Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
The Fox and the Grapes
Sour Grapes
"A hungy fox saw some fine bunches of grapes hanging from a vine that was trained along a high trellis and did his best to reach them by jumping as high as he could into the air. But it was all in vain, for they were just out of reach. So he gave up trying and walked away with an air of dignity and unconcern, remarking, 'I thought those grapes were ripe, but I see now they are quite sour." - Aesop
Now, everyone knows the reality that is: we want what we can't have. It's certainly true, us humans are driven by challenge. The allure of bigger houses, nicer cars, more grandchildren, a brownie with zero calories...there is absolutely no necessity to it all, only the illusion that if we can't have it, it's better.
On rare occasion, the exact opposite happens. That is, we hate what we can't have.
It's amazing that a 7th century man could know exactly how we feel at those moments, and could relate that feeling to us with such a simple story. In this fable about "sour grapes" we can easily see the fox's disillusionment, yet in our own lives, we can fool ourselves into this behavior.
In Junior High I tried out for cheerleading. I didn't make the team. I should have just tried again the next year after more practice, but I decided that I hated cheerleading and wanted nothing to do with it. I thought the grapes were ripe, but then saw they were sour.
This concept is nothing profound, but it opened my eyes to the ways I can decieve myself, and limit myself, for my immature attempts at saving face. How many times have I despised people because they don't like me at first, or they have things that I don't? More importantly, what can I do to stop myself from having a "sour grapes" attitude, and start thinking logically?
Preparation and Celebration
My days have revolved around preparing for big days. Holidays, Wedding, Ceremonies...Finding a job? Does wishing count as preparing?
Since art is the only stabilizer I have, besides God, I have been messing around with leaves and spray paint. Here is the outcome:
It's amazing what you can create with the simplest processes. Nature provides the best tools for creativity.
"A hungy fox saw some fine bunches of grapes hanging from a vine that was trained along a high trellis and did his best to reach them by jumping as high as he could into the air. But it was all in vain, for they were just out of reach. So he gave up trying and walked away with an air of dignity and unconcern, remarking, 'I thought those grapes were ripe, but I see now they are quite sour." - Aesop
Now, everyone knows the reality that is: we want what we can't have. It's certainly true, us humans are driven by challenge. The allure of bigger houses, nicer cars, more grandchildren, a brownie with zero calories...there is absolutely no necessity to it all, only the illusion that if we can't have it, it's better.
On rare occasion, the exact opposite happens. That is, we hate what we can't have.
It's amazing that a 7th century man could know exactly how we feel at those moments, and could relate that feeling to us with such a simple story. In this fable about "sour grapes" we can easily see the fox's disillusionment, yet in our own lives, we can fool ourselves into this behavior.
In Junior High I tried out for cheerleading. I didn't make the team. I should have just tried again the next year after more practice, but I decided that I hated cheerleading and wanted nothing to do with it. I thought the grapes were ripe, but then saw they were sour.
This concept is nothing profound, but it opened my eyes to the ways I can decieve myself, and limit myself, for my immature attempts at saving face. How many times have I despised people because they don't like me at first, or they have things that I don't? More importantly, what can I do to stop myself from having a "sour grapes" attitude, and start thinking logically?
Preparation and Celebration
My days have revolved around preparing for big days. Holidays, Wedding, Ceremonies...Finding a job? Does wishing count as preparing?
Since art is the only stabilizer I have, besides God, I have been messing around with leaves and spray paint. Here is the outcome:
It's amazing what you can create with the simplest processes. Nature provides the best tools for creativity.
And this 4 month old butterball is the coolest thing since sliced bread.
Keep it super sweet you wonderful people, Cynthia
Saturday, November 10, 2007
From the Beginning
New blog. Hmm.
I haven't had one of these since my dormyears.
If I remember right, my dad made me delete it, due to the profanity laced through it.
Oh, how time's have changed.
I'm hoping this new blog will be laced with something much more usable, like, intriguing thoughts, or insight into my life.
I most certainly hope it doesn't turn into one of those diary tpye journals,
(i.e. "Well readers, today [insert male name here] got in an argument, I just don't get why he doesn't like my tone when I talk to him, like the other day...").
I'll try to keep stuff about my personal life more general, like "Today was my birthday and I had a great party."
I'm hoping to use this journal to discuss things like music, art, coffee, and other super indie fresh stuff. Like tuxedo vests and skinny jeans with bright shoes, and this one band who is so indie they literally won't play above ground, only in caves and basements. They're called "sixty-two" because that's how many instruments their lead guitarist plays. Cool huh?
On a more serious note...
I hope I can use this as yet another way to bridge the gap and lessen the distance between us people we call friends.
Expect content soon.
Love Cynthia
PS I'm calling it "Bon Bon des Pommes" because that means "Apple Candy" in french and I like apples, candy and french. Because french is the official language of all things uber fresh. Au Revoir.
I haven't had one of these since my dormyears.
If I remember right, my dad made me delete it, due to the profanity laced through it.
Oh, how time's have changed.
I'm hoping this new blog will be laced with something much more usable, like, intriguing thoughts, or insight into my life.
I most certainly hope it doesn't turn into one of those diary tpye journals,
(i.e. "Well readers, today [insert male name here] got in an argument, I just don't get why he doesn't like my tone when I talk to him, like the other day...").
I'll try to keep stuff about my personal life more general, like "Today was my birthday and I had a great party."
I'm hoping to use this journal to discuss things like music, art, coffee, and other super indie fresh stuff. Like tuxedo vests and skinny jeans with bright shoes, and this one band who is so indie they literally won't play above ground, only in caves and basements. They're called "sixty-two" because that's how many instruments their lead guitarist plays. Cool huh?
On a more serious note...
I hope I can use this as yet another way to bridge the gap and lessen the distance between us people we call friends.
Expect content soon.
Love Cynthia
PS I'm calling it "Bon Bon des Pommes" because that means "Apple Candy" in french and I like apples, candy and french. Because french is the official language of all things uber fresh. Au Revoir.
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