Natter 45: Smooth as Billy Dee Williams.
Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.
Art or creativity is an engagement with the world (and often with the community), even if it's not as immediately useful as, say, planting a garden or programming code.
Both of which can be art too.
It's good for the doer, and I think every poem or painting, no matter how bad, helps stave off the heat death of the universe.
Absolutely.
Art is not a luxury. Even in subsistence societies people find a way to include art in their lives. Our society is tough, because frequently only the extremely affluent or the extremely poor can afford to do art.
Both of which can be art too.
Oh, no question. But they're evidently useful to the world in a way that, say, writing poetry (or, say, fanfiction) isn't.
Our society is tough, because frequently only the extremely affluent or the extremely poor can afford to do art.
Or art is only valued when it's part of the market economy. Which is too bad.
Even in subsistence societies people find a way to include art in their lives.
And Raq provides what is probably closest to "proof" that art is useful.
Our society is tough, because frequently only the extremely affluent or the extremely poor can afford to do art.
Raq, do you mean the above in a for-a-living sense?
ah, a good 8 ours of sleep does the body right. Looks like it is going to be a gorgeous day here.
I, on the other hand, don't think my brain should be the thing to decide how much sleep I get any more, and it looks overcast here.
Fun day planned though, so that's good.
I think a lot of people don't do art because they don't think they're "any good" at it. The perception in this culture is that if you can't be really great (in others' opinions) at something, you shouldn't bother.
Good morning! I had a REALLY hard time sleeping last night. It's for a good reason, though. Last night we decided to take a week's vacation in Mexico for my 50th birthday. We love it there and used to go all the time but haven't had the money in a while. We haven't had a vacation that was just us in 6 years, so I am very excited. We used to go to Isla Mujeres, a little island off of Cancun, which was much less touristy and more relaxed than Cancun (I don't think that's true anymore). It had been a fishing village for many years and there was a small downtown and gorgeous beaches. Like most vacationing Buffistas, we mainly like to slounge by the ocean and read, snorkel, and amble around the streets looking for interesting shops or cafes. We don't really "party" so clubs are not a big interest. I don't know anything about the Pacific Ocean side of Mexico--anyone have any recommendations?
Robin, that sounds great!
Are you thinking of something in the Mexican Riveria area? I think Ixtapa isn't as built up as Puerto Vallarta or Mazatlan, and there should smaller towns/destinations that would be more secluded/less touristy.
Ooh, Robin reminds me of the little kid in one of my favorite commercials: "We're too excited to sleep!"
I am jealous, but am trying to use this as inspiration for my goal of becoming the kind of person who takes great vacations. This is the first job I've ever had where I've gotten enough time off to do it and there's actually a culture of taking vacations.
Yes indeed, Perkins, the Mexican Riviera. We've ruled out Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco. Ixtapa looks good, and we are considering Mazatlan, because they have some interesting historical stuff there--also my dad had his first heart attack there and they literally saved his life at the hospital and treated my mother wondefully while he was recovering, so I have a sentimental attachment to the place.
