This is what was great about POSTING and READING on Vox. (Sigh…)
I. The Politically Wise
“I wear (Captain Walter R. Schmidt Jr.’s) MIA bracelet all day, everyday. He was a Marine pilot who went down 09Jun68 in South Vietnam. I wear this bracelet until the day he or his remains come home. Happy Veteran’s Day Capt. Schmidt.”
“…the U.S. – politicians and people – would do well to remember Jefferson’s “wall of separation…” –
“…If you legislate morality, moral choices lose their value…”
II. The Politically Witty
“Reality TV Idea Number Two- Only in California- Each week, the Governor chooses who will be electrocuted, after a round where the prisoners are judged on various labour tasks that they may find out of the ordinary (e.g. baby photographer, maître d’hôtel) and attempts to escape are dealt with by immediate dismissal from the show, also by electrocution.
The show is best known for the Governor saying, ‘You’re fried.’”
“The College Opportunity and Affordability Act’ is a pretty name, like a crack whore might be pretty after you’ve had 5 martini’s, but before your doctor diagnoses you with a dozen STD’s that won’t be so bad if you would just stop scratching….”
III. The Acerbic, Yet Thought-Provoking Social Commentary
“America is Starsky & Hutch in the same way as OZ is Crocodile Dundee. Americans are not The Brady Bunch, and similarly, what we Aussies project into the world – what we strive to project – is just advertising. It is not who we are. In our art and advertising we encapsulate our aspirations. These are collective dreams reflected in a media looking-glass…..The real Australia is not a long stretch of golden beach, a tropical island paradise, or a dusty outback vista. In the main we are middle-class and suburban.”
“It just goes to show that no matter where you are, the naysayers will always have the loudest voice.”
“We are supposed to be a nation of tolerance. If you criticise someone for being gay, for being fat, for being black or being female you will (quite rightly) cop a severe tongue lashing for your lack of empathy. However apparently it’s quite okay to criticise people for being thin. The phrase ‘real women have curves’ springs to mind. A lot of people have been saying it in response to Jennifer Love Hewitt’s bikini photos. Initially it sounds great, after all real women are allowed to have curves and still be real women. Huzzah! What a great idea! But the problem is it doesn’t say real women can have curves. It decrees that real women and curves are inextricably linked. Real women have curves. If you have no curves, sorry, no amount of menstruation, ovulation, lactation or possession of a vagina is going to make up for it and bring you back to Real Woman Status. Too bad.”
http://evilwombatqueen.vox.com
“I am completely fed up with everyone lumping Christians together in one big box and painting them all with the same broad brush…..whether you are praising them or criticizing them, although its usually the latter when I hear people taking about Christians. Its akin to racism to lump all Christians together. You wouldn’t say that all blonde people are the same, would you? Or that all Indians are the same? Or that all Africans are the same? Or all Americans are the same? Or all Canadians are the same…”
“look. i write the way i speak. i am no grammar nazi, by any stretch of the imagination. but this stuff really bugs me. i don’t know why. it just DOES.
1. supposebly [it’s SUPPOSEDLY. that’s a “D.” not a “B.”]
2. i could care less [if you COULD care less, then please. by all means, DO. it’s i COULDN’T CARE LESS]
3. irregardless [what’s with the ir- in the beginning? it’s just REGARDLESS]
4. respectfully, instead of respectively.
5. when people confuse “leery” with “weary” or vice versa. what’s that about? they’re two very different words.
6. and in one of mia’s books about a manta ray, they use the word “sleek.” but they spelled it “sleak.” and that is really annoying.
i know there are a LOT more. and i think i’ve written about this a few times (at least i did on my blogger blog) but it still bugs me. and it just surprises me to no end how someone who is relatively intelligent could use (or rather, MISuse) those words….”
IV. The Beautifully Introspective and Reflective
“Too much, too often, has happened to make me doubt that someone isn’t driving this bus.”
“The weight of the responsibilities I had then…real and imagined….broke me down to the bare minimal existence…almost reduced me Literally to Ashes. And few know that it’s really a miracle that I’ve made it on the other side Alive…and Kickin’….”
“I could do with a hug, and yet there’s no one at law school I’d even dream of turning to for that. Perfect opportunity for them to whip out a knife and stab me in the back…”
“Self-judgement, sometimes, can be cruel but so real.”
“…In this case here was a girl I barely knew and perhaps would have never met again. But her blog today made her alive for me…”
“Were we all meant to go down this garden path together? A collective fate sealed by the inner workings of a very small minority of people?”
“Today I forgive you.
You are my father that never knew me.
You are the drunk frat boy that raped me.
You are the husband that cheated on me.
You are the love that lied to me.
You are the friend that betrayed me.
You are the mother that turned her back on me.
You are the sister who critisizes me.
You are the boss that made my life hell for a year.
You are a gossiper.
You are the self-righteous.
You are me.
I forgive you.”
——–
“But just as a Buddhist monk is thankful to his poverty for reminding him of the true purpose of life, so must I be grateful for having had the opportunity to learn of life’s cruelly neutral nature at such a young age through strictly imposed violent sports…”
V. …And This Entire Post From a Whole Different Perspective:
http://paxblog.vox.com/library/post/our-place.html
There are also the artists who, with their vision, remind us how beautiful our earth is…
http://lezleevictoriah.vox.com
http://michelle-solange.vox.com
And after you spend some time strolling through these, remember that these neighbors are not even a tenth of my neighbourhood, nor even one percent of the whole of VOX. There are so many others whom you might meet, if you explore. So, do it. After all, as Peter (http://petermcc.vox.com) says:
“…These days I go on the rides rather than hold the bags and watch.”
Happy Holidays, Happy New Year
and
Peace on Earth
to All
wow….really great collection of quotes. Some of these people are my neighbours but some aren't….and I need to check them out! 🙂
You ought to work for Vox….you always seem to find the amazing.
This also scares me a little…..someone is watching and paying attention! haha…. :p
Yours here is one of my favourites and it isn't one of your best. How nice to meet a female who can be so feminine and yet such a deep thinker at one and the same time….
haha….now don't go giving me a big head. I already have a big head (literally) that has a really thick mane of hair on it.
Thank you for the compliment….it means a lot coming from you.
Its interesting that you like that one……I was in such a roar writing that rant. I would write it much differently now that I have calmed down and heard/seen some more eloquent writings on the same subject.
I like shush's, baria's, and evilwombatqueen's quotes. Some of the others I need to check out more as their quotes seem to need some context for me.
Hey Patricia,I'm extremely flattered to score a mention. Especially on something with such a positive attitude. I didn't recognise the value of the comment until you drew my attention to it.I have to say that discovering VOX (via the prolific social commentator Snowy) has been a real relief. Thought provoking material such as your own and plenty of others mentioned here has been good exercise for the brain.It's great to get home from work some days and have a read and a think and even have ideas challenged occasionally. Great, too, when you discover folk who care how the world works and aren't prepared to watch wrong things go unchallenged.Viva la Blog!!
Thanks for the mention, Patricia. I too am rather flattered to be included in such company, and by a blogger whom I much admire.I've been thinking about blogging lately, and how much I have learnt from fellow bloggers. It is nice to know that even though we come from so many different parts of the world, and from so many different backgrounds, here we can come together to share our experiences on this wonderful adventure we call "life". Which brings to mind a much used phrase by our recently departed ex-Prime Minister, but one I think is appropriate. It is true that "those things that unite us are greater than those that divide." Nowhere is this more evident than in blogging.So, thank you again Patricia, and may I extend the compliments of the season to you and yours, and to fellow Voxers.
Wow a very well stated post. I agree with Foxsydee, you should work for Vox you do such a wonderful job of pulling together and sharing the thoughts of of so many neighbors.I also like how you included a mention of Pax's post 'Our Place' to show a totaly opposite perspective.
Wow, this is an amazing list of some really wonderful people! I'm truly honored to be included.
This is wonderful 🙂 I can't wait to go visit these people's sites. Thank you for sharing Patricia.
Thanks, Patricia. It feels good to see myself on that list! And there are quite a few people there whose blogs I haven't yet read — now I'm curious.
What a lovely collection of Vox quotes and Vox intelligence!
great collection!
I suppose you're right about the context bit. I hadn't thought about that very much when Iwas putting this list together. There was so much to choose from and I tried to findones down that hit me as being particularly thought-inspiring, passionate, or cleverly-phrased. I also could have included lots more people, but I had to stop as the post would have been endless. I chose your comment about Christians, because plenty have expressed what you said, and yours was most eloquently expressed. It's true that it's becoming not only acceptable, but fashionable to carelessly 'Christian bash.'
vox should pay you. hehe. :)there are some really cool quotes. i should check out some of these people who aren't in my neighborhood! :)xox
I agree with this comment emphatically. I got a lot more than I bargained for when I started this blog, for sure. A true blessing it was….
Thank you, Patricia. You certainly know the good posters. My best wishes to you also for a peaceful and happy holiday season.Margy
It is true that "those things that unite us are greater than those that divide"
It's important to keep that in mind, particularly with the state of things these days.
And I hope you and you family enjoy the holiday season, too. Snowy. : )
That's a great collection of quotes you have there! Voxers have as much depth as any other person. It's just up to them to share that with the rest of us. If they don't want to, that's fine. It's their choice, but they're great people.I know it's just a sample, but I have one person you should add to the list of artists (if you haven't seen her Vox yet). LaidOutInLavender takes pictures that would blow you away
I wouldn't worry about context as its easy to check out the person's blog. The quotes you have chosen are like teaser trailers!
And I agree with Stephel, you should check out LaidoutinLavender. I know you would love her!
thanks for the list and i'm honored to be included as well 🙂
I see you loved Pax's post as much as I did. I'm a most ashamed to admit that I hadn't thought about planets larger than the sun since high school. It really did braoden my perspective
I'm sure you have many to share, too. I only wish I could have kept listing. When we put our hearts into our posts, it's important to know other people 'hear' us… : )
I'll be interested to know if you find new people trotting over to your blog now I've mentioned your art. If so, I bet many more will be asking you for prints, that you'll have to start making it available. Then you can blame those of us who bandied your name about all over VOX! ; )
I'm glad you liked this post. I could have culled dozens more quotes from your blog alone.
I agree about the intelligence. Makes me wonder how celebrity-spotting tabloids can be doing so well….
Thanks, Marie!
Ooops, I just noticed I spelled your name wrong in this post! Hell! I'll have to edit it right now…
Thank you. I find better and better posts on here each week. (And some pretty nifty books, too)
Oh, my Gosh, yes! Thanks fro pointing me in her direction. Very unique!
I just checked out Lavender's Blog. You guys are dead on. It's terrific! Thanks….
You're welcome. I'm very glad you liked it….
You're welcome! =)
ha ha! i didn't even notice!!! 🙂
Well, I fixed it. It was late when I was writing last night and I missed an 'r'…
ah. thank you! 🙂
Wow
I count myself as honored to be included in such a fine and talented list. Thank you. I am excited about going back and checking out those that I am not familiar with.
Wow… I can't believe I wrote that. I mean I know I did, but it was one of those things that just got vomited forth… I didn't realize that anyone would consider it clever.
I do promise that I will personally check out every person I don't know in this list.
Oh, and I'm so glad you found halfrebel, I figured his insights combined with yours could create the literary equivelant of the Brangalina baby.
This is a great post, Patricia! And thank you for quoting me! I feel so honored!!
Exactly…you have to wonder who's out there reading that stuff. Ugh.
Thank you for the compliment. You must be busy lately, with the hols. I haven't seen you posting many photos. I hope you're doing something enjoyable for the holidays. My best wishes to you and your family…
Thank you and thank you for the 'add.' It's nice to have a new neighbour. I'll be stopping by to visit your blog today. : )
I was really impressed by the way you orchestrated that poem with the "you are me," line. I think we all very lucky to have you posting what you post. It always makes me think. I know I've included some really interesting blog sites, but there are so many others, I bet, I haven't seen yet.
Anyway, you have a great holiday with your kids and BTW- Yes, as you pointed out in your fake Xmas letter,, there probably are some people in the extended family who are disappointed you're doing so well. There's at least one sour grapes person like that in every family. Who knows though? Despite the jealousy, you might actually be helping that person think of better possibilities for him/herself. : )
"the literary equivlent of the Brangelina baby.." Another unique metaphor. Sometimes the things we write without thinking too hard are the ones that become our best bits. I liked the comparison because you were talking about a 'college bill. And it would be a college kid who'd end up drunk in a bar getting himself in trouble and not realising where he was headed. Just like the bill itself.That's why I appreciated it so much. I just took a writing seminar with Joyce Maynard. She was absolutely opposed to writing without giving it much thought. I think she's good writer, but there I diagreed with her. We can always edit later, the important thing is to get it down in print, as we feel it and then consider how it might be seen by others afterwards. It's like excercise. Doesn;t matter how we do it, we just need to, to keep in shape….
Tony, I hope you have a great holiday. it's been wonderful exchanging thoughts with you this year….
.I always enjoy your insights and perspective. I wanted to tell you how happy I am that you found my blog through Philhellene's and how nice it is to know that you are there, in my old neighbourhood, which I still miss and think about often.
I wish you and your family Kala Xristouyenna kai Xronia Polla!
Okay, true. But having said that, I must confess to picking them up and reading them thoroughly whenever I'm at the hairdresser's! ( I don't think it counts as long as we actually not out there buying them you see! But, if it's just lying around…LOL!
Have great holiday!
All bets are off when at the hairdresser's. No judgment allowed there. Besides, they don't provide us with literature, they provide us with entertainment for our hair cuts. 😉 And speaking of which, I'm off to get my hair cut in an hour…but I have a delicious book (Gilbert's Eat Pray Love) to read, so I won't get to read any tripe! <g>
LOL! True! As for Eat, Pray Love, You're going to enjoy that book. It's really a fun read.She published that just as I was finishing up Harlot's Sauce. We have a similar writing style, so I'll be anxious to know what you think.
I just started it last night and am not very far, but I'm sure I'll tear through it during my hair cut today. It's already quite lovely! And it makes me want to go to Italy now.
The Italian government owes Elizabeth a debt of gratitude, for sure. Tourism will increase just on her book alone. As it happens I was at the hairdresser's yesterday and read about Britney Spears' mother writing a parenting book??! I thought at first I had stumbled onto a copy of The Onion. Then I saw that it was real. God.
I had been toying with the idea of a trip to Italy before I read this book, as a graduation present to myself, but now I want to rush there immediately. Like tomorrow. You're right, the Italian government certainly owes her!
I also heard about Britney Spears' mom's book…egads. The thought just makes me feel icky. HA about The Onion, though…too bad this turns out to be true!
Well, travel is always good, unless finances make it difficult. And the dollar is so low now against the Euro. However, I wonder if your school has any kind of program where you can take a course or two over there? Might be worth the expense then.Italy is really so beautiful. I used to recommend Greece to people who were on a budget, but it's gotten expensive there,too…(sigh)
Travel is definitely on the itinerary (please excuse the pun). I'm done with school in June, so using a quarter to go isn't possible (and I just want to be DONE), but I've already scheduled some travel here in the States for the month of June. Will be blogging about it soon…
Sounds exciting. I'll look forward to reading. And I bet you can't wait till school is over….
You're absolutely right on that one! School is exponentially more difficult at 32 than it is at 22…
I know it is, but don't think about it that way. We only mess ourselves up when we think of actions we want to take in terms of our age. I changed careers at 40 and then again at 45 and sometimes, when things are going rough, it freaks me out when I think about how far along I would have been if I'd just stayed in the first profession. On the other hand, I have a friend who depleted her savings and started a whole new business at the age of 59 (when some people are getting ready to retire) and she loves it and has never looked back. We do have to get older, but we can choose to be older doing what we love. So hang in there a few more onths. You are only 32. We are twenty years apart. You're a spring chicken, kiddo! : D
I know, I know…it's just very easy and tempting to look back and wonder what would have happened had I finished school in 1998, when I should have! Argh! But I know that I never would have stumbled into my current school and taken the plunge on a CW degree. I was discouraged from being an English major the first time around by many people because I didn't want to teach, so I became a journalism major, even though it wasn't what I wanted to do. So I guess I'm fortunate, because even though it took me ten years, I'm doing what I wanted. And screw what everyone else has to say.
Your friend is impressive…I hope I have that kind of bravery and courage at 59! What an inspiration!!
"When I should have." Trust me- you should get rid of that "should" You did what you needed to do to find out what your really wanted to do.Our chosen career is not an easy one, but it's far easy to struggle doing something that you love, that to excel at something that makes you miserable. I don't know who you're referring to when you say " to hell with what everyone else has to say" but people who issue dire warnings almost always have their own agendas and fears that they may not even be aware of. You sound bright and articulate and if you want to write- write. But you mustn't let what others say discourage you, because you need a thick skin for this business. You'll get lots of rejections and there will be days where you are absolutely convinced that your work sucks and you will never get anywhere. When those feelings come over you, the only thing to do is to keep writing! But you won't be able to do that if you let others' into your psyche to nibble away at your confidence. It took me more than three years to complete Harlot's Sauce and even though I have an agent and an interested publisher, I am being asked to rewrite for the third time. That's the way it goes and I knew it when I signed on. If I let others' opinons and my own doubts get the better of me, I would never have gotten even this far. So don't you let anyone make you feel bad or worry . Since you like Elizabeh's writings, I suggest you check out what she has to say about writing right here It's very encouraging to a new writer and illustrates brilliantly her positive mental attitude and her determined spirit. And you know something else? When you have a bad day, you can always write to me!
Happy Holidays Beautiful Lady!
Right back at 'cha!
Very busy in various ways. We have slowed up to see the New Year in, just a quiet evening a glass, or two, of something sparkling and a reflection on the year past and the changes 2008 will bring.Here's to it being a wonderful year, better than any before, for us all.
I also wish you the same, all the wonderful things you so richly deserve.
wow…what a great idea. I hope this will go some way to impress on people the colour that vox paints in the world of blogging.
I so agree. And I loved the photos you have posted on your blog. Today is my first day back on VOX after a two-week holiday and a 36-hour power black out here in Marin County, California. I will come over and visit you again soon!
The people make Vox. Thanks for posting this. Its a lot of stuff to look at. I will eventually get to all of it! 🙂
Thank you for stoppng by as it gave me a chance to explore your blog and see one of the coolest profile photos I've seen so far. Great shot. Is your name pronounced "Jade" or "Jay-D" or some other?
Its amazing I havent stumbled onto your blog before. We are neighbors, via transitivity! :)My profile photo? Its just a slight color adjust on goofy me with sunglasses. Thank you for the compliment. I am glad you liked it.In my mind its pronounced Jay D. But Im not going to slap your hand if you say it some other way 😉
The photo has a sixties rock vibe going for it. Like your blog, it shows a lot of personality. I certainly wouldn't say it's 'goofy.' I thought 'JayD' might be the pronunciation, but it's always good to make sure….
This is a month old!? Sorry I missed it, Patricia. Gah.Wow, you have some very astute and eloquent people in your 'hood. I might just find myself some new neighbors here. Thanks!
hey Patriciacount me as in extremely flattered that you quoted mei don't think anyone has ever done that beforeit makes me feel like one person – each and every one of us – can make a differencethe pen can be mightier than the swordthanks so much:)there are some great people on VOX, aren't there?
I agree I have a great neighbourhood, and the more people I meet the better it gets. It's getting hard to keep up with everything everyone writes, because most of my neighbours are a lot more prolific than I. Yet, it's a worthwhile challenge to try. (I hope you noticed I quoted you.)
There are some great people on VOX, aren't there? If no one 's quoted you before,they should have. You've got a great brain and a great blog to go with it, in my opinion.