It's 1:30am and I just finished talking with Jennifer for the first time since graduation. She told me a bunch of stuff that's been going on with Kyle, Jason, and Sommer. I was surprised. So I guess that's why he hasn't written me back yet. It seems as though everything is fine now, however (with Jason and Sommer).

Jason is one of few high school chums I've kept in contact with. He was one of the few close friends I had during the last four years of public school. I remember when we met in 8th grade, he was dressed very nicely, in a formal fashion, and I thought he was weird. The following Fall, during health class, we began speaking about Star Wars. We were discussing action figures, but the conversation was cut short by talk of large breasts. I told him to call me and we could continue about the topic. He reluctantly agreed. Jason called my house a little after 3pm and we talked for a good 90 minutes about G.I. Joe, Ninja Turtles, Transformers, and, of course, Star Wars. Dork bond initiated. What continued was years of movie-going, trading/collecting, video game exploration, and any number of various other wholesome activities. In particular, I remember after seeing a movie at Eastgate, we went into the adjacent dollar store. I spotted the jawa two-pack and a verbal battle for the green, carded bubble began. I ended up with it, just as when we tussled for Amy's special Luke giveaway figure.

I need to stop before my chance for female attention drops below zero.

Pennywise's "About Time" is one of few albums I didn't own by this band. I bought it today. I really enjoy it, especially "Peaceful Day". I can't really explain why. I've haven't felt well recently, and I guess the lyrics are kin to my feelings.

I've already forgotten the explanation.

Sometimes I feel as if I hate people. All they seem to care about are their own wants. Sure, it's natural and instinctive to take care of yourself before others but at some point it becomes extravagant and selfish.

I'm thankful for water, family, pets, health. I don't need $75 pants. My dog certainly doesn't need a $6,400 diamond-studded necklace. Sheesh.

We spend $100 million on the Academy Awards, the Super Bowl, the Kentucky Derby, and other such events. You know, I'm opening up a can of worms, dealing with economics, trickle-down, and all sorts of other things I don't know much about. Perhaps in some way, spending so much on certain things benefits some people who need. I don't know everything. I'll say this: If that's not true, then I don't think billions of dollars should be spent annually on things of the nature of the events above. If we were to spend our excess money on developing third world countries and areas in need, perhaps the world would be a better place. Would the world economy improve? And thus everything else? Or do we need to be unequal? Do we need the proletariat and poor classes of the world to suffer for the greater good of the majority? Aren't they the majority? I wonder what would happen to this planet if the wealthy nations actually helped the less fortunate rise to a better level, or almost equal to their own measure. Maybe we would over consume. The population would certainly rise, without restrictions. Prices would skyrocket, most likely. But then there would eventually become a new lower class. I suppose there will always be upper and lower groups of people. I need to read more on this subject; I feel very uneducated at the moment.

Back to my original idea: Am I my brother's keeper? I think I am, in certain contexts. I have empathy for my fellow men. If one believes in God, then this is true—we are all one, in that way. But even if you don't hold faith or religion, I think it's still appropriate. Unless you have the means to isolate yourself, you're here...in this society, this world...and everyone that lives is connected to everyone else, whether you're talking about economics, politics, or, by golly, the atmosphere. These alone give us physical and emotional ties. We're bound. I believe in caring for people, whether my son or a stranger. Everything we do resonates, and is relative to all else.