The (NOT SO) Skinny Girl

I can see the point to protesting, I really can. The right to protest injustice is actually ingrained into our culture- down to the very roots of America. There is something very wrong with our society and scary things happening at an alarming rate. This is APPARENT. There is UNREST. There is INEQUALITY . There are things happening that have NO RHYME OR REASON. To an open minded and accepting individual, there is a huge problem and no solution in sight. I don't want to pick sides. I want to say that both sides have an equal responsibility in escalating this situation. Point fingers all you want, but cops don't gun down people who are standing there minding their own business. That has not happened ONCE. Cops don't go after people because without REASON. Whatever the reason is. A merchant called the cops because of loitering and dealing going on in his parking lot, it resulted in a death. A bystander called the cops to report an abandoned vehicle in the middle...

One year ago today I was in Italy. We went to Rome, Naples, the Amalfi Coast, and Florence. Last night, earthquakes ripped through the area. They occurred closest to Rome. Photographers and journalists rush to the area to report on it. side note-I'm glad you can make money off of other's misery. What I see in their photos is heartbreaking from all angles. First and Foremost- lives lost. God Speed. Secondly- history lost. Italy is full of beautiful old world charm. I can see it in the buildings reduced to rubble. They say they don't make them like they used to, but maybe someone should have done some inspection on those buildings and given them the support they need :( It doesn't matter what region, what town, what nation that tragedy strikes. It happens. And it makes you stop and think "what if". Photographers take pictures of bodies being extracted and carted away. Of broken people being rescued. Of broken buildings hiding sorrows. We think we are saf...

My question to you is- what does family mean to you? Does family mean you love each other unconditionally, but don't have to like each other? Does it mean that you allow others to make their own disastrous mistakes and keep your mouth closed? Does it mean that you try to divert them when they're on a collision course with heartbreak or failure or stupidity? Does it mean you "agree to disagree" every time you are with them? Does family always ask the other person first whats new? Does family always extend the invitation, or is it assumed the invite is always open? Does family mean open communication but only if it won't butthurt anyone (and does everyone's family have that one person who's butthurt about EVERYTHING?) I love my family. I would fight like a savage to protect them, I would guide them like no one guided me away from all failures and misdemeanors and stupid acts I have traipsed through. I want to be the matriarch, the one they look to...

Here's a thought: How often have you encountered a police officer? me: Possibly too often. I get pulled over a lot. There are often officer patrolling events I am at. I'm in cities a lot where they are working traffic. I also have one as a family member and a few as close personal acquaintances. What is your overall opinion of the officers you have had contact with? me: I'd say they're about 50% douschey and 50% stand up people. Even a stand up person can be a dousche sometimes. Even a dousche can be a stand up person sometimes. My officer family member would give the shirt off his back, is a family man, probably has his douschey "I'm a cop" moments but otherwise is a great guy. ONE TIME... I got pulled over and an officer approached my vehicle with his hand on his gun and yes, I feared for my life. I was afraid and scared and I didn't know why he would do this. After speaking with my family member about the incident, he said that the officer I e...