Useless fact of the day:

In order for a deck of cards to be mixed up enough to play with properly, it should be shuffled at least seven times.

Arh, well, I'm sitting on my vacation here now, and what better time than this moment of tranquility to rant about whatever is on ones mind?

So what is on my mind? Well, since my last blab, (the real one, #31, about Ideals and such) I've had some discussions around the place about what I said. The point we discussed the most was basically level of self-sacrifice (When it all boilt down to something that is). Now how did we get into that? Well, in my Blab, I get into self-control and the likes. And I basically say that when encountering less interesting individuals, try and reason with them. Others on the other hand prefer to not waste time and energy on such individuals at all, as it will simply drain yourself, since it's rather pointless. They could be right ofcourse, and it's probably the more realistic choice, since one person cannot expect to reason with everyone, please all and save the world.

But hey, I'm an old-fashioned hopeful and hopelessly romantic Gnug I guess. But on the other hand, I can also get quite lost of hope sometimes, and yell out quite harshly about the utter stupidity and apathy sometimes showing in some people and society in general. Like for instance that conversation that Gnug315 and I had, which he has posted as Blab #32.

Now don't get me wrong there, I love Christmas as much as the next Guy. But how much is that exactly? How much does the next Guy love Christmas? Do people actually like Christmas in its essence? Or do they just like it as much as any other holiday/vacation or excuse to party? I think that what I was trying to say was that if Christmas isn't special to you, then don't celebrate it, or try to. But hey, who am I to preach? :)

To get off of that subject, then on to the next one, closely related. I don't think I quite finished the Ideal Blabbing, and will try to pick up on somethings I felt I missed out on.
        To try to function normally in this society, some things are required/demanded of each and everyone. And while common curtisy and mature conduct is something one should think everyone practiced, the realistic perspective makes you realize that it's not so. On the contrary.
        In essence, society relies on the normal person to abide to a set of unwritten rules and laws. These unwritten laws are those we learn as children. Act nice, be good, don't burp in public and so on. And while burping in public is something all should be free to do (Can't recommend it though), Acting nice, good, sensible and non-hostile should almost be required laws aswell as any other law. I know that it would all go bonkers if it was put to effect, but seriously, Morally and ethically, we are free to do as we pretty much like and feel. I'm not talking about criminal acts here, more Moral Crimes. Those small moral wrong-doings that we commit on a daily basis. If you deny that you commit these at all, then you're more guilty than the rest of us. To realize ones mistakes is one of the most important lessons to be taught. To realize them, to observe what other people think is wrong, while at the same time not letting yourself being dictated by others. Set yourself a set of rules to live by, but be prepared to change them as you learn and mature. Flexibility and objectivity are important trades aswell. To be totally ignorant of ones mistakes can prove fatal. Respecting others that deserve it, and be able to walk away from those who don't, and not just follow the first thing that comes into your mind, and some ammount of self-sacrifice and unselfishness can go a long way too. I'm probably sounding as if this is news to you all, but I know it isn't (I sure don't hope so, hehe). But these are things we should keep in mind everyday, sort of personal directives which remind yourself to do the right thing, and ofcourse what IS the right thing. You will find many a regret in situations where you over-reacted, or reacted wrong if you have your heart in your right place aswell as your pride. The right places for those 2 are very different. Pride has it's time, but you must swallow it from time to time, and just learn not to build up your own pride and set it on some pinnacle where it will hurt too much when it falls down. Follow your heart they say, and I agree most of the time, but there comes many a time where you have to let your heart down to do the right thing. And doing the right thing is what you'll have to learn on your own, and if you're not being too selfish, things will usually not go all that wrong. The individual set of values has a part here however. Some value careers, work, materials and personal gain and success above teh true values. This I will go as far as to claim as being downright wrong. But well, that's my opinion, and I will let people have their opinions to themselves, tho I won't miss an opportunity to argument with them about it. Trying to persuade or just ridicule them will never do any good. But to sensibly convey your reasons and arguments that make you see your opinions as the right thing is much more reasonable and also prone to success. At the same time don't just ignore them or instantly disagree, but rather listen to their statements, question them and discuss them. Learn the art of discussion. Because it IS an art.

Now that I've stated my viewpoints here in a rather exclamatory and dictational manner, you should not just swallow it whole. Right there, I used the word "should" again, as if to demand that you all do what I say. I will demand something again now: Don't ! Don't do what I say just because I say so, if you do it, it should be because you wanted to, because you felt it was the right thing. And if all that I've just said wasn't straight after your head, but some of it, that doesn't mean you totally disagree with me and my entire person. But we disagree on a few points, and we could probably get a lot of time passing by maturely discussing the pro's and con's with our different view points.

A person once said: "Question Everything!". And that's true. But remember to question even the demand to question.

I think I got said what I wanted, at any rate, I meant well :)

/me get's off the soap box, and is done preaching for today.