HELLO. MY NAME IS MR. OARRMIN. THIS WEBSITE IS NOTHING BUT AN ARCHIVE OF THOUGHTS AND STORIES FROM THE MIND OF AN OLD MAN. TAKE EVERYTHING I SAY WITH A GRAIN OF SALT-- BUT LISTEN TO EVERY WORD CAREFULLY. THOUGH TIMES AND TRUTHS MAY CHANGE, SOME THINGS WILL ALWAYS BE THE SAME.
ONCE YOU REACH A CERTAIN AGE, YOU START FORGETTING HOW OLD YOU ARE. THIS IS A CURSE, AND A BLESSING. MEN LIKE ME DON'T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT HOW MUCH TIME WE HAVE LEFT. WE LIVE IN THE MOMENT, SIMPLY TO LIVE. THERE WAS A TIME IN MY LIFE WHERE I NEVER SAT AND REFLECTED, ON MY DECISIONS, ON MY ACTIONS. BUT NOW, I'VE GOT ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD. SO MY WORDS REALLY OUGHT TO MEAN SOMETHING TO ANY CURIOUS EARS!
THOUGH YOU MAY CHOOSE TO SEE ME AS A SILLY OLD MAN, I DO NOT ACT WITHOUT REASON. EVEN IF WHAT I DO MAY SEEM NONSENSICAL, I ASSURE YOU, IT ALL MAKES SENSE IN MY HEAD. FOR EXAMPLE, EVERY FEW MONTHS, I LIKE TO BUY SEVERAL BOAT TICKETS TO AND FROM ANVILWALK. BUT I NEVER RIDE THE BOAT. I SIMPLY RESERVE THE SEATS. I THINK FATE HAS A WAY OF TAKING YOU EXACTLY WHERE YOU NEED TO GO...
IF SOMEONE NEEDS TO COME TO TOWN, OR SOMEONE NEEDS TO LEAVE, I KNOW, SOMEHOW, THEY'LL KNOW TO GET ONTO THAT BOAT WHEN IT RIDES INTO THEIR PORT. YOU HAVE TO HAVE FAITH SOMETIMES, OTHERWISE, WHAT'S THE POINT?
I'LL UPDATE THIS WEBSITE REGULARLY WITH NEW THOUGHTS AND STORIES, SO LONG AS I HAVE THE MEANS WITH WHICH TO SHARE THEM. PLEASE ENJOY.
ONCE YOU REACH A CERTAIN AGE, YOU START FORGETTING HOW OLD YOU ARE. THIS IS A CURSE, AND A BLESSING. MEN LIKE ME DON'T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT HOW MUCH TIME WE HAVE LEFT. WE LIVE IN THE MOMENT, SIMPLY TO LIVE. THERE WAS A TIME IN MY LIFE WHERE I NEVER SAT AND REFLECTED, ON MY DECISIONS, ON MY ACTIONS. BUT NOW, I'VE GOT ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD. SO MY WORDS REALLY OUGHT TO MEAN SOMETHING TO ANY CURIOUS EARS!
THOUGH YOU MAY CHOOSE TO SEE ME AS A SILLY OLD MAN, I DO NOT ACT WITHOUT REASON. EVEN IF WHAT I DO MAY SEEM NONSENSICAL, I ASSURE YOU, IT ALL MAKES SENSE IN MY HEAD. FOR EXAMPLE, EVERY FEW MONTHS, I LIKE TO BUY SEVERAL BOAT TICKETS TO AND FROM ANVILWALK. BUT I NEVER RIDE THE BOAT. I SIMPLY RESERVE THE SEATS. I THINK FATE HAS A WAY OF TAKING YOU EXACTLY WHERE YOU NEED TO GO...
IF SOMEONE NEEDS TO COME TO TOWN, OR SOMEONE NEEDS TO LEAVE, I KNOW, SOMEHOW, THEY'LL KNOW TO GET ONTO THAT BOAT WHEN IT RIDES INTO THEIR PORT. YOU HAVE TO HAVE FAITH SOMETIMES, OTHERWISE, WHAT'S THE POINT?
I'LL UPDATE THIS WEBSITE REGULARLY WITH NEW THOUGHTS AND STORIES, SO LONG AS I HAVE THE MEANS WITH WHICH TO SHARE THEM. PLEASE ENJOY.
11/4/15
TODAY, I SAW THE STRANGEST CARTOON. FAR TOO STRANGE. YES, IT WAS A SHOW FOR KIDS, OR, RATHER, A "CARTOON FOR KIDS"? I'D SURE HOPE SO! EVEN STILL, IT FELT...
UNSCRIPTED?
YES, THAT'S THE WORD. DESPITE BEING ANIMATED, IT FELT AS IF IT WAS DONE LIVE, IN THE MOMENT... WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE, UNLESS THE POINT IS TO BE CONFUSING AND AVANT-GARDE. THIS IS WHY I HATE ART.
CREATED BY "MARY & ANDREWS". I SWEAR I'VE SEEN THAT BEFORE. ON THE SIDE OF THOSE BIG OLD MACHINES WEST SIDE OF TOWN. THE WHIRLIGIGS AND HELZTERS AND WHATNOT.
HANDS IN MANY POTS, NO? OF COURSE, WHEN YOUR HANDS ARE SO PREOCCUPIED, THERE'S NOTHING TO KEEP THE WORLD AROUND YOU FROM FALLING APART.
... COME TO THINK OF IT, THAT SEPTIC TANK IN MY APARTMENT COMPLEX SHARED THE SAME NAME...
TODAY, I SAW THE STRANGEST CARTOON. FAR TOO STRANGE. YES, IT WAS A SHOW FOR KIDS, OR, RATHER, A "CARTOON FOR KIDS"? I'D SURE HOPE SO! EVEN STILL, IT FELT...
UNSCRIPTED?
YES, THAT'S THE WORD. DESPITE BEING ANIMATED, IT FELT AS IF IT WAS DONE LIVE, IN THE MOMENT... WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE, UNLESS THE POINT IS TO BE CONFUSING AND AVANT-GARDE. THIS IS WHY I HATE ART.
CREATED BY "MARY & ANDREWS". I SWEAR I'VE SEEN THAT BEFORE. ON THE SIDE OF THOSE BIG OLD MACHINES WEST SIDE OF TOWN. THE WHIRLIGIGS AND HELZTERS AND WHATNOT.
HANDS IN MANY POTS, NO? OF COURSE, WHEN YOUR HANDS ARE SO PREOCCUPIED, THERE'S NOTHING TO KEEP THE WORLD AROUND YOU FROM FALLING APART.
... COME TO THINK OF IT, THAT SEPTIC TANK IN MY APARTMENT COMPLEX SHARED THE SAME NAME...
THIS REMINDS ME OF A STORY ABOUT A DANCER.
THE DANCER WAS LONELY, WITH NO FAMILY AND NO FRIENDS.
BUT A DREAM, TO BE THE BEST DANCER IN THE WORLD.
THEY PRACTICED EVERY DAY-- BUT WITH NO ONE TO PRACTICE WITH, THEY CREATED A SOLUTION.
THE DANCER WOULD PRACTICE DANCING WITH THEIR OWN SHADOW.
A WALTZ BETWEEN LIGHT AND DARK, USING THEIR SHADOW AS A PARTNER, THE DANCER IMPROVED DAY BY DAY.
UNTIL FINALLY, THE DANCER AUDITIONED.
THEY PERFORMED THEIR ROUTINE FOR THE WORLD TO SEE.
THE DANCER AND THEIR DARK PARTNER DANCED THE DAY AWAY, MOVING IN PERFECT LOCKSTEP.
AND IT WAS BEAUTIFUL.
THE JUDGES STOOD AND APPLAUDED THE ROUTINE.
THE DANCER'S HEART FLUTTERED. THEY THOUGHT THEIR DREAM CAME TRUE.
BUT THEN,
THE JUDGES ACCEPTED NOT THE DANCER,
BUT THE DANCER'S SHADOW,
AND WITH THAT, A DREAM HAD DIED.
AND THE DANCER MAY AS WELL HAVE BECOME THE TRUE SHADOW.
I REMEMBER THE DAY THE WATER WENT BLACK. I WAS TRYING TO SHAVE, I REMEMBER. THE MOMENT I SAW IT SLOWLY OOZING OUT OF THE FAUCET,
I KNEW DAMN WELL WHAT IT WAS. I THINK EVERYONE DID. NOBODY WANTED TO BELIEVE IT-- BUT IT WAS WHAT IT WAS. PEOPLE TALKED, SURE,
BUT NOT FOR LONG. EVERYONE CRAVED NORMALCY. WE KNEW, COLLECTIVELY, THAT NO ONE IN TOWN WAS AT FAULT. AND NOBODY IN TOWN DIED.
SO DID IT EVEN DESERVE MORE THOUGHT...? PROBABLY. BUT NOBODY BOTHERED. THEY CREATE WALLS, CREATE THE IDEA OF SAFETY, CREATE THIS
PERFECT IDEALIZED WORLD. AND WHEN THAT WORLD IS CHALLENGED, THEY FALL APART. ANYWAYS, IT WAS QUITE A FEW CHILDREN. SOMEONE WAS HIRED
TO TAKE CARE OF IT, BUT HE WAS QUICKLY LET GO. PEOPLE HAVE THEIR THEORIES-- WELL, ACTUALLY, THEY DON'T. THEY'D RATHER NOT THEORIZE ABOUT
SOMETHING THAT SCARES THEM SO DEEPLY. BUT PEOPLE WOULD HAVE THEIR THEORIES. I KNOW I DO. WAS THE MAYOR INVOLVED? NO, OF COURSE NOT.
TOO PATHETIC OF A MAN TO EVER DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT. (REMIND ME TO DELETE THAT WHEN OWNERSHIP OF THE BOARD IS GIVEN TO THE MAYOR).
BUT PERHAPS DIGGING AROUND COULD UNEARTH SOMETHING ELSE? SOMETHING UNRELATED, BUT SOMETHING HORRIFYING? SOMETHING UNCOMFORTABLE. SOMETHING REAL.
ANYWAYS, I WENT OUT TO THE OCEAN AND SHAVED WITH SALTWATER.
SIMPLE SOLUTIONS, PEOPLE. SIMPLE SOLUTIONS.
I KNEW DAMN WELL WHAT IT WAS. I THINK EVERYONE DID. NOBODY WANTED TO BELIEVE IT-- BUT IT WAS WHAT IT WAS. PEOPLE TALKED, SURE,
BUT NOT FOR LONG. EVERYONE CRAVED NORMALCY. WE KNEW, COLLECTIVELY, THAT NO ONE IN TOWN WAS AT FAULT. AND NOBODY IN TOWN DIED.
SO DID IT EVEN DESERVE MORE THOUGHT...? PROBABLY. BUT NOBODY BOTHERED. THEY CREATE WALLS, CREATE THE IDEA OF SAFETY, CREATE THIS
PERFECT IDEALIZED WORLD. AND WHEN THAT WORLD IS CHALLENGED, THEY FALL APART. ANYWAYS, IT WAS QUITE A FEW CHILDREN. SOMEONE WAS HIRED
TO TAKE CARE OF IT, BUT HE WAS QUICKLY LET GO. PEOPLE HAVE THEIR THEORIES-- WELL, ACTUALLY, THEY DON'T. THEY'D RATHER NOT THEORIZE ABOUT
SOMETHING THAT SCARES THEM SO DEEPLY. BUT PEOPLE WOULD HAVE THEIR THEORIES. I KNOW I DO. WAS THE MAYOR INVOLVED? NO, OF COURSE NOT.
TOO PATHETIC OF A MAN TO EVER DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT. (REMIND ME TO DELETE THAT WHEN OWNERSHIP OF THE BOARD IS GIVEN TO THE MAYOR).
BUT PERHAPS DIGGING AROUND COULD UNEARTH SOMETHING ELSE? SOMETHING UNRELATED, BUT SOMETHING HORRIFYING? SOMETHING UNCOMFORTABLE. SOMETHING REAL.
ANYWAYS, I WENT OUT TO THE OCEAN AND SHAVED WITH SALTWATER.
SIMPLE SOLUTIONS, PEOPLE. SIMPLE SOLUTIONS.
DID YOU GUYS SEE THAT PAGE THAT THEY TRIED TO SCRUB?
BY THAT ARMLESS TOWN OAF? IT'S CRAZY, ISN'T IT? HERE.
TAKE A LOOK.
ISN'T IT SAD? DO YOU THINK IT COULD MEAN SOMETHING?
NO, OBVIOUSLY IT DOESN'T. WHY TAKE SOMETHING LIKE THAT SERIOUSLY?
BY THAT ARMLESS TOWN OAF? IT'S CRAZY, ISN'T IT? HERE.
TAKE A LOOK.
ISN'T IT SAD? DO YOU THINK IT COULD MEAN SOMETHING?
NO, OBVIOUSLY IT DOESN'T. WHY TAKE SOMETHING LIKE THAT SERIOUSLY?
LATELY, I'VE TAKEN A KEEN INTEREST IN THE PET STORE.
I NEVER KNEW HOW CUTE AND ENDEARING ANIMALS COULD BE.
TRUTHFULLY, I ALWAYS THOUGHT THEY WERE A WASTE OF TIME...
BUT I CAN SEE, AT LEAST SOMEWHAT, THAT I WAS WRONG!
I'VE BEEN THINKING OF GETTING A DOG, HONESTLY.
I THINK A LOYAL COMPANION IS SOMETHING I'VE BEEN MISSING IN MY LIFE?
PLUS, A DOG'LL BE NICE TO HAVE AROUND FOR MY BBQ'S. THOUGH...
I'M NOT TOO SURE I CAN GET AWAY WITH THOSE FOR THE TIME BEING.
THAT WHITE SMOKE, YOU'VE ALL SEEN IT TOO, RIGHT?
IT JUST PLUMES UP. REALLY, IT'S MORE LIKE A VAPOR, THAN SMOKE.
ONLY FOR A FEW HOURS AT A TIME, BUT IT'S HAPPENED ALMOST EVERY OTHER DAY
FOR THE PAST WEEK OR SO.
IS THIS POLLUTION? I FEEL LIKE I SHOULD CUT BACK ON THE BBQ'S FOR THE TIME BEING.
ANYWAYS, I WONDER HOW THAT MAN IS DOING. THE ONE WHO RUNS THE PET SHOP .
I NEVER KNEW HOW CUTE AND ENDEARING ANIMALS COULD BE.
TRUTHFULLY, I ALWAYS THOUGHT THEY WERE A WASTE OF TIME...
BUT I CAN SEE, AT LEAST SOMEWHAT, THAT I WAS WRONG!
I'VE BEEN THINKING OF GETTING A DOG, HONESTLY.
I THINK A LOYAL COMPANION IS SOMETHING I'VE BEEN MISSING IN MY LIFE?
PLUS, A DOG'LL BE NICE TO HAVE AROUND FOR MY BBQ'S. THOUGH...
I'M NOT TOO SURE I CAN GET AWAY WITH THOSE FOR THE TIME BEING.
THAT WHITE SMOKE, YOU'VE ALL SEEN IT TOO, RIGHT?
IT JUST PLUMES UP. REALLY, IT'S MORE LIKE A VAPOR, THAN SMOKE.
ONLY FOR A FEW HOURS AT A TIME, BUT IT'S HAPPENED ALMOST EVERY OTHER DAY
FOR THE PAST WEEK OR SO.
IS THIS POLLUTION? I FEEL LIKE I SHOULD CUT BACK ON THE BBQ'S FOR THE TIME BEING.
ANYWAYS, I WONDER HOW THAT MAN IS DOING. THE ONE WHO RUNS THE PET SHOP .
LET'S TALK THERAPY. THE WAY I SEE IT, I WON LIFE'S BEST LOTTERY. I GET THE HONOR OF LIVING IN THE GREATEST TOWN ON EARTH.
MY BUDDY, CHARLES, HE SAYS "Oarrmin, you're always smiling. No matter what, I always see that smile on your face." AND I SAY,
"THAT'S MR. OARRMIN TO YOU." AND THEN WE HAVE A LAUGH. WELL, I DO, AT LEAST. THEN I SAY, "EVERY BAD THING THAT HAS HAPPENED
TO ME IN THE PAST FEW DECADES, I DON'T REMEMBER ANY OF IT. BUT THOSE GOOD MEMORIES, I CAN RECALL THEM CRYSTAL CLEAR. I REMEMBER
WHEN YOUR DAUGHTER WAS BORN, CHARLES. I REMEMBER WHEN YOU ASKED ME TO BE HER GODFATHER. I REMEMBER PLAYING GOLF WITH MIGUEL,
AND I REMEMBER WHEN HE GOT THE CALL FROM HIS REALTOR, THAT THE DEAL WAS CLOSED, AND HE GOT THE HOUSE. I REMEMBER WHEN JANICE GOT
PROPOSED TO." CHARLES SMILED, AND HE GAVE ME THIS FUNNY LOOK, AND HE SAID, "Mr. Oarrmin... With all due respect, none of those are
YOUR memories." AND I SMILED BACK, AND I SAID, "MAYBE NOT. BUT THEY STILL MAKE ME HAPPY, ALL THE SAME. AND THAT'S ENOUGH FOR ME."
WELL, I DON'T THINK THERAPY IS BAD. THAT SHIKA, SHE'S A DOLL, AND I'D TRUST HER WITH ANYTHING. BUT I KNOW I DON'T NEED IT.
BEING ALIVE, BEING ALONGSIDE THE REST OF THE LIVING WORLD, THAT'S ENOUGH FOR ME. ON THE TOPIC, THOUGH, THAT SHIKA...
WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO HER MENTOR? HE HAD A PRACTICE IN TOWN, TOO. BUT HE JUST... DITCHED TOWN, ONE DAY.
HIS VANISHING SEEMED TO REALLY AFFECT THE POOR GIRL.
MY BUDDY, CHARLES, HE SAYS "Oarrmin, you're always smiling. No matter what, I always see that smile on your face." AND I SAY,
"THAT'S MR. OARRMIN TO YOU." AND THEN WE HAVE A LAUGH. WELL, I DO, AT LEAST. THEN I SAY, "EVERY BAD THING THAT HAS HAPPENED
TO ME IN THE PAST FEW DECADES, I DON'T REMEMBER ANY OF IT. BUT THOSE GOOD MEMORIES, I CAN RECALL THEM CRYSTAL CLEAR. I REMEMBER
WHEN YOUR DAUGHTER WAS BORN, CHARLES. I REMEMBER WHEN YOU ASKED ME TO BE HER GODFATHER. I REMEMBER PLAYING GOLF WITH MIGUEL,
AND I REMEMBER WHEN HE GOT THE CALL FROM HIS REALTOR, THAT THE DEAL WAS CLOSED, AND HE GOT THE HOUSE. I REMEMBER WHEN JANICE GOT
PROPOSED TO." CHARLES SMILED, AND HE GAVE ME THIS FUNNY LOOK, AND HE SAID, "Mr. Oarrmin... With all due respect, none of those are
YOUR memories." AND I SMILED BACK, AND I SAID, "MAYBE NOT. BUT THEY STILL MAKE ME HAPPY, ALL THE SAME. AND THAT'S ENOUGH FOR ME."
WELL, I DON'T THINK THERAPY IS BAD. THAT SHIKA, SHE'S A DOLL, AND I'D TRUST HER WITH ANYTHING. BUT I KNOW I DON'T NEED IT.
BEING ALIVE, BEING ALONGSIDE THE REST OF THE LIVING WORLD, THAT'S ENOUGH FOR ME. ON THE TOPIC, THOUGH, THAT SHIKA...
WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO HER MENTOR? HE HAD A PRACTICE IN TOWN, TOO. BUT HE JUST... DITCHED TOWN, ONE DAY.
HIS VANISHING SEEMED TO REALLY AFFECT THE POOR GIRL.
YOU KNOW, IT'S STILL PRETTY HOT OUT, WHICH IS ODD, CONSIDERING THE TIME OF YEAR.
I'VE GOT MY AC CRANKED TO MAX, BUT I STILL CAN'T STOP THE SWEATING! CRAZINESS!!
WELL, I'VE BEEN THINKING UP A FEW FUN WAYS TO BEAT THE HEAT. THOUGHT I'D SHARE THEM.
OBVIOUSLY, THE BEACH IS A CLEAR WINNER. BUT SOMETIMES THE TICKLEFISH SWIM TO THE SURFACE.
I HEARD THEIR QUEEN CRAWLED OUT A FEW DAYS AGO AND STOMPED INTO THE MAYOR'S HOME.
STILL THERE, APPARENTLY. I WONDER WHAT KIND OF TROUBLE HE GOT HIMSELF INTO?
SO SOMETIMES SWIMMING ISN'T SAFE! WHO WOULD'VE EVER FIGURED? I DID. OH WELL.
ICE BATHS ARE PRETTY EFFECTIVE, IF YOU CAN BUY ICE. OR IF YOU HAVE AN ICE MAKER.
BUT I DON'T LIKE ICE OR SNOW TOO MUCH. IT'S BITTER, AND IT STINGS YOU.
IT'S SUCH AN UNFORTUNATE EXISTENCE, TOO. IT'S SOFT, AND PURE, AND CLEAN...
BUT IT'S TOO COLD TO TOUCH. BUT IF THAT WERE TO CHANGE, WELL...
YOU'D JUST HAVE WATER, WOULDN'T YOU?
BACK IN THE DAY, WHEN I WAS REALLY INTO COLLEGE FOOTBALL, THEY'D POUR THIS BIG CONTAINER
OF SPORTS DRINK ON EACH OTHER. I BET THAT WOULD FEEL GREAT RIGHT ABOUT NOW.
SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE I SHOULD GET BACK INTO WATCHING SPORTS...
THE ONLY SPORT I'VE EVER PLAYED MYSELF HAS BEEN GOLF-- IF YOU CAN COUNT IT.
NOW, DESPITE WHAT MIGUEL MIGHT SAY, I'M SOMETHING OF A GOLF PRO.
AND IT'S NOT LIKE I'D BE BAD AT OTHER SPORTS... I'M A PRETTY STRONG GUY, I THINK...
BUT ISN'T IT MORE FUN TO WATCH?
I'VE GOT MY AC CRANKED TO MAX, BUT I STILL CAN'T STOP THE SWEATING! CRAZINESS!!
WELL, I'VE BEEN THINKING UP A FEW FUN WAYS TO BEAT THE HEAT. THOUGHT I'D SHARE THEM.
OBVIOUSLY, THE BEACH IS A CLEAR WINNER. BUT SOMETIMES THE TICKLEFISH SWIM TO THE SURFACE.
I HEARD THEIR QUEEN CRAWLED OUT A FEW DAYS AGO AND STOMPED INTO THE MAYOR'S HOME.
STILL THERE, APPARENTLY. I WONDER WHAT KIND OF TROUBLE HE GOT HIMSELF INTO?
SO SOMETIMES SWIMMING ISN'T SAFE! WHO WOULD'VE EVER FIGURED? I DID. OH WELL.
ICE BATHS ARE PRETTY EFFECTIVE, IF YOU CAN BUY ICE. OR IF YOU HAVE AN ICE MAKER.
BUT I DON'T LIKE ICE OR SNOW TOO MUCH. IT'S BITTER, AND IT STINGS YOU.
IT'S SUCH AN UNFORTUNATE EXISTENCE, TOO. IT'S SOFT, AND PURE, AND CLEAN...
BUT IT'S TOO COLD TO TOUCH. BUT IF THAT WERE TO CHANGE, WELL...
YOU'D JUST HAVE WATER, WOULDN'T YOU?
BACK IN THE DAY, WHEN I WAS REALLY INTO COLLEGE FOOTBALL, THEY'D POUR THIS BIG CONTAINER
OF SPORTS DRINK ON EACH OTHER. I BET THAT WOULD FEEL GREAT RIGHT ABOUT NOW.
SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE I SHOULD GET BACK INTO WATCHING SPORTS...
THE ONLY SPORT I'VE EVER PLAYED MYSELF HAS BEEN GOLF-- IF YOU CAN COUNT IT.
NOW, DESPITE WHAT MIGUEL MIGHT SAY, I'M SOMETHING OF A GOLF PRO.
AND IT'S NOT LIKE I'D BE BAD AT OTHER SPORTS... I'M A PRETTY STRONG GUY, I THINK...
BUT ISN'T IT MORE FUN TO WATCH?
SOMETIMES, I FIND THAT WHEN I LOOK AT MYSELF FOR LONG ENOUGH, I NOTICE DETAILS CHANGING.
STRANGE, RIGHT? BUT THERE'S NO REASON TO SUSPECT SUCH A THING COULD EVER BE THE CASE.
A MIRROR IS SOMETHING YOU CAN TRUST, ABOVE ALL ELSE...
BUT WHEN I'M SITTING ON MY LOVESEAT, WATCHING THE TELEVISION, I SWEAR, JUST SOMETIMES...
WHEN I'VE GOT MY MIRROR IN MY PERIPHERAL FOR A FEW MINUTES...
AND I WAIT... AND I WANT...
SOMETHING IN THE CORNER OF MY EYE, IN THAT REFLECTION, CHANGES.
WHICH IS A SHAME! BECAUSE I LOVE STARING AT MY PRETTY MUG!
STRANGE, RIGHT? BUT THERE'S NO REASON TO SUSPECT SUCH A THING COULD EVER BE THE CASE.
A MIRROR IS SOMETHING YOU CAN TRUST, ABOVE ALL ELSE...
BUT WHEN I'M SITTING ON MY LOVESEAT, WATCHING THE TELEVISION, I SWEAR, JUST SOMETIMES...
WHEN I'VE GOT MY MIRROR IN MY PERIPHERAL FOR A FEW MINUTES...
AND I WAIT... AND I WANT...
SOMETHING IN THE CORNER OF MY EYE, IN THAT REFLECTION, CHANGES.
WHICH IS A SHAME! BECAUSE I LOVE STARING AT MY PRETTY MUG!
THE TOWN MONITOR HAS RETURNED AGAIN. TRULY, I HATE IT WHEN SHE COMES TO VISIT.
ALWAYS ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT COMPANY. WHO GIVES A RAT'S ASS?
WELL, THE MAYOR DOES, THAT'S WHO. THEIR SURVEYS ARE ALWAYS SO INTRUSIVE...
IF I WANTED TO GIVE UP PRIVATE INFORMATION ABOUT MYSELF...
I'D SIMPLY LOG ONTO THIS BOARD AND START TYPING!
JOKES ASIDE, WHY WOULD SOMEONE LIKE ME HAVE OPINIONS ON THE AMUSEMENT PARK RIDES,
OR THE STATE OF THE TRAINYARD? I'M TOO OLD TO CARE ABOUT ANY OF THAT.
WELL, THAT'S NOT ENTIRELY TRUE...
I REMEMBER CATCHING THAT ONE SCRUFFY BALL OF HAIR, WHATS'ER'NAME, THROWING ROCKS
AT THE OLD TRAINS. I'VE ALWAYS FELT BAD FOR HER. TO LACK VISION ENTIRELY.
I CAN'T BEGIN TO IMAGINE. REGARDLESS, HER AIM WAS GREAT FOR A KID WHO CAN'T SEE.
WE SAT DOWN AND TALKED FOR A WHILE. I WISH I COULD SAY I GAVE HER SOME SAGELY ADVICE,
BUT IN REALITY, WE JUST ENDED UP THROWING ROCKS TOGETHER UNTIL SHE CALMED DOWN.
WAS THAT ENABLING? MAYBE. BUT IT WORKED!
ALWAYS ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT COMPANY. WHO GIVES A RAT'S ASS?
WELL, THE MAYOR DOES, THAT'S WHO. THEIR SURVEYS ARE ALWAYS SO INTRUSIVE...
IF I WANTED TO GIVE UP PRIVATE INFORMATION ABOUT MYSELF...
I'D SIMPLY LOG ONTO THIS BOARD AND START TYPING!
JOKES ASIDE, WHY WOULD SOMEONE LIKE ME HAVE OPINIONS ON THE AMUSEMENT PARK RIDES,
OR THE STATE OF THE TRAINYARD? I'M TOO OLD TO CARE ABOUT ANY OF THAT.
WELL, THAT'S NOT ENTIRELY TRUE...
I REMEMBER CATCHING THAT ONE SCRUFFY BALL OF HAIR, WHATS'ER'NAME, THROWING ROCKS
AT THE OLD TRAINS. I'VE ALWAYS FELT BAD FOR HER. TO LACK VISION ENTIRELY.
I CAN'T BEGIN TO IMAGINE. REGARDLESS, HER AIM WAS GREAT FOR A KID WHO CAN'T SEE.
WE SAT DOWN AND TALKED FOR A WHILE. I WISH I COULD SAY I GAVE HER SOME SAGELY ADVICE,
BUT IN REALITY, WE JUST ENDED UP THROWING ROCKS TOGETHER UNTIL SHE CALMED DOWN.
WAS THAT ENABLING? MAYBE. BUT IT WORKED!
SPEAKING ON THE TOPIC OF THAT COMPANY.
HOW LAZY CAN THEY POSSIBLY GET?
DID YOU KNOW THAT THEY HAND OUT THE SAME SOURCE CODE,
FOR EVERY WEBSITE THEY "HELP" DEVELOP?
BUILT ON THEIR OWN WEBSITE'S SOURCE CODE.
THAT MEANS THAT THEY TEND TO HAVE SOME OF THE SAME
LITTLE QUIRKS. THINGS YOU WOULDN'T EXPECT.
LITTLE SECRETS HIDDEN AWAY, NOW UNCOVERED.
I DO NOT PITY THEM. IT'S ABOUT TIME THEIR INCOMPETENCE
BACKFIRED ONTO THEM. I'M SURE IF YOU DUG AROUND,
YOU'D FIND WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. FUNNY, RIGHT?
ALTHOUGH, IT MAKES ME THINK. WEBSITES SHARE THE SAME
SORT OF DNA, RIGHT? ULTIMATELY, MOST SITES DEVIATE FROM
TEMPLATES. IT'S LAZY, BUT IT'S EFFICIENT. THAT'S LIFE.
BUT EVEN BEYOND THAT, ALL WEBSITES ARE MADE FROM THE
SAME CORE BUILDING BLOCKS. DIFFERENT ORGANS, SO TO SPEAK.
IS IT FAR ENOUGH TO SUGGEST THAT A WEBSITE IS ALIVE?
A LIVING, GROWING ORGANISM? ONE THAT THINKS, LISTENS,
AND EXECUTES. DID I CREATE LIFE WHEN I MADE THIS WEBSITE?
I FIND THE IDEA AMUSING. NOT SO MUCH THE WEBSITE PARALLEL,
BUT THE IDEA OF SOMEONE LIKE ME CREATING ANYTHING.
I GOT OFF TOPIC, HOWEVER. PROGRAMMING IS ULTIMATELY ITERATIVE.
CAN THE SAME BE SAID FOR LIFE?
ARE YOU MERELY THE NEWER ITERATION OF AN OLDER IDEA?
YES. YOU ARE.
HOW LAZY CAN THEY POSSIBLY GET?
DID YOU KNOW THAT THEY HAND OUT THE SAME SOURCE CODE,
FOR EVERY WEBSITE THEY "HELP" DEVELOP?
BUILT ON THEIR OWN WEBSITE'S SOURCE CODE.
THAT MEANS THAT THEY TEND TO HAVE SOME OF THE SAME
LITTLE QUIRKS. THINGS YOU WOULDN'T EXPECT.
LITTLE SECRETS HIDDEN AWAY, NOW UNCOVERED.
I DO NOT PITY THEM. IT'S ABOUT TIME THEIR INCOMPETENCE
BACKFIRED ONTO THEM. I'M SURE IF YOU DUG AROUND,
YOU'D FIND WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. FUNNY, RIGHT?
ALTHOUGH, IT MAKES ME THINK. WEBSITES SHARE THE SAME
SORT OF DNA, RIGHT? ULTIMATELY, MOST SITES DEVIATE FROM
TEMPLATES. IT'S LAZY, BUT IT'S EFFICIENT. THAT'S LIFE.
BUT EVEN BEYOND THAT, ALL WEBSITES ARE MADE FROM THE
SAME CORE BUILDING BLOCKS. DIFFERENT ORGANS, SO TO SPEAK.
IS IT FAR ENOUGH TO SUGGEST THAT A WEBSITE IS ALIVE?
A LIVING, GROWING ORGANISM? ONE THAT THINKS, LISTENS,
AND EXECUTES. DID I CREATE LIFE WHEN I MADE THIS WEBSITE?
I FIND THE IDEA AMUSING. NOT SO MUCH THE WEBSITE PARALLEL,
BUT THE IDEA OF SOMEONE LIKE ME CREATING ANYTHING.
I GOT OFF TOPIC, HOWEVER. PROGRAMMING IS ULTIMATELY ITERATIVE.
CAN THE SAME BE SAID FOR LIFE?
ARE YOU MERELY THE NEWER ITERATION OF AN OLDER IDEA?
YES. YOU ARE.
THIS REMINDS ME OF A STORY ABOUT A SEAMSTRESS.
THE SEAMSTRESS COULD MAKE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL QUILTS.
BUT SHE HAD NO FABRIC OF HER OWN.
INSTEAD, SHE'D CREATE THE QUILT FROM THE PATCHES OF OTHERS.
SHE'D STITCH THEM TOGETHER, ONE BY ONE.
THE QUILT GROWING, WITH EACH STRANGER SHE MEETS.
SHE COULD SEE INTO THEM.
SEE THE PATTERN IN THEIR HEART.
THE PATTERN IN THEIR MIND.
WITH EACH PATTERN SHE'D GET,
SHE'D BE BETTER EQUIPPED TO UNDERSTAND THE NEXT.
HER QUILT GREW, AND GREW, AND GREW.
BUT THERE WAS ALWAYS A MISSING PIECE.
THE PATCH THAT WAS MEANT TO BE HER OWN.
BUT FROM WITHIN HER SOUL, SHE HAD NOTHING TO GIVE.
SO, INSTEAD, SHE REPLACED IT WITH SOMETHING GRANDER.
A PATCH. OOZING WITH A BRILLIANT RED.
IT SITS IN THE CENTER OF HER QUILT.
A TAPESTRY BUILT FROM BLOOD.
BUT AS FAST AS THE QUILT MAY GROW...
THE RED SPREADS, SEEPS INTO SURROUNDING PATCHES,
FASTER THAN SHE COULD EVER HOPE TO STITCH.
SOONER, OR LATER, THE QUILT WILL BE NOTHING BUT RED.
THE SEAMSTRESS COULD MAKE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL QUILTS.
BUT SHE HAD NO FABRIC OF HER OWN.
INSTEAD, SHE'D CREATE THE QUILT FROM THE PATCHES OF OTHERS.
SHE'D STITCH THEM TOGETHER, ONE BY ONE.
THE QUILT GROWING, WITH EACH STRANGER SHE MEETS.
SHE COULD SEE INTO THEM.
SEE THE PATTERN IN THEIR HEART.
THE PATTERN IN THEIR MIND.
WITH EACH PATTERN SHE'D GET,
SHE'D BE BETTER EQUIPPED TO UNDERSTAND THE NEXT.
HER QUILT GREW, AND GREW, AND GREW.
BUT THERE WAS ALWAYS A MISSING PIECE.
THE PATCH THAT WAS MEANT TO BE HER OWN.
BUT FROM WITHIN HER SOUL, SHE HAD NOTHING TO GIVE.
SO, INSTEAD, SHE REPLACED IT WITH SOMETHING GRANDER.
A PATCH. OOZING WITH A BRILLIANT RED.
IT SITS IN THE CENTER OF HER QUILT.
A TAPESTRY BUILT FROM BLOOD.
BUT AS FAST AS THE QUILT MAY GROW...
THE RED SPREADS, SEEPS INTO SURROUNDING PATCHES,
FASTER THAN SHE COULD EVER HOPE TO STITCH.
SOONER, OR LATER, THE QUILT WILL BE NOTHING BUT RED.