Uncouth PerspectivesNot on the rug, man.

I had a lot of fun. Ate good food. And had fun company.

I found it interesting, though, at one point the TV was on and we were all watching it. For those who do not know, I do not watch TV. So, it is always odd when it’s “get around the TV time.” Granted, this was for the Simpsons, but still.

Anyways, the episode the the Simpsons we watch kind of struck me. It was about Lisa finding a skeleton to an angel and everybody in Springfield getting all raptured about it.

A lot of the episode was trying to mock the fight between “Science” and “Religion.” At one point, the skeleton moves to a hill top (on it’s own) where it has written on it “The End will Happen tomorrow at sunset.” Lisa does not believe this. Everyone else gets all dressed up (You know, I find it funny knowing that if people thought that judgement day was here, they might just get dressed up. Isn’t is about your soul and God, not your clothes? And didn’t Adam and Eve start out naked? Whatever.) and wait for the event to happen. Lisa is firm in her belief that nothing will happen. At sunset, the statue rises up and starts talking. Lisa gets scared (as does everyone else) and holds onto her mother.

The whole thing turns out to be an advertising sham for a new mall, but here is my point.

The ending message in the show was Marge saying to Lisa “You got scared there, at the end.” as if saying “You started to Believe, didn’t you.”

Sorry, I have a problem with this. For those, like myself, who will not have blind faith and will not believe something just because someone else says that it is true, I completely stand firm with Lisa’s denial of the existence of an angel, until proven it was. However, I also agree with her getting scared. People who really live to learn through their experiences would have also gotten scared. If it is happening, there is not much denying the fact, now is there? I would have been scared like her, if the statue floated into the air and started talking. That does not make her stance bad, or flawed, or make her “almost” a believer. It makes her exactly what she was–someone who learns through their experiences in reality.

People who claim to live through their experiences, but will not accept something you show to them are just trying to hide from themselves and reality. They are not truly trying to live.

On an offramp from the freeway, there had been a small accident. Two cars. Probably some bumper damage. No mangled bodies or metal, no blood, no ambulances, no helicopters–nothing but two people who had “dinged” each others cars. This happened on a one lane offramp, just as it was exiting the freeway. What really bothered me was the fact that they were just sitting there, in this lane. They could have easily moved their cars to the shoulder, but instead, they were doing the inspections of the cars right there. Right on a busy offramp (it was normally larger, but there was construction) during rush hour (or, rather, many hours of slow crawling) traffic. I know there was enough room for them to pull to the shoulder, because everyone getting off the freeway via the offramp and to pull around them, thus making it harder to exit the freeway and increasing the chance of other accidents greatly.

And so, here is the deal. First, people have accidents. Plain and simple. We SHOULD have less, but our culture does not actually allow us to work together. That would not be “individualistic,” because of course if you do things for yourself, it automatically means you have to not think about anyone else! (That, for the unaware, is a lesson is sarcasm.) However, if you have a small accident (a “fender bender” if you will) it is NOT the end of the world. The scratch on your bumper is not going to end the existence of everything you hold to be beautiful. Unless, of course, everything you hold to be beautiful is that one, tiny spot on your bumper. Then, I suppose that says something, also.

Also, deal with the others issues off of the road. To the side. Get away from everyone else. You wouldn’t want me walking around to the side of you, peaking over, if you were doing a business transaction would you? Then why do you do that when you get into an accident? Also, if you get out of the way, the chances of someone else hitting you will (I know, shock and dismay!) decrease greatly. But, I suppose, what you really want is someone to sue. Because, that IS the answer after all. Don’t talk, don’t communicate, don’t coexist. Sue, get rich, don’t work, and everyone is your slave. Or something like that.

And, for those who are passing an accident.

DO.

NOT.

GAWK.

Drive your car and get moving. So what if there was an accident? There is going to be another one if you don’t start looking where you are going and concentrate on your driving.

Oh wait, no one really does that anyways, so I suppose that I’m the idiot here then.

Better an idiot who can drive and live for another day, than the dead one who enjoyed their cheeseburger a little too much.

I thought I’d share this conversation with everyone in lieu of a rant, because I think it speaks for itself. Also, I want to note in this conversations, I did say that this is only one of the reasons I am an atheist. I do want to remind you that I am having a discussion with a 15 year old. However, just for the record, I have had very intelligent conversations with many teenagers about this and other similar topics, both atheists and Christians (and, hey, even more. Yeah, I know it’s a shock, but there are other faiths out there). However, most of the conversations I have with teenagers don’t sound like they are simply saying “BaAaAh” “BaAaah” “BAAAAAAAH!”

(CENSORED): why are u athiest

UncouthRanting: To be simple: I am an atheist because I do not believe in a God. I have found no religion that has a dogma that I find compatible with how it is to really be human. I have found no experience that indicates a necessary existent being. I am happy living life hear and now. Also, check out my website… www.uncouth.net

(CENSORED): 03/28/01 – 04/02/01

Atheism is never nailing yourself to a cross to get people to like you.

- Jesus did not die on the cross to get people to like him. I thought you might want to know that.

UncouthRanting: I did not say he did.

(CENSORED): ok

UncouthRanting: (BTW.. those are by Jeff, not myself)

UncouthRanting: Here is what that means.

(CENSORED): I think I get what it means

UncouthRanting: What do you think it means?

UncouthRanting: (For reference, I have done almost two years of Bible study and am working on completeling a Religous Studies Certificate… I am not just rebelling to rebel.)

(CENSORED): Well……. maybe you should post sayings on your website from people that know what there talking about.

UncouthRanting: That is part of what I am doing though. I do not want to lead people by the collar and say “This is what I mean, get it!?” .. I want people to think for themselves.

(CENSORED): Yes, but when the statement is soooooo far off its like your telling lies to get people to become Atheist.

UncouthRanting: But the statement is not soooo far off.

(CENSORED): Like I said though Jesus did not die on the cross to get people to like him.

UncouthRanting: The statement is saying that people:

a) Do not need to profress Christanity just to get liked

b) People do not need to whine about their “sacrificies” to get liked.

Be a good person. That is what counts.

UncouthRanting: I never said he did. Nor does that statement.

(CENSORED): what kind of sacrificies are you talking about

UncouthRanting: I’m talking about any sacrifice you need to tell people about to feel better about yourself. It’s not who you are.. not what you have done to get liked.

UncouthRanting: Er.

UncouthRanting: It IS who you are.

(CENSORED): Are you talking about christians or another religion because true christians do not tell people about thier sacrifices to feel better about themselves.

UncouthRanting: If we are talking honestly, then it must be said that True Christians are few and far between.

UncouthRanting: And that is my point.

UncouthRanting: Many, many people profress to be Chrisitians.. but are only professing that to get some sort of self worth and social acceptance. Not because they believe.

(CENSORED): That may be true with some people but that is not always the case.

UncouthRanting: I guarantee you that there are more people professing to be Christians then truly, actually believe the whole of the Bible and Christian doctrine.

(CENSORED): That depends on the person.

(CENSORED): either they have asked Christ in there life or not.

(CENSORED): I have met people that you have described to me.

UncouthRanting: That message is to those people who profess to be Christians but have not accept Christ. I am not a believe myself. But I do not judged those who believe, as long as they are true to themselves, happy, and do not harm anyone else.

(CENSORED): I am a Christian and i have asked Christ in my life but sometimes i slipp up and do the wrong thing but that does not make me a non-christian.

(CENSORED): I ask Christ to forgive me of my sins everyday because it is impossible not to sin.

(CENSORED): for*

UncouthRanting: You see.. that is one of the many reasons I cannot be a Christian. While we are human, and do things wrong, I do not see this as bad. I see it as a chance to grow and to learn.

(CENSORED): That is not a reason why you could not be a Christian………

(CENSORED): He still loves you even if you sin

(CENSORED): even if you think its a chance to grow and learn.

UncouthRanting: I cannot support a doctrine that says people are evil.

(CENSORED): You are taking bits out of the bible to make an excuse to not be a Christian. let me explian……..

(CENSORED): It is explaining in the bible that the devil will tempt you and you will sin everybody sins its are nature! and that is why Jesus died for us on the cross………not to get people to like him.

(CENSORED): so we can ask for forgiveness

UncouthRanting: 1) What will it take for you to understand that I did not say that Jesus died to get people to like him?

2) What about that does not say that human’s are evil? Sin is going away from God. Sin IS evil.

3) I don’t need forgiveness for what I do. I live and learn. And I am a damn good person for it.

(CENSORED): THAT IS WHY HE DIED FOR OUR SINS SO WE CAN ASK FORGIVENESS FOR OUR SINS!!!

UncouthRanting: It always supports the truth of a doctrine that you need to yell it at someone.

(CENSORED): just trying to prove a point so you would stop repeating ourself

UncouthRanting: You don’t need to yell to prove a point. Just prove it. However, I am repeating myself because you are repeating yourself.

(CENSORED): I don’t get it, you think that by sining you become a good person by learning from the sins?

(CENSORED): and by forgiving your sins makes you not learn from them?

UncouthRanting: No, I don’t believe I am sining.

(CENSORED): well what ever you call it

UncouthRanting: I do not believe that I am evil. I believe human’s make mistakes. I believe humans can do wrong. But I do not believe that they are inherently evil.

(CENSORED): 3) I don’t need forgiveness for what I do. I live and learn. And I am a damn good person for it.

(CENSORED): i don’t get that

UncouthRanting: I do not need someone else’s forgiveness. The things that I do that are right, I do proudly. The things that I do wrong, I take accountability for. And learn from them.

(CENSORED): I get why you don’t need someone else’s forgiveness because you don’t believe in him. I probobly would think the same thing if christ was not in my life.

(CENSORED): I find this really interesting, where do you think we came from?

UncouthRanting: I honestly don’t have an answer for that. I currently support the idea of evolution, but I know science has been putting some serious holes in it of late, so.. I do not know.

(CENSORED): why do we still have monkeys?

(CENSORED): if we evolved from them

UncouthRanting: As I said–I do not know. I am not a biologist or an anthropologist.

There was a common theme in the conversations, coming from the other people I had it with. We were talking about leaving a job to do something you really want to do.

“Yeah, but, sometimes you just have to do what is right. You have to live. You cannot just leave someplace because you are unhappy. That’s life.”

Talk about fuel for my fire! What is THAT?!

Do you call living being a slave to your job, your company, your paychecks, your debts, and everything BUT your desires? If you are unhappy with what you are doing, don’t do it.

“But it’s not that easy…!” they whine.

Yes, I am afraid it is that easy. Will actually walking down that path be a journey filled with roses and rest stops? No, of course not (THAT IS LIFE), but working in a place or a doing a job you are completely discontent with is nothing but wrong. Wrong and inhuman. And it is not living.

Living is life is being happy. Do things always work out? No. But are you going to sit there and miss out because you are “safe.” I hope not. Do you need to get training? Go find a job where you can do school and make enough money to get by. Save up for school. Find a job that will train you. But don’t just sit there. Those opportunities are not going to fly in and land in your lap. You will have to go out and find them. Take some accountability and responsibility for your life and make it worth something.

I know I am.

Funny, I know others who have done the same:

One friend, quit his job as a retail store manager. Went to school to do mortgage stuff. Got his license. Went through a couple different jobs. Had to borrow money and eat a lot of canned food. He now makes $80,000 a year, which is rising steadily, and is empassioned by what he does–not just the money.

One of the managers at the Carrows I visit frequently and I were talking. He kept saying how he “screwed” his life. And now he has to work this job. And then he tells me, passionately, how much he loves his job. He goes into inane details about food service and managing, and I could see on his face how much he loved it. He didn’t screw his life. He was happy and that is what counts.

Every has one of these or knows someone who has plenty of them.

My questions to you is… what about the people who say “I’m sorry” too much.

To me, that is just as bad. If I am working in customer service, doing something for a customer is… MY JOB! If a customer wants some help getting something down. That’s what I am there for. If a customer has a question about a product. That’s what I’m there for. If a customer needs anything in my realm of control… you guessed it–that’s me.

I do not want someone to say “I’m sorry” with that. If you need something, please simply ask for it. Now, the asking part is important. We are all human here and I, as a customer service representative, am not a slave. I am however, there to help. And I will go out of my way to do it. Do not degrade what I do with an apology. And do not degrade me by demanding.

For those who have never done it:

Try treating those who provide you with customer service with a smile and treat them like a person–you will be surprised at what you get.

The largest response to articles I have gotten is the “School Bullying” article.

In my improv class today, we had to play a character for a sit down talk session. This was pre-planned characters (but not dialogue) by the people portraying the characters.. Most of the characters were abused and hurt and depressed. What the hell?!

Here is bottom line, for today’s simple rant. What is going on with abuse in this country?! What is it that people feel the need to hit, yell, or just traumatize other people to feel better about themselves? I don’t understand. I just don’t.

He left a great mark on this planet and I hope you take this time to read or reread some of his work.

I want a fun job.

I want to do something important.

I want a bath tub I can fit in.

I want to always have cool water to drink.

I want all TV dinner’s to be twenty cents.

I want to not have a dent in my bed because I’ve never rotated my mattress.

I want a real book shelf.

I want all my books to actually fit on one book shelf.

I want all my CD’s back.

I want my stapler to work.

I want there not to be a crack in my bathroom ceiling.

I want a candle holder.

I want to have money and time to actually get my degree.

I want to be respected for my actual knowledge.

I want to train people.

I want to give speeches and seminar’s to large and small groups.

I want to make a difference.

I want chocolate.

I want my back to stop hurting.

I want to hold.

I want to be held.

I want to sleep.

I want everything.

But most of all

I want to be happy.

And I want that for you.

Editor’s note:

Here’s the clincher. Saying and knowing what you want is not bad or horrible. People spend their lives dreaming of things they can never achieve. I can get everything I want. Can you? And do you even try?

I’m a little tired. A little apathetic. And very drained.

But, as always, I did see something that bothered me.

I was thinking about what I was going to write today and I needed some inspiration. So I started reading random profiles on AOL Instant Messenger.

The very first one I read did it for me:

i kick ass and u suck so suck on that hmmmmm what else i would like to leave you with a few points to ponder

Really smart people can do really stupid things

To live is to suffer and to survive is to find meaning in the suffering

With the lights out its less dangerous

if it hurts don’t do it again it’ll still hurt

First, honestly, use proper punctuation. Capitalize the proper words. Just because you are on the internet does not give you a license to be an idiot nor to destroy the language we use.

Line 1 – “i kick ass and u suck so suck on that”

What a desperate plea for self worth and validation. You know, even if I am “better” than you, I don’t have to say it. I just am.

Line 2 – “Really smart people can do really stupid things”

Everyone does stupid things. Being smart does not make you infallible or inhuman.

Line 3 – “To live is to suffer and to survive is to find meaning in the suffering”

Do I really need to talk about this more? If you are suffering, then you are blind to the world. The world is beautiful and wonderful. And the point of life is happiness. Life is filled with ups and downs and strife. Do you wallow in your misery or strive to over come it?

Line 4 – “With the lights out its less dangerous”

Very akin to my “Close your eyes and it will all go away…” saying. Except that they are both totally wrong. Ignorance is not bliss. Darkness is not a shield. The more you know, the better tools you have. People say knowledge is power. Knowledge isn’t power–knowledge is happiness.

Line 5 – “if it hurts don’t do it again it’ll still hurt”

This is said like it is some major revelation. I truly hope it is not. What do you think we do on a daily basis? How do you think we learn!? We try! We live! Yes, I will support that. Don’t do it if it has hurt you. The real questions–were you really hurt by it, or did you just make yourself believe you were?

A moment in the mind of Isaac.

As I sit here, staring at the bag, I have come to a conclusion. On this bag, there are several “selling points” to get you to come back to Del Taco. The very first one struck me.

“We’ve got a Macho Burrito ™ that’s over one pound.”

The American culture (and more?) is so saturated with consumption, it sickens me. The number one selling point is a burrito guaranteed to do hell to your digestive track. We’ve got 64 ounce buckets of soda. Super Sizes. More more more. And it’s not even about quality. It’s all about quantity. How much can I get for the best price. How many cheeseburgers can I get for a dollar?

Go to a retail store and watch the customers for a day. See how many people try to wheel and “deal” the associates.

“This is damaged! See this nick here. I should get 50% off!”

“Yeah, I’ve got this exchange…”

The list goes on and on. Gimme gimme gimme.

Listen up. People yammer about rights and individualism.

This is NOT individualism.

Individualism is not about getting as much as you can. Individualism is not about cheating one person out of something. Individualism is not about putting yourself “on top.”

There is no “on top.” We are all people. We are all ALIVE. Is life not special anymore? Is life not amazing? Get the hell out of your delusion world and open your eyes! Perhaps even try to acknowledge the existence of another person!.

“Oh, capitalism is soooo evil!”

Maybe if we were capitalist–but we are not. America is a semi-anarchy state of consumerism. Buy buy buy. Get get get. Consume Consume Consume.

Life is not about how many cheeseburgers you can eat, or how fancy your table settings look, or how pristine your car is.

Life is about living. Life is about YOU. YOU are important, not how much money you save. Not how BETTER you are, but that YOU ARE YOU.

Stop worrying about the person “ripping you off” and start trying to make a difference. You’ll be richer than you can imagine.