A stretch of imagination

The same artist who did the picture I put on my “One of Those Days” post also did these.

I just wanted to show his other side.

His name is Tom Kidd and he’s primarily a sci-fi/fantasy illustrator.

I like these pictures because they seem like the love child of two of my favorite authors: Jules Verne & J.R.R. Tolkien.

One of Those Days

THINGS I COULD DO:

A) Blame God.
B) Blame myself.
C) Get drunk.
D) Get really really really depressed & wallow in the injustice of it all.
E) Ignore feelings and move on.
F) Shortness of breath, constricted chest, tense neck & shoulders, headache with an curious throbbing in the right temple, mild nausea, and all around lethargy.
G) Commit “accidental” death and get wife & kids life insurance money.
H) Chuck dreams and resign myself to a life of mediocrity.
I) Blame Bush


REFLECTION ON “THINGS I COULD DO”:

A) Nah! I hate waiting in lines.
B) Couldn't have done anything different – but I gotta blame somebody.
C) To expensive.
D) Pointless – but I’m REALLY good at it!
E) Moving on is good, but ignored feelings turn into gangrenous pustules waiting to spew at inappropriate moments.
F) I'm feeling it!
G) Wait, we don’t have life insurance – damn damn damn!
H) Tempting!!!
I) Ah…I feel better already.

Golden Chains

Control, order, predictability, security.

Helpful employees, lousy bosses!
Who serves who?

A tool box is filled with useful things when needed.
When not required, put them down.

But how beautiful and shiny they are.
How attractive and desirable.
They make life comfortable and that’s good.

Put them on the altar.
Worship them and get the life you want.
They only cost a little thing you hardly use.
You won’t even miss your soul.

Hammer Time

Sophia was gone again this morning.
Usually I’m devastated when she runs off, but today I just smiled and rolled over for a little more shut-eye.
There will be plenty of time to catch her.
I always do, or should I say she always lets me.

I’ve tried to get her to settle down, but she’ll have none of it.
I’m not sure why.
It’s not that I mind sharing her with other lovers, I usually enjoy their company; it’s just that I’d like to stop wandering, build a nice little house, and say “ah, now I’ve arrived.”

She can’t abide that.
Maybe it’s because she won’t be possessed?

I’ve watched other of her lovers tear down their picket fences and build up fortified walls. Then diligently guard their gates while telling everyone that they are the only ones who possess her.

Some get a wild and manic gleam in their eye taking a certain pleasure in their "elite" state. Others are sad and tearfully entreat those outside to come in before it’s too late; of course, you have to follow their rules and not rock the boat. But at least they have compassion of a sort.

I can’t enter their compounds do to an extreme distaste for walls – well...at least other people's. I hate to admit it, but sometimes I start thinking about building walls too (just little ones); and then that cold sharp prideful feeling moves in and I start getting out my soapboxes.

Which is why ultimately, I’m glad she knocks down my walls and occasionally kicks me up side the head.
She won’t be owned, possessed, or tied down by anyone!
She loves us all equally, although we don’t all love her.
She won’t play the Truth Wars.

The only time she fights is when we refuse to budge, when we hunker down and stop chasing her. Then if we’re lucky, she’ll sweep in like the Apocalypse, riding on her white horse, dressed as Kali with fangs and claws and a necklace of skulls to obliterate the nice safe insipid little wonderland we’ve built for ourselves. Walls will crumble, dreams will die, and blood will flow; until we’re left lying in ashes in despair.

Then, and only then, are we free enough to rise and follow her.

The Amazing Exploding Head

Gaston: LeFou, I’m afraid I’ve been thinking.

LeFou: A dangerous pastime.

Gaston: I know


Sometimes thinking is downright annoying. I find that the less I do of it, the better I sleep. Normally, it’s not a problem. I just wake up and go through the usual motions with the barest minimum of consciousness necessary. Then once the little ones are in bed I can curl up in front of the boob-tube and happily suck on the glass nipple until numbly nodding off.

Unfortunately, last night I sat down to try to write something for this site and the next thing I know thoughts are bouncing around in my head like horny ferrets on crack.

I stared at the screen wondering: “What is truth?”, “How do we know?”, “What does it mean to be human, to be authentic?”, “If you choke a smirf, what color does he turn?”

After realizing that the ruckus in my head was getting worse rather than better I gave up and went to bed for several hours of productive staring at the ceiling.

I’d like to say that I’m back at the computer now, ready to impart the wisdom of a long nights pondering! But…I can’t. I got nothing.

Yeats wrote “things fall apart; the center cannot hold”, which reminds me of a carnival ride where everyone would sit on a large disc, which would rotate, first slowly, then faster and faster, until everyone but the person sitting in the exact center would slide off. When you felt yourself slipping you would try to claw your way to the center, but it seemed to inexorably recede from your grasp.

I’ve felt the same way when trying to find purpose and meaning. No matter how hard I claw, they remain maddeningly just out of reach.

I was a philosophy major in college, where I learned just enough to be dangerous. There were many sleepless nights as I tried to discover the “TRUTH”. Sometimes I wonder what I learned. Mostly I remember consuming copious quantities of coffee while reading with a book in one hand and a dictionary in the other. This scholarly drama would then be periodically interrupted by fits of cursing, running enthusiastically head first into a wall, or curling up in the fetal position while mumbling random lines from Broadway musicals.

Ah Truth…you’re a fickle vixen. Seductively swaying your hips and batting your eyes while coyly whispering blissful promises. Our trysts are a sweet foretaste, but longed for consummation is denied as you cruelly dance away laughing.

I love you!

I hate you!

Why do you toy with me?

Unless the play is the thing?

Restless in Ratopia

REST = the act or state of ceasing from activity or motion, refreshment, relief or freedom from disquiet or disturbance, mental or emotional tranquility, to be supported, to be given a responsibility, to be located in a specified place, to be fixed or directed on something, to cease voluntarily the presentation of evidence in a case, an interval of silence corresponding to one of the possible time values within a measure, a short pause in a line of poetry, peace

LESS = without, lacking

RAT = that would be me



You ever feel like your trapped in a big maze, running at fast as you can to find some treats before the other rats get the best stuff, while someone on the outside is watching, taking notes, and judging your performance?

No?

Well…uh…yeah…me neither.

Actually, I’ve got a plan and I’m sticking to it. I eat right, sleep well, exercise regularly, and leap out of bed ready to take on the world. I’ve got the house, the wife, the kids, the dog, the cat, and the white picket fence. I think only positive thoughts and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that life is good for those who take it by the horns and bend it to their will. If I’m willing to work hard (and maybe pucker up and bend over once in a while) I can make it to the top. I’ve got God safely in my pocket and take him out whenever I need answers, inspiration, or just want to feel good about myself.

Yep, life is good.



“RAT” = (slang) a despicable, sneaky person, especially one who betrays or informs upon his associates



Ok, maybe I’m laying it on a little thick. Seriously though, life is good. It’s often messy and usually muddled - but it’s better than the alternative!

Once in a while I’m struck speechless - in awe of life and death; most of the time I don’t give it a second thought. To busy, gotta run, gotta get the treats…speaking of which…for now I gotta go go go!!!