The following is a dramatic reinactment of this morning's events. It is not what actually happened and should not be perceived as any sort of actual malice or threat that may or may not occur in the near or later future:
"Oh this just won't do," Dylan mumbled as he woke at 7 and watched the "Knoxville Hair Academy" be two hours late. He had been in denial for most of Thursday and Friday morning, sure that in typical Knox County fashion school would be called off. Obviously reality was catching up with him. "I've got to stop school from being in session! We still have three days left, and not even breaking 50% would be a travesty!"
So after a quick phone call I (switching to first person, because I can!) got dressed and hopped on the helicopter outside. We rushed over to the good Doctor's home for a "house call." Little did I know the trip up his lawn to his door would be an arduous one indeed. The first step onto his lawn resulted in a cascade of books hurled from some unseen hole, nook, and/or cranny. To my horror, these were no great works of art. No, instead they consisted entirely of Bill O'Reilly, Ann Coulter, Rush Limbaugh, and *gasp* the Brontes!!! Although no physical damage was done, it showed that I faced a worthy foe indeed.
I shrugged off the wretched tripe that had been thrust at me and continued on my trek. I came upon a single desk. On it were simple multiplication problems. But there was a catch. I had only 1minute to do 300 or I'd be dropped into a nearby pit of bureacracy. What could I do?! So, using my illegible handwriting as a cover, I wrote "These problems are purely theory and therefore do not exist." Being an elected official, there was no way the superintendent could get out of that one. So I passed.
Next I happened upon a giant hairdryer. So this is why it doesn't snow well in the Valley! I had to destroy it! But I had no weapons. I didn't even have an available task force for an air strike. I had to convince the superintendent to shut it down himself. So I stormed up to his door. But this was no ordinary door! A sign said the requirements to enter were a 5$ fee, a parent's signature, and a due date that was 5minutes ago! Egad, I couldn't just go back in time! What was I to do?!
Then inspiration struck. I did the same thing any punk kid would do. I broke in his window. I climbed in and yelled a challenge. "How dare you not call of school! You owe me! You owe us all!!!"
That's when I discovered he wasn't home. He'd escaped out the back door and was already rushing to befuddle and exacerbate simple procedures like mathematics, reading, and quantum physics. A primordial scream ripped through my throat. "CONFOUND YOU SUPERINTENDENT LINDSEY!!! CONFOUND YOU!!!!!!!"
When I finally made it back to school, I realized it had already been done. It had been done all along.
Friday, February 27
Thursday, February 26
Three days left, Confound it!
Yes, a wave of white shot across our lovely county and fortunately school was called off. It's rather interesting that I used to so look forward to snow days. Now it's temporary cheer followed by depression. As demonstrated below, how something can be so bright and so dark I don't know. Speaking of below, I know I generally take an anti-symbolism stance, but this one's simple so I hope you won't hold it against me. I don't quite know why I rhyme or do any of that silly poetry stuff, but bad "poetry" isn't a crime (no animals were hurt in the making of it; let's hope no minds will be pained by it either). Good thing I'm sticking with math, eh?
Continuing with the emotions theme, they're a pretty tricky lot. If I try hard enough I can generally warp them around to a better set, but sometimes I forget that I can or I just don't feel like it. Thus in one of those episodes this morning in a dream induced delirium(which I've been having quite a bit lately, as opposed to my normal dreamless sleep), I actually experienced sadness. Sadness, like happiness, is pure. Each has their offsets like hope and despair, joy and depression, amusement and horror, but the actual emotion itself has such a poignant quality. It's almost like a beautiful (for lack of a better word), cold dagger that aims right at the heart. It's almost evil, if one were to believe in such things. But it was just a brief blow, so it's easily enough recovered from.
But enough of that dreary stuff. I'm still got three snow days! When these blasted things were implemented in 1995 I can understand. For those of you who don't remember or maybe had a different system, elementary school used to start fifteen minutes later and end fifteen minutes ealier. After a week or so of snow, they increased the school day 30minutes (and made us go on a Saturday or two) to make sure we went to school enough. Since then I don't believe we've ever used more than four. They don't even have the decency of giving us our days back if we don't use them! It's a travesty, I tell you! Ah well. I'm just saying that because this is probably the worst semester I've had so school isn't exactly enjoyable. Eh, what can ya do? Keep your eye on the prize! Which just so happens to be a brief stint of college followed by more high school for the rest of my life. Go figure.
On a more cheerful note, the rotation story and probably the free-fall story will commence this weekend. If you're going to be in either of them I need your email to invite you to the blog so you can post. The sooner the better. As far as a theme, seeing as how I've yet to receive any suggestions or comments on the subject I'll be forced to choose one of my own devising. This is surprisingly more difficult than it sounds. I'm rather reserved about whether to do a fantasy setting or not. For those who don't read fantasy, this would essentially be Dungeons and Dragons without statistics, more of an epic Lord of the Rings-ish feel. Of course there would be elves, dwarves, gnomes, and pigmy shrews, but you could make up whatever you wanted. A struggle between good and evil with some high adventure mixed in might be rather interesting (especially if this were the setting for the larger version, thus dividing into multiple storylines interconnecting throughout the different character's paths). The other one would be in a more real setting, but still just as exciting. Like I've said many, many times comments are very welcome on this.
That's about all for now. I suppose I could get started on some homework. I mean it! Or maybe just a bit of TV...Until next time.
Continuing with the emotions theme, they're a pretty tricky lot. If I try hard enough I can generally warp them around to a better set, but sometimes I forget that I can or I just don't feel like it. Thus in one of those episodes this morning in a dream induced delirium(which I've been having quite a bit lately, as opposed to my normal dreamless sleep), I actually experienced sadness. Sadness, like happiness, is pure. Each has their offsets like hope and despair, joy and depression, amusement and horror, but the actual emotion itself has such a poignant quality. It's almost like a beautiful (for lack of a better word), cold dagger that aims right at the heart. It's almost evil, if one were to believe in such things. But it was just a brief blow, so it's easily enough recovered from.
But enough of that dreary stuff. I'm still got three snow days! When these blasted things were implemented in 1995 I can understand. For those of you who don't remember or maybe had a different system, elementary school used to start fifteen minutes later and end fifteen minutes ealier. After a week or so of snow, they increased the school day 30minutes (and made us go on a Saturday or two) to make sure we went to school enough. Since then I don't believe we've ever used more than four. They don't even have the decency of giving us our days back if we don't use them! It's a travesty, I tell you! Ah well. I'm just saying that because this is probably the worst semester I've had so school isn't exactly enjoyable. Eh, what can ya do? Keep your eye on the prize! Which just so happens to be a brief stint of college followed by more high school for the rest of my life. Go figure.
On a more cheerful note, the rotation story and probably the free-fall story will commence this weekend. If you're going to be in either of them I need your email to invite you to the blog so you can post. The sooner the better. As far as a theme, seeing as how I've yet to receive any suggestions or comments on the subject I'll be forced to choose one of my own devising. This is surprisingly more difficult than it sounds. I'm rather reserved about whether to do a fantasy setting or not. For those who don't read fantasy, this would essentially be Dungeons and Dragons without statistics, more of an epic Lord of the Rings-ish feel. Of course there would be elves, dwarves, gnomes, and pigmy shrews, but you could make up whatever you wanted. A struggle between good and evil with some high adventure mixed in might be rather interesting (especially if this were the setting for the larger version, thus dividing into multiple storylines interconnecting throughout the different character's paths). The other one would be in a more real setting, but still just as exciting. Like I've said many, many times comments are very welcome on this.
That's about all for now. I suppose I could get started on some homework. I mean it! Or maybe just a bit of TV...Until next time.
Snow
A burst of white has changed the scene to a landscaped clashed, me inbetween.
No green grass or brown trees remain, all overcome by this white rain.
Blinding beams of brightness blaze, two colors shown within the haze:
White, of course, is all around; all else is black that can be found.
After this white, what can compare? Yellow and red would never dare.
Shadows all except the light, all is dark that's not as bright.
Is this beauty I now see, that dulls all of reality?
The brilliance shall fade, a world revealed, a treasure that's no longer sealed.
Life will be splendid, varied and grand, vibrant hues shall sweep the land.
White forgotten, the world shall shine, all will seem well in Bliss's shrine.
But the beam shall again attack, and I'll be torn by white and black.
This light makes all existence grim, for without it life shall seem so dim.
We're forced to pay the price of cheer, it is unpreventable I fear.
Stuck in the middle I must lose; beauty or joy, how can I choose?
No green grass or brown trees remain, all overcome by this white rain.
Blinding beams of brightness blaze, two colors shown within the haze:
White, of course, is all around; all else is black that can be found.
After this white, what can compare? Yellow and red would never dare.
Shadows all except the light, all is dark that's not as bright.
Is this beauty I now see, that dulls all of reality?
The brilliance shall fade, a world revealed, a treasure that's no longer sealed.
Life will be splendid, varied and grand, vibrant hues shall sweep the land.
White forgotten, the world shall shine, all will seem well in Bliss's shrine.
But the beam shall again attack, and I'll be torn by white and black.
This light makes all existence grim, for without it life shall seem so dim.
We're forced to pay the price of cheer, it is unpreventable I fear.
Stuck in the middle I must lose; beauty or joy, how can I choose?
Tuesday, February 24
Inspiration or Procrastination?
I do declare, there's just something about a weekend that implies such freedom of responsibility that it can make one go crazy. Some people call it inspired, I don't really know. Nevertheless, in a frenzied spree of activeness I managed to churn out three varying pieces of "words" over the course of the weekend. It's quite remarkable, really, considering how little I actually ever do. Although I'm by no means skilled at this strange craft, it's nothing if not time consuming, and apparently a few of you lost souls eek a bit of enjoyment out of it, so who am I to judge? I actually got my homework done ahead of bedtime because I knew I needed time to finish Perse's story. Pretty strange, eh?
Just to keep the ball rolling, I'm planning on starting some sort of joint-venture story by the end of the week. Therefore I absolutely need your input as soon as possible. Obviously time is a concern for a few of you people that actually have goals, aspirations, and plans for your lives. Therefore, I'm not quite sure if a set rotation will work for you. However, I also don't want we-of-too-much-time to dominate the field if posting is left to a whim. Therefore, my plan right now is to have two joint-stories, one in a set-rotation(as I've described before) and one free-fall where you can post whenever the urge strikes you. If you're interested in either version (or both) post below and act like you've got some enthusiasm! You know it'll be fun! The first story, with the set rotation, will be closed to new people once it starts, but anyone can join the second one at any time. So comment if you're interested and make sure I have your email address.
Because I think it's more entertaining and I've done it before, at the moment both shall be roleplayed. This means that once I write prompts you should think up an appropriate character who will be your main focus. Whether you want to do it in first person or third person limited is up to you (I'm more comfortable with third person limited, as demonstrated by the Perse "saga." It might be easier to make a general consensus, so please add this to your comments). I'd rather we didn't set any qualifications on the roles available, just don't choose God, Satan, or Simon Cowell. You get the gist. You can think outside of the box, think inside the box, or think inside the corrugation for all I care.
The final issue is the actual prompt. Right now, since there haven't been any suggestions, I guess I'll just think of a theme. If you have any interesting ideas, post em below. Otherwise, who knows what mundane or insane ideas my frayed mind may come up with it.
Remember, everyone is encouraged to join at least one (even you quiet lurkers that may or may not exist who David and Elizabeth intimidate into not posting) so if you want to please don't feel self-conscious about participating. Until next time...
Just to keep the ball rolling, I'm planning on starting some sort of joint-venture story by the end of the week. Therefore I absolutely need your input as soon as possible. Obviously time is a concern for a few of you people that actually have goals, aspirations, and plans for your lives. Therefore, I'm not quite sure if a set rotation will work for you. However, I also don't want we-of-too-much-time to dominate the field if posting is left to a whim. Therefore, my plan right now is to have two joint-stories, one in a set-rotation(as I've described before) and one free-fall where you can post whenever the urge strikes you. If you're interested in either version (or both) post below and act like you've got some enthusiasm! You know it'll be fun! The first story, with the set rotation, will be closed to new people once it starts, but anyone can join the second one at any time. So comment if you're interested and make sure I have your email address.
Because I think it's more entertaining and I've done it before, at the moment both shall be roleplayed. This means that once I write prompts you should think up an appropriate character who will be your main focus. Whether you want to do it in first person or third person limited is up to you (I'm more comfortable with third person limited, as demonstrated by the Perse "saga." It might be easier to make a general consensus, so please add this to your comments). I'd rather we didn't set any qualifications on the roles available, just don't choose God, Satan, or Simon Cowell. You get the gist. You can think outside of the box, think inside the box, or think inside the corrugation for all I care.
The final issue is the actual prompt. Right now, since there haven't been any suggestions, I guess I'll just think of a theme. If you have any interesting ideas, post em below. Otherwise, who knows what mundane or insane ideas my frayed mind may come up with it.
Remember, everyone is encouraged to join at least one (even you quiet lurkers that may or may not exist who David and Elizabeth intimidate into not posting) so if you want to please don't feel self-conscious about participating. Until next time...
Saturday, February 21
The Banks of the Bilubee Blee
Back in the Banks of the Bilubee Blee, I once had an old man say unto me:
"Son, you're a loon, you simply can't do; you've gone quite daft, deranged through and through."
I looked at the man, his eyes meeting mine, and I calmly explained I was fitter than fine.
I was waiting for what was meant to have been, relishing regret and sustaining sin.
I knew where I was, which was better than he, for he'd never been to the Bilubee Blee.
The old man went mad, my sanity in tact, like I was the culprit who'd broken the pact.
"You fool, you nut, you crazed psychopath! Why am I the target of your joyous wrath?!
Who are you, why are you, what can't you see?! You're the worst of us all, not better than me!"
I sat on my head and gave it a thought, and told the old man what my sane mind had wrought.
And there it was that I told my story, above the Banks of the Bilubee Blee.
"I am the Recaller, the Reaper of Rhyme, A Crusher of Corruption and Creator of Crime.
I arrived from an Area of Alasatian Alert, a Haven of Helutia, a Hollow of Hurt.
My goal is quite simple, a wish and a dream; I'm quite all you see, so much more than I seem.
I will achieve that which can't be done, to do all of nothing and have the fight won.
You simply see the secession and fight for the fake, I lead the leaders and withstand the wake.
I am the Precursor of Palpable Prayers, A Doer of Deeds and Denouncer of Dares.
I lust for the Land of Lamlulian Lakes, near the Shores of Saseeka, Sanctuary of Sakes.
I bring with me my trumpet, my harpoon and horn, to return to a land in which I was born.
Fear me you should, Regret me you will, For I'll make you my master, your life I shall fill.
I'll cast you my curse and you'll pursue the prize; you'll dilute despair, lampooning with Lies.
I am the Taker of Tortuous Tales, A Giver of Graves and Grower of Gales
I come from the land of Frafefeulotic Fire, on the Isle of Indulaus's Industrious Ire.
I'll throw you my line, and you'll jump the raft, for I always destroy each one of my craft.
You're in the way, and I can make no deal; For I need to find the fake in the real.
I lurk for my love, who is making for me, down by the Banks of the Bilubee Blee."
The old man only shook, his confusion pronouced, and on that oppurtunity lunacy pounced.
He ranted and raved, he laughed and he cried, and it just so happened the insanity died.
For he saw the Truth and stood down in awe; Lies were the culprits; Reality Law.
My love did arrive, my heart burst on sight, and that's when I knew that all would be right.
So I promptly went mad and drowned in the sea, there on the Banks of the Bilubee Blee.
Sometimes I recall, within my dream, that what I saw was darkness's beam.
The old man was not free of the crimes he'd not done, he'd not stood his ground, just turned tail and run.
But that was the future, I live in the past, and this is where my lot will be cast.
Oh how I shall hate my happiness here, for misery was maddening, with so little to fear.
You might still find me laughing at what can not be, Basking on the Banks of the Bilubee Blee.
"Son, you're a loon, you simply can't do; you've gone quite daft, deranged through and through."
I looked at the man, his eyes meeting mine, and I calmly explained I was fitter than fine.
I was waiting for what was meant to have been, relishing regret and sustaining sin.
I knew where I was, which was better than he, for he'd never been to the Bilubee Blee.
The old man went mad, my sanity in tact, like I was the culprit who'd broken the pact.
"You fool, you nut, you crazed psychopath! Why am I the target of your joyous wrath?!
Who are you, why are you, what can't you see?! You're the worst of us all, not better than me!"
I sat on my head and gave it a thought, and told the old man what my sane mind had wrought.
And there it was that I told my story, above the Banks of the Bilubee Blee.
"I am the Recaller, the Reaper of Rhyme, A Crusher of Corruption and Creator of Crime.
I arrived from an Area of Alasatian Alert, a Haven of Helutia, a Hollow of Hurt.
My goal is quite simple, a wish and a dream; I'm quite all you see, so much more than I seem.
I will achieve that which can't be done, to do all of nothing and have the fight won.
You simply see the secession and fight for the fake, I lead the leaders and withstand the wake.
I am the Precursor of Palpable Prayers, A Doer of Deeds and Denouncer of Dares.
I lust for the Land of Lamlulian Lakes, near the Shores of Saseeka, Sanctuary of Sakes.
I bring with me my trumpet, my harpoon and horn, to return to a land in which I was born.
Fear me you should, Regret me you will, For I'll make you my master, your life I shall fill.
I'll cast you my curse and you'll pursue the prize; you'll dilute despair, lampooning with Lies.
I am the Taker of Tortuous Tales, A Giver of Graves and Grower of Gales
I come from the land of Frafefeulotic Fire, on the Isle of Indulaus's Industrious Ire.
I'll throw you my line, and you'll jump the raft, for I always destroy each one of my craft.
You're in the way, and I can make no deal; For I need to find the fake in the real.
I lurk for my love, who is making for me, down by the Banks of the Bilubee Blee."
The old man only shook, his confusion pronouced, and on that oppurtunity lunacy pounced.
He ranted and raved, he laughed and he cried, and it just so happened the insanity died.
For he saw the Truth and stood down in awe; Lies were the culprits; Reality Law.
My love did arrive, my heart burst on sight, and that's when I knew that all would be right.
So I promptly went mad and drowned in the sea, there on the Banks of the Bilubee Blee.
Sometimes I recall, within my dream, that what I saw was darkness's beam.
The old man was not free of the crimes he'd not done, he'd not stood his ground, just turned tail and run.
But that was the future, I live in the past, and this is where my lot will be cast.
Oh how I shall hate my happiness here, for misery was maddening, with so little to fear.
You might still find me laughing at what can not be, Basking on the Banks of the Bilubee Blee.
The Reality of Escape
I'd originally planned on writing about why people bemoaning faults and regrets was a terrible practice and how it's all a matter of perspective, etc., etc., but that can wait for another time. Tonight's entry shall be about escape. No, not some dramatic prison break or even a violent insurrection gone bad where you have to sneak out the back window while those blasted turn coat rebels are rushing at you with the pitchforks and torches you so carefully handcrafted and assembled. No, what I mean is escape from reality. No, not traversing dimensions, I'm speaking of different types of escapes. Escapes from everything.
There are many types of escapes and everyone uses them. Some people use drugs to alter their perception and force everything to be good or interesting. Others perform, acting as someone else to avoid their own personalities or entertaining others to make themselves feel like they have a good, wonderful purpose. Many people create art, finding an escape from trivial matters searching fantasy or even just expressing reality. There are escapes like books, movies, music, and video games that take you to a completely different world, time, life and make you actually experience them. All, to a certain extent, are escapes. So the question becomes, what are we escaping from?
That's a matter of your actual life. Some people find their's too boring. Nothing "interesting" happens, so they create or find alternate realities that provide a brilliant contrast. Other people are unhappy, depressed, and despairing, so they try to push off these emotions and enter another life that involves others that are likely more exciting and fulfilling than whatever miserable existence you're forced into. Sometimes escapes are simply ways to waste time. I've got a spare hour, why don't I go slay a Dragon?
Those are facts, or at least part of them. Most everyone is trying to escape. This leads to the core of the issue. What does it mean and is it unhealthy? Like everything, this too is a matter of perspective. Life is strange thing. Determinism aside, there are infinite possibilities, and really despite the incredible odds against most things happening, if you want to do something and try hard enough, you have a chance at it. But we don't take the chances or courses that are the most exciting or enjoyable. We don't make life interesting. There's no drama, intrigue, suspense, or excitement, just one day after another. We escape into realities that offer more because they do offer these things. But they're also safer, with no "risk" involved. You can't be hurt reading a book (physically, at least, unless it's been booby-trapped, but who booby-traps books nowadays anyway?). The characters are making the decisions, you just get to be entertained.
What does it mean? Should life be interesting? Are all these things really escapes or merely different aspects of reality? By escaping are we just avoiding problems that need to be dealt with, or is living in a fantasy that makes you at least somewhat happy just as good as a reality of happiness? Again, a matter of opinion. I think happiness and intrigue is good no matter where you find it. For all we know, we could be some sort of unfathomable book of the gods, where our dramas are watched and experienced to an extent that we could never dream. But that's not our problem. Our problem is should we choose escape or try to improve reality? Sure, it's not a black and white answer, but the essential is there. Reality is hard. We have to make decisions, have to make "mistakes", have to endure stress, love, terror, depression, despair, jealousy, envy, loathing, and all sorts of horrible things. Sure, happiness, relief, and love help, but the odds seem stacked against us. All this escaping almost implies that those "bad" feelings are our natural state. We pretty much have to escape in order to make it through life. Sure, we can try to work for a better, happier reality, and it's quite possible to achieve it. But it takes effort. It seems to take a sort of ability to predict the future that we humans just aren't capable of. Escaping is so much easier. Is it better? Probably not. But that's the pickle most people are forced into. Billions of people can only get through the day knowing that they can escape it eventually. That's why Hell is such a horrendous and frightening concept. It's inescapable.
So what do we do? Knowing a better present is possible, knowing things will get better if we just use a positive mindset, it seems like we should focus on reality instead of running from it. But we don't. Why? Eh. That's pretty much the reason. What else is there to say? And that's the way things will probably stay, for better or worse.
I bring this up because I think I'm going to try to stop worrying about my one emotional problem and just read more. TV's not cutting it, I need some books! Perhaps I'll be able to survive until I can become a Math teacher and make everyday learning a drama of epic proportions. We'll see.
On another escaping note, I've got 5 ready to go for the joint story, any other takers? I want to start it relatively soon, so we need to set some ground rules. There are two options I can think of for the narration aspect. We can either have all narrators (you) be omnipotent and be able to do anything they want from any character. Or we can "roleplay." For those not dorkish enough to understand, this is where you make a character with a background, personality, etc. (as little or much as ya want) and go through the story only from that character's perspective. Now the first lets your personality and writing style show more. We see David's dark romanticism, my organized chaos, Kelly's incoherent, frenzied whatever etc. But it can also get rapidly out of hand, with little structure. Having a set role, you have confines but it's also interesting. You get to develop a character, make more interesting plot twists, and generally have a more structured story.
The way I was thinking of organizing posting would be randomly assigning an order. For instance, Dylan David Kelly Elizabeth Ellen Ferdinand Horatio Alfonzo Bobbmantha etc. Then you'd post in that order and continue in a cycle like that. We're all online so much, it shouldn't be too difficult. There's enough so that it wouldn't be too much of a wait, but you should be able to get in two entires a week or so. If we get one or two more, we can decide if we'll allow passing. As far as a subject or premise, we can either decide as a group on a theme or let me search the depths of randomness and decide on it.
So you guys need to post on what you'd prefer and any suggestions. Don't be influenced by others, do what you think would be the most interesting/enjoyable for you. And no wishy-washy answers, I want definitive decisions! So you've got your mission, this blog will self-destruct in, oh, a few years or so.
Thanks for sticking through all that, I know how tedious these things can be (espcially ridiculous rants). Being verbose is a blessing and a curse. Until next time...
There are many types of escapes and everyone uses them. Some people use drugs to alter their perception and force everything to be good or interesting. Others perform, acting as someone else to avoid their own personalities or entertaining others to make themselves feel like they have a good, wonderful purpose. Many people create art, finding an escape from trivial matters searching fantasy or even just expressing reality. There are escapes like books, movies, music, and video games that take you to a completely different world, time, life and make you actually experience them. All, to a certain extent, are escapes. So the question becomes, what are we escaping from?
That's a matter of your actual life. Some people find their's too boring. Nothing "interesting" happens, so they create or find alternate realities that provide a brilliant contrast. Other people are unhappy, depressed, and despairing, so they try to push off these emotions and enter another life that involves others that are likely more exciting and fulfilling than whatever miserable existence you're forced into. Sometimes escapes are simply ways to waste time. I've got a spare hour, why don't I go slay a Dragon?
Those are facts, or at least part of them. Most everyone is trying to escape. This leads to the core of the issue. What does it mean and is it unhealthy? Like everything, this too is a matter of perspective. Life is strange thing. Determinism aside, there are infinite possibilities, and really despite the incredible odds against most things happening, if you want to do something and try hard enough, you have a chance at it. But we don't take the chances or courses that are the most exciting or enjoyable. We don't make life interesting. There's no drama, intrigue, suspense, or excitement, just one day after another. We escape into realities that offer more because they do offer these things. But they're also safer, with no "risk" involved. You can't be hurt reading a book (physically, at least, unless it's been booby-trapped, but who booby-traps books nowadays anyway?). The characters are making the decisions, you just get to be entertained.
What does it mean? Should life be interesting? Are all these things really escapes or merely different aspects of reality? By escaping are we just avoiding problems that need to be dealt with, or is living in a fantasy that makes you at least somewhat happy just as good as a reality of happiness? Again, a matter of opinion. I think happiness and intrigue is good no matter where you find it. For all we know, we could be some sort of unfathomable book of the gods, where our dramas are watched and experienced to an extent that we could never dream. But that's not our problem. Our problem is should we choose escape or try to improve reality? Sure, it's not a black and white answer, but the essential is there. Reality is hard. We have to make decisions, have to make "mistakes", have to endure stress, love, terror, depression, despair, jealousy, envy, loathing, and all sorts of horrible things. Sure, happiness, relief, and love help, but the odds seem stacked against us. All this escaping almost implies that those "bad" feelings are our natural state. We pretty much have to escape in order to make it through life. Sure, we can try to work for a better, happier reality, and it's quite possible to achieve it. But it takes effort. It seems to take a sort of ability to predict the future that we humans just aren't capable of. Escaping is so much easier. Is it better? Probably not. But that's the pickle most people are forced into. Billions of people can only get through the day knowing that they can escape it eventually. That's why Hell is such a horrendous and frightening concept. It's inescapable.
So what do we do? Knowing a better present is possible, knowing things will get better if we just use a positive mindset, it seems like we should focus on reality instead of running from it. But we don't. Why? Eh. That's pretty much the reason. What else is there to say? And that's the way things will probably stay, for better or worse.
I bring this up because I think I'm going to try to stop worrying about my one emotional problem and just read more. TV's not cutting it, I need some books! Perhaps I'll be able to survive until I can become a Math teacher and make everyday learning a drama of epic proportions. We'll see.
On another escaping note, I've got 5 ready to go for the joint story, any other takers? I want to start it relatively soon, so we need to set some ground rules. There are two options I can think of for the narration aspect. We can either have all narrators (you) be omnipotent and be able to do anything they want from any character. Or we can "roleplay." For those not dorkish enough to understand, this is where you make a character with a background, personality, etc. (as little or much as ya want) and go through the story only from that character's perspective. Now the first lets your personality and writing style show more. We see David's dark romanticism, my organized chaos, Kelly's incoherent, frenzied whatever etc. But it can also get rapidly out of hand, with little structure. Having a set role, you have confines but it's also interesting. You get to develop a character, make more interesting plot twists, and generally have a more structured story.
The way I was thinking of organizing posting would be randomly assigning an order. For instance, Dylan David Kelly Elizabeth Ellen Ferdinand Horatio Alfonzo Bobbmantha etc. Then you'd post in that order and continue in a cycle like that. We're all online so much, it shouldn't be too difficult. There's enough so that it wouldn't be too much of a wait, but you should be able to get in two entires a week or so. If we get one or two more, we can decide if we'll allow passing. As far as a subject or premise, we can either decide as a group on a theme or let me search the depths of randomness and decide on it.
So you guys need to post on what you'd prefer and any suggestions. Don't be influenced by others, do what you think would be the most interesting/enjoyable for you. And no wishy-washy answers, I want definitive decisions! So you've got your mission, this blog will self-destruct in, oh, a few years or so.
Thanks for sticking through all that, I know how tedious these things can be (espcially ridiculous rants). Being verbose is a blessing and a curse. Until next time...
Sunday, February 15
Self-Destruction: The Poor Man's Drama
There comes a time in many people's lives when they look back on the past few days, months, years, and eons and begin to wonder what exactly they were thinking. This seems a frequent recurrence in my day to day life. I have all this time in front of me and what do I do? Squander it. Thus with a whole weekend of to use, I'm once again left on the last day with mounds upon mounds upon heaps upon piles upon loads upon babies of homework. Perhaps I exaggerate, but the point is there.
I often wonder why exactly I do this. I know I'll do it. I fully expect it. Yet I do nothing to stop it. It leaves me with something to do, sure. But it really makes me wonder why. I suppose I keep thinking "just get through this semester, everything afterwards will be easier." Ain't foolin' yourself great?
But yes, self-destruction seems to be a popular theme. Things I should do, things left unsaid, undone, undecoded, unaborted, unexploded, things any rational person would convince themselves to try because they know it's the right thing to do. Ah well, such is life. Or is it? I can't really tell, I'm too distracted, confused, or generally inarticulate to notice most of the time. I should do so many things. I can do so many things. But finding a reason, a will, and a way are the real problems.
On the brighter side, I seem to have encountered a change of mind and for some reason I haven't been living in despair this weekend, as is customary for most extended periods of nothingness. I'm not quite sure what it was, maybe the drugs the CIA or concerned citizens have been injecting into my apple juice are taking effect. Perhaps I made some wonderful discovery that I forgot to tell myself of. Maybe I was just tired of depression. Or just maybe the cycle is in full effect. Suffice it to say, that whatever the reason I'm in an almost upbeat mood. As upbeat as I can get, anyway. Must be something in the bottled water (but that's a story for another day).
Anywho, enough about me. Perse's next installment is up. I've decided to try to update it weekly, and if it's more frequent than that I'll let ya know here. I'm getting a kick out of it and next week's adventure should be rather interesting. It's peculiar how you can get ideas for different works and incorporate them into a long, continuing story. We'll just have to see how it goes. I'd like some feedback on it, what you like and dislike, so if ya comment there I'd appreciate it. Also, if you want to make a collaboration effort on a different one with different people writing consecutive entries, post here. Only if you'd enjoy it though, I've got my story now hehe. Until next time.
I often wonder why exactly I do this. I know I'll do it. I fully expect it. Yet I do nothing to stop it. It leaves me with something to do, sure. But it really makes me wonder why. I suppose I keep thinking "just get through this semester, everything afterwards will be easier." Ain't foolin' yourself great?
But yes, self-destruction seems to be a popular theme. Things I should do, things left unsaid, undone, undecoded, unaborted, unexploded, things any rational person would convince themselves to try because they know it's the right thing to do. Ah well, such is life. Or is it? I can't really tell, I'm too distracted, confused, or generally inarticulate to notice most of the time. I should do so many things. I can do so many things. But finding a reason, a will, and a way are the real problems.
On the brighter side, I seem to have encountered a change of mind and for some reason I haven't been living in despair this weekend, as is customary for most extended periods of nothingness. I'm not quite sure what it was, maybe the drugs the CIA or concerned citizens have been injecting into my apple juice are taking effect. Perhaps I made some wonderful discovery that I forgot to tell myself of. Maybe I was just tired of depression. Or just maybe the cycle is in full effect. Suffice it to say, that whatever the reason I'm in an almost upbeat mood. As upbeat as I can get, anyway. Must be something in the bottled water (but that's a story for another day).
Anywho, enough about me. Perse's next installment is up. I've decided to try to update it weekly, and if it's more frequent than that I'll let ya know here. I'm getting a kick out of it and next week's adventure should be rather interesting. It's peculiar how you can get ideas for different works and incorporate them into a long, continuing story. We'll just have to see how it goes. I'd like some feedback on it, what you like and dislike, so if ya comment there I'd appreciate it. Also, if you want to make a collaboration effort on a different one with different people writing consecutive entries, post here. Only if you'd enjoy it though, I've got my story now hehe. Until next time.
Saturday, February 14
For Mr. Markman
Well, here we are at yet another V-Day. No, that’s not “Victory Day” or even “Veterans’ Day”. It’s that infamous day once a year that we celebrate the thing we call “love.” Now some of you may be thinking, “Where did this strange day come from and why are we celebrating it?” Some people might tell you it originated from the Roman “Feast of Lubercus.” Others might tell you that it’s in tribute to Saint Valentine. However, neither of these really explains the way Valentine’s Day came to be what it is. So gather round children and I’ll tell you the real story…
Many years ago there was a wealthy merchant. He wasn’t a particularly interesting person, but when you’re the one of the richest people in the land, being devoid of personality isn’t really that much of a hindrance. His business was the most important thing to him. All day long, it was “Sell This”, “Buy That”, “Enslave That”, and “Don’t Touch That, It’s Infested.” But he was certainly successful.
He could have anything he wanted. Except, of course as the case often is, love. Love is one thing that is quite difficult to buy. The merchant was even married, but over the past few years he and his wife had grown distant. He just didn’t understand it. He heaped gifts on top of her for her birthday in June and gave her everything she could desire on their anniversary in October, but still something was missing. She just didn’t laugh or smile or pay attention to him as much as she used to.
So he decided to sacrifice ten minutes from his busy schedule to figure out exactly what the problem was. He started walking around town and came upon a poet. The poet did nothing but write of the woman he was hopelessly enamored with all day. The merchant thought this was quite a waste of time, especially since the woman wasn’t much to look at in the first place. When he mentioned this, the poet said, “But sir, she is the most beautiful person I have ever seen! Every small facet of her personality and divine countenance is but a fraction of her combined magnificence!”
Obviously the man was daft. Who would waste their life on something so trivial? So the merchant continued on his search. Then he came upon a gardener. The gardener had never been very successful, probably because he always saved the choicest flowers for his wife. Also because he was a gardener, and who wanted smelly, dead sticks to rot away in a crumbling old vase? The merchant asked the gardener why he sacrificed even his slim chance at success to give a paltry offering to his wife, even when the thing crumbled and died soon anyway? The gardener replied, “She is me life’s work! Wihout ‘er, I’d be lost and alone. Coin comes an goes the same as a flower, but ‘er smiles last me forever.”
Another fool. A man can’t live off smiles. But what he could live off was food, and conveniently there was a quaint little bakery quite nearby. The baker was deep in debt, but always kept a smile on his face. The merchant went in and bought a pastry or two and was quite impressed. “These are quite delicious! Why is a man of your caliber so impoverished?” the merchant asked.
"Well, I’m afraid I don’t spend very much time baking for customers. I absolutely must make every meal for my wife and our children the best possible. It costs a bit more time and money, but one can get lost in a delicious meal. I should know, I’ve had quite a few!” the baker laughed. The merchant thought that was rather obvious by the girth of the baker and his wife, but he politely did not mention it.
The merchant sighed in disgust and headed back to work, his search in vain. When he returned, he was approached by his head scribe. The scribe said, “Sir, I’ve come to tell you that I’m taking next week off.”
The scribe did this sort of thing once a month. In most business’s it would have been preposterous, but the man practically worked himself to death the other three weeks to make up for it,. The merchant thought it was ludicrous to work one’s self to death, but as long as it made him money he didn’t object.
“By the way,” the merchant asked, “why do you always practically kill yourself with work just to gain free time?”
”Well, this way I can afford to travel home and see my wife and family every month. I simply can’t bear being away from them for long, so I make sacrifices in order to return to them. I can’t do anything fancy for my wife, God only blessed me with mathematics, but apparently time is enough of a gift for my wife. Thus I try to return as much as possible.”
”Fine, fine. Scurry home. But I expect you back here bright and early in one week.”
And the scribe hurried home, sparing no expense to get there as fast as he could. This set the merchant to thinking. These men all seemed to have rather successful relationships with their “loves.” What was it that made them work? It must be the effort they applied.
”That doesn’t help me much,” the merchant thought. “I’ve got no time to waste on trifling little things like love, but it seems that these other men have it, so I must have it as well. What to do…”
The merchant, being a fairly intelligent man, decided to combine his business and his problem to create a solution. He’d have the poet write wretchedly mushy poems onto pieces of parchment, he could buy flowers from the gardener, and buy her some delicious sweets (not too much, of course; couldn’t have her gaining any weight). Then he’d take a few hours off of work and spend some quality time with her. But then he might be seen as someone who forsook his duties and become as much a fool as the rest of them. He’d be the laughing stock of the town, especially by those young men who still hadn’t married…
Then he had it. He’d create a “Day of Love.” If placed somewhere in February, that would evenly space the three days a year he had to pay attention to his wife so that she wouldn’t notice how much time he spent away from her. The gardener could sell more flowers, the poet could make a living off poetry, and the baker could sell more food (with the merchant overseeing and promoting, of course). They’d all become wealthy and not have to live like such idiotic paupers anymore. He could even buy his wife a nice dress from the tailor and some pretty stones to stick on her ears or around her neck. She’d enjoy the gifts and they would also serve to divert his view from her unfortunate face that was becoming a bit wrinkled. Not to mention that he could trot her around and shove her in the faces of all those little brats who didn’t have wives. Everyone wins!
And indeed they did. After a few years, the merchant (who had become even more wealthy from “Love Day’s” exploits) renamed the day “Valentine’s Day” to make it seem more religiously appropriate. Thus, one day each February, people would give love, time, and heaps of gifts to their neglected loved ones. And this is how Valentine’s Day came to be.
((That's all you're getting. It's rather childish, but hopefully it gets its point across. It hasn't been proofread, because I've got to go, but I think it'll suffice anyway. Enjoy the rest of V-Day everybody))
Many years ago there was a wealthy merchant. He wasn’t a particularly interesting person, but when you’re the one of the richest people in the land, being devoid of personality isn’t really that much of a hindrance. His business was the most important thing to him. All day long, it was “Sell This”, “Buy That”, “Enslave That”, and “Don’t Touch That, It’s Infested.” But he was certainly successful.
He could have anything he wanted. Except, of course as the case often is, love. Love is one thing that is quite difficult to buy. The merchant was even married, but over the past few years he and his wife had grown distant. He just didn’t understand it. He heaped gifts on top of her for her birthday in June and gave her everything she could desire on their anniversary in October, but still something was missing. She just didn’t laugh or smile or pay attention to him as much as she used to.
So he decided to sacrifice ten minutes from his busy schedule to figure out exactly what the problem was. He started walking around town and came upon a poet. The poet did nothing but write of the woman he was hopelessly enamored with all day. The merchant thought this was quite a waste of time, especially since the woman wasn’t much to look at in the first place. When he mentioned this, the poet said, “But sir, she is the most beautiful person I have ever seen! Every small facet of her personality and divine countenance is but a fraction of her combined magnificence!”
Obviously the man was daft. Who would waste their life on something so trivial? So the merchant continued on his search. Then he came upon a gardener. The gardener had never been very successful, probably because he always saved the choicest flowers for his wife. Also because he was a gardener, and who wanted smelly, dead sticks to rot away in a crumbling old vase? The merchant asked the gardener why he sacrificed even his slim chance at success to give a paltry offering to his wife, even when the thing crumbled and died soon anyway? The gardener replied, “She is me life’s work! Wihout ‘er, I’d be lost and alone. Coin comes an goes the same as a flower, but ‘er smiles last me forever.”
Another fool. A man can’t live off smiles. But what he could live off was food, and conveniently there was a quaint little bakery quite nearby. The baker was deep in debt, but always kept a smile on his face. The merchant went in and bought a pastry or two and was quite impressed. “These are quite delicious! Why is a man of your caliber so impoverished?” the merchant asked.
"Well, I’m afraid I don’t spend very much time baking for customers. I absolutely must make every meal for my wife and our children the best possible. It costs a bit more time and money, but one can get lost in a delicious meal. I should know, I’ve had quite a few!” the baker laughed. The merchant thought that was rather obvious by the girth of the baker and his wife, but he politely did not mention it.
The merchant sighed in disgust and headed back to work, his search in vain. When he returned, he was approached by his head scribe. The scribe said, “Sir, I’ve come to tell you that I’m taking next week off.”
The scribe did this sort of thing once a month. In most business’s it would have been preposterous, but the man practically worked himself to death the other three weeks to make up for it,. The merchant thought it was ludicrous to work one’s self to death, but as long as it made him money he didn’t object.
“By the way,” the merchant asked, “why do you always practically kill yourself with work just to gain free time?”
”Well, this way I can afford to travel home and see my wife and family every month. I simply can’t bear being away from them for long, so I make sacrifices in order to return to them. I can’t do anything fancy for my wife, God only blessed me with mathematics, but apparently time is enough of a gift for my wife. Thus I try to return as much as possible.”
”Fine, fine. Scurry home. But I expect you back here bright and early in one week.”
And the scribe hurried home, sparing no expense to get there as fast as he could. This set the merchant to thinking. These men all seemed to have rather successful relationships with their “loves.” What was it that made them work? It must be the effort they applied.
”That doesn’t help me much,” the merchant thought. “I’ve got no time to waste on trifling little things like love, but it seems that these other men have it, so I must have it as well. What to do…”
The merchant, being a fairly intelligent man, decided to combine his business and his problem to create a solution. He’d have the poet write wretchedly mushy poems onto pieces of parchment, he could buy flowers from the gardener, and buy her some delicious sweets (not too much, of course; couldn’t have her gaining any weight). Then he’d take a few hours off of work and spend some quality time with her. But then he might be seen as someone who forsook his duties and become as much a fool as the rest of them. He’d be the laughing stock of the town, especially by those young men who still hadn’t married…
Then he had it. He’d create a “Day of Love.” If placed somewhere in February, that would evenly space the three days a year he had to pay attention to his wife so that she wouldn’t notice how much time he spent away from her. The gardener could sell more flowers, the poet could make a living off poetry, and the baker could sell more food (with the merchant overseeing and promoting, of course). They’d all become wealthy and not have to live like such idiotic paupers anymore. He could even buy his wife a nice dress from the tailor and some pretty stones to stick on her ears or around her neck. She’d enjoy the gifts and they would also serve to divert his view from her unfortunate face that was becoming a bit wrinkled. Not to mention that he could trot her around and shove her in the faces of all those little brats who didn’t have wives. Everyone wins!
And indeed they did. After a few years, the merchant (who had become even more wealthy from “Love Day’s” exploits) renamed the day “Valentine’s Day” to make it seem more religiously appropriate. Thus, one day each February, people would give love, time, and heaps of gifts to their neglected loved ones. And this is how Valentine’s Day came to be.
((That's all you're getting. It's rather childish, but hopefully it gets its point across. It hasn't been proofread, because I've got to go, but I think it'll suffice anyway. Enjoy the rest of V-Day everybody))
Tuesday, February 10
It's Your Fault!
Yes, as I witnessed the majesty of my mother voting for someone who now has no chance at even getting the chance to be beaten by George Bush (Howard Dean, not Kucinich, for those concerned), I was reminded of my own candidate for the Gilded Age elections (but he'll run for anything).
Bubba McBubberson's campaign slogan was "It's Your Fault." Certainly the most honest candidate in the race, Bubberson is probably also the first and only candidate to ever run solely so he can be a bum. He is staunchly anti-assasination, anti-moving, anti-campaigning, very pro tariff (something's got to pay for him and all his expensive tastes like whiskey and shotguns), and anti-baby kissing (do you honestly know where those things have been?). Yes, Bubba would be so abysmal as a president we've gone ahead and labeled him an anarchist because that's what will come of his administration.
So you may be asking yourself, why should I vote for Bubba? In response to his opposition, Mr. Bubberson has been known to lie back, spit out a bit o' tobacco and say, ever so sweetly, "Shut Up. You're Wrong." Mr Bubberson's reasoning? Well, most of his opponents seem to think that he's a big fat idiot who only wants the country to work for him. In fact, they have some idea that they are actually doing their country a service by leading it. Mr. Bubberson knows that this is a straight out lie. The country should serve him, because frankly, he knows what's right. And he's been losing a bit of weight chasing squirrels, so lay off the fat jokes will you?
Now that you've read about him, I hope you'll take the time to elect him to the next public office that comes along. He really needs the work. Or rather, he really needs the cash the work he's not going to do will provide. As a symbol of his following of democracy, Mr. Bubberson's slogan is "It's Your Fault." That, in a nutshell, is the essence of the democratic political system. Don't you forget it! Mr. Bubberson sure won't.
Bubba McBubberson's campaign slogan was "It's Your Fault." Certainly the most honest candidate in the race, Bubberson is probably also the first and only candidate to ever run solely so he can be a bum. He is staunchly anti-assasination, anti-moving, anti-campaigning, very pro tariff (something's got to pay for him and all his expensive tastes like whiskey and shotguns), and anti-baby kissing (do you honestly know where those things have been?). Yes, Bubba would be so abysmal as a president we've gone ahead and labeled him an anarchist because that's what will come of his administration.
So you may be asking yourself, why should I vote for Bubba? In response to his opposition, Mr. Bubberson has been known to lie back, spit out a bit o' tobacco and say, ever so sweetly, "Shut Up. You're Wrong." Mr Bubberson's reasoning? Well, most of his opponents seem to think that he's a big fat idiot who only wants the country to work for him. In fact, they have some idea that they are actually doing their country a service by leading it. Mr. Bubberson knows that this is a straight out lie. The country should serve him, because frankly, he knows what's right. And he's been losing a bit of weight chasing squirrels, so lay off the fat jokes will you?
Now that you've read about him, I hope you'll take the time to elect him to the next public office that comes along. He really needs the work. Or rather, he really needs the cash the work he's not going to do will provide. As a symbol of his following of democracy, Mr. Bubberson's slogan is "It's Your Fault." That, in a nutshell, is the essence of the democratic political system. Don't you forget it! Mr. Bubberson sure won't.
Saturday, February 7
The Elegy of Easterly
What is Elizabeth? I just don't know,
A mix of euphoria, a tad of woe.
Madness, eccentricity, sanity too,
She's all of this, moreso than you.
But is it true or just an act?
Some sort of game? Some dreaded pact?
She certainly does love to dance,
And her reed skill is more than chance.
Art and English are her style,
Of things to do, she's got a pile.
Free verse is her choice of word,
To her rhymes are quite absurd.
But we can forgive, she's not so bad;
She has an excuse, for she's quite mad.
And yet she's not, we're just as sane,
She's all of this, yet still a pain.
So we're left with an enigma, which parts are true?
I think I know, what about you?
Well, there you have it. Not dripping with despair and woe, but there's always next time. It's not everything I want it to be and more, but what do you want from me?! It's not like I'm working for a commission or anything. Yet. Maybe I'll do a "Reader Appreciation Series, Version II" sometime. Maybe.
So what do I do next week? Canticle of Kelly? Song of Sara? Lament of Lofaro (Ellegy's been taken, unfortunately )? We'll just have to see who posts more. Kelly certainly seems to lead in that category...
Anyway, as some of you may have noticed from glancing at my IM profile, I've started another blog. This one will be in the form of a story in semi regular installments. I don't really know where I'm going with it, when I'll have time to continue it, or whether it's any good, but it is at least slightly nonsensical, and sense you people obviously have nothing better to do, head on over to www.successfullyfailing.blogspot.com and check it out.
That's about all I'm good for tonight. Well, I did watch the Lion King for the first time in ten years or so. It's remarkable how you can the philosophical discussion on nihilism, existentialism, the life cycle, etc. so much better after you mature.
A mix of euphoria, a tad of woe.
Madness, eccentricity, sanity too,
She's all of this, moreso than you.
But is it true or just an act?
Some sort of game? Some dreaded pact?
She certainly does love to dance,
And her reed skill is more than chance.
Art and English are her style,
Of things to do, she's got a pile.
Free verse is her choice of word,
To her rhymes are quite absurd.
But we can forgive, she's not so bad;
She has an excuse, for she's quite mad.
And yet she's not, we're just as sane,
She's all of this, yet still a pain.
So we're left with an enigma, which parts are true?
I think I know, what about you?
Well, there you have it. Not dripping with despair and woe, but there's always next time. It's not everything I want it to be and more, but what do you want from me?! It's not like I'm working for a commission or anything. Yet. Maybe I'll do a "Reader Appreciation Series, Version II" sometime. Maybe.
So what do I do next week? Canticle of Kelly? Song of Sara? Lament of Lofaro (Ellegy's been taken, unfortunately )? We'll just have to see who posts more. Kelly certainly seems to lead in that category...
Anyway, as some of you may have noticed from glancing at my IM profile, I've started another blog. This one will be in the form of a story in semi regular installments. I don't really know where I'm going with it, when I'll have time to continue it, or whether it's any good, but it is at least slightly nonsensical, and sense you people obviously have nothing better to do, head on over to www.successfullyfailing.blogspot.com and check it out.
That's about all I'm good for tonight. Well, I did watch the Lion King for the first time in ten years or so. It's remarkable how you can the philosophical discussion on nihilism, existentialism, the life cycle, etc. so much better after you mature.
Friday, February 6
Cynics Anonymous
Woohoo! It's the weekend! Yes, the weekend, that oh so wonderful part of the week where I can actually concentrate on wasting time instead of being interrupted by things like school and homework. Yes, I can do nothing for two straight days! Let the people rejoice! Well, hopefully I'll get motivated and get started on some epic novel or something. If not, I've got to at least get the "Elegy of Easterly" done which will not actually be an elegy since she is not dead, despairing, or in horrific pain. But you gotta aim for that alliteration! (WARNING: The following excessively long rant may contain cynicism and pessimistic qualities. It may be horribly flawed and over exxagerated for effect or because it seems that way from the writer's chair. Those who have fragile world views or optimistic viewpoints may find the contents disturbing. This is probably my darkest and longest rant yet. When I put off posting long enough, it gets built up and I really let an entry fly. Therefore viewer discretion is advised. You have been warned.)
As for today, it was fine, as are all days. The most eventful part wasn't actually that eventful in and of itself, but was rather distressing and disheartening to me. As I watched the 40minute long advertisement for Pop-culture or whatever it is you punk kids like nowadays, I was once again reminded at how little any of these organizations, or even society, understand what is going on or how to fix it. The billions of dollars and years of time being spent on trying to get people (especially teens) from drinking and doing drugs are used to simply dance around the actual problem. It's like trying to clean up the radiation of an atomic bomb instead of stopping the bomb from going off in the first place. The radiation isn't the primary problem(even though it rapidly becomes a pressing concern), it's the reason the bomb was set off and how you can prevent it from happening again that should be targeted. And drinking/drugs don't even give you neat mutations and superpowers. I mean, if I'm going to flirt with death and danger, I may as well do it with something I can gain from!
Anyway, I don't think the scare tactics all of these organizations use are working, and they shouldn't work. They're just like terrorists trying to inspire fear and dread throughout masses of people. They believe they're doing the right thing, but either the point is lost because their methods are too extreme or their methods work and create another zombie. I've yet to have a school assembly about the meaning of life or to have a guest speaker tell me that even though the world is a corrupted, messed up place where even the society many so revere is just a by-product of a religious group that has all but died out, there is still hope out there for happiness and a better future. Problems like love, stress(school, extra curricular, etc.), overwork, ignorance of the world around you, despair, hopelessness, and all of that good stuff are all ignored. And there appears to be no way to bring them up and try to fix them. The cynics who seem the problems are all too pessimistic and lazy to actually try to change them, thinking it's either too much work for something that doesn't concern me or it simply won't work. The happy intelligent (a somewhat rare breed) are content with thier stock in life and are trying to make the most of it, generally unaware of the real problems that many people face. The "ignorant" masses, who really aren't so ignorant but are just treated and indoctrinated to think they are that way, either don't have ability to pierce the veil or are too consumed in their own problems to look at the big picture. It's a problem no one wants to tackle, and can anyone blame them?
Think what the world would be like if we had campaigns to "Pay Attention to Your Country, Your World, and Yourself: Read a Newspaper. Watch the News. Actually consider every single action you take and why you are really taking it. Think." Now, I know I said thinking is wrong earlier this week, but as you can see, it really becomes very depressing if you do too much. Thinking is a sport that should be all or nothing. Either everyone should think, or no one, because that will leave the most people happy. No one campaigns against apathy. I've yet to be told by a speaker "You can enjoy life, and here's how!" No, they merely criticize the masses who try to eek some fun and excitement out of this depressing farce by partaking in substances that alter the mind and free them of all the stress, despair, and depression that has been thrust upon them. Then they get caught. Do the police say "Well Johnny, I didn't realize you were so unhappy. Let me show you what it feels like to help someone and make the world a better place like I do it everyday!"? Do the motivational speakers say "And this tragedy of a youth killed in a drunk driving accident served as a wake up call to the entire community. Kids started playing board games at parties, writing novels, taking walks in the park, getting out of the house more, and celebrating every second of life. The entire community is now so much safer and happier."? Do the teachers say "You know, this history is good to learn, but let's apply it to our society and learn from it instead of learning it for the sake of learning. Let's not worry about grades, just do your best and try to improve, I'll help you every step of the way. I don't want to know what you've learned, I want to know if you know how to use it and how it can help you."? Do the advertisements say "Change the world, make it a better place."? Some of them do, but far too many don't. Instead, there are zillions of "Your babies will die, parents will hate you, and the family pet will swallow you whole, spit out your chewed up remains, and then annihilate your soul if you do marijuana."
MADD and company don't tell you what to do instead of drugs and alcohol, they just tell you why you shouldn't do them. They don't have a campaign for "Telling the people you care about how much they really mean to you everytime you think about it." Nor do they have a "Be nice to others, pain and suffering never feel good" seminar. Instead we're treated like a bunch of mindless slaves, succumbing to our bestial urges. It hasn't occurred to them that people might drink or get high because life is so hard for them to cope with. It never entered their minds that maybe that form of altered reality feels so very good that the actual reality shouldn't exist unless it meets that standard (Really I'd say this is exaggerated, but I'm attempting to justify something I know very little about, having never done it or discussed it intensely before, so toss me a bone, will ya?). No, we're just irresponsible, hormone/peer-pressure driven, ignorant kids.
So what causes the state society is currently in? I think a lot has to do with the constant competition we're subjected to every day. Everything is a race to gain "pride", to be better than someone else and to let them know it, to outdo/outlast/outplay your coworkers and friends so you remain on top and get that promotion/girl/fame/fortune/recognition/sense of accomplishment that everyone else strives for. I know that this too is slightly exaggerated, and I can't present a real alternative that seems likely to work (but I am a cynical pessimist if you haven't noticed, so most of my ideas are immediately scrapped), but if you actually look around you, there is a real problem.
Another reason might be the "intellectual elite." They understand part of the problem, but they choose to ignore quite a bit for their own reasons. Many like being better than their fellow man. Others fall into that cycle I mentioned earlier that said why no one wants to tackle the problem. Some misinterpret the real reasons behind our actions. For instance, I read a satire the other day in English about football players and how much they're paid and attention they get. It argued what every semi-intelligent person already knows about football players getting overplayed and overhyped. But it didn't address why they're like that. It neglected to mention that some people like to get wrapped into an epic struggle of two titanic forces, played out on a battlefield where the stakes are high and no one is ever insured a victory. It's just escapism, like most entertainment, but when reality is like it is, who can honestly blame people for trying to get away from it? The satirist didn't propose any alternatives for people who have slaved away at stressful, competitive, monotonous jobs all week long who simply want to relax and take part in something bigger than themselves that all they have to do is watch to participate. Teachers, intelligence, and the like aren't rewarded because they all so aptly remind us of reality. Movies, TV, music, sports, etc. all take us away into something that really doesn't matter, but certainly feels exciting and enthralling.
Now I realize I'm doing much the same thing, pointing out flaws without clear alternatives, but I don't have a problem with people acting incorrectly or hypocritically as long as they know and acknowledge it. It's the ones who don't that just aggrivate the problem.
Drugs and alcohol aren't the only problems that society misinterprets. For instance this whole Janet Jackson debacle. The media plays it up as some travesty, when all it is is a breast. In this day and age, they're not so hard to find. I think many people forget that most children have one thrust in their faces in early childhood, even though they don't have the capacity to remember them. Both the drugs/alcohol issues and nudity merely fall into the "forbidden fruit" category.
I've got a pretty Puritan moral system myself, but I know that my leanings are wrong. I consider me not cursing a detriment to my character, because curse words too are just labeled as such by society. Take away what society makes them, they're the same as "banana", "frito", and "chihuahua"...ok, maybe not chihuahua because that's just a fun word to say, spell, and mispronounce, but you get my point. Violence and lies are supported by our very political system (this isn't just a Pres. Bush jab, it's the whole thing in general), and I consider both to be infinitely worse than nudity, cursing, or small doses of alcohol/weaker drugs. Yet they're tolerated as commonplace or ignored(for the most part) while a single breast, something over half the country sees everyday and something that most of the others probably think about everyday, is a firestorm. Some people see this state of affairs at least partitially for what it is, but the outraged section of the country gets the media to hype it all up even more. For some reason, they don't seem to understand that the way they're handling it just plays right into the hands of those who want to be "shocking" and get more publicity. But this is all to be expected from the same society that condones violence in all forms of entertainment, as long as the actual creation process of life isn't shown. It's turned into something foul and dirty, and therefore more people are attracted and intrigued by it.
Such is the world we live in. Or at least the country. People often forget that we're just one nation in a planet of billions. It's simply horrific that we are the most successful, prosperous, and powerful country and still not every single person is happy and content. Not even the majority are. Life's a constant struggle, against others, time, yourself, whatever. Ideally, there is no reason why anyone in America should be miserable, depressed, or bitter. No reason why anyone should be. Yes, this is a highly utopian, ideallistic vision, but when you compare the amount of good things in our lives to the amount of bad, it's astonishing that anyone can be unhappy. So many things are right or not wrong that you would think they would outweigh the few cons. But instead a few minor issues bring down the entire structure. Few people think to themselves "I am well. I'm not blind, deaf, broken, have a cold, horribly poor, unloved, oppressed, or in horrible, constant pain." For many that some of those conditions apply to, life seems that much more enjoyable and prescious because they can appreciate all the other things not wrong with them. The fortunate majority who are so blessed should always try to help those who are afflicted by those ills. Instead a very few things that really don't matter get to all of us. Is this innate? Have we learned this? Or has it been instilled by the same principle the anti-drug/alcohol people seek to take advantage of? Are we all so constantly concerned about the future that we forget to enjoy the present? We don't consciously do it, but it's ingrained. You have to worry about college. You have to try to do well in school. You have to succeed and make money at work. You have to try to be the best. You have to do something, because no one else will do it for you and if you don't you'll fail. And failure is the greatest crime you can commit. Such is the state of affairs. And I haven't even gone into philosophy (which I will spare you of, for now).
So that's about all, this time. See what happens when you Think? Like I said, thinking alone is generally counter-productive and should be avoided. But then, I haven't had a school assembly to show what happens to people who think too much and the horrible consequences of their actions. There aren't any associations that warn people about getting ideas. No videos showing mangled corpses and paralyzed teens after they gave the world some thoughts. But from the results of thinking, perhaps there should be. At least you get a buzz from intoxicants. Reason is a cruel drug to swallow. Might I suggest you go outside and take a walk or read a nice fantasy instead? You get to work on that. Until next time...
As for today, it was fine, as are all days. The most eventful part wasn't actually that eventful in and of itself, but was rather distressing and disheartening to me. As I watched the 40minute long advertisement for Pop-culture or whatever it is you punk kids like nowadays, I was once again reminded at how little any of these organizations, or even society, understand what is going on or how to fix it. The billions of dollars and years of time being spent on trying to get people (especially teens) from drinking and doing drugs are used to simply dance around the actual problem. It's like trying to clean up the radiation of an atomic bomb instead of stopping the bomb from going off in the first place. The radiation isn't the primary problem(even though it rapidly becomes a pressing concern), it's the reason the bomb was set off and how you can prevent it from happening again that should be targeted. And drinking/drugs don't even give you neat mutations and superpowers. I mean, if I'm going to flirt with death and danger, I may as well do it with something I can gain from!
Anyway, I don't think the scare tactics all of these organizations use are working, and they shouldn't work. They're just like terrorists trying to inspire fear and dread throughout masses of people. They believe they're doing the right thing, but either the point is lost because their methods are too extreme or their methods work and create another zombie. I've yet to have a school assembly about the meaning of life or to have a guest speaker tell me that even though the world is a corrupted, messed up place where even the society many so revere is just a by-product of a religious group that has all but died out, there is still hope out there for happiness and a better future. Problems like love, stress(school, extra curricular, etc.), overwork, ignorance of the world around you, despair, hopelessness, and all of that good stuff are all ignored. And there appears to be no way to bring them up and try to fix them. The cynics who seem the problems are all too pessimistic and lazy to actually try to change them, thinking it's either too much work for something that doesn't concern me or it simply won't work. The happy intelligent (a somewhat rare breed) are content with thier stock in life and are trying to make the most of it, generally unaware of the real problems that many people face. The "ignorant" masses, who really aren't so ignorant but are just treated and indoctrinated to think they are that way, either don't have ability to pierce the veil or are too consumed in their own problems to look at the big picture. It's a problem no one wants to tackle, and can anyone blame them?
Think what the world would be like if we had campaigns to "Pay Attention to Your Country, Your World, and Yourself: Read a Newspaper. Watch the News. Actually consider every single action you take and why you are really taking it. Think." Now, I know I said thinking is wrong earlier this week, but as you can see, it really becomes very depressing if you do too much. Thinking is a sport that should be all or nothing. Either everyone should think, or no one, because that will leave the most people happy. No one campaigns against apathy. I've yet to be told by a speaker "You can enjoy life, and here's how!" No, they merely criticize the masses who try to eek some fun and excitement out of this depressing farce by partaking in substances that alter the mind and free them of all the stress, despair, and depression that has been thrust upon them. Then they get caught. Do the police say "Well Johnny, I didn't realize you were so unhappy. Let me show you what it feels like to help someone and make the world a better place like I do it everyday!"? Do the motivational speakers say "And this tragedy of a youth killed in a drunk driving accident served as a wake up call to the entire community. Kids started playing board games at parties, writing novels, taking walks in the park, getting out of the house more, and celebrating every second of life. The entire community is now so much safer and happier."? Do the teachers say "You know, this history is good to learn, but let's apply it to our society and learn from it instead of learning it for the sake of learning. Let's not worry about grades, just do your best and try to improve, I'll help you every step of the way. I don't want to know what you've learned, I want to know if you know how to use it and how it can help you."? Do the advertisements say "Change the world, make it a better place."? Some of them do, but far too many don't. Instead, there are zillions of "Your babies will die, parents will hate you, and the family pet will swallow you whole, spit out your chewed up remains, and then annihilate your soul if you do marijuana."
MADD and company don't tell you what to do instead of drugs and alcohol, they just tell you why you shouldn't do them. They don't have a campaign for "Telling the people you care about how much they really mean to you everytime you think about it." Nor do they have a "Be nice to others, pain and suffering never feel good" seminar. Instead we're treated like a bunch of mindless slaves, succumbing to our bestial urges. It hasn't occurred to them that people might drink or get high because life is so hard for them to cope with. It never entered their minds that maybe that form of altered reality feels so very good that the actual reality shouldn't exist unless it meets that standard (Really I'd say this is exaggerated, but I'm attempting to justify something I know very little about, having never done it or discussed it intensely before, so toss me a bone, will ya?). No, we're just irresponsible, hormone/peer-pressure driven, ignorant kids.
So what causes the state society is currently in? I think a lot has to do with the constant competition we're subjected to every day. Everything is a race to gain "pride", to be better than someone else and to let them know it, to outdo/outlast/outplay your coworkers and friends so you remain on top and get that promotion/girl/fame/fortune/recognition/sense of accomplishment that everyone else strives for. I know that this too is slightly exaggerated, and I can't present a real alternative that seems likely to work (but I am a cynical pessimist if you haven't noticed, so most of my ideas are immediately scrapped), but if you actually look around you, there is a real problem.
Another reason might be the "intellectual elite." They understand part of the problem, but they choose to ignore quite a bit for their own reasons. Many like being better than their fellow man. Others fall into that cycle I mentioned earlier that said why no one wants to tackle the problem. Some misinterpret the real reasons behind our actions. For instance, I read a satire the other day in English about football players and how much they're paid and attention they get. It argued what every semi-intelligent person already knows about football players getting overplayed and overhyped. But it didn't address why they're like that. It neglected to mention that some people like to get wrapped into an epic struggle of two titanic forces, played out on a battlefield where the stakes are high and no one is ever insured a victory. It's just escapism, like most entertainment, but when reality is like it is, who can honestly blame people for trying to get away from it? The satirist didn't propose any alternatives for people who have slaved away at stressful, competitive, monotonous jobs all week long who simply want to relax and take part in something bigger than themselves that all they have to do is watch to participate. Teachers, intelligence, and the like aren't rewarded because they all so aptly remind us of reality. Movies, TV, music, sports, etc. all take us away into something that really doesn't matter, but certainly feels exciting and enthralling.
Now I realize I'm doing much the same thing, pointing out flaws without clear alternatives, but I don't have a problem with people acting incorrectly or hypocritically as long as they know and acknowledge it. It's the ones who don't that just aggrivate the problem.
Drugs and alcohol aren't the only problems that society misinterprets. For instance this whole Janet Jackson debacle. The media plays it up as some travesty, when all it is is a breast. In this day and age, they're not so hard to find. I think many people forget that most children have one thrust in their faces in early childhood, even though they don't have the capacity to remember them. Both the drugs/alcohol issues and nudity merely fall into the "forbidden fruit" category.
I've got a pretty Puritan moral system myself, but I know that my leanings are wrong. I consider me not cursing a detriment to my character, because curse words too are just labeled as such by society. Take away what society makes them, they're the same as "banana", "frito", and "chihuahua"...ok, maybe not chihuahua because that's just a fun word to say, spell, and mispronounce, but you get my point. Violence and lies are supported by our very political system (this isn't just a Pres. Bush jab, it's the whole thing in general), and I consider both to be infinitely worse than nudity, cursing, or small doses of alcohol/weaker drugs. Yet they're tolerated as commonplace or ignored(for the most part) while a single breast, something over half the country sees everyday and something that most of the others probably think about everyday, is a firestorm. Some people see this state of affairs at least partitially for what it is, but the outraged section of the country gets the media to hype it all up even more. For some reason, they don't seem to understand that the way they're handling it just plays right into the hands of those who want to be "shocking" and get more publicity. But this is all to be expected from the same society that condones violence in all forms of entertainment, as long as the actual creation process of life isn't shown. It's turned into something foul and dirty, and therefore more people are attracted and intrigued by it.
Such is the world we live in. Or at least the country. People often forget that we're just one nation in a planet of billions. It's simply horrific that we are the most successful, prosperous, and powerful country and still not every single person is happy and content. Not even the majority are. Life's a constant struggle, against others, time, yourself, whatever. Ideally, there is no reason why anyone in America should be miserable, depressed, or bitter. No reason why anyone should be. Yes, this is a highly utopian, ideallistic vision, but when you compare the amount of good things in our lives to the amount of bad, it's astonishing that anyone can be unhappy. So many things are right or not wrong that you would think they would outweigh the few cons. But instead a few minor issues bring down the entire structure. Few people think to themselves "I am well. I'm not blind, deaf, broken, have a cold, horribly poor, unloved, oppressed, or in horrible, constant pain." For many that some of those conditions apply to, life seems that much more enjoyable and prescious because they can appreciate all the other things not wrong with them. The fortunate majority who are so blessed should always try to help those who are afflicted by those ills. Instead a very few things that really don't matter get to all of us. Is this innate? Have we learned this? Or has it been instilled by the same principle the anti-drug/alcohol people seek to take advantage of? Are we all so constantly concerned about the future that we forget to enjoy the present? We don't consciously do it, but it's ingrained. You have to worry about college. You have to try to do well in school. You have to succeed and make money at work. You have to try to be the best. You have to do something, because no one else will do it for you and if you don't you'll fail. And failure is the greatest crime you can commit. Such is the state of affairs. And I haven't even gone into philosophy (which I will spare you of, for now).
So that's about all, this time. See what happens when you Think? Like I said, thinking alone is generally counter-productive and should be avoided. But then, I haven't had a school assembly to show what happens to people who think too much and the horrible consequences of their actions. There aren't any associations that warn people about getting ideas. No videos showing mangled corpses and paralyzed teens after they gave the world some thoughts. But from the results of thinking, perhaps there should be. At least you get a buzz from intoxicants. Reason is a cruel drug to swallow. Might I suggest you go outside and take a walk or read a nice fantasy instead? You get to work on that. Until next time...
Monday, February 2
A Plethora of Paperwork
Hello Sportsfans! Or Pirates. Or Hippies. Or whatever it is you punk kids call yourselves these days. I'm sure you've all heaved a sigh of relief now that I'm not speaking in rhyme, but don't fret for I'll try it again some time. However rhymes are not the only projects I have devised on the horizon in a most likely futile attempt to find something for my meaningless, thoughtplagued existence to otherwise pursue besides just a general wasting of time. Homework, while I certainly have more than enough of it, simply cannot deal with all of it. I've got to find a set way to procrastinate, other than this, and I think I've got some real runner-ups in store for you (as opposed to winners. A play on words. You understand.)
Anyway, although I might like to elaborate on my evil schemes, my day, the world in general, or something to that effect, I truly am feeling the press for time so I simply must get to work soon. I'll sum my thoughts for the day, and most days for that matter, into one compact, easy to understand yet difficult to master sentence: DO NOT THINK! Now, I could tell you why. I could tell you the consequences of such a despicable past time. But, like I said, I've got cows to milk, puppies to kick, kittens to drown, and hoboes to kill, so I'll let you think on it. Yes, that's irony. No, the comment is not sarcastic. Maybe you too should get to work. Amen! (That series was a Petko allusion, for those not indoctrinated or up too late at night with too little or too many intoxicating influences working upon your already scarred and fragile psyches.) I'm off, until next time...
Anyway, although I might like to elaborate on my evil schemes, my day, the world in general, or something to that effect, I truly am feeling the press for time so I simply must get to work soon. I'll sum my thoughts for the day, and most days for that matter, into one compact, easy to understand yet difficult to master sentence: DO NOT THINK! Now, I could tell you why. I could tell you the consequences of such a despicable past time. But, like I said, I've got cows to milk, puppies to kick, kittens to drown, and hoboes to kill, so I'll let you think on it. Yes, that's irony. No, the comment is not sarcastic. Maybe you too should get to work. Amen! (That series was a Petko allusion, for those not indoctrinated or up too late at night with too little or too many intoxicating influences working upon your already scarred and fragile psyches.) I'm off, until next time...