May 23, 2007

• Amma has physically embraced more than 24 million people. While appreciating the spirit of her work, frankly I'd rather pour salty water up my nose than have the bacteria of the masses frottaged upon me.
• I hope she washes those hands a lot.
• This woman sounds absolutely amazing, all germs aside. I've had friends who report that being in the presence of the Dalai Lama is so elevating that good feelings, almost euphoria, continue for days afterward. This woman sounds similarly gifted, though perhaps in a different way. There was a time when people lived in extended families where a comforting embrace full of unconditional love could be had at any time, from more than one generation. Increased societal mobility has physically isolated people to the point where many no longer know what a righteous hug feels like. Amma, perhaps, senses this deficit and seeks to correct it in her own way. *turns to hug other monkeys after checking immunization records and adjusting mask*
• I'm with Fish Tick. Of course, I am an inhuman, souless monster.
• Not so close, Fes.
• I don't need no stinkin' hug. *weeps*
• To be fair, hug haters fish tick/Fes, she's not hugging millions in one sitting. I don't see it any different than say, oh, a politician shaking hands at a rally. Heck, I survive riding the NYC subway everyday. Who knows the untold germs I'm picking up on the greasy hand rails/poles. I think it's just boosting my natural immunity in the long run. ASHRAM BABY!! I was given a tissue to wipe my face - I guess to make sure Amma did not receive any germs from the thousands that embrace her daily. The hug itself was sweet, as she whispered “My daughter, my daughter” in my ear…
• MonkeyFilter: Who knows the untold germs I'm picking up on the greasy ... poles
• Embrace me My sweet delectable you Embrace me My dear infectable you Just to look at you It is so pleasing to me You and you alone I don't mind sneezing on me Above all You are my beautiful you I love all The many cooties on you Don't be a naughty baby Come to Mama, come to Mama do My sweet embraceable you Embrace me My sweet ethereal you Embrace me My dear bacterial you When you breathe on me You make me slightly unwell You and you alone Can cause my lymph nodes to swell You may think I should be skeptical, true. But I love My lovely septical you. Don't be a naughty baby Come to Mama, come to Mama do My sweet embraceable you
• *quickly gives Ralph a secret hug*
• Wouldn't a firm handshake do?
• I would, but it's dirty from the greasy pole.
• I'm not afraid of germs, I just don't like random people... touching me. Unless I've specifically paid them to do so.
• _I've had friends who report that being in the presence of the Dalai Lama is so elevating that good feelings, almost euphoria, continue for days afterward._ I got to see the Dalai Lama in person a few years ago. The excitement level in the room went up a great deal when he arrived, but not any more than for any other celebrity I've ever seen in person. It wore off when we wandered over to the overpriced Tibetan tchatchke tent to buy some schwag.
• Yeah, TUM Dalai Lama schwag? What could it be?
• I'm not afraid of germs, I just don't like random people... touching me. Lighten up, Francis
• I have a friend who makes a trip, a pilgrimage, to Amma every time she is in the Bay Area. She looks forward to it and talks about the peace and tranquility she feels during and after.
• There was a time when people lived in extended families where a comforting embrace full of unconditional love could be had at any time, from more than one generation. Increased societal mobility has physically isolated people to the point where many no longer know what a righteous hug feels like. I recall bringing this up with friends and acquaintances from other countries; how western society places a special weight on physical contact. Coming from a cultural background where hugs are common, from friends and family, in social events and personal relationships, that can seem odd. The idea of 'no contact unless I initiate/accept it', while of sound basis in terms of safety concerns, can sometimes lead to isolation that brings all kinds of internal conflicts. Not that we should walk around shaking everybody's hand on the street, but certain openess would make things like this and that other guy who gave 'Free Hugs' more of an oddity than a symptom of urban neuroses and the continuing of a cold-hearted environment that lets people to fend on their own.
• One of my earliest memories is being very, very angry when people hugged me. Wasn't impressed at all. Oh, how times have changed ...
• Hugs rule. There have been times when, say, I haven't been in a relationship or seen close friends or family for a while, when a good hug has felt to my body like water does to a parched throat.
• Or salt water to a clogged sinus.
• Or owl semen to a hoodie that gots the funk, apparently.
• Hug the walls, hug the middle, but DON'T HUG THE BOTTOM!
• One of my earliest memories is being very, very angry when people hugged me *hugs Velvetrabbit, runs off laughing*
• Why do I keep seeing that as Velveetarabbit?
• Happiness is a warm gun. And a bullet hole. And some iodine, a set of forceps, some whiskey, a sterilised needle, codeine in chewable form, recovery and no wait line in the ER. To each their own.
• I keep seeing it as Velveteenrabbit
• There's this one girl... Everytime I hug her, I get a stiffy. What does that mean?
• How old is she?
• Well, she's... waaaaaait a minute. That's a TRICK QUESTION, ISN'T IT!!?!
• NOBODY HUGS THE KITFISTO UNLESS SPECIFICALLY INVITED TO DO SO. BACK OFF SISTER!
• Times have changed - yes. Still not impressed by hugs but now fewer people want to hug me. Velvetrabbit, mistress of confusion, uses carrot to ward off Bobboggis.
• *leers at velvetrabbit in a huggy way*
• You guys are all a bunch of touchie-feelie germ-passing sickos.
• Ahhh c'mere ya big lug!
• *unzips*
• Looks like I'm going to need a longer carrot.
• Those words are often spoken after kit unzips, velvetrabbit.
• Hi-ooooo!
• Monkeyfilter: A bunch of touchie-feelie germ-passing sickos.
• Maybe they could invent a hugging robot.
• Oh they're working on it (pdf file, but worth it for the pic)
• That's one crazy looking robot hugging that plush toy!
• Kinda like a robotic hugging uterus.
• I'm giving myself a hug right now. mmmmmmmmmmm
• I'm just watching...
• Stop that! *peeks*
• Get a room!!
• *phones Holiday Inn*
• Ask for the "Monkey Rate". They'll know what you mean.
• Do they have vibrating beds?
• They will once we get there.
• *Rings front desk bell repeatedly*
• Ewww. This 'Monkey Suite' smells like one!
• *wipes on curtains*
• So, I'm thinking we've moved on from just hugging, right?
• *zips / steals bathrobe / rings for cab / waits outside smoking cigs*
• He won't call, y'know.
• Hey! Who's going to pay for the room service?
• Will ya look at that!?!! They stole the towels, flung poo on the bedspread, squashed the bedbugs, and didn't even break the seal on the toilet. *shrugs, slings mop
• You have it turned around, Flagpole. There'll be no paying for room service, as kit has been servicing the room. *escorts Flagpole to the ottoman gangbang thread* *surprised by the large hole kit placed in the bedside table* *blushes*
• *luxuriates in new fluffy bathrobe* *smokes cigar*
• i feel so cheap
• As WELL YOU SHOUD!! 50 cent tip to clean up this mess!!! Well, I never!
• I feel reasonably priced, and a damn good value.
• I feel sated.
• It's comments like that that makes one really miss moneyjane.
• *puts ball gag back into Ralph's mouth*
• *unzips*
• You're not going to wait for Zed?
• The man who does not learn from history, or the movies, is doomed to repeat it. Anyway, it'll only take a minute. Always does.
• True.
• [so much for this feel-good, brotherly-love-hug thread]
• Zed's dead baby.
• wow, that sounds worse without the comma.
• That's a great name for a band.
• *gives Flagpole a hug* *whispers in ear: my son... my son...*
• *snif* Axe?