Posts Tagged ‘status

27
Nov
24

Representation Overkill Causes Nausea

By writingbolt Leave a Comment
Categories: Concerns and Alerts and Uncategorized
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****

News at 11!

Or, whatever.

I’ve had enough! I am quite sick of everyone on TV (and I’m sure other forms of media) having to represent something while putting their face or voice “out there.”

You may be “black” or “Muslim” or have some missing body part that makes you special. Maybe you’re gay and recently decided to advertise this discovery, as if you found King Tut’s tomb. Whatever the case may be, you cannot just do anything caught on camera without representing SOMETHING. Some cause needs to rally around your actions to sponsor or, at least, pressure to sponsor you. Every face spotted in a public place or televised program must MATTER somehow.

Are we all NASCAR racecars in need of multiple decals applied to our appearances? Isn’t spotlighting someone for being black or handicapped as bad as mistreating them for the same reason? I’d say so.

Oh, Mr. Writingbolt. You have a big head. What does this thing you are doing mean to all the other big heads in the world? How does it feel to be a big-headed person in this event? [Why don’t you just take a picture and plaster my big head on your billboard while you’re at it, you thoughtless jerks. Better yet; start a charity for big-headed people and ask me to be the spokesperson, so I can annoy people with incessant ads while they’re trying to unwind from their day.]

If you don’t represent, you don’t matter…UNLESS you are the poster boy or girl for some branch of the Disney Empire…then you’re straight. You’re okay. You can skip the representation line. In fact, it’s best if you don’t represent anything and can be molded into whatever role they’re willing to give you. If Disney says you’re going to be a penguin, you be the best damn penguin you can be and remain the same for eighty years. Okay? And, don’t you dare be caught on camera as anything or anyone else.

[Some would say the opposite of the above is true, regarding Disney. You might say they are all about representing something bigger than an individual’s effort/achievement. And, I wouldn’t say you are wrong. But, there is a strange sort of “molding” in the world of Disney that is racist, sexist and/or pressurized. If you are approved by Disney to be part of their world, just about anything you do will be heralded and applauded. You cannot lose if Disney approves you. And, the more ground and resources Disney acquires, the more they can approve and manipulate. Once you lose or abandon that approval, you go into witness protection (so to speak); you disappear and, probably, keep your mouth shut if you don’t want trouble.]

My stomach cannot remain calm. I’ve seen far too many bleached teeth, BOTOX’d faces and staged dramatic scenes befitting some show bent on pairing people together while too often failing to do just that.

—–

Spontaneous detour…

Meanwhile, I see someone, who’s generally pretty, flashing a shine on their cheeks and/or their forehead…maybe a little cleavage, too. And, I want to scream. I know how I don’t like to look at myself in the mirror, anymore. But, if I have to resort to THAT, to treating my face like a clay pot with cracks in it, any confidence I claim to take from it will never be genuine. It’s fraud that’s so apparent, you don’t have to “represent” it.

If I looked like that, I’d be cracking on the inside, anyway. My calm would be as fragile as tissue paper (as if it’s not already). I might as well slather myself in mayo…because, you know, every “helpful” cream out there has to be as white as bird poop. Am I hiding something? Am I repairing myself? No; what gave you that idea? What? You can SEE the stuff on my skin? The size of my head doesn’t suit the rest of my body after taking weight-management drugs? You mean I don’t look fit and trim when I’m obviously uncomfortable in my own natural body?

How do you address someone who is obviously paranoid about every little line on their face (yet unable to do anything about moles)? How do you convince them that they don’t have to look plastic to be accepted for who they are? It’s not any easier with so many ads for toothpaste and the same dentist/dental assistant ready to put you in the spotlight for being “less than white.”

This sort of vain behavior is the collateral damage, the side effect, the aftershock of excess representation (and soooo many accolades, so many trophies).

You can treat your body like a plastic toy. But, soon enough, you’ll sacrifice your mind and soul, too, just to forget what you did to yourself out of vanity overload.

Now, I’m not saying you cannot “have work done” if it genuinely helps you feel better on a daily basis. If it helps you look in the mirror with comfort, have at it. If it allows your clothes to rest comfortably against your skin without an annoying burning or itchy feeling, that’s good. If you can remove a bothersome mole or outbreak of spots that make you look like you’ve been hit with a plague, I approve.

On the other hand, if you think you can plaster wrinkles the rest of your life, you’re crazy. There comes a point when the human body simply unrolls something in response to your chosen lifestyle. And then there is aging. We all have to age someday…as far as I know.

But, DO NOT attempt repairs if you must be on camera “the next day.” You might as well have your clothes on the floor. I suspect this is why some actors and actresses must learn to put up with things like crowded teeth; the alternative would be more detrimental to their career, especially if they “have to always be on.”

If this “work” leaves you looking like an art project gone wrong…I’ve got nothing positive to say. It’s tragic (what you did). I’m pretty sure the right people–as I’m often told–would accept you, wrinkles, spots and all.

[I haven’t exactly found those people, yet. So, I could be wrong. But, I’m still bothered by the excessive and obvious evidence of vain reconstruction.]

I know a few celebrities who actually look good with wrinkles and gray hair; they aged well. And, even if they don’t, how can we be heartless and treat them as anything other than human (like ourselves)? I don’t necessarily approve of everyone who “embraces the gray” and changes everything to be “platinum,” including their wardrobe. But, some “grayheads” look good. The others simply don’t need me or anyone to evaluate them.

—–

Back to the matter of excessive and canned representation…

If I hear one more person ask, “What does (what you recently did on camera) mean to you (as a representative of ___)?

It means everything to you. The experience is amazing and unbelievable. You are so fortunate. [And, you recite this more than once, whenever you are hit with the same tired, abused questions, as if you have to sell the show, so others will submit to its deception and feed the monster.]

…I don’t even want to say it. But, I’m ill.

—–

I’m going to pause, again, to give a response from my own gut. I don’t care what televised thing I am doing. Even if it actually alters my lifestyle, my personal world and space, in some way that makes me feel life just got better, it does NOT “mean everything to me,” no matter how dazzling it may seem. I could win the billion-dollar lottery and still find myself facing the same daily struggles when the money runs out (if I don’t invest wisely).

I don’t think anything should hold the value of “everything” because that would make it lethal. Your life means everything to you…or you die. A few weeks with a televised contest of a very staged fashion should not impact whether you live or die. Those trite expressions really annoy me. They are a loss of your common sense, submitting to emotional overload. Some would call this dramatizing, the equivalent of throwing a fit about this being “the worst day ever.”

Are we honestly supposed to believe every person who recites the above lines is being genuine? Everyone of them has had the “everything” experience from being part of this show? I highly doubt that. So, why say it?

If anyone is saying something just to respond to a microphone in their face, to appease the snoop, I’m going to get agitated. If it was a great experience for you, say so, but don’t exaggerate to the extent that you make it sound like everyone should do what you did. Odds are they won’t get the chance; so don’t deceive or tease them. Just speak for yourself (and say you had a good time).

And, if you want me to say the above lines, I will not respect you. If you threaten me to say those lines, I will probably comply and then avoid you like the plague for the rest of my days, regretting the trap I entered. I will speak unkindly (to say the least) of you whenever possible. I will NOT be coming back to watch others play your game. And, I will not tell others to play along.

—–

How is anyone supposed to feel “normal” or comfortable with anything they do if it has to be put in the form of a term-paper Q-and-A?

What makes matters even worse (on top of nauseating) is when what someone “represents” is tainted with falsehood, when something like charity is just a wholesome cover for something questionable. Imagine someone who is being promoted as the poster man or woman for a new movie while secretly participating in sexual assault or financial fraud. Imagine a charity that’s just an excuse for a tax write-off (evasion) or cover for a measly paycheck on some game show. And, we never know until someone decides to take that person to court; that seems to be the status quo for exposing a lie.

When the truth comes out…if it ever truly comes out…there’s often no coming back from it. They’re marked. [Yet, some famous faces have a remarkable way of redeeming themselves in whatever way they can. Some buy their way out of legal action. I don’t necessarily accept that redemption. But, others seem to give it a stamp of approval.]

When do we get out of the classroom, out of the spotlight or off the podium? When does a “celebrity” get to just be the person they were named instead of the face of something on a poster? No wonder we can’t be okay with a little weight gain or flawed skin. Every time we see someone “famous,” they have to be…perfectly okay with everything. If they’re having a bad day or craving something that’s not family-channel approved, there must be something wrong with them; they need “help.” [And, that isn’t the sort of help you get from spending a relaxing day with a good friend.]

Of course, we need to have more ads for psychological help, for all those harmed by the sheer overload of representation, I bet. It’s damage control for a bad habit that’s being promoted like smoking (or, more recently, “vaping”); we are told it’s bad but some people still feel the need to sell you something that contributes to the problem. It’s like sitting at an award ceremony and going home with nothing but the memory of being caught on camera with no accolades to advertise.

So, what are YOU doing here at this award ceremony, where so many are being spotlighted for their recent projects? Nothing? Well, at least, you and your plus one are…uh…looking good. Who are you wearing? Okay. We don’t care. See you on the best dressed reel, tomorrow, and in the next issue of People magazine. Do you have a quote we can use?

It’s bad enough “celebrities” have to be canned the way they are when “promoting” their latest film, podcast or whatever. It’s like a never-ending job interview. You can’t say anything negative about anything, even if it just popped in your head while being asked about the director or a co-star you cannot stand. What was it like? It was…AMAZING. It’s all good. Right?…as you choke on the vomit in your throat. Pitch that resume. Get the next job offer. Everyone wants you because you don’t complain. You’re flawless. [As if.]

Now, if the above turns me off, it turns off my TV. And, if other people turn off the TV or ignore the magazines, all that time and effort applied to painting celebrities as polished and perfectly happy is wasted. No one’s even looking when someone is jabbing a microphone in a famous face and, obviously, making them feel pressured and uncomfortable with the “routine.”

I may not be a fan of some people, but I’ll be less of a fan of more people if they continue to be displayed this canned, artificial way. Even my favorite faces darken my heart whenever I see them “masking” something. I don’t like telling lies, and I don’t like seeing others do it. I’m not the best judge of liars, but, eventually, I know and retaliate.

If celebrities are prone to seeking psychological help, using recreational (and illegal) drugs and facing plastic surgery, what do they think their “fans” are doing? Isn’t it apparent? If someone is in the spotlight, silently saying “this is okay” (what they are doing), witnesses will emulate. And, if the witnesses cannot afford what the celebrities are doing, they will bankrupt themselves in more ways than just financial.

Talk about being bad examples. Forget whatever you think you’re representing for a job that lasts less than a year. Think about your impact on the lives watching you. Of course, when your luxurious financial well-being/ego depends upon that job, you might slight (all of) your spectators. Having to be more selective about the food and/or clothing you buy or what parties you may have to skip is too much to bear (for you).

[If all of this “pressure” is deemed necessary to get a film into theaters (especially a film that betrays its source material by changing the story, as so many films do for whatever reason), I’d say the whole thing is a waste of resources and people. A big budget disaster and lie is what I’d call this. Instead of sticking one cigarette into one person’s mouth, you’re making the whole sky toxic by crowding countless mouths with rolls of excuse paper. Add on the magazine features, DVD extras and merchandise…and I’d be inclined to consider something dark and disturbing I’d rather not mention.]

Can’t everyone just be somewhere, participating without representing? If you’re a guest on a talk show, sure; you’ll want to have something to discuss. But, honestly, for anyone who’s just happy to see someone they like, can’t fans simply enjoy that?…versus pressing the same old questions about what’s coming to theaters or (Cable) TV? See. Then it would actually be good to see someone, again, versus catering to a “plug.”

You know what would really make a celebrity shine in my eyes? Seeing them completely comfortable in their own natural skin, warts and all. [Of course, few or no warts would be better because even I have been conditioned to be that vain.] They don’t have to be the most shiny Muslim or black person (who isn’t exactly black because their parents are “mixed”) or participant in any celebrity showcase. They don’t have to be wearing designer clothes I’ll never afford nor wear. They don’t have to have their ribs showing, bleach their naturally brown skin or dark hair or fit into a size-0 dress. They certainly don’t have to flash cleavage (especially if it’s not there). They don’t have to invite thieves and trolls to assault them (with how they present themselves).

Crack a joke. Tell an embarrassing story, once in your life. Blush a little when you make a mistake. You’re human. Represent that.

But, he or she can’t just be comfortable with their self. They also have to exhibit a compatible personality (for me to like or ever love them). And, if they don’t have that compatible personality? Then I don’t have to be a fan…and that’s okay! Everyone doesn’t have to be the fan of everyone else. Just don’t add to the hate by pretending to be something you’re not or letting anyone spotlight you for something you did not come to do.

[In the case of a certain dancing competition, you didn’t sign on to tote a sign for “black lives matter.” You came to prove you could dance and, maybe, win a trophy. So, if someone asks you how it feels to be the first black woman (if that’s even true) in the finale (and ensuing tour), you don’t give them a single word of compliance. You tell them this isn’t about being black. This is about you. And, as selfish as it may seem, it will be respected. Maybe you’re not toting the weight of every racial issue popping up in the world, but you’re helping yourself with art therapy. Represent that. It’s more important for all of us to heal ourselves and appreciate the arts than think about how being famous and black makes you the spokeswoman for an entire race of people. And, shame on all who press these routine questions on camera; you are tools, slaves of the media. What do we know about slavery? Exactly.]

Go away, you who are phony, canned, visibly waxed, bleached….artificial. And, if you are being forced to represent something for a cause rather than being welcomed for who you are as a person, I don’t want to see you. Forced representation sucks. It’s a bad perfume ad. We don’t need perfume or makeup to cover what we are. We need to know who and what we are and accept that.

Period.

Mic dropped.

I accept that I may be more wordy than others; it’s a side effect of the pressures I’ve been forced to endure. Being more wordy has helped me be more creative expressing myself. It helps with creative writing and solving word puzzles, too. I used to be a quiet kid who did as he was told, trusted and respected most adults (even some who were not family and probably should not have been trusted) and kept himself busy (so he wouldn’t anger his unhappy, quarreling, fussy parents). Then someone, who I trusted to help me steer away from suicide, threatened my life with what they were paid to distribute. And, that turned me into what I am today. I don’t need to represent other wordy people as some sort of cause for mental health or promoting a movie. I’m just me, one of the more wordy people in this world. If you don’t like me, find someone else to read.

11
Nov
22

Response to That hopeless feeling…; Ask Carolyn (Hax)

By writingbolt Leave a Comment
Categories: Responses to Ask Carolyn Advice Columns
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

***

Ask Carolyn (Hax) column originally titled “That hopeless feeling is the depression talking.”

Depressed is someone (not sure if they are a man or woman and don’t want to presume too much) married to a woman who they fear will throw a fit if D. confesses to being overwhelmed and depressed, as the spouse previously did (presumably from what D. says). This isn’t the first big bout with depression (and anxiety, I’d wager).

Carolyn covers most of the bases and provides an outlet for seeking therapy. And, for once, I am not totally opposed to the suggestion(s).

However, one little bell keeps ringing in my head, a familiar sound that I think I’ve heard in my own life.

There’s a second letter regarding a Show Stopper, who has earned a lucrative job upgrade and is at odds with less wealthy friends who miss their nose-bleed-seats companion at various events/shows. I don’t have much to say about that, but I’ll address it, briefly, in the end.

———–

Depressed, your wife is an emotional loudmouth. Am I right? When she reacts, she gets LOUD and rubs your delicate nerves the wrong way. But, instead of being confrontational, as some would do, you withdraw and whimper. I know that sounds bad…but just be honest with yourself. You cower and withdraw rather than bark back and defend yourself. You don’t want an argument/fight. If your wife “worries,” she is going to make you feel worse when she starts stuffing her face and making a bigger, scarier picture out of everything you wish wasn’t so troubling. She sounds an alarm when anything “bad” happens. She’s like salt in a wound when you “worry” her, not a bandage or cooling solution. Right?

It’s possible you’re being overly sensitive and doing what Carolyn says, letting the depression speak for you. [That was a pretty darn good metaphor she gave about the depression being like an organism or entity possessing you, directing you. Ooh, that felt good to read (for this metaphor guy).]

[I just saw a case of a “hoarder” on a reality-TV show in which his wife hasn’t been in the space occupied by his cluttered collections in 14 years! She has left him to his habit and avoided part of their home for more than a decade. Talk about not touching a tender matter with a ten-foot pole. Now, there’s a couple avoiding a time bomb. I guarantee one or both of them is afraid to talk and overwhelmed by something. The reality-TV show don’t care much about the reality…just making money on TV spectacles.]

However, IF it’s not JUST the depression talking…if your wife is of the “tough-love” and “independent” mentality that wants each of you to pull your own weight…if she doesn’t feel any need or desire to be the nurse in your times of need…what kind of a partner is she? [I mean…we just determined if she was one or the other. I’m just spitting out words as I breathe to relief my own internal stress.] And, did you know all of this when you married her?

You’d like her to be more gentle and comforting. Am I right? But, she’s not like that…for whatever reason. [I could be here all day analyzing the possibilities.] And, she wants you to “man up.” Right? But, you currently cannot “man up” because you’re stuck in quicksand, sinking into despair. You want her to throw you a vine and help you get out…but she’s the sort who is inclined to say, “You got yourself into that mess; you gotta get yourself out!” She’s willing to go “halfsies” with you, but, right now, you’re not even close to half. And, you cannot entirely blame yourself, unless depression and anxiety are crimes of neglect on the part of the possessed party.

You’re in a tough knot, D. I’ve felt like you when dealing with my own “friends” and family. I’ve been down your dark, troubling road so long, I still feel like I’m stuck in the mud and flailing to stay afloat. No one is really free or willing to come to my aid. I have to get myself out of my messes. And, while I cower and fail to do that, my body and health in general is suffering.

When you say she will be upset because you don’t tell her sooner…exactly how SOON are you supposed to inform her of your condition? The first moment you feel glum? Are you two not openly communicating about your daily feelings/state of mind? Is that so strange or wrong? Well…not strange, because plenty of couples seem to be failing at communication. And, that…is definitely wrong. It’s not good. But, it’s sadly common.

If you are not quick enough to convey your distress, that is a “step” you COULD work on…like right now. Face that fire she throws at you, one more time. Why not? You’ve been through this before, right? So, “man up” and take one more hit from the fire dragon you married. Then, once you get past that battle (and, surely, you can survive the fight), be quicker on the trigger the next time you feel crappy or troubled. If you’ve never done it before, try telling her the first day you feel uneasy about something. Say, “Honey? I’m not feeling so good about ___.” And, if you want to talk about your feelings (you should), invite her to talk somewhere comfortable.

But, you’re right. If you go find a therapist without talking to the wife, first, she is bound to throw a fit, again. You’re in that position where getting care is just as troubling as sitting with the problem, not because care is necessarily too hard to find (and we haven’t even touched on your financial/insurance status, which is sure to play a part in this situation), but because the people you have to live with are like pets that don’t want to go to the vet. She will kick up a fuss, tear the house apart and rattle your bones as if you can do nothing right and she cannot stand the fact you’re less than half the person she married, right now.

But…you have to tell her SOMETHING…eventually. So, if you DO seek therapy, tell her that’s what you feel you need to do, and have a little courage in yourself to admit that. You’re not her child. You’re an adult, her partner, her equal (even if you’re not feeling or acting the part, right now). If she cannot respect you for admitting a course of action, even if you could have had a better track time (as if you were a runner in the Olympics trying to shave tenths of seconds off your record time), then assess the relationship. Right now.

I suggest group therapy over single-person because then you don’t have to feel alone with your concerns and just might find someone else going through the same despair, who can then compare notes with you to reach a solution you both can appreciate. Also, group therapy might be more convenient if one-on-one therapists are “booked up.” I suspect the more clients a therapist can see, the better; so why wouldn’t a group dynamic be more convenient/available than one-on-one, in which the therapist has to schedule individual hours for a dozen? clients.

If you can stomach it, bring the wife along and see what the others, including the therapist, think of your situation with her. You might want an outside perspective on the relationship…even though, truly, you two should be working all of this out on your own. If you two were a well-oiled unit, situations like this wouldn’t break the bank or rock the boat; you’d face them together and get through this. So, what is preventing that teamwork?

Food for thought. Don’t let my words add to your troubles. Hopefully they help, somehow.

——–

Now, as to the second letter of this column….

I’ve written my thoughts, twice, and they already feel too long/wordy.

Carolyn pretty much said all of it, in as many words.

Show Stopper, if you value those friends, you’ll compromise and take turns with “posh” and “poverty,” if they are so poor. Isn’t that obvious? What other solution did you expect? Someone telling you to dump those friends or expect them to come up to your level all of the time?

If the “cushy” job costs you your friends, which is worth more? Which is easier to replace?

Yet, if those friends are truly “offended” or otherwise so strongly bothered by you offering to upgrade their accommodations, once in a while, how are they ever going to be comfortable with you, ever again, if you remain at this new financial status? You could take a “lower seat” with them and be unable to control yourself when you say something “posh.” That might bother them, too. What then?

[I know myself; I am not comfortable when someone wealthier than me says or does something that makes me feel poor. Nor do I want to feel pressured to “tip generously” or otherwise spend more just to come up to another person’s level. It might not even be a financial risk, but I feel endangered by spending more than what feels comfortable and/or fair.

And, once it happens, the rest of that time together is a wash. It’s no good. I want out and to get back to my comfort zone…and probably never speak with that person, again. I don’t want to feel like a miser/penny-pincher or penniless bum, especially in public, where the slightest glance or raised voice can paint me a spectacle.

Yet, if I go into a meeting, knowing the person is wealthier and choosing to be with that person, I must accept that, once in a while, the difference will arise, somehow. I have to make myself comfortable with that…or choose not to be with that person in that particular situation (not always, because there may be more private instances in which we can cohabitate and be near-perfectly comfortable, together).]

One might also ask…has the new job had any impact upon the person you are and/or have become? Are you different, now, when among those friends?

If you are comfortable where you currently are at and cannot get any “lower” because it would mean breaking off your angel wings, then, by all means, wish those mortal friends well and find solace in your new heaven with fellow angels. You’ve…er, evolved. And, surely, you can find fellow evolved individuals to call friends? [There’s always the chance one or more of your “lower” friends could find a financial lift, too, and rejoin you.]

If, down the road, you find yourself looking back, wondering what happened to that lot, well, then you have a tough choice, a sacrifice, to make and a road of atonement to pave.

[Oh. Gee. I still feel wordy. But, I’m stopping here…now. Knowing me, I’ll come back and edit this a few times, anyway.]

28
Apr
22

Art Space Unlimited…Except for Some; the Unfair Balance in the World of Artists

By writingbolt Leave a Comment
Categories: Concerns and Alerts and Uncategorized
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

****

Back in January, I posted a piece about artists living a cursed life. In short, most artists get insufficient respect during their lifetimes and an insane amount of attention after they die, which often enough turns into crazy appraisals of artworks without the stories behind the works and, in the case of someone like painter Bob Ross, questionable merchandising.

I recently watched part of a PBS (TV) special featuring various “artists” who were making an effort to share their artwork with the world. Let’s just leave that as the simple summary of the program. Now, I watched three segments before I lost my cool.

The first featured a white-haired man with an accent I couldn’t quite identify. Apparently, though I’ve never heard of him or seen any of his (exceptionally large) work, he has filled some rather spacious plots of land and museums with spectacles worthy of Willy Wonka. One of his creations involves a set of conveyor belts transporting bricks of soft, melting wax to a big pile/mess of the stuff. [That’s art, ay?] Another–I presume in the same building–involves a corridor flooded with the same reddish wax. He was also featured with what looked like a giant apple-shaped building and the metallic bean which I have actually stood beside in Chicago, Illinois. [Is that his work? I guess I didn’t pay close enough attention; I was too bewildered by the sheer amount of space and liberty this guy has to create and feature his work. Also, he apparently has a small army of “oompa loompas” to craft things somewhat toxic for him. Is that an artist at work or the architect of the pyramids?]

There was something oddly unsettling about this segment. The guy kept featuring pieces with a distinct vertical crack, a reddish gash with a dark mysterious void at its center, a shape that sure seemed to resemble a certain part of the female anatomy.  This prompted memories of a horrid art-school tour I took in my crucial teens, when I was looking for direction with my own artistic talents. The place was littered with obscene works. And, my own portfolio, a sampling of my yet limited life’s work, was carelessly brushed aside by the guide. [If there was ever a moment to turn Hitler, that was it. You can thank your lucky stars I didn’t start the next Holocaust, sending unworthy artists and careless consumers of art to the gas chambers.]

The second segment featured a (brown-skinned) African gentleman** whose “portfolio” was far smaller and less jaw-dropping than that of the previous man. This more modest and humble artist had what seemed like a fraction of the time and space to discuss matters of social justice, primarily pollution of a particular environment where “minorities” reside. His gallery space included a number of movie/flat-TV screens no bigger than a home-movie screen. His entire presentation was like a whisper in a crowd. It was small and not the least bit awe-inspiring.

**I feel a strange need to be specific, considering people no longer meet a single description for any nationality.

The third segment, the one that really popped the cork on my infuriation, was about an older woman who likes to collect pieces of debris from demolition and disaster scenes and turn them into simplistic pieces of what she calls art. Essentially, she’s putting a hunk of cement, pipes and wiring (the size of a T-Rex) on a few supportive pegs, splashing it with paint and other questionable decorations and sticking this enormous piece in a spacious museum chamber. What a wonderful use of museum space; filling an entire gallery with one hunk of some other building that no longer exists which no longer looks as it originally did, which might be considered historical preservation of a relic. She’s not contributing to one of those museums you find in Europe, housing fragments of ancient Greece. No. She’s splashing colors on hunks of unnamed structural damage and taking up space which could be used to house countless other sculptures, paintings, etc.

I take you back to the story I have heard about the famous Pablo Picasso. The guy supposedly filled houses with artworks and relocated when one was full. He didn’t create things that took over buildings or portions of cities and/or parks. He created works you could put on walls and sit in a small room where you might read a book and enjoy the colorful company. But, if he filled houses with his work…does that mean he wasn’t spreading the love of art? Was he just hoarding it all because he didn’t think anyone was worthy of looking after it until he just could no longer protect everything like a pharaoh in his tomb?

Now, there is no way I’d ever want to do what the third featured person did. I see no logical or creative reason to “recycle” a hunk of demolition/destruction without breaking it down into simpler elements and crafting something you could fit through the average household door…not require a crane and probably a construction crew to transport to some spacious warehouse/museum facility.

And, I don’t see myself ever doing what the second person did. As much as I might inject matters of social justice into my own work, I wouldn’t just make a simple video documentary and fill a dark room with screens. I’d use metaphors and a pinch of creativity/humor here and there…something you might see from an author like Roald Dahl, the BFG. I’d craft an experience with impact yet without overwhelming dread and/or despair. No one needs to go through the bleak experiences of another to understand what happened; I don’t need to simulate losing an ear to imagine how dreadful Van Gogh’s life must have been.

But, a small part of me cannot help envying the first guy. How does any artist achieve such status? How does he acquire an army of crafters to fashion what he imagines, risking their lives, not his (as I watched some work with gas masks while he stood elsewhere just talking at length about his “genius” like a pompous windbag. [I seriously think the guy was a bit perverse with an ego overly inflated by some underhanded dark influence.]

How does this stuff happen? How does the world get so twisted (yeah, upside-down, even) that you might think suicide is a wise decision? How does anyone get the permission to amass an army of laborers to craft questionable, useless objects which are probably visible from outer space?…while other artists are left to rub coins together, cut off body parts and live miserable, otherwise unproductive lives in solitude?

It boggles the mind. And then, it blows what’s left out every portal of the human anatomy.

21
Feb
22

Regroup or Retire But Never Extinguish; a Poem for all Olympic competitors

By writingbolt Leave a Comment
Categories: Creations and Uncategorized
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

*****

Listen, now, all who came to compete.
The torch is extinguished; the games are complete.
Your peers continue to celebrate
While you collapse under an emotional weight.
If you weep because you didn’t medal,
You don’t need to step off the eternal gas pedal.
Olympics come, and Olympics go,
With summer heat and winter snow.
The chance to earn gold, silver and bronze may be gone.
But, the flame of the sport burns ever strong.
Your time in the spotlight is at a rest.
But, don’t douse the fire still within your chest.
What lasts longer than a momentary prize
Is the image of sportsmanship left in our eyes.
Who came first, second or third might matter today.
Who we call our friend or inspiration should never go away.
The Olympics are just a small example
Of what we all wish to more than sample.
Those who choose war do not share the spirit.
If you happen to agree, let me hear it.
Television attempts to paint you as stars.
Deep down, only you know who or what you truly are.
So, cry your tears, today, and rest for tomorrow.
Time rolls on, and no one can truly live in sorrow.
As your life remains, so must your flame.
You came to play, and life is still all our game.

Game on.

~Writingbolt, Feb. 20, 2022

 

04
Jun
21

Global Equality and Happiness; Philosophical Meandering, June 4, 2021

By writingbolt 2 Comments
Categories: Concerns and Alerts and Uncategorized
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

*****

thinker-statue-fadedforestbackdrop-closeup-2

I caught something on TV the other day about Elon Musk’s girlfriend? promoting a form of communism.  She said something about eliminating work, using more AI to run the planet and everyone benefitting from this shift.  And, someone responded by saying they could see some logic in the young woman’s presentation.  [Though I couldn’t help raising an eyebrow to the markings on her face (pre-surgery, I presume) and wonder what in state her mind actually was.  When you’re prepping for surgery, your mind can say and do strange things.]

This wasn’t the only stimulus for today’s pondering (or meandering).

I’ve been bombarded with so many thoughts in the past few days, some of which have sparked ideas for rants that never took shape.  I’ve also been feeling exceptionally distressed and depressed for no particular/new reason.  

Now then…

Can you imagine a world in which no one has a job or requirement to pay taxes and such and can simply live off the land as everyone pleases?  I’ve seen something close to that on certain versions of Star Trek.  And, sure, we forget some of the details of “reality” when watching just about any movie, TV show or, the current trend, online videos which could be uploaded by just about anyone for any reason and altered with a variety of computer/video tools (to mess with our heads).  But, is such a world possible?  That’s, essentially, my question.  And, feel free to contribute your thoughts below.

While I aspire and long for such a world, I have lingering doubts it could ever exist.  And, I will tell you why in a minute.

The longer I live, the angrier I get at humanity as a whole.  I know it’s not good to throw all your apples in one basket.  There ARE good apples…as well as bad ones.  But, it’s difficult to sort them out and getting more difficult each day.  Just when you think you have a good apple, something crazy and/or disappointing happens.  And, there are a number of possible reasons/influences for this.  [But, I won’t overload your brain with those, now.]  But, bad apples spoil the bunch and make life miserable for everyone, including themselves once they hit a discouraging dead end, a point when all the gold in the world isn’t making them happy, whether they admit it or not.  Or, they just die and hand over the wealth to the next generation of entitled fools.

Actually, that ties into what I’m about to say.  

Why is a peaceful world enjoyed by all, equally, so impossible to achieve?  And, why are all our efforts to achieve…well…anything “good” in vain?  Because there will always be a “sense of entitlement” or some other variation of that phrase that drives certain people to be less charitable than others.  At least, I don’t see how it can change for the better.  

You’ve probably seen some of this in movies, too.  Someone comes up with a solution for the fossil-fuel problem, and, whether or not it becomes public knowledge, someone in a high seat swoops down on the invention to “capitalize” it.  One minute, you’ve got fresh air for everyone; the next, the air is being bottled and sold at your “convenience.”  It’s not convenient to turn the world into one big outlet store.  It’s not convenient to slash a price from $400 to $40 when the item isn’t worth anything other than what humans stamp on it, when the item is available to all if we’d let it be.

Right now, bottled water is all the rage.  Every cotton-picking flavor and type imaginable is being advertised.  And, everyone has their gimmick to sell it.  SELLING WATER.  Isn’t that the beginning of the end?  Isn’t that one step from The Lorax?  Come on, people!  Wise up!

The world is perpetually one step away from a Moonlight Madness Sale.  Someone presents a crisis or craze, and the sheep, cattle, dogs, rodents…all of them go running in all directions, trying to get a piece of the action.  Someone shouts fire or virus, and people panic.  Someone shouts FREE ___!  And, people rush to get the bargain or catch the T-shirt or jump through flaming hoops to get a prize which requires some paperwork and payment of taxes. 

THIS is sharing?  Well, you might say, “Nooo.  That’s not it.  That’s not the level of equality we can yet reach.”  But, I think it is.  I think those without the status and power to delegate and trickle down the benefits from their high seats are always going to be chasing and wasting and competing with others, regardless of their status.  And, even those “at the top” surely have their competitions for “more” and some false sense of security.  Because, let’s be honest, does ANYONE really feel anymore secure than they can justify with some artificial support?  Doesn’t everyone boast some nest egg or financial support system of some kind to secure their status, their lifestyle, whether you are a welfare case or living at Park Place?

Now, you might be of the mindset that you are a good person.  But, how good are you in that mob scene at the big sale on some holiday weekend?  What are you doing there if not running with the bulls to get a rare bargain?  What do you have to experience to be reduced to the mentality of something like The Hunger Games?

If you take a long, hard look at yourself, you might find a darker shade to your light.  I’ve seen it, myself.  I try to be a good guy.  But, there are moments…  And, I cannot guarantee something wouldn’t eventually turn me. 

But, if you DO take that long, hard look…and you only see good…well, either you are full of yourself (and something soft and brown and smelly) or you are one lucky individual.  Well, luck is subject to opinion and definition and could just be the enemy of the ego…but…

So, how can the world ever be free of its current state of quarreling rights and economies if we all cannot part with our “status” and “entitlement” and share the world’s resources? 

And, by share, I don’t been buying shares of a company.  I don’t mean sharing the burden by paying more fees and taxes to have some of what the other guy has.  I don’t mean renting the services and resources we need the rest of our lives just to slave away to feed some higher, wealthier ego and then listen to the praises of said ego and his wealthy status. 

Oh, please, sir, tell me more of your mansions and car collection and plans for universal domination.  NOT!

Here’s today’s philosophical metaphor for ya.

If you had a big, frosted cake and had enough for everyone in the world, would you divide it evenly and be satisfied?  Or, would you–even for a second–think you should stash away more of that cake for yourself and divide the remainder among the rest of the world?  Could you be content with your own equal-size piece?

But, here’s my cynical, skeptical kicker, right below that.  If someone told you they were giving you a piece of the cake everyone is sharing equally, would you believe they were giving you your fair share?  See.  That’s another problem…or shade of the same problem.  Trust.  There is very little trust in the world.  And, those who DO trust too often get swindled.  I’ve been swindled quite a bit, and it has made me so bitter; my own obtuse family gets tired of me.

Yet, it’s possible someone could offer you your fair share and be holding out on you.  But, how would you know?  And, how would you verify…anything?

Now, you see?   You see why I cannot take my heavy egg-shaped head off my tense fist and rigidly bent knee.  

If you need me, I’ll be on the stump…er, toilet…ridding myself of today’s crap.  ‘Got any Thought Paper?

  emptyTProll-650x400-2

 

 

14
Aug
19

The Older Man at the Dating Carnival

By writingbolt Leave a Comment
Categories: Looking for Love and Happiness and Uncategorized
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

****

So, there I was, a middle-aged man at what is essentially a carnival, surrounded by families, couples and a zoological encyclopedia of younger women often traveling in small packs like wild gazelles.

I found myself longing and looking at the young gazelles…and then feeling completely out of sorts and out of place. Had I indulged my youthful thoughts, I’d later admonish myself for acting like some pedophile. I look around, trying to spot the older cheetahs, the cougars and elephants…and I can’t see anything other than mothers, wives and grandmas. I feel completely out of place with attachment to nothing other than the family I accompany, and even that is sketchy attachment, like a loose tooth waiting to pop out of a kid’s mouth. I am adrift in the sea of human connectivity. And, being so lost, I had almost no interest in being among the crowd.

Part of me wanted to blink my eyes and storm right back to the car or even hike all the way home. Part of me was lingering like a child insistant on getting a balloon or toy before he goes home. I came to sample new foods and help my nephews have fun and be safe. I could only manage the babysitting duty. The food (and mingling, if I had that nerve) just couldn’t fit itself into my abilities; the heat and crowding didn’t help.

Some day, you’ll find me in a National Geographic special on human nature and see the lone, hungry outsider who can’t seem to find a mate or make many decisions. He will be tortured by constant references to Taylor Swift (whose name kept popping up at said carnival as if the phone was ringing for me to take some kind of action I did not know).
[What am I to do, Tay? They’re playing your song. They’re naming pigs after you. They have your “swag” for sale. The days of Hannah Montana and the first wave of Spice Girls didn’t generate as much attention. Suddenly, you’re everywhere…and I feel like I am nowhere. I don’t want a Taylor Swift sundae or Cotton Cand-Tay. I want to *savor* the real thing.]

Sorry, readers, for bringing her into yet another blog post. But, it happened for a reason. Of that, I am certain. I’m just not sure why.

16
Jan
18

Untied Day: A NEW Holiday for Singles to Represent and Get to Know Each Other

By writingbolt Leave a Comment
Categories: Concerns and Alerts, Creations, Looking for Love and Happiness and Uncategorized
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

*****

On February 21st, if you are single, widowed or recently divorced, feel free to celebrate…

UNTIED DAY
(c) (R) AP 2017

How many of you are single and sick of Valentine’s Day and its cousins, including Dragobete? How many of you are tired of worrying about what gift to get someone you like/love, what greeting card will make that someone happy or forgetting one more holiday date just to end up in the doghouse with your significant other? And, how many of you are walking around, looking for love but not keen on online dating sites or singles “bars?”

Wouldn’t you like to go out and know who is single, looking for love or interested in something else, just like you? Wouldn’t you like a sign that tells you more about the person you meet out there? Well, have I got the holiday cure for you.

On Untied Day, anyone who is without a paired heart on Valentine’s Day or a lock on Dragobete can be themselves and let others know a little (or a lot) about who they are. There is no need for worrying about getting a gift, how much you spend, forgetting something that happened one or fifty years ago or being late for a date.

————–

WHAT TO WEAR:

A) A loose tie or ribbon, draped loosely over the shoulders/around the neck. [IE An untied business tie for a man or a hair ribbon for a woman.] If you are capable of wearing more than one ribbon at a time (to display a variety of interests/opinions), more power to you.

AND/OR

B) An Untied Day shirt/patch** with the appropriate color(s).

AND/OR

C) Represent your personality/tastes/interests with accessories and/or color/pattern choices (or wear what you happen to have and take your chances on explaining to curious individuals why you dressed that way). You could even substitute an Untied Day shirt/patch** with one that features an image or message that represents you, something you may already have stashed away somewhere.

**Currently, there are none in print/production. So, for now, you can simply print/reproduce the logo (a ribbon fused with a dress tie in the shape of the letters UNT) at your own expense, provided you give credit to yours truly. [I did come up with the design and the holiday name, after all.] For now, the idea of the holiday may be nothing more than something “trending” if it will be. But, I aspire to fashion tees, hoodies, tanks, sleeveless turtlenecks and camisoles as well as a variety of patches/badges.

————–

Suggested accessory #1: If you want to go one step further, get yourself a good and sticky nametag (or, if you prefer, a pin-on, clip-on or magnetic type), one that either has the words or upon which you can write this message:

HI. I AM ____.

And, in that blank, I want you to put either your first name or a word that best describes you. [IE HI. I AM Fred. HI. I AM silly. HI. I AM frank. HI. I AM shy.] Just don’t put a word like “dependable” or “trustworthy” because you’d have to work harder than most to prove it.

Put the nametag on one side of your (Untied Day) shirt. If nothing else, it helps clarify your “untie” of choice.

————–

The following are suggestive color/pattern choices which you may apply to your choice of Untied accessories. The point is to represent yourself so you don’t have to explain everything to interested/potential mates. If you don’t agree with these explanations, feel free to explain yourself when approached/asked.

COLORS:

BLACK = Strictly business, not looking for romance/a relationship. You are single and okay with it. And, if you are looking for a partner, it’s only for business/work. You’re hiring.

WHITE = Virgin. [You gotta be quite brave to represent this, these days.]

BABY BLUE = You have a son or sons. [For greater accuracy, wear one logo for each child.]

PINK = You have a daughter or daughters. [For greater accuracy, wear one logo for each child.]

GREEN = Newly single; you just got out of a relationship or are new to dating. [Be sure to represent any other factor of that status, including past sexual relationships and children.]

BLUE (any pure blue other than baby blue) = A very emotional person; sensitive. Possibly coping with depression. A sign of caution to potential partners; you need to be handled with care. You might also be gentle with others.

RED = Aggressive; an avid hunter. You have limited patience and are not afraid to admit it. Stop. Don’t bother asking ME a question; I’ll come to you.

YELLOW = Cautious or too shy to say hi or ask someone out, at the moment. You need someone to approach you, first. [At least we know you’re not hostile or superficial. Right?]

ORANGE = The hands-on/tactile type who don’t mind getting their hands dirty. In terms of dating/relationships, you are someone who prefers holding hands, hugging and physically laboring to show you care. [Compare with PURPLE.]

PURPLE = The intellectual/intuitive type who like mental challenges and never stop being students of life. In terms of dating/relationships, you are someone who prefers heart-to-heart talks and thoughtful gifts that may not even be tangible (like planning a trip somewhere your partner longs to visit or frequents). [Compare with ORANGE.]

GRAY = Mysterious; you consider yourself a mystery, enjoy being one and/or like to explore mysteries where you find them. You like interrogation, both giving and receiving.

BROWN = Chocolate-lover. Quite simply, you are in need of the brown (or white) stuff and are letting others know what would put a smile on your face on a day like today when you don’t have someone to love (in place of chocolate). You don’t want to dwell on feelings, who’s happy together or who’s starved for love. You’re not seriously looking for companionship. Just give you some chocolate.

——————-

COLOR COMBOS:

BLACK AND WHITE = Religious and/or marriage-minded. Religion is important to you.

RED, WHITE AND BLUE = Politically driven, patriotic or an activist. You support your nation’s government with pride.

RED AND BLACK CHECKERED = Lover of (board) games and puzzles.

HALF RED/HALF WHITE = You are in a medical field (of work), a surgeon, pharmacist, dentist, nurse, etc.

——————-

PATTERNS (OF YOUR RIBBON/TIE AND/OR ACCESSORIES):

POLKA DOTS = Bubbly, lighthearted or having a good sense of humor. You occasionally clown around and can take a joke (about yourself). Humor is important to you.

STRIPES =
ONE STRIPE = You’ve had one previous sexual relationship (no longer a virgin).
TWO STRIPES OR MORE = You’ve had more than one sexual relationship.

HEARTS =
ONE HEART = Monogamous; you are seeking one partner for a lifetime.
TWO HEARTS OR MORE = Polygamous or open to unconventional relationships.

ANIMAL PRINT = Nature-lover and/or animal-lover. Pick a print that best fits your interest/personality, like a spirit animal. If you think of yourself as a tigress, wear a tiger stripe ribbon/tie. If you are chatty like a parrot, wear a tie/ribbon with a parrot face/profile. If you favor dogs over cats, wear a tie/ribbon that has (a) dog(s) on it.

STARS =
ONE STAR = Divorced/Separated.
TWO TO FIVE STARS = Divorced (#/multiple) times.
MANY (SMALL) STARS = An interest in astrology/astronomy and/or space exploration.

DOLLAR SIGNS =
ONE DOLLAR SIGN = Money-minded; you give great importance to a person’s income and how they spend/save it.
MULTIPLE DOLLAR SIGNS = You are rich and proud of it.

MASK(S) (THEATER, CARNIVAL OR HARLEQUIN) = An interest in role-play (not necessarily role-playing games, aka RPGs). You favor costume(s) (parties) and pretending to be other characters/creatures.

——————-

WHAT TO DO/NOT DO ON UNTIED DAY:

DO:
1– Treat yourself to something you normally push aside because it’s not “frugal,” too flashy to wear most days, not the best use of your time or not the best for your “diet.” [But, see DO NOT #1.]

2– Represent yourself, your interests and/or personality (quirks) with what you wear.

3– Approach someone else dressed for this special day if you like or care to know more about what you see, knowing they are single/unattached like yourself. And, chat with that person, starting with some question or comment related to their chosen attire/accessories. It’s the best and fastest cure to being single/alone on a day like this.

4– Respect the interests of others dressed for this special day if they choose NOT to speak and/or be nice to you. Not everyone on such a singles day needs or wants to kindle a new relationship (with you). Mind your distance, be open to rejection and respect the color code (if the person uses the one I’ve provided). And, if you are approached but not interested in who approaches, respectfully let the person know.

5– Meet new singles in public, drug-free places. [IE A mall, a restaurant, a department store, your workplace or a dog park.]

 

DO NOT:
1– Spend more money today than absolutely necessary to please yourself or buy any material things (IE new clothes or jewelry). You should not be taking any financial risks on a day of love (other than missing a day of work, perhaps). You might know the old expression about money not being able to buy you happiness (or love). I personally do not like buying anything on my birthday; that’s a day for other people to treat ME (respectfully and/or kindly). Likewise…

2– Pretend to be someone or something you are not. Faking is dangerous and often cruel.

3– Assume what someone is wearing for this special day means what you think it does. [See DOs #3 and #4.]

4– Criticize or try to discourage anyone from dressing festively for this special day. You can spare one day from spreading your negativity. Can’t you? Ease up on the uniform policy; think of this as a casual (Fri)day.

5– Look for new partners at a bar or anywhere you might be less conscious of your actions (should you partake in drug use). DO NOT get drunk to loosen up or forget something/someone. You know you are not content with yourself if you do so; you only ignore your nerves/conscience that way. [Then again, this IS a singles day. So, if you fool around, you’ll likely get another chance to dress up next year. But, you might like yourself less.]

——————-

There you have it. Now, get out there (or lounge where you may) and represent your single selves. Remember, this is a day to either be content with your single status–not pursue any new relations–or let others know who you are if they are seeking a partner. Be creative. Be happy. Be free. Be un-tied.

UntiedDay-explanationposter-2018-ap-900sq-1JUntiedDay-logo-2017_RBnW-color-splash-ad-2018_ap-CSPP-900sq-16J

 

[If you would like to be a part of an Untied Day creative committee, feel free to drop a letter in my mailbox. If approved, you can offer suggestions for improving the guidelines and partake in the production of Untied Day merchandise/apparel.]

 

*****A partner post to this one will be appearing, soon, including an assortment of first-draft Untied Day greeting cards and explanation ads/posters you may freely distribute to spread the word/idea (but don’t forget it is a Writingbolt/AP invention).*****

But, here are a few visuals to help “decode” my logo and provide some means of reproducing prints/coloring pages (so you can fashion your own T-shirts and such).

 

 

 

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