Some Zappa quotes (from the Real Frank Zappa Book):
My Bad Attitude
The worst aspect of 'typical familyism' (as media-merchandised) is that it glorifies involuntary
homogenization,
Thanksgiving rolls around, and the kids want to have a Thanksgiving dinner -- they lay out the dining
room table with all kinds of food, just like in the movies. Folks, they have to drag me, kicking and
screaming, out of the studio to go upstairs and join them.
I will sit at the table, and eat -- because I like the food -- but I hate sitting around acting 'traditional' to
amuse the 'little folks who happen to be genetically derived from larger-folks-who-buy-them-sportswear,'
enduring a 'family meal,' during which I might be required to participate in some mind-numbing 'family
discussion' with mashed potatoes dribbling out the side of my mouth. I eat, and get the **** out of there as
fast as I can. It's the same with Christmas dinner or any other 'traditional family gathering.' I can't stand it.
I don't want to be rude, and I don't want to spoil their fun -- but I think they realize by now that I have
what they would describe as a 'bad attitude' about those kinds of things.
The same is true if I have to go out to eat dinner. A three-hour dinner to me is a miniature eternity, no
matter how good the food is. One of the reasons is that while I'm waiting for the food to come, I have to
sit there and talk to people. I really don't like to talk. It's like exercise for me.
Another one:
Daylight is an ugly time of day. So many people are awake, and if I go outside, I know what they're all
thinking. They are mainly doing bad things. White-collar criminals ****ing up the world. Phooey on
them.
Nighttime is better. It's not just that it's quieter, but I can feel the absence of daytime bullshit. People
have stopped scurrying. (I don't mind them scurrying when I'm asleep during the day -- I'll find out what
they were up to when I wake up and watch the six o'clock news.)
And another:
I don't have 'friends.' Anybody who is 'the boss' in a business does not get to have 'friends' -- he gets to
have employees and/or acquaintances -- and no matter what he does, they will always dislike him because
he has the nerve to sign their paychecks. (Let's get a famous doctor to figure that one out some time.)
I don't have any time for 'social activities.'
In all reality, I want to believe people are great, I want long lasting friendships and (war buddies), good friends and confidants. In reality most people don't stick, they exhibit cool behavior during the honeymoon period, but then show their true colors.
It seems shallow, surface relationships serve most people well. Most of my life (drama) comes from dealing with others, not doing their part. I often find myself not socializing either because I am slammed trying to get my projects done or because I spend every extra dime on gear (making me broke).
I see those who make $10.00 pushing a button, after putting in their 8 it's off to party, eat out, chill with "friends". I just can't do that, I am married to what I do.
I'm not even all that hip on my own company, to be honest, but I'm hard to get away from. Some would probably say that this is some form of self-loathing and that such a thing is often at the root of not being comfortable around others. The old have to love yourself before others can love you thing I guess.
A funny one I heard is, "I converted to Judiasm, so that I could become a self-hating Jew."
__________________
Dean Roddey
Chairman/CTO Charmed Quark Systems, Ltd www.charmedquark.com
I honestly don't see how people have real lives and friends and go camping and vacationing and partying, and still accomplish things. I just couldn't do it. Even having given up most of my life in creating a very large software product, I've still not been able to do half of what I really needed to get done.
I read a good bit about the history of science (mostly physics and cosmology) and you read about these folks back during the golden age of physics in Europe and they were seemingly always going on holidays or walking miles a day or doing bike trips through the mountains or going off to Vienna to visit, or playing music together, and so forth. And that was at a time when travel was not fast. I can't imagine having a life like that and getting much done.
I honestly don't see how people have real lives and friends and go camping and vacationing and partying, and still accomplish things. I just couldn't do it. Even having given up most of my life to creating a very large software product, I've still not been able to do half of what I really needed to get done.
Yes!! I feel the same way and in the bay everybody has like two masters...lol
I haven't even started to accomplish most of what I want to.. But I am light-years beyond most people.
I honestly don't see how people have real lives and friends and go camping and vacationing and partying, and still accomplish things. I just couldn't do it. Even having given up most of my life in creating a very large software product, I've still not been able to do half of what I really needed to get done.
I read a good bit about the history of science (mostly physics and cosmology) and you read about these folks back during the golden age of physics in Europe and they were seemingly always going on holidays or walking miles a day or doing bike trips through the mountains or going off to Vienna to visit, or playing music together, and so forth. And that was at a time when travel was not fast. I can't imagine having a life like that and getting much done.
I understand that your software stuff takes a huge number of human hours to actually write the stuff, but when your pursuits are more cerebral it actually helps to have "time off" and let the ideas and concepts work themselves out (to a degree). It's like the apocryphal tale about Newton and the apple tree; that's specifically probably not true, but the idea is there that inspiration lies in the subconscious. With writing this is particularly true, I work out issues when I'm not writing or applying my mind to it, I work it out when I casually reflect on it doing something else.
It's even harder now to avoid the media plague. We are constantly being bombarded by internet backwash and bad news. We hear horror stories of human behavior at it worst. We see the drama that unfolds between humans. Poor choices.
I've always seemed to click with those whom are 10-to-20 years older than I. We can learn a lot from those with experience, but we may also see the dark side of it, too.
I understand that your software stuff takes a huge number of human hours to actually write the stuff, but when your pursuits are more cerebral it actually helps to have "time off" and let the ideas and concepts work themselves out (to a degree). It's like the apocryphal tale about Newton and the apple tree; that's specifically probably not true, but the idea is there that inspiration lies in the subconscious. With writing this is particularly true, I work out issues when I'm not writing or applying my mind to it, I work it out when I casually reflect on it doing something else.
Anyway, back to the people hate.
While that's true, it's also not REALLY time off in the healthy sort of way relevant to what we are talking about here, spending that time engaged with other people and in the moment. I'm 'working' all the time. How many great ideas have come to people on the toilet? Perhaps the added pressure helps or something.
strangely enough I think I like most of you guys.... maybe because I don't really now you yet.
Exactly the opposite here, after reading all the replies, some of them very long and/or intelligent, I fell dumb, so I don't like most of you because you are clearly more intelligent than me.
__________________ for sale: roland d20 / yamaha tenori-on / akai mpc2500 / roland jx8p
Last edited by lunaticpark; 11th August 2012 at 06:51 PM..
Reason: wrong smilie...
Exactly the opposite here, after reading all the replies, some of them very long and/or intelligent, I fell dumb, so I don't like most of you because you are clearly more intelligent than me.
What your saying is, " I am the reason for this thread!" lol
I've seen all of his material, plus interviews, etc.
He's one of my favorite writers and performers. His linguistic ability is wonderful.
You're right - and he's spot on!
I'll check out that box set.
.
He is spot on when he talks about the "Owners" of the usa......the politicians are really the little guys too....its the owners who run it....and its a club....and we are not in it ...lol how true and I have always known there are powers way beyond the scope of most people's tiny brains. That is why I don't watch much tv, and I question the media at every turn.
I'm totally like this. In elementary school and middle school, I was too young to realize it, but I was trying to not care about anything too much. When I got into high school, I realized how much I cared about everything: about my passions, my hobbies, my schooling, saving money, etc. I used to hang out with friends all the time when I was a youngster, did things just to fit it, but when I got to high school I focused so much on getting perfect grades and trying to perfect my hobbies that I stopped hanging out with people as much. Whenever I saw someone else who half-assed a job or a test, it pissed me off. Whenever I saw someone pick up a hobby and completely set it down after 2 days of not getting it and expecting to be a master, it pissed me off. I never really liked being around people too much, so I'd stay up all night and sleep during the morning and afternoon, wake up right before I went to work in the afternoon. By staying up during the night, I'd get a lot of time to myself, too much time in fact. I've had 2 major relationships in my life, both lasting around 2 years and both ending in horrible aftermath. Those two relationships ruined my trust in most people, causing me to distance myself from others a lot of the time. I now realize life is far more difficult than I ever expected. I went to college for one year and did well, but couldn't afford to go back, so I'm stuck back in my home town, working at a steakhouse and trying to produce for local "talent" around here. I'm a bit depressed with the choices and paths my life has led me, but I know that I can change all that when I want. I do go out more and do spend more time with my friends now. I'm just trying to make up for the past where I secluded myself. Learn to love life, even though it is difficult, that's what I'm trying to do.
I'm not even all that hip on my own company, to be honest, but I'm hard to get away from. Some would probably say that this is some form of self-loathing and that such a thing is often at the root of not being comfortable around others. The old have to love yourself before others can love you thing I guess.
A funny one I heard is, "I converted to Judiasm, so that I could become a self-hating Jew."
i still go out i just hate the people that occupy spaces with me, like the a-hole on the road who cut me off because the started into my lane before signaling or the cashier who is on the phone with he boyfriend while i am trying to pay for gas even though she should get fired she knows the manager has his wife on the phone not paying attention o customers either.... or the police officer who killed your dog! other than that, my kids and wife are cool
New Reply 
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
