Avoiding

Let's face it: We aren't gonna love every single person we meet in our lives. We're always going to come across people who displease us in a variety of ways, and it just can't be stopped. So naturally, as human beings, what do we do to make sure we never see them again? Oh, of course! We avoid them.

There are many reasons in which you choose to avoid someone. Ironically, one of them could be because of how fond you are of them (and by this, I mean you're highly interested in them). Why on earth would you go head-first into a possible, jovial conversation with your crush, when you can just avoid them? I mean, you're obviously just going to embarrass yourself if you talk to them, so avoiding them is just the best thing! I find this completely paradoxical, but I notice myself doing it sometimes.

Here's one I'm sure a lot of us can relate to. We call in sick to work, and we avoid the outside world for fear that someone we work with will see us. Or, we say we can't cover for someone's shift, and you avoid anyone that works there (or that place of work). Of course, some people might lie to avoid coming in for an extra shift, or even coming to a scheduled shift, and when they do, they use their avoiding skills to be unnoticed! Could you imagine how bad it would be if someone saw you after you told them you couldn't work that day for some obscure reason? Utter. Chaos.

Lastly, and everyone's personal favorite, we avoid people who just plain creep us the eff (that word that rhymes with "duck") out. Being creeped out is just one of those things that no one likes. It's just a statistic (I'm sure). Like, 100/100 people don't enjoy it. Anyway, you see said person, and you immediately think of a detour. Creepers just always be creepin', so you gotta stay away from them, right?

There's also things like avoiding an ex, but that's an obvious one. Once they're an ex, it's just a big, confusing cluster of emotions that you don't even want to deal with by seeing them.

So like I said, it just seems to be part of human nature. We avoid people because we just don't want to be uncomfortable. Discomfort is bad. Of course, it can be hurtful for the other person (if they ever found out...mwahahaha), but at that moment, we're only thinking of ourselves. Plus, who on earth wants a creeper to talk to them? Not I!

So I started a new poll. Go to the top right corner of my poll to vote!

Song of the Week!

This is, (as you can see on the title) "Sixth Sense" by Brown Eyed Girls. They're a super popular Korean band, and their comeback has been awaited by countless fans. This song and video just blew me away, especially the two girls' high notes. It's an amazing song! Listen!

Alright, that's all for now. Peace out, home skillets!

Thinking Too Much

Overthinking: I'm doing it right now.

I'm not sure who all is like this, but I tend to over-think things a lot. In other words, I overanalyze people's actions, and I tend to draw far-fetched conclusions from what I see. I'm not all that sure why I do it, and I'm not sure if it's a good thing, but I just do.

For example, a friend of mine that I've known for a while is extremely supportive of the gay community, and he doesn't talk to me all that much, but I've known him for many years. When he ever comments on my Facebook statuses or just in general (which isn't very often), he's almost flirting with me. I question whether or not he likes me, and I still do, even from that pathetic amount of motive that he gave me.

Another example: In one of my classes, and the guy that sits next to me would usually move up to the front with his friend, assuming she wanted him to, and that she was actually there. One day, she asked him to move up to the seat next to her, and he declined. Coincidentally, this was the same day he initiated a conversation with me. Thus, I thought there was a possibility that he liked me, and not in just a friendly sort of way.

I bet you're thinking: "Seriously Jeff, how did you come up with that?" And my answer to that would be: "I have no idea." I might be the only one in the world who's like this. If I am, well...cool? Either way, it's one of the most annoying qualities I possess. It leads me to false hope, and I just get hurt from thinking too deep, and drawing such strange conclusions.

Anyway, do you do something similar to this? If so, comment on this post and tell me about it! It'll be comforting to know that I'm not the only one who over-thinks about everything.

Don't forget to vote in the poll in the top left corner of my blog! Just one more week to answer!

Song of the Week!

So this is "Forget It" by Jewelry S. It took a while for me to like the song, but it wasn't too long before I fell in love with it. It's the perfect mix of pretty and upbeat. Definitely a feel-good song!

That's all for now! Have a great day/night! (Technically it's night). 

Manners: Use Them

You're having a rough day. You just finished work/class/your school day, and you're ready to just get home and relax. You're on your way out of the building, and you notice someone trailing behind you. Like the kind person you are, you hold it open for them. Then, the walk right through the door, ignoring your very presence. You're pissed, right? They couldn't even say thank you?

That's right, people. Today is about manners. Us nice people love to dole them out because it's in our nature, but to others, they appear as if they don't even care. If the first paragraph doesn't apply to you, you better get reading, because I guarantee that you will win some respect with some manner usage.

I think of manners as just the simple "please" and "thank you" and "You're welcome"'s that we say to people at the appropriate times. Also saying "God bless you" when someone sneezes is a form of manners. They really aren't that to use, so why can't people just use them? Saying "thank you" when someone does something nice for you, and saying "you're welcome" in return is very simple to do. Even holding the door open for someone is super simple. It just bewilders me that people just can't use manners.

Getting a "thank you" out of someone seems to be like pulling teeth (to me) anymore. Of course, I'm on a college campus, in which it seems no one knows how to operate like a decent human being (just a generalization. Not EVERYONE in college is like that. Just a lot.) I'll admit, sometimes I forget to hold a door open, mostly because I'm too trapped in my own brain to realize it, but I usually look behind me to see if anyone is coming. If they are, I hold it open for them. Now, when they say thank you, it makes me feel like they appreciated what I did. When they don't, I immediately lose respect for them. It's not my job to hold doors open for people I don't know. I could easily just let it close on them, but I wouldn't, because I'm polite. Not only does it make them seem rude, but it also makes them appear to be "too good" for anyone. Seriously: Swallow your pride and say thank you. It's not that hard.

"Please" is also really freakin' easy to use. Yet, almost everyone forgets to use it. It's really not that hard to just add it to a request. "Can you hand me the stapler, please?" See? It's so easy. I feel as if it's so easy, that I start refusing things to my friends because they don't use it. It's also not my job to hand people things, so not saying please is like not even wanting it in the first place. If you can't even say please, why are you trying to ask me to do something for you?

Another one that bugs me is when people try to get by you without saying "excuse me". Some people just think squeezing by you in that tight space that's smaller than an ant, and nearly knocking you over is just fine. Though, I'm sure the person they nearly ran over had some choice words for them. Saying excuse me is also simple to do, and it makes things easier on you, because 9/10 times that you say it, the person you're saying it to will move out of the way.

Saying excuse me to get someone's attention (usually if they're speaking to someone already) is another important concept to remember. Just saying "hey!" or "*insert name here*!" over and over again becomes quite annoying. However, simply said those two magical words will grant you a glorious path to victory! If what you have to say is truly that important to you, saying "excuse me" is the least of your worries.

See? Using manners is simple, and I guarantee that it will make you appear to be a better, more respectable person if you use them. For those who don't use them normally, try it. You'll probably get a smile or two from someone. However, if you run into someone who doesn't like manners, well...maybe you should refer them to this post. Living in a mannerless world is such a scary thing to think about.

Song of the Week!

"Asleep" by Emily Browning. It's one of the single most beautiful songs I've ever heard, and I get chills every time I hear it. Not only is this song good, but the movie is pretty amazing as well. Check it, yo.

Also, don't forget to vote in the poll on the top left corner of my blog! Your input is appreciated!

That's all for now! Have a great day!

Simplifying Conversation Initiation

"Such long words in your title, Jeff!" I know, I know. I'm pretty good like that.

Today, I'll be talking about something that takes so much effort, but is actually the easiest thing in the world to do. It's something that haunts us all, and can make even the strongest of people shake at the knees. Yes, kids. I'm talking about starting conversations with strangers (the good kind, if there's such a thing).

It's that time of year at the university I go to, in which people are now separated from their high-school besties, and they desperately want to make new friends. A majority of the people, of course, are thinking, "Just going up to a stranger and talking to them? How frightening! What if they think I'm weird?" I was like this as a freshman as well, but the thing is, it's really not hard to find some common conversation starting ground with someone you've never met.

So let's refer back to the mentality most people have when it comes to initiating conversations with strangers. Did you refer to it? Paragraph two, in the quotations? Good! Now we're on the same track. Well, the person you're about to talk to is probably thinking the same thing. In most cases (especially in a college setting), they're trying to make friends as well. Unless the person is just a cold hearted witch (but with a B), they're most likely going to just go along with it.

How do you start one of these conversations, you say? Quite simple, actually!

1. Compliment an article of clothing they're wearing.

I've noticed that people stare at my shirts a lot. I know, I know, it's because of my impeccable style, but this isn't the point. They stare at it, smile slightly, and I can tell that they like it. If they wanted to talk to me, all they have to say is "I like your shirt! Where'd you get it?" Or something along those lines. I can guarantee that you'll at least have a minute long conversation with them. What you wear can do wonders.

2. Butt in on a conversation.

Use this sparingly, though. You don't want to cut in on someone talking about their family problems, only to hear you say "Oh my gosh! I have those too!" Anyway, if you hear someone talking to their friend about a band, TV show, animal, flavor of cake, or anything else that you can relate to, say something! It might sound like you're eavesdropping, but trust me, I do this a lot at work. Someone was talking about a video game I like, and I asked them, "Yo! You talkin' 'bout Bioshock?" (Except I sounded much less ganster-like). It was just that simple, and it could be just as simple for you!

3. Be the reason a conversation happens.

Yes. I'm telling you to have impeccable style. Just kidding! In other words, simply be yourself. Find ways to express yourself, and just go for it. If you want to wear a panda bear hat (which I will end up doing at some point) out and about, then do it! Someone will end up saying something about it. I mean, who wouldn't? You're wearing a panda hat! (Of course, you can wear any kind of hat you want. I'm not limiting you to pandas, even though they're adorable.)

These are just a few ways, but definitely not all of them. I know it's not easy to just talk to someone you've never met. Believe me, I know. If the fear of being rejected by the person is the only thing from stopping you, it's completely understandable, but easily able to be worked through. Just take a deep breath, walk up to that stranger, and tell her that her skirt is tucked into her underwear. You'll be a lifesaver, and you'll probably make a new friend.

Almost forgot to tell you...vote in the poll I made at the top left corner! Do it! Yeah!

Song of the Week!

So there were two songs I couldn't stop listening to this past week, and I was debating which one I should put up. I was so stuck, that I'm just going to post both!

This song came out last week, and I can't get over how amazing it is. The video is also really adorable. 

I've been jamming to this since I got it yesterday. The rap section in the song is actually really cool, and I don't really like rap music. 

That's all for now! Have a great day!