It appears that without fail each year there is some sort of medical crisis that grips the world in its clutches and starts to do some devastation. The media gives these actual medical emergencies fearful names such as Bird Flu, Mad Cow, and Swine Flu. I kinda feel bad for these animals cause now when someone talks about them they are gonna be synonymous with these pandemics of worldly distruction. Yet there is one epidemic that I have noticed clutching the world and no one seems to comment on; until now. And the fun name I have come up with is pretty simplistic. Its the Douche Disease.
When I talk about this Douche Disease I am narrowing the medical definition to those who are just plain stupid, disrespectful, arrogant, and cocky in ways that can be modified through simplistic steps. Lets call it Stage 1 of Douche. There is a vaccine for it. The other stages of douche go way beyond medical help to even mention here. There is no hope for them. So lets just stick with stage 1 in this rant, thank you.
Now I am not a perfect guy. Far from it in fact if my track record in dealing with the fairer sex has anything to say about it. One divorce and multiple failed relationships. I only bring this up to state that I am coming from a somewhat biased place here. I had to do something douche-like to acquire that record. Yet I like to think that I have been innoculated and am on the road to recovery. Discoveries have been made by me in the process. Yet there are a few instances of the Douche Disease that I have noticed lately that should not go unalerted.
Today in yours truly's favorite book store I overheard a conversation that made me cringe quite a bit. Four men-who-were-anything-but-gentle douched their way up to an isle:
One asked "Why are we in a bookstore?" in a tone that suggested that he didn't know how to even open a book let alone read it.
"I pissed of this one chick (Douche thing #1 to say) and she said something about a book I should get her. I wasn't listening. (And there's #2) So I am gonna get her a book." This was said by a young lad whom I can only assume spent more time trying to figure out the lay of his hair then forming a coherent sentence.
And then a third one piped in with this nugget of wisdom, "Why don't you get her a book on not being a bitch. Or something about her period." GENIUS!!!
Here ends our short play as I had to walk briskly away, banging the stupid out of my head with a hardback copy of Victor Hugo's Les Miserable. It was the thickest book within arms reach. I am actually surprised I didn't throw it at them. I would have dealt with the pain its weight probably would have inflicted to my already sore shoulder.
Marvel won't you at the respect these "men" have for themselves and others. Wonder at the intelligence that they exude. Gasp at the complete humbleness of themselves in the eyes of the world.
Now something baffles me about this little scene, besides how I managed to keep my blood pressure down due to their extremely idiotic and misogynistic comments, and that is how these four people survive and thrive in this world. I am sure by just their outward appearance they are found appealing by the opposite sex without regard to their complete lack of inner anything. I would even hedge a bet that they can have their pick of any number of attractive women.
And these four douches are not the only example. All over this world things like this are happening. Guys can be and say anything douchy and still be seen as appealing to those who should know better. I am surrounded daily by those male specimens that feel entitled to treat woman in such a demeaning way only to be rewarded by the young ladies flocking to them. Its an epidemic I tell ya.
But there is hope. And I, as a medicated patient myself, have a few tips on how to avoid this horrific disease. Its really simple to avoid looking like a douche to ladies.
1. Open a door for her. Its a simple thing that speaks volumes for your character and shows that you have a bit of classic manners long since forgotten.
2. Compliment something. Whether it be something as large as her complete outfit or small as the way her eyes pop when she looks around compliment her on something to let her know you are paying attention.
3. Read the book you are mocking. Let her know that you are interested in what she likes. And even if you don't care for the book itself, read the whole thing so that way you have a conversation not based on the first few pages.
4. Stop referring to others by adjectives. People have names, use them and only them.
5. Put yourself aside for a while. Participate in her life and likes. And don't mock things that you might not find interesting, because she does find them interesting. And soon she might not find you interesting.
These are just a few steps to becoming less of a douche and more of a man. There is a reason the first syllable in manners is "man" cause that is what defines a gentleman in the first place. Manners!
Some might say that this rant is coming from a place of jealousy due to the fact that I don't have a significant other to call my own. I am okay with this fact. I would rather walk this world alone and not look like a douche then the opposite. But for now I am going to follow my own advice and see where it takes me. I bet in the end I will win. I like to subscribe to the old "nice guys finish last" adage.
Now take two of these shots and call me in the morning.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Original Motion Life Soundtrack
Have you ever watched a purely silent movie? One where the sound was never recorded and subtitles are not present? Its boring. Just a flicker of images on the screen trying its best to expand upon a plot line for your entertainment. Its trying its best but it needs something more to be full. It needs a soundtrack to help elicit emotional responses.
All the great moments in cinema are made better through the use of stirring music that literally rips into your soul and makes you feel for what you are watching. Just try to imagine Superman flying through the air; racing against time to save Louis Lane without the iconic themes of John William's score. Or the feather floating around Forrest Gump's bus station bench without that hauntingly beautiful piano melody. It just is impossible to see their worlds without the use of music to enhance it.
Lately I have been thinking about the soundtrack to the most important movie I have seen. The one that plays through my own camera lens I call eyes. Yes, I am talking about life itself.
I see the world through a movie camera. Its an undeniable byproduct to all those years spent in front of the silver screen in my formative and current years. And because I see the world in this manner it only is an obvious extension that I too would hear the world as it would be in a movie; with a fully orchestrated soundtrack.
If one looked at my iPod song lists they would find a schizophrenic, hyper-actively diverse selection of music that I subject my ears to. During a shuffle session my playlist can jump between hard rock, show tunes, big band, classical, celtic harp, country, and Neil Diamond. Yet each and every song has its purpose for being in such an amalgamation. I tend to purchase songs (no Napster for me) that remind me of certain times and memories in my life. When some moment deeply affects me and stays with me I am always more in tune with the music playing in the background then ever before. So in a sense these songs make up the underlying soundtrack to my own movie.
Most of the songs bring back memories of happier days and times spent hanging out with friends or family or, most importantly to me, falling in love. And every song in my soundtrack tells its own story as to how it fits. But there are a great deal of songs that bring about remembrances of the pain, lose, and sorrow of my life's journey as well. Yet that is perfectly fine with me. You see, you have to have a bit of a downer second act or else the third and final act will not be so uplifting.
This idea of creating my own movie's soundtrack has followed me around since long before I can remember. Its a wonderful mental reminder when I listen to my music of where life has taken me and all its lessons that it has brought forth. Some tribulations I have learned from and others the message is a little harder to comprehend, but that's life in all its mystical glory.
Life is not a movie, no matter how much we wish it to be. But that doesn't mean we can't hope for the fulfillment that a great story can bring. I think there are worst ways to view this world than through the lens of your eye camera and with the sounds of your own life album. So while you are wading through your existence start making a note on how music interacts and elicits its own emotional response from you. Compile them into a playlist and really listen to it. Let it take you back to all the memories of times past both good and painful. Its fun and you get one hell of an album; unique to your own movie.
All the great moments in cinema are made better through the use of stirring music that literally rips into your soul and makes you feel for what you are watching. Just try to imagine Superman flying through the air; racing against time to save Louis Lane without the iconic themes of John William's score. Or the feather floating around Forrest Gump's bus station bench without that hauntingly beautiful piano melody. It just is impossible to see their worlds without the use of music to enhance it.
Lately I have been thinking about the soundtrack to the most important movie I have seen. The one that plays through my own camera lens I call eyes. Yes, I am talking about life itself.
I see the world through a movie camera. Its an undeniable byproduct to all those years spent in front of the silver screen in my formative and current years. And because I see the world in this manner it only is an obvious extension that I too would hear the world as it would be in a movie; with a fully orchestrated soundtrack.
If one looked at my iPod song lists they would find a schizophrenic, hyper-actively diverse selection of music that I subject my ears to. During a shuffle session my playlist can jump between hard rock, show tunes, big band, classical, celtic harp, country, and Neil Diamond. Yet each and every song has its purpose for being in such an amalgamation. I tend to purchase songs (no Napster for me) that remind me of certain times and memories in my life. When some moment deeply affects me and stays with me I am always more in tune with the music playing in the background then ever before. So in a sense these songs make up the underlying soundtrack to my own movie.
Most of the songs bring back memories of happier days and times spent hanging out with friends or family or, most importantly to me, falling in love. And every song in my soundtrack tells its own story as to how it fits. But there are a great deal of songs that bring about remembrances of the pain, lose, and sorrow of my life's journey as well. Yet that is perfectly fine with me. You see, you have to have a bit of a downer second act or else the third and final act will not be so uplifting.
This idea of creating my own movie's soundtrack has followed me around since long before I can remember. Its a wonderful mental reminder when I listen to my music of where life has taken me and all its lessons that it has brought forth. Some tribulations I have learned from and others the message is a little harder to comprehend, but that's life in all its mystical glory.
Life is not a movie, no matter how much we wish it to be. But that doesn't mean we can't hope for the fulfillment that a great story can bring. I think there are worst ways to view this world than through the lens of your eye camera and with the sounds of your own life album. So while you are wading through your existence start making a note on how music interacts and elicits its own emotional response from you. Compile them into a playlist and really listen to it. Let it take you back to all the memories of times past both good and painful. Its fun and you get one hell of an album; unique to your own movie.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
If just one person....
Let's talk about Inspiration. The concept is one that we hear a great deal about in this modern world. It seems we, the masses, are always looking for inspiration to fulfill our lives and give it meaning. I am reminded about the election of our current President and his slogan of "Yes We Can" in regards to turning our nation upon a better path. Pretty inspiring stuff if you ask me. It got everyone in a frenzy and actually looked like things might work it out. All that still remains to be seen, but the point is that people were inspired to do something for themselves. Which is a good thing to want. We should be inspired to perform past our abilities and enhance the world. If we don't then who will? If inspiration doesn't push anyone to excel then the world will just become a mundane line with no peaks or valleys. In other words, we will die of just being ehh.
A few souls in my life are doing things that have inspired me or that I feel are inspired in themselves. Here is a small smidgen of who those people are and how they have played a role of Muse in my current existence. Thats right kids, its another list of things!!!!
Well I want to start off with the first person and reason why I am thinking about inspirations in the first place. A friend of mine is doing something truly exceptional and absurd. (I use absurd in a good way here. Trying to expand my vocab.) He has taken it upon himself to celebrate a holiday or multiple holidays each day for a year. Sounds fun doesn't it? Sounds crazy doesn't it a bit? On both I would say a resounding yes. But it is also genius to me. You see, in today's world of cynicism and sarcasm its nice to see a person go around celebrating even the most ordinary of things. Celebrations should be touted with all the trumpets of Jericho instead of being put to the wayside like so often happens. The human condition is hard enough so instead of dwelling on hardships he is trying to lift up the happiness no matter where or what it is. Its not an easy thing to do in the least. I am sure he is tired and overwhelmed by the task at hand. But that is why its inspirational. To do something that you truly believe in without the need for endorsement or accolades, but for just themselves in the face of hardships and stress is the very definition of inspired. He has me following everyday to see how things pan out. I silently watch each video and feel part of something bigger than myself. I have even been thinking about helping whenever I can which is a big step for me cause I have a debilitating shyness that hinders anything like this. One more reason that its inspirational message of joy, fun and hope is powerful. Through his project I have started to want to break down my own walls and do something crazy, or at least be part of it. And I bet he just thought he was doing something for the hell of it.
In my life I have run across some very creative people. Conversations with them bring about an understanding of the world in which we live and how to perceive it in a way that my brain could never conceive of on its own. Most of this creativity stems to the entertainment industry as that is my business. Yet it can also help in all matter of existence. These people that surround me are going to run the world soon and bring forth their unique visions to the mind's eye of the people. It inspires me to see them not hindered by setbacks and rejections. Some use their constant "shut doors" as a means to keep trying and improving till perfection. Sounds like a cliche doesn't it? Well the inspiration comes from my own personal desires to be creative in the world. Yet, as stated before, I have a shyness and laziness that hinders my drive. I am afraid of rejection in the most fundamental ways. And this has stopped me from doing many things in my few years upon this planet. But seeing these individuals push forward is a breathing reminder of why that cliche exists. Cause its true. If you keep pushing forward then soon enough that which pushes you back will give in and embrace you. And that is when real magic will happen. Just you wait and see.
Last, and certainly not least or final, of my inspiring persons is a dear friend of mine who went an just uprooted her life for a dream. She basically pulled stakes and "lit out for the territories" (Thanks, Stephen King) without a concrete plan or direction. To me who has been wanting a path to follow this is truly an inspiration. I have been rooted to my own place with a desire for something new for a very long time and I too would have gone my way had a logical thinking mind not stopped me. I have always wanted to be secure financially and understand what the next three moves are before I act. So just going has never been an option for me; even when I know where I want to go. So when my friend announced she was just going to try some things in a new place I felt really inspired and drawn to her "planless plan." She is brave to chase her dream to whatever corner of the globe it might be hiding in, and along the way find who she is in the mean time. Not saying that she didn't think logically about it all its just she didn't let her brain stop her heart from taking control. And now I am desperately trying to give my own heart the ammunition it needs to make a coup d'etat of my brain's dictatorship. I know it can happen because I have a role model in my friend.
All these things and much more are seen as small things in this vast world, but to me they are huge (and not in the Fun Spot way) and inspirational. I can only hope that one day I will do something in the same vain which may get another to think about what inspires them on a blog post on the internet. Perhaps it will be for my positive use of the word "absurd" to expand vocabulary. Now go find your own inspirations.
P.S. Follow my friends quest to celebrate the holidays at http://celebrateproject.tumblr.com/ and even join in the fun. You will not regret it.
A few souls in my life are doing things that have inspired me or that I feel are inspired in themselves. Here is a small smidgen of who those people are and how they have played a role of Muse in my current existence. Thats right kids, its another list of things!!!!
Well I want to start off with the first person and reason why I am thinking about inspirations in the first place. A friend of mine is doing something truly exceptional and absurd. (I use absurd in a good way here. Trying to expand my vocab.) He has taken it upon himself to celebrate a holiday or multiple holidays each day for a year. Sounds fun doesn't it? Sounds crazy doesn't it a bit? On both I would say a resounding yes. But it is also genius to me. You see, in today's world of cynicism and sarcasm its nice to see a person go around celebrating even the most ordinary of things. Celebrations should be touted with all the trumpets of Jericho instead of being put to the wayside like so often happens. The human condition is hard enough so instead of dwelling on hardships he is trying to lift up the happiness no matter where or what it is. Its not an easy thing to do in the least. I am sure he is tired and overwhelmed by the task at hand. But that is why its inspirational. To do something that you truly believe in without the need for endorsement or accolades, but for just themselves in the face of hardships and stress is the very definition of inspired. He has me following everyday to see how things pan out. I silently watch each video and feel part of something bigger than myself. I have even been thinking about helping whenever I can which is a big step for me cause I have a debilitating shyness that hinders anything like this. One more reason that its inspirational message of joy, fun and hope is powerful. Through his project I have started to want to break down my own walls and do something crazy, or at least be part of it. And I bet he just thought he was doing something for the hell of it.
In my life I have run across some very creative people. Conversations with them bring about an understanding of the world in which we live and how to perceive it in a way that my brain could never conceive of on its own. Most of this creativity stems to the entertainment industry as that is my business. Yet it can also help in all matter of existence. These people that surround me are going to run the world soon and bring forth their unique visions to the mind's eye of the people. It inspires me to see them not hindered by setbacks and rejections. Some use their constant "shut doors" as a means to keep trying and improving till perfection. Sounds like a cliche doesn't it? Well the inspiration comes from my own personal desires to be creative in the world. Yet, as stated before, I have a shyness and laziness that hinders my drive. I am afraid of rejection in the most fundamental ways. And this has stopped me from doing many things in my few years upon this planet. But seeing these individuals push forward is a breathing reminder of why that cliche exists. Cause its true. If you keep pushing forward then soon enough that which pushes you back will give in and embrace you. And that is when real magic will happen. Just you wait and see.
Last, and certainly not least or final, of my inspiring persons is a dear friend of mine who went an just uprooted her life for a dream. She basically pulled stakes and "lit out for the territories" (Thanks, Stephen King) without a concrete plan or direction. To me who has been wanting a path to follow this is truly an inspiration. I have been rooted to my own place with a desire for something new for a very long time and I too would have gone my way had a logical thinking mind not stopped me. I have always wanted to be secure financially and understand what the next three moves are before I act. So just going has never been an option for me; even when I know where I want to go. So when my friend announced she was just going to try some things in a new place I felt really inspired and drawn to her "planless plan." She is brave to chase her dream to whatever corner of the globe it might be hiding in, and along the way find who she is in the mean time. Not saying that she didn't think logically about it all its just she didn't let her brain stop her heart from taking control. And now I am desperately trying to give my own heart the ammunition it needs to make a coup d'etat of my brain's dictatorship. I know it can happen because I have a role model in my friend.
All these things and much more are seen as small things in this vast world, but to me they are huge (and not in the Fun Spot way) and inspirational. I can only hope that one day I will do something in the same vain which may get another to think about what inspires them on a blog post on the internet. Perhaps it will be for my positive use of the word "absurd" to expand vocabulary. Now go find your own inspirations.
P.S. Follow my friends quest to celebrate the holidays at http://celebrateproject.tumblr.com/ and even join in the fun. You will not regret it.
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