Loosely Speaking

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Monday, August 24, 2009

Legalize pot? Maybe not...

Yesterday was that sort of diffuse but bright sunlight that makes it hard to keep the eyes open. That, and when we took Davy for a jaunt by the lake downtown, we found the Hemp Fest going on. At first I thought it was maybe Bon-a-dori, but pretty fast it was clearly Stone-a-dori. All I can say is--the people we saw there, blithely immersed in the hemp culture were damn poor PR for legalizing any form of hemp. The vibe was kind of like coming across a field of diseased wildflowers all emitting a... Sign in to see full entry.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Why get married?

I saw a clunky old car, a little Volvo station wagon, cruising down the highway yesterday. On the back window, the words JUST MARRIED! It got me thinking, why do people get married nowadays? Living together doesn't have the stigma it used to, people do it--as they have done for ages, regardless of formal law, in 'common-law'--all the time. So why, one day, do they decide to take the step to actual, formal, official marriage? Of course there are the legal benefits which are considerable, and the... Sign in to see full entry.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

I've heard that...

...in Japan there is silence, even side-by-side with conversations of others. The ear does not hear, the thought does not note what's said or done, what stimulates laughter or fires anger or causes expressions of wonder. Perhaps in Japan it's thus even in Starbucks which I do not doubt are there. It's not so here however and the details of your illness, your business, your gossip, complaints, your confidences are all mine over my silent cup of tea. Do you think I do not hear? I do not note? Four... Sign in to see full entry.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

They take a lot for granted...

the People of the System, the doctors, nurses, et al... With their happy assumption of their own sublime autoritas, they also assume that we are all on board their ship, just waiting to be directed. So they direct. They don't ask, they don't consider, they whisk you along at their pace, regardless of what your own pace is. They speak to you in language they know you will have to learn. They expect perfect compliance; they assume unobstructed willingness. They presume you see all things as they... Sign in to see full entry.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

I find the high pitched whining of mosquitoes most unpleasant.

Neither am I much liking that of these sonic skeeter-discouragers. I haven't decided if it's working yet, but I wonder if skeeters care, seeing as they are making such a similar sound themselves. What if they like it? Well, I could put it across the room, if they do. Sign in to see full entry.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Music again!

Last week, Charlie and I took Amtrak up to Seattle--that was a first for him, and first in a long while for me--to attend another symphony concert. The first piece was a surprise. Not a good one. It was something very new, commissioned by the Seattle Symphony--so I guess they had to play it. The fact is, my musical ear simply lacks the sophistication to appreciate Aaron Jay Kernis' Symphony of Meditations: interminable and tedious to my ignorant ear, this choral work work is translated from... Sign in to see full entry.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

If you dislike a blogger's style or message, don't read.

Simple as that. No clicks, no attention, no audience. No pennies. Why engage in conversation with someone who will not/can not listen, or hear you? Why listen to someone who only wants to own your ears and manipulate your feelings and your thoughts? Why play their game? Ignore trolls, don't feed them, tease or taunt them, challenge them... There is nothing in it of any value. It may seem like they are giving you attention, if that's what you want... but really, they are just clutching at your... Sign in to see full entry.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Yoo-hooooooo!

Where has everyone gone? Has the weather finally turned so nice that everyone is out soaking in the sunshine? Has the winter dragged on so long, people are in a funk, staring at the keyboard with nothing to say? Has the making-a-living part of the day overwhelmed the writing-on-Blogit impulse? halloooo! hallooooo! hallooooooo...! Sign in to see full entry.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

ps Susan Boyle

I theorize that the great fuss about this plain woman with the spectacular voice especially in the US is due to our immense starvation for beauty that is not merely glamour. I use the word in its most traditional sense, as the false shine and illusory beauty with which the soulless Fae seduce mortals into Faerieland. In this society, even that which is beautiful is offered up under such trappings of pseudo-beauty, cheap thrills and 'candy' for the senses and the sensiblilities, we are stupified... Sign in to see full entry.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Susan Boyle

Some days ago someone told me, you have to watch this video... And tonight I finally got around to it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk The comments of the judges following the song come down to this: "This is the biggest wake-up call ever!" The wake-up call is this: to reconsider how we pre-judge people on all the superficials, how we define beauty, how our hearts recognize joy in this jaded world, and are opened up by seeing someone like Susan Boyle. If you haven't seen her, or heard... Sign in to see full entry.

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