I’m 24 and have yet to figure out how to deal with teasing and smartasses.

With respect to the teasing, in the form of an annoying nickname, I am apparently supposed to not acknowledge it or show that it bothers me, and that will make it go away. But what’s unsettling is that I’m a stoic person to begin with. So I’m certain I haven’t shown any emotion to fuel the repeated nickname-calling…

And with regards to conversations with smartasses, I’m guessing I need to just immerse myself into that kind of tediuos dialogue enough times so that I can learn from experience.

Car got broken into at some point last night. Middle of evening actually. Pretty brazen of the person(s) involved. Didn’t find out about it all until the following morning. Weird. Landlady didn’t know it was my car…

Also had to deal with AT&T a few times regarding the features on my iPhone.

Plus (funny that I use that word here), didn’t get any studying done today. As if I would have been productive anyway.

Oh yeah. Still have to repair car window. Damn.

Over the past few weeks, I have come to realize that I have complete sympathy for every human being.

When I see someone, I see them as an innocent newborn who has been burdened (or blessed) with their genetic dispositions and their social and environmental experiences.

I can’t describe how much at peace I am with this.

In light of reality, I find it difficult to believe in a good god, or any other higher being or collection of higher beings that is indeed good.

So, I’ve thought:

If there’s no good god: Fuhgeddaboudit.

If there’s a bad god: Fuhgeddaboudit.

If there’s no god: Fuhgeddaboudit.

Now, I think I’m an “agnostic secular-humanist”, which doesn’t make me a member of a religion, but rather an adherent to a particular life stance.

The day before yesterday, I witnessed the Moon Illusion, when the Moon in Summer appears unusually large when close to the horizon. To me, it’s always an awe-inspiring moment because it gets me thinking about stuff.

First, I think about the Moon crashing into Earth. (Talk about a slap in the face!) It’s not because I’m a doomsayer (although this and the previous post might make you think otherwise). It’s just a natural reaction to this particular situation. Anyway, it would certainly be a consciousness-numbing, nerve-racking, cataclysmic event. I can just imagine it now. Wow.

Second, I think about how many other people at that instant are looking at the Moon. Better yet, I think about how many other people look at the Moon every single day and how this has been going on for days, weeks, months, and many, many years. It’s a humbling thought, really.

The Moon is the most prominent figure in the sky. It serves as the ultimate hypnotic pendulum for humankind, persuading us to foster cooperation and to realize that we’re all passengers on that same ride called Life. (At least that’s what I think it should be doing.) We all just need to take it easy and be good, for goodness sake!

[Santa?!]

Alas, this is far easier said than done because, sadly, Earth is not a utopia and human beings are not utopian.

Not knowing the meaning of life or what happens after death is frustrating.

Absolute and Ultimate Truth! Where are you?!

A lot of people take a leap of faith to escape this despair.

On the other hand, I’m not sure what I’m doing or what I plan to do in that regard.

I hate when people misconstrue the concept of evolution and come up with the most idiotic assertions.

For instance, I’ve heard a number of people state that they don’t believe “humans came from monkeys”, and that if that was indeed the case, then why are there monkeys still around.

Please, think before you speak.  It will help you avoid embarrassment.

Anyway, evolution doesn’t say that we came from monkeys. Instead, it explains that humans and monkeys have a COMMON ANCESTOR. Our lineages diverged millions of years ago, and now we each have our own set of characteristics through the process of natural selection.

If you have even the slightest understanding of evolution, but are still unable to grasp the idea of such drastic changes occurring, then try this little exercise I came up with a while ago.

Okay. Scientists say that chimps and humans diverged around 6 million years ago. Remember that number.

Now, relatively modern human history (meaning the period of time of which we have a good amount of knowledge of humans resembling ourselves existing) is about 7,000 years in length.

So, divide 7,000 into 6,000,000, and you get 857.

You’re not done yet, but don’t worry, the math doesn’t get more complicated than that.

Okay. Take 857 and subtract 1 from it, and then continue to do so for as long as you need. BUT, remember to think about all of modern human history and the changes that have taken place over thousands of years whenever you subtract 1.

When you do this over and over again, you begin to grasp the magnitude of the amount of time of 6,000,000 years. It’s pretty remarkable.

After this, it should be easier to respect the evolutionary power of natural selection operating over a vast period of time.

(FYI: this is a half-assed post, because I don’t feel like trying. So, calm down, settle down, take it easy.)

20/20’s special “Last Days On Earth” substantiated my intent to be at the precise impact point of any apocalyptic asteroid headed towards Earth.

It’s all about “quick and painless”, my friend.

There’s nothing wrong with being kind…

…unless you’re a punching bag.

No more pizza.

No more burgers and fries.

No more soda.

I’ve had a freakishly horrible diet since the start of college.

I really need to watch what I eat now, or I’ll pay for my bad habits in the future.

I don’t know what’s come over me. Yesterday, during dinner, I had some sort of revelation, and it hasn’t left me since.

I’m going to start exercising too, because simply watching what I eat won’t cut it.

I’ve already started with the diet part. Check out what I had for dinner tonight:

Salad
Cereal
Pasta
Orange juice

Not bad. Good stuff.

Now, I just have to start exercising and then keep up with it all.