Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Greek slaves would have laughed

One of the things that fascinates me as bizarre behavior not even really hidden is when people marvel at accomplishments of Black people in the US today with an aside like--and to think descendants of former slaves have reached such heights...or something like that.

Which to me is like, huh? Are you KIDDING me? As if that matters at all?

Other side of it, is wanting, say to marry into British royalty. Or I guess any royalty as plenty of them still left on the planet, but Brits get lots of attention. And am sure British royals are so over it. Delusions of some do not matter to their reality.

For those who haven't awakened to even the 20th century, the notion that human breeding is an actual thing can seem potent. So it's like your ancestors were not what some backwards thinking people would see as pure breeds? So obnoxious and so easy to get into trouble. But yeah, like with dogs or something? As if some people look down on people like me as being like the mutts of humanity? Well I like mutts. They're often adorable, but besides, human beings aren't dogs. Well most of us aren't and even using that as a put down for some human beings? Is an insult to dogs in my opinion.

So no, it's not that amazing for descendants of people who were slaves during those unfortunate times it was in practice in the US, to being doing well today, as two things are entirely separated.

If that incites fury in some, who feel that problems with the Black community today stem back to slavery I can assure you that is not the case, but is about what happened after it was abolished to continue institutional American racism.

Turns out history has some perspective with the Ancient Greeks who got enslaved by the Romans when conquered but got a totally different kind of think from what I remember of my history and if way wrong, sorry. Not going to look it up for this post.

But they were prized for their knowledge and extraordinary skills as hey, Greek civilization was of course really important in advancing human civilization. And those Greeks were not considered lesser human beings because they ended up enslaved. That entire breeding notion hadn't developed yet.

They just had a bad deal.

And British royalty learned the hard way you don't want to play too much into that breeding thing as they tragically ended up with severely disabled people who were put on the throne, and labeled what was then a medical term which today is offensive enough I decided not to use it here. Thankfully, eventually they figured out that marrying close relatives? Not a good idea.

Ok. So even past the point of realizing that marrying a brother and sister was bad, or even close cousins, royals In Europe still for a while kept to too small a dating pool, which was also bad. Turns out being labeled "royal" does not mean squat to your genes. They can't tell. Looking at wasting away, royal families figured out to spread the marrying net WIDE or else.

Best thing really I think is to fall in love. Which I'd like to think anyone should cheer.

And not claiming to be an expert on genes, but you can look around the world today and just see SO many humans doing great things with no need to reference their ancestors at all. And that's great!

And British royals? You can thank me later for trying to relieve some of that pressure of people endlessly throwing themselves at you. Or actually, am sure nothing can stop such people, let alone reason and facts, alas.

So no reason to be surprised that descendants of slaves can do what human beings do. Which is a great thing in my opinion. And I sure like to give it.


James Harris

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Still commercial? Yup is the intent.

There will be a Political Wednesday post this week. And will note that am looking at this blog on a daily basis as still work at the foundation. Where post about the foundation on Sunday.

Keeping to some structure is important for a blog intended to be commercial as this one is. While also am finding it is work to shift from just talking about things for the fun of it, like I do across so many other things versus having the intent to do so for commercial purposes.

And so far no endorsements or anything, which is ok. You really need to have it together I think to have commitments to others that involve money.

And if that changes will note it! So yeah, if some name pops up here where you're wondering if am being paid, then that is to be noted on page dedicated to it. Otherwise I try not to mention anybody at all. Which actually is fun. And I have months of postings where could see could do that. Kind of freeing really.

The idea is transparency. While yeah also want to make money.

So for those who wonder, who come across my writing elsewhere, no, I do not have any commercial aspect to it. No paid endorsements. Just lots of opinions and fan of plenty of things.

But wouldn't mind that changing where here is to be the center of commercial efforts, so is to be the point from which it all takes off. Once I figure out how to do it best, within my values.


James Harris

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Why not be comfortable?

The idea that fashion is driven by comfort makes great sense to me, and I think it can be a lot about perception that people could see it any other way. Like with wine tastings the point is to pick a wine you like. But if you think it's something else, then it's so much about not learning it one way instead of another.

Being comfortable when going out is big deal though, which one learns if you go out a LOT. As if you wear something because it is clever or makes a statement that can kind of wear thin as a night goes on. Like literally, when it's cold out, and you're standing in line somewhere pondering life to one's self as you shiver and beg friends to hug up on you. And besides most of the fun I ever had going out had nothing to do with trying to draw attention to my clothes. Preferred the attention on me in terms of what was doing, saying or singing, as liked to karaoke.

If you're on stage singing, your clothes can catch people's attention at the start, but what will decide their opinion of your efforts? Your efforts will, not your clothes.

When I went out was so much about wanting effortless. To just flow with friends, and mood, maybe food, and let go in ways that were sustaining. There could be those times when looking around at others with me felt like we were on a journey together because we were. So many things we call entertainment can make it happen, and so much better when each person can have a part.

That fashion is driven by personal comfort is a reason I think it is so big on social media and going to get bigger as FINALLY can be freed from other notions. And whatever others may think, can probably find people who are looking at clothing in the same way as you.

Picking comfortable clothing that looks good to others too? I think that is an art. And why do so? Because people can make you uncomfortable if you don't. Like just try to go to court in pajamas and bunny slippers saying you need to be comfortable. Am sure they can make you REALLY uncomfortable instead quickly.

And yeah, how people react to us is part of how comfortable we feel too. It is just part of being human and being part of a communal species where things go better if we get along.

Finishing up a writing work week, where yeah felt like work, and nice to end talking about communal nature. Yes we humans can find ways to NOT get along, but I don't think I'll ever tire of cheering the ways we do.

Wear comfort, share comfort, and be comfortable doing that human thing, if you go out on this Thursday night, and see if I'm right. I think that those who do? Have the most fun.


James Harris

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

It pulls you in

There are those times when politics is just pushed on you, and there is no escaping it really. Sure you can avoid the ads, try hard to stay out of the discussions, but it dawns on you that even to stay out, is a statement, because political season has arrived in America, and it will pull you in one way or another.

And it is a duty of citizenship that taking a position, figuring out where you stand and pondering which way you want your country to go.

That voting thing is something you can do, or not. But at least you have a choice, in a system that asks for your input.

Other ways aren't as inclusive of your opinion as some group, or worst, some person may make all the decisions. That's a drag.

There is a thing though where maybe can feel lost in the masses with MILLIONS ultimately making the decision as if a vote is just one bit which is so small. What matters one vote then? But all bits make the whole.

Like am one person, but I feel empowered by my vote because I have a sense of millions of voters like me, who will decide. We're choosing, together.

The whirlpool feeling can be there, yes, as you feel like you're swirling down towards, what exactly? Where is it all going?

But your vote is a push. And millions of pushes will give a direction and a nation will forge forward down the path decided where there is a majority consensus.

Is there a better way? If so, we haven't found it, though people in countries where there is a different way might argue with me there! I don't feel like arguing. Not pushing anything on anyone but do feel good celebrating what is here, in my country.

With a muddled picture unlike any I've seen in my life, the political reality we're facing today begs for a bottom, if only the candidates would all find one, where maybe a little dignity were best?

On what does it all stand? Where is the fight going and for what really?

With so much being reported will admit am still not sure what's going on, and as battleground states merge into "Super" this day or that, get the feeling that something is missing.

There is no coherent narrative to me.

But you can feel the pull regardless, and a pressure to take sides, as the politics pulls you in.

And whomever you are, in my country, if you vote you will be a part of it. And your decision? Is yours.


James Harris

Monday, March 7, 2016

Looking forward from beginnings

To me beginnings feel nice, and Monday is a natural day to focus on what can be a fresh start, as is for many first day of a traditional work week. And I think better to see as an opportunity for something new than as just continuing on.

Here on this blog things to me are still with the beginnings as work out formats, how to present best, and what content to provide and when, which is challenging but fun. Though can be harder on readers not sure what to expect, yet.

Growing up was an avid reader, where I consumed books. Finish one, and go to the next, so would go to the library to get enough to keep me going until next trip to the library. Which was a cycle that sped me through adolescence in a blur of books. And there was often that thrill of open the book, turn to the first page of the meat of the writing.

As a kid I felt like a lonely middle child, usually ignored, except by book authors. To me it meant something that people had worked so hard for so many out there, where one of those was me! I marveled at the effort and care to produce something for so many people the writer would never see. Sometimes I would imagine that person reading to me as I read the words, and feel comforted.

There has to be a reason to write. Though now I understand that a reason can be about a compulsion. And I DO like to see the black words appear against the white background as I type.

The words to me have personalities--as have posted before--and are like new friends who just arrived to say, hi.

And with them can say hi to others all over the world, and consider a new week, with new challenges am sure.


James Harris

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Three scheduled posts for Week 10

Will do three scheduled postings. So one Monday, another on Wednesday, and last on Thursday.

Just sitting here this Sunday morning feeling an urge to commit to some writing.