For those I know that will be having a difficult time with the season

I would never pretend to know you.
I am often in denial even about knowing myself. But, I know people.
If you look, they're all around. Some of them are better at numbing themselves than others.

But if you notice, they're everywhere. And all of them are suffering somehow. Right now.

Old wisdoms say that suffering is self-made. And, it is true, because it cannot be avoided.
But to find another whose suffering you can tolerate; maybe it even moves you to want to become involved with it, wanting to kill it, or nurturing it like a porcelain kitten; you find that it serves you somehow, and this is the where the great stories come from.

The reciprocity of palatable suffering is what a lot of people call love, and it seems directly proportionate to one's level of patience and selfishness.
For most, even "finding a soulmate" is merely a process of finding someone whose suffering is tolerable, palatable, and desirable, and vice versa.
All other positive qualities of the person are like bonus points.
When it comes down to it, how much do frequent flyer miles really matter? Every airline offers them, and they work pretty much the same, with small differences.

I have listened to all of you for a long time.
I do not expect you to listen to me. But stranger things have happened.
So, in true holiday spirit, I send you my thoughts, a by-product of listening to yours, and hope that they complete the circle somehow and perhaps point you on your way.

Perhaps you will just dismiss them, or become annoyed.
That is fine. They are a gift, and what you do with them is your own private business.
Either way- thank you, take solace in knowing that no on deserves ANYTHING, it is ALL a lie, and good luck.

12/05/2003

Gentlemen: Respect Yourselves

I was thinking-
if Hillary Clinton somehow manages to win the presidential election, she might inadvertently help American men be able to redefine themselves with respect and elegance not based in physical power, therefore allowing them to express themselves in a more "feminine" manner.

Bear with me-
If she is elected, they will have to come up with an equivalent "First Lady" title for the President's husband. Guys are all macho when it comes to this type of thing, and the only really equivalent title would be "First Gentleman".
Guys=Gals
Dude=Chick
Man=Woman
Sir=Ma'am or Madame
Gentleman=Lady

If men actually had to start addressing each other as "gentlemen" in public more often, both men and women might respect them more. As of now, I think guys are so busy being "macho", that the only common, publicly accepted forms of recognition for each other is based on some kind of power or force, rather than how respectful, kind, or dignified a man is. It's like those traits don't matter, as long as he can club something and drag it home.
You guys get no respect.

I never thought that promoting male self-respect would be a platform that I would consider voting for Hillary on, but I think it would be worth it if might somehow help men shed their self-oppressing patriarchy and allow them to express themselves as sensitive human beings.

Think About It

Last year, they gave out flu shots at my workplace.
I was the only one in my department who refused them. "I don't want to get sick", I said. My coworkers assured me that I wouldn't, and then those who weren't completely convinced to go get one, after hearing my points about why they shouldn't, all went and got one immediately.
(WTF???)
After they all came back, a girl from another department came in sniffling and wheezing. She was obviously sick. "What do you have?" they all asked.
"Oh, I got a flu shot last week, and every since, I've had this damn cold".
I just looked at everybody and said, "There. I rest my case. Don't come in and make me sick with your flu shot germs."

Today, a year later, they're handing out flu shots again. And everybody's getting them but me. (WTF???)