sitting in my hallway
As my roommate edits a classmate's demo reel I have found myself sitting in my hallway in order to have some semblance of peace to write this entry. A long overdue entry.
I think today is the birthday of a college classmate of mine. At least that's what Plaxo tells me. If I didn't have electronic devices to remind me of birthdays and anniversaries and God knows what else I'd no doubt walk around in a constant state of ignorance. And not the kind that creates a sense of bliss. Ignorance is an interesting topic. Do we really believe that there is a state of ignorance or is it that those who appear to be ignorant are just stupid? Or fully aware and unwilling to act? My teacher says you are unable to handle that which you are unable to see. So, we live with the alcoholic for 25 years and then one day he or she gets hit by a car when driving home from the bar and we say "I never knew s/he drank so much." Or you see that battered wife who lives next door and you know that one day the mad man she lives with is going to go too far, yet she only sees the good in him. An unwillingness to confront. Confront is hard. It means there is a responsibility that must be taken and who in America really wants to take responsibility for their actions? Not too many.
I'm not the overly political kind. I don't really want to get involved - an unwillingness that I am fully aware of - but someone please tell me how the great God fearing masses of people living in the greater contiguous United States cannot see what is going on around them. In the last 6 or so years we Americans have become hated by just about everyone and we Americans have garnered statistics worthy of third world countries. Who wants to talk about the educational ratings of our children and our children's schools? Anyone? Oh, and who wants to talk about the government that openly spies on its people, takes away their freedoms and plays God with the rest of the world; the gas prices going up so fast that being able to own a car will no longer be viable for the majority of people living here with no end in sight for the rise. At what price will the American people finally say that's enough? $4 a gallon? $6 a gallon? $12.50 a gallon? 'Cause I hate to say it, but if the oil companies have their way the cost will continue to rise. There is no stopping it as long as their buddies are running the show. And, ladies and gentlemen, their buddies are running the show.
That's what's been done in the last 6 years. The last 6 years. Think about it. What's been done cannot be undone so easily. It will take a man or woman far greater than is willing to run for office to solve our situation. And why? Because they don't hold up to the scrutiny of slander and background checks, the smear tactics that will be engaged upon and the unfortunate task of having to rebuild and the necessary, but unlikely, need to apologize for our actions.
But what would happen if there is someone willing to do that? Would we, the great God fearing masses, be sentient enough to vote for them? Would we be able bodied enough to look past the foibles of their past? Well, I hope so. We tried to crucify Clinton for having sex, but we rallied behind Bush for war. Violence is always more appealing than sex. We chided and mocked Clinton for smoking pot, but we conveniently forgot that Bush was a cocaine addict. Double standards. What would happen if the best person for the job came 'round? Would we know it? Would we be willing to take the stand necessary to, and I repeat, apologize for our imperialism? I hope so.
I truly believe in my heart of hearts that there is a way to make a change. I truly believe that there are people out there with the sole purpose of creating a better place to live. We need to seek them out and support them. For if we don't the world will get darker, hotter and, inevitably, barren of all that is light and good. We are well on our way to an apocalypse of biblical proportions. Anyone want to get off this crazy thing? I think when presented with the opportunity we'd prefer to get off, but only - I repeat ONLY - if we are willing to open our eyes and confront what is in front of us. Not tomorrow. Not later. Not next week. Not when someone else chooses to go first. Now. Do something for another and not for yourself. That's how you make the change. Small actions that lead to bigger actions.
So, while I sit here in my hall with my cats lounging around me, my roommate in the other room editing someone else's reel and the rest of the world living their lives in quiet desperation I hope that someone reads this and says "I think there is a possibility for change." Maybe you'll become a Scientologist. Maybe you'll seek out your local Boys and Girls club and sign on to be a mentor. Maybe you'll seek out a soup kitchen and volunteer. Maybe you'll look into something you have prejudice about and seek to learn something new. Maybe you'll wake up just a little bit and see that you are not powerless and that you have the ability to effect that which goes on around you.
Change is possible. Are you willing?
So, while my computer hums ever so slightly and tells me I'm late for a design job or acting class or the audition that will change my life I have to reflect on the fact that everything comes down to me and what choices I make. Know this: if you don't take an action and you remain passive you are in agreement with it and condoning it - whatever the "it" may be.
Do something to shock yourself. Do something for someone else. Do something to change your world. Do something today.
I think today is the birthday of a college classmate of mine. At least that's what Plaxo tells me. If I didn't have electronic devices to remind me of birthdays and anniversaries and God knows what else I'd no doubt walk around in a constant state of ignorance. And not the kind that creates a sense of bliss. Ignorance is an interesting topic. Do we really believe that there is a state of ignorance or is it that those who appear to be ignorant are just stupid? Or fully aware and unwilling to act? My teacher says you are unable to handle that which you are unable to see. So, we live with the alcoholic for 25 years and then one day he or she gets hit by a car when driving home from the bar and we say "I never knew s/he drank so much." Or you see that battered wife who lives next door and you know that one day the mad man she lives with is going to go too far, yet she only sees the good in him. An unwillingness to confront. Confront is hard. It means there is a responsibility that must be taken and who in America really wants to take responsibility for their actions? Not too many.
I'm not the overly political kind. I don't really want to get involved - an unwillingness that I am fully aware of - but someone please tell me how the great God fearing masses of people living in the greater contiguous United States cannot see what is going on around them. In the last 6 or so years we Americans have become hated by just about everyone and we Americans have garnered statistics worthy of third world countries. Who wants to talk about the educational ratings of our children and our children's schools? Anyone? Oh, and who wants to talk about the government that openly spies on its people, takes away their freedoms and plays God with the rest of the world; the gas prices going up so fast that being able to own a car will no longer be viable for the majority of people living here with no end in sight for the rise. At what price will the American people finally say that's enough? $4 a gallon? $6 a gallon? $12.50 a gallon? 'Cause I hate to say it, but if the oil companies have their way the cost will continue to rise. There is no stopping it as long as their buddies are running the show. And, ladies and gentlemen, their buddies are running the show.
That's what's been done in the last 6 years. The last 6 years. Think about it. What's been done cannot be undone so easily. It will take a man or woman far greater than is willing to run for office to solve our situation. And why? Because they don't hold up to the scrutiny of slander and background checks, the smear tactics that will be engaged upon and the unfortunate task of having to rebuild and the necessary, but unlikely, need to apologize for our actions.
But what would happen if there is someone willing to do that? Would we, the great God fearing masses, be sentient enough to vote for them? Would we be able bodied enough to look past the foibles of their past? Well, I hope so. We tried to crucify Clinton for having sex, but we rallied behind Bush for war. Violence is always more appealing than sex. We chided and mocked Clinton for smoking pot, but we conveniently forgot that Bush was a cocaine addict. Double standards. What would happen if the best person for the job came 'round? Would we know it? Would we be willing to take the stand necessary to, and I repeat, apologize for our imperialism? I hope so.
I truly believe in my heart of hearts that there is a way to make a change. I truly believe that there are people out there with the sole purpose of creating a better place to live. We need to seek them out and support them. For if we don't the world will get darker, hotter and, inevitably, barren of all that is light and good. We are well on our way to an apocalypse of biblical proportions. Anyone want to get off this crazy thing? I think when presented with the opportunity we'd prefer to get off, but only - I repeat ONLY - if we are willing to open our eyes and confront what is in front of us. Not tomorrow. Not later. Not next week. Not when someone else chooses to go first. Now. Do something for another and not for yourself. That's how you make the change. Small actions that lead to bigger actions.
So, while I sit here in my hall with my cats lounging around me, my roommate in the other room editing someone else's reel and the rest of the world living their lives in quiet desperation I hope that someone reads this and says "I think there is a possibility for change." Maybe you'll become a Scientologist. Maybe you'll seek out your local Boys and Girls club and sign on to be a mentor. Maybe you'll seek out a soup kitchen and volunteer. Maybe you'll look into something you have prejudice about and seek to learn something new. Maybe you'll wake up just a little bit and see that you are not powerless and that you have the ability to effect that which goes on around you.
Change is possible. Are you willing?
So, while my computer hums ever so slightly and tells me I'm late for a design job or acting class or the audition that will change my life I have to reflect on the fact that everything comes down to me and what choices I make. Know this: if you don't take an action and you remain passive you are in agreement with it and condoning it - whatever the "it" may be.
Do something to shock yourself. Do something for someone else. Do something to change your world. Do something today.
posted by Adam Donshik at 6:27 PM
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