Sometimes, Someone Says It Better....(Part 2)

In my continuing belief that sometimes someone just says things better than I ever could, I offer the words to a song by a group with the unlikely name of "Hoobastank".  A friend sent it to me a few years ago at a particularly low time in my life and I share it with you....

The video is a little strange, but can be seen on YouTube at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLaXVI3ICp4&feature=channel

"The Reason"

I'm not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you

I'm sorry that I hurt you
It's something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
Thats why i need you to hear

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is You

and the reason is You [x3]

I'm not a perfect person
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you

I've found a reason to show
A side of me you didn't know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you

Sometimes, Someone Says It Better (Part 1)

We all listen to radios, CD's and read poetry at times in our lives because sometimes people say things that just speak to us, individually and collectively.  I was listening to the radio as I drove home tonight and I heard a song by Michael Buble (pronounced: booblay....I think).  It is a very upbeat tune and the words spoke to me, so I share them with you.  If you would like to listen, you can go to the following link to hear it and sing along....

http://www.directlyrics.com/michael-buble-havent-met-you-yet-lyrics.html

I'm Not Surprised
Not Everything Lasts
Have Broken My Heart So Many Times,
I Stopped Keepin Track.
Talk Myself In
I Talk Myself Out
I Get All Worked Up
Then I Let Myself Down.

I Tried So Very Hard Not To Lose It
I Came Up With A Million Excuses
I Thought I Thought Of Every Possibility


And I Now Someday That It'll All Turn Out
You'll Make Me Work So We Can Work To Work It Out
And I Promise You Kid That I'll Give So Much More Than I Get
I Just Haven't Met You Yet

Mmmmm ....

I Might Have To Wait
I'll Never Give Up
I Guess It's Half Time
And The Other Half's Luck

Wherever You Are
Whenever It's Right
You Come Out Of Nowhere And Into My Life

And I Know That We Can Be So Amazing
And Baby Your Love Is Gonna Change Me
And Now I Can See Every Possibility

Hmmmmm ......

And Somehow I Know That Will All Turn Out
And You'll Make Me Work So We Can Work To Work It Out
And I Promise You Kid I'll Give So Much More Than I Get
I Just Haven't Met You Yet

They Say All's Fair
And In Love And War
But I Won't Need To Fight It
We'll Get It By It ??
To Be United

And I Know That We Can Be So Amazing
And Being In Your Life Is Gonna Change Me
And Now I Can See Every Single Possibility

Hmmm .....

And Someday I Know It'll All Turn Out
And I'll Work To Work It Out
Promise You Kid I'll Give More Than I Get
Than I Get Than I Get than I Get

Oh You Know It Will All Turn Out
And You'll Make Me Work So We Can Work To Work It Out
And I Promise You Kid To Give So Much More Than I Get
Yeah I Just Haven't Met You Yet

I Just Haven't Met You Yet
Oh Promise You Kid
To Give So Much More Than I Get

I Said Love Love Love Love Love Love Love .....
I Just Haven't Met You Yet
Love Love Love .....
I Just Haven't Met You Yet

Do Unto Others

Most of us have heard the Biblical saying, Do unto others as you would have done unto you.  That may not be an exact quote, but the sentiment is definitely there, save a word or two.  I have tried to practice this and, to tell the truth, it has caused some problems.  Nothing insurmountable, just problematic.  While I was doing unto others, they were taking advantage.  I guess that is the price we pay sometimes.

I have friends that could not be more grateful for my help.  I also know that they would do whatever they are able to help me whenever I need it.  I do not do the things I do to help because I expect to need their help at some point and, as a matter of fact, I hope to never have the need arise where I might need it.  Maybe the fact that I know they would help me if I needed it makes them different and get the adjective "friend" attributed to them.  I have found others that think I am a sucker for helping when there is nothing in it for me.  I guess it is a mater of personal philosophy.

Sure, I have been screwed a few times; more than I care to count and admit actually, but I was not lessened by the experience.  I was, in fact, improved and am a better person for the experience.  I would probably help them again, even if I knew I was going to be screwed.  Why?  Because I can.  I had he ability to help and they needed my help, or so it seemed, so I did.  If they lied, cheated or stole from me, it made them less of a good person, not me.  I am not sure, however, having been screwed over once by someone, they would be given he opportunity to do it again.  It would be a matter of trust at that point.  Then again, some people are a lot better at receiving than giving.  In the immortal words of "Dirty" Harry Callaghan, "A man's got to know his limitations."

So, I will keep on doing unto others because it makes me feel good to help, but I will try not to be stupid about it.  After all, if someone that does not deserve to get my help gets it, then someone who really needs my help might not get it.  I guess that is what is meant by judgment.

"Untamed Va-jay-jay"...Puh-leeeeez

Did the title get your attention?  It did me too, only I was in the grocery store this afternoon and it was there on the shelf as big as life.  I laughed out loud and it got me a few unwanted glances.  The phrase "Untamed Va-jay-jay" was on the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine.  Now, I will defend with my life the absolute right of Cosmopolitan to have whatever they want on their cover.  I do not in any way, manner, shape, nor form question whether they should have and do have the right to put that on their cover.  On a purely First Amendment basis, I applaud the fact that I live in a country where they can do so.  Okay, disclaimer over....

I just wonder; at what point did we become a society where it made any sense to put that on the cover of a magazine?  When did we become a society that is concerned with the care and grooming of the female genitalia in a public way?  I kinda liked it when issues such as this were limited to discussions between a woman and her OB/GYN and/or her husband or boyfriend.  I will freely admit that I have personal preferences in this regard, but these preferences are of no concern to anyone but me and a woman with whom I have a relationship of sufficient quality that allows us to have these kinds of conversations.  Is this a subject that lends itself to public discussion?  I really don't think so, but then that is just my own opinion and each and everyone on the planet has the absolute right to disagree with me.

Free speech... This is a really touchy issue (no pun intended) to many, many people.  I defend the right of the KKK to march down the main street in predominantly Jewish Skokie, Illinois.  I do not support the opinions of the KKK, nor their beliefs, but I do believe that, as despicable as they may be, their right to engage in displays expressing their abhorrent opinions is the price we pay to live in a free and open society.  In my not-so-humble opinion, it would be a great day if, when these racists and bigots marched, they were ignored;  no counter-protesters, no observers, no curious onlookers, just an empty street.  Heck, if the businesses closed down, for the hour or so they marched, it would be that much better.  Imagine if they held a march and nobody came?  What kind of message would that send to people?  There are those that think we cannot allow such a display go without some sort of response, but the act of ignoring them sends the message that they are meaningless and unworthy of response or reply.  It does not imply that we accept anything they represent, nor does it imply that we agree with it.  It does recognize our tolerance for an extraordinarily divergent view, one that, in other countries and other times, would have resulted in people being shot or at least rounded up and imprisoned.

While the comparison of these two issues may not seem to be of equal measure, and I don't think they are, the point is the same.  Sometimes, just because you have the right to do something, does not mean it is a good idea to do it.  I have the absolute right to go into downtown Harlem and start yelling the "N"-word at the top of my lungs, and presumably the police, regardless of whether they wanted to, would probably be obliged to protect me.  I do wonder if it would constitute inciting a riot, and it probably would incite one.  Many people are so personally and viscerally offended by this word that they do not see the philosophical importance of the First Amendment and are incited to violence.  I shall leave the right and/or wrong of it to the opinions of individual readers.

It is very interesting how such a seemingly funny and relatively insignificant title like "Untamed Va-jay-jay" can be the seed for deep and meaningful thought and discussion.  I cannot help but wonder if that makes my argument just a little less effective, possibly negating it completely, but if we have to be motivated by the socially acceptable grooming styles of the vulva to consider meaningful social and democratic ideas, what does that say about us?