The Marriage Distraction

The gay marriage debate has been distracting the American people, politicians and grassroots organizations for years. This long-running, soap opera-esque debacle has been the topic of newspaper articles, evening news reports, magazine features, blogs and youtube videos. People from both sides of the picket line have spoken up and out, expressing their views to the world.

It seems to me that the central issue to all this debating and legal calamity is a human rights issue; some call me crazy. While I deem it human rights, others say religious, political, etc. When it comes to gay marriage, all you need to do is fill in the blank of "It is a ........ issue" and someone out there has your back. Everyone feels involved, as if they have a personal stake vested in the issue.

Whether I disagree with all this or not is irrelevant. My point is that it is one of the most hot button issues of the day, consuming our thoughts and facing us everywhere we turn. As I am sure many of you know, Vermont joined Massachusetts, Iowa and Connecticut last week in being among the first states to grant equal marriage rights to gay couples.

Numerous media outlets, from the New York Times to Youtube, have information regarding gay marriage rights, especially now with Vermont jumping on the bandwagon. After reading the New York Times editorial article featuring Vermont's new law, I thought it appropriate to highlight the issue. I have personally spent much of time following the progress of the gay right's movement, including marriage equality. This Youtube video by Tyler Oakley titled "Why Gay Marriage is Wrong" is amazing. As you can see, by combining the Times, Youtube and conversations with my friends, much of my time is spent discussing this issue and distracting myself from other, less important things. Enjoy! And remember, no matter how you personally feel about the issue, you cannot disagree the issue is at least a little distracting, if not consuming.

25 Random Things: So Much Better Than Homework

The other night, as I was getting into bed, my Blackberry announced a new Email arrival.  As usual, I immediately opened the document, only to be disappointed.  Another friend had tagged me in a "25 Random Things" Facebook note.  Being the fifth "25 Random Things" message I had received, I almost felt guilty for not having succumbed to the latest online trend.  But sleep prevailed and I did not think about it again.  

Today, picking up the New York Times to enjoy the weekly section of Thursday Styles, there it was - an article on the "25 Random Things" phenomena.  I realized I cannot escape it.  The epitome of homework procrastination and time wasting had followed me to my favorite newspaper.  

The best part of this "25 Random Things" phenomena is people's justifications.  For example, one note was titled "I am only doing 25 Random Things because my sister did."  Perfect.  But, let's be honest.  Deep down we love this stuff.  It's interesting, funny, peculiar and a great reason to not be productive.    

So, check it out for yourselves if you haven't already.  The New York Times article can be found here.  And if you haven't already, log onto Facebook and do your own "25 Random Things."  Or, be like me and simply spend 3 hours reading 25 random things about people you do not really know.  That research paper can wait, trust me.