Saturday, August 21, 2010
All in Time
As I sit at a laundry mat staring into a dryer waiting for the moisture to be extracted from my clothing, I grow weary...weary of the thought that as I sit motionless everything surrounding me moves with an incorruptible purpose. I wonder...is it the perceived stagnation of forward progression that has thrust into my subconscious fleeting thoughts of time? The seemingly endless ticking of my wrist watch becomes almost unbearable as every second begins to feel like a minute and every minute an hour. I fear my clothes may never dry. I turn to see a butterfly flutter pass the window and marvel at its beauty as it flies serenely, majestically, and purposefully. In its movements there is no hesitation to be witnessed; there is only an instinctive resolve to move forward. The farther it fades from my vision, the more envious I become. I long to escape the confines of a burdened heart; to take a step toward tomorrow without the regrets of yesterday; to dream without sleeping and to sleep without fear of dreaming. The sky begins to cry, and the pitter-patter of droplets that descend from above echo the rhythmic beating of my heart. As I reflect outward, I feel as if I am looking within myself. The only sound I hear is the sound of my heart...drip...drop. Water flows to lower heights and sometimes, so does the human heart. In time my clothing will dry, the beautiful butterfly will die, the tears will stop falling, and my heart will rise from the depths...all in time.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Yes or No: I Wasn't Ready
Today was an extraordinarily beautiful day to go to the park. There was a perfect mixture of sunshine and clouds as if they were playing peek-a-boo with the earth's surface. There was also a breeze, a light breeze, a breeze that seemed to wisp by consciously like it went from person to person and in passing simply said, "Chill out." I was having a very good day, that is, until I got my heart broken.
While I was sitting on a bench reading my book, I noticed two little legs position themselves directly in front of me as I was nearing the bottom of my current page. I peeked over the top of my book to discover it was an adorable little girl. She appeared to be about four or five years old, and as I said before, she was absolutely adorable, a real cutie pie. Without a second thought, I closed my book, set it on my lap, and began surveying the immediate area for a parent or older sibling. When I didn't see anyone in the vicinity actively searching or outright panicking, I asked the girl, "Who did you come to the park with?" As I asked this question, I noticed the melancholy gaze of her eyes and the manner in which she peered deeply into mine as if she were searching for something. Her gaze intensified as she stood before me visually asking me question after question. After what seemed like an interrogation, she finally settled on a question that was important enough to vocalize, or perhaps it was the only question that truly mattered to her, "Are you my daddy?"
I wasn't ready that question, how could I be? I thought to myself, "If only she had ask me something else, anything else, maybe I could have given her an answer." My heart fell to pieces and my vocal chords tightened as she peered deeper into my eyes searching for an answer I was too fearful to give.
I know I couldn't say yes, but I didn't want to tell her no as she just stood there, waiting. "Man...where is your mama," is what I was thinking, because I didn't have the heart to say anything. I always thought of children as a blessing and believed when two people were fortunate enough to have a child together, God had smiled down on them. Does this mean that God is in tears now? What drives a man to abandon his child? There is no excuse, no acceptable reason for a father...no I can't classify these men as fathers, let's just call them what they are, "dead-beats; there is no acceptable reason a dead-beat can justify the absence of his presence in the life of his child(ren). Unfortunately, this is an all too common tragedy that occurs everyday, as mothers are forced to play a dual role in the lives of their child(ren). There is a quote by a 19th century novelist named William Makepeace Thakeray that states, "Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children." What are we men, "rolling stones?" There are way too many dead-beats out there, but I also know that there are just as many good, responsible fathers out there who appreciate the gift they have been blessed with.
I only wish this adorable little girl's father recognized the blessing she is. I never did answer her question, and she didn't bother to ask again. She sat down on the bench beside me and asked, "Can you read me a story, please?" "Of course", I said, "I was just in the middle of Goldilocks and the Three Bears." She looked me straight in the face and said, "That's not what the book says." You can't sneak anything past kids nowadays, can you? Just as I was about to begin telling a story I haven't heard myself since I was a child, her mother walked over.
"Hi, I hope she hasn't been troubling you too much."
"Not at all, she was a sweetheart."
"That's great. I sent her over here for a time-out, I was right there with my son. I'm glad she didn't disturb you. Come on baby, it time to say goodbye to the nice man."
The little girl peered into my eyes one last time, perhaps she was still searching for something or maybe she had found it. The melancholy gaze which initially greeted me was gone, and her eyes seemed revitalized as grabbed her mother's hand, smiled, and waved goodbye.
While I was sitting on a bench reading my book, I noticed two little legs position themselves directly in front of me as I was nearing the bottom of my current page. I peeked over the top of my book to discover it was an adorable little girl. She appeared to be about four or five years old, and as I said before, she was absolutely adorable, a real cutie pie. Without a second thought, I closed my book, set it on my lap, and began surveying the immediate area for a parent or older sibling. When I didn't see anyone in the vicinity actively searching or outright panicking, I asked the girl, "Who did you come to the park with?" As I asked this question, I noticed the melancholy gaze of her eyes and the manner in which she peered deeply into mine as if she were searching for something. Her gaze intensified as she stood before me visually asking me question after question. After what seemed like an interrogation, she finally settled on a question that was important enough to vocalize, or perhaps it was the only question that truly mattered to her, "Are you my daddy?"
I wasn't ready that question, how could I be? I thought to myself, "If only she had ask me something else, anything else, maybe I could have given her an answer." My heart fell to pieces and my vocal chords tightened as she peered deeper into my eyes searching for an answer I was too fearful to give.
I know I couldn't say yes, but I didn't want to tell her no as she just stood there, waiting. "Man...where is your mama," is what I was thinking, because I didn't have the heart to say anything. I always thought of children as a blessing and believed when two people were fortunate enough to have a child together, God had smiled down on them. Does this mean that God is in tears now? What drives a man to abandon his child? There is no excuse, no acceptable reason for a father...no I can't classify these men as fathers, let's just call them what they are, "dead-beats; there is no acceptable reason a dead-beat can justify the absence of his presence in the life of his child(ren). Unfortunately, this is an all too common tragedy that occurs everyday, as mothers are forced to play a dual role in the lives of their child(ren). There is a quote by a 19th century novelist named William Makepeace Thakeray that states, "Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children." What are we men, "rolling stones?" There are way too many dead-beats out there, but I also know that there are just as many good, responsible fathers out there who appreciate the gift they have been blessed with.
I only wish this adorable little girl's father recognized the blessing she is. I never did answer her question, and she didn't bother to ask again. She sat down on the bench beside me and asked, "Can you read me a story, please?" "Of course", I said, "I was just in the middle of Goldilocks and the Three Bears." She looked me straight in the face and said, "That's not what the book says." You can't sneak anything past kids nowadays, can you? Just as I was about to begin telling a story I haven't heard myself since I was a child, her mother walked over.
"Hi, I hope she hasn't been troubling you too much."
"Not at all, she was a sweetheart."
"That's great. I sent her over here for a time-out, I was right there with my son. I'm glad she didn't disturb you. Come on baby, it time to say goodbye to the nice man."
The little girl peered into my eyes one last time, perhaps she was still searching for something or maybe she had found it. The melancholy gaze which initially greeted me was gone, and her eyes seemed revitalized as grabbed her mother's hand, smiled, and waved goodbye.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
"The Future is Together"
Yesterday I was engaged in a very interesting conversation with a friend about race. We shared our veiws with one another regarding the current state of affairs associated with color-based discrimination, institutional racism, and systemic racism as we saw them. As our conversation intensified, it become more of a heated debate as we discussed the future of the social construct known as race. I have to admit, I had fun because she was just as firm on her position as I was regarding mine. While I would love to give her position regarding our debate, I don't believe I can give it justice, but I what I will do is give a rendition of my position.
What is it going to take for “Race” to cross the finish line? Since before conception, I’ve been running…I’ve been running a race against an opponent that has almost a 400 year head start, and because the ancestors of that opponent deemed my ancestors inferior, they were forced to run with shackles around their ankles. While the opponents of our ancestor’s were able to make great strides in their lives, our ancestor’s were limited in the amount of forward progression they would be able to make at a time. It’s been 391 years since the first enslaved African arrived in the United States, 145 years since the end of legalized slavery, and 45 years, I said only 45 years since Jim Crows laws were deemed unconstitutional. Now in 2010, as we stand at the starting line, we are without the same restraints that limited the forward progression of our ancestor’s, at least that’s the way it appears before the race begins. Indeed, the shackles placed around our ancestor’s ankles have been removed for some time now, but the invisible hand of injustice is still holding us back as we are desperately trying to catch up. Imagine if you will, stepping up to the starting line of a race and seeing that you stand there alone. As you look before you, you can barely make out what appears to be your opponent standing 400 yards in front of you. Can this be called a fair race? Okay, Lets say Affirmative Action allows you to begin at the same starting point as your opponent. The race begins, but you are pulled over because you look suspicious, you don’t get the job you applied for because your name sounds too ethnic, you don’t get the loan you applied for because you are perceived to have bad credit, your child scores poorly on standardize tests because the assessment is biased and favors students with a socio-cultural background, or you have the same job position, degree and experience as a counterpart yet you are paid 34.9% less. How much harder or faster must we run just catch up, how much harder or faster can we run? The baton is now in our hands, passed on from the generation before us, and like them, we will have a responsibility to keep running. But today, today is different, this is the race where we as a people cross the finish line triumphant.
I speak of course of racism, institutional and systemic racism. Racism, that is invisible on the surface, yet it has the ability, and it has, to make an entire people’s progress seem like it’s moving in slow motion. Black people are only 13% of the population, yet as a race, we are disproportionately mal-affected in every statistical category; unemployment, AIDS outbreaks, high school dropout rates, teen pregnancy, and incarceration, and that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Throughout history, we as a people have made great strides to better the country we love and hold it to its ideals of equality and freedom, but as the invisible hand of injustice threatens to restrict us from ever being completely equal with our white counterparts, we seem to be running a race against “race” itself. Socially constructed by whites to justify societal and legal norms, the categorization of races perpetuates racism. Categorizing people based on visual traits such as skin color, facial features, or hair texture is a tool by the majority populous to manage people, and to covey the message that although we are all humans, we are fundamentally different. We are a strong and compassionate people, but we cannot allow a perceived notion of inferiority by some dictate the course of our fate. We are Americans! We’re not asking you, we’re telling you that we are Americans, and as Americans, we desire “Equality” and “Justice”. These are the very foundations of what this country is supposed to be built. America is indeed a great country, I love it with all my heart, but honestly, it is only great by default. This country has the potential to be the greatest ever, but it will never reach the height of greatness as long as there is a race against “race.” Some of the very institutions that guide this country are historically rooted in racism. Once upon a time in American history, there was legalized racism. We as Americans, white, black, yellow, etc. have to be able to openly and honest open a dialogue about race. We need to cease the categorization of Americans by the color of their skin, this very act is racist. It perpetuates identifying people based solely on the physical characteristics of their ancestry, instead of the content of the character they possess, which increases negative stereotypes, race-based discrimination, and the injustice of American citizens by its own country. For America to reach the height of greatness, and continue to be great in generations to come, “race” must not a perpetuated indicator of the differences between Americans. We are one people, and the only way to the future is together.
What is it going to take for “Race” to cross the finish line? Since before conception, I’ve been running…I’ve been running a race against an opponent that has almost a 400 year head start, and because the ancestors of that opponent deemed my ancestors inferior, they were forced to run with shackles around their ankles. While the opponents of our ancestor’s were able to make great strides in their lives, our ancestor’s were limited in the amount of forward progression they would be able to make at a time. It’s been 391 years since the first enslaved African arrived in the United States, 145 years since the end of legalized slavery, and 45 years, I said only 45 years since Jim Crows laws were deemed unconstitutional. Now in 2010, as we stand at the starting line, we are without the same restraints that limited the forward progression of our ancestor’s, at least that’s the way it appears before the race begins. Indeed, the shackles placed around our ancestor’s ankles have been removed for some time now, but the invisible hand of injustice is still holding us back as we are desperately trying to catch up. Imagine if you will, stepping up to the starting line of a race and seeing that you stand there alone. As you look before you, you can barely make out what appears to be your opponent standing 400 yards in front of you. Can this be called a fair race? Okay, Lets say Affirmative Action allows you to begin at the same starting point as your opponent. The race begins, but you are pulled over because you look suspicious, you don’t get the job you applied for because your name sounds too ethnic, you don’t get the loan you applied for because you are perceived to have bad credit, your child scores poorly on standardize tests because the assessment is biased and favors students with a socio-cultural background, or you have the same job position, degree and experience as a counterpart yet you are paid 34.9% less. How much harder or faster must we run just catch up, how much harder or faster can we run? The baton is now in our hands, passed on from the generation before us, and like them, we will have a responsibility to keep running. But today, today is different, this is the race where we as a people cross the finish line triumphant.
I speak of course of racism, institutional and systemic racism. Racism, that is invisible on the surface, yet it has the ability, and it has, to make an entire people’s progress seem like it’s moving in slow motion. Black people are only 13% of the population, yet as a race, we are disproportionately mal-affected in every statistical category; unemployment, AIDS outbreaks, high school dropout rates, teen pregnancy, and incarceration, and that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Throughout history, we as a people have made great strides to better the country we love and hold it to its ideals of equality and freedom, but as the invisible hand of injustice threatens to restrict us from ever being completely equal with our white counterparts, we seem to be running a race against “race” itself. Socially constructed by whites to justify societal and legal norms, the categorization of races perpetuates racism. Categorizing people based on visual traits such as skin color, facial features, or hair texture is a tool by the majority populous to manage people, and to covey the message that although we are all humans, we are fundamentally different. We are a strong and compassionate people, but we cannot allow a perceived notion of inferiority by some dictate the course of our fate. We are Americans! We’re not asking you, we’re telling you that we are Americans, and as Americans, we desire “Equality” and “Justice”. These are the very foundations of what this country is supposed to be built. America is indeed a great country, I love it with all my heart, but honestly, it is only great by default. This country has the potential to be the greatest ever, but it will never reach the height of greatness as long as there is a race against “race.” Some of the very institutions that guide this country are historically rooted in racism. Once upon a time in American history, there was legalized racism. We as Americans, white, black, yellow, etc. have to be able to openly and honest open a dialogue about race. We need to cease the categorization of Americans by the color of their skin, this very act is racist. It perpetuates identifying people based solely on the physical characteristics of their ancestry, instead of the content of the character they possess, which increases negative stereotypes, race-based discrimination, and the injustice of American citizens by its own country. For America to reach the height of greatness, and continue to be great in generations to come, “race” must not a perpetuated indicator of the differences between Americans. We are one people, and the only way to the future is together.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
"Seaching for Self"
Hey, let me ask you something, who are you? Serious question, WHO...ARE...YOU? Now this may seem like a redundant question, but have you ever really thought about the answer? Go ahead and give it a moment. Don't worry about me, I'm okay, I'll wait. Now let me say this, if you answered this question by only responding with your name, ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm NO, that was not what I was hoping to hear. While your name is indeed important, it does not define who you are. It does make it easier for friends to call you when they need a favor, but define you, no.
Look deep within self, what does your heart say? First and foremost, I hope it's saying "thump, thump," but aside from that, what would your heart say to you if you were with a friend, and some people were making fun of that friend? Would you choose to defend that friend, or would you allow that friend to be fun of? I'm speaking of course in regards to your actions. As human beings, we have been blessed with the gift of rational thought, and with that ability comes the responsibility of choice. Everyday, every hour, every minute, and every second, we are faced with choices that will determine what actions we choose to take. The very action you choose, regardless of whether it is positive or negative will ultimately be a defining factor in who you are as an individual.
So I guess this may help you define yourself a little, but it still doesn't tell you how to answer my question, does it? Well let me answer this question first, maybe it will help a little, "How do you find yourself?" How...hell, I don't know. I'm not Oprah or Dr. Phil. I can't tell you how to find yourself, nobody can. That is a journey that you as an individual make throughout your life. While I can't tell you how to find yourself, I can tell how I knew when I found myself.
Imagine your bathroom mirror, you see your reflection every time you peer into it, don't you? Well, I recall a time when I didn't see anyone. I would stand directly in front of my mirror, but nothing. I was invisible, or at least that was the way I felt. Day after day, I would look into that mirror hoping to catch a glimpse of the person on the other side, but he would never show himself. During that period, if someone would have asked me, "Who are you," I would not have known how to answer that question. I had lost myself, or to be more precise, I had yet to find myself, my heart was empty. Now I can't tell you exactly what type of change I made in my life, because I don't remember completely, and maybe it doesn't matter anyway; the path in which you take to find who you are may differ from the one I chose for myself. You know, I still remember the feeling I had when I looked into the mirror one day, and caught a glimspe of something I hadn't seen in a long time. Unfortanately, it wasn't my reflection, but as looked closer, I could see my eyes. I had felt like I had found a small piece of peace within myself. I thought it was crazy, standing in front of a mirror, and all I can see are my eyes. The funny thing is, I was happy, because for the first time in my life, I felt as if I was discovering who I really am. As time passed, I began to see more and more of myself. It started with my nose, then my cheeks, I even saw a smile, until one day I came to the mirror, and there it was, or should I say, there I was. My search for self is everlasting, as I hope to continuing growing in every facet of my life. What I can tell you is for the first time in my life, I had truely felt whole, and now, whenever someone ask me, "Who are you," I tell them...
Look deep within self, what does your heart say? First and foremost, I hope it's saying "thump, thump," but aside from that, what would your heart say to you if you were with a friend, and some people were making fun of that friend? Would you choose to defend that friend, or would you allow that friend to be fun of? I'm speaking of course in regards to your actions. As human beings, we have been blessed with the gift of rational thought, and with that ability comes the responsibility of choice. Everyday, every hour, every minute, and every second, we are faced with choices that will determine what actions we choose to take. The very action you choose, regardless of whether it is positive or negative will ultimately be a defining factor in who you are as an individual.
So I guess this may help you define yourself a little, but it still doesn't tell you how to answer my question, does it? Well let me answer this question first, maybe it will help a little, "How do you find yourself?" How...hell, I don't know. I'm not Oprah or Dr. Phil. I can't tell you how to find yourself, nobody can. That is a journey that you as an individual make throughout your life. While I can't tell you how to find yourself, I can tell how I knew when I found myself.
Imagine your bathroom mirror, you see your reflection every time you peer into it, don't you? Well, I recall a time when I didn't see anyone. I would stand directly in front of my mirror, but nothing. I was invisible, or at least that was the way I felt. Day after day, I would look into that mirror hoping to catch a glimpse of the person on the other side, but he would never show himself. During that period, if someone would have asked me, "Who are you," I would not have known how to answer that question. I had lost myself, or to be more precise, I had yet to find myself, my heart was empty. Now I can't tell you exactly what type of change I made in my life, because I don't remember completely, and maybe it doesn't matter anyway; the path in which you take to find who you are may differ from the one I chose for myself. You know, I still remember the feeling I had when I looked into the mirror one day, and caught a glimspe of something I hadn't seen in a long time. Unfortanately, it wasn't my reflection, but as looked closer, I could see my eyes. I had felt like I had found a small piece of peace within myself. I thought it was crazy, standing in front of a mirror, and all I can see are my eyes. The funny thing is, I was happy, because for the first time in my life, I felt as if I was discovering who I really am. As time passed, I began to see more and more of myself. It started with my nose, then my cheeks, I even saw a smile, until one day I came to the mirror, and there it was, or should I say, there I was. My search for self is everlasting, as I hope to continuing growing in every facet of my life. What I can tell you is for the first time in my life, I had truely felt whole, and now, whenever someone ask me, "Who are you," I tell them...
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Things I Dislike
I don't know why, but I feel like ranting. Everyday I encounter or see people, things or actions that just make me say, "Really...really, come on!"
1. People who wear sunglasses inside a building or at night. People should be able to wear what ever they want, whenever they want, but, "Come on!" Is it really that bright in there? Has the sun singled you out and chose to shine its UV rays directly at you at all times no matter where you are? I think wearing sunglasses at night are worse than wearing them indoors. Are they night vision sunglasses, do have have infra-red, or does the name change to moonglasses when the sun goes down. I would hope someone would not wear them at night when their driving. So by that logic, when a person arrives at a destination, they park their car, turns off their headlights, get out and purposely puts on sunglasses at night! I'm done with this, I don't even want to talk about anymore.
2. Companies that have people standing in front of that place of business like a damn advertisement dress in ridiculous costumes. I can't blame the people, because times are hard, and people have to do what they have to do to make ends meet. "But come on, really!" These companies think people don't see their signs from street, we see them, we just want to come to their establishment. So I guess by putting a person out by the side of the street, with another damn sign is suppose to illicit some type of different response. I will admit, I do blow my horn at everyone who work those type of jobs, but I don't find myself any more motivated to read what's on their sign, or try to listen to what they have to say. I mean, I'm in my car, I'm not slowing down, I drive in Atlanta traffic, I want to live. Alright, let's look at it like this: These companies can't be paying thse indivduals more than minimum wage, and if it is, it can't be that much more. And the costumes, are they heat insulated, do have have a portable air conditioners in them. I've seen some HOT ass people out there, sweat beading from their brow like a trial of ants on their way to a pinic. Don't forget about the cold weather. Staying around waving a sign doesn't generate warmth, better rip that sign up and build a fire. On to the next one.
3. This one may sound a little silly, just as the others, but I know some of you'll will understand. I dislike bugs (specifically gnats) that seem to target the face. Have you ever swallowed a bug? How about have one fly up your nose? What about your eye, ever have a bug just fly into your eye? I HATE THOSE BUGS! I think of those bugs as suicide bombers, because they're not going to survive, but they "bug" the hell out of you, literally. What kind of sense of direction is that? I mean really, what the hell can that bug be thinking? "What, what, did you just swat at me...ok, ok, I got something for that ass. Baby, tell the kids daddy may not make it back." BOOM, right into your eye, your nose, or your mouth. Damn gnats!
4. Now this one may gross people out a litte, but considering we've all been there, you'll understand. I dislike people who get overly dramatic when it comes to boogers. Really, a booger, so you've never had a booger in your nose? What's up with people noticing boogers in a person's nose, and not alerting them of the stash that lies up their nostril. What if that person is going to an interview, what if he or she is approaching someone from the opposite sex? People don't forgive boogers. I don't recall a day in my life when a booger harmed somebody. I'm not saying give the booger some love, I'm just saying, it a booger. I've had people tell me they don't want to disrespect the person, so they won't tell them a booger in their nose. I think it's disrespectful not to tell somebody, especially if your suppose to be my friend. Let's not let a little thing like a booger come between us. I have something for you: Do you remember a time when you were young and crying, then snot starting flowing from your nose, then you licked your lips...Eww, I know. Well, that was liquid booger. And now that people are grown, they think they're too good for boogers. Sometime ago, I saw very beautiful woman eat her boogers, just read my blog entitled, "Eye" Know Someone is Watching." Now, I'm not saying I wouldn't date that woman, but I mean come on, she eats boogers, Eww! I wouldn't date her! All I'm saying is when it comes to boogers, just chill out a little bit.
1. People who wear sunglasses inside a building or at night. People should be able to wear what ever they want, whenever they want, but, "Come on!" Is it really that bright in there? Has the sun singled you out and chose to shine its UV rays directly at you at all times no matter where you are? I think wearing sunglasses at night are worse than wearing them indoors. Are they night vision sunglasses, do have have infra-red, or does the name change to moonglasses when the sun goes down. I would hope someone would not wear them at night when their driving. So by that logic, when a person arrives at a destination, they park their car, turns off their headlights, get out and purposely puts on sunglasses at night! I'm done with this, I don't even want to talk about anymore.
2. Companies that have people standing in front of that place of business like a damn advertisement dress in ridiculous costumes. I can't blame the people, because times are hard, and people have to do what they have to do to make ends meet. "But come on, really!" These companies think people don't see their signs from street, we see them, we just want to come to their establishment. So I guess by putting a person out by the side of the street, with another damn sign is suppose to illicit some type of different response. I will admit, I do blow my horn at everyone who work those type of jobs, but I don't find myself any more motivated to read what's on their sign, or try to listen to what they have to say. I mean, I'm in my car, I'm not slowing down, I drive in Atlanta traffic, I want to live. Alright, let's look at it like this: These companies can't be paying thse indivduals more than minimum wage, and if it is, it can't be that much more. And the costumes, are they heat insulated, do have have a portable air conditioners in them. I've seen some HOT ass people out there, sweat beading from their brow like a trial of ants on their way to a pinic. Don't forget about the cold weather. Staying around waving a sign doesn't generate warmth, better rip that sign up and build a fire. On to the next one.
3. This one may sound a little silly, just as the others, but I know some of you'll will understand. I dislike bugs (specifically gnats) that seem to target the face. Have you ever swallowed a bug? How about have one fly up your nose? What about your eye, ever have a bug just fly into your eye? I HATE THOSE BUGS! I think of those bugs as suicide bombers, because they're not going to survive, but they "bug" the hell out of you, literally. What kind of sense of direction is that? I mean really, what the hell can that bug be thinking? "What, what, did you just swat at me...ok, ok, I got something for that ass. Baby, tell the kids daddy may not make it back." BOOM, right into your eye, your nose, or your mouth. Damn gnats!
4. Now this one may gross people out a litte, but considering we've all been there, you'll understand. I dislike people who get overly dramatic when it comes to boogers. Really, a booger, so you've never had a booger in your nose? What's up with people noticing boogers in a person's nose, and not alerting them of the stash that lies up their nostril. What if that person is going to an interview, what if he or she is approaching someone from the opposite sex? People don't forgive boogers. I don't recall a day in my life when a booger harmed somebody. I'm not saying give the booger some love, I'm just saying, it a booger. I've had people tell me they don't want to disrespect the person, so they won't tell them a booger in their nose. I think it's disrespectful not to tell somebody, especially if your suppose to be my friend. Let's not let a little thing like a booger come between us. I have something for you: Do you remember a time when you were young and crying, then snot starting flowing from your nose, then you licked your lips...Eww, I know. Well, that was liquid booger. And now that people are grown, they think they're too good for boogers. Sometime ago, I saw very beautiful woman eat her boogers, just read my blog entitled, "Eye" Know Someone is Watching." Now, I'm not saying I wouldn't date that woman, but I mean come on, she eats boogers, Eww! I wouldn't date her! All I'm saying is when it comes to boogers, just chill out a little bit.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Have you ever just really sat back and thought about life? It can be pretty depressing...right? To think about your purpose on this earth, your fate, it can be damning, if you believe in that type of thing. For the sake of this blog, let's just say you do. What would you say your purpose is? Would you say that you are fulfilling it? Think about this...if people have one singular purpose, then life is nothing more than a role being played. The decisions you make and percieve as choices are nothing but mere illusions. That would mean you are predetermined to be what you will be, despite your hopes, dreams, and wishes. No amount of wealth, education, or status can change the role you've been destined to play. Pretty depressing, right? Too bad I just getting started.
Have you heard of an insect called the "Mayfly?" It's names derives from the Greek name "Ephemeros," which means short-lived. This insect also is know as the "one day fly." For adults, the life span can range from 30 minutes to a single day, depending on the species. Now I mention this insect for the purpose of purpose. When this insect is born into the world, it has a singular purpose, and that purpose is to mate. Don't get me wrong, that's one hell of a purpose, and if your only going to live for a short while, come on...come on, that's one hell of a way to go out.
Take the concept of the Mayfly, and apply it to your life. No, not the the mating, but the fact that it has it singular purpose. That would mean people who are criminals were born to be criminals. Despite a loving childhood, and influential upbringing, these people were born to lie, steal, and kill.
Have you heard of an insect called the "Mayfly?" It's names derives from the Greek name "Ephemeros," which means short-lived. This insect also is know as the "one day fly." For adults, the life span can range from 30 minutes to a single day, depending on the species. Now I mention this insect for the purpose of purpose. When this insect is born into the world, it has a singular purpose, and that purpose is to mate. Don't get me wrong, that's one hell of a purpose, and if your only going to live for a short while, come on...come on, that's one hell of a way to go out.
Take the concept of the Mayfly, and apply it to your life. No, not the the mating, but the fact that it has it singular purpose. That would mean people who are criminals were born to be criminals. Despite a loving childhood, and influential upbringing, these people were born to lie, steal, and kill.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Taboo or Not Taboo
What is happening in our society? When have we become so accommodating to accept behavior and actions that are detrimental and damaging? Think about the kids, for the love of all that is holy, think of the kids. When I say this, I don't have to think too hard to give an example, I don't have to probe the inner database of my subconscious, then spice up a memory file to illicit a response, you probably felt the way I felt when a particular situation arose. Think about it...there was a time when words such as bitch, damn, and ass were unacceptable, yeah, you might have said them when you were around your friends, but the only other time you were sure to hear them was if an adult cursed. Are these words even considered curse words now and days ? They are so commonly used on televison and the radio, it should never be a surprise when a young child curses. I'm not blaming everything on television and the radio, it is a parents job to do the censorship. There was an episode of "South Park" that featured something called a shit counter; a device that counted how many times during the episode the word shit would be said. Believe it or not, it was over a hundred times, but that shouldn't be too hard believe, especially with everything else that is shown on television. "South Park" is just a cartoon, think about crime dramas "NYPD Blue," or even sitcoms likes "Seinfeld."
When I speak about how we as a whole have become an accepting society, I am speaking of more than mere curse words, think about the amount of sex, drugs, and alcohol that are projected in music, their videos, commercials, and the whole of television. I had to stop watching television, it seemed as if I saw a bare ass everyday, and it wasn't porn or a channel like HBO, it's regular cable. Look at the commercials, they even made a Herpes medication commercial sexual. A sexy woman in all white is riding a horse on the beach. She dismounts, approaches a man who is waiting for her with open arms. They embrace, he swings her in his arms and then they kiss. That's the commercial! Yeah, I know, what the hell? It's not until he is swinging her in his arms that she even mentions she has herpes, then they quickly mention the medicine that is experimental and they want you to try, until finally they blur through the side effects. Beer commercials are made to look cool, so it's no wonder kids are experimenting with alcohol at young ages. A parent can try to sheild their child, but advertisments are everywhere. If they don't see it on television, then they will hear it on the radio, you censor the radio, then they'll see the billboards as you drive, if they happen to miss those, they can always see the sides of the city buses. There is no particular time frame for adult-oriented commericials, because advertisers don't care who they sell to, the mission is to move a product. Remember good ole "Joe Camel," cigarettes once used this cartoon to target kids, and turn an entire genration into smokers. Why would kids be smoking cigarettes? Are they really stress like that, has high school got you down? Don't fit in with your friends? Really, these are the reasons a kid would smoke...because THEIR stressed, get real.
My concern lies with the overall acceptance of words, actions, situations that are intially frown upon. I have a theory how many of societies past ills have made their way into the everydayness of human lives. The first action is introducing the taboo. Regardless of what it may be, when something is introduced that people do not fully comprehend or understand, they challenge it. This action is purposeful, as it self-promotes itself by being controversial. It doesn't matter what it is, a word, product, action. The only thing that matters is people are talking about it. Second, with all the free publicity the taboo has been recieving, the next course of action will be frequency. Let the taboo be seen and heard as frequently as human possible. This ensures that the taboo will be etched into society, as with frequency comes acceptance. When the taboo was fresh, it was controversial, it sparked debates, it literally took on a life of its on, but as time passes, so does the intial feelings of resentment or anger. Frequency of the taboo gives the perception that the taboo has been weaken, and thus...step three. Step three is acceptance, as society accepts the taboo as just one of those things.
When I speak about how we as a whole have become an accepting society, I am speaking of more than mere curse words, think about the amount of sex, drugs, and alcohol that are projected in music, their videos, commercials, and the whole of television. I had to stop watching television, it seemed as if I saw a bare ass everyday, and it wasn't porn or a channel like HBO, it's regular cable. Look at the commercials, they even made a Herpes medication commercial sexual. A sexy woman in all white is riding a horse on the beach. She dismounts, approaches a man who is waiting for her with open arms. They embrace, he swings her in his arms and then they kiss. That's the commercial! Yeah, I know, what the hell? It's not until he is swinging her in his arms that she even mentions she has herpes, then they quickly mention the medicine that is experimental and they want you to try, until finally they blur through the side effects. Beer commercials are made to look cool, so it's no wonder kids are experimenting with alcohol at young ages. A parent can try to sheild their child, but advertisments are everywhere. If they don't see it on television, then they will hear it on the radio, you censor the radio, then they'll see the billboards as you drive, if they happen to miss those, they can always see the sides of the city buses. There is no particular time frame for adult-oriented commericials, because advertisers don't care who they sell to, the mission is to move a product. Remember good ole "Joe Camel," cigarettes once used this cartoon to target kids, and turn an entire genration into smokers. Why would kids be smoking cigarettes? Are they really stress like that, has high school got you down? Don't fit in with your friends? Really, these are the reasons a kid would smoke...because THEIR stressed, get real.
My concern lies with the overall acceptance of words, actions, situations that are intially frown upon. I have a theory how many of societies past ills have made their way into the everydayness of human lives. The first action is introducing the taboo. Regardless of what it may be, when something is introduced that people do not fully comprehend or understand, they challenge it. This action is purposeful, as it self-promotes itself by being controversial. It doesn't matter what it is, a word, product, action. The only thing that matters is people are talking about it. Second, with all the free publicity the taboo has been recieving, the next course of action will be frequency. Let the taboo be seen and heard as frequently as human possible. This ensures that the taboo will be etched into society, as with frequency comes acceptance. When the taboo was fresh, it was controversial, it sparked debates, it literally took on a life of its on, but as time passes, so does the intial feelings of resentment or anger. Frequency of the taboo gives the perception that the taboo has been weaken, and thus...step three. Step three is acceptance, as society accepts the taboo as just one of those things.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
