Sweaty palms, accelerated heartbeat, shaky limbs, why do we get nervous?

I’m used to performing and speaking in front of people since forever and yet every time I get extremely nervous. It’s a pain in the butt! Theater auditions and performances, band auditions and performances, speeches, presentations, church lectures, so many and I’m a guaranteed nervous wreck. For me, before i go do whatever and I’m nervous, I freeze. Meaning that I get so cold I shake. Once I start my whatever and everything goes my way, I calm down and get really hot because I usually dress for the “cold”.

It’s apparent i’m not the only person on the face of the Earth who gets nervous. Many times I have seen people physically shaking or stumbling on their words. Unfortunately, many times I have seen people choke and mess up entirely. With so much repetition and practice, how is it that we still freak out? Is it all psychological? Is it all a matter of our minds?

Even with all these nervous people everywhere, how is it that there are always those few people who can master their nerves? They are always calm. Is it because they are professionals? Is it because they don’t care enough to even get nervous? Or are they actually as nervous as everyone else but it’s not visible physically. I sometimes envy them and their “collected-ness”.

I don’t really understand the science behind nervousness. All I know is that my speech today went great! But I was nervous.

Everyone goes to the bathroom. This might not be the best topic to talk about but at least it’s a true statement. Every single person on this planet goes one and two. So why is it that so many people get embarrassed when doing it?

Pee shy. It’s the craziest thing at yet so many people can’t pee in silence when someone else is in the bathroom. The water must be running, or the blow dryers on.

And why is it that almost every person is apprehensive about going number two in public restrooms? I know it’s not exactly glamorous, but it sure is a skill to freeze mid-drop. So some people are willing to hold it, or wait a ridiculously long time, til the bathroom is cleared.

Everybody does it, so want can’t everyone crap proudly? The more sound effects the better! But, no, we are civilized human beings and must be seen and not heard. Wait what? No, in this case, we must not be seen or heard. Do your business in secret so no one will think less of you and move on with your life.

It’s pure insanity!

Many people take their own cars to work or to school from day to day, but for those of us who can’t, we resort to public transportation. Whether that be bus, train, plane, or boat (I don’t know who takes that to work) I have come to the conclusion that public transportation is the place to be to see some of the most interesting characters.

I have taken public transportation numerous times, and it never gets old. Well the stinky congestion and monotonous back and forth-ness does, but not the people. First off, you have those people who are dressed to impress. They have impeccable style and you wonder how it is that they are using that method of transportation in the first place instead of their own cars or possibly helicopters. Then, of course, you have the average student like myself who is usually cramming for some sort of test or reading a book of immense ‘importance’. Following this you come across those interesting characters that the whole group of traveling people tend to turn and stare at for a moment just to take in the insanity of it all. These people carry obnoxious things like big carts or huge beam poles, or they dress in the most unique of fashions. These people usually act jittery or a little off base or sometimes they even talk in a ridiculously loud or high-pitched manner. These are the sort of people you text you friend about.

And finally, and most unfortunately you have your creepers. The people no one wants to be by for fear of some tragic attack. They might not even be threatening, but they might stare or growl or smell a little off. These are the people you see and then think ‘why am I taking this transportation?’.

No matter where you live or where you’re going, if you take public transportation you will always have an interesting story to tell once in awhile. This isn’t even including the people seen once your are at your station. And thus, I have come to the conclusion that public transportation is the best place to people watch.  (Just watch out!)

With fall setting in and winter just around the corner, I’m counting down the days til summer. I have come to the realization that I like one out of the four seasons. Which means that I am unhappy with the weather 75% of the time. There is no reason not to like summer.

No school, swimming pool, ice cream bars, summer cars, sandy beaches (without the leeches), tubing fast (it’s a blast), counting down the many days, til I have fun in so many ways!

Yep that pretty much covered it, I love summer. The rainy coldness can just leave me alone already. It is, however, surprisingly sunny outside so I am definitely going to make the best of it.

With Halloween just around the corner everyone is searching for those thrills and chills. But why? What is so intriguing about getting scared senseless?

Maybe it’s the creativity of the whole thing. Maybe people love the fact that on these next few scary days creative and intricate costumes will arise and decked out haunted houses are will await their victims. Don’t have a haunted house to go to? That’s okay because there are plenty of gory horror films anxiously awaiting to keep you from sleeping.

Halloween has sort of turned into a holiday different then what it was originally intended for. And yet people eagerly search for fun things to do where they can scream their heads off. Who knows why it’s appealing, but to a lot of people it is.

So I’m off to Fright Fest!

Pretty much everybody in the whole entire universe is familiar with the craze for Harry Potter whether that be the books or the movies. Fans have had an immense fascination for the wizarding world of Hogwarts. Daniel Radcliffe has been the face of Harry Potter since 2001 and this is a phenomenon that just keeps growing.

However, a new series of books and movies are gaining popularity and fast. Twilight explores the thrill of the ‘vampire world’ and girls are swooning over Robert Pattinson, who is the face of Edward Cullen. Ironically, Pattinson has also made appearances in the Harry Potter movies. Since his character, Cedric Diggory died off, Pattinson went and switched over from wizarding life to vampire life.

Both series display the world we are familiar with along with this alternate world, that us normal people are oblivious of. Whether its wands or fangs, Voldemort or the Volturi, both films consist of thrill that crazed fans are craving. Where do your fascinations lie?

A big ‘controversy’ has arisen regarding Kelly Clarkson’s new song “Already Gone”. Apparently, it sounds oddly familiar to Beyonce’s song “Halo”. Everybody is pointing fingers and Clarkson claims that it is not her fault.

In my opinion, who cares? I love both artists, but “Halo” is clearly the better song. But again I must say who cares? Does this mean Beyonce is going to lose her most loving fans? Gasp! That’s preposterous! And does that mean Kelly Clarkson’s followers will no longer like her song because it sounds peculiar? I don’t think so. So where’s the big ‘problem’? No one is hurting anyone here. So move on and enjoy the music.

I have this fascination with France and the french culture. I mean, the language is just really cool, not to mention it is one of the romance languages. I’m going on my third year of French and it’s pretty straightforward. But why do the french get a bad rap?

Supposedly they are the rudest batch of people in the world who completely despise Americans. Well I was in Paris over the summer and it was a remarkable experience. The Effiel tower, the food, and yes the people too. I suppose everyone has their own personal accounts of meeting the French, but I had no problems. As long as you are not ignorant.

What I mean by this is that you have to make an effort here. You have to at least try to speak their language, I mean you are in their home. A lot of people in America get frustrated with people who do not even bother to try and learn English. Well the same goes for the French. If you make a valid effort to speak with them in their language everyone will be happy and polite. I was even mistaken for being French! And believe me I’m no pro.

So, basically, what I am is saying is that the French shouldn’t be getting such a bad stereotype. The country is such an amazing and pleasant place to be, and the people are just as pleasant.

p.s. The people in the french clubs are extra friendly! ; ]

A tout à l’heure!

The other day I went to the movies and saw Where the Wild Things Are. I went as a sort of joke because I wasn’t about to take that film seriously. However, it wasn’t half bad.

Don’t get me wrong, there was a lot of bizarre things happening, and if you’re not into giant talking creatures, this film is probably not for you. I was surprised by the amount of humor included. Some of the things these ‘wild creatures’ said was actually quite amusing. You can also relate to the different characters to people you know in your life. For example, there is a married couple in which the wife is always nagging about something and the husband only cares about keeping his wife happy. There is also a character who feels misunderstood and left out, and the main character, Carol, is having relationship difficulties with a certain female in their group.

I do think, however, if the humor wasn’t there I wouldn’t be either. Some stuff was a little wacky, and I think I would completely hate it if it didn’t keep me laughing every now and then.

I also found the ending a bit abrupt and a little off, but I’m not about to spoil anything here. Overall, I thought it wasn’t terrible, but I’m glad I only paid five dollars for it.

One issue I have become extremely passionate about is Invisible Children. In high school we played the films made about the child soldiers in Uganda, Africa. We also came up with many different ways to raise money for the cause. I started a letter writing campaign my senior year as a way to let our voices be heard.

A few days ago my college had roadies from San Diego show a screening of “The Rescue”. All of these documentaries are so heart-wrenching. It’s impossible to not want to do something about it afterward.

I highly recommend to anyone who does not know about this war in Africa to visit the Invisible Children website. They have a whole history listed, and they provide ways that you can help.

And if and when you do help, you will feel so good knowing you have tried to make a difference.

http://www.invisiblechildren.com/home.php