students for concealed carry on campus: concealed crazy on campus?

This weekend while tooling around facebook, I stumbled upon a facebook group entitled Students for Concealed Carry on Campus. Boasting close to 30, 000 members, the group aims to make it legal for college students to carry concealed firearms around school campuses. Citing the rash of college shootings, a main driver for the group's fervent advocacy is a wish for the ability to defend themselves in such situations. Now, I too, am still apalled by school shootings from Columbine to VA Tech, but is increased firearm presence by untrained, party inclined, and stressed out students really going to do anything but cause more problems?

what happened to the filet and bottle of wine?

A friend of mine found herself on a date recently. They met at a quasi-fast food, alebit good, restaurant for dinner where they ate cafteria style. The main portion of the date was getting drunk at a party. Ah, the romance, right? Wasn't there a time when a date meant someone showing up at your door dressed to whisk you off to a evening of filet and a bottle of red at a chintzy new place? Not anymore, we've killed the date.

I don't think I have ever had that romantic first date, or even a romantic second, third or fortieth. Instead we are subject to awkward coversation, sub-par experience, and a complete lack of magic, or we forego all that and take it straight to the bedroom. It seems there was a time (and maybe this is just in movies) where someone put some thought into a date and created an experience worth remembering. Now, it's just figure out somewhere to eat or something to see, hope we get in, and then suffer until it's over. Somehow through all that maybe enough of a connection is established to create a relationship.

I like to be excited about a date. Excited to see where the conversation leads and what the other person is wearing. I like to wonder what it's going to be like when we say good night, and if there will be a kiss. Maybe a romantic, flirty walk around the canal before calling it a night because you aren't ready to say goodnight yet. I guess, I'm old fashioned, but I like to think I'm worth it. Worth an actual date.

bright lights, date city

It may surprise many of you to know that I am single. I know, I know, How can he be single? (I'm sure my ego has nothing to do with it). Trust me, it's the question du ano (make that like three anos, but who's keeping count really?). Now that we have that fun bit of Justin trivia cleared up, I'll get to my point.

When did dating become so complicated? I feel like there should be a clear procession of events that can either lead to a relationship or to dodging phone calls while trying to maintain a clear conscience. 2008 Indy is not that simple.

Conundrum of the year so far: How the hell do you know if it's a date or if it's the dreaded "just friends" or just a meal ticket? I feel like at one point we used to announce our intentions. Like he'd say "Wanna come up?" and you knew there were a whole host of things that could go up. Recently I went out with someone who I am quite attracted to, and yet have no idea what side of the line we fall. We had a lingery car moment though. He didn't just hop out and say, "Peace." There was some idle chatter, an awkward hug, and me with a puzzled expression. Now, I'm always a respectable gentleman (unless drunk) and would never invite myself up (unless really drunk), but, damn, what do I have to do?

In an omnipresent landscape of digital connections and mobile chatting, we have completely lost the capability for face to face dating and flirting. We now have screennames to hide behind and the ambiguity of written dialogue. It's no wonder that we don't know how to read someone's intentions because there is no winkey face emoticon to follow whatever they are saying. Text messaging as even replaced calling someone. It's much easier to text someone out for dinner because then you can't hear them scramble for a reason to pass on you.

There is truly no way to get past this interplay of mixed messages without taking a dive into more frightening waters. We have to be able to accept rejection and embarassing moments for something to finally happen. Shit, get drunk even. Lord knows I've done some stupid things when schwasted, but some of those have been hella fun. It's not the other person we have to be afraid of, but the perfectly pixellated image of ourselves.

spring cleaning

Spring cleaning has commenced around # 234 with satisfying results! It's great to see the dirt and buildup that's collected all winter disappear with each scrub of the soapy sponge. I've only just completed my bathroom and already the metaphors are materializing. So far this year has felt like a chance to clean-up a lot of my past messes, and to make some new progress in my life. I've drastically distanced (read: offloaded) myself from someone who I've felt was holding me back for the past couple years, and the freedom has felt staggeringly refreshing. I've reconnected with some people and strengthened ties with the ones who've been important to me in Indy. I've definitely stepped up my game at work . 2008 has been successful.