Happy Birthday Woodstock and Dad.

As everyone knows, Woodstock turned 40 this past week. It's been celebrated with tribute concerts, television specials, and perhaps many gatherings of those once free spirited peace loving hippies. I happen to be very interested in the Counter Culture and find it facinating how the "hippies" viewed the world. Recently, in my sociology class a question arose as to why the counter culture is not as prevelent among todays youth as it was in the 1960s and 70s. There are many answers to this question that I came up with while in class. Other than today's technology and other 21st century things former President Ronald Reagan's "War on Drugs" could have put a stop to the Hippies way of life. It's common knowledge that experimental and psycodelic drugs were a huge part of the counter culture and perhaps when authorities started cracking down on drug use that the hippies faded into the background and lost interest in that way of life. Another possible reason is the discovery of AIDS in the early 1980s. In the 60s and 70s free love was abound. Anywhere, anyone, and anyway to put it not so graphically. When people gained the knowlegde that if you didn't have safe sex you could get AIDS many left behind the free-love lifestyle of the Counter Culture. Whatever the reason, the Counter Culture of that era has influenced many things in todays world. Clothes, music, and movies owe a lot of credit to the people of that age who helped make a lot of it happen. 1969, no matter what anyone thinks will go down in history as one of the greatest gatherings of people to celebrate peace, love, and rock n roll.

On another note, my father, a hippie in his own right turned 46 yesterday. So, happy birthday to him!

I am having brain block. I cannot think of a single thing to write about. I recently read an article about conserving water and I found it interesting how much water Americans use compared to the British and French. It's somewhere like 31 gallons average for one person in Britain and like 90 gallons average for one American. This statisti shows just how wasteful some of us Americans are. I know I can't make it without my two showers a day. I can't sleep at night unless I feel clean first. Now, this isn't every American. I'm just simply Obsessive Compulsive. I know this because every night I have to pair up the items on my bathroom sink, kitchen table, nightstand, and pretty much anywhere else I see an item by itself. I've always done this, ever since I was a little girl. Anyway, back to the water issue. Did you know that flushing your toilet uses a lot of water? There was a suggestion in the article to take a five gallon bucket, (hmmm. anyone know where this is going?) and put a toilet lid on it. You use this as your toilet and you cover your business with sawdust and empty it twice a week. Sorry, but, this sounds disgusting so I think I'll pass.

On another note, I recently attended college orientation where I sat until my butt fell asleep while listening to some man ramble on about leadership and job interviews. It was very enlightening. I think it sent me into a daze however, because on the drive home I got lost in downtown Williamson, the city closest to where I live. I quickly went into panic mode and pulled off at a gas station. Apparently, this wasn't such a good idea because the next day a friend of my boyfriend's told me it's where everyone makes their drug deals=[[.

Also, here's my Top Ten song list. Download & Enjoy!

#10 Jeremih-Ima star

#9 Bishop Allen- The News from Your Bed

#8 Richard Hell and the Voidoids-Blank Generation

#7 Pheonix-1901

#6 Anberlin-Naive Orleans

#5 The Killers-Dustland Fairy Tale

#4 The Academy Is...- The Phrase That Pays

#3 Sean Kingston- Fire Buring

#2 Bayside- Alcohol and Alter Boys

#1 A Day to Remember- The Downfall of Us All.

There, for lack of anything better to do.

I'm glad I'm not famous. & other thoughts.

At the moment I'm sitting here watching E-news & wandering how anyone can find this crap entertaining. They are once again covering Micheal Jackson. Tonight, they have breaking news about the custody of his children. I mean he's gone let him rest in peace and let his family mourn in privacy. As much as I would enjoy the money, parties, and glamour I'd rather be a nobody or at least a lesser known celebrity like the Sundance channel movie stars than have my privacy and sometimes dignity stripped from me.

On another note, I recently took a quiz to see if I'm psychic. Apparently, I'm not. I was just curious because sometimes I do feel like I have a sixth-sense. Yes, I do believe in SOME supernatural aspects. It's just such a large & endless universe, we can't possibly explain everything. Which leads me to say that I do believe in aliens. Random, I know. Sometimes, I wonder if there's another planet in another galaxy with people on it who are just like us. It's possible. Sorry, I appear to be rambling. My mind is just racing at the moment. Which now reminds me that I want to go to New York City to study jounalism and fashion design instead of going to community college for nursing. Hmm, maybe someday my dream will come true & I can live a fascinating life with money, glamour, and parties while still keeping my privacy private & my dignity in tact. I might also get mugged. It would be so nice to see what lies outside of West Virginia.

Here's something else to get society in an uproar. As if swine flu wasn't enough a new strain of HIV has been found in a woman from Africa. Read the report here: http://www.theledger.com/article/20090803/NEWS/908035069/1023/LIFE02?Title=New-HIV-Strain-Found-in-Woman-From-Cameroon

Cute & Creepy.

I recently spent an estimated 3 1/2 hours watching online videos the other day. On this particular day I was looking for something a little different from the usual "Tourettes Guy" or "Funny Bike Wrecks" so I searched for 'Tim Burton.' Before I continue I must first declare my love for Tim Burton and every single one of his movies, minus "Planet of the Apes." After watching the intro. of "The Nightmare Before Christmas," I came upon a piece by him that I've not heard much about. The video is called "Vincent" and it's about a seven year old boy who wants to be just like his idol Vincent Price. Go to www.timburtoncollective.com/vincent to read the poem. If you want to see the video just go to youtube and seach Tim Burton's Vincent. It's really great and kind of humorous.

After I finished my Tim Burton videos I saw a related video in a series called "Childrin R Scary." If you love cute and creepy things then this is a must watch because man are this videos a trip. I recommend "Candy," which warns what happens when you don't give some people candy on Halloween, and "Ida's Luck parts 1 and 2." This films about a little girl who battles evil and the towns superstitous residents who want to do away with her. They're buy a filmaker in California by the name Katy Towell. I really do have to give her credit because these videos are amazing. Once again just go to youtube and you can find them there.

This brings me once again to Tim Burton. If you haven't seen the new "Alice in Wonderland" trailor then I suggest that you go watch it NOW! It comes out in March and it looks like it's going to be one of his best yet. Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter (two of my favorite performers) once again star in a twisted tale by Burton and I absolutely cannot wait to watch it. I'm almost as excited about this movie as I was about "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince."