Headlights Reflecting on Gravestones, a Meandering Rant from The Slacker Factor Podcast TSF14
Posted on August 25, 2010 | By Patty Pino | No Comments
Headlights Reflecting on Gravestones
Driving home last night / I heard that tune / The one from the 70’s / About things being over
The singer is in denial / He “Keeps Forgetting” / Things have changed / You know the song
Everything ends / Jobs, friendships, relationships, life / Somehow we don’t expect that / Won’t except that
We hate that part / The ending / The Silence / Fini
We’re built to function in the moment / But the moment is ever changing / Always working towards finish
Electrons move to eventually settle / Yearning for finale
We keep forgetting / An inherent beauty exists / In conclusion
The sun slipping behind the horizon / The sculptor making a final tap / Resonance of strings culminating the concert
Ends allows us to pause / Take heed of our experience / And look to the next
Driving home last night / I passed that cemetery / The one close to the road / Where our grandparents are buried
Sometimes I forget / The pervasive artistry of endings
Until I see headlights / Reflecting on gravestones
~pp
< Listen to this rant, and more, on the podcast here or on iTunes TSF14: Hunger Never Ends >
Watch The Stress Melt Away
Posted on July 14, 2010 | By Patty Pino | 1 Comment
I bought a watch this weekend. Not the most provocative of things, I know, but I haven’t worn a wrist-based timepiece in years. Why? Because, who needs one?! I decided, years ago, that my computer, my cell phone, my cable box, and my car have all the clocks that I need. They keep me on time, or remind me when I’m late.
Let me stress the decision to abandon a watch was made years ago. Recently, I had a revelation; I, again, need a watch.
Learn the way of the Watch
Years ago, I simply had a cell phone; now, I have a BlackBerry. Years ago, I had a computer with email and a by-request internet connection; now, I have constant internet connectivity plus instant messenger. We have evolved to that connect-me-to-everyone-right-now stuff and instead of living in the moment, we are living outside the moment. I have become so busy responding to the immediate requests of others immediately, that I completely ignore the people I’m with and the actual conversation we’re having. To put it bluntly, I’ve become an anxious, rude, half-listener with attention deficit tendencies.
How many of you can say the same? Do you hang out with one group of people, but spend all of your time with them communicating with other people? Catch up with friends at the bar, and you’re all standing around texting friends who aren’t with you? Sitting in your living room with your family, but completely distracted from your kids conversation because you’re too busy updating your Facebook status?
Part of the problem is, when I go to check the time, I am sucked in to my email, my voicemails, my alerts, messages, tweets and the like. And, damn the moment and what I may be doing, I must reply immediately. I’m guilty if I don’t respond and I’m guilty if I do. Stress Recipe 101.
Hence, the watch and my new commitment to bringing myself back into the moment. I’m hoping it tell me what time it is – literally and figuratively. Looking at my wrist will unplug me from the device-dependant ridiculousness that has been so overwhelmingly distracting. Maybe you should consider conquering your time differently, too.
~pp
Negative? Who? Me???
Posted on May 19, 2010 | By Christian | 1 Comment
Borrowed from BT Internet Rangers
I was talking with a buddy of mine who reads the Slacker Factor and he commented that he enjoys the blog and podcast, but he said he thought I was a bit negative at times. Maybe even bordering on angry on occasion. I certainly don’t view myself as angry. In fact I know for certain that today the sun came up, a puppy was born, and a baby took his first steps. So, life is great!
Unfortunately, Glenn Beck still sucks.
Go Away, Mick Jagger, a Meandering Rant from The Slacker Factor Podcast TSF9
Posted on May 3, 2010 | By Patty Pino | No Comments
No offense or disrespect to The Rolling Stones, Steely Dan, The Who, Chicago, Kenny Rodgers, Joni Mitchell, Jimmy Buffet or Crosby, Still, Nash and whoever, but it is time. You’ve had your heyday. You’ve made your money. Now, go away.
Still have the desire to perform? That is why they invented Vegas. Or Branson.
Otherwise, move out of the spotlight, and let someone else have a chance.
Oh, sure, I acknowledge that you have been contributors to the world of music. As singers, and songwriters, and musicians, and rockers you brought your sound to the masses and influenced pop culture and ingrained our brains with your riffs and lyrics. Your music will live in the hearts and minds of many generations. Thank you and bye-bye.
Maybe you think I sound harsh, but think about it? Imagine if the previous generation of musical talent kept trying to keep performing in a big way at major awards shows, sporting events, on tour, and on television. Read more
Time -A Meandering Rant from TSF 8
Posted on April 22, 2010 | By Christian | No Comments
I think I suffer from the same malady many of us face today. Time. Its like a drug. There isn’t enough of it, I’ve lost track of it, is it the right time, its running out, I cant afford it, and I am wasting it. You get the point.
Now, none of this is new to most of us. Every once in a while we look in the mirror but don’t see that 18yr old that we imagine we still look like. Full of youth and vigor and lacking the lines and gray hairs we see today. But I can deal with getting older, I really don’t have a problem with it. What I do have a problem with is that I am not doing all of the things I always envisioned I would have done by now. That’s not to say I won’t, its just… I am a bit off schedule. This is my problem.
I wont bore you with the laundry list of things I thought I would have done by now, but many of them are typical… seeing Europe, sailing the Caribbean, having that corner office, stuff like that. I don’t think it’s because I’m not capable of doing these things, but haven’t had the time to really devote to getting to them. Stuff keeps happening and it’s never the right time. Read more
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