Today in Creative Writing we had to look over an article about the over-hyped media-catastrophe "I saw a boob!" Janet Jackson fiasco. It was way too early in the morning to participate fully in the conversation, so I just propped my head up with my hands and pretended to nod every now and then so it seemed like I was paying attention. The class kept going on and on until some boy said something along the lines that it was okay that Kid Rock and Nelly could say degrading lyrics about women, and degrade women by having them dance around in a few more inches of fabric than Ms. Jackson had worn.

He said that it was all right for all of this, tgus dancing and degrading of women, because that is what people want to see, because that is popculture.

And I said:
Well then, maybe we should analyze what exactly we are supporting, giving tribute to. Women in rap videos are the objects of sexual intrigue; they dance around in thongs. We have to evaluate what we hold in high regard ...that we don't care whether or not this offends anyone, or that this is the least bit degrading. Pop culture wasn't always like this. You didn't need to sell records because you have half naked women in your videos, you sold your albums on talent. Where has the talent gone? Yes, this is pop culture. Women dancing 90% naked ontop of each other and no one finds this the least bit risque because we see it so often. Because this is what we are use to. Because this is pop culture. Well, it is human nature to become bored, to want more. Janet Jackson simply took the next step. And now people are offened? I'm not saying what she did was right but these scandalous acts have been happening long before the superbowl. It's just the first time we allow ourselves to see it.

And I didn't know I had it in me still to be so passionate.

'Cause after we were done arguing infront of the whole class, everyone started laughing, and everyone was like, "Woah..." And it was weird to be like that. To be passionate again. It was really weird. Some of the Old May came back, but I guess people didn't see the good side of it. They saw the passionate side that came off as bitchy but it was just nice to be me again.

After class, I had to cool down because I don't think he understood. I was talking to one of my new friends, Brian, and he said he didn't understand what I was talking about. He said we first started arguing on about the differences between emn and women and then ...we got led astray. So this is a bit frustrating, having the it make sense to me. I guess I'm just a bit rusty. I guess they just didn't understand the words that were coming out of my mouth. While I was walking to History, my student teacher for Creative Writing came up to me and smiled and said she was glad that I was in her class.

I hate modern world history purely for the fact that I don't know anyone in that class and whenever we have group assignments that I am always the one who happens to not have a group.

I guess I don't mind that much anymore; I'm sort of use to blending into the wall at this new school of mine. It's just not that big of deal. I hardly let it bother me except for some special occasions when it is obvious that I am out of place.

Like today.

We had a 'lockdown,' where we turn off the lights, huddle all 20 or so students into a corner, turn off the lights, and pretend that an intruder might be out to kills us.

Of course, there is never any killer and most of the time the students are never quiet. Are we ever during any sort of drill? Of course not, the teenage population lacks in the ability to shut the fuck up.

While everyone was huddling towards each other and against the walls, I was sitting the in the middle of the floor counting the specks on the carpet. I must have looked like a fool.

After the drill, I hurriedly got up and sat in my sit, for a reason that I don't know why. I didn't get that much sleep last night and my quick movement to my desk seemed a little forced. Oh well.

I sat down and braced myself to take more notes when the boy the boy next to me spoke.

Are you taking health?
Yeah
I took that last semester; are you new here?
Yeah, are you?
Yeah.
Where are you from?
Kansas.

And this was when I looked up from my notes and looked at him. He had light brown shaggy hair and light blue eyes.

Omg! No way! Where at?
Overland Park.

And I just looked at him awestruck but before I could say anything History teacher started speaking, turned off the lights, and turn on the overhead. Right about this time, I couldn't concentrate because I was so shocked that this boy was new and he was only 30 minutes away from the last place that I lived; my home. I went to Overland Park, also known as OP, a lot during the summer.

I could hardly pay attention all class period because I kept thinking about what a small world it was. After class I learned his name.

What's your name?
Danny.
Danny, what school did you go to?
Blue Valley West.

And I could hardly believe my ears because I knew some people that went there, or at least that district, the Blue Valley Schools.

Do you like it here?
God no! I wish I could go back.

Me too; I told him I was going to live in Leawood in Kansas instead of Lees Summit, Missouri, where I'm from. He smiled and said really? And I told him yes. He said he was going to down there for Spring Break and I told him I was too.

And all this time, I couldn't help but think that this was a small world.

And I felt elated that someone might have a taste of what I'm growing through and the world didn't seem so bad.