Fuse.tv

RSS This Blog

Twitter Updates

follow Mat on Twitter

User Comments

2011 YEAR IN REVIEW

@ Molly-Rose. @Hitch Fan. @ Raccoon Society,
Hey Hitch Fan & Raccoon Society, Hey Molly-Rose :)
¶
I perused a quote about reason and faith, here, so just wanted to leave a quick insight. Times still ticking. So, get ready, like the countdown goes, remember get your dose of Caffeine and ample supply ready, time is here and now, handy keys to the DeLorean, ready, count it down .... 4,3... is seven,2,1... twenty-one go!
¶
Bringing in “reason” as a debatable perspective is an arbitrary moot inception of hanging on over a cliff after getting caught in suspended animation. In earnest, I’d rather crony up with a like-minded anarchist that befuddles the imposition-ers of faith is somehow equatable to ever be torn asunder by absence of reason as a supposed and dull exploitive of why not to have faith or presumes faith constraints reason. How tired and bored is that perspective, faith is sans reason, etcetera, as how tired and uninspired the word medley of “how tired and uninspired” is in a sentence. Truly, think, open-mindedly, if you are going to stand to incept reason into the mixture.
¶
Faith is not constraint of reason. Human expectations are the constraint of reason. When you expect an outcome, expecting defies the natural progression of reason and the possibilities of reason, cause and natural common-sense by reason. Esp if an expectation is only geared or rendered for a specific outcome that is meant to propagate a furnished idea – that is what constraints reason and undermines reason. Faith itself is not a constraint in and of itself.

Faith scrutinizes reason in the same manner that reason scrutinizes faith. Even if you are construing my comments in a sense of Biblical faith, (my own affections on Faith is, faith is faith, regardless of own individual’s personal sentiments) it should be applied to bare it as a pertinent truth of your conscience, if it is in tune with your own accordance of Faith. The insight is similar of a notion and passage Mat Devine shared in a previous entry, from the Bible in 1 Thessalonians “"Test all things and cling to that which is good." 1 Thes. 5:2
¶
The insight is, by mere contemplative states of the least of reality that is truly, utterly, ever known or knowable is dependent upon the realization those that follow the limited intelligence of humanity are no different or variable than those who believe in an infinite power or being. Except, that, the latter ones are not contained w/ limits of other people’s interpretations as to what the individual(s) believe or have faith in believing. In other words, of course, there is an open defiance of censorship. As the effect of censorship in many formulations is non-productive or progressive, plus attempts to suppress individuality and environmental compatibility and functionality. Individuals have an innate right and will, to believe / have faith in what sets their own life in accord with how they truly feel and be able to live according to a sound in-tact own conscience. The utopic is it ought to be a morally/ethically approach that is not projecting undue negative renderances into another person’s life. Give and take , choose battles, our world is further everyday from a utopia considering the majority has shunned itself to ignoring the dystopic qualties that are here right now and that media at large has veiled in elaborate dunce cap shrouding that dystopic societies are in the future although the dystopic future written about as Fiction is actually happening now. If you need hot lead dead giveaway tell-tale, read the Hunger Games. Reality shows and a corresponding match like Survivor and the way our governments handle it citizens and slowly revolve into revolutions is starkly illuminating in contrast to what science and governments would sooner have you believing recently. Citric awakening happens, just like heads up 7-up, goes round by round like kisses on the forehead of what you’re willing to fight for and go to battle.
¶
Morning tune ready for the day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSkb0kDacjs
¶
Personally, I think, plus, prefer, to be limitless w/ willingly choosing to have faith in an infinite that harkens possibilities that exuberate all realities and endless potential for the greater good and bless those who are willing with talents that incorporate into their environments rather than something that devoids humanity of its own existence and destroying itself within by the contraptions of limiting itself like is so often seen and has already been duly established by the acts of science and people having a follow mentality to the state of science and scientists own propulsions of ideas and constructed basis’s that are feasibly assembled for mass production to the herd mentality that those of lower I.Q’s or sheer follow mentality will gobble up without having to test and proof it and prove that the theory itself or basis of scientific belief is sketchy. Esp taking into vantage perspective, equal opportunity intelligent licensures that can compute the information readily on-hand and disseminated to be shredded apart by the citizens sans academic luxury degrees handling inspecting statistics, quantities and exacts, in other words, the scientific misnomers blatantly compiled as derivations alleged to be fact sans exact intricate intra-acted ways of actually testing and provable.
¶
Thus this ///.... “"Faith is the surrender of the mind; it's the surrender of reason, it's the surrender of the only thing that makes us different from other mammals. It's our need to believe, and to surrender our skepticism and our reason, our yearning to discard that and put all our trust or faith in someone or something, that is the sinister thing to me." ~ Christopher Hitchen ...////
The quoted sentiment is also a mentality that ought be evenly distributed and thus applied to science in the same rigor of scrutiny; otherwise, science in a whole would be an easily reasonable standing on reason sham completely. People whom fully put their faith (be earnest and real, that that’s what is happening) into science, as a bunch of atheists often do blindly, are, again, as I wrote briefly to “Fellow Heathen” no different than the people they claim they are different from whom have faith including certain atheists that are attempting to devalue those individuals whom believe faith in God or deity/deities, et al. So, let’s prevent the ostracization by some ethos that eludes incorporating the fragility of the argument done towards only shunning the hypocrisy of its actions in statement, as is clear with the ///....“Of all the supposed virtues, faith must be the most overrated.”...//// bit of the quote. Anyone with a brain embedded permeating reason plus own foresight is able to tear it tinker tape red, pulling apart the fallibility of the application of exclusion. So, well, let’s say it for what it is, for those who may get a bit riled or bewildered by the notion that that Hitchens quote has to be able to stand soundly to its own accord and then some to win over anything in such a debatable topic of query. Which whoever posted it aka the person behind “Hitch Fan” left it to, what is surmised as an attempted permissive gainer for something it isn’t rather than be seen for what it is. It is what it is; so let it stand to be, and let it be what it is.

¶
So, what to do, what to do…carry a smile, just smile at all times, esp. smitten. :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKrbAUjBbvU&ob=av2e
¶
Charles Kingsley, said, ///....“And we shall be made truly wise if we be made content; content, too, not only with what we can understand, but content with what we do not understand—the habit of mind which theologians call—and rightly—faith in God.”...////
If you consider the application of – ///....“we shall be made truly wise if we be made content; content, too, not only with what we can understand, but content with what we do not understand”...//// – you would sooner or later come to deriving the conclusion, if you apply it to theologians that it would then need fairly be dispersed to be applied to scientists and science’s schematics, as well.
¶
Since, yes, a bunch did catch the flip-syde subtleties and am no longer so-so much M.I.A on-the-grid stats as prior (except at a backwards C//S, let those bones right ;) and sticking true and loyal to odes n’ codes Patrick Henry stylistic lovers “Give me Liberty or Give me death” stance of a prose writer and a bit of an unconventionalist, by art and its unconfined nature, I’d rather par up with movers and doers and standers, with the following quotes. As, this vantage scope of the playing field is where and why art comes into play and tests the grounds. Art endures. Art offers the companionship of the formidable connections of now, urgency and longevity. Legacy – such a regale atoning attenuation intonation inflection to the word while delivering an infliction to naysayers. Cruxly, appropos, regardless, if all there is, is this, every day, every time, I’d rather know within all is aligned in my soul anytime death knocks. Just, must gotta have something to share and faith upon for all those marvelous and wonder-filled death feats after-all. Nil sin Numine.
¶
Maybe humanities’ expectations need to be readjusted? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HO1OV5B_JDw
“Skepticism Is The Beginning Of Faith.” ~ Oscar Wilde
¶
///....“In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don't.”...//// ~ Blaise Pascal
¶
///....“I heard once of an American who so defined faith, "that faculty which enables us to believe things which we know to be untrue." For one, I follow that man. He meant that WE SHALL HAVE AN OPEN MIND, AND NOT LET A LITTLE BIT OF TRUTH CHECK THE RUSH OF THE BIG TRUTH, like a small rock does a railway truck. WE GET THE SMALL TRUTH first. Good! We keep him, and we value him, BUT ALL THE SAME WE MUST NOT LET HIM THINK HIMSELF ALL THE TRUTH IN THE UNIVERSE.”...//// ~ Bram Stoker, Dracula
¶
///....“We fall from womb to tomb, from one blackness and toward another, remembering little of the one and knowing nothing of the other...except through faith.”...////~ Stephen King
¶
///....“That in such righteousness /// To them by faith imputed they may find ///
Justification towards God, and peace /// Of conscience.”...//// ~ John Milton
Ciao.
***
///catch the captcha exjst9////

NL7, hi-5alive! on January 25, 2012 at 04:11 PM
2011 YEAR IN REVIEW

Mat I recently started my GCSEs and I'm stressing out so much. I've only had two exams so far and they were Maths and History. I have to resit my maths because I didn't get a C and I think I have failed my history exam.
I learned today that you have to get at least a C in Maths, English and Science to be able to get into sixth form and I started crying because I don't think I'll be able to get into sixth form now. But to be able to do what I want when I'm older I'll need to go.

Becky on January 24, 2012 at 03:59 PM
2011 YEAR IN REVIEW

Hey Mat! I think you might find this interesting.. Especially the lack of information we've gotten about ACTA.

http://anonops.blogspot.com/2012/01/things-you-need-to-know-about-acta.html

hanners on January 24, 2012 at 10:18 AM
20 QUESTIONS- Lightning Round PART II: My Breakup with Snooki, Marriage, Music, Public Puking and more...

Mat, what do you think a cure for shyness and when you can't say things right around people you like is ?

Valerie on January 21, 2012 at 01:15 AM
2011 YEAR IN REVIEW

Dear Mat,
I am 16 and I've been invited to my mum's best friend's birthday do in April. She's having it in a posh Hotel and Lodge in the countryside and it sounds great! It's strictly 18+ but I've been told I'm allowed to go which is great!
The catch? I have no idea what to wear. It's advised that girls wear address and, after prom, there is no chance in hell that I will be caught wearing a dress! It made me feel so uncomfortable. So, I need your advice. What should I wear? I don't exactly have a lot of money to spend and I don't want to go looking like someone I'm not. Have you any ideas? Oh, I forgot to mention, it's a masquerade so any thoughts on what type of mask I should go for? Thanks Mat, see you in March.

Hannah

Hannah on January 20, 2012 at 04:27 PM

Archives

« July 2011 | Main | September 2011 »

VIDEO BLOG. RACCOON Q&A: Art School, Homelessness, M.S., Tattoos, Naming Cats, Abusive Relationships and MORE

Posted on August 22, 2011 at 02:09 AM

Want more? Read Mat's daily Tweets HERE.

PETER GABRIEL & KATE BUSH - Don't Give Up_2

Powered by mp3skull.com

Hey Mat,

I'm the one who Tweeted you a picture of my new tattoo this past weekend. (The butterfly with the sniper heart and the writing "Race the Dream".) I doubt you remember writing that out for me back in 2006 at the CD101 Summer jam in Columbus after the show. All I could find was a freakin' napkin from the bar....

This tattoo holds special meaning for me, and my hubby. We've been married for 9 1/2 years. We've been trying to have a baby since we got married. We've had 4 miscarriages and 3 failed adoptions. Needless to say, we've been through some rough times. But no matter what we've been through or might go through, we'll always have each other. 'They can't tear us apart'. So I got this tattoo as a part of the healing process of loosing two babies in the last 10 months.

However, even though I am 30 years old, my mother hates that I have gotten this tattoo. Its not even my first one, its my fourth! I have no regrets of getting this put on my body, I know it will be there until my flesh returns to dust. And I want that. I'm having a hard time explaining to my mother, and other family members, that this is part of my healing process. Knowing that I'll always have the reminder of what me and my hubby have been through, that is very important to me.

How do I let my mother and family know that this is important to me and that every time they degrade the mark I've made, in a way it degrades the importance of the journey we've had in trying to have a family? Should I even stress about it? I know everyone heals differently, I just don't know how to help them see that.

XO~Clair

Dear Mat,

I have an older sister that I've always been really close to and I consider her to be one of my best friends. The thing that worries me the most about her is that she has a history of dating significantly older men who are usually physically and mentally abusive towards her- and her current boyfriend is no different.

He's twice her age (she's 24) and they met at a bar that she used to work at. They've only been together nine months and they've already moved in together- and the last time I visited her a couple of months ago they were talking about getting married (an idea I was immediately opposed to). That same night I was with her and her boyfriend at said bar when they got into an argument. Sometime in their fight he dragged her outside and threw her to the ground.

When we were told to leave we went back to their house where she started punching him and I had to break up the fight (from a distance). The next day she forgave him after he started showering her with expensive gifts. Since then it's been the same: they argue, make up, he buys her things out of guilt.

Well a few days ago she told me that she is now trying to get pregnant. I let her know how I feel and we got into a huge argument and she's still determined to have a baby. My second year of college is about to start and all I can think about is what's going to happen to my sister. I know that if she stays with him and does get pregnant this cycle will only get worse. How can I get through to my sister?

Jubilee

Mat,

a) What is the most awkward conversation you have ever had?

b) Would you rather...Shave your head or never use any hair

product/heat styling again.

c) Have you ever seen a homeless man with the same pair of boots as you?

Jackie

Dear Mat,

I'm falling apart. I have a total of 8 doctors/specialists, and it seems everytime I try and get any help they just diagnose me with something else and then say they can't help me. I won't bore you with the long list but just to name a few: Fibromyalgia, M.S, spasticity, severe cranial and spinal damage...

I'm constantly in pain,and the stupid thing is this time last year the doctors said there was nothing wrong with me, but as of September last year the list of things keeps getting longer. I can't drum anymore, I can't skate, and trying to go to a concert or anywhere for that matter is nearly impossible at this stage. Sometimes I can't even get out of bed.

I started out having to use a walking stick, now its two crutches and, well, I'm sure you can guess whats coming next. My memory is awful, my eyesight is crap, and my hearing is useless. Everytime I go to an appointment I get so scared of what they're gonna tell me next.

I feel like a liability. When I look at the clock I see pills not numbers because that's all I do is take my medication and stare at the wall. I know there are people a lot worse off than me but honestly the only thing stopping me from checking out early is the fact that I would never put my family through that grief- and music, but I don't just want that to be my reason.

I want to stick around because I want to- not for anyone else, or because of anything else. I feel trapped. I try and not let it get to me but over the last couple of months its been so hard.

p.s you are amazing

Athena

Mat,

I’m going into my senior year of high school, which brings me to the crossroads of deciding what to do for college.

Whenever I ask friends or family for advice on what I should study, they just tell me that I can do anything I want, because I do well in school. I’ve been diagnosed with ADD, so trying to find something I’m interested in for long periods of time is difficult. I love film because it is constantly changing and is interesting enough to hold my attention. I have looked into going into film school, but am terrified that I’ll come out jobless, broke, unskilled and a disappointment that has wasted my parent’s money on art school.

My other option would be to go into something I’m somewhat interested in, but don’t love, such as biology, get a normal degree and have a bit more of a promising future with some financial stability.

Do I take the risk to pursue film and possibly gamble away my future, or do I play it safe and try to learn to love something I only currently like?

Stephanie

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveller, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference  ...Robert Frost

Dear Mat, here's some light questions for you:

a) Did you ever watch the Chicago Code? If you did, would you say it's an accurate representation of the city?

b) What's your favourite colour?

c) You seem to like vegetables; which is your favourite?

d )Pick one: The Cure - Just Like Heaven or The Cure - Love Song.

e) Do you like The Mission?

f) How are you today?

g) I have 4 cats but am maybe getting another (I live in a family full of crazy cat ladies). The new one, if we get it, is called Princess Narla and we don't think she'll fit in. Our other cats are called Sox, Sonic, Coco and Jet so what can we rename the new one (we are currently thinking Princess Ninja) ?

Thanks :) Hannah

Mew - The Zookeeper's Boy

Powered by mp3skull.com

Blue Foundation - Eyes On Fire (Zeds Dead Remix)

Powered by mp3skull.com

Read Comments (81) | Add Comment | Permalink

ASK MAT 5 VIDEO RESPONSES: Cancer + Hasselhoff + Stalker + Codependence + Compulsive Behavior

Posted on August 3, 2011 at 02:42 PM

Want more? Read Mat's daily tweets HERE, or view his Facebook page HERE

1.Dear Papa Raccoon,

In the past few months I've developed what I believe to be trichotillomania - compulsive hair pulling. Essentially, I pull large

amounts of hair out of my body, mostly my scalp. And yes, in case you're wondering, it's about as attractive as it sounds. It's become a rather obsessive habit, though, that's occurring way too often for me to be content just ignoring it and hoping it goes away. After only a couple months, I have a noticeable bald spot on the crown of my head, and the part of my hair is way wider than it should be, due to a fair bit of missing hair. I think I'd like this habit to stop (right now, please and thank you), I'm just not entirely sure how to make that happen, exactly.

So, I was wondering - have any tips for breaking bad habits?

Thanks - for the blog, and the music, and in advance for any possible advice.

Love, Alpha.

2. Hey Mat,

I have a rough personal question. I'm asking you because I know there are a lot of other raccoons out there dealing with the same shit, and I feel this could be beneficial to all of us:

My mother has skin cancer of all things [ I do not joke when I say she BATHES in sunscreen. She has a very fair complexion, so she's always been careful] I posted the rest of the story here to save space:

[ http://petitsbattements.tumblr.com/post/6044928962/have-you-ever-read-heard-of-that-book-reviving ]

So, my questions are :

- How do I deal with this? How do I stay strong for her sake?

- How do I make sure she is as happy as she can possibly be?

- How do I make sure she accomplishes her goals?

I have never associated cancer with anyone in my immediate family, because no one in my extended family has ever had it. So, it’s going from being this disease that my one neighbor died from 15 years ago, to being so close to me that I’m in shock. I'm completely at a loss.

-Melissa

3 (PART 1). Dear Mat,

I have a few questions for you:

-.Red heads or blonds?

-.Would you eat a spider if it meant saving a friends life?

xox

Laura

4. Dear Mat

Two years ago (before he and I got together) my fiancé went on one date with a girl he met in a bar. He decided she was a bit weird and showed no further interest.

She then parked outside his parents’ house, harassed him by text message, sent his family angry messages on Facebook and claimed to be pregnant by him, despite the fact that they never slept together.

A few months later he and I met, fell in love and moved in together. Eventually he changed his number, had her blocked and it stopped. About a year ago, around about the time my fiancé and I moved in together she found my blog and started leaving me weird trolly comments about how he was going to leave me and he was liar and a cheat, etc…

I called her politely out and it stopped. Then about a month ago she started tweeting me, things like “Go back to your own country, you fat African!” (I am South African but I live in the UK.)

Again I called her out, again politely, and she paused briefly. Now she’s back on Twitter again (I keep blocking her… she keeps opening a new account).

Initially I almost thought it was funny but now she’s starting to make comments about my fiancé and my future children. We’re getting married in seven weeks time and I am half worried she’s going to show up at the wedding. I’m not angry with her because she is clearly mentally ill; I have been contacted by other people who she is also stalking, including her

ex-boyfriend and a girl he dated. It appears that by my very existence she believes I am interfering in her life.

I just want to make her stop. Any advice?

(Ignoring her works temporarily but she just keeps coming back.)

I have never met her. Her last blog comment was “Drop dead u twat” swiftly followed by, “i dunno if uve seen a pic of me, but u aint got shit on me! im 100000x better looking, nicer, luckier then u. so get over urself. wicked” (I have purposefully not corrected her spelling or grammar).

Thanks

Abbi

3 (PART II continued) Dear Mat,

- Do you prefer watching a film at the cinema or staying home and

watching it in comfort?

- David Hasselhoff or Simon Cowell. Who will win the fight?

xox

Laura

5. Dear Mat,

I'm 19 and I'm engaged. I know it's rather young but I was love struck at the time. And now time has gone by we have became two different people. He likes different things and I like different things. We hardly share the same interests any more. We are constantly fighting and arguing with each other. I love him to pieces. But I know for a fact I don't love him as much as I used to. We hardly go a day without arguing with each other. Which gets me down a lot. I suffer from depression from what's going on between us.

He is currently having family issues, which, if I leave him, will make me look awful.

I have no friends. Which doesn't help one bit. I've tried making new ones but it hasn't worked. And my old ones don't want to see me any more or have simply moved away. My family classify me as the mistake and the outcast. They are constantly abusing and bullying me. I can't even remember when they last cared or said they love me or even hugged me...

If I leave my boyfriend I will have no one. Which I just can't cope with. But if I stay I will be stressed and upset with all the arguments. We've tried talking about it all and even trying to stop them. But nothings worked.

I know I'll gain new friends soon. And if I do leave him I will get happy after time. But it's hard... And I don't know what to do. I mean I love him. But the arguments and fights stress me out and make me depressed.

Steph