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+---
+title: Problems
+genre: prose
+
+id: problems
+toc: "Problems"
+
+project:
+    title: Book of Hezekiah
+    class: hezekiah
+    order: 6
+    next:
+    - title: Liking things
+      link: likingthings
+    prev:
+    - title: Moving sideways
+      link: movingsideways
+...
+
+The problem with people is this: we cannot be happy.
+No matter how hard or easy we try, it is not to be.
+It seems sometimes that, just as the dog was made for jumping in mud and sniffing out foxholes and having a good time all around, man was made for sadness, loneliness and heartache.
+
+Being the observant and judgmental people they are, people have for a long time tried to figure out why they aren't happy.
+Some say it's because we're obviously doing something wrong.
+Some say it's because we think too much.
+Some insist that it's because other people have more stuff than we do.
+These people don't have a clue any more than any of the rest of us.
+At least I don't think they do, and that's good enough for me.[^1]
+I think that the reason why people are unhappy (and this is a personal opinion) is that they realize on some level (for some it's a pretty shallow level, others it's way down there next to their love for women's stockings[^2]) that there is no background to put themselves against, no "[big picture][]" to get painted into.
+This makes sense, because on one level, the level of everyday life, the level of *observation*, there is always a background---look in a pair of binoculars sometime.
+But on another level, that of ... shit, wait.
+There are no other levels.[^3]
+
+What's more, people try to explain how to get happy again (although it's doubtful they were ever happy in the first place---people are very good at fooling).
+Some say standing or [sitting in a building][] with a lot of other unhappy people helps.
+Some say that you can't stop there; you also need to sing with those other unhappy people about how unhappy you are, and how you wish someone would come along and help you out, I guess by giving you money or something.
+I say all you really need to be happy is a good stiff drink.[^4]
+
+In any case, people have for some reason or another, and to some end or another, always been unhappy.
+And people have always tried to figure out ways to be less unhappy---one of the most important things to people everywhere is called "the pursuit of happiness."
+I think that calling it a pursuit makes people feel more like dogs, who are the most happy beings most people can think of.
+By pursuing happiness, they're like a dog pursuing a possum or a bone on a fishing rod: two activities that sound like a lot of fun to most people.
+I think most people wish they were dogs.
+
+[big picture]: ronaldmcdonald.html
+[sitting in a buiding]: feedingtheraven.html
+
+
+[^1]: This seems to be an attempt on Hezzy's part to set an example for
+    mankind.  It should be noted that he is an alcoholic, and not in any
+    shape to be an example to anyone.
+
+[^2]: It is thought that only the leg coverings of the female sex are
+    here referenced
+
+[^3]: You have hereby found the super special secret cheat code room.
+    Yes, this is just like Super Mario Brothers---you can skip right to
+    the end.  Go and face the final boss already!
+
+[^4]: See footnote, above