Arbitrary Observations #2

Welcome to another edition of "Arbitrary Observations." This is Fernando aka Emit Sam X here to give you, the reader, a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Being that I'm now on my winter break from UCI, I have some free time to kill, as well as a bunch of ideas/topics on my mind. And away I go!!!


Fall Quarter Reflection
I have survived the first third of my freshmen year in college, all the while meeting lots of new people and doing plenty of work. I feel that it's a great accomplishment, as there are a lot of people out there who cannot withstand the bulk of work given at this level of education. I was smart taking just 12 units in do-able classes. I thought it would ease my transition into college from a very lethargic summer. However, I'm kickin' it up a notch with 16 credits this upcoming quarter, as I'm up for the challenge. I will not underestimate these classes as I did with some this quarter, because this is college, not high school; it's a different level.

And as this quarter draws to a close, I look at what I've done besides academics. First off, I'm happy with being involved in UCI's M.E.Ch.A. (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan). It was a great help in my transition into college life, as I kinda felt alone the first few weeks. This group filled with great people with a great attitude and spirit, as well as being part of my raza, is also changing my outlook on life, as it reminds that I have the potential to help change the world for the better, something that can be forgotten in the rat race called life. No doubt I'll continue being a MEChista in the upcoming quarter.

Another thing, while many around me were drinking, smoking weed, doing huka, etc. I myself did not partake in such activities and stayed sober. Why? Well, I just find it not necessary to have fun. Don't get me wrong, drinking and getting high might be great, I have no problem if ya like it. It's just that I don't do it just for the sake of doing it, or just 'cause there's nothing better to do. I would like to drink when the occasion calls for it (i.e. a CELEBRATION BITCH!!!), as I would like to try weed once (no harm in just a lil' experimentation). What I find more crazy is the subtle yet powerful peer pressure in doin' such things. Just watching it and seeing all the fun that comes along with it is pretty convincing. However, something inside me is saying to watch out for such vices. Call me what you wish, but I always listen to my gut, and for the majority of the time it has led me down the right path.

Family Guy > The Boondocks?
I was surfing through Youtube.com the other day and I ran into a clip of The Boondocks. It was a clip of the latest episode that features rap star Lil' Wayne. Basically, there were numerous comments that expressed offense to the clip, where Lil' Wayne's character, as well as Riley, says the word "nigga" several times in the span of one minute and 23 seconds. There was this one comment that tried to explain that one must look past the foul language of the show and try to see that it sometimes gives a valuable lesson in the world today. One douche bag by the screen name "cocainetheband" argued that the show was crap and that shows like South Park, The Simpsons, and Family Guy were better shows with clever insight.

I agreed with the first three, but I just laughed at the notion that Family Guy is more insightful than The Boondocks. So I chimed in with my two cents and tried to explain that, although Family Guy is funny, it is not even near the echelon of worldly and clever as The Boondocks. Then the dude responded with several comments questioning my intelligence and talking about how Family Guy is more popular. But after a while I grew tired of him and ignored him. Didn't want to be a loser and spend all my free time online.

All that I have to say is this: The Boondocks, albeit racy with its use of the "N" word, satirizes the world that we live in, whether it be black culture, politics, race, etc. You know, shit that matters in this day and age. Family Guy just satirizes pop-culture in general, nothing more than one interchangeable joke after another (jokes that don't even tie back to original plot). I am a fan of both shows, and I have no problem with people not liking The Boondocks, to each his/her own. However, to say that Family Guy is worlds more insightful is a joke itself. A joke so simple that a manatee can make (a shot at Family Guy by the guys of South Park).

15 Years of Raw
I'm keeping this one short and sweet, as I had no problem or insight to this. I caught WWE Raw's 15th Anniversary Special, and I'll I have to say is that it was awesome!!! It was great to see all the great moments of Raw, from the beginning, to the Attitude Era, to more recent memories. Nice to see the likes of Ted DiBiase, Trish Stratus, Lita, Rob Van Dam, the list goes on and on. The fans even got a sweet ladder match between Jeff Hardy and Carlito! Props to the WWE on keeping on their roll of keeping me interested in wrestling, 'cause TNA sure ain't doing it.

The Thesis
Yesterday was my last Final. Although it was hard, I was relieved that it was over and done with. When I got back to the dorm, I went out to eat with some of my hall mates, like Eric, Chris, Morgan, etc. The dinner was all right, as it served its purpose of replenishing my exhausted body. After said dinner, I got an aim message from my friend Sarah, who asked for some assistance in her writing essay. Being that she's really nice and I was feeling great after the final, I decided to help. Little did I know that it was gonna take 4 hours to edit said essay!!! I've never done that before, even with my own essays. The main problem was trying to come up with a thesis that conveys Sarah's main argument. We also did a lot of goofing off in between, either crackin' jokes or just conversing. It was a lot of fun, wouldn't mind doing it again. I was able to help a fellow student, as well as kill a few hours with very funny and nice person. Not to mention that she's pretty cute too... ;)


On that note, I think that'll do it for this edition of "Arbitrary Observations." Tune in next time as I either have something interesting to talk about, or just something to put on blast with one of my rants. Until next time, this is Fernando "Emit Sam X" Garcia wishing you a happy holidays and a fine New Year!!! Later...