I would just like to defend the youth and why they're like this.

In my opinion, it depends on what's going on in the home. If the teen is a subject of domestic violence, sexual abuse or having serious problems in schools or whatever, they use TV, getting drunk and whatnots as a form of ESCAPE and escape only! People preoccupy themselves, generally speaking, with their immediate problems - even if they don't admit to one. This is why, even though perhaps unconsciously, the greater picture of the world is not something that interests these people.

Watching MTV: It's.. yes, very superficial. It's not going to teach one anything. It's simply a form of entertainment, and it is this kind of superficial entertainment that is the most popular form of escape or a means to cope with realities these young adults DON'T want to face.

So, this cannot be helped.

One is more capable of being altruistic and concerned about those outside themselves when their needs have been met to some degree. It frees up positive space in the mind allowing other things to be thought of. Although, one can just as soon argue that people are obsessed with helping others as a way of helping themselves. Either way, the *self* is the primary focus.

I will tell you that when I was a kid, I was the same way. I wasn't curious and I didn't care about the world. I was inwardly focused. I was strategizing and coping with my own realities. I was "guilty" of escaping too. As an adult now, I can say I'm passed all of that and have done a 180. I am currently VERY curious, concerned, and wanting to LEARN. I am political and trying to best that I can to keep up with the latest.

However, I would also like to mention that being OVERLY political or OVERLY concerned is also not a good thing. There needs to be a HEALTHY balance between the two. To mock these kids is not making ourselves any more superior at all. We are mocking and criticizing without taking any time to understand why the younger generation is as superficial and apathetic as they are. I strongly concur with Aristotle's position that all things should be in moderation - even if that's something that I cannot successfully juggle myself.

For example, as I said earlier, I do care about the world that I live in and preoccupy myself with politics and all the deeper things in life. But if that was all I did, I'd be bored out of my mind. I still long for the escape into superficial hobbies such as playing games, going to karaoke, listening to music and dancing, getting drunk on occasion (when my health permits these activities, of course!), watching the stupidest TV shows ever - just because they're stupid, and I love a good laugh! The world needs to laugh more, and some people are just way too serious.

By the way, in school, I was MORE concerned about the hottie sitting a few rows from me than whatever topic was being discussed by my teacher! Now, I'm making up for it. Because it feels right for me now.

We all deserve to escape. Some people come home from an exhausting and highly stressful day at work. What do they want to do when they come home? Work more? A lot of people want to RELAX. What is relaxing? For some, that means resting the mind into a less cerebral an activity so that they can be alert for the next battling day at work. So, it all depends on what job one may have? How's their financial situation? Are they in the middle of a divorce? Are they being over-worked? Did someone just die? Do they or a loved one have serious health problems? Do they have children that are consuming all of their sanity and energy? Some people don't even know where they're going to get the money for their next bill! People have stuff going on in their lives EVEN if they're not a kid!

So, all I'm trying to say is to let's not judge these people. Nobody is holier than another. There's a valid explanation for everything - even though we may not understand it or agree with it. Once again... all things should be in moderation. Happy play. Happy work. Those are the healthiest people, anyway. Life, as we know it, is too short, and one should start out thinking of the self. Because if YOU'RE happy, well... then you can make another person happy too! :-)

• research company so interview goes so ridiculously good on Friday they want you to start monday
• keep following up with interview from last Friday even though all signs are pointing to "bite me" yet again
• pat self on back for not taking any of it personally.  Believe it or not, if that company rejects me, I'm finally numb to it.  not that I don't care, but I really can't take it personally.  They have no idea how awesome I am.
• get that link Maria sent so you can sell prints.  If people want to buy my photos, i'm all for it.  If I had money I would frame my favorites and that costs money, so I suppose it's safe to assume other people would if they really do like them.  Now, how to price them?
• Send some files to Factor to print out -- edit some stuff
• Get resume paper so a million more resumes can be printed out.  Review resume AGAIN and see if it needs alterations
• Try not to let this crap get you down.  It's hard, especially when no one else realizes the severity of the situation.  But I have to remind myself that its easy to assume things arent' really as bad as they are being whined about.  Trust me, people, it's bad.

With that, think positively for Maria, her mommy is in the hospital needing some good thoughts and prayers (if you do that sort of thing)