Tips for Finding Happiness in Your Daily Life
10 years ago
Sunday, September 28, 2014
And You May Quote Me 66
I don't have a solution. At least I can choose not to contribute to the problem.
Bar None
This morning, right after wishing a "friend" happy birthday, I read that she was "against the movement" (the protests in Hong Kong).
Wha? Against democracy, a just voting system, freedom of speech? Wha? Who is AGAINST those things?
Do. Not. Compute! I wanted to unpost my greeting.
There, I am yet again convinced not to get political on FB. FB is hardly the ideal effective venue anyhow. If I want to get on a soap box, I'll go on a forum.
A cousin posts on my wall a video of the police teargassing the peaceful crowd, the majority of which are students. A parallel is drawn to the Tiananmen Square incident in 1989. A petition has been created to prevent bloody history from repeating itself.
In response, I pasted a news link with the comment, "The world is listening." That's my way of saying: CNN has reported the story. So I don't have to.
Even before China took back H.K. in 1997, I knew this day would come. It was only a matter of time. I have no faith in government or humanity. Really any effort to resist is futile.
But, what the hey, I sign the petition. But I will not share the video. I draw the line.
I refuse to get behind chain-letter-natured ANYTHING. It is a matter of principle. What are we, in fifth grade?!?
The ice bucket challenge? Ignore. The [insert number]-day grateful challenge? Pass.
If I want to be charitable, I'll do it any old time. I don't need a publicity stunt or anyone to tell me which charity to focus on.
I've been long aware of ALS, thanks to Tuesdays with Morrie. While it is universally good that funds have been generated for research, the whole disease-flavor-du-jour thing leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
I am grateful everyday for variable things. Some days I am more grateful than others. Some days there are more things on that list. I don't need to share with the world to prove that I can be grateful. It should not be a challenge to find things to be grateful about.
Some things I am grateful about would come across as dark and sinister anyway. For instance, I am grateful I am childless. I am glad I am not bringing another life in this insufferable world.
Centuries of genocide still go on today - it can happen to any race, in any corner. Nobody is immune. Endless disputes, endless wars. Nations economically thriving have utter disregard for ethics, the environment, human lives. Heck, any life. Global warming will kill us, if power-craving maniacs don't do it first.
Instead of leaving the dire situation for future generations to figure out, how about, just, don't. The earth is overpopulated anyhow. I've done my part to curb the madness. You are welcome.
I've been called morbid, depressed and pessimistic. I call me lucid, practical and in touch with reality.
Wha? Against democracy, a just voting system, freedom of speech? Wha? Who is AGAINST those things?
Do. Not. Compute! I wanted to unpost my greeting.
There, I am yet again convinced not to get political on FB. FB is hardly the ideal effective venue anyhow. If I want to get on a soap box, I'll go on a forum.
A cousin posts on my wall a video of the police teargassing the peaceful crowd, the majority of which are students. A parallel is drawn to the Tiananmen Square incident in 1989. A petition has been created to prevent bloody history from repeating itself.
In response, I pasted a news link with the comment, "The world is listening." That's my way of saying: CNN has reported the story. So I don't have to.
Even before China took back H.K. in 1997, I knew this day would come. It was only a matter of time. I have no faith in government or humanity. Really any effort to resist is futile.
But, what the hey, I sign the petition. But I will not share the video. I draw the line.
I refuse to get behind chain-letter-natured ANYTHING. It is a matter of principle. What are we, in fifth grade?!?
The ice bucket challenge? Ignore. The [insert number]-day grateful challenge? Pass.
If I want to be charitable, I'll do it any old time. I don't need a publicity stunt or anyone to tell me which charity to focus on.
I've been long aware of ALS, thanks to Tuesdays with Morrie. While it is universally good that funds have been generated for research, the whole disease-flavor-du-jour thing leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
I am grateful everyday for variable things. Some days I am more grateful than others. Some days there are more things on that list. I don't need to share with the world to prove that I can be grateful. It should not be a challenge to find things to be grateful about.
Some things I am grateful about would come across as dark and sinister anyway. For instance, I am grateful I am childless. I am glad I am not bringing another life in this insufferable world.
Centuries of genocide still go on today - it can happen to any race, in any corner. Nobody is immune. Endless disputes, endless wars. Nations economically thriving have utter disregard for ethics, the environment, human lives. Heck, any life. Global warming will kill us, if power-craving maniacs don't do it first.
Instead of leaving the dire situation for future generations to figure out, how about, just, don't. The earth is overpopulated anyhow. I've done my part to curb the madness. You are welcome.
I've been called morbid, depressed and pessimistic. I call me lucid, practical and in touch with reality.
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Funny or Die
Went to the Oddball Comedy Fest last night. It was very cool.
First time seeing Louis C.K. live for both RJ and myself. Worth the anticipation. Everything else was icing on the cake.
Even though the experience was once-in-a-lifetime and thoroughly enjoyable, I hafta say: I'm getting too old for this shit. Even though I'd had nothing to drink (or smoke, unless you count the ubiquitous secondhand marijuana puff) and I was in bed by 11:30 p.m., I rose this morning feeling mysteriously hungover and dead tired.
I will also say I was ambivalent about the lineup. There was WAY too much pandering to the twentysomethings and the techies in the audience. And then there were the "old people" jokes (old people can't be hip; old people can't possibly understand technology!) I saw enough silver foxes around to identify with and feel jaded alongside. Ageism is becoming a harsh reality that I have grown increasingly and painfully aware of.
To be expected, front row seats got all the intimate attention and spotlight (not like I desire spotlight). The peeps on the lawn (who paid $45 and up a head for admission, or $15, if they snatched a Groupon) got some love too. After all, they were the underdogs who braved the (lovely) weather to be there, rental foldable chairs in tote and all, likened to the free spirits who might be spotted at, say, a open-to-all concert at the Golden Gate Park.
The folks in the middle, like us, got no honorable mention. Another classic example of how, in America, you'd better be filthy rich or flat broke. The middle class always gets screwed.
Which brings me to the point of why Louis C.K. is the best comedian of them all (given the group, not universally). A great comedian does not alienate. Instead, s/he remains relatable regardless of the story being told. In commiseration, the audience bond with the artist, cross-culture, cross-gender, cross-age-gaps.
It is an art not mastered by many. It would be easy to chalk it up to the fact that, yes, Louis C.K. happens to be close to my age; so he must be less likely to rub me the wrong way. Indubitably, life experience helps render a person more interesting, multifaceted, etc. But ultimately, it is what the person does with his/her history and how s/he shares his/her past with the world.
I have read that it took Louis C.K. years to realize the "secret" to comedic success, to arrive at what is known as his signature style today: simply, honesty. Sure, vulnerability is the first step. But it takes a superb mind to strike the right balance, so that in the most common traits and nuances others may take for granted, unpleasant elements notwithstanding, we are able to laugh at the absurdity of life and recognize how we are very alike. People are not as different as we sometimes make ourselves to be. Deep down, fear, disappointment, pain, what makes life life... as Joan Rivers said, life is tough. At least we can laugh at the same things.
First time seeing Louis C.K. live for both RJ and myself. Worth the anticipation. Everything else was icing on the cake.
Even though the experience was once-in-a-lifetime and thoroughly enjoyable, I hafta say: I'm getting too old for this shit. Even though I'd had nothing to drink (or smoke, unless you count the ubiquitous secondhand marijuana puff) and I was in bed by 11:30 p.m., I rose this morning feeling mysteriously hungover and dead tired.
I will also say I was ambivalent about the lineup. There was WAY too much pandering to the twentysomethings and the techies in the audience. And then there were the "old people" jokes (old people can't be hip; old people can't possibly understand technology!) I saw enough silver foxes around to identify with and feel jaded alongside. Ageism is becoming a harsh reality that I have grown increasingly and painfully aware of.
To be expected, front row seats got all the intimate attention and spotlight (not like I desire spotlight). The peeps on the lawn (who paid $45 and up a head for admission, or $15, if they snatched a Groupon) got some love too. After all, they were the underdogs who braved the (lovely) weather to be there, rental foldable chairs in tote and all, likened to the free spirits who might be spotted at, say, a open-to-all concert at the Golden Gate Park.
The folks in the middle, like us, got no honorable mention. Another classic example of how, in America, you'd better be filthy rich or flat broke. The middle class always gets screwed.
Which brings me to the point of why Louis C.K. is the best comedian of them all (given the group, not universally). A great comedian does not alienate. Instead, s/he remains relatable regardless of the story being told. In commiseration, the audience bond with the artist, cross-culture, cross-gender, cross-age-gaps.
It is an art not mastered by many. It would be easy to chalk it up to the fact that, yes, Louis C.K. happens to be close to my age; so he must be less likely to rub me the wrong way. Indubitably, life experience helps render a person more interesting, multifaceted, etc. But ultimately, it is what the person does with his/her history and how s/he shares his/her past with the world.
I have read that it took Louis C.K. years to realize the "secret" to comedic success, to arrive at what is known as his signature style today: simply, honesty. Sure, vulnerability is the first step. But it takes a superb mind to strike the right balance, so that in the most common traits and nuances others may take for granted, unpleasant elements notwithstanding, we are able to laugh at the absurdity of life and recognize how we are very alike. People are not as different as we sometimes make ourselves to be. Deep down, fear, disappointment, pain, what makes life life... as Joan Rivers said, life is tough. At least we can laugh at the same things.
