"I have allergies but am not allergic."

I had a conversation with a gal today and discussed allergies. What came of this conversation is that I realized most people that suffer from seasonal allergies, or environmental allergies will commonly say they are not allergic to anything. Their thinking when asked if they are allergic to anything is food allergies or insect bites etc. 


I had to sit and wonder why a common disjuncture had been created in the minds of the majority that although they have allergies that they are not allergic to anything. What is it that makes environmental allergies different from food allergies so that they cannot be collectively grouped as allergies?

The only thing that I can think of is that people categorize their seasonal allergies different from food-based allergies due to the reaction differences.

America- Equality or Prejudice

In recent conversations with numerous individuals in the recent light of state elections has brought up some interesting conversation of past events. As everyone debates for whom they should vote, they hope that these politicians will somehow change things miraculously. This is not a discussion of constitutional reform or even government revolution; this is a questioning of one particular comment that was made, “You must have voted for that white guy.” Now the general context of this comment was in discussions of Barrack Obama becoming America’s first black President. Upon the above comment being made, I just had to ask myself if the attitudes of prejudice had ever left following the Civil War.

It seems that there is still an attitude of prejudice left buried, even if just barely, in these Americans that profess equality. If everything was truly equal, and stereotypes and racisms had left, wouldn’t the titles just read, “America elects its 44^th President, Barack Obama.” This society still adamantly declares white and black. If we still identify the two candidates based on the color of their skin, aren’t we still judging their capacities by their race?

These thoughts beg the next question, “Did the candidates win or lose based on their leadership capacities, or was this a contest of black vs. white?” Perhaps this society felt a need to prove that all racism was gone by voting to have the first black American President. If this is the case, then have we really taken a step forward?

I would merely beg everyone that feels compelled to do so, to examine himself or herself. To eradicate racism is to do so at every level, in thought and action. We should not identify anyone as the white guy or the black guy. This attitude only reinforces the stereotypes of our past that we have been struggling so hard to remove for the last century and a half. Let us all make an effort to remove these thinkings.

The [Lack of a] Second Encounter

After no word from Megan, the simple beauty I was hoping to hear from, I began to come to the conclusion that perhaps my intuition was further off than ever before. Had my abilities of perception really deceived me so terribly? Megan was unlike any girl I had ever shown interest in before. She was not the first thing that I saw, but more something I had come upon that could quite possibly be best for me in the long run. The attraction I had was beyond anything physical or pathetic like the pursuit of gorgeous yet shallow women. The thought of being wrong about a change in romantic pursuits was a disappointment and relief.

Knowing the results of my prior pursuits provided a comfort of being accustomed to the past I appeared to be approaching once more. Yet knowing the pains that resulted in a disheartened attitude of dissatisfaction prevented me from being anything but mildly disappointed. The excitement that was kept tightly clutched at the prospects of experiencing something new was slowly being released from the death clutch.

So I soldiered back into the rhythm of the prior life as if nothing had changed.

We Met on a Bench

On a very average Tuesday in October, the 19th to be exact, I could have been found walking to my class. After turning the last corner before I would walk down that hall I spotted her again. Sitting on a bench across from my class was this girl. I had seen this curious beauty before. Emanating from her was an oddly peculiar sense of independence. Dressed comfortably with no intent to impress anyone normally would not have caught the attention of an individual like myself. Yet she had this appealing look, it was attractively simple. Perhaps this was a clue from the subconscious buried deep down that attention had been paid to the wrong character of individuals. Regardless, my attention was set on her. Taking care so as to not draw attention to my undoubtedly  obvious stare I reminded myself what I was doing, walking to class.

No one was in the classroom as of yet, the door still closed and locked. So what choice did I have but to sit down on this bench? Not wanting to come across as the creeper every female dreads in the halls of a college filled with males with less than respectable intentions I took great care to sit on the furthest end of the bench. Now this bench was not very large and only provided for a few feet of space so care was taken to appear as if I was not paying much attention to her at all.

My task of not drawing attention to myself became easier after a fellow competitor sat down right next to her opposite me; practically in her lap. Could this be the one man she associated herself with? Could she be his “old lady?” Quietly listening on the sidelines to the conversation as they discussed their upcoming test for that day I was able to gain a sense that quite possibly they were only fellow classmates. Now I had to but only reach deep inside myself to find that ounce of courage I kept safe for such occasions. Fortunately, it was not too far buried under the clutter of my past tribulations. I interjected with discussion of the class for which they were about to enter for their final test. Having already taken that class I felt confident in being able to start up easy conversation that would not raise any warnings in her mind that my intentions were anything other than casual and friendly. This was a pursuit tactic that I felt to be least likely to end in dismal failure.

After only a few minutes of various discussions and assurances of the ease of their upcoming test my classroom opened up which prompted my exit. This was an undoubted salvation as my facial expressions were certainly conveying the feelings that I kept hidden within. The magnetism of her smile only drew me in closer to see the sheer and subtle joy she kept inside. Her eyes danced to the song of comfort she had with our conversation. This only increased the feelings of optimism that I felt that maybe, quite possibly, she was thinking to herself, “I hope he’s interested.” Answering this question in mind as if it had already been asked I was screaming internally, “Yes!” Not knowing the best next step I politely exited the conversation.

Walking away, I wondered if I would ever see this girl again. Knowing that this was the last day of their class, I had a feeling of angst that maybe I had missed my opportunity. With no options appearing, I wished to maintain character and walked into class. Quickly distracting myself with the topic of microeconomics, I was able to drown the discontent bubbling within. The discussion of collective action kept me diverted until my excessive consumption of soda earlier caught up with me. Stepping out of class to take care of this minimal interruption I was met by a hand dealt only by luck. Simply by chance, this girl, this pretty thing, stepped out of her class. Knowing that this was an opportune chance sent directly from above I carried on a more personal conversation that possibly could be perceived for its true intentions.

Being much more personable in topics than before when discussing academics I fully knew that I was coming across much differently than before. Hopefully this would not cause her to heighten her defenses. Based on the reciprocation of conversation I knew she had not. Letting me learn more about her and answering her questions as well I was able to gain an understanding that she very well might be twisting inside just as I was as well. Knowing that I couldn’t explain my absence of twenty minutes I was sure that I needed to reenter my class immediately so I carefully made my exit making sure to get her name and of course leaving her the ability to get in touch with me should she so desire to continue the conversations.