I went to a concert last night and had a great time
Afterwards, I stopped by the Big Boy to recover, by taking advantage of the all-you-can-eat soup and salad bar.
At the table next to me were a couple of women having a conversation. Now, for the most part, I wasn't even paying attention to them. But before I was about to get up and pay my bill, I overheard one of them decribe their understanding of the "American Dream."
She then proceeded to describe the so-called American Dream as so much bullshit. The fact that people pursue it by seeking possessions, up to the point where they're owned by those possessions, and that it is a huge lie. She talked about her husband, who felt that he had to go away and earn enough money to buy the things that typified the American Dream, that he actually had to tell her that he couldn't spend any time at home with his family.
All for what, she said, for some overpriced house full of things and maybe even a week's vacation once a year, if they're lucky? Instead, she feels trapped by her own possessions.
I sat there before leaving and smiled to just myself. Knowing that, even some of the people who play this game actually know how rigged it is. They can even admit it to themselves.
Unfortunately, we're talking about Americans. We have this really bad habit of keeping our own bullshit from allowing us to act against it.
I hope that that lady and her husband figures out a way to achieve a true American Dream, instead of this maze of lies on which they were first sold.
At least she took the first step by admitting she had a problem. It's a big first step, indeed.
Edited to add the pics from my crappy-assed, now deceased Vivitar camera:
Schoolboy Q
Disclosure
= new reply since forum marked as read
get into an Audi when she left? Have a smartphone with a $250.00 a month data plan, a Gucci purse and shoes.
I don't get to hobnob with the richies but for gauds sake, all that shit takes a lot of money to maintain and if your
neighbor has it, well let's just say, so do they.
Remember George Carlins take on the American dream, "you'd have to be asleep to believe it"
glad you had a great time at the concert. whatcha see?
(lək)
noun
1. success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one's own actions.
That line jumped out at me when I saw the ad.
And coming from someone who I really don't know and is currently on time out, for making... What is this, SIX ruled TOS violations in the last 90 days.
(This is to our good friend, Rudy Red, with the hidden posts 
Just between you and I, I'll even pray to your god (Mine is on permanent vacay, sunning in the Med or some such nice place) that you come back to us, so that we both can address your depiction of me as a person who likes to make shit up so that it may fit with my political point of view.
One of the things that I would love to discuss with you, my friend (if you'd wish), is the topic of my own political point of view. Perhaps, we can both compare our own views to each other.
I'm sure that you and I will make for quite a both invigorating and enlightening conversation, if you're able to make it back to posting mode intact someday.
I'll be here, waiting for you, my friend. That's a promise.
In the meantime, I would be remiss by not pointing out that I'm also a frequent poster on The Discussionist site. If you want to take me up there, Red, I will be honored by the privilege of discussing your opinion of me. After all, that's why I'm there in the first place. Really, true story, Bro.
Anyway, sorry for missing you the first two times you chimed in on my thread before you had to leave us. I was asleep, still trying to recover from all the fun I was having last night.
Today is movie day. Gonna go see Guardians OF The Galxay, I think, at the matinee!
So, I'll be waiting for you either here or at the Dis., Red Bro. Let's have a good ol' time, shall we?
I saw Arcade Fire, they rocked! 