Valedictorian, Salutatorian, Honor Roll, Egg Rolls and Rotten Eggs

That Smell.

Of. New.

Of. Old.

New. Maths.

Old Maths.

How many eggs are in one dozen?🤔 No matter.

The Smell of Rotten Eggs. Usually requires of us to purse our lips, to scrunch our noses. Maybe even toss our lunch.

Put Your Best Face Forward?

I thought the best, better concept, idea, attitude is to always

Put Your Best Foot Forward…..

I’m confused.

Nothing new here.

The Land of Confusion is actually a place. Stop! Before you run to tackle your local realtor, take a second and think. For a better part of our awake and living days, admit it. You sometimes have thought that there is better than here. Or here is better than there. Home is where the heart is. That if you remained static, didn’t “move on”, you were a loser, a loner, a stoner.

There have been times wherein World Peace seemed like a possibility. Like a goal worth striving for. Collectively, Ally-i-ly, Together.

But. Not this way. Please. Not this way. To tear down to build up, with all we have going for us is just plain-wrong. We really do better together. Most people are good.

And. Unfortunately….Negativity sells.

In fairness, however, there is no leap-frogging. No matter who we try to undermine. No matter how we try to do it.

Would you like a tour? Of my place in this land. The Land of Confusion? Let me take you on a tour of my “place” in this Land of Confusion. It is oftentimes full of fear, fog, guilt. Foggy. Yes. And actually there are times that that is preferred, a preferred place to be, because to see the reality of what is right in front of us is devastating.

Especially if and when you may be blamed for your own demise. Dark stuff. Yep. You bet. Sometimes we are required, forced even, to just float along as if we do not exist. Among the character, the images, the images that spit upon us as we move along.

The Spitting Image. The Spitting Images of the Characters flow, the Character flaws. Acting and reacting all around us, our orbit. Which are real. For real. We wonder sometimes, “Are we living in an Alternate Dimension in the Land of Confusion.” (awa) A simulation—of our own lives—so to speak.

When did the ticking tokking trafficking of ourselves become a “thing”. (sa) An end to our own means? Spitting on the graves of our fellow man? Lacks grace and face for certain.

No thank you.

Who is the Spitting Image of who here. Who will step up to be a real leader of peace at the expense of no one and for the benefit of all.

Good question.

In this Land of Confusion, there are a few survival skills needed and necessary:

-Sense of humor. Required.

-Sensitivity: Allowed. But not too much. Why?

-May rock the apple cart.

-The ability to honestly “see the other side”— not just for personal gain—of your own agenda. (Tall order on this one) (The best of luck and best wishes extended)

-May be. Just—for a couple hours—Put down the menacing devices held in our hands……

Alternative:

-Look out over the landscape of your life beyond the arms’ length view you have and hold of the world, of your world.

There is a chance you will see the spitting image of yourself out there out in the landscape—and either you will like what you see, or you will run fast and far away from it. Tripping over your memories and thoughts as you race away. To that better place.

The Spitting Image was a British satirical television series that ran from 1984-1996. Guess what? It was a puppet show. How cool is that? The series features puppet caricatures of contemporary celebrities and public figures, including Ministers Margaret Thatcher and John Major and the British royal family. The series was the first to caricature Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother(as an elderly gin-drinker with a Beryl Reid voice.) (wk)

This was at a different time of life. Of “pop” culture. Of society in general. A sense of humor was ever present. Sensitivies were not so “high.” Sensitivities did not write the story. Of our lives. Of those we held near and dear. We could laugh along with them.

Not laugh at them.

The popularity of The Spitting Image show saw collaborations with musicians, including Phil Collins and Sting. The series was cancelled in 1996 after viewing figures declined.(wk)

The series was to be revived in 2006, however was scrapped after a dispute over the Ant & Dec puppets used, were created against Roger Law, the creator’s, wishes.

IE. Copycatting not ok’d. By the creator.

Instead. In 2018 Law donated his entire archive—including scripts, puppet, moulds, drawings and recordings—to the University of Cambridge. (wk)

What a great idea. Share the Knowledge. Share the wealth. Business minded giving back to a community. For the benefit of many, not just a few.

Then. In 2019, Law announced the show would be returning with a new series. The new series debuted in 2020 and featured caricatures of Boris Johnson and U.S. President Donald Trump. (wk)

What happened? What kinda happened over time is we lost our sense of humor, took ourselves way too seriously. Leaving behind our flaws for others to deal with, for others to pick up for us, pick up after us.

Right back into the Land of Confusion. Of what is real. What is fake. What is a caricature. Am I a caricature? Of myself? Of you?

Land of Confusion

Song by Disturbed

”I must have dreamed a thousand dreams

Been haunted by a million screams

But I can hear the marching feet

They’re moving into the street.

Now, did you read the news today?

They say the danger has gone away

But I can see the fire’s still alright

They’re burning into the night.

There’s too many men, too many people

Making too many problems

MAKING TOO MANY PROBLEMS

And there’s not enough love to go around

Can’t you see this is the land of confusion?

This is the world we live in

And these are the hands we’re given

Use them and let’s start trying

To make it a place worth living in.”

The lyrical message continues, with a reference to Superman, promises and generational references.

Thoughts worth remembering: While existing in your Land of Confusion, my Land of Confusion, This planet’s Land of Confusion:

Even if and though you feel a small cog in the ginormous wheel of your own life, in the lives of others, others in your world community:

Make a difference.

This is the world we live in

And these are the hands we’re given

Use them and let’s start trying

To make it a place worth living in.

Peace out!🤜🏻✌️🤛🏻