Here and Now...What's Happening?

[Malerogro]

Ahhh ... livin' in the past again ...

ain't here n now ... yet perhaps offers some insight ... at least to old farts like me ...

Don't worry Calz, you will get here again! Though if you are such an old fart it might take you longer than a young dog like me

[Christine]

Posted by Nanoo Nanoo (here)
hey all

havent seen you in a while

felt like writing something interesting and useful but i got nothin ...

meh


N

Nanoo Nanoo

I feel the same way, wanting to "write something useful" - I have for a few days now. I am not sure what is up, energies are low, feels like a damper has been laid down.

This too shall pass.

Christine

[ulli]

Posted by ulli (here)

Posted by justoneman (here)

Posted by Flash (here)
i am ok with your name chester and most of your avatars, except the half naked women with a clown face, it reaaalllly made me quite sad, as if women could not be thermselves and had to disguised in clown faces while giving their body away. It is definitely no better than tchadors and hijabs as far as I am concerned, just the plain opposite.

Justoneclown, where did I post that previous post about your previous avatar? I cannot find it, I must be going nut.

Its Funny but I never even considered the clothes... that's what blew my mind - I guess it is because I don't view anyone as an object which, of course, means women and men. I lived in Curacao for 8 years and it changed me a lot. Go to the beach for example and you almost can't find a woman with a top on. But what's even better about all that is... that no one cares. Its just being natural. So I guess I just changed and don't see those things like it seems lots of folks in "western society" seem to see them in this regard. BUT! Still, I am allowed to be a member of this forum and I appreciate that and thus, was easy to understand the views some take here and that they saw something in my clown persona especially that pic which I failed to.

So I asked Paul to change me back (Christine also asked me to change it back).

I guess having to move back to Texas and that so many folks had changed their poster names recently, I thought it was time for a change...

Anyways, I hope Paul changes it back. Hope you folks give me a pass on this one, I will try not to do something dumb like that again.

Oh, I think the mods deleted our posts as it was thread derailing anyways - I won't bring it up again.

EDIT: Paul changed it back! OK, "clown phase" officially over (for good). I sure hope this wasn't some "attention getting stunt" my subconscious conjured... Hummm.

I guess you still missed the point....the issue was not about prudishness versus liberal, or natural....
we are not a bunch of Church Ladies here...it was more a matter of context, perhaps....
about being subtle rather than crass....

Posted by Malerogro (here)

Children are sexualized too young and in the wrong way. Our current culture, where every time you turn around there is an explicit ad selling something we probably do not need or TV show is sick.

Here and now I am writing a paper about this for my studies in anthropology. Are you familiar with the book "Erotic innocence: the culture of child molesting" from James R. Kincaid? The book shows how much child molesting has pervaded Western culture. It is a very powerful book, very to the point most of the time, though I might add that I do not trust the author. Still it is very much worth reading! Also the documentary "consuming kids" came to mind:

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=UNJvvYOtm6Q

This is brilliant, and anyone with kids ought to watch this.
It's time to shift the balance....

[Chester]

Posted by ulli (here)

Posted by justoneman (here)

Posted by Flash (here)
i am ok with your name chester and most of your avatars, except the half naked women with a clown face, it reaaalllly made me quite sad, as if women could not be thermselves and had to disguised in clown faces while giving their body away. It is definitely no better than tchadors and hijabs as far as I am concerned, just the plain opposite.

Justoneclown, where did I post that previous post about your previous avatar? I cannot find it, I must be going nut.

Its Funny but I never even considered the clothes... that's what blew my mind - I guess it is because I don't view anyone as an object which, of course, means women and men. I lived in Curacao for 8 years and it changed me a lot. Go to the beach for example and you almost can't find a woman with a top on. But what's even better about all that is... that no one cares. Its just being natural. So I guess I just changed and don't see those things like it seems lots of folks in "western society" seem to see them in this regard. BUT! Still, I am allowed to be a member of this forum and I appreciate that and thus, was easy to understand the views some take here and that they saw something in my clown persona especially that pic which I failed to.

So I asked Paul to change me back (Christine also asked me to change it back).

I guess having to move back to Texas and that so many folks had changed their poster names recently, I thought it was time for a change...

Anyways, I hope Paul changes it back. Hope you folks give me a pass on this one, I will try not to do something dumb like that again.

Oh, I think the mods deleted our posts as it was thread derailing anyways - I won't bring it up again.

EDIT: Paul changed it back! OK, "clown phase" officially over (for good). I sure hope this wasn't some "attention getting stunt" my subconscious conjured... Hummm.

I guess you still missed the point....the issue was not about prudishness versus liberal, or natural....
we are not a bunch of Church Ladies here...it was more a matter of context, perhaps....
about being subtle rather than crass....

Uh oh... I feel myself being pulled in here - If anyone wants to get into "the point(s)" as I have explored before here and been quite heavily rebuked, I would be happy too. But if I did, I would begin to put my membership "in jeopardy" as I would begin to come across as antagonistic and I would create the aura where some folks "might not feel safe."

So I will make a brief statement here from nothing but my heartfelt opinion sans emotion.

On one hand "we" here in Avalon (as well as the majority amongst humanity) want our "freedom" and yet, at the same time, we form groups of us who, through a group centric "mindset" begin to create and, as time rolls by, impose our own "group think" upon those who might attempt to join in with the group. This happens in almost all group settings. It starts out with the urge to be expressive (which requires the freedom to be allowed to and able to express) - (usually a leader type gets the ball rolling) and then as those who might be attracted to the leader guy or the idea behind the creation of the group start to enter into the group scene, the group creates its own persona. The problem is that human beings change and the group persona resists change. Usually the leader guy (and or "founding mothers and fathers) have formed an attachment to the group (a strange way of generating and maintaining self worth) and have their identity wrapped up into the group.

By not allowing the most natural form of manifestation within any realm of form to occur (which is the freedom to change), the group ends up preventing "freedom" which in many cases was the very motivating factor in generating the group in the first place.

Please, do not think I am implying this thread was created with freedom in mind, but I have a feeling that "freedom for the human spirit" as one goal might have been a primary motivational factor in creating Avalon but I cannot know this for sure and have not been told this.

Why did I write all the above? Because (and I have been consistent from my earliest times here on Avalon) that the human being is held hostage by evil PTBs through their supposed "chakra" points which start with the lowest chakra which represents survival and then proceeds to the next chakra which is sex.

Clearly "they" have most of "us" in fear of our lives - something I got over thanks to this forum.

But before I came to this forum, I got over my self allowed hostage situation related to my second chakra and am totally free from being held hostage through my second chakra. What did I gain? The biggest single thing is that I totally and completely overcame any teensy tinsey shred of jealousy. This was such a relief. Note, I am happily married (and have been so for near 11 years now) and Cristina, my wife, is totally free to do whatever she desires that involves her thoughts, her words and her actions that relate to sex with regards to any 3rd party consenting adult and I have zero problem with it.

Do not mistake that I imply anyone else should adopt this attitude. I am only sharing my experience as someone who has and I am sharing the amazing freedom I live every single moment in part, because I have.

The only reason I share it is because I have high energy and am essentially stark raving free, I now create my experience in every way and I am living in a wonderland that when I was a child I always thought existed. At the same time I note that many others seem not to like the freedom I express by the way "I be" and so, in order to not be alone, I have to force myself to tone myself down.

Strange this world... very strange.

Anyway, at least I am back to being justoneman again but I wonder, should I change it to - justonebeing? I mean, to suggest gender in my name may be violating someone's PC, yes?

Ahhh, I am ok that I happen to be (at the level of my physical body) a human male. So I leave the name as is.

This has been one of my more interesting strolls through the village. Please, let me know if anyone wishes me to stay away for awhile and I will stay over in the Priority Threads section where the serious stuff is discussed.

[1inMany]

Here and Now, the cold rain has turned to sleet, th rhythmic plopping has given way to plinking. I gladly freeze, sitting here outside on the porch, for my modem is fried and I await a new one. This is M's favorite kind of weather, fitting for party day. The Universe delivered it especially for her, I bet. Last day of high school. So yes, I will gladly endure the chill.

I have experienced no greater joy than watching M's despair of only a week ago give way to the Hope of today.

Much Love,

[1inMany]

If I had a connection that was worth a darn, I would share Let It Be, and probably that whistley emoticon thingy. Just sayin ...

Much Love,

[Chester]

Posted by Ernie Nemeth (here)

Posted by astrid (here)
watching this
http://vimeo.com/55073825

OVERVIEW

"On the 40th anniversary of the famous ‘Blue Marble’ photograph taken of Earth from space, Planetary Collective presents a short
film documenting astronauts’ life-changing stories of seeing the Earth from the outside – a perspective-altering experience often
described as the Overview Effect.

The Overview Effect, first described by author Frank White in 1987, is an experience that transforms astronauts’ perspective of the planet
and mankind’s place upon it. Common features of the experience are a feeling of awe for the planet, a profound understanding of the
interconnection of all life, and a renewed sense of responsibility for taking care of the environment.

‘Overview’ is a short film that explores this phenomenon through interviews with five astronauts who have experienced the Overview Effect.
The film also features insights from commentators and thinkers on the wider implications and importance of this understanding for society,
and our relationship to the environment.

CAST
• EDGAR MITCHELL – Apollo 14 astronaut and founder of the Institute of Noetic Sciences
• RON GARAN – ISS astronaut and founder of humanitarian organization Fragile Oasis
• NICOLE STOTT – Shuttle and ISS astronaut and member of Fragile Oasis
• JEFF HOFFMAN – Shuttle astronaut and senior lecturer at MIT
• SHANE KIMBROUGH – Shuttle/ISS astronaut and Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army
• FRANK WHITE – space theorist and author of the book ‘The Overview Effect’
• DAVID LOY- philosopher and author
• DAVID BEAVER – philosopher and co-founder of The Overview Institute"

For some reason this made me think of Wade Frazier and his attempt to get a choir going. Once a certain number start singing everyone will suddenly want to sing too. And then suddenly FE devices will just almost magically appear everywhere. Nice idea. Always thought it was a good one...
Hope it works!

Clowns... ooops, "goofeballs" like me sometimes wander into villages and don't have proper context yet wanna just jump into the party. I just realized by reading your post, Ernie Nemeth, that the comment that got me rolling was a play on words made by spiritwind which I took in a totally different direction.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beavis_and_Butt-head

Thus I was doomed from the start and brought others down with me (another ooops).

But in an attempt to be serious, realize, I am simply expressing (albeit was doing so indirectly) the utter hypocrisy of this northern/western movie projection "we" endure. On one hand we are blasted with everything sexual via the media and experiential insinuation... and then on the other hand we are militant against natural freedoms.

You might say, what? militant? come on, Chester... we just expect that "comments" along these lines be "subtle rather than crass" and I truly understand this so I am not attempting to mock this statement.

What generates my ire is how is one supposed to "know" where than line is between "subtle" and "crass" when you are also stark raving free like me?

I am just asking for some understanding is all.

This is the very best manifestation of how we create our own "prison" in that we are divided by the two extremes but then we have stronger willed individuals who set a standard as to where that line is crossed which creates a third division between the two extremes. This sounds like a perfect way to generate a prison which is totally and entirely maintained by us prisoners (yes... me too... as clearly one could take my posts as imposing my freedom upon others).

This brings me to a new point in my journey - a point where I may have to take the ill fated step of expressing myself through my writings in a different venue... one that is not imposing my views on others (like I am doing here).

This has been a healthy exercise for me - thanks for indulging me.

[WhiteFeather]

Good Morning Villagers, Here and Now I'm watching an inspiring video. When we get down at times this video gives me some motivation.

Peace........W.f.

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=1zeb-k-XzaI

[astrid]

Check out this dog .... He is totally blind
but " sees" just fine

Sorry not you tube so can't embed...

http://www.wthitv.com/dpp/news/local...t#.UQwTZ6X-D8u

[WhiteFeather]

Posted by astrid (here)
Check out this dog .... He is totally blind
but " sees" just fine

Sorry not you tube so can't embed...

http://www.wthitv.com/dpp/news/local...t#.UQwTZ6X-D8u

Cheeka sees with her heart...awesome

[Calz]

I miss hearing from Dan.

I know it can be hard connecting on the road (in this case Peru I believe).

Last time I was overseas with family we were able to connect (barely) but I couldn't watch youtubes.


Hope you are doing fine ...

[CdnSirian]

Justoneman, perhaps you can understand that you chose an image that to most people implies bondage, slavery, exploitation, and less-than, whether it's intended or not. A culturally long standing (about a thousand years give or take) image that we have even been taught represents "freedom" to imitate said image and related behaviour, the ultimate in Matrix control.

Sorry to villagers if this conversation has become "serious" but I decided to throw in this observation.

Adding a bit: JOM: "This brings me to a new point in my journey - a point where I may have to take the ill fated step of expressing myself through my writings in a different venue... one that is not imposing my views on others (like I am doing here).

This has been a healthy exercise for me - thanks for indulging me."

JOM I'm sure no one on this forum wants to repress your sense of freedom, but on the other hand you seem to have gained the wisdom to realize that your experience is unique, as each of ours is, and this village and the village of our planet can be shared happily, with awareness. The "knee jerk" response from both men and women alike of the image we didn't like, also involves empathy and compassion for those enslaved by the controlling factors, and the vision of a future without any of that.

On a happier note, while roads are still closed around here, the sun is out!

[Calz]

Note to brother justonelessonafteranother ...

This space is very special and that is why it works.

Sometimes we forget and bring in things that don't fit ... with no mal-intent.

In my efforts to bring mirth I have stepped over that line a couple times here ... you are not alone.

I am sure the village accepts you fully with only the request to respect it for what it is ... not that hard to do

[I *still* think that was actually Alice Cooper ... but what would I know???]

[1inMany]

The wonderful thing about this village is that it builds on what we All have in common. It allows expression, sharing on a number of levels. What works for me may not, and probably wouldn't, work for someone else. I'm okay with that. Whatever y'all do in your cottages or huts or treehouses is none of my business, haha. It is what we share in the village commons (wish I had a better word for that) that makes this a magical place.

Imo, we are able to help each other because of the connections we make...Here. and Now. We do have many things in common, remarkably so. Look at the healing that has taken place Here. And Now. The healing of ourselves, each other, and those we love or care about that are not present in the village.

This magic is possible because of what we are willing to give, and because of what we are willing to *for*give.

This is all imo, of course.

Much Love, and Magic...

[Flash]

Posted by justoneman (here)

Posted by ulli (here)

Posted by justoneman (here)

Posted by Flash (here)
i am ok with your name chester and most of your avatars, except the half naked women with a clown face, it reaaalllly made me quite sad, as if women could not be thermselves and had to disguised in clown faces while giving their body away. It is definitely no better than tchadors and hijabs as far as I am concerned, just the plain opposite.

Justoneclown, where did I post that previous post about your previous avatar? I cannot find it, I must be going nut.

Its Funny but I never even considered the clothes... that's what blew my mind - I guess it is because I don't view anyone as an object which, of course, means women and men. I lived in Curacao for 8 years and it changed me a lot. Go to the beach for example and you almost can't find a woman with a top on. But what's even better about all that is... that no one cares. Its just being natural. So I guess I just changed and don't see those things like it seems lots of folks in "western society" seem to see them in this regard. BUT! Still, I am allowed to be a member of this forum and I appreciate that and thus, was easy to understand the views some take here and that they saw something in my clown persona especially that pic which I failed to.

So I asked Paul to change me back (Christine also asked me to change it back).

I guess having to move back to Texas and that so many folks had changed their poster names recently, I thought it was time for a change...

Anyways, I hope Paul changes it back. Hope you folks give me a pass on this one, I will try not to do something dumb like that again.

Oh, I think the mods deleted our posts as it was thread derailing anyways - I won't bring it up again.

EDIT: Paul changed it back! OK, "clown phase" officially over (for good). I sure hope this wasn't some "attention getting stunt" my subconscious conjured... Hummm.

I guess you still missed the point....the issue was not about prudishness versus liberal, or natural....
we are not a bunch of Church Ladies here...it was more a matter of context, perhaps....
about being subtle rather than crass....

Uh oh... I feel myself being pulled in here - If anyone wants to get into "the point(s)" as I have explored before here and been quite heavily rebuked, I would be happy too. But if I did, I would begin to put my membership "in jeopardy" as I would begin to come across as antagonistic and I would create the aura where some folks "might not feel safe."

So I will make a brief statement here from nothing but my heartfelt opinion sans emotion.

On one hand "we" here in Avalon (as well as the majority amongst humanity) want our "freedom" and yet, at the same time, we form groups of us who, through a group centric "mindset" begin to create and, as time rolls by, impose our own "group think" upon those who might attempt to join in with the group. This happens in almost all group settings. It starts out with the urge to be expressive (which requires the freedom to be allowed to and able to express) - (usually a leader type gets the ball rolling) and then as those who might be attracted to the leader guy or the idea behind the creation of the group start to enter into the group scene, the group creates its own persona. The problem is that human beings change and the group persona resists change. Usually the leader guy (and or "founding mothers and fathers) have formed an attachment to the group (a strange way of generating and maintaining self worth) and have their identity wrapped up into the group.

By not allowing the most natural form of manifestation within any realm of form to occur (which is the freedom to change), the group ends up preventing "freedom" which in many cases was the very motivating factor in generating the group in the first place.

Please, do not think I am implying this thread was created with freedom in mind, but I have a feeling that "freedom for the human spirit" as one goal might have been a primary motivational factor in creating Avalon but I cannot know this for sure and have not been told this.

Why did I write all the above? Because (and I have been consistent from my earliest times here on Avalon) that the human being is held hostage by evil PTBs through their supposed "chakra" points which start with the lowest chakra which represents survival and then proceeds to the next chakra which is sex.

Clearly "they" have most of "us" in fear of our lives - something I got over thanks to this forum.

But before I came to this forum, I got over my self allowed hostage situation related to my second chakra and am totally free from being held hostage through my second chakra. What did I gain? The biggest single thing is that I totally and completely overcame any teensy tinsey shred of jealousy. This was such a relief. Note, I am happily married (and have been so for near 11 years now) and Cristina, my wife, is totally free to do whatever she desires that involves her thoughts, her words and her actions that relate to sex with regards to any 3rd party consenting adult and I have zero problem with it.

Do not mistake that I imply anyone else should adopt this attitude. I am only sharing my experience as someone who has and I am sharing the amazing freedom I live every single moment in part, because I have.

The only reason I share it is because I have high energy and am essentially stark raving free, I now create my experience in every way and I am living in a wonderland that when I was a child I always thought existed. At the same time I note that many others seem not to like the freedom I express by the way "I be" and so, in order to not be alone, I have to force myself to tone myself down.

Strange this world... very strange.

Anyway, at least I am back to being justoneman again but I wonder, should I change it to - justonebeing? I mean, to suggest gender in my name may be violating someone's PC, yes?

Ahhh, I am ok that I happen to be (at the level of my physical body) a human male. So I leave the name as is.

This has been one of my more interesting strolls through the village. Please, let me know if anyone wishes me to stay away for awhile and I will stay over in the Priority Threads section where the serious stuff is discussed.

s
ok, lets me be brute: nobody specifically asked you to change your name back. Second: we expressed what your "petite tenue" avatar, not only in petite tenue but also with a clown mask, made us feel, and you decided to change the avatar. Which I am glad about because everytime I would see it, disgust would surge in me, but, I did not ask for it. I just commented on how it makes me feel.

Are you telling me right now that I cannot comment on my own feelings? Because it makes you do things you do not want to do?

You are also linking these feelings of ours (me and others) covertly, not openly, to a blocked second chakra. How pretentious.... You have not listened to the whys of our feelings nor did you ask about it and then you concluded. Wrong path Chester. Certainly lacking in listening skills and communication skills, in my opinion.

Then, finally, you changed everything, avatar and name, and you talk of freedom that was kind of taken from you because of "group thinking". Well, if your first and second chakras are entirely cleared, it seems to be time for the third chakra, because I see pointing in the horizon here a victim feeling linked to the third chakra. When cleared, we talk again about our second chakras. oK? (yes, i feel a bit nasty in my comments).

I love you Chester, and also like the input you have in this forum. But I do see miscommunication and assumptions that may not be linked to reality.

[Chester]

Posted by CdnSirian (here)
Justoneman, perhaps you can understand that you chose an image that to most people implies bondage, slavery, exploitation, and less-than, whether it's intended or not. A culturally long standing (about a thousand years give or take) image that we have even been taught represents "freedom" to imitate said image and related behaviour, the ultimate in Matrix control.

Sorry to villagers if this conversation has become "serious" but I decided to throw in this observation.

Adding a bit: JOM: "This brings me to a new point in my journey - a point where I may have to take the ill fated step of expressing myself through my writings in a different venue... one that is not imposing my views on others (like I am doing here).

This has been a healthy exercise for me - thanks for indulging me."

JOM I'm sure no one on this forum wants to repress your sense of freedom, but on the other hand you seem to have gained the wisdom to realize that your experience is unique, as each of ours is, and this village and the village of our planet can be shared happily, with awareness. The "knee jerk" response from both men and women alike of the image we didn't like, also involves empathy and compassion for those enslaved by the controlling factors, and the vision of a future without any of that.

On a happier note, while roads are still closed around here, the sun is out!

Thank you - I pretty much understand all this clearly now. The bottom line for me was that I recognize I still lack (significantly) in what I call "court awareness" but have the ability to admit it (which I have), have the ability to commit to do better in this venue (I could never leave unless I create my expulsion because this forum truly saved my life and I feel compelled to give back as best I can what I have been given) and that if I have to send out to the universe in written expression my views, I should consider doing so on my own, self created website (something I have avoided up until now).

This is the wisest course to take for if someone visits my website and reads any of my writings, that will be in accordance with their own free will and thus I could experience the freedom of expression my spirit drives me to without imposing my views (which I believe I did with many of my recent posts since the clown show started).

I hope the folks here give me another break as this is about the 5th time on Avalon I crossed a line I regret and I know I could have done better.

It was clearly wrong and the damage has been done and in essence, if anyone has ever read my story of the little boy and the fence, I have driven another nail through it where even though my apology may pull the nail out, the fence still has a new hole.

I am certain I won't make this mistake again. Now off to find a place to live just in case my son is granted probation next week! Chester (the pester)

[WhiteFeather]

Posted by 1inMany (here)
The wonderful thing about this village is that it builds on what we All have in common. It allows expression, sharing on a number of levels. What works for me may not, and probably wouldn't, work for someone else. I'm okay with that. Whatever y'all do in your cottages or huts or treehouses is none of my business, haha. It is what we share in the village commons (wish I had a better word for that) that makes this a magical place.

Imo, we are able to help each other because of the connections we make...Here. and Now. We do have many things in common, remarkably so. Look at the healing that has taken place Here. And Now. The healing of ourselves, each other, and those we love or care about that are not present in the village.

This magic is possible because of what we are willing to give, and because of what we are willing to *for*give.

This is all imo, of course.

Much Love, and Magic...

Well said and Kudos... Forgiveness...... a great gift or tool we humans can utilize. Thought of this song.

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=Xezg3z5IE8I

[Ernie Nemeth]

Chester, dude, I immediately thought you misunderstood the whole beavers and butt thing.
I'm sorry I did not go with my intuition and PM you.
That phrase came not from any sexual context but from a reference to castorium, a food additive. Castorium, it turns out, is an anal gland secretion of the beaver that they use to mark their territory with.
Hope that helps, my man.

As to being totally free. IMO, to be totally free requires a great deal of discernment and a sense of responsibility. To be totally free does not mean one gets to do whatever they want because if everybody did that it would lead to chaos. To be totally free means one understands that there are others to consider as well so that their freedom is respected first and foremost. And it is a fine line, no doubt. Perhaps one that needs to be tested even pushed against in order to free everyone. But when one pushes that line another might feel like their freedom is being curtailed. So there you go, maybe that's why the PTB are there - so that we can learn when that line has moved too far into our space. We learn what freedom is when it is threatened and we can push back and learn to say, "this far and no further".

[ulli]

Posted by justoneman (here)

Clowns... ooops, "goofeballs" like me sometimes wander into villages and don't have proper context yet wanna just jump into the party. I just realized by reading your post, Ernie Nemeth, that the comment that got me rolling was a play on words made by spiritwind which I took in a totally different direction.



Thus I was doomed from the start and brought others down with me (another ooops).

But in an attempt to be serious, realize, I am simply expressing (albeit was doing so indirectly) the utter hypocrisy of this northern/western movie projection "we" endure. On one hand we are blasted with everything sexual via the media and experiential insinuation... and then on the other hand we are militant against natural freedoms.

You might say, what? militant? come on, Chester... we just expect that "comments" along these lines be "subtle rather than crass" and I truly understand this so I am not attempting to mock this statement.

What generates my ire is how is one supposed to "know" where than line is between "subtle" and "crass" when you are also stark raving free like me?

I am just asking for some understanding is all.

This is the very best manifestation of how we create our own "prison" in that we are divided by the two extremes but then we have stronger willed individuals who set a standard as to where that line is crossed which creates a third division between the two extremes. This sounds like a perfect way to generate a prison which is totally and entirely maintained by us prisoners (yes... me too... as clearly one could take my posts as imposing my freedom upon others).

This brings me to a new point in my journey - a point where I may have to take the ill fated step of expressing myself through my writings in a different venue... one that is not imposing my views on others (like I am doing here).

This has been a healthy exercise for me - thanks for indulging me.

Healthy exercise, yes...maybe for all?
Not sure, as I try not to speak on behalf of others.
For me every exchange is a healthy exercise, and about learning and opportunity for growth.
You are a welcome member here, Chester. What appended to you can happen to any of us.
Sometimes there is disagreement, and sometimes things might even escalate a bit.
No big deal, as far as I'm concerned. I happen to agree with Nora, and Astrid's attitude towards clowns...
I happen to share. Nothing scary, just a bit creepy. Clowns belonged to another age...

This Village is not about group mindset, it is about individual's speaking their mind.

[araucaria]

Just a comment on Chester's formula "stark raving free", which has got to have at least in part a negative connotation owing to the other word in the stock phrase on which it is based.

Freedom for me is the freedom willingly to give up parts of one's freedom, and the ultimate comes when you have willingly given up all freedom.

Replace 'freedom' with 'choice', and you will see a way beyond this planet of choice when you have chosen once and for all to just go with the flow.