Cognitive Dissonance

There is a certain element of protocol that seems to be defied; regardless of it’s existence. In other words, if a law exists, it is going to be broken. Our culture teaches us that it’s important to treat everyone as equals, but it doesn’t happen, and it never will; especially if they have trouble paying their bills. Equality is nothing more than an idealistic non-reality. I know a man who claims that he is treated differently because he is black. It’s a fair statement. The flip side of that same coin is that he was raised in a culture that is completely foreign to the group of people that he was finding it difficult to get along with. It’s like any other relationship, both sides have to be willing to work out a harmonious outcome.

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The other day a residential superintendent, aka slum lord, came to my place of work and told me that one of his tenants has a broken window. He asked me to provide him with a quote for a replacement, so that he could bill his tenant accordingly. He went on to explain  that the lady living there has three very small children, but she claimed they weren’t responsible for breaking the window. He wasn’t ready to buy her defense. Eventually she admitted that one of the kids had broken the window. She was very distressed by this point, and went on to explain that since her husband died the kids have become impossible to control. When he asked what happened, she told him that he was scheduled to go to jail, but he decided he’d rather end his life instead.
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It’s a terribly sad story. No matter how you look at it there isn’t anyone who isn’t being hurt. I couldn’t help but think about the term... “living in another world.” That is exactly what it is. At least, that’s what we’re led to believe. The truth is that it’s not different at all.

There’s a lady who I see around town every now and again. Her husband is very abusive when he is drunk. On numerous occasions she’s had to call the cops to take him away. They have this incredibly uncanny way of “making up” and getting back together. Just the other day, I saw her with another black eye.
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This is the world we live in people. I don’t know if it’s more depressing to talk about the problem or to talk about solutions. In either case, you’ll find that the topic is endless. There’s nothing that can be done to make such terrible things go away. I do believe that humanity has enough good in it to reach out and help the helpless, but I’m not convinced that it’s enough to break the cycle of destruction.

Why would I write an article that doesn’t offer a resolution for anything? How can we watch school kids get shot every day? What would you do if you discovered that your world doesn’t really want to be rescued? When do the absurdities end? Where do you go when there’s nothing left? Who are you ultimately responsible for? If the answer is you, you’re wrong. If the answer is the whole, it’s slightly better.


If it’s about loving the unlovable... then maybe we ought not to view it as something that’s impossible.


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Once this article is posted, I will officially have had 1,000 visits. I don’t write with the notion that someday I will win over the masses, but I would like to say Thank-You to everyone who has taken the time to read my thoughts. - I am especially grateful for those of you who ask me to write when I haven’t been diligent in posting new material. - Destiny you provided such a perfect title. :)

Drive Through, Dine In, or Boycott.

Several months ago one of my friends saw me riding my ten speed, and thought to himself; “There goes the only hipster in town.” The fashion trends, and preferred  modes of transportation, are only the start. It got me thinking about how the rise of the hipsters is something bigger than black rimmed spectacles. I was listening to a radio interview in which they were discussing the changing economic playing field that is emerging, especially during the holidays. 

My generation is appalled by the idea of consumerism, and would much rather find non-traditional alternatives. They’ve grown up during one of the most affluent generations in N. American history. The backlash should be expected. Their parents did the same sort of thing during the hippy era. When they got tired of living self destructive life styles they set out to make something useful of themselves and became remarkably good at it. What they never could have expected was that their kids would come to despise anything t associated with the aristocracy. 

The hipster movement is very unique, because it consists of people who for the most part are very well educated. It’s not hard to see how a deliberate effort that is gaining momentum worldwide will do more to change the course of history than anyone has yet realized.

Progress is an aimless illusion. The pendulum swings back and forth...yada yada....
Capitalism failed. Communism failed. We’ve occupied, we’ve gone on strike, and now we’re growing our own gardens and knitting sweaters. 

My role is equally important, and has been revealed to me by divine inspiration: I’ve decided to rent out my fleet of bicycles to anyone who wishes to be Idle No More. 
-All proceeds will be used to disband the Tragically Hip.