Argh, frustration.

Okay, so here's how it went. The other night, I was talking politics at a party (no one shared my taste in music, and I'm actually a bit charier discussing that with someone than with discussing opposing political views) and someone mentioned (in reference to his Nobel Prize win) how, "Oh, well, Obama has been trying to bring peace." And I responded saying that, "Trying is great, but it's a lot different from actually doing. If he actually brought some ounce of peace to the Middle East, then, by all means, give him the Nobel Prize." The conversation shifted to healthcare (I was probably ranting about how that whole thing is a disaster, too), and I mentioned how we should take after the French with their healthcare system. To which the girl replies, "Oh, no, I think that's bad. It's too socialist."

lajsdlkfja YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT SOCIALISM IS. France has the #1 healthcare system in the world. How is "socialism" a bad thing when it is keeping everyone in the country covered for their health? Health shouldn't be a privilege; it should be a right. Allowing insurance companies to profit off of people's sickness is disgusting. I know that I would much prefer to live in a ~socialist~ country so long as it didn't have such inhumane practices going on within it.

I can't understand how people cannot even consider assimilating foreign ideas just because of the name they are given. Hell, France has it's issues, but it's healthcare system works. But, fine, don't want universal coverage because you are an ignorant/heartless conservative? That's cool. But then why is the public option such a dangerous thing?

I am beyond sick of this country. Or, at least, the people of this country. Bombastic, chauvinistic idiots like Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin are actually taken seriously. Seen as gods, even, to some which is ironic, because most of the people that worship the ground they walk on seem to be the most radical Christians.

ALTHOUGH. I do have some hope. This, for example, is unrelated but awesome:


But still. I can't believe that Obama doesn't back gay marriage. Pfft, I bet he actually does, but just doesn't want to come out about it (har har). No matter what, though, I can't get over Obama's gregariousness. He's been making mistakes, but he's just so amiable and smooth and cool. I don't get how people can hate him so much. At least he's not a dirty liar, right, Bush?

Anyway. This entry has gone no where. I think the point of this was, really, just for me to rant. And now I'm done. Until next time~

People never think anything is anything real. I'm getting sick of it.

I'm not yet done with the book. But I have a deadline to meet. 

I can't understand what people find creepy about Holden and Phoebe. In risk of me sounding like a conforming non-conformist, I love their relationship. Phoebe can see Holden like he can't see himself. She can tell him when he's acting like a fool, even though in his mind his actions are justified. It's not because she's some kind of prodigal psychiatrist or anything. She's just his sister; she's a kid in this world, just like him, and she sympathizes with the pressure that both are under. I do believe that all of this is subconscious for both of them, though.   

But at this point, if people are saying that it's weird that they were dancing or whatever, it's obvious that the entire purpose of the book has escaped them. I know, I know: I'm being presumptuous and judgmental. Hence the tag. This is supposed to be an honest blog, though, right? I'm just being honest.  

These posts read more like rants against society, and less like opinions of Catcher. Well... Catcher is a bit of a rant against society, so. Not totally justified, but it'll do. 

I'll update a bit more when I finish the novel this weekend. 

I'm not giving an elementary course in psychoanalysis

With only 58 pages to go, I'm feeling more and more empathetic for Holden. I'm beginning to not understand how, at this point in the novel, one can still feel so resentful and unyielding towards him. Rather, I can't comprehend how one can really not get him. There are plenty of characters throughout fiction (and of course, in real life) that we dislike, but we get them all the same. Holden is not, I should think, so different from most adolescents.

Or am I just overestimating human nature? I am plenty aware of how self-righteous I sound when I say this, but are most people just so oblivious to the psychological patterns of the depressed/mentally unstable and introverted? Even as an frequent extrovert myself (although according to this article, maybe I have defined the boundaries of psychoanalysis, for I can indeed be productive in thought when alone, just as I am in company) it is not so hard to understand the workings of Holden. Clearly, there is more to meets the eye with him. And no, I am not going to say that he seems rude at first but is caring underneath, and that he still thinks about Allie often, blah blah blah. That's all obvious; that's standard character dissection.

I fear, though, that if I am to examine his character in depth now, this entry will become an epic, and possibly a controversy (for the frustration for mankind that I share with Holden will surely come through.) But maybe that's it; I feel so defensive because I am seeing so much of myself in Holden. So, to be frank (with you, and myself), a character study would be a façade for a self evaluation, and I do not think that I want to expose myself like that so publicly.

So, I'm at a bit of a loss right now. After thinking about things to say, points of make, about the story, I have concluded that all of it will just lead to what I've just stated I do not want to discuss. Maybe, for my next update, I'll be able to get off my high-horse and write up a proper Catcher entry. For the moment, I can think of nothing useful or relatable.