I invited my alter-ego, Alvin j Riot to share his view of the world and what he most valued, as we embark upon a brand new year. It's amazing how similar his view of worldly matters is to mine...
The Manifesto of Alvin j Riot
Be prepared to explore the outer limits of your own potential
Discard your socks if your toe pokes through
Always wear comfortable underwear
Go fishing just to be alone with your thoughts
-If you catch a fish consider it an added bonus
Chip away at your ignorance -read
If the sign says fast food think about it slowly
Never meditate in the middle of the road
Embrace simple pleasures
Take time to listen to music every day
Stop feeling guilty if your favourite ice cream flavor is vanilla
Hold hands
Wherever you are- be there!
Try to find a job that brings you satisfaction
Make certain the person you marry is your best friend
Avoid conservatives. They are the beige people.
Don’t throw bricks straight up
Sleep in a comfortable bed
Appreciate your pillow
Sand between your toes is okay. Sand in your shorts isn’t
Never wear tight clothes on a long trip
Put things back the way you found them- except large road maps
Don't be afraid to pick up litter
Never take the words I love you for granted
Remember it's just one big ocean- keep it clean
Go to Venice at least once in your life
Buy a vanilla slice and savour the flavour
Never beg, never steal
It’s okay to borrow toilet paper though
Every stop is a place to start
Always take your socks off before you get into bed
Drive until you come to a T intersection if that’s what you want to do
Never forget, sheep are stupid
Laugh at yourself
Don’t worry if you get tongue tied trying to pronounce, Namibia
Play hide and seek in the supermarket occasionally
Walk away from boring people
Listen to birdsong in the morning
Lie on the grass and watch the clouds float past –but not during a thunderstorm!
Never dare someone to slap you in the face with a wet fish
Skip down the street if the mood takes you.
Resist television evangelists for God’s sake!
Rail against the dimming of the light
Don’t blame your ears if you think rap music is just angry, garbled noise
Anyone can be a poet
Sitting on the fence gives you splinters
Enjoy every season
Seek out sunsets and sunrises
You are not your phone
Have some slow days
Once you've seen one shopping centre, you've seen a mall
Be a maker, not a breaker.
Love it Alvin - or Alan.or both.I especially love "Sitting on the fence gives you splinters"
ReplyDeleteFrom both Alvin and myself, I say, thank you Sally. Yes, sitting on the fence brings with it some genuine problems.
DeleteNow what about holes in other parts of the sock? Can we hang onto those? Obviously I ask because this is real. -- Christie @ https://wonderingandwondering.wordpress.com/
ReplyDeleteOh, you have socked it to me Christy. Not too certain on general sock etiquette. It is hard enough to keep a pair of sock s together once they go into the laundry, so good luck with that dilemma of yours. I just know a hole in the toe of the sock is a death knell these days. People just don't give a 'darn' anymore.
DeleteMy alter ego is completely in sync with yours, Alan! I love every bit of Alvin's manifesto, especially "Be prepared to explore the outer limits of your own potential." Thank you so much for sharing this today!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your feedback Catherine. I appreciate your words. Glad you found something that caught your attention in the poem.
DeleteA worthy manifesto. I especially like the one to chip away at ignorance--read!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kay. One of my favourite thoughts as well.
DeleteLove it! Every single bit!
ReplyDeleteAlvin will be pleased with your response Mary Lee.
DeleteOh, Alvin---you are a lovely soul. I really like the way you engage in the world. So much zest for life. Alan will learn a lot from you. So will I. Happy 2018. Here's to sand in your toes, deciding which direction to turn at the T and eating the vanilla slice. Viva la vie.
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda. Alvin will be most pleased by your most positive response. I am too. Your own zest for life shines through in your comments. May you enjoy a 2018 full of smiles and pleasant surprises.
DeleteI love this idea for a poem, what our "alter ego" would say, I'd definitely like to visit this. One thing my alter ego might say, "Do it now, there's no time like the present!"
ReplyDeleteHope you keep this alter ego going strong, I love the line,
"Walk away from boring people"
Thanks Alan, Cheers!
I hope your alter ego finds voice in the days ahead Michelle. Thanks for the feedback.
DeleteMy alter-ego concurs with yours on many counts, Alan. However, I think Alvin may have to reconsider the following:
ReplyDeleteDon’t blame your ears if you think rap music is just angry, garbled noise, BECAUSE IF
Anyone can be a poet, YOU HAVE TO LET THEM SAY IT THEIR WAY.
My issue with most rap is the frequency of "bad words," but so often, if you can tolerate those, you can find some really daring and eloquent poetry in rap lyrics. Not always, but often. I think of it as a way of chipping away at my ignorance. : )