You know, I’ve been drinking—I mean thinking…

*RANT ALERT*

I saw one of those pictures of hippies vs. militia and the hippies were giving them flowers in protest for peace. This shows that even peacemongers make the same mistake as war guys. Failure to communicate, caused largely by ethnocentrism.

The hippies were operating under the belief that everyone should adopt their values: pacifism, indiscriminate sex, and religious drug use—exactly like everyone else in the world!

Everyone thinks they know best. Well, to be fair, you can't really blame them for that; it's human nature. It's part of our self esteem function. But it's consistently taken too far. Nobody knows best, nothing is absolute. Recall the words of the Different Strokes themesong. It's true.

Regarding the photo with the flowers, here's what the hippies should have done if they were really serious about this whole 'peace' experiment. They should have researched their adversaries in an attempt to understand them. Find out what they like instead of assuming they liked flowers like the hippies did. The flowers were needlessly theatrical and gay; they were trying to make a scene and that's where they fucked up. No sensible person likes to have foliage foisted on them. Ask the Hare Krishnas.

Let's explore a scenario:

Armed Guys: "Alright, all you filthy Hippies! Get out of here or I'll blast you all with my comically oversized gun!"

Protesting Hippies: "Hey, Hey man. No need to shout. This is a peaceful protest. Here have a flower some drugs, or maybe a beer. It must be pretty hot under all that armor and black clothing."

Armed Guys: "Oh… Uh, thanks. It is pretty hot out here."

They both drink.

Armed Guys: "Wow, that hits the spot. Thanks you guys. But seriously though, you'd better leave. Now's not a great time for a protest."

Protesting Hippies: "Yeah, I guess we've made our point. We'll get going, even though we totally have a right to assemble."

Armed Guys: "We'll see you later."

Protesting Hippies: "See you around, man."

 

See? Wasn't that so much better? Both sides got something, and it was made clear—but more importantly, understood—that they would both return to continue communications.

So when you're ever in an argument remember: It doesn't pay to start the drama unless you speak the other guy's language.

The day before tomorrow

Written 8/2/08,

So it's the day after my surgery and I feel great. I can talk normally and even sing (albeit with a little soreness to my throat). Also, my sister hates me for recovering so fast.

Anyway, I already missing beef and stuff. Well, I have yet to begin UHA rewrites, but my current plan is as follows:

1. Type up revisions
   
2. Print
   
3. Ask anime-fags to read it
   
4. Check for signs of fanboyism
   
   1. If yes, SCORE
      
   2. If no, see step
      
5. Ask real humans to read it
   
6. Barring significant rewrites, query publishers/agents
   
7. ????
   
8. Profit
   

So as a further double edged impediment/boon to my writing, my dad will be gone for a month. This means I will not have to keep my writing a secret, which should help the pressure, and also that I can do whatever I want, which will include anything but writing.

I had a blind date last week, which seemed to go pretty well, but there wasn't any real connection.

And I still need a job. Maybe I just need to volunteer w/ the mentally handicapped. My sister is quitting her job helping a boy with cerebral palsy to go to college, so maybe I can get her job to help me get that job in Boston.

But I still need to decide whether I want to get my CELTA certification. Also, were I to take her job, I would have to move back to George West AKA H8H8H8H8H8H8H8H8H8H8H8H8H8-ER town.

Decisions, decisions…