Go Figure

Checklist for Hidden Anger

• A liking for sadistic or ironic humor.


• Sarcasm, cynicism or flippancy in conversation.


• Frequent sighing.


• over politeness, constant cheerfulness, attitude of "grin and bear it".


• Smiling while hurting.


• Over-controlled monotone speaking voice


• Slowing down of movements.


• Getting drowsy at inappropriate times.


• Facial tics, spasmodic foot movements, habitual fist clenching and similar repeated physical acts done unintentionally or unaware.


• Procrastination in the completion of imposed tasks.


• Perpetual or habitual lateness.
  

Yeah, I like stumbleupon.com a lot--came across this today. I meet 12 of the 19 signs for hidden anger . . . I'm still trying to figure out what I'm secretly mad about. . .

The site also offered some helpful, safe strategies for relieving my unidentified anger, such as:

• PUNCH PILLOWS


• LIE FLAT FACE DOWN ON THE BED, SCREAM INTO THE PILLOW AND BEAT THE MATTRESS WITH YOUR FISTS.


• STAMP AROUND THE ROOM PUNCHING AIR WITH YOUR FISTS AND SAY, "I’M ANGRY" OVER AND OVER.


• WRITE A LIST OF "I’M ANGRY BECAUSE..." STATEMENTS.


• BEAT THE BED WITH A RACQUET OR BAT.


• BUY CROCKERY FROM CHARITY SHOPS AND SMASH IT IN A SAFE PLACE (BEWARE OF LYING PIECES).


• TURN UP THE MUSIC REALLY LOUDLY (INDOOR, IN CAR...) AND SCREAM OR SHOUT.


• IF YOU CAN GET TO A DESERTED BEACH OR MOUNTAIN, YOU CAN SCREAM YOU
  HEART OUT.


• DO AEROBICS, VISUALISING PUNCHING AND KICKING THE ABUSER.


• GET AGGRESSIVE WITH THE VACUUM CLEANER.


• SLAM DOORS AND POUND UP THE STAIRS NOISILY


• WRITE A LETTER TO YOUR ABUSER - TRY BEGINNING WITH "I HATE YOU".


• SPEAK OUT IN ANGER TO THOSE AROUND YOU.


• CREATE AN ANGER RITUAL EG. BURNING AN EFFIGY OF THE ABUSER.


• DANCE AN ANGER DANCE.

The Fool

No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be;
Am an attendant lord, one that will do
To swell a progress, start a scene or two,
Advise the prince; no doubt, an easy tool,
Deferential, glad to be of use,
Politic, cautious, and meticulous;
Full of high sentence, but a bit obtuse;
At times, indeed, almost ridiculous--
Almost, at times, the Fool.

-T.S. Eliot

I am the fool, but J. Alfred Prufrock gives me hope because he promises there is time:

Time for you and time for me,

And time yet for a hundred indecisions,

And for a hundred visions and revisions,

Before taking the toast and tea.

But I cannot believe the man who does not practice his own religion. Despite his optimism and false hope; time is short and pain is real, and I am scared--a fool indeed, of my own creation.

With Purer Intentions than to Simply Burlesque

Sometimes it's detrimental and insensitive to laugh at the misfortunes of others and oneself. However, I appreciate those who can make light of dismal situations--and those who can make the best of them.

Black Sheep are Still Sheep

If one desires to be different, isn't he just the same as everyone else?

It's Not Who, but What

How far do our natural tendencies extend? Where do the effects of our environments end and the effects of our choices begin? When people say they are being true to themselves, who are they being true to? Their natural inner selves, or their values? Or is the entire thing just a fabrication? Is one qualified to tell others who he or she is? How could one ever know?

Sometimes I just wonder what it's like:

-to be tall. High heels don't cut it. I want to know what it's like to wish I was shorter, for once, and be good at basketball, just because I could shoot over everyone else's head and get every rebound as long as I was in position

-to be the best at something. To be like this violinist who couldn't find music that was difficult enough for him, so he wrote his own. I want to know what it feels like to serve 156 mph.

-to have everyone in the world mad at me. Not for an extended period of time. Just maybe, like 2 hours. I just want to know.

-to speak three different languages. I know a seven year old who can do this. He speaks Korean, English, and Spanish fluently. I speak English decently, and after 3 years of espanol, I can say colors, numbers, and animals. I want to know what it's like to switch between three different dialects without thinking about it.

-to not have red hair. Don't get me wrong, I love my hair, but everywhere I go, people are complimenting it, and telling me stories about how their best friend or daughter or son has red hair too, and it's cool, but what would I be like without it?

Good Old Dilbert

Every day, as I eat my morning bowl of cereal, I at least skim throught the newspaper, sometimes reading through articles that interest me, sometimes barely scanning headlines. Depending on how much I read, sometimes I don't have time to read through all the comics (the last section), but I always make sure I read one.

Dilbert and his co-workers can always put a smile on my face. Here are some recent favorites:

And a classic: