The summer comes in bringing the best and the worst of things.

The birds sing beautifully and their flight from tree to tree dazzles all who care to watch. The sun shines down warming the water where we gaze upon fish jumping and procreation takes place in the depths of the water. Our cars have a little kick to them with the clear roads and endless highway. Trees are voluptuous with shiny green leaves and filled with the frolicking of squirrels and and the buzzing of insects...

Ah, Yes the fruitful and very giving summer.

But then there are some things Summer gives that aren't so conducive to our lives...

A guy takes a girl to the park to tell her the relationship is over... A woman files for divorce on grounds of infidelity... a couple says their done and drama ensues... A woman separates from a man she has known for a long time...

What is up with Summer?! Is it the heat that makes people want to break someones heart? Every year it seems there are too many females left crying when the sun hits it's peak or guys at the bar with their boys sulking over a beer because of heartbreak when the heat picks up. There seems to be many engagements as well as new births, yes, but the biggest trend seems to be break-ups. Why is that?

Well I can formulate a hypothesis and do another blog entry on what I find out.

Hypothesis: Couples break up during the summer / warmer months for the sake of being single, therefore, being free to frolick amongst other women and men to form new partnerships. It's almost like a cycle.

Let's say a man and woman get together in August. They're able to enjoy the time together at the end of the summer, festivals are dwindling, time once again turns to the colder season and in order to keep warm, they snuggle up with one another. The holidays are family oriented so they have thay significant other to bring to family functions, reunions, etc. Months pass and Spring springs. Cabin fever ensues and either party gets the itch to run and the break up happens. It doesn't make sense to me and I pray to God that it never happens to me but I am still not seeing why. Is it perhaps that they weren't supposed to be together in the first place? Were they not supposed to meet at that time? Do people get the urge because the skimpier clothing comes out at that time and people want to be free to be fornicators?

The world may never know...

So the RNC was in town, if you didn't know, and I worked every day during it. This whole convention brought up tensions of epic proportions yet it also made many republicans happy. I took pictures and video footage from everyday I worked and I learned a lot about people in general. I did a lot of asking the various law enforcement what they thought about the situations and demonstrations taking place. Saturday I worked at the counter and the only thing one could see out of the windows was gates everywhere. They built two checkpoints for us to get into our building, one with a revolving door that was locked immediately when we entered. We were required to have our driver's license on us and our Ordway Badge at all times when entering and exiting. After a while, I got to the know the guards and make friends with them and they would let me in just with my badge. Every day that I took my lunch break I would take pictures. This convention was one that was Scary but exciting too. I have never seen anything to this caliber in Saint Paul nor Minneapolis. I was not asked once while walking around if I was Repub, Demo, Indep, or Green Party, though I was offered T-shirts and buttons and information from both protesters and McCainites which I took for the scrap book. I now have a healthy collection of goods for both sides! :-)
Monday, rioters broke windows of Macy's and threw Balloons filled with urine at the police. According to people in the nearby businesses, there were a group of kids dressed up like "Ninjas" that were walking down the street and they looked suspicious. I later found out they referred to themselves as "The RNC welcoming committee.The Police were strapped in their riot gear almost everyday because of the protesters. I didn't have to work on Monday but I saw the news and WCCO.com and actually talked to a few police officers regarding the incident. They said "you wouldn't believe the rage that the protesters have towards us. We are not the government. They are against the government. Don't attack us" They went on to say that they were people too and were just trying to keep people from damaging property. Also that they were only doing their jobs.
Tuesday was the first day I had to actually work of the convention but again it was action filled. The gates were finally all in place and I had to get a ride to work everyday but only as far as 6th and St.Peter and then I walked from there. When I got to the gate I had to wave to a guard and they had to check my driver's license and badge. Then the door closed and locked behind me. Another gate was built a little closer to the Ordway as another checkpoint without a locked door. I went out on my lunch break to get food from the Landmark Center and heard music and saw the mass of people out in what was days ago Rice Park. Walking into Landmark center everyday I had to have my bag searched. There were 5 older gentleman there who were very nice to me because I was nice to them. They told me they were retired police officers. As I got my lunch and walked outside it was very cold and dreary. I heard loud drumming to my left, looked, and discovered the police had ushered a few of the more animated protesters onto that side of the street. I ran into a few musicians singing about various subjects and then two Code Pink protesters wearing a giant Dick Cheney head and a giant George Bush head. I talked to them and they kept saying that George bush was a war criminal and actually had pink tape plastered on the giant heads with those same words written on them. Overall the protesters were very peaceful that day or so I thought. After work since I could not drive, I caught a ride from my mother at 5pm. While leaving the downtown area we were soon stopped by a bunch of police officers in Riot gear. The police were getting ready for the protesters coming from the Poor Peoples protest in Mears park. It was scary and exciting at the same time. I had never seen anything like it in person. I had only seen it on CSI or Cops or something. I took lots of pictures and even saw a guy I went to High school with in the riot gear. Soon thereafter however, The police teargassed the crowd containing small children, elderly and even animals. They were still teargassing at 9pm.

Wednesday was a very eventful day because it was 9/11 conspiracy protester day. Again on my lunch break I went out to get footage of the protesters holding up their signs that said "Impeach Bush" and "Investigate 9/11". (TO SEE THAT FOOTAGE WATCH MY VIDEO) Walking through rice park, There were several police officers and secret service men guarding the delegates. I managed to take pictures of all the many protesters that were in the park that day. A pregnant woman handed me a "I'm for McCain" button which I took. I actually acquired a pretty big collection of paraphernalia from all parties by the end of the week including T-shirts and hats they were giving away for free at the MSNBC stage. I tried to remain non-partisan that week. Anyway, I came across some interesting characters including two people dressed up as pigs with signs that were for taxing meat, and a woman who was walking around with a sign that said "Stop Bird porn." When you go to the website on the sign WWW.STOPBIRDPORN.ORG, the administrators state that people watch birds to get pleasure? I didn't understand it. I must have to read the whole entire website. As I continued my walk through Rice Park, the guards by our gate ushered me in quickly because they were afraid of what the 9/11 conspiracy protesters were going to do.

Thursday was the last day. The tension was high. There were more police than ever. Cowboys were shaking in their boots. I arrived at work at 10am and was told at 1pm that we could go home! They said they didn't know what kind of activity was going to go down so as a safety precaution they were letting us go early. Well with that being said I knew I had to find where the trouble was so a co-worker and I set out looking for this big thing that was going to happen. First, we ventured over to Rice park where again there were more people handing out brochures and selling T-shirts and placards. I happened upon a gentleman very closely monitored by police. He was a Muslim man who had chosen to pray in the middle of everyone there in the grass. It was Ramadan and so he was praying. (SEE PHOTO BELOW) He had lain out his prayer rug, took off his shoes, and began his prayer. I thought that was very powerful to see amongst the busy Park. To see one person praying.. it was very picture worthy. (TO SEE FOOTAGE VIEW MY VIDEO) Next we decided to get a glass of wine and fraternize amongst the republican delegates staying at the Saint Paul Hotel. First person I see, Sam Donaldson a news anchor for ABC. He looks the same in person as he does on TV! Next we hit the bar and are greeted by a woman whose husband was a delegate. We had a long conversation about politics, which I hate (Haha) but we discussed it anyway. To my right a gentleman who was merely here for business who happened to be a democrat. Fast-forward to 3pm and we step outside once again because we hear the sounds of sirens. walking down the street I see a sea of police officers again in Riot gear. There had to have been over 300. I'm a pretty bold person so I go up to them and ask to take a picture with them. They didn't seem to mind. Quite a few of the police officers were actually quite nice. Some of the police officers I had talked to later in the day expressed concern about the protesters. They said that they were only trying to do their job and that the protesters did things like fire urine filled balloons at them and slash tires on the police cars and such. They were paid to protect and serve and the protesters would get mad at them when they tried to protect the public from the shenanigans. Leaving the policemen, my co-worker and I stood in the busiest portion of the area and spotted only a few protesters on stilts and republican advocates handing out buttons. I received a button with an elephant on it which I later gave to a police officer because he asked for it. Funny thing happened though. While standing on the corner there who might happen to come up to me but Thomas Shepard, a guy I went to Junior High and High school with. Turns out he is a screenwriter and is living the life in California. He looks like a total model and I almost didn't recognize him from the Tom Shepard. I had known. I got his contact information and I continued walking toward the next high tension filled area. On Cedar street and 7th street down the street from Mickeys, there were police officers waiting to veer the Peace March protesters from downtown. I was bummed because I waited almost two hours with the police to take pictures and the protesters wound up getting stopped on John Ireland Blvd over by Sears.

Friday, since everything was done and the dust had settled, the city workers had to put everything back in order. A wedding party was taking pictures in Rice park while barricades lay piled behind and in front of them. The grass had been all run down because of all the media cords and cables and the traffic of people. I got a tip that there were protesters standing by the Ramsey County Court house and so I grabbed my camera and ran down there. I managed to get an interview with a woman who had just gotten released from Jail (FOR INTERVIEW, VIEW MY VIDEO) She explained the situation that had happened the night previous and explained that they were now protesting because of the police brutality that had taken place during the RNC. After the interview I headed back to work.


The whole week was high tension for everyone who worked in the area and it was a hassle getting around. Looking back at the whole event, I feel it probably went well in some aspects but at the same time it was mas anarchy. There were days I was scared to go outside but at the same time I was intrigued to see the political viewpoints of everyone who made a presence at the convention. I would love to be a journalist or photojournalist someday because there are just so many moments in life that need to be documented. Hopefully I didn't bore everyone but I felt like sharing!

Memoirs of an Aja: Days my Make-up ran
I'm worth it and so are you!

You are worth it! I can't tell you how many girls I see who just settle for whatever because they don't think a guy will love them. Even with friends. Don't just settle for whatever kind of friend because you don't think you have a choice. I say that if you think you are worth it, you are. Right now I am at a point in my life where I am fed up. No one is perfect, that we should all know, and when a person messes up, that person should do their part to apologize but not have to beg for that persons forgiveness. This has happened a few times in my life. In the past I have always had to be the one to plead my case in order to get a person back into my life. My question is: When am I going to be worth it? Or when I will be worthy enough to forgive? These things ponder me. Well I am here and now to tell the world I am worth it! I am worthy enough to be loved and worthy enough to not settle for just any guy. As one wise person said, "You've gotta go after the things you want while you're still in your prime." There are some battles you win and then there are some battles you just can't win no matter how big the army.

Memoirs of an Aja: Days my make-up ran
A woman's advice

" Why didn't he call me? I don't understand what I did wrong!"

I hear this again and again from girls and observe it daily in person, on movie screens, television, papers, magazines, etc. Not only have I been guilty of it but some of my friends and family members. So to combat future questions like the above, I have decided to make a list of the things women do to warrant this question. If you refer to my previous post, this list will also prevent "Drama" from happening. This is something similar to that movie with Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey "How to lose a man in 10 days" but I am real life, these are real problems that any woman has and I am not doing it for a magazine, bet or promotion.

Also, shame on me and any other woman who does or might do these things in the future.

In no particular order:

1. For those ladies who are single, if a guy is nice to you, chances are he is ONLY BEING NICE. He may not want a relationship nor might he want a friendship. He may just want companionship for that moment in time or may just want someone to talk to. Don't blow things out of proportion by thinking if he gives you a hug or smiles at you that he wants to marry you or even be your boyfriend. Some guys are just genuinely nice and radiate that. Girls let their emotions get the most of them, me included, and they get too attached too quickly. So relax.

2. Don't bring up anything sexual. The last thing you want to do when you first meet a guy you might potentially like is to bring up anything sexual or anything to insinuate as much. What I have learned from observation of some of my friends is most guys are like a two sided coin. A girl mentions something sexual and the guy will only want her for sex and not see her as being one he can relate to emotionally. In some rare cases there have been a relationship to come out of those things but its not good to even risk it. If you have a regular conversation with a guy, flirting the proper way: with his mind rather than manhood, then your chances are good for a relationship or friendship that won't be based on lust.

3. Never, ever, ever tell a guy what you know about him, have heard about him, or have discovered about him since talking. Especially if it is just gossip. Bringing outside influences into a relationship will make him question what you are actually being truthful about and make him question the validity of your opinions of him and your situation. And whatever you do, try to restrain yourself from bringing up those things when you get angry at the other personor get in an argument. It only makes the person more mad.

4. When first starting to know a guy, KEEP IT PRIVATE. You don't want to jinx something good and bring in outside negativity. Learn for yourself who this person is and keep a journal if you have to tell the world how great the person is or bad. There is / are always going to be some girl(s) or guy(s) out there "hating" on your choice of relations. Also if there is an argument, keep it private. There is always a chance of reconciliation if no one knows about it. So Keep it private.

5. Don't ask stupid questions. Don't ask things to get a guy in trouble. "Does my butt look fat in these pants?" is one I have heard too many times. Asking anything about your weight, the way you look, the color of this or what shoes go with what will only put a guy into panic mode and then he will get mad that you even asked him something like that.

6. Don't constantly be nervous about or accuse your guy of cheating if he is not. If you keep doing that the guy will either be more apt to go and cheat and prove you right, or he will get fed up and leave you. There are some good guys out there and unless you know for a fact that he is cheating, leave that subject out of your relationship.

7. Always investigate a situation before you fly off the handle. This goes for friendships and relationships. Say for instance you are dating someone who is really popular and they are going to have men and women around them at all times. Don't get mad if that person is not paying attention to you or hanging out with you 24/7. If they are a busy person, and if they are a good person, they will find time out of their schedule to talk to you. If not, they aren't worth it.

8. If there is ever any doubt about a guy: his background, who he hangs with, what he does for a living, he is very secretive, etc, question it and get some answers. If you ever have a bad feeling about a guy, don't stay with him.

9. Confidence is key! Guys can read girls like a book and most guys like in a girl what girls like in a guy: Talent, education, confidence, passion about something, and a put together outward and inner apperance. Don't talk badly about other girls because that shows you have low self esteem. Thrill a guys mind by telling him something he doesn't know. That is the key to seduction. Be passionate about anything, whether it be Animal rights, Cosmetology, politics, etc. It is always good to have a passion and that in turn will show him your ability to be passionate about something.

Lastly....

10. Don't do the typical dumb female stuff:
Whining- It doesn't even get kids what they want
Stupid pet names- If you degrade a man or patronize him, it will tick him off. No one likes to be called "Mitchy Poopins."
Wanting to hang out all day everyday- Seriously, everyone needs space occasionally
Making him go to places he doesn't want to- Bed, Bath and Beyond; The Pottery Barn. etc. Just think about it. Not every guy is into that stuff.
Celebrating unnecessary anniversaries- It's just not necessary to celebrate anything other than yearly anniversaries and birthdays. Girls, knock it off. If you want a present, just ask him to buy you something. Don't create reasons for him to spend his money on you, take you out to a fancy restaurant or buy you a card. Be honest with the guy and don't make him celebrate every little thing in the relationship. It just doesn't make it special anymore.
Getting angry at him for not remembering unnecessary dates- I don't think anyone can remember every single little date and moment in their lives.

Memoirs of an Aja: Days my make-up ran (Drama)

"Broken heart again, another lesson learned..."
- No More Drama, by Mary J Blige

I find truth in the words of Mary J Blige's song "No More Drama" saying another lesson is learned from this constant drama. But when do the lessons finally stop and a diploma show itself? What lesson are we to learn each time? What if we don't learn the lesson? Will the drama and more broken hearts be made?

dra·ma (drä'mə, drăm'ə):
[Late Latin drāma, drāmat-, from Greek, from drān, to do, perform.]

D.R.A.M.A: a system for healing your emotional pain:

D.istraction from emotional pain

R.egression back to the age at which the emotions originated.

A.djustment of the emotional pain.

M.aturation by making yourself responsible for your OWN health and hapiness

A.ction - Putting the new consciousness into Action.
- The Guru Pitka

Drama Coaches:
a. A person who teaches one the art of the theatre. The teacher of the element of expression of a situation or subject through a character representation.TM (Aja)

b. Relationship / friendship role models in ones life whom are observed closely and who teach the unwanted art of relationship/friendship drama, otherwise known as heightened emotional situations which end badly. TM (Aja)

"No more pain, No more drama in my life. I don't ever want to hurt again"
- Mary J Blige