Ffolkes,
Well, here we are again. This could get ugly today; my head is using every trick it knows to keep from functioning this morning, and that can have a deleterious effect on the Pearls. Then again, just as often, what comes out can also show signs of actual rational thought, with a occasional witty turn of phrase…..either way, we’d best get started….
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“If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons.” — James Thurber
This one is pretty straight forward, and is a sentiment that I share completely. I don’t think I’ve ever met a dog that didn’t meet the criteria to get into heaven; the only time a dog behaves badly is when they have learned ill-manners from their human. And really, not much more can be said on this topic. It is for sure and for certain that it would take a lot of saintly activity in the human arena before I will have much respect for people; most folks don’t think much at all, which leaves them wide open to being manipulated by others. And the ones that do think at all very seldom think about anything beyond their own desires. A dog’s whole purpose in life is centered on the humans they live with, and learning how to please their alleged masters is their primary desire. People can learn a lot from dogs regarding ethical behavior; I sometimes wonder which one is really the dominant species….. or, at least the most honorable……
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“Is this the region, this the soil, the clime,”
Said then the lost Archangel, “this the seat
That we must change for Heaven, this mournful gloom
For that celestial light? Be it so, since he
Who is now sovereign can dispose and bid
What shall be right: farthest from him is best,
Whom reason hath equaled, force hath made supreme
Above his equals. Farewell, happy fields,
Where joy forever dwells! Hail, horrors! hail,
Infernal World! and thou, profoundest Hell,
Receive thy new possessor – one who brings
A mind not to be changed by place or time.
A mind is its own place, and in itself
Can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven.
What matter where, if I be still the same,
And what should I be, all but less than he
Whom thunder hath made greater? Here at least
We shall be free; the Almighty hath not built
Here for his envy, will not drive us hence;
Here we may reign secure, and, in my choice,
To reign is worth ambition, though in Hell:
Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven.”
— John Milton, “Paradise Lost”
This passage is probably the best known part of Milton’s Paradise Lost; just about everyone has heard the last line. It’s here merely because it is so beautifully written; it has been commented on enough in the last couple hundred years since it was penned, so I’m sure my take isn’t necessary. Balancing precariously and bravely on the edge between poetry and prose, one is given the impression of power, ambition gone mad, and unbearable sadness. I had intended to include a different piece of genius here, but the only copy I could find was written in invisible ink…..so this will have to suffice….
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“He should not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” — Elrond
I was going to write more about this; it’s pretty deep in some respects. But it is also merely a fancier way to say, “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” So we’ll pick something new to go in this slot. Hang on, be right back…..
I feel like one
Who treads alone
Some banquet-hall deserted,
Whose lights are fled,
Whose garlands dead,
And all but he departed.
— Thomas Moore (1779-1852) — Oft in the Stilly Night
I often feel this way, especially when I start thinking about the course of human society in today’s world. I just don’t see how we can survive without some major changes taking place, and nobody of any significance to the rest of the world is singing that tune. It seems to me that 99% of humanity is wandering around, focused on completing their life’s agenda, which includes such thrilling goals as “he who dies with the most toys, wins…” or “how many people can I screw over today?”, while concurrently pursuing those goals through policies and procedures that are killing the planet. It’s enough to drive a man to drink……or buy a gun…..
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The Bluebird of Happiness long absent from his life, Ned is visited by the Chicken of Depression. — Gary Larson
This is the caption from a Gary Larson cartoon; he creates the widely syndicated “Far Side”. This particular line was in the SF Chronicle sometime in early 1988. At that time, I was attending the California Culinary Academy, raising two kids, dealing with an emotionally volatile wife, commuting 120+ miles/day to go to school, juggling close-to-the-edge finances; in school, I was acting as the assistant to the Maitre d’Hotel, and working eight hour shifts after school to bring in some cash. The day this cartoon appeared, I had gone to an interview for a waiter’s job at the Fairmont Hotel, and had my car towed away by the SFPD during the interview. I was NOT a happy camper.
But, it all got better when one of the administrative assistants brought this cartoon to my attention while I was directing a class of student waiters in setting up the dining room for dinner. She came up to me, said, “Ned, I think you should see this,” and handed me the paper, folded to show the cartoon. I looked at the picture, of some dumpy guy sitting on a bed in a run-down room, and a chicken in the window. The above caption was so perfect, so personal, I literally fell to the floor with laughter, where I stayed for a full minute, giggling uncontrollably. It was such a wonderful relief to get all that angst and frustration out, and to enjoy being able to laugh again at myself; it’s a moment that will always be with me, always ready to make me smile, and help me to remember that things could always be worse…..
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“I’m totally DESPONDENT over the LIBYAN situation and the price of CHICKEN..” — Zippy the Pinhead
Me too!….. 🙂 That’s all ffolkes…..I’m all out of creativity for the nonce (love that word). I could write a paragraph or two, using this as a springboard, but I’m tired, and my brain wants to stop. Far be it from me to ever argue with myself….what a waste of time! I always know who’s going to win……
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Okay, I made this up last night. It’s going to be my new, first choice insult/curse. We all need one of these now and again, right? Feel free to borrow it, should you happen to encounter someone in your daily routine who makes you want to bite them. This is much classier, and won’t get you arrested…..”May Beelzebub’s personal imp use your toothbrush to clean his nails without telling you, until AFTER you brush your teeth…….” Eeuuww! I think it works, how ’bout y’all? Meantime, y’all take care out there……
Sometimes I sits and thinks,
and sometimes
I just sits.
gigoid
Kowabunga!
gigoid 