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INTRODUCTORY REMARKS ABOUT THE TRUTH

I am Robert Paul Reyes and this is my web page.  I am a computer novice and it is a miracle analogous to the discovery of quantum physics that I am capable of creating my own web page however humble it may be.

I have no merchandise to sell and no get rich quick schemes to disseminate to the masses.  The purpose of this web page is simply to introduce myself and my beliefs to the internet community.

I live and work in the culturally and intellectually diverse San Francisco Bay Area.  What I do for a living is irrelevant.  What I do with my life on the other hand is of the upmost importance.

My life is an ongoing search for truth. Truth is not like a diamond that you can show off in a ring of gold or silver.  It is tenuous and mystical and rebellious; refusing to be confined to any borders or boxes.

If you are seeking "The Truth" turn on the boob tube and listen to Jerry Falwell or Jimmy Swaggart or any of the other clowns and charlatans peddling their insipid and mind numbing gospels.  If you are seeking little nuggets of truth and common sense to guide you in life you have logged in to the right place.

These are just my opening remarks.  Please stay tuned as I update and edit my web page.  You probably will not experience an epiphany while reading my web page but hopefully you will gain a few insights about various subjects and have a few laughs.

THE TRUTH ABOUT EVERYTHING FROM GOD TO DEATH

THE TRUTH ABOUT RELIGION  

I subscribe to no organized religion and believe in no rigid dogmas and doctrines.  My religion is simply this:  "do unto others as you would have them do unto you."  My belief system is vindicated not by my intellectual arguments and eloquent words but by how I interact with my fellow human beings and by the effect I have on the lives of others whom I come in contact with in my everyday life.  A great teacher once said:  "By your fruits you shall know them."

THE TRUTH ABOUT HAPPINESS  

The Declaration of Independence guarantees us the right to the "pursuit of happiness" but it does not guarantee it.  Not even an act of Congress can guarantee anyone a measure of happiness.  Happiness is elusive and ethereal and only a fool would pursue it.  Happiness can be grasped for only a few precious and fleeting  moments.  So don't waste the best years of your life chasing something that you will possess for only a few blinks of an eye.  If your main goal in life is the pursuit of happiness you will achieve only despair and disappointment.  Only children and the feeble minded ever experience pure, unadulterated happiness.  If on the other hand your main goal in life is to lead a righteous life you will achieve maybe not happiness but certainly tranquility and contentment.  

THE TRUTH ABOUT FRIENDS  

The truth is that good friends are a precious and rare commodity.  One or two good and loyal friends are worth more than a hundred fleeting acquaintances.  I would rather spend a quiet lunch with an old friend than to be the life of the party surrounded by strangers who would desert me if the wine stopped flowing and the music stopped playing.  You may not have an abundance of material possessions and you may not have an abundance of people who call you their friend but if  you have one or two good friends that you can rely on you are wealthy beyond measure!

THE TRUTH ABOUT FAMILY  

The truth is that the concept of family should not be the province of the christian right.  No man or woman is an island.  In this age of alienation and despair it is imperative that we belong to a family.  The definition of family should not be narrow and exclusive but broad and inclusive.  A family is any group of individuals who love and accept each other as individuals and who find peace, comfort and strength in identifying as a group.  May you love and cherish your family.

THE TRUTH ABOUT RACE  

The truth about race is not as simple as black and white.  It is a complex issue viewed in many hues and many shades.  We are a multicultural society and that is our greatest strength but it can also be our greatest weakness.  Our cultural diversity is a wellspring that nourishes and invigorates us with new thoughts and new ideas.  It keeps our nation from becoming intellectually stagnant and culturally stale.  It would be an upardonable sin if we allowed this great resource to instead poison our minds with distrust and hatred.  It is fine and proper to decry racism and preach that all men are brothers under the skin but you must make that belief into a living reality.  The battle against racism and xenophobia is won one heart and one mind at a time.  Each day seek to learn from and to show love to one person from a different background from you.

THE TRUTH ABOUT POLITICS  

A Famous politician once said "all politics are local."  I subscribe to that philosophy.  Whether you label yourself a Republican, Democrat or Independent is not as important as how you apply your politics in your home and in your own community.  If your political ideology motivates and inspires you to provide for your family and to reach out to those less fortunate in your community then I say "more power to you."  If you believe in a grandiose political ideology and are persuaded that it is the only hope for mankind but you neglect to provide for the needs of your own family and you walk by the homeless without giving them a second thought then I say to you "get a life."

THE TRUTH ABOUT WORK  

The truth is that we live in a far less than perfect world and that we must work in order to survive.  There are a few who are blessed and privileged to work in a profession which they enjoy but the overwhelming majority toil in quiet desperation in meaningless jobs.  I count myself in the latter and not the former.  It's hard to find meaning when you work for a large corporation entering data into a computer with a brain but no soul and no heart.  The human soul is very hardy and can overcome even the most spirit quenching and emotion draining occupations.  I find meaning in my job by trying to bring humor and humanity into my workplace but most of all I find meaning in my life by what I do after I put in my eight hours.  We all have hobbies and we all have interests outside of work.  I love to read and I love to write and hopefully you will find my written labour inspiring and meaningful.

THE TRUTH ABOUT SEX  

It has been said that a person thinks about sex every six seconds.  I don't think anyone would dispute the validity of that statement.  When we are not thinking about sex we are discussing sex or reading about sex and only when we are very fortunate are we actually enjoying sex; hopefully for more than six seconds.  Sex and love should be synonymous within the context of a committed relationship.  The truth about sex is that if you are blessed to have a significant other that you love and respect; sex should be a cohesive bond that holds you together and not a weapon used to tear apart your relationship.

THE TRUTH ABOUT DEATH

Death is an inescapable fact of life.  Death can be ignored and denied but it can't be avoided.  Everyone has an appointment with death.  Death is our destiny.  The bible states "as it is appointed unto men once to die."  The moment we gasp our first breath we are already on our inexorable journey to death.  The truth about death is that it is unavoidable.  The answer is to  enjoy as much as possible the road to death called life.  Life can be beautiful, exciting and rewarding.  There may or may not be a pot at the end of the rainbow, but there are plenty of roses to be enjoyed before we reach our journeys end.

SOME OF MY TRULY FAVORITE THINGS

Now that I have if not answered but at least dealt with the eternal questions of life and death, religion and politics and of course sex, I will now talk about some of my favorite things.  For the truth resides not only in subjects pious and profound but also in subjects seemingly trivial and inconsequential.

MY FAVORITE COMEDIAN  

My favorite comedian is Lenny Bruce.  Lenny Bruce is long dead but his words and spirit will live forever.  Comedy for Lenny was an excuse for poetry and philosophy.  The close minded bigots and reactionaries heard and saw a vulgar guy rapping about tits and ass.  The more enlightened and progressive minds heard and experienced a prophet and poet using the vehicle of outrageous and crude humour to expose the hypocrisies and injustices that were endemic to the America of the 1950's.  Of course little has changed in America and we still need to hear and celebrate the voice and ideas of Lenny Bruce.

MY FAVORITE MOVIE STAR  

My favorite movie star is Humphrey Bogart. He was one of Hollywood's greatest movie stars but he was also a very talented and gifted actor.  After his death in 1957(the same year I was born) Bogie's reputation continued to soar until reaching cult status.  Bogart was a man's man.  He exuded calm, confidence and charisma.  On screen he was the cynical and tough guy in the trench coat who was always in control regardless what the odds were against him.  From Casablanca to The African Queen his overpowering presence was the focal point of every film he appeared in.  He has come to symbolize the rugged individualism that made this country great.  He is the brooding anti-hero that we all want to emulate.  He is my favorite movie star!

MY FAVORITE ALL TIME MOVIES  

My favorite movie of all time is Pulp Fiction.  Graphic violence punctuated by outrageous humor that takes the edge off the violence and provides temporary relief from the mayhem.  This movie brilliantly illustrates the fact that life is not linear or fluid and that is doesn't make a hell of a lot of sense. Definetly a must see video for anyone who cares about the human condition.  My second favorite movie is any film by Scorsese.

MY FAVORITE SEX SYMBOL  

My favorite sex symbol is Salma Hayek.  She's a sexy senorita from south of the border who sizzles the silver screen with her smoldering and steamy sensuality.  I am a film aficionado and I am fascinated by all aspects of filmmaking but when Salma sashays into the screen she renders plot, dialogue and cinematography absolutely irrelevant.  When the camera's eye is focused on Salma I am enthralled by her beauty and enraptured by her sensuality.

MY FAVORITE MODERN INVENTION  

My favorite modern invention is the Internet.  In the history of mankind it ranks right up there with the invention of the wheel and the discovery of fire.  Its effects permeate every segment of our  society.  Its usefulness as a medium of exchanging ideas and information helps keep our country free from the forces of repression.  Its value as a means of communicating with people from all walks of life helps keep or diverse community united.  Its role as a source of learning and education helps keep our people intellectually stimulated.  In the near future I hope that everyone will have an address on the Internet but for now I am glad you have found my humble home on the Internet.

MY FAVORITE MODERN CONVENIENCE  

Ladies are advised to scroll by this chapter and gentlemen are beseeched not to click by.  The average home has many modern conveniences like central air, a microwave oven and reclining chairs that make life easy but take away the remote control and life becomes unbearably hard for the man of the house.  Like a baby sucking on a pacifier the male of the species is content and at peace with the world as long as he is clutching his remote and scratching his rear end.  As long as I have the power to wave my remote like a magic wand and flick by the images created by Hollywood to soothe and pacify me I don't have to think about the fact that I am powerless to change the world around me.  Thank God that in my brief moments of lucidity I can scribble a few words for you gentle readers to enjoy.

MY FAVORITE WEB SITE  

With all due humility I must confess that my favorite web site is my own.  In this age of high technology and computers with multimedia applications I still believe in the supremacy of words.  In this video generation mesmerized by quick editing and flashy images I still believe in the power of words to inspire people to greatness.  Computer generated images may fascinate you for a moment but words can change your life forever.  That is why in my web site it is words and not images that hold the position of prominence.

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