INDIVIDUALS, TRIBES AND NEITZSCHE

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high for the privilege of owning yourself." 
~ Friedrich Nietzsche

Yup, I can attest to that for sure. And so can many of my friends who, unafraid to break the mold of mediocrity, also broke free of the 'tribe' that continually attempted to control them, resulting in a LOT of people left behind. 

Especially and including fair-weather, wimpy friends and emotionally/mentally limited family members who never strayed from the path set by their parents, grandparents, all who came before them.

Kind of boring, don't you think? I guess playing it safe is less scary than striking out on one's own path, always taking the 'road less traveled,' curious as a cat to know more about life, wherever it may lead, whatever it may bring.

I always gravitated toward the individual, not the tribe. And I never measured 'success' by acquisitions or the size of one's bank account. It's painfully obvious by now that no amount of money can buy happiness, and acquisitions are merely things that will momentarily enrich your life, but for how long? And how 'enriching' are cold (expensive) objects in reality? Can they fit into your coffin for the 'afterlife' as the Egyptians believed? Do they really matter, when the whole of life is but the blink of an eye?

That's not to say you have to live a spartan existence to be happy. One can have nice things that are not ultra-expensive, but with a little touch of imagination and whimsy, can be quite individualized and attractive.

And, as much as I dislike money because of its inherent evil, it is a necessary evil in this world, so collect as much of it as you can, but use it wisely to secure your own existence, and help those who really need it. 

"Mama may have and Papa may have, but God bless the child who has his own, who has his own..."

So, yes, I certainly have been "lonely often, and sometimes frightened" ~ very lonely and beyond frightened ~ but I never did let go of the distinct privilege of owning myself, and no one was ever able to put a price on that because it is just not for sale.

This is one person who is still letting her freak flag fly! 

WHY SQUIRRELS ARE ALL NAMED 'JERRY'

As an inner city kid who loved animals, I cherished any wildlife we had. I absolutely adored squirrels for as long as I can remember. Gray ones, brown ones, red ones, black ones (I sound like Eric Burdon) I just wanted to take them all home and keep them safe and warm.

They're sweet, lovable, playful, cute as a button, and when they put their little 'hands' together, waiting to see if you're going to give them a peanut, well...that just melts my heart.

One time, on my way to bring some Christmas oatmeal raisin cookies for the office, I came upon a squirrel and had no peanuts...he looked at me, tiny hands pressed against his furry belly, and my heart sank. But then I realized...oatmeal raisin cookies would be a Christmas treat for him so I opened the package, gave him a cookie and he loved it! I just had to explain to the recipients that one cookie was missing (they all laughed.)

The squirrels where my parents lived later on knew me so well, they'd all come running as soon as they saw me visiting...one even took the peanut right from my hand, his own tiny hands encircling my finger!

Now, getting back to why squirrels are all named 'Jerry.' We lived one block away from the world-famous Bronx Zoo, which was a wonderful thing for all the kids in my neighborhood. Because we both loved animals, my father would take me every Sunday morning and we'd walk, hand in hand, as I observed the chipmunks and squirrels scooting by.

I must have asked him what their names were because I remember him stopping and, looking down at me, saying "Kid, God named all squirrels 'Jerry.'" And that took care of that.

So every time I see a squirrel now, I say "Hi Jerry!" and think of my father's eccentric and hilarious sense of humor.

And that is why all squirrels are named 'Jerry'...!


                   

MOVIN' ON!

Just heard a radio announcer proudly tell us that New York City hosted 11 million tourists this past year...wow, just what a city of 8+ million people needs: MORE people. UCK.

As a native New Yorker (or New Yawka,) I have grown extremely weary of the chaos of city life, particularly in this 'capitol of the world' (but only if you have barrels of capital) and have decided to put it in the rear view mirror of a moving truck in the very near future.

And as much as I'd love to write a blog all about my new home and adventures ~ "Postcard From __________" ~ it ain't gonna happen, unless I keep that blank line blank.

Know why? Because I do not WANT to make it sound wonderful, affordable, clean, respectable and pretty or I may risk increasing the population, which is quite perfect at its current level, thank you very much. Now you see me, now you don't!

The moving process is, to put it mildly, arduous and exhausting. But it is also exhilarating to be able to clear out the closets of your life and just put it all in one huge dumpster. There is very little I'm taking with me, all reminders of a past I'd just rather forget. My parents' old family pictures? Pfffft! Dumpster City. I was a sentimental hoarder, and saved birthday cards, Christmas cards, notes, letters, you name it, some dating back 30 years...geez! Who needs all that crap? GONE.

Moving is also very cathartic. Out with the old, in with the new, and all that jazz. As tiring as it is, I feel energized and happy to finally get the hell out of Cement City, USA.

This morning, for the very first time in the 20 years where I am currently living, I was able to actually go out and arrive back home not drenched in anxiety-sweat. The external stimulation of so much activity and noise always put me on high red alert. Not so now...because I know that, with each and every foray out there, I am one step closer to never having to take that particular dreaded walk again.

Because of the above, my communications may be sporadic for a while but to quote General Douglas MacArthur, I shall return! 

And a special thank you to all the people around the world who are reading this little blog...from Russia to China, Indonesia, Australia, England, Ireland, Italy, Croatia, Armenia, South Africa (and more!) I am humbled and sincerely grateful to all of you.

Centanno!