  It has been agreed that Will Forte and Ben Gibbard are, in fact, the same person. Oh, yum. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Today, like many days in my creative writing class, we didn’t have much to do. We finished working on limericks and had the rest of the class to ourselves. Trevor, Liz and I got into a discussion about our future ambitions. L: “I don’t really care what I do as long I’m rich.” A: “Well, I mean, you want fulfillment from like, other things, right?” L: “Things that money can provide.” A: “But like, your ambitions are more than simply to attain wealth, right?” L: (laughs) “No, not really. I want to have nice things.” Trevor chimed in in agreement. I felt poisoned by their talk of plasma-screen TVs and sports cars.
That’s not necessarily an evil ambition, but they kept reiterating that this was all the needed or wanted. I launched into some huge one-sided conversation about the orphans and AIDS victims in Africa, the 4th world nations, poverty-ridden communities with no running water. By the end, I was out of breath and red-faced. I get so worked up about these issues. It just baffles me that our society, like most western societies, holds wealth and fame above all else. What ever happened to savoring the things you do have? Somehow the MTV Crib’s mentality seems to have taken over everyone I know.
The people we consider poor in this country are hundreds of time better-off than truly poor people elsewhere in the world. We have so much already. I know it seems like an exaggerated point, but it’s true: running water is a luxury. That’s not even my point though. The point is that we should seek to fulfill our spirits as opposed to our bank accounts. Contrary to what may be popular belief, money does not make you happy. It can make you feel empty and hollow.
If you’re living to achieve a superficial sense of happiness, was your life truly spent? Trevor asked me what, if not wealth, I wanted to attain. I was surprised by my reaction. Without thinking, I said simply, “Love.” It’s so true. That’s all I think anyone can hope for in your life. Not necessarily romantic love, but love in a general sense. I want to love my family and my friends. I want to love ideas and words and songs. Affectionately… Anna 
