before i start ranting, this blog is not meant to offend any police officers. i actually think some officers are very noble courageous men and women who put their lives on the line to defend civilians everyday. BUT the visible faces of the popo - the traffic patrol state troopers and whatnots - give the police a bad reputation. i mean to give them some credit, it's not totally these jerk wads' fault because they're just doing their jobs but what if their jobs suck? suck hard.

so let's say i had a run in with the law today. i was driving down this street and i stopped at the light. as the light turns green, i accelerate to make a left-turn. as i'm turning across the intersection, there is a police car in the lane next to me (the going straight lane) and he turns on his lights. so i'm like hey okay this cop guy has his lights on, there must be some dire emergency he has to attend to. maybe someone's life is in danger. i politely hit the brakes to let him cut into my lane and go save some lives. but no, he signals for me to turn ahead of him. well okay, if you say so. yeahh, turns out this stupid state trooper guy wants to pull me over. let me tell you, i was puzzled as fuck. this was the first time i'd ever been pulled over by a cop in my short driving career. and i didn't do anything wrong (to my knowledge). i was driving 40 mph - the correct speed limit; i had my seat belt on; i signaled to turn left; i did not run the red light; i offered to yield to emergency vehicles. i mean seriously, sounds like i'm an upstanding citizen doesn't it? WRONG.

let me tell you a small story first. i hate wearing seat belts. ever since i was little. imagine being a tiny kid sitting in the backseat with the seatbelt like strung across you. if you were tiny like i was, the seatbelt literally borderline chokes you over the neck. well maybe that's an exaggeration, but it was very very uncomfortable and i hated it. well as i grew up and the law "click it or ticket" came into play, i sucked it up and wore my seat belt. BUT i got into this habit of sticking the belt under my left arm instead of having it strangle me across my chest and under my neck. it was just more comfortable that way. well lo and behold, i was pulled over and ticketed for that. yeah apparently, some idiot lawmakers decided like five years ago that having a law about wearing a seatbelt wasn't enough -- they needed a law about how to wear a seatbelt correctly. that is the stupidest thing i have ever heard of. WTF. THERE'S A CORRECT WAY TO WEAR A SEATBELT? isn't it enough that i'm wearing a seatbelt?! geez law makers and state troopers, you can't have your cake and eat it too. just be thankful i'm wearing my seat belt for you. yeah yeah i know the seatbelt is more for me. but hey it's my life. i can decide if i want to risk it by wearing the seatbelt under my arm. but oh wait, i wouldn't be risking it because I'M STILL WEARING A SEATBELT. sfjelksjfksdjf

so the moral of the story is: dear law makers and police department, find a different way to earn some damn money instead of fining innocent drivers like me who are wearing their seatbelts. oh, and don't wear your seatbelt under your arms fellow xangans. it's against the law.

sincerelyyy,
me

ps. have you ever had a ridiculous run in with the popo?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Ah, the second largest card-sending day each year (according to the US Greeting Card Association). But after sleeping half of this seemingly important day of love away, I question the significance of such an occasion. According to Wikipedia, this "holiday" is named after two early Christian martyrs named Valentine. Their respective martyrdom had no association with love whatsoever until lore of modern times portrayed "Valentine as a priest who refused an unattested law attributed to Roman Emperor Claudius II, allegedly ordering that young men remain single" because married men did not make good soldiers. As the story goes, Valentine was throw in jail and executed for performing secret marriage ceremonies for young men. Upon his death, he wrote a note to his beloved that read - from your Valentine. Thus, leaving us with the roots of Valentine's Day.

So basically, what that means is that Valentine's Day essentially has no historical backing? It is all based on a twisted fictional tale? I can't say that for a fact (thus the question marks), but I can say that perhaps the day has been propagated to have more narrowed implications than it should. Yesterday, I was listening to the radio on my way to school when I heard a male radio broadcaster whom I shall not name subtly imply that single women are pathetic on Valentine's Day. Now the implication sounds a lot worse that what he actually said, but it was still there. Like an upset caller mentioned to the radio station, I would like to point out that what people often forget about February 14th every year is that it is not merely a day to celebrate romantic affections from or for your significant other, it is a holiday to celebrate the people you love and the people who love you.

It is just as important to celebrate this day with your family and your friends who have been there for you through thick and thin. Isn't that what love is all about? My family enjoyed a home cooked steak meal together today as well as home-made chocolate covered strawberries. And my best friends surprised me with a shooting star James Avery ring - an unnecessary action by far, but an appreciated gesture nevertheless.   
 
So my point is to all you people who have misconceptions about this loving holiday, don't forget to celebrate love - and that does not mean just romantic notions; it includes familial relationships as well as friendships. Single ladies still remain strong and independent and do not need any reassurance or flowers from a man to remind them that they are in fact - loveable.

Sincerelyyy,
me 

ps. what is your take on Valentine's Day?