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Monday, Dec. 23, 2024

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Indelible

by Elisa: Snowman Stik

Rated: 18+ · Book · Personal · #2230879

The initial fleeting thoughts that have since become timeless

Here lies a collection of journal entries that have somehow managed to withstand the test of time. Some are old. Some are a bit newer but have made it here due to historical significance. While we humans can grow and change, there are some stances that stay largely the same but gain more nuance. My brain started to grasp the threads of things that would become apparent later down the road. This collection explores those stances.

The entries will be added in no particular order. A recent entry may be right next to something over a decade old. I've been journaling on Writing.com since 2003, and I will continue journaling here for years to come. Yes, my journaling will continue to involve foul language. I did modify it a bit here to meet the rating requirements. Otherwise, I aim to keep the entries as close to their original state as possible. There will not be constant updates to this collection; things will be added, though. Feel free to check in and comment on whatever you'd like. There's plenty to explore in here.

Show Recent Comments

4 Most Recent Blog Comments:

Kåre เลียม Enga

Aug 16, 2022 at 11:34pm
In response to "Do Not Bless Me"

So much to unwrap here.

When I was living in the inner-city I had great neighbors; but that was not just random, it was a choice. I chose a lifestyle that allowed me to help others (including refugees) while I had a comfortable house and a magnificent garden. That too was a choice.

I suspect you are speaking of 'material blessings' as in 'materialism'. Americans tend to describe prosperity in material/economic terms. There are other types of blessings (and other meanings of the word).

As for 1840-1870 ... there was much upheaval in religious communities as well as in politics and other aspects of culture. An interesting shift globally.

Kåre เลียม Enga

Aug 15, 2022 at 4:23pm
In response to "An entry's not for everyone"

I think you should add the date this was written on: 11 September, 2004.

Makes more sense that way.

I can't disagree. I can only add (about Oklahoma City) that not only was the terrorist home-bred-and-baked, that for me he was local. He lived in a neighboring town and went to a neighboring school we played in sports. Folks quietly rallied around his father. Nobody bombed his state, his county, his town, his school or neighborhood.

Both attacks were tragic; but, like any event we choose whether we obsess about them. Obsession can lead to anger, depression, trauma. 9/11 was an event that allowed the US government to manipulate and traumatize its own populace. Once the gun was loaded it was easy to aim it at Iraq and then Afghanistan.

To American patriots who played the game of exceptionalism and what-if by justifying preemptive strikes, I just point to Russia. Same game, different name.

If the only difference between a cop and a criminal is the badge, then the only difference between a patriot and a terrorist is the uniform he wears.

At least hurricanes are cleansing; war pollutes.

Waltz Invictus

Nov 13, 2020 at 9:11am
In response to "Time to Crash Through Your Messages of Unity"

I'mma release my inner nerd here (big shock)

A cornerstone of Star Trek has always been strength in diversity. The Vulcans had their IDIC philosophy: "Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations" (let's leave out how the acronym so nicely translated into English or the inherent illogic of infinity arising from any combination of the finite).

Great in theory, of course, but that didn't stop Vulcans (or humans) from going to war or experiencing cultural rifts, even in a fictional universe. One can argue that as a writer, without conflict, there's not much story (and that has certainly been true historically for Trek stories), but I think it also points to a deeper issue, which is that sometimes our goals are simply incompatible.

That's the thing with ideals, though: they're something to strive for, not something that's necessarily obtainable, much as the combination of finite quantities can't lead to infinity -- but it can lead to a number so large it might as well be infinite from our limited perspective.

That said, I don't think today's identity politics are an end point, but rather a necessary detour on the way to a more understanding world. No matter what our backgrounds, we're all individuals and, at the same time, all part of a greater whole.

For myself, I try to be understanding and accepting, but when someone uses their own set of facts that don't comport with reality, it gets all up in my nerves.

Live long and prosper.

Kåre เลียม Enga

Nov 12, 2020 at 8:57pm
In response to "Time to Crash Through Your Messages of Unity"

Longer than a WaPo op-ed!

Oh... I don't know... I worked on many of these issues long ago (emphasis on 'long ago'). I vaguely remember straight/gay parties from 1984-ish. My first interracial picnic was August 28, 1988. That's 32 years ago... I did them for 15 years. Some success, some failure. Many people were puzzled as to why I bothered (I knew why). Wish I could do them now. My personal situation has changed.

I believe there's an on-going need for communication between individuals (the systemic -isms and -phobias seem overwhelming until there's a sea-change in people themselves) on all issues. But people are more willing to retreat to their echo-chambers (here's to you Parler! Senior Centers! Gay-Men's groups, gated communities, political parties, many churches, private clubs) than to take the risk of leaving their comfort zone.

Unity is the cornerstone for my belief system; but, it's an ideal not always demonstrated in the daily reality of human tribalism. That said, although I understand the sentiments of the message you quote, it really is apple-pie-in-the-sky ridiculous. Because? It denies my experiences and the experiences of any minority (and added up we are the true majority).

'Let's all get along' comes off as an oppressor attempting to deny the voices of the oppressed (to feel better?). Unity is a peaceful place but the road getting there is strewn with potholes and paved with pain. 'Happy, happy! Let's all be happy!' denies that pain. And when my pain is denied? I'm pissed.

So... thanks for helping me vent.

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