"What if the evolution of consciousness, rather than an adaptive quirk of the brain, was actually the central drama, purpose and point, of our whole show? There are, we shall see, philosophers and psychoanalysts, mystics and physicists who propose that this is the case. Inner development is an eccentric process, advancing in sudden jumps, in revelatory sparks and fizzles -- each person is his or her own private universe. Strengthened by suffering and crisis, consciousness does not reach a new intensity according to any predictably linear progress that can be graphed by the tools of modern science. It follows its own wayward path.
What if this deepening of awareness takes place in the margins, in the nooks and crannies of contemporary life, like a weed flowering out of the thinnest sidewalk crack? Could it be, as the somnolent masses and the professional classes press forward in the old direction, seeking the same old rewards, that the new thing self-organizes out of chaos and noise, asserts itself in fragility and silence, then takes root and vitalizes until it suddenly manifests itself as established truth? If something like this was the case, we would be surprised at first -- even shocked -- but then it might occur to us: Perhaps it has always happened this way."
- Daniel Pinchbeck, from 2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl
I feel like writing today. I feel like expressing my opinion on some things that are happening right now. Maybe I'll make this a regular thing. Anyway...
RE: Growing Up for Dummies (NY Times) Emory University professor Mark Bauerlein has written a book called "The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes Our Future." (Amazon) I guess that title is pretty much self-explanatory. It seems that Prof. Bauerlein feels that with the digital age, myspace, blogging, text messages, and google, children spend less time learning and reading, and spending more time looking at the distractions that drown out the real information out there. Not to mention, a declining vocabulary and ability to create complete and meaningful sentences, thanks to chatroom slang.
Honestly, I don't fault the man. I think he's probably right. I got my education with computers and internet around, but these technologies weren't as pervasive as they are now. I actually did research for school papers in a library. Imagine that. I think that allowed me to create a filter in my head, an ability to separate things that are important from things that are not. Perhaps it's that lack of separation that causes people my age and younger to earn a moniker like "The Dumbest Generation."
RE: Did Sexism Rerail Hillary Clinton? (Wall Street Journal) Now that it appears that Hillary's bid for the Democratic nomination is out of her reach, her supporters are turning bitter. They say sexism is the reason she's all but out of the race. They don't even mention that she's Bill's husband, that she's kind of stiff, her lies, and her unbacked claims of experience and accomplishment, all the while looking like the wicked witch of the west in comparison to Obama's idealism. Maybe she had the wrong message. I dunno... I'm just saying that perhaps there are other factors than sexism, though sexism makes a good excuse that firmly places the blame on everyone else. Thanks for calling me a sexist, Hillary.
But really, if positions were switched, and Obama was facing the same dillemma, wouldn't people be crying "racism?" If Obama loses to a McCain (aka, a rich white man) in the fall, aren't we going to hear about it? I think so.
RE: Court: Texas wrongly seized sect children (msnbc.com) RE: Sad parallels between the Texas polygamist raid and Guantanamo (Slate.com) I averted my eyes and ears when the story first broke about the raids on the FLDS compound because I saw this coming. It was from the beginning a gross mishandling of a group of people that, while the government (and me, actually) disaprove of their lifestyle, aren't really hurting anybody. I hear the arguments about brainwashing the women, and children being kicked out of the group for not following along, or for just being boys, and I believe all that is wrong. But separating 464 children from their mothers and placing them into state custody in a broad sweep of "justice" was also wrong, and now it's coming to light.
Currently
listening
:
Moondance
By
Van Morrison
Release date: 1990-10-25
I got home from 10 days of touring late this past Sunday night, and I'm finally getting around to writing about it. First let me say that I have found what I love. I love hitting the road, I love travel, I love music, I love playing music. I feel like Nashville is where my bed is, but my home is out there. Needless to say, I had a great first experience playing in a touring band.
You know, I could go step-by-step, mile-by-mile, a play-by-play recall of everything that happened, but I doubt you'd want to read that. Instead let me hit you with the highlights.
- There's NOTHING in Arkansas. - Check out Bloodhag. They're awesome. Edu-core. Read, motherfuckers! - Hollis trying to climb a fence at the KOA we camped at, flailing and failing, was one of the funniest things ever witnessed... like Chris Farley at his best. I hope those extra buttholes you punctured into yourself heal up well. - About 30 seconds after eating my first Whataburger, a flatulence that was heard in three counties escaped my body, leaving Drew trapped in the booth. "Save yourselves! Leave me be!" - Austin. It's a kick-ass place. - Breakfast tacos - Getting drunker than piss in Austin and acting like fools. - Katelynn and Justin being so kind as to put up with us for a few days. - Camping at Lake Travis, watching the sunset over the water, and drinking by the campfire, then waking up and taking a morning swim, at peace with the world. - Girls dancing on the bar we played in Houston while a bubble machine spewed foam all over them. Apparently the bar, Gary's Spot, is getting a reality TV show. - Getting a room outside Little Rock, and then promptly cancelling it, due to the meth deals going on in the room next door. Don't stay at America's Best Value Inn on Jacksonvill Hwy in North Little Rock, unless you're looking for some crank. - Drinking $1 PBRs at the shittiest of shitholes in Memphis, but having a great time doing it.
And, how about an assortment of quotes: "Bread and mustard does not a turd make." "Bacon is the strawberry of the meat world." "Pull out when you want to stop." "In my butt like a tampon." "What?" "In my butt like a tampon." "What?" "I gotta give Gary Coleman a bath." (aka, take a shit) (by the campfire light at Lake Travis, Drew lounges on his sleeping bag) "Drew in repose... I must draw you." "CHANGE!"
I took a few camera phone pics at Lake Travis (not to be confused with Lake Timothy, that's in a hotel parking lot in Lexington).
Currently
listening
:
Ace of Spades
By
Motörhead
Release date: 2001-08-21
We're less than two weeks from the most magical time of year. No, I know Christmas is in December, but April brings a day even better: Draft Day.
Below is my mock draft. I feel really confident about the first third of the round, the middle third is pretty good, but by the end of Round One I just started filling in random names. I don't even think those people play football.
Anyway. Here it is!
1. Miami - Jake Long, OT, Michigan This pick became a lot easier when word leaked that the Dolphins had already begun negotiations with Jake Long. If they can work out a good deal by the draft, look for Miami to begin their rebuild at the all-important position of left tackle. 2. St. Louis - Chris Long, DE, UVa Jake Long is who they really want, but they'll be just as happy with Chris. Their aging pass rush could certainly use some youth and energy. 3. Atlanta - Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU I believe the Falcons will pass on Matt Ryan and look for a future QB in Rd 2 (Brian Brohm is a very strong possibility), so they'll take a safer pick in addressing their defensive line, plus good DTs are hard to come by. 4. Oakland - Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas Al Davis has attempted to fill most of their glaring needs through free agency this year. That frees up the club to select the most dynamic player in this draft in DMac. 5. Kansas City - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College They can't really believe that Brody Croyle is their guy can they? Not to mention the fact that the team's head coach, GM, and quaterbacks coach all attended Ryan's pro-day must count for something, right? 6. NY Jets - Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio St. Gholston is made to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. The Jets have made that switch under Mangini so look for them to take Gholston, not only to get their guy, but to also make sure their arch-rivals, the Patriots, don't get the guy they want either. 7. New England- Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida The Jets took Gholston, so the Pats take the next best thing in Derrick Harvey. Their aging linebacker corps needs some youth and depth. 8. Baltimore - Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy It has been said that the Ravens love McKelvin with this pick. They need a young guy behind their aging corners. A left tackle is also a very strong possibility here such as Ryan Clady, or if KC passes on Matt Ryan, I don't he'll last longer than this pick. 9. Cincinatti - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC The Bengals prayers will be answered when Ellis is still available at 9. 10. New Orleans - Keith Rivers, OLB, USC Many folks have a CB being taken here, but I think they're mostly satisfied now that they got Randall Gay in free agency. I think they're more interested in upgrading their LBs and Keith Rivers can be great playing alongside new Saint Jonathan Vilma. There's your Top 10. Here's the rest:
11. Buffalo - Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan St. 12. Denver - Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St. 13. Carolina - Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois 14. Chicago - Brandon Albert, OG, UVa 15. Detroit - Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas 16. Arizona - Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State 17. Minnesota - Philip Merling, DE, Clemson 18. Houston - Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt 19. Philadelphia - Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh 20. Tampa Bay - DeSean Jackson, WR, California 21. Washington - Calais Campbell, DE, Miami 22. Dallas - Limas Sweed, WR, Texas 23. Pittsburgh - Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College 24. Tennessee - Jerod Mayo, ILB, Tennessee 25. Seattle - Kentwan Balmer, DT, UNC 26. Jacksonville - Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC 27. San Diego - Brandon Flowers, CB, Va Tech 28. Dallas - Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas 29. San Francisco - Dan Connor, OLB, Penn St. 30. Green Bay - Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona 31. New England - pick forfeited 32. NY Giants - Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
One took place at the school I went to for most of my upbringing. It is a private Christian school, and VERY Christian -- at least it was when I went there. In the dream, though, there’s a huge party going on, and I’m tripping on psilocibic mushrooms, as well as being intoxicated by alcohol and marijuana. I remember the dream being in vivid color, with the colors and objects changing and moving (due to the tripping). Then I ran across Mo, who is one of our valet VIPs. He recognizes me, gives me a greeting and a handshake, and asks me if I will find his car, which is a silver Caddilac XLR convertible, and bring it up to him and he’ll give me $10 (which is a little strange because in real life he tips us $20 and he drives an orange Chevy Avalanche). I find the car, and try to drive when I realize I’m too fucked up to do it. Then the dream fades.
In another I’m in an unfamiliar house with white walls and grey floors. I’m searching through the house (I think other people are there but I don’t remember them or interacting with anyone) when I open a door and on the other side is a room full of hundreds bright yellow baby chicks and bright blue mice making loud chirping sounds. The run at me and out of the room and fill the house. I run away trying to escape them. I finally exit the interior of the house onto the deck. I’m just about to jump over the rail when I see an alligator. He hisses at me and I back off into the house. I make it out on the other side of the house when I’m confronted by two skunks. The start chasing me and I’m running. Luckily, I avoid their foul stench, but I find myself in a large field. In the distance is the edge of a forest. I hear a roar and out of the forest a lion comes at me, jaws open, with a speed that I can’t contend with. When he reaches me, I try to make a matador-type move to avoid him, but when I do, I myself transform into a lion. The only image I remember after that is the corspe of a lioness lying in the field with blood around her neck.
Very very strange. If anyone can explain these to me, that’d be great. Anyone ever turned into an animal in a dream? Anyone ever taking drugs in a dream?
In the interest of full disclosure, I am reading a book about shamanism right now. The last part I read was about the authors’ travels to the Amazon to partake in the ritual ceremony of drinking ayahuasca, which is a terribly bitter potion derived from a plant they call the "Vine of Souls", and typically causes intense vomiting and diarrhea, followed by intense visions and communications with other spirits and beings.
currently listening: The Sword - Gods of the Earth
Two days ago, William Charles Morva was pronounced guilty on all charges stemming from his escape from custody, in which he shot and killed two people, one of them a veteran police officer in my hometown of Blacksburg, Virginia. Today, after hearing from lawyers and witnesses on both sides, the jury recommended the death penalty.
Will responded by smiling and snaping his fingers. He always did that when something went his way. "Like he won the lottery," said the father of the fallen security guard.
I’ve been trying to wrap my mind around this whole thing ever since I saw Will on CNN, when he had escaped from custody and already killed one person, a security guard at the Montgomery Reginal Hospital. I guess I never really understood it, or knew how to feel about it, and now that he will recieve the death penalty, I’m really at a loss.
People say terrible things about him, and even his friends and family, but that isn’t the William Morva I remember. He was awful nice, almost to a fault, especially to anyone who was nice to him. I was talking with my friend, Lea, who knew him and she recalled a story from the summer after our junior year of high school (of course, I wasn’t at the public school that year, I transfered from private school for my senior year). The Young Life group, that both she and Will were a part of, planned a trip to a Young Life camp. Will wanted to go, but his family was poor and couldn’t afford to send him. So, the YL group helped fundraise and pooled their money and paid his way, even giving him $200 spending money for the trip. He spent most of that money on others, buying folks soda and candy if they wanted it. Lea became ill on the trip and spent a couple days in bed. Will bought her a stuffed panda bear from the gift shop, brought it to her, and told her how much it meant to him that everyone gave so that he could be there, and how sorry he was that she couldn’t enjoy the fun that he and everyone else was having.
That’s the William Morva I knew. He did, though, often skip class and rarely paid attention, even though he was a very intelligent kid, but he was more artistically minded. Whatever he felt, he felt very deeply. He was also fairly self-destructive and rebellious to authority, qualities that no doubt grew since I lost touch with him. Even then, it’s hard to accept that I have a friend who will be put to death by the Commonwealth of Virginia for the murders of Derrick McFarland and Cpl. Eric Sutphin.
Currently
reading
:
In Cold Blood
By
Truman Capote
Release date: 01 February, 1994
You may remember a blog post about a friend from high school who escaped from jail and shot two people while on the lam, one of them a cop -- and that even happened before the Va Tech shooting. It's a really nice, quiet, no-crime town, I swear.
His trial (which was moved two hours down the road because pre-trial publicity did not lend itself to a fair jury) has been on-going and it should go to jury today. Apparently his main defense is that he was sick with some sort of bowel syndrome which made pooping very difficult and painful. I guess if my shit was all backed up and I was having to sleep on the floor of the county jail, then I'd probably be driven to killing some pigs, too.... but probably not.
It probably would have been a good idea to get a haircut and shave. He looks like Charles Manson. He doesn't stand a chance. I wonder if they are going to try for the death penalty.
Currently
watching
:
Unforgiven Release date: 26 March, 1997
The Killer I think we're lost, don't worry I've been here before I'm sure I thought I knew the way Out of here yesterday Dove cuesto, mi dolce? Your driver called, it's time to go- Your driver's waiting for you-
And I caught a fever A holy fire- Til I was crawling on the ceiling Come out of your hole I know you know- You know I know- I wanna go-
Such a pretty thing, i've never seen Someone so perfectly deceive- I loved her smile- And her beguiling way with me She smelled exciting, I wanted some- Your drivers' gone- Like everybody-
And that's why I need ya- To catch on fire- I want you to burn me til I feel it- I know you know which way to go- I wantcha to show me So I can steal it- Where should we go? Where should we go? I knwo you know that I'm Gonna need it I know you know which way to go- I know you know- I wanna go
Night By Candlelight Repeat these words After me In all honesty Repeat these words After me If you dare to believe this Yourself
Am I vain? Have I shame? Are my thoughts of a man Who can call himself sane? Do I blame, all my pain On the wickedness I have arranged? If I do, bring it down
Repeat these words After me In all honesty Repeat these words After me If you dare to believe this Yourself
Am I vain? Have I shame? Are my thoughts of a man Who can call himself sane? Is my fate, all the same As the man who has Walked the line straight If it is, bring it down
And I, I must rely, my dear And I, cannot deny, my dear There will be a reckoning Which was, is And is to come
Crime Scene Part One Tonight, tonight I say goodbye To everyone who loves me Stick it to my enemies, tonight Then I disappear Bathe my path in shining light Set the dials to thrill me Every secret has its price This one's set to kill Too loose, too tight, too dark, too bright A lie, the truth, which one should I use? If the lie succeeds Then you'll know what I mean When I tell you I have secrets To attend
Do you think I'm beautiful? Or do you think I'm evil? Will you take me for a ride? The one that never ends Too loose, too tight, too dark, too bright A lie, the truth, which one shall I use? If the lie succeeds Then you'll know what I mean When I tell you I have secrets To attend
Tonight, tonight I say goodbye To everything that thrills me As I throw the chains I forged in life To shatter on the floor As I dream all the evidence Is piling up against me As I breathe all the essence rare Is falling off the vine And if you knew, just how smooth I could stop it on the dime You could meet me at the scene of the crime
Summer's Kiss Did you feel the breeze? My love Summer's kiss is over, baby Over Do you know the words? Sing along with me And put on your rose fur coat, baby It's 1973
My love, this dream I have each night I stare into a blinding light Alone, I stare
Demons, be gone Away from me And come on down to the corner I got something i want you to see The burning sun Too hot for shade Come lay down in the cool grass With me, baby let's watch that Summer fade
My love, this dream I have each night I stare into a blinding light Alone, I stare So sweet This dream is not a dream I wake with it Inside of me Alone, I swear
Currently
listening
:
Black Love
By
The Afghan Whigs
Release date: 12 March, 1996
