The many uses of face-to-face communication.

If you want conversation, we can talk.
If you want a sympathetic ear, let's get in the car, I'll drive, then we can talk.
If you want an opinion, be open-minded about whatever I'm going to say, and we can talk.
If you want me to know you, tell me about yourself as we talk.
If you want to know me, listen and observe as I talk.
If you want me to know what you're feeling, the direct approach works best as we talk.
If you want to know what I'm feeling, ply me with alcohol, and be prepared for long pauses as I struggle to get over my natural reticence about letting others know exactly how I think and what I think about...and just let me talk.

The unwashed masses are among us.

This is to all of you who use public washrooms and yet somehow gain amnesia when it comes to flushing:

You have no place in the civilised world. I hope you get rabies, you and your ilk. If you defecate like a dog, then die like a dog.

You are entitled to yell at me if it's my fault.

Unless, of course, it's not.


And if it isn't but you insist that it is, I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN AND EVISCERATE YOU. I WILL TEAR YOU LIMB FROM LIMB AND FEED YOUR BODY TO THE CROWS. I WILL HUNT DOWN EVERY ONE OF YOUR DIRECT LIVING RELATIVES AND DESTROY THEM. I WILL HUNT DOWN EVERY LAST ONE OF YOUR FRIENDS OR ASSOCIATES WHO ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT YOU, AND OBLITERATE THEM FROM EXISTENCE. I WILL ENSURE THAT THERE WILL BE NO ONE ON THIS GOD-FORSAKEN EARTH TO EVER, EVER MOURN YOUR PASSING.

I tolerate no false witness.

Epiphany #4

I can't change who I am. The best I can do is suppress the negative parts of me through forced introspection and rationalisation.

Having a camera does not make you a photographer.

I admit, I'm addicted to Facebook. It's a lot of fun finding out what your friends are up to without the hassle of talking to them, or, God forbid, feigning interest in maintaining an actual conversation. It's kind of like reality TV: you satisfy your voyeuristic tendencies of what goes on in other people's lives without the need to actually get involved. Hooray for Facebook!

One thing I've noticed is the upcoming trend of people attempting their hand at amateur photography, then putting them up on Facebook for all to see, and comment on. With the advent of cheaper digital cameras and built-in cameras in today's mobile phones, nearly everyone can snap pictures with ease, anytime, anywhere.

I generally do not have a problem with people putting up photos and adding their own comments to the photo. Heck, I completely understand the appeal of camwhoring. The vanity aspect of having people commenting on the photos you put up is also totally understandable. Something caught your eye, a thought occurred to you concerning that image, you snap a photo and add your addendum. Completely normal.

What I cannot abide, though, are the poser amateur photographers. This subset of people run around everywhere with their digital handhelds, or, if they splurged, DSLRs and go on some kind of photo-snapping spree. They hang the cameras around their necks (making them great mugging targets) or otherwise tote their DSLRs with oversized flash modules in these boxy cloth bags, snapping anything and everything that captures their fancy.

What separates the posers and the actual, earnest amateurs aren't their techniques, surprisingly. The posers read enough and know enough about depth, focus, lighting and other photography jargon that I can't bear to look up. What separates the posers from the real McCoys/amateurs are their subjects.

People who are actually interested in photography try to capture stories in their pictures. The idea that 'a picture is worth a thousand words' is something that they adhere to. Good pictures evoke thoughts and get people thinking about what the photographer is trying to say. There is real meaning behind such photos, and the best ones are those that describe the world and the human condition in both subtle and aggressive tones.

Posers, on the other hand, snap pictures of things they think would look good. There's nothing wrong with the photos they take, visually. They use camera effects like foreground focus, lens flare and whatnot. The problem here is that the only thoughts they evoke run along the lines of,"oh, I like the angle of that shot" and "that is a nice colour!" and "good closeup", and the automatic "that is a nice shot. Good job!". Notice how all they can do is describe the photo. Nothing else. It doesn't make them think, it doesn't make them feel. It's just a photo.

When I look at such photos, I get thoughts like "boring" and "so?" and "huh?" and "it's a flower. Great. Good for you. You're definitely winning a Pulitzer for this" and "it's a picture of a pair of Crocs. Purple Crocs. Oh my GOD. WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU, YOU PRETENTIOUS ASSWIPE."

They are airheads. They are fishing for compliments. They are wasting their time, and yours.

Losing ground.

The world isn't fair.

Equality is an illusion.

Fairness is simply a holding pattern while someone figures out a way to screw you over.

We are not all equal. Heck, we were not even created equal. There's always someone out there with the short end of the stick.

I used to fiercely believe that everyone had an equal opportunity to make something of themselves. This is slowly starting to ring hollow. Each person may have different strengths, but the fact that they have strengths doesn't make them equal. Some qualities are worth more than others. There will always be someone greater, and someone lesser. I used to think I was one of the former.

But I am a lesser, to my growing realisation and dismay. My advantages, strengths, and good qualities are easily overshadowed by my weaknesses. When compared against those I pit myself against, I come out the loser.

I detest my station.

Epiphany #3

If you want to make someone bleed, cut their skin.
If you want to make someone angry, cut their pride.
If you want to hurt someone deeply, cut their heart.

Of these three, the last is the hardest, because the only way to cut their heart is for them to give it to you freely in the first place.