This is another one of my more non-humorous, thoughtful posts that tends to send a few bloggers and readers who are oddly addicted to only one type of writing either scurrying away or incapable of relating. Of the latter type, they will sometimes leave a comment that seems out of place with the subject(s) being written about.
Well, hell, now that I've alienated some of my readers...
Lately, I don't know if you've noticed, but I've been a little absent from the blogging world. I try to comment here and there on different blogs when I've had the time but I've been busy and preoccupied with thoughts on the devastation in Japan and meaning of life type stuff. I've been on the move, when I'm not watching the news, with traveling, celebrating birthdays and doing other enjoyable activities. Life is going pretty well for me now, relatively, despite a few problems and worries.
One of many things that bother me with the ongoing tragic events in Japan is that there is still a lot of media coverage on the exploits of celebrities. I don't know how it is in other countries but here in the U.S., anything about Charlie Sheen either gets equal amount of time on TV or trumps the amount of time that the news of overwhelming chaos and life loss in Japan gets. You may disagree with this. You may even provide an excuse for this, like I can already hear or see now... Well, we don't want to bombard the public with constant news of Japan's destruction and sorrows and we need to balance it out with the latest goofy thing that Charlie Sheen or some other celebrity has uttered or done so we don't bum or burn people out on what's going on in a country other than our own.
To those that say this, I say FUCK YOU with all of my cold, blackened heart.
I'll go even further to say it's too bad if you're bored with the news of a suffering people or you just want to look away because you can't handle it. I honestly cannot stand it, almost more than anything else, when idiots purposely ignore or deny the truths of life, others and themselves. Everyone needs to face the truth, no matter how much it hurts or how much it is unwanted.
Watching the morning news on CNN the other day, there was an anchorman and woman talking the entire time about how the radiation leak may or may not affect the U.S. Not much was said about how it could affect the Japanese citizenry. When they weren't talking about our safety, they were talking about the efforts to find any Americans in Japan and making sure they got back home, here, in the U.S., safely. Outrageous. I don't understand that. But, in a way, I do. People have their priorities messed up.
Celebrity garbage over real news. Our own interests over the crisis or interests of others. I could go on and on but why bother, right? And that's part of the bigger picture, too. We can't be bothered. The pain, loss and fear that someone else is facing seems distant and small to us because we're so hopelessly self-obsessed. I believe it's some type of mental illness, plain stupidity or societal brainwashing that is so apparent to those who are aware.
I can already see someone telling me in the comment box that the reason there is news on this and not that is because it's all based on what is more profitable to tell or show and... you know, I'm just so sick and tired of hearing that, too. I know the reasons why people do the shit they do. I just want them to stop.
And yes, I know that won't happen either.
Well, I'm done ranting. If you've gotten this far down, I congratulate you, I suppose. The truth is hard to swallow for some. That's why I will, at times, sugar coat it a bit with feeble attempts at humor. Some will get it or accept it or deny it or play devil's advocate just for the fuck of it. So, there you go.
The video clip below is of a band that I feel is incredibly underated. Their name is Filter and the song is called Fades Like a Photograph. Even though the video portrays the loss of a relationship, the song, itself, could be interpreted in different ways. Like the loss of a loved one, such as what is being experienced in thousands of cases in Japan now. To me, there is no worse pain than the loss of a loved one that you had a deep personal connection with, no matter how it comes about. To those who have had this experience, you can relate.
My next post will center around a couple funny incidents I had over the past weekend. Stay tuned for that. I just had to get what I said, in this post, out of my system. I make zero apologies for that. Take care, everyone and always remember what's truly important.
Red Cross: Donors can contribute to the relief efforts in JAPAN by calling 800-733-27677 or visiting http://www.redcross.org. Each text message is a $10 donation to the Red Cross, which will be added to the donors’ next cellphone bill.
Great post, Kelly! Thank you for giving this subject attention.
ReplyDeleteI had put myself in such a wallowing state over what's happening to the people over there that I had to step back & realize that was going to keep me too terribly depressed, but constantly praying & fearing for these people is always at the back of my mind now.
Welcome to America - The land of every fuckface for themselves, or a celebrity.
Filter is great. That song killed me. Sad music & I are like oil & water.
Maybe some people can hold more than one idea in their head. Let's say an American search-and-rescue team working in Japan want to unwind at the end of day by hearing about Charlie Sheen's antics on CNN. I think they've earned the right, and they're certainly being more useful than people back home agonizing about the disaster, or complaining about the lack of agonizing on the part of others.
ReplyDeleteThe main reason I stayed away from Japan blogging is because the new stations would do a better job than I ever could. News was everywhere. And while I was taken aback, I didn't want to be one more person talking about the same thing.
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to them. I read the news at least 4 times a day getting updates. But I have nothing of value to add to the conversation.
Japan > Charlie Sheen, but CS is the easier road to take. He's just too easy to make fun of. And now he has his own 'winning' online store? Gah...
Sobering isn't it. The tune certainly fits the mood doesn't it. Take care dear friend.
ReplyDeleteLilPixi- Thanks, LilPixi. Like you, I feel what's happening to the people in Japan should be given as much attention as possible, no matter how much it's talked about elsewhere. The more it is put to the forefront of everyone's minds, the more people will do what they can to help.
ReplyDeleteI switch from being depressed about it to being angry that it's not being given the right type of attention here in the U.S. It's more of a "how is this going to affect us?" type of attention.
Yep... America the celebrity obsessed. Not to mention America, the obese and self-centered. Not everybody is like that here but too many are. Agreed... Filter is great. Glad you liked the song. Have a fun-filled day full of wild-eyed little leprechauns and neon green clovers!
Gorilla Bananas- Maybe some people can hold this in their head... Instead of finding ways to play Devil's Advocate to whatever someone is writing about, they are willing to see the point someone is making in their post and not constantly take the other side. The topic of people having their priorities right and the uncertain plight of millions of people should be given as much attention as possible. Besides, I don't confine myself to writing only humorous anecdotes. I write what I want. Some folks have this "magical" ability. lol. If you don't like it- too bad. You're not changing my opinion on what I've said.
ReplyDeletePeople that write about what hell is taking place over there, no matter how much it is written about, are being useful in the way that they're bringing attention to the subject. The more that something this tragic is brought to the forefront of everyone's minds by way of blogging- it does help. Maybe a little. Maybe more than that- but it does help.
I don't think everyone should "agonize" over it like you think I suggest. I'm saying that it should be talked about, people should help anyway they can and not just let it fade from consciousness like the hardships the people in Haiti still have to endure after their earthquake.
lost.in.Idaho- I don't expect everyone to blog about it. This is something I felt strongly enough about, to blog about. It doesn't matter, to me, that so many are talking about it. In fact, I belief it helps. Hell, just putting some help donate info is a way to help. I thought of that after I wrote the post up. I should have thought of it before.
ReplyDeleteYeah, you're right. The Charlie stuff is easier to write about. But I'm getting tired of seeing and hearing the stuff that falls out of his drug-addled mind. I don't write about him because everyone does. lol. Simply put, the dude needs to go to rehab and therapy instead of being encouraged like the public and media are doing. End of story.
Take care, man. Hope you win that contest.
THE SNEE- Yes, very sobering. Even with the recession going on here and people having trouble paying their bills and feeding their families, we still have it mega loads better than the people over in Japan now. So many of them are searching for their loved ones, not knowing if they're alive or dead and now they're dealing with the radiation leak.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that tune does fit the mood of what's going on in Japan. It's like an all-purpose tune for some type of loss.
Thank you, Rebecca and take good care. And now, it's time to hit the hay. ZZzzzzzz.
i'm very impressed with the lack of looting and civilized behavior of the japanese.
ReplyDeleteon the plus side it looks like rupert murdoch is losing a few kopeks on the myspace purchase.
billy pilgrim- Yeah, I am, too. I heard on the news that all of them are patiently waiting in line for the basic necessities such as bread and water. I'm not sure we would be so patient here in the States with our "gotta have it now" attitude.
ReplyDeletelol... on your Rupert Murdoch. Agreed. And don't we all feel so sorry for the rich bastard? Hahaha. Take care.
Hi Kelly,
ReplyDeleteA very thoughtful and straight from the heart posting. And that's what I like about you man, you are not stuck in one genre and you speak with passion on the tragedies that have happened so deeply to our fellow humans, their lives and for that matter, the creatures caught up in the horrific events in Japan.
Although, if there's a marketing, cynical angle to this, after all tragedy can make for 'car crash' television, I can see it now, 'the following disaster is brought to you by...' Then after that wears thin...it's back to the 'really important' stuff like what's happening in the lives of so-called celebs.
A very good song choice, by the way.
Excellent post man and I couldn't agree more!
In peace and respect, Gary.
bazza- Yeah, it is hard to comprehend that. It really hits home that it (extreme devastation) can happen to any of us. I wasn't aware, really, about Germans having such a calm demeanor. I knew how most Japanese people act because my brother-in-law's family is Japanese on one side and we see them every so often. All of them have one thing in common- they're pretty damn calm in the face of anything. Which can be a good thing or a bad thing, given the situation. I see your point about the manipulation and thought that was kinda funny about the 'rioutous Americans'. There again... good thing and bad thing. lol. :)
ReplyDeleteSo you guys hear the Charlie Sheen shit, too, eh? The only thing that makes big news from the UK over here are the details of William and Kate's wedding or "exciting" info about them. lol. You stay cool, too, my man. Take care.
klahanie- Thank you so much for your kind words about the post and myself. I really do appreciate it. I feel the same way about your good self and the variety in which you write- either on your excellent blog or in other interactions. Your words come straight from the heart, as well and I think you help a lot of people. When I hear and read news about tragedy and life loss, I tend to get passionate with the way I write and speak. I have a tendency to get that way with several things I feel strongly about. I can't help it. (I think it drives my wife crazy sometimes) :-)
ReplyDeleteIndeed, if there's a market for disaster the corporations and media will find it and with this, they didn't have to look far. Unfortunately, here, they are reporting in a narrow minded type way. I agree... that after a topic wears thin, they go on to the next thing (like the antics of dumb celebrities). There's no more reporting done here on how the Haitian people are doing after their earthquake and shattered lives. That, according to U.S. media, is old news, even though they're still enduring great hardships from that tragedy.
Glad you liked the song. I bought their latest CD, The Trouble With Angels, and I really love it. I wish you nothing but peace and a great day, man. Take care.