Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Sounds of Life Outside
I wonder where my life will be in two months. I can't even begin to imagine.
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Saturday, January 31, 2009

   My hero: an off into the sunset look at a debate now- and ever after (the nature and definition of heroism)
*to be fair- this is one of my references, since I don't feel like doing a works cited*

http://www.mikementzer.com/heroism.html

"Heroism: thoughts and definition
In a world subject to change- where all is transient and permanence applies only to the moment, little is granted the title of greatness. Yet amidst the chaos and the strife stand aloft our heroes. They are the consummate examples of right- defenders of all that is good and just, indefatigable champions of the best humanity has to offer. They are our paradigms of excellence, in morals and deeds. They are among us- though not of our ilk, or so it would seem. That assumption though, and the social expectancy for heroes and heroic behavior it perpetuates begins the long and complex discourse that is the western interpretation of the hero. It is this exact discourse that begs the eternal question: what is it that breeds the synergistic blend of unassuaged morality and valor in deed? What makes or defines heroism, and for that matter- heroes? What, or who, is it that sets the sterling standard by which we measure a hero? And more importantly yet- what, or who are deserving of the title?
Identifying the hero is essential to ascertain the nature of heroism, and its applicability to the individual. While it is commonly understood that heroic acts are preformed by extraordinary individuals, and so recognized by society or others as being heroic, such conditions are not a prerequisite for the applicability of the word. Furthermore, it is important to note that heroism is not limited to any set of physical actions, not to physical strength or courage as is often portrayed. This understanding of heroism allows for the widespread use of the term, that is, beyond merely our spandex-clad comic book characters and a few historic notables. Rather it makes the term available to the common public- more to the point: to all those who fit a set of moral (rather than circumstantial) qualifications. It is in this way- and by this framework for the understanding of heroism that heroes can be seen as defined by and indicative of a society's values, and their embodiment of those values. For the sake of clarification, this must be understood as being inclusive of both a physical heroism, and a mental/intellectual heroism, though not exclusively, and often encompassing any degree of the synergy of the two. It is from this, the model of these remarkable few that the “every day hero” takes his cues. Following that, it is from a strongly held conviction in personal values (reflected or shared by society) that the “hero” (of literary/ political, and popular or other manifestations of culture) takes his."
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Sunday, March 2, 2008

   I've been emerasd in life and a creative writing class, here's some of my work as a sample.
J-6 ("On Writing")

" Rip it out, try again. Crossing out an unwanted sentence seems so mundane. The only truly effective thing to do then is to begin anew: an entirely blank, unmarred scrap of paper that will soon bear the scribblings of yet another of the heart's gushings. The impossibility is in the balance; the difficulty is in the subtlety, accuracy, and expression. Here the words feel too heavy, too much an obstacle to cover the depth of the topic; there the words thinly cover the page; the complexity and depth are lost. Wade through the endless sea of words (submergence yourself in them!) to find the few right, and perhaps(through pure chance) you'll emerge from the inky depths victorious. You might (just might- that is) find yourself with a clearer vision than when you began your voyage, and then (and only then) it will have been worth making the plunge.

There is nothing more lovely than that- the breath before nib meets paper and the cycle begins again.It is that flow of ideas to paper, the push-pull accept/reject: creation."
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Saturday, February 16, 2008

   A post revisited
In an address to the negativity of the first post: quite a lot has happened in the past few weeks to warrant such negativity- but so too (I'm learning as age wisens me to its patterns) does life provide more than its adequate share of positive counterbalance to its less favorable tenancies. in this I believe, I've seen too much to support it in my own life, or perhaps it is that I have been fortunate. I am in the most lovely section of this steam-gray town, and if I were either more deleterious or more lucid I could write a poem about it at 6am (which is when I woke up) but all the same, when I should be basking in this sea of culture, and art and intellectualism- I am sick, and the most cerebral think I can bring myself to do is sleep, or sit here typing at the screen staring the way a monkey does at lice.

And no, my fever has not broken, and yes I have to debate in less than an hour- but yes, that same monkey would have a better shot at winning an argument than I right now.

have I mentioned I am sick?
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The world as it rotates
The divas make demands, the pawns obey, the underlings suffer. Now that in its self is a statement of negative implication- to be sure, although perhaps not unwarranted.The history of the world my dear, is one that caters to the highest up on all applicable pyramids.

( but if you will, or find it objectionable, do ignore this rant, it is but the obscure ramblings of a sick individual- one who has been caught bu the plague known as the flu, and at a critically inopportune time. )
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Sunday, January 6, 2008

   ...and in other news.
This year is beginning to look up quite a bit (aside from that pesky and ever present insomnia business) but all in all quite a bit better than before.

The clouded sky is breaking, imagine that! And even here as I sit up at home in the comfort of my chair concerned about very little in retrospect.

This past night has brought me closeer to breaking point than many others in recollection though- not so good as far as far as I can say, but as always, a new dawn breaks, yes?

I don't think I have all too much to say here, other than I'm wholely confused. I came home today to the pleasant suprise of the presidential nominees of both parties duking it out over the issues (or so I thought)only to recieve more and more of the same political catfighting that has shown itself in 21st century politics. I would say that this was a darkened spot on the whole of my satisfaction with the political system as of late (that is globaly and as a whole) but that would be the fallacy of posiive instances (aka: me playing favorites and employing "selective sight" to make mysellf feel better about the darkening state of things.) but not too long after the glowing victory won by both the "unexpected" candidates in the state of Iowa: Huckabee and Obama, riots break out in Kenya- business as usual I hear. I'm not sure what to say of it other than that this is a sitiation to be puzzled by without question. I certainly won't pretend to know the answers.
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Tuesday, January 1, 2008

   A New Year Indeed
The new year came and as far as I can tell- has yet to pass; that is the spirit of hope and revival has not left me. But old habits die hard, I suppose.

There is a certain comfort in the nighttime hours. I can't quite express what it is beyond the feeling of a peaceful existence, and a quiet. That kind of peace seems to be quite the rare commodity these days- particularly globally, particularly in the face of
Benazir Bhutto's recent assassination (Dec 27, 2007)and the disturbing and needlessly bloody aftermath. What I so desperately seek this year is a rebirth of the beauty that all too often eludes our detection in our daily lives.

What our world needs so desperately is "on earth peace, good will to men". Is that so much to ask for a new year's wish?
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Saturday, December 29, 2007

   Breathe
What is I feel passionately about, and can I make an in-class presentation about it?
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Thursday, December 27, 2007

   Winter: a strange day, a strange wind.
I can't say I'm not affected by this strange set of circumstances: I don't have a point or an aim- maybe for now I can forgive myself that much anyways. That was fun and all, for now I'm out of words. No more words for me, it would seem I'm just really hung up over the simplicity of it all. I'm grossed out, as much as I can be for now- bloated with my own emotions, let me drain.
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Wednesday, December 26, 2007

   This is Madness?
Madness is a strange word. Pick it apart- it sounds angry- violent- deep and awful- the mire of confusion associated with madness fits the word. Madness on Christmas day? The day of our Lord is not to be befouled in such a way; it is a time of lambs and of birth and of silent nights proclaiming the heavenly immaculate conception and the virgin birth and so on, madness has no place in the sanctity of this day! Yes, yes I have heard as much. In whispered tones I have heard this much and much, much more.

I'm sleep deprived, I'm weary headed and bleary-eyed, and here I type about madness.

It's the kind of madness that can break a drunken man into tears on this- the holiest of holy days; it is the kind of mad love-lust that can send a fourteen year old girl text-sexing her boyfriend under the Douglass fir; it is the kind of madness that turns the cookie-laden grandmother hands to shut the door on her young charge. Christian empathy my ass- tell it to someone who doesn't know better.

This is madness, and if it is so then I will venture to the edge of my sanity to meet it and t spit in its eye. I will empty myself of reason and in so doing will gain clarity- if nothing else.
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