Mad Visionary

We pride ourselves on our individuality, but have lost it. We have been tricked into thinking we are making our own choices by a system that does not value the free-thinker. It does not value an informed choice. It only values the illusion of these things.

We have allowed this system, that only cares about the bottom line, to infiltrate and corrupt everything in American culture. So much has been compromised in the name of progress. Our values; ethical, moral, ideological, political, social and even aesthetic, have been taught to us not through our parents and experiences, but through subversive, pervasive and potent advertising. Even the industries you wouldn’t think of. The things that cover your basic needs as living beings. Nourishment, shelter, clothing, medical care. All part of this system.

This system has made you an invalid. Robbed you of your ability to survive without it. It took away your independence several generations ago. You can no longer survive off your land. You don’t remember how to build a house or make your own clothing. And if it requires more than a band-aid you go to a trained specialist.

What, too extreme? You have neither a want or need for such things as living off the land.

Think of it on a smaller scale. Could you live without your microwave? Your washing machine? Your TV? Better yet, could you live without Target or Burger King?

Think of it on a larger scale. What do we make here in America for ourselves? We used to be producers of goods, now we are merely consumers of goods. America produces VERY little. We consume plenty and all of it coming from China, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Taiwan… We have become so lazy and inefficient in the things we do produce those industries are failing. Our steel industry is failing. Our auto industry is failing.  Our farmers are failing. All of these things would have already failed except the government has not allowed it. So, much for being free.

Is a depression what Americans need?

What happens if you can’t afford cable? Or a Wii? What if you move into a house you can afford? How about you pack a lunch instead of eat McDonald’s? Drink water instead of Coke? Where some of the clothes in your closet, instead of buying new? Walk instead of drive?

I know, novel.

Hey, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll accomplish something…

Maybe if you aren’t sitting in front of a TV letting it occupy your mind and time, you can think for yourself. Maybe instead of Wii Tennis, you could actually play. Maybe you’ll lose weight. Maybe then you’ll have a reason to buy new clothes. Maybe you’ll make vitamin D, instead of a carbon footprint.

Maybe… NOT being a mindless, cell-phone talking, over-advertised, overweight, over-budget drone will revitalize the ingenuity and creative thinking that made this country so great to begin with!

Now wouldn’t that be nice.

It’s coming on Christmas
They’re cutting down trees
They’re putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on

It just doesn’t feel like Christmas. The weather is cold, the shopping is done and the cookies are baked. Still, it doesn’t seem like Christmas. Or rather, I don’t feel like Christmas. It’s a sad departure for me really since I typically enjoy the holidays. The music, the decorations, the lights, snow and spending time with family yet this year that feeling of joy escapes me.

Ahh. Winter pretty much sucks. Too much rain/snow. Too cold. Too dreary. I don’t want to go outside, but I do. I don’t want to be stuck inside. I don’t want to do too much when the weather sucks like this.

I have been having many creative thoughts and ideas lately. Ideas I say, because that is about as far as they get. Thought in my head about cool stuff I want to do that I think would

1. make life better / cooler
2. make me happy
3. be fun for me
4. be fun for my family
5. be useful

But as I said, they never seem to make the transition from being thoughts to being real constructs. I am not sure why, but as I sit here and write this the following reasons come to mind.

1. too busy
2. too stressed
3. too tired
4. too many focuses to actually get any one thing done.

aaarrrrgggggghhhhh!!!!!

Sometime I am not entirely sure that the joys of home ownership fully outweigh the trials and tribulations. For the most part it does, but I can still remember renting and not having a worry in the world. Or at least not much of one. The sink breaks. Call the landlord. Toilet breaks. Call the landlord. You get the point. Now, in a house that is my own,I find myself worrying about things before they actually happen. Owning a house is like committing to a never ending to-do list. I find that my list gets longer every time I think about it. There are the things that need to be done now or very soon. And then there are the things that need to be done later, like clean the gutters, trim the hedges, plant flowers, sweep acorns, trim the plants and bushes. These are the little things. And then there is just the part of the list that is really just a list of impending trouble. Like a roof leaking or a toilet breaking or a door needed fixing or a wall that needs patching or a fresh exterior paint job or the occasional new paint job inside. A house is just a list.

Some days I wonder if there are more things on my todo list or on my list of good reasons to own a home.