Is it bad to get morbid pleasure from things that happen to people? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Borla · 11-08-2005, 12:29 PM

If that person has wronged you, and the "bad" things aren't terribly serious?

BigBen · 11-08-2005, 12:32 PM

If it is, then I am a bad person.

I often smile and think "Karma, dude, Karma.."

I also laugh when someone trips and falls, and then I feel really bad when they end up being hurt.

Bill O'Rights · 11-08-2005, 12:39 PM

Ah, schadenfreude.
The answer to your question can be found in three simple words; read...my...signature.

5757 · 11-08-2005, 12:48 PM

HA HA HA - Big Deep Evil Laugh.............

The answer: I have no idea. It doesn't feel wrong.

The story: In highschool I got into a fight with this big mouth girl over who knows what. We called eachother names and almost swung. We lived across the street from eachother. Not good. We would yell obscenities from our front porches and throw large rocks at eachother, etc. I stole her best friends boyfriend and cussed her mom out. (Petty shit like that)

One day, she was hanging out with some friends near her pool in the back yard. One of her guy friends had a BB gun. He aimed towards the water, pulled the trigger, the BB ricashayed(sp?) off the water and took out the bitches left eye - completely.

I laughed, . .. .and laughed. Still laughing. I'd say this was a terribly serious thing. I don't feel bad. Then again, maybe I'm just a little icy cold.

katie_ann1031 · 11-08-2005, 12:49 PM

I relish those few precious moments in life when I find out something bad has happened to a bad person. Call me evil if you like, I don't care. My only complaint; bad people don't get what they deserve often enough.

maleficent · 11-08-2005, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBen

I often smile and think "Karma, dude, Karma.."
(

Oh lord, I'm so completely screwed.. .there's not a limb on my body that doesn't have a bruise on it from where I have walked into a wall, tripped up a flight of stairs, fallen over a pebble or something like equally as graceful... Two weeks ago, I took the short cut over to my office from my apartment which involves walking down a small grassy hill... I slid on the only freakin' leaf on this grassy patch, bounced on my butt, and sprained my thumb for my trouble...

So, i'm really not a graceless clod, i'm actually cursed by karma...

Borla · 11-08-2005, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5757

HA HA HA - Big Deep Evil Laugh.............

The answer: I have no idea. It doesn't feel wrong.

The story: In highschool I got into a fight with this big mouth girl over who knows what. We called eachother names and almost swung. We lived across the street from eachother. Not good. We would yell obscenities from our front porches and throw large rocks at eachother, etc. I stole her best friends boyfriend and cussed her mom out. (Petty shit like that)

One day, she was hanging out with some friends near her pool in the back yard. One of her guy friends had a BB gun. He aimed towards the water, pulled the trigger, the BB ricashayed(sp?) off the water and took out the bitches left eye - completely.

I laughed, . .. .and laughed. Still laughing. I'd say this was a terribly serious thing. I don't feel bad. Then again, maybe I'm just a little icy cold.

I'm not talking about anything nearly as significant or damaging as that. More the "blow to the ego" type of punch to the gut.

Gilda · 11-08-2005, 01:39 PM

http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/avenu...adenfreude.htm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avenue Q

GARY COLEMAN:
Right now you are down and out and feeling really crappy

NICKY:
I'll say.

GARY COLEMAN:
And when I see how sad you are
It sort of makes me...
Happy!

NICKY:
Happy?!

GARY COLEMAN:
Sorry, Nicky, human nature-
Nothing I can do!
It's...
Schadenfreude!
Making me feel glad that I'm not you.

NICKY:
Well that's not very nice, Gary!

GARY COLEMAN:
I didn't say it was nice! But everybody does it!

D'ja ever clap when a waitress falls and drops a tray of glasses?

NICKY:
Yeah...

GARY COLEMAN:
And ain't it fun to watch figure skaters falling on their asses?

NICKY:
Sure!

GARY COLEMAN:
And don'tcha feel all warm and cozy,
Watching people out in the rain!

NICKY:
You bet!

GARY COLEMAN:
That's...

GARY AND NICKY:
Schadenfreude!

GARY COLEMAN:
People taking pleasure in your pain!

NICKY:
Oh, Schadenfreude, huh?
What's that, some kinda Nazi word?

GARY COLEMAN:
Yup! It's German for "happiness at the misfortune of others!"

NICKY:
"Happiness at the misfortune of others." That is German!

Watching a vegetarian being told she just ate chicken

GARY COLEMAN:
Or watching a frat boy realize just what he put his dick in!

NICKY:
Being on the elevator when somebody shouts "Hold the door!"

GARY AND NICKY:
"No!!!"
Schadenfreude!

GARY COLEMAN:
"Fuck you lady, that's what stairs are for!"

NICKY:
Ooh, how about...
Straight-A students getting Bs?

GARY COLEMAN:
Exes getting STDs!

NICKY:
Waking doormen from their naps!

GARY COLEMAN:
Watching tourists reading maps!

NICKY:
Football players getting tackled!

GARY COLEMAN:
CEOs getting shackled!

NICKY:
Watching actors never reach

GARY AND NICKY:
The ending of their oscar speech!
Schadenfreude!
Schadenfreude!
Schadenfreude!
Schadenfreude!

GARY COLEMAN:
The world needs people like you and me who've been knocked around by fate.
'Cause when people see us, they don't want to be us, and that makes them feel great.

NICKY:
Sure!
We provide a vital service to society!

GARY AND NICKY:
You and me!
Schadenfreude!
Making the world a better place...
Making the world a better place...
Making the world a better place...
To be!

GARY COLEMAN:
S-C-H-A-D-E-N-F-R-E-U-D-E!

I would kill for a video version of Avenue Q.

Gilda

Bill O'Rights · 11-08-2005, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maleficent

I slid on the only freakin' leaf on this grassy patch, bounced on my butt, and sprained my thumb for my trouble...

You live in New Hampsire, for chrissake...all you could find was one lousy leaf...in Autumn? Hmmm...I smell something a little sour, in your story, mal. Perhaps if we had...oh, I dunno...a photo of your poor, battered and bruised butt...we might be able to buy into it. But, as it is...

onodrim · 11-08-2005, 02:42 PM

Gilda, that's my favorite song from Avenue Q!

ryfo · 11-08-2005, 04:42 PM

i find it fancinating to watch someone fall, I dont laugh but do take note of their reaction. It gets worse, if i can see something about to happen, I will watch,I know i should stop whatever is happening but I dont. Like today I saw a car transport truck with a new mazda mr8(black) on it and the top saftey strap had fallen andit could hit the car and scratch all the paintwork. Did I get the drivers attention and let him know? NO, I watched to see if the strap was hitting the car and said to my friend oh no look at that and went on my way.........something definately wrong in my thinking!

Gilda · 11-08-2005, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onodrim

Gilda, that's my favorite song from Avenue Q!

I'm partial to "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist."

Gilda

JumpinJesus · 11-08-2005, 05:04 PM

You are all some very mean people. I would never, ever laugh at anyone's misfortune. I'm a little uncomfortable with this whole fahrvegnugen thing you're all talking about so I'm not going to say any more than, "Shame on you. Shame on all of you."

Rodney · 11-08-2005, 05:24 PM

Is it bad? No, but it's not healthy. When somebody messes with me and then gets some bad luck, I don't necessarily feel good about it. I _do_ feel some satisfaction if he/she got into trouble for doing the same sort of crap he's prone to do. But that satisfaction is there because the universe is teaching him a lesson, and the consequences of his bad behavior are coming home to roost.

I knew a guy who was one of the most professionally manipulative people you ever met. He _studied_ how to manipulate people, and he manipulated me a few times. I came to realize that the reason he was so into control of those around him was that he had little or no control or knowledge about how he, himself ticked. He was one of these guys whose life was punctuated by periodic disasters -- health problems, thefts, monetary loss, lawsuits -- all caused by his own actions, and he never figured it out. Every so often I hear about some new trainwreck in his life and I just shake my head -- and I _really_ don't like this guy. It's sad. If he actually could address his own problems, he probably wouldn't be such a bastard. But he can't. And he goes through one disaster after another.

maleficent · 11-08-2005, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JumpinJesus

You are all some very mean people. I would never, ever laugh at anyone's misfortune. I'm a little uncomfortable with this whole fahrvegnugen thing you're all talking about so I'm not going to say any more than, "Shame on you. Shame on all of you."

Me thinks he doth protest entirely too much...

that's all I'm sayin'...

Borla · 11-08-2005, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodney

Is it bad? No, but it's not healthy. When somebody messes with me and then gets some bad luck, I don't necessarily feel good about it. I _do_ feel some satisfaction if he/she got into trouble for doing the same sort of crap he's prone to do. But that satisfaction is there because the universe is teaching him a lesson, and the consequences of his bad behavior are coming home to roost.

I knew a guy who was one of the most professionally manipulative people you ever met. He _studied_ how to manipulate people, and he manipulated me a few times. I came to realize that the reason he was so into control of those around him was that he had little or no control or knowledge about how he, himself ticked. He was one of these guys whose life was punctuated by periodic disasters -- health problems, thefts, monetary loss, lawsuits -- all caused by his own actions, and he never figured it out. Every so often I hear about some new trainwreck in his life and I just shake my head -- and I _really_ don't like this guy. It's sad. If he actually could address his own problems, he probably wouldn't be such a bastard. But he can't. And he goes through one disaster after another.

What you are describing very closely parallels the specific instance/person I am talking about.

They've used and abused so many people, and I've slowly seen them abandoned and forgotten by them. I consider it a function of their own delusions with themself, all coming to fruition.

abaya · 11-08-2005, 07:14 PM

Maybe this is too political, but I LOVE seeing Bush's poll ratings slowly go to shit... I've never been so happy about seeing someone's karma coming around to screw them a new asshole. Mmmm, now THAT is some satisfaction at misfortune, baby.

guthmund · 11-08-2005, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maleficent

So, i'm really not a graceless clod, i'm actually cursed by karma...

That's okay because there is help available. Tuesday nights. NBC. 9/8 central. Earl will show you the way.

I'm a big believer in Karma, even before my introduction to 'Earl.' So, if someone falls on their ass and slides down a flight of stairs into say...a door, then he probably deserved it. And since it's justice served rather than misfortune, I feel no need to stifle myself.

At the very least, it teaches a bit of humility, which everyone needs a dose of every once in a while.

Elphaba · 11-08-2005, 07:41 PM

Mal has laughed her ass off at the OJ wannabe's that fall on their ass by trying to leap over whatever to get to their gate in two minutes rather than three. I'm just sayin'.

Rubs the bruise on my ass, shoulder and knee from my latest clumbsy move

Siege · 11-08-2005, 08:28 PM

Yes, I take enough shit in my life from people to find it amusing when shit happens to them.

Probably isn't a good thing. But I doubt i'm going to change any time soon.

alansmithee · 11-08-2005, 08:34 PM

Good and bad are relative. Unless you feel bad about it, there's nothing wrong with taking pleasure in the suffering of others.

OzOz · 11-09-2005, 12:18 AM

I've known a few people who are completely rotten to the core - the sort who give the strong impression that they believe that other people exist merely to provide them with amusement. If ever I was in a position where one of them needed my help to avoid having something bad happen to them, my attitude would be: I'm not going to kill you - but I'm sure as Hell not going to lift a finger to save you.

Schwan · 11-09-2005, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5757

HA HA HA - Big Deep Evil Laugh.............

The answer: I have no idea. It doesn't feel wrong.

The story: In highschool I got into a fight with this big mouth girl over who knows what. We called eachother names and almost swung. We lived across the street from eachother. Not good. We would yell obscenities from our front porches and throw large rocks at eachother, etc. I stole her best friends boyfriend and cussed her mom out. (Petty shit like that)

One day, she was hanging out with some friends near her pool in the back yard. One of her guy friends had a BB gun. He aimed towards the water, pulled the trigger, the BB ricashayed(sp?) off the water and took out the bitches left eye - completely.

I laughed, . .. .and laughed. Still laughing. I'd say this was a terribly serious thing. I don't feel bad. Then again, maybe I'm just a little icy cold.

Wow... Just wow. I'm speechless.

Shadenfreunde is a normal thing, but there are limits.

Cynthetiq · 11-09-2005, 05:15 AM

[QUOTE=Bill O'Rights]Ah, schadenfreude. [QUOTE]

one of my favorite songs from Avenue Q...

aberkok · 11-09-2005, 05:56 AM

Those of you who followed my journal know that my bandmates in Hong Kong were some pretty close-minded hicks who, although we now get along and I've gotten over the situation, never really owned up to the way they mistreated me.

Well... a few days ago we talked for the first time since getting back to Toronto. Turns out it came to bite them on the ass and, well, I feel pretty good about it. First a slight prologue:

Early on in the trip I noticed that our passport visas expired on the day before we were supposed to come back. I got Holly (the singer/leader on the gig, who of course I had to tell about this administrative duty) to check with our agent and the hotel staff in charge of our immigration, and they both said not to worry. Of course I continued to worry, until I switched my flight to a day earlier!!

Fast forward to October 31st. I was lounging around in my new awesome apartment, just loving being back. Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, Holly and Mark's problems began. There were problems with the weight allowance as far as Mark's upright bass - they wouldn't let it on the plane. They got stopped again because Holly's bags were too heavy, and the most beautiful part...they got stopped at immigration. They were let off by paying for an extra day of visa, and by the time they got to the gate they had held up the flight for half an hour. Mark's bass is still there. When they talked to the agent, he said: "well, would you consider selling the bass?" which is a nice indication of the level of hope in getting it back.

The best part of all this is that after telling me, Holly said: "We left the hotel on such good terms, so why all this??? I feel like someone's trying to send me a message..."

That's right toots. The message is don't fuck with aberkok.

Redlemon · 11-09-2005, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JumpinJesus

You are all some very mean people. I would never, ever laugh at anyone's misfortune. I'm a little uncomfortable with this whole fahrvegnugen thing you're all talking about so I'm not going to say any more than, "Shame on you. Shame on all of you."

"fart-fig-newton"? I'm not familiar with that flavor of cookie...

Bill O'Rights · 11-09-2005, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JumpinJesus

I would never, ever laugh at anyone's misfortune.

Whoa, whoa, whoa and whoa. Lemme get this straight...you once called yourself a United States Air Force Security Policeman, and you never once laughed at anyone's misfortune? You had no ice water coursing through your veins? Your heart was not as hard as a cold gray stone? Your very gaze did not chill the blood of those unfortunate enough to come upon you? You held no grudge against your fellow man? Something's not quite adding up here.

JumpinJesus · 11-09-2005, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redlemon

"fart-fig-newton"? I'm not familiar with that flavor of cookie...

They're a bit strange tasting; they remind me a little bit of eggs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill O'Rights

Whoa, whoa, whoa and whoa. Lemme get this straight...you once called yourself a United States Air Force Security Policeman, and you never once laughed at anyone's misfortune? You had no ice water coursing through your veins? Your heart was not as hard as a cold gray stone? Your very gaze did not chill the blood of those unfortunate enough to come upon you? You held no grudge against your fellow man? Something's not quite adding up here.

Heh. Okay, okay. There was one night I was working an ECP and this really drunk guy comes walking down the road towards us in his civvies. The area patrol was there talking to me and we look at this guy walking towards us. He was obviously unaware of where he was. As soon as he passed into the restricted area - unaware of our presence - I shouted, "Hey buddy, where you going?"

He responded, "I'm goin' to town!" in a very jovial voice. We proceeded to jack him up, had him against the fence, did a search, called his supervisor, and then laughed at him as he got his ass chewed out by his supervisor at 2am on the flight line. Could we have just told him he was going the wrong way? Sure, but then, we were bored and wanted to have a little fun.

There, that better?

Eweser · 11-09-2005, 01:09 PM

I'm always afraid to laugh at others' misfortunes, because as unlucky as I am, it will come back to haunt me tenfold.

FatFreeGoodness · 11-10-2005, 07:45 AM

“Good and bad are relative. Unless you feel bad about it, there's nothing wrong with taking pleasure in the suffering of others”

I disagree. There is absolute true and false, right and wrong, good and evil. Of course, I don’t claim everything can be so neatly classified, but I do dispute the concept of nothing being "wrong" unless you think it is. And I think taking pleasure in the pain of others is in fact wrong.
It’s also very human to do so, especially if the pain is happening to someone we dislike, not permanent, or seems to be “justice.”

11-08-2005, 12:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
Borla Junkie	Is it bad to get morbid pleasure from things that happen to people? If that person has wronged you, and the "bad" things aren't terribly serious? __________________ Coimhéad fearg fhear na foighde!!!!

11-08-2005, 12:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
BigBen Comedian Location: Use the search button	If it is, then I am a bad person. I often smile and think "Karma, dude, Karma.." I also laugh when someone trips and falls, and then I feel really bad when they end up being hurt. __________________ 3.141592654 Hey, if you are impressed with my memorizing pi to 10 digits, you should see the size of my penis.

11-08-2005, 12:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bill O'Rights will always be an Alyson Hanniganite Location: In the dust of the archives	Ah, schadenfreude. The answer to your question can be found in three simple words; read...my...signature. __________________ "I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." - Susan B. Anthony "Hedonism with rules isn't hedonism at all, it's the Republican party." - JumpinJesus It is indisputable that true beauty lies within...but a nice rack sure doesn't hurt.

11-08-2005, 12:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
5757 Insane Location: Vegas!!	HA HA HA - Big Deep Evil Laugh............. The answer: I have no idea. It doesn't feel wrong. The story: In highschool I got into a fight with this big mouth girl over who knows what. We called eachother names and almost swung. We lived across the street from eachother. Not good. We would yell obscenities from our front porches and throw large rocks at eachother, etc. I stole her best friends boyfriend and cussed her mom out. (Petty shit like that) One day, she was hanging out with some friends near her pool in the back yard. One of her guy friends had a BB gun. He aimed towards the water, pulled the trigger, the BB ricashayed(sp?) off the water and took out the bitches left eye - completely. I laughed, . .. .and laughed. Still laughing. I'd say this was a terribly serious thing. I don't feel bad. Then again, maybe I'm just a little icy cold. __________________ Hey! Wait! I've got a new complaint, Forever in debt to ((your)) priceless advice. - Nirvana

11-08-2005, 12:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
katie_ann1031 Tilted Location: New Hampshuh	I relish those few precious moments in life when I find out something bad has happened to a bad person. Call me evil if you like, I don't care. My only complaint; bad people don't get what they deserve often enough. __________________ Newbie, but still I believe I am TFP's residentCheerleader!

11-08-2005, 02:42 PM	#10 (permalink)
onodrim Cosmically Curious Location: Chicago, IL	Gilda, that's my favorite song from Avenue Q! __________________ "The world is so exquisite with so much love and moral depth, that there is no reason to deceive ourselves with pretty stories for which there’s little good evidence. Far better it seems to me, in our vulnerability, is to look death in the eye and to be grateful every day for the brief but magnificent opportunity that life provides" -Carl Sagan

11-08-2005, 04:42 PM	#11 (permalink)
ryfo Psycho Location: melbourne australia	i find it fancinating to watch someone fall, I dont laugh but do take note of their reaction. It gets worse, if i can see something about to happen, I will watch,I know i should stop whatever is happening but I dont. Like today I saw a car transport truck with a new mazda mr8(black) on it and the top saftey strap had fallen andit could hit the car and scratch all the paintwork. Did I get the drivers attention and let him know? NO, I watched to see if the strap was hitting the car and said to my friend oh no look at that and went on my way.........something definately wrong in my thinking!

11-08-2005, 05:04 PM	#13 (permalink)
JumpinJesus Junkie Location: Chicago	You are all some very mean people. I would never, ever laugh at anyone's misfortune. I'm a little uncomfortable with this whole fahrvegnugen thing you're all talking about so I'm not going to say any more than, "Shame on you. Shame on all of you." __________________ "I can normally tell how intelligent a man is by how stupid he thinks I am" - Cormac McCarthy, All The Pretty Horses

11-08-2005, 05:24 PM	#14 (permalink)
Rodney Observant Ruminant Location: Rich Wannabe Hippie Town	Is it bad? No, but it's not healthy. When somebody messes with me and then gets some bad luck, I don't necessarily feel good about it. I _do_ feel some satisfaction if he/she got into trouble for doing the same sort of crap he's prone to do. But that satisfaction is there because the universe is teaching him a lesson, and the consequences of his bad behavior are coming home to roost. I knew a guy who was one of the most professionally manipulative people you ever met. He _studied_ how to manipulate people, and he manipulated me a few times. I came to realize that the reason he was so into control of those around him was that he had little or no control or knowledge about how he, himself ticked. He was one of these guys whose life was punctuated by periodic disasters -- health problems, thefts, monetary loss, lawsuits -- all caused by his own actions, and he never figured it out. Every so often I hear about some new trainwreck in his life and I just shake my head -- and I _really_ don't like this guy. It's sad. If he actually could address his own problems, he probably wouldn't be such a bastard. But he can't. And he goes through one disaster after another.

11-08-2005, 07:14 PM	#17 (permalink)
abaya Location: Iceland	Maybe this is too political, but I LOVE seeing Bush's poll ratings slowly go to shit... I've never been so happy about seeing someone's karma coming around to screw them a new asshole. Mmmm, now THAT is some satisfaction at misfortune, baby. __________________ And think not you can direct the course of Love; for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course. --Khalil Gibran

11-08-2005, 07:41 PM	#19 (permalink)
Elphaba Deja Moo Location: Olympic Peninsula, WA	Mal has laughed her ass off at the OJ wannabe's that fall on their ass by trying to leap over whatever to get to their gate in two minutes rather than three. I'm just sayin'. Rubs the bruise on my ass, shoulder and knee from my latest clumbsy move

11-08-2005, 08:28 PM	#20 (permalink)
Siege is a tiger Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada	Yes, I take enough shit in my life from people to find it amusing when shit happens to them. Probably isn't a good thing. But I doubt i'm going to change any time soon. __________________ "Your name's Geek? Do you know the origin of the term? A geek is someone who bites the heads off chickens at a circus. I would never let you suck my dick with a name like Geek" --Kevin Smith This part just makes my posts easier to find

11-08-2005, 08:34 PM	#21 (permalink)
alansmithee Junkie	Good and bad are relative. Unless you feel bad about it, there's nothing wrong with taking pleasure in the suffering of others.

11-09-2005, 12:18 AM	#22 (permalink)
OzOz Psycho Location: Right here, right now.	I've known a few people who are completely rotten to the core - the sort who give the strong impression that they believe that other people exist merely to provide them with amusement. If ever I was in a position where one of them needed my help to avoid having something bad happen to them, my attitude would be: I'm not going to kill you - but I'm sure as Hell not going to lift a finger to save you. __________________ Maybe you should put some shorts on or something, if you wanna keep fighting evil today.

11-09-2005, 05:15 AM	#24 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	[QUOTE=Bill O'Rights]Ah, schadenfreude. [QUOTE] one of my favorite songs from Avenue Q... __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

11-09-2005, 05:56 AM	#25 (permalink)
aberkok “Wrong is right.” Location: toronto	Those of you who followed my journal know that my bandmates in Hong Kong were some pretty close-minded hicks who, although we now get along and I've gotten over the situation, never really owned up to the way they mistreated me. Well... a few days ago we talked for the first time since getting back to Toronto. Turns out it came to bite them on the ass and, well, I feel pretty good about it. First a slight prologue: Early on in the trip I noticed that our passport visas expired on the day before we were supposed to come back. I got Holly (the singer/leader on the gig, who of course I had to tell about this administrative duty) to check with our agent and the hotel staff in charge of our immigration, and they both said not to worry. Of course I continued to worry, until I switched my flight to a day earlier!! Fast forward to October 31st. I was lounging around in my new awesome apartment, just loving being back. Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, Holly and Mark's problems began. There were problems with the weight allowance as far as Mark's upright bass - they wouldn't let it on the plane. They got stopped again because Holly's bags were too heavy, and the most beautiful part...they got stopped at immigration. They were let off by paying for an extra day of visa, and by the time they got to the gate they had held up the flight for half an hour. Mark's bass is still there. When they talked to the agent, he said: "well, would you consider selling the bass?" which is a nice indication of the level of hope in getting it back. The best part of all this is that after telling me, Holly said: "We left the hotel on such good terms, so why all this??? I feel like someone's trying to send me a message..." That's right toots. The message is don't fuck with aberkok. __________________ !check out my new blog! http://arkanamusic.wordpress.com Warden Gentiles: "It? Perfectly innocent. But I can see how, if our roles were reversed, I might have you beaten with a pillowcase full of batteries."

11-09-2005, 01:09 PM	#29 (permalink)
Eweser Psycho Location: O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A	I'm always afraid to laugh at others' misfortunes, because as unlucky as I am, it will come back to haunt me tenfold. __________________ "Whoever wrote this episode should die!"

11-10-2005, 07:45 AM	#30 (permalink)
FatFreeGoodness Tilted	“Good and bad are relative. Unless you feel bad about it, there's nothing wrong with taking pleasure in the suffering of others” I disagree. There is absolute true and false, right and wrong, good and evil. Of course, I don’t claim everything can be so neatly classified, but I do dispute the concept of nothing being "wrong" unless you think it is. And I think taking pleasure in the pain of others is in fact wrong. It’s also very human to do so, especially if the pain is happening to someone we dislike, not permanent, or seems to be “justice.”