A Reply To A Dear Friend
...even if that friend exists (to me) only in electronic form:
My original post over at Homer's Brain after learning that Homer was dropping out (?) of the blogging game:
I'm in the same predicament--too much going on in real life, and nobody to share my rambling thoughts with.
I've taken up a real fatalist view on life recently. I've scoured the Internet looking for like-minded individuals, but I must have a fairly unique (and not necessarily in a good way) collection of views, because they're not out there. Redeeming in a way, yet disappointing in another.
Even following historical and religious topics hasn't been as much fun. It seems to me a "Middle Way", to borrow a Buddhist term, is out there. It's right in front of our faces, but we keep making the same mistakes over and over again; the same prejudices, the same biases. Nobody is really looking to improve their point of view through reading and education, it's more like they're just looking for ways to prop up their preconceived notions about the world.
The shouting match between the two political parties leaves no room for intellectuals and moderates. The people that really shine are the puppets who froth at the mouth while parroting the party's talking points. It's pointless to pick a side because as soon as you align yourself with one party, your singular voice (of reason?) is drowned out by the vicious demonization of the other side.
I am equally disgusted by it and have resolved to blog only very infrequently if at all. Some bloggers try and fool themselves by saying "I'm only doing it for myself--it's my creative outlet" which may be true for a few, but the majority want to be heard, their ideas debated and analyzed for the entertainment of both author and reader alike. So if you're not being read, what's the point, where's the motivation?
On a lighter note, life is good on the home front. I'm settling into my mid-twenties quite well, chasing that dollar and finding comfort in things familiar. However, I'm going to do something supremely irresponsible--I'm going to sell my car and buy a motorcycle before I get too old to be totally irrational.
I wish you and your family the best in your journey, Homer. It was fun getting to know you. Maybe by 2008 we'll both be ready to come out of semi-retirement for the election season.
Sincerely,
Justin
------------------------
Friend's original email (not Homer, another guy):
I have to say that I read the latest entry over at Homer's Brain and was saddened by your comments. Not that I don't agree with them but only because it seemed as though you were defeated or just really exhausted. (perhaps it was the context which I read) I'd like to think that you and I agree more than we disagree on most issues but you are right we are only two voices in a sea of fox/ NBC regurgitation. You are right that people don't want to change their point of view or better themselves when regarding their political views. Even if you and they both know that you research the facts and they base everything on what Rush or Dan Rather tell them to believe. I've recently moved to Chicago and the libs up here are as bad as the rePubs back in OK. I try to maintain my polite behavior, as you would have it but on a couple of occasions, I have become highly agressive in some conversations. What's worse is the fact that they are family... I'm to the point when someone tries to start a political conversation I ask them if they can name 5 (just 5 either side of the aisle) senators. If they can not, I politely tell them that my therapist said I can't have political conversations. It saves me the rage when dealing with the proles...
Keep in touch buddy! Stay safe on the moto bike!
----------------------
And my response:
I think Homer's announcement that he was leaving just caught me on a bad day. I hear he's guest-blogging over at Jake McKee's site on occasion now, so you may see me trolling around there in the near future. I must confess I re-read my statements over at homersbrain and found I still agreed with the jist of what I was talking about. Taking that quiz over at Cam's site kinda brought it back--apparently according to Farrah's quiz she posted, I'm a "Disaffected". I still think the majority of what it said was BS, but the part about being cynical (perhaps overly so) and the fact that Disaffecteds make up only about 10% of the voting population rang true. It's easy to be that way when you see REAL problems out there and REAL people suffering while our elected representatives bicker over only the most irrevalant of topics. I've been reminded too often recently of the wisdom in the writings of Mr. Samuel Langhorn Clements---now THAT guy was a cynic.
I am quite sure now that often, very often, in matters concerning religion and politics a man's reasoning powers are not above the monkey's.
- Mark Twain in Eruption
Classes are over at the college (20th Century Asia this past semester was a rea eye-opener) and I've taken up my summer reading list. I've already devoured the first two books of Stephen King's The Dark Tower series: The Gunslinger and The Drawing of the Three, which is Mr. King's ode to J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings saga. I'm going to finish the other 4 books and pick up Carl Sagan's Pale Blue Dot, which I've already heard in truncated Audiobook form. No other writings, religious texts, or great secrets have inspired me to have faith (GASP!) the human race will indeed surpass this technological adolescense and overcome the barriers inherent in getting off this rock like Pale Blue Dot has. It's a brief history of the struggles of the human race, the effect of religious doctrine in the age of reason, and the difficulties and rewards of taking that One Giant Leap For Mankind. Also, if I can get around to it, I'm going to pick up Mark Twain's Helpful Hints for Good Living: A Handbook for the Damned Human Race before Fall semester starts.
I agree that we see eye-to-eye on more topics than we differ. It's one reason why I've felt compelled to keep up with your doings and try to stay in touch. I noticed you dropped off the radar there for a while, too, no doubt due to your recent uprooting. It pleases me immensely to know you are both alive and well, even if it is smack dab in the middle of Liberalsville on the corner of Gunless St. and Overpopulated Ave. I can relate to the holding your tongue in polite conversation: A space-cadet gun-toting atheistic Social Darwinist doesn't integrate well into East Texas society, either. Best of luck to you on that front.
On a more personal note, I've sold my Prelude :( I cared for that car more than any other machine I've ever owned to present date. The hunt is on now for a motorcycle that suits my beginner's needs (no 1300cc sportbikes for me right now, thank you). I ordered riding gear (helmet, gloves, armored jacket, and boots) just yesterday, and am signed up for a Motorcycle Safety Foundation class at the end of this month. Maybe with the extra precautions I can beat the odds that are stacked against me as a new rider. I happen to consider myself a SUPERB cage (bike community slang for automobile) driver, and once I get a two-wheeled machine I can call my own, I know I'll integrate my mind with its controls as well as I did my dearly-missed Honda. It'll be a great adventure, indeed.
As my melodramatic writings (and short email novels) often do, I'll wish you long days and pleasant nights and leave you with one of the more memorable quotes from The Gunslinger:
God pisses down the back of your neck everyday, but he only drowns you once.
Take care,
Justin
My original post over at Homer's Brain after learning that Homer was dropping out (?) of the blogging game:
I'm in the same predicament--too much going on in real life, and nobody to share my rambling thoughts with.
I've taken up a real fatalist view on life recently. I've scoured the Internet looking for like-minded individuals, but I must have a fairly unique (and not necessarily in a good way) collection of views, because they're not out there. Redeeming in a way, yet disappointing in another.
Even following historical and religious topics hasn't been as much fun. It seems to me a "Middle Way", to borrow a Buddhist term, is out there. It's right in front of our faces, but we keep making the same mistakes over and over again; the same prejudices, the same biases. Nobody is really looking to improve their point of view through reading and education, it's more like they're just looking for ways to prop up their preconceived notions about the world.
The shouting match between the two political parties leaves no room for intellectuals and moderates. The people that really shine are the puppets who froth at the mouth while parroting the party's talking points. It's pointless to pick a side because as soon as you align yourself with one party, your singular voice (of reason?) is drowned out by the vicious demonization of the other side.
I am equally disgusted by it and have resolved to blog only very infrequently if at all. Some bloggers try and fool themselves by saying "I'm only doing it for myself--it's my creative outlet" which may be true for a few, but the majority want to be heard, their ideas debated and analyzed for the entertainment of both author and reader alike. So if you're not being read, what's the point, where's the motivation?
On a lighter note, life is good on the home front. I'm settling into my mid-twenties quite well, chasing that dollar and finding comfort in things familiar. However, I'm going to do something supremely irresponsible--I'm going to sell my car and buy a motorcycle before I get too old to be totally irrational.
I wish you and your family the best in your journey, Homer. It was fun getting to know you. Maybe by 2008 we'll both be ready to come out of semi-retirement for the election season.
Sincerely,
Justin
------------------------
Friend's original email (not Homer, another guy):
I have to say that I read the latest entry over at Homer's Brain and was saddened by your comments. Not that I don't agree with them but only because it seemed as though you were defeated or just really exhausted. (perhaps it was the context which I read) I'd like to think that you and I agree more than we disagree on most issues but you are right we are only two voices in a sea of fox/ NBC regurgitation. You are right that people don't want to change their point of view or better themselves when regarding their political views. Even if you and they both know that you research the facts and they base everything on what Rush or Dan Rather tell them to believe. I've recently moved to Chicago and the libs up here are as bad as the rePubs back in OK. I try to maintain my polite behavior, as you would have it but on a couple of occasions, I have become highly agressive in some conversations. What's worse is the fact that they are family... I'm to the point when someone tries to start a political conversation I ask them if they can name 5 (just 5 either side of the aisle) senators. If they can not, I politely tell them that my therapist said I can't have political conversations. It saves me the rage when dealing with the proles...
Keep in touch buddy! Stay safe on the moto bike!
----------------------
And my response:
I think Homer's announcement that he was leaving just caught me on a bad day. I hear he's guest-blogging over at Jake McKee's site on occasion now, so you may see me trolling around there in the near future. I must confess I re-read my statements over at homersbrain and found I still agreed with the jist of what I was talking about. Taking that quiz over at Cam's site kinda brought it back--apparently according to Farrah's quiz she posted, I'm a "Disaffected". I still think the majority of what it said was BS, but the part about being cynical (perhaps overly so) and the fact that Disaffecteds make up only about 10% of the voting population rang true. It's easy to be that way when you see REAL problems out there and REAL people suffering while our elected representatives bicker over only the most irrevalant of topics. I've been reminded too often recently of the wisdom in the writings of Mr. Samuel Langhorn Clements---now THAT guy was a cynic.
I am quite sure now that often, very often, in matters concerning religion and politics a man's reasoning powers are not above the monkey's.
- Mark Twain in Eruption
Classes are over at the college (20th Century Asia this past semester was a rea eye-opener) and I've taken up my summer reading list. I've already devoured the first two books of Stephen King's The Dark Tower series: The Gunslinger and The Drawing of the Three, which is Mr. King's ode to J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings saga. I'm going to finish the other 4 books and pick up Carl Sagan's Pale Blue Dot, which I've already heard in truncated Audiobook form. No other writings, religious texts, or great secrets have inspired me to have faith (GASP!) the human race will indeed surpass this technological adolescense and overcome the barriers inherent in getting off this rock like Pale Blue Dot has. It's a brief history of the struggles of the human race, the effect of religious doctrine in the age of reason, and the difficulties and rewards of taking that One Giant Leap For Mankind. Also, if I can get around to it, I'm going to pick up Mark Twain's Helpful Hints for Good Living: A Handbook for the Damned Human Race before Fall semester starts.
I agree that we see eye-to-eye on more topics than we differ. It's one reason why I've felt compelled to keep up with your doings and try to stay in touch. I noticed you dropped off the radar there for a while, too, no doubt due to your recent uprooting. It pleases me immensely to know you are both alive and well, even if it is smack dab in the middle of Liberalsville on the corner of Gunless St. and Overpopulated Ave. I can relate to the holding your tongue in polite conversation: A space-cadet gun-toting atheistic Social Darwinist doesn't integrate well into East Texas society, either. Best of luck to you on that front.
On a more personal note, I've sold my Prelude :( I cared for that car more than any other machine I've ever owned to present date. The hunt is on now for a motorcycle that suits my beginner's needs (no 1300cc sportbikes for me right now, thank you). I ordered riding gear (helmet, gloves, armored jacket, and boots) just yesterday, and am signed up for a Motorcycle Safety Foundation class at the end of this month. Maybe with the extra precautions I can beat the odds that are stacked against me as a new rider. I happen to consider myself a SUPERB cage (bike community slang for automobile) driver, and once I get a two-wheeled machine I can call my own, I know I'll integrate my mind with its controls as well as I did my dearly-missed Honda. It'll be a great adventure, indeed.
As my melodramatic writings (and short email novels) often do, I'll wish you long days and pleasant nights and leave you with one of the more memorable quotes from The Gunslinger:
God pisses down the back of your neck everyday, but he only drowns you once.
Take care,
Justin
posted by MobileSuitPilotX at 5/12/2005 08:13:00 PM
3 Comments:
Justin,
I'll try to pick up the gunslinger novel. I've been reading the Jack Reacher series by Lee Child. They are entertaining in a low brow kinda way. Fortunately, I'm living in suburbia, Illinois where fortunately you can still own a hand gun. Yeah, uprooting and adjusting to the new surroundings have eaten up most of my time. Chicago is a fun town minus their leftist views. Why, it was just last night, while having drinks, I got into a conversation with a guy who happened to be pro 2nd ammendment but having never read the Declaration of independence, felt that guns should only be used for hunting and never for dismantling a tyrannous government. Even the thought made him uneasy and defensive. I tried explaining that I don't feel that we are at that point in history to where we should take arms against our government but only that our forefathers (I refuse to call them "framers") installed our second ammendment for that sole purpose. He wasn't hearing it. Conversation ended... How about them White Sox?
So, I just thank Michael Moore for turning everyone into political savvy fact hounds. It's like when a conversation about malpractice lawsuits come up, someone inevitably mentions the lady who spilled coffee on her leg. Michael Moore is their SOLE source of info. It's sad really.
Tony
hi there,
I thought this blog was dead, as the last time I checked it, it didn't come up.
I do have something to say about motorcycles. THe MSF class is a great way to go...way too many of us go out there and just buy a bike and everything else is just supposed to fall in place afterwards. But you, I see, are doing the level headed thing by buying the equipment, taking the class and researching the bike...in that order.
As a fellow previous owner of a Honda Prelude (my high school car), I'd like to offer advice about a first bike, if you don't mind...I have a ducati monster 750. Really great bike as far as new riders (which i consider myself...even though I've been at it for years already...call me uncoordinated), but it's expensive with the maintenence (valve timing) and the insurance. If I had a choice I'd go for a used Suzuki SV650...very much the Suzuki version of the ducati m750...only faster, and cheaper. VERY good prices (new or used--but i prefer the look of the previous frame it had before the current model). It's a bike that no one will outgrow and it is good to look at.
Just my 2 cents on the only topic I can really comment on in the above post. :)
I'd absolutely love to see you hanging out at smackmybooty.com!
Jake
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