MENTAL NOTE

"Though we cannot make our sun stand still, yet we will make him run."
Blue, resist the urge to use facebook. You can do it. Good luck.
Cats and dogs can be friends. So can cowboys and indians. So can we.
Why try to be the best when there's no hierarchy in heaven?

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Better Keep It Short (Rant Continued)

previously

 Blue, Why do you blog? Because I can't afford a psychologist, Doc. I like to rant and get some feedback free of charge. I'm modern. Well, make yourself comfortable on this virtual couch and tell me whatever springs to mind. I love couches, Doc. Go ahead. It doesn't have to be structured or even make sense.

The world is becoming more superficial. More impatient. More greedy. "Greed," Gekko said in the mid-eighties, "is good." It seems to me somebody's been listening. We demand instant gratification. We want the best and we want it now, free of charge preferred and often expected. Of course, we don't put it that way, Doc. Today's us, you and me, is politically correct. So we say we've got high standards. We pretend life is about high standards even when it's not. It's about our next quick fix. Like Blogger Light. Some call it Facebook. It's about look at me and say I'm nice, say I'm good, say you know me and they know you and us is us. Numbers over content. Ten times one, not one times ten. Quantity is the new quality.

I need help, Doc. I read somewhere there was a time when being busy meant you focus. Commitment. Like reading a 400 page book. Now it means reading snippets. Fifty words here, a hundred there, and if you're lucky or if you're an asset to my PR system, you'll get a whopping fifteen minutes of my precious time, so you'd better not make that text too hard or I won't finish reading it.

 Which brings me to blogging, Doc. I know it's always been about getting noticed but we're talking serious numbers now, volumes, a tsunami of thumbs up or thumbs down. We cut and paste and call it an achievement. 

 What do you think, Doc? Am I losing it? Who am I talking to anyway?

* * *

End of rant... Enjoy your weekend.

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65 comments:

  1. Ranting is a good exercise
    Lets the ideas flow freely
    One gets to be alert and wise
    Can amass all facts immediately
    On performance one can match
    The Dr of Psychology

    Hank

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Well, what d'you know...
      The Hankster's No.#1 at my show
      Mr. Cat's a bit late doing his stinky
      Still busy talking about kinky
      Ranting's good for the soul maybe not for the mind
      Letting go of some stuff not necessarily refined

      Delete

    4. No yippeee
      Geez thrown off are thee

      Delete

    5. Feel free to finish that line
      Making it sound mighty fine

      Delete

  2. For me blogging wasn't something I started to get noticed. It was something strongly suggested by my spouse to vent the goofy ideas I have on paper rather than at her, and this being the internet age, on the web it goes. Of course there's self-indulgence in it, but I would hardly call it greed to satisfy my voracious superficiality. But I'm not a doctor so you weren't asking me anyway.

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    1. To vent the goofy ideas you had on paper rather than at your poor spouse? Smart move, Mr. Von Pickleope. But don't pull my leg, sir. I know you'll never be able to even come close to anything remotely superficial. Unless, of course, what I call deep is superficial. (That's deep, right?)

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  3. oh, Blue, I'm so sad that we had to be the unfortunate generation to experience the era of superficiality and loss of all values. Everything today is done to stupidify people ... they're turning us into obedient robots, Blue, they are....

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    1. Hello, Dezz. What's going on? You sound a bit down? You're younger than my wife... That should cheer you up on many levels. Be a disobedient robot and call it progress.

      Delete

    2. I agree....Dez does sound kinda down....you ok Dez?

      Delete

    3. Exactly. I sent strippers, blueberry juice (by request even) and what not his way...Something tells me he feels a bit old, but he was born when ABBA split up, so I know he's very young. I might have to send him a picture of me wearing my speedos to cheer him up. Well, maybe not.

      Delete

    4. I'm always down on my B-day, but I'm also down because the superficiliaty of today's world really bothers me... we see it everywhere... on film, in music, in the streets, in politics.....

      Delete

    5. I don't think you will be able to change all that mess...
      Cheer up, Dez...I don't like it when you are down...

      Delete

    6. Listen to Linda, Dazzzling Dezzzmeister! It is never gonna change. Does that mean we should party and pretend it's not there? I don't know. Maybe we should. When I'm blue, which is very often, I just want people to let me be. Or I go talk to you lovely people around the world only to realize there's a lot of good things to be found too. Do you know what I mean? How are you today, sir?

      Delete

    7. Mildly depressed, Blue :) I have to find the way to move away and transfer my life to Belgrade, but it is tough since I don't have a job nor a place to stay there. And a friend who was supposed to be my roomie, just ditched me.... I'm so Dezzy blue right now....

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    8. How can we help Dez, Blue?

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    9. @Dezzy Dezmond - I knew something was wrong. No place to stay and no job... What can I say, Dezz, except that being ditched by a friend when moving to the capital was to be a new start sucks big time and may require you to reevaluate your definition of friendship... You're entitled to be blue. 100%. Sigh. When do you catch a break?

      @ Linda - By being kind to him, Linda. What else can we do?

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  4. Blue - tell me all about it. Listen to Juju (cos that means magic) Yes, we are a greedy, needy society with no time to ponder and we go about and collect pretence and fake things because we think it makes us look good: loved, acknowledged, important. It means we mean something in this shallow, speedy and short lived sensationalism that we call life ( see that alliteration?) But it doesn't. Anyone with an ounce of sense knows this. Of course, we ALL want to be heard and supported and liked for our endeavours and achievements but it should be by people who are like minded and have something to give back to you; who you connect and empathise with. Even if that is only two people in the whole wide world then thats better than a whole load of fakers who really don't give a flying toss about you and are just data collectors. Ya get me bro? Are feelin' what I'm puttin' down? So tell me, why are you stressing about this so greatly? You are loved by many on here, you get a gazillion comments and Az and me can't wait to see you in your speedos on beach Bora Bora. Thems the things that matter Blue. *Kiss*

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    1. I'm impressed by your command of alliteration. Thumbs up, I say! I LIKE you. Two people... sounds like a deal to me, Jules. I get ya sis. So feeling it too. Now let me tell you something that I hope you can dig: ever since I was a kid, I've never been blind to politics... politics when I was in kintergarten, politics when I was a handsome teen, politics when I was an ugly teen... right to this very day. It's like I've got this sensor I can't switch off. As a result I tend to overreact a bit (just a bit). Still I'd rather overreact than being insensitive to what I know is fake and hollow. Unlike my speedos, of course. Are you digging me?

      Az and Jules on Bora... You so make me want to go to the gym right now. Does that make me shallow? :)

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    2. Oh I'm diggin' ya bro. You'll only be shallow for a while until you're dragged into deep, deep water and made speedoless

      Delete

    3. Speedoless.... Sounds like a great title for a poem.

      Delete

  5. The cat rants away
    Many a time at his bay
    It can sure be fun
    To give a run
    And yep,sad state we are in
    Fluoride heads at every bin
    Following like drones
    With their zombie like moans
    Doing what they are told
    On PC they are sold
    All me me me
    Even have to hold their hand when they pee
    Oh you have good aim
    That has to add to your fame
    I'll take one or two
    Over a million wannabes at my zoo
    Or I'll just get a dog
    They may eat a brown log
    But at least they know they are fill of umm it
    And aren't deluded a single bit
    Facebook is like high school for those the have graduated from it
    And those who are still there and have it, just lunge in the hell pit

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    1. Hold their hand when they pee?
      I'm not sure I'd do that with glee
      A brown log could spoil a bit of the fun
      You're using strong words like a gun
      Making them run or scratch a bun
      But still better than the hell pit
      Or dog spit (um no shit)
      See now you got me started
      Getting me rude like some blueman farted
      A million $ I'd like or even two
      As in one for me, one for you

      Delete

    2. wow you went all potty mouth
      I guess the hand holding made things go south
      I'd take that any day
      Even hold their hand for a million at my bay

      Delete

    3. All inspired not yet fired
      Potty mouth's a pro required
      Find some dough along the way
      Making everything OK to play
      At your kitty cat bay

      Delete

    4. No sure everything would be okay
      But be easier at my bay

      Delete

    5. Easy does it! or so they say
      Especially at your shore, sea or bay :)

      Delete

  6. But what would we do without messages of every day occurances

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    1. I know exactly what to do with them, but I'm a gentleman so I won't say it ;) But seriously, there's a difference between communicating and decorating walls, right? No?

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  7. I entirely see your point of rant. Even the word, "rant" has become a shortened down buzz word for debate/conversation. You mention time-management as in reading snippets. I only read in snippets because most writing has become silly so why should I waste my time? If I find something that is worthy of my time, I read it, irregardless of the length.Time is very precious to me and if I'm bored, I'm outta there. If that sounds selfish, so be it. I am waaay past trying to please others, although I do not ever wish to intentionally hurt any one either.
    Sentiments of an Old Broad.

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    1. Good to hear you're way past trying to please others. I've got two rules that I try to stick to: 1. Don't hurt other people intentionally unless they've tried to kidnap your Momma; 2. Say no when you want to say no and say yes when you want to say yes. I find number 1 the real challenge. Time is never on our side.

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  8. Blogging's like flogging...the meat pole that is. Fruitions galore, with virtual mess:)

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    1. Dirty poet flogging star
      Making meat look cuter at your bar
      Fruitions galore, always wanting more
      When they come a-knocking on your door
      Always wide open, never ajar ;)

      Delete

  9. Sorry Blue, I didn't have time to read the whole post. I have to link my post to Fakebook, then tweet out a link while I promote it on Google. It's all very trying and time consuming but, well…let's face it…I'm totally worth everyone's time. Don't you think?

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    1. I read "sorry" and wanted to know more, hoping you'd praise me like I was the Duke of Blogger Town, then show me that beautiful thumb of yours (up, of course), promote me on Google Minus, write a letter of recommendation using a peacock's feather and send it to the President by pigeon (a good one).

      Yes, I think you're totally worth my time.

      Delete

    2. I'm sorry….

      Did you say something about yourself? I was too busy taking a selfie and uploading it to Instagram so all of my followers will know how happy I am all the damn time….

      Delete

    3. I might have said a thing or two :( Something to do with a peacock.

      Delete

  10. We are a greedy society and people are always looking to get something for nothing. Ranting is allowed it's good for you.

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    1. Hi Mary. How are you today? I was wondering... are you the ranting type?

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  11. I blame the "snippets of time" thing on Sesame Street. Did I get the comment right?

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Close to perfection. Delete delete... perfection it is. ;)

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  12. I blush to admit, I like brief.

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    1. Brief contact you mean? Um... Now you're making me blush. I love it. ;)

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  13. Ranting is good for the soul ... clears the cobwebs ... and the pipes. And it's a damn sight cheaper than a shrink. Anyway, the older I get, the less I care about what other people think of me.

    See, age can be good. Rant away.

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    1. Wendy, when I look in the mirror, all I see is age. And yes, age can be good. I pretty much don't care about what people think of me - pretty much, not entirely - but that doesn't make me blind to the world. Sometimes I wish I were. How are you today?

      Delete

    2. All good Down Under. Thanks for asking :)

      And yes, the dratted mirror. That telltale of road-maps ... I suggest dimming the lights and standing back a bit ... it gives one a few more years - of youth.

      Enjoy your day.

      Delete

    3. I had my hair cut the other day and my barber friend felt the need to show off his new lighting system while I was trying hard to ignore the older guy in the mirror... I was stuck in a chair so taking a step back was no option and my shades were nowhere to be found. Of course. Oh well... There are worse things than seeing yourself getting older, right? Right?

      Delete

    4. Right. It's called 'not' seeing yourself get older.

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    5. Well, if it's got a name, I've got no choice but to believe you.

      Delete

  14. No question. We are a fast food society (and, no, I am not just talking about food). If it doesn't happen Right Now, many people will say "No thanks." I don't think this is doing people any favors in the long run. Maybe not the short run either. But trying to hold it back is like trying to push back a tsunami.

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    1. Exactly. You're so much more eloquent than I am. Robin, I so LIKE you for it. ;)

      Not very long ago I read a comment that said you are probably the hardest working blogger in the blogiverse. The fact that lots of readers want to read your long posts is a testimony to the fact that not all is lost. Hard working readers still exist. THUMBS UP hard working readers!

      Thank for stopping by, Robin.

      Delete

  15. So much is missed because we're in such a hurry.
    The funny thing is, I'm often more productive when I slow down.
    Time is not our enemy.
    As for blogging... well... you know... ;)

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    Replies

    1. Blue, why is Lyndy saying time is not our enemy? Has she found a fountain of youth or something?

      Delete

    2. @Lynda - Time is not our enemy because we are our own clock. At least, that's how I see it. I hope my clock will keep ticking for a while because I'm not in a hurry all the time. I don't like the feeling that comes with being fashionably busy 24/7. It makes me feel so um... so... you know.. (I know you do)

      @ Dezzy - Because she knows, Dezz. As for a fountain of youth... I don't know... I'd sure like to take a sip, though.

      Delete

  16. As authors, we know this frustration all too well. Frankly, in this day and age, I'm surprised our profession isn't a thing of the past. I mean, most teens I know these days can barely struggle to read a Twitter feed. How the hell can anyone expect them to read a full length novel?

    So fun fact: Literary agents will tell you that your novel doesn't need a prologue or any form of set up. It needs to grab you NOW NOW NOW, and if they aren't instantly hooked by the first paragraph they'll often just drop it forever and move on.

    Yeah, that's the kind of society we live in. Horrifying, isn't it?

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    1. What's your take on the fact that many teens can barely struggle to read a Twitter feed? I mean, where did it all start? Maybe your next novel should just be a summary. You could offer the novel as an appendix to the summary.

      Maybe we're just getting old...

      Delete

  17. I often wonder what the heck happened to our society. People walking around like zombies glued to their phones all day, kids doing stupid things on video just to get "likes' from strangers. It's ridiculous. I don't blog for attention. I like to record my family memories in one place, and if I am lucky enough to get noticed by a company who wants to pay me to test their product, then yay. Otherwise, I am not falling into the whole social media junk scene.

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    1. Couldn't agree more,Theresa. I know what happened, but I don't know how it happened. Were we looking the other way? Were we too busy reading a book or doing something that requires an actual attention span? A couple of days ago I asked a friend if he liked to stop over and play some scrabble (I've got this luxury edition just sitting somewhere in a box). He said, "No, that's not my thing. But we could play it online." Dear Lord.

      I think it's great there are still many bloggers like yourself who blog for the sake of blogging, recording memories, sharing opinions. I hope lots of companies know you're out there :)

      Delete

  18. I'll tell you what... I've got a medical plan, I bet we could swing in some sessions for you at the Psychologist :D

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    1. You've got a medical plan? I'm so jealous. No one wants to give me one for fear of me ending up on some couch. It's a costly habbit, you know. How many sessions did you have in mind?

      Delete

  19. Reading 400 pages - commitment?
    I don't know as long as that book isn't bible or geeta or quaran or any religious book which sugarcoats hating and judging. Cool.

    Voice activated and speech software - it was all fancy in the beginning but now with all voice to text apps and all I am getting too scared.

    See my kids are into legos nowadays and their dad he translated quality time by letting them build Legos in iPad screen. Next what? Kids eats bytes for lunch?

    I try to keep them away from all screens - you know because when power goes off they need to know that you don't swipe the switch board but turn the switch on or light the candle instead of clicking on something .

    Dude, you are contagious I have started to rant too - kidding :)

    You are a thinker Blue.

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    1. Yep... that's commitment in the truest sense of the word. Well, it is in 2014. No, it's a book of your own choosing, of course. I wouldn't want to dictate to you what is good for you - even if I'm a man and in this world I'm told men know best.

      Don't get scared. Embrace it. Then wake up screaming and hope it was all a bad dream.

      Lego... I remember those days. I was innocent and a lighter shade of blue. What! Virtual lego? Say it's not so? Think about it: before we know it, our entire lives are virtual. Now I will have to write about it.

      No, you're not kidding, nor do you have to be. Just rant. It's the first amendment. You've got the right to rant. Period. And We've got the right to listen to it.

      And, boy, do I listen. Even if you are a girl....

      Delete

  20. Yeah who are you talking to anyway? Can I talk to him too?

    Ranting is good. Most people rant in Facebook so why don't you try Facebook? (__) grin

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    1. Of course you can. Only he is a she in my book. If I were to rant on FB, everyone on FB would give me a thumb down. You know I don't take rejection gracefully. See, I've saved you a lot of work already!

      Delete

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