Divine Aesthetics: The Blog

You know you're a Megalomaniac when...

This list was mainly written by Paul and myself, although a friend from a writing group we helped found (hi, Teri!) added the "Australia" one. This used to be on that writing group's site, but since that group has long since died out (and Paul was asking about it) I thought I would post it here.

If you can think of a good addition, I'm not adverse to editing this list.

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-You find yourself laughing along with the villain in a TV show, movie, etc.

-You see taking over the world as "thinking small"

-Your hobby is taking over small European countries

-You own more than 3 edged weapons and know how to use them

-You blew up the building where your Megalomaniacs Anonymous club met.

-You cried when the Death Star blew up

-You saw the Death Star's destruction as a perfect opportunity for you to step in and take over

-Your evil laugh is copyrighted

-You analyze and learn from the mistakes of those who came before you (i.e.: Napoleon attacking Russia, Hitler attacking Russia, messing w/ a Sicilian when death is on the line, etc.)

-When showing your friends pics of your "latest conquests," instead of pictures of members of the opposite gender, you have pictures of capitol buildings

-You own a POWER Macintosh, just because of the name.

-You try to take over the world every night along with the help of an idiotic sidekick who enjoys using the word "NARF!"

-You've memorized every line said by the Emperor from Star Wars

-You've ever used the phrase, "I can use my powers for good, anytime ... no, really, I can."

-While watching Star Trek: TNG, you've ever said, "Yeah, I could take Q."

-You give Australia as a birthday gift to your childhood friend.

-You own stock in more than one munitions Co.

-You consider the "Dragon Slave" as a WEAK spell.

-You were rooting for the ID4 aliens.

-You saw Vlad the Impaler as "Too easy-going."

-The demons of darkness summon YOU.

-You've ever ended the psalm "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I shall fear no evil..." with "'Cause it's MY valley!"

-You rewrite Shakespeare's plays so that the antagonists WIN.

-You can cause small woodland creatures to explode by concentrating.

The Bug

An insight on helping others.

Belly up in the water, the little insect flailed franticly in a vain attempt to break free. Wings that had allowed it to soar through the treetops now did nothing more than attract local fish.

I lowered my camera strap below the waterline to scoop it free, but each time I lifted it again the current I created pushed the bug aside.

It was a full minute before I realized what I had to do. Lowering the camera strap once more I placed it directly on top of the small bug. Instinctively it took hold of the solid object and was hoisted to safety.

Sometimes, in order to help someone you must also allow them to help themselves.

© 2001 Divine Aesthetics.

Imagine

I don't need no one / to tell me 'bout Heaven ... :)

How vivid is your imagination?

Can you imagine a forest? Oh, I'm sure you can imagine the concept of a forest - trees everywhere, the ground littered with leaves, rocks, and fallen branches - but can you imagine a forest completely - in whole ?

Every tree, every rock. The scar in that old oak where some foolish child carved his name. The way that leaf curls to resemble a not - so - perfect cylinder.

No?

Then why waste your time imagining it? Spend some time in the real world for a change, and marvel at the works of an imagination greater than your own.

© 2001 Divine Aesthetics.

Kids!

A short but serious look at growing up.
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Kids!

They're nothing but ungrateful brats. Tell them something and they'll ignore you as long as you can. Show them something precious and they'll just destroy it.

I am a kid.

I am young not just in years but in mind. I refuse to let my inner child die, and am happier that way.

I am also an adult.

Two voids lurk inside each child, either of which can lead to self destruction: Inexperience and Immaturity. Inexperience is eliminated by life and paying attention to it. Immaturity is a much harder chasm to fill.

My immaturity is pushed to the side by a young sapling of maturity. It grows larger when I realize I am responsible for my actions. That my behavior will have an effect - positive or negative - on the world around me.

In us all is the power to bring joy or sadness, laughter or tears - not just to ourselves but to everyone around us. Maturity is the realization of this and the choice of one over the other.

© 2001 Divine Aesthetics.