Writer's Block- Searching for the Cure

It could be said that I have had a severe case of writer's block for the last... year or so. This has been tremendously disheartening for me (as I'm sure it is for most writers when they find themselves in such ruts). I can only assume that this rut has largely been due to the fact that I have been preoccupied trying to find a viable way to live my life. I am a junior in college and the pressure of choosing a major that will get me a job and out of my boyfriend's parent's basement is intense.

Through this last year I have been pushing my dreams of becoming a writer to the wayside, and seriously contemplating becoming a high school English teacher. After sitting through an interview that would determine whether or not I would be accepted into the Teaching Program at my University, I was told that nearly all of the students who had applied for the Teaching Program were aiming to be either History or English teachers. I was told that if I wanted a job and if I wanted to stand out and get hired, I would need a minor that would appeal to my employers (such as teaching English as a Second Language). I left the interview feeling hopeless- after months of convincing myself that this was a job that I would love, I had finally faced the fact that it was not. My passion was not for teaching, it was for English. It has always been for English. For reading and writing.

About a week after this fateful interview, my drunk best friend told me she thought my plans to become a teacher were a "cop-out." And she was right. I was defensive at first, thinking that teaching was the only way, the only sure thing that could be acquired with an English/Creative Writing Degree, but so what? My heart wasn't in teaching. My heart wasn't even in money. So why did I care if my degree got me a steady job with a decent paycheck? Of course, I've been forking out thousands of dollars a year hoping to escape the fast food business, but was it really the right choice for me to settle for something I didn't have a passion for, just to get by?

And so, I have decided that I will dual major in English and Creative Writing. No Teaching Degree. No Technical Writing Degree. No Teaching English as a Second Language Degree. Just English. I will finally give myself the chance to do what I've wanted to do since I wrote my first story in the 2nd grade. I'm going to take a serious chance, and maybe I won't make it, maybe I'll be the poor English Major I was always told I'd be, but at least I'll be able to say that I tried. I tried really hard. I did everything I could. And I didn't settle.

Luna's Astrological Sign

In case it is not already known, Luna is my cat. She is 10 months old and was born sometime during the month of May. Through some research on the internet (and it's hard to find super great sources for pet star signs) I have decided that Luna is probably a Taurus cat in a Gemini cusp. I got the following information from a site I found called Astrology Weekly- I thought it was really interesting and insightful.

Taurus: The Earth Mother

The Taurus Cat is totally unflappable...most of the time. This feline is impossible to shock and well able to hold his or her own in the face of danger...usually due to the fact that he or she is far too idle to get up and move out of the way. This cat's sraightforward approach to life will be easy to understand. The Taurus Cat is steady and dependable...always where the owner expects this cat to be and doing what is expected of him or her. In short, the Taurus Cat is a creature of habit and routine who will never...ever...do anything unpredictable and to whom catnaps are the breath of life. Physically, the Taurus Cat will be a large specimen...the kind of feline whose size is often a conversation piece and one remarked upon by all. He or she will also possess big, beautiful eyes and an equally huge appetite, which results in the health problem eventually experienced by most Taurus Cats...obesity. Food can prove to be the downfall of this feline, even if the owner is extremely careful and strict with diet. Lack of sustenance may be the only thing that will motivate the Taurus Cat to get up, go out and complain to the neighbors about the cruelty of his or her owner. This feline will also be adept at fooling everyone who enters the kitchen into thinking that nobody has remembered to feed him or her. When the Taurus Cat is awake, he or she is an amiable companion, well aware of which hand does the feeding...and determined to ensure that whoever owns that hand continues to be so generous. If it were not for the fact that this feline will spend most of his or her life dead to the world (rather like an inconveniently-placed ball of fur), the Taurus Cat would be the almost perfect cat. Laid-back, calm, tolerant and near impossible to ruffle, this feline could be described by some as boring and dogmatic. On the other hand, some believe that being around a Taurus Cat can lower blood pressure, cure migraines and add years to the life of an owner.

It will be necessary to vacuum around, dust around and step over this feline. The Taurus Cat sleeps most of time and during slumber, nothing will awaken him or her. This cat rarely allows paws or torso to lose contact with a solid surface...partly because he or she will be too heavy to move very far, but more so through a genuine need to be in constant touch with the ground. The Taurus Cat has an innate affinity with the earth and will spend hours studying wild life, lying in the sun and not moving a muscle. It is foolish to expect this cat to become a "mouser" who will actually help out around the house by keeping down the number of unwanted intruders. To this feline, such an activity would be far too much like hard work. The female Taurus Cat truly comes into her own when she is allowed to breed...a life surrounded by kittens is her idea of bliss.

Natives of many signs are appreciative of the more elusive yet finer points of the Taurus Cat...most notably Capricorn, Cancer and Virgo. Owners governed by any of these three Zodiac Signs will find the Taurus Cat to be ideal and have little problem in curbing the desire to hurry or chivvy this feline along. Since this cat tends to radiate peace and contentment, the Taurus Cat is a perfect companion for seniors and individuals troubled by illness or bouts of depression. In short, the Taurus Cat thrives in an atmosphere which is familiar and built upon routine.

Gemini: Cat On A Hot Tin Roof

Gemini is the Sign of the kitten-cat...the exaggeratedly playful feline who is fickle and indecisive to the point of distraction. Blessed with the gift of eternal youth, this cat will fritter away his or her life in a muddled confusion of comings and goings...ditherings and datherings...for this is the born explorer of the cat world. The Gemini Cat is a highly intellectual creature but lacks the ability to make much sense, twittering and squawking at owners most of the time. This feline is a lively and enthusiastic cat, but possesses something of a split personality, which only serves to further complicate an already complex character. It is not often that the feline species will obey a human command, but many Gemini Cats seem to be the exception. Being the most communicative Sign of the Zodiac, these felines appear to actually understand the human language and may even "meow" back as if in answer. Though adverse to being restrained for such basic tasks as baths and nail-clipping, the intelligent nature of the Gemini Cat will allow an owner to prevail...provided the nasty experience is supplemented with loving praise and a favored treat. Physically, the Gemini Cat will always stand out as the cat with two heads...an optical illusion which arises from the ceaselessly agile movements and restless gestures. A highly-strung, hyperactive soul, this feline will possess small features and brightly-eager eyes that are constantly on the move. The Gemini Cat is sleek and long-limbed, possessed with probably the most acute eyesight of its species. The actions of this feline will always be erratic. He or she advances in short, quick flits which stop as suddenly as they started. Then, this feline will be off at a tangent from his or her original direction. Problems often surface when this cat is expected to do something that he or she does not want to do...perhaps stay inside at night, for example. Under such circumstances, the Gemini Cat will respond by collapsing in a heap of nervous exhaustion, refusing to move and expecting to be waited on hand-and-paw until the restriction is lifted. Being exceptionally bright creatures, the Gemini Cat will soon learn how to open any cat-flap.
The Gemini Cat views the home as one glorious adventure playground created especially for his or her enjoyment. This feline will cavort endlessly, sliding down banisters and climbing up curtains, but hardly ever sits still long enough for a cuddle. It is hard to believe that just one cat could cover so much ground and create such widespread destruction in a 24-hour span as can the Gemini Cat...but he or she is only doing what comes naturally. In general, the Gemini Cat is a charmer...a true social success capable of winning over even the most fervent cat-hater. The fun-loving nature and bubbly personality of this feline makes for a thoroughly entertaining pet...provided the owner can cope with the chaos which is sure to follow in his or her wake and is prepared to provide plenty of emotional support. The ancient astrologers made Gemini the ruler of sparrows, so any owner should be prepared for this feline to drop the occasional dead offering at his or her feet.
The Gemini Cat really comes into his or her own when living with a Libra owner and the infectious happiness will be quite obvious. Though Libra is nowhere near as flippant as Gemini, these two signs will share a rather lively relationship. The second-best choice for an owner of the Gemini Cat would probably be an Aquarius native, provided water does not comes into play too often. This feline finds it easy to make friends with most animals, including dogs, and simply adores the companionship of other cats.

I Sold My Soul To The Devil... Who Was In the Guise Of A PETA Enthusiast

While walking through campus today on my way to class, a girl suddenly approached me asking if I had had a chance to sign her petition yet. Overcome with curiosity, I replied "no, what is it for?" She quickly explained that it was simply a petition to offer more vegetarian and vegan friendly food options on campus, making sure to let me know that she was not implying that they stop serving meat altogether. Instantly, the thought of my vegetarian friends came to mind, and how difficult it often is to find a decent selection of food within their diet in public dining facilities. I told her sure, I would sign the petition, and only seconds after having written my name and e-mail address on her crisp and well-prepared piece of petition paper, she handed me a booklet and a page of stickers. The stickers were the first thing I noticed: bearing slogans like "McCruelty... I'm Hating It" in reference to McDonald's, and depicting the iconic clown Ronald McDonald with an evil sharp toothed grin, accusingly holding a blood drenched knife allegedly used to kill the dead chicken hanging from the symbolic M of the fast food franchise.

And I soon realized that that petition may have very well been more than just an innocent plea for more meat-free food options on campus. What a load of crap.

I proceeded to flip through the booklet she had handed me. It was filled with "did you know?" claims like: "pigs are smarter than small children and love to play videogames" and "if given an apple or small ball, turkeys actually play games together much like humans play football or soccer". These facts were proceeded by other information and graphic images involving the cruelty of factory-farms, the negative effect meat and dairy products have on the environment, the turmoils of animal testing and dissection, the horrors of the fur industry, and the sadism of the circus. While some of these things seem worthy of some attention, I can't help but feel that many of the followers are a little... brainwashed.

I had a long discussion with a co-worker of mine who grew up on a farm and many of the facts and statements that PETA had given in their booklet (which was underhandedly thrust upon me) were either twisted, untrue, or vastly overrated. While I do strongly believe that animals should be treated with a great deal of respect and affection, there is simply no denying that it is nature to consume meat. Not HUMAN nature but MOTHER nature.

As far as fur and the circus go... fur is unnecessary and disgusting, and the evil clowns alone (as depicted on the McCruelty sticker) are enough to scare anyone away, not to mention the obvious exploitation of exotic animals.

As for the apparent student seeking a larger variety on her university menu, her having not mentioned anything about the organization she was advocating makes me wonder if I had actually signed a petition to expand the campus's vegetarian menu... or something entirely different. If you have a strong opinion, at least stand behind it rather than cower behind it.

Things that possibly make life worth living...

1.     Mixing slurpees

2.     The bass in “The Game” by Trapt

3.     Rain

4.     Pizza flavored Goldfish crackers

5.     Reading biographies (especially Jim Morrison’s)

6.     Rock concerts

7.     Acting on any spontaneous decision with a friend

8.     Singing

9.    Going on walks- anytime, anywhere, or nowhere at all

10.  Poetry- reading it and writing it

11.   Running zombies over with the lawn mower in Dead Rising

12.  Beautiful and unusual sunsets

13. Roasting marshmallows

14. Renting Elijah Wood movies

15. Dragon’s Blood incense

16.  Solos and instrumentals

17. Painting

18. Playing multiplayer Halo with ROCKETS

19.  Autumn- everything about it is amazing

20.  Daydreaming and night dreaming

21. Writing

22.  People who are comfortably unfit to become part of society

23.   London- anywhere in Europe, really

24.  Making shapes out of clouds and the paint on the ceiling

25.  The movie theatre

26.  Horror/zombie films

27.  Foggy streets

28. Tie-dye

29.  Cooking/baking

30.  Midnight movie premieres

31. Adventures

32. The ocean

33. BAGPIPES

34.  Frosties (sometimes with fries)

35.  Art

36. Things that make other people uncomfortable

37. Gore

38. The part in Bioshock when the brainwashing spell of “Would you kindly?” is revealed

39.  Stories with twist endings

40.  Mysteries

41.  Anything and everything by Edgar Allan Poe

42.  Comic books

43.   Astrology and the supernatural

44.   Long-haired metalheads

45.   Plaid and stripes

46.  Lauri Ylönen from The Rasmus

47.  Buying used books for fifty-cents at the D.I.

48.  Listening to The Doors in the car on a rainy day

49.  Splitting a calzone in the corner in the back of Zeponie’s Pizza

50.   The anatomy of the human body

51.   Tea and coffee

52.   Roses

53.   Mountain Dew

54.  Getting a new issue of Rolling Stone in the mail

55.  Conspiracy theories

56.  Halloween

57.  Festivals

58.  Sitting in the basement at 2 A.M. going on the fourth hour of watching Dexter, because you just can’t stop

59.  Unplanned sleepovers

60.  Mood rings

61.  Bright green bendy straws

62.  Haunted houses

63.  The smell of gasoline

64.  Russel Brand

65. Watching Star Trek: The Next Generation and actually feeling optimistic about the future of mankind