Garfield minus Garfield

INCIDENT:
Growing up I use to read the comics every Sunday at the kitchen table. I usually started out with Peanuts (my favorite!), then Calvin and Hobbes, a quick glance at Family Circus, and then of course finishing with Garfield. But who knew that Garfield (the comic) without Garfield (the character) holds an even more interesting commentary about modern life and mental illness.

MORAL:
I guess comics were meant to be funny and not somewhat tragic observations about life... well at least not the comics in the Sunday newspaper. It is really interesting to see how the exclusion of one element can completely change how we perceive a situation. By removing Garfield we go from an amusing comment on relationships to a sad portrayal of life for a lonely person. This one change... isn't this the real difference in our everyday situations? The difference between happiness and sadness is our perception of the situation. And this perception is based on how the situation is viewed... what elements we include and exclude in our evaluation... perhaps it could make all the difference. Have you wondered... What are we not seeing?

Hatred and Hope

INCIDENT:
If you have not heard the hate-filled fact-free statements by Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern (sallykern@okhouse.gov) about homosexuals, then let me be the unfortunate one to expose you to the hatred that still exists in America.



MORAL:
If I could write something more eloquent about these statements that were not captured beautifully in the letter below, I certainly would share my thoughts here. But this letter written to Rep. Kern by a high school senior from Oklahoma City speaks for itself. God bless our future.

Rep Kern:

On April 19, 1995, in Oklahoma City a terrorist detonated a bomb that killed my mother and 167 others. 19 children died that day. Had I not had the chicken pox that day, the body count would've likely have included one more. Over 800 other Oklahomans were injured that day and many of those still suffer through their permanent wounds.

That terrorist was neither a homosexual or was he involved in Islam. He was an extremist Christian forcing his views through a body count. He held his beliefs and made those who didn't live up to them pay with their lives.

As you were not a resident of Oklahoma on that day, it could be explained why you so carelessly chose words saying that the homosexual agenda is worst than terrorism. I can most certainly tell you through my own experience that is not true. I am sure there are many people in your voting district that laid a loved one to death after the terrorist attack on Oklahoma City. I kind of doubt you'll find one of them that will agree with you.

I was five years old when my mother died. I remember what a beautiful, wise, and remarkable woman she was. I miss her. Your harsh words and misguided beliefs brought me to tears, because you told me that my mother's killer was a better person than a group of people that are seeking safety and tolerance for themselves.

As someone left motherless and victimized by terrorists, I say to you very clearly you are absolutely wrong.

You represent a district in Oklahoma City and you very coldly express a lack of love, sympathy or understanding for what they've been through. Can I ask if you might have chosen wiser words were you a real Oklahoman that was here to share the suffering with Oklahoma City? Might your heart be a bit less cold had you been around to see the small bodies of children being pulled out of rubble and carried away by weeping firemen?

I've spent 12 years in Oklahoma public schools and never once have I had anyone try to force a gay agenda on me. I have seen, however, many gay students beat up and there's never a day in school that has went by when I haven't heard the word **** slung at someone. I've been called gay slurs many times and they hurt and I am not even gay so I can just imagine how a real gay person feels. You were a school teacher and you have seen those things too. How could you care so little about the suffering of some of your students?

Let me tell you the result of your words in my school. Every openly gay and suspected gay in the school were having to walk together Monday for protection. They looked scared. They've already experienced enough hate and now your words gave other students even more motivation to sneer at them and call them names. Afterall, you are a teacher and a lawmaker, many young people have taken your words to heart. That happens when you assume a role of responsibility in your community. I seriously think before this week ends that some kids here will be going home bruised and bloody because of what you said.

I wish you could've met my mom. Maybe she could've guided you in how a real Christian should be acting and speaking.

I have not had a mother for nearly 13 years now and wonder if there were fewer people like you around, people with more love and tolerance in their hearts instead of strife, if my mom would be here to watch me graduate from high school this spring. Now she won't be there. So I'll be packing my things and leaving Oklahoma to go to college elsewhere and one day be a writer and I have no intentions to ever return here. I have no doubt that people like you will incite crazy people to build more bombs and kill more people again. I don't want to be here for that. I just can't go through that again.

You may just see me as a kid, but let me try to teach you something. The old saying is sticks and stones will break your bones, but words will never hurt you. Well, your words hurt me. Your words disrespected the memory of my mom. Your words can cause others to pick up sticks and stones and hurt others.

Sincerely

Tucker

Time Stops at Grand Central Station

INCIDENT:
Improv Everywhere is a group of "undercover agents" that cause pretty amusing public scenes without trying to anger any of the public who witness their "missions." Their work is intended to be funny and bring joy to those who are lucky enough to witness it first hand. One of my favorites from this group is when they frozen time in Grand Central station. It is one of those moments that you wish you were there in person.



MORAL:
I really love when art can infiltrate the daily lives of people and affect their day in a positive way. For me, art only needs to effect your thinking... whether it is something simple as a change in your current state of mind or in your mood, or when you encounter a great work of art it can change your beliefs or your view of the world. That is profound. I hope everyone can find that kind of art in their daily lives.

For People Who Need Gratuitous Amounts of Energy!!

INCIDENT:
I haven't posted in awhile cause I have been enjoying the company of a couple of visitors over the past few weeks. Plus I always feel like I am behind in my work so I have been working whenever I have a free moment. It is a vicious cycle. Lately to get me through the long hours of work, I have been indulging in some YouTube videos (and of course some online Scrabble... you can't go without Scrabble!). These Power Thirst commercials are my current favorites. They crack me up. Enjoy!





MORAL:
Is there a moral other than that this is super funny? Who couldn't use a drink that makes you uncomfortably energetic?! I'm sold.