I have a strange relationship with TV.
People who pretentiously tell me they don't own a TV piss me off. They puff out their chests and take that condescending pseudo intellectual approach that suggests they are above such mindless pursuits. These are probably the same people who have a screen burn on their face from spending countless hours in front of the computer drooling over porn and voting in every top ten list the internet has to offer.
Don't get me wrong. I get the message. TV is a drug for a huge number of people. People who limp home from work, grab a pork chop and a bottle of whiskey and spend the next six hours staring at the eerie light. There is a lot of stupidity on TV and a lot of people who lap it up.
Not having TV is too drastic. You can find intelligent things on the tube, things that challenge and inform you, if you put in the effort. Morgan Freeman currently hosts a show on the science channel called Through The Wormhole. We are talking heavy duty stuff. Some of the episodes are titled: Did We Invent God? Will Eternity End? Mysteries of The Subconscious. Can We Eliminate Evil? What Is Nothing?
You can see where I am going. I had to clench my brain to get through these shows, really anchor it down, so I could focus and allow different thinking to seep in. Honestly there were plenty of times when my mind was so abused that it drifted and I had to rewind to get back in the flow.
But it was worth it.
I have only watched a few of these shows and now as I am writing about it I am re-committed to getting back to it. Apparently I was distracted by Kim Kardashian's on line diary.
Even if the only things that light up your TV screen are sports and movies, you are still ahead of the game. At least these are diversions, they allow escape from brutal existence, they don't make you stupid.
Still, I do waste a lot of time with TV. I do watch stupid things, I get sucked in when I am bone tired and life weary. Sprawled in My Magnificent Recliner with the pork chop and the whiskey, pissing away the very limited time I have left on this planet to drive Carol crazy.
In our defense I will say that we watch a lot of MSNBC. Many weeknights it will be on from five to eleven. That's good for the brain and I am proud of that.
Also Bill Maher on Friday nights. We are devotees. Excellent brain food and hearty laughter. I feel like a kindergarten child who has flunked out when I listen to him.
My impressions of TV also come from a different angle.
When I drive home at night in the dark I like to look into other peoples' houses.
Before you recoil in horror, no I am not voyeur. Although I certainly would not look away from a wild display of lust and experimentation in somebody's picture window. Of course the problem is that I am driving by and would only have a one second view. But the memory could entertain me for weeks.
But I digress.
I look into other peoples' houses because I am fascinated with the idea that every house has lives unwinding in it and those people have relatives and friends and it all stretches out into eternity and I don't know one of those people. Yet they are living and struggling and working and budgeting and fighting and making up and laughing and crying just like I am.
If I see somebody at a window washing dishes, I am struck by the sameness of the task. And I wonder who they are and what they are thinking, I wonder if they are happy and financially comfortable or if they are broken and afraid.
The one constant in almost every house is an over sized TV. The goddamn thing illuminates the room. No other light is needed in the house, the TV is the sole source, like the sun. It takes away from the life-ness of my thoughts. This monster sits on the wall and all worship before it. It dominates the room and draws my eye to it as well as the eyes of the inhabitants. I envision a day when the TV will extend outside the house and neighbors will bring lawn chairs over to watch whatever entertainment is being shown on the screen within a screen portion of that part of the TV.
It feels to me like these giants take away from the rustic, life being lived feel that inspires me.
Here's the irony.
I am desperately seeking money. Fighting to rearrange my life into success so I can afford things.
And when I get there I am going to buy the biggest goddamn TV my eyes and my house can handle so I can bask in the glow of THE PATS and The Godfather. And if my house cannot accommodate the size my ego requires, I will add on an addition.
So that someday some sensitive dude can drive by my house and shake his head in disgust at my shallowness.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
That Stubborn Thing
"I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting."
President Barack Obama said that last night in his victory speech and it stirred my soul.
America got it right last night. In 2008 I believed President Obama's election was a fluke; I had no idea how it happened because I could not believe Americans were smart enough or could get past their prejudice enough to elect this man president.
I feel a lot more excited this time around. He was successful in large part due to the backlash of voters to the incompetents that republicans ran for office, led by Mitt Romney. I was watching Morning Joe on MSNBC this morning and the panel was attacking republicans for running "loons" that embarrassed the party. The criticism was led by Steve Schmidt, who was John McCain's campaign manager, and Joe Scarborough who is a staunch republican and conservative. They were talking about the Senate races and not about Romney, but I do include Mitt.
What makes me feel so good is that it appears that voters are thinking, they are learning, they are using their vote to defeat dangerous, regressive policies, they recognize lies and stupidity and refuse to swallow it. I think that is a huge transformation for the voting public and it gives me hope, hope that the seeds of what President Barack Obama planted in his first term will grow into a new day, a new way, a more intelligent, progressive, informed and aware public and political approach that can give back to the people of this country what they deserve.
A chance.
The people who criticized the president for not solving every problem in four years are foolish. The problems were enormous and a republican Congress fought him on every single initiative. President Clinton said that NO ONE could have solved every issue that President Obama had to deal with in four years. He knows, he has been there, he has inside knowledge.
Given another four years to continue to fight for what is right I think we will see enormous change in this country. Mind blowing change that will improve our lives and give us a chance and give us hope. Because The Prez really is sincere and he is remarkably intelligent and he knows that our political system is broken and that it has to be fundamentally changed to get this country on the right track.
He needs republicans to stop acting like children, to start acting like adults and to work together with Democrats to make this country strong again.
I'm not sure how that will go. I heard comments that Boehner made last night that suggest to me that the House will continue to oppose The Prez unilaterally. I heard comments Boehner made today that sound more compromising. If they work with him, great things can be achieved. If they continue to play juvenile games, we will all continue to suffer and I think they should be punished. I recommend execution but others may believe that is a bit harsh.
We have to look beyond this term. If a republican slithers into The White House in 2017, all will be lost. We have to begin working right now to insure a consistent Democratic reign. Twelve more years might be enough to change the direction of this country, and to reform the political culture in a way that makes government responsive to the urgent needs of the average American.
More evidence of change, more reason for hope.
Last night, for the first time ever, a ballot measure against same sex marriage (in Minnesota) was defeated. And for the first time ever, voters said yes to same sex marriage in Maine, Maryland and Washington state.
Voters in Washington State and Colorado approved ballot initiatives legalizing recreational marijuana use.
I am excited today. It feels to me that we are beginning to see real change in this country, deep rooted, fundamental change, change that can revive America and improve our lives. The kind of change I thought I would never see.
At lease partially attributable to the intelligence, the morality, the toughness, the vision, and the determination and inspiration of one man.
President Barack Obama.
That is stunning and amazing and I am so glad to be alive to experience it.
I feel hope. For this country. And for me. I have been feeling lost recently. President Obama's words rejuvenated my soul last night. I can do anything I want to do "so long as I have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting."
I hope the next four years are the best of my life.
And if they are, the credit must go in part to President Barack Obama.
President Barack Obama said that last night in his victory speech and it stirred my soul.
America got it right last night. In 2008 I believed President Obama's election was a fluke; I had no idea how it happened because I could not believe Americans were smart enough or could get past their prejudice enough to elect this man president.
I feel a lot more excited this time around. He was successful in large part due to the backlash of voters to the incompetents that republicans ran for office, led by Mitt Romney. I was watching Morning Joe on MSNBC this morning and the panel was attacking republicans for running "loons" that embarrassed the party. The criticism was led by Steve Schmidt, who was John McCain's campaign manager, and Joe Scarborough who is a staunch republican and conservative. They were talking about the Senate races and not about Romney, but I do include Mitt.
What makes me feel so good is that it appears that voters are thinking, they are learning, they are using their vote to defeat dangerous, regressive policies, they recognize lies and stupidity and refuse to swallow it. I think that is a huge transformation for the voting public and it gives me hope, hope that the seeds of what President Barack Obama planted in his first term will grow into a new day, a new way, a more intelligent, progressive, informed and aware public and political approach that can give back to the people of this country what they deserve.
A chance.
The people who criticized the president for not solving every problem in four years are foolish. The problems were enormous and a republican Congress fought him on every single initiative. President Clinton said that NO ONE could have solved every issue that President Obama had to deal with in four years. He knows, he has been there, he has inside knowledge.
Given another four years to continue to fight for what is right I think we will see enormous change in this country. Mind blowing change that will improve our lives and give us a chance and give us hope. Because The Prez really is sincere and he is remarkably intelligent and he knows that our political system is broken and that it has to be fundamentally changed to get this country on the right track.
He needs republicans to stop acting like children, to start acting like adults and to work together with Democrats to make this country strong again.
I'm not sure how that will go. I heard comments that Boehner made last night that suggest to me that the House will continue to oppose The Prez unilaterally. I heard comments Boehner made today that sound more compromising. If they work with him, great things can be achieved. If they continue to play juvenile games, we will all continue to suffer and I think they should be punished. I recommend execution but others may believe that is a bit harsh.
We have to look beyond this term. If a republican slithers into The White House in 2017, all will be lost. We have to begin working right now to insure a consistent Democratic reign. Twelve more years might be enough to change the direction of this country, and to reform the political culture in a way that makes government responsive to the urgent needs of the average American.
More evidence of change, more reason for hope.
Last night, for the first time ever, a ballot measure against same sex marriage (in Minnesota) was defeated. And for the first time ever, voters said yes to same sex marriage in Maine, Maryland and Washington state.
Voters in Washington State and Colorado approved ballot initiatives legalizing recreational marijuana use.
I am excited today. It feels to me that we are beginning to see real change in this country, deep rooted, fundamental change, change that can revive America and improve our lives. The kind of change I thought I would never see.
At lease partially attributable to the intelligence, the morality, the toughness, the vision, and the determination and inspiration of one man.
President Barack Obama.
That is stunning and amazing and I am so glad to be alive to experience it.
I feel hope. For this country. And for me. I have been feeling lost recently. President Obama's words rejuvenated my soul last night. I can do anything I want to do "so long as I have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting."
I hope the next four years are the best of my life.
And if they are, the credit must go in part to President Barack Obama.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
And Really Dig This
"Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend."
Lao Tzu
Lao Tzu
Sitting And Thinking
I'm sitting and thinking again
Plotting and planning for when
The money comes in
And my soul's not so thin
I know I'll be happier then
Plotting and planning for when
The money comes in
And my soul's not so thin
I know I'll be happier then
Musings Of A Rat In A Cage
Had a wang dang doodle of a weekend.
Saturday night Carol and I travelled to Hudson, MA. It's about a 37 hour ride but then again everything civilized is a 37 hour ride from my place.
We went down to enjoy my brother on stage with the Symphony Pro Musica.
This is heavy duty stuff.
An accomplished symphony orchestra, based in Hudson and Westborough Massachusetts.
This stuff is mind blowing.
The founder of the organization and conductor of the orchestra is a guy named Mark Churchill. He is affiliated with the New England Conservatory of Music, the Boston Ballet, he is an accomplished cellist who has performed throughout the United States, South America, Seoul, Hong Kong and Taiwan. He was resident conductor of the Asian Youth orchestra in Hong Kong for eleven years.
What I like best about him is that he looks like Larry David.
The featured soloist was Zlatomir Fung, who is considered to be among the world's top cellists.
He is thirteen years old.
The level of musicianship of this orchestra is stunning.
What really blows my mind is that there were around seventy five musicians on stage and only a handful were professionals, actually getting paid.
The rest were volunteers.
These are people who should be making a living playing music, accomplished individuals who spend endless hours practicing and mastering complex music so they can enthrall low wage earning whiskey drinkers like me.
They deserve to make a living doing this, they deserve to get rich doing this. They work harder than you or I, much harder, they are supremely dedicated and gifted, life should reward them.
They end up instead doing it for the sheer joy and love of it.
The world is askew.
You see this so often.
I guess there is less room at the top. You have to be one in a billion to succeed professionally in any creative endeavor, so exceptionally talented people get left by the side of the road to wonder.
Carol and I have been doing a lot of running in the last few weeks, logging a lot of miles on The Peace Mobile. We are tired. I got home from work Saturday and made myself pretty and off we went again.
An hour and a half later we were seated in an auditorium listening to the most exquisite, emotionally inspiring, soul caressing music.
What a gas.
By the way I am supremely proud of my brother, who plays percussion with this group. He has played with them before; we have enjoyed it before.
This time his schedule was busy and he told them he could not join in. They wanted him, they pursued him, and he made it work.
Let me say this more boldly - a supremely talented orchestra pursued my brother to play with them because they appreciate his talent.
I am proud of him beyond belief.
After the performance we went out for a drink and appetizers and had great conversation and laughter. Relaxing in the trust and honesty that defines family.
My brother Ed has a killer sense of humor. The waitress asked us where were from and he told her Utah. He also told her we were heading back as soon as we were done eating. She was blown away. "How long a drive is that?" "About twenty five hours" was Ed's reply. He ended up letting her down gently, as is his way. It was pretty funny. Thankfully we already had our food at that point.
Sunday. We celebrated Emily's (our daughter-in-law I hate that label) and Craig's (our son) birthdays at Keith and Emily's home.
It was a laid back affair. Keith, Emily, Craig, Karen, Carol and me. We lounged in the living room with Jack (the cat) and Cooper(the dog), watched a lot of football courtesy of NFL RedZone, munched, chowed and mowed until bellies were swollen and souls were content. Nachos, pizza, ice cream sundaes.
You know you have a tight family when you don't feel that you have to be formal. When you can just relax like friends and talk and laugh and dig each other's company.
That is the way it should be. Once your job as a parent is done, the ultimate reward is to enjoy an easy going, honest and loving relationship with the offspring and the other humans they bring into your life.
That's what Carol and I have, and we dig it passionately.
So that's it. One hellacious weekend. Revolving around family.
That's where it's at, folks.
Right now I feel like a rat in a cage and my frustration is building to explosive proportions.
And yet I spend time marvelling at my brother's talent and enjoying his company, digging my sons and their extraordinary women, enjoying the loving company of my long suffering and magical wife, and all the bullshit melts away.
Amazing.
Saturday night Carol and I travelled to Hudson, MA. It's about a 37 hour ride but then again everything civilized is a 37 hour ride from my place.
We went down to enjoy my brother on stage with the Symphony Pro Musica.
This is heavy duty stuff.
An accomplished symphony orchestra, based in Hudson and Westborough Massachusetts.
This stuff is mind blowing.
The founder of the organization and conductor of the orchestra is a guy named Mark Churchill. He is affiliated with the New England Conservatory of Music, the Boston Ballet, he is an accomplished cellist who has performed throughout the United States, South America, Seoul, Hong Kong and Taiwan. He was resident conductor of the Asian Youth orchestra in Hong Kong for eleven years.
What I like best about him is that he looks like Larry David.
The featured soloist was Zlatomir Fung, who is considered to be among the world's top cellists.
He is thirteen years old.
The level of musicianship of this orchestra is stunning.
What really blows my mind is that there were around seventy five musicians on stage and only a handful were professionals, actually getting paid.
The rest were volunteers.
These are people who should be making a living playing music, accomplished individuals who spend endless hours practicing and mastering complex music so they can enthrall low wage earning whiskey drinkers like me.
They deserve to make a living doing this, they deserve to get rich doing this. They work harder than you or I, much harder, they are supremely dedicated and gifted, life should reward them.
They end up instead doing it for the sheer joy and love of it.
The world is askew.
You see this so often.
I guess there is less room at the top. You have to be one in a billion to succeed professionally in any creative endeavor, so exceptionally talented people get left by the side of the road to wonder.
Carol and I have been doing a lot of running in the last few weeks, logging a lot of miles on The Peace Mobile. We are tired. I got home from work Saturday and made myself pretty and off we went again.
An hour and a half later we were seated in an auditorium listening to the most exquisite, emotionally inspiring, soul caressing music.
What a gas.
By the way I am supremely proud of my brother, who plays percussion with this group. He has played with them before; we have enjoyed it before.
This time his schedule was busy and he told them he could not join in. They wanted him, they pursued him, and he made it work.
Let me say this more boldly - a supremely talented orchestra pursued my brother to play with them because they appreciate his talent.
I am proud of him beyond belief.
After the performance we went out for a drink and appetizers and had great conversation and laughter. Relaxing in the trust and honesty that defines family.
My brother Ed has a killer sense of humor. The waitress asked us where were from and he told her Utah. He also told her we were heading back as soon as we were done eating. She was blown away. "How long a drive is that?" "About twenty five hours" was Ed's reply. He ended up letting her down gently, as is his way. It was pretty funny. Thankfully we already had our food at that point.
Sunday. We celebrated Emily's (our daughter-in-law I hate that label) and Craig's (our son) birthdays at Keith and Emily's home.
It was a laid back affair. Keith, Emily, Craig, Karen, Carol and me. We lounged in the living room with Jack (the cat) and Cooper(the dog), watched a lot of football courtesy of NFL RedZone, munched, chowed and mowed until bellies were swollen and souls were content. Nachos, pizza, ice cream sundaes.
You know you have a tight family when you don't feel that you have to be formal. When you can just relax like friends and talk and laugh and dig each other's company.
That is the way it should be. Once your job as a parent is done, the ultimate reward is to enjoy an easy going, honest and loving relationship with the offspring and the other humans they bring into your life.
That's what Carol and I have, and we dig it passionately.
So that's it. One hellacious weekend. Revolving around family.
That's where it's at, folks.
Right now I feel like a rat in a cage and my frustration is building to explosive proportions.
And yet I spend time marvelling at my brother's talent and enjoying his company, digging my sons and their extraordinary women, enjoying the loving company of my long suffering and magical wife, and all the bullshit melts away.
Amazing.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Vagabonds And Rogues
Vagabond and rogue.
Two great words.
A vagabond is defined as someone who moves from place to place without a fixed home, characteristic of a wanderer, leading an unsettled, irresponsible or disreputable life.
A rogue is defined as a vagrant,a tramp, a dishonest or worthless person, a mischievous person. That sounds a little harsh to me. Sounds like a definition put together by a person stuck in responsibility, smothered by obligation, unable to improvise or riff or cut loose or smile.
I think of a rogue as a rugged individualist. Someone outside the norm, someone who sneers at society and the hypocrisy of it's rules.
I could see myself as a rogue easier than I can see myself as a vagabond. I don't see myself hopping freight trains and eating beans out of a can heated over a fire.
The Allman Brothers have an album titled Enlightened Rogues. I love that twist.
That's what I want. I want to be an enlightened rogue.
Enlightened intellectually, spiritually, and as a loving, independent human being, while still existing outside the role that the world continuously tries to define for me.
Join me, won't you?
Two great words.
A vagabond is defined as someone who moves from place to place without a fixed home, characteristic of a wanderer, leading an unsettled, irresponsible or disreputable life.
A rogue is defined as a vagrant,a tramp, a dishonest or worthless person, a mischievous person. That sounds a little harsh to me. Sounds like a definition put together by a person stuck in responsibility, smothered by obligation, unable to improvise or riff or cut loose or smile.
I think of a rogue as a rugged individualist. Someone outside the norm, someone who sneers at society and the hypocrisy of it's rules.
I could see myself as a rogue easier than I can see myself as a vagabond. I don't see myself hopping freight trains and eating beans out of a can heated over a fire.
The Allman Brothers have an album titled Enlightened Rogues. I love that twist.
That's what I want. I want to be an enlightened rogue.
Enlightened intellectually, spiritually, and as a loving, independent human being, while still existing outside the role that the world continuously tries to define for me.
Join me, won't you?
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