BUY FOUNTAIN'S PEN PRODUCTS FOR THE HOLIDAYS! C'MON! DO IT!

There's really only one way to show the special people in your life how much you care: BUY THEM LOTS OF STUFF FROM FOUNTAIN'S PEN PRODUCTIONS!

T-SHIRTS! HATS! UNDERWEAR! ALL ADORNED WITH MY FANCY ARTWORK!


John Fountain Art Prints for sale!


BUY BIRTHDAY WISHES AT AMAZON.COM

IN DEFENSE OF OPTIMISM

I think if you took a poll among the people in my life that know me fairly well and asked them to pick one word to describe me, the word 'cynical' would undoubtedly pop up a lot (but nowhere nearly as often as 'insufferable').
This is, of course, a vibe I admittedly give off. I love to bitch, gripe and rant... having a shaved head, sinister eyebrows and a wardrobe consisting almost entirely of black stuff doesn't help.

(if I may digress for a moment - I'd like to set something straight about the black clothes once and for all: I adopted this 'style' - or lack thereof - in college after I heard that Einstien used to have seven identical suits that he wore so he'd never have to waste any effort on wondering what he was gonna wear. Einstein, of course, was brilliant... I, of course, am a dolt... but I'm smart enough to realize that having that little extra space in my brain to devote to other things like maintaining balance and controlling basic motor function is EXTREMELY useful. Suffice it to say, I've NEVER been 'introverted' or 'sullen' or 'tortured.' Nor am I 'goth'. I got nothing against goths - but I just don't have the willpower to commit to that lifestyle. Nor am I 'protesting' anything and I most CERTAINLY am not trying to look 'cool.' I'm not 'anti-fashion' but I'm obviously no slave to trends, either. I try to make myself look presentable and, at least, slightly more 'together' than the obese guy at the 7-11 wearing running shorts and a "Molly Hatchet" tank-top. My ONE fashion 'vanity' are my hats. I've honestly liked hats since infancy. Ask my parents. I don't know why exactly - I just do and, clearly, it's not gonna change. My point is, I try to maintain a healthy balance of caring about my appearance enough to not disgust the general public without being vain. Aren't you grateful to me for clearing that up?)

But, back to cynicism... I confess that a good portion of my life was spent wallowing in miserable cynicism - convinced that the world was doomed and everything sucks.

However, I have come to realize that not EVERYTHING sucks - and as far as I'm concerned, that makes me an optimist.

Maybe it's because I've found the love of my life and actually conned her into being my bride, maybe it's spiritual growth, maybe it's having puppies at home, maybe it's all of the above - but happiness IS possible in this life. It's not always guaranteed - it's like anything else... ya gotta find it yourself and work hard to keep it - but it's possible.

I think the thing that generally screws people up is that the things that give them joy are far too complex or lofty. I mean - do the math: if the thing that you want most in life is to be rich and famous (and you weren't born into either) then you basically have a 1 in 1,000,000,000,000,000 chance. Now, you can pursue fame and fortune and maybe you'll get lucky (it DOES happen) but if your entire happiness hinges on it I think you're out of your friggin' mind.

Besides - look at all of the rich/famous people out there right now who are obviously the most miserable wretches on the planet.

I'm not saying people shouldn't have lofty goals or "reach for the stars" - but don't let your happiness hinge on something that may very well be forever out of your grasp.
For instance, if you enjoy singing and want to make it a career, then by all means go for it... but pursue it because you LOVE TO SING and regardless of whether or not you can make it a career, enjoy singing for yourself.

I think that far too often people are afraid to express themselves creatively because "art" has become so commercialized and slick that they forget that the arts exist because the compulsion towards creativity is something we ALL share. Not everything has to be for the purpose of selling albums or getting ratings or selling tickets.

What made me think of this was seeing the neighbor kids having a birthday party recently. They were literally dancing in the streets. They were doing "moves" to some incredibly goofy bubblegum pop music - and bravo to them.

Peasants used to sing, dance, cavort and frolic just to let off steam and celebrate a day without getting the plague. We should get back to that mentality of celebrating what we have and not constantly obsessing over getting more.

Let the "hipper-than-thou" elite have their 'coolness'... I'd rather be happy than cool (yeah, yeah... I hear you: "Oh don't worry, John... you have NO danger of being cool").

I'm not saying I'm gonna start frolicking through the streets handing out sunflowers and singing 'Kumbaya' all the time, but the fact is, being perpetually negative is the easy way out. Finding something positive to focus on when you're surrounded by awful shit takes a helluva lot more strength.

Now pardon me while I go fetch the new 'Spice Girls' CD...