itiswhatitis

that’s it, the blog is over. every time i check it or my email, i get further and further down. friendships i have needed and depended on are threatening to vanish. that’s the last thing i ever wanted.

wait, wait a minute man...what are you talking about?

this site. i originally intended it to include my thoughts and outlook on life. just share what’s in the attic. sure, not everyone is going to agree, but i figured no worries. to me, it’s like this: i like eggplant. i know people who do not like eggplant and they may or may not know that i like it. doesn’t matter. so let’s say, to these non-eggplant liking people, i go on record that, hey, you know what, i like eggplant. shouldn’t matter, right? i’m going to continue eating eggplant, they’re going to continue not eating eggplant. not trying to start an eggplant revolution or anything. i may think to myself, “man, they’re missing out, it’s so good!” but they’re going to think to themselves, “dude, that’s so disgusting, how can he eat that junk?” and life will go on. that’s what i imagined. but that figment withers away every time i check this site.

so what’s actually happening?

people, dear friends, are accusing me of wanting to make everyone in the world an eggplant aficionado. and that’s never been the case. sure, i may have directly alluded that all the non-eggplant eaters are really missing out...in my opinion. but i figured, hey, it’s my blog and i can do that. and if someone doesn’t agree, that’s fine. there’s no parliamentary precept that homology is imperative. i would think we could agree on the nonnecessity of a need for total agreement. and if not, put the mouse in the upper right hand corner, click the “x,” done.

enough with the eggplant. give me a concrete example.

ok, one example is that i said that i think many (not all) people work too hard and many are miserable for it and people who are such should have the confidence to quit their jobs and start fresh with whatever their passion is.

that sounds reasonable.

yes, that’s what i thought.

so where’s the problem?

well, people wrote back saying that i am telling them that they are miserable and that they should quit their jobs.

but you never said that.

exactly!

well, it seems to me that someone who read that and wasn’t miserable in their job would just read it and perhaps feel sad for anyone that was miserable with their career. end of story..

no, you see, that’s just the beginning. because people are inferring that my website is a personal address directed at each one of them.

is it?

no! it’s just a massive missive of my opinions! that’s it.

well, then why is it being interpreted as such?

i think it’s because of some of the, and i hate to use this word but i will, unconventional views i have. in other words, much of what i feel and do is in direct opposition to what most others feel and do. which is fine, right? i mean, who really cares? but when they read what i write, i think they feel it is a direct personal attack.

again, you’re going to have to help me and give me a solid example.

ok, the baby thing. currently, i don’t want kids. that’s my opinion and i have my reasons and i’ve stated them. so does this mean i think anyone who has kids is inherently evil? no way! not at all! why? because they wanted kids. and they did what they wanted to do. and i think that’s great and have no problem whatsoever with that. i like kids! different things bring different kinds of happiness to different people. that’s what makes the world great.

again, that sounds reasonable...so what’s all the fuss about?

i don’t know bro! i’ll go deeper with another example. engagement and wedding rings. to me, they’re a waste of money. i think that money could be spent on things like a child’s education, a vacation, food, whatever. that’s how i feel. so does this mean that when i meet a married couple who wear wedding rings, i elevate myself to some platform, look down on them, point, and declare, “ha ha ha, you unenlightened fools, you! maybe someday, but probably not, you will reach my stratum of shrewdness and realize what nincompoops you are!!”? no way! all it means is that they value things differently than me. hey, they might be taken aback when they meet my fiancee and see she doesn’t have a ring. and maybe they’ll feel she should have a ring, or maybe they won’t even care. the point is, it doesn’t matter!

well, hIrSch, if it doesn’t matter, then why write about it?

because i think it challenges some people to possibly think about things they might not have otherwise, and based on what they think and how they respond, it challenges me and the views i hold.

like what?

like showering. i would say most people leave the water on the entire time they shower and that they’ve never really thought about it. i believe leaving the water on is unnecessary and a bit wasteful. so i don’t. now, someone who reads that might think, “i leave the water on the entire time i shower, and you know what, i find it quite enjoyable and am going to continue to do it.” and that’s fine! they’ve heard a differing opinion, briefly considered it, and decided against it. done. the same goes with uneaten food at restaurants. so many people, when the waiter comes by and asks, “can i take your plate?” give the head nod and the vertically oriented palm and say, “yes, i’m stuffed.” and then that food, perfectly good food, goes into a dumpster to rot. if i were the stuffed person, i would definitely take the food, no matter how small of a portion, home with me and have it for lunch the next day. however, if someone doesn’t feel that this is important and would rather just toss the food, that's fine! i don’t agree with it, but then again, that person doesn’t agree with me, and the world keeps spinning and we both realize that everything is perspective. and we can still be friends!

again, this seems reasonable to me.

i know, it’s kind of a live and let live outlook.

well, i’d have to disagree with you there...

why?

i don’t think you follow a live and let live philosophy. if you did, you wouldn’t have this blog. you wouldn’t have written all this stuff. you’d just live. i think you’re more of a: live, explain why you’re living that way for anyone that may care, and let live. you seem to have some very strong opinions and you seem to be willing to share them. i think people, because your opinions are in direct contradiction to most of their opinions, might initially feel a bit slapped in the face by them. but i also think these same people should step back and say, well, that’s his thing, and i’ve got my thing and everyone has a thing and there are many different things, and no worries. and if they really disagree with something, they can let you know by saying, for example, “i think marriages should involve rings because....” or “i think riding a bike for who knows how long is foolish because...” then there’s dialogue. and friendly dialogue is the way to go.

i agree.

so how did this whole thing blow out of control anyhow?

i asked people to vote as to whether i should or shouldn’t use some mcdonald’s coupons i had. somehow, that was the fuse.

do you have a problem with mcdonald’s?

yes, and i don’t patronize them.

why?

i guess there are three main reasons, and i realize that it’s not just mcdonald’s which is why now i don’t patronize fast-food at all, but nonetheless:
1. the food is generally unhealthy and over the long run contributes to various diseases and health problems which creates an unnecessary dependance on health care which raises insurance costs and taxes for everyone. so many people just eat without an ounce of consideration as to what they are putting into their body.
2. people are more likely to just grab something to eat "on the run" rather than sit down to a nice meal with their family and/or friends. it intensifies and makes the rush-rush world we live in that much more real, something i consider a downward spiral.
3. the corporation is insatiable always pushing its niche into every imaginable market. almost 80% of interstate exits include a mcdonald’s. 90% of americans live within 5 miles or less of one. giants like this and walmart and many others are taking over towns such that it doesn’t really matter where anyone grew up because we all come from anywhere, usa. and it’s doing this the world over.

now there was a time when i loved mcdonalds and would scarf down happy meals and hope beyond hope that the toy i got was cooler than my sister’s! and there were also days, and my family will vouch, when i could spend unbelievable amounts of time roaming around wal-mart contemplating the purchase of a goldfish or a radio alarm clock. but this is how i feel now about these things and i’m just sharing those feelings. if you value mcdonald’s differently than i, then by all means, enjoy your filet o’ fish. just because i’m not going to eat there doesn’t mean i will think any less of you if you do. and all i can say is that i truly mean that and i guess it’s up to you as to whether you believe me or not. i know it’s not as simple as i always try to make it. 40 shades of gray. perfect example, last night, i’m lubing up my bike chain and i start lauging at myself because the grease contains petroleum distillates. so i pause, because in my mind, i might as well be the one manning the oil drill in the arctic national wildlife refuge in alaska right? i’m no different than the hummer driving urban commuter. sure, i’m contributing to a lesser degree, but is it degrees or is it absolute? i don’t know. i’m a work in progress, always sorting stuff out. and the miles glide under my feet. my current opinions could change 180 degrees in the future. i’m just sharing what i feel now and definitely welcoming any constructive input. i’m addressing no one in particular. that’s all.

well, maybe you should let people know about the bike ride. i mean, based on this site you could be living a stationary life in tulsa slaving away at a 7/11 engulfing slurpee’s and donuts while tapping away on your keyboard...

brilliant idea! next blog is about the ride. no philosophy, no etiology, no stoicism. just me and the bike! my oh so beautiful kona sutra. after all, the two of us have become quite intimate. so stay tuned!

may i say again that, really, you do have a spectacular beard.

again, i both thank and salute you.