I finally set foot outside of California.

This past weekend was the first time I took a vacation after entering the workforce :P And it was amazing.

First time leaving California. First time on a road trip with multiple friends (Matt C, Tuan T, Ray C, and Kevin R). First time in Las Vegas. First time at EDC. First Ferris wheel ride. First time listening to a live set by myself. A bunch of firsts.

Some unfortunate things happened. Long drive to LV Thursday night to Friday morning made us all very tired for the start of EDC. Missed a few DJs I really wanted to see. Missed several meet-ups with friends because of terrible cell phone reception and lack of Internet/Wi-Fi. But overall, a good weekend. Tried the buffets at Caesar's Palace and the Bellagio. Had In-N-Out a couple of times. Got stuck in traffic going from the hotel to the Speedway, but interacted with fellow attendees along the way. Drained all my energy from being around 400k+ people--too many people, but great energy. But too many. I think my body went into shock from the amount of people that were there haha. Pretty sure I fell asleep the first night in the stands at 3 in the morning.

Full DJ sets that I experienced: Cedric Gervais, Hardwell, Armin van Buuren, Gareth Emery, Kaskade, Tiesto, Andrew Rayel, Mat Zo (by myself), Above & Beyond, Axwell /\ Ingrosso, Tommy Trash (missed the ending), Dash Berlin (last time).

Partial DJ sets: Madeon, Orjan Nilsen, Astrix, Paul Oakenfold.

Missed DJ sets: 3LAU, Dyro & Dannic, Cazzette, Sander van Doorn, Bingo Players, R3hab, Alesso, Paul van Dyk.
I will experience their all live sets eventually.

I wish I could have recorded everything that happened, but it was just a very tiring weekend. I got very little sleep or food. Just tried my best to enjoy everything in the moment it happened.

After EDC, I slept from 4PM Monday to 8:30AM Tuesday. I woke up and felt amazing haha. The drive back to SJ was much better than the drive from there. I was awake for most of it. Plenty of energy until I reached home.

Anyway, after this experience, I was perfectly fine not coming back to Vegas or attending EDC again. It could remain a one-time experience, and I would be fine with that. But my friends want to go again. So I'll probably go again next year too :P Maybe I'll get to see all the DJs I missed this time. We'll also be better prepared. Less exhaustion hopefully.

Can't wait!

Sometimes, I can't fucking stand the filth that exists in this world.

I feel like I often find myself wavering between satisfaction with human kindness and disgust with human sickness.

Sometimes, my anger consumes me, and all I can do is cry. All I can do is think about what I would do if given the opportunity. If you would just give me a name, an address, or something to help me find these abusers... If only I could go back in time and protect you...

I know I don't always take care of myself and I don't always know how to protect myself. But I sure as hell hope I will always know how to protect others.

I still think about the survivor stories I've heard from friends and strangers. From their childhoods, from their teens, from their college years, from so many different points in their lives. In the back of my mind, I'm always asking for more details. So I can find the fuckers who hurt them. I don't know what I would do to them. Or maybe I do. Whatever I would do, those fuckers deserve it.

I just feel this great sadness and this pure animosity right now. And I can't get it out.

I want to meet people. Maybe.

For the most part, I've been happy by myself for a while now. Loneliness doesn't make itself known as often as it used to.

But like I've said before, I want to meet someone and get to know them. I kinda want to explore. Meet new people. But I'm also afraid. Meeting new people is a scary experience for me sometimes. I dunno. I just need to get out of my head.

A significant portion of my friends is on all these new dating apps. Grindr and Jack'd for gay men. Tinder for everyone. A few friends here and there have been suggesting that I try online dating because "three years is a long time to not date." Even though I said I haven't reached that limit--really, is there a limit?--I've been curious to try Tinder. Not specifically to date. Just to meet people and have more first conversations. I don't meet new people very often. It would be nice to see new faces and hear new perspectives. Maybe I would connect with someone...

A part of me just wants to try this because I feel like I should open myself up more to life's possibilities. I've been keeping to myself and sticking to my established circles for a long time. And I feel like I haven't really given myself a chance to connect with someone new.

I'm also a little curious to see who would think I was interesting or attractive enough that they would want to talk to me haha. I honestly think very few would. But maybe that's just my lack of self-confidence talking or something.

I can't decide if I want to try it or not. I kinda want to meet people in a more organic, face-to-face manner, but I know the reality is it's not likely to happen. I'll have to ponder this some more.

Also, I'm trying to see if I can get to know this one person better. (And I used to not notice other people as much when I was interested in someone. Now, I notice other people, but I don't necessarily want to get to know them better.) Seems my few attempts have flopped; or they were always just badly timed. But I'll keep trying, I think. I dunno. I can't tell if they would be receptive. And I'm trying to get over this whole I-don't-want-to-be-rejected-and-ignored fear. I don't even know if my personality would appeal to them.

Then again, I've always assumed I wasn't anybody's type... Or I attract people that are not attractive to me in some way. Sooo yeah.

These kinds of thoughts make me feel like I'm in high school. Fretting about romance and connections and whatnot. Ugh. But I guess I really want someone here with me. I want to get close and be close to someone. I want a big spoon >.< haha. I want safety, security, warmth, love, understanding. I want someone to get me, to share life and memories with me in a way that I won't allow anyone else to. I want that.

But I don't think I'm letting myself get that. But I should.

For now, I'll just let myself get to know someone.

Matt's Rainbow Grad

Yesterday was the SJSU LGBTRC's 6th Annual Rainbow Graduation. Yay! I attended to show support for Matt, one of my closest friends--sometimes, it still feels weird to say I have close friends haha. One of my other friends, Amarissa, was also graduating.

Alex T and Tuan T also came. Zain, as well, whom I've met a few times before but with whom I never really conversed. Met a few nice, interesting people. Crizella, Matt's sister. David, an Applied Math grad. Frank, one of Matt's coworkers.

Matt and Amarissa's speeches got emotional. I had allergies. Nose and eyes were running. During their speeches, it was like my face was replaced with a faucet. I blamed the allergies haha. But seriously, they got me. Matt thanked several folks, including me, in his speech. His emotions were deeply felt at my table. Tuan, Alex, and I were just like, "Oh no. Our eyes!" Haha.

After the grad, we went to Amor Cafe to hang out for a while. Then Matt, Crizella, Tuan, and I decided to hit up Dave & Buster's. I actually played a few games because Matt and Crizella kept swiping me in -w-;; Thanks, y'all, for including me. In return, I gave them my tickets haha.

We decided we were hungry. So we went to Denny's. Crizella ordered some appetizer. And then we bounced because In-N-Out sounded better. We spent a good chunk of time at In-N-Out looking at guys who came through the place haha. I need to learn how to pay attention to people's eyes, so that I know what they're looking at and where their attention is. It would help with my gaydar XD

I didn't get home until around 1:30. Bed by 2.

Up at 5 and managed to fit in a shower, yay! Now, it's time to go to work.

Yesterday was a good day :) And it ended well! I'm happy. And I'm very proud of Matt for finishing his undergrad. I'm looking forward to surviving adulthood with him haha. But first, University Commencement and the Castro on Saturday as an extended celebration!

Dating Strangers.

>.>

A couple of different friends recently (and incredulously) asked me why I haven't dated strangers. Why won't I try meeting and dating new people?

My answer: I think every relationship's foundation should always be a strong friendship. Your partner should be one of your best friends. If you can't be good friends, how are you supposed to be good partners? I personally would like to know that we connect on various levels, not just on a romantic or aesthetic one. I could meet someone I'm interested in, but I wouldn't pursue anything immediately. I would get to know them as a person first. No dates or anything like that. No need to try to impress each other. I just want to get to know you, not the you that you think I would like.

I've also always taken comfort in the fact that Shiva has remained one of my closest friends despite everything bad that happened between us in our relationship. I hate losing people. So I would like to know that, if a relationship were to go south, we could still be friends and our friendship is much stronger than any troubles we face. A break-up would just mean we tried our best to make things work but we weren't compatible or the timing was off. (It's always the timing, dang it!)

When you break up with someone who was never a friend in the first place, you don't have a friendship to go back to. I just can't see myself doing that. When you have such a strong bond together, when you've built something together, when that person is a really good influence on your life, sometimes you should keep their presence in your life. Obviously, breaking up would require some time and space from each other. But it doesn't have to last forever. You can still keep that good influence in your life.

I know that not every relationship that starts as a friendship could return to a friendship. I know circumstances vary. But I would like to know that the possibility is there. Starting off as strangers just makes it seem nearly impossible to retain a friendship afterward. Yeah, some folks should not be friends after they break up. But I can't imagine any relationship of mine ending like that. I would hope I don't date someone who could end up hating me or vice versa.

Another pro for not dating strangers: It feels like I'm less likely to date someone psychotic or abusive. Sometimes, I'm not sure how vulnerable I would be to dating that type of person. Or if I would be able to get myself out of it if that were the case. So as a preventative measure, getting to know a person as well as I can before I decide I would like to explore further options would be best. I've met some very attractive people that I decided to get to know better. And oh dear goodness. The arrogance, the willful ignorance, the stupidity, and the bullshit that has come out of people's mouths... I can't.

When you go on dates with people who don't know you, they're often trying to be on their best behavior to impress you. You don't always get the real, stupid things that are going through their minds until you are nearing or have entered a relationship. Then this is where you feel like you've wasted time and interest. Or you feel like you both have invested enough to give them a pass for the bullshit.

I've realized and come to accept the fact that I'll probably always be the one to pursue someone else. If I'm going to put in all that effort, I want to make damn sure that person is well worth the effort before I take a step in that direction.


You know, I say all this, and I feel like it's the truth for me. But sometimes, I ponder the option of just asking out a stranger. Just to see how that would work out. But I know a part of me is just too afraid to try that. Plus, aesthetically-pleasing strangers really aren't always that attractive... Personality really pulls me in. I've realized this. Recent experiences has proven it to me. So I'll stick with my experience.

Though, who knows? Maybe one day I'll take a risk and try something different. Like Tinder... Hahahahaha maybe not. I have not yet reached that limit.

I just want to get to know someone. I want to feel a connection. One I haven't felt in a long while.

I want to hold someone. Even more so, I want to be held.

But I'm fine waiting. Even if I feel lonely sometimes. Despite the moments of loneliness, I'm actually still pretty happy.

I'm not desperate for a connection. I just think it would be nice to have that in my life.

Yeah, I'm connected to people. Family. Friends. But sometimes I think about how I want more.

I don't know if I'm waiting for it. Or maybe I see potential connections, but I'm just not going after them.

I've always been the person to go after it. To pursue it. I guess I'm kinda tired of having to run after it. Or feeling like I'm the only one who wants it. Like I'm the one who has to prove she's deserving of that connection. Good enough for it.

Or maybe I just put myself into that position. Or that mindset.

I'm tired--that's not the right word, but I can't think of anything better--of being the person who has to convince someone else to give her a chance. I want to be convinced too. I want to know what it feels like to talk to someone who thinks I'm interesting enough to get to know better, who thinks I'm amazing enough to figure out if we vibe well together, and who thinks I'm charming enough to try to convince me to give them a chance.

At least that's what I think, feel, and do when I realize I'm really into someone. I just want to know what it's like from the other end.

But I've settled with the thought that that probably won't happen. It kinda saddens me, but I'm okay with it. I've accepted it.

I'm probably too picky to let that happen anyway :P

The chase is fun sometimes though. At least when I'm less self-conscious and more self-confident >.> It happens haha.

Kina Grannis at the Rickshaw Stop: Awkward and Adorable

It's been a wonderful night...

I bought tickets to Kina's show as soon as I could. 9:05AM on Mother's birthday, right when my first break started. So much excitement. Bought a ticket for myself and another for a friend.

A few days ago, that friend had to cancel because of work. So I asked around on Facebook. Another friend wanted to go and said he was free to go.

Today came. Second friend had to cancel because of work as well. Resort to Facebook again.

Last-minute invites on a Friday night. Never easy. Nobody was free. Decided to sell the extra ticket. I could go alone. I was originally planning to anyway.

Last-minute changes in plan. Ash could go! :D


The bouncer at the club recognized me from Gameboi. Why? Because of my hat of course :P It's always the hat. You know the hat.

Ash tried and failed to take selfies of us XD It's ok. I don't take photos anyway. And we spent a lot of time laughing because we kept overhearing other folks' conversations. The things people say in public... I dunno haha. It's all good though.

Imaginary Future was the opening act. I love his music too. I don't listen to it enough. I should. I was singing along to his songs. He didn't play enough songs.

Maybe it's just me and my perception, but it didn't look like anyone else was singing along with his music >: nor was anyone else singing along with Kina's new songs. I felt like I was the only one. Because I looked around pretty often. People were just standing and listening. I don't think I could do that. I always feel a need to move with the music and sing along. Or maybe hum along.

Oh, and tall people. So many tall people. But it's ok. Their tallness did not impede my ability to enjoy the music haha.

So I was singing along to every song Kina sang :) As soon as her album released this past Tuesday, I started listening to it immediately. Have been listening to it since. I know most if not all the lyrics to her songs. I was compulsive about knowing the lyrics.

In between some songs, Kina gave explanations or backgrounds for certain songs. And I just thought, "Oh hey, I remember her saying this on her album stream." Each time she'd talk about a song, I knew what song she was going to play next XD (I think I'm a little obsessed, but it's healthy, I'm sure.) Her story for "Little Worrier" made me laugh because I could kinda relate. All that worrying builds up, you know. "Forever Blue" got me in the heart space a bit; it just made me think of Earl, Milton, Ton, and Rahul. I thought of family, of my mom losing her father, of loss itself. I feel you, Kina; that song, I feel it.

Her onstage presence was awkwardly adorable. She pointed out all these awkward things about herself, and it just made everyone smile and laugh. I liked that because it shows that she's not just a performer; she's also herself. And that's exactly what I needed to see tonight. At this point in my life. I don't know how to explain it. I just needed to see it for myself.

So I'm pretty sure she played every song on her new album, except I can't remember "Write It in the Sky" at all. Did my brain just completely shut off during that song...? <.<;; It's one of my favorite songs >.< ... Haha what am I saying? They're all my favorites.

Kina had a meet-and-greet at the end of the show, but Ash and I didn't stay. The line was super long. And my foot had started hurting--twisted my ankle on Wednesday while helping Claudia move; darn grass-hidden holes -w-;; I couldn't continue standing any longer. So we left. I was sad, but it's ok.

It's not that I'm missing a chance to meet a celebrity. I don't see her as a celebrity or even a Youtube celebrity. I just see her as someone who seems interesting, talented, and genuine, who found her platform via Youtube. Lucky for us fans that she did find that medium. Anyway, I really just want to meet her in person and give her a hug. Because I have no words to describe or explain how her music resonates with me. I don't want to say cliche things because, while I mean them, they're not the words I'm looking for. They don't really express what I feel. I just want to hug her and hope that that hug translates well how I feel about her and her music.


In conclusion, I just want to meet and get to know genuine people haha. No, no. The conclusion is I think I had a blast tonight and I wish it could have lasted longer. But I am for sure planning to attend the next Kina performance in the Bay Area. And I am determined to meet her. Not for an autograph or a photo. But for that hug. And just to know people like her exist and I can meet them.

Interest can be reciprocated.

This past Friday night, I was hanging out with my friend Vivi and catching up. She's been in Portland for almost a year now. Crazy how fast that passed.

Hung out until 1 or 2 in the morning just talking about a bunch of different things.

At some point in our conversation, I decided to reveal to her that I used to be interested in her. I kinda just threw it into the conversation. Well, I mean, there was a point to it. I was talking about how my first crush was on someone I barely knew and how it affected me and my future romantic interests. I find people attractive or cute, but I don't pursue anything unless we become friends first and I get to know them well enough. Basically, every serious interest I've had has been in someone who was a good friend.

I was listing examples of my former romantic interests. And I tried to add her into the list nonchalantly. I think I lingered on it though haha. When I finished the list, it was quiet for a moment. I didn't really think in that moment. Vivi asked me if I felt awkward, and I said yes. She asked why I felt awkward, and I smiled and shrugged. She then said that it was funny because she was interested in me around the same time.

I blanked for a second, and then an incredulous "What?" came out of my mouth haha. I didn't really ask anything about it. I wasn't sure what to ask. Now, I know what I want to ask, but she's back in Portland :P Next time we talk, I'll ask. When exactly? For how long? Etc. Just some details to maybe fluff up my ego haha.

If I had known this back then, I might have made the foolish decision to ask her out or something. But I know, looking back, I wasn't ready. She most likely wasn't either. Both of us had baggage we were incapable of letting go. I could see that then too, but I might have ignored it if I had known.

I'm glad the awkward moment only lasted a moment XD Glad we could carry on like we usually do. It was good haha. Just thought this was something interesting to share.

Now, I'm just a tiny bit more convinced that a person I like could like me as much. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to ask someone out, after I got to know them as a friend first, of course :P I might not get rejected XD Confidence up by 5% hahaha.

Awkward isn't really awkward.

Situations aren't always as awkward as I think they are. I know it. Sometimes, the situation is just "normal" and forgettable; in my head, it feels so awkward and becomes forever ingrained in my memory. But I've brought up these moments I've had with people, and they usually don't know or remember what I'm talking about--the few times people remember it, they said it was adorably awkward, or something to that effect >.<;; to which I don't even know how to respond o_o

The funny thing is it's only when I bring it up that I let go of that weird moment in time. If I never bring it up, I just keep thinking about it. I guess it's like getting closure when I do bring these moments up haha.

I think I'm getting more comfortable with people, therefore less awkward with them. I hope so. I think it's just the people I want to impress that make me fear awkwardness. But who do I want to impress nowadays? I suppose there's a person here and there.

I pay too much attention to what I'm (not) doing or saying when I'm around someone I don't know that well (but would like to get to know better). I notice that I feel like I'm staring too much at them, and they might think it's weird I'm staring; so I constantly avert my eyes. But then I realize I'm not looking at them enough, which might seem like I'm rude or I don't really care about them; so I try to look at them more. It's like a tug-o-war in my brain, trying to figure out how much attention I should pay to a person. I feel like whether I look at someone for too long or not long enough, it just makes me feel nervous. Like that person is judging me because I don't know how much I should look at them. Really, I know I'm judging myself for some stupid reason.

Long story short: I'm mentally stuck in high school.

Seriously, I'm trying to remind myself that I am no longer in high school and to remember that I am an adult. I should take on social relationships like a mature adult should. If I want to get to know someone better, I shouldn't wait for opportunities to talk to them. I should make an opportunity to talk to them.

But when I do, I just feel that awkward and self-conscious feeling wanting to creep in. Even though, I know everything I'm doing and saying is fine. "Normal."

I've also learned to embrace whatever awkwardness I create. Sometimes, I forget that I learned it. But I live in it. Might as well embrace it. Eventually, it just stops being awkward. It's working so far. At least with people I've gotten to know well enough. But I think that's the case for everyone, yeah?

Yeah, I'm thinking too much. Incoherent thoughts again.


Let's start over: I don't like or dislike awkward moments. They're just there, and I'm okay with that. But because they are there, I think about them more frequently than I should. But I've also gotten used to them and haven't made an effort to reduce the probability of them occurring. So what do I really think of awkward situations?

Actually, I don't even think of them too much anymore. Just right now, they're a prominent topic in my brain for no apparent reason. Okay, maybe it's an apparent reason. Meh.


Haha this really wasn't even about awkwardness. I just rambled about nothing. Just felt like blogging. It's been too long. Hopefully, I'll mention something of substance soon.

Trainer.

I am the new trainer at work. Yay! I won't be doing a bunch of grunt work for much longer :P

I had applied and interviewed for team lead just before NYE but didn't get it. My coworker Sandra did. I was actually pretty happy about that. I didn't really want to be lead. Some of my other coworkers were disappointed I didn't get it, but I was just ecstatic that I wasn't chosen for lead haha. Realized the job descriptiong didn't quite appeal to me enough.

Trainer, however, fits me, as far as I can tell. I don't have to write people up. I don't have to monitor them. But I do get to check their progress and help them improve. And I get to learn every single task that the company throws at us haha.

I didn't have to do another interview for the trainer position, since I had already done an interview for the team lead position. Somehow, I was chosen for trainer. The supervisors called me into the office and offered me the job. I was in shock. A part of me was surprised; but another part of me wasn't. I know the leads and the current trainer have been encouraging me to apply for all the open positions. So I know they put in some good words for me.

But yeah, I'm pretty happy. I'll start learning the ropes tomorrow. And gotta absorb as much as I can in the next three weeks because the current trainer, Vinse, is leaving. This is quite exciting. I was asked to keep this quiet until all the other candidates were notified of the decision. So I just shrugged at my coworkers when they asked. I said, "We'll all know tomorrow." But I want to mark this day, so I'm blogging about it haha. I feel kinda accomplished :) It's pretty good.

2014 is starting off well. Life is going well :)

Now, I just need to work on my ability to talk to people. Especially attractive people ahahaha :P Cute coworker that I've been wanting to get to know and talk to but having a hard time thinking of things to say to yet still saying stupid stuff to. Except I'm already kinda over the whole she's-so-cute thing. I mean, I still think she's cute. But now I'm just like, "Whatever. I'm cool." I think it's because of the fact that we haven't really talked. Not getting to know a person really turns me off of them pretty quickly, I realize haha. Especially if it feels like they don't put in any effort to get to know me or just talk to me.

I should just ask people straight up if they find me annoying or if they would like me to leave them alone. I don't know if anyone would be that honest with me though. I'm usually pretty upfront with people about that stuff. But I give people a chance to prove me wrong before I'm that honest with them haha. And usually I stop finding people annoying after I get to know them better. I actually told one of my coworkers today that I initially thought he was annoying because he talked too much; and after getting to know him better, I thought he could be pretty chill. Yay for being honest, yeah?

Anyway, yeah, random. Good day though haha.

Latent Grief

"We all want to do something to mitigate the pain of loss or to turn grief into something positive, to find a silver lining in the clouds. But I believe there is real value in just standing there, being still, being sad." -John Green

Most days, I think my grief over the death of a friend is done. Gone. Finished.

Then it comes back and slams me right in the chest. And I lose my breath. And I can't think about anything other than the pain in my chest and what caused it. I think about how I could have prevented it. If I could have seen it coming, maybe I would have dodged it or at least braced myself for it.

Today, I didn't see it coming. Work was going so well. I was talking to my coworkers. Smiling. Dancing. Having a good start to the day. Then I had time to myself to think. My work gives me a lot of opportunity to stand there and think about other things. So my thoughts wandered.

The airplane with the members of the Smith family that went missing was found this past Friday. Report said they died a quick death. All I could think was, "I can't imagine what it's like to lose my family like that. To wonder for weeks if they're alive or hurt or starving, only to eventually find out they died." But I guess it's good to have that closure. Closure is soothing.

But then all I could think was they (the rest of the family) didn't get to say goodbye. You never get to say goodbye.

And I thought about the folks I never got to say goodbye to. I don't want to say goodbye. I still talk to them occasionally. But most days, I don't think about them. I'm trying to move forward and not cling to the past. But sometimes, I just want to be stuck in those memories. Memories of Earl, Milton, Ton, and Rahul. They passed so recently; yet, my memories of them are already getting fuzzy. I'm afraid I'll forget them. I'm afraid I'll lose them for good.

Some part of me wants to ask them for forgiveness. But I don't know what for. Well, I know I can't do anything to change their deaths. I know I couldn't have done anything to make the past different. But I still wish I could have been better, and maybe things would have turned out differently, better for them.

I know. I know what I'm doing right now. I know what I've been doing all day. And I know I shouldn't. But I'm doing it anyway. I'm making myself feel responsible for something I couldn't control. I can't control life. I can't control others' lives. Fuck though, I wish I could change something.

I have this fear. It's not really a fear. It's really just a thought. A negative one. But Ton and Rahul died. Both members of the original Q&A family. Ton died almost two years ago. Rahul died last year. It's irrational, I know, but I worry there could be a third this year.

I have friends I worry about. But I don't know if I can be the support they need to get through their hard times. It scares me. Because they have so much promise. And so much potential that could go in any direction. I don't know if I could handle another death.

Death is a part of life. I understand that. I accept that. I do. But sometimes, I just want to fight that reality. Beat it back just for a while. Just believe that death doesn't exist; it can't possibly happen. Yet, it's real; it's felt; it's a part of my history now. As I get older, death will write itself more often into my history. I just hope I can handle it. Especially when it comes to those closest to me. I know my parents will die, but I'm hoping that won't happen for at least another thirty years. I'm hoping Brother makes it to his daughter's wedding day haha and maybe even his first grandchild's eighteenth birthday. Shiva and Harrison, you're both making it to at least 80 with me; you promised. Miah, I hope, will live a long, fulfilling, and happy life. If anything were to ever happen to her, I would die inside or go crazy.

There were so many thoughts flying around my head at work today. I couldn't talk to anybody. I felt like an idiot for being so sad at work, for worrying a couple of folks there. I just couldn't stop thinking. Couldn't stop feeling so sad and so angry at life for what it does to people. At myself for feeling any of this, for not being able to just think about something else and be happy.

But I know that, today, I just needed to be sad. I also needed to be alone. Not the best day to be at work. But it's ok. The day has passed. And I'm feeling better now that I've been home alone.

Tomorrow will be a better day. I'm sure of it.

Angry. What the FUCK?! Rape is rape. Whether the victim was under the influence of anything or not, he or she should not be raped. Whether the perpetrator was under the influence of anything or not, he or she should not rape. Plain and fucking simple.

It doesn't matter what age you are; at any age, you should know taking advantage of other people in any way is wrong. We can argue about moral relativism or whatever. But in our fucking world, rape is wrong, end of story. When is rape ever right, ok, or excusable? How can any rational, caring human being be capable of defending and/or excusing a rapist's actions and disregarding the victim's hardships?

AAAHHHH!! I'm so angry right now. I'm raging at the fact that there are people in this world that think some rapists should be forgiven so quickly because of the circumstances of the rape, including the rapists' age. It shouldn't matter what the circumstances are. The only facts that matter are that there are victims, there are rapists, and we only need to punish one party. That we, as a society, get confused about whether to punish the rapists or the victims just pisses me off so much.

I'm so angry I want to cry.