I'm sick of celebrities

It will never cease to amaze me that people are so interested in the lives of celebrities. These people have nothing to do with us and yet our society is consumed with following their every move. On Yahoo right now the top news story listed is that Uma Thurman got engaged. How is that news? I understand that the definition of news is really just information about a recent event, but I feel like people have come to understand news to be information that should be important to them and has impact on their life. I guess it is news for all those guys out there that were planning on proposing to Uma but for the rest of us, is that really "need to know" information. Also on the Yahoo page I noticed that today's top 4 searches are Angelina Jolie, George Clooney, Nicole Kidman, and Madonna. Amazingly more people are interested in those celebs, than are interested in things that would seem to me to be more important like finding a job, choosing a presidential candidate to vote for, getting out of debt, or what happens when we die.

Some of you may be thinking that I am just jealous because these people are rich and famous and get everyone's attention. Those of you that know me well can probably imagine what I would be like in their shoes. Do you really see me tolerating people following me around taking pictures of me, let alone enjoying it?

If you enjoy reading about celebrities, fine. You have every right to do so and there is plenty of material for you to read. But let me finish by saying this. Actors are pretenders. They pretend to be things like doctors, lawyers, teachers, coaches, astronauts, soldiers etc. By pretending to be a real person they have become more important to our society than what our troops are doing in Iraq. It just sounds pretty ridiculous to me.

The Finer Things

As my school quarter winds down and I complete all my projects and tests I always start to feel much more relaxed. So I've decided to revisit a post from a while back in which I just listed things I really enjoy. With the stress of school relieved I am going to take advantage of this brief time period in which I can be a positive thinker before the misery of Summer in Riverside consumes me.

Some things I really enjoy:

An ice cold Dr. Pepper straight from the can or soda fountain makes pretty much every situation better.

The feeling of handing in a paper or project knowing it is going to get an A.

The realization that I just learned something, or thinking back on an experience and realizing that I am now more knowledgeable and wiser because of that experience.

Being part of a play in a soccer game that goes perfectly; a series of passes precisely made, the right movement by those not in possession of the ball, completed by a shot that is placed just right leaving the goalie with no chance at making a save.

Similarly in the heat of competition realizing that unless a change is made the competition will be loss. Then finding the intensity and the drive to make that change and turn the tide of the game.

Playing Rockband - I know I have no musical talent, I can't sing well at all, and I am not really even that good at the video game. But while I'm playing I get a small taste of my dreams of being a rockstar.

Playing baseball - Running down a fly ball where the only chance of making the catch is to slide for it. Making the catch is great but getting there and having a real chance at making the play is what I enjoy. Also, making a quick scoop on a fast grounder, or having to leap to snag a line drive out of the air.

These simple joys need to be a part of everyones life. They may not happen everyday but I think they need to be experienced on a regular basis. As you think about the simple things you enjoy also think about how often those things occur. It may be that it is not as often as you would like, I suggest you remedy that.

Friendship

I have been reading a book my Dad gave me a while back called "The Speed of Trust". This book talks a little bit about John Adams and Thomas Jefferson and their friendship. When John Adams became the 2nd president Jefferson, being of the opposite political party and receiving the 2nd highest number of votes, was made vice president. The two had grown close while creating the declaration of independence and basically helping establish our country. When they took office Adams expected that he would have Jefferson's full support as he ran the country, but that was not the case. Jefferson wanted to be president and their friendship was greatly strained by the constant butting of heads. Years later Adams was encouraged to extend an "olive branch" to renew the friendship. When he did so Jefferson responded positively and the friendship was renewed. Interestingly enough the two both died 14 years later on the same day, the 4th of July none the less and the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. I can't help but think God has a hand on situations like that. Anyway, what really made me think was a quote from John Adams to Thomas Jefferson. It is as follows, "While I breathe, I shall be your friend".

To me this quote says that no matter what may occur, as long as I'm alive I will consider you my friend. That is an expression of a powerful bond and it made me consider some of my friendships. I would say I have a handful of friends that I feel that way about. That no matter what were to happen I would still consider them a friend. Having said that I also remember past friends with whom I felt very close and may have said the same thing but now I am not close with them at all.

These words are moving and the bond that they reveal is definitely something to be strived for. But I would say the quote is also a statement of a commitment. How committed are we to our friends? Are we so committed that we can look past a friends mistakes or shortcommings? Are we so committed that when a friend hurts us, offends us, or casts us aside we are able to forgive and continue to pursue the friendship. If so, is this something we communicate to our friends? I value my friends very much and try to be good to them but I don't know that I have ever told them straight out how much I value them. My name "Jonathan" comes from the Bible and in the Bible Jonathan is best known for his friendship with David. I feel like the quote John Adams made about Thomas Jefferson is one that Jonathan probably would have said to David. I've never been one to say your name and what it means or where it comes from should play any sort of guiding role in your life. But in this particular circumstance I think it gives good insight into the level of friendships God likes to see among his people.

Just some stuff to think about. Enjoy!