randy pausch, a Carnegie Mellon professor, gives his last lesson on life.  his story is amazing and encouraging.  my favorite part of the article:

“What we’re not going to talk about today,” he continued, “is cancer, because I’ve spent a lot of time talking about that … and we’re not going to talk about things that are even more important, like my wife and [three preschool] kids, because I’m good, but I’m not good enough to talk about that without tearing up.”

What he was there to discuss was how to fulfill your childhood dreams, and the lessons he had learned on his life’s journey.

i’m tall.
i’m a brunette.
i’m white.
i’m an american.
i have freckles.
i have blue eyes.
i’m pale.
i have short hair.
i have long hair.
i’m thin.
i’m a woman.
i’m young.
i’m old.
i’m a southerner.
i’m a westerner.
i’m a christian.
i’m a buddhist.
i’m agnostic.
i’m a moderate.
i’m a conservative.
i’m a liberal.
i’m single.
i’m taken.
i live with 2 men.
i drink.
i don’t smoke.
i’m straight.
i live in the ‘burbs.
i live in the city.
i live in the country.
i own a car.
i own a house.
i own land.
i don’t have a favorite color.
i have a college degree.
i don’t have a masters or phd.
i went to a private school.
i went to a public school.
i’m a programmer.
i’m smart.
i’m dumb.
i don’t wear makeup.
i dye my hair.
i go to bars.
i don’t go to church.
i meditate.
i practice yoga.
i practice kung fu.
i have a green thumb.
i’m not married but i live with my boyfriend.

this list was developed in my head on my commute home last night.  i was thinking about racism, and wondering if our society will ever be rid of it.  as my thoughts developed, i considered that even if we didn’t have race, there are many more things that people will hold against one another or even hate each other for.  so i started compiling a list of things that people have ever judged me for or discriminated against me because of them.  in no way is it comprehensive.  additionally, the opposite of many of those things could be the case because a lot of stuff is relative (old v. young, tall v. short, thin v. fat, etc.).  additionally, i use the word “discriminate” somewhat loosely.  here’s the merriam webster definition.

1 a: to mark or perceive the distinguishing or peculiar features of b: distinguish, differentiate

2: to distinguish by discerning or exposing differences; especially : to distinguish from another like objectintransitive verb

1 a: to make a distinction b: to use good judgment

2: to make a difference in treatment or favor on a basis other than individual merit

people will always find things to discriminate against.  whether it’s your cultural background, where you were born, how you were raised, what your sexual orientation is, etc. most people are in an unspoken power struggle, and part of that (IMO) includes discriminating against people who don’t share the same beliefs or have the same attributes (even though we’re all unique people based on the variety of combinations of beliefs and attributes lol).  i think it’s possible to have a society without discrimination, but i think it’s highly unlikely because people have individual desires and feelings.

just some random thoughts that could use some hashing out.

dear charlie’s (my better half) sist0rz,

plz stop inviting me to pampered chef parties.  i can’t afford to buy a bunch of shit from you every 2 months nor do i feel the need to get guilted into buying a bunch of shit from you every 2 months (or more).

k thx.

love,
rach.