discipline

I am a human being, not an American, nor a Westerner, not even a civilian. I refuse to be labeled in such ways, specifically the first. And if I were an American, I would not be proud to be one.

I'm not saying this is a terrible place to live, or that everyone who considers him or herself an American is my enemy. Though I urge you all to reconsider.

Internationally, being an American has a negative stigma. There are bad AND good reasons for this. We fail to own up to them all. Instead we just discount the bad reasons and throw it back in the faces of said accusers. We are cowards, not to mention idiots.

We don't practice what we preach. It's a strange cultural thing I guess. Our norms and mores, rules and laws, and even some traditions are completely out of whack with "acceptable" and "unacceptable" behavior.

Our arrogance is ridiculous. Our collective ego is so big that it extends up into Canada and down to Mexico. We're the all-knowing Americans. Like we need the rest of the world to survive! We have WalMart, please! And a great big military.

Speaking of which; War, good god y'all, what is it good for?
When a little kid hits another kid, he is scolded by Mommy or Daddy and asked to apologize. In school if you get in a fight, you're punished, severely. You might even have to go to see a "conflict manager" or something of the like, to straighten out your issues. Don't even get me started on violence in the workplace. A co-worker shoots up the office, the nation reacts, wondering just what was wrong with this person? Who could be so screwed up? Why?
Bottom line: violence is a terrible thing, and we all know it. It's primal behavior, instinctual (hence the kids hitting each other) but we are humans, we've evolved (or magically stemmed from two people in a garden with a snake), we are intelligent enough to know that there are more civil ways to solve our differences. Oh wait, that is with other Americans. I mean, cross the border and if somebody steps on your toe you have every right to slaughter them, kidnap their children, rape their spouses, and if you're up for it, burn their village to the ground. Let freedom ring! Isn't "spreading democracy" grand?

If I moved to France, I would not want to be called French; Africa, not African; India, not Indian. I wouldn't even wanted to be called "Antarctic," and that's too bad because how badass would that be? I am part of a society that includes all people, form every region, culture and walk of life. I run across very few people I can not get along with, mostly because I hold no prejudices, or try my best not to at least.

So, Americans: Get off your high horses and spend some time down on Earth for a change. Yes, Earth, that round planet-thingy we share with more than just the Caribbean. (I know! There are other cool places to go on vacation, can you believe it?)

Oh, and word to your mother: You can't be proud to be something you were born into. Stop taking pride in things like your last name. Pride is a sick bastard. He fucks you up good. If taken in very small doses for the right reasons, it can be healthy for you, but it's best left to the professionals. Instead, be modest and compassionate. Ask: not what your [country/family/society/religion/houseplant] can do for me, but what I can do for my [country/family/society/religion/houseplant]. Yes, it's called karma. The favor we be returned, AND it will make you feel good inside.

Meditate on the following:

1) The last time you were selfish (if you can't remember you're either a saint or have selective memory). Think about who you hurt, or simply let down. Maybe it was yourself. Maybe it was just the universe. Apologize to who you have hurt or let down; first in your meditation, until you feel good enough about it to do so in person. Think about why you were selfish. Understand what it means to be selfish. Now understand selflessness. Try to be as selfless as you can next time you have the urge to be selfish. Help others first and you will be helped. Maintain optimism.

2) Apathy. Not for yourself, but for society, politics, and general issues regarding other people. Think, if you can, about the most underrepresented group in the world, whether it be a religion, a nation, a non-for-profit. Empathize with those individuals, not just the group, but the individuals who suffer from lack of representation. Get inside them, feel their pain, truly understand as best you can. Now be compassionate. You don't just want to care, you care. You want to help them. Reward is of no concern, you just have the will to ease their pain, as a fellow human being. Now relax, bring yourself back to reality, and write down your thoughts. Write a list of ten things you can do tomorrow to help people. Then do it. We'll talk more about this later.

3) You've done a lot of work. Take some time to relax, breathe deep and think about anything you want. Picture your ideal vacation spot and let your senses take over. Enjoy!

Thank you for reading this entry. It was an important one to me. You're smarter than I thought!

Go Cubs GO!

Don’t let anyone say that it’s just a game.
For I’ve seen other teams and it’s never the same.
When you’re born in Chicago, you’re blessed and you’re healed.
First time you walk into Wrigley Field.

Our heroes wear pinstripes; heroes in blue.
They give us the chance to feel like heroes too.
Whether we’ll win, and if we should lose,

We know someday we’ll go all the way.
Yeah! Someday we’ll go all the way.

We are one with the Cubs, with the Cubs we’re in love.
Yeah hold our head high as the underdog.
We are not fair weather but foul weather fans!
We’re like brothers in arms in the streets and the stands.

There’s magic in the ivy and the old scoreboard.
The same one I stared at as a kid keeping score.
A world full of greed I could never want more.

Someday we’ll go all the way.
Yeah! Someday we’ll go all the way.

And here’s to the men and the legends we’ve known.
Teaching us faith and giving us hope.
United we stand and united we’ll fall
Down to our knees the day we win it all.

Yeah Ernie Banks said, “Oh let’s play two.”
Or did he mean 200 years?
In the same ballpark, our diamond, our jewel.
The home of our joy and our tears.

Keeping traditions and wishes made new.
The place where our grandfathers’ fathers they grew.
A spiritual feeling if I ever knew.
And if you ain’t been I am sorry for you.

And when the day comes, when that last winning run,
And I’m crying and covered in beer.
I’ll look to the sky and know I was right.

To think someday we’ll go all the way,
Yeah! Someday we’ll go all the way.

I blame the assholes who didn't believe. Fair weather mother fuckers. You are not Cubs fans. You are just like the rest of 'em. I am a sinner for thinking otherwise.

Thanks.

And P.S. I give up.



















Someday.
-E.V.

MISSION: statement

B.R.O.H.A.M.

Because Ryan Only Has Anthropological Means

(for the laymen, and me lol, I just want to fix society!)

Break the mold.
We are all individuals, though we must conform to an extent.
Be proud of yourself, but not too proud.

Share your ideals.
Do not let anyone judge, and do not judge others.
Instead, be open-minded. Push yourself to do so. Push!

Believe in yourself and others before you believe in the unseen. That believing only comes with self belief. Find yourself and be honest with what you find. This is a prerequisite for searching for deeper meaning. It will come, it will.

Discipline is key.

Meditation is optional, but highly recommended. Keep in mind sleep. It is the best form of meditation. But venture out towards further relief.

Together we can do this. Focus on these steps for now. I will not move on until we all are ready. Focus. Discipline. Quiet time. Think, not too critically, just reflect. DISCIPLINE. Keep at it. In time it will come.

We walk the walk accordingly but seldom, if ever, take time to reflect. Do so. Let the mind relax. It is the hardest working organ and needs rest. Let it do so....

riddle (not my lame poetry, a real riddle. whomever solves it WINS! (cash money and/or my respect)

an unknown.
many have searched for it, without success.
applicable to humans, many (but not all) societies, and the individual.
a broad term, loosely defined.
it has yet to be found; many claim it does not exist.
however, it exists, in some form or another.
not bigfoot, or the lochness monster, but assumed like the former.
controversial indeed.
it would solve many problems and cause many arguments.


can this shit be any easier? i dunno. first one to answer wins.

more or less a dialogue opener. but that's the nature of this blog's intentions.

blog blogs blog's blougues <<< for serious Google, "blog's" is the possessive of "blog." GET WITH IT!

Block and a half, but I try

Lately, my perception has changed. A paradigm shift, if you will.

Suddenly, or seemingly so, beauty has come in many new, and somewhat obscure forms. Or it is possible that I have been blindfolded all along and now I can really appreciate true beauty. I feel like a child in need of Ridalin. My mind can not focus on one thing for more than a blogsworth of time. Constant distraction is my illness. Though when thinking comes, it approaches a meditative state; dreams more lucid, thoughts more real, emotions bouncy (but true).

A lot to handle. A lot of fun. A lot like life, accordingly so.

Am I finding myself or losing my mind? Too many thin lines.

The silver lining, or perhaps the gold nugget: a creative mind with many ideas-a-flowin. Now, some direction would be nice.

Not really what I thought I would talk about tonight, but whatevs. I know that I owe more, but this is all my block can put out right now. Not that anyone reads my diary anyhow. Night everynobody!

weak attempt or a beggers tune

For now it's all I got
But tomorrow

Silence
the kissing cousin of complicity

We try, we try
All we can do

Tomorrow, unknown
Yesterday, unforgiven
But we can not be afraid
At least not strangers

I will try
If you try
Only if you all
You all try

First of all, thank you everyone for voting in the latest poll - it ties the record for voter outcome thus far (and there is one day left)!

Pretty excited about that shit.

So, today was bad, but details will come in a later blog, if ever.

Now, I'm feelin' good. Pumped to start at Petsmart tomorrow!

Little let down by my roomies tonight but nothing personal, I'm just too picky when it comes to this shit, plus I am crabby today.

So, anyhow, VOTERS- give me some goddamn feedback, become a follower! I totally want this to be an interactive blog. Nine of you are obviously interested enough to vote in my polls, so let's get some dialogue going here!

Until next time (probably later tonight, cus its early), ROCK!!!

and blog

end blog