I saw myself in every bit of this—the “woke up feeling embarrassed and searched for the reason,” the ufology rabbit hole, tearing down of belief systems and questioning what is real, guarding my conversations because I don’t want some to think I’ve gone off the deep end and/or can’t be trusted…. Middle age has me feeling like I’ve come out of hibernation and discovered an entirely new reality. Thanks for always making me feel not so alone.
I love this: "All of us are contestants on a cosmic episode of Naked and Afraid. We’re all out here in our most vulnerable state trying to figure out how to make it through the night. If we’re lucky, we figure a few things out to keep the monsters at bay, and if we’re really lucky, we’ve got a few people who love us enough to keep our feet planted on this good earth for the few moments we’ve got here."
Well, I for one, love your podcast, Obscure. Also, we are embarrassing creatures. I totally agree. And I think that’s hilarious. I think it’s great that we can laugh at ourselves and then two seconds later think of something very serious and try to process it. That’s fascinating to me. Thank you for the article. I enjoyed it a lot.
You're writing great articles. I have Myq to thank for recommending you. Postmodernism is the answer . I think that's the safest bet with where to commit your beliefs.
Love this. It also makes me want to re-watch (for the nth time) the documentary Beauty is Embarrassing with Wayne White. It is a shining example of how even the silliest people who dedicate their lives to creating absurd things have a lot to teach everyone who is “serious” , “normal” and have “beliefs”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIv4PHJqCnM
I’m not sure I’m smart enough here. I think you are spot on with this thing about reality being subjective. And yes, belief systems seem cray. But we all have to have one, even if we make it up ourselves, which we basically do. All I can say is, you have done and continue to do a lot, from the vantage point of my own little corner in my own little chair. Love ya.
Trading my fedora and cape for Great Aunt Sarah’s apron because I’m finally getting the message that yes, all those strange things: NDEs, astral travel, remote viewing, UFAs and Os, other dimensions are out there. But they are beyond my comprehension. So I’m finally going to take a deep breath, maybe do some reading or listening, but definitely stopping the quest for something I’m not going to have the equipment to deal with. My job here is to be as good and kind as I can be, do for others, and love them and myself. The apron is for the cooking and baking I am prepared to do.
Great article. I did embarrass/shame myself at a social gathering the other night by something I said (not that uncommon for me, really) and after powering myself awkwardly though the moment, I thought, eh, I will never see you again, you think I am an idiot, ok, I am going to move on, because I really don't care what you think of me, other person. But would I have felt that way when I was 20? No way! So bring on the fedora and the cape. Then I had to listen to public speeches about other people's (political/religious) belief systems which I think are absurd, and write them down. So I think they embarrassed themselves, as many of them presented themselves just like that upside down panda (unknowingly). I think it's quite ok to be quirky and question the world --there's a ton of stuff that does defy common belief -- and just generally have a thought in your head, and yeah, I think we all do have a personal reality that no one else can understand fully. That's what makes people interesting. So keep on writing about it!
Once again, I connect with what you have written, and how you feel. And this is embarrassing, but my wish for my next life (should there be one), is to come back as a zoo panda. There seems to be absolutely no thinking involved in that life. No excuses for what they do, how they feel. An absolutely mindless vacation of a life after this mind-numbing, over-thinking journey I’m currently living. My family doesn’t see the humor in it. They’re probably over-thinking and focusing on the death part. I can’t wait to have them read your piece for a better understanding of the juxtaposition of life vs. my afterlife plan. Thank you for the laughs, and the relatability.
I saw myself in every bit of this—the “woke up feeling embarrassed and searched for the reason,” the ufology rabbit hole, tearing down of belief systems and questioning what is real, guarding my conversations because I don’t want some to think I’ve gone off the deep end and/or can’t be trusted…. Middle age has me feeling like I’ve come out of hibernation and discovered an entirely new reality. Thanks for always making me feel not so alone.
I enjoyed reading this! Thanks!
I love this: "All of us are contestants on a cosmic episode of Naked and Afraid. We’re all out here in our most vulnerable state trying to figure out how to make it through the night. If we’re lucky, we figure a few things out to keep the monsters at bay, and if we’re really lucky, we’ve got a few people who love us enough to keep our feet planted on this good earth for the few moments we’ve got here."
Well, I for one, love your podcast, Obscure. Also, we are embarrassing creatures. I totally agree. And I think that’s hilarious. I think it’s great that we can laugh at ourselves and then two seconds later think of something very serious and try to process it. That’s fascinating to me. Thank you for the article. I enjoyed it a lot.
I think you just summarised Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.
You're writing great articles. I have Myq to thank for recommending you. Postmodernism is the answer . I think that's the safest bet with where to commit your beliefs.
Love this. It also makes me want to re-watch (for the nth time) the documentary Beauty is Embarrassing with Wayne White. It is a shining example of how even the silliest people who dedicate their lives to creating absurd things have a lot to teach everyone who is “serious” , “normal” and have “beliefs”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIv4PHJqCnM
This is one of my favorites of your essays. Nicely depicts the freedom/comfort of accepting our own crazy ideas and beliefs as we age.
I’m not sure I’m smart enough here. I think you are spot on with this thing about reality being subjective. And yes, belief systems seem cray. But we all have to have one, even if we make it up ourselves, which we basically do. All I can say is, you have done and continue to do a lot, from the vantage point of my own little corner in my own little chair. Love ya.
Maybe you’re thinking too hard.
Trading my fedora and cape for Great Aunt Sarah’s apron because I’m finally getting the message that yes, all those strange things: NDEs, astral travel, remote viewing, UFAs and Os, other dimensions are out there. But they are beyond my comprehension. So I’m finally going to take a deep breath, maybe do some reading or listening, but definitely stopping the quest for something I’m not going to have the equipment to deal with. My job here is to be as good and kind as I can be, do for others, and love them and myself. The apron is for the cooking and baking I am prepared to do.
Still waiting for Amanda to check in with "Well, actually..."
Great article. I did embarrass/shame myself at a social gathering the other night by something I said (not that uncommon for me, really) and after powering myself awkwardly though the moment, I thought, eh, I will never see you again, you think I am an idiot, ok, I am going to move on, because I really don't care what you think of me, other person. But would I have felt that way when I was 20? No way! So bring on the fedora and the cape. Then I had to listen to public speeches about other people's (political/religious) belief systems which I think are absurd, and write them down. So I think they embarrassed themselves, as many of them presented themselves just like that upside down panda (unknowingly). I think it's quite ok to be quirky and question the world --there's a ton of stuff that does defy common belief -- and just generally have a thought in your head, and yeah, I think we all do have a personal reality that no one else can understand fully. That's what makes people interesting. So keep on writing about it!
Once again, I connect with what you have written, and how you feel. And this is embarrassing, but my wish for my next life (should there be one), is to come back as a zoo panda. There seems to be absolutely no thinking involved in that life. No excuses for what they do, how they feel. An absolutely mindless vacation of a life after this mind-numbing, over-thinking journey I’m currently living. My family doesn’t see the humor in it. They’re probably over-thinking and focusing on the death part. I can’t wait to have them read your piece for a better understanding of the juxtaposition of life vs. my afterlife plan. Thank you for the laughs, and the relatability.
As often happens, "Moonstruck" came to mind.
COSMO: A man understands one day that his life is built on nothing, and that's a bad, crazy day.
ROSE: Your life is not built on nothing! Ti amo. (I love you.)
And you came to that conclusion. Case closed.
Gonna need to know more about these UFO thoughts