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Description
                                   Slick Hound

There are others talking amongst each other, I'm not bothered so long as I don't listen... I'll make it a point to appear preoccupied.
When it comes to such intentional acts of separation, I find the ability of thinking clearly, involuntarily achieved.
Once these isolated states are encountered most all of my ideas are sent towards this unique direction. Similar to the thoughts that occur before sleep, I  begin to interpret a rotation of interchangeable perspectives, like empathy, the character I've adopted is replaced, adjusted and modeled in proportion to a linear reality, so that I can make light of certain unresolved dilemmas or other miscellaneous circumstances. Now the flaws in this concept are apparent and in many respects could be described simply as glorified guessing, but that's an observation I'm willing to accept.
Naturally being a little withdrawn, the probability of me entering this plain is reasonably high, as it is mainly initiated by a steadily expanding series of conditions, of which could be interpreted by others as highly meaningful or entirely petty,` to me they are all very much the same, though I shan't disregard  the idea of individualized priorities, for the mechanics of this mindset would begin to deviate from it's primary goal. And after so many years of maintaining sanity through thoughts like this, premature contradictions should be avoided if at all possible.
I feel like a hound delayed by the longing for his master, In fact  If I was to become any more deprived, solemnly howling would be the only accurate description of my desperation. I 'll have another cigarette.
What most don't fully grasp, is that even as my actions tend to remove interest from popular sentiments consisting but not limited to: the industrialization of modern civilization, education, gas prices,  human colonization, peace, planetary concerns, saturated fats, currency, health care, fund raisers, drugs, sanitation, the mentally disabled, social progression, crime, Civil Rights, property value, economic manipulation, comfortability, unemployment, children, bureaucracy, gender identity, cultural diversity, basketball, overpopulation, baseball, terrorism, electricity, immigration, genocide, debt, impoverished nations, sexual activity, morality, or ice in my coffee, I am; in contrast, endowed with a patience that endures but most importantly embraces that of which is unfortunately, most always, discounted and neglected; the individual.

Engaging in the dealings of personal ideas, understanding the tragic elegance of flaw, listening in light of love or even  private revelations, the disregard of priority, these are what I have learned to value in this world and they are what guide me through the mess of imploding articles that litter mankind's plain of disorientation. I feel like I'm an alright person, I enjoy things we all enjoy, it's not as though I have shut myself off entirely... in fact I encourage the social aspect of life, it's just my inability to take the entirety of this race seriously that prevents me from investing the necessary concern needed to truly be a part of the ideas they share. Beyond that, I believe humans as a whole are... unbearably heinous, so much so I have become ashamed of even my own existence.
I'm okay with it though. It's sort of romantic in a way, to think of a settlement of beings who manipulate and corrupt the very world they dwell in, mistaking what they feel in their hearts as purity, what they think to themselves as a logic and what they've  made up as reality. I might be ashamed of our ways, but I'm surely not offended... I know tragic comedy when I see it. Anyways...
  I'm bored enough to let out sigh. I look around.
Most are sitting about, a few of them play "music" with your typical ensemble of acoustic instruments. You can spot the couples caressing and the loners searching. A group of probably thirty or so, bumming around the sandy shore of White Haven Lagoon. I happen to be with a group... unsure how we ended up here, but these unfortunate things happen from time to time.
I could pretend like I hate it, but it's not so bad, even when in a large gathering such as this, the action of silencing yourself, grants the simulation of being by yourself despite the company. People are much more preoccupied with their own business to spark up a conversation with every shy bastard in their life and even if they were to gather enough courage to approach, it doesn't take much to turn them back.
Take this for example: there's a group of college type kids nested a few yards away from me, now I could be mistaken but I believe a few have been watching me intently. I'm sure it's nothing more than curiosity, but if they are to act on it and attempt social interaction then the pleasant nature of my intentional seclusion would be canceled, allowing space for a numbing current of one sided thoughts and half hearted responses. Which would make this experience much less bearable then it should be.
Now, when you have more than one stranger focusing on you, sharing whispers with each other, stealing glances (basically preparing to make the next move.) It's best to enact a series of preventive steps before worrying about how you should go about politely rejecting their inevitable attempt. Any eye contact will act as a sign of recognition, if you appear plainly disconnected from those around you this will ensure easy access to anyone wishing to disturb you. Allowing the weight of your thoughts to translate through your expression will also set up your admirer(s) with questions pertaining to the state of your feelings putting them in the light of some sort of good Samaritan or thoughtful bystander either way you're priorities aren't social so if you can manage to appear interested in those around you, the likely hood of strangers speaking with you will decrease.
So in order to avoid this entirely I will sacrifice a small bit of alone time and engage with the group I am with in order to prevent the experience of meeting new people. This could be taken as counter productive, but rest assure there is strategy involved. I raise myself from meditation and face the entourage. There seemed to be a mild debate occurring between a women I knew vaguely and a male I didn't. I lean in to catch the subject.

-See, what  you're not getting, Is that when I was your age there was so much more at stake! The economy was doing great, the fashion was revolutionary, even mainstream music was meaningful.  You had big movements like environmentalism and third wave feminism. There was national acceptance of sexual identities along with a whole list of sub cultures that most don't even remember anymore, were able to emerge from the underground and shed a whole new light on society...
Someone interrupts her before she goes on offering a glass pipe. We all watch as it's hit and passed on.
-Don't take it that wrong way... She says, her words followed by smoke. ...It's just I think there are things that this generation could learn from it's predecessors and it seems they don't want to. So shit, that's why I stand firm to my statement, that this generation is a lost cause.
The respondent, who was around nineteen begins.

-Yeah... that's probably true but... I  just don't see why you have to act 'high n mighty' like you do.
-You're confusing the intentions of my statement man.
-I don't know... I feel like you just act like you know everything most of the time, and you talk about shit when you were a teen and how much more... authentic it was then mine, I just have to call bullshit.
-Well, let me finish dude.

He sighs and nods.

-Okay, just hear me out. I mean no offense when I say this but, the point I'm making is about the generation I grew up in... the values we shared were strong, the topics we discussed were valid. Thus bringing me to the conclusion that the young ones of today lack the-the... dignity most had fifteen, twenty years ago. Seriously just listen to the Top fifty of the nineties and compare it to today.
-I completely agree. A new person threw in.  I mean, the TV back in the day was superior to the shit now n days.

Several laugh in agreement and begin to reminisce amongst each other. The younger one shrugs in defeat and sticks a cigarette in his mouth. I notice the rest of the group disengage from the tension occupying themselves with thoughts of childhood television. The speaker joins in, referencing her novel collection of memories. They're all unconcerned about carrying on a discussion against someone who understands the basics of communication, too much effort I guess.
Anyways, every one knows this chick for her intelligence, strait forward belief system and elegant wit. The people around her marvel at the way she addresses global issues. Her "acceptance" and "openness" to other perspectives is another series of award winning aspects that most just can't get enough of. She's a starving artist, and an eccentric, you can spot her at the record store flipping through the no wave section or sipping espresso at any miscellaneous coffee lounge within "biking distance". She's an off and on vegetarian and a follower of Freud. Her friends frequent libertarian rallies and her enemies  support walmart. I could go on but I won't. Fact is, she's a part time thespian and a full time jack ass.
Now before I recede deeper into thought I will resurrect the discussion with a much needed rebuttal.

-Tell me, if the nineties were so enlightened then how come it's existence became completely irrelevant shortly after?

I spoke loud enough for her to hear. She looks at me.

-Sorry?
Every one stops talking, I repeat what I said. She smiles a little.
-That's presumptuous as hell man. She chuckles confidently and so do the others.
-How so?
-Um, the remnants of the nineties have yet to fade dude, even now like half of modern sub cultures reflect what happened years before their own time. To say it's not relevant anymore would be as I said, presumptuous.
I find a cigarette and light it.
-I understand, although with such strong beliefs and values as you previously stated, I choose to make the assumption that such a generation would pursue prolonging their concepts and ideas by passing them down to the ones next in line.

She keeps up that smile, a little more naive this time.

-Guiding a generation is a difficult processes especially with how dumbed down media has gotten.
This could go on forever.
-Okay, let's move on to something else.
-Shoot.
-Let's say the turn of the millennium gave rise to the most ignorant stubborn generation ever known, they are satisfied with capitalism and they hold no interest in things like anti conformism or cultural development so long as their conveniences are fulfilled they are good with whatever goes. Hypothetically, they are the lost cause you speak of and will drag the next ten years back to the fifties.
She thinks about it.
-Okay, go on.
I take a quick drag.
-So tell me... why the previous generation, after such a valiant decade of courage and maturity can't muster up the "dignity" to do something about it?
There's a little hesitation.
-Like I said, you can't control the way people decide to live their lives.
-So what you're saying is even if you were faced with a dilemma such as what I said, you would still allow for those hypothetical events to take place because it was to hard to do anything about it?
-Dude you're skipping through different points left n right, stick with one and we'll go from there.
-You're just misunderstanding me, "dude". I respond.
-Then please, tell me what it is I'm misunderstanding.
I look at the others then back at her, they're also finding it hard to understand what I'm saying.
I'll give them something to chew on.
-The culture of the nineties could barely keep up the ten years they had, the reason the new millennium is as dull and definition-less as it is now, has to due with the simple concept of temporary resistance before inevitable consumerism.
I pause shortly then continue.
-Furthermore, to remove responsibility from the direction your community is heading is not only a great example of cowardice but an indication of a lack of relevancy in modern society. Everyone cuts their hair and gets jobs, their only true glory or freedom being comfortably set back in the past, where it can be glorified and pampered from afar,
I give her no time to respond.
-But in fairness, the main reason the passion of the nineties is irrelevant in modern culture today, is in direct correlation with the universal laws of balance and contrast.
I pause and the silence is thick. Obviously a group of scholars.
-So, even if you wanted to do something about this so called decline of dignity in our new generation, which you clearly don't or can't, you're actions would be thwarted by the incomprehensible odds of reality, the likes of which are a bit more daunting then the assortment of unmotivated, undignified youths you claim to be so hard to guide.
Her eyes brighten with a tinge of aggression.
-What's that supposed to mean dude, are we getting on metaphysics now? Jesus.
I ignore the joke.
-It's supposed to mean every action has a reaction.
-And?
-And, If you can understand that statement, then you can understand why the last ten years wasn't up to your par.
-Then if what you're saying is true, it's not actually our generations fault with how these ten years played out, which would disrepute your whole argument.
This time I smile a little.
-You focus allot of energy on seeking who it is to blame.
-Um, no I don't.
-I meant no offense it just seemed like that was the whole agenda of the talk you were having earlier. What with all this responsibility of our current state being placed on the shoulders of todays youth.
-That's not what I was saying.
-Then tell me.
She goes to speak but stops herself, the final hesitation was enough room for me to end this.
-Listen, I'm not even going to finish my point, the only reason I spoke up was because your argument was biased and flawed and apparently everyone here would rather just talk about fucking television then exchange ideas about the state of their very world the live in... there are many reasons our land is in the shitter right now, to put it all on a flock of kids is strait bullshit.
My cigarettes smoldering away so pitch it and light a new one.
-In conclusion, the nineties were a fucking mess and so were the eighties and the seventies and all the other years this pitiful race has roamed the earth. The only reason you're convinced the nineties were superior to the present is because that's how it was portrayed. Your caught up in the superficial aspect of life friend, because the last time I remember there were still wars going on in the nineties and kids were still shootin each other at school in the nineties, we all still seemed to be destroying the planet in the nineties,  also citizens were still blowing up their own country in the nineties and James fucking Cameron was still making millions in the nineties. Bullshit like third wave feminism was nothing more than a consolation prize in comparison to the barbaric losses we underwent during grand.
I look her in the eyes and calmly say.
-Nineteen Hundred  Ninety through Nineteen Hundred Ninety Nine and so on were and will be no more then the next series of lumbering bounds the human race will take before it's respective and very much belated extinction, n that's it.

I stop talking and find myself under the silent attention of the entire ensemble.
Someone next to me shrugs my shoulder, I turn to see a glass pipe being offered to me.
I shake my head, get up and walk away.

Description
                                   Slick Hound

There are others talking amongst each other, I'm not bothered so long as I don't listen... I'll make it a point to appear preoccupied.
When it comes to such intentional acts of separation, I find the ability of thinking clearly, involuntarily achieved.
Once these isolated states are encountered most all of my ideas are sent towards this unique direction. Similar to the thoughts that occur before sleep, I  begin to interpret a rotation of interchangeable perspectives, like empathy, the character I've adopted is replaced, adjusted and modeled in proportion to a linear reality, so that I can make light of certain unresolved dilemmas or other miscellaneous circumstances. Now the flaws in this concept are apparent and in many respects could be described simply as glorified guessing, but that's an observation I'm willing to accept.
Naturally being a little withdrawn, the probability of me entering this plain is reasonably high, as it is mainly initiated by a steadily expanding series of conditions, of which could be interpreted by others as highly meaningful or entirely petty,` to me they are all very much the same, though I shan't disregard  the idea of individualized priorities, for the mechanics of this mindset would begin to deviate from it's primary goal. And after so many years of maintaining sanity through thoughts like this, premature contradictions should be avoided if at all possible.
I feel like a hound delayed by the longing for his master, In fact  If I was to become any more deprived, solemnly howling would be the only accurate description of my desperation. I 'll have another cigarette.
What most don't fully grasp, is that even as my actions tend to remove interest from popular sentiments consisting but not limited to: the industrialization of modern civilization, education, gas prices,  human colonization, peace, planetary concerns, saturated fats, currency, health care, fund raisers, drugs, sanitation, the mentally disabled, social progression, crime, Civil Rights, property value, economic manipulation, comfortability, unemployment, children, bureaucracy, gender identity, cultural diversity, basketball, overpopulation, baseball, terrorism, electricity, immigration, genocide, debt, impoverished nations, sexual activity, morality, or ice in my coffee, I am; in contrast, endowed with a patience that endures but most importantly embraces that of which is unfortunately, most always, discounted and neglected; the individual.

Engaging in the dealings of personal ideas, understanding the tragic elegance of flaw, listening in light of love or even  private revelations, the disregard of priority, these are what I have learned to value in this world and they are what guide me through the mess of imploding articles that litter mankind's plain of disorientation. I feel like I'm an alright person, I enjoy things we all enjoy, it's not as though I have shut myself off entirely... in fact I encourage the social aspect of life, it's just my inability to take the entirety of this race seriously that prevents me from investing the necessary concern needed to truly be a part of the ideas they share. Beyond that, I believe humans as a whole are... unbearably heinous, so much so I have become ashamed of even my own existence.
I'm okay with it though. It's sort of romantic in a way, to think of a settlement of beings who manipulate and corrupt the very world they dwell in, mistaking what they feel in their hearts as purity, what they think to themselves as a logic and what they've  made up as reality. I might be ashamed of our ways, but I'm surely not offended... I know tragic comedy when I see it. Anyways...
  I'm bored enough to let out sigh. I look around.
Most are sitting about, a few of them play "music" with your typical ensemble of acoustic instruments. You can spot the couples caressing and the loners searching. A group of probably thirty or so, bumming around the sandy shore of White Haven Lagoon. I happen to be with a group... unsure how we ended up here, but these unfortunate things happen from time to time.
I could pretend like I hate it, but it's not so bad, even when in a large gathering such as this, the action of silencing yourself, grants the simulation of being by yourself despite the company. People are much more preoccupied with their own business to spark up a conversation with every shy bastard in their life and even if they were to gather enough courage to approach, it doesn't take much to turn them back.
Take this for example: there's a group of college type kids nested a few yards away from me, now I could be mistaken but I believe a few have been watching me intently. I'm sure it's nothing more than curiosity, but if they are to act on it and attempt social interaction then the pleasant nature of my intentional seclusion would be canceled, allowing space for a numbing current of one sided thoughts and half hearted responses. Which would make this experience much less bearable then it should be.
Now, when you have more than one stranger focusing on you, sharing whispers with each other, stealing glances (basically preparing to make the next move.) It's best to enact a series of preventive steps before worrying about how you should go about politely rejecting their inevitable attempt. Any eye contact will act as a sign of recognition, if you appear plainly disconnected from those around you this will ensure easy access to anyone wishing to disturb you. Allowing the weight of your thoughts to translate through your expression will also set up your admirer(s) with questions pertaining to the state of your feelings putting them in the light of some sort of good Samaritan or thoughtful bystander either way you're priorities aren't social so if you can manage to appear interested in those around you, the likely hood of strangers speaking with you will decrease.
So in order to avoid this entirely I will sacrifice a small bit of alone time and engage with the group I am with in order to prevent the experience of meeting new people. This could be taken as counter productive, but rest assure there is strategy involved. I raise myself from meditation and face the entourage. There seemed to be a mild debate occurring between a women I knew vaguely and a male I didn't. I lean in to catch the subject.

-See, what  you're not getting, Is that when I was your age there was so much more at stake! The economy was doing great, the fashion was revolutionary, even mainstream music was meaningful.  You had big movements like environmentalism and third wave feminism. There was national acceptance of sexual identities along with a whole list of sub cultures that most don't even remember anymore, were able to emerge from the underground and shed a whole new light on society...
Someone interrupts her before she goes on offering a glass pipe. We all watch as it's hit and passed on.
-Don't take it that wrong way... She says, her words followed by smoke. ...It's just I think there are things that this generation could learn from it's predecessors and it seems they don't want to. So shit, that's why I stand firm to my statement, that this generation is a lost cause.
The respondent, who was around nineteen begins.

-Yeah... that's probably true but... I  just don't see why you have to act 'high n mighty' like you do.
-You're confusing the intentions of my statement man.
-I don't know... I feel like you just act like you know everything most of the time, and you talk about shit when you were a teen and how much more... authentic it was then mine, I just have to call bullshit.
-Well, let me finish dude.

He sighs and nods.

-Okay, just hear me out. I mean no offense when I say this but, the point I'm making is about the generation I grew up in... the values we shared were strong, the topics we discussed were valid. Thus bringing me to the conclusion that the young ones of today lack the-the... dignity most had fifteen, twenty years ago. Seriously just listen to the Top fifty of the nineties and compare it to today.
-I completely agree. A new person threw in.  I mean, the TV back in the day was superior to the shit now n days.

Several laugh in agreement and begin to reminisce amongst each other. The younger one shrugs in defeat and sticks a cigarette in his mouth. I notice the rest of the group disengage from the tension occupying themselves with thoughts of childhood television. The speaker joins in, referencing her novel collection of memories. They're all unconcerned about carrying on a discussion against someone who understands the basics of communication, too much effort I guess.
Anyways, every one knows this chick for her intelligence, strait forward belief system and elegant wit. The people around her marvel at the way she addresses global issues. Her "acceptance" and "openness" to other perspectives is another series of award winning aspects that most just can't get enough of. She's a starving artist, and an eccentric, you can spot her at the record store flipping through the no wave section or sipping espresso at any miscellaneous coffee lounge within "biking distance". She's an off and on vegetarian and a follower of Freud. Her friends frequent libertarian rallies and her enemies  support walmart. I could go on but I won't. Fact is, she's a part time thespian and a full time jack ass.
Now before I recede deeper into thought I will resurrect the discussion with a much needed rebuttal.

-Tell me, if the nineties were so enlightened then how come it's existence became completely irrelevant shortly after?

I spoke loud enough for her to hear. She looks at me.

-Sorry?
Every one stops talking, I repeat what I said. She smiles a little.
-That's presumptuous as hell man. She chuckles confidently and so do the others.
-How so?
-Um, the remnants of the nineties have yet to fade dude, even now like half of modern sub cultures reflect what happened years before their own time. To say it's not relevant anymore would be as I said, presumptuous.
I find a cigarette and light it.
-I understand, although with such strong beliefs and values as you previously stated, I choose to make the assumption that such a generation would pursue prolonging their concepts and ideas by passing them down to the ones next in line.

She keeps up that smile, a little more naive this time.

-Guiding a generation is a difficult processes especially with how dumbed down media has gotten.
This could go on forever.
-Okay, let's move on to something else.
-Shoot.
-Let's say the turn of the millennium gave rise to the most ignorant stubborn generation ever known, they are satisfied with capitalism and they hold no interest in things like anti conformism or cultural development so long as their conveniences are fulfilled they are good with whatever goes. Hypothetically, they are the lost cause you speak of and will drag the next ten years back to the fifties.
She thinks about it.
-Okay, go on.
I take a quick drag.
-So tell me... why the previous generation, after such a valiant decade of courage and maturity can't muster up the "dignity" to do something about it?
There's a little hesitation.
-Like I said, you can't control the way people decide to live their lives.
-So what you're saying is even if you were faced with a dilemma such as what I said, you would still allow for those hypothetical events to take place because it was to hard to do anything about it?
-Dude you're skipping through different points left n right, stick with one and we'll go from there.
-You're just misunderstanding me, "dude". I respond.
-Then please, tell me what it is I'm misunderstanding.
I look at the others then back at her, they're also finding it hard to understand what I'm saying.
I'll give them something to chew on.
-The culture of the nineties could barely keep up the ten years they had, the reason the new millennium is as dull and definition-less as it is now, has to due with the simple concept of temporary resistance before inevitable consumerism.
I pause shortly then continue.
-Furthermore, to remove responsibility from the direction your community is heading is not only a great example of cowardice but an indication of a lack of relevancy in modern society. Everyone cuts their hair and gets jobs, their only true glory or freedom being comfortably set back in the past, where it can be glorified and pampered from afar,
I give her no time to respond.
-But in fairness, the main reason the passion of the nineties is irrelevant in modern culture today, is in direct correlation with the universal laws of balance and contrast.
I pause and the silence is thick. Obviously a group of scholars.
-So, even if you wanted to do something about this so called decline of dignity in our new generation, which you clearly don't or can't, you're actions would be thwarted by the incomprehensible odds of reality, the likes of which are a bit more daunting then the assortment of unmotivated, undignified youths you claim to be so hard to guide.
Her eyes brighten with a tinge of aggression.
-What's that supposed to mean dude, are we getting on metaphysics now? Jesus.
I ignore the joke.
-It's supposed to mean every action has a reaction.
-And?
-And, If you can understand that statement, then you can understand why the last ten years wasn't up to your par.
-Then if what you're saying is true, it's not actually our generations fault with how these ten years played out, which would disrepute your whole argument.
This time I smile a little.
-You focus allot of energy on seeking who it is to blame.
-Um, no I don't.
-I meant no offense it just seemed like that was the whole agenda of the talk you were having earlier. What with all this responsibility of our current state being placed on the shoulders of todays youth.
-That's not what I was saying.
-Then tell me.
She goes to speak but stops herself, the final hesitation was enough room for me to end this.
-Listen, I'm not even going to finish my point, the only reason I spoke up was because your argument was biased and flawed and apparently everyone here would rather just talk about fucking television then exchange ideas about the state of their very world the live in... there are many reasons our land is in the shitter right now, to put it all on a flock of kids is strait bullshit.
My cigarettes smoldering away so pitch it and light a new one.
-In conclusion, the nineties were a fucking mess and so were the eighties and the seventies and all the other years this pitiful race has roamed the earth. The only reason you're convinced the nineties were superior to the present is because that's how it was portrayed. Your caught up in the superficial aspect of life friend, because the last time I remember there were still wars going on in the nineties and kids were still shootin each other at school in the nineties, we all still seemed to be destroying the planet in the nineties,  also citizens were still blowing up their own country in the nineties and James fucking Cameron was still making millions in the nineties. Bullshit like third wave feminism was nothing more than a consolation prize in comparison to the barbaric losses we underwent during grand.
I look her in the eyes and calmly say.
-Nineteen Hundred  Ninety through Nineteen Hundred Ninety Nine and so on were and will be no more then the next series of lumbering bounds the human race will take before it's respective and very much belated extinction, n that's it.

I stop talking and find myself under the silent attention of the entire ensemble.
Someone next to me shrugs my shoulder, I turn to see a glass pipe being offered to me.
I shake my head, get up and walk away.