Warming Up in Flagstaff

So one great thing about Flagstaff this winter is that it doesn't seem like Flagstaff at all. With the exception of yesterday, the days have been mild with hardly any wind at all. Enough to get me to start watering the outdoor flower beds again. Although it is always hard to place the events of one year in the broader context of global weather patterns, a part of me can't help but wonder about global warming. Is this just a singular event this year or part of a much larger trend?

Great movie must see: The Skeleton Key. Maybe I liked it because I only screamed a few times (much less than normal for a scary movie), but it also had a really cool plot. The movie's all about Hoodoo in the New Orleans Bayou district and has a great twist near the end.

There is a type of person I usually like to identify myself as, but yesterday I realized some aspects of this type of person that I would rather not be. For example, it is one thing to love Mother Earth and live your life in a way that has the least negative impact on the natural environment. It is another thing to treat other human beings negatively because they could have a potentially negative impact on the environment. All humans have sprung from the earth too. I believe that all people should be treated fairly and equally, because just as all people have the potential to harm Mother Earth, all people also have a fairly large potential of protecting her and living life in the most sustainable way possible. The only way to show people this potential is through openness and love, not by showing distain for their way of life because they don't eat enought tofu... for example, some of the most "hippie" people I see around town are also the meanest to others.

Thumbs up to: Bryan for being awesome.

Give the ax to: mean "hippies."

Random

So it is true. Senioritis. I swore it wouldn't happen to me, and I swore that I would be on top of all my work this semester. Ha ha. I've realized that the only way to stay sane is to simply not worry about it all. I just have to realize that with a little work (but not by overworking), everything that needs to get done this semester will get done without so many worries.

A few days ago in my history class (Medicine and Society), we were discussing AIDS. I've always understood that it is a huge problem faced by millions of people, a great majority of whom have never understood how the HIV virus is transmitted, and who've never had access to life-saving drugs. Commercials on TV urge us to "help join the fight against AIDS." But I've never understood quite what it is that I as an individual could do to help fight such a huge pandemic. Then at class last Thursday, a student guest came in - she's only my age, but has had a ton of experience volunteering with AIDS prevention programs in South America and Africa - she's even been to the US Capitol to help introduce legislation! This student has motivated and inspired me. I've realized there are things I can do to help. There are groups all over the country that help increase awareness about how HIV is transmitted and help introduce legislation to help those in countries hit hardest by AIDS (legislation that doesn't only give money to "faith-based" groups teaching abstinence only).

In other news, check out "Incite," a blog by Rachel's dad. It's always interesting to read and provides unique views on topics we rarely think about but are important parts of our lives, such as how each of us is a living, breathing miracle.

Since the Lumberjack is no longer posting it's "Give the Ax to..." section, I've decided to create my own:

Thumbs up: For those who are fighting to end inequalities against women in poorer countries, since in these countries women have some of the highest rates of being infected with HIV.

Give the ax to: President Bush for being "addicted to oil."