The Kind-Hearted Smart Aleck

I'm not sure what the deal is exactly, but I can't tell you how many articles I've read or rants I've heard lately regarding the "nice guy." These rants typically include the following statements: - "'Nice guys' aren't really that nice!" - "What's the big deal about nice guys being nice? Isn't everyone nice? They're just doing things all guys do, but not all guys talk about it like they do!" - "These 'nice guys' are simply sexists looking for an excuse to blame women for their problems!" - "Look, nice guys - she's not into you because you're a loser, because you're ugly, and because, did I mention you're a loser? It's not because you're nice, so get over it!" Yes, it appears as if a fairly decent sized segment of the population is anti-"nice guy." They feel these "nice guys" are either fake, weak, or a bit of both. So, what's the ...

I honestly never saw myself becoming the person I am today, especially when it comes to how I'm now often times repulsed by others' poor eating and drinking habits. Perhaps it's largely due to the fact that I used have horrendous eating and drinking habits 5+ years ago. About 10 years ago, I drank a great quantity of soda. Following some cavities due to that great soda consumption, I switched to Gatorade and that wasn't much better. I also ate fast food on a very regular basis, wasn't coy about eating junk food, yet naively enough, I felt so long as I exercised regularly, I could help off-set all those calories and get into better shape as a result. My naivete was, of course, wrong. I was lucky to break even on the scale in a given week, and would often times add a pound or two. Nowadays, while my eating and drinking habits are by no means perfect, I've learned that one's diet is the most important ingredient to being healthy and staying in shape (or get...

Okay, I'm finding this to be more and more interesting. I joined this friend-making/dating site a while back after I moved here from Omaha. I didn't know anyone in the area, so I thought it might be a good way to meet some people, get shown around the area, be introduced to more people and who knows, perhaps wind up dating somebody. None of that has happened, but I have remained a member. I studied psychology, so yes, I find people to be rather fascinating and enjoy reading about different people's interests, perspectives and the like. Upon doing this, I've picked up on something I think. I'm now wondering if there is a possible link between intelligence and self-confidence and not the link one may immediately think of when hearing those two words. I'm guessing most people would think with an increase in one's intelligence, there too would be an increase in their confidence, but I'm finding the opposite to be true. Those whom held college degrees of all ...

Alright, so I ran into (no, not literally) a Facebook status which kind of bugged me today. It was written by a, I don't know how to classify her, a Facebook friend. She's lost a few pounds in recent months and looks very good, in my opinion (and many others'). She's also a die-hard Christian. I'd say a good 54.6% of her statuses involve the word "God". Today, her status read something like, "It feels good to look in the mirror and like who you are and what you're becoming" or something like that. It dealt with her losing weight and looking good. Sure, that's great. I know that as much as anyone, as I've lost some weight in recent years and feel pretty good about myself as far as my appearance goes. But to place such an emphasis on who a person is and is going to be solely on their appearance kind of bugs me. This is especially the case since she's so gung-ho on Christianity. What was it Jesus supposedly said? In John 7:24, he was...

Even with his approval ratings right around 45%, I'm growing more and more confident that Barack Obama will be re-elected in the 2012 election and I'm going to call it right now - Obama wins the 2012 election. There are a few reasons why my confidence on this matter is growing. First off, history gives Obama a very good chance. In a majority of cases, incumbent presidents win their re-election bid. There are exceptions, of course (Carter, H.W., etc.), but those exceptions are definitely in the minority. Secondly, for as awful as things have looked at times in this country, especially on the economic/jobs front, Obama's approval has been fairly steady, in the 43-50% range. He hasn't dropped below 40%, which means while a good majority of the country isn't happy with how things are going right now, they're not assessing all or even most of the blame to Obama and are willing to give him some more time to right the ship, so to speak. With the unemployment rate d...

Judgmental Ignorance When I walk into a room, What do others see? What do they think? What do they feel? When I open my mouth, What do they hear? Do they understand? Do they care? Leaving friends at a bar, Words inevitably spoken about me, Never knowing what they are, What they truly think, When separated from family, My name is mentioned, Judgments and worries, Fears and questions, Looking a woman in the eyes, Ignorant on how to read, Does she see anger and deception? Kindness and honesty? Walking toward the mirrors, All staring at me, Ignorant of their judgments, Not knowing what they see, I stare into the mirror, All others are forgotten, Helpless to what they see or hear, Walking toward them with confidence.

(Un)Deserved Always late for dinner, Excuses running rampant, Lying through your teeth, I deserve better, Instigating arguments, Blowing out-of-proportion, Enjoying the drama, I deserve better, Vagueness a regularity, Openness scarce, Forced conclusions via speculation, I deserve better, Double standards aplenty, Mind games as well, Manipulation tactics prevalent, I deserve better, Using me for my kindness, Using me for my generosity, With a lack of appreciation displayed, Reciprocations a rarity, My confidence begins to wane, Due to your constant negativity, Having to repeat to myself time and again, You don’t deserve me.

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Have you ever known a person who was so dependent on being involved in a relationship, they were either involved with someone or complaining that they weren't involved with anyone? I know some people like that, one in particular. It's as if regardless of how well their life is going at the time, they can't feel any bit of happiness without a boyfriend or girlfriend. There's no middle or gray area here, either. When they're dating again, no matter how big of a jerk the person they're dating is, they're ecstatic. But, if they're single, it's oh woe is me. Nobody loves me. I'll be single forever. So, when they go on these tangents, I'll give a few words of advice and state, "You know, if you can't be happy with yourself and your life right now, what makes you think that having a boyfriend/girlfriend will make everything alright? You've got to accept and be happy with yourself first, before you can truly find acceptance and happi...