two thousand kung fu kids forming shapes via synchronized tai chi was a sign of something
what, I don’t know … but we stared at it & the use of lights & the globe … all that.
Once, in Okinawa, I tripped on some nifty substance (aw come on, that was years ago) & sat way up on a hill overlooking a busy street at dusk … drop jawed by the spectacle of Nipponese people bustling amidst so much electronics … advanced for the 80s. Still to this day the Far East … the people … the culture … they got a way of, well, …being an ancient civilization better than we have a way of being a rather young one. But then there are the ancient horrific & inhuman characteristics (been) rising to the top of their society as well. & their business hierarchy with brothels of kept girls for pleasures not about family. & the bully, the fuckhead, has a home there too, just like here (disregard for life walking amongst those who cherish it). …The paradox of man I suppose.
Is it inherent fear, or vision and discipline, or spirituality or nationalism or family functionality that teaches 2 thousand kids to move as one? Maybe it has a lot to do with fear? Fear of being dragged out into the street … and shot … and tossed into a pile. Nah, …that’s not it, it must be discipline and vision and excellent teachers and tradition and acute focus towards a singular idea ... taught by elders to the youth and carried forward. But then there is the brutality … I don’t know, …there was what felt like genuine peace there on the surf and on the streets of Okinawa when I was there, a serenity that was deep and introspective, a calm amongst most of the people I met, a wisdom & warmth in their eyes ~~ how can someone that looks so deeply fearless be, in actuality, deeply conquered by fear? I’ve never been to China, but I’ve read enough about its military and so-called leadership to be sickened for life. Everywhere there’s a lot o good in “people” … but countries &/or dominion keeps right on tearing away at the best of us. Good thread, PKJ. Not sure what the Olympics mean to me; not sure what I think about American athletes with their hands on their hearts; not sure what I think about judges who can cheat if they feel like it; not sure why Dubya can bebop around fearless like a tourist in a country up to its eyelids in machineguns ~~ probably because most folks abroad appreciate that he is a neon symbol of an America full of idiots and assholes … so best keep him around as long as possible. I've been diggin the swimming, diving, beach volleyball, b-ball and water polo when I get to see them. Gymnastics is always superhuman. The archery is pretty amazing too. Not the scoring, the politics of judging, the ceremony, but (as somebody already said) the people.
Whoops, …a rant, a ramble. All I meant to say was: Wow, 2 thousand kids doing synchronized tai chi….
