Permanence: (n) the state or quality of remaining unchanging indefinitely.
Life, as we all know, is unpredictable. There is no way to control an outcome except to live through it. We are constantly changing. At times, we may feel lost, alone, and scared by our surroundings. We feel as if we have stepped off a train on the wrong station, surrounded by strangers who don't care about us. Our situation seems helpless at times.
So, many people try to change the one thing that they do have control over in this impermanent world. They change themselves. By changing their appearance, they get to change other's first impressions. A tattoo is one way to do this that will last forever. The permanence of a tattoo is its greatest attraction and largest detraction. Some people like the control that it shows; they truly can make a difference. Others worry that they might change and then the tattoo would lose its relevance to them. It's a double-edged sword.
Where do I stand on this issue? Honestly, I can't pick a side. To me, the tattoo is validated by the personal meaning that it has for the wearer. If there is no meaning in the tattoo, then it is rather pointless. Our bodies are belong to no other person, but they are a gift. We should not deface them, only add to their value.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Blood's Thicker than Water
"You may love us, you may hate us, but blood's thicker than the water at the bottom of the crick. Girl, you're stuck with us." - Grandpa Pete Oberfoell
Can you show me a perfect family? Has there ever been a family that hasn't had arguements, different opinions, or exasperation? Really, I think that one would have to lie to answer, "Yes," to that question. It's impossible. And even if such a family existed, their lack of conflict would be a problem in itself. We learn how to problem solve primarily from our family. Without those skills, we wouldn't be able to survive in the world. Dysfunction can be functional.
However, dysfunction is hurtful as well. Families are torn apart by it. People can become broken shells of what they once were. They feel as if they can trust no one.
Whether dysfunction can be constructive is hidden in shades of gray. Every situation is different. Everyone is unique. However, we all have a need to love and to be loved. When a family is incapable of this, then it is truly dysfunctional.
Can you show me a perfect family? Has there ever been a family that hasn't had arguements, different opinions, or exasperation? Really, I think that one would have to lie to answer, "Yes," to that question. It's impossible. And even if such a family existed, their lack of conflict would be a problem in itself. We learn how to problem solve primarily from our family. Without those skills, we wouldn't be able to survive in the world. Dysfunction can be functional.
However, dysfunction is hurtful as well. Families are torn apart by it. People can become broken shells of what they once were. They feel as if they can trust no one.
Whether dysfunction can be constructive is hidden in shades of gray. Every situation is different. Everyone is unique. However, we all have a need to love and to be loved. When a family is incapable of this, then it is truly dysfunctional.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Music
"The sweet, passionate melody captivated his heart from the first note; it was full of radiance, full of the tender throbbing of inspiration and happiness and beauty, continually growing and melting away; it rumoured of everything on earth that is dear and secret and sacred to mankind; it breathed of immortal sadness and it departed from the earth to die in the heavens."
That is music according to Ivan Turgenev.
How is it that music can trigger such emotion? How does sound bring that around? To be quite honest, I have no idea. Music can be more meaningful than words to me. A chord speaks volumes. If a picture is worth a thousand words, well, then a song must be worth millions. If I couldn't hear music, I wouldn't know how to express feelings as well.
See, people think on many levels at once. Our thoughts are all connected. Thinking of love makes you think of a person, which in turn can make you think of regret, happiness, or anger. And those emotions will carry your thoughts to entirely different realms. Music has a way of marrying all of these different thoughts together into one piece of work. It can speaks to each person in a different way. It layers the thoughts and weaves them so that you almost can see the mind of the author. It connects us as nothing else can.
Current Favorite Song: Miles Neuvirth: I Know
That is music according to Ivan Turgenev.
How is it that music can trigger such emotion? How does sound bring that around? To be quite honest, I have no idea. Music can be more meaningful than words to me. A chord speaks volumes. If a picture is worth a thousand words, well, then a song must be worth millions. If I couldn't hear music, I wouldn't know how to express feelings as well.
See, people think on many levels at once. Our thoughts are all connected. Thinking of love makes you think of a person, which in turn can make you think of regret, happiness, or anger. And those emotions will carry your thoughts to entirely different realms. Music has a way of marrying all of these different thoughts together into one piece of work. It can speaks to each person in a different way. It layers the thoughts and weaves them so that you almost can see the mind of the author. It connects us as nothing else can.
Current Favorite Song: Miles Neuvirth: I Know
Monday, October 4, 2010
It's a Novel for Your Face!
Who is the king of procrastination?
Facebook. Facebook, facebook, facebook.
If I could count the hours that I have spent not doing my homework while on that site, it would be a scary figure. For some reason, being constantly connected to every one's business is a must for the people of my generation. We relish the freedom that social networking gives us in defining who we are. We can look thinner, smarter, more educated, or more humorous. Shakespeare said that "all the world's a stage," but for some people today, Facebook provides our greatest performance.
When we are online, we do not have to be ourselves. We can control what everyone else gets to see. Perhaps this is the pull of social networking. Limits are eliminated. The bytes of information can be manipulated to create an entirely new being. You are just an avatar, an idealized version of yourself. This is freedom to some. They can appease every person. However, social networking exists on only one level. So, while you may be a star in cyberspace, you could just be an average joe in the real world. People are much more than what the internet can communicate.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE6iAjEv9dQ
Facebook. Facebook, facebook, facebook.
If I could count the hours that I have spent not doing my homework while on that site, it would be a scary figure. For some reason, being constantly connected to every one's business is a must for the people of my generation. We relish the freedom that social networking gives us in defining who we are. We can look thinner, smarter, more educated, or more humorous. Shakespeare said that "all the world's a stage," but for some people today, Facebook provides our greatest performance.
When we are online, we do not have to be ourselves. We can control what everyone else gets to see. Perhaps this is the pull of social networking. Limits are eliminated. The bytes of information can be manipulated to create an entirely new being. You are just an avatar, an idealized version of yourself. This is freedom to some. They can appease every person. However, social networking exists on only one level. So, while you may be a star in cyberspace, you could just be an average joe in the real world. People are much more than what the internet can communicate.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE6iAjEv9dQ
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