Dear Ben Franklin

Benjamin Franklin said that nothing is certain in life but death and taxes. What he failed to mention is something that he thought was implied. You see, Benjamin Franklin lived in a slow-paced era (compared to today). In his day, it took several weeks, maybe even months, just to contact someone. His "death and taxes" rule applies to long-term living, but I have a revision for him to consider.

These days, with snide politicians and tabloid celebrities, (here it comes) nothing is certain but sex and money. These days, anything can change in an instant thanks to the internet, cell phones, text messaging, etcetera. Ben's little adage still holds true, but there are more instant truths that are the flipside of the coin which were, before, not considered.

Back in Franklin's day, money didn't necessarily mean what it does now. Money was exchanged for goods and as bribes, but more often than not, the bribe could not hold up to honor or friendship. However modern times have proved that a sum of any decent amount can and will buy out a friendship. The problem with money is that it is definite only at that instant. Buying something is instant. The item is bought for its worth and, much like cars from sleazy salesmen, its value will decrease over time.

Sex is the same way. Back then, sex happened inside marriage and was condoned by the church. The young couple get married, have children, and grow old with each other. Now, sex happens at any instant (instant here is metaphorical, much like God's creation of the world) and for any number of purposes: love, conception, money, or persuasion. At that instant, it is the most definitive thing. People fade in and out of death, but, well, you get the picture. The problem with sex is the same as with money: over time its value fades. The love dies, the baby is born, the money spent, or the purpose for persuasion is gone.

Ben Franklin, yeah, he's a smart guy. He just forgot about the future, but I guess I can't blame him. The new term? Nothing is certain in life but death and taxes, and nothing is certain right now but sex and money. Now that I think about it though, dear Ben may not go for that kind of thing.

A Family Halloween

"Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts."
Unknown

This evening, my family all got together to carve pumpkins, eat pizza, and play some games. It's funny how we've gone our separate ways as time has passed. I'm sure I haven't seen all of them together since the last holiday season, and yet we fit back into our own groove. Jessica still owns at any card game, Jacob is still the same annoying little kid, and the rest of us just kind of hang out. But I will say that one thing has changed: me.

I used to feel like I didn't belong to my family. Harsh, I know. There are two sides of the family: my mom's side and Uncle Greg's side. Our side has always been quiet and introspective, and their side has been loud, fun, and always active. Well, when these family get-togethers came around, I never felt like I belonged. This time, though, I did. I guess it just took convincing myself that they weren't different from me, and that I belong here just as much as they do.

Halloween always brings us together in a way that formal Christmas can't. We carve pumpkins, tease each other, play cards, then get all smelly and sweaty running around playing hide-and-seek. This is one of the things I'll miss when I go off to college. I can always come back to my sisters and my parents, but after this year three of us cousins will be off to college with different schedules and different priorities. I've never really thought about this aspect of my life, but I know it will take a lot to get us all together after this year.

This night has been a wonderful glimpse back about ten years, all full of nostalgia. A lot has changed, but it still all works. Maybe that's what college will be like.

So this is a blog...

I'm really excited to be here. The closest thing I've had to a blog is a MySpace, but that wasn't exactly a great environment for writing.

The reason I'm making one of these is that I'm feeling whatever passion for writing I used to have being sucked out of me, and I was hoping that an open forum would help. I wouldn't be offended if no one read it. Actually, I really hope no one reads it.

That's it for now. It's quite possible I'll have random posts of thoughts, or photos.

Do I say goodbye to no one?