No new post.
Just a link to a draft of a poem today.
http://refrigeratordoor.blogspot.com/2006/06/quiet-time.html
Monday, June 26, 2006
The Quiet Time.
The people, were there.
Just like yesterday.
Waiting.
Cue stage left.
Some sat, read, or stayed standing but all
Waiting as the bum-ba-ba-ba-bumba-chicka
Bum-ba-ba-ba-bumba-chicka pattered the rhythm of the morning.
Quickly setting in with the shoes on the weathered low pile orange carpet,
Worn and stained by sneakers, stilettos, and pieces of the city street.
A relic of the 70’s.
And the keeper of the quiet time.
Hold us close and stay with us awhile,
If the city is our home, she is our nanny,
Sneaking us a taste of alone.
Like the chewy sweets and chocolates our babysitters slipped into our palms when our parents weren’t home, and said no.
Her voice, white, pushes my mind off-track as we scoot along together.
I usually think about love, or politics, or being grown.
There minutes later, I’m there. Hell, I’m already wearing the clothes.
I look down at my shoes, half a pair. Breathe out. Look forward, peer left, resume.
And it hits me…
Notready,notready.Tomorrow,toofast.ButI’malmosthere,nextyear,tomorrow,there,fear.Notstopping,peerleft,resume.Peerright,resume.Fidgetyfidgetyfingersandtheheartbeat.Repeat.Eat.Repeat.AndI’mwalking,feetfeetfeetgo!
And wait.
From the ground up, courage soaks my bones. Glance up, resume. Stage right cue.
And it’s quiet time again.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Minority Experience- Part 1
I’m going to try to break this down for you. Because of affirmative action, immigration, the voting rights act renewal—all of which have minority themes running through them—I’m going to help all the non-minorities out and rap with you for a second. Here is the essence (as I observe, imagine, assume, and have experienced) of being a minority in the United States of America in 2006.*-note that some of these feelings may not be shared by all minorities, the minority experience can vary intensely even between groups that have some stark similarities. Also, note that these prejudices/observations are not committed by all individuals either. However, the fact that they do, or have in the recent past, is notable because when translating across a population their effects and reach are significant. In other words, just because everyone isn’t a bigot, doesn’t mean that the following statements are isolated or even uncommon.
Now, for the point.
Similar to how it would be difficult for me to make an educated decision about womens’ reproductive rights, it’s similarly asinine for anyone (you, politicians, etc,) to make choice regarding minority issues without consultation with minorities. So, here’s a glimpse.I present these because of the incredibly one-sided conversations I hear when people discuss minority issues. Imagine what you would do if you were a minority and someone took your rights away, or denied the fact that your rights were less acknowledged. Would you be upset? Would you fight? Would you feel like crap?Cause yes, being a minority in America is difficult. You don’t know who you are at times. You’re identity is questioned. If you’re a black male your chances of success are lower. If you’re a woman your pay rate is probably less.I hear the bleachers yelling, everyone goes through that. It’s part of being a teenager. But the difference is, this is a constant in the life of a minority. It’s not just a phase. Believe me, in your group of people close to you, it becomes a non-issue. But not everyone in the country knows you as who you are, they know you as a minority. When in the majority, you aren’t predisposed experience minorities are accustomed to.
Also, it’s not an issue of having differences. We’re more similar than anything. But really, if you treat someone as if they’re mostly different instead of mostly similar, you’ve got some hell coming. From my desk right now, I’d recommend: treat someone as if they’re mostly similar (because they probably are) not the same, when encountered with a difference, try to look for how mutual benefit can be created for those differences, and not dwell on the mutual harm that can be created. Differences are dangerous, but these variations/changes are how progress happens…so we need them.Look for more on this topic, my words will become more focused and eloquent as I’ve thought about it for a longer period of time.
- Your ethnic dress is criticized. Imagine if you wore [insert one of the following: Abercrombie, Hollister, JCrew, Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, Adidas, etc.] and someone made fun of you because you weren’t wearing a tunic. “My ethnic dress has been critically called a ‘smock’ before.”
- Imagine the world without being able to walk, see, hear, etc.
- The previous statement isn’t the kicker. Now, imagine a culture that turns their head away when you walk by. Don’t deny it, I do it too…I’m sure as hell trying not to.
- You are harassed, or the victim of malicious commentary in your workplace (this can happen to many groups because or race, gender, disability, etc.) This has happened to my mother because of her race.
- Someone tells you to “get out of the country”. (think anti-immigration protests)
- Your friends’ parents are surprised to find that you’re not White, or Christian. The looks are easy to spot, believe me.
- Say you’re purely in love with someone. Their parents/grand-parents/family aren’t used to being exposed to other races. It may not harm your relationship, but it sure can make ya sweat.
- You seem to get searched at the airport, a lot.
- You probably benefit at several key moments because you are a minority, and many institutions value diversity (schools, businesses, government)
- You feel like your leading a double life because your heritage and your day-to-day life are less than compatible.
- You are visually unique. I love it!
- You’ve got a different name—really cool, sometimes not so much.
- Bi-lingual.
- You’re left out (physical, gender, racial, intelligence, socio-economic status, etc.)
- You’re in (same factors apply)
- You’re not allowed to marry, or the union has arbitrary benefits.
- PS- If you’re going to talk the talk about gay-marriage and say that its prohibited, would you walk the walk and make it apply to you, too?
- Products don’t seem to always fit you. (Right-handed scissors, bandages don’t match skin tone, makeup and cosmetics aren’t the right color, clothing doesn’t come in your size or fit body type well)
- You have to deal with people not taking the time to understand factual evidence your beliefs/history and misrepresent you.
- You are not represented proportionally in government.
- You benefit from a cultural/diverse upbringing.
- You don’t get credit you deserve, or get excessive amounts of credit for something minimal because the action is attributed to minority status.
- You have to hide elements of your own identity, because they are “taboo”. Athiesm, agnosticism, for example.
Now, for the point.
Similar to how it would be difficult for me to make an educated decision about womens’ reproductive rights, it’s similarly asinine for anyone (you, politicians, etc,) to make choice regarding minority issues without consultation with minorities. So, here’s a glimpse.I present these because of the incredibly one-sided conversations I hear when people discuss minority issues. Imagine what you would do if you were a minority and someone took your rights away, or denied the fact that your rights were less acknowledged. Would you be upset? Would you fight? Would you feel like crap?Cause yes, being a minority in America is difficult. You don’t know who you are at times. You’re identity is questioned. If you’re a black male your chances of success are lower. If you’re a woman your pay rate is probably less.I hear the bleachers yelling, everyone goes through that. It’s part of being a teenager. But the difference is, this is a constant in the life of a minority. It’s not just a phase. Believe me, in your group of people close to you, it becomes a non-issue. But not everyone in the country knows you as who you are, they know you as a minority. When in the majority, you aren’t predisposed experience minorities are accustomed to.
Also, it’s not an issue of having differences. We’re more similar than anything. But really, if you treat someone as if they’re mostly different instead of mostly similar, you’ve got some hell coming. From my desk right now, I’d recommend: treat someone as if they’re mostly similar (because they probably are) not the same, when encountered with a difference, try to look for how mutual benefit can be created for those differences, and not dwell on the mutual harm that can be created. Differences are dangerous, but these variations/changes are how progress happens…so we need them.Look for more on this topic, my words will become more focused and eloquent as I’ve thought about it for a longer period of time.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Long Term Economic plan?
Somebody help me out here. I'm no econ major, nor a self-believed super genius. I need help understanding this issue. But, don't flood me with speculation and "woulda/coulda", if you can help it.
The way I see it, education for the masses should be part of our long term strategy for eliminating poverty. That way, people move out of being forced to work for minimum wage jobs, unskilled/semi-skilled labor jobs are phased out over time, companies upgrade systems to make labor work more efficiently, and people move towards higher paying jobs that they are more qualified for. Then people working in the service sector move to part time, and to people who are not completed with education.
Then, market forces would push the minimum wage up naturally, over time of course, because the pool of workers for the lower end of the wage scale would decrease. Right?
Granted this all depends on not having an influx of workers who are uneducated artificially driving wage levels down. And, this seems like it would need a big distinction between rich and poor.
Or, would increasing the minimum wage lower the amount of low-end jobs and then after some 'growing pains' force people to increase levels of education because of the lack of work at unskilled levels?
Also, education, i think...is a privilege of being a thinking thing. Why not use a brain if we have one.
What I'm really trying to learn about is economic strategies where the rich continue to get rich (perhaps at the cost of a slower rate of increase) and the poor also start to get richer. I feel like someone would've figured this out, though.
Comments? Guidance? Please?
The way I see it, education for the masses should be part of our long term strategy for eliminating poverty. That way, people move out of being forced to work for minimum wage jobs, unskilled/semi-skilled labor jobs are phased out over time, companies upgrade systems to make labor work more efficiently, and people move towards higher paying jobs that they are more qualified for. Then people working in the service sector move to part time, and to people who are not completed with education.
Then, market forces would push the minimum wage up naturally, over time of course, because the pool of workers for the lower end of the wage scale would decrease. Right?
Granted this all depends on not having an influx of workers who are uneducated artificially driving wage levels down. And, this seems like it would need a big distinction between rich and poor.
Or, would increasing the minimum wage lower the amount of low-end jobs and then after some 'growing pains' force people to increase levels of education because of the lack of work at unskilled levels?
Also, education, i think...is a privilege of being a thinking thing. Why not use a brain if we have one.
What I'm really trying to learn about is economic strategies where the rich continue to get rich (perhaps at the cost of a slower rate of increase) and the poor also start to get richer. I feel like someone would've figured this out, though.
Comments? Guidance? Please?
Monday, June 19, 2006
Beliefs- Part 1
I listen every week, via RSS feed a program on NPR that airs every monday. It is called "This I Believe". You may remember it from a previous post. This program never stops inspiring me, and it always pushes my thoughts to the frontier of beliefs and peps me up to write sometime. I'm going to try every Monday night to free-write about a belief, just to see what develops. Maybe I'll figure out something new, maybe it will be crummy. In any case, it's straight from the hip; a few moments thought and then pouring my soul out. Let's give it a try.
PS- I like updating the blog everyday, I wish I could do this all day.
10:35 PM - The thinking begins.
10:35 - Here we go.
Exercising is something I feel strongly about, and feel compelled to do, but certain kinds of exercise seem more valuable than others. I believe in running in the rain, I never miss an opportuntiy-I just did it today.
Running in the rain is always an adventure. The slosh-around-squeaky-sock-action comes after you step into your first puddle, there's plenty of head shaking to spray water from clumped together strands of hair, and probably best of all there's always gawkers. Always gawkers. I espeically like it when drivers of shiny black cars (that probably are not of optimal gasoline effieciency) have that look of pure shock of seeing someone actually outside during a downpour.
I love that running in the rain is challenging. Water drips from clothing, weighing you down and making you push harder. Breath on the way in is a little bit colder and harder to come by, after awhile your ears are bound to hurt-the best part is the rain makes you push harder. I never try as hard as when I'm drenched in cloud juice...running in the rain builds character.
But, let me tell you why I really like it. It's kind of...well, personal.
I feel infinite when I run in the rain. I feel like I'm a part of the earth, like a continuous flowing piece of energy constantly moving my legs, arms, and heart with water blurring the lines between where my limbs and the earth begin. The experience makes me feel like I'm part of a greater whole. Running in the rain is like infinity.
My thoughts drop and drip just like the water, cleaning away confusion just like the windows of very tall buildings being washed by the storm. I feel like I'm free to love, and laugh, smile, and imagine. I understand things a little bit better, like why people die, and why love is powerful, and the allure of thinking for the sake of advancing the wit and knowledge and capacity of people. Not to mention, the chance of kissing in the rain (of course it depends on how much you care about your running companion)
In a world of success, corruption, intensity, duty, and routine running in the rain helps me reclaim my humanity. It's a progression--not regression--to a more natural state, even if I am wearing Nike shoes. The feeling is raw, and robust, and vivid...it's like biting into a wonderful while barefoot in an orchard...it's getting back to how humans have lived for millenia.
Running in the rain. Try it once and you'll never let the opportunity pass you by again.
-Close, 10:52 PM-
PS- I like updating the blog everyday, I wish I could do this all day.
10:35 PM - The thinking begins.
10:35 - Here we go.
Exercising is something I feel strongly about, and feel compelled to do, but certain kinds of exercise seem more valuable than others. I believe in running in the rain, I never miss an opportuntiy-I just did it today.
Running in the rain is always an adventure. The slosh-around-squeaky-sock-action comes after you step into your first puddle, there's plenty of head shaking to spray water from clumped together strands of hair, and probably best of all there's always gawkers. Always gawkers. I espeically like it when drivers of shiny black cars (that probably are not of optimal gasoline effieciency) have that look of pure shock of seeing someone actually outside during a downpour.
I love that running in the rain is challenging. Water drips from clothing, weighing you down and making you push harder. Breath on the way in is a little bit colder and harder to come by, after awhile your ears are bound to hurt-the best part is the rain makes you push harder. I never try as hard as when I'm drenched in cloud juice...running in the rain builds character.
But, let me tell you why I really like it. It's kind of...well, personal.
I feel infinite when I run in the rain. I feel like I'm a part of the earth, like a continuous flowing piece of energy constantly moving my legs, arms, and heart with water blurring the lines between where my limbs and the earth begin. The experience makes me feel like I'm part of a greater whole. Running in the rain is like infinity.
My thoughts drop and drip just like the water, cleaning away confusion just like the windows of very tall buildings being washed by the storm. I feel like I'm free to love, and laugh, smile, and imagine. I understand things a little bit better, like why people die, and why love is powerful, and the allure of thinking for the sake of advancing the wit and knowledge and capacity of people. Not to mention, the chance of kissing in the rain (of course it depends on how much you care about your running companion)
In a world of success, corruption, intensity, duty, and routine running in the rain helps me reclaim my humanity. It's a progression--not regression--to a more natural state, even if I am wearing Nike shoes. The feeling is raw, and robust, and vivid...it's like biting into a wonderful while barefoot in an orchard...it's getting back to how humans have lived for millenia.
Running in the rain. Try it once and you'll never let the opportunity pass you by again.
-Close, 10:52 PM-
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Why I am a civil libertarian (and why you should be too)
I read 1984 first when I was in fifth grade. I thought it was creepy. I read it again my junior year of high school, and it persists in remaining my favorite novel. I think it's wonderful. A very excellent story with layers of plot and character development, a chilling satirrical message, and a stinging conclusion.
When I re-read the book with more experience and grasp of government a few years ago, it stung even more. The plot became more believeable and timeless. I imagined Winston's world and it didn't seem completely outlandish.
That book, literally freaked me out because of the implications that an Orwellian world presents. It's not a safe world for challenging people. I'm not a conventional person, I hold unorthodox beliefs. If I lived in Winston's world, Big Brother would have killed me long ago. I see elements of Winston in me.
I was reading Friday's Washington Post (forgive me, I know I should finish the paper on the day its released) yesterday afternoon, and I came across an op-ed piece which I didn't think I would enjoy, and I didn't. But in the long run, it did turn out to be worthwhile; I figured out why I'm such a civil libertarian.
I was reading this piece and I was pretty bored. The whole "Stay the course" --> "There is no course" banter has been overdone I think, and I'm trying to grit my teeth through op/eds that touch on this topic.
And I finally realized when I read:
Nobody's sorry, though, about secret CIA prisons or extralegal detention or interrogation by brutal "waterboarding" or an Orwellian blanket of domestic surveillance. After all, we're at "war."
The comparison of the state of civil liberties in the USA didn't seem comparable to 'Orwellian' the last time I thought about it. Until yesterday my under-the-breath jokes of coughcough1984coughcough after discourse about wiretapping seemed like nothing more than jokes.
Now, they seem like analogies.
1. I'm not sure if my phone is being wiretapped, without the requirement of approval by a judge, presidential power. Yes, I make and recieve international calls, so I do have standing --> Fear of cameras/wiretapping/communications monitoring for Winston.
2. "If you're not for the war, you're not for our troops" --> Allegiance to the party and joining the Women's Anti-sex league "just to be safe"
3. The camera that busts Winston and Julia for having sex in the Prole apartment --> cases challenging government intervention in the bedroom (Texas sodomy law struck down Sodomy law in Lawerence v. Texas)
These are all brief comparisons that are unarticulated, but the analogies remain. National Security is great, and I don't mind getting my bags searched at the airport, or at the smithsonian, or at the stadium. But an executive branch culture that doesn't seem to show remorse about civil liberties is something I have a difficult time with.
I'm a civil libertarian because 1984 seems real to me, you should be a civil libertarian because your in the same boat as I am, whether or not you lend any weight to Orwell. At the end of the day, we all place our trust in the government, and have to let them go about their way. We're depending on the government to watch our back and protect us from dangerous entities that are foreign and domestic (nuclear war, 'terrorism', flu epidemics, severe weather, spying, and economic collapse).
As I implied, all this is going on behind our backs, I seriously doubt that we'll be able to react instantaneously to protect our rights and liberties as citizens. The government is massive.
Also, it takes much struggling to reclaim, or gain rights that we have lost. Supreme Court precedent is weighty. The right to vote took hundreds of years to fall, 'seperate but equal' remained for longer than I wish to admit to, the supreme court is now falling a little bit to the right.
You should be a Civil Libertarian because if the cost of losing a right is higher than the cost of being a socially concious citizen. If you feel comfortable conceding some of your rights that's pretty legit, I admire your trust in the system, and think I would benefit by learning from you. But...at least know about it when it's happening.
And finally, I think you should be a Civil Libertarian--out of respect. To turn a war-mongering phrase on it's head...many people have fought for our rights, I think you owe it to them to try to protect them and be stingy with them...otherwise the people that died for them would've died in vain. Right?
When I re-read the book with more experience and grasp of government a few years ago, it stung even more. The plot became more believeable and timeless. I imagined Winston's world and it didn't seem completely outlandish.
That book, literally freaked me out because of the implications that an Orwellian world presents. It's not a safe world for challenging people. I'm not a conventional person, I hold unorthodox beliefs. If I lived in Winston's world, Big Brother would have killed me long ago. I see elements of Winston in me.
[Subject Break]
I was reading Friday's Washington Post (forgive me, I know I should finish the paper on the day its released) yesterday afternoon, and I came across an op-ed piece which I didn't think I would enjoy, and I didn't. But in the long run, it did turn out to be worthwhile; I figured out why I'm such a civil libertarian.
I was reading this piece and I was pretty bored. The whole "Stay the course" --> "There is no course" banter has been overdone I think, and I'm trying to grit my teeth through op/eds that touch on this topic.
And I finally realized when I read:
Nobody's sorry, though, about secret CIA prisons or extralegal detention or interrogation by brutal "waterboarding" or an Orwellian blanket of domestic surveillance. After all, we're at "war."
The comparison of the state of civil liberties in the USA didn't seem comparable to 'Orwellian' the last time I thought about it. Until yesterday my under-the-breath jokes of coughcough1984coughcough after discourse about wiretapping seemed like nothing more than jokes.
Now, they seem like analogies.
1. I'm not sure if my phone is being wiretapped, without the requirement of approval by a judge, presidential power. Yes, I make and recieve international calls, so I do have standing --> Fear of cameras/wiretapping/communications monitoring for Winston.
2. "If you're not for the war, you're not for our troops" --> Allegiance to the party and joining the Women's Anti-sex league "just to be safe"
3. The camera that busts Winston and Julia for having sex in the Prole apartment --> cases challenging government intervention in the bedroom (Texas sodomy law struck down Sodomy law in Lawerence v. Texas)
These are all brief comparisons that are unarticulated, but the analogies remain. National Security is great, and I don't mind getting my bags searched at the airport, or at the smithsonian, or at the stadium. But an executive branch culture that doesn't seem to show remorse about civil liberties is something I have a difficult time with.
I'm a civil libertarian because 1984 seems real to me, you should be a civil libertarian because your in the same boat as I am, whether or not you lend any weight to Orwell. At the end of the day, we all place our trust in the government, and have to let them go about their way. We're depending on the government to watch our back and protect us from dangerous entities that are foreign and domestic (nuclear war, 'terrorism', flu epidemics, severe weather, spying, and economic collapse).
As I implied, all this is going on behind our backs, I seriously doubt that we'll be able to react instantaneously to protect our rights and liberties as citizens. The government is massive.
Also, it takes much struggling to reclaim, or gain rights that we have lost. Supreme Court precedent is weighty. The right to vote took hundreds of years to fall, 'seperate but equal' remained for longer than I wish to admit to, the supreme court is now falling a little bit to the right.
You should be a Civil Libertarian because if the cost of losing a right is higher than the cost of being a socially concious citizen. If you feel comfortable conceding some of your rights that's pretty legit, I admire your trust in the system, and think I would benefit by learning from you. But...at least know about it when it's happening.
And finally, I think you should be a Civil Libertarian--out of respect. To turn a war-mongering phrase on it's head...many people have fought for our rights, I think you owe it to them to try to protect them and be stingy with them...otherwise the people that died for them would've died in vain. Right?
Thursday, June 15, 2006
One for the little guy
I’m going to take the time right now to advocate for the most underrepresented sense of them all—smell. Think about it, vision and hearing are givens, we think about them every day. People always are conscious of the ‘sights and sounds’ that are around them at all times.
Touch, touch seems to be a big deal, for most of your life too. When growing up, touch is the way that babies explore the world. As toddlers, we continued this trend and grabbed things in our hands and touched them. Dare I say I still remember the way my ‘blanki’ feels? Even later in life, we embrace…hug, kiss, massage, pat on the back, hold hands, have sex. All of that is touching. Touch is clearly represented.
Taste? Umm…food? Everyone eats, with the exception of people who lost their intestines or like have serious digestive problems, and in that case, my deepest sympathies are given. Food tastes good.
That leaves smell. Sure, smelling a rose is a common thing, or grandma’s house…those are pretty token. But as far as senses go, smell is the black sheep. Smell just isn’t as common, or commonly loved as other senses. Smell is difficult, granted. We pass in and out of smell zones and adjust. But, right now the buck stops. I’m standing up for noses everywhere and saying that smell is just as awesome and as important for sensory experience as all the other senses.
First off, smell is very integrated to taste. Our food just doesn’t taste as good if we can’t smell it. Ever had a cold, you probably didn’t taste your food. How unselfish of smelling, it helps out another sense and makes it more effective.
Also, think of how smell can help keep us out of danger, often overlooked. When the rest of our senses are disabled, smell comes in to save the day. Humans can’t see, hear, feel, or taste natural gas coming from the stove…they add a smell to keep us safe. Dogs use smell all the time, to find bombs and bust people for drugs. Is something burning in the house? I don’t know, ‘do you smell something?’
Smell is great. It’s a full body experience. Have you ever had that feeling where something smells so good your entire body tingles? Have you ever hugged a member of your family, and they have a smell that just is comforting? I know if you have a dog you’ve smelled it. I love the way my dog smells (I’m pretty sure he thinks it’s funny when I’m smelling him too).
More importantly though, smell matters with love I think.I believe this because of an experience I had earlier today. I was hangin out with someone and she was packing for a trip, she showed me her perfumes. I smelled one of them, it was pretty nice actually…but I uttered a phrase, and had a mini-moment about it.
“It’s nice, but it doesn’t smell like my soulmate,” I said.
Smell like your soulmate? Wow. What heavy stuff that was on the tip of my tongue. It was kind of crazy, who thinks about what their girlfriend of their soulmate smells like? But it seems so true, I think I partly fall in love with someone as the way they smell (or how something about them smells). Some of my favorite feelings are smells linked to other people.
So respect smell, you might find your ‘one’ with its help. And besides, smell does a lot of really helpful, cool, and useful things.So I don’t mean to say that the other senses pale in comparison to smell, but hey…respect the scent, it’s legit, and it feels good too.
Touch, touch seems to be a big deal, for most of your life too. When growing up, touch is the way that babies explore the world. As toddlers, we continued this trend and grabbed things in our hands and touched them. Dare I say I still remember the way my ‘blanki’ feels? Even later in life, we embrace…hug, kiss, massage, pat on the back, hold hands, have sex. All of that is touching. Touch is clearly represented.
Taste? Umm…food? Everyone eats, with the exception of people who lost their intestines or like have serious digestive problems, and in that case, my deepest sympathies are given. Food tastes good.
That leaves smell. Sure, smelling a rose is a common thing, or grandma’s house…those are pretty token. But as far as senses go, smell is the black sheep. Smell just isn’t as common, or commonly loved as other senses. Smell is difficult, granted. We pass in and out of smell zones and adjust. But, right now the buck stops. I’m standing up for noses everywhere and saying that smell is just as awesome and as important for sensory experience as all the other senses.
First off, smell is very integrated to taste. Our food just doesn’t taste as good if we can’t smell it. Ever had a cold, you probably didn’t taste your food. How unselfish of smelling, it helps out another sense and makes it more effective.
Also, think of how smell can help keep us out of danger, often overlooked. When the rest of our senses are disabled, smell comes in to save the day. Humans can’t see, hear, feel, or taste natural gas coming from the stove…they add a smell to keep us safe. Dogs use smell all the time, to find bombs and bust people for drugs. Is something burning in the house? I don’t know, ‘do you smell something?’
Smell is great. It’s a full body experience. Have you ever had that feeling where something smells so good your entire body tingles? Have you ever hugged a member of your family, and they have a smell that just is comforting? I know if you have a dog you’ve smelled it. I love the way my dog smells (I’m pretty sure he thinks it’s funny when I’m smelling him too).
More importantly though, smell matters with love I think.I believe this because of an experience I had earlier today. I was hangin out with someone and she was packing for a trip, she showed me her perfumes. I smelled one of them, it was pretty nice actually…but I uttered a phrase, and had a mini-moment about it.
“It’s nice, but it doesn’t smell like my soulmate,” I said.
Smell like your soulmate? Wow. What heavy stuff that was on the tip of my tongue. It was kind of crazy, who thinks about what their girlfriend of their soulmate smells like? But it seems so true, I think I partly fall in love with someone as the way they smell (or how something about them smells). Some of my favorite feelings are smells linked to other people.
So respect smell, you might find your ‘one’ with its help. And besides, smell does a lot of really helpful, cool, and useful things.So I don’t mean to say that the other senses pale in comparison to smell, but hey…respect the scent, it’s legit, and it feels good too.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Birthdays and other thoughts
Last year, my birthday was a bust. My family remembered, pretty much nobody else did.
This year was different. Many people called, left facebook messages, and the people down my hall decorated my door and made me a brownie cake (both of which were surprises). I was definitely pleased; I didn't expect to be so far away from home and my closest of friends. It was as almost as good as it could've been--a Jones Soda would have made the evening a 10/10.
I'm kind of funny in that way, though I suppose many others are like minded. I don't like making a big deal on my birthday, but I like it when people remember. Birthdays are my favorite days of the year. Some how they're special, even though the commemerate a milestone that happens on the same date every year. Why is that?
Well, hmmm. Maybe because humans value life so damn much. Maybe we need an excuse to celebrate. Maybe we're taught to value birthdays because our ancestry didn't make it to as many as we do now. That seems like a good reason. Parents also are the ones that control birthdays, or plan early birthdays rather, and kids are kind of a big deal to them.
Anyway, thanks to all the b-day wishes (I'll reply all the facebook messages as soon as I can)!
In other news, Tom Delay is out for the count. I'm sure nobody will miss him. Not because he's lame and has no friends...but there's little doubt in my mind that he'll ever leave Washington.
Any guesses on the issues and companies he'll be lobbying for?
Also in other news. It was quite an exciting week on the Hill. The Federal Marriage Amendment (which failed miserably) was introduced and the GOP publicity stunt is complete. However, I write not in praise or even in disgust over the aforementioned legislation, but to question it.
I confess, I have a serious blindspot when it comes the gay rights issue. It's unsettling because I don't even begin to understand the other side. To me it seems like the biggest double standard of our times--isn't it a blatant reduction in civil rights?
Yes, it doesn't say anything about rights or have any semantic reference to rights. But, it's an effective poll tax...it places a qualification on who can get married, similar to how poll taxes and literacy tests placed qualifications on who could vote. I can't even buy for a minute arguments about destroying the family, or the 'sanctity of marriage' either. The way I see it there factors that destroy the family are based on communication, sacrifice, and contempt. I can't even begin to see how homosexuality is the reason. The only line of reasoning I remotely understand is that daunting phrase "the bible says homosexuality is wrong".
I understand that religious views are powerful, and understand discrimination based on religious view, not that I would ever do it, thinks its necessary, or condone it. Also, religious beliefs are a funny thing because they're not necessarily set completely in stone--as I understand it several denominations of christianity are more open and accept gays into their congregations. Is god judging one and not the other? How does this work?
Right now I stand down on any further discourse on the merits or demerits of both sides of the issue. I only ask:
Someone explain to me, or point me in the direction of someone who can. Not someone who assumes premises, or anything, someone who can rationally explain to me why people hold the view that the Federal Marriage Act should be passed.
This year was different. Many people called, left facebook messages, and the people down my hall decorated my door and made me a brownie cake (both of which were surprises). I was definitely pleased; I didn't expect to be so far away from home and my closest of friends. It was as almost as good as it could've been--a Jones Soda would have made the evening a 10/10.
I'm kind of funny in that way, though I suppose many others are like minded. I don't like making a big deal on my birthday, but I like it when people remember. Birthdays are my favorite days of the year. Some how they're special, even though the commemerate a milestone that happens on the same date every year. Why is that?
Well, hmmm. Maybe because humans value life so damn much. Maybe we need an excuse to celebrate. Maybe we're taught to value birthdays because our ancestry didn't make it to as many as we do now. That seems like a good reason. Parents also are the ones that control birthdays, or plan early birthdays rather, and kids are kind of a big deal to them.
Anyway, thanks to all the b-day wishes (I'll reply all the facebook messages as soon as I can)!
In other news, Tom Delay is out for the count. I'm sure nobody will miss him. Not because he's lame and has no friends...but there's little doubt in my mind that he'll ever leave Washington.
Any guesses on the issues and companies he'll be lobbying for?
Also in other news. It was quite an exciting week on the Hill. The Federal Marriage Amendment (which failed miserably) was introduced and the GOP publicity stunt is complete. However, I write not in praise or even in disgust over the aforementioned legislation, but to question it.
I confess, I have a serious blindspot when it comes the gay rights issue. It's unsettling because I don't even begin to understand the other side. To me it seems like the biggest double standard of our times--isn't it a blatant reduction in civil rights?
Yes, it doesn't say anything about rights or have any semantic reference to rights. But, it's an effective poll tax...it places a qualification on who can get married, similar to how poll taxes and literacy tests placed qualifications on who could vote. I can't even buy for a minute arguments about destroying the family, or the 'sanctity of marriage' either. The way I see it there factors that destroy the family are based on communication, sacrifice, and contempt. I can't even begin to see how homosexuality is the reason. The only line of reasoning I remotely understand is that daunting phrase "the bible says homosexuality is wrong".
I understand that religious views are powerful, and understand discrimination based on religious view, not that I would ever do it, thinks its necessary, or condone it. Also, religious beliefs are a funny thing because they're not necessarily set completely in stone--as I understand it several denominations of christianity are more open and accept gays into their congregations. Is god judging one and not the other? How does this work?
Right now I stand down on any further discourse on the merits or demerits of both sides of the issue. I only ask:
Someone explain to me, or point me in the direction of someone who can. Not someone who assumes premises, or anything, someone who can rationally explain to me why people hold the view that the Federal Marriage Act should be passed.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Inside the beltway
Yes. I'm inside the beltway.
It's been an interesting ride so far. Aside from riding public transit from Baltimore--30 minute bus ride, followed by a 45 minute stint on the subway, followed by walking 5 blocks and waiting, and finally walking 5 more blocks--I mean.
I'm kind of floored by what to say at the moment. It's like I've been going here for awhile. I've been doing a lot of thinking. I'm definitely calmer in the mind, and less confused. Ahh. So tricky. Life is beggining to get clearer, and as much I thought it was going to be less scary, it's even more terrifying because I can't use confusion as an excuse anymore. What a dillema, huh?
This city is interesting, I'm beggining to realize how much it really is in the south. People don't talk on their cell-phones on the sidewalk. It's rude. So, people don't do it. I think I'm falling in love with Denver and I haven't even been there. I love Michigan (Ann Arbor as well as Rochester). I'm alone, so none of this matters anyway.
This city is deceptive, it's very easy to feel lonely and together in it at the same time. The people walk leisurely but with a spring of briskness in their step as well, it's hard to figure if they are going or coming. I see newspapers. The city as a whole seems to breathe. it seems to sway like a willow tree, bending and flexing. It's not like New York, like a rigid machine powered by electric lights and current, but like something that's organic. This place has a tremendous amount of balance. You can taste the vibes of the city just like it is muggy and wet to breathe the humid air.
D.C. has a collective concious, even amidst the partisanship and everyone working in the dog-eat-cat-eat-mouse-kill-dog 10AM to 6PM grind...there's a mutual respect, or so it seems.
At the same time, this place is discomforting. The beltway is a shield, as if it were a great wall. This place is unreal, it seems like reality is so real it's a charade...planned and 'too clean'. I feel like a chambermaid in a glass house when I'm here, trying to keep the walls up. Washington...is quite an exclusive place, and this establishment is perpetuated. But, it's keeping the people warm in bed at night across the country, and helping to keep the world stable. Sometimes though, I wonder if the act of working in politics, is what creates the need for politics in the first place. It seems like, Washington D.C. (and major government systems for that matter), upset the natural order of things and become a self-fulfilling prophecy of controversy, disagreement, and supression.
But...the solution must not be to stone the glass house that the leaders of the world sleep in, but to bring more people inside. I don't think D.C. needs to be swarming with hundreds of people; the masses do not need to make politics their life. The masses need to make politics part of their daily life. The masses need to renew themselves.
Sisco, from down the hall told me about the honor code at Davidson College. Apparently, most people leave their doors unlocked, and it works. People proctor their own tests, and it works. The parallel drawn here, is that there is no exclusiveness about this system, everyone is involved and on board, so nobody has a reason to feel ailienated or vindictive because they are being treated unfairly. I think it's much more important to have ordinary citizens to feel welcome and comfortable on the political scene, not to tear down the political scene altogether.
I love you.
Good-Night.
It's been an interesting ride so far. Aside from riding public transit from Baltimore--30 minute bus ride, followed by a 45 minute stint on the subway, followed by walking 5 blocks and waiting, and finally walking 5 more blocks--I mean.
I'm kind of floored by what to say at the moment. It's like I've been going here for awhile. I've been doing a lot of thinking. I'm definitely calmer in the mind, and less confused. Ahh. So tricky. Life is beggining to get clearer, and as much I thought it was going to be less scary, it's even more terrifying because I can't use confusion as an excuse anymore. What a dillema, huh?
This city is interesting, I'm beggining to realize how much it really is in the south. People don't talk on their cell-phones on the sidewalk. It's rude. So, people don't do it. I think I'm falling in love with Denver and I haven't even been there. I love Michigan (Ann Arbor as well as Rochester). I'm alone, so none of this matters anyway.
This city is deceptive, it's very easy to feel lonely and together in it at the same time. The people walk leisurely but with a spring of briskness in their step as well, it's hard to figure if they are going or coming. I see newspapers. The city as a whole seems to breathe. it seems to sway like a willow tree, bending and flexing. It's not like New York, like a rigid machine powered by electric lights and current, but like something that's organic. This place has a tremendous amount of balance. You can taste the vibes of the city just like it is muggy and wet to breathe the humid air.
D.C. has a collective concious, even amidst the partisanship and everyone working in the dog-eat-cat-eat-mouse-kill-dog 10AM to 6PM grind...there's a mutual respect, or so it seems.
At the same time, this place is discomforting. The beltway is a shield, as if it were a great wall. This place is unreal, it seems like reality is so real it's a charade...planned and 'too clean'. I feel like a chambermaid in a glass house when I'm here, trying to keep the walls up. Washington...is quite an exclusive place, and this establishment is perpetuated. But, it's keeping the people warm in bed at night across the country, and helping to keep the world stable. Sometimes though, I wonder if the act of working in politics, is what creates the need for politics in the first place. It seems like, Washington D.C. (and major government systems for that matter), upset the natural order of things and become a self-fulfilling prophecy of controversy, disagreement, and supression.
But...the solution must not be to stone the glass house that the leaders of the world sleep in, but to bring more people inside. I don't think D.C. needs to be swarming with hundreds of people; the masses do not need to make politics their life. The masses need to make politics part of their daily life. The masses need to renew themselves.
Sisco, from down the hall told me about the honor code at Davidson College. Apparently, most people leave their doors unlocked, and it works. People proctor their own tests, and it works. The parallel drawn here, is that there is no exclusiveness about this system, everyone is involved and on board, so nobody has a reason to feel ailienated or vindictive because they are being treated unfairly. I think it's much more important to have ordinary citizens to feel welcome and comfortable on the political scene, not to tear down the political scene altogether.
I love you.
Good-Night.
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