Reefer Madness Revealed

So why do I need to pay $1,000 per class or so at seminary when I can get all the learnin' I need from cable TV?! This morning I watched a highly educational show while I was getting ready for work called "Reefer Madness". Ever seen it? It is a movie that was originally made in 1936 by a church group (excellent production quality for a Christian flick I might add) to warn people against the dangers of smoking marijuana. Some guy found it and turned it into an exploitative film by adding a few more scandalous scenes so it would rake in more money and in the 70's some other guy bought it and turned into a college classic comedy.

Wow, what can I even say? I am sure glad to know that smoking a joint will turn me into a raging serial killer with schizophrenic tendencies! After all, that one kid DID murder his whole family with an axe while high on pot. And just so all of you know, apparently, marijuana is more of a risk to our young people than either heroin OR cocaine. I wonder where meth falls on that scale? It's got to be a close second since, according to the film, they make you behave exactly the same way. Anyone remember that episode of Saved By the Bell where Jessie was taking caffeine pills, only by the way she was acting, you would think it was speed?

Oh, you can only laugh I suppose. People are so fearful. You can read my blog ranting about the effects of this film (and other drug propaganda tools) on kids and our drug culture here if you are interested. I have to warn you though, that blog is a lot less light hearted and a lot more real life.

Gift Giving Cheats

OK, well maybe it doesn't officially count as cheating, but it does take a lot of the work out of it. I'm talking about several cool websites I have found recently that have been lifesavers for me when it comes to gift giving. They have been so helpful, I thought I would share my treasure...

1. www.gifts.com/finder- This website is absolutely A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. The only explanation I have for how well it selects gifts for people is that there must be tiny magical green men who use secret fairy dust to determine which gifts would be right for which people. Basically you answer a few simple questions about the person and it gives you a ton of gift ideas. The crazy part is that I have always found them to be right on and they are super creative and unique suggestions. I put myself in there to get ideas of things to put on my Christmas wish list and I built most of my list of their ideas because I loved everything they suggested for me (plus they made me feel cool because they called me a "hipster").

2. http://www.perpetualkid.com/ - This site is just like all the trendy and clever little nicknack's they sell at Urban Outfitters, but there are thousands of them instead of like 50. A lot of the stuff is very funny too.

3. http://www.wearyourmusic.org/ - This is for the music lover. You can purchase bracelets made out of actual guitar strings that were used by your favorite musicians. They have everyone from Bela Fleck and the Jimmy Buffet to John Mayer and Avril Lavigne. They are kind of pricey ($100 - $200 or so) but would make a very special gift! All profits are donated to charity.

4. http://www.knockknock.biz/ - This one has less options but they are still interesting none the less. I'm not sure how to explain it, so you just have to check it out.

5. http://www.club-offers.com/ - For my birthday I really wanted someone to get me into a "Flowers of the Month" club where they deliver one bouquet every month to your house (I didn't get it). This doesn't have to be cheesy old lady stuff (like "crocheted pot holder of the month") they have "Beer of the Month", "Movie of the Month", "Dessert of the Month", etc. I think it is a fun gift.

6. http://www.hipstercards.com/ - And for all you cheapo's out there who like to give free gifts ( btw, the thought only counts like a couple of times and after that we want presents!) here is a free e-card site that actually has cool e-cards. Some are funny, some raunchy, and some artistic.


Feel free to add suggestions in your comments. Happy shopping!

Home Sweet Home

So for all my bellyaching, you may be surprised to find out that I totally FREAKING love my new apartment! The interior is more like 1989 rather than 1983 like the model had and there is a ginormous tree that shades us, gives us privacy, and makes me feel like a fairy princess. It's also the most happenin' place in the neighborhood to hang out (if you are an 8 year old). There is tons of storage in our place, new carpet, full size washer and dryer (Scottie was thrilled that his towels no longer smell like mildew the way they did when we had a half size set), and best of all the neighbors are some of the best people I have ever met! They are not just cordial, they are like, "hey new best friends, come over and have tons of fun with us!" So cool! It just couldn't be better. I'm totally surprised that I am so happy considering that I usually view any change as only bad. It's great, or at least it will be once I can walk without stubbing my toe on boxes! So here are the awesome stories so far (I'm sure there will be plenty more).

First of all, when we were moving in, Scottie bent down to pick up a box, only to turn his head to the side and watch a little kid standing about 4 feet away, pull down his pants and pee on our step!! So funny!
The next morning when I left for work, there was cat puke on the steps, and when I returned there were used Q-tips laying all over the place. The steps are D-I-R-T-Y to say the least, but I love how random the crap on them is!

On our first full day there, Scottie called me and said, "well, it's our first day in our new place and so far I stole and I looked at porn". Apparently, some little kids found some "adult" playing cards and when they walked away Scottie stole them and threw them away! At least I think he threw them away.... j/k.

Pee, porn, thievery, puke, and earwax. Now this is the life!

P.S. So far the best part about living in a poor neighborhood is that you can get cheap and delicious fried stuff almost anywhere! Frybread, Mmm....