Announcing: the Prayer Chain!
I was in a band, a long time ago. This is 1993.
How’s that for a title? Nice!
I’ve been goin’ on and on about this stuff for a while now, so, if we’ve been hanging out, you’ve heard me speak of these theories. They relate mostly to dudes, because frankly, that is the world I know (what a surprise).
Gang Theory: There is some great good that comes from being part of a Gang. Obviously, a lot of bad, as well, but I grew up watching the Little Rascals (otherwise known as Our Gang ). Maybe you did, too. In other terms it might be known as a ‘crew’. But, it’s still just a Gang. And what it means is having a group that you can join up with, depend on, fight with, fight other people with, seek refuge in, get into trouble with, get OUT of trouble with, make music with, win sporting events with, and on, and on. The bonds of a Gang like this are deep, and men need them.
Pub Theory: Men need to go to work. We gotta be out there, doin’ something in the jungle. It’s the way of things. And the stress that this builds up (the testosterone this creates in our system) is easily dealt with by one very special something: nothing. Doing nothing, to be precise. Vegging. Heard of it? I’m sure you have. That’s right, it’s biological folks, so get over it. When a guy gets home from work, and wants to sit in front of the t.v. with a beer for a while, he’s fulfilling a natural scheme, and processing his hormones correctly. I recommend the Pub for this. It exists in most other countries. In every local township, a local Pub. A place to sit, watch, hoist a pint, talk if you want, or not. A buffer. Deny a man this, and be sure to enjoy yet another night of grumbling irritability, followed by years of pent-up frustration. Don’t have time to go to the pub and still get home by dinner? Then stop working earlier. Your job won’t allow that? Then you might be in the wrong job, for the wrong reasons, which usually means over-doing it to support a lifestyle your type of work just can’t afford. If you can’t hit the Pub, then at least be sure to ask for some time to be un-bothered when you arrive home from the trenches. A ‘virtual pub’, if you will.
Cheers Theory: This one my wife reminded me of recently. According to her, it is not so gender specific. A place where everyone knows your name. A place where you have a ‘usual’. I have no idea why this is true, but it certainly rings true to me. If you grew up watching Cheers, then its a no-brainer. And strangely, I only know of a few people who have put it into practice. I am not one of them….yet.
My philosophical career has devolved into the pitiful, but economical state of a loose series of mildly-founded theories. So be it.
The best thing about the above theories is that they all can work together and intertwine. Our current society provides a great opportunity for people to make choices that will lead them to anonymity and social islandism. Why do we do this to ourselves? We regard solitary confinement as the ‘worst’ type of jail cell, yet that seems to socially happen one way or another to people, mostly by their own choice, and isn’t helped by the lack of care from others.
The internet has helped with this a bit. Let’s put it this way, there are dudes who may not fit in to some of the normal socially organized groups, but have put Gang Theory to good use by playing World of Warcraft. So, whatever it takes, get yourself a Gang. Hit the ‘Pub’ after work. And support your local whatever by going there often enough to be on a first name basis and get a Usual. Better yet, do all three at once.
