simple discussions

ghost world: a discussion

2009-01-17T18:04:00.004-05:00

I recently read the entirety of the comic series "Ghost World" by Daniel Clowes. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I had previously seen the movie Ghost World, which I also enjoyed immensely, and reading the source material was very rewarding. (Enid in the comic might not be as hot as Thora Birch, but hey.) If you've seen/read one but not the other, I recommend doing so; the movie is an extra story, with certain elements from the comic gathered together, sort of in an alternate-universe way, and so it's simply extra material rather than a basic retread. Interestingly, the movie was written by Daniel Clowes, as well, so it's very true to the source.

Ghost World explores angst, which I believe is much more universal than the typical phrase "teen angst" leads one to believe; it explores pain and loneliness, and does it quite well. Many of the problems one might have while reading the comic-- such as the obvious posturing of the characters to make themself out to be "cooler", or the not-so-subtle ego that Enid's built up by considering herself to be a real "hipster", trying to be cool by being weird-- are intentional digs at those same sorts of acts by people every day. As I've said myself, years ago, attempting to not-conform simply for the sake of not-conforming is just another version of conformity.

Ghost World explores the maturation process, friendships drifting apart, and the most poignant in my opinion, the depression assocated wtih isolation and loneliness. Enid's a powerful character; someone constantly contradicting herself in her thoughts and actions, a person who hates being unhappy but can't figure a way out of it, a person who hurts others for fun and hates herself for it afterwards.

[mild spoilers ahead]

The comic ends with no real solution to these things, which is more powerful than any wrap-up could be, I believe; this is life, where problems often have no definite answer, and where botched friendships can't be patched together easily when people change.

haiku

2009-01-13T20:54:00.004-05:00

the fine mist of clouds
broken by the thin tendrils
from the lifeless tree

a collection of poetry

2009-01-12T19:32:00.005-05:00

To start the blog off with some content.

Some of these might go into the poetry section; a lot are old, and aren't really Taoist influenced, so they won't.

soft, beautiful clouds
coasting through blue skies over
tall masses of green

those laughing eyes let
me forget loneliness for
a single moment

whisper of a breeze
on cool summer's night as the
leaves rustle in peace

soft cool breeze blows as
the fireflies wander on
a warm summer night

that pretentious tree
standing there, high and mighty
we should cut it down

that reflective stream
capturing lunar beauty
as the crickets chirp

drip of raindrops from
a dead tree's gorgeous branches
on beautiful mud

while stars glimmer in
ignorance, the sun plots its
attack on the night

limitless beauty
breathless and awestruck at the
sight of a sunset

gazing over the
glistening morning grass, wet
with the evening's dew

head to the pillow
entering beautiful dreams
a perfect release

glittering jewels
uncountable lights against
eternity's black

gazing at the stars
till sun vanquishes the moon
pure, tender beauty

such vast nothingness
as one so small peers into
pure infinity

accompanied by
stars and a tender kiss, life
goes on, beautiful

utterly gorgeous
sleeping outside, earth my bed,
sky as my ceiling

the moon cowers as
the sun devours the stars
till the next battle

my hands caress; this
is my apotheosis.
a subtle, soft kiss

I become lost in

her mossy green eyes which peer

out through midnight hair

beautiful laughter
from a young girl's lips; childlike
contentment, whole, pure

first rays of sunlight
striking the sand, cold from night
warmth again returns

the calm flow of life
watching the tranquil snowfall
complete, total bliss

the world, beautiful;
the gentle kiss of wind, all
the soft sounds of life

we have no freedom
one is enslaved to the self
until death's release

a deafening sound.
life's commotion instantly.
then there is nothing.

everything, nothing
existence is so fleeting
nothing, everything

While others seek to
destroy, they are in folly:
Rather, I let be.

The night is fine; and
young. Good friend, good food, good life:
No envy of Gods.

[that] lovely, soft skin
and her dazzling ruby lips
under playful eyes

gentle breeze stirring
in front of the lapping waves
stretch of endless blue

swaying blades of grass
kissed by luminescent rays
as the water flows

separated by those
walls fabricated from
hate and pain
barring prescence of others

alone now in the dark
tears dripping down cheek
the cold trail etching itself
into memory

look around at people
see their smiles
their words, their lies
their love, their hate

the pain floods back
i hate you, leave me alone
i can't stand you
i don't want to talk to you

the questions answered indirectly
is it okay for me to be here?
no hope, no comfort, simply
banned from life and love

yet the ache is worse now
after giving up
after so many salty tears
walls which destroy what they were to defend

so take off the headphones and
walk over, nervous, tension
yet
a quiet sense of relief
smile with just a hint of sadness
but understanding the chance for
companionship
friendship
love

say "hello".

statement of purpose

2009-01-12T19:19:00.002-05:00

So, anyone reading this likely was referred to it directly by me, but the point of the site the quietist's way is primarily to be a good Taoist and Zen Buddhist resource site. I'm planning on expanding it pretty soon with a good amount of content, probably focusing on the history of Taoism and how it's represented in the modern day at first. I think that anyone with a reasonable amount of interest in Eastern philosophy will find that, once it becomes more complete, it'll be an excellent resource to learn from.

It is my hope that it will become something strong, something good that will help others learn, if not change their lives; I'm not so arrogant as to think that's possible. . . but just to be able to teach what I am interested in to people who otherwise may not learn about it, or may not learn it as efficiently, is something I'd love to do.

The name "quietist" was chosen for two reasons. . . it has been used to describe philosophical Taoism, which is our primary focus (Zen Buddhism being pretty much synonymous), and the name is so evocative of the peacefulness that is the ideal in the mind of the practicioner.

The hope that something good can come out of all this keeps me working at it, and keeps me very interested.

a fresh start.

2009-01-12T19:09:00.001-05:00

It's really nice to get this site up and running, just to have a place to call my own on the internet (as cheesy as that may sound. . .)

I'm excited to see what might come of this. I think I'll be using this site as a major creative outlet; even excluding the main purpose of the site, to create a useful and interesting Taoist resource, I feel as though I have a "base" from which I can expand outward, and work on my writing, as well as some other ideas I have.

Namely, I'm interested in exploring the creation of electronic music, in writing more poetry, and perhaps doing a podcast. I'm excited about creating, and for the first time in a long time, I feel somewhat passionate about it. Having the ability to showcase what I'm doing is a beautiful thing.