Wake up and Laugh

On youtube there is a video for the Rage Against the Machine sog 'Wake up', which begins with a picture of Malcolm X, the legendary and radical Muslim American who preached the words 'Anger is a Gift'. The video proceeds to show images mocking American totalitarianism, which are much less relevant.

Malcolm may have had a point. Some fencers run on liquid anger and, in the face of such sheer faith in darkness, even the most level headed and technically adept can be overcome by the power vested in their red-eyed opponent (I direct all to the legendary duel betweeen Masters Yoda and Palpatine- an unresolved and much speculated draw).

So, when faced with others' anger, it is important to force errors in their approach. Make them try too hard or stamp their feet failing to. There is nothing more amusing than watching someone embarass themselves by throwing equipment across rooms and screaming. Crying comes in a close second, with storming out of the room a mediocre third.

I have been angry at things- when a hit just can't quite land, or fail to register when they do, there is always the chance of drifting into the spiral that prevents you from getting close. I wipe my feet and imagine some of the finer points of the vast array of comedies that I watch when I am resting. Laughter is the ultimate cure for almost anything. It is especially good against anger, whose potency is inherrrently weak against the power of a good joke. But it has to be really funny- not the kind of funny you smile wryly at, but the kind that makes you laugh until you have to rush to the toilet to prevent an accident. That kind of funny.

Chris and Dave have spoken about letting the anger subside, just avoiding things that frustrate. But I have proposed a theory of dissipating the anger so fast you forget what you were angry about. It can be so vital in a game of split-seconds that you remain in the perfect (or close enough) mindset. Then you win points again, restoring the psychologically upwards cycle.

As Ringo Starr said this week: "I'M NOT SIGNING ANY MORE BEATLES STUFF... Peace and love, Peace and Love"