Writing Prompt

“Before you contradict an old man, my fair friend, you should endeavor to understand him.”
~George Santayana

I have in the past struggled with being very hard headed when it comes to issues I oppose, but recently I have learned to think before I speak. My boyfriend is the one who helped me realize I was doing this. He is always thinking and looking at situations from different points of views. He has taught me that I need to know exactly how I feel on a situation or issue and have something to back those feelings up before I try to defend it. I have begun to realize that most the time I have an opinion on issues but do not really know why I feel the way I do. I now make sure I do not strike out in defense before I know my facts are right. I also try to see a situation from others point of views. I have to remember some people act and stand for things different from me because they have other circumstances in which create their views. When it comes to political views I am not real sure. I do not know the issues or their background so it is hard for me to say I have an opinion. I also feel I would need to do a lot of research to know exactly how a politician stands on the issues. I know they usually say things but I think most the time it is just what they think the people want to hear. I do not feel comfortable arguing politics. I know these things are important because the issues affect me in some way, but I will need to learn a lot more to really have a stance on things.

Crazy Weather

Yesterday I got a text from the University. It said that school would be closing at 2:30, too bad I was in my last class. I walked to my boyfriend’s house after class as usual. All day my head had been hurting but once I finally sat down I really felt it. I am pretty sure it had something to do with this crazy weather, cold one day and warm the next. Well I decided I would take a nap and see if it would help me feel any better. So I laid down and started to doze off, but right before I could fall asleep I heard some weird noise and a man’s voice over a loud speaker. At first I thought I might just be dreaming but I awoke and went into the living room. His roommates were in there and assured me it was only to say that school was closed. I really don’t understand why they use such an eerie sound. It makes the situation seem so much worse than it really is. Since it wasn’t a tornado warning I decided to go back to sleep. The boys said they would wake me up if the weather got bad. So I took my nap and it made me feel a lot better. I would have been able to enjoy that feeling of reenergizing if only the tornado sirens were not going off when I woke up. I wandered around the house only to find no one, so I called my mom. I could not believe the guys left me asleep during a tornado warning. As my mom was explaining the situation one of the roommates emerged from his room. I was glad to know I would have one person to ride the storm out with. We watched the news and discussed our plans for if a tornado really touched down until my boyfriend got home from work. My boyfriend was not scared at all and said a friend of theirs was on the front porch reading a book. We had no clue he was there and it was funny to know he was outside chillin while we were inside trying to figure out what to do next. We decided to go see what was up with their friend on the porch. We all ended up staying out there watching the storm. It was really cool actually. The blinding streaks of lightening were awesome to watch, only because they were in the distance. Usually I would be scared during a time like this, but I guess with the company of the guys I felt pretty safe. I do not recommend staying outside during a tornado warning, if a tornado had touched down we would have been gone, but it really was neat to watch all that happened.

Super Bowl

Although I am not real into watching sports on TV, it is a great excuse to get together with friends and family and eat great food. Last night I went to my boyfriend’s parent’s house to watch the Super Bowl. His whole family was there which meant it was pretty much a party, considering he has 8 brothers and sisters. Seven of them were there last night, the older ones with their boyfriends, wife, and husband. With so many people in the family, his mom is used to cooking for a lot of people. She is a great southern cook. There were chicken wings, chili, chips and all kinds of dips, carrot cake, and lots more. We all ate and talked all night while watching the game. I was never into the game until the end though. My boyfriend and I moved into the living room to watch how it would go down on the big screen. The Patriots were again ahead with only a few minutes left on the clock. Like I said I am not a die-hard sports fan, so I did not care exactly who won, but I decided to root for the Giants. All of a sudden Eli Manning made the craziest play, I’m sure you all remember it. Then he threw a touchdown pass. The Giants were now ahead. I actually got really excited at this time, as did the whole room. You could tell the Giants were pumped after this awesome play. They had great defense and fought hard until the end. As everyone I’m sure knows, the Giants won! Altogether the night was really good. The team I was rooting for won and I got to spend time with great people.

The Beauty of Memphis

In one of the Memphis blogs there was a link to a blog with pictures from around Memphis. After reading the blogger’s great reviews, I had to check them out. The pictures were awesome. I know Memphis has some neat attractions, but these pictures made everything seem breathe taking. The pictures consisted of the Hernando Desoto Bridge, Main Street trolley, the Civil Rights Museum, the St. Jude Children’s Hospital Dome, the “Summer” statue in front of the Brooks Museum of Art, Overton Park in morning mist, the Zoo, the arched walkway at Christian Brothers University, the Sear’s Building, Glenview park, the old Lamar Theatre, the First Baptist Church Chelsea, Tops Bar-B-Q, the Botanic Gardens, Stax Museum Marquee, and others. My favorite picture was of Overton Park. It was taken in black and white which gave the picture a great touch. The picture makes me want to visit the park because it appears so peaceful. I also liked the picture of the trolley. The picture was taken in black and white but the trolley was in color. The picture is very creative and neat to look at. Not only were the pictures wonderful, but also the photographer made a good point. I loved how the photographer made a comment about how Memphis seems to be a bad place with all the crime that is heard about but how a camera creates a totally different view. Memphis is an interesting and historical place. I would love to see more of the attractions.

What To Do With The Pyramid?

Memphis is still trying to decide what to do with the Pyramid downtown. One blogger said it looked like Bass Pro Shop will be moving in the Pyramid. If this is so I will not be too happy. I do not understand what Memphis will get out of having a huge Bass Pro Shop. It might attract some tourists but only those into hunting, fishing, or anything else to do with the outdoors. I think many people are like me in that we like the outdoors and might visit the shop once or twice if that, but really we would get no joy out of having one here. There is a Bass Pro shop in Memphis and I don’t understand why they would want another one, especially downtown. I see Bass Pro Shop as somewhere you go every once in a while to get supplies for an outdoor activity, not somewhere that people will want to go back multiple times.

Even though it might not be the best option, I still think having a theme park would be way better than a Bass Pro Shop. Many people would go to a theme park, even tourists. I feel Memphis would make a lot more money from a theme park and local Memphians will be able to have something different to enjoy.

University of Memphis' Renovations

I read a blog that was talking about the demolition on the Prescott Memorial Baptist Church. After returning from the winter break I noticed the church was torn down, but did not think much about it until now. I knew the University was expanding and renovating surrounding areas but only thought of it as a good thing. I feel the area could use some upgrades and thought this was just a start to a new and improved beginning that will come. After reading the blog I found out the church had been there for 75 years and meant a great deal to many Memphians. It is sad that something that has existed for so long has been destroyed but I feel it will be for the better. We have to get rid of old things sometimes to make room for the new. If the University sticks to their plans, I think that area will be very nice and more attractive. I was so excited to hear about the renovations Memphis plans to do in the near future and still cannot wait to see how it all turns out. I only wish all the buildings being torn down were rundown and meant nothing. It is hard to see something that has been a part of a place for so long become destroyed.

The Presidential Elections

I have read several blogs talking about the upcoming presidential elections. Everyone seems to have very strong opinions about those running and the issues at hand. After reading these blogs, I have realized I need to get started on deciding who I want to vote for. Last night my dad asked if I had participated in early voting. I had no clue it was even going on. This is a big election with many important issues. I want to know the issues and how each candidate feels about those issues so I can make the right vote. I want to make sure my vote stands for who I am and what I believe in. I want someone to be in office that will make a difference and be a voice for my opinions. I am not exactly sure what I think about the war. I do not like that we have many Americans dying, but I feel we cannot leave now. We must finish what we started. I know President Bush has been fighting to make sure abortion is not legalized. I want to make sure the next president also is against abortion. That is one topic I am very passionate about. It makes me sick to think people are okay with killing little innocent babies. Why are so many people upset and fighting for the innocent lives being taken in the war but could care less about those millions of innocent babies being killed here in the United States. I know I am still behind on most the hot topics for the presidential election, but I plan to start looking more into them soon and hopefully I will make the right decision at the polls.