100 Right Answers

Illusion

A friend of mine recently related a story that I found some what interesting at many levels. He was having a discussion with his father about world matters and the role that religion has played in exacerbating many of the problems we currently see. His father went on the say that these things are all portents to the rapture and that he feels that the rapture is imminent. Concurring with this sentiment my friend then states that part of the problem is that everyone feels that their belief system is the correct one and will defend it fervently. Upon hearing this his father immediately got defensive and felt some how he was being told that he is in the latter group, despite the fact that his son repeated several times that he was in full agreement with his father’s beliefs.

What is it about these faith based systems that causes mankind to abandon rationale reasoning? I was often told to never try to argue with irrational people. Time and time again this has proved to be sound advice. Could it be that religion and faith based belief systems are irrational? That they can not be approached with logic and soundness of mind? Are the believers so forgone that they can not even begin to consider the very logical possibility that they just might be wrong?

All other things in life require supporting evidence before they are accepted as truth. Yet in faith based belief systems you just accept what has been taught for generations and never question its authenticity.

Long sigh. I give up.

It Just Does Not Add Up

Has anyone ever stopped to think about the dumb ass things people say when tragedy strikes? Perhaps I am just to disconnected from the warm and fuzzy side of my brain but this shit is really working on my nerves! You fucking spiritual zealots, especially you neo-Christians, espouse the teachings of Christ so fervently but you omit in your daily lives the one thing that was a constant under current of his teachings. Common sense. 

Tell me some one please how much sense does the following quote make. In reference to the recent death of a co-pastor a person being interviewed responded with this, “…God never makes a mistake. He needed another flower and he got one…” What the fuck is that? So what you are telling me is that the deity that you hold in such reverence, the creator of the known universe and the object of your worship could not find a more humane way to promote his servant to a more lofty position? That your god was fucking toiling in the heavenly soil and decided to pluck a bulb from mankind and transplanted it to his celestial garden. Should we thank him that he did not require a shrub or fucking tree?

You dumb ass mother fuckers need get a grip. Being spiritual minded regardless of sect or religion is not an excuse for sheer stupidity. Personally, considering that this woman died in a fucking auto accident, I would rather it be said that she caused displeasure to whatever god she worshipped and he killed her ass rather than some meaningless bullshit about god needing a flower. Lets take this back to the days of tribalism and the virgin sacrifices to appease the “fire god” (volcano). Has any one considered the fact that shit just happens? Is that to hard to deal with? What is so difficult about comprehending that shit happens and it happens to good people too? None of us are beyond its reach.

Perhaps I am being overly rational. Yet I still see the “shit happens” explanation so much easier to grasp than the “god needed a flower” or “god had a purpose” bullshit. You see with the “shit happens” explanation I find it so much easier to find the answers. To identify the events, causes and reasons behind tragedy. Shifting blame to the unknown, well thats just plane stupid. I wish George Carlin was still alive to add his commentary on this subject. Alas god needed a funny angel.

Life is precious, so when a life is lost should we not at least extend the respect of acknowledging that fact? Why is it necessary for you to try to add more of an explanation to the obvious?

My resting words, shall be “Shit happened”. Engraved for all to see and hopefully understand.

The Grass Is Greener

I have never considered myself to be a gardener, nor do I really enjoy doing yard work. Weeding, seeding, cultivating, watering and feeding the vegetation, whether eatable or not, is not my idea of a good time. Yet there are those of you out there that receive a great deal of joy and satisfaction from toiling in the soil. To you folks I tip my hat. Not because you are doing something that is so noble but in the fact that you have found contentment in something that is as natural as breathing. I believe you have found a way to get reconnected to an existence that for the most part is as gone as the T-Rex.

You see I can now attest to the fact that the grass was greener on the other side. Why? Because that bloke put the effort in to get it that way. Now that I understand what it takes to get green grass my lawn will get greener with the envy that is thrown its way. I say all that to make this point. I love my freaking lawn! Last year it looked liked the blasted Sahara desert. There were large bare spots, like a balding men, all over the lawn from where I had removed pools of river rock. I guess some one fancied them Zen like. Do you know what several hundred pounds of stone does to soil? It compacts it and makes it hard like concrete. I do not care how much seed and Scotts you put down nothing is going to grow. Should something grow it is tantamount to a bald man with a comb-over.

So last year I purchased about 6 square yards of topsoil and began the process of cultivating my lawn. After the top soil was down I tackled the sprinkler system. It took me most of the spring and early summer to repair/replace all of the heads and the numerous leaks but I did it. It was repaired just in time for me to seed.  Well not much grew. The bare spots began to fill in like a bald guy on Rogain. It was a start though. This year is another story. Hell my lawn looks like its on HGH. Yeah I got out there early this year. Fed it early . Seeded early. Fed it more and some more. Sprinkler system only needed 2 heads replaced. No leaks. OK and more rain than Noah saw. The rain came late this year (doesn’t that sound like something from Little House On the Prairie) but it has not stopped. My lawn is so thick and green I sometimes just go outside to stare at it. It’s like sneaking a peep at the hot chick or hot guy you see in the grocery store. You just have to go back down the aisle you left to see them one more time.

Now when I look at my neighbors lawns I don’t feel so bad. I don’t have that lawn envy. In fact now that I am a lawn expert I kind poke fun at them and their gradient green lawns. Seriously though. It is amazing how good a small ass thing like a decent lawn can make you feel. I say decent because although its green and thick it still does not measure up to the perfectly manicured lawns around it. But thats OK. I still feel damn good that I was able to bring it back. Ressurect it from its dismal state to its emerald elegance.

I guess that it took something like this, getting green grass, to remind me that it only takes a little effort sometimes to get big results.

The Problem With Thinking Outside Of The Box

The problem with thinking outside of the box is that your perspective changes and you are usually the only one outside of the box. Damn it people! WTF?

“I wanna go home, I just wanna get along with my life – Lenny Kravitz – I Want To Go Home

Life is short. Play hard!

Common Sense

So Geraldine Ferraro got axed for saying that Obama would not  be getting as much buzz if it were not for his race. Wow thats a shame that some one gets fired for making an honest assessment of a situation and highlighting one of the plausible explanations. I guess she really over stepped her bounds as a campaign adviser.

Give me a friggn break. This is America, is it not. Since when has race not been an issue here. Her comments were not racist. They were real observations and very real sentiments based on those observations. Come on America get some cajones and just admit that race is important to you.Really it wont hurt.

Close Your Eyes To See More

How can you feel so great but be so insignificant? Just another one of those weird ass days when you do not know if you are coming or going. Can’t account for where you have been or where you think you should be.

Star and I were talking about the importance of knowledge of self and how it is paramount to all things. Without this knowledge you can be so easily led astray. From what, I am not sure. I guess I can not really call it being lead astray but your are very susceptible to being overly influenced by the lies (put on the foil hat now).

The Issues

I came across this on Digg. Check out the comments. It appears that most people feel that the interviewer got pwned.  I disagree.  The interviewer proved his point. His point being that nobody really knows or understands with a great deal of detail where any of the candidates stand on any issue. The young man, clearly states that “…Edwards, Clinton and Obama are virtually identical with minor differences.” As articulate as he may be he never answered the question. He never once enumerated any specifics about what, in this case Obama, his candidate has done. He never once stated outside of “I feel” why Obama was a better choice. The choice is supposed to be based on logic not emotion. FAT CHANCE OF THAT HAPPENING!
Derrick clearly thinks that Obama has good people skills.  That his line of “reaching across the aisle” is one that will affect change in the country. Yes Obama talks a good game but so did Dubya. Is that not their job? Their job is to convince you and to move you by striking an emotional chord. It is by this that they garner your support and cooperation. Granted Dubbya was not a skilled orator but he was sharp enough to speak in a way that touched people at the simplest level. As he would say, “its my job”.

People all I am saying is this. Once bitten, twice shy. Yes change is needed but do not be duped into thinking that the “issues” will work themselves out after the election. The very issues that were being faced 8 years ago are still here. The same issues that are here now were around 200 years ago. Have any of these guys really solved any of the issues?

I say vote for yourself. Put your confidence and hope in yourself. Only you have the power to really affect the most change in your life. Be dependent on no one. Be an army of one!

This message has been approved by MoodaHocka ‘08.

A Shade of Pain Then We Die

If pain could be could be painted what color would it be? I think Seal hit the nail on the head with that lyric. Well thats how I feel today. I really do not want to talk about it. I think I will just bitch and moan to myself. I am really starting to believe, or should I say beginning to adopt in its entirety the concept of 100% self reliance. “I live with me, I’ve got my back tonight”. You see the choice is mine. I think the problem is in part lies in the fact that I never have truly embraced myself as my own savior and redeemer. Du Mhan Yhu! When you get right down to it know one can do it like I can. Without a doubt, I am the shit! I finally said it and I feel so much better. After taking a long hard look at myself and admiring what I have seen I have come to the conclusion that my facade of easy going kindness should be dispatched and immediately replaced by the true nature of man. Who am I kidding other than myself. Should I bridle my thoughts and exercise restraint in order to spare the feelings of those who could not even capable enough of handling my urine. I think not. If there is going to be pain then then I say let me be the first to draw blood and the last to draw breath. “But Mooda, want you be isolating yourself from those around you? Want you be causing conflict where there is none?”, you ask. Perhaps but as I noted before I’ve got my back. I have yet to let myself down and I seriously doubt that I will now. Be for real, if I strategically realigned my resources with personal objectives I foresee a very nice return on my investment in myself. Really thats what it all boils down to, a realignment of resources to meet personal objectives. Yeah thats the spin I think I will put on this. A strategic realignment. Objectives. Investments and goals. Somehow I just seem to be able to make shit happen for myself. I do not know why, how or what but it just happens. Like bird shit dropping from the sky.

It is crazy and I can not really explain it. I was talking to my boy Kyle and he was explaining some really deep shit to me. It totally blew my mind but he was right as he often is. I have to say Kyle is my boy, my absolute best friend. He is the flip side of the coin.

This is going to be the last post for this year. It’s done, it’s a wrap. I got mine now get the fuck out. Next year is mine bitches. Do not get it twisted. I am officially declaring 2008 the year of fire. If you do not want to get burned then stay out of my way cuz I am gonna be blazing like napalm.

On that note I’d like to give a big fat, super sized, “Ho ho ho and fuck you too!” You know who you are, rat bastard.

Callouses

While driving the other day I began to think about life as it was just over a century ago and the natural modes of transportation that existed then. By natural I mean that the power behind the transportation method was either human powered or animal powered. No steam, coal or gasoline powered engines. This got me thinking about how connected people were to their environment then. There was no insulating buffer between you and the elements. Sadly today I see our conveniences are like thick callouses that prevent us from feeling the world around us. Callouses are supposed to protect sensitive skin, they are a natural response to use and work. Yet, our callous of convenience is really making us weaker. How convenient does life need to be? Will we eventually get to the point that living is just too inconvenient?

Tenets of Humanity

I have been thinking quite a bit lately about the ill affects that religion has had on mankind. For all of the good that is supposed to do it sure has not made the world a better place. I guess that is what happens when the blind are leading the blind.

Really come now, it seems just about anyone cam claim to be inspired by some deity and get people to follow some course of life that this deity has mandated. Whoa that is totally impressive! Like landing a sweet 1o80 off of a really high jump! Come on people wake up and smell the coffee. The only thing religion has been successful at is alienating the inhabitants of this planet and bilking them out of billions of dollars.

This brings me to my first point.

1. Why does god need your money? If god created all things (pick a god I don’t care which one) does he really need 10% of your wages? Can not a real god just put into place the things he wants in place? If it were me I know I would. Maybe thats why I have not been promoted to “god” yet.

OK so now that we have established that god is poor and lacks ample liquid assets to do the things he needs to get done and refinancing his home is out of the question in todays market, we have to ask ourselves why do we need some many gods and cant they have a board meeting to decide who is running things?

2. Which god is the god that determines who is going to when a sporting event? Which god is in charge of music awards? Is it the same god that causes success for some and failure for others? How do you differentiate between them?

Do you see my dilemma here? I m not sure who is in charge and find the entire process of getting some one in customer service to return my calls a bit frustrating. I may have to call the BBB and file a complaint. I wish these athletes, musicians, singers and other members of the PTL would tell me which god they are thanking and how I can get on the bandwagon. To be honest I don’t think god recognizes talent. He must have been busy soliciting donations when some of these folks slipped by to claim these “wonderful blessings”. I think god needs to take some of that money he got from us and put in a security system. You know some cameras like they have on the highways. This way we can watch the feeds on youTube and alert him when a shmuck is about to hit it big.

As a shareholder in humanity I think we need to call an emergency shareholders meeting. I do not like the direction this organization has taken lately. I think it is time for us to declare a mission statement and some bylaws that are beneficial to everyone. Drop the 10 commandments, throw out the Torah, tell Buddah, Vishnu and Mohammad to smoke a doobie. They are not human so they do not know what it is like to live as we do. Besides has anyone seen these folks? Bet your bottom dollar if I am a deity you are gonna see me. I am going to be damned sure that you know who I am. No vagueness, no mystery and no smoke and mirrors. “Heeeeeeeeeres MoodaHocka!”

I think fundamentally there could be a globally accepted Tenets of Humanity. Not! There I go being idealistic again. We can not even get folks to agree on how to preserve the resources of the planet which is a problem with very tangible facets. How are going to ask them to set aside their religious differences to come to an accord on a universal way of thinking about others outside of their belief system?

We are doomed.