1st TAKE/2nd LOOK: #17
What Sea do you Sail on?
Some headlines that caught my eye over the last week. Seemingly totally unconnected from each other, a discerning eye and open mind will corral the dots and dot the T’s. I trust you all.
The more my writing unfolds, the more I am exposed to new, different, and opposing views, and viewpoints. My new readers are probably wondering why my veteran readers are eye-rolling here, as I hop on my high horse and jump to staggering conclusions as I stumble off my soapbox. But hear me out, as you usually do.
So, veteranos, read and roll on. Some definitions of words are in order here, as my obsession demands. VIEW and VIEWPOINT
VIEW NOUN \ ˈvyü \ Definition of view (Entry 1 of 2) 1: extent or range of vision: SIGHT tried to keep the ship in view sat high in the bleachers to get a good view 2: the act of seeing or examining: INSPECTION also: SURVEY a view of English literature 3a: a mode or manner of looking at or regarding something b: an opinion or judgment colored by the feeling or bias of its holder in my view, the plan will fail 4: SCENE, PROSPECT the lovely view from the balcony 5: the foreseeable future no hope in view 6: a pictorial representation in view of : in regard to: in consideration of on view : open to public inspection: on exhibition with a view to : with the object of studied hard with a view to getting an A VIEW VERB viewed; viewing; views Definition of VIEW transitive verb 1: to look at attentively: SCRUTINIZE, OBSERVE view an exhibit 2a: SEE, WATCH b: to look on in a particular light: REGARD doesn't view himself as a rebel 3: to survey or examine mentally: CONSIDER view all sides of a question
VIEWPOINT NOUN view·point | \ ˈvyü-ˌpȯint \ plural viewpoints Definition of viewpoint : a position or perspective from which something is considered or evaluated: POINT OF VIEW, STANDPOINT The novel is told from two major viewpoints and a number of minor ones … — Marge Piercy As with politics, he'd eventually come around to the opposite viewpoint from the one he'd previously advocated and express it just as stridently. — Irvine Welsh He began to look at the matter from Claire's viewpoint, and his pity switched from himself to her. — P. G. Wodehouse
I love words that are both nouns and verbs. They’re like bisexuals, just doubling their pleasure odds. But in this case, it’s like I always write about here and here. By definition, Intersectional Identity Collisions are viewed from varying viewpoints. The street corner I’m viewing from is the one I just happen to be on.
That street corner doesn’t define me any more than the one you are standing on defines you. It just so happens we are standing on opposite sides of the street. If I viewed life as you have lived it, my viewpoint would be different. So would yours.
More than 1 million voters switch to GOP in warning for Dems
“It’s more so a rejection of the left than embracing the right,” said Smith, a 37-year-old professional counselor whose transition away from the Democratic Party began five or six years ago when he registered as a libertarian.
Voters are indecisive, impatient, and indeed, incensed. More so than ever before in my adult lifetime. The headline issues a warning for Dems. However, I argue that the Repubs should receive a warning as well.
Voters, nay, citizens are very self-concerned right now. Not selfish, but concerned about how they will live up to the responsibilities one has made for themselves and their loved ones.
This involves reflection, ingenuity, introspection, honesty, sacrifice, effort, and consciousness. An acute awareness of the casual nature of our existence has revealed that we’re starting to fray. Our collective taken-for-granted society has wobbled. Bread and baby milk should not be a scarcity in America.
My friend asked the long-gray-bearded, camo-hatted, eagle-carrying-a-flag-cut-off-shirt dude buying a single pack of hot dog buns at Ralph’s today “just buns?”
He set us straight
The grocery store was out of fucking hot dog buns yesterday. Shit’s gonna change
The quote from the linked article illustrates my point. The Repubs shouldn’t be underestimated just as much as Barry dished on his BFF, Joe.
Emma Thompson talks difficult 'Leo Grande' nude scene and showing 'intimacy without romance'
Emma Thompson wants to start a conversation about pleasure
Completely clicking on Emma Thompson, nude, and pleasure in the title. No lies here. Hot 63-year-old-movie-star talking about her recent movie and how she practiced nude scenes. Turns out it’s more philosophical than pornographic. Fine with me. I’m more sapiosexual than celebritysexual.
Ms. Thompson articulates her feelings with disarming grace and a sense of honest dignity that gives one pause. I thought this quote sums up her stance on life, self, discovery, and journey.
“I’ve always trusted physical pleasure, as long as it felt right in the emotional centers of the body. I never thought that’s the wrong thing to do,” says Thompson. “Pleasuring yourself is fantastic. That’s just extraordinary that one can do that. If you think about the history of masturbation, it’s simply appalling what was done it by Christian faith, and I’m sure other faiths. The fact that it outlawed pleasure for the self, for the body, seems to me to be deeply, deeply problematic and a terrible sin, a real evil thing to do to human beings. We’re designed to experience pleasure, clearly.”
Explorers find the world's deepest shipwreck four miles under the Pacific
Sea of Uncertainty. Sea of Pleasure. Now the shipwreck. In a scary deep part of the ocean. This dispatch from the Philippine Sea neatly dots those dots I spoke of earlier.
Seems like we are always at sea. The worst of the liquid salty world is a hell that has devoured so many over so many centuries. It is beyond 21st Century comprehension to grasp the number of ships and souls at the bottom of the ocean.
This sub-pilot and his sonar specialist do this on a regular basis. Finding deep-sea shipwrecks.
Vescovo called it an "honor" to find the ship, saying in a statement that locating it had given the team the chance "to retell her story of heroism and duty."
"In difficult times, it's important to reflect on those who sacrificed so much, so willingly, in even more difficult times to ensure our freedoms and way of life," he said.
"I always remain in awe of the extraordinary bravery of those who fought in this battle against truly overwhelming odds -- and won."
The Sea of Emotion is the body of water we sail. Stop and think of the navigation skills you utilize maneuvering your human cargo through the daily corridors of life. How automatic are your rituals and responses? Are you greeting an acquaintance warmly or merely acknowledging their presence indifferently?
Is “How are you?” a canned comment or an inquisitive inquiry? Is “I’m fine” fake for “I’m falling”? The connective tissue for these stories is self-awareness and freedom of belief.
Look for the word Freedom in your daily sail of life’s little adventures. It’s right in front of you.
Ric
I was driving around today and these two songs came on and I blasted them. And they sounded as good as I’ve ever heard.
Every time I come close to losing all hope for humanity, someone like Vescovo (and team) remind me that we still do great things--whether it's 8 miles high, 4 miles underwater, or on the streets of our town.