Work has overloaded my brain.
My emotions and thoughts drip down the drain,
Which I cannot hope to ever regain
Until from work, I do abstain.
But work moves forward like a train,
And so, I hop on once again.
Wishing this time I will remain
Happy, healthy, and (mostly) sane.
– Shaman Romney 2015
Through the frosted window pane of my eyesight,
I look at the frozen, wintery colors.Blurred shapes blend past,
Move too fast,
Indistiguishable and Ill defined.An icy wasteland of interchangeable dreams,
Hopes,
And defeats.Contained within the frozen wintery colors
Of my frosted, window pane eyesight.
– Shaman Romney 2014
Hey Internet,
Can we stop threatening to kill, assault, rape and otherwise harm people already?
I say this because I’ve been seeing a lot of discussion on sexism and feminism lately. From catcalls in New York, to Dr. Matt Taylor wearing a shirt with sexy women on it, to someone threatening a school shooting if Anita Sarkeesian came to speak (GO UTAH! Way to make America proud!), to the pay gap, to the…
Look, it’s a big topic. But it is also one that needs to be discussed. There are a lot of real problems, arguments to be made, and solutions to be found.
But it won’t happen until people chill out and actually, you know, try to have the discussion.
Let take Anita Sarkeesian as an example. Whether you agree with her or not, (I personally find her too sex negative for my taste, she tends to over- generalize, and takes things out of context) she is the perfect example of how not to respond to someone criticizing your position.
When she came out and started talking about video games and sexism, lots of people disagreed with her, and others supported her.
That’s the normal part.
The part where things start to go a little awry is when people started threatening to kill her, leaking her personal information online, making flash games about abusing her, and ultimately making her flee her home and call the police.
All because she thought video games might be a bit sexist and exclusionary, and that 50% of the population might enjoy them more if they weren’t.
This happens pretty much anytime a woman speaks up on the internet about feminism (See Gamergate). Even when they make good points, or bring up legitimate issues. Well, unless they disagree with feminism, that is.
There is no good reason for this. Absolutely none.
I’m not saying that people have to agree with someone’s bad arguments. There are plenty of those out there, and we need people to point them out.
I’m not saying you aren’t allowed to also bring forward your own poor arguments. Just expect them to be refuted, and be open to learning why they are viewed as poor.
Through this, we create solutions and grow as people.
But when we do things the way the internet prefers to do things, we completely kill rational discourse.
Because of all the threats thrown at her, no one can ever seriously argue against Anita Sarkeesian again.
No matter how calm, kind, or rational your critique is, you will get roped in with people like Thunderfoot and the Amazing Atheist.
Even if they were making nice, logical arguments (although they aren’t; both put so much venom in their videos even a rattlesnake gets jealous, but that is part of their brand) you get thrown in with all of the other less intelligent fans.
You know, the ones actually threatening to rape her and burn her house down. (I also understand that it’s just people on comment boards, and if that’s where it stayed, it be less of a problem.)
If I were to speak out in her defense, I get labeled a wimp, a “beta-male”, or a social justice warrior. Someone who just white knighting to impress anonymous women online. As opposed to trolling them online and accepting my loneliness as a bitter ball of righteous indignation.
I can already hear the counterpoint, “Women do it too! They are just as bad as men, if not more so, due to institutional oppression, societal protections, etc.”
I agree. No, not completely. I understand both sides have their loudmouthed, idiotic spokespeople. But, even though I would like to say so, they are not equally to blame.
But I don’t see nearly as many women threatening men by posting their personal information, making dozens of vitriolic and hate spewed videos and blog posts about a single person, creating games about abusing them, threatening to shoot up their events, etc.
(If I’m wrong in that regard, please feel free to show me. Unlike most people on the internet, I’m willing to change my opinion when I’m presented with evidence to the contrary. I don’t buckle down and shove my head even further up my own rectum.)
I think a lot of this has to do with the fact that, until a few years ago, video games, internet, conventions, and other nerdy things were bastions for younger, single, dejected men. I’m not trying to stereotype, but I am at least two of those things, and I flocked to the internet like a moth to flame.
Women have started “invading” these things, and people just don’t like to share.
But since we share 50% of the population, and women aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. So we should share the internet and video games too. Women are pretty cool.
You can call it feminism, equalism, “beta-male” talk, etc. I don’t really care.
Everyone deserves equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal treatment. We should all strive to make that a reality.
No one, and it is sad that I actually have to state this, deserves to be threatened, to be harmed, or to be assaulted for saying their piece.
The people who do so, male or female, need to grow up.
Thanks for reading,
Shaman
P.S: Let me know how you feel about this in the comments. I love discussing the issues. 🙂
Our time is fleeting
With moments worth repeating
Fond memories earned.
——-
Remember when I said that I might be busy because of my new job?
This quarter is the busiest time of the year, and although its overwhelming, I’m staying on top of things and doing well.However that doesn’t leave me with a lot of energy to sit down and write.
I have lots of stuff written down. Halfway decent stuff even.
But I’m having a bit of a problem with the whole typing it up and posting it thing.
So posts may be a little far apart. I’m going to keep trying, but worst case scenario you may only hear from me once a month or so.
Thanks for reading.
-Shaman
Today, I no longer care
To bother with the world out there,
I’d rather just live unaware.
I’m an apathetic man.Today, I don’t care about you,
Or any of the things you do,
Any thing you have been through,
I’m an unempathetic man.I don’t care about your pain
Dealing with it is such a drain
So in your life, I will abstain
I’m an unsympathetic manI don’t care about anything
Only to my thoughts will I cling
Best for you to just take wing
And leave this pathetic man.
– Shaman Romney 2014
|Some write a poem by making rhymes,
|
|Some
|just hit
|the enter button
|four
|times.
|
|Some write in i-ambic pen-tame-ter.
|Some write simpler, shorter, and neater.
|
| Some
| write
| in
| a
| way
| that
| avoids
| straight
| lines.
|
|While \
|Some write \
|Their poetry \
|In differently \
|Shaped confines \
|
|Some write words from the depths of their hearts.
|Some write, between childish giggles, of farts.
|
|♪ Some write their poems in the measures of a song. ♫
|While some write a poem that goes on, and on, and on, and on, and on… for |far too long.
|
|We all may write different ways, but one thing is true.
|We all write poetry; it’s what we love to do.
-Shaman Romney 2014
I don’t consider myself a writer.
In the most technical sense of the word, I am. These are in fact, words I am typing, and supposedly people read them.
But a waiter at a restaurant writes out my lunch order, and I read it when I get the bill. A cop writes me a ticket for speeding, and I read that also, before cursing him in the name of all deities fictional and imaginary. Luckily for me, I take the bus. 🙂
My point is, just writing things down doesn’t make them writers, and doesn’t make me one either.
I’m just an EDI configuration analyst who writes a blog on the side.
But maybe I’m a bad example. I do this as a hobby; as a way to get my voice out more and to rant at my friends less. It is not my dream to one day be The Next Great American Author™.
So how about other examples?
I have a friend who writes every day. Her dream is, in fact, to one day become The Next Great American Author™, as famous as Stephen King or Mark Twain.
I’ve read her writing, and I like it a lot. It could use some peer review and revision, like everything else. But she has a lot of raw talent. She is reluctant to call herself a writer; at least not yet, and I agree.
I would call her a dreamer, who aspires to one day be a writer.
How about my dad?
He’s actually written 3 novels (that I know of) and is currently working on another. He’s tried to get at least one of them published, and would like to get all of them out there some day. But I’ve never read any of them. I also wouldn’t consider him a writer, because that isn’t he is known for.
I would consider him a radio talk show host who has also written some books.
How about some on who has an English degree, and writes every day, and also dreams, like my friend above, of being The Next Great American Author™?
Nope.
Having a degree only shows that you should be a competent writer, it doesn’t prove you are one. Just look at JK Rowling, Kurt Vonnegut, and the other famous writers out there without a BA in English. You need the actual skills to back it up, or it’s pointless bragging.
No, I would call this person a barista (or sales clerk, fry cook, etc.) with $50,000 worth of student debt, who dreams of being a writer.
So how would I discern a “true” writer?
Well, it isn’t through dreams, or degrees, or rough drafts nobody reads. A dream keeps you going, a degree teaches you skills, and a rough draft gets you started. Those things are all good, and they can help you be a writer.
But they aren’t what earn you the right to call yourself one.
The thing that does that is proof, plain and simple.
Because it doesn’t matter what you say, or how loud or often you say it. What matters is what you do.
A musician doesn’t go around introducing himself as a musician at parties, he goes out and plays music.
A smart person doesn’t tell her coworkers she is smart, she shows it by excelling at her job.
A chef cooks, a painter paints, an actress acts, and a dancer dances.
A writer doesn’t go constantly exclaiming he is a writer to everyone who asks (and probably many people who didn’t.)
A writer sits down and writes.
So if someone tells me they are a writer, my next question is going to be, “What have you written?”
If they stumble and bumble their way to some excuse about how they just aren’t ready yet, or some other weak not-really-an-answer, I won’t take them seriously.
Because you can call yourself whatever you want. I can call myself Grand Dictator Shaman Romney, Wizard King of the Etherium, Esq.
But if I can’t back it up with full caster levels and the ability to practice law, I’m just making stuff up to make myself feel important.
If you can’t show proof that you are a writer, you are doing the same thing.
However, that is just one EDI-configuration-analyst-who-writes-a-blog-on-the-side’s opinion, and I would love your thoughts in the comments below.
Thanks for reading. 🙂
-Shaman
Drained, tired, exhausted,
My piece of mind accosted.
Shattered by the days events and more.Weak, spent, and weary,
I find my outlook dreary
As piles of life grow too tall to ignore.Humiliated and humbled,
Nervously I stumbled
Not knowing what next I had in store.Now I stand and wait,
Trying desperately to abate
My heart from writing this stoccato score.But then, a sudden conclusion
Comes much to my confusion.
My problems stay behind my bedroom door.I’ll finally get some rest
Against the world’s behest.
A peaceful sleep is what I’m hoping for.Maybe tomorrow will more kind.
Maybe i’ll be in less of a bind.
I wont know until I wake, that’s for sure.
Shaman Romney 2014
When an old beginning ends,
A new beginning life portends.
With new experiences and brand new friends.
New colors match your personal blends.When the new beginnings start,
The old ones do not fly apart.
They stay as beautiful pieces of art;
Locked away safely with your heart.So when a beginning begins anew.
Remember all the things that you’ve been through.
Think of all the things that you’ll go on to do.
Of all life’s demons that you slew.Hold those thoughts with you and smile.
You just made it through life’s trial.
The next one starts in a short while.
So when you live, live life in style.
-Shaman Romney 2014
Here to go, there to stay.
My best friend had to leave today.
Back to his life of thrills and glory
And my life here, the same old story.Here to go, there to stay
I wish there was another way
To have you stay a day or two
So we can do the things we do.Here to go there to stay
I know there is no other way
You have life to live that’s yours,
Of shining streets and open doors.Here to go there to stay
There’s just one thing I want to say.
Live your life, pursue your dreams,
Walk upon life’s balance beams.Search for love and always laugh,
So when they write your epitaph
They’ll know that this one thing is true:
You lived the life you wanted to.
-Shaman Romney 2014
Work is kicking my butt, so here is a poem I started working on in September that has been sitting in my drafts, gathering dust. Thanks for reading!
Shame on The Universe 