A journal

Chemical spill at the mall today (Southpoint for those local to NC).

Was sitting chattin with a random person. We both were wondering about everyone being "sick", coughing so much. Then of course we both find our own throats tickled to the point of needing to cough... 'it's just the body shop next door with all the strong smells', right.

Found out in another store that somewhere or another there was a chemical spill of some unknown chemical (at least unknown to the people I discovered this from). I overheard a cop saying something about it to someone but totally missed the 'we think its this' part.

Now I'm feeling a little icky, but it could be any number of other things. Stress of varying sorts, I worked at a hospital last night, got up really early this morning, and the rain all day are the things I think is more likely to be the cause.

But still.. ack!

Ok, nice christians really do exist. You just don't notice them because they're not walking around going "I'm a christian, you're going to hell"...

( little rant... sure )

I had a conversation with an evangelical christian today.. Not intentional on my part. I started speaking about random other things, conversation continued, and I was asked if I was a christian. Sure sign of an evangelical sort (not to mention she decides to go all into the semantics of denominations and evangelicals compared to non-evangelical groups).

The actual part in this conversation that ticks me off (b/c I will discuss any taboo subject with anyone willing--though I usually know where to limit myself and read them to know how not to get too confrontational--we even talked politics ^^). My issue had to deal with when she said those trite words that separate anyone from a touchy subject, "you're still young" or "at your age". Those tried and true words that are sure to sever any connection of understanding or learning of new information. Seems a common method used for those who don't seem to want to deal with new information provided, or a different perspective presented.

I nearly laughed when she assumed that I was the hold firm type. Though I might should take it as a compliment considering I've been accused by everyone that knows me, including myself, as being indecisive, taking too many sides into consideration, as a result not taking a side. I like being the devil's advocate to others and myself. I don't believe in going to an extreme due to the fact that every side has a glimmer of truth, and I believe that needs to be remembered. She automatically assumed that I was the extremist stubborn type who has absolute beliefs about things and won't relent.. apparently all she could see was her niece and herself.

There's a reason for the saying that assumptions only "make and ass out of u and me".. assumptions breed ignorance, they give people an excuse to shut their ears (figuratively and literally) to the truth.

I can be just as guilty, but I'm also aware of this fact. I do my best to avoid or remedy any situation where I go forward lead by assumptions. I have a strong value for the truth, and it really erks me when people absolutely revel in assumptions. And unfortunately I find this most frequently in the older population. In this, I find the only area I really have a hard time relating to the 50+ population.

Truth is found in any age. If we begin to forget that, we may live happily in ignorance, but at what cost? And how rich will our life really be in such a small bubble?