Just cause you feel it, doesn't mean it's there

Hello thar.

Talk about a stressful week. Two essays, three poems, and a test, all over 3 days. Rough times. Anyway, I had a blog that I posted earlier, but honestly, it sucked a lot. So this is an attempt at round number two, and I actually think that I have something marginally interesting to discuss this time instead of just bitching about the retards that inhabit my classes and that common form of alcoholism known as college.

I'm perplexed as to where our generation went wrong. Let's face it guys, compared to the past, our generation is pretty epic fail. I mean, we're (and I use this loosely, as I try to believe that there are a few of us who don't subscribe to this crap) so overwhelmingly apathetic (or illigitimately dogmatic) towards the things that really matter, like elections, yet so many put so much stock into completely asinine things, like juvenile relationships. I may sound like I'm full of hot air, because I haven't lived very much (if it all) longer than any one who is reading this blog, but I really feel like there has always been a weird disconnect between my generation and I.

Nonetheless, look back to the 50's and 60's for just a moment; people were allowed (and practically encouraged) to date multiple people. Why? Because everyone back then was fully aware that if you spent all your time seeing and just getting to know one person at a time, the chance that you would find someone actually worthwhile was incredibly slim. This is why people in the 50's and 60's fell in love at such a young age: they dated roughly 4 to 5 times the amount of people that kids in our generation do in the same amount of time. So why then does everyone operate under the assumption that you'll fall in love with the first, second, third, fifth, hell even tenth person that you ever date in your life? Do they really think they are doing something wrong because of this?

I think it's pretty upsetting to see people getting so upset about the fact that they can't make a relationship work, fall in love, and get married. It's these kind of expectations that ruin so many relationships that could be productive and fulfilling relationships, even if they do eventually end. You expect to fall in love, and when it isn't coming naturally, you force it, and eventually things fall apart. It's the grand circle of relationships, and honestly, it's something to avoid easily, but something that our generation hasn't figured out how to just yet. And something tells me that I doubt we ever will.

So seriously, relax. Take things slowly and let things come naturally. You won't find a job at the first place you apply (with a few choice exceptions). You won't win every game your rookie season. You aren't going to get straight a's throughout college at all costs. We all have our quirks and character flaws, but eventually you'll probably find a person who can accept them and still love you all the same. And even if you don't, there is no reason to put your life on hold because you can't find someone to fall in love with. Fall in love with music. With food. With travel. With animals. With friends. With nature. With art. With sports. With Ozzie fucking Guillen. You don't need to love a person or be loved by a person to be complete, and if you are basing your life on this, you are going to end up sad and alone in the end anyway.

All good things come to an end, by one mean or another. Have a good time when you can and enjoy every moment, because you won't be around forever. This isn't The Notebook; you won't die with the person you love at the same time, and you won't ever have completely mutual feelings for each other. It's called life, and it happens, and if you don't start living it for yourself and not putting expectations on what could and could not happen, it's going to pass you right by while you're not even looking, and you'll die unfulfilled and even more alone than ever.

So go out. Meet new people. Get drunk and make dumb mistakes. Or be sober and make dumb mistakes. Do what you do for you and don't expect to fall in love ever. That is the best part about falling in love is the fact that part of it is the surprise of who it will be with, and when it will happen. It's not planned or coordinated. You can't control it. Don't try. Just live and fuck up, and eventually, your fuckups will be rewarded. And if they aren't, who cares? You'll die feeling like shit if you let it bother you.

Here's a list of shit I love, in lieu of the fact that I'm not in love with anyone in the romantic sense. No specific order:
Friends who I can have the best time in the world doing nothing with
Art
Music
Writing
Food
Honest expression
Getting drunk and doing stupid shit
Conversing
The Chicago Hot Dog
Cute girls with great eyes
Chicken wings
Meeting new people
Big parties
Small gatherings
Lyrics
Pepperoni, Swiss cheese, and crackers

This is some of what I love. Ask yourself, what do you love, and are you loving what you love because you can't help it, or are you doing it because you want to love something?

Sex, Hugs, and Cocaine

Joe