Duke: so wise at such a young age

When Duke was little, he made us very special Christmas presents every year. He would cut cardboard into animal shapes and give them to us an ornaments. Without a doubt, his best work was the elephant. I'd go so far as to call it his masterpiece.

Well, they say that a true artist is never fully appreciated in his time. And while my family undoubtedly appreciated Duke's presents, possibly even calling them our favorite gifts of the season, his ornaments are not yet being sold at Hallmark.

This year, though, it might be time to get back to Duke's Cardboard Creations (I coined them a name). After receiving an email that listed a number of stores that would be closing, yet still offering gift cards, I became a little disheartened. These stores (such as Circuit City, Sharper Imagine, Wilson's Leather...) will sell gift cards and will not tell shoppers the stores are closing. Therefore, poor unaware consumers will have useless gift cards that the stores will not honor in anyway...

At Christmas, they're doing this? The time of year when we're all supposed to spread love, joy, and merriment, regardless of the situation? They're scamming shoppers?

It just doesn't seem right.

But, a woman from the FTC came to talk in one of my classes today and apparently, doing this is not only legal, but considered to be a good business practice. It's just their way of riding out the recession. They're making a few extra dollars before they really go under. I mean, they're losing all their money, why shouldn't you?

I certainly don't support it, but I guess I can't really tell Circuit City what to do.

So, in order to steer clear of becoming a victim of chapter nine, a few steps can be taken.

1. Give gifts, not gift cards. Besides, it's more thoughtful.
2. Make your gifts. Not only is it thoughtful, but it can create a bonding experience among the makers.
3. Go green. Give money.

No, I can't put my phone away

On Monday, my very docile professor yelled at my class. He yelled so much I almost cried. He yelled until 2.11. My class ended at 2.15. My heart pounded until 2.35

He was so upset because almost everyone in the 20-person class had their phones out. He said that students had changed too much; we were pitiful if we couldn't handle 75 minutes without our phones.

OK. So maybe I'm pitiful.

If I am MIA for 75 minutes, my friends will worry. Often if I don't respond to a text within five minutes, my friends send the text again (or maybe even: "Where are you???"). If I'm MIA for 75 minutes, my emails will become daunting. I'd be seriously overwhelmed once I final reentered civilization.

And I'm not alone. Today, I had a 25 minute break between classes so I went to the Union to outline a paper. Sitting next to me, I overheard two girls talking.

Busy: Oh, I'm so tired. I want to nap.
Busier: Me too, but I don't have time at all.
Busy: I know, this week is crazy.
Busier: Last night, I was talking to my dad at 9 PM as I was scarfing down a sandwich for dinner and he was like, this is a busy week, huh? And I was like, this is my life, Dad.

And while I found Busier to be a little bit annoying and even a little bit more melodramatic, I know what she means.

It's that feeling of- maybe next week I'll be able to eat all three meals one day. Maybe next semester I'll see my friends outside of meetings. Maybe next year I'll have time to shower. (just kidding...kind of.)

We're all so over programmed. We have to join this and run for that because we want that one job. And we'll have to come in earlier and stay later because we'll want the promotion. And...

When does it stop? When do we breathe?

I don't know.

But, I take comfort in knowing I'm not alone.

Courtney, for example, hasn't blogged in over a week (not to call her out, but it makes me feel less guilty).

I can't help but think that maybe it just feels better to be busy, to have a purpose. It's the way of Generation Y.

Want to join this club? Y Not?
Want to start this organization? Y Not?
Want to be the next American President? Y Not?

Why not do everything we're capable of doing (or even not so capable of doing)? Why not just do it all?

So, maybe, just maybe, we are pitiful since we can't put away our planners because we might think of something else to add to our to do list. Maybe we have to eat dinner while walking to a meeting and talking on the phone. Maybe we have to blog in class if we ever want to get it done...

It's possible that what makes us pitiful makes us stronger. Well, as long as it doesn't kill us.

Even Disney dreams

"I won't grow up! I don't want to wear a tie! And a serious expression, in the middle of July! And if it means I must prepare to shoulder burdens with a worried air- I'll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up..." Peter Pan

For a good majority of Sam's youth he was certain he was going to be a doggy mailman when he grew up.

I mean, he liked dogs. He liked getting mail. He liked talking to people. It all made sense.

As I continue my job search, I almost wish I, too, could just be a doggy mailman.

Well, that's a lie.

But, I do wish that life was so simple that I could say, confidently, exactly what I wanted to be, and no one could challenge me or tell me that the job didn't actually exist.

The more time I spend looking for jobs, the more I understand why so many people guiltily yearn for their youth. When things were so easy and so simple...

And with recent developments, I'm not feeling so guilty for dreaming of a simpler time.

A number of celebrities are opting to take on character roles in cartoons. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa boasts Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith and John Wayne, to name a few.

You really can't blame them for it. I mean, imagine playing a dark and distburbing role for twelve hours a day. After wrapping, you have to go home to your family, and act completely undisturbed and unbothered by the terrifying scenes (I guess it's a horror film...).

...or, you could play Alex the lion in Madagascar. It's not really a toss up.

While the cartoon character craze may not be a new trend, when combined with Disney's new couture line, playing up our youth is becoming overwhelmingly popular.

Between high fashion, luxury furniture and wedding dresses (move over Vera), Disney has launched a new lifestyle brand.

While some of the pieces are a bit excessive, such as the Mickey Mouse pumps (I question why they didn't do Minnie Mouse pumps, personally), other pieces show very little sign of Disney (i.e. the wedding dresses).While Disney sees the limitations of their label, they're attempting to keep up with Dolce & Gabbana and Vivienne Tam. Being the empire that they are, I'd imagine that if Disney's believes it, they really will acheive it. Whether or not they're currently seen on the shelves next to Michael Kors, I'm confident that given enough time, Disney will be right there with Dior and Dolce.

I'm already waiting for the day when Angelina Jolie tells E! that she's wearing Disney Couture.