Sunday, April 12, 2009
Art? Beauty? Ugliness? Who the f#@! knows?
While all the 'good' people went to church today and mingled with their addle-brained peers, I was busy practicing witchcraft and becoming a lesbian. How'd you spend your day?
I like this little ditty!
.......................................................
"I talk of freedom
You talk of the flag
I talk of revolution
You'd much rather brag
And as the decibels of this disenchanting
Discourse continue to dampen the day
The coin flips again and again and again
And again as our sanity walks away
All this discussion
Though politically correct
Is dead beyond destruction
Though it leaves me quite erect
And as the final sunset rolls behind the earth
And the clock is finally dead
I'll look at you and you'll look at me
And we'll cry a lot
But this will be what we said
°®ªµÀº·½Öã幪¦â°®ªµÀº·½Öã幪¦â°®ªµÀº·½Öã幪¦â°®ª
µÀº·½Öã幪¦â°®ªµÀº·½Öã幪¦â°®ªµÀº·½Öã幪¦â°®ªµÀº
·½Öã幪¦â°®ªµÀº·½Öã幪¦â°®ªµÀº·½Öã幪¦â°®ªµÀº·½
Öã幪¦â°®ªµÀº·½Öã幪¦â°®ªµÀº·½Öã幪¦â°®ªµÀº·½Öã
幪¦â°®ªµÀº·½Öã幪¦â
Look where all this talking got us baby.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
19 comments:
PMT, You young whippersnapper! I have to be honest. You are introducing me to some music that I am not familiar with. That's not a bad thing. I rather surprised myself and I liked this video too. I just never would have searched it out on my own. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't haven't known what to look for.
Now just don't go introducing me to witchcraft and lesbianism and everything will be just fine.
Actually, I have a girlfriend who is a Wiccan. She likes worshipping a goddess, casts a lot of spells and it seems to make her feel like she is in control of her environment. She has tried to get me to accompany her to a couple of festivals, but she lives in Oregon, so it hasn't been convenient. I'm not at all tempted to become a witch, but it would be interesting to see what goes on at one of their ceremonies.
As far as lesbianism goes, I think women are much more comfortable with the idea of homosexuality than men. I've discussed it with many of my friends and we all admit that we have, at one time or another, been curious about lesbianism. Most of us have considered it and said, "Nah, that's not for me.". Some of them have probably given it the old college try at one time in their lives. I was a rather late bloomer and was never presented with the choice. I don't think I would have been interested, but who knows?
Most men, on the other hand will never admit that they might have had thoughts about what a homosexual encounter would be like. Just thinking about it is too scary for most guys. Too bad. If there were less fear about their own sexual security, there wouldn't be the intense homophobia that we see so often.
Since this is the most recent post I will make a reasonably short non-substantial post...
Apparently, you guys are ramping it up again and by Tuesday...even though I am days behind in painting, I will have to play catch up at wine time.
Just a bit of insight into why I have days where I am totally crazy...spending the day in the company of my slightly dysfunctional family...in honor of the long lost cousin...
I already posted the making of the cinnamon rols(which were awesome, thank you)...we pack everything up for the 45 min drive to my brother's. This is a Stellar Day becuase we have, not only our girls, hubbies, granddaughter, but both brothers and the wives,who really each think that the other is a controlling bitch that ruined the lives of their children, but would never say that to the other...This is only true in one case...I know these things because I am in the middle and get to hear both sides...
The only person missing is my 83 yr old mother and her slightly forgetful 86 yr old companion( but a very charming man to say the least). From the moment I walk in the door,the 2 wives are on me about some phone call my mom made to my brother to say that her friend has not yet arrived to pick her up and she is getting worried...the call is interupted by the Police who claim there is an emergency and my mom trys to hang up until my brother tells her that the emergency is for her phone line...My brother hangs up...waits a bit and tries to reach my mom...no answer...Now the the wives step in and decide that the police interruption is to tell my mom that her companion has been in an accident, had a stroke, died...they are unclear as to exactly what has happened as they have no salient facts...only the police interruption of the phone call as evidence of the above possibilities for disaster.
By the time I get there they have decided on the stroke/death scenario...not realizing that with either scenario he would have been unable to give the police a contact number(which he definitely does not carry on his person). My brother tries her number again...no answer...
The wives are now debating which hospital they have possibly taken him to...and whether they should start calling around to see if someone by his name has been admitted. I,knowing my sisters-in-law...and being the selfish git that I am, am thinking that this is really going to suck as a re-entry of my long lost cousin to the bosom of her family...at which point, the door opens and in walks my mother and said companion...
The wives are all over them and still unbelieving that everything is hunky dory and apparently checking for blood and wounds...It finally comes out through much tutting and fuming and over champagne, that the companion was late, and in the process of calling my brother, my mother inadvertantly dialed 911...which has nothing in common with my brother's number by the farthest stretch of the imagination...the police were breaking into the phone call because they thought that there was an emergency at my mom's house...the wives are still fuming at the lack of blood and a good story as we sit down to brunch.
So...after 2 glasses of Champagne, some exceedingly good Pinot...Cousin, hubbie and I head home to have a visit and just generally discuss the "Gathering" with our oldest, her husband and our granddaughter...a fun time had by all.
Cousin and I polished off about a 1 1/2 bottles of wine with cheese/fruit/French sweet Batard...
Have come full circle...having a latte, and seem to have come over completely sober... :o)
PMT you have until Tuesday eve to find a pillow to sit on after your ass-whoopin'...Tickets available through Ticketron...scalpers will be prosecuted.
WH/CA...you are cordially invited.
Oh yeah...and hang Cheney and Bush...soon.
Also...CA...love the new image!!! Woot! You be good!
WH...limber up those thumbs...will maybe need tag team work on Tuesday.
Oh yeah...Bush/Cheney...hang em.
Wolfmom:
I think "Hang 'em High" should be our motto.
ClearAyes: Read your comments above, couldn't agree more. We have a couple of gay farmer friends (I'm envious because two of them can get a lot of work done on the farm, although the Irish helps me a lot), and we've talked about the nature of male homophobia. I agree that it is fear-based, like most "phobias" (duh!). When a guy tells you he has never wondered what "it" might be like, (and here I'm speaking of an act he has most likely watched someone else do many times) he is lying to two people. My only problem with homosexuality would be in actually loving a man who is not a father, son, or brother. I find most of us (men) not very lovable creatures. I also believe that since most of us (again, men) think about sex approximately constantly, we are unable to perceive homosexuality as being about anything other than physical sex, not comprehending the aspect of romantic love. To appear outwardly so damn simple (as a synonym for stupid), we sure are complicated bastards.
PS- I left you one final comment on the earlier thread.
PMT - I have yet to get any of your YouTube links to work. It's the Iphone. I hope to stop by the Irish' office later in the week and install the software upgrade. That may help.
My brother told me the spider joke a while back. I don't know what the connection might be (cruelty?) but I was reminded of the " you're a mean drunk, Superman" joke. Heard that one?
Windhover (Back in the Groove?)
Just came back around the corner and have a question about the current (and some recent) post. Is there a gentle way to point out the difference between "knowing" and believing? I want to respect the beliefs of others, and especially the sincere ones, like the current poster. But it drives me up a wall when someone says, "We know such and such is true, because.............". I have had this argument with my children (ages 43,40, and 36)
who are believers but insist they "know". When I say it is impossible to "know" any such thing, I do not mean it just in the abstract philosophical sense. Proof and belief are antithetical. I admit that it is true that we often believe something due to evidence or "proof", but the real issue here is "faith", which by its New Testament definition (Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen). That says to me that proof is not needed or even desired to have faith or to "believe" in the theological sense. So if someone says "I have faith" or "I believe", I respect that. But when they say "I know" or especially "We know" I naturally want to ask "Really? Why?"
As I said the other day (unnoticed, or at least unremarked),
I have a one word rebuttal to the idea that god loves us:
Tornadoes.
PS. The above is not just a cathartic rant. I would like to hear some ideas, especially if you disagree. Just please don't be anonymous.
Windhover, off to the feed and seed store.
WH re:11:06...as C.C. says...Holy Hotwick...when did it become a religious forum? Weird.
Cousin goes home this evening...5 pm flight back north. I will most likely relax a bit and post this evening as we have to cram as much as we can into the remaining hours.
I'm with you on this.
oh yeah...Hang'em High...Woot! ;o)
WM, your family reunion experience sounds universal. It reminded me so much of so many of our family experiences.
Well, to be honest, more of experiences with Fred's family. They are quite a crew! Every family visit starts off with muttering about whether Fred's alcoholic brother will show up sober, or show up at all. Then there is the gay brother who insists that we all eat his apple pie for dessert. The man cannot cook worth a damn, but I think that because he is gay, he thinks he should be able to....some sort of weird reverse self-prejudice? Farther down the food chain is the former wastrel brother who is now the self-proclaimed "best grandfather with the best looking grandchildren". (How can that be, when I know my grandchildren are REALLY the best looking?) The youngest is the former heroin addict sister. She has overcome a lot and I really like her, but because of all those lost years, she insists on looking like she just walked out of Woodstock. Add to this multiple nieces, nephews and their kids. Fred loves them all, but is not above some fine zingers aimed in their direction. Generally, twice a year visits are just about all he can take.
WH, Tornadoes, yes, but many "knowers" are sure they are God's punishment and warnings of the Apocalypse to come. I remember Rev. Hagee's comment about Hurricane Katrina being God's punishment for a planned gay rights parade in New Orleans. Wasn't it not too long ago that somebody famous said last year's big earthquake in China was karma for the government's inhumane political policies? Hate comes in all religions.
I wish I had some insight into how to address the "knowers". I don't think it can be done. I think it was Kierkegaard who wrote about a "leap of faith" being necessary to the acceptance of Christianity. (:o)Philosophy 101) Once that leap has been made, they know they believe. The distinction is not important.
Your post here was about as gentle as you could be. You could copy and paste it there, but it would just attract more, "I know because the Bible says so." Once that mindset is in place, there is no real discussion possible.
The best you can do is post your opinions here and hope that a few lurkers will pick up on the distinction.
BTW, Love that Buckeye. Wish he would drop in here.
I was a little turned off by the wave of the blog today. I hate when religion is crammed down your throat right down to the scripture readings. I believe in God and try to follow the rules, but I felt really uncomfortable just knowing what to post after today.
You guys are open to trying new music. I would like you to google Buckethead and listen to "Soothsayer" and then listen to "Padmasana". I fall asleep to Padmasana often. It soothes my worried mind and reminds me of just bobbing around on my sailboat while anchored late at night with a big cocktail. On a happy note, the ice just went out on my lake today. A VERY positive sign of spring and the upcoming sailing season.
Jeannie, Glad to see your post. Some of us are more skeptical than others, but we sure won't come down on anybody for being a "believer", or "non-believer" for that matter.
I'm going to check out your music recommendation for Buckethead as soon as I check off here.
WM, thanks for the nice words about the dogwood drawing.
We're having a shopping trip tomorrow, so I may not have a chance to check in, at least not until later in the day. Hope everyone is having a good evening.
Evening all...I am limiting myself to one glass of wine tonight as I think I need to detox a bit. Sorry this is so late...Bill needed the computer for taxes and I had to go fix dinner, so I had to shut this down and come back to it. Will try to pick up the thread...
While I am looking for my Pyrenees Shepherd boy outfit and my shepherd's crook for tomorrow...I think I will do a bit of a cruise over the last bits...
The problem is where exactly to start...So...
PMT...another great clip and the graphics are good and appropriate and augment the music...I had vague reminders of a bit of Hendricks and the Doors...I also hope your foray into Lesbianism(I think that makes you straight;0)) was a pleasant journey. As long as you were focusing on White Witchcraft you were probably ok, even on a Pagan Holiday/Easter whatever...I will definitely address the art issue tomorrow...I have some very specific thoughts on that. Anyway...you are continuing to be the sweetheart on the other corner...a charmed life, so far ;o)
CA: First...Love the new drawing...super!I am just so excited at what you are doing...Elissa and JD are of similar mind. I also loved your family story...makes mine sound almost sane. On your comments on Lesbianism I think that all of us females, in our lifetimes, have had "crushes" / fixations on female friends/acquaintences and probably thought nothing much of it...I would also think it not uncommon to consider a relationship with a same sex partner. I agree with you that I think women are much more comfortable with the thought(for the most part).
Now, for WH and the religion thing.
I am, quite frankly, a bit put off by the direction the other corner has been taking recently. I, like you, would never tell someone else what to believe, or question their faith...and, I expect the same courtesy in return. I have always said that you don't know what you don't know...there are so many "proofs" through history that have been overturned as new things are discovered, so who is to say how real or factual or authentic anything actually is, as the truth of it can alter when new information or technology change that truth. I am sure there are any number of things out there that few of us have had the experience of, and so, don't "know" or don't understand them.
We are still trying to discover how the Egyptian and Central American pyramids were constructed although every so often PBS or Nat'l Geographic gives over to someone who "has" the answer...same with Stonehenge and similar stone circles...we just don't KNOW...we may know more but we have no definitive answers.
I believe that the same is true of organized religions. Apparently the human creature needs to feel that there is something bigger out there. All through history there have been indications of "god" worship, any number of "isms" have sprung through the centuries to cover any and all contingencies. Who is to say that when the American Indian prayed to the spirit of the deer he just killed to feed his family, thanking it for the gift of its life, that he was followong anything different than a form of worship of a higher being. How is it different from the Romans and their gods and the myths that tried to explain the reality of things? Notice that we now call them myths. Also, how are the written collections of those myths any less a truth than the collections of stories that were written and collected around the same time period, some taken from another religion and then added to, changed, copied, rewritten and then handed down by an organized group as the Truth and the Word...Is a group of armed, winged, angels carrying someone off into the heavens, or god transforming himself into a burning bush any easier to take than Zeus turning into a swan to couple with Leda? Quite frankly, I have issues with them both. The suspension of belief.
But, if you "believe" one or the other, then I think that your faith can be strong and who am I to question it...if you only believe, or "know" it because you are told it is so, then I think that leap of faith that WH described is missing and your faith is empty.
Regardless...a comfort level appears to have been reached for a group to feel that the discussions can focus in this direction. I would prefer information over proselitizing. If it is an exchange of information rather than someone pushing a specific viewpoint I think it is ok.
Sorry. A bit of a wander because I had my train of thought interrupted earlier. I don't know if that agrees with WH's thoughts or answers anything, but there it is and I'd best get it out before there are any other issues...
Cheers, WM
Jeannie... sorry, I was trying to finish an post I had to close down earlier. It is good to see you here and interesting that you were picking up on similar thoughts.
I will definitely google the music you suggested...always like to learn new things. Your description of you on your sailboat under the stars is just lovely...how you must long for the weather to warm up so you can find such a lovely peaceful place.
Look forward to see you posting here.
BTW the Vegetarian recipe you posted last week looked especially yummy...I know this is going to piss PMT off...by I have a friend who has been a "vegetarian" for over 20 years(for health reasons) but she eats some seafood and definitely cheese and milk products...we call her the Soup Queen because she makes such fabulous soups.
If you would like it, I can copy off her Tomato-Spinach and Mascarpone soup...simply scrumptious. You sound like you really enjoy cooking...
Evening...have to go watch "CASTLE"...
PMT:
I'm laying low "over there" cause I'm not solving the puzzle, so don't really have a dog in the fight. I'll post occasionally to poke a finger, maybe, but it'll be a gentle, loving poke. Don't those C's like "tough love"?
My math may be faulty, and my memory sometimes is as well, and I haven't checked, but wasn't Blackboard Jungle released approximately the year you were born? Was there a motive behind naming that one? Possibly because in that one Poitier wasn't being a well-behaved House N but rather a troublemaker? Most white people like their blacks, even academy-award winning ones, in their place. Or maybe it was just "Great Balls of Fire"? (by the Killer).
On a sad note, the message from ITunes said, "This item cannot be accessed from your device". Maybe I can get it when I use the Irish' work computer to upgrade Thursday.
BTW, I may start referring to "the Duke" as "my Device". It has a nice ring, don't you think?
To All, and especially Jeannie,
Thanks for input on yesterday's questions. A great deal of my reading over the last several years has been related to these topics. Of course I have read the "impolite atheists" (Hitchens, Dawkins, Harris, et al, but I find them shrill and off-putting, though I largely agree with their premises. One very responsible writer on on the subject is Bart Ehrman, who ironically is a Christian theologian, teaching, I believe at UNC (the NCAA b'ball champs). Specifically, what I want to know is why these beliefs endure despite all the evidence of a Universe indifferent to our existence? Reading any newspaper thoroughly and critically for 30 days should cure any person of the idea that there is anything remotely similar to a creative, caring, and watchful puppeteer.
I think one subliminal reason for contrary beliefs is that acquiescing to the idea of our "aloneness" would require us if for no other reason than simple self-interest, to treat our fellow humans as well as we do our pets. Now all misfortune, the existence of a permanent underclass, and the concept of "enemies" a la "1984", is simply "god's will".
The Quest continues.
Miss Jeannie,
Have I said something recently to elevate my status on your shit list? The "big cigars" remark was really about John Cash, not Lewinsky, although I did think of that AFTER I sent it.
Windhover, studiously.
WH,
No, I have not heard the "you're a mean drunk, Superman" joke. I can't wait.
As for the YouTube links, I will start posting the exact name of the video so that you can use the YouTube App on the iPhone to search for them. You will be able to play them that way. I get the same message that you do on my iPhone when I try view videos that are embedded in web pages. Hopefully, it is something that Apple is working on fixing.
The video at the top of this thread is titled "White Discussion". The band is called Live and there are multiple videos of this particular song. The one I embedded has a black and white video was posted by russtyballz.
A blonde, a brunette and a redhead went out to lunch and got to talking about their daughters.
The brunette said, "the other day I went through my daughters purse and found some cigarettes, and I didn't even know she smoked!"
The redhead said, "well the other day I when through MY daughters purse and found a pot pipe, and I had no clue she smoked pot!"
The blonde said, "well you wouldn't BELIEVE what I found in my daughters purse...a condom! I had to idea she had a penis!!
Wolfmom, please link the soup recipe.
Guess it's joke day. We need to lighten up.
A guy walks into a bar high atop a skyscraper, orders a double shot, downs it, and orders another. After finishing the second one, he walks over to the railing overlooking the street far below and leaps over it. To the surprise of the other bar patrons, he just floats in midair. After a minute or so, he reaches out, grabs the rail and pulls himself back over. No one says a word as he comes back to the bar and orders another double shot. After downing it like the first, he repeats the over the rail maneuver. When he comes back the second time, a guy at the bar says, How the Hell did you do that? Easy, said the first guy. There's a powerful updraft right next to the building that just suspends you in midair till you're ready to come back in. It's exhilirating! Without a word the second guy downs his drink, walks over to the rail and leaps. He falls 80 stories to his death.
The bartender looks up at the first guy and says, Damn, Superman, you're mean when you drink.
Windhover, ironically?
Jeannie,
I like Padmasana. I have yet to check into Buckethead, so I have no idea of where they're actually coming from, but the name Padmasana clearly has Indian implications. I am intrigued.
Tomato Mascarpone Soup
1 c. diced yellow onion
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 med. Baking potato (about 6-8 oz.) peeled and diced
6-8c. vegetable or chicken stock
1 large can plum tomatoes ( remove stem ends)
2 Tbsp tomato paste
6 oz baby spinach
2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese (grated)
1/3-1/2 c. mascarpone
1 cup milk
Finely diced fresh tomatoes and shredded (basil for topping)
Saute onions and garlic in olive oil. Add potatoes, tomatoes, tomato paste and stock. Simmer for about 30 min or until potatoes are tender. Add spinach and cook for 10 more minutes. Add mascarpone, milk, and parmesan cheese. Blend with a hand blender or put batches into a blender. Top with diced fresh tomatoes and basil.
Jeannie...sorry, had to copy and paste it here. It is a fairly short recipe so not too time consuming to copy off. I keep a folder of friend's recipes in the computer, so no link.
To both you and WH...I really liked the jokes LOL.
My addition, briefly:
A priest, a minister and a rabbi are playing golf together and get into a discussion about what each of their religions consider the definitive moment that defines the beginning of life...
The priest tells them that in the Catholic religion they believe that life begins at the very moment of conception.
The minister says that in his church they believe that life truly begins at the actual birth. The rabbi has been quietly listening and they both turn to him for his answer.
Well...says the rabbi...we believe that life really begins when the kids leave home and the dog dies...
Bah-dum-bump...
Jeannie...I listened to both of the Buckethead pieces you recommended and like them both quite a bit...I can imagine you on your boat, under the stars, drink in hand, lounging a bit and listening to this...very emotional music. I also really liked the visual...it looks like he is wearing a mask which is extremely intriguing.( sorry, if this is a stupid question...I am entirely out of the loop on a lot of things, which is why it is so interesting to hear and see new things).
Thanks to PMT for the link as things are still running a tad slowly on the computer.
WH..I liked a lot of what you said in you later post...have to think on it a bit. I don't know if anything in my meanderings last night answered anything at all. I will try to be a bit more succinct when I answer PMT...have to go back through a few things and try to organize my thoughts on it. It is like a bloody Mistral here today...40-50 mph gusts and the howling is quite amazing...more scheduled for tomorrow.
Jeannie...do you spend a lot of time on your boat in the summer? It just sounds ever so lovely and a good place to unwind,HAving worked in the food world, I can imagine how hard you work...I just remeber long hours, long days. You boat must be a very special place for you.
Back in a bit...have to go put on my Pyrenees shepherd boy outfit for PMT...
PMT and everyone who posts here. Buckethead is a very talented and at the same time disturbed soul that can play the guitar like Elton John can play the piano. His schtick, forgive me "jewish" peeps that might find that offensive, is to wear a Mike Meyers mask and a Kentucky Fried Chicken bucket on his head. Whatever, the guy is very talented on the guitar. I'll put him up there with any one of your favorite guitarists. I only came upon him my accident at a summer festival.
Regarding my sailboat...it's really nothing to look at, it's only a beat up 18' 1985 Laguna Windrose, but I love her. I just came up for the name after 3 years of ownership...Lolita...stupid? I think it fits. The quiet times on her are great, but when the wind is howling acrossed the lake at about 25-30mph, we might be the only ones giving it a go. Her keel is fixed at about 24" so we have some lee way to work with before we get "beached". The fun thing about the lake she is kept is moored is there is a nice island with a decent drop off you can anchor off of to go to sleep below and not worry too much about motor boat traffic. Okay, you asked and you recieved. I love the whole experience.
Jeannie...it sounds absolutely lovely and you definitely have a great love for your boat. I just think that it would be wonderful to have such a getway place...The whole lake/boat thing is fabulous. Life is too short not to take pleasure in such lovely things.
Whoever Buckethead is he is an incredible guitarist. Living near SF in the 60's allowed us to to see a great many extrordinary people.We used to go up
to hear Jimmy Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Holding Co. and many others...this is kind of like reliving those days...you know...like, groovey :o).
As long as you are willing to put up with us old fogies, we are always willing to learn.
FYI everyone...new exhaustive art post is complete under the "teabagging" video...don't know if I kicked butt, but at least a part of the discussion is out there...looking forward to follow-up...now I REALLY have to get out of this shepherd's outfit and put food on the table.
Jeannie...hope you enjoy the soup...just type in WM it takes less time...ta ta for now.
Post a Comment