"You got to drift in the breeze before you set your sails"

Preface: I know that this will sound presumptuous (realistically, my mother may be the only person interested in my blog and that may even be a stretch) but, should any person reading my blog have a reflection be it critical, corrective, encouraging...etc.  Please, do not hold back.  Especially do not hold back criticism or debate.  I have this strange inclination towards debate.  If this inclination is neglected, I act out.  For example, my sister and I were sipping a sweet tea the other night at the tea sipping place when we were approached by two, ambitious young men who mistakenly assumed we desired their company.  These young men fancied themselves informed and were clearly as repressed as myself because they jumped at the first sign of contention. (This makes sense. They had long hair, like past the shoulder blades long and were sporting System of a Down t-shirts and ripped up jeans. Needless to say, they probably weren't leading candidates for any person in pursuit of meaningful conversation) Well, I've been so repressed lately that I enthusiastically engaged the young coeds in some of the most ridiculous arguments I've ever attempted.  Tim, the pseudo hippie, tried to convince me that participation in psychedelics were indispensable to an actualized life.  Blah blah blah, hippies....  Somehow, I upset his world view with my magic words and "love is all you need"(NOT hallucinogenics) mentality. I then devoured his friend, Lavelle's brain. The mantra of Lavelle: "Down with the man!, Down with the system!" I talked circles around him until he was convinced he was actually a capitalist-feeding the very monster he so utterly despised.  I do not bring this story up as a way of tooting my own horn. Believe me, I am aware that this is NOT impressive.  Let's be honest, it cannot be too difficult to blow the minds of a couple of kids who have dropped acid one too many times in their mere twenty two-ish years of existence.  I tell you this so you know what a state I have been in. The tale of Tim and Lavelle is meant to epitomize my desperation.  This blog is going to be honest-honest, but not as arrogant as you may now be anticipating. I need an outlet.  My mom just asked me why I wanted to start a blog and I responded in my most whinny, self-pitying tone, "I don't do anything creative. I make nothin', momma"  She gave me her best pouty face, offered no encouragement and returned to her sudoku.

A Disclaimer for the grammatically sensitive readers:

I do my best.  There will be times, you will undoubtedly notice my offensive use of the comma and at times, the semi-colon. (I believe the comma to be the most noticeable but will admit I frequently forget the proper use of the apostrophe. My spelling is decent, not that you would know because you will just assume I rely upon spell check.  Spell check is only helpful to me with typing errors because I happen to be an EXCELLENT speller, just so you know)  Back to the comma. The comma has haunted me my entire life.  Its contemptible shadow followed me from Mrs Sharon's high school English into Dr. Blann's English 1080 and was, in fact, responsible for the 'B' I received in this college course.  You should have seen the markings in red; the commas, the run-on sentences, and the ellipses.  Oh, get ready for the ellipses.  I do not mention these things as a round about way of asking for grace.  Please, be as harsh and critical as you will.  I may never learn the mysterious ways of the comma, but it is certain I will never learn if there is no one willing to correct me.  (I refuse to reference a handbook or google.  It's just not going to happen)  If you find yourself twitching and ticking about nervously and you know that you will find no rest until my error is corrected.  I invite you-correct me. 

"Before you set your sails
Drift in the breeze"-P. Simon

"Allow your judgments their own silent, undisturbed development, which, like all progress, must come from deep within and cannot be forced or hastened.  Everything is gestation and then birthing.  To let each impression and each embryo of a feeling come to contemplation, entirely in itself, in the dark, in the unsayable, the unconscious, beyond the reach of one's own understanding, and with deep humility and patience to wait for the hour when a new clarity is born: this alone is what it means to live as an artist: in understanding as in creating."-Rainer Maria Rilke

Reproduction. This remains a hot topic in my sphere of influence.  I spend some time with flamboyantly catholic, Catholics. They're a handful. I learn a lot.  I'm also fortunate enough to find myself in the social graces of devoted academics on occasion. They tend to be of a more liberal persuasion but equally as enthusiastic to educate me. Here I am, frolicking about in Switzerland. The truth is, I often pretend to have more of an opinion than I do.  This is from boredom.  Also, I like to instigate dissension. 

As a human race, what is our responsibility in reference to reproduction? I would like to dive right in and sort this one out.  Normally I would start with as many factors as I could think of.  I would consider nature and biology.  I would consider personal experience.  I would consider the social implications.  I would consider the interpersonal affects. I would consider considerations you might consider.  Yes, I would even consider the divine charge to procreate.

Do we allow room for genetic anomolies?  Yes.  Easy.  But this challenges a deep rooted theological conviction of reproduction.  Is it just to speak in universals (as the church tends to do) when there are indubitable exceptions?  Should people reproduce just because they can?  Is it possible for this particular dialogue to transcend the social implications of reproduction? Is my first blog entry reminding anyone else of Rob Bell's latest masterpiece?

This is as far as I usually get when examining the social implications especially in regards to population control: The more people, the greater the carbon footprint. The more people raised to be responsible citizens who are motivated to care for creation as they are very much a component of it rather than IT is something they dominate, the better every persons chance of survival...the better the opportunity for harmony amongst all creation.  Clearly, I hit a wall when considerations for the social aspect are the only variable on the table.  Needless to say, none of the factors mentioned above can stand alone in this sort of discussion.  I have a sneaky feeling the list of factors to consider are numerous...so much so that a reflection of this genre may need to be approached by an alternate process of thought.  Any ideas?