Monday, December 30, 2013

Retrospective 2013: No holds barred


Juzno:  What were your highlights for 2013?

Rob:  A lot of things.  We are so blessed by the Lord.  I think my photography is better.  I've learned a few skills.  I made some new friends.  I am not as stressed as I used to.  I am also not as angry as I was before.  Kamilah is doing well in her pHD program.  And Rose is growing strong in the Lord.  After 36 years, I finally got in touch with my cousins.  Etc.Etc.

Juzno:  What were your low moments?

Rob:  Some disappointments, of course.  Rejection.  But I am not as bummed as I used to.

Juzno:  What changed?

Rob:  I realized that God has not rejected me.  So even if people rejects me, I know I am still ahead.

Juzno:  You talked about rejection.  Can you elaborate?

Rob:  Growing up I was rejected by the most important people in my life.  My father initially rejected me … that was before I was born.  My step family rejected me at one point in time.  Except my brother - he always treated me as a brother - though I'm not sure what that meant at that time.  Eventually I think I got accepted by some people but I am not sure how to respond to their kindness.  I've build a wall from all those years of rejection.  I am learning to remove bits of the wall but it's a slow and painful process.

Juzno:  When was the last time you were rejected?

Rob:  I think of my art and I am disappointed that not too many people appreciate art.  Even those at church, there are those who are theologically astute and yet think that art is dangerous.  It is as though art is not part of the Christian sphere.  I mean if Christians are to redeem life and the world - why is it that people find it hard to recognize that art too can be redeemed for the Lord?  But that's the way it is.  You would think that Christians should be more open to art than nonbelievers.  But you know that's true across the board.  The world in general is suspicious about art.  That's because it has always been in the realm of the secular and the profane.

Juzno:  Do you have other beef with your fellow Christians?

Rob:  Of course.  But by God's grace I am learning to restrain myself.

Juzno:  Do you feel that sometimes you have more in common with non-Christians?

Rob:  Sad to say yes.  Christians can sometimes dwell in the goody-happy view of the world.  To think of dark things is anathema.  Yet the writer of Ecclesiastes talked about the darkness and the meaningless of this world.  To ignore that such things exist is I think burying one's head in the sand - so to speak.  Years ago when I was going through depression people would tell me that I didn't have much faith because my outlook in life was bleak and dark.  This it seems to me inflicts much pain to the person suffering.  Fortunately I have not come across too many people like them.

Juzno:  What are your wishes for 2014?

Rob:  I hope Obamacare would be repealed - but that's not going to happen anytime soon.  I wish for the economy to get better.  No matter what the media reports, the economy is far worse than ever.  More importantly, I wish that people would repent from their wayward ways.  The last couple of years, I've noticed that sin has been diminished.  People refer to it as "mistakes" or "shortcoming".  I believe that the reason this country is so messed up is because we deserve it.  We did this to ourselves.

Juzno:  There are those who will say that you are hypocritical and bigoted and racist.

Rob:  That reminds of G. K. Chesterton, "What people call impartiality may simply mean indifference, and what people call partiality may simply mean mental activity."

Juzno:  Please explain.

Rob:  It's all in the head.

Juzno:  Thanks for taking this time.  Have a happy New Year.


Rob:  And blessings to you, my friend.

The night I met the three wise men


Juzno:  Hey, you guys are the famous three kings.

Magi:  Actually, we are not kings.  We are really Magi.  And we are actually four not three.

Juzno:  You know I never knew what your names are.

Magi:  I'm John.  These blokes here are Paul and George.  Ringo is sick so he couldn't make it.

Juzno:  Where are you headed right now?

Magi:  We are going to pay homage to the newborn king but first we plan to stop by Times Square to observe the dropping of the ball.

Juzno:  Cool.  I've been meaning to ask - how was Herod like?

Magi:  A bit of a stiff we suppose.

Juzno:  So is it true that you guys are also musicians?

Magi:  We are jacks of all trades.  Paul is the talented one and George is the silent one.  Ringo is ringo.  I am just the Walrus - coo coo co choo.

Juzno:  What is your message to the world?

Magi:  Give peace a chance.


Sunday, December 29, 2013

What I Like About You


The struggle itself towards the heights is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy. - Albert Camus


Life.  What is it?  It is fleeting.  It is short.  Life is like a cigar.  It is smoked and it reaches a point when there is no more.  Okay, that is so retarded and corny.  Let me try again.

I had lunch with a friend the other day and he complained that his wife does not understand him.  He has been married for over 23 years and he still could not connect with his wife.  Whenever they have a disagreement he  would make amends by buying her gifts - a Louis Vuitton bag or maybe a Cartier watch.

He tells her how much he loves her… what it is he likes about her.

Yet he couldn't connect. 

I wonder what she is thinking. Why is it so hard to connect?

Man has always been alienated with fellow man.  Man has been alienated with God.  Man has been alienated with nature.  This has been the problem since the beginning.  This is the pattern of life.  So why do we go on?  Since this is the case, it would seem that life is meaningless.  I know it is.  Man's attempt to provide meaning is futile. 

And yet we must undergo life. 


You cannot create experience. You must undergo it. - Albert Camus

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Bear Christmas


Juzno: What did Santa got you for Christmas?

Bear Christmas:  I don't believe in Santa anymore.

Junzo:  Really?  What do you believe in?

Bear Christmas:  Amazon and UPS.

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Hoping your Christmas be merry and bright.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Georgia on my mind (Indifferent to the world)


Georgia randomly talking to herself: "I bifurcate. One moment I was glad to break away from Russell. But now I question myself -- why the heck am leaving him? Leaving ... is that the same as running away? (I think the creep with the camera has been taking my photos. Doesn't he know that it is illegal to do that? Or is it? How does he know what I'm thinking? I digress...) It feels like it's going to rain outside. Why do people talk about the weather when there is nothing else to talk about? When is Mayer going to make another album? I can't wait. Am I there yet?"

Saturday, December 07, 2013

In my life (iii)


Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies. – Nelson Mandela

Monday, December 02, 2013

Cyber Veggie Monday


While folks are scrounging for cyber deals, I got the best deal this cyber Monday.  Cyber Veggies.  They were the same items that Starship Enterprise took with them on their voyage to the last frontier.  It was rumored that Spock's favorite was the Vulcan squash.  Can you identify which one is it in the photo?