I sneeze a lot. Typically two in a row. So, I often hear "Bless You"--quite often actually. Many times a day. So much so that I feel I should be apologizing to those around me. My sneezes are also loud, which is not my fault, it's just how they are. I'm not being over-dramatic. So, as you may guess, I've become a bit annoyed at hearing it all time. Not being a religious man doesn't help. So, for many years, I have walked around, hearing "bless you" from random strangers and being irked about it. "Why do you have to bless me, I'm just sneezing!" I would say/think. Why don't they bless you for coughs? They seem much worse to me.
Then it came to me one day when I was thinking about how lucky I have been in my life (not tempting fate here, Mr. Murphy): maybe everyone blessing me for 30+ years has augmented my luck/karma/whatever in life. And maybe, just maybe, I owe much of my good fortune to those people who dutifully give me their blessing with that little often-used phrase. Imagine, here I was, all these years disgruntled at having to hear it and not be left in peace every time I achoo--and it was probably helping me all along. I mean, say you hear "Bless You" five times a day for your entire life. If there exists the power of prayer, positive thinking, good energy, whatever, then I've been soaking it up in these little moments all my life.
I know that some people even say bless you under their breath or in their heads when someone sneezes. Maybe because they are embarrassed, maybe because they just choose to, I don't know. So, imagine how many more I must get than I even know about.
So, what I am saying is that I hereby apologize to everyone who has ever blessed me for sneezing. I treated you poorly by scoffing (mostly to myself, or complaining later with friends) at your efforts when I should have been kindly and humbly accepting of your graciousness. It may well be that my sneezing has not been a curse like I thought; but, a little miracle that has helped me all my life, through the good will of others. It's quite a concept.
Therefore, to all of you people out there who have said "Bless You" to me over the years, "Bless YOU!"
Friday, June 20, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Mandela on US Terror List?
It's true.
I'll spare you the rant this time. It speaks for itself. As the article mentions at the end:
"Mandela was jailed for 27 years for his struggle against apartheid, and has become a worldwide symbol of freedom. He was hailed for overseeing the peaceful transition from white to black rule as South Africa's first post-apartheid era president."
Worldwide Symbol of Freedom. On our terrorist watch list. How backwards are we? Does that mean that our gov't is so corrupt that the people in charge fear that the same people who helped topple apartheid because their values are so simlar as that facist, racist system? 27 years in jail for freedom for his people and we won't let him in here. It's just spooky.
I'll spare you the rant this time. It speaks for itself. As the article mentions at the end:
"Mandela was jailed for 27 years for his struggle against apartheid, and has become a worldwide symbol of freedom. He was hailed for overseeing the peaceful transition from white to black rule as South Africa's first post-apartheid era president."
Worldwide Symbol of Freedom. On our terrorist watch list. How backwards are we? Does that mean that our gov't is so corrupt that the people in charge fear that the same people who helped topple apartheid because their values are so simlar as that facist, racist system? 27 years in jail for freedom for his people and we won't let him in here. It's just spooky.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Let the Obama-Haters True Colors Shine!
Here it comes, people. Now we get to see how much racism and fear of the black man will play into this election. Already, stories are coming out, little items are being made so that the fraidy-cat racists can ban together in solidarity in their belief that only white Christians deserve to be in power. Oh sure, they always say that's not how they feel in public; but you know, and I know, that in their hearts, there lurks the ol' white sheets and burning crosses. For evidence, before you say I'm full of it and that I'm trying paint a picture for political gain, etc, check these out:
Buttons at a booth at the Texas Republican Convention
and worse...
The Sock Obama
Now, will these people who buy these proudly display them? No, I doubt they would have the courage. They will keep them in their homes and cuddle up with their festering hatred and fear while they long for the times of separate water fountains, and when blacks "knew their place."
I would LOVE to see if anyone had the balls to actually put one of those Sock Obamas out for everyone to see. Can you imagine the reaction? Well, I guess some places still wouldn't bat an eye in this country. I sure hope I'm wrong about that.
But, mark my words, all of this will backfire. I believe that just seeing these products, Republicans (the ones who still can be saved) might feel just a little bit ashamed at the thought that these are the people that they are in bed with, politically speaking. It might just even make them switch their votes in the booth, last minute, in secret. I also think that the polling on this election will be heavily skewed both ways, as voters on both sides of the political spectrum vote across party lines secretly, and lie about it when the pollsters ask them, so as not to embarrass themselves. Conservative whites who develop a conscience will secretly mark Obama, while liberal whites will secretly vote for McCain because they still haven't come to grips with their own fears of African-Americans. I mean, thank god for those automatic-locking car doors that lock as soon as you go over 10 miles an hour right? No more surreptitiously locking your door as you go through that black neighborhood! Imagine the convenience--you can be racist, but not look racist!
Look, I think we're ALL racist, ok? We all have some sort of cultural baggage we're still carrying, fears of "The Other" that is somewhat intrinsic in human nature. What we all need is courage--the courage to overcome these fears and irrational ideas and try to move forward and accept that we're all just people, we're all just Americans. That's the whole point to this fucking country, people. Not just so that rich, white men can avoid taxes from England--no matter what their intention was when they wrote all those old documents we hold dear. As I've said many times before, the genie of equality and liberty for all is out of the bottle, and he is impossible to put back in.
So, raise your racist Sock-Obama's high, we're not afraid. We know that Obama isn't just a black man or a white man, he's THE MAN.
Buttons at a booth at the Texas Republican Convention
and worse...
The Sock Obama
Now, will these people who buy these proudly display them? No, I doubt they would have the courage. They will keep them in their homes and cuddle up with their festering hatred and fear while they long for the times of separate water fountains, and when blacks "knew their place."
I would LOVE to see if anyone had the balls to actually put one of those Sock Obamas out for everyone to see. Can you imagine the reaction? Well, I guess some places still wouldn't bat an eye in this country. I sure hope I'm wrong about that.
But, mark my words, all of this will backfire. I believe that just seeing these products, Republicans (the ones who still can be saved) might feel just a little bit ashamed at the thought that these are the people that they are in bed with, politically speaking. It might just even make them switch their votes in the booth, last minute, in secret. I also think that the polling on this election will be heavily skewed both ways, as voters on both sides of the political spectrum vote across party lines secretly, and lie about it when the pollsters ask them, so as not to embarrass themselves. Conservative whites who develop a conscience will secretly mark Obama, while liberal whites will secretly vote for McCain because they still haven't come to grips with their own fears of African-Americans. I mean, thank god for those automatic-locking car doors that lock as soon as you go over 10 miles an hour right? No more surreptitiously locking your door as you go through that black neighborhood! Imagine the convenience--you can be racist, but not look racist!
Look, I think we're ALL racist, ok? We all have some sort of cultural baggage we're still carrying, fears of "The Other" that is somewhat intrinsic in human nature. What we all need is courage--the courage to overcome these fears and irrational ideas and try to move forward and accept that we're all just people, we're all just Americans. That's the whole point to this fucking country, people. Not just so that rich, white men can avoid taxes from England--no matter what their intention was when they wrote all those old documents we hold dear. As I've said many times before, the genie of equality and liberty for all is out of the bottle, and he is impossible to put back in.
So, raise your racist Sock-Obama's high, we're not afraid. We know that Obama isn't just a black man or a white man, he's THE MAN.
Thank God for Aimee Mann
Her new album delivers everything a fan of her's could want. The lyrics are sublime, as always. Her music, mellow and moving, expresses, as usual, what my soul feels. Thank you, Aimee.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Gen-X vs. Millennials?
I was reading Mark Morford's post and it lead me to this article where some mean-spirited Gen-X-er humiliated (or tried to, not realizing that Millennials don't really give a shit if someone sees them high in a fairy costume) and fired a dude for calling in sick. Anyway, I left my 2 cents in response to this, as I feel that any cultural war between the Gen-X and Millennials (formerly known as Gen-Y?) is a waste of time.
Here's the comment that I left and my rant against the rant:
First of all, as a Gen-X-er, I resent the resentment towards the Millennials. I think they are a fine lot and I have seen no evidence that they were any lazier or disenchanted with the world than we were. I also vote for unity and peace between the two generations. Now, this article started with someone getting caught playing hookie by some jerk who thinks that people who call in sick when they aren't are lazy. This is, of course, absurd. Everyone plays hookie, and those that don't are boring as fuck. If you've never called in sick when you weren't really ill, then you are so fucking sad, my friend. You can't imagine anything more inspired for yourself than to just go to work like you do every day after day? Variety is the spice of life, people. Yes, hard work is good, and hard work is fine, but first take care of head. But, seriously, if you're sitting there, with your perfect attendance record, your undying loyalty to your company, with the weight of the world resting on your shoulders...try to relax. Don't you realize that the way we have things set up at work is rigged so that no one can ever take a "mental health day" without having to lie? You are just pissed that you are so uninspired in your life that if you called in sick, you wouldn't have anything to do. So, you come into work every day without fail and try to get what little pleasure you can by telling others what to do and judging them and humiliating them when you "catch" them playing hookie. Sad, sad, sour grapes for you, my friend. Try to lighten up. The world moves on fine without you if you take a little break now and then.
Now, onto this generational war thing. Look, I was born in 1972, which, if you look at birth rates, had the lowest population growth of all generations between WW2 and today. Hence, I've always felt that my particular subset of Gen-X has been in the shadows of all of this bologna for years. I can't say that I've felt anything in common with those born before 1969 or those born after 1979, so to me, that is Gen-X. But, whatever, it's a loose term. Was "grunge" gen-x music? Well, to me it was. It's a terrible name for it, but, I think we all know that once we heard Smells Like Teen Spirit, all previous rock music became crap overnight, and the rage, disappointment & disillusionment all came flowing out and changed (and also somehow killed) rock n roll. After it was over, radio died, rock n roll seemed spent and flaccid, and the next generation started to take over as we all finally had to get jobs and sell out. Of course, after that, magically the internet took off and all of us who had Atari 2600's when we were 4 found out we had a naturally symbiotic relationship with computers and that were indeed quite possibly half-machine ourselves.
After the bust of the dot.com's, we Gen-X-ers realized that the current economic and social models were not going to be sustainable. Plus, the Bush Administration has showed us that the real engine behind this version of "free market capitalism" is the dark, dark greed of the man behind the curtain. We realized that there are a scarce amount of resources, and that we need to think more carefully about everything--bringing us to the green movement. Now, I'm not going to say that we get all the credit for this stuff, but I know for a fact that Gen-X has been a huge part of all that I have mentioned, and that our generation has been defined by this. Ironically, we Gen-X-ers are the most prepared to live in this new world, since we remember best the teachings of our grandparents, the greatest generation, and how they used to scrimp and save, having been changed forever since the great depression.
But, this anti-gen Y/millennial thing has to stop. It's ridiculous. They are very bright kids who saw clearly our failures, our weaknesses, and our tragic inability to change the wrongs we saw (we just didn't have the numbers like the Boomers). But, I think that they also know that we will be the next generation in power, and that we are not going to sell out like the Boomers did. We can't, we've already swallowed the Red Pill, and there's no going back. We're going to have to work together, Millennials, if we're going to get this world back on track. We need you on our team and your support if we're going to change anything. And fellow Gen-X-er's: don't be so smug. We are one of the smartest generations ever, but we were also duped by quite a bit in the past (remember "Just Say No?"), so be open to the Millennials ideas about life. Fresh eyes are always good.
Here's the comment that I left and my rant against the rant:
First of all, as a Gen-X-er, I resent the resentment towards the Millennials. I think they are a fine lot and I have seen no evidence that they were any lazier or disenchanted with the world than we were. I also vote for unity and peace between the two generations. Now, this article started with someone getting caught playing hookie by some jerk who thinks that people who call in sick when they aren't are lazy. This is, of course, absurd. Everyone plays hookie, and those that don't are boring as fuck. If you've never called in sick when you weren't really ill, then you are so fucking sad, my friend. You can't imagine anything more inspired for yourself than to just go to work like you do every day after day? Variety is the spice of life, people. Yes, hard work is good, and hard work is fine, but first take care of head. But, seriously, if you're sitting there, with your perfect attendance record, your undying loyalty to your company, with the weight of the world resting on your shoulders...try to relax. Don't you realize that the way we have things set up at work is rigged so that no one can ever take a "mental health day" without having to lie? You are just pissed that you are so uninspired in your life that if you called in sick, you wouldn't have anything to do. So, you come into work every day without fail and try to get what little pleasure you can by telling others what to do and judging them and humiliating them when you "catch" them playing hookie. Sad, sad, sour grapes for you, my friend. Try to lighten up. The world moves on fine without you if you take a little break now and then.
Now, onto this generational war thing. Look, I was born in 1972, which, if you look at birth rates, had the lowest population growth of all generations between WW2 and today. Hence, I've always felt that my particular subset of Gen-X has been in the shadows of all of this bologna for years. I can't say that I've felt anything in common with those born before 1969 or those born after 1979, so to me, that is Gen-X. But, whatever, it's a loose term. Was "grunge" gen-x music? Well, to me it was. It's a terrible name for it, but, I think we all know that once we heard Smells Like Teen Spirit, all previous rock music became crap overnight, and the rage, disappointment & disillusionment all came flowing out and changed (and also somehow killed) rock n roll. After it was over, radio died, rock n roll seemed spent and flaccid, and the next generation started to take over as we all finally had to get jobs and sell out. Of course, after that, magically the internet took off and all of us who had Atari 2600's when we were 4 found out we had a naturally symbiotic relationship with computers and that were indeed quite possibly half-machine ourselves.
After the bust of the dot.com's, we Gen-X-ers realized that the current economic and social models were not going to be sustainable. Plus, the Bush Administration has showed us that the real engine behind this version of "free market capitalism" is the dark, dark greed of the man behind the curtain. We realized that there are a scarce amount of resources, and that we need to think more carefully about everything--bringing us to the green movement. Now, I'm not going to say that we get all the credit for this stuff, but I know for a fact that Gen-X has been a huge part of all that I have mentioned, and that our generation has been defined by this. Ironically, we Gen-X-ers are the most prepared to live in this new world, since we remember best the teachings of our grandparents, the greatest generation, and how they used to scrimp and save, having been changed forever since the great depression.
But, this anti-gen Y/millennial thing has to stop. It's ridiculous. They are very bright kids who saw clearly our failures, our weaknesses, and our tragic inability to change the wrongs we saw (we just didn't have the numbers like the Boomers). But, I think that they also know that we will be the next generation in power, and that we are not going to sell out like the Boomers did. We can't, we've already swallowed the Red Pill, and there's no going back. We're going to have to work together, Millennials, if we're going to get this world back on track. We need you on our team and your support if we're going to change anything. And fellow Gen-X-er's: don't be so smug. We are one of the smartest generations ever, but we were also duped by quite a bit in the past (remember "Just Say No?"), so be open to the Millennials ideas about life. Fresh eyes are always good.
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