A License

Jun. 21st, 2003 08:36 am
gurdonark: (Default)
[personal profile] gurdonark
By this instrument, you, my LiveJournal friends, are hereby empowered and LICENSED to live your lives in the quirky, cool ways I read each day, without fear of being eccentric, inappropriate, or just plain odd. Your quirks and blind alleys are hereby designated critical path roadways in the great race you're running, cordoned off for your personal use. You may present this license to any uncomprehending passersby, to prove that you have been officially licensed to live in such curious and yet redeeming ways. This license carries with it privileges too numerous to list, but include the right to feel as though your lives have meaning, because they do, even when everyone tells you they are silly or pointless; the right to be kinder to yourself than you've ever managed to be in your previous, unlicensed state; the right to accept your angers and griefs as crucial cement in pouring the concrete of your soul, from which foundation glorious spires will arise; and the right to look in the mirror and like what you see, and often smile shyly about it. This license permits you to live your life gently, with as much kindness to yourself and to others as possible. This license will permit your inner great worth to appear to your off-line people, and further will, with a personal motivation seminar magic usually costing 300 dollars and a boring day in a Holiday Inn conference room to achieve, allow you to bring new people into your life who bring you joy, not pain (and who do not wish to convince you to invest your money in their "no money down" schemes). This license permits you to leave behind your vices (except for the delicious ones you wish to retain) and focus on your virtues.

This license is irrevocable, and may be presented to any inquisitor,
beloved but clueless family member, sneering critic, puzzled employer, deeply puzzled employee, or employee at any coffee shop. This license entitles you to a world of [personal profile] gurdonark concessions, including an appreciative read, regular comments ranging from "wow, cool post" to in-depth paragraphs sounding like a self-help book on tape being run through a shredder; lunch with [personal profile] gurdonark whenever you visit the DFW area and schedules permit; a free poem about you or your favorite obsession, requested by e-mail; and the assurance that someday, if you requested a Hagerman photo, and are on the second half of that list of luminaries, [personal profile] gurdonark will mail it to you (the trouble with hiring someone to clean house is that they tend to clean house).

This license is non-transferable, because it is issued to you in light of who you are. This license has no cash value, but there is more to life than cash value. This license is void where prohibited by law, but in my experience, quirkiness is tolerated throughout the democratic societies. This license allows you the option, but does not impose upon you the obligation, of forgiving yourself and life in general once in a while, and perhaps buying yourself flowers when you pass a street stand and have an extra couple of dollars. This license endures all things, hopes all things, forgives all things, other than possibly your lapses into self-hatred or despair. But this license gives you express permission to just be who you are, and may the chips fall, cattle-field like, where they may.

Although this license works intangibly, feel free to print it out, place it in a manilla folder, and forget about it, like any other important document in your life. This license is HEREBY ISSUED without cost or detriment to you, as a sort of personal medal for your role in keeping me interested in LJ each and every day.

Issued this 21st day of June, 2003,

[personal profile] gurdonark

Date: 2003-06-21 06:53 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] blue-by-you.livejournal.com
I like. And I would love a Gurdonark poem about me and my favorite, and very serious, obsession: sensuality and/or sexuality (if you get your LJ comments via email, I'm hoping this will count as mine).

Date: 2003-06-21 09:13 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gurdonark.livejournal.com
It has been a long time since I tried something really sensual or sexual in my poetry writing. As you may know, I tend to write about pretty much nothing at all. But the call has gone out, and a sensual/sexual poem will result!

From: [identity profile] niyabinghi.livejournal.com
...BEAUTIFUL gift. What a blessing you are! Thank you, thank you!
From: [identity profile] gurdonark.livejournal.com
Very kind of you to comment, and kind of you to mention it in your own journal :)

Date: 2003-06-21 07:04 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] daisydumont.livejournal.com
god bless you, mr. rosewater. not only am i going to print it out, i'm going to read it every morning until it sinks in. i've never seen a happier exhortation to be free, and i'm gonna make use of it.

thank you!

Date: 2003-06-21 09:14 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gurdonark.livejournal.com
Good. A little freedom might be fun!

Date: 2003-06-21 07:08 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] corivax.livejournal.com
Cool! Beautifully writting, amusing, and inspiring.

Date: 2003-06-21 09:12 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gurdonark.livejournal.com
Thank you! I appreciate that.

Date: 2003-06-21 07:08 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mattcallow.livejournal.com
thank you! i shall use it wisely... :)

Date: 2003-06-21 09:12 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gurdonark.livejournal.com
This license has been personally tested in Michigan, and found to work, particularly at sign on computers at local suburban libraries!

Date: 2003-06-21 07:13 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nacowafer.livejournal.com
*zoink*

Thank you, Sir. I might even wear a barrette in my hair today!

Date: 2003-06-21 09:11 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gurdonark.livejournal.com
You are most welcome. Barrette or no barrette, I'm sure you'll look fetching.

Date: 2003-06-21 07:18 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sandstar.livejournal.com
This makes me happy!

I'm printing it out too...

Date: 2003-06-21 09:14 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gurdonark.livejournal.com
Thanks, and enjoy your license!

Date: 2003-06-21 07:21 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] deb-artist.livejournal.com
Thank you. I will forthwith print it out and show it to dissenting family members.

Just wondering what a Hagerman photo is?

Date: 2003-06-21 09:10 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gurdonark.livejournal.com
Quell their dissent, and issue them licenses, too!

Some weeks ago, I took pictures (low quality, high fun) of a Texas wildlife park, the Hagerman. Nothing whooping crane ish, just trees and grass. I ran a poll to send people here a single picture on a corrugated plastic (corruplast) card. I got a dozen or so takers, and got the first half out in good shape. Then I went out of town on business, and the person who comes every several weeks or so put the list I know not where. I must just go back and try to figure it out from memory, as I like to get these things done!

Date: 2003-06-21 07:30 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ziactrice.livejournal.com
Way cool post.

How about lunch next weekend sometime, with you and the missus? I am starting the new job, so I can't manage a weekday.

good idea

Date: 2003-06-21 09:07 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gurdonark.livejournal.com
Next weekend is not a good one for us, as we are travelling. But perhaps the weekend after next? I know you live just one city down from us, so we can perhaps find a nice lunch place in our region and meet up! I'll check with my wife on her schedule.

Date: 2003-06-21 07:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] schpahky.livejournal.com
Oh, wow. Thank you. This was just the right thing for me to read half an hour before leaving for my train.

A very, very happy and bright midsummer to you, sir.

Date: 2003-06-21 09:08 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gurdonark.livejournal.com
I hope that this reaches you when you are in the midst of having or have just had an incredible writing seminar, filled with fun and meaning.

Date: 2003-06-21 07:40 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] poetbear.livejournal.com
a lovely midsummer thought
and great wake-up call
thanks
~paul

Date: 2003-06-21 09:15 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gurdonark.livejournal.com
I have the impression that you already live this way, but please accept this license as a personal imprimatur of approval anyway :).

Re:

From: [identity profile] poetbear.livejournal.com - Date: 2003-06-21 12:00 pm (UTC) - Expand

Date: 2003-06-21 08:31 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] minuet1264.livejournal.com
That was lovely!! I am taking this to heart.

Date: 2003-06-21 09:08 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gurdonark.livejournal.com
Thanks! and welcome!

Date: 2003-06-21 09:56 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] http://users.livejournal.com/_riomaggiore/
thank you for the formality of now having another license. it's printed and in the drawer. curiously though, i didn't know i needed (to use one of my favorite clint eastwood phrases): "license? me? i don't need no stinking license!"
i do understand and totally agree with the truth of your post.
you are always thinking and spiking the thought process of others.
thanks.

Date: 2003-06-21 11:37 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gurdonark.livejournal.com
I don't think you need any badges, either! Thanks for such a kind comment.

Date: 2003-06-21 10:06 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] cinderellaca.livejournal.com
Hello! [livejournal.com profile] niyabinghi sent me over to read your journal, and I'm very glad she did because it is lovely! May I add you to my list of friends?

Date: 2003-06-21 11:20 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gurdonark.livejournal.com
Thank you for the kind words. Yes, let's exchange "adds".

(deleted comment)

Date: 2003-06-21 04:04 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gurdonark.livejournal.com
I thought about trumpeting the virtues of being a public(an) without a license, but as I remember, they shut you down every week or so, and you have to reopened under names like the Mottled Shrimp.

Date: 2003-06-21 10:47 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] myasma.livejournal.com
Thank you for that. I mean it.

p.s. I added you to my friend's list--I like what you write.

Date: 2003-06-21 11:09 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gurdonark.livejournal.com
Hi. Thanks! I added you as well to mine! Welcome.

Date: 2003-06-21 11:01 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wig.livejournal.com
Aaahahaha! That is beautiful. Thank you!

Date: 2003-06-21 11:09 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gurdonark.livejournal.com
No, thank you! Great userpic!

Date: 2003-06-21 11:22 pm (UTC)
lonesomenumber1: (Default)
From: [personal profile] lonesomenumber1
I could use a license like this one. I've added you to my friends list; hope you don't mind.

We have mutual LJ friends who apparently don't know each other.

Date: 2003-06-22 04:42 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gurdonark.livejournal.com
Welcome aboard! Now you have just such a license!

Date: 2003-06-22 01:38 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] miscelenaclosed.livejournal.com
You may present this license to any uncomprehending passersby, to prove that you have been officially licensed to live in such curious and yet redeeming ways.

LOL! Thanks...! ;)

Date: 2003-06-22 04:42 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gurdonark.livejournal.com
You're welcome. You may wish to laminate it for easy preservation!

Date: 2003-06-22 02:24 am (UTC)
From: [personal profile] cosmolinguist
This is the happiest collection of 1s and 0s I've seen in a long time. Mind if I add you to my friends list?

Date: 2003-06-22 04:43 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gurdonark.livejournal.com
Thanks for the kind words! I've "traded adds" with you! Welcome.

(no subject)

From: [personal profile] cosmolinguist - Date: 2003-06-22 03:20 pm (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

From: [identity profile] gurdonark.livejournal.com - Date: 2003-06-23 07:31 am (UTC) - Expand

Date: 2003-06-22 08:14 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] voodoukween.livejournal.com
you continue to raise the bar dear lj friend!

this has to be the most entertaining and meaningful and funny post altogether

thank you!

i want one printed on parchment with gold filagree and an official gurdonark embossed stamp no less (my imagination's having a field day already)

and i will laminate it and hang it on my studio wall for *those* days

you are brilliant, generous and so kind.......where would we be without you

Date: 2003-06-22 08:34 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gurdonark.livejournal.com
I'll have to see what I can do about filigree!

Date: 2003-06-22 09:07 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bramey.livejournal.com
Validation, at last, and in such fine legalese too!

heehee

Date: 2003-06-22 10:00 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gurdonark.livejournal.com
I know you've been dealing with insurance companies, so I should append:

"If you wish to appeal this licensing decision, please notify us within sixty (60) days. If you do not, we will assume that the license is accurate. If you do, we will present your claim to a special appeals board comprised of [personal profile] gurdonark, [personal profile] gurdonark and [personal profile] gurdonark, where you will receive an answer to your appeal within 120 days, unless we tell you we'll take longer. Be sure to include all relevant documentation and your claim number in all correspondence".



(no subject)

From: [identity profile] bramey.livejournal.com - Date: 2003-06-22 10:14 am (UTC) - Expand

Date: 2003-06-22 10:28 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ghostsandrobots.livejournal.com
This is wonderful. I'm filing it in case anyone asks to see.

Date: 2003-06-23 07:31 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gurdonark.livejournal.com
This permit also extends automatically to family members, in particular little boys named Jude :).

Re:

From: [identity profile] ghostsandrobots.livejournal.com - Date: 2003-06-23 01:21 pm (UTC) - Expand

Date: 2003-06-24 05:17 am (UTC)
erika: (Default)
From: [personal profile] erika
I really like this. May I pass it on?

Date: 2003-06-24 06:02 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gurdonark.livejournal.com
Thanks. Yes, you may pass it on!

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