Thursday, March 1, 2012
Hmmm....
What song is your guilty pleasure? I have many but one from the 90's will always be Brandy and Monica's "The Boy is Mine". Love, Love, LOVE it! What dirty little ditty gets you going?
Monday, December 12, 2011
A new day for my blog!!
Hey all,
So today I was listening to music and as I was explaining the intricacies of one of my favorite songs and the artist that performed them, my stalwart (and super bored of me talking about pop music) Roommate Shifty gave me the idea to write about my findings! So.... here goes. My daily rant (Which has died a needless death) Will now be known as....
Coop's Muse on Pop Culture
So look forward to regularly posted thoughts, reviews, and muses on everything from music to viral videos. If something peaks your interests feel free to leave a comment here or on my facebook page for the blog.
Thanks!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Oh hey, I'm alive!
It's been an awfully long time since I've updated my blog. I look forward to coming back strong with some hard hitting online journalism...... or just writing about the stuff I don't like. either way, I have an important question for my rantsters....... Where do I begin?
Okay, I'll make since of that now. Over the past few years I've been slowly writing a book about my life to this point. Its kinda a mixture of chicken soup for the soul/it gets better campaign/Oh hell no you didn't think that I wasn't gonna talk about that messed up crap you did to me! I have a few selections already written, but I want to start at the beginning. The thing is.... I don't know which beginning to start at! I have narrowed it down to three beginnings and I want your opinion.
Beginning 1: The first cohesive memories I have. You know, childhood and such the sweet period. I would start here and move forward to today.
Beginning 2: The day I stepped off the plane at SLC Airport to live in Utah. It was the day that I left the craziness of my life in Texas behind and tried to start anew in Utah. I had a few bumps but hey, I'm here. I would start with this part and jump backwards to explain this moment.
Beginning 3: Graduation Day. This is the triumph. 28 years in the making. There was no day like this. the day I graduated from college. I would take time to share the joy of this moment and then jump backwards to explain why its such a triumph in my life.
What do you guys think? Where should we start this? I ask you because you all have been so much a part of my story. so leave me a message and tell me what you think.
Loves to all,
Coop
Okay, I'll make since of that now. Over the past few years I've been slowly writing a book about my life to this point. Its kinda a mixture of chicken soup for the soul/it gets better campaign/Oh hell no you didn't think that I wasn't gonna talk about that messed up crap you did to me! I have a few selections already written, but I want to start at the beginning. The thing is.... I don't know which beginning to start at! I have narrowed it down to three beginnings and I want your opinion.
Beginning 1: The first cohesive memories I have. You know, childhood and such the sweet period. I would start here and move forward to today.
Beginning 2: The day I stepped off the plane at SLC Airport to live in Utah. It was the day that I left the craziness of my life in Texas behind and tried to start anew in Utah. I had a few bumps but hey, I'm here. I would start with this part and jump backwards to explain this moment.
Beginning 3: Graduation Day. This is the triumph. 28 years in the making. There was no day like this. the day I graduated from college. I would take time to share the joy of this moment and then jump backwards to explain why its such a triumph in my life.
What do you guys think? Where should we start this? I ask you because you all have been so much a part of my story. so leave me a message and tell me what you think.
Loves to all,
Coop
Monday, September 20, 2010
Big boys (and girls) don't cry...... huh?
Hey Rantsters,
So I am finally back and writing again. I first want to send a big thank you shout out to my buddy over at The Daily Life of Jordan for holding down the fort and keeping you with something to nibble on in my absence. This month has been interesting to say the least, and I feel I'm ready to bring the heat again. Before I do that though, I want to talk to you all about something that can really affect every aspect of your life.
So I had an interesting Conversation with a friend recently. We were discussing how our months were going. I shared with him about all the things going on in my life and how though it was all laid out and going well, I still found my self worried and anxious. I felt like I was on the verge of a breakdown, when there was no need to be. After a long pause in our text conversation, he countered back with a very interesting comment. "You just got to keep it to yourself and not broadcast it to the world." "The last thing you want for people to see is you crying and weak!"
I was quite shocked to read this and thought about it a lot this past week. Is being able to share your feelings and even cry a harmful thing? As I sit here today, safe and somewhat sound, I have found my answer....... HELL NO! I have seen depression in its lowest form. I personally know what it is like to feel like you are all alone, even in a room filled with people. Sometimes it feels impossible to speak about whats happening in your life, but if you have the chance to speak DO IT! I have lost one of my closest Friends to a battle with depression and the biggest thing was he didn't talk to us. No one knew what he was going through or the depths of his pain. So often he would say things like "men aren't supposed to cry", or " I just got to put a smile on my face and keep going."
If You need to scream, SCREAM! If you need to laugh, LAUGH! Most importantly if you need to cry, CRY! Letting that stuff bottle bottle up inside only allows it to fester and rot the beauty of your soul. I'm not saying you need to get on a bullhorn during rush hour traffic and scream your feelings out, but let someone know. To the friends and family, please heed this message. People who are depressed and down need you to listen. Not just with your ears, but with your hearts. You can tell when somethings wrong. Pay attention. If you see a change in someone close to you, don't just sit and wait for you to tell them. Ask whats going on, what they need, how you can help. Silence is the energy Depression feeds on. I've been lucky these past few years to have exceptional friends and fraternity brothers that were listening even when I wasn't talking.
If you read this message, and you are in a bad place, speak. I'm here text me, call, me, send a carrier pigeon if you need to. Know that you are not alone, because we are all part of this interconnected web of humanity and losing one person to depression is like losing a generation. Wee need you. So let it out.
Coop
So I am finally back and writing again. I first want to send a big thank you shout out to my buddy over at The Daily Life of Jordan for holding down the fort and keeping you with something to nibble on in my absence. This month has been interesting to say the least, and I feel I'm ready to bring the heat again. Before I do that though, I want to talk to you all about something that can really affect every aspect of your life.
So I had an interesting Conversation with a friend recently. We were discussing how our months were going. I shared with him about all the things going on in my life and how though it was all laid out and going well, I still found my self worried and anxious. I felt like I was on the verge of a breakdown, when there was no need to be. After a long pause in our text conversation, he countered back with a very interesting comment. "You just got to keep it to yourself and not broadcast it to the world." "The last thing you want for people to see is you crying and weak!"
I was quite shocked to read this and thought about it a lot this past week. Is being able to share your feelings and even cry a harmful thing? As I sit here today, safe and somewhat sound, I have found my answer....... HELL NO! I have seen depression in its lowest form. I personally know what it is like to feel like you are all alone, even in a room filled with people. Sometimes it feels impossible to speak about whats happening in your life, but if you have the chance to speak DO IT! I have lost one of my closest Friends to a battle with depression and the biggest thing was he didn't talk to us. No one knew what he was going through or the depths of his pain. So often he would say things like "men aren't supposed to cry", or " I just got to put a smile on my face and keep going."
If You need to scream, SCREAM! If you need to laugh, LAUGH! Most importantly if you need to cry, CRY! Letting that stuff bottle bottle up inside only allows it to fester and rot the beauty of your soul. I'm not saying you need to get on a bullhorn during rush hour traffic and scream your feelings out, but let someone know. To the friends and family, please heed this message. People who are depressed and down need you to listen. Not just with your ears, but with your hearts. You can tell when somethings wrong. Pay attention. If you see a change in someone close to you, don't just sit and wait for you to tell them. Ask whats going on, what they need, how you can help. Silence is the energy Depression feeds on. I've been lucky these past few years to have exceptional friends and fraternity brothers that were listening even when I wasn't talking.
If you read this message, and you are in a bad place, speak. I'm here text me, call, me, send a carrier pigeon if you need to. Know that you are not alone, because we are all part of this interconnected web of humanity and losing one person to depression is like losing a generation. Wee need you. So let it out.
Coop
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Throwback Sunday Jam!!!
Little Ransters,
Its been a crazy month but I'm back. I decided Sunday would be the day that I would Bring back some jams from when I was in high school. If you know them comment.
The First is from the lyrical maestro Ludacris. This song came out in 2000. I was a junior, and was all about the rap scene. Here ya go!
Its been a crazy month but I'm back. I decided Sunday would be the day that I would Bring back some jams from when I was in high school. If you know them comment.
The First is from the lyrical maestro Ludacris. This song came out in 2000. I was a junior, and was all about the rap scene. Here ya go!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
The power of home
Hey rantsters, you know the old cliche home is where the heart is? Well I have proven it to be a fact! Scientist take note. My travels this summer have have given me insight into this theory, and I want to share my experiences with you. Now this field testing took place over the last two weeks, and has a slight margin of error (throw some weird number in there). All in all I think I could change the face of the world with this data, so here it is.
Two weeks ago I embarked upon the Boston Bay, Headed to a little town in Cape Cod called Provincetown. Here I began a week of tedious and fulfilling volunteer work that was a year in planning. This annual event is know as Family Week for COLAGE. COLAGE is the Only National youth driven network for people with a LGBTQ parent or Guardian. This Organization has been around for 20 years now and Family Week is a 15 year part of its tradition. Now this was only my second year attending, so I didn't fully know what I would feel. The last time I was there I became very close to a lot of people, but some of them weren't returning and some were only gonna be facilitating part of the week.
As we all met together to board the ferry (yes a 2 hour ferry ride in which I was sea sick for most of it) I felt like part of my family had been reunited. Docking on the shores of Provincetown was an amazing feeling. One because I was back on solid ground again and two because I felt like I was home. Throughout the week that feeling was ever present. When the youth got there and we were doing our programming, so many of them came to me and shared stories of last year and were so excited. There were a ton of hugs and love all around. By the end of the week I was in tears because I almost didn't want to leave home for home. The time I spent with my family there was invaluable, but alas the long plane ride home was here.
Now don't get me wrong, there was a lot of people I missed at home, but Utah is kinda boring. Still when I got off the plane I couldn't wait to see all the people and here what happened in my absence. When I got back to Logan, I was once again home. The first stop the good ole Pike house. All of my brothers were enjoying the weather and having a good time. I was home. Hung out with my brother (who are my family) for a while, just laughing and kicking back. Then it was on to my apartment, where my roommates met me with open arms. The love was everywhere, whether it was brotherly or friendly. I knew I was home.
My research has brought me to a simple yet complex answer. Home is not a place, it doesn't have a zipcode or an address. Its the people you consider family. I have been in a place so familiar as Dallas TX and felt so far removed from home. Home is a place of true comfort and acceptance. Home is where the heart is and my heart belongs with my family. So here is a shout out to all my rantster family, Thank you for being my home.
Much love,
Coop
P.S. I'm a scientific genius!!
Two weeks ago I embarked upon the Boston Bay, Headed to a little town in Cape Cod called Provincetown. Here I began a week of tedious and fulfilling volunteer work that was a year in planning. This annual event is know as Family Week for COLAGE. COLAGE is the Only National youth driven network for people with a LGBTQ parent or Guardian. This Organization has been around for 20 years now and Family Week is a 15 year part of its tradition. Now this was only my second year attending, so I didn't fully know what I would feel. The last time I was there I became very close to a lot of people, but some of them weren't returning and some were only gonna be facilitating part of the week.
Now don't get me wrong, there was a lot of people I missed at home, but Utah is kinda boring. Still when I got off the plane I couldn't wait to see all the people and here what happened in my absence. When I got back to Logan, I was once again home. The first stop the good ole Pike house. All of my brothers were enjoying the weather and having a good time. I was home. Hung out with my brother (who are my family) for a while, just laughing and kicking back. Then it was on to my apartment, where my roommates met me with open arms. The love was everywhere, whether it was brotherly or friendly. I knew I was home.
My research has brought me to a simple yet complex answer. Home is not a place, it doesn't have a zipcode or an address. Its the people you consider family. I have been in a place so familiar as Dallas TX and felt so far removed from home. Home is a place of true comfort and acceptance. Home is where the heart is and my heart belongs with my family. So here is a shout out to all my rantster family, Thank you for being my home.
Much love,
Coop
P.S. I'm a scientific genius!!
I'm back to bring the heat
So my trip was great and in other post I'll talk about it, but today I gotta bring my "rantsters" some heat. I've left you waiting way too long. Today's topic is going to get heated real quick, not because of language or sexuality, it's because of religious freedom and being truly American. Right off the bat I'm going to make these three things very clear. I am a Christian. Always have been, always will be. I believe in America and the varied opportunities it offers a free people. Finally, I believe in humanity. Plain and simple. Now on to my rant.
Today I read one of many articles that have come up bashing President Obama. Usually I don't put deep stock into them, but today's article really hit a nerve with me. In New York, in the shadow of Ground Zero An Islamic mosque and community center is to be built. After a much heated debate from both sides of the discussion, it is being allowed to move forward in its construction. President Obama came out with a statement at the end of Ramadan supporting the center and what it stands for.
"This is America," Obama said, "and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakeable. The principle that people of all faiths are welcome in this country, and will not be treated differently by their government, is essential to who we are."
From this statement people have began saying that Obama has "abandoned" America. Abandoned America? How does supporting the right to worship when and where you will abandoning our nation? It's an absolutely ridiculous and a prejudice thing to say! 9-11 was a horrible look into the depths of religious and political fanaticism. It is in no way the standard by which all Islamic people live, and is it fair to condemn a whole cultural group because of the horrid decisions of a small sect?
If so, white people should never be allowed to open a company, own homes or have republican conventions. The "foreign" anglo people who came to this country, killed and drove the natives off there land, brought African slaves and indentured servants to America, and even fought a war over whether or not to allow blacks to be a free people! Once the war was fought and lost, black people were still lynched and decapitated all over the south and denied rights simply because of there skin color. Members of the LDS Church were tarred and feathered, drug from there homes and killed at night. Driven across the plains of America for their way of believing in God. Because they wanted the freedom to practice as they wish. More blood has been shed by the people who called this land home than anyone from the outside.
Yet I don't get up in arms when a white person has a confederacy flag. I don't freak out because there are still standing plantations. I have never told anyone that they were insensitive for paying tribute to our nations founding leaders or Thomas Jefferson. You know why? Because I don't hold accountable a whole group of people for what one small sect has done. When someones hate issues or fanaticism problems are directed towards me, I don't blame their whole religion or cultural group! That's insane! We are a country with forgiveness built into its framework. That's how we have survived. We need not forget our history in the wake of other disasters.
I have no earthly idea what the families of 9/11 went through or are continually going through. That kind of loss I cannot fathom. However, I know that continually cycling hate and insensitivity does not bring comfort. It will not undo the damage of the past. The thing is we have to move forward. Allow our country to be what we say we are. We are a nation built on freedom. If we want to move forward I believe we have to have faith in humanity. This mosque could build bridges of community, unity and faith (as it will be open to the public). Why not take the time to learn what it truly means to be Islamic? The only thing we see in the media are the radical depictions. I don't believe anyone would purposefully build a mosque in an area to be provocative and even if they did, how about showing real American spirit and welcoming them instead of sending back a message of hate.
Its time to move forward with faith. Faith in the humanity of all people. Faith in the resilience of the American people. Faith in the government and what they can do. Finally, Faith in God. I don't care what God you believe in, be faithful to your beliefs. I know as a Christian, my belief is to counter hate with love and that's just what I'm going to do.
Love you all!
Coop
Today I read one of many articles that have come up bashing President Obama. Usually I don't put deep stock into them, but today's article really hit a nerve with me. In New York, in the shadow of Ground Zero An Islamic mosque and community center is to be built. After a much heated debate from both sides of the discussion, it is being allowed to move forward in its construction. President Obama came out with a statement at the end of Ramadan supporting the center and what it stands for.
"This is America," Obama said, "and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakeable. The principle that people of all faiths are welcome in this country, and will not be treated differently by their government, is essential to who we are."
From this statement people have began saying that Obama has "abandoned" America. Abandoned America? How does supporting the right to worship when and where you will abandoning our nation? It's an absolutely ridiculous and a prejudice thing to say! 9-11 was a horrible look into the depths of religious and political fanaticism. It is in no way the standard by which all Islamic people live, and is it fair to condemn a whole cultural group because of the horrid decisions of a small sect?
If so, white people should never be allowed to open a company, own homes or have republican conventions. The "foreign" anglo people who came to this country, killed and drove the natives off there land, brought African slaves and indentured servants to America, and even fought a war over whether or not to allow blacks to be a free people! Once the war was fought and lost, black people were still lynched and decapitated all over the south and denied rights simply because of there skin color. Members of the LDS Church were tarred and feathered, drug from there homes and killed at night. Driven across the plains of America for their way of believing in God. Because they wanted the freedom to practice as they wish. More blood has been shed by the people who called this land home than anyone from the outside.
Yet I don't get up in arms when a white person has a confederacy flag. I don't freak out because there are still standing plantations. I have never told anyone that they were insensitive for paying tribute to our nations founding leaders or Thomas Jefferson. You know why? Because I don't hold accountable a whole group of people for what one small sect has done. When someones hate issues or fanaticism problems are directed towards me, I don't blame their whole religion or cultural group! That's insane! We are a country with forgiveness built into its framework. That's how we have survived. We need not forget our history in the wake of other disasters.
I have no earthly idea what the families of 9/11 went through or are continually going through. That kind of loss I cannot fathom. However, I know that continually cycling hate and insensitivity does not bring comfort. It will not undo the damage of the past. The thing is we have to move forward. Allow our country to be what we say we are. We are a nation built on freedom. If we want to move forward I believe we have to have faith in humanity. This mosque could build bridges of community, unity and faith (as it will be open to the public). Why not take the time to learn what it truly means to be Islamic? The only thing we see in the media are the radical depictions. I don't believe anyone would purposefully build a mosque in an area to be provocative and even if they did, how about showing real American spirit and welcoming them instead of sending back a message of hate.
Its time to move forward with faith. Faith in the humanity of all people. Faith in the resilience of the American people. Faith in the government and what they can do. Finally, Faith in God. I don't care what God you believe in, be faithful to your beliefs. I know as a Christian, my belief is to counter hate with love and that's just what I'm going to do.
Love you all!
Coop
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