The center of the universe is a perspective that changes frequently. Every opinion seems to be at the center of the universe. How could it not be this way? Both good and bad come from this...so maybe it's best to ignore the excess and remain close to what is at heart. Here in the city, money is the focus of everything, regardless of what is said and done. We have created a world that exists, almost solely on money. Which produces an excess of everything for some, and hardly a thing for others. So trying to retain the definition of what is close to heart seems impossible. Philosophy and speculation tend to ease the hardships of this reality, but nonetheless provide poor substitution for monetary provisions. Opinions tend to disrupt themselves between people over the topic of money. So what to do in a world crunch of economic upheaval? It's a bunch of crabs and lobsters and monkeys in a barrel, trying desperately to get to the top. And what is at the top? What is it that most of us kick and scream for? I would say that it's somewhere between being comfortable and living luxuriously. How comfortable is comfortable? And how luxurious is luxury? Ask the people on the bottom of the pile and they will tell you stories. They will tell you how they wish they were slightly comfortable. Or that if one day they could "make it" the world would be so much better. And I believe them. Especially if that is all they have in this world. All the complaints, worries and gripes about what is wrong seem to fill the barrel to the point of over flowing. And how about the people who are on the top? Do we ever hear their complaints? We used to not. But now we do. They seem to be worried about the people on the bottom. Those on top do not necessarily want to be associated with those at the bottom and will do almost anything to retain their status. It seems only natural for people to behave this way to me. I cannot find blame on either side. Why would anyone want to live in poverty? Why would anyone want to give up a luxurious life? Like I said earlier, philosophy and speculation do not provide us with a solution for this. I do not believe there is a permanent solution. Only temporary moments of happiness that we can enjoy with what we have. Rich or poor.
A friend of mine, recently, reminded me that happiness is always here. And when we find the time to put aside our distractions; momentarily step away from our responsibilities; stop counting eggs before they hatch; discontinue blaming other people for our own mistakes and insecurities(we all do that); wasting other peoples time with philosophy...happiness is there. As if it never went anywhere. And if you can enjoy it without money, I don't know what to say to you. Maybe you are actually at the center of some strange, alien universe. I dunno. But here on earth, it seems that happiness simply involves having the time to enjoy it. And if we are truly at the center of our own universe then we are surrounded by happiness all the time.
Otherwise, time is money.
your friendly cyberhood
Uncle Samurai
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Clowns Rally against Racism
This I had to share. A representation of the good people coming together? Hell yes. Notice the ethnicity in the picture? This should be acknowledged as a good sign.
As a multi-ethnic individual I would add that this is a very beautiful thing.
This is also in Tennessee.
CLOWN ARTICLE
your friendly cyberhood
Uncle Samurai
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Things to do
Move like magic
Rest like a dream
Sing like the heavens
Speak with patience
Love like a virgin
Fight like a puppy
Admire the booty
Dance to the music
your friendly cyberhood
Uncle Samurai
Rest like a dream
Sing like the heavens
Speak with patience
Love like a virgin
Fight like a puppy
Admire the booty
Dance to the music
your friendly cyberhood
Uncle Samurai
Monday, May 4, 2009
On Behalf Of My Father And His Generation...
I got a phone call from my father yesterday. He was telling me about his job at Hertz rent a car. He returns their rented vehicles back to the parking lot. I'm assuming it is a relatively average paying job. Apparently there was a possibility for a promotion a few weeks back and he and one of his co workers decided to apply. My father is in his 60's. His co worker, a 24 year old woman.
Now, normally in my book, age, gender and ethnicity doesn't matter to me that much, but in this case it seems to be a factor. They are both African/American.
With that in mind, I have to point out that any man from my fathers generation has a particular view on ethnic issues in this country. Confronted by an era of civil rights movements for all minorities and especially African/Americans, his generation made some very important changes to, not only the laws,but the over all perspective of generations to come and some of them have, and still are, paying a price for it.. So being a part of the very next generation, I cannot over extend my gratitude for the grueling effort and results from his particular era that allowed me to grow up with basic human rights. Not to mention the platform it helped to create for women to continue their own struggle for their rights, as well.
Time has passed since then, and the affirmation of such timeless testaments to freedom has slowly become the standard of what is perceived, now, as normal in this country. In other words, now that the hard work is over, the perception of freedom and basic human rights does not seem so dire and desperate to the newer generations. Plus the fact that we are becoming more and more electronically and technologically assisted, adding a more numbing sensation to our continually evolving conscience. But like I already mentioned, I cannot forget about that work that was accomplished. I will always understand what might be going on in the minds and hearts of my fathers generation. They might seem a bit slower to adapt to the world in which they helped create for us, which is growing steadily at a rapid speed and pace; away from them.
So here's what happened. She got the position. And so my father accepted his loss with a card with a letter of congratulations. I would gather that the tension between them, manifested by their competitive nature, was something to be reconciled. And that, to me, was the purpose of my fathers letter. Obviously. To not only congratulate her, but to let go their differences, get back to work, and move on. Inside the letter he inserted a copy of the famous Google searchable, "Willie Lynch Letters." An article from the slave era that when read today, most African/Americans feel the urge to reassure themselves by connecting with other African/Americans. It is quite a shocking and racist article indeed, but nonetheless part of our countries growing and evolving history. (It's strange how negativity, sometimes strengthens the bond between people who are dealing with it). Along with this peculiar article was a note. The note was added to let her know that if she did not understand why the "Lynch" letter was there, she could simply ask him to explain, and that he would be glad to. The way elders always do. It's what allows fathers the ability to console and advise. Women seem to be more intuitive with their knowledge.
Well, being a man of his age and experience,I would automatically assume that it was an invitation to reconnect with her. To put aside the competitive work ethics between them and rekindle the unity that usually connects African/American citizens. In other words, it was a personal and confidential note that he offered to her in that old fashion 'let bygones be bygones' display of chivalry. Aside from congratulating her. But instead of understanding, what I would call an obvious and friendly gesture, what she did in response shocked me and especially my father. (A man who helped his own father to raise his younger sisters after his mother died. And that was during the heat of the civil rights movement in the 60's) Not only did his younger co worker ignore his offer to explain the "Lynch" letter, she turned it over to the Hertz company and got my father suspended! She could have crumpled it up and simply threw it away if she didn't like it! But no, she didn't. It seems that she considered none of this in her reaction and cost my father his job. Can you imagine how that would feel in my father eyes?
I still don't understand how she could do such a thing...
Now, normally in my book, age, gender and ethnicity doesn't matter to me that much, but in this case it seems to be a factor. They are both African/American.
With that in mind, I have to point out that any man from my fathers generation has a particular view on ethnic issues in this country. Confronted by an era of civil rights movements for all minorities and especially African/Americans, his generation made some very important changes to, not only the laws,but the over all perspective of generations to come and some of them have, and still are, paying a price for it.. So being a part of the very next generation, I cannot over extend my gratitude for the grueling effort and results from his particular era that allowed me to grow up with basic human rights. Not to mention the platform it helped to create for women to continue their own struggle for their rights, as well.
Time has passed since then, and the affirmation of such timeless testaments to freedom has slowly become the standard of what is perceived, now, as normal in this country. In other words, now that the hard work is over, the perception of freedom and basic human rights does not seem so dire and desperate to the newer generations. Plus the fact that we are becoming more and more electronically and technologically assisted, adding a more numbing sensation to our continually evolving conscience. But like I already mentioned, I cannot forget about that work that was accomplished. I will always understand what might be going on in the minds and hearts of my fathers generation. They might seem a bit slower to adapt to the world in which they helped create for us, which is growing steadily at a rapid speed and pace; away from them.
So here's what happened. She got the position. And so my father accepted his loss with a card with a letter of congratulations. I would gather that the tension between them, manifested by their competitive nature, was something to be reconciled. And that, to me, was the purpose of my fathers letter. Obviously. To not only congratulate her, but to let go their differences, get back to work, and move on. Inside the letter he inserted a copy of the famous Google searchable, "Willie Lynch Letters." An article from the slave era that when read today, most African/Americans feel the urge to reassure themselves by connecting with other African/Americans. It is quite a shocking and racist article indeed, but nonetheless part of our countries growing and evolving history. (It's strange how negativity, sometimes strengthens the bond between people who are dealing with it). Along with this peculiar article was a note. The note was added to let her know that if she did not understand why the "Lynch" letter was there, she could simply ask him to explain, and that he would be glad to. The way elders always do. It's what allows fathers the ability to console and advise. Women seem to be more intuitive with their knowledge.
Well, being a man of his age and experience,I would automatically assume that it was an invitation to reconnect with her. To put aside the competitive work ethics between them and rekindle the unity that usually connects African/American citizens. In other words, it was a personal and confidential note that he offered to her in that old fashion 'let bygones be bygones' display of chivalry. Aside from congratulating her. But instead of understanding, what I would call an obvious and friendly gesture, what she did in response shocked me and especially my father. (A man who helped his own father to raise his younger sisters after his mother died. And that was during the heat of the civil rights movement in the 60's) Not only did his younger co worker ignore his offer to explain the "Lynch" letter, she turned it over to the Hertz company and got my father suspended! She could have crumpled it up and simply threw it away if she didn't like it! But no, she didn't. It seems that she considered none of this in her reaction and cost my father his job. Can you imagine how that would feel in my father eyes?
I still don't understand how she could do such a thing...
Charlottes World Wide Web
Since the news has gone all Swiney over the pandemic flu...I figure this old tune might be up to date again. Especially since the latest news tells us that some farmer gave it back to the Pig. Now before you start gruntin' about it, I would like to add that, yes, it is better to be safe than sowry...and that the best news will be in proving the media wrong about this suedo panic in the near future. Like we all love to do. The internet and the media reminds me of that famous spider Charlotte and what it read on her World Wide Web,
Meanwhile, back at the ranch...
Pig Meat Blues
by Whistler And His Jugband
Your Friendly cyberhood
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