Mayhem on the Streets

As we all see, the streets collectively make up a space that is important to our lives. They make social connections more likely and contain the element of surprise, even serendipity. Streets and sidewalks also give us opportunities for exploration, adventure and drama. These places of our daily lives can also be dangerous and unpredictable, giving rise to stories and precautions for our safety.

Streets and sidewalks are social spaces where human beings constantly interact with each other, for good or ill. They also provide opportunities for getting some exercise, as when we walk, run, or ride bicycles. When walking, we often run into other individuals walking their dogs, providing a chance for conversing and bonding with pet owners. People involved in various errands have meaningful things to discuss with others, often boring them with the details!

New social connections and long-term friendships are fostered by this time we spend in what I call "the fourth space." On the street, you often get to meet new, fascinating people, especially on sidewalks. Over the years, I've often enjoyed interacting with random persons on the street. Usually it involves making eye contact and nodding, but sometimes it leads to a greeting, or even a conversation - if it's not my first time running into the person. 

When walking in downtown areas, we often run into friends and acquaintances. I often see people that I know from the bus, from coffee shops or from other parts or times in my life. It can be a chance for us to catch up with old friends, as you both tie up the sidewalk with your conversation! When you go for a walk with family members, you get to connect with them in a new and meaningful way, strengthening the bonds of kinship.

In any setting, a day walking on the streets can be a chance to explore the world around us, making it more familiar to us. A stroll downtown can give us a much needed excursion as we check out the shops and restaurants that may catch our eye. Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton are great towns for doing this! This personal quest for adventure often creates exciting situations: you never know what you're going to run into or what you're going to see! These experiences can even be funny, making us laugh or chuckle!

As you can imagine, my time on the streets is often spent waiting for buses. I've witnessed a lot of things - both good and bad. I've seen a lot of people who are obviously going through rough times in their lives and looking for moral support. Most people that I encounter are hard-working individuals commuting to and from their jobs. They sometimes travel with co-workers, discussing the day’s events and juicy gossip of work. Other workers connect with employees of other companies, making the commute tolerable and even interesting.

 

The drama of the streets provides a little excitement for our day, maybe even prompting a witty, captivating Facebook post. Often, the drama is somewhat upsetting, but worthy of conversation nonetheless. This is true for auto accidents, when cars are totaled and people are injured or crying. Drivers exchange information or get into heated arguments about who was really at fault; in more serious cases, police cars, firetrucks and ambulances arrive.

Our day's business on the streets can be very frustrating, annoying and can really make us angry! This is never truer than in inclement weather, such as winter storms or thunderstorms. Winter storms hamper travel and leave people stranded, while spring and summer thunderstorms force people to run for cover, as flash flooding, strong wind gusts and lightning can wreak havoc. However, learning to master the challenges that the streets and sidewalks pose can increase our level of self-confidence. We learn to stay calm in the face of peril or inconvenience.

Driving itself has its own set of frustrations and adventures. I did drive at one time, and that was quite an adventure! I witnessed people doing crazy things on the road and maneuvered some difficult circumstances on the highway and in major cities, such as Chicago and New York City. Parking cars on the side of the street often creates lots of interpersonal conflicts. Even an episode of Seinfeld was based on this daily struggle!

 

Unfortunately, however, some events on streets and sidewalks could even kill us or cause other tragedies. In my lifetime I've witnessed a stabbing, a hit-and-run accident, a DUI and more than a few drug raids. Many people have witnessed crimes even more serious than that. Frequent danger can often lead to annoyance, as with the daily difficulties of crossing the street, or avoiding irresponsible pedestrians. Some drivers are willing to run over pedestrians in crosswalks, while some pedestrians dart out in front of cars! Bicycles present even more challenges on the road. These increase our levels of anxiety and may cause us to lash out at other people!

The streets and our experiences of them make up important facets of our everyday lives. They provide a random sampling of humanity, giving us an understanding of today's society, while giving us opportunities for change and for personal improvement. We get human contact with others and exposure to new places, making our lives more meaningful. We don't have to think of these places as mundane or irrelevant; they can be chances to start anew!

Fantasy, Mythology and Adult Life

As with many of you, I have enjoyed fantasy stories since I was a little kid. Since early adolescence, I have read and learned about various mythologies, from the Egyptians to the present day. As an adult, I use fantasy stories and myths to fire my imagination, relax my brain after the stress of the day, and chase away my depression. People associate fairy tales and fantasy with children, but many adults indulge in such pleasing creations!

 Human beings have imagined, created and enjoyed fantasies and mythologies since prehistoric times, giving meaning and a little fun to their hard lives. We also have told these stories to express our deepest, most profound thoughts. In this way, all myths and fantasies can explain our everyday lives. They explore the relationship between our psyche and the happenings of our daily lives.

In ancient societies, myths, fantasies and legends were all based on polytheistic religions. Examples of these belief systems included Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Norse, Germanic and Celtic mythologies. I have always been interested in the religions of the world, as well as in the course of their development, so it makes sense that I would be fascinated by their myths, legends and fantasies. We have always created belief systems, so, as civilization changed, our beliefs changed.

As a young child, I was enthralled by Egyptian mythology, with its focus on mummies, temples and pyramids. I found it darkly intriguing that mummified human remains could be carefully preserved for thousands of years. The pharaohs also interested me, especially since they were featured prominently in the Bible and portrayed so famously in The Ten Commandments. We all love Yul Brynner's role as Ramses II! Needless to say, we all seek a window into the world of the pharaohs and Egypt's three kingdoms.

 

In my early adolescent years, I became enthralled with Greek mythology. It largely began with watching the old movie Jason and the Argonauts. I learned more on the topic by reading anything I could find in my old encyclopedia at home. I even rented a couple books from the Bethlehem Area Public Library. It was entertaining for me, with all the gods and goddesses warring among themselves for petty reasons, being very human in their attitudes and behaviors. Eventually, I lost interest in Greek mythology, however, due to its crude, often bizarre mentions of sex that conflicted with my religious upbringing of the time.

Years later, I returned to reading about Greek mythology, favoring it over Roman mythology. Greek mythology - unlike its Roman counterpart - was not centered on state worship. Roman mythology was also largely copied off its Greek counterpart; often new names were given to describe the same deities! Greek mythology is my favorite of the ancient mythologies as it definitely engages my emotions and draws me into deep thought. Greek mythology's sexual deviance and violence taps into our darker thoughts and fantasies, creating a positive outlet for our dark sides (we all have them!).

In my 20s, I started learning more about Celtic mythology, which has also given some great stories to western culture. Since I have more Irish in me than any other nationality, I do a feel a connection to Irish myths. Many of us love stories of banshees, leprechauns and faeries. We even have the expression "to wail like a banshee!" Leprechauns are used for our modern debaucherous celebrations of St. Patrick's Day, and faeries are frequently represented throughout our culture in the United States - children even have the Tooth Fairy!

More importantly, Celtic mythology has had a strong influence on the 20th-century development of Neopaganism, including Wicca and modern Druidism. This is how I came to learn more about Celtic mythology - in my early 20s, I read a lot of Wicca and noted the Celtic influence on its modern redevelopment. Borders at the Whitehall Mall had a great number of such books, so I would spend countless evenings there with metaphysical books, a cream soda and some macaroons!

In contrast with other ancient mythologies, I find that Norse and Germanic mythologies have had the greatest influence on the fantasy epics and other media in the 21st century. This impact can be seen in works from the Lord of the Rings to the World of Warcraft, in addition to numerous comic books. From that pantheon, we get some really cool creatures, such as elves, ogres, wizards, orcs, dragons and griffins. These creatures are combined with medieval themes to create some great masterpieces. Even the movie Thor is a modern adaptation of the deity from Norse mythology.

Fantasy is becoming both more important and popular in today's world. Apart from ancient myths that have been brought back to modern life, new thinkers and writers have created fantasy stories that entertain us and really make us think! These are our own myths that our society consumes via the modern media. Even shows such as the Game of Thrones create their own mythologies that keep us entertained and deep in thought. Many people today have even taken to playing card games, role-playing games and LARPing. A lot of individuals play Magic: the Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons and take part in LARPing events in wooded areas (such as Knight Realms in northern New Jersey).

This adult need for fantasy and mythology was understood by individuals such as Joseph Campbell, J.R.R. Tolkien and George Lucas. Star Wars, for example, is an ultra-modern mythology that has been enjoyed by multiple generations of movie goers. Intellectuals such as Tolkien and Lucas created stories for our age that everyone can find appealing! Themes in fantasy and mythology tend to reappear in stories in different eras and regions of the world. Since storytelling is something common to all mankind, there are cultural universals present in many of these stories.

In my life, I have read fantasy books and works on mythology since my teenage years. I started reading the original Star Wars in 1996, when I was 13. In my twenties, I got into reading the Lord of the Rings, as well as additional Star Wars novels. These books, as well as their associated movies, have transported me to fun, gripping, far-away worlds that helped me forget my problems and daily concerns. When my mind is relaxed and positive, it is easier for me to deal with real world problems and issues without overreacting.

Children have fairy tales, but adults need such stories as well, as a form of escape from the troubles of everyday life. Adults have a desire to be creative, and what can be better than to envision new places, people, creatures and things! We all have dreams and nightmares; why not use those images and feelings to entertain us with a cool story!

Frozen Landscapes, Rejuvenation and Winter's Purpose

A great many people hate the wintertime, especially the period from January to March. They don't like the cold, snowy weather that often keeps them inside and cancels their plans. They are bored and may feel that the walls of their homes are closing in on them! However, this feeling can be overcome, especially with the Internet and other diversions. More importantly, people can battle winter blues and depression by focusing on their goals and aspirations, and by continuing to break bad habits, adopting a positive attitude for a better life!

People in January and February experience post-holidays blues, an emotional let-down after the Christmas season. They may have enjoyed the preceding festive period of the year and don't want to handle the boring, mundane months of January and February. Some even suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), due to a lack of sunlight and the uncomfortable feeling of being cooped up inside.

Many individuals, including many of you, experience a lack of emotional stimulation at this time and have great difficulty finding joy and happines during the blahs of January. For this reason, they often fear the three months that follow Christmas. The Christmas decorations come down, family members fly back home and everything seems routine and monotonous once again. I myself used to feel the emotional let-down in early-to-mid January!

We are also down due to our personal excesses of the holidays. Many individuals regret mistakes they've made over the holidays: relatives they've offended, ways they've overindulged, and consequences brought on by too much merrymaking. They may realize that they have to lose weight, cut back on their drinking or change their spending habits. I can relate to this, as I often overeat over the holidays. After all, what is Christmas for!

January and February can be very positive, however, if a person decides to make the most of the opportunities for growth provided by this time of the year. Business people can gain in the long-term by planning financial ventures - related to stock, bonds, e-commerce, etc. Renters may want to move to a better apartment (with the help of their tax refund check) or to buy a home and begin building equity. Workers wanting to advance their careers often apply for new jobs. January and February is the time of the year to start thinking about getting a better job or getting back into the workforce.

January is also a good time for people to focus on their New Year's Resolutions, or on continuing their efforts for personal change and growth. These changes can benefit them if they don't expect 100% success. At the start, your progress will not be consistent. You will fail at times, but the key is to get back to making progress and to learn from any failures. Don't beat yourself up over any minor setbacks!

Like many of you, I have a few of my own resolutions and goals for 2018. I plan to blog much more regularly. I want to get to the point at which I post a new blog article every day! I also need to lose weight and get into shape. I plan to do this by dieting and starting a new exercise program. My little bit of depression can be conquered, as I stop lounging around so much. I hope to get back into doing housework and, eventually, lawn work, when the spring finally arrives. I plan to make 2018 as fruitful as possible, and have high hopes for this year!

Even the cold and snow of January and February make it easy to focus on things neglected during the warmer months. Winter storms give snow days to both kids and adults. Everyone needs an adult snow day! A day of reading, TV and snacks can provide a little bit of fun to break up the monotony of this point in the Wheel of the Year. People can also use the Internet to work from home, make money online and contact friends and family members.

In the dead of winter, people can find new activities to keep them busy! This isn't too hard, once a person becomes resourceful. A person can pick up a new hobby, visit a new restaurant, binge on a new TV show or read more about a thing that has always intrigued them. The person can learn to cope with the mundane and to create the extraordinary out of the ordinary. In so becoming resourceful, a person can become more well-rounded individual, so that, come spring, they will compete better in the social sphere.

Even in nature mid-winter has its own frozen beauty. Streams, ponds and rivers are sometimes frozen over, greatly altering their appearances. Snow and ice, along with red sunsets, create some beautiful landscapes, great for photography and painting. Artists would do well to capture this season of the year! Mother Nature is sleeping, and is rejuvenating herself; it is the time of year when we should do the same!

The New Sexuality

In the past, America was home to a lot of sexual hypocrisy. Ever since the Puritans, American social norms have made people feel guilty about something that is natural, good and fun, while giving societal elites the right to sexually abuse others. People are made to feel extreme guilt for their sexuality, starting from childhood. I myself have had to work hard to overcome this feeling of self-loathing - Catholic guilt is a real thing!

Since the fifth century A.D., Christianity has pushed repressive norms about sex on the people of Western Civilization. Unfortunately, the military conquerors of Europe also forced these destructive ideas on the world at large. Nowhere is this more symbolically represented than in the term "missionary," used to describe a popular sex position. The Christian missionaries from Europe, unfortunately, often violated the rights of Native American women. I can't imagine the mindsets of men who would do this. There is definitely a dark past to America's demonization of sex. Fortunately, many of us are moving beyond the restrictive, hypocritical, unfair sexual mores of our history.

There is trend in our society now for people to no longer treat sex as something that is shameful and dirty. This has brought about changes in various aspects of sex in recent years, including with regard to the LGBT community, sexual liberation for women, casual sex, open relationships (including marriages), swinging, exhibitionism, kink and the common searches for sex online. Each of these avenues for sexual fulfillment isn't for everyone, but each of us can choose the options that work best for us. Now, those of us on the left half of the political/social spectrum are experiencing a democratic sex that is better for everyone.

We, fortunately, have a more inclusive sexuality in today's times. For example, we now have greater LGBT acceptance. Many people like me no longer believed that homosexuals should be stoned, but rather loved and accepted in our society. People should never have to apologize or feel guilty for the circumstances of their birth, especially when there is nothing inherently wrong with who they are. I wholeheartedly agree with Lady Gaga on this. We are individuals who must be treated as such!

Women have also rightly benefited from The New Sexuality, because the sexual double-standard has been lessened on the Left. Liberals, including most liberal men, believe that women must not suffer sexual abuse - that a woman's sexuality is hers to exercise as she sees fit. We also hope to end "slut-shaming" of women by men; this practice is both offensive and ridiculous; sex does not make a woman dirty or sinful! Sex is best when it works for everyone involved. 

Sexual liberation is part of the hedonistic spirit of our age. Open relationships are common among married, engaged and dating couples. Swingers clubs and parties have spread all over the place and are only kept secret for fear of law enforcement crackdowns. I and others want to enjoy all that life has to offer. People want to have fun because they never know when they will draw their last breath!

Marriage isn't for everybody, especially not marriage that is strictly monogamous. People in our society have come to realize this, so alternative arrangements have entered the picture. It is better to experiment with different lifestyles than to hurt their spouse by having an affair. Young children won't be harmed, because they won't know about their parents' sexual adventures until they get older. By that point, they'll have their own sex lives and shouldn't be kept in the dark about the various forms of human sexuality. All sex has its negative consequences; however, in my opinion, the pros outweigh the cons.

Tinder has made casual sex much more acceptable for American adults. Casual sex today is covered by the euphemism "hooking up," which theoretically covers everything from kissing to drug-fueled sex marathons; in reality, the term describes sexual intercourse 99.5% of the time. As I've noticed, there is a lot flirting and exhibitionism now on Facebook, as well. It has been transformed into Tinder Lite! At some point, nearly all of us have looked for sex online, whether we admit it or not.

As with any pleasurable activity, we all want variety in our sex lives and with sex partners. In today's world we don't have to limit ourselves to just one lifelong sex partner. We can each have a few lovers at any one time if we so choose. Heck, variety isn't just for sex; it applies to food, drinks, vacations, etc. Why drink the same beer every time you visit your local pub? I like Yeungling Lager, but I don't want it all the time!

The current trend toward sexual variety began with the college hookup culture of the early 2000s. The "hookup culture" began with those of us born in the 1980s (I was born in 1983), adults now in our 30s. For many of us, the practice of hooking up has been carried into adult life. Those in their 40s and early 50s have very quickly learned from us! It often happens that trends on college campuses spread throughout the general population. Repressive social norms lead to rebellion, which is necessarily focused on the young. The result is that those of us now in our thirties have gone from the hookup generation to the swingers generation.

In recent years, America has been returning to the sexual norms of the Greeks and Romans, while rejecting the restrictive rules of Western Christianity and the Dark Ages. The process began in the Sexual Revolution of the 1960s, but has been sped up by the rise of the Internet, especially of social media. Tinder has completed this process of sexualization, transforming Facebook and changing sex from a forbidden fruit to one that is readily shared with everyone. I joke that "intercourse is like saying 'hello!'" We don't need to feel guilty about our every thought and desire. There is no longer a need to pretend that sex doesn't exist. Instead, let us celebrate it and enjoy it!