Redefining misanthropy for a fresh generation. Standard posts begin with a definition from Ambrose Bierce's The Devil's Dictionary followed by a modern adjustment. Miscellany on Wednesday and storytelling on Saturday.
Friday, February 03, 2006
Distance
Distance, n. The only thing that the rich are willing for the poor to call theirs, and keep.
2006 Update: Substantial daylight accentuating beauty and obscuring the wallet.
Do over: The criterion for beauty, wisdom and sophistication.
Distance... a word that reminds me of my dear friend Lama Chonam, a Tibetan Buddhist monk. We had the good fortune of seeing each other often for 2 months. After that, I moved away and we have seen each other perhaps 2 or 3 times since then and only for very brief visits. Our karma has been stingy. 10 years ago, when we first had to say goodbye, he said in his broken English, "Our karma very stingy. Very stingy! But distance not matter when you have good connection and love." Then we touched foreheads, hugged and said goodbye...
Once the realization is accepted that even between the closest human beings infinite distances continue, a wonderful living side by side can grow, if they succeed in loving the distance between them which makes it possible for each to see the other whole against the sky. ~Rainer Maria Rilke
I don't know if it's possible for lovers to learn to love the distance between them but it definitely must be learnt to respect it in order to avoid to kill each other.
Jenna, it's funny how Menamena sticks with you for a lifetime.
Alice, you are an old soul. I hear you.
Haha, Icy. Funny! Good dog!
Andrew, I use the "fool 250 miles from home" version. Now that I think of it, I'm calling a mulligan on my definition, thanks for jogging my poor brain.
Anonymous, it's the average (for) envy.
Indie, and it always stands too close.
Funny, Ariel. Distance reduces the risk of choking.
Doug, man, I gotta call you on the d.o. Everyone knows that a cynic is just an unfulfilled romantic. On the cynical side, I'll admit that close proximity to the Ideal often reveals her flaws. But there's nothing better than beauty, wisdom and sophistication up close, and you know it.
Chatcat, The feline sense of distance is something I can only admire.
Mireille, agreed.
Pia, you've just been reading too much TV Guide. Fear=crankiness?
Haha, Karma. Glad you covered your distance to get back "here." Little drinking problem?
S, so the ideal is female? Anyone feel like arguing with my contrary friend?
And S, do me a favor go to a globe and put your thumb on Long Island. If you can get your fingers over the homes of your last four girlfriends, I'll debate you.
Your feisty today, D. I'll have you know that four years ago I dated someone who lived so close, she was actually a customer at the store. Now I can put my thumb on a map of Long Island and cover a whole town of people who won't buy marshmallows anymore. Better for business to date someone who needs a visa to get in the country.
Distance: Irrelevant in Blogsphere.
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday Doug and to all my blogger buddies who are only a click away. :)
Just like Grover on Sesame street: Near....far...near...far.
ReplyDeleteDistance (n) the immeasurable thin line between emotion
ReplyDeleteYou know that when I hate you, it is because I love you to a point of passion that unhinges my soul
--Julie de Lespinasse
Doug, are you saying that every woman is pretty from the right distance? :)
ReplyDeleteDo you know where friendship ends
ReplyDeleteAnd passion does begin?
It's between the binding of
Her stockings and her skin.
(oh yeah...)
Suzanne Vega
Sar... brilliant! Love your definition...
ReplyDeleteDistance... a word that reminds me of my dear friend Lama Chonam, a Tibetan Buddhist monk. We had the good fortune of seeing each other often for 2 months. After that, I moved away and we have seen each other perhaps 2 or 3 times since then and only for very brief visits. Our karma has been stingy. 10 years ago, when we first had to say goodbye, he said in his broken English, "Our karma very stingy. Very stingy! But distance not matter when you have good connection and love." Then we touched foreheads, hugged and said goodbye...
What I will DEFFinately be keeping from YOU from now on.
ReplyDeleteP. S. I hope Smart Alic gets you're flees!!!!!!!
Sar, are those Ruby slippers, now?
ReplyDeleteAh, Jenna, Grover was a favorite of mine. Snuff's the man, though.
Still Life, I really like how you did that definition. Good quote too.
Ariel, I've never met a woman I never met who wasn't lovely. Great quote.
That's a nice story, Miz B.
Pansi, fleas aren't contagious. Envy is.
no definition today, but a much loved quote:
ReplyDeleteOnce the realization is accepted that even between the closest human beings infinite distances continue, a wonderful living side by side can grow, if they succeed in loving the distance between them which makes it possible for each to see the other whole against the sky. ~Rainer Maria Rilke
Oh yeah - Snuff rocked but he had nothing on the Muppets and that weird furry green guy who'd wander around sing "Mahnamahna". He rocked!
ReplyDeleteOooh Miz B, me likey your story.
distance: never enough , always too much
ReplyDeleteIt's a far far better thing
ReplyDeleteDistance (n): What makes someone appear impressive. An expert is someone from out of town.
ReplyDeleteUsually just on the other side where the grass and Emerald City are greener
ReplyDeleteAway (from) Extent
Distance: The thing standing between me and something else.
ReplyDeleteLOL Indie
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it's possible for lovers to learn to love the distance between them but it definitely must be learnt to respect it in order to avoid to kill each other.
Sehr gut, Ariella und Rilke.
ReplyDeleteJenna, it's funny how Menamena sticks with you for a lifetime.
Alice, you are an old soul. I hear you.
Haha, Icy. Funny! Good dog!
Andrew, I use the "fool 250 miles from home" version. Now that I think of it, I'm calling a mulligan on my definition, thanks for jogging my poor brain.
Anonymous, it's the average (for) envy.
Indie, and it always stands too close.
Funny, Ariel. Distance reduces the risk of choking.
Distance: the negative space between me and my Cat Couch. Which is zero every time she sits down.
ReplyDeletein the mind of the beholder ... the void rendered null by cyberspace. xoxo
ReplyDeleteEverybody is too smart for me.
ReplyDeleteDistance: a place away some people don't really want to keep but do out of usually misguided fear
the space between the cup and the lip. aka coffee interruptus
ReplyDeleteDoug, man, I gotta call you on the d.o. Everyone knows that a cynic is just an unfulfilled romantic. On the cynical side, I'll admit that close proximity to the Ideal often reveals her flaws. But there's nothing better than beauty, wisdom and sophistication up close, and you know it.
ReplyDelete*nudging back in* semi's right about the cynic. xoxo
ReplyDeleteChatcat, The feline sense of distance is something I can only admire.
ReplyDeleteMireille, agreed.
Pia, you've just been reading too much TV Guide. Fear=crankiness?
Haha, Karma. Glad you covered your distance to get back "here." Little drinking problem?
S, so the ideal is female? Anyone feel like arguing with my contrary friend?
And S, do me a favor go to a globe and put your thumb on Long Island. If you can get your fingers over the homes of your last four girlfriends, I'll debate you.
Your feisty today, D. I'll have you know that four years ago I dated someone who lived so close, she was actually a customer at the store. Now I can put my thumb on a map of Long Island and cover a whole town of people who won't buy marshmallows anymore. Better for business to date someone who needs a visa to get in the country.
ReplyDeleteROTFL!
ReplyDeleteas a fellow coffee addict, i can't beat karma's definition.
ReplyDeleteI only go the distance if I know the goal is worth the sweat and I am wearing comfortable shoes.
ReplyDeleteS, or diabetics.
ReplyDeleteAriel, that's one vote for Semisweet1.
Masil, as a coffee addict you can repeat it. Several times. Fast.
Monika, noted. Snowshoes?
I like the do over. Sorry about Pansi, but she's going through a hard time right now and feels you took advantage of that.
ReplyDeleteI like the do over too...At one point, it was 80 degrees here in So. Cal which is quite some distance from that Phil character I keep hearing about.
ReplyDeleteActonbell, you aren't aging.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Weirsdo. I know she's going through a hard time, but a dog has needs.
Squaregirl, I thought I'd lost my mind turning on the air conditioning in my pickup today.
It's late... all I'm getting is another earworm... this time, Bette Midler's "From a Distance". CURSE YOU, DOUG!
ReplyDeleteIck, Aral. Apologies.
ReplyDeleteGeez... i got the earworm toooo! The first thing that popped into my head is the song by Cake "The Distance". Not a terrific song either... :(
ReplyDelete"He's going the distance
He's going for speed
She's all alone, all alone, all alone in a time of need
Because he's racing and pacing and plotting the course
He's fighting and biting and riding on his horse
He's going the distance"
See... I told you it was BAD...But I don't blame you for it was my stupid head that made this song pop into it! You just encouraged, that's all! :)~
Dang, Shayna. At least Aral got a Nancy Griffiths song. My sorrow and sympathy.
ReplyDeleteDistance: Too far when it's someone you love and too near when it's someone you hate.
ReplyDelete