Here's the Thing

Segregation via personal opinions never did anybody any good. Typically, I find, agreeing to disagree gets the job done.

Here's the Thing:

When it comes to politics, you cannot merely agree to disagree because the ultimate result will certainly impact your personal future (which will then certainly impact the futures of those closest to you in one way or another). So I feel like this is where you kind of have to care. That is, unless you sincerely do not give "any shits" about your life/future/those around you. Which is, ironically, the outlook it feels like a lot of people who vote subscribe to.

(ba-dum-tshh)

I feel as though I am not well versed enough in current events / politics to really weigh in on anything. Then again I certainly do not know much at all on the topics of taxes, weather or time travel, all of which I have covered in previous blogs. So, like I was saying...

MY OPINIONS on health care and education tend to fall under more of a conservative view: I think that they should be a provided option; I don't think that they should be free. And not that they just shouldn't be free in a miserable, mothball-ridden-geezer, "tain't nuthin fer free" kind of way. More of a "let's be realistic" kind of way. I mean, there really tain't anything for free, but not specifically to interrupt peoples' joy and happiness, not just so they "don't get it too good". Some things are the way they are simply because they are. I am completely open to alternative thinking, although I will admit, I will always apply logic and reality to it. Would it be nice to not have to worry about money? Of course. Would it work to just throw the idea of paying for the things that we - as a society - deem important (even necessary)? I truly do not believe so. So might I suggest: if you do not want to worry about money, save more, spend less.

It would also be nice to let everyone have whatever groceries they want for free (so we know that everyone is nourished). But the reality of that is that it would turn sour. (And fast!) For starters, giving some people what they want only makes them want more; the novelty would run out quickly. Also, what is "nourished"? What is healthy food? Also, are we only giving people certain foods for free? Well that's not fair to people who have an allergy/sensitivity. We'll just save those safe foods for the people with said allergy/sensitivity? Well that's not fair for the people who really like that safe food, but just get whatever because their stomachs just happen to be able to handle a larger majority of foods.

Then we've got the sly bartering to take into consideration; much like what I have heard / am to understand happens with food stamps. In other words: without food being money-dependent, people are likely to turn to food to replace money. Kind of like a regression into the colonial times. "I will give you this [animal] in exchange for this [service]." So call it what you want: currency doesn't have to be in the form of money, we will (as a society) evolve it into whatever we deem necessary at the time. There will always be something to blame, something to hold over another's head, something to express status. If need be, we will resort to being envious of whoever is wearing the biggest hat with the most twigs.

I think that does have a lot to do with it: I think that people concern themselves with certain topics when they concern themselves with how much money another is making, in comparison to what they are making for themselves. Perhaps not so much this specific topic, but more like the thing where people want millionaires / billionaires / whoever the f&#$ to be "super-taxed" simply BECAUSE the aforementioned aire's have MADE MORE MONEY for themselves. That is the craziest thing to me. It's none of my business what someone else is making. Also, that person made that money because they have a skill / set of skills that I do not have OR they were given an opportunity that I was not given. I can think of plenty that I have been given that others have not (and so on). Does that mean that I should be punished? Some things are not my fault, some things cannot be helped, some things should not be made a reason to punish someone. Not to mention I can think of plenty of opportunity that I have not been presented with; opportunity I have watched fall at others' feet. To be clear: this is not others' fault. I think we should all be taxed the same percentage (of what we make/however I word this). Sometimes it feels like everyone is so greedy and everyone wants so much and everyone wants more. And more money.

And how about those people who weren't given the opportunity to go to college when they were younger - and could have used it? It's not fair to forgive school loans now that they are much too old to appreciate it / take advantage of it. There will always be something unfair. Always someone who suffers. I don't love it. But I bring this up because many of the opposing thoughts and arguments (whenever I try to have a conversation like this with certain individuals who appear to be further on the side of Liberalism) try to emphasize their point by fighting for what's "fair". Which is, first of all, subjective when you get down to it, and it could always be argued that a point / philosophy is not fair to someone.

For example: this subject of free healthcare. It seems as though those who have been ever-vigilant about keeping in "ship-shape", trying their best and working their hardest every single day, with every single decision, would be made to be a punchline of sorts. Oh, that's very nice how you've been living well, exercising and staying within the realm of a balanced diet all these years, Ralph, but healthcare is free now, so... turns out you could have had whatever you wanted to eat. Joke's on you! Not only that, but once it is free, what motivation would one have for taking care of one's self, then? It appears we are in need of better motivation as is. And what of the doctors now? The ones who have what I would consider one of the worst jobs ever? Having to deal with so many people with much higher, more intense needs than I have ever had to be responsible for in my professional life. Having to be in such close quarters with those who they are well aware are sick, sometimes deathly ill. Being blamed for everything when it goes wrong. Hardly being thanked in the alternate. Shitty hours, no personal life, taking your work home with you (in a gravity most of us will never know)... Would you want that job? I don't want it as is, and if we were to accomplish this movement of making healthcare free to everyone, these doctors would have to inevitably be paid significantly less! Jesus! And if not, where will all of this (UNIMAGINABLY LARGE AMOUNT OF) money come from? I don't know what to tell you, folks, sometimes things cost money.

And what about these people who vote for themselves? That is, for literally only their own, personal gain? "I don't wanna pay this medical bill... maybe a politician will. Who cares if it's not what's best for LITERALLY anyone." "Well I want my school loan to be forgiven, so instead of paying it off and making it a priority, I guess I'll just wait for this bill to pass or some such so I can just forget it ever happened." Remember when only men could vote and women were all "Gee it'd be nice to vote. That way my voice can be heard." Well now it can. And now that it can, now that everyone can vote, wouldn't it be nice if we just tried to think of what was best for all of us? The all? The whole? The Nation?

In my opinion, education and healthcare are no more a basic human right than a cab ride.

Minimalism vs. Preparation

After a brief, accidental hiatus, I'm back at the keys! (And it feels so nice.)
Sometimes writing is like showering: I never feel as though I have the time to do it. And then I finally commit, pop in and as soon as the hot water hits, I never wanna get back out.

For the longest time I have wanted to get rid of "stuff". I would have talks with myself.

"Okay," ten-year-old me would say, "today's the day. We are gonna clean our room. Like really clean. Like... invent-a-new-term-for-it clean. We are just going to march right in there, put on some Dave Matthews Band and gut the whole damn room." (I had a bit of a potty mouth, but I allowed for it since it was only ever in my head and also typically just when striving for self-motivation.)

I would march in there. I would put on Dave Matthews Band. And then... I would spend the next four to six hours going through everything that I own, typically spending a shocking majority of time in a drawer somewhere. I would get so hesitant on getting rid of things - things that I certainly did not need - because I felt as though I might need it at some point in my future. (And I was ten, so naturally, no job yet to replace said items.) Couldn't get rid of Summer clothes in the Winter because how can you really tell what you're likely to wear in the heat when it's below freezing outside - it's basic psychology. Couldn't get rid of video games I never really played - they were unfamiliar and would be nearly as good as playing a brand new game, once I got around to it. And not the ones that I played all the time, either - I played them all the time. All of these lotions and perfumes have a little bit left in them. Sure I'm ten and have no use for either of them, and these lotions have expired... but do lotions ever really expire? It's not like I'm going to eat it. Might need this wrapping paper for a last-minute gift. I should buy emergency bows.

Emergency bows, people. These are actual thoughts I had. I was always very talented at creating scenarios in which I would need this or that. And so, my minimalist ways were postponed for another year.

Finally, as I got older and the minimalist movement became more active on social media, I revisited my deep need to purge. I found that the one instance where I might have been able to use that bit of an old shoelace was a bit inconvenient, sure. But all of those days where I didn't need it outweighed it severely. I have been tucking away at my belongings now for over two years and still have not regretted my decision to "cleanse" enough to renege.

Welcome to 30

When did hydration become such a focus?

What's this accelerated interest in skincare?

Why is the music too loud and yet I cannot hear anything?

Must be 30.

I have hit the next milestone, folks. It's the one I've been waiting for ever since I got into management at my job at "Jamie's" when I was twenty years old. The age where some geezer disrespectfully prompts you to share it, expecting you to say "nineteen" or "twenty-something", and you leave them in gasping disbelief when you say... "thirty". It's the age where people hesitate a bit before continuing to disrespect you. Finally; what I'm saying has some weight to it! For a few years, anyway, until I become irrelevant and nobody gets a chance to disrespect me because nobody's ever listening. Nothing lasts forever.

Some will say "your twenties are a blur" and "enjoy it while you can" when you're in your teens. I recall this one: "you'll be thirty before you know it!" 

No, I wasn't!

That took forever! I'm exhausted. And relieved - now that I am thirty, I feel like I am finally home. THIS is my age, at long last. And I can mark nearly every year of my twenties by my incredibly signature birthday (among other things) that came along with it (I have been very fortunate). As for my teens? Well, they were shit, for the most part. Aside from all of the dark and fascinating family bother and emotional turmoil, The homework was terrible and by the time the quiz came around, I drew an absolute blank. And being even younger than that wasn't any better. I had no idea what was going on, which class to go to when - how school even worked - I just wanted to stay home where there weren't so many moving parts. 

I don't miss it one bit. 

What is it that people usually complain about when they romanticize being young? Ah, yes, the whole at-least-you-didn't-have-to-pay-bills argument. Well I have been young and I have made it to thirty and I will tell you something: I will gladly pay bills until the day I die if it means that I will live a life of my own choosing. Working where I would like to, for as many hours as / when I choose. Waking up and sleeping when I decide to, eating the foods I like to eat, fixing my own problems along the way. Here's a fun fact: being able to count on yourself is just the coolest thing in the world.

Forget being young! The best days are those that you can - and do - take control of. Make your own decisions. The days where you are safe and content / wild and free. Where you can be confident in your choices and just be happy that you can be yourself. 

Immortality

Yes, here at "Just Thinking", we cover only the most realistic, hard-hitting topics around.

I don't know that anyone actually cares about this anymore - seemed like more of a hot topic when I was younger / in grade school. On the off-chance that it is still on anyone's mind; living forever would suck, and here's why:

Think of how tired you are now. *shuts book, leaves*

If we were to extend the boundaries of realism for a moment and say that yes, we could live forever (or at least a very long time, indeed) if we so chose, there are many things to consider.

1. Once we choose to live forever, is there no takesies backsies? Is there a contract involved?
2. Do you get to know if your friends are on board / get to be eternal alongside you?
3. Will you be frozen at your current age forever, or just keep slowly decaying?
4. Is your mind to decay along with your body at its typically expected rate?

Imagine how demented you would be at even two-hundred. All of your friends and family are gone. You are perpetually drowning in an ocean of loneliness. No one to talk to. Nothing to really keep your mind socially sharp. The monotony of the daily agenda tucking away at you, one marble at a time; eroding the last bits of humanity in you. Your mind is fading and your eyesight's getting worse - now you can't even read or learn to pass the time. Eternal boredom. In one way or another: you're a goner!

I wonder if we were only meant to live for so long, but now that we have medicine / healthcare / doctors / diagnosis, we can prolong the inevitable when really we shouldn't. Is this why our bodies have such problems in our old age? Because they weren't designed for more than a few decades? Remember in Medieval times (sure do!) when everyone started working at nine years old, got married at twelve and had a parade in their name if they made it past twenty-two? Who is to say that they "died young"? Perhaps Science and Evolution are watching us all, mouths agape, in great disbelief and childlike wonder.

"Omg, Science... He's ninety-eight and still going!"
"By all accounts, it doesn't add up!"

And what is the use? Of it all? That is to say, I am uncertain of our collective "purpose", if we even have one. So what bloody good does it do having all of us whinging on? I am not sure that even we know. Perhaps it all comes down to the instinct of survival: we don't know why or how, all we know is that we must keep living!

In my opinion, the minute my mind goes, the rest of me can exit along with it. I do not wish to live if it is to be a life of such desperate confusion. I never know where I am and need an extra hour in the morning to have someone convince me of my name? I'm out.

Of course all this immortality supposition is nonsense and is of absolutely no use to anyone. Unless I was aiming to portray just how painful it would be to have a "fun", theoretical conversation with me in real life.