SouthernZen: The Sweetest Text Message

And I read:

Kai heard the duck on the clock...He knows daddy is supposed (to be) on his way.

peace-

seanrox

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© seanrox.com, Sean "Rox" Michael Schoff. Eagle Scout. Airman. Artist. Dad.

Centrist Rise

In these days, each zealously pushes either to the edge of their own cliff.

Between the two, a hill rises high above rhetoric.

A vantage point for the centrists to watch the silly trenches dug around them.


peace-
seanrox

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© seanrox.com.

SoZen: Ruminator's Challenge

One whom operates as a ruminator, requires deep desire to seek the peacefulness of now

peace-
seanrox

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© seanrox.com.

Why is Gasoline *still* really expensive?

OUR OIL SUPPLY IS ROCKIN'.
Right now, the world is pumping & transporting more oil out of the Earth than ever before. Extra sumpin' special from Saudi Arabia, fresh spickets in Iraq, offshore American, Venezualan and Indonesian rigs doing their part -- we're talking about A LOT of oil, folks. A lot more than ever before in like -- all of history?

Therefore "supply" in supply and demand is in check.

MY PERSONAL OIL DEMAND FALLING.
As a creature of habit, I've always tanked up $20 since 1989. For years, it'd fillerup. These days -- the same $20 yeilds less than a quarter of a tank in my SUV.

No more quick joyrides to the beach for the weekend or a spontaneous evening trip to Atlanta's Starlight Drive-In for a double-feature. I simply drive a whole lot less.

My "demand" for gallons is down. As it is for millions of others around the world.


Then, why is gasoline still so fricken expensive? Have we forgotten how to transport or refine it? Nope, profits are up. So what is it?

I'm no "Caribou Barbie" or "energy specialist"... but could it be that our friendly American gasoline peddlers are acting a bit greedy and self-important at our expense? Or is it time to live a simpler life? Imagine how we might treat our own neighborhoods if we spend less time speeding to the edge of it...

?seanrox

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© seanrox.com.

Every Man Develops a Doctrine. And Mine is Best, of Course.

Recently, political interviews recently revealed political doctrines. Who defines one's doctrine? Someone else? Or do you get a shot at it first?

I suppose if we get a chance at defining your own personal doctrine, we should take the time to think it through. Is it bullet-proof? Could you humble your mojo? Inflate said mojo?

IMHO, my personal doctrine simply sets a direction and defines the nature my own action, rather than limit others. It is the doctrine smiled upon by the all-pervasive CPU, the big kahuna, the alpha and omega, the almighty zero and one:

The Creative Doctrine
: We are Born Creators

In *his* own image, when we create, we live... while our destructive behavior leads to decaying and fraying of our spirits -- especially those around us.

peace-
seanrox

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© seanrox.com.

One Dollar Gamble

On my way out of the Wynnton Walgreen's this evening, two teenage girls stopped me. One of them asked if I had a dollar so she could buy some folders for school. The other girl just giggled.

I know it's July, yet I knew I had a dollar bill left in my front pocket from my baby food change, so I gave it to her.

Now, if the girl really needed folders enough to ask a total stranger for assistance, her prayers were answered by all that is good in me. But, if she thinks her swindle went swoosh, she's mistaken.

peace-
seanrox

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© seanrox.com.

Why I Like The South: Fire barrels, Barbecue and Better

The other day, someone asked me the difference between Texans and people in "The South". From my experience, living in Georgia these last 11 years, I said, off the top of my head...

From my personal experience, if a West Texan shows up at a barbecue and sees someone he doesn't like, he's encouraged to either leave or kick the unknowing offender's ass for entertainment value at some point during the festivities. In contrast, in the South, we dismiss those ill feelings... because barbecue is better, and who would want to screw that up?

Group think works both ways, but I sure do miss that mesquite-fired and rubbed brisket.

NOTE: Mowed the lawn weeds for the first time today after work... layers of leaves became dust and I'm not sure there has ever been a healthy lawn in the front. Out back, I continue to uncover hidden cement garden work under 6 inches of leaves, dirt and vines -- someone spent some time and energy to build what I'm only beginning to discover. It's really cool to finally have a place to love.

peace-
seanrox

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© seanrox.com.

Polygamy, Prejudice and Cronyism: Things Real People Are Into and How We Learn About It.

Even Twain speaketh: "Truth is stranger than fiction."

Gasp-Tastic 'Gonzo' Media.
Seems in these modern times of communication, the spirits of Mr. Ripley and Hunter S. Thompson have embodied themselves in the form of gasp-tastic 'gonzo' media. Hour after hour of analysis of the freaks living next door. It's the news. Believe it... or not.

Death of the Sitcom
TV analysts express melodramatic outrage and spew blind psychiatric prognosis at the drop of a sensational headline, these modern lurid American stories are stated, re-stated and debated. We are drawn into the minute-by-minute coverage, leaving little interest for our once-revered family sitcom.

Yes, fading are the moaning evenings of half-hour, prime time, cutesy, half-laughs and vanilla spiritual sludge. Today, more and more Americans are discussing current events and sharing their unique perspective on the perverse facets of our very odd world.

Via 24/7 coverage of American Polygamy, Prejudice and Cronyism, exposing our "reality" has possibly changed the theatre of media forever.


CASE #1 : PolygamyFLDS in Eldorado, Texas.

I KNEW IT!
I've driven by that mini-tabernacle hundreds of times heading south from San Angelo where my parents still reside. I always suspected the property could operate some shady operations going on in such a self-righteous structure.

THE FIX?
I hear the authorities have in custody hundreds of girls and children with tales of arranged "spiritual" marriages with grown, married men. How will these people integrate into society after all this out-of-time abuse?

Best case scenario -- I hope modern Mormons step in, take a leadership role and make a difference. America's most popular LDS members, Mitt Romney and Glenn Beck could take the lead in helping these 400+ children. They share many cultural and religious norms with the abused, but I expect both Romney and Beck will most likely distance themselves from these Fundamentals and their problems.

CASE #2 : Obama vs. Prejudice

There are places in America where men feel strongly that an elected black president will give black people in America a fresh advantage over all others. Fortunately for them, it appears to me that Obama lives and thinks on the far side of this ignorance.

It's my take, that this candidate would make key decisions with both The People and Our Constitution in mind which is quite possibly the fairest of all positions. But, of course, what does a graphic designer know?

CASE #3 : Political Cronyism

Presidents make millionaires and wars, but war-time presidents make millionaires into billionaires. EVERYTIME.

Keeping this in mind can help you make your own choice on election day. More on this topic as the election nears.

But... it's important to note Twain also said, "History does not repeat itself. It rhymes."
Whew.

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© seanrox.com.

The Difficulty in Becoming

Being certain is required. Being careful is key. Sometimes, in our own hurt, becoming civil is the most difficult to do.

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© seanrox.com.

Control vs. Brutality: Police from Shreveport to Florida

The mantra "Blogging for Good" includes stating where we as Americans have "Gone Bad". I can only hope that no one in my family will come into a situation where such mindless "brutality" is confused with "control".

This evening, I'm watching CBS News' new video player and come across this troubling clip (below) of a Shreveport police officer slamming a female DUI suspect into walls, eventually laying in a pool of her own blood, then carried out on a stretcher. Needless.

Martial brutality upon the public by our police is contrary to their oath.
Click for Shreveport Brutality Clip

Follow that clip with the lack-luster humanity of this Florida Deputy below:
Click for Florida Deputy Dumps Quadriplegic Man In Wheelchair

I wonder if these officers of the law, their chiefs, mayors, senators, representatives and governors feel ill when they see these clips? Like my Autumn says to me often, "Some people don't know how to act." And sometimes they're on our own team.

peace-
seanrox

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© seanrox.com.