Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Quote of the Day
"Washing one's hands of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral."
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Sex is just plain evil
So I'm observing a couple ads like these with an obvious sexual subtext, to which I had the knee-jerk reaction of thinkin: "THAT'S WRONG." But is it? What's really wrong with it?
I've seen ads like these mostly from European nations and I never thought they were perverse. To me, they just appear to be a playful joke (one that will only be apparent to those exposed to this type of culture ANYWAY, so what's the beef?). What makes people so afraid of the subject? I mean, besides the fact that it has been historically demonized. I also think - as I'm sure many do, since I feel like I've heard this opinion before - that demonizing and denying the existence of sexual urges is a sure way to create even darker, nastier, even downright unnatural sexual subcultures. Wouldn't it be better to put it all out in the open and stop acting like it's not there? I mean shit, we've been LYING to ourselves. I think it would be better to just joke about it, and leave it open for discussion. And if everyone does it, it'll also get rid of the pretentious snobs who think they're better than everyone else because they DO talk about it (OFTEN).
There's so much more to talk about on this subject, like the hypocracy of even demonizing sex (a completely natural desire) among people who hold such contempt and judgment about others. THOSE are the evil ones, in my opinion.
But hey, who am I?
You know what, never mind. I mean prohibition worked well. The war on drugs is ALMOST over. Let's just keep it up, right guys? How about it?
P.S. I got a 7-incher for you and I'm in the mood for a roast beef sandwich ;)
Anecdote of the Day, I guess
During the space race in the 1960's NASA was faced with the problem of needing a pen that could write in the vacuum of space. They spent $1.5 million developing such a pen.
The Soviet Union was also faced with this problem.
They used a pencil.
[I researched this a little and found it to be somewhat inaccurate but the message of it is still a good one! In the actual story, the pen was developed (at high cost) by a third party. The pen did make it safer to use in space for several reasons, look it up if you're curious. But what does this say about America's ingenuity? Which lesson do you think is more inspiring, the one that discourages wastefulness by outside the box thinking, or the one that highlights the creativity and determination of the human mind?]
The Soviet Union was also faced with this problem.
They used a pencil.
[I researched this a little and found it to be somewhat inaccurate but the message of it is still a good one! In the actual story, the pen was developed (at high cost) by a third party. The pen did make it safer to use in space for several reasons, look it up if you're curious. But what does this say about America's ingenuity? Which lesson do you think is more inspiring, the one that discourages wastefulness by outside the box thinking, or the one that highlights the creativity and determination of the human mind?]
Sunday, June 21, 2009
A Persian Proverb
He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool; shun him.
He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, can be taught; teach him.
He who knows, and knows not that he knows, is asleep; wake him.
He who knows, and knows that he knows, is a prophet; follow him.
He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, can be taught; teach him.
He who knows, and knows not that he knows, is asleep; wake him.
He who knows, and knows that he knows, is a prophet; follow him.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Quote of the Day
“Restlessness is discontent and discontent is the first necessity of progress. Show me a thoroughly satisfied man and I will show you a failure.”
-Thomas Edison
-Thomas Edison
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Hello, YouTubes!
Past Life
Floating around on thebigview.com (linked in the last post), I found this little thing where you input your birthday and it tells you a little something about your past life. I normally don't really pay attention to shit like this, but I liked the result:
Your past life diagnosis:
I don't know how you feel about it, but you were male in your last earthly incarnation.You were born somewhere in the territory of modern Ukraine around the year 800. Your profession was that of a map maker, astrologer, astronomer.
Your brief psychological profile in your past life:
Timid, constrained, quiet person. You had creative talents, which waited until this life to be liberated. Sometimes your environment considered you strange.
The lesson that your last past life brought to your present incarnation:
It always seemed to you that your perceptions of the world are somewhat different. Your lesson is to trust your intuition as your best guide in your present life.
Do you remember now?
See for yourself.
Your past life diagnosis:
I don't know how you feel about it, but you were male in your last earthly incarnation.You were born somewhere in the territory of modern Ukraine around the year 800. Your profession was that of a map maker, astrologer, astronomer.
Your brief psychological profile in your past life:
Timid, constrained, quiet person. You had creative talents, which waited until this life to be liberated. Sometimes your environment considered you strange.
The lesson that your last past life brought to your present incarnation:
It always seemed to you that your perceptions of the world are somewhat different. Your lesson is to trust your intuition as your best guide in your present life.
Do you remember now?
See for yourself.
The Four Noble Truths, as taught by Gautama Buddha
1. The Nature of Suffering (Dukkha):
"This is the noble truth of suffering: birth is suffering, aging is suffering, illness is suffering, death is suffering; sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief and despair are suffering; union with what is displeasing is suffering; separation from what is pleasing is suffering; not to get what one wants is suffering; in brief, the five aggregates subject to clinging are suffering."
2. Suffering's Origin (Samudaya):
"This is the noble truth of the origin of suffering: it is this craving which leads to renewed existence, accompanied by delight and lust, seeking delight here and there, that is, craving for sensual pleasures, craving for existence, craving for extermination."
3. Suffering's Cessation (Nirodha):
"This is the noble truth of the cessation of suffering: it is the remainderless fading away and cessation of that same craving, the giving up and relinquishing of it, freedom from it, nonreliance on it."
4. The Way (Mārga) Leading to the Cessation of Suffering:
"This is the noble truth of the way leading to the cessation of suffering: it is the Noble Eightfold Path; that is, right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration."
via wikipedia.
a more comprehensive description, with other information about Buddhism available here.
"This is the noble truth of suffering: birth is suffering, aging is suffering, illness is suffering, death is suffering; sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief and despair are suffering; union with what is displeasing is suffering; separation from what is pleasing is suffering; not to get what one wants is suffering; in brief, the five aggregates subject to clinging are suffering."
2. Suffering's Origin (Samudaya):
"This is the noble truth of the origin of suffering: it is this craving which leads to renewed existence, accompanied by delight and lust, seeking delight here and there, that is, craving for sensual pleasures, craving for existence, craving for extermination."
3. Suffering's Cessation (Nirodha):
"This is the noble truth of the cessation of suffering: it is the remainderless fading away and cessation of that same craving, the giving up and relinquishing of it, freedom from it, nonreliance on it."
4. The Way (Mārga) Leading to the Cessation of Suffering:
"This is the noble truth of the way leading to the cessation of suffering: it is the Noble Eightfold Path; that is, right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration."
via wikipedia.
a more comprehensive description, with other information about Buddhism available here.
Flanking Sin
Envy
Greed
Pride
Gluttony
Lust
Sloth
Wrath
Avoiding these is pretty much impossible. You can duck and dodge all you want, but the aspirations for these may still exist. And in moments of weakness, we slip.
If you live with good positive intentions, and with intentions of progress, and intentions to improve upon your surroundings, you become extremely busy, and these sins fade, asphyxiated of negative energy. There's no room for envy, when you're too busy making your life better. There's no room for greed when you are happy with whatever you have. There's no room for pride, when you realize you are the only one who knows you enough to judge. There's no room for gluttony when you waste nothing, and care to be in good shape. There's no room for lust when you have love. There's no room for sloth when you have things to do. And there's no room for wrath when you accept the fact that we are all human, all with the same flaws that because of one particular chain of events causes one to err.
Greed
Pride
Gluttony
Lust
Sloth
Wrath
Avoiding these is pretty much impossible. You can duck and dodge all you want, but the aspirations for these may still exist. And in moments of weakness, we slip.
If you live with good positive intentions, and with intentions of progress, and intentions to improve upon your surroundings, you become extremely busy, and these sins fade, asphyxiated of negative energy. There's no room for envy, when you're too busy making your life better. There's no room for greed when you are happy with whatever you have. There's no room for pride, when you realize you are the only one who knows you enough to judge. There's no room for gluttony when you waste nothing, and care to be in good shape. There's no room for lust when you have love. There's no room for sloth when you have things to do. And there's no room for wrath when you accept the fact that we are all human, all with the same flaws that because of one particular chain of events causes one to err.
Why soccer is the best sport on earth
I havent played soccer (how its supposed to be played) since I was a little kid, but I was just reminiscing on it. I drifted off like I was meditating and I realized what's so great about soccer.
Soccer has formations and coaching and whatnot, but for the most part it is a purely instinctual sport. Therein lies the beauty. It's so simple and pure.
Let's look at dribbling: in basketball you dribble to carry the ball from one place to another. But you can only use one hand at a time. And if you pick up your dribble, you can't dribble again. There are restriction to the way that you play, and the way that you maneuver the ball. With soccer, there really aren't any rules to dribbling, and because of that, the act becomes so free-flowing that its almost as if the ball is an extension of the player.
I mean if you watch the way players move, the way they cut, the way they pick their passes, the feigning, the crazy goals... you don't just learn how to do this shit and be good at it, there's something else there.
Check some of these links out:
Cool
One of the best commercials ever
Natural
Trickeration
[[Now other sports certainly have their merits, and I'm not saying anything should be changed about the rules or whatever. I always say football is like chess, basketball is also a highly skilled and fluid sport, golf requires near perfection, and cheerleading is not a sport.]]
I digress.
Soccer is almost spiritual really. It's like an improvised dance, that comes completely from the spirit. Except the dance has a goal. Everything done in persuit of that goal comes from the heart. This is clear when you see how passionate the players are. No other sport has this type of passion, on that level, that consistently.
Beauty, skill, passion.. and soul.
Seriously though, soccer is like an art.
Ah.. THAT'S why it's the best sport on earth.
Soccer has formations and coaching and whatnot, but for the most part it is a purely instinctual sport. Therein lies the beauty. It's so simple and pure.
Let's look at dribbling: in basketball you dribble to carry the ball from one place to another. But you can only use one hand at a time. And if you pick up your dribble, you can't dribble again. There are restriction to the way that you play, and the way that you maneuver the ball. With soccer, there really aren't any rules to dribbling, and because of that, the act becomes so free-flowing that its almost as if the ball is an extension of the player.
I mean if you watch the way players move, the way they cut, the way they pick their passes, the feigning, the crazy goals... you don't just learn how to do this shit and be good at it, there's something else there.
Check some of these links out:
Cool
One of the best commercials ever
Natural
Trickeration
[[Now other sports certainly have their merits, and I'm not saying anything should be changed about the rules or whatever. I always say football is like chess, basketball is also a highly skilled and fluid sport, golf requires near perfection, and cheerleading is not a sport.]]
I digress.
Soccer is almost spiritual really. It's like an improvised dance, that comes completely from the spirit. Except the dance has a goal. Everything done in persuit of that goal comes from the heart. This is clear when you see how passionate the players are. No other sport has this type of passion, on that level, that consistently.
Beauty, skill, passion.. and soul.
Seriously though, soccer is like an art.
Ah.. THAT'S why it's the best sport on earth.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Makes me wonder...
... how come overCENSORtivity [[e.g. Kanye West kurked on a radio station because they censored
"white girl" out of Golddigger.]] is so common in hip-hop music
...but songs/videos about psychopathic schizophrenic serial killers is cool?
...What the fuck? Sometimes things just don't add up.
"white girl" out of Golddigger.]] is so common in hip-hop music
...but songs/videos about psychopathic schizophrenic serial killers is cool?
...What the fuck? Sometimes things just don't add up.
Dedicated to you
I've been a bad:
brother/son/friend/boyfriend/mentor/student/random dude/ et cetera...
but I'm trying and I promise one day you won't regret allowing me to fill whatever role I've taken in your life
brother/son/friend/boyfriend/mentor/student/random dude/ et cetera...
but I'm trying and I promise one day you won't regret allowing me to fill whatever role I've taken in your life
Quote of the Day
“I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go. Things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they’re right. You believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.”
-Marilyn Monroe
-Marilyn Monroe
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Pipes/Diamonds
I heard someone say today that because the natural life expectancy of humans is much lower than the actual life span, we weren't mean to end up staying with the same person for 30, 40 years.
And it got me thinking:
What if the same thing ran true for alot of the societal "problems" typically attributed to youth? What if, because of the natural life expectancy of humans, kids were meant to become sexual at an earlier age?
What if, because of the natural life expectancy of humans, kids (especially boys) were mean to learn to fend for themselves at an earlier age? What if this same drive, with no natural outlet, is instead channels into less productive endeavors? What if much of the violence and vandalism and malignance in our society is just an outlet for this aggressive urge?
And THAT got me thinking:
If that urge is meant to handle struggle, what happens to people who were raised amongst strife and chaos?
And I immediately thought of three examples.
1) I had just watched Rize, where this amazing, inspirational, positive movement rose (no pun intended) out of energy and frustration felt through having to deal with random deaths, drugs, and poverty channeled by children raised in South Central L.A.
2) K'naan, whose song - fittingly - "Waving Flag" had been playing. This guy came from a place with no government, no law. Everyone forced to fend for themselves. The only "community" is forced out of necessity. And now he provides a light of inspiration for those behind him.
3) And finally, Robert Nesta Marley. My boy. Bobby was raised in Trench Town, Jamaica, surrounded by poverty and violence. I need not mention his influence.
You know what I see here? I see pressure producing diamonds. I see struggle producing genius.
What IF... Our minds were naturally geared to deal with struggle and danger, and that is what awakens the genius within us? What IF... Without that struggle, our minds never REALLY develop to their full capacity?
And my final thought of the night:
What can be labeled as struggle? How far down Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs do we have to travel to be jarring enough to awaken the sleeping legend within us?
Woo... I'm going to bed.
And it got me thinking:
What if the same thing ran true for alot of the societal "problems" typically attributed to youth? What if, because of the natural life expectancy of humans, kids were meant to become sexual at an earlier age?
What if, because of the natural life expectancy of humans, kids (especially boys) were mean to learn to fend for themselves at an earlier age? What if this same drive, with no natural outlet, is instead channels into less productive endeavors? What if much of the violence and vandalism and malignance in our society is just an outlet for this aggressive urge?
And THAT got me thinking:
If that urge is meant to handle struggle, what happens to people who were raised amongst strife and chaos?
And I immediately thought of three examples.
1) I had just watched Rize, where this amazing, inspirational, positive movement rose (no pun intended) out of energy and frustration felt through having to deal with random deaths, drugs, and poverty channeled by children raised in South Central L.A.
2) K'naan, whose song - fittingly - "Waving Flag" had been playing. This guy came from a place with no government, no law. Everyone forced to fend for themselves. The only "community" is forced out of necessity. And now he provides a light of inspiration for those behind him.
3) And finally, Robert Nesta Marley. My boy. Bobby was raised in Trench Town, Jamaica, surrounded by poverty and violence. I need not mention his influence.
You know what I see here? I see pressure producing diamonds. I see struggle producing genius.
What IF... Our minds were naturally geared to deal with struggle and danger, and that is what awakens the genius within us? What IF... Without that struggle, our minds never REALLY develop to their full capacity?
And my final thought of the night:
What can be labeled as struggle? How far down Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs do we have to travel to be jarring enough to awaken the sleeping legend within us?
Woo... I'm going to bed.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Love/Hate
Love and Hate are the same thing, really.
Hate is just what happens when Love is ignored for too long, left in the basement, and allowed to fester and mold over.
Love needs air to grow.
Hate is just what happens when Love is ignored for too long, left in the basement, and allowed to fester and mold over.
Love needs air to grow.
"Dreams"
Dreams are a funny thing
Like recess for the soul
It's a time run and play
With ideas, and with hope
They're when the teaching stops
And when learning begins
They tell us what we can do
when the world says we can't
But they're right, you know
We should listen more often
They are the fuel that feed fires
of vision and of progress
I havent had a dream for months
but today it was different
Today I woke up happy
Today I have a mission
Like recess for the soul
It's a time run and play
With ideas, and with hope
They're when the teaching stops
And when learning begins
They tell us what we can do
when the world says we can't
But they're right, you know
We should listen more often
They are the fuel that feed fires
of vision and of progress
I havent had a dream for months
but today it was different
Today I woke up happy
Today I have a mission
Monday, June 8, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
as cheryl would say... this is straight coonery
T-pain cuts formalities and gets straight to the point...I really hope he's pulling a Stephen colbert right now and mocking through imitation.. i really really hope it hasnt gotten this bad
Transactional Analysis --> The Games We Play
One video i stumbled upon piqued my curiosity and as I dug further I found some really cool insight into the interactions we have with each other. You can attribute some awkward or frustrating contact to these ideas, and hopefully, once the problem can be diagnosed, it can be fixed. I myself was able to quickly and easily identify real-life examples of what these videos talk about. It also goes into games people play and a Drama Triangle, and why it happens... this is GOOD STUFF check it out:
Transactional Analysis YouTube Videos
part 1
part 2
part 3
Wiki articles-
Transactional Analysis
Karpman Drama Triangle
Transactional Analysis YouTube Videos
part 1
part 2
part 3
Wiki articles-
Transactional Analysis
Karpman Drama Triangle
Quote(s) of the Day
"If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything."
"It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world and moral courage so rare."
"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great."
"There are people who strictly deprive themselves of each and every eatable, drinkable, and smokable which has in any way acquired a shady reputation. They pay this price for health. And health is all they get for it. How strange it is. It is like paying out your whole fortune for a cow that has gone dry."
"When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it had happened or not."
"Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear."
"I have never let my schooling interfere with my education."
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster... and if you gaze too long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you."
- Mark Twain
"It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world and moral courage so rare."
"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great."
"There are people who strictly deprive themselves of each and every eatable, drinkable, and smokable which has in any way acquired a shady reputation. They pay this price for health. And health is all they get for it. How strange it is. It is like paying out your whole fortune for a cow that has gone dry."
"When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it had happened or not."
"Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear."
"I have never let my schooling interfere with my education."
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster... and if you gaze too long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you."
- Mark Twain
Thought of the D-d-d-day
Challenging yourself and your beliefs is the most uncomfortable thing in the world, but most of the time that discomfort comes from a place inside you that knows the idea which you are challenging is invalid. Kids are known for asking "why? why? why?" and it can get annoying, so eventually, either through responses which shut them down, or just being ignored, the ceaseless "why?"s eventually cease. But I wish kids weren't discouraged from asking "why?" rather, the question should be cultivated, and given direction. It's an important tool, especially in a society where taking things for granted is too easy (by design), and too often are we disarmed at a young age.
Thought of the Day
There comes a time when one should stop thinking about how things should be and starts making things how they should be. When does that time come? Whenever you think it should.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
Quote of the Day
"Integrity sells for so little, but it is all we really have. It is the very last inch of us. But within that inch, we are free."
- Valerie from V for Vendetta which, again, is a really good fucking movie: officially top 10. ever. say something
- Valerie from V for Vendetta which, again, is a really good fucking movie: officially top 10. ever. say something
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
more bobby
sometimes when certain people talk, you can see that they are so convinced of the truth, that every word and syllable has passion behind it. everything they say is profound and they dont waste time with political correctness or overdramatization. truth runs through him so there need not be a filter. thus his words come with conviction and ease. without even listening to his words one can take comfort from hearing a voice speaking the truth. enjoy
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Question of the Day
Why does it seem people have an easier time [risking] getting in trouble doing the wrong things, than doing the right things?
Monday, June 1, 2009
Does this seem backwards to you?
This is something I've felt for a long time, but I'm not sure if it makes sense or not. Considering that I may have some artist friends who peruuuuuse my blog (everytime i think of the word 'peruse' i say it in my head like 'peruuuuuuuuuse'), I was hoping one or two of you may have some insight.
So basically, what usually happens is: I'll get an image in my head first, with the overwhelming desire to capture it on paper. I'll have no idea where it comes from or what is making me want to save it. But I capture. Then a look at it a day or two later, and low and behold a whole story comes to my head.
At first I felt like I was being cheap. Or not a "real" artist or something. Because I felt like most people have an idea, or a story and FIND a way to translate it and capture it on paper.
But as this has happened more an more, I'm starting to see links between my thought process and the random shit that pops in my head. So to me, it's like my subconscious comes up with a whole package but just gives my consciousness the image for me to figure out. I dunno why it works this way, or even if what I'm saying is true or makes sense or whatever. But I just wanna see if anyone else felt this way, or understands.
So basically, what usually happens is: I'll get an image in my head first, with the overwhelming desire to capture it on paper. I'll have no idea where it comes from or what is making me want to save it. But I capture. Then a look at it a day or two later, and low and behold a whole story comes to my head.
At first I felt like I was being cheap. Or not a "real" artist or something. Because I felt like most people have an idea, or a story and FIND a way to translate it and capture it on paper.
But as this has happened more an more, I'm starting to see links between my thought process and the random shit that pops in my head. So to me, it's like my subconscious comes up with a whole package but just gives my consciousness the image for me to figure out. I dunno why it works this way, or even if what I'm saying is true or makes sense or whatever. But I just wanna see if anyone else felt this way, or understands.
+
I'm making a commitment to positivity from now on. Its really becoming apparent to me that even if your circumstances aren't up to your standards, becoming salty about it is only going to make it harder to pull yourself up out of it. Plus, a negative attitude stunts inspiration.
I've made this commitment before and it was AWESOME, but it slowly eroded due to me keeping bad company, or allowing bad company to affect the way I think, or just losing track of it. Basically positivity has got to be maintained CONSTANTLY... it may seem daunting but the rewards make it more than worth it.
Peace
I've made this commitment before and it was AWESOME, but it slowly eroded due to me keeping bad company, or allowing bad company to affect the way I think, or just losing track of it. Basically positivity has got to be maintained CONSTANTLY... it may seem daunting but the rewards make it more than worth it.
Peace
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