Maybe I have absolutely nothing to say.
Perhaps I’ve very rightly concluded that everything worth saying or writing has been said.
Most utterings of worth has been recorded already in this blog and so if you want to gain the wisdom of the world, start with my archives and then move on to the Great Books and the Bible to pick up on the odd bits I may have missed.
I have never really been too interested in buying a truck. I don’t haul stuff other than my family and I am secure with my sexual identity. I have however, started watching truck commercials more closely because I have noticed nearly all of them set up some sort of elaborate stunt to highlight the trucks attributes.
I saw one where they were driving a truck with a trailer up a spiraling trail wrapped around a gigantic cone. It must have taken forever to construct the apparatus all to sell people on the hauling capabilities of a truck.
Watch the commercials, they all have some goofy scenario that truck drivers would never encounter by exemplify a particular attribute whether it’s the torque, pulling power or braking. They’ll set up something to show it off.
I suppose car commercials are similar in that they like to show them cruising around corners and dodging obstacles but they are different in that they are far less contrived. Based on this observation, I am left wondering what is it about truck buyers that require the peculiar demonstrations to win their allegiance?
I was thinking about buying a Dodge but I saw this commercial where the Chevy was pulling an airplane down the runway and decided that’s got to be a better truck. I’ve always been a Ford guy, but when I saw that Toyota stop before hitting the dropping crane arm despite pulling a thirty foot boat – hey, how could you not buy the Toyota.
Spending too much time at the bar (space).
Periodically, I look down at my keyboard to see if my collective use has changed the wear on the keys. In a way, a used keyboard is probably a little like a seashore. The people that type their fingers off day after day have the beach with the sand accumulated from millions of waves. Others who don’t use theirs much and have one that looks a lot like it did when they got it would be like the rocky cliff shoreline. Mine, it’s in between probably in the rough stone category of shoreline. Some of the keys are a little shinier than the others but it’s not as if I any of the letters are in danger of disappearing.
The spot where my thumb hits the space bar is by far the most worn spot. I see there is even some wear on the space bar where my left thumb touches it. I don’t recall ever hitting the space bar with my left thumb but I let it hang out there (it doesn’t do much else but hang out when it comes to typing).
I wonder how many times you would have to hit the space bar to wear through the plastic. I am sure someone has use the space bar enough times to wear through it. Some data entry person in a third world country that has to work six days a week, twelve hours a day and never gets a replacement keyboard. That’s probably the sort that would wear clean through.
One other fine pearl of wisdom I will leave with your today – your typing speed and accuracy decreases by at least half when you think about typing while you are typing. Maybe there is a lesson there than can be extended to other facets of my existence. Don’t over think things; just let them flow from your brain unconsciously and you will be more productive.
Do you suppose flies or insects in general have a notion of family? Probably not. It was just a thought. I mean ants and bees have their communities but I can’t see flies and mosquitoes having communities.
I was thinking about this fly that was trapped in my car the other day. He/she finally got out miles from where we started and I wondered if when he got out, wondered where the heck he was. “I know I laid some eggs in the road kill in the street by the park, but nothing here looks at all familiar. I sure hope those eggs turn into healthy maggots and grow up to make me a proud fly parent.” I doubt anything like that goes through a fly brain. Although you wonder if someone like Saint Francis of Assisi would squash bugs and mosquitoes as he seemed to have a very exceptional appreciation of all of life and creation.
I was thinking if flies and mosquitoes had a sense of community they would have far greater regard for their lives. A fly with a family would have the wherewithal to get out of Dodge after someone shoos him away and goes for the fly swatter. Mosquitoes living in community would probably concentrate their blood seeking attacks on animals without the ability to squash them.
I’m glad crows have a posse they run with. Imagine if crows behaved like mosquitoes. All we need so some sort of Hitchcock like situation where crows give up on road kill and start ganging up on live things because they got nothing to lose. If they didn’t have their buds or family, they’d probably pluck out our eyeballs first and then chow down on some fresh flesh when we are defenseless.
I am not sure what the point of any of these observations is but I guess I wonder if our biggest failures as humanity reflect our inability to understand and see one another in community and in family. Do murder, war, assault reflect behavior more fly like than human? Perhaps what we need to do is emphasize the fact that we belong to a very large community comprised of numerous smaller connected communities.
Minnesota recently celebrated its 150th birthday. Didn’t seem to be much fanfare about the event – maybe there’s more on the way, though. Seems to me Iowa changed their license plates for the occasion and seemed to work it into their marketing identity for quite awhile. So why does Iowa play up their anniversary and for Minnesota (at least to this point) it seems like a relatively minor event.
I am not sure what the true value of marking milestones in the life or an organization or individual are. I once calculated the number of days I lived on earth thinking that your 15,000 or 20,000 day is a lot cooler than your 52nd birthday. I put an important date on my calendar but no longer remember the day or even my job at the time and so I doubt it’s still there.
As the administrator of a very old parish (which is part of a very, very old Church), I wonder what is appropriate and also exactly when do you start counting. I can verify Holy Name of Jesus was incorporated in the state of Minnesota on 7/11/1878 – twenty years and two months after Minnesota was founded. However, the written history of the parish identifies priests celebrating mass in the area in 1856. So when does our history start? Whatever date you choose, how should a parish celebrate a milestone like 125 or 150 years?
It seems like every organization places a little different importance on milestones. I suspect that the milestones probably mean more to organizations where there is greater longevity in the membership and a greater sense of history and its importance. It might also have something to do with the speed of change. If we are in a constant change of flux, the past would become seemingly less important more quickly (if that makes any sense).
At any rate, we don’t seem to do much here to honor the past and it wouldn’t appear anyone is too concerned with marking milestones. I am not sure what the consequences of this sort of behavior will be but it seems to convey a transient approach rather than a long-term (or even eternal) which is probably what you would want in a parish.
Have you ever wondered what part you are ideally suited to play? I mean you are watching a TV show or movie and you ask yourself, if I were in this episode which role would I be capable of playing.
Maybe it’s just me. Maybe I’m strange, it wouldn’t be the first time. But I think about it. It’s not like I have every liked the theater or acting or even people getting all dramatical. So for me I aspire to playing a very minor part but playing it in the very best possible way. I guess the real question I confront is, since I can’t act, what character behaves in ways I see myself acting.
One of my girls wasn’t feeling well the other day and so was on the couch watching non-stop reruns of, “American Gladiators.” I think I could do better than Hulk Hogan, who is a co-host to the show, but it’s largely because he relies entirely on clichés (as do the people interviews). Anyway, I thought the best role for me in this show was the referee (back in my day I would have been a contestant – let me tell you). All he says before every segment of the competition is, “Is the contest ready? Is the gladiator ready?” and then blows his whistle.
The reality is though I feel I would be best suited for a person in the crowd. Maybe a notable person in the crowd that gets one line or yells. I could also be either a soldier or cowboy that gets shot. I wonder if all those soldiers or cowboys tell their grandkids about how the got blown up on the beach scene in, “Saving Private Ryan.”
I question whether I could pull off the role of a henchman. Not the big bad guy but one of his cronies. Maybe like the guys Batman and Robin continually beat the crap out of. I could do that but if I was asked to shoot someone because I was mad would the audience buy a guy looking like me behaving so evilly?
I am not totally sure what the point in all this is but I think there is probably some real life evaluation of character and role that would be far more useful. What is the ideal role God has created for me? Am I living it now or is there something better suited for my gifts? How do you know? I could be playing the role of McCloud when I really should be playing Jim Rockford or who knows maybe Fred Sanford. Am I called to be a lead or a spear-chucker? What role do you see yourself playing?
Ostriches don’t put their head in the sand – let’s be clear on that. The phrase does endure and represents a behavior of ignoring the problems around you. I am proposing (for the sake of argument), that this is not such a bad thing.
Sometimes I think it would be far easier to be more pleasant if I could ignore the news. Wouldn’t life be easier if we could just confine our concerns to our home, our work, maybe throw in a school or sports team and forget about the how the price of food is causing wide-spread hunger and starvation?
The problem I run into is trying to figure out causes and solutions to problems and realizing that I am nearly powerless in the grand scheme of things to change them. I could ride my bike instead of using my car and decrease global warming by a one-googleth and at the same time if there was a longer-term approach to decision-making by our country’s leaders, they could change things quickly by whole percentage points.
You are no doubt saying to yourself, “Is the reason things like this bother you is that you are not doing much to change them?” You might advise me to work toward change and then news that our governmental debt, deficit, and trade imbalance would not make me worry about my children’s future.
This may be true, when I hear reports of problems and they result of bad decision-making, I could work for change but I guess my perception of undertaking this activity would that it would be ten times more frustrating than doing nothing. I really don’t think my voice would make a difference relative to 100’s of lobbyists and millions in campaign contributions.
Life is too short to spend it banging your head against the wall. The easier solution is to worry about your family and your work and forget about bigger problems. I need to concern myself with getting enough security/money/wealth/safety/health under my roof and then the national debt won’t affect me as much because I got enough money. It’s better to remain ignorant of problems I can’t control or impact. Just focus your attention on tomorrow’s weather forecast and then refrain from exposing yourself to whatever else the media may produce. The more information you have the more it brings you down. Unless you are powerful or prepared to dramatically simplify your life, dwelling on the world’s big problems will just make you unhappy.
If problems creep into your existence like high gas prices, you do your best to address it by using less gas. Don’t try to lobby for the development of alternative fuels or increasing the refining capacity – use less gas. If higher food prices are getting to you buy less beef and more chicken but don’t get wrapped up into the value of ethanol or economics of agriculture – you’re just asking for trouble.
Set up a metaphorical life support system underground and keep your head in the sand.
The Quiet Man
I celebrated St. Patrick’s Day by watching an all time favorite movie of mine, “The Quiet Man.” The movie is set in Ireland and celebrates both the positive and negative stereotypes of the Irish.
On the positive side there is a very positive sense of community presented throughout the movie. People know one another and largely care for one another. The Church is portrayed as a real positive force in the lives of people and the priests are portrayed as real, non-dysfunctional people.
On the negative side, the Irish are largely portrayed as quick-tempered, ready to fight, and big drinkers. I suppose you could add backward to some extent to the list as well.
I’ve seen the movie many times but before last nights viewing I decided to do some reading on the movie first. I gained a new understanding and a new appreciation of aspects of the film and film making in general.
As I was thinking about an appropriate way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, I started to think that I am short on tradition in my life. I suppose this could be considered good or bad but I have decided I need more personal and or family traditions in my life. So tradition one is that I will watch, “The Quiet Man,” on St. Patrick’s Day. And now I am thinking about adding some meaningful traditions for other meaningful events.
Do you have any suggestions? Do you do the same thing on Easter or Mother’s Day or Arbor Day or Memorial Day? Does the activity increase the meaning of the day? Should it? Should people or groups of people contrive meaningful activities on days of the year (other than going to Church)? What are these things and what are their benefits?
Let’s see if I can come up with some suggestions…
On the Twins opening day, we will have a barbeque and watch the game outside in Twins fan gear.
On the first day of spring, I will hit a golf ball into or onto Holy Name Lake and make up a poem asking the ghost of Bobby Jones to make me a better golfer.
On April 1st, I will put Christmas lights on the house of at least one neighbor or friend.
On May 1st, I will reread the Communist Manifesto and reflect on whether unbridled capitalism is ruining the planet and subjecting the masses to indentured servitude.
On Memorial Day weekend, I will totally submerse myself in a lake in Minnesota and create a list of 10 things I will do over the summer – maybe five fun things and five projects.
So know you get the idea? Have any suggestions?
God, send me some gas – quick.
Divine providence of the dumb enjoying luck? You decide.
I do not have to get gas very often. I don’t like to get gas and dwell on the cost of it and whether or not I use it wisely. I don’t like to freeze getting out of my car to pump it. So I tend to drive as far as possible before I get more gas. I guess I must also admit that there is some inexplicable thrill from riding in a car that might run out of gas. It is a really stupid philosophy as was very directly pointed out on a couple of situations.
On one occasion, I was taking a late drive from Winona to Minneapolis. I don’t recall the circumstances other than I know I was getting low on gas, I know it was bitterly cold, and I know I was mostly in the middle of no where. So I decide at nearly midnight I should get some gas. The person with me figured out the situation and asked why I didn’t get some earlier and not risk freezing to death on a deserted highway? I didn’t really have an answer but do recall how I had to bang on the glass to get the gas station to turn on the pumps.
There was a similar scenario that was equally stupid and I guess I don’t need to tell the story and, once again, there is no good reason why I chose to wait to get gas. I guess the lack of reason is the thing I am trying to come to grips with.
On Tuesday I have class in downtown Minneapolis. My beeper and low fuel light went off right as I took off. I didn’t have time to get gas and was too tired to get it on the way back.
Yesterday I left for my long, four-block trip to work with my car and I figured I would go out during the day and get some gas. I got out of the parking lot and onto the main drag and my car dies. I figure the problem might have been created because the car was on a incline and also figure if I can get a little head of steam I can coast back into the parking lot. All of these decisions were very bad. I end up with my car stuck in an intersection just as school is about to let out. VERY NICE. ABSOLUTELY SWEET. ATTA BOY.
So the second car by is a guy that used to work at the church and he asks me what the situation is, I tell him. He drives as fast as he can to get gas for me, returns as fast as he can, and so I end up being stuck for maybe four minutes. I didn’t have to walk miles to get gas, I didn’t have to push my car anywhere. It ended up being pretty painless. In fact, the last time I ran out of gas (at least 10 years ago), I think about the same thing happened. Someone picked me up took me to the gas station and took me back to my car.
So am I lucky despite being stupid. Is it some strategic plan by demonic forces that will ultimately haunt me when I run out of gas and die? Is it God watching out for me despite being stupid? Does God look after stupid people who don’t know when to buy gas?
I probably won’t change my ways. I will still drive the car until it’s teetering on empty and now that I know pretty accurately how far I can drive after my light comes on until the car dies so I can really push it to the limit.
Backhanded pandering
July 18, 2008Comments
It’s been awhile. I’ve been busy and then gone and then busier. I have not doubt it’s the same with you.
I am sure by this time your appetite for something even semi-profound from me is overwhelming. There is a subject I have been meaning to write on but have continued to put off in the hope that things might change.
Yes, boys and girls, it’s time to talk about comments. You may have noticed there are not a lot of comments. This isn’t a big deal. I read some blogs of people that can write well and actually have insights and they don’t get many comments either. And to truly honest with you, I get a ton of comments. I have the account set up to email the comments to me and I have to approve them before they are posted.
Now before you go calling me some big anti-free speech Nazi, I thought I would give you a sample of the nearly ten potential comments I receive nearly every day. Yes you got that right, I get roughly ten comments to be evaluated every day. I have posted none of them. Why, you ask? Here’s a sampling from the last couple of days:
Comment 1
homesite fast misset planlessly tricaudate leviticus readdress rod <a href=”http://www.intertune.com/” rel=”nofollow”>Intertune</a> http://www.safetyline.wa.gov.au/
Comment 2
prestigiously antiscians warlikely unopenable querier cyclopedical upstick kanara <a href=”http://www.glensplace.com/files/Breakfast/Huevos_Revueltas_con_Cebollas.htm” rel=”nofollow”>Huevos Revueltas con Cebollas, Pimientas, y Tomates</a> http://primetimecrime.com
As you can no doubt deduce, the authors are clearly articulate but I have refused to post their comments below my entries because deep down I am a bigot who can’t stand anyone who doesn’t see the world the same way I do. Reread the comments – it’s it clear to you that they wish to undermine the nirvana I am trying to cultivate.
Given the substantial quantity of these sorts of comments, I often wonder if they are generated by some robot combing blogs and posting and posting and posting. The other option is there is some poor sap exploiting some free bandwidth somewhere, mindlessly posting to random sites and collecting a few pennies when a comment somehow gets posted, and someone happens to click on the link, and then decides to buy something. I doubt this is the case but if you were poor and had little to no money and had access to some internet café in a third world country, how would you try to earn money?
Option A is that you could post meaning comments (to nearly meaningless blog entries) or you could spend the time sending millions of emails claiming you are a queen or a barrister or the widow of the late Sir Francis Hillary, ESQ and need some help getting your fortune out of a repressive African country, which would you chose?
The emails for all these comments were driving me crazy and so I set up a rule to put them automatically in my deleted email box (it saved the problem of deleting them manually). Unfortunately, I see there’s a comment about copyright laws and some material in another post and so while I sort that out, feel free to comment.
Tags:Comments, feedback, third world
Posted in Virtually Unreadable | Leave a Comment »