The Absurdity and the Friendships

Having spent the morning reading the Sunday Newspapers, I can cheerfully report that the world appears as bleak as ever.

One must remember that the reality that surrounds you and what we refer to as 'the World' is absurd.

This is a coping mechanism often credited as originating from the French school of existential writing from writers such as Voltaire, Camus, Sartre et. al. But many other writers such as J. G. Ballard had the same thoughts. Ballard was quoted as saying –

"The most prudent and effective method of dealing with the world around us is to assume that it is a complete fiction."

That’s why I read so voraciously.

So to close the weekend, I thought I’d leave you with an existential joke -

Jean-Paul Sartre, the French existentialist, is sitting in a cafe in Paris. “Can I get you something, Monsieur Sartre?” says the waitress.
“Coffee, please,” he says. “Sugar, but no cream.”
She leaves him to think, but returns a few moments later. “I’m sorry,” she says. “We have no cream. Should I make your coffee with no milk instead?”

Taken from the Sunday Times – read more here

Personally, the best coping mechanism in the grim and absurd reality that confronts us, is the shelter that our family and friends create. I am priviliged to have a wonderful family and some very dear friends - a few pictured above.