CULTURE/SOCIETY: This I Believe: The Benefits of Restlessness and Jagged Edges

This is from an NPR show that brings back an old show from Edward R Morrow. I recommend you check it out. - OlderMusicGeek

This I Believe: The Benefits of Restlessness and Jagged Edges
by Kay Redfield Jamison

I believe that curiosity, wonder and passion are defining qualities of imaginative minds and great teachers; that restlessness and discontent are vital things; and that intense experience and suffering instruct us in ways that less intense emotions can never do. I believe, in short, that we are equally beholden to heart and mind, and that those who have particularly passionate temperaments and questioning minds leave the world a different place for their having been there. It is important to value intellect and discipline, of course, but it is also important to recognize the power of irrationality, enthusiasm and vast energy. Intensity has its costs, of course -- in pain, in hastily and poorly reckoned plans, in impetuousness -- but it has its advantages as well.

Like millions of Americans, I was dealt a hand of intense emotions and volatile moods. I have had manic-depressive illness, also known as bipolar disorder, since I was 18 years old. It is an illness that ensures that those who have it will experience a frightening, chaotic and emotional ride. It is not a gentle or easy disease. And, yet, from it I have come to see how important a certain restlessness and discontent can be in one's life; how important the jagged edges and pain can be in determining the course and force of one's life.

I have often longed for peace and tranquility -- looked into the lives of others and envied a kind of calmness -- and yet I don't know if this tranquility is what I truly would have wished for myself. One is, after all, only really acquainted with one's own temperament and way of going through life. It is best to acknowledge this, to accept it and to admire the diversity of temperaments Nature has dealt us.

Exuberance and delight, tempered by deep depressions, have been lasting teachers. An intense temperament has convinced me to teach not only from books but from what I have learned from experience. So I try to impress upon young doctors and graduate students that tumultuousness, if coupled to discipline and a cool mind, is not such a bad sort of thing. That unless one wants to live a stunningly boring life, one ought to be on good terms with one's darker side and one's darker energies. And, above all, that one should learn from turmoil and pain, share one's joy with those less joyful and encourage passion when it seems likely to promote the common good.

Knowledge is marvelous, but wisdom is even better.

CULTURE/SOCIETY: My Answers to a Questionaire

I picked this questionaire up from Pack of 2's website. Angie invited others to fill it out, and since most of what I've posted has been from other people, I thought I do something that took a little work on my part. - OlderMusicGeek

1. What time did you get up this morning? 4:00 (Yeah, it's very early! Okay! I exercise for an hour in the morning and move like molasses at that time too! Plus I have to be at work at 7:30!)
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds.
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Batman Begins
4. What is your favorite TV show? currently - 24. all-time - millennium
5. What did you have for breakfast? an apple
6. What is your middle name? Music (No, it's really not music, but after having porn bought on my debit card and spam sent from my email, I don't put personal identifying information on public websites!)
7. What is your favorite cuisine? Mexican
8. What foods do you dislike? liver, green beans
9. What is your favorite chip? Doritos
10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Who's Quadrophenia
11. What kind of car do you drive? '89 Chrysler New Yorker
12. What is your favorite sandwich? PBJ
13. What characteristics do you despise? hypocrisy, prejudism
14. Favorite item of clothing? shots and t-shirts
15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? India
16. What color is your bathroom? cream
17. Electronic device you couldn't live without? cd-player (wish I had an ipod though!)
18. Where would you want to retire to? American southwest, Greece or where I lived for 6 1/2 in the southern part of Africa
19. Favorite time of day? when I pick up my daughter from her mom's
20. Where were you born? sizable midwestern town
21. Favorite sport to watch? don't like sports, but have watched soccer and basketball
22. What is your dream job? playing music of my choice on the radio or internet
23. What are you passionate about? music, movies, books
24. What type of detergent do you use? the cheapest
25. Coke or Pepsi? Cherry Coke
26. Are you a morning person or night owl? by nature, a night owl - by circumstances, a morning lark
27. What size shoe do you wear? 10
28. Do you have pets? don't believe in keeping animals captive for my entertainment
29. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with everyone? no
30. What did you want to be when you were little? a famous writer
31. Favorite Candy Bar? not a big candy bar eater
32. What is your best childhood memory? hanging out with my friends reading comic books
33. Worst job you have had in your life? teaching
34 What color underwear are you wearing? white
35. Nickname: none now, but Brain was the one that lasted longest
36. Piercing? none
37. Ever been to Africa? lived there 6 1/2 years
38. Ever been toilet papered? no
39. Love someone so much it made you cry? yes
40. Croutons or bacon bits? croutons
41. Favorite day of the week? Saturday
42. Favorite restaurant? El Rodeo
43. Favorite flower? rose
45. Disney or Warner Brothers? Disney
46. Favorite fast food restaurant? McDonald's
47. What color is your bedroom carpet? cream
48 How many times did you fail your driver's test? 0, but it was close!
49. From whom did you get your last e-mail? the woman I've been dating lately
50. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? at a used cd shop
51. What do you do most often when you are bored? When do I have time to be bored! God, I only wish!
52. Who are you most curious about their responses to this questionnaire, if they choose to do it? the woman I've been dating lately
53. Last person you went to dinner with? my daughter
55 What are you listening to right now? background noises at work
56. How many tattoos do you have? 0
57. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? the egg

HUMOR and CULTURE/SOCIETY: Menopause Jewelry

The woman I've been dating lately, The Beatnik Witch, sent me this joke. I hope there's not a secret message for me in it. - OlderMusicGeek

Menopause Jewelry

My husband, being unhappy with my mood swings, bought me a mood ring the other day so he would be able to monitor my moods.

We've discovered that when I'm in a good mood, it turns green.

When I'm in a bad mood, it leaves a big freaking red mark on his forehead.

Maybe next time he'll buy me a diamond.

SPIRITUALITY/RELIGION and CULTURE/SOCIETY: Using Dead Celebrities in an Ad

An old Peace Corps buddy of mine, The Ohio Science Teacher, sent me this link. I strongly recommend you check it out.

HUMOR: Some Gangster Humor

My friend, the Beatnik Witch, sent me this joke and I thought I would pass it on. - OlderMusicGeek


The Tomato Garden Crisis

An old Italian man lived alone in the country. He wanted to dig his tomato garden, but it was very hard work as the ground was hard. His only son, Vincent, who used to help him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament.

Dear Vincent,
I am feeling pretty bad because it looks like I won't be able to plant my tomato garden this year. I'm just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot. If you were here my troubles would be over. I know you would dig the plot for me.
Love Dad

A few days later he received a letter from his son.

Dear Dad,
Not for nothing, but don't dig up that garden. That's where I buried the BODIES.
Love Vinny

At 4 a.m. the next morning, FBI agents and local police arrived and dug up the entire area without finding any bodies. They apologized to the old man and left.

That same day the old man received another letter from his son.

Dear Dad,
Go ahead and plant the tomatoes now. That's the best I could do under the circumstances.
Love Vinny

CULTURE/SOCIETY and POLITICS: Homophobia and Parenthood

I read this at Pack of 2's website. And they asked that if you disagree with homophobia, to please reprint it. So that's what I'm doing.

But I must say something in full disclosure here - as well as to be completely honest. I do have some qualms about homosexual - as well as single parents - creating babies. It seems to be that a child does best if one has a mother and a father. One parent to show how that sex acts and behaves and the other to teach the child how to interact with the opposite sex.

I will admit that I'm not totally set in my ways, because science seems to be coming up with some evidence that suggest this may not be true. But what we have so far seems to lean that way in my view.

I will admit I have NO qualms whatsoever with gay couples and singles adopting children. I feel it is better for children to grow in a home where they are loved and are considered someone's child than in a foster home or an adoption center.

So with that out of the way, I reprint the blog against homophobia. - OlderMusicGeek-

homophobia SUX!

I am the girl kicked out of her home because I confided in my mother that I am a lesbian.

I am the prostitute working the streets because nobody will hire a transsexual woman.

I am the sister who holds her gay brother tight through the painful, tear-filled nights.

We are the parents who buried our daughter long before her time.

I am the man who died alone in the hospital because they would not let my partner of twenty-seven years into the room.

I am the foster child who wakes up with nightmares of being taken away from the two fathers who are the only loving family I have ever had. I wish they could adopt me.

I am one of the lucky ones, I guess. I survived the attack that left me in a coma for three weeks, and in another year I will probably be able to walk again.

I am not one of the lucky ones. I killed myself just weeks before graduating high school. It was simply too much to bear.

We are the couple who had the realtor hang up on us when she found out we wanted to rent a one-bedroom for two men.

I am the person who never knows which bathroom I should use if I want to avoid getting the management called on me.

I am the mother who is not allowed to even visit the children I bore, nursed, and raised. The court says I am an unfit mother because I now live with another woman.

I am the domestic-violence survivor who found the support system grow suddenly cold and distant when they found out my abusive partner is also a woman.

I am the domestic-violence survivor who has no support system to turn to because I am male.

I am the father who has never hugged his son because I grew up afraid to show affection to other men.

I am the home-economics teacher who always wanted to teach gym until someone told me that only lesbians do that.

I am the man who died when the paramedics stopped treating me as soon as they realized I was transsexual.

I am the person who feels guilty because I think I could be a much better person if I didn’t have to always deal with society hating me.

I am the man who stopped attending church, not because I don't believe, but because they closed their doors to my kind.

I am the person who has to hide what this world needs most, love.

Repost this in your journal or on another board if you believe homophobia is wrong!!!!

CULTURE/SOCIETY: "World's Easiest Quiz"

Another from the emails of my friend, Ernest T Spoon. - OlderMusicGeek

Passing requires only 4 correct answers....a measly 40%.

1) How long did the Hundred Years War last?
2) Which country makes Panama hats?
3) From which animal do we get catgut?
4) In which month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution?
5) What is a camel's hair brush made of?
6) The Canary Islands in the Pacific is named after what animal?
7) What was King George VI's first name?
8) What color is a purple finch?
9) Where are Chinese gooseberries from?
10) What is the color of the black box in a commercial airplane?

All done? Check your answers below!

ANSWERS TO THE QUIZ

1) How long did the Hundred Years War last? 116 years
2) Which country makes Panama hats? Ecuador
3) From which animal do we get catgut? Sheep and Horses
4) In which month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution? November
5) What is a camel's hair brush made of? Squirrel fur
6) The Canary Islands in the Pacific is named after what animal? Dogs
7) What was King George VI's first name? Albert
8) What color is a purple finch? Crimson
9) Where are Chinese gooseberries from? New Zealand
10) What is the color of the black box in a commercial airplane? Orange, of course.

What do you mean you failed???????

Pass this on to
all of your "brilliant" friends.

P.S. If anyone knows the reason why these things are called what their called, let me know in the comments section. Thanks. - OlderMusicGeek

HUMOR: Why I Never Visit Rich People!!!!!

Well, here's my addition to the class war. An old buddy of mine from when I lived in Africa sent me this. I did a little tweaking to have it make more sense to North American and European readers. - OlderMusicGeek -

Question: "What would you like to drink ... fruit juice, soda, tea, ovaltine, chocolate, or coffee?"
Answer: "Tea please"
Question: "Black tea, herbal tea, earl grey, ice tea or green tea?"
Answer: "Ceylon tea please"
Question: "How would you like it? Black or white?"
Answer: "White please"
Question: "Milk, whitener, or condensed milk?"
Answer: "Milk please "
Question: "Whole, 2%, fat free?"
Answer: "Whole milk please."
Question: "Milk from a dairy or free range cow?"
Answer: "Umm ... I'll rather take it black please."
Question: "Would you like it with sweetener, sugar or honey?"
Answer: "With sugar please."
Question: "Beet sugar or cane sugar?"
Answer: "Cane sugar please."
Question: "White, brown or yellow sugar?"
Answer: "Just forget about the tea. I'll have a glass of water instead please."
Question: "Mineral or still water? "
Answer: "Mineral water please."
Question: "flavored or non-flavored ?"
Answer: "Just forget it!"

CULTURE/SOCIETY: What Someone Learned as One Matured

An old Peace Corps buddy sent me a link to this info. It's a lot funnier with the pictures. - OlderMusicGeek

As I've Matured...
- I've learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is stalk them and hope they panic and give in...
- I've learned that one good turn gets most of the blankets.
- I've learned that no matter how much I care, some people are just jackasses.
- I've learned that it takes years to build up trust, and it only takes suspicion, not proof, to destroy it.
- I've learned that whatever hits the fan will not be evenly distributed.

- I've learned that you shouldn't compare yourself to others - they are more screwed up than you think.
- I've learned that depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
- I've learned that it is not what you wear; it is how you take it off.
- I've learned that you can keep vomiting - long after you think you're finished.
- I've learned to not sweat the petty things, and not pet the sweaty things.

- I've learned that ex's are like fungus, and keep coming back.
- I've learned age is a very high price to pay for maturity.
- I've learned that I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy it.
- I've learned that we are responsible for what we do, unless we are celebrities.
- I've learned that artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
- I've learned that 99% of the time when something isn't working in your house, one of your kids did it.
- I've learned that there is a fine line between genius and insanity.
- I've learned that the people you care most about in life are taken from you too soon and all the less important ones just never go away. And the real pains in the ass are permanent.

Pass this along to 5 friends...trust me, they'll appreciate it. Who knows, maybe something good will happen. If not...tough!