Alienation

Published by Derek under Meditations/Discussions, Personal on August 30, 2009

Some people have told me that I am alienating myself. Due to my extremism/idealism I am finding myself less and less a member of “normal” society. My friends who brought this idea to me also told me they think it’s a bad thing… that being extreme about something can be hazardous to my mental health and/or life. To tell you the truth I really don’t agree.

I just don’t understand how my beliefs about how I should be living could hurt me. What is so extreme about composting humanure… or eating organic foods… or dumpster diving perfectly good food back tot he community… or trying to get off the grid. What harm could all that do to me??? Am I going to have a mental break down or something? I feel like I’m doing just fine right now. I’m not trying to save the world or change social politics. I’m just trying to change MY world… my contribution… my life. I’m only taking control of what I can… what I believe to be my way on the path.

I still don’t think I’m alienating myself. If I am changing my habits and becoming less like my old self, that doesn’t mean I’m just becoming someone who no one can understand. It just means that the people who understand me now might not in the future as I make more choices to live a more “simple” life.

I will admit that the struggles of trying to make my dream a reality are taxing. I’ll even say a large part of me just wants to sit back and let the system control me. It would be much easier to be ignorant or to believe that I can’t control it all. I could just piss in my water supply and pay someone to take my garbage. I could just buy into capitalism and let others dominate. I could consume without any thought of the future. But then what would I be? NOT ME!

Extreme or not I have to be me. Sorry folks…

Peace and Love

Open Mic

Published by Derek under Video, Personal on August 5, 2009

Here are some videos of an open mic night at the Somethin’s Brewing Book Cafe in Lakeville MA. It’s a small venue that my friend Chelsea asked me to perform at with her. We did three covers… one by Ben Harper and two by Ingrid Michaelson. I wish the recording quality was better, but I’m glad at least to have the videos. You and I by Ingrid Michaelson was a same day learning and performing experience… that’s why the words might not match the actual lyrics. Thanks Chelsea (and Nathan for being the camera man)!

Peace and Love