Suicide does not need to result in the physical death of the body, suicide can also occur on a daily basis where the body survives but a part of the person dies. This is a reflection from reading the essay from Earl Mackenzie about his experiences, poetry, painting, and philosophical thoughts. He brings up Camu's Myth of Sisyphus. He tells how Camu regarded suicide as the only serious philosophical question, and how Camu chose a liberating revolt against absurdity in lieu of suicide (Mackenzie Journeys p. 52). I am on a quest for a liberating revolt against absurdity. Not just the absurdity of living on a cruise ship, but the absurdity of living a life of humanity. After reading this essay the realization that lowering oneself down into the absurdity blindly is an act of suicide. Small parts of you die of neglect, petty complaints, empty distractions, recycled words of unnecessary automatic emotions, drinks drunk to disarmer the destitute of going around the same route week after week.

     The visit to the Vatican Museum gently slashed through my complacent contempt for my situation at hand and gave me the opportunity to look myself in the eyes, look into my own eyes. Having 10,000 years of pieces of the human experience laid out for you to absorb simultaneously is a majestic undertaking and has the traction and leverage to lift you out of any funk. Nothing can touch you after that experience because you understand who you are, and you cease to need the comfort of idle clamor. (written on 9/18/13)

Self Portrait #2 Firenzia,  October 9, 2013