a little note

[chelidon]

my reply to some caustic interpersonal sniping on a mailing list I'm on -- honestly, primate behavior gets so tiresome sometimes.

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I don't know what's going on here, and I suppose I could guess, but why bother? I'll be a fair way around the world from the [event], so I myself have no stake in when it is, or why any particular date was chosen. I'm just happy that some dedicated group of folks are volunteering their own time and energy to actually make something happen, and to build and create a big awesome public magical event that many can share and enjoy. That's a *huge* amount of work. Hurray for the builders and creators! You are all amazing and beautiful and splendid and deserve big huge kudos and lots of chocolate and sex and a pony (or whatever else you desire instead). Thank you.

Some questions:

1. Don't we all have far too much really important work and play to do, to waste time and energy sniping and biting at others? I know that I do, and I'm sure most of you all are doing much more important things than I am, so there -- airtight logic, Q.E.D. (or was that OED...)

69. Will we never learn that eating one's own is an unsustainable lifestyle choice? And because the people who are on the menu tend to be those with whom we do not agree (and who do not agree with us), that dubious dietary choice is also a sure road to chronic indigestion and upset tummies, not to mention gas, which tends to make one unpopular among one's peers. Personally, I think that most of the sale and use of antacids worldwide could be prevented by simply not gnawing on people we don't like, and keep eating each other as something that happens only between consenting (and nutritionally compatible) adults.

23. Is it possible that we will someday (maybe today!) come to recognize that the differences between us are far smaller than that which unifies us, and that moreover, those differences, that diversity of opinion and thought and style and so many other things, are among the most important things to honor and respect about ourselves, and a big part of our collective strength? I could swear I've heard that somewhere before, but I could be wrong.

42. Don't people's mommas still teach, "if you can't say something good about someone, better to say nothing at all?" That is why, about a (very, very few, as you may have noticed) people and topics, I will generally remain silent. Hmm. Oh my God/dess, I'm SILENCING myself. Clearly I need to find a mediator/moderator, quick, because self-moderation is no fun at all. Or so I'm told. Unless you're into that kind of thing.

All of this talk is making me seriously hungry, so I'm off to go find a like-minded and nutritionally-compatible adult (hopefully without nut allergies...)

Warm hearth, happy tummies, and good eating (especially picnics, 'cause everything *does* taste better outdoors),

--Chelidon

Comments

[snakey.livejournal.com]

Why do I suspect I hear the sweet sound of Reclaiming dramaz....

[morrigandaughtr.livejournal.com]

My brain officially hurts.

[jennlynn-green.livejournal.com]

*LOL* Has anyone ever told you...you're weird? (that's a compliment from me, btw).

So sorry there is drama, but I'm hoping your humor drenched wisdom helps folks to take a breath together. Good luck ~ J

[lylythe-strega.livejournal.com]

Heh. Rick, honey, you are a nut. ;>

Please never tell me what precipitated this little note - I have a feeling I'm better off out of the drama loop... (*whistling a happy tune*)

re: sniping

[cerr.livejournal.com]

Want to know the real reason that just never seems to stop?
Sadly there are too many out there with too much time on their hands and too much of a "I want power" button as well....sad, isn't it? They want what they want and they want it now. And they'll snark to get it. Shame, really.
The good thing, however, is that those who behave in such a way can't often keep it up for long and they'll tire of it before long.......this too shall pass.....and if it doesn't, try shoving excellent food in their collective mouths, that should quiet the storm long enough to get some good works done ;)
Good luck!

[bonafide-rarity.livejournal.com]

pretty sure I know this list and can I just say THANK YOU. *sigh* some people can be just plain mean.

[yezida.livejournal.com]

This could be about so many things...

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

Ain't it da truth?

Humans...we're a wacky bunch of big-brained apes. Still, I'm optimistic (at least in part), because I note that only a vocal minority of people are real bozos (and I use that term situationally -- some very smart, creative, interesting people are bozos in some particular situations, and I'm looking in the mirror here, too, I've had my own bozo moments!)

And so it only takes a similarly vocal minority to say, "you're being a bozo, shut up. Yes, you're being silenced, shut up. " And so on.

Who was it (Sage, Pom?) who came up with that wonderful line about dealing with Faery (and other things) that went something like, "politeness and good manners will serve you well between the worlds, and in all the worlds"? The older I get, the wiser that seems. Whatever the situation, just not being an asshole (or a bozo) seems like a key to successful outcome in most social contexts.

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

::bows: Why thank you, and takes one to know one!

[kitten-goddess.livejournal.com]

Beautiful post! Thank you.

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

Thank you kindly, miz, I will surely take that as a high compliment (and yes, I am clearly recognizing the pot, kettle black aspect here... ;>)

Mostly I ignore these things, but every so often the bozometer goes off the scale and it catches me in a ticklish mood. And if humor doesn't do it...well, there's always the Turkey Curse (http://www.beyondweird.com/occult/turkeycur.html).

[ravenedgewalker.livejournal.com]

I'm giggling quietly in the corner here....

but oh heavens. when we we/they/them/it/etc ever learn....and so it continues

[lylythe-strega.livejournal.com]

It's a fair cop. :>

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

Oh, dramaz is dramaz, and too many folks can haz teh dramaz now.

Silly monkeys, there is sooooo much better things to d00z than teh dramaz!!!

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

*lol* Seems like a reasonable response to me... I know that I could definitely use an aspirin, and/or a glass o' wine. Soon, soon....

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

::looks around wildly:: WHERE, WHERE??!

Oh, right. it's YOU.

hee hee. I think you infected me. Perfectly normal and sane I was, and then...

[jennlynn-green.livejournal.com]

*LOL...gasp...coffee comes out nose*

Oh gods...promise me you'll perform the Turkey Curse some day when I can watch. Please?

*jen pictures this in her head...bursts into more fits of giggling* Oh that hurts *holding side*...Whew, that's good stuff.

...and as dorothy sayers says in Gaudy Night

[veedub.livejournal.com]

"[so and so] may be a perverse old idiot, but it’s more dignified not to say so in so many words. A bland and deadly courtesy is more devastating, don’t you think?"

Re: ...and as dorothy sayers says in Gaudy Night

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

::taps finger aside my nose and nods discreetly::

[lylythe-strega.livejournal.com]

Hmf. Shocked and taken aback I am, dear sir. You were like that when I got here, and long before that... :P

Ah, well. Too late now.

At least you have the sanity to recognize an absurd situation when you see it...and to respond as only you can. Bravo - you silvertongu'ed, poofy-hair'ed rascal... ;>

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

Laughter is often the best medicine...well, that and tea. Speaking of which, time to go make a cup of Earl Grey :)

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

We used to have the bumper sticker that says "Mean People Suck" on a car a few years back, I keep intending to go get another one...

[lylythe-strega.livejournal.com]

(*lol*) Wasn't that the type of therapy Dennis Leary suggested a lot of people might find effective?

"Shut the fuck up! Next...!"

[ravenedgewalker.livejournal.com]

"time to go make a cup of Earl Grey"

ahh yes, my work is done. another soul corrupted

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

Well, now, 'tis a pleasure to be corrupted by you... (and besides, you know I'll return the favor, one way or another!)

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

::bows:: You're quite welcome, and thanks! I know that this must all seem quite bizarre, since there's none of this sort of thing allowed in the OTO... (*grin*)

Re: sniping

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

*lol* Thankfully, this isn't one of My Problems, really, just peripherally involved, and it caught me in a quixotic mood. The whole pattern is tiresome, though, and a good poke seemed in order.

I like your plan, though -- feed 'em good stuff, and they'll be too busy to make trouble. Reminds me of an old Russian proverb about the power of breaking bread together, "Share bread and salt and speak the truth."

[ravenedgewalker.livejournal.com]

I'm certain the favour will be returned...I'll be waiting.

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

Glad to be of service (and sorry about the nose...)!

The Turkey Curse is old ancient Erisian/Discordian lore, and certainly life serves up plenty of opportunities to put it into practice!

If you've never run across Discordianism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discordianism) and it's primary text, the Principia Discordia (http://principiadiscordia.com/), I shall have to xerox you a copy at some point (yes, it's all up on the 'net, but tradition holds that it is best passed on from one dog-eared xeroxed copy (mimeograph would be better, but is nigh-impossible to find these days) to another.

Five Tons of Flax!

[ambar.livejournal.com]

I like this rendering, myself:

"In this world, you must be oh-so smart, or oh-so pleasant. Well, for years, I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me."

Re: sniping

[cerr.livejournal.com]

I like to think that full mouths make for full stomachs....and if you think of the after-effects of Thanksgiving and such holidays, what you often have there is numbed "OK, whatever....just let me rest!" and when you've hit that stage, all will be well LOL
so speaketh Ms. Pastry Chef Supreme Extra Cheese LOL