I finally found a band! Scroll past all my ranting and click on 40 Minute Break. Booya!
Change your perspective
The state that we’re in:
Look at any popular type of press and you’ll be able to see that we’re fucked. Oil prices are astronomical, and not only that, but we’re running out. There is war and famine, and worst of all, we can’t even see Tom Cruise’s kid. (Ed. Note: Yes you can!)
Why not just lay down and die? What’s the purpose of sticking around if this is all we have to look forward to? Why not just lay down the sword and leave the fight to others? Indeed, why not?
If you are one of the automatons that care in the slightest about any of these things, then hell, just do us all a favor and jump over the nearest cliff, and make sure all of your lemming friends are following.
We are taught to believe what is good, what is right, what we should wear, what’s funny and if your ideas are different then your neighbors, then fuck, you better turn around, go back in your house and change those Capri pants.
The state that we’re in is ridiculous.
This is how you can solve many of the problems in your life:
1 Stop listening to people
2 Stop watching t.v.
3 Stop reading newspapers
4 Stop listening to music
5 Stop watching the world around you
Stop all of these things, and wrap yourself in nothing. Who care about what others want you to believe. People are ignorant. T.V. is owned by the people that want you to buy their products, and keep you buying them. Newspapers only report what they want to. Music teaches us to dance a certain way. And the world in general, well, it’s made up of all these things, isn’t it?
The problem is that we have decided that it’s too difficult to think for ourselves, and that we love to categorize things. How many times have you heard people say that they are a part of something? I’m in this sport, I do this kind of drug, I’m wearing the newest thing, and I drive this over here. Who cares?
People are so wrapped up in what they should be that they don’t stop to figure out what they want. Not only that, but the world makes it hard for people to make the decision. We’ve all heard of the American Dream, right? White picket fenced house, wife and 2.5 kids, dog in the yard, cat in the house, and a nice little mortgage.
Who fucking cares?
I would HATE that kind of life. People who know me know that the word HATE is not something I throw around lightly. When I look at the American Dream, I see a prison, a mold that we’re all running the same race to get to first. You need to go to school, you need to go to college, you need to get a good job, you need to get married, you need to have kids, you need to settle down, you need . . .
Fucking ridiculous.
What we need to do is slow down and see if what we really want is what’s being shoved down our throats.
The worst part of it all?
If you follow your own personal dream (and kudos top you for finding it), you get looked down on, spat upon, and kicked down at every chance they get. It’s a hive mentality that we’re not aware of. Have you ever looked at someone and just looked away in disgust? Ew gross, look at that, I can’t believe they ______. Why not? Why is it so hard to believe what’s right in front of you?
How to break the mold:
The best way to break the mold is to, believe it or not, follow others that have done the same. See, the problem that we all face is that we’ve spent our whole life following what others have done before us. You go to school, following the grades up and up, high school, following more grades, college, following the others that have gone before, and watching other come up after. Life is set before us in a very linear path, so idiotic that you really have to try to fall between the cracks.
So take the skills you have and use them. Follow others that have become enlightened to the unreal.
1 listen to people you would never listen to
2 watch t.v. that you would never watch
3 read books that you would never read
4 listen to music that you would never listen to
5 watch the world that you don’t see
Take all of the things that have been taken for granted and give them up.
“Its not until you lose everything that you are free to do anything.†–Fight Club
Original Thoughts:
After doing something truly amazing, something that is new to you, something that has never before even thought of by someone, share it. If you have read a book that touched you, give it to someone else. Let the discoveries be shared. Don’t save these treasures for another day. Don’t let these shining gems of ideas be set into a ring that you wear around everyday.
Example 1:
Always, always, ALWAYS, let people borrow your things. I have a lot of movies. If anyone ever wants to borrow them, then, sure, I happily give them away. If they never return them? Who cares, I already saw the damn thing once, and if they are truly happy with the discovery, then hell, why not let them keep it? Possessions are supposedly 9/10th of the law, right? Well, fuck it. Fuck the law. You fought the law and the law won, right? Well, don’t fight it, ignore it.Give your shit away, you don’t need it.
Example 2:
If you have something to say to someone, for the sake of everyone, speak your mind. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve left the room and slapped myself in the face to get back to reality after listening to my relatives talk. There is so much backstabbing, and fake nicety, that I can’t stand it. I’m serious, if you, or anyone else, has a problem with me or my crap, then please, tell me about it. But don’t forget this little fact: We all have a right to our opinions, and (so far) it’s completely legal to say whatever you want. I’m not going to bitch if you call me fat. It may be so, and it may hurt my feelings, but you know what? It’s better then saying that I’m big boned, or a little husky. FAT FAT FAT. Whatever. We all have a right to say what we want. It might not all be pretty, flowery bullshit, but it all deserves to be heard.
Example 3:
Music is one of the most important things in our lives. It moves us, and touches us, and give us hope and crushes dreams. I know people listen to different music, and I know for a fact there is music out there that I do not enjoy. But please, please! Listen to as much of it as possible. There is so much heartache and turmoil put into each and every song, they deserve to be given a chance. Listen to as much music as possible, and since you have a computer and the internet, you might just be wily enough to figure out how to get it for free (or at least know how to listen to internet radio). Share your discoveries. Make mix-disks for people. Share the pain and sorrow and happiness that you experienced. Share.
Who got it right, almost:
Punk & Punk-rock.
I have had this discussion with a friend of mine, and it’s been so many years that I can’t remember 5% of what we talked about. But here’s my side:
To be punk is to rebel. To spit at authority, and question everyone. The idea of punk is a great one. It’s a curious thing to be aligned with, it’s ever changing and not necessarily thought of the same way. Here’s how to look at punk:
First, watch SLC Punk. Great movie. About a bunch of punks in the mid-eighties that are trying to make their way through life. Through the course of the movie, the main character (Stevo) is questioned by not only those around him, but himself in his actions. Why does he dress the way he does? Why hang out with the people he does? Why hate the people he hates? Why love the people he loves? Why put forth the effort to rebel, when there seems to be little to rebel against.
These are common questions that, if you haven’t already, you should ask yourself and analyze the response. If the answers to any or all of the questions are not ‘because that’s what I chose’ then re-evaluate your contribution to society. Here are my answers:
1) I dress the way I dress because I either have to (work) or because I like what I’m wearing
2) I hang out with people that I find interesting and enjoy their company
3) I really don’t hate anyone
4) I love the people I love because of a strong emotional connection that can NEVER be broken
5) I rebel against what I do not agree with, but I rebel with purpose, not anarchy.
I have seen a lot of people throw around the anarchists (A). Anarchy is a belief in total disorder, and it’s an interesting theory, but could never really happen. With anarchy, you have a total lack of order. This, in the strictest sense, is impossible. Let’s say that the world does fall into anarchy. Remember that friend you had? Not anymore. But wait, you want that friend back. Oops, there goes Anarchy. You now have a system, a friendship. That is not anarchy.
In my time I have read up on, and listened to much punk. The philosophies are unique in the fact that they are so misunderstood. Young punks (I’m going to say 15-20) don’t really understand what it’s all about. It’s just another label, and something to identify with, while sewing on patches, and dying their hair. Real punk, as I know it, has a lot of truth seeking, and questions. If you want to be punk, do this:
1. Ask questions.
2. Don’t follow the herd (which may be hard to see. Your best friends may be part of this herd. Take a step back and try to make your own decisions, regardless of the outcome)
3. Listen to music
4. LISTEN to music. Hear what they are singing about, understand it.
5. Defend yourself. If someone wants to know why you are doing a certain something, give a valid reason, not some bullshit with a middle finger (but believe me, middle fingers are encouraged, and you may find yourself giving more then a few)
Remember that the world has been built for you to follow in the footsteps of those that went before you. Don’t take that step, walk in the other direction, but know WHY you are walking that way.
BOOKS:
Read these books:
1) Dharma Punx by Noah Levine MORE
2) How the Light Gets In by MJ Hyland MORE
3) Hairstyles of the Damned by Joe Meno MORE
4) Stranger than Fiction by Chuck Palaniuk MORE
5) God’s Debris by Scott Adams MORE