With some difficulty I have been trying to get my head round Ramana’s beloved and often mentioned “synchronicity”.
Well, Ramana, I kid you not, and let me know if this qualifies as synchronicity or is just a coincidence. As the statistician says “coincidences are inevitable and often less remarkable than they may appear intuitively” (Source Wiki).
Two for the price of one: I cannot believe it. You know how rarely I use “quotes”. Earlier today I came across a brilliant quote by John F Kennedy and it is so brilliant that I thought I wouldn’t deprive my vast readership. Whilst waiting for my blog to open I meander over to see what LeVinTel has to say on today’s subject and what do I find? His post centering entirely on JFK, peppered with liberal quotes. JFK and QUOTES? Get it? Am besides myself with wonderment. And of all people Con and I? Do great minds think alike of what? No, they don’t but that’s a different subject. I myself would call it a conicidence. You tell me. Pity that he himself is unlikely to read this and tell me what he thinks.
The morsel I wanted to throw you:
“All men can fly, but, sadly, only in one direction” JFK
The reason it amuses me so much: It roughly summons up why I am not getting anywhere since ususally torn in several directions.
U
Bitch on the Blog 
I’m much too lazy to want to fly. I prefer to poke around and explore.
Comment by Cheerful Monk — June 24, 2011 @ 20:08 |
And I am too lazy to poke; instead preferring an overview and keeping things in perspective. 😉
U
Comment by Ursula — June 26, 2011 @ 16:26 |
What will you do with all the time and energy you save?
Comment by Cheerful Monk — June 26, 2011 @ 20:45 |
Spend both [time and energy] on many a whimsey; and soar some more.
U
Comment by Ursula — June 27, 2011 @ 14:05 |
Sounds like a much better idea than fussing about Conrad. 😀
Comment by Cheerful Monk — June 27, 2011 @ 17:08 |
I know, Jean, I know. Still,people need fussing over, men in particular – never more so than those of the Conrad variety. Trouble is that he is now out of bounds. It’s not exactly fine form to challenge anyone just about to bury their father, is it?
So, for my sins and from my heart – one human to another, I sent him an email with true and sincere regret that less than one Sunday after his tribute to both his father and his son – to use his own words – he will no longer be “sandwiched” between his dad and his offspring; this was by way of condolences. I also apologized to him for having trampled on his feelings in a very personal matter when I should have not used that particular day’s platform to vent my spleen. Whether he will accept my apology remains to be seen. No rush.
That there will be no phoenix raising from our ashes is as clear as the cloud rising from the current fires of your own hinterland. I don’t like his pomposity, his grandeur, there is no modesty in the man, he will not concede that he ever steps out of line. He will never ever acknowledge that you yourself have said something interesting, funny, witty, worthy to be taken note of (other than when it flatters him). Either you are with him or you are against him. That’s not how my world works. I can have the most vicious arguments (like fencing) with the people I most love. Winner or loser OF THE GAME – we do not character assassinate. And there is no way getting around this, Jean. He did. Or at least tried to. I have never known a man like him. Though have been told on good authority that men like him don’t like a woman (possibly even another man, who knows) to challenge him – on an intellectual level. In consequence, instead of keeping it on the brainy platform, suddenly you find your whole person dragged through the mud (on what evidence?). Enter GM – she was the one who started the whole saga (back in Nov/Dec 2009); unfortuantely I didn’t recognize the warning signs, her growing hostility, in the build up to the bust up; I liked her blog,jumped on in there like a puppy. She stoked the fires (mainly in the background). You have to hand it to GM: She is one hell of a delegator, letting others do the dirty work for her (particularly once I’d warned her off that character assassination is a criminal offence in this country). Recently she finds a rather unreflecting bloodhound in the charming Brighid expounding on the letter ‘U’. Wonder why the lovely B doesn’t take a leaf out of her own book. As we all should in a moment of reflection.
Still, you are right, Jean. Since being forthright (and this comment tucked away between us anyway)I have asked Magpie the same question: I don’t know where to go from here. I never wanted a blog. I started it since it eventually appeared to be the only platform I was allowed within the consortium. “Bitch on the Blog”? Sure, why not? Alliteration. Seemed apt at the time the way I was framed; on what grounds I was framed that bitch I defy anyone to prove to me. I have been over my copy
Jean, this blogging lark has proven a very interesting social experiment: Once you are saddled with a certain reputation, whether justified or not, it’ll stick like feather to tar, like honey to your fingers. Most people following “the leader” so unthinkingly. I suppose that’s how mass hysteria comes about. Someone cries “witch” and what do you know? The next moment you burn at the stake. I have tried so many times to make my peace with Grannymar. She won’t have it. She will not give an inch. She’d rather cross the other side of the road than say ‘hello’. Nada. Nothing. Zilch. Instead, let’s find the next opening where Ursula might set a foot wrong and tear into her once more. Yes, sweet old Grannymar. It is one hell of an insight into humankind how over such a small thing – I don’t even know what it was – someone can be so unyielding. It beggar’s MY belief.
Still, I am young enough to learn that some of the inhabitants of this world tune their instruments to a different screech than the one I was taught to expect. There are – within this circle – notable exeptions: Those who will make up their own minds. Whether I am beyond Conrad’s constant pointing finger at my psychotic self, GM’s and the Brighid’s of the commenting world’s contempt or just, like any of you, an addition, a member to any circle of acquaintances, friends, family. Different. Not to be ousted by the GMs of this world, and her footmen.
In no particular order: You yourself, Jean; you don’t give me an easy ride, but you give me a good ride. One which makes me reflect on myself. Magpie who watches and is not quick to judge, just letting people be; with the odd friendly nudge into the right direction. Ramana, who whilst clearly loyal to his contingent curious enough to welcome whatever the cuckoo drops in his nest. And let’s not forget the barnacle; I bet Looney wishes he had never committed to get his head stuck to one place thus preventing him from shaking it from time to time. Nick who has shown grace. Barath who makes a good sparring partner; if at times trying a backhander. Ashok. Yes, Ashok. I love Ashok. Wisdom on such young shoulders. Hope he won’t buckle under the pressure before his time. gaelikaa, always bracing – you can tell she has four children – in India of all places. And a husband. And an MIL. Enough to make anyone crack. Not her. She is judicious how she handles the various strands in the community that is the CONsortium and their groupies.
Lots more to say on the subject. As bestest female friend (her of the mathematical, chess bend, now a pathologist) wrote to me, and we were only 18 or so at the time: “You, Ursula, always need to get to the bottom of everyting and scrape the barrel, if it kills you.” She was concerned. Little has changed.
U
Comment by Ursula — June 27, 2011 @ 18:51 |
My father had a small plane. I flew a lot. My friend who is a big mt. climber (1st woman to climb some mountain in Afghanistan) had white knuckles from clutching, when we were flying in small plane over the mountain to get to Aspen (years ago). Ha,ha piece of cake. (Maybe she knew something about that mountain or pilot that I didn’t know. ??)
Comment by bikehikebabe — June 24, 2011 @ 21:13 |
BHB, I have a feeling there might be one of those airport block busters in there.
U
Comment by Ursula — June 26, 2011 @ 16:27 |
Flying? I keep looking in the mirror for my wings. No sign of them yet.
I still maintain that I make the best paper aeroplanes ever. Some scientists pinched my design and say they tested it and found it to be so. Still, everyone at my school used that design.
I like Kites too, Captain Cody being a bit of a hero…….
Synchronicity?
There must be a song there or even a whole “show”
Synchronicity, Synchronicity
In my opinion it just has to be,
Pure and simple
Coincidence.
write your own tune(s) and words…..
Comment by magpie11 — June 25, 2011 @ 11:36 |
Magpie, I don’t think JFK was necessarily thinking of doing an Icarus – although of course in the end he crashlanded anyway. My guess is that he was in a bad mood when he uttered those words, having to make yet another irreversible decision setting the States, indeed the world, on a course of no return.
I am in awe of your folding ways. If you want a crashlanding please do not look any further.
U
Comment by Ursula — June 26, 2011 @ 16:37 |
No Ursula, you are reading the wrong man for inspiration if you want to fly. You should read Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach
“Who is more responsible than a gull who finds and follows meaning, a higher purpose for life? For a thousand years we have scrabbled after fish heads, but now we have a reason to live – to learn, to discover, to be free! “
What he had once hoped for the Flock, he now gained for himself alone; he learned to fly, and was not sorry for the price that he had paid.
Jonathan Seagull discovered that boredom and fear and anger are the reasons that gull’s life is so short and with these gone from his thought, he lived a long fine life indeed.
The same rule holds for us now, of course: we choose our next world through what we learn in this one. Learn nothing , and the next is the same as this one, all the same limitations and lead weights to overcome”
Comment by Rummuser — June 25, 2011 @ 14:14 |
I didn’t “read” Kennedy; just happened to come across the quote standing there all alone in a see of other endless quotes, alone and forelone, hoping that someone would come along, pick it up and plonk it onto their blog. That was my good deed for the day.
Ramana, I don’t need inspiration. I have so much inspiration I don’t know what to do with it all.
Thanks for the Jonathan Seagull tip. However, you are a few decades too late. Read it in mid seventies shortly after it came out; if I may say so – age appropriate. I hope I have moved on since then onto a higher plain. However, I like watching the film. Not that I need to since seagulls are my daily companions where I live.
As to the “next world”, you mention. It makes my heart bleed whenever someone mentions it because I’d love to understand what they mean but I don’t. And I have a sneaking feeling it’s probably a concept iost on me. I make the best I can of the world I live in now; anyway, I’ve never been one with her eye on the next piece of candy before having finished the first.
U
Comment by Ursula — June 26, 2011 @ 16:50 |
And, I am not at all surprised at the synchronicity or coincidence or whatever you want to call it. I see a message in it and I hope that you see one too.
Comment by Rummuser — June 25, 2011 @ 14:15 |