DO NOT BELIEVE IN ANYTHING OUT OF FEAR!

Has anyone besides me noticed how all of the media has become nothing more than a panic inducing machine used to propigate unfounded fears throughout our society? From television shows like 24 about terrorist plots and attacks, to news reports about murder, child abduction, child molestation, robberies, diseases, to watch television has become nothing more than an immersion in a paranoia factory. It apparently gets the networks ratings, the highest rated shows are show like C.S.I., shows where someone dies every week. I myself am a fan of good crime and mystery fiction but this goes way beyond that, we now live in what the Late, Great Hunter S. Thompson called "A Kingdom Of Fear". It seems to me that people want this, as odd as that sounds, that having something to fear some how gives them an identity. It gives them structure, apparently not fearing anything is what many Americans are afraid of most! The myopic, conservative climate alive in the country is using this and in particular the xenophobic fear the "evildoers", whomever they may be, are out to get you. The media concentrates on stories of one missing girl for months while children die everyday in Baghdad and that's just a drive by story on the incessant scroll on the bottom of your TV screen. Terrorists, murderers, rapists, SARS, Bird Flu, the airwaves are saturated with these stories when the reality is that you are a million times more likely to die in a car crash than from any of these things, but people take absurd chances in their cars everyday as they make their way home to cower in fear of so called "internet predators" or imaginary "monsters" waiting outside their bedroom window to snatch their kids and steal their SUV. And, oh, The White House loves it, the need to be protected that this paranoia engenders gives them the freedom to shred the Constitution and start Wars for no reason than other to expand their power, and to have most of this country quivering behind their pseudo-machismo posturing. But, sorry, it doesn't affect me, and there are many others who doesn't affect either. This is personal, but for many years I had severe Panic, OCD, and Anxiety problems, still have some of them but medication, life experience and therapy have helped me tremendously, they still creep in from time to time but I can recognize the symptoms and dismiss it for the mindless fear it is. I lost A LOT OF TIME in my life, fearing things for no logical reason, keeping myself shut in my house and away from the world. I do not do that ANYMORE, AT ALL. The only thing I fear now is missing something I should have been a part of because of a decision made out of mindless, irrational, illogical fear. FDR really made the ultimate statement about this, people quote his comment constantly but I wonder how many have ever really thought about it? The depths it covers? What he was facing when he said it? What he had gone through in his life before it? I'll quote it again, proudly as I end my comments on the Sad, Fearful State Of Our Nation, "The only thing we have to fear, is, fear itself!".

Love,

Mark

After Rehearsal

Here we (Tayl) are after a long and fruitful rehearsal, I'm in the front on the left:

















Mark

Our First Gig!!!!!!!!!

I and the other band members of Tayl have been rehearsing our asses off and now are ready to play out. We really have been working hard and I would like to thank my other bandmates here for their effort in getting our sound together so quickly. Our first gig is at Breaker's Music Hall in JonesBoro, Ga on February the 17th, you can click the Tayl band link to go to our website, there is a ton of more information about us there. Well, I hope to see anyone who has read my blog or knows me to show up at our show. Hope to see you there!!!!!!!


Love,

Mark

The Results Of My SuperHero Test

Your results:
You are Batman

Batman 85% Green Lantern 80% The Flash 70% Superman 65% Hulk 65% Spider-Man 60% Iron Man 60% Robin 57% Supergirl 55% Wonder Woman 50% Catwoman 45%

You are dark, love gadgets and have vowed to help the innocent not suffer the pain you have endured.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz

The What Religion Do You Fit In? Test.

You fit in with: Spiritualism Your ideals are mostly spiritual, but in an individualistic way. While spirituality is very important in your life, organized religion itself may not be for you. It is best for you to seek these things on your own terms. 80% spiritual. 60% reason-oriented.

Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

Obli Di Obli Da

Hi, everybody. I just wanted to check in and relate the news that I have joined the band TAYL and have been practicing for about 3 weeks now. We are looking forward to our first gig, which more than likely will be in early February. I'll give you more info as we progress in our musical adventure. Meanwhile, check out the link to the band's website in my links. Peace,

Mark