I was having a discussion this morning about how we pronounce the same words differently. When I see a baby cat, I call it a kitten (Kit-ten), and if its paws are cold they might be wearing mittens (Mit-tens). Of course a kitten would need wear mittens in the winter (win-ter). Sure, reading the words this might not make sense but there are people that say “Kit’n” or “Mit’n” or “Win’r”.

I don’t consider myself a snob or a master at the spoken language by any means. It’s just something that I’ve gotten myself in the habit of doing since I was a kid. I think it was because my dad used to have a cat named Kitten and he would talk to it, he would emphasize the “ten” and say it like it was a meow (Kitteeeeeen). So I guess I adopted this, and to look at the word, there are 2 “T’s” next to each other, so I figured it just needs to be a hard “T”. Any time there are 2 “T’s” next to each other, I really want to get in there and appreciate them, but sometimes I don’t make it super obvious ( . )( . )… Just know that I appreciate those “TT’s”.

Is it Culture?

Moving on, it was brought up that if we learned our language in a different country that these might be the common way to pronounce words. I also argued that I feel like the region of the U.S. or your financial situation might also have an impact on how you pronounce your words. I’ve noticed that people who tend to be in the upper-middle to upper class in the U.S. pronounce their words more clearly than those who are in the lower financial classes. This makes me think if your so-called “class” is becoming more of a culture here in the states. We see the upper-class culture wear nice fitted clothes, drive nicer cars, have nicer houses, and less tattoos.

The Lower classes tend to have older cars, live in poorer communities, wear baggier, dirtier clothes and have more visible tattoo’s. Keep in mind, I’ve done zero research on this topic and I’m not a sociologist. I am a person with eyes and I’ve been around for a few years and seen a few things. In my 42 years, I’ve lived in poor areas, middle class area’s, and close to high-class area’s where I’d go Trick-or-Treating (IYKYK).

Now, I think we are seeing shift as people who grew up poor or lived in a household that lived paycheck to paycheck are becoming business owners, YouTuber’s, rappers, successful musicians, etc. Entrepreneurs in their own right. Some of these people grew up poor, in bad neighborhoods, wore hand-me-downs, and only dreamed of living a life where money wasn’t going to be a concern. I see millionaires with face tattoo’s, wearing baggy, dirty looking clothes, drinking Miller Light, wearing diamonds in their teeth. Don’t get your panties in a bunch, I’m not saying there is anything wrong with that. They grew up a certain way and that’s just how they are staying connected to who they are. Shit, if I became a millionaire, I wouldn’t tell anybody, but there would be signs.

If I were a millionaire…

Man, if I ever became a millionaire to the point where I would never have to worry about money again, the first year or 2 would be absolutely insane! I’d probably take my new jet down to South America and spend a week at an Ayahuasca retreat in the jungle to become one with the Earth. If I saw a god, I would ask it what I can do with my life to live it to the fullest. I mean, I lead a pretty boring life now and if I were to die today, I would definitely be disappointed in the life I had lead. Anyway, back to what I was saying.

There would absolutely be a different car in the driveway because I wouldn’t be living here at the same house. I’d buy a nice new house with a view that was private enough for me to walk around butt ass naked and not have to worry about the neighbors calling the cops. No, Janet, I’m not trying to show you my ween, stop looking over the fence! I’d have weekend jam sessions with McConaughey, Willie, Snoop, Chris Stapleton, Jonathan Roy, and anyone else who wants get a little goofy on the Hippie Cabbage. I would just want to have fun and do things that are memorable.

The sound system in my house would be curated by someone who designs concert halls. Just the purest sound, no distortion, no feedback, and I could put on some Dark Side of the Moon, sit on my couch, and drown in the acoustics. I’d have a recording studio too, even though I don’t play an instrument. Hey! If you want to record something, come on by! Fuck it, I’ll throw some steaks on and have the chef whip us up something special! This is probably why the universe won’t allow me to be a rich bastard. I’d probably spend 85% of it on booze, cars, houses, drugs (only the natural kind), and music. The rest I would just waste.

The key is make the money doing something I love, like writing. Are there insanely rich writers? I’m sure I’d have to hedge my money into something else that had residuals. I could throw parties that cost $10k per person. They won’t be those douchey parties where only the hot women get in for free. This aint no titty charity, sweetheart! I’m not trying to be the next Hef, okay. I just want to be around quality people (assuming they want to be around me too).

Now that I think about it, I would love to build like a Viking village where people could come and learn how the Norse lived, how they grew crops and built their houses. Maybe I could build the countries first Viking Center and it would be a long house where people could come and feast during the Norse holidays. Maybe I could get to be a tax free religious building and teach people about the Norse Pagan gods. People could donate money to the Viking Center and that money would actually be used to help out the community, not to fill some pastors pockets so he can cheat on his wife with his secretary at a more fancy hotel.

Oh, to be filthy rich. There’s just so much I would love to do and lack the millions of dollars to do it. But it sure is fun to dream about!

Can Money Buy Happiness?

I often wonder if the people who have stupid money, like, if they lost $10 Million in Vegas and just walked away saying, “Oh well, I’ll get them next time. Who wants to go to a buffet?” Are those people happy or are they constantly searching for honest friends who aren’t there just for the money? I’m sure with that kind of money, I would get a little suspicious of the people around me. There would have to be a year long test of friendship. Like, come over and bring some beers with you and let’s chill on the patio and listen to music and grill some hot dogs and burgers. No, you can get a bottle of wine from the cellar, stay out of the humidor, and if you bring Coors, don’t drink my $100 tequila unless I’m the one making the drinks.

If we can maintain that kind of friendship for a year, I’ll give you “Refrigerator Rights”. Come over, help yourself to whatever is in the fridge homie. But, and there is a huge Kardashian size “But” here, but, if you fuckin’ take advantage of me, steal from me, abuse your privileges, or bring drama, you will never step foot in my abode again. I don’t need asshole friends, I need good, decent, cool friends. It doesn’t matter where you come from, what color you are, if you’re rich or living paycheck to paycheck, just be a cool person.

I guess I just answered my own question. It’s not the money that makes you happy, it’s the people you surround yourself with. I need to get out more and make some friends. Ever since I moved to Austin I haven’t made any friends and now that I’m not employed, it’s just me and my lady. If you’re in the area, shoot a reply to this and let’s get some beers or Margarita’s. I’d rather make the friends first before becoming a stinking rich, yet super cool, guy.

For now, though, I’ll just be this poor guy who has an abundance of crazy shit going on in my head and who loves to write. Have you ever heard of the Black Pumas? If not, check them out. I have no affiliation with them, I’m just a fan and that’s what I’ve been listening to while I write this; Jonathan Roy, too. However, if you don’t like good music then maybe you wouldn’t like these bands. It’s great music that helps keep my insanity on hold. Like, the best hold music you’ve ever heard…