i think of my life up to this point as a dilemma. i rationalize situations into infinitesimal divisions. of time, space and ultimately decisions, as if hoping the age old strategy of divide and conquer would somehow yield a different outcome, or an easier path.
herein lies the dilemma: to live life the way it was "supposed to be" or to live precariously?
i believe everyone has a flip side, the side that they don't want people to see/want people to see depending on situations and/or mood. to dabble in the realm of the unexpected, the dangerous or the exotic yet walking a line that's comfortably within the confines of the social norm. it's analogous to the millions of weekend road warriors, or part-time thrill seekers, or even tourist. if you think about it, it's just a word given to travelers who want to see the world yet are unprepared to give up the creature comforts of home and immerse themselves in the foreign surroundings.
hypocrite might be a little harsh. but somewhere along the line we've all become somewhat hypocritical. and we're very good at it. advocating for reduction of CO2 emission while eating and driving our way to ecological devastation. we vocally support the notion of a greener planet, yet are die-hard fans of everything petroleum derived, not that we consciously want to but because we've been enslaved by the convenience of it all. you still want your air-conditioning, don't you?
perhaps it is want that is the issue here. unrestrained, unlimited want. a human condition, an obsession that is being turned into almost a necessity. we create wants to satisfy our other wants. that's all we ever do. think about it, what have you ever done that is not related to something that you have always wanted? very little i suspect. maybe it is time for us all to look at the bigger picture.
so which path will it be? the well trekked or the less traveled? i think it all boils down to how one defines happiness. fundamentally we all want to be happy, while some of us think that what we do would ultimately culminate into the desired destination i call the land of happiness, others are merely content with the pursuit of that destination, and maybe derive a few simple pleasures along the way.
if at this juncture you're utterly confused about what the fuck i am saying, fret not. not everyone possesses the same reasons and logic. but if somehow you start to think that you actually got the point i'm trying to put forth, you don't. you must understand that everything i say is just paraphrased horseshit, triple wrapped in gold foil with a nice little ribbon to garnish. and do i have a potty mouth.
about the author: li xi has written over 20 self-help books and lives in des moines, iowa with his wife kiera and two kids, keith and eamon. they have a dog named oodles.
+listening to: nothing
Thursday, July 29
| the dilemma |  |
Monday, July 26
| summer time | |
hot summer night, perfect for a ride. and i've also encountered the first real spill of the summer. it's the result of the bike going some place and the rider looking at another, while in the dark.
took a good chunk of skin off my palms, shoulder and shin. and now i have to retape my handlebars. all in a day's work.
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+listening to: these arms by donavon frankenfreiter
Saturday, July 17
| i know why now... | |
i think i've just come to the conclusion with regards to why i stopped watching soccer completely.
so i was reading this article about the south african center jean de villiers' 2-week ban after he was cited for a dangerous tackle in yesterday's test between the all blacks and the springboks. and at the end of the article the paragraph struck me:
Wheelahan said that an important mitigating factor in de Villiers' favour, was his exemplary disciplinary record, which consisted of one yellow card during a career spanning nearly 10 years and 60 tests.
that got me thinking, has anyone ever seen a soccer player go 10 years and only receive 1 yellow card? all the diving and the theatrics and the ill-discipline is poisoning the world's most popular game.
soccer players in general act like a mob around the referee. it simply would not happen in a game of rugby. i'm not saying that rugby is a better game, because that is subjective. all i'm trying to put across here is that somebody, be it fifa or national governing bodies need to put the brakes on bad behaviors on the pitch. yellow cards should not be treated so lightly. a similar system of sin-binning a player for yellow card infringements in my opinion would greatly reduce all that shenanigans that go on.
it got to a point where i got frustrated of watching it, let alone playing the game. imagine what the players who were being impeded on felt like.
alright, that's the end of this rant.
+listening to: nothing
Thursday, July 15
| the pursuit of perfection | |
woke up this morning with a slight headache, the good news didn't seem to help: BP says no more oil flowing into the gulf. as much as i wanted to, i find it a little hard to believe even if it is true. it was on both CNN and larry king's twitter feed, so it must be credible.
watching the coffee drip into my glass had an unexpected calming effect. there's something oddly obscene with a cup of dark coffee, or a tastefully built up lugged track bike, or simply a curated selection of beautiful objects.
the pursuit of perfection may seem synonymous with minimalist ideals. well maybe it is. the old adage still applies in this day and age: less is more. indeed.
+listening to: i never told you by colbie caillat
Saturday, July 10
Sunday, July 4
| 4th of july | |
no fireworks, no fanfare. just a spirited stroll in the morning, a homely feeling at lunch, a tranquil bike ride in the afternoon, and a crisp beer and good music in the evening.
hold your own, know your name, and go your own way. and everything will be fine.
+listening to: details in the fabric by jason mraz
Thursday, July 1
| i challenge you... | |
to click on the following link and watch a film if you dare.
it is two hours long, but i promise you it will OPEN your eyes, to things you've never seen, and to things you've never known.
there have been countless books and films documenting the environmental catastrophe of our era, not many have offered solutions. and this film does EXACTLY THAT.
http://www.hulu.com/watch/158468/fuel
if you don't feel the urgency or the impetus to take action right away, i daresay your soul is devoid of any humanity. so take the plunge. it will be the best two hours you've spent in a while. in case your region does not permit you to watch the film, more info is available at: http://thefuelfilm.com/
i was watching the tragedy in the gulf continue to unfold on the news, and this pearl jam song came to mind. and this video pretty much sums up all there is to say about it.
our oceans are beautiful, and only someone who has been truly touched by its magic can write a song that delicate and emotional.
Pearl Jam Oceans from Pearl Jam on Vimeo.
if i ever get a pet rabbit, you know his name would be mr. vedder.
+listening to: oceans by pearl jam
