My aunt wrote a book - entitled Walking..
Besides, my obvious personal bias - I would strongly recommend it. For me it captures a lot of growing up, particularly in the Caribbean, and everything that goes along that. I wrote a review for this book. I thought might as well put it here:
Josephine stood, her mouth agape, unable to sing, incapable of saying goodbye. Why now? Wasn't she older this time? In life, we will always face moments of hopelessness, times where we are a prisoner in our own body, lacking direction and inspiration. Walking challenges us, through the eyes of Josephine, to confront our own demons.
As Josephine faces each new challenge, moving from a "fresh" little girl, to precocious teen, to anxious adult, she is not more perfect, but more perceptive. Each relationship, each challenge, opens but one more petal of the flower whose boldness and beauty become more and more apparent. Little Josephine was never so little. Walking touches the soul, and speaks to the uncertainty that is the passage of life. When it is a struggle to keep one foot in front of the other, when our heart is heavy, Josephine encourages us through her life, to lift our head and see where we are going. Above all else, when the road is darkest, we gain a silent strength that we will only see later.
Josephine is most beautiful for her undying spirit. It is the best of us. Sometimes hidden, but never lost, it is or catalyst. It is our identity, our bridge between action and achievement. Adversity is its sustenance. Most of all, Walking captures this intrinsic, often spontaneous element, that unifies and defines us. Teen Josephine says it best, " Like father, like daughter, I choosing self no matter what… I will do what I have to do, right? No matter how hard it make my life."
Monday, January 7, 2008
In 2 deep
That's a big damian marley tune
A new year does not mean new changes. Even if one might pick a grand moment to signify grand change, in actuality – that is not the case. Time is truly relative and special occasions are really artificial. No moment is truly different than the next. 2008 is teaching me this the hard way.
I think the road to unhappiness is paved with good intentions.
I am suffering a 2007 hangover. I seem to be digging to get out of a hole. The more I resolve to find happiness and peace, the further I fall. I feel like the people around me look at me and don’t see much. Then again, if I was to look at myself, maybe I would think the same. I am struggling.
It is hard. I remember my first blog entry – activity is not achievement. Ambition and potential are really just words. I am hoping I can wake up from this dream. I cannot go on being Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. What is happening in my head needs to happen in my life. I am tired of being a disappointment, or feeling like a disappointment to the people around me.
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight
Why am I trying to see, when there ain’t nothing in sight
Why I am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die
I think I am too young to be feeling this old
A new year does not mean new changes. Even if one might pick a grand moment to signify grand change, in actuality – that is not the case. Time is truly relative and special occasions are really artificial. No moment is truly different than the next. 2008 is teaching me this the hard way.
I think the road to unhappiness is paved with good intentions.
I am suffering a 2007 hangover. I seem to be digging to get out of a hole. The more I resolve to find happiness and peace, the further I fall. I feel like the people around me look at me and don’t see much. Then again, if I was to look at myself, maybe I would think the same. I am struggling.
It is hard. I remember my first blog entry – activity is not achievement. Ambition and potential are really just words. I am hoping I can wake up from this dream. I cannot go on being Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. What is happening in my head needs to happen in my life. I am tired of being a disappointment, or feeling like a disappointment to the people around me.
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight
Why am I trying to see, when there ain’t nothing in sight
Why I am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die
I think I am too young to be feeling this old
Friday, December 28, 2007
Come on and smile.. You’re in Jamaica
On a really bright note, I’m in Jamaica with my three brothers and family. I just met Meaghan – my three year old cousin. She is ridiculously cute and so alive (Q. of the day - Would you like some popcornS?).
For a few days, I can seriously forget the world around me. Surrounded by beautiful people and things, it is easy to be happy and grateful. I can live and act as I want to. There is no tension, no stress, no regrets.
Bringing in the New Years is going to be special – there will be joy, tears. All will be perfect in the world, even if only for a few magical hours. I’ll be whole- there’ll be hope. I will see each of the 525,600 minutes and life will be full of promise.
I can’t find the right words.. but
For those who carried me, when I could not walk. For those who helped remind me who I am when I could not remember, I will always be grateful.
2008 – Keep it simple.
For a few days, I can seriously forget the world around me. Surrounded by beautiful people and things, it is easy to be happy and grateful. I can live and act as I want to. There is no tension, no stress, no regrets.
Bringing in the New Years is going to be special – there will be joy, tears. All will be perfect in the world, even if only for a few magical hours. I’ll be whole- there’ll be hope. I will see each of the 525,600 minutes and life will be full of promise.
I can’t find the right words.. but
For those who carried me, when I could not walk. For those who helped remind me who I am when I could not remember, I will always be grateful.
2008 – Keep it simple.
Goodbye 2007
They can’t keep a good man down.. Always keep a smile when the y want me u to frown. Keep the vibes and I stood my ground. They will never ever take my crown.
But I’m so solid as a rock.. they just can’t stop me now
A friend remarked today how fast the year went. All 525,600 minutes for you rent fans. I think people say that every year – or I guess there is always more we want to do, things we wished we could do again – or do differently.
I can’t say I am not unhappy to make 2007 history. This has been one of my hardest year. I have been my happiest and saddest. Gained a lot and lost a lot. Found new people, lost people. There were times when I pushed away everyone I care about in my life. It was a growing up experience – sometimes you need to lose everything around you so you can see who you are as a person.
Dust to dust. A whole year has past – it’s December, and I am not sure what I would say I achieved for the year. No accolades in 2007. I didn’t too particularly well in school, sports.. no? No wife.. no baby.. nothing really stands out. I made friends – lost friends – almost lost friends - good times - bad relationships. I mismanaged a lot of thing in my life. It was complicated. I was depressed. I loved, I hated. No offence – but good riddance 2k7.
I approached last year with real hope and anticipation. I was on the verge of graduating (I’m in the same position now), and I saw the coming semester as really a watershed moment. The events and actions of the coming months would really define my life and myself. What now? Am I living in mediocrity and am I by extension a mediocre person?
My new focus is not on actions – or deliverables – just on within. I am 22 years old. I know who I want to be – or more who I don’t want to be. My focus is choice – not chance. My choice is to make life simple. I have not been able to choose my circumstances or situations. I know what I want my response to be. Constancy of purpose – I am what I am. Let me live right and not worry about anything or anyone else. I am not sure where I will be in a few months – but I need to be able to be happy with myself. There were times this year I could not say that. I want a legacy of self – Jarryd is Jarryd.
I am greeting 2008 with a quiet optimism – I see beautiful people and opportunities. I am at peace. I hope to bring and experience happiness. I expect nothing, but promise my best.
Everything is going to be alright. No need to press the panic button.
But I’m so solid as a rock.. they just can’t stop me now
A friend remarked today how fast the year went. All 525,600 minutes for you rent fans. I think people say that every year – or I guess there is always more we want to do, things we wished we could do again – or do differently.
I can’t say I am not unhappy to make 2007 history. This has been one of my hardest year. I have been my happiest and saddest. Gained a lot and lost a lot. Found new people, lost people. There were times when I pushed away everyone I care about in my life. It was a growing up experience – sometimes you need to lose everything around you so you can see who you are as a person.
Dust to dust. A whole year has past – it’s December, and I am not sure what I would say I achieved for the year. No accolades in 2007. I didn’t too particularly well in school, sports.. no? No wife.. no baby.. nothing really stands out. I made friends – lost friends – almost lost friends - good times - bad relationships. I mismanaged a lot of thing in my life. It was complicated. I was depressed. I loved, I hated. No offence – but good riddance 2k7.
I approached last year with real hope and anticipation. I was on the verge of graduating (I’m in the same position now), and I saw the coming semester as really a watershed moment. The events and actions of the coming months would really define my life and myself. What now? Am I living in mediocrity and am I by extension a mediocre person?
My new focus is not on actions – or deliverables – just on within. I am 22 years old. I know who I want to be – or more who I don’t want to be. My focus is choice – not chance. My choice is to make life simple. I have not been able to choose my circumstances or situations. I know what I want my response to be. Constancy of purpose – I am what I am. Let me live right and not worry about anything or anyone else. I am not sure where I will be in a few months – but I need to be able to be happy with myself. There were times this year I could not say that. I want a legacy of self – Jarryd is Jarryd.
I am greeting 2008 with a quiet optimism – I see beautiful people and opportunities. I am at peace. I hope to bring and experience happiness. I expect nothing, but promise my best.
Everything is going to be alright. No need to press the panic button.
Arguing
Everyone does it. I love to debate ( I’m a master-debater) .. but seriously, I love stupid fights.
I hate people that argue stupidly as well. Fighting with the female speices, not flirty fighting - sucks most of all. (Brain ninjas)
A few interesting points (and I will borrow heavily from Wikipedia):
1. Correlation does not imply causation
example:
Sleeping with one's shoes on is strongly correlated with waking up with a headache.
Therefore, sleeping with one's shoes on causes headache.
2. Non sequitur
1. If A is true, then B is true.
2. B is stated to be true.
3. Therefore, A must be true.
example:
1. If I am a human (A) then I am a mammal. (B)
2. I am a mammal. (B)
3. Therefore, I am a human. (A)
3. Female argument aka Irrelevant Conclusion (also called Ignoratio Elenchi)--diverts attention away from a fact in dispute rather than address it directly. This is sometimes referred to as a "red herring". Subsets include:
1. Purely personal considerations (argumentum ad hominem),
2. popular sentiment (argumentum ad populum--appeal to the majority),
3. fear (argumentum ad baculum),
4. conventional propriety (argumentum ad verecundiam)
5. Fallacy of the Consequent--draws a conclusion from premises that do not support that conclusion (e.g., If I have the flu, then I have a sore throat. I have a sore throat. Therefore, I have the flu. Other illnesses may cause sore throat.)
6.Begging the question (also called Petitio Principii, Circulus in Probando--arguing in a circle, or assuming the answer)--demonstrates a conclusion by means of premises that assume that conclusion (e.g., We must institute the death penalty to discourage violent crime. This statement assumes the violent crime rate will fall when the death penalty is imposed.)
Advice:
1. Define your terms.
2. Avoid nothing fights.
3. Let her win.
I hate people that argue stupidly as well. Fighting with the female speices, not flirty fighting - sucks most of all. (Brain ninjas)
A few interesting points (and I will borrow heavily from Wikipedia):
1. Correlation does not imply causation
example:
Sleeping with one's shoes on is strongly correlated with waking up with a headache.
Therefore, sleeping with one's shoes on causes headache.
2. Non sequitur
1. If A is true, then B is true.
2. B is stated to be true.
3. Therefore, A must be true.
example:
1. If I am a human (A) then I am a mammal. (B)
2. I am a mammal. (B)
3. Therefore, I am a human. (A)
3. Female argument aka Irrelevant Conclusion (also called Ignoratio Elenchi)--diverts attention away from a fact in dispute rather than address it directly. This is sometimes referred to as a "red herring". Subsets include:
1. Purely personal considerations (argumentum ad hominem),
2. popular sentiment (argumentum ad populum--appeal to the majority),
3. fear (argumentum ad baculum),
4. conventional propriety (argumentum ad verecundiam)
5. Fallacy of the Consequent--draws a conclusion from premises that do not support that conclusion (e.g., If I have the flu, then I have a sore throat. I have a sore throat. Therefore, I have the flu. Other illnesses may cause sore throat.)
6.Begging the question (also called Petitio Principii, Circulus in Probando--arguing in a circle, or assuming the answer)--demonstrates a conclusion by means of premises that assume that conclusion (e.g., We must institute the death penalty to discourage violent crime. This statement assumes the violent crime rate will fall when the death penalty is imposed.)
Advice:
1. Define your terms.
2. Avoid nothing fights.
3. Let her win.
The right thing in the wrong way
"If carrots got you drunk, rabbits would be real fucked up"
I don’t think the above exists. There is right and there is wrong.
I think morality is strictly personal. I don’t think people are inherently good. Maybe people are inherently moral – but my good is not necessarily yours.
I recently had an interesting conversation about what “right” means. Most of all, it helped me, an irreligious person, put my feelings together in a logical manner. I think morality and religion are very separate. A long time ago, an ex-girlfriend once told me there was no such thing as a selfless act (I can’t decide what this says about me .. but give me a chance :) .
Many years later I think she’s right, but probably not in the sense she thought.
I love logic – and I believe as an intelligent, cognizant being, we inherently act for the betterment of our selves. I cannot think of any other explanation. Even the selflessness religion promotes guarantees the good deed doer a place in heaven. At the end of the day, we must find a personal validation in our actions. It is part of being human.
Now one could interpret everything above in a very depressing and pessimistic light. People are selfish – Jarryd sucks. But give me a chance (ladies!). Let me talk about my own personal experience – my morality. I do what makes me happy. After thinking about it a lot, what makes me happy is me interacting positively with everyone around.
If I do something to hurt someone I care about, if my actions are incongruent with my feelings and loyalties – I am unhappy. This is how I define wrong. In this way, to be selfless can be right - I am happier and more at peace with myself.
If I can see right or wrong as my own personal boundaries for my long term happiness – and stick to it, I am a much happier person. It’s almost 2008. I have made a lot of dumb short term decisions. I think at the end of the day, the framework we set up for ourselves really defines who we are. I would much prefer someone have different morals than relative morals. At the end of the day, if you don’t have an identity – you’re nobody.
This post is pretty convoluted. Don’t stop reading – I’ll get better. Carrots don't get you drunk. But maybe I would like carrot cake more.
I don’t think the above exists. There is right and there is wrong.
I think morality is strictly personal. I don’t think people are inherently good. Maybe people are inherently moral – but my good is not necessarily yours.
I recently had an interesting conversation about what “right” means. Most of all, it helped me, an irreligious person, put my feelings together in a logical manner. I think morality and religion are very separate. A long time ago, an ex-girlfriend once told me there was no such thing as a selfless act (I can’t decide what this says about me .. but give me a chance :) .
Many years later I think she’s right, but probably not in the sense she thought.
I love logic – and I believe as an intelligent, cognizant being, we inherently act for the betterment of our selves. I cannot think of any other explanation. Even the selflessness religion promotes guarantees the good deed doer a place in heaven. At the end of the day, we must find a personal validation in our actions. It is part of being human.
Now one could interpret everything above in a very depressing and pessimistic light. People are selfish – Jarryd sucks. But give me a chance (ladies!). Let me talk about my own personal experience – my morality. I do what makes me happy. After thinking about it a lot, what makes me happy is me interacting positively with everyone around.
If I do something to hurt someone I care about, if my actions are incongruent with my feelings and loyalties – I am unhappy. This is how I define wrong. In this way, to be selfless can be right - I am happier and more at peace with myself.
If I can see right or wrong as my own personal boundaries for my long term happiness – and stick to it, I am a much happier person. It’s almost 2008. I have made a lot of dumb short term decisions. I think at the end of the day, the framework we set up for ourselves really defines who we are. I would much prefer someone have different morals than relative morals. At the end of the day, if you don’t have an identity – you’re nobody.
This post is pretty convoluted. Don’t stop reading – I’ll get better. Carrots don't get you drunk. But maybe I would like carrot cake more.
Church scandal
This is pretty late but let me drop my 2 cents in the basket
1. One of the dumbest arguments I have heard is any attempt to relate child abuse to priests being able to marry. Period. (Ignoratio Elenchi)
2. There have been a lot of payouts made by the church to victims – I have read infinite amounts about this but not about priests being jailed. This is so fundamentally wrong for me – and a damnation on the justice system in general. How are these payouts not shameful in their own right? Money should not be able to buy justice. It should not bring peace and closure. It is not retribution.
After all is said and done, I seriously do not understand why things like evolution and gay marriage are issues in contemporary Western society.
During the US presidential debate, one of the questions was whether the candidates believed every word of the Bible. Hold on..isn’t there a problem here. What if the question was about the Qu’ran? Let’s throw out the theocracy and be a little more open minded.
“I fear, the triumph will not be for free thought, because the masses dislike reason, and its teachings are only understood by some intelligences of the elite, and because, also, science, however beautiful it is, does not completely satisfy humanity, which thirsts for the ideal, and which likes to exist in dark and distant regions that the philosophers and scholars can neither perceive nor explore.”
1. One of the dumbest arguments I have heard is any attempt to relate child abuse to priests being able to marry. Period. (Ignoratio Elenchi)
2. There have been a lot of payouts made by the church to victims – I have read infinite amounts about this but not about priests being jailed. This is so fundamentally wrong for me – and a damnation on the justice system in general. How are these payouts not shameful in their own right? Money should not be able to buy justice. It should not bring peace and closure. It is not retribution.
After all is said and done, I seriously do not understand why things like evolution and gay marriage are issues in contemporary Western society.
During the US presidential debate, one of the questions was whether the candidates believed every word of the Bible. Hold on..isn’t there a problem here. What if the question was about the Qu’ran? Let’s throw out the theocracy and be a little more open minded.
“I fear, the triumph will not be for free thought, because the masses dislike reason, and its teachings are only understood by some intelligences of the elite, and because, also, science, however beautiful it is, does not completely satisfy humanity, which thirsts for the ideal, and which likes to exist in dark and distant regions that the philosophers and scholars can neither perceive nor explore.”
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