A lot of people always ask me why I stop blogging for long periods of time or why I haven’t kept up with my standup comedy career. Of course I can cite laziness, lack of commitment, or lack of imagination, but the truth is, when my life is going well, I find less irony and insight in each day that disturbs me enough to write. I just got married, and I can say a few funny things about that, but other than that, it’s been smooth sailing lately.
Example:
I used to have a really good joke for my standup routine that made fun of someone I know who used to have some racist tendencies. However, that person changed dramatically for the better recently, and I just don’t feel right about making a joke at her expense anymore.
Counter Example:
I recently found out that one of my good friends, who had drifted away from me a lot over the past few years, has had some serious problems with cocaine and alcohol. He tried to convince me he’s gotten better, but I suspect he will continue to drift away. Not surprisingly, he has an amazing, violently insightful blog he updates with 500-word essays several times a week.
Over the past year, I’ve been diagnosed with moderate to severe migraine headaches. One pseudo-side effect of all of this is that I try not to drink as much alcohol as I used to. The throbbing pains in my head aren’t much compared to the dull ache I see in the shadow of someone I used to know or maybe never did know.
Orthogonal Example:
Most people do not appreciate the amount of fire present in an Indian/Hindu wedding ceremony. Most presby-lutheran Americans are used to lighting a candle or two at Advent a few weeks out of the year and calling it a day. Little did I know that the day I got married, I would be dressed in layers of silk, flowers, and cotton, awkwardly tied to my future spouse dressed the same way, and then ordered (granted politely) to march around a medium sized bonfire in the middle of a confined indoor space! Like most socially engineered people, I managed to rationalize all of this, but when…
- I was asked to blindfold myself and throw additional tinder into the fire, aiming from memory…
- The fire started to leave the fire pit and travel towards the aisle of the reception hall….
- The priest picked up a burning coal from the pit and crushed it his bare hands…
- The priest kept telling me that I wasn’t marching FAST ENOUGH around the fire…
I began to worry a little bit. Still, I love my family, new and old, so I’ll put up with a little fire.
1. From the spectator’s perspective..the Indian/Hindu wedding was beautiful and interesting. Even with the fire.
2. I have had migraines since I was in 1st grade…when I was in high school the doctor had my mom restrict the artificial sweetener Aspertame from my diet. While I do still get the occasional migraine, they are nowhere near what they once were.
3. I’m sorry to hear about your friend. In your friend’s defense (sort of) one of the first steps to getting better is admitting your addictions to the people you care about..that is a clue that he might really be trying. However, those with serious additions usually have multiple attempts to quit before they are successful..if they are. I know the information doesn’t help much…but I can say that from experiences with friends…some people do find the strength to break those addictions and get better…I have seen it. I have a few friends that have been involved in some scary stuff and have found their way out permanently. I don’t know how you feel about all offers like this…but I will say a novena for your friend.