Minds, Weapons and The Ultimate Question

I use to say, "Guns don't kill people. People kill people."

Now, I'm not 100% sure I even agree with my own statement. I've read several columns, editorials, and blogs the last three days about the horrific events on Friday. I find myself agreeing with all of them even though most contradict each other.

Am I wishy-washy? Am I a pushover? Do I have any real opinion of my own?

The answer to the latter is obviously 'yes,' otherwise this blog wouldn't exist. Truth is, in a situation like this, I think there is only one thing to agree on.

Horrific events like this must end.

I don't care if that means better mental healthcare, gun control laws, less gun control laws, etc. I don't know what "it" is that's going to fix this, but something must be done.

In the meantime, I'm going to continue to pray. Pray for the victims. Pray for the mentally disturbed. Pray for our nation.

I'm just gonna' pray.

May peace be with us all.

Missy :o)

Here are some links to the opinions I've been reading.

On the mental health issue...

On the painful truths of guns...

On asking, "Why God?"...

Dear Steve...

I am so glad I ran into you to day at Get Lost Book Shop. It's nice seeing faces from my J-School past. Good to know you have another book coming out soon.

On to the point of this particular post. As I wrote down the Web site for my blog, it dawned on me that you were once my professional writing instructor. You know me as the girl who stalked an Entomologist for six months just to get a story; a really good one, though. You knew me as someone with a future in writing, and you even pushed me to pursue it. I always appreciated you for that. Because, let's be honest, everything I know about telling someone else's story, I learned from you. (Everything I learned about telling my own stories, I learned from Mary Kay...who just happens to be your best friend). They don't call it the best Journalism school in the world for nothing.

I must admit...you will probably not recognize that fresh-faced student in the rest of these blog posts. You will probably see/feel/hear the voice of a mid-twenties, single reverend who is a little obsessed with losing weight. (Yes, my official title is Rev. Melissa Boyer, now. I can even perform weddings, funerals, and baptisms - preferably not in that order.) As a matter of fact, that voice is exactly what I desire for you to see/feel/hear. I enjoy writing about my life. And, since it is in fact my life, it's in my voice.

I promise I always re-read to check for grammatical errors. Hopefully, you will notice that I usually follow AP Style (that will never leave my brain). I'm just not as serious as I once was...I'm actually a little goofy.

Having said all that, please enjoy the crazy rantings on Jazzercise, spirituality, friendship and love of a former J-School student. Who knows? Maybe someone will find it so interesting that I will need your advice on the publishing world.

Keep writing well.

Missy :o)

P.S. - The posts in early June have some flair. I was going for more of a "syndicated column" feel. As it moved on, it just became random thoughts. Professor Bentley taught me that random thoughts are often the best beginnings to stories.

Hey, Ho! Ho Hey?

I'll warn you, I'm tired right now.

Every time my BFF (yep, I’m in 3^rd grade) calls me I answer the phone, “Hey, ho!”

I have no idea why.

It’s something she started a long time ago. She actually usually says, “hoochie ho” or “ho bag” or something seemingly derogatory, lol. Some of you probably think this is awful. I happen to find it hilarious. I think it’s because neither of us are any of those things.

The song “Ho Hey” by the Lumineers came out this summer, and I can’t help but think about Em every time I hear it. It’s like “Stuck Like Glue” all over again, haha. I'll tell you that story later.

I don’t really know the point of this particular post other than to say that she’s been on my mind lately because I miss the crap out of her. (Come see me, soon,! K?) And, I really love the song, too. I mean, hope is kind of the anthem of my life. Hope of the future. Hope of who is in that future.

Yeah, that ‘who.’

Whoever “who” is, I want him to say these words to me….

“I don’t think you’re right for him. Look at what might have been…I belong with you. You belong with me. You’re my sweet heart. I belong with you. You belong with me in my sweet heart.”

"Love. We need it now."

"Let’s hope for some."

Word, Lumineers. 

Word. 

That’s all for now... maybe I shouldn’t blog past midnight, haha.

Peace Out Hoochie Fries.

Missy :o)