Almost every time when they announce the death of someone on TV it ends with "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time," or something similar. I wonder how many, beyond a momentary reflection, really do pray for the family or have that many thoughts as to what they might be going through. It's far more just the thing that is said like "How are you doing?" Do you really want a long narrative or even a short report? Most likely, you are just being cordial because you're expecting them to give some pre-scripted response like "Fine", "Not bad" or "Can't complain." This exchange happens way too many times on radio call-in shows. I think we can generally agree that the host and the caller are okay except for what is being "discussed" at the moment. Does anyone expect in any normal discourse a rundown of medical conditions, mental heath problems in the family, or the number of relatives that have DOC numbers? It seems that superficial communication is the accepted norm which has the purpose of getting us from one place to another without a lot awkwardness, some might even call it necessary gracefulness ...or not completely telling the truth. Or at all.
In most cases, no one can be completely truthful or handle the complete truth. We live in made up worlds and play different roles from who we really are. Who has ever said, "Gee, grandma, this pie really sucks!" Or "You know boss, you're the biggest asshole that I have ever worked for." The best thing about Festivus is the airing of grievances. Also I'd like to hear what is really said on NASCAR radios but apparently calling another driver a fuck head is not allowed to be aired. I call this being part of the mainstream.
It's not that they don't deal with truth just not the complete truth. They also very seldom take anything to its logical conclusion. Mainly because such a severe reality usually makes for some rather awkward relationships and insufferable television shows. Truth can be very offensive or quite embarrassing. Some say keep it 100 or be totally real. But that still seems to be talking about more or less acceptable areas. Many areas are totally taboo or at least should be. Sex is not one of them, except for the venereal disease part.
Being vetted is tossed around a lot. I often wonder how far they really go. Similarly, I wonder what it takes to get a security clearance. I love those exercises or games where you have to tell something awful about yourself that nobody knows. A word to the wise, don't participate in these if you've been drinking. But I'm guessing, most everyone knows that one. Unfortunately, if you persist in something awful or something that's completely opposite of what claim to be, the chances are that you'll get caught. And sometimes, it might be in a very big and public way. There is no necessary gracefulness that covers such a situation.
When you live in the margins, it's a little harder to be offended or embarrassed. You might have done some awful things. But chances are they don't matter so much. You have given up on trying to explain your life or trying to make acceptable excuses. You can only fail at the game for so long. But there's a little bit of ecstasy involved in giving up or running out of social energy. I wouldn't say its contentment but rather knowing that you're not missing anything, that there are no other areas to explore, that there's nothing else that can make a difference. You accept all of the paradoxes of life and faith. And when someone asks how you are doing? You'll probably just smile and say, "Fine. ...And you?"
A BONUS OFFENSE
In most cases, no one can be completely truthful or handle the complete truth. We live in made up worlds and play different roles from who we really are. Who has ever said, "Gee, grandma, this pie really sucks!" Or "You know boss, you're the biggest asshole that I have ever worked for." The best thing about Festivus is the airing of grievances. Also I'd like to hear what is really said on NASCAR radios but apparently calling another driver a fuck head is not allowed to be aired. I call this being part of the mainstream.
It's not that they don't deal with truth just not the complete truth. They also very seldom take anything to its logical conclusion. Mainly because such a severe reality usually makes for some rather awkward relationships and insufferable television shows. Truth can be very offensive or quite embarrassing. Some say keep it 100 or be totally real. But that still seems to be talking about more or less acceptable areas. Many areas are totally taboo or at least should be. Sex is not one of them, except for the venereal disease part.
Being vetted is tossed around a lot. I often wonder how far they really go. Similarly, I wonder what it takes to get a security clearance. I love those exercises or games where you have to tell something awful about yourself that nobody knows. A word to the wise, don't participate in these if you've been drinking. But I'm guessing, most everyone knows that one. Unfortunately, if you persist in something awful or something that's completely opposite of what claim to be, the chances are that you'll get caught. And sometimes, it might be in a very big and public way. There is no necessary gracefulness that covers such a situation.
When you live in the margins, it's a little harder to be offended or embarrassed. You might have done some awful things. But chances are they don't matter so much. You have given up on trying to explain your life or trying to make acceptable excuses. You can only fail at the game for so long. But there's a little bit of ecstasy involved in giving up or running out of social energy. I wouldn't say its contentment but rather knowing that you're not missing anything, that there are no other areas to explore, that there's nothing else that can make a difference. You accept all of the paradoxes of life and faith. And when someone asks how you are doing? You'll probably just smile and say, "Fine. ...And you?"
A BONUS OFFENSE
No comments:
Post a Comment