Bewildered By A Blank Belly Button

The fixation people have about what is normal is a powerful framework that often generates bewilderment when confronted with a deviation from an accepted standard. The absence of something as minor as a belly button could trigger wild speculations in an attempt to find a suitable explanation that would placate their mindsets; or satisfy their mischievous and derisive nature.

This was the furor that greeted Czech Supermodel Karolina Kurkova when she climbed the catwalk to model the underwear line of Victoria's Secret. Her non-existent belly button puzzled the audience and sent the press into a frenzy of conjecture that prompted the model's agent to declare that she's not an alien. Questions like "How was she fed when she was in the womb without an umbilical cord"? "Was she a test tube baby fed intravenously"? " Did she have it erased because it was unsightly"? Or, "Is her belly button located somewhere else that remains unseen even when wearing only undergarments"? "Isn't that freakish"?

Scientific explanations have been put forward about the phenemenon of the missing belly button or navel. One speaks of a weakness in the abdominal wall after developing a small hernia, which requires removal; or as part of a tummy tuck procedure. Ms. Kurkova herself has not offered any explanation why her abdomen is smooth and without any trace of where an umbilical cord used to be. Some argue that a belly button coud be made surgically to complete the body structure, as if one would be an incomplete individual without it. Others say it has much lesser sex appeal, elevating the belly button to the stature of a sex organ when it is merely the severed skin from which chewed food passed through direct to the infant's stomach.

Other people's notions of what should and what must be present need not be dictated upon those who choose to be without these "natural" body elements. Besides, she's modeling outer wear and undergarments, and there's no such thing as a garment for the belly button, unless they begin to invent one. Kurkova is withinn her rights not to reveal any reason for its absence, even if she happened to swallow her navel at a point in her life when she was hungry and without means.

The missing navel has not diminished her career one bit, but has even enhanced it. It is not far fetched to expect other models to follow suit. At the rate she's earning from her modeling career, around 2 million pounds a year, she could easily have a navel or two crafted if she wants to, or even fill her entire body with belly buttons for those who are interested in "pressing her right buttons".

In the lull between the much awaited end to the Bush Administration and the anticipation of the Barack Obama inauguration, the American press is trying to entertain itself with inanities that measure the depth of their mental abilities.

Haaarrrrwwwwk...Twoooooooph...Ting!

Prelude to the Pied Piper's Peak Performance

The resurgence of rats in the town of Hamelin, coming at a time when Germany's mighty economy slipped into recession, may be an ominous sign of unsavory events about to impact on the German nation. The rat infestation that plagued the town over 700 years before has reemerged from its legendary past, in an eerie development that seems to challenge the community's resolve to contest their existence. The rats have consolidated to do battle with the 21st century Pied Piper, and in the process, seek to alter the outcome of that classic deception and change the legend that has stood for more than seven centuries.

In the year 1284, based on the legend that sprang from Hamelin, this German town was overrun with rats that wreaked havoc on the its growth, development and regular activities of daily living; creating dysfunctional social relationships, conflict among citizens, and misery for the entire population. A pied Piper was hired to rid the town of its misery with a promise of compensation. The Pied Piper played music that entranced the rats and lured them in the river to drown. After his success, the townspeople reneged on their promise to pay, which compelled the Piper to teach them a lesson by luring all of the town's children in a cave and locking them inside with him, never to be seen again.

This year's rats are in an abandoned allotment site at the edge of town, but threatens to spread to neighboring housing estates. The rat population has exploded on the site and the town has sought outside assistance for its control and elimination. Response has been coming in, but this battle is a mere speck that the people of Hamelin, and Germany as a whole, need to fight. Germany's enviable economy had been infested with rats in investment banking clothing who feasted on the bounty and wealth of the country. As the economy suffered by the sheer volume of their insatiable greed and growing numbers, they infected adherents in government as well. And when the collapse was declared last Thursday, these rats even attempted to take a huge chunk of what was left for the winter of their avaricious lives.

A Pied Piper is indeed needed, not only for Hamelin but for Germany; to lure these dirty rats out into the open where they can be drowned - even from the spit of the entire German population. Next year, Hamelin plans to celebrate the 725th anniversary of the Pied Piper's conquest of the plague, together with a huge children's procession - even if the children were sacrificed by the Piper in the original story. Today, it is the citizens that are being sacrificed by allowing the rats to remain free and enjoy their spurious wealth. It would do well for the citizens and the government to celebrate the Pied Piper's anniversary by identifying these rats and locking them all in prison, never to be seen again. Or perhaps, to send them over to Hamelin, bound at the allotment site, to be feasted on by their ilk.

Haaaarrrwwwwwk...Twoooooooph...Ting!

Beautiful Butterfly by the Blogsite

A butterfly has metamorphosed on The Spitting Vessel courtesy of Jenaisle, site owner of Gewgaw Writings. The recognition is for being one of the "coolest" blogs known to the endorser of the award. Unknown to many perhaps is what a butterfly symbolizes.

A butterfly in folklore is a keeper of secrets. Once a secret is whispered to it, the butterfly carries the secret straight to the ears of the Great Spirit. Butterflies freed helps restore the balance of nature, which helps fulfill man's wishes. It is also a symbol of change, and the dancing pattern of its flight is a reminder for man not to take things too seriously. The most powerful symbol a butterfly represents is transformation, an excellent imagery for one contemplating change or is in the midst of change; where change need not be distressing nor painful.

Butterflies have also been used in many faiths and religions; as in a soul seeking reincarnation, or the soul of a loved one visiting family to send a message, or to provide warnings of impending danger. In its most profound form, a butterfly is a symbol of the transformation of the soul.

So to Jenaisle of Gewgaw Writings, the Spitting Vessel thanks you very much for the symbolism that this recognition represents.


Source: Vlinder, Butterfly Symbolisms.
http://www.vlinder-01.dds.nl/butterfly-symbolism.htm

A Communion of Church and Citizens

Whoever brought up the idea that those people who were once under communist regimes were themselves godless have not been to Russia. In Komarovo, a small village located some 300 kilometers from Moscow, there is an acceptance of the fact that the Church is their savior - that it will deliver them from poverty and hunger - by keeping faith in the tradition of taking Church property and religious icons to sell to collectors; and using the structures to build their homes or sell it off as construction materials. It's durability tested by the number of decades or centuries it has survived.

Remote rural churches have been the favorite target of thieves, but this time their religious fervor seemed to have risen to great heights. A whole church, which was built in 1809 and owned by the Russian Orthodox Church, has disappeared. What was left of the 200 year old two-story building are the foundations and some wall sections. The Church of the Resurrection, as it was known, had miraculously ascended into Heaven. The structure was intact when last seen in July, but thieves must have dismantled it brick by brick after emptying its interior contents religiously. By October, the Church had vanished.

Investigations will not reveal what was done or who took part in it, perhaps because all of the villagers have benefitted from its disappearance. No one is claiming any miraculous act of God about the now invisible Church, and all villagers could be solemnly praying that attention is drawn away from them and their village to ease whatever guilt they might have. The incident could be another unsolved crime as far as authorities are concerned. They are not hopeful that the Church would Resurrect in the same place or in other locations anytime in the future; but could appear in bits and parts in areas where the market for these items are faithfully sold, miraculously presented, and spiritually priced. These have always been prized items that brought citizens closer to the Church, and which has proven the power of the motto "In God We Trust" - for their survival and well being.

Haaaaarrrrrrwwwwk...Twoooooooph...Ting!

The Practice of Promoting a Pleasure Paradise

10

If promoting hedonism in its most basic form is an excellent idea for combating the credit crunch and global recession, people will enjoy the pursuit of pleasure even if they're penniless. The question of how man can live in pleasure if he is without means can be achieved by enjoying life in abject poverty - it's one of the few things money can't buy and free for all to experience. As insane as this may sound, this is the same logic being promoted by a resort in North Queensland, Australia. The nudist resort is heralding a month long "anything goes party" in March 2009, to combat the current financial difficulties.

The White Cockatoo in Mossman is not to be confused as a place for whites only, regardless of its name. Cockatoo is a parrot specie, not a crotch appendage. Resort owner Tony Fox has lifted the three year ban on partner swapping "because tough times call for stiff measures". This obviously intended pun is perhaps part of his promotional practice. Yet the nudist paradise has been deluged with inquiries from couples who would like to escape from the harsh realities they face with nothing but their bare essentials and the basest of intentions. It may well be a release of tension by indulging the ups and downs of carefree living and pursuing the ins and outs of pleasure seeking - performed with a stiff standing capital and pushing ambition - even if the only results would be fatigue, jealousies, broken unions, unwanted pregnancies, dreaded diseases, and an exposure of their shortcomings.

Cairns Mayor Val Schier was not opposed to the month long feast for as long as "it is between consenting adults". Assuming they come with their real wives or husbands, both consenting to break their vows to each other, this alone is anathema to continue being married. And what of the partner others bring along, are these safe alternatives? Even while they have the opportunity to scan the menu with their naked eyes (not the only thing undressed though), the old adage of the "proof of the pudding is in the eating" can be a dangerous threat to healthy living. The irony is that these people profess to seek pleasure yet enjoy no real lasting satisfaction out of it. The concept is pathetically flawed. And so are the hedonists.

Misplaced concerns were aired by Cairns Bishop James Foley (very close to Folly) about the code of moral behavior of people going to the feast. There is absolutely nothing to worry about in terms of moral code...they haven't got any.

Haaaarrrrrrwwwk...Twoooooooooph Ting!

Performance for a Presidency in Peril

Barack Obama's triumph was favored by history. The conditions that emerged at the precise point of his arrival and the sentiment of the youth long jaded by their disdain for politicians, joined by the more enlightened older citizens who risked the familiar standards for leaders, to invest in hope; have ushered him into the limelight of the global stage. His success or failure will determine whether or not a non-white will ever again be elected President of the United States. The times called for a historic moment, but the moment will come when it is time for his performance to be judged by history. And therein lies the peril.

Today, he is a symbol of change, but transforming the symbol into more concrete and meaningful terms for a deeply divided society after a bitterly fought contest remains vague. Its timetable indefinite. Other sectors of American society have, like the African Americans, also experienced discrimination - perhaps not as extensive as the slavery and persecution of the other half of his race - but substantially significant. All these sectors have high expectations that his call for unity of all classes and races, genders and faiths will translate into a rebirth of American society that will afford them the equality that has long eluded them.

Mr. Obama's promised tax cut to 95% of Americans, access to better health care for over 45 million citizens, a huge number of teachers provided with better salaries to improve the school system, are all money draining efforts that go on top of a budget deficit of around $500 billion and a national debt that could breach the $11 trillion mark. Foreign policy is a defining area for any President, and here he will be faced with two wars that cannot be won conventionally nor ended definitely. Both wars burden the economy, yet he must fulfill the Afghanistan promise of an end to the conflict that has already spread to its ambivalent Pakistan ally. He must also mind the nuclear ambitions of Iran and seek a withdrawal from Iraq without unduly enhancing Iranian influence in the region. A task that requires the strength of Hercules and the wisdom of Solomon.

There are, however, two elements that could tide him over - the goodwill that he generated worldwide and his masterful eloquence in communication. How far that goodwill will take him by way of getting the international community to support his initiatives may be dependent on trade-offs he may have to negotiate. Whether these trade-offs would be acceptable to a yet divided but watchful nation deserves serious consideration. He will then have to use his gift for communication - especially when events turn dark, promises are deferred, or doubts persist - to synthesize situations and extract its essence; and to outline the country's directions to overcome any obstacle in its path to a just and humane society. He will need all the graceful eloquence of his words to uplift the spirit of a nation broken by the unconscionable acts of the high and mighty.

For President Obama, failure is a gargantuan luxury, and there will always be those lurking behind dark intentions to see that success is kept at a distance, while scandal is a breath away. It would seem that an African American holding a powerful position would safely deliver all other ethnic groups on the road to equality. This is an illusion at worst and wishful thinking at best, for it will be a Presidency that will perform in constant peril. If not from the enemies of America, it will be from the enemies of hope and change.

Harrrrwwwwk...Twoooooooph...Ting!

NOTICE:

Jenaisle of Gewgaw Writings is collecting "Inspirational Stories from Bloggers All Over the World", which she will publish in a book of the same title. Bloggers interested in joining, or having their articles/posts included, may visit her site to submit their stories.

The book is scheduled for publication on August 2009. The site provides a generous incentive for articles/posts submitted and accepted. She also posts each of the accepted stories.

For the past week, Gewgaw Writings has posted the Spitting Vessel's story published last May 2008 for Mother's day. The post title is "Memories for my Mother".