In the end does it mean the Extended Warranty truly was a scam?
And how can this “mess” be “temporary” when it seems to never end?
This world operates by the notion of “having box you to brand you” in order to sell you. The role you play has to be clearly defined. Being a true individual is a very dangerous notion. All pieces in this world must clearly snap together like the pieces in a Lego set. If you are the odd piece you are going to be painted as a “target”. Recently, I came upon a story telling about me and all it gave me was another case “existential crisis” for my mental health file. I have a friend who likes to tell stories about me and use me as an example for his college class. I wouldn’t mind but I really wish he WOULD NOT use my real name. For once, I wish he would change my name to Ralph, or maybe Ron, or even Jeremy. The problem is the reaction other people have to these stories. Here is the direct quote from my friend, “They don’t think a person like ‘Foley’ can truly exist.” Now that I think about it. The other problem I have is my friend does not link my webpage to his work to prove otherwise that I may possibly exist.
I am beginning to think that the cup that holds my self esteem has really been poured into a “dribble glass”.
I just finished reading the latest book by Chuck Klosterman. The Visible Man which is his second fiction novel. The basic premise of this story is a therapist dealing with a mysterious stranger who claims he has invented an invisibility suit. The story is structured in the form of almost “oral history” retelling. Once again, he has the ability to make observations of people’s behavior and draw interesting parallels and context from them. The undertones of this book are about how people appear to be and how people really are when no one seems to be looking. How people have the ability to turn fact into fiction and vice versa.
This book for me brought forth one of “symptoms of the season”. We are nearing the eve of “the season of delusional economics”. The season where purchases are suppose to make up for a proportional of the previous year’s short comings. The advertisements are over the top and to point where no one can possibly meet the expectations of the overall message. The message has nothing to do anymore with original intent. Many of the purchases will reflect more about the buyer then the intended recipient. Too often a subtle message of “You need this. And you had better get on my program this year.” How about this for a change? Instead of buying into current “fad”. How about asking the person, “What is one thing you want me to help you get rid of in the upcoming year?” I know this idea will put me on the “Retailer’s of America’s Hit List”. The other problem is the News Industry needs to keep pushing “economic numbers of disaster” storyline that will fill a good chunk of airtime for December. Plus the idea is hard to gift wrap. Plus, too many people would rather have gift wrapped socks and underwear under the tree rather than the promise of “an idea”. The pile under the tree is how people tend to gauge “their worth” from others.
Just because the store has 10K + items does not mean you have to buy as many of them as you can.
The question that really needs to be put forth this time of year is
What is worth to hold on to? What do you let go?
Here are some movie examples that I recently watched that fit the theme of this post.
I want to say I am not that big of Will Farrell fan. I must say he was a good fit for his role in the movie Everything Must Go. This is the story of man whose relationships and standings have bottom out. In the movie, it has brought about his girlfriend throwing out of his belongings on to the front lawn. Everything he has and what presents him as is now out there for the neighbors to see. He decides instead of picking up everything and going that he is going to take up residency and live on his front lawn. The movie is the story about what he has, what he needs and what he let go. This movie is a good antithesis to the upcoming season.
I like the humor of Albert Brooks. However, I know it is not easy for everyone to notice. He is not “loud and in your face” with his humor. It is subtle and it may take a few rewinds to catch it. Defending Your Life is the story about a man who dies in an accident and goes to his Judgment Day. This means he had no choice but to leave all of physical belongings behind.
I like how the “Pearly Gates” is shown in this film to be the equivalent of Time Share Junket Vacation. I do not want to go on any religious perspective. But I have to a bit. And that means I going to “walk a thin line” with what I am about to say. They say the point of life on Earth is to prepare one for life in Heaven. And after what I saw in the movie. I now see God as NOT being represented by the Church. In the movie, Albert Brooks is assigned a lawyer to represent his case. There are people standing in lines and filling out paperwork. Therefore, God is really just a One Big Bureaucracy. On Earth, everywhere you turn you have to be deal one. Look at how many times a day you have to wait in a line. Why paperwork is also filed in triplicate? It is a bureaucratic representation of the Holy Trinity. Plus you do a lot more praying trying to maneuver through any bureaucracy.
Finally, the last movie on the “absurd undertones” of the Human Condition for this posting.
What can I say? All the movies in the Jackass series were at times disgusting and repulsive at the same time for me. And yet I still laughed my ass off.
Look many of us are going to have a “noble” death in the end. Quite a few will earn a posthumous Darwin Award.
There is a lot of yelling about what life is and what it owes people. And everyone has a different view of what that is. In a world of 7 Billion people there is only one resource or thing that will be disappearing in the future. The ability to have “Overall Consent of the Masses”. Put more than 3 people in a room in there are will be trouble. Multiply that by 7 Billion. And it will always total up to be “One Big Headache”. Which is how the pharmaceutical and alcohol industries want it.
So get off your occupying ass.
Put the tea cups back in the cupboard.
Try to gain some real perspective for yourself.
There is only one thing I really need purchased for myself this Holiday Season.
But knowing some of you.
You should probably get one for yourself.
Don’t be Delusional this Holiday Season.
Follow