their dreams. I realize tonight that I feel sorry for these individuals. When social status sets the bar for your life's accomplishments, perhaps reconsideration of what is important should become a factor. It seems that a far greater priority should be to make a difference, change a life. Reach out and help someone, anyone at all. In doing so, if the public eye happens to gaze upon you momentarily, then what greater way than to spread word of the cause for which you are serving? Call me an old fashioned simpleton but it just seems that the single minded, selfish way of thinking is such a waste of life.

When you are on your deathbed and recounting your life, what will you remember and find pride in? Knowing you lived a life that made a difference, or one that was a documented journey of your every selfish move? I can rest assured that though I may not ever be known by the royalty of American society, I have found my calling. One word, one heart, one inch at a time, I am trying my hardest to reach out to someone else and make a lasting effect on the short existence that is their life.

I may not be royal, but based on the definition of royalty in my country, I'd rather live as a commoner and struggle to change the world than live in my own.

Tonight's a night like many others. I have so many things to say and yet my words fail to form in a way that represents my overwhelming desire to create this beautiful word art. I want to explain my frustration in those who insist on making a stance for the sake of standing for something. I'd like to say what a fine line there is between debate and disrespect. I would like to express my passion for art of all shapes, sizes, forms and textures- for it is my soul's food. I want to recognize those whom are intelligent enough to inspire me and bold enough to defend their beliefs. I want to voice my disgust in mocking my God. I wish for once my heart could burst out in the phenomenal song that is awaiting within me. Tonight, I want to share my passion, my heart of hearts. Words are my sweat, tears and lifeblood. Words are what I have to hold on to, grow on, and spring forth from. If only I could say these things in words that did justice to the beauty they hold in my mind. One day my mind's eye will peer at the world, and the world will peer back, seeing for the first time the simplicity of love and the sincerity of passion that has molded me into who I am.

I think it happened when I was about 13- coming to the realization that I seriously lived in the coolest time ever. I had a leopard print mini backpack, I was scared to death of puberty and was enamored with the cult of boy band culture. My walls were plastered top to bottom with teen magazines and I knew all there was to know about every member of the above mentioned male groups. There was the occasional girl power phrase floating out of my mouth and mind as well and I was pretty sure I would grow up to be as awesome as one of the Spice Girls. Zac Hanson, AJ McLean and Joey Fatone were most certainly on the list of most likely to be my future husband. My parents were cool enough to let me pick out my own clothes- short of leather pants. So, around I pranced, with my bleached, faded, patched or sparkling jeans and oh so close to navel bearing shirts. Literally, my favorite outfit was comprised of an orange Chester the Cheetah shirt and black jeans that had bleach streaks down the sides and lining the pockets. I just couldn't figure out why the guys teased me about a small, round imperfection of this bleach that lay just to the left of my zipper. Ah, the innocence of pre-adolescence. My biggest concerns usually stemmed from whether or not I was going to get out of being grounded long enough to go skating and, fingers crossed, get to snowball with that special someone. I wrote notes 80% of the time I was in class and knew a handful of ways to fold them intricately. I didn't know how to avoid getting caught with them. Music ruled my world and consumed all of me. I was impressionable, naive and curious. Boys were a strange mystery that I wanted to know more about but not too much. The shows on TV were literally the best in a long time and everyone knew it. There was an edge to the media that made us all aware that there was something dirtier than what we were exposed to, but some was left to the imagination. Too much for such a young age, but not enough to really corrupt a soul, you know? I'm not sure when it all started changing, but just as abruptly as I was thrust into this amazing world, it all began to deteriorate around me. Clothing changed, became more provocative. Music started becoming about nothing but sex. Technology rose and squashed the magic of enjoying make believe and wonder and anticipation of the unknown. I rolled with the times and the punches. I grew up and out of the joy that was my childhood and adolescence. However, I couldn't be happier to see glimmers of my past in this day and age. Sure, all my boy band hopefuls may be married and grown up (as am I), but they're resurfacing in a new an revamped way. Hanson has far exceeded my expectation for any band in a comeback and they continue to amaze me on the regular. The other day I saw a bright pink fanny pack for sale in a popular store and all I could do was smile. True, my childhood is long gone, but just maybe,  the 90's, my 90's,  can live on in whatever this decade reincarnation is that is seeming to occur. If not, they'll live on forever in the epitome of awesomeness that I have stowed away in my mind.

Evolution of interests

My interests

When I was in elementary school:
Having pretend fashion shows
Practicing for the talent show for hours on end
Swings
Reading
Karaoke
Volleyball
The idea of homework
Rollerblading
Being outside
Lisa Frank

When I was in middle school:
Boys
Makeup
Skating rinks
Volleyball
Making home made music videos
Making Jackass videos
The idea of a job
Writing notes
Spending time with friends and not my parents
Did I mention boys?
Music!

When I was in high school:
Volleyball
Dance
Writing
Spending time with friends
Writing notes
Choreography
Air band
Getting to know people outside of my circle
Medicine
Softball
The prospect of college
Establishing myself as an adult

When I was in college:
Dance
Partying
Medicine
The idea of a career
Writing
Volleyball
Learning new things
Meeting strange and new people
Establishing myself as an individual
Yoga
Family
The idea of marriage and kids

Now that I'm all grown up:
Family
Writing
Contentment in now
Being non judgemental
Loving others immensely
Pleasing God
Establishing myself in the career that chose me
Appreciation for being poor and earning money
Desire for my husband
Love for my dog
Cooking
Longboarding
Yoga
The idea of being a kid again...

Your Words

This is dedicated to my favorite poet, who never fails to make me feel. It's strange when simple words, a string of letters, really, can evoke an emotion or a thought that you never knew existed. It's not about worshiping a person with a  special skill, because I worship no one but my God. I am just in awe of how his poetry just opens my soul in a way that is raw and real. This is about respect for poetry, as an art that is almost tangible in it's heavy, eloquent beauty. Thank you Anis Mojgani for tearing out parts of yourself to become a part of us.

Your Words

Your words are thick and fibrous

Nutrition to my soul

I like how they fill my hollows

With contemplation and wonder

Your words help me soar

And sometimes make me drown

They always change me

Your words are like a mason's putty

Filling the voids in moth eaten minds

Giving me hope for humanity

Reminding me that we are indeed real

Your words reflect intellect

Like the breath of Plato bouncing off a still lake

You force me to think and to feel

Even when I don’t think that I want to

Your words ignite a fire within me

Burning bright and fierce

Like the internal battles I withhold,

Crumbling bridges of the past, and of hate

Your words

Your words are magic

"Trending" through the years

1990's- Pogs, Giga pets, SNICK, TGIF, cartoons, rat tails,  flannel shirts, belly shirts, flare leg pants, sketchers, roller blades, skateboards, pagers, wall ball, walkman/discman, goths, boy bands, grunge,  hip hop (with real words), girl power,  skating rinks, bmx bikes, Lisa Frank, "Talk to the Hand!"

2000-2010- Brats dolls, cell phones, iPod, Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, Hannah Montana, Teen Mom, American Idol, Justin Bieber, hipsters, emos, skinny jeans, heelies, longboards, vintage clothing, indie music, hip hop (with sounds and poorly created phonetic lingo), heightened earth consciousness, reality TV, LOL, OMG, LMAO.

2011-2020- ?

Who am I to judge our society? Just another spectator I suppose.

From where I stand, it is seeming that one thing we are losing in America is the ability for our children to be children.Are we so caught up in ourselves and the ideals of adult behavior and image that our children must now be constantly exposed to the luster of sex and money? Beyond that, our natural ability to interact is being crippled by social networks rather than physical presence and conversation. What will this generation's children use as a means to communicate? I don't know if I want to know the answer.

My heart still jumps with excitement when I see a kid on a playground, acting like a kid, playing make believe games, living in the infinite freedom of childhood. After all, many kids spend their childhoods with intense anticipation to grow up, only to find as adults, they wish nothing more than to be kids again.

Cheers to the kids who are content to be kids!

All I have to say is that I want my Tiger Beat and pogs back! :)