Melt my heart to stone.

So my roommate's sister was over for dinner tonight, and she complained (mildly) about how the majority of her friends have given unfavorable criticism over her deciding to join the Air Force next month. The consensus was that she was making a huge mistake, and she was 'throwing her life away.'

Oh, to be 19 again!

Anyway, I really sympathized with her. Now, I don't have much experience in this arena. I have not decided (nor will I ever, as far as I'm concerned) to serve my country in any capacity other than paying taxes. But if I had ever made that decision, I would hope that my friends would have been at least somewhat supportive. I think it's a very honorable sacrifice a person makes when they decide to serve their country. I did not think the wars in Iraq/Afghanistan were the best idea, but I've always been appreciative of the job the soldiers who have served in those wars have done. (And any wars/aid/patrol before that)


(Now I've never really gone along with the 'they are protecting our freedom' reasoning. I must say, there's never really been a moment in my life where my freedom as an American has been compromised. Yes, I've felt pretty comfortable here. Not really worried about the government or military being overthrown any time soon, 24 be damned.)

Before I actually gained enough sense to have opinions that made sense, I saw the military as a last resort. The sort of thing someone does when they didn't want to do/weren't able to adapt to college. Or something that you did because it was a family tradition. So my opinion of people I knew who decided to go to the military was, 'Wow, that sucks for them.' But now I know better. It takes a lot to potentially pick up your life, most likely leave all your family and friends behind, only for something that could potentially cost you your life. That takes a lot of courage.

So what does this really mean? Obviously, my roommate's sister needs some new friends.

Idol on the mind
I find it fitting that even with one less performer, and with only two judges critiquing after each song, the show STILL RAN OUT OF TIME. Do the judges not realize that they are not the draw of the show? I know they have a strong influence...but they always say too much at throughout the show...only for the show to end abruptly and disjointed. Might be something we want to work on, producers.