Never Hike Alone With Preface by KV Sart

Preface:

            This day is beautiful.  As I sit outside and smoke my morning cigarette, I see what is around me.  I see the winter bare crabapple tree and the squirrel on hind legs under the bird feeder, waiting for the cardinal to shake breakfast loose.  It is cold, but the sun pins spots of warmth to my body and the gray blockade of clouds are of benevolent blasé.

            I have this problem with beauty and, in the same respect, happiness.  I cannot see these things as they occur.  It is difficult for me to find the beauty in a moment, or happiness in the instant.  I can see these moments looking back, or looking forward in anticipation, but rarely do I feel these things now.

            That is not to say that I am a wholly unhappy person, who simply drudges from bland life experience to bland life experience.  I have had my moments of bliss, of carnal ecstasies and obstructions overcome.  But even in these times, there seem additional hurdles after the initial hurdles.  Nothing ever seems quite complete, and perhaps this is simply what life is, a never-ending stretch of partial completion.

            Today though, I challenge myself to see the beauty now, instead of remembering what was beautiful tomorrow.  Today is beautiful.  Right now is beautiful.

A peek inside the soul of a soulless man Pt. IV: Hell hath no fury? by Jersey Campbell

The Lake of Fire

               If I die in my sleep tonight (crossing my fingers) and I wake up staring Lucifer dead in the face, I’ll know I’m fucked. I will also know my disbelief in God was totally wrong and I’ll immediately start praying to Yahweh and asking forgiveness for my countless sins, like driving while intoxicated, inhaling herbal shrubs, and vagrancy. 

The Seams by K.V. Sart

In general, people do not want to see the seams that hold the various experiences of life together.  I do not mean in an abstract or broad sense, though surely the same observation holds.  A fan does not want to know that his favorite artist or musician likely cuts his songs together from an ocean of riffs, beats and lyrics.  They do not want to see the toil and struggle behind each work, because we want our genius’ to be prophets, seekers and expounders of pure truth that is unmarred by any sign of humanness.  We forget, all the while, that the humanness is essential.

Jersey Campbell's notebook ramblings: Mr. Campbell is just fine

I want to get my doctorate degree just so I can tell people not to call me "Dr. Campbell." It troubles me when those of us with doctorate degrees get irked over someone calling them Mr. or Ms. instead of Dr. I'm guessing those people went to school so they can walk around, chests out, correcting people when not addressed by the prestigious title of Doctor. Some (read: most) people have a little too much of the Chris Paul don't-touch-the-back-of-my-head-like-I'm-your-son-bitch mentality. Lighten up.

You know how much you're worth and how much knowledge you possess, yet you still worry over trivial shit. I guess after years of school you want people to know what you've been through or something, but cut that shit out. I'd rather not deal with that high-minded nonsense. When people need others to validate their accomplishments and honors it makes it less honorable. If you got your doctorate, much respect. But don't expect me to call you Doctor unless you work in patient care.

Jersey Campbell's State of the Union Address

Good evening members of congress, the senate, my cabinet, justices of the Supreme Court, and all my niggas and bitches in attendance. 

*applause*

Tonight I stand here proud and American as apple pie and miseducated voters. I stand here proud because we can all sleep safely tonight knowing Osama Bin Laden is not comin’ to get ya. 

 *applause* 

Despite our glorious achievements, this administration still has much to do. 

*applause* 

The Responsibility of Expressing Freedom by K.V. Sart

Alright kiddies, let's start this New Year off with a bang, shall we (I know it's a little late to still be calling it New Year, but forgive me, I've been a bit preoccupied).  I should forewarn you: if you suffer from Philosophical Narcolepsy (i.e. you fall asleep during close reading), don't read this.  You may need to look at this one a few times, but that's okay, it'll make you think, and hopefully you're thinking will make me think, and then we can all build from each other's thinking.  You will find that this piece touches on that very topic, the importance of open discussion.  If you find that I'm tragically misguided in my arguments, or want clarification, leave a comment.

Jersey Campbell's Quote of the Day: some nonsense about acorns

It's been too long for the one and a half people who read this blog hasn't it? Well it is time to rejoice. The wait is finally over. Everybody's favorite confused and delusional wannabe writer, moi, returns with a half-ass post because he's lazy and high on drugs (over-the-counter drugs of course, I'd never do anything illegal).

Today's quote of the day comes to us from author/ journalist Malcolm Gladwell's book "Outliers". Take it away Malcolm...