Not all Christians look down on those who don't believe what they do.
Not all black people join gangs and shoot at cops.
Not all teenagers experiment with drugs and sex.
Not all figures of authority are trustworthy.
But we are all of us people.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Truly Good People
The truly "good" people of this world carry a mark. One commonality spread among them. They are the people who do good with no reward. They neither receive or indeed have need of recognition.
I am not one of these good people.
I am not one of these good people.
Orwell Was An Optimist?
This, from a bumper sticker.
Why is it that people these days are so obsessed with "fighting the power" and into all these conspiracy theories? Well, I supposed there's an answer for that. But what there is no answer for is why these people feel the need to spread these beliefs, to share them.
They give us the "realities" as they would have you call them from on high, as though they themselves have been graced with some level of high understanding. As if they were better than you.
Nobody is better than you, and let nobody tell you otherwise.
Why is it that people these days are so obsessed with "fighting the power" and into all these conspiracy theories? Well, I supposed there's an answer for that. But what there is no answer for is why these people feel the need to spread these beliefs, to share them.
They give us the "realities" as they would have you call them from on high, as though they themselves have been graced with some level of high understanding. As if they were better than you.
Nobody is better than you, and let nobody tell you otherwise.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
C: A New Age
A New Age
A New Age was yet another attempt at letting go of my problems, which I had done so many times before... bear with the blog, these problems don't actually go away for some time. Anyway, it's just an uplift piece is all.
The questioning about music was completely random, and my guess is that I was listening to Come Back by the Foo Fighters (If you click on track 11, Come Back, it will show both lyrics and tabs) at the time. It was (and still is) one of my heavier theme songs, mainly because it sounds cool and it has a simple message that can be twisted to fit whatever interpretation you like. For me, like I said, the song heralds my intent to return to your world once I've found myself. And more importantly, I've just found that they're going to release a sixth album. HELL YEAH!
A New Age was yet another attempt at letting go of my problems, which I had done so many times before... bear with the blog, these problems don't actually go away for some time. Anyway, it's just an uplift piece is all.
The questioning about music was completely random, and my guess is that I was listening to Come Back by the Foo Fighters (If you click on track 11, Come Back, it will show both lyrics and tabs) at the time. It was (and still is) one of my heavier theme songs, mainly because it sounds cool and it has a simple message that can be twisted to fit whatever interpretation you like. For me, like I said, the song heralds my intent to return to your world once I've found myself. And more importantly, I've just found that they're going to release a sixth album. HELL YEAH!
C: The Battle for Eternity
The Battle for Eternity was an idea I had back while frequenting the now dead forum, RPGE. May it rest in peace... Anyway, what it was supposed to be was a giant metaphor for the things I was experiencing in my life. I intended to keep writing on and on, but found that the idea didn't really allow for much openness.
The first section is largely about how I felt as if I had progressed in maturity far beyond my peers, which put me in a bad spot. I couldn't "turn back" on myself, on who I was just to fit in and be safe, but it was tough where I was as well. If that wasn't enough, I was "poisoned" by relationship problems - rather, the lack of them. (This was written far before the girl I'd been complaining about in the other posts entered my life.) The cure, or course, was the girl. And, in the unwritten third section (after I'd let go and moved on) I was going to reveal how the girl herself was also the poison. I just never got around to continuing.
The meaning of "the battle for eternity" carries a religious message, as all of life is a battle to reach eternal life in Heaven.
The first section is largely about how I felt as if I had progressed in maturity far beyond my peers, which put me in a bad spot. I couldn't "turn back" on myself, on who I was just to fit in and be safe, but it was tough where I was as well. If that wasn't enough, I was "poisoned" by relationship problems - rather, the lack of them. (This was written far before the girl I'd been complaining about in the other posts entered my life.) The cure, or course, was the girl. And, in the unwritten third section (after I'd let go and moved on) I was going to reveal how the girl herself was also the poison. I just never got around to continuing.
The meaning of "the battle for eternity" carries a religious message, as all of life is a battle to reach eternal life in Heaven.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
C: Fight for the Night
Fight for the Night
I was looking at the stars one night (could you tell?) and all of a sudden I was struck with a story inspiration. Rather, I was reminded of a story inspiration I'd had in Europe. Rothenburg, Germany, to be exact. If you ever get a chance to visit Germany and you don't visit Rothenburg, kill yourself. Just kidding.
But anyway, look up the Night Watchman as well. It's interesting.
So basically, I just let the muse take me and ended up with this. But I did throw in my views on dark versus light, and how one is always presumed to be good and the other bad. In China, white is the color of evil. And I am very adamant about the beauty of the night.
I was looking at the stars one night (could you tell?) and all of a sudden I was struck with a story inspiration. Rather, I was reminded of a story inspiration I'd had in Europe. Rothenburg, Germany, to be exact. If you ever get a chance to visit Germany and you don't visit Rothenburg, kill yourself. Just kidding.
But anyway, look up the Night Watchman as well. It's interesting.
So basically, I just let the muse take me and ended up with this. But I did throw in my views on dark versus light, and how one is always presumed to be good and the other bad. In China, white is the color of evil. And I am very adamant about the beauty of the night.
C: Number Games
Number Games
Tying in closely with the last, this one is more personal and of course it deals with my relationship issues. Long story short, there was a friend of mine who was good friends with her. It wasn't romantic so he wasn't really imposing upon my "domain" but things were rocky as they were and it didn't sit well with me when she paid more attention to him than me.
He's a funny guy. He's a blast to be around. He's gifted like that. And I didn't know it until recently, but at the time he was dealing with some stuff as well. I guess that goes to show that you can't judge a book by reading all but the last chapter...
I'm sorry, friend. You're one of the best.
Tying in closely with the last, this one is more personal and of course it deals with my relationship issues. Long story short, there was a friend of mine who was good friends with her. It wasn't romantic so he wasn't really imposing upon my "domain" but things were rocky as they were and it didn't sit well with me when she paid more attention to him than me.
He's a funny guy. He's a blast to be around. He's gifted like that. And I didn't know it until recently, but at the time he was dealing with some stuff as well. I guess that goes to show that you can't judge a book by reading all but the last chapter...
I'm sorry, friend. You're one of the best.
C: Just Once, Let Me Be Somebody's Number One
Just Once, Let Me Be Somebody's Number One
I was always the number two guy. I hadn't really had a best friend since the 6th grade. I had more than one, at least. But I never really had anyone I could completely confide in. Nobody to talk to about my depression. My pain. People cared about me, yes, but I longed for that deeper intimacy. And I'm not just talking about getting a girlfriend (although, disillusioned as I was, that was the goal of this post).
Yes, I was always the number two guy. I'm ashamed to say that I made this revelation through myspace, but always was I conscious of the underlying problem - I simply hadn't quantified it yet.
Some of you will recognize the quote from The Last Samauri. See, I think too much. It's no secret. Ask anyone who knows me, they'll tell you the same. Half of my life has been spent learning when to think and when not to. This time I chose not to.
Keep Breathing. I don't know if this was mentioned in any of the earlier posts. I think it came from IR, but I'm not sure. Regardless, it came during the pre-production of IR and it's held true ever since, and even became the title of the short film we made. It was a movie about us trying to make IR, which was kind of a cop out, but it's something I'll keep close for the rest of my life.
Keep breathing is powerful. Many of you have seen me use it in sign offs or when you need a hand up. That's what it's for. That's what Dominism is for. No matter how bad it gets.
I was always the number two guy. I hadn't really had a best friend since the 6th grade. I had more than one, at least. But I never really had anyone I could completely confide in. Nobody to talk to about my depression. My pain. People cared about me, yes, but I longed for that deeper intimacy. And I'm not just talking about getting a girlfriend (although, disillusioned as I was, that was the goal of this post).
Yes, I was always the number two guy. I'm ashamed to say that I made this revelation through myspace, but always was I conscious of the underlying problem - I simply hadn't quantified it yet.
Some of you will recognize the quote from The Last Samauri. See, I think too much. It's no secret. Ask anyone who knows me, they'll tell you the same. Half of my life has been spent learning when to think and when not to. This time I chose not to.
Keep Breathing. I don't know if this was mentioned in any of the earlier posts. I think it came from IR, but I'm not sure. Regardless, it came during the pre-production of IR and it's held true ever since, and even became the title of the short film we made. It was a movie about us trying to make IR, which was kind of a cop out, but it's something I'll keep close for the rest of my life.
Keep breathing is powerful. Many of you have seen me use it in sign offs or when you need a hand up. That's what it's for. That's what Dominism is for. No matter how bad it gets.
It's Not Working, Is It?
Well, is it? I suppose I'd have to evaluate the intent first, wouldn't I? What is the intent?
I've always claimed it was to help people. Who? Everyone? Myself?
I guess you could call me some sort of arrogant. Daring to believe that what I have to say is worth hearing. It takes a lot of sacrifice. And who am I to save the world?
Even if I could, not enough eyes see, not enough heads are turned. Not enough people care.
Patience is a virtue but after a while, don't you wonder if that train is ever going to pull into the station? If I was a realist I'd say don't wait for trains without schedules. If I was an idealist I'd say just hold on - good things are never derailed.
But I'm neither. I'm both. I'm a Dominist. But what does it mean? I started reading the first few chapters of Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.'s Cat's Cradle. In the first few pages, Vonnegut begins to describe Bokononism (the name doesn't roll off the tongue well, and I'm not sure if it's a real practice or not, having read only the first few pages). He talkes about the karass, or "a group of people who, often unknowingly, are working together to do God's will." My immediate reaction was to think of Dominism as one such karass. But Vonnegut is talking about a spiritual link, and I'm talking about a very real, tangible one.
Mine deals in ideas, in foundations where his seems to deal in whims and chance. Granted, I have yet to read the book so my conclusion-jumping may end with me looking the fool, but nevertheless it allows me to more concretely see what it is that I'm trying to do.
P.S. I will not let my father ruin me.
So what are the unifying ideas? What's the point? It seems to me, upon cursory inspection, that the realm of Dominism is the haven for those who don't feel as if they belong to anything. Those who can't decide whether they're outgoing or shy. Those who make a habit of answering "it depends."
And the more I think about it, the more I realize that there is no unifying ideal. There is no main point. Dominism is simply a set of answers to all the questions wherein one of us could only previously answer "It depends on the situation."
Do people need Dominism? Do they want it? Do we care? It depends. Keep in mind that I bear no sarcasm. These are the questions we must answer, because they alone determine the future of the project.
Thanks for standing by.
I've always claimed it was to help people. Who? Everyone? Myself?
I guess you could call me some sort of arrogant. Daring to believe that what I have to say is worth hearing. It takes a lot of sacrifice. And who am I to save the world?
Even if I could, not enough eyes see, not enough heads are turned. Not enough people care.
Patience is a virtue but after a while, don't you wonder if that train is ever going to pull into the station? If I was a realist I'd say don't wait for trains without schedules. If I was an idealist I'd say just hold on - good things are never derailed.
But I'm neither. I'm both. I'm a Dominist. But what does it mean? I started reading the first few chapters of Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.'s Cat's Cradle. In the first few pages, Vonnegut begins to describe Bokononism (the name doesn't roll off the tongue well, and I'm not sure if it's a real practice or not, having read only the first few pages). He talkes about the karass, or "a group of people who, often unknowingly, are working together to do God's will." My immediate reaction was to think of Dominism as one such karass. But Vonnegut is talking about a spiritual link, and I'm talking about a very real, tangible one.
Mine deals in ideas, in foundations where his seems to deal in whims and chance. Granted, I have yet to read the book so my conclusion-jumping may end with me looking the fool, but nevertheless it allows me to more concretely see what it is that I'm trying to do.
P.S. I will not let my father ruin me.
So what are the unifying ideas? What's the point? It seems to me, upon cursory inspection, that the realm of Dominism is the haven for those who don't feel as if they belong to anything. Those who can't decide whether they're outgoing or shy. Those who make a habit of answering "it depends."
And the more I think about it, the more I realize that there is no unifying ideal. There is no main point. Dominism is simply a set of answers to all the questions wherein one of us could only previously answer "It depends on the situation."
Do people need Dominism? Do they want it? Do we care? It depends. Keep in mind that I bear no sarcasm. These are the questions we must answer, because they alone determine the future of the project.
Thanks for standing by.
Battle's Done - For Emily
He sits alone in a darkened room, tries to set the mood...
with a single lamp, and a guitar amp, he hasn't got a clue.
He's been waiting there for the muse to strike.
But he never looked inside.
Because he's writing bout a battle that's been done for years
So what's a soldier to do?
Got his hand above the paper but the words don't come
Gonna grab his gun.
To remember 'bout the days before the broadcast came
And they sent the soldiers home.
Now he's looking in the mirror but there's something wrong
He's known it all along.
It's missing pictures of the girl who saved him from himself
Where else does she belong?
Because the battle's done.
And the war is won.
And his sorrow's something new.
So he did the first thing
That he could've done
And he wrote this song for you.
And she knows everything he needs to feel at home.
Because the battle's done and the girl is won, oh oh.
And when she tells him that he'll never be alone, he knows it's happening.
And you know everything I need to feel at home.
Because my battle's done and my girl is won, say yes, if you mean it.
And if you tell me that I'll never be alone, I'll know it's happening.
They say that loneliness is like battlefield
Either choose to yield or search for something more
And that's what I found in you.
with a single lamp, and a guitar amp, he hasn't got a clue.
He's been waiting there for the muse to strike.
But he never looked inside.
Because he's writing bout a battle that's been done for years
So what's a soldier to do?
Got his hand above the paper but the words don't come
Gonna grab his gun.
To remember 'bout the days before the broadcast came
And they sent the soldiers home.
Now he's looking in the mirror but there's something wrong
He's known it all along.
It's missing pictures of the girl who saved him from himself
Where else does she belong?
Because the battle's done.
And the war is won.
And his sorrow's something new.
So he did the first thing
That he could've done
And he wrote this song for you.
And she knows everything he needs to feel at home.
Because the battle's done and the girl is won, oh oh.
And when she tells him that he'll never be alone, he knows it's happening.
And you know everything I need to feel at home.
Because my battle's done and my girl is won, say yes, if you mean it.
And if you tell me that I'll never be alone, I'll know it's happening.
They say that loneliness is like battlefield
Either choose to yield or search for something more
And that's what I found in you.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
More Letters From Turtle
I post these only because they provoke thought, not because I agree 100%.
Dear God:
What do people mean when they say that "It's God's will"?
Signed: Turtle
Turtle:
I don't know. I never felt the need to write one.
Signed: God
---
Dear God:
What would it be like if Christ came back today?
Signed: Turtle
Turtle:
Joseph would write a book, Mary would do shampoo commercials and Christ would appear on Jay Leno with a film clip of his latest miracle.
Signed: God
---
Dear God:
Thank you for the gift of life.
Signed: Turtle
Turtle:
What gift? You know there's no such thing as a free lunch. You're paying for life every day. Pain, depression, bad weather, disappointment, sorrow, the blahs and every day you're getting older. What do you call all of that, fringe benefits?
I figured that if I just gave you life, you wouldn't appreciate it. Not that my charging you did much good. Most of you don't appreciate life anyway. You're too busy complaining about the price.
Signed: God
---
Dear God:
Why do you let people grow old?
Signed: Turtle
Turtle:
Although I've created all of you, I often find the way you think quite puzzling. For me, the most beautiful moment on earth is old people. They are my human sunsets.
Signed: God
---
Dear God:
Is sex as immoral as everyone says it is?
Signed: Turtle
Turtle:
"Immoral," is an interesting word. You're going to have to accept the fact, Turtle, that there are many things in life that are "immoral." Gambling, for instance is "immoral" unless the state gets its cut. Making liquor is "immoral," unless the state taxes it. In fact, almost anything is "immoral," from walking your dog to buying cigarettes, unless the state taxes it.
Stealing is "immoral" unless it's legalized. (Talk to the American Indians about that one.)
Killing is "immoral" unless, of course, you do it in a war or you're wearing a badge. If you refuse to kill in a war, then that's "immoral."
Sex is "immoral" unless the state licenses it and the Church blesses it.
My apologies. I do have a habit of rambling. I've just realized that I've given you a pretty good answer. Unfortunately, it has nothing to do with your question.
Turtle, I wanted you to see so I gave you eyes.
Signed: God
Dear God:
What do people mean when they say that "It's God's will"?
Signed: Turtle
Turtle:
I don't know. I never felt the need to write one.
Signed: God
---
Dear God:
What would it be like if Christ came back today?
Signed: Turtle
Turtle:
Joseph would write a book, Mary would do shampoo commercials and Christ would appear on Jay Leno with a film clip of his latest miracle.
Signed: God
---
Dear God:
Thank you for the gift of life.
Signed: Turtle
Turtle:
What gift? You know there's no such thing as a free lunch. You're paying for life every day. Pain, depression, bad weather, disappointment, sorrow, the blahs and every day you're getting older. What do you call all of that, fringe benefits?
I figured that if I just gave you life, you wouldn't appreciate it. Not that my charging you did much good. Most of you don't appreciate life anyway. You're too busy complaining about the price.
Signed: God
---
Dear God:
Why do you let people grow old?
Signed: Turtle
Turtle:
Although I've created all of you, I often find the way you think quite puzzling. For me, the most beautiful moment on earth is old people. They are my human sunsets.
Signed: God
---
Dear God:
Is sex as immoral as everyone says it is?
Signed: Turtle
Turtle:
"Immoral," is an interesting word. You're going to have to accept the fact, Turtle, that there are many things in life that are "immoral." Gambling, for instance is "immoral" unless the state gets its cut. Making liquor is "immoral," unless the state taxes it. In fact, almost anything is "immoral," from walking your dog to buying cigarettes, unless the state taxes it.
Stealing is "immoral" unless it's legalized. (Talk to the American Indians about that one.)
Killing is "immoral" unless, of course, you do it in a war or you're wearing a badge. If you refuse to kill in a war, then that's "immoral."
Sex is "immoral" unless the state licenses it and the Church blesses it.
My apologies. I do have a habit of rambling. I've just realized that I've given you a pretty good answer. Unfortunately, it has nothing to do with your question.
Turtle, I wanted you to see so I gave you eyes.
Signed: God
Friday, July 6, 2007
Judgement
In today's society, there is a vastly larger movement for universal acceptance. The message we seem to be spreading is that the ideal human being is not fit to judge, and therefore should not at all. It is a theory that is easily backed up by some universal "truths."
That means that it doesn't matter if you're fat, skinny, tall, short, deformed, a drug user, alcoholic, a prostitute, a murderer, black, white, brown, yellow, red, vulgar, chaste, godless, religious, evil or pure.
It's supported by the bible too. James 4:12 says "There is only one Lawgiver and one Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you - who are you to judge your neighbor?"
But we can't really live like that. Because we live in a world where there is evil and we must judge to survive. Some people do not deserve second chances. And for all of you still thinking that everyone deserves a second chance, you are forgetting that there are two worlds, two laws that we must subject ourselves to. Earthly law and Spiritual Law.
I don't know what I think about judgment. But then again I suppose there are two different kinds of judgement. Pre-emptive and reactive. And I guess it's the pre-emptive that's bad. Yeah, that makes sense.
And happy 150th blog post. :)
That means that it doesn't matter if you're fat, skinny, tall, short, deformed, a drug user, alcoholic, a prostitute, a murderer, black, white, brown, yellow, red, vulgar, chaste, godless, religious, evil or pure.
It's supported by the bible too. James 4:12 says "There is only one Lawgiver and one Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you - who are you to judge your neighbor?"
But we can't really live like that. Because we live in a world where there is evil and we must judge to survive. Some people do not deserve second chances. And for all of you still thinking that everyone deserves a second chance, you are forgetting that there are two worlds, two laws that we must subject ourselves to. Earthly law and Spiritual Law.
I don't know what I think about judgment. But then again I suppose there are two different kinds of judgement. Pre-emptive and reactive. And I guess it's the pre-emptive that's bad. Yeah, that makes sense.
And happy 150th blog post. :)
Letters From a Guy Named Turtle
This is NOT an original work. Enjoy.
Dear God:
Why do people die?
Signed: Turtle
Turtle:
Most people do not die. They cease to exist. In order to die, you first have to live.
Signed: God
---
Dear God:
Tomorrow is report card day. I'm hesitant to pray to you because long ago the nuns had said that in such matters as grades, God only helped those who helped themselves by studying. Oh well...please give me straight A's!
Signed: Turtle
Turtle:
I'm God, not a genie. I answer questions, I don't grant wishes. Since you didn't ask a question, I've decided to go a few up on you by giving you some answers anyway.
First of all, just because someone works for me, you shouldn't believe everything they say. I've never been fussy about who I hire.
Now contrary to what some of these people might have said, I find being God a lot of fun. I'm very rich, you know. I own everything. I enjoy being alive and so I always have been.
I like to create things: Mountains, forests, oceans, people.
People are the toughest things of all to create. They're so minute and delicate. Just the wrong touch of this or that and you can ruin one of them.
Having people around makes me feel good. Mountains, forests, oceans and animals don't tell me how important I am. Well, they do, but not in as nice a way as people. Let's face it, you can't have a good time at a party when you're the only one there. I need you.
Signed: God
---
Dear God:
I went to school with a kid named Norman Geltz. Norman had perfect handwriting, perfect workbook pages, perfect attendance and was a perfect pain. Most of us ignored Norman Geltz except on test days when we all wanted to be near him. Norman had, absolutely, all the answers.
Our homeroom teacher told us that if we wanted to do well in life, we should be more like Norman Geltz, and she made us feel guilty that we weren't.
Norman didn't enjoy life. I rarely saw him smile and I never saw him laugh. Norman Geltz reminds me a lot of you.
Signed: Turtle
Turtle:
Not surprising. All religions have worked hard to give you the impression that I'm a stiff; the kind of guy you'd never invite to a party.
Walk into a church with a friend and you find yourself using a tone of voice that you normally use only at a funeral home in front of an open casket. I could never understand why human silence is a sign of respect while the sound of a human voice, saying the usual things, is supposedly a sign of disrespect. And the most disrespectful thing that a person can do in a house of God, according to those who think they own them, is to laugh.
I like laughter and the people who do it; from the twitterers, to the chucklers to those whose laughter roars out in a gallop of explosions. To me, laughter is taking a bite out of life and saying, "Just right."
It's no accident that most of you are stuck with a dismal image of me. According to the majority of organized religions, life is nothing more than a trial where, as your judge, I determine whether you go to Heaven or Hell. Where every day is a lump in the throat that's hard to swallow. Not exactly a laughable situation.
But maybe they're wrong. Maybe, just maybe, your life isn't a trial but a sample of what's to come. Maybe I'm giving you some Heaven and Hell right here just to see which one you really prefer. Letting you choose your own eternity.
If that's the case, then many of you are choosing a Hell of frowning faces, bad moods, constant complaining, uncomfortable suspicions and rainy weekends.
And Heaven? Ah, that'll be a lot of laughs.
Signed: God
---
Dear God:
I didn't go to mass last Sunday morning.
Signed: Turtle
Turtle:
Don't worry about it. It was a nice day. I don't know who built the church but I made the sunshine.
Signed: God
---
Dear God:
Today I went to Mr. Klakin's wake. He's a neighbor of mine. I didn't think that he led much of a life until I heard Mr. Challmers, another neighbor, talk about him.
Mr. Challmers said that Mr. Klakin never drank, ran around with other women or really made life unpleasant for anyone.
You know, I think most people are like Mr. Klakin. They lead pretty good lives. They don't do much of anything wrong.
Signed: Turtle
Turtle:
I also knew someone who died recently. He, too, never drank, ran around with other women, or really made life unpleasant for anyone. Just like Mr. Klakin, he didn't do much of anything wrong either. He didn't do much of anything. He was a goldfish.
Signed: God
Dear God:
Why do people die?
Signed: Turtle
Turtle:
Most people do not die. They cease to exist. In order to die, you first have to live.
Signed: God
---
Dear God:
Tomorrow is report card day. I'm hesitant to pray to you because long ago the nuns had said that in such matters as grades, God only helped those who helped themselves by studying. Oh well...please give me straight A's!
Signed: Turtle
Turtle:
I'm God, not a genie. I answer questions, I don't grant wishes. Since you didn't ask a question, I've decided to go a few up on you by giving you some answers anyway.
First of all, just because someone works for me, you shouldn't believe everything they say. I've never been fussy about who I hire.
Now contrary to what some of these people might have said, I find being God a lot of fun. I'm very rich, you know. I own everything. I enjoy being alive and so I always have been.
I like to create things: Mountains, forests, oceans, people.
People are the toughest things of all to create. They're so minute and delicate. Just the wrong touch of this or that and you can ruin one of them.
Having people around makes me feel good. Mountains, forests, oceans and animals don't tell me how important I am. Well, they do, but not in as nice a way as people. Let's face it, you can't have a good time at a party when you're the only one there. I need you.
Signed: God
---
Dear God:
I went to school with a kid named Norman Geltz. Norman had perfect handwriting, perfect workbook pages, perfect attendance and was a perfect pain. Most of us ignored Norman Geltz except on test days when we all wanted to be near him. Norman had, absolutely, all the answers.
Our homeroom teacher told us that if we wanted to do well in life, we should be more like Norman Geltz, and she made us feel guilty that we weren't.
Norman didn't enjoy life. I rarely saw him smile and I never saw him laugh. Norman Geltz reminds me a lot of you.
Signed: Turtle
Turtle:
Not surprising. All religions have worked hard to give you the impression that I'm a stiff; the kind of guy you'd never invite to a party.
Walk into a church with a friend and you find yourself using a tone of voice that you normally use only at a funeral home in front of an open casket. I could never understand why human silence is a sign of respect while the sound of a human voice, saying the usual things, is supposedly a sign of disrespect. And the most disrespectful thing that a person can do in a house of God, according to those who think they own them, is to laugh.
I like laughter and the people who do it; from the twitterers, to the chucklers to those whose laughter roars out in a gallop of explosions. To me, laughter is taking a bite out of life and saying, "Just right."
It's no accident that most of you are stuck with a dismal image of me. According to the majority of organized religions, life is nothing more than a trial where, as your judge, I determine whether you go to Heaven or Hell. Where every day is a lump in the throat that's hard to swallow. Not exactly a laughable situation.
But maybe they're wrong. Maybe, just maybe, your life isn't a trial but a sample of what's to come. Maybe I'm giving you some Heaven and Hell right here just to see which one you really prefer. Letting you choose your own eternity.
If that's the case, then many of you are choosing a Hell of frowning faces, bad moods, constant complaining, uncomfortable suspicions and rainy weekends.
And Heaven? Ah, that'll be a lot of laughs.
Signed: God
---
Dear God:
I didn't go to mass last Sunday morning.
Signed: Turtle
Turtle:
Don't worry about it. It was a nice day. I don't know who built the church but I made the sunshine.
Signed: God
---
Dear God:
Today I went to Mr. Klakin's wake. He's a neighbor of mine. I didn't think that he led much of a life until I heard Mr. Challmers, another neighbor, talk about him.
Mr. Challmers said that Mr. Klakin never drank, ran around with other women or really made life unpleasant for anyone.
You know, I think most people are like Mr. Klakin. They lead pretty good lives. They don't do much of anything wrong.
Signed: Turtle
Turtle:
I also knew someone who died recently. He, too, never drank, ran around with other women, or really made life unpleasant for anyone. Just like Mr. Klakin, he didn't do much of anything wrong either. He didn't do much of anything. He was a goldfish.
Signed: God
Thursday, July 5, 2007
A Belated July 4th Message
America, some might say, is about freedom. Or democracy - they seem to be synonymous in todays society (Operation Iraqi Freedom, for example).
Let's not talk about freedom though - nobody's ever really free. And forget about government for a second. Think about it - at any given moment in time, the number of nonpolitical citizens outnumber the political citizens by probably one-thousand to one. I suppose you could say that we're all members of a democratic society, and our participation in it makes us political.
Anyway, you come to the Fourth of July and you think patriotism. But you're not celebrating patriotism, are you? How many people throughout the course of this one day stop and think about our country? Stop and think about it now. You're too late for this year, but maybe not the next.
I know what it's supposed to be about. On July 4th (arguable July 2nd) the Declaration of Independence was signed and the Colonies of America united to repress the rule of Great Britain. On that day, our nation was born. So it's a birthday of sorts.
But how can you celebrate the birthday of an inanimate object? Can America blow out the candles of its 200+ cake? Can you shower it with gifts and thanks? No. So it's more of a birthday for the rest of us, isn't it?
I have a small problem with our nation. With the emphasis we place on the 4th. It seems to me that we're celebrating an independence which the majority of us aren't even prepared to fight for. We live in such a comfortable society that you can go your entire life without giving anything to your country, yet enjoying all the benefits it has to offer.
What am I saying? You don't deserve America. And I'm not saying I do either. Like I said, we're not special for having been born here.
So what you're celebrating isn't America. How can you celebrate something you haven't earned? No, what you're celebrating is community. And it's worth it.
So don't let July 4th pass you by without meaning. Don't use it as a convenient time to quip about the War in Iraq or how our system doesn't work. Be thankful for what you have, and be thankful that nobody is trying to take it from you. Be thankful that there are thousands of young men fighting so that you can enjoy your blissful ignorance. Be thankful for America.
Let's not talk about freedom though - nobody's ever really free. And forget about government for a second. Think about it - at any given moment in time, the number of nonpolitical citizens outnumber the political citizens by probably one-thousand to one. I suppose you could say that we're all members of a democratic society, and our participation in it makes us political.
Anyway, you come to the Fourth of July and you think patriotism. But you're not celebrating patriotism, are you? How many people throughout the course of this one day stop and think about our country? Stop and think about it now. You're too late for this year, but maybe not the next.
I know what it's supposed to be about. On July 4th (arguable July 2nd) the Declaration of Independence was signed and the Colonies of America united to repress the rule of Great Britain. On that day, our nation was born. So it's a birthday of sorts.
But how can you celebrate the birthday of an inanimate object? Can America blow out the candles of its 200+ cake? Can you shower it with gifts and thanks? No. So it's more of a birthday for the rest of us, isn't it?
I have a small problem with our nation. With the emphasis we place on the 4th. It seems to me that we're celebrating an independence which the majority of us aren't even prepared to fight for. We live in such a comfortable society that you can go your entire life without giving anything to your country, yet enjoying all the benefits it has to offer.
What am I saying? You don't deserve America. And I'm not saying I do either. Like I said, we're not special for having been born here.
So what you're celebrating isn't America. How can you celebrate something you haven't earned? No, what you're celebrating is community. And it's worth it.
So don't let July 4th pass you by without meaning. Don't use it as a convenient time to quip about the War in Iraq or how our system doesn't work. Be thankful for what you have, and be thankful that nobody is trying to take it from you. Be thankful that there are thousands of young men fighting so that you can enjoy your blissful ignorance. Be thankful for America.
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