Today's MOSTLY TRUE SHORT STORY: The Epiphany

While on one of my daily sojourners through town, I was approaching the local "Y" when I noticed a young couple heading towards me. They caught my eye immediately because they were, well, so different.

Walking arm in arm, I would estimate they were probably late teens, maybe 20. Even as I got closer, it was still hard to tell exactly. Everything about them defied the norm. Their over-all appearance made it even difficult to identify their gender. I the past, we may have called them asexual or, more accurately, androgynous. Today, I believe non-binary is preferred. Personally, I like the latest term. It implies more of a choice.

One was covered by a long, black coat. He/she had medium length, dark hair with blue high lights. His/her eyes were covered in dark makeup. If not for a rather youthful countenance, you might describe his/her appearance as goth.

The other had light hair, mostly blonde but with multi-color tips. In great contrast to the darkness of the other, she/he was wearing a brightly colored top, pleated skirt, and multi-colored long stockings.

They seemed in great spirits and were obviously enjoying each others company.  As I passed, I sensed that the dark one was aware of my interest and gave a slight, wry smile.

If they only knew the plethora of thoughts and emotion that were coursing through my brain!

At first, I felt a wave of standard judgment:

Why would someone want to look like that?

Were they lovers or just good friends?

What are their parents like? Are their parents embarrassed by them? 

Are they aware that people stare?

Do they care?

Should they care?

Then I had an epiphany.

I've always been good with live and let live. Ultimately - and the key word is ultimately - I get there. What you do in your time and space is your business and what I think has no bearing.

However, this was something more; I didn't just accept them. I liked that they were different. They were creative and having fun. They were defiant and enjoyed being that way. They were very much what they wanted to be.

I found it refreshing.

Really.

So, as I passed, I smiled, too - a good, genuine, feel good smile.

There's plenty of room for everyone.

Today's MOZEN: Say NO to Bullies!

There are some that mistake a bully for a tough guy (or woman).

But, bullies are not. In fact, the truth of the matter is quite the opposite.

Have you ever heard the slogan; when the going gets tough, the tough get going?

Yeah, well, bullies get going - right out the back door!

Sure, they can be intimidating. Intimidation is one of the most important weapons in their arsenal. However, when confronted by a situation that requires real courage, true sacrifice, and genuine tenacity, they fail.

Miserably.

Terribly.

Always.

That's why it's important to stand up to them. They are creatures that feed on fear. The more they perceive, the greater the sense of false courage they feel. It gives them license to be abusive. Therefore, you must always confront a bully; quickly and decisively.

I know that this is not always easy. Bullies often posses a physical make-up that gives them an appearance of strength. No one wants a potential beatdown! And, whereas as truly tough individual would use that as a positive attribute, i.e. protect the innocent, the bully uses ANY perceived superiority, particularly a physical one, to their best advantage.

They bluster.

They rage.

They threaten.

It's all about them and getting what they want, when they want it.

Unfortunately, these tactics can be effective. It's the reason WHY they use them - over and over again.

Therefore, it's SO important to confront a bully!

I'm no psychologist, but I do believe I have a good understanding of human nature. And, I believe that bullying behavior is a defense mechanism employed to hide deeply rooted insecurities. It almost seems to be inversely proportional: the deeper the sense of their own lack of value, the more the need to devalue others.

Look. I am not a physically imposing person. So, in that sense, I'm not that tough. As a kid, I was on the short end of virtually every confrontation I ever had. And, I had lots of them - because, at some point, I just wasn't taking ANY shit from anyone, particularly a bully.

Sure, I took some lumps - lots of them! And, like everyone I guess, I'd rather avoid getting the shit kicked out of me on a regular basis by some over-muscled troglodyte. However, from my experience I came to realize that if one doesn't step up to a bully at some point, the behavior will continue and you will be eternally shat upon. So, to my way of thinking, you might as well confront them sooner rather than later. Because, believe me, by their very nature, if a bully knows that you will ALWAYS fight back - no matter the consequence - they will stop. A bully's entire Raison d'etre is to take the path of least resistance. They are not interested in hard fought victories - only ones cheaply gained.

Well, not on my dime.

This post is not about one person. It's about a behavior - not politics. However, I can't help but think about the word bully without a image of former President Donald J. Trump firmly planted in my mind's eye. Forgive me for the hackneyed joke but, if you look up bully in the dictionary you will see a photo of him next to the definition.

Mr. Trump possess all the necessary traits of a classic bully: he's a large man, about 6'2" (6'5" with his hair) and over 270 lbs. He's loud and uses that volume to drown out the voices of others - literally. He has fame which he leverages to ultimately to his own advantage. If he perceives a weakness in ANYONE, rather than offer help he attacks without mercy. He doesn't want to just defeat you. He wants to destroy you.

Some, i.e. his followers, for some strange reason, interpret this behavior as strong or tough. It is neither. This is simply the Cult of Personality: he sells them an image and they are insecure enough in themselves to buy it.

He continues to sell his BIG LIE, i.e. the 2020 election was stolen from him, simply because in typical bully fashion, he cannot acknowledge THE FACT that he lost.

Typical.

That's not tough.

It's pathetic.

Give Me Another Beer!!!

Life is like drinking an icy cold beer on a blistering hot day after laying 20 miles of stinking, steaming asphalt -

You suck it down with reckless abandon, the excess pouring out of the sides of your mouth and dripping down your open shirt. You gulp it down so fast that it even hurts a bit.

But, you don't give a shit. You want it - now.

It's your Highway To The Danger Zone!!!

I ain't no stinkin' co-pilot.

I'm flyin' this plane.

Bad To The Bone.

Master of My Own Destiny.

It's win or go home.

And, I'm good with that.

Now, give me another beer!!!!

Today's MOZEN: The Written Word

It's been a while, my friends.

I've been derelict in my duties.

I have not posted any original writing in a couple of weeks now (some might say that I haven't posted anything original in a couple of years - if ever).

There have been a number of excuses.

Some of them legitimate - like, preparing for school and trying to help with the care of a 97 year-old mother.

Others, not so much - like, I don't give a shit (or worse, nobody gives a shit).

And, I need another bourbon.

Not that many quite noticed (more later). 

But, sooner or later, I will always come back to the written word - no matter what form it may take. Writing is both my addiction AND my salvation. Because such is life. And, the writer, the good writer, is the conduit to it.

Parker said it best: "I hate to write. I love having written."

Words are like old friends; they come and go but, in the end, they are always available when you need them. You may have to search a bit for them, but they're there.

So, here they are - here WE are. 

Together.

Even if just for a few moments.

We are connected - united.

In a way that is uniquely human.

With words.

Virtually ALL animals communicate in one form or another. Some may use a simple series of clicks or grunts. Others my be as sophisticated as dolphins and whales who use sonar and echo location as a means of communication. Or, mysterious, like insects who use smell!

However, ONLY humans communicate by a method that is both visual as well as audible - i.e., it is written/read AND spoken.

Yet, my numbers, i.e. the amount of people who actually read my shit is pitiful, at least my today's so-called Influencer standards. I'm not sure how to change that. Perhaps, I should give more tips on makeup or shoes. The Kardashian/Jenners get millions, I get 25 - not millions - VIEWS.

But, you know, it doesn't matter.

It ain't ZERO - and never has been been.

And, I feel better to just having done it. . .