Salvador Dali Honeymoon

A beautiful song that makes you think---about anything.

Prologue.

I've been talking about creating my poetry anthology, and since have developed an idea for two of them. I actually started writing poetry 12 years ago, so I noticed the dichotomy of my works. I plan to release "In Maidenform" first, which will be poems compiled from 1998-2008ish (hence, when I was unmarried). "In Maidenform" also represents the independent, somewhat traumatic, and irrevocable struggles of girls and young women to find their intrisic/extrinsic identities (this includes gender roles).

Today, I am publishing my prologue for you. It catalogues early childhood, adolescence, and part of young adulthood. And yes, I WAS inspired my Geoffrey Chaucer--don't tell D. Haawl, though.

In Maidenform, I stand---
Paned parchment, pen in hand
white light flickers through the cranny wall,
edging boulders aside--
only reinforcing why lillies hide.

With unprecented labor
beyond the epicurean fervor,
Though I'd once cried alone
no encouragement, gestures,
or kindness remained unknown.

At times, within my hermitage,
withholding the pages to repress my rage.
I am the race against time
a purveyor of pivotal worth,
my spikes carve the finish line.
The Sage have impeccable ears,
but make no mistake.
I was ostracized in a maelstrom,
a malevolent paternal wake.

I arose a woman, impassioned,
prepared to refute Pluto
who rejects me and forces sirens to be mute.
Divine serenity is the emotional ragpicker
oft lighting the compass rose.

~JEA

That's what I have so far. I wrote it about a month ago, and put it aside to go apeshit on all my latest poetic ventures.

Poetic Justice.

I'm sure you guys are wondering how my latest poem came to fruition.

October 12th, 2009--Happy Birthday, Columbus. Happy Birthday, Father.


Yes, it was my Dad's birthday. James and I were invited to my parents' house to celebrate. Everything was ordinarily extraordinary (since they have such an opulent lifestyle in comparison to us), including the shrimp reduced in wine sauce over a bed of rice (aka dinner). All was well until we sat on the burgundy leather mini-couches in the living room. My dad turns on the TV, and oh SNAPAJAWEA!--it's Fox News. My favorite.

The blurb comes on about Rich Limbaugh's bid for the St. Louis Rams. The Repub press was discussing the public's/professionals' response, mostly about the remarks he made about Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. He was quoted as such:

"Sorry to say this, I don't think he's been that good from the get-go," Limbaugh said. "I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well. There is a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn't deserve. The defense carried this team."~Rush Limbaugh, Oct. 1, 2003, following the Eagles' 23-13 win over the Buffalo Bills. ---ESPN.COM

Now, I'm sure it is quite evident to Rush that when he said it was "desirous that a black quarterback do well" that he didn't intend to be racist. This also doesn't mean that racism should be condoned, either, but before I expound on that, let's rewind back to the newscast.

The Fox News, "analysts" said that because his remarks, the NFL was discriminating against him for what he'd said. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (the same person responsible for the suspension of Michael Vick, and ultimately, the CEO of football) said that he'd spoken to several players, some of which are from the Rams, and they'd voiced their displeasure about having a controversial figure support their franchise.

That being said, let's take a look at basic anatomy, here, no circulatory system involved (although it wouldn't hurt Limbaugh to have a pulse). I'm talking about the anatomy of a business. Organizational Communication 101. At the lowest level, you have your business. You have a CEO, who is at the top of "tree" or "food chain" of sorts. Beneath that individual, you have your manager/boss. Below them, you've got your serfs---I mean, workers. From the eaves the top, everyone serves their master. Of course, you have several intricacies in between, but your make up is established as thus. In a franchise, you have a chain of businesses working together to serve and produce (tangibly or intangibly).

The NFL, NHL, and NBA are not much different in that respect. They are businesses. The NFL has PROFESSIONAL athletes, who are EMPLOYED by the NFL and their chosen team, or company, to perform.

Now that we've talked basic business, let's talk about public relations. Business owners want to promote themselves, their line of work, and their trademark---'trademark', in this case, referring to what differentiates them from their competition. Some businesses want, whether because of outstanding qualifications or reputation, a face to represent them.

This brings us to Limbaugh. He makes a comment that, in the eyes of players, a sport, and a franchise that is PREDOMINANTLY AFRICAN-AMERICAN, that the media wants black quarterbacks to succeed, and that McNabb doesn't deserve much credit. The Rams, Goodell, and the rest of the league evaluated those statements, and realized that---in all best interests noted---Limbaugh's libelous statements may give them the appearance of impropriety.

What did my father say? "They can't do that. It's discrimination. That's bullshit."

I responded, gently at first, and was met with his usual "You don't know what you're talking about, blah blah blah" business. It wasn't that I WANTED to disarm him on his own birthday, but slightly more than a quarter century of my life has passed, and I never felt strong enough to defend my beliefs.

I raised my voice, loudly, and explained the business model again. I said every business reserves the right to make decisions in its best interest, and if it's bad PR for Limbaugh to be on board, they have the right to tell him so. That's not discrimination. They didn't deny him because of his race, gender, or sexuality. They denied him because of his ACTIONS, which, to me, were unwarranted and unprofessional.

Dad proceeded to scream at me, telling me I was just a kid, I have no idea how a business works, he was a businessperson himself, etc. Funny how he answers his own fucking question, since HE PROVIDED QUITE THE BUSINESS MODEL FOR ME GROWING UP. Where did I learn what a Sole Proprietorship is, and how I have one? From HIS mark ass--he and my mother both owned the framing business.

I'm sorry, but some of the most asinine human beings have touted age and experience as infallible credentials for---everything. I don't brag to two-year-olds about how much I know.

Eventually, he told me I was yelling at him. I lowered my voice about ten decibels and started speaking to him as if he were a small child, which I use as a sales approach if a customer starts swearing at me. I informed him I wasn't yelling, I was trying to make a point. I added that whenever my mother and I try to intellectually contribute to a conversation, he cuts us off and tells us we don't know what we're talking about, as if we're stupid. I then informed him he believes everything he sees and hears (LOL, because he does!), and he said he wasn't going to take this.
"FUCK YOU, GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY HOUSE!" He added that we're on two completely different ends of spectrum (I guess I'm a Liberal now. So what?). I laughed at him. I thought it was ridiculous, but he was for real. The next thing I knew, James and I were hugging Mom goodbye. My panic attack didn't set in until I was sitting in the Impala. I sobbed my tear ducts out. I wanted to know why I couldn't just talk to the man. I wasn't trying to support legislation to ban crazy Republican radio personalities from buying NFL football teams.

We eventually departed, and when we reached Transfer, the phone rang. I looked down, and saw that it was my father. I answered. He told me that I had surpassed his expectations, and that I didn't have to prove myself anymore, and a few other valuable compliments. I let him talk for a few more minutes, until a pause denoted my response. I told him I appreciated what he'd said, and that all I really wanted to do was talk. He said he understood, and that he "should have blown up like that," and said he wouldn't argue with us about business or politics again. He also said he's found that he can't talk to people about it anymore, since it pisses them off (i.e., some guy in the gym who can't say "boo" to him now because he's a Democrat).

I told Joy and Lynn about it, and Joy's response: "Too little, too late."

Maybe, but at least I got an apology, and at least you got an insight into the inspiration for the previous poem.

Word.

And now, a word from our sponsor...

Korn.

"You want to sleep with him to get to who you need to know, think that's the only way, don't you? It's in religion, sex, in everything we do and say, I'll look the other way, won't you?"

"YOU WANNA TALK ABOUT POLITICS?!"

Political Re-Affiliation.

Jen, you'll appreciate this. <3

Three years ago, Jen (aka Bean), Alan,(I forget his last name) and I were sitting in the Bistro mulling over....damn near everything. We started talking about our lives and upbringing. I, of course, mentioned the stentatorian nation that was my household, thanks to my father. I mentioned that while I am a registered Republican, I don't really carry the "ideals" of the party. Since politics are such a slippy slope, I won't even attempt to define, absolument, what the party is and what it represents. We all know that Republicans have been defined as "conservative" and having "moral values" (LMAO, as if Democrats and Independents don't really give a shit about those things), but there's no blue print relegating us to such labels and mini-mores.

When I shared my thoughts about registering Independent that day, the sun came out. Call me a massive nerd, but I think that was a sign. So I think "outside the box" and still have moral values. Does that make me less of a Republican? What does that make me, anyway? A liberal?

I am proud to be a liberal thinker. I think everyone should, regardless of their party affiliation, past living environment, and other factors of their existence. I have ALWAYS believed there was a generational struggle. I used to write my own "dissertations" of sorts and show them to my father. He was repugnant, as usual, and dismissed them. I'm just a kid. I know absolutely nothing.

Did you know there is evidence out there that technology will not only outlive us, but make our species OBSOLETE? Forget Vista and Windows 7, this is our future, and some of our education is becoming obsolete as well. It isn't shit that's happening, but SHIFT. If you haven't watched this yet, you should, regardless of your age. I don't want this to sink in when you're sipping applesauce from a straw.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdTOFkhaplo

I can't figure out how to insert an embeddable player, so bear with me.

This brings us to the discussion President Obama has recently had with the media and all of us.

China and India are further ahead than we are in education. Chinese students attend school 270 days a year, six days a week (five hours on Saturday). The suicide rate is also quite high. To what call is suicide the answer? STRESS. It also leads to clinical depression, heart attacks, and high blood pressure. The president suggests we attend school for 200 days a year, and that all school sessions be 10 hours. TEN HOURS? Sure, let's have a kindergartener sit in class for 10 hours and focus. Shit, I could hardly do 12 working three jobs, and I'm 21 years their junior. I don't even think American high school kids last that long. What about mental disorders, like ADHD , Opposition Defiant Disorder, Autism, or even mental retardation (like Down's Syndrome)? Such students already have the disorders' manifestations impeding their learning process, and now you're going to make them work their cerebral cortex for 10 hours? To the rest of us, that's equivalent of taking an eight hour S.A.T. EVERY FUCKING DAY. Heard it.

I agree with Obama; we NEED to bring America ahead of the learning curve (think SHIFT: HAPPENS), but it's the method of the matter. Ten hours is ludicrous, and not only is it ludicrous for our children and teens, it is ludicrous for our teachers. Talk about bring business into the educators' workplace! Let's work the teachers longer and PAY THEM LESS!!!!! James and Jayne already work at LEAST an hour outside of school. You give these teachers a fucking planning period in that 10 hour day, and pay them for it, too. Sharon High School has already presented Obama's proposal to its faculty, and even discussed REVISING THE CONTRACT. Dude, my husband already works half time, and we can't afford a house. This isn't solving the working man's problem, either. It's just as ridiculous as Walmart. What are you going to do, make teachers hourly employees and take away their salary?

I think the answer to the problem is to refine and change the way we teach, and thus change the way students learn. Seven or eight hours will suffice. It's not really HOW LONG students attend school, it's HOW YOU MAKE USE OF THEIR TIME. Parents need to become more involved and ASK their kids' teachers what is going on, and better yet, if you want to be part of the solution, ATTEND A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING. As a former reporter, I know for a fact that's where the issues are, and where you can go to find out what's shaping your child's school and their future. Because if we do something about, we'll know how to surpass technology when SHIFT HAPPENS.

All of that being said, I have chosen to register Independent. These are my non-affiliated views. I speak to you as a member of the human race, not an elefundit.

Poem--Untitled. Circa 2009.

The splintered, wooden rod was snapped---
but will the pendulum swing back to strike me?
The sodden ground fashioned with the tread marks of war.
Ill mentions of the half-moor.
Awakened, Desdemona dies, the history erupted in precedents of magma.
Blé, n'est-pas?
What wafer poisons me?

All things born in mortar or effervescence taste of hypocrisy.
It is the pen, the Word, the bleeding band?
Can your smite stain a nation if you hear bugles ring
at the tyrants' march?
The erosion and silent absolution will suffice
in the remembrance of mice.

~Jill E. Antel 10/13/09

Let go, because there's beauty in the breakdown.~Frou-Frou

This is my mature, post-collegiate blog. I've decided to share my thoughts about politics, life, love, and other expressions of my own infinite wisdom. I'm also working on my first (and certainly not last!) poetry anthology, In Maidenform; excerpts of which will be shared shortly.