me: Anything interesting in the mail today?
Crow: Not really.
Here's a 'You're not covering the cost of all these mailings' charity request.
You got a 'You're not attractive enough' women's magazine with an article on swimsuits that minimize all your bodily flaws.
Here are some 'You're not stylish enough or ostentatious enough' catalogs - and coincidentally, an invitation to go deeper into debt from a credit card company.
And here's a news magazine to identify the trend of the week you're missing.
me: Yikes! Why do I get the feeling that society is trying to make us discontented with everything about who we are?
Crow: I suppose if people thought about real issues and needs instead of manufactured desires, the economy would collapse and we'd have total anarchy.
me: So pitching this junk would make me some kind of terrorist, eh?
Crow: Yes, it's your patriotic duty to buy distractions from a simple life. *
* Our conversation is a slightly revised version of one between Calvin's (of Calvin and Hobbes) beleaguered parents in 1994. It ends with this:
Calvin: Hey, Mom and Dad! I just saw a bunch of products on TV that I didn't know existed, but I desperately need!
♡
It would appear things haven't changed much, but for the fact all this arrives online too :)
Oh boy, did that hit its mark! I go to conferences like that as well. Well maybe not that bad. Leadership conferences where we are the world and we lead by example, ha ha. And this also covers all the Monsanto commercials I've ever sort of seen out of the corner of my eye. :\
ReplyDeleteIt's a great one, isn't it? I know just what you mean when you say you've attended meetings like that, Lib. Me too. Monsanto, Shell, Exxon, etc., and even some companies that provide mercenaries. :(
DeleteUff. Don't get me started.
DeleteLooks like we already did :)
DeleteWhat a video! Are you sure Crow didn't write that? Has his tongue-in-cheek...in-beak, I mean...prints all over it.
ReplyDeleteUh...that didn't come out right, but I don't know how to make it any better.
ReplyDeleteYou got it just right, Martha. I think Crow had some input with these friends of his who made it :)
DeleteNice picture, Crow looking up to where the fallen piano had descended. Sort of has a Groucho Marx look in a way. I may be lucky in one aspect of my attention....I can ignore things, they just don't register, nor is anything 'saved' to a memory bank in my brain. I could not tell you what commercials I've seen, nor ads here on the 'net. Literally. The test proof is that when I see one, nothing is triggered in memory, I don't think "Oh, yeah, this is...". I simply have never seen it before.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it laps over into other things I should remember, people....one's who I say "Hi, I'm....." .....they say "yes, we've met three times before..."
Thanks, Mike. I kind of like the picture too - it's always amazed me just how expressive Crow can be. You're definitely one of the lucky ones that none of this stuff registers for you. Better to have it slide right off than to soak (or drown) in the deluge.
DeleteI can't recall where, but I do remember hearing about a place where it's considered polite for people to say their own name when they meet. Sounds good to me.
I'm currently reading a book about the Algonquin Round Table, Dorothy Parker et.al. I've changed my mind, Crow looks like Harpo, not Groucho.
DeleteYou could be right as far as his appearance is concerned, but he's far too dignified to make anyone hold his leg and I've never once heard him blow a little horn.
DeleteI have fantasies of shutting it all off. This post and that video made logging on worth it today.
ReplyDeleteHi!
Hi! So happy to see you again.
DeleteWe shut off the cable TV years ago, but the cable computer link-up is still running strong. My theory is it's best to keep an eye on the b*#tards.
Are you talking about nasty bastards, dear Susan? :)
DeleteWhy, yes I did! :)
DeleteThe problem is that the overwhelming mass of the population is employed (if they are indeed employed) doing jobs that keep other people employed.......keep other people employed........keep other people employed........keep other people employed, to the detriment of the planet. Simplistic comment perhaps, but who are the people doing the real jobs?
ReplyDeleteI agree, Tom. I guess the truth is there aren't that many doing work that really needs to be done. Instead, too many underprivileged people, including children, suffer to keep a largely bloated economy staggering along.
DeleteAh, . . . and the painting! :)
ReplyDeleteSo pleased you like it, my dear friend :)
DeleteOh, you have hit on a major pet peeve of mine! The online stuff drives me nuts, so much so that I rarely seach with G... which pops up ads from the tow or three online stores I do busines with. I've been using DuckDuckGo instead so no ads, no tracking my movements. If only I could get rid of the paper versions as easily such as the requests to buy insurance from our alma mater with two copies of the same mail, with boht our names on each - argh!
ReplyDeleteLove that Crow! The setting reminds me of photos of the now deteriorated grand buildings in Detroit.
I've been using DDG for a couple of years too, Marja-Leena, and only occasionally use G. What I did even before moving to DDG was to install an ad blocker program. This one is very good but if it doesn't suit you all you have to do is search for one you'd prefer. As far as the mail is concerned, there's a trash can very close to our mail box :)
DeleteCrow is delighted to hear you like this image of him. Yes, deteriorated grand building in Detroit was the inspiration.
I really like that drawing
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Andrew.
DeleteI no longer have a television , but I still seem to want plenty of things that I can't afford. right now I worry about money for shoes and a pair of wellies as mine are about worn through. and one thing I can't stand is wet feet.
ReplyDeleteWhile we haven't watched television for years either, Claire, it's close to impossible not to want anything. A new pair of shoes or boots is far from overindulgence.
DeleteHi Susan
ReplyDeleteI love your splendid picture of Crow whose consternation appears more real to me than any photograph. My interpretation of your wonderful picture is of Crow visiting the ruins of yesteryear, whose grandeur is evident in the outline of once a grand building, gazing over what appears to me to an old broken grand piano. Those were the days when you gathered around the piano to entertain one another to enjoy fellowship and good spirits in song and in laughter. Great post and thoughts Susan
Best wishes
Hi Lindsay,
DeleteYour interpretation proves Crow and I got the picture just right.
Thank you :)