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!!

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

Peace, I'm out!!!

On my way to SLC, and tonight New York, Boston in the morning, and finally Cape Cod!!! Life is good.  You will here from me tomorrow night with some good travel ranting.

It's coming, are you ready ?!?

You know it's gonna come.  You have watched it happen for years to other people, and you think you know what to do when it happens.  You think you are prepared, but you are not.  It will hit you out of left field and next thing you know you are fully immersed in it.  What is it you ask?  It's life, and it's is coming full steam ahead.  Are you ready for it?  That is a rhetorical question cause i know you aren't.  So let me give you some advice from someone that's been hit in the face with it and fell flat.

At one point in my life I was a young college student (freaky, I know) and my focus was on school, friends, family and church.  My life was pretty even kill.  I paid for school, lived at home and abroad.  Had a car. Worked, you know the basics. I had everything under control.  But with one fall swoop of the Grim Reaper's scythe, my life was drastically changed.  If someone had told me all that went into the process of keeping myself financially sound, maybe my results would have been different.  There were things that I was now in charge of like house payments, homeowners insurance, life insurance policies, electric, water, gas.  Every thing came down at once, and every one wanted money I didn't have.  I failed miserably, but in my failure I learned a lot.

One of the things might sound like an old cliche but here it is.  Its never too early to start planning your future.  I know that my case is somewhat dramatic, but there are plenty other natural and unnatural disasters (MIP's, anyone?) that can throw you into financial uncertainty.  You need certain fall back plans.  The reality of being a student now is that most of us work. We have certain expenses like rent, tuition, car insurance to pay.  You work to pay your bills, your tithes (if you pay those, some people don't), and you extracurricular activities, but how about paying yourself?  I mean its your money, so why not put some away for yourself?  You never know what may happen, its good to have a savings nest egg. 

Basically for ever pay period you have take out 20 dollars on the net, or 10% of anything over $200.  Have it either debited out of your direct deposit or when you take your check to your bank cash it and put the money aside.  Let it collect in a savings account with no debit card.  I repeat NO DEBIT CARD!  This will enforce three things in you, Discipline, because you have to make a concerted effort, Budgeting, cause you have less disposable income, and creativity, because..... well you don't have 20 bones for a movie so you better learn how to enjoy sock puppet theater. Lets be honest, a nest egg is good to have if maybe you break your foot, or get laid off, or didn't quite wobble home before mister police officer could stop you wandering down the street.  You will be glad you had that savings.

Another helpful thing, and I know this may be difficult for some, but invest in a mini-fridge and some cooking skills. Nationally, students spend about 11 billion dollars on snack food and beverages a year.  The trend at studentuniversity.com is that even student on meal plans spend more disposable income on fast food.  A quarter-pounder extra value meal is about 4.75 in Logan Utah.  For less than 16.00 bucks (4 trips to McDonalds)  you could wrap out about 16 extra value meals.  I'm not a math wiz by any means, but that about a buck a meal.  Plus cooking can be a cheap social activity that everyone can get into.  See new ideas for the people putting the money back. ehh, ehh?

Finally,  something you may not ever think of, and let me apologize before hand if it seems morbid, but life insurance.  In the case that the Grim Reaper swings his scythe your direction early on, those little policies that your mom and dad have may not be enough to cover all of your expenses.  Investigate how much you really need to take care of all of your needs you will find that monthly coverage with a good plan will cost you are the family less than you think.  Then take it to your families to investigate.  They just might think you are getting something out of this college experience and throw more money your way.  Can you say Las Vegas anyone?

This isn't a perfect science, and I mess up all the time, but it's something to try to prepare yourself for the real world.  Isn't it worth it to gve yourself a fighting chance in this crazy economic world?  Either way you look at it,  Nathan Christensen still had to read this blog.  What up NATE!!!!

At the crossroads with no direction

I have always been proud of the fact that I am a part of some amazing organizations because of who I am.  They all have become a part of me.  Some times they cross paths, but mostly the only affiliation they have is me.  Today however, I hit a an intersection in two of the major parts of me.  The situation between these two I am facing is one I'm use to, but not on this level.  I don't think its possible for me not to fully be me, but I am asked to basically decide to show one facet of me over the other.  I'll figure my stick out soon, but is this something you have faced?  If so, how did you deal with it?

Thanks

Family Week approaches

This is so hilarious!!! Thanks JUJU for bringing it to my attention. Now only if they crossed Queer As Folk with Predator..... Epic

Miley Cyrus can't be tamed! Heaven help us all!!!!!

Dear Miley,  You are no longer a Disney entity.  I get it.  You were the poster child for all things right with the Disney machine and now, you are ready to shed that image and spread your wings.  But baby, do you have to shed your youth and clothing too?  I am all for your artistic expression and creativity, but throwing on some wings, too tight clothes, and fake kissing a girl isn't art, its just weird because you are SEVENTEEN!!!

Do you know how many creeps are sitting around while they play W.O.W with a countdown ticker till your 18th birthday??  Does that not creep you out at all?  What if one of those crazies finally gets permission from their moms to use her car and starts stalking you?  Things you got to think about as you are stepping out in this new identity.  I can't lie, those outfits are cute, but they aren't youthful.  They don't show your personality. They just show skin.  After time that allure dies.  Then what are you left with?  Your voice.  No one can deny you have a gift, but instead of focusing on that, they are looking at your boobs.  It's not needed baby.  You were a star before you took off the clothes.

So here is the deal.  Put your clothes on, stop listening to your dad (he means well, I hope, but he's not giving you the best guidance), come find me, and I will be your fashion director.  I will keep you fly and fresh at all times, and you can focus on being a star, and not looking like Lady Gaga's love child with Billy Ray.