I'm jealous, and yet I'm not, of people who live life so blithely that they are completely unaware of what is going on outside their own little narcissistic reality. I'm jealous because it must be nice to have that cushion of unreality, to not be aware enough of the dangers of the world to plan against problems that might arise tomorrow or the day after. These are the people who say global warming isn't real and that nature can take care of itself, but they'll sure be surprised as heck when they wake up in the future and the oceans are dead from overfishing and pollution. We're in the middle of an extinction level event, losing species practically every day, and these people continue to use their aerosol, buy imported items, and support the mismanagement of our world's resources through their lifestyle choices.
But I'm also not jealous of them. Because when the $h17 hits the fan, they're going to be overwhelmed. They're not going to know what to do. They're creating the problem and will go on creating the problem until the problem backs up to their doorstep, and then they won't know how to live. I wouldn't want to be one of these people who don't really know how to live unless the tv tells them how to do it. I don't want my life to revolve around the latest fashion, newest gourmand treat, or my next QVC purchase. I'm not really jealous of them, just wistful for their blissful ignorance. It must be nice to be so numb to the wailing of the world. It must be nice not to think.
They say that the higher your IQ, the less happy you are. The smarter you are, the more you think about things. The more you think, the more you realize all the things that people do which are wrong and how that's going to affect your life and the lives of your future family and of people you don't even know yet but who you will love. Think of all the people who have developed cancer from exposure to asbestos and how many years the people who allowed them to be exposed knew about the toxic effects of exposure and preferred to do nothing because it was cheaper. Think about the fact that it's okay to sell poison like cigarettes and alcohol in stores, provided they have warning labels. In the end, I'd rather be someone who thinks and is unhappy than one those people who is blissfully unaware of the harm they cause, whether they come by their ignorance naturally or through the medication that the tv tells them they should have. I want to think and know and strive for a better world. I don't want to be part of the problem.
July 7th
During Hashi Matsuri or Tanabata, Japanese families mark the reunion of two celestial lovers. Called the Tanabata lovers, they are the stars Vega and Aquila, separated by the Milky Way, the "celestrial river." Vega represents the weaver maiden Zhi Nu and Aquila is the cowherd. Children's writing samples and personal pleas are affixed to bamboo fronds. Prayers will be answered and the children's writing will improve.
The Roman festival of Consualia honored Consus, god of harvests. The Feriae Ancillarum was the Festival of the Handmaids during which maids were beyond the control of their mistresses. The second festival of Parilia honors the Pales. A special feast, called the Nonae Caprotinae (Nones of the Wild Fig), was celebrated in honor of Juno on the Nones of Quintilis (7th of July). Female servants went in procession to a fig tree, carrying on all kinds of sports. Maidservants had charade fights with stones and engaged in other competitions. A feast was enjoyed at the tree, followed by a day of thanksgiving on the 8th.
Comments (8)
Ahhhh... damn... there you go knocking my poisons (cigarettes and alcohol). Although I plan to give up the smokes. I'll never give up the booze. I'm not an alcoholic but there are times when it's very therapeutic... and the alcohol helps to convert my PSVT when I'm not stressed to the gills like I was the past year and a half. And, that's much cheaper than an emergency room visit.
I do agree with the rest though. I'm all for people getting rid of their dryers because of what that does to our air quality and the ozone when they run them. There's nothing wrong with a good old fashioned clothes line. We even saw a place advertising them as "solar clothes dryers" in California once.
Of course, I could go on with a list of things forever. One day we'll be back to the horse and buggy days and these people guzzling the gas are gonna be shell-shocked. Heck, they're going to be shell-shocked over a lot of things, aren't they? I'm not saying it's going to be fun to watch. Some of them aren't going to take it well, once the Sh17 hits the fan. Especially the ones with NPD.
I don't think those types of peoples will ever get a wake up call. That would involve connect A to B. No, they'll just steal resources from the rest of us and then justify it with some lame excuse.
@Broom_Service - You, give up cigarettes? Broomy!
I've actually been thinking about taking up smoking, just because all the PR about how cigarettes are "dangerous" pisses me off. If I want to suck tar into my lungs 4-5 times a day, isn't that my choice??? Not to mention there are about a zillion worse things to do to yourself.
@heidenkind - Eventually, yes. What can I say? It gets to the point where they taste icky. 4-5 times a day? Ummmm... maybe you don't want to start.
It ends up more like 20-30.
@Broom_Service - Really? Wow. That is a lot. Hmmm. And yet I still want to smoke them.
Did I tell you my parents have finally figured out my little brother is smoking?
@heidenkind - No you didn't. How'd they take it?
@Broom_Service - Well, apparently my dad has known for months (?). I figured it out on my own. So mom is the last to know and she's resolved to buy him Nicorette.
@heidenkind - Yeah... that'll help him...
@heidenkind - lol, my little brother smokes too. I told him, not in my car, not when I'm around. My mom's not allowed to smoke in my car either. heh