Alienation
I've been known to do a stupid thing every now and then. But what most don't know about me is that I usually don't need a reason to do them. I call these my "Bart Simpson moments". Example, after being left stranded at my work place late one night "back in the day" (I'll save you any curiosity & just say it was back in my native land), I was forced to spend the night at the office, since it was a solid 15 mile trip home. While roaming the inner courtyard of my work place, I came upon a large sign that was used to "point" visitors in the direction of the offices or departments that they wished to visit. Now, these offices/departments were labeled according to their specific function. Now, seeing as how I had a magic marker, an above-average proficiency in the English language & no qualms about vandalism, I proceeded to "alter" certain aspects of the sign. While I won't dive into the details of my alterations, I will admit that, by the removal and addition of certain letters, the "Photography Department" became the "Pornography Department". It would've been a hilarious prank, had it not been for a visiting delegation who arrived the next day and expressed an "insistent" desire to visit the "altered" department. Unlike most of the big wigs who knew I was guilty, my boss made an effort to at least ask me if I was responsible before he went to reprimand me for it. And while I will admit I had done something unbecoming of an "employee" (for lack of a better term, as anyone who's ever "worked" in Eritrea will tell you", it did give me a first-hand experience of the concept of "guilty before prove innocent".
Now, I open with this because I've been receiving a certain degree of flack in regards to a certain aspect of my Facebook page, which I will share with you. When I had discovered the ability to post pictures there, I was caught by a sense of random thought, being that while I like the idea of posting pictures of the experiences I have had, I feel like I needed something a bit more.....personal. And through that, I created "My peoples".
My peoples is a photo album that was, and is, dedicated to certain individuals that have been in my life, who have shaped me and structured me into the person I am. Granted, I am not the worlds best writer or most gifted lyricist or even the best person, but my presence on this earth has been altered, for better or worse, by the individuals posted in the album. This album is simply a dedication to them, a shout-out, if you will, to the people that I value, the folks who are the reason I am who I am, I do what I do, I believe what I believe.
However, I have, on several occasions, gotten some negative feedback and personal attacks from individuals who have been "spurned" by my album. Either by their absence in this album or their lack of an adequate testimonial. Several individuals have even gone for far as to express feelings of pain and ingratitude on my part for not being mentioned in this album. And while I do acknowledge these folks, I will set the record straight right here and now.
BITE ME, YOU EGOTISTICAL, SELF-RIGHTEOUS MAGGOTS!!!!!!! Now, the gentleman in me feels that I should apologies for that outburst and find a more diplomatic way to express my feelings, but hell, the cat's already outta the bag now. Besides, why hold back now?
This album is not just pictures of individuals who I have nice things to say about. They are a representation of the people I care for, the folks in my life who matter, period. I put them up their, not to stroke their collective ego or blow smoke up their behinds, but to express my love and appreciation for the contributions that they have made in my life, in my upbringing, in my whole existence. Its not a dedication, its simply an expression of the fact. Any sentiment expressed in words for the said individuals are heartfelt and accurate to the best of my knowledge.
Admittedly, there were a few individuals there who are no longer there and even one or two who were put up there, but had not received "adequate praise". My response to that is the same as to my response for those absent. Your description is equal to the contribution you've made. In the event circumstances had changed, resulting in us being less than cordial, I had responded by making my own "alterations" to the album dynamic, for the sake of authenticity and accuracy.
Bottom line, if you're in my album, you're important to me. If you find that you're not there anymore, or never were, then the question you should be asking is "What happened between us", not "How come"? But then, the answer might be a bit of a rude awakening.
If there're any folks who have thus far felt a sense of offense by this, then I urge you to walk away now. I urge you because, as I've said from the very first post, I'm an asshole with an opinion. You're welcome to disagree with it and even challenge it, but do not disregard it. My thoughts matter. Your sense of alienation does not. And as far as people go, you're in my life, so long as you serve a function, a purpose, be it the betterment of our respective selves, the mutual gain that can come from our continued interaction or just for the fun of it. I may not be the best people person, but I won't judge or write you off, simply because you piss me off. But, I will handle mine in any way I see fit. And if you can't understand that, then fine. I just ask that you "don't have a cow, man".
Now, I open with this because I've been receiving a certain degree of flack in regards to a certain aspect of my Facebook page, which I will share with you. When I had discovered the ability to post pictures there, I was caught by a sense of random thought, being that while I like the idea of posting pictures of the experiences I have had, I feel like I needed something a bit more.....personal. And through that, I created "My peoples".
My peoples is a photo album that was, and is, dedicated to certain individuals that have been in my life, who have shaped me and structured me into the person I am. Granted, I am not the worlds best writer or most gifted lyricist or even the best person, but my presence on this earth has been altered, for better or worse, by the individuals posted in the album. This album is simply a dedication to them, a shout-out, if you will, to the people that I value, the folks who are the reason I am who I am, I do what I do, I believe what I believe.
However, I have, on several occasions, gotten some negative feedback and personal attacks from individuals who have been "spurned" by my album. Either by their absence in this album or their lack of an adequate testimonial. Several individuals have even gone for far as to express feelings of pain and ingratitude on my part for not being mentioned in this album. And while I do acknowledge these folks, I will set the record straight right here and now.
BITE ME, YOU EGOTISTICAL, SELF-RIGHTEOUS MAGGOTS!!!!!!! Now, the gentleman in me feels that I should apologies for that outburst and find a more diplomatic way to express my feelings, but hell, the cat's already outta the bag now. Besides, why hold back now?
This album is not just pictures of individuals who I have nice things to say about. They are a representation of the people I care for, the folks in my life who matter, period. I put them up their, not to stroke their collective ego or blow smoke up their behinds, but to express my love and appreciation for the contributions that they have made in my life, in my upbringing, in my whole existence. Its not a dedication, its simply an expression of the fact. Any sentiment expressed in words for the said individuals are heartfelt and accurate to the best of my knowledge.
Admittedly, there were a few individuals there who are no longer there and even one or two who were put up there, but had not received "adequate praise". My response to that is the same as to my response for those absent. Your description is equal to the contribution you've made. In the event circumstances had changed, resulting in us being less than cordial, I had responded by making my own "alterations" to the album dynamic, for the sake of authenticity and accuracy.
Bottom line, if you're in my album, you're important to me. If you find that you're not there anymore, or never were, then the question you should be asking is "What happened between us", not "How come"? But then, the answer might be a bit of a rude awakening.
If there're any folks who have thus far felt a sense of offense by this, then I urge you to walk away now. I urge you because, as I've said from the very first post, I'm an asshole with an opinion. You're welcome to disagree with it and even challenge it, but do not disregard it. My thoughts matter. Your sense of alienation does not. And as far as people go, you're in my life, so long as you serve a function, a purpose, be it the betterment of our respective selves, the mutual gain that can come from our continued interaction or just for the fun of it. I may not be the best people person, but I won't judge or write you off, simply because you piss me off. But, I will handle mine in any way I see fit. And if you can't understand that, then fine. I just ask that you "don't have a cow, man".
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