February 25, 2008

Quietly, Into the Light

Apathy has taken control of my blog time.

The voices are still there, shouting as loud as ever.

I have found a way to block out the yelling in my head.


The voices stop when I look directly into the light.

February 20, 2008

Why We Eat

The main purpose of eating is to maintain your health.

In the U.S. it is also a major source of entertainment and gratification. Since religionists identify other forms of self-gratification as immoral, they have created a culture in which this form of pleasure is wholesome and acceptable, when there are times when it isn't. My opinion is; in moderation, any form of contentment is healthy, and avoidence or obsession of these pleasures is ultimately destructive to our body's homeostasis.

There is a joy to eating, and science has learned to recreate the source of the stimulus, without providing the nutrition that real, whole food should provide. They do this by processing the food with salts, sugar, chemicals, and imitation flavors and ingredients. Your body will respond to this imbalance of nutrition from these artificial foods with cravings, which effects our moods, for the nutrients which is missing from the food.

We need to focus on real, whole, unprocessed foods in great variety and colors. If we would pay more for better, well-grown food, we'll benefit ourselves, our communities, and the environment at large.

A good source for nutrition information, and the ecology of food is Michael Pollan

February 14, 2008

My Freedom

I once had the confidence to walk on the edge of life, at spectacular heights.

I didn't realize the reason for my confidence and courage of heights until they were gone.

It was because you held my hand.




....

Many have I loved - Many times been bitten
Many times I've gazed along the open road.

Many times I've lied - Many times I've listened
Many times I've wondered how much there is to know.

Many dreams come true and some have silver linings
I live for my dream and a pocketful of gold.

Mellow is the man who knows what he's been missing
Many many men can't see the open road.

Many is a word that only leaves you guessing
Guessing 'bout a thing you really ought to know, ooh!

You really ought to know...


- "Over The Hills And Far Away" - Led Zeppelin

February 8, 2008

Your Bondage

You cannot be spiritual and egocentric at the same time.

You cannot say you have an eternal soul, if you are selfishly focused on your life, your beliefs, and your understanding of the material world.

You cannot say you know God, if you think that humans are some kind of unique deity-chosen animal to be the "caretaker" of this place. Humans are no more special than a handful of soil, or the worms that work it so life can prosper. Without either, life, as humans define it, would not exist.

Humans were late-comers to this planet, and will most likely be gone before this planet's demise. It is the natural order of things, to change, rid the bad parts, develop more useful and healthy life. Human life is only a mere speck of ordered material, inhabited for a very brief time on this piece of leftover debris.

Then there are the mysteries no human will ever know. The how, where, why, and what answers which are beyond what our limited insight and intelligence can show us. What is beyond the known universe, and beyond what we will never know? On that, we must rely on faith.

The lasting affect of long dead prophets, philosophers, and a supposed messiah, is not who they were nor how they lived, but how their past lives and teachings still influence our daily lives.

Enjoy all aspects of life. It is short, scary, and meaningless. The only thing that will outlast your brief moment of deluded consciousness, and bring some kind of meaning to your existence, is the affect you have on other meaningless lives.

.

February 7, 2008

Dreaming Of Taos




My dreams last night were of this place, Taos, New Mexico.

I shouldn't be publicizing it. It is the most beautiful place I have ever seen, no matter the season. Brilliant Landscapes, Dazzling Sunsets, Mild Weather, sparsely populated, Amazing Summer Lightning Shows, people who nurture and respect the land.

It is not a paradise. It is rural, rough, hostile and not for ready typical pampered U.S. citizen. Besides, like The Eagles said "You call someplace paradise, kiss it goodbye"

This book about Taos, one of several nonfiction Taos books by John Nichols, author of The Sterile Cuckoo and The Milagro Beanfield War, is a memoir in words and pictures of his discovery and relocation to Taos. The pictures are wonderful, but don't even come close to showing the true beauty of this place, Taos.

When I lived in New Mexico, Taos was my favorite place to hike. Like the author, I would hate to see this place become the next place for rich east coast/west coast suburbanites and celebrities to ruin, like they ruined Sante Fe, New Mexico.

I plan to retire to Taos someday. Stay Away.

********************************************

His other books I've enjoyed, or plan to enjoy:

The Sterile Cuckoo is different type of love story, and one of my favorites (the book version, not the movie, which changed the story), because I am much like the male protagonist, Jerry. The book ends as many of my dreams do, lost. I also liked the movie very much, except for the changed ending. Liza Minelli received an Oscar nomination for her role.

The Milagro Beanfield War captures the essence of New Mexico and her people, tells the battles of a small local farmer against corporate mega-farms. It is a quirky comedy that should be a classic and on school reading lists.

He has another book, The Wizard of Loneliness, which has also has a movie version. I've neither read the book nor seen the movie, but this sounds like the type of story I would enjoy.

.

February 3, 2008

Super Dull Sunday

It boggles my mind how anyone can find anything interesting about American Football.

They are Faking It, this obsession to this entertainment. Like a religion, people jump on the bandwagon because they see other people doing it, and they have been hypnotized by the great American Mind Control machine. It is another television event, in our weak-minded society. If you don't watch this and say it's "fun", then you're a nobody.

Many people have told me the names of the teams that are playing, but my lack of interest fails to retain this information. If it wasn't for the endless news hits which have been polluting the airwaves and internet, I wouldn't even know the game is on today.

On the positive side, it is a good time to go shopping. DAMN, I don't like shopping either. I guess I'll go for run. What else do you expect me to do?

.

February 1, 2008

The Foundation of our Culture


Momma loves her baby
And daddy loves you too.
And the sea may look warm to you babe
And the sky may look blue
But ooooh Baby
Ooooh baby blue
Oooooh babe.

If you should go skating
On the thin ice of modern life
Dragging behind you the silent reproach
Of a million tear-stained eyes
Don't be surprised when a crack in the ice
Appears under your feet.
You slip out of your depth and out of your mind
With your fear flowing out behind you
As you claw the thin ice.

- The Thin Ice, Pink Floyd