A Read Worth Reading

For those of you who know me, you know I read pretty quickly, and for those of you who don't, well, it's true, I read pretty quickly. Anyways, I had some time to kill on Friday..... So I read this book. My roommate Court had recommended it. I've read Burroughs' first book Running With Scissors and, honestly, it didn't leave a lasting impact. However, I don't remember hating it either, so I thought I'd give Dry a go. It's pretty intense, to say the least. Burroughs chronicles his own battle with substance abuse, and sobriety.... The reviews say the book is "witty" and "funny"... I say it's pretty damn dark, but he's a man who knows how to laugh at himself, which I think is important, and it helps the reader through some interesting moments. He spares no detail. Anyways, it gets my recommendation. Just don't dive in expecting rainbows and butterflies, or belly laughs. Expect some cold hard truth, and you might walk away with some inspiration.

Where The Sidewalk Ends

There is a place where the sidewalk ends

And before the street begins, 

And there the grass grows soft and white, 

And there the sun burns crimson bright,

And there the moon-bird rests from his flight

To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black

And the dark street winds and bends.

Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow

We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,

And watch where the chalk-white arrows go

To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow, 

And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,

For the children, they mark, and the children, they know

The place where the sidewalk ends.

                          -Shel Silverstein

In The Words Of A Child

A Poem By Kieran, Age 11

I am a forever sad child

I wonder when all wars are over

I hear pain screech into my ear

I see no peace on earth

I want wars to end

I pretend not to notice anything

I feel what is supposedly right

I touch anyone who knows what is supposed to be hidden

I worry for the hand of Death

I cry for the fools with their eyes closed

I am a forever sad child

I understand what was supposed to be hidden

I say war is a fool's idea

I dream of no fighting

I try to help my wish

I hope for world peace 

I am a forever sad child

Shits n Giggles

Birds of a Feather

I came across this article today (go ahead and look, it's a quick read). Looks like a politician is a politician is a ...... ??? Now don't get me wrong, I've been a fan of ol' debs for a while now... (We have a weird "six degrees of kevin bacon" connection) but you read things like this and you cant help but wonder... There are all kinds of ways to justify it, I reckon, but I'm pretty sure I don't stand alone in saying that I'm sick of justifying on behalf of our leaders. We all have done it. You know you have. Justified an elected officials actions. Shit, we're embarrassed. Things like this are embarrassing. Isn't anyone held accountable anymore? I can't help but wonder whether we are so desensitized to incredulous behavior due to the joke-of-an-administration thats been overseeing our country, that we'd just as well look past blunders like these... If  HE can do it, why can't we?

The pleasure is mine, really.

Well.

Recently I've felt the need for a new outlet. A new forum for me to be me. I've thought about blogging before. It just seemed so... I dunno... vain ? Looks like my own vanity has won...

Seriously though, I need a place to express my feelings, my thoughts and opinions. There are so many amazing things going on in the world today, and sooo many horrifying things as well. I can't sit here idle any longer. Maybe this is my first step, to a better me.... Or maybe its just a way to pass the time...

Whatever, however, whoever..... I invite you to participate in my journey. Read, write, laugh, disagree, reject, embrace; I welcome it all, I want it, I'm craving it....

So there you are, and here I am.

I'm JR, and the pleasure is mine I'm sure.