Quiet Riot, "Mama Were All Crazee Now"

"The unreal is more powerful than the real, because nothing is as perfect as you can imagine it. Because its only intangible ideas, concepts, beliefs, fantasies that last. Stone crumbles. Wood rots. People, well, they die. But things as fragile as a thought, a dream, a legend, they can go on and on."

Silence is a fickle thing. For some of us, it's appreciated, for others it's dreaded. Being immersed in good 'ol Mama Nature, "Hello, Clarice," or (dare I say it) the silent treatment - each leaves us feeling anywhere from way up, to way, way, beneath-the-earth's-crust magma low. What's interesting, though, is how much silence surrounds relationships. Is this normal, or are we simply living amongst couplings who happen to have a surplus of duct tape?

Why are we so obsessed about discussing normalcy, when in fact, normalcy isn't (sorry daydreamers) normal? We can spend hours chatting about last night's game highlights, yet when it comes to the behind the scenes/off the field discourse - silence reins supreme.

Just like relationships.

Humanity is eager to speak about the positives (call us optimists), and consequently, bury away the negatives. Soon, we have an over-booked graveyard and a full moon coming. We trivialize and affront those who are "having problems," "working things out," or worst of all, "seeking help," all at a low whisper. Its almost like we're scared into the "Sleeping Beauty reality." Of course - Prince Charming will come, wake you up from an evil slumber, wed and bed you in only a matter of days. But what if Aurora was enjoying her shut eye? Maybe she'd been an insomniac for years and a man (who just so happened to be a Prince) penetrated her spatial proxemics, all for the sake of his Napoleon complex? Because of our unwillingness to say, "Hey, Princey and I are struggling. We're trying to understand each other and it's not easy," we again, influence future generations that things, in fact, should be easy, and if they're not - something's obviously wrong with you (or him).

Seldom you hear (or begin to see) from your parents that marriage is difficult, and I surely appreciate the gesture of honesty. But that's it. Everything else should be a walk in the always incandescent, smiley, happy-go-lucky park - work, school, friends, xy and xx. As much as I enjoy glasses half full (especially rose-colored ones), I'm trying not to be confused by the unspoken rule of life. We keep a lot to ourselves. Sometimes it helps, but a lot of the time it hurts.

Whether or not we have real expectations regarding life, love (thank you Notting Hill), and the pursuit of happiness, I suppose it really doesn't matter. Because soon enough, we each fall into situations that make soap operas hit a little closer to home. And then we can start to, finally, understand. Much like any instance, we never quite know how someone's feeling until we too, get pulled over for going 83 in a 65.

It's okay to be okay, and it's okay to not be, too. And maybe that's why this profound silence continues to live on. Waiting for the rest, while now, ironically, growing quiet in contentment.

"If people are truly, madly, deeply in love with each other, they will find a way." Remember that.

Cheers,

CourtReplies

You are the Wolf, I am the Moon.

"I know women are taught by other women that they must never admit the full truth to a man. But the highest form of affection is based on full sincerity on both sides. Not being men, these women don't know that in looking back on those he has had tender relations with, a man's heart returns closest to her who was the soul of truth in her conduct. The better class of man, even if caught by airy affectations of dodging and parrying, is not retained by them. A Nemesis attends the woman who plays the game of elusiveness too often, in the utter contempt for her that, sooner or later, her old admirers feel; under which they allow her to go unlamented to her grave."