Boxology, Part One

Recently, I have discovered a tactic that people use to deal with the world around them. It's been happening forever, but since I have just become a recent victim of this tactic in the past few months, it has just hit my radar.

Looking back, it's really not the first time I've been exposed to it, but recent events have basically shoved it down my throat.

Boxology is the word I use to describe folks that have to make the world around them fit nicely into their world.

While I walk upon this earth recognizing that few people ALWAYS behave the same way, and that I must be prepared to deal with the many facets of each individual as they occur, other folks prefer to label and categorize people into a nice, square box.

That's an insane proposition in my world but so many others prescribe to that "ology" that I must address it.

Really? Does everyone fit that nicely into a geometric shape? Not on Planet Earth but I have learned that not all people living on Earth actually LIVE on Earth.

All you USA citizens pay attention. We have two political parties. Sorry all you other also-rans...you are just that.

They disagree on everything. Is one party always right and the other one always wrong? Hell no. They both have some excellent points and a lot of crappy points.

But ya gotta go with one side or the other else you risk being non-relevant.

Count this boy in as a proud non-relevant individual.

But that is not my point. Only having a Republican or Democrat to select from in an election is really not much of a choice.

"Sir, hanging or a firing squad, which do you prefer?"

I'm talking about real life. Work and personal.

The latest thing is to be able to "figure someone out" so you can deal with them. That's not a new concept on Earth, but in our current society it means labeling and boxing everyone in a pretty, ribbon-surrounded package.

Merry Chrimstmas!

The problem is this new trend has nothing to do with Christmas or any holiday. It also has nothing to do with logic. Of course, few things in our society today have anything to do with logic.

It's all about the individual being able to box the rest of us.

Let me explain.

Man A meets Man B. Man B invites Man A to a family gathering. Man A attends said gathering. Man A has already been "boxed" by Man B's family/friends.

How?

Before the fanily gathering, Man B tell his friends and family that Man A is from Canada and enjoys Curling.

Man B's family, with a rich heritage in USA trailer parks and tornados, assumes that Man A is an okie from Canada. Why? Because prejudice exists in every fucking person on the planet.

Really?

Yes.

Many white folks hate black and hispanic folks. Many black folks hate white and hispanic folks. Many hispanic folks hate white and black folks.

Like I actually needed to type that.

Everyone is trying to box everyone else. Why? Life is so much easier that way.

Stay tuned. Stupidity is never ending.

Bourne Again

Bob Bourne was inducted into the New York Islanders Hall of Fame last night. 'Bout time!

Bournie was one of the many stars that led the Islanders to four consecutive Stanley Cups. He never received proper recognition for his skills and contributions as he played in the shadows of Bossy, Trottier, Potvin and Gillies.

I remember his blazing speed and of course, his end-to-end rush on April 20, 1983 that put the Islanders up 5-1 against the Rangers in Game Five of the Patrick Division Final.

The Isles are building a Hall of Fame garden, outside of the Nassau Coliseum, and in addition to Bournie the players whose numbers are hangining in the rafters: Bossy, Trottier, Potvin, Gillies, Nystrom, Smith, as well as Bill Torrey and Al Arbour will also be in the HOF. Each will have a plaque.

Guess I'm gonna have to go back to NY one more time to check it out. If they ever start building the new arena I can just wait and head back into hell ONE time.

Thanksgiving Dessert

I was speaking to my sister last night doing the obligatory Thanksgiving Day Greeting.

During the conversation she informed me that she had dinner at her home and then went to a friend’s house for dessert.

Why is that? I hear about this stuff all the time.

If you went to all the trouble to prepare, cook and serve Thanksgiving dinner would it have killed you to just take care of the dessert as well?

Pumpkin pie out of a can would have put you in the hospital?

Instead you’d rather drive across town and eat someone else’s dessert? Why not just stop at Dairy Queen? You don’t even have to get out of the car.

And how do the folks that you’re visiting feel about that? Personally, I wouldn’t be too pleased that you came over to eat the dessert I made simply because you’re a lazy ass.

If you can’t make your own dessert, then don’t have any. You can probably afford to miss a night or two without wasting away.

It’s the season for giving, not taking away cakes and pies that belong to OTHER people.