Depression

No one understands it. Not even those of us who are affected by it.

We can "control" it -- essentially that means we can dampen its immediate effects on the body -- with drugs. Most of the time. But not always.

And each depressive is different, because people are unique. Some people who are clinically depressed have a tendency to break into tears unexpectedly, uncontrollably.

Not me. I have the interesting urge to go for the throat of the next person who pisses me off and sink my teeth in.

Kinda like Dexter. With a little Nick Knight thrown in. Those guys I understand. "Anger Management" is for pussies.

Suddenly, I'm hungry.

Differences

I just figured out the difference between those who proselytize -- religion or anything else -- and those who don't.

The ability and courage to walk alone.

Proselytizers fear being alone. They cannot be comfortable with just themselves for company. They fear silence. Solitude makes them unstable. They actively need the emotional support of someone else with whom they share ideals on a visceral level: think-mates.

This is an idea in development. More to come later.

Pogo Was Right

Reproductive choice. It's a big rope in the current tug-of-war over health care in the United States. There are those who insist that reproductive choice be included in the deal and then there are those who say, "Nuh-uh, the human race will die out if we allow women to choose whether or not they become mothers! We have to force them to do it!"

'Scuze me? Over somebody's dead body, bub! And I can assure you, it won't be mine!

Somewhere recently, I read that about 78% of the anti-choicers are men, 100% of whom will never be pregnant. That's a very interesting point, but I'm not sure it has any real purpose except for those who collect statistics. Not being subject to the proposed laws, what men think really is beside the point, whether they are pro choice or anti choice. Oh, I suppose that even in this day and age, some men still think they can control the lives and thoughts of women; and I have no doubt that there are some sly women who are content to let them think that.

On the other hand, that says that 22% of the anti-choicers are women! Women who want to subject other women to the slavery of no voice and no vote when it comes to the governing of the bodies in which they live! Traitors to their very gender. Subversives.

The Enemy.

And no, I don't think that's too strong a word.

Need More Hours In A Day

And more days in a week. Oy!

I did the Ride-The-Canada-Line-For-Free thingy yesterday, it's opening day. What a crush! Standing in line in the sun for three hours for the dubious pleasure of being one of the first to ride the new train that connects Richmond to Waterfront (and mostly underground, at that) was not one of my brighter ideas, I have to admit. I mean, it's not like I have grandchildren to whom I can tell "I was there when..." stories. But my trip home -- via the West Coast Express and the new Golden Ears Bridge -- was comfortable, at least.

The down side is that I got absolutely nothing else done.

Ask me if I care.

Bear With

It's taking a little time to get my art hung in here. That sidebar looks awfully bare, I know, I know. I'm working on it...

Meantime, if you're looking for someplace interesting to engage in some thoughtful discussions, try Religion Clause. Professor Friedman tends to focus on issues regarding the American First Amendment, but he also links to international stories whenever religion and the law and/or the rights of individuals happen to coincide.

Then, if you want to have a little fun in the other direction, try poking Big Blue Wave. She's an absolute anti-choice, anti-feminist, Opus Dei-type Catholic PITA, and until she starts sounding like a broken record, she can be pretty diverting. For awhile. I'm not gonna guarantee you won't want to sharpen your teeth in anticipation of meeting her throat, though. I've felt like that a couple times, myself, when it comes to her and her type.

And, just to be friendly, go say hi to my friend Jean, all the way over in Moscow, Idaho! Among other things, she provides some of the best food porn I've ever seen! And ya gotta love a blog titled, "JeanC's Cat House And Shooting Society: Fat Witch With A Gun!"

Back soon.

WTF

is wrong with Twitter?

Hey, guys. If yaz want me to keep using it and not go to your competitor, yaz better get yer damned act togther, 'kay?

Hare Krishna

I like going to the festivals and celebrations of cultures other than my own. I especially like going if there's music, food, dance, and costumes. I can play all day in another culture's atmosphere Especially if there's music, food, dance, and costumes!

I went to the Festival of India yesterday (Biffy calls it the Hare Krishna Festival). Before and during the parade, it rained and misted all over the place. But as soon as the parade reached its festival grounds, the rain stopped and the sun came out. It was a small event, especially for Vancouver -- only three floats -- but it was joyous and enthusiastic. And I had a good time.

There was a cooking demonstration booth set up, and I got myself a good seat once I realized that a lot of the food is geared to accommodate those with food allergies -- especially gluten, eggs, and lactose -- and that I know so many, many people with those food allergies. I wanted to learn what I could about the seasonings as well as the ingredients...where to get them, how to use them...did someone say asaphoetida? yes she certainly did! Every dish, it seems, is made specially with particular balance to the ingredients so as not to upset the natural rhythm of the body that will be digesting it. Cooking, for followers of Krishna, is not just cooking -- it's a form of worship, as well as a code of conduct and a set of philosophical rules.

The food was delicious. I really loved the way the seasonings introduced themselves to my palate and made themselves at home among my taste buds. I could dine like that frequently. Not permanently, though. I like my meat, my onions, my garlic, my eggs, my raw veggies; and none of those can be found in the diet of this particular culture. I would not make a good follower of the basic philosphies. Much too independent. And determined to stay that way.

And, being a drummer/percussionist, of course I like the music, although it has no meaning for me other than that it's got a good beat, and I can dance to it. I got talking to a mridang player about his drum, and one of those is going on my wish list. And the costumes -- lively and colorful and (mostly) comfortable-looking (and at my age, yes, comfort is of paramount importance!).

One of the absolute best things about living in the Greater Vancouver area in the summertime is the plethora of cultural festivals we have. We get to be short-time exchange students almost at whim.

Are The Gates Half Open Or Half Closed?

I guess the answer to that will depend on your perspective as a reader.

If you are in agreement with my thoughts and philosophies, the gates will be half closed.

If you feel threatened by my thoughts and philosophies, the gates will appear to be half open, and gaping wider all the time. If this is the case, pay attention and trust your instincts (although if this is indeed the case, you probably have no instincts, having been taught to kill them as a child of parents who were terrified by individuality). That might very well be your signal to scram. Or at least to tiptoe, lest you waken an independent thought within your own mind.

There's a line I like from dismissing quarters:

Stay if you will; go if you must, in perfect love and perfect trust.

What's "perfect" about it? Damned if I know. Uncle Gerald musta been smoking some wacky tabacky when he wrote it. But it sounds good to the ear. Earnest, like. Almost as if we know what we're doing...

Okay, we're up and running. Andiamo!