2009 was among my least productive writing years to date. Several of the pieces here are reworks of years gone by. That having been said, I think there was a memorable moment or two. Enjoy!
I have been terribly absent from LIVE WRONG AND PROSPER for months now. Some of my distance has come from an increased participation in Social Media and Online Communities. Okay! I have a face book and twitter problem. The most I've managed here and on the epistle are clever creations of other people and a couple of overly easy gags.
I'm not sure that there's anything I can offer now but that information. I don't feel like I'm sitting on a project or projects that are just screaming to be written. There are a half-dozen 'ideas' - some with pencil outlines - idling in my brain now. I don't think I'll stay 'Socially Spent' forever. I usually bore myself back to my favorite topic... myself.
As she dozed on the crowded city bus, draped on the bench atop her plastic bags, mismatched luggage - everything she owned carried with her - I snapped her picture with my cell phone. Trying not to stare her awake, I looked away. Her imprint in my mind was indellable - a Pieta. The Bag-lady crucified, Christ of my commute that day. The blue vinyl bus seat seemed to be holding her like the Blessed Mother. Something about her made me think of peace.
She must have been a regular on the route, for when the driver braked, he indicated it was her stop and asked that her fellow passengers wake her. No one moved, though everyone heard, and since I knew their paralysis was unique to Minnesota and incurable, I stood up. Shaking her shoulder and saying, "Excuse me, Ma'am?" in a clear gentle voice, I tried to rouse her. Her face was paper thin and paper white. Complicated lines of weather and time flashed a sweet smile as her dream ended and her moist eyes blinked open. I explained we had arrived at her stop and helped her gather her life's luggage and disembark.
Though years ago she haunts me still. Did I do a good thing by helping her get where she was going? Or was my action an assault? A rude interruption of the temporary peace her passing dream-time had provided? Just a moment's reverie in a life I doubt she'd ever dreamed would be hers. Sleep sweetly, sister. May you be cradled in dreams without trouble, want or pain.
1) Being gay is not natural. Real Americans always reject unnatural things like eyeglasses, polyester, and air conditioning.
2) Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall.
3) Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.
4) Straight marriage has been around a long time and hasn't changed at all; women are still property, blacks still can't marry whites, and divorce is still illegal.
5) Straight marriage will be less meaningful if gay marriage were allowed; the sanctity of Brittany Spears' 55-hour just-for-fun marriage would be destroyed.
6) Straight marriages are valid because they produce children. Gay couples, infertile couples, and old people shouldn't be allowed to marry because our orphanages aren't full yet, and the world needs more children.
7) Obviously gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.
8) Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That's why we have only one religion in America.
9) Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That's why we as a society expressly forbid single parents to raise children.
10) Gay marriage will change the foundation of society; we could never adapt to new social norms. Just like we haven't adapted to cars, the service-sector economy, longer life spans, cell phones, personal computers, and reality television!
All valid points. I only wish I'd written it. Cudos to the Author whomever you are.
Once upon a time when we were friends I gave you my heart. the story ends No happy ever after, now were friends Wish upon a star if that might help The stars collide if you decide Wish upon a star if that might help Whats it like to have loved and to lose her touch? Whats it like to have loved and to lose that much? Well I hope and I pray That maybe someday Youll walk in the room with my heart Add and subtract But as a matter of fact Now that youre gone I still want you back Remembering Surrendering Remembering that part All of my heart Spilling up pink silk and coffee lace You hook me up, I rendevouz at your place Your lipstick and your lip gloss seals my fate Sentimental powers might help you now But skip the hearts and flowers, skip the ivory towers Youll be disappointed and Ill lose a friend No I wont be told theres a crock of gold At the end of the rainbow Or that pleasure and pain, sunshine and rain Might make this love grow But I hope and I pray That maybe someday Youll walk in the room with my heart Add and subtract But as a matter of fact Now that youre gone I still want you back Remembering Surrendering The kindest cuts the cruellest part All of my heart Yes I hope and I pray That maybe someday Youll walk in the room with my heart And I shrug and I say That maybe today Youll come home soon Surrendering Remembering Surrendering that part-all of my heart
The Granfathers of Hip-Hop and Johnny Rotten as prophets.
Speak of the destruction. (x3)
This is a world destruction, your life ain't nothing. The human race is becoming a disgrace. Countries are fighting with chemical warfare. Not giving a damn about the people who live there. Nostradamus predicts the coming of the Antichrist. Hey, look out, the third world nations are on the rise. The Democratic-Communist Relationship, won't stand in the way of the Islamic force. The CIA is looking for you. The KGB is smarter than you think. Brainwash mentalities to control the system. Using TV and movies - religions of course. Yes, the world is headed for destruction. Is it a nuclear war? What are you asking for?
This is a world destruction. Your life ain't nothing. The human race is becoming a disgrace. The rich get richer. The poor are getting poorer. Fascist, chauvinistic government fools. People, Moslems, Christians and Hindus. Are in a time zone still searching for the truth. Who are you to think you're a superior race? Facing forth your everlasting doom. We are Time Zone. We've come to drop a bomb on you. World destruction, kaboom, kaboom, kaboom!
This is the world destruction, your life ain't nothing. The human race is becoming a disgrace. Nationalities are fighting with each other. Why is this? Because the system tells you. Putting people in faceless categories. Knowledge isn't what it used to be. Military tactics to control a nation. Who wants to be a president or king? Me! Mother Nature is gonna work against you. Nothing in your power that you can do. Yes, the world is headed for destruction. You and I know it, cause the Bible tells you. If we don't start to look for a better life, the whole world will be destroyed in a time zone!
