leonardcohenforum.com

Geoffrey wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2024 12:37 am … being with friends takes up the lion's share of most days. it is difficult to say no when they ask for company. in any case, reading books (not to mention writing them) is generally for introverts, people with few contacts. it is a pleasurable but lonely pastime - also time consuming. i think this is probably why leonard knocked it on the head and picked up a guitar.

I always had the impression that Leonard Cohen was actually quite introverted—certainly deeply introspective—and that he spent a lot of time —perhaps even the lion’s share of most days—being alone, reading and writing (and contemplating).

Incidentally, many introverts enjoy spending time with other people, but they tend to be very selective as to whom and when, preferring occasional close and deep interactions with a chosen few, rather than constant socialising with anyone and everyone.

Also, some people do not find solitary activities to be “lonely” — being alone and being lonely are two separate things. An introvert might actually feel lonelier in a crowd than they do when they are alone.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being an extrovert who thrives on company, but nor is there anything wrong with being an introvert who enjoys and appreciates solitude. Both types of people exist. The ways that introverts and extroverts perceive and interact and feel with regards to interactions with other people are totally different. People of one inclination should try not to project their own thoughts and feelings onto people of different inclinations, because the latter probably do not share those thoughts and feelings at all.

Purely anecdotally and based on my own experiences as an introvert, I have found that most of the extroverts whom I have encountered do not understand introverts in the least, and will make the most bizarre declarations about them, clearly failing to grasp that we are far happier being the way that we are: we do not want to change and we definitely do not want to be extroverts! I would absolutely hate being around a bunch of other people most of the time — it would literally destroy me. We are not all the same—- far from it!

P.S. I should not have used “we” in the above paragraph— I cannot speak for all introverts, nor did I intend to — I was simply trying to make the point that a lot of people are very happy being the way that they are, and they do not desire to be like someone else. Undoubtedly there must be some introverts who wish to be more extroverted, but I am not one of them. As a kid, people used to tell me that I should try to be more outgoing— to be more like the other kids— but I could never understand why they thought that I was the one who should change, or even why they thought I should change at all, when I was quite happy being me. As far as I am concerned, if someone doesn’t like or understand how I am and how I like to live my life, that is very much their problem, not mine. I have never understood why some people think that people should all be the same, when we are so obviously not! Some of us rejoice in our differences — in who we are! — and absolutely do not want to be like anyone else. It is strange when extroverts suggest that there is something wrong or deficient about being introverted — it isn’t a disease or a shortcoming— introverts are perfect just the way they are!

if someone truly wishes to be alone, that is something else, and i wholeheartedly agree that "being alone and being lonely are two separate things", and that some introverts might well appreciate solitude. however, regarding 'lonely', people with no (or few) contacts would prefer to have some friends, i am sure. loneliness is currently a global problem of massive proportions, and it is increasing. the covid pandemic temporarily compounded the situation with its forced isolation. also, it should be stated that while loneliness and suicide statistics are rising, book reading is actually decreasing - suggesting that such a pastime offers little respite to friendlessness. admitting that one has no friends, whether by circumstance or design, is to admit to being unpopular - and that could take courage.

leonard, as far as i can ascertain, had more of a timid and introverted personality in his early years. he spent much of his time reading and writing, but realised that being an author was never going to help his economy. it has been said he took inspiration from bob dylan, realising that he could earn more by being a successful singer/songwriter. of course, being the introvert that he was, had stage fright in the beginning - but that was eventually overcome.

>As a kid, people used to tell me that I should try to be more outgoing - to be more like the other kids . . .

you seldom reveal much of your personal life, so this was appreciated. as for me, i have some experience with loneliness, a most unpleasant affliction as far as i am concerned, and this is partly why it's difficult to say 'no' when people request company. astrologers claim that people (such as myself) born on the aries/taurus cusp inherit the twin elements of fire and earth. despite having read much on the subject, i am unable to adhere to such pseudoscientific balony, even though it would explain why i have no preference between socialising and being on my own. i am never lonely nowadays, so is there such a thing as a part-time introvert, i wonder!

thank you for writing, lisa. a delight to get some words from you. i am fully aware that i lack competence when answering messages, but i do my best - and cross my fingers hoping that the recipient possesses an amount of tolerance.

Geoffrey wrote: ↑Sun Mar 17, 2024 12:02 am ... is there such a thing as a part-time introvert, i wonder!...

Yes, indeed, there is: an ambivert.

P.S. I am glad that you are no longer lonely, and that you have the friends and the popularity that you value and desire. It is always nice when a person can live as they wish, whatever or however that may be, and regardless of whether or not others have very different preferences or make very different choices. What makes each person happy is what matters!

Geoffrey wrote: ↑Sun Mar 17, 2024 12:02 am ...admitting that one has no friends, whether by circumstance or design, is to admit to being unpopular - and that could take courage...

ambivert, thank you - a new word for me!

>What makes each person happy is what matters!

agree, as long as no one gets hurt.

>i don't want to be famous or popular or known for anything other than that i was deep and wise and had a soul that was wildly beautiful, full of mercy and light.

you certainly are deep and wise, and if there is such a thing as a soul i am sure yours will fit the bill.
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i hear the webmaster has now updated the forum's software, so will again attempt to upload an image.
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i'm your man man who came and sat with me in a cafe gentle, thinking genius

after having experimented with images of various resolutions there still remains a degree of instability when it comes to uploading. there has never been a problem before, so something must have changed in the phpBB software. there is a difference between the actual image size and the amount of space it uses ('size on disc'). this has always been the case, but only recently have i received the 'error' notice when uploading. another factor is that the software has frequently started to refuse image titles that are more than a few characters - although it's a very 'hit & miss' affair. sometimes it all goes smoothly, other times there is no way to upload. so, what this means is that i am forced to no longer give titles to new images, and they will also have less zoom potential. this will probably not affect the viewing of them very much, it just means more work for me as i will need to calculate the kb size more precisely. fortunately i am quite competent in the world of data and technology, so adjusting to new software limitations should not be an insurmountable challenge.
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proof that not all pictures need quality for anyone interested in contributing:
i am told that a new 'dylan inspired' literary/art magazine is being prepared

Geoffrey wrote: ↑Mon Mar 18, 2024 6:38 am ...i will need to calculate the kb size more precisely. fortunately i am quite competent in the world of data and technology, so adjusting to new software limitations should not be an insurmountable challenge....

I just use the photo software that came with my computer (PC), and all I have to do is click "resize" and then simply change the numbers of the resolution until the appropriate kb size is reached -- no calculations necessary (the computer calculates the kb size as I change the numbers), and it is very quick and easy. Your software may be more complicated. I also had no issues uploading the photo in my message from earlier today, and I did not notice anything different from previous uploads. Perhaps I was just lucky -- a hit rather than a miss? Whatever the case, nice that the picture function is working again!

As for the question of a "soul" -- I simply use to the word to denote one's inner being, that conglomeration of thoughts, feelings, personality, "self", etc. -- all those things that make a person who they are "on the inside". I cannot pretend to know the precise nature of such things, whether merely a part of one's brain/body, or something additional (non-corporeal, energy, "spirit" -- who knows?). Come to think of it, I don't even know if one's brain and physical body truly exist as physical things, or if that is simply an illusion -- it's a good one, if it is the latter, very convincing, most of the time!

Nonetheless, "heart" and "soul" -- these words have colloquial meanings that do not necessarily correlate with "physical reality", and yet, I sometimes find them very useful when trying to express various thoughts and feelings, even though I know that there is a degree of figurativeness in it (perhaps totally figurative!). I suppose I could simply refer to these things as "brain states" (again, making the assumption that the brain is real) -- "Music is food for the brain states"... "She wears her brain states on her sleeve" -- hmm, not very poetic, but maybe it'll catch on.

>I just use the photo software that came with my computer (PC), and all I have to do is click "resize" and then simply change the numbers of the resolution until the appropriate kb size is reached . . .

sounds good! would it be possible to have the name of that software?

i know what you mean concerning 'soul'. it is mostly thought of as an invisible part of the body that continues to live after physical death. nobody knows, of course - one can only speculate. it's all very mysterious, and we have no greater means of understanding it than a dog howling at the moon. i read an article some time ago suggesting that a divine being is playing with us, that we are in a sort of 'simcity' computer game. as good an explanation as any, i suppose.

yes, heart and soul are both words with colloquial meanings. the heart is no longer just an organ pumping blood around the body, but a thinking unit capable of competing with the brain. words can be manipulated, misused and corrupted, either by ignorance or on purpose. neil armstrong could have avoided discriminating against women when he said "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind". what is wrong with "one small step for a person, one giant leap for humanity"?
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it's been a while since i showed my face, so forgive update. taken today.

Geoffrey wrote: ↑Tue Mar 19, 2024 3:18 am ...would it be possible to have the name of that software?

It's part of the Windows 11 operating system: I just save my pictures to "Pictures", and the Windows software provides various options for resizing, and all sorts of other things.

Geoffrey wrote: ↑Tue Mar 19, 2024 3:18 am i read an article some time ago suggesting that a divine being is playing with us, that we are in a sort of 'simcity' computer game. as good an explanation as any, i suppose.

Yes, that's an explanation that has floated around for a long time (and variations thereof, long before computer games or computers were invented!), but I am not sure how "good" it is!

>It's part of the Windows 11 operating system . . .

thanks! having now investigated the matter am quite envious. ages ago i upgraded my computer from windows #7 to #10, but when trying to download #11 am told that i don't meet the minimum system requirements. am considering getting a new machine, as the hard disc on this one is completely full and i have to continually shift stuff over onto an external storage device.

>an explanation that has floated around for a long time . . .

i first saw such an article in an 'unexplained' magazine in the 1990s, but in the end it's the same conundrum as asking what was before the big bang. if some supreme being is playing 'simcity' with us, there must be an even greater supreme being playing 'simcity' with him/her - and so on. makes me think of that old TV series when patrick mcgoohan finally gets to meet #1. it was of course himself.
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this guy used to think he was some kind of gypsy boy.

Geoffrey wrote: ↑Wed Mar 20, 2024 1:31 am ...ages ago i upgraded my computer from windows #7 to #10, but when trying to download #11 am told that i don't meet the minimum system requirements...

If you are not already using it, Windows 10 photo software can also resize photos very quickly and easily, but a bit differently from Windows 11: with Windows 10, you can choose from three different pre-set sizes (S, M, L), and selecting "S" (small = 0.25 MP) should work for forum posts.

LisaLCFan wrote:
>If you are not already using it, Windows 10 photo software can also resize photos very quickly and easily, but a bit differently from Windows 11: with Windows 10, you can choose from three different pre-set sizes (S, M, L), and selecting "S" (small = 0.25 MP) should work for forum posts.

hello lisa, and thank you. i am unfamiliar with this, and have not yet had time to look into it. cannot understand how i could have missed it.
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say a prayer for the cowboy, his mare's run away

Geoffrey wrote: ↑Fri Mar 22, 2024 9:36 pm LisaLCFan wrote:
>If you are not already using it, Windows 10 photo software can also resize photos very quickly and easily....

hello lisa, and thank you. i am unfamiliar with this, and have not yet had time to look into it. cannot understand how i could have missed it....

One can't know everything. I like to press/click all the buttons to see what each one does, and thus I often come across handy little things like this!

If you've not found one already, here's a link to the most straightforward directions: as you will see, it is very simple.

https://www.groovypost.com/howto/use-wi ... ze-images/

Or, here's a video (the video includes a fourth "custom" resizing option -- it depends on which Windows 10 version you have as to whether or not you will have that fourth option).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Lfg4mjhv5k

That should help. Cheers!

P.S. Leonard looks weird in a cowboy hat!

hei lisa.

i have now tried the windows 10 'photos' app installed on my machine. i do not get the S M L option, but instead get a slide bar. the high resolution 'cohen cowboy' pic i started with is 15.3 MB. after moving the slide down as much as is allowed (to 10%) my pic was still a massive 1.19 MB - far above jarkko's limit of 255 KB.

the second link you provided looked a little more promising, but i will have to look at that tomorrow morning when feeling more alert.

up to now i have been resizing images via microsoft 'paint' which is a pre-installed app. i take an educated guess at the percentage size i am after, and after seeing the result just slightly adjust the percentage up or down until it gets just below jarkko's 255 KB limit. that's the most laborious part of posting an image, but i do it because i like the picture to have maximum zoom possibilities.

it would be nice to have an app where one could specify and instantly receive the precise resolution size one needs, but so far that remains a dream. on facebook one does not need to resize images. there i can post as large as 30 MB and they are automatically reduced to around 200 KB - or something like 1,000 x 500 pixels. i know you are not a fan of facebook, but to me it's just a tool, there are a lot of cohen admirers there, and the reason i make pictures is to show them. one can also personalise the configurations, so one does not need to see or get involved with anything not suitable to one's personality. for example: i seldom engage in small-talk, do not allow all people to contact me privately - and my list of contacts remains hidden.

i really do appreciate that you are trying to help me. i know of no one else who has expertise in such matters.

>Leonard looks weird in a cowboy hat!

yes he does. it's been a long day, and i was just relaxing with a pencil while listening to a rod stewart album after making a chicken curry

Geoffrey wrote: ↑Sat Mar 23, 2024 2:17 am ...i have now tried the windows 10 'photos' app installed on my machine. i do not get the S M L option, but instead get a slide bar...

There are different versions of Windows 10 (I saw one list suggesting that there are 14 different versions!), and you must have a different one from the two versions featured in the links I gave you. As you know, Windows constantly updates and changes certain features of their programmes/apps, and I recall that the photos app did (and does) change from time to time, with regards to resizing functions, amongst other things. It is vexing when a feature that I had previously used is suddenly gone, or just different, sometimes for the better, sometimes not! I used to cringe every time Windows updated when I had Windows 10 (and earlier versions), because everything always seemed worse afterwards, but I haven't noticed as many unpleasant changes with Windows 11 updates.

Have you updated to the latest version of Windows 10? I don't know if that will give you different resize options in Photos -- it depends on which version you have, but it might be worth a try.