When the Partner is in his Zone of Pontification, he says things are not as they seem. However, we are both starting to realize that in fact many things are exactly as they seem, just not as they are described in today’s ever meaning-shifting language.
Two examples are the Electoral College which we mentioned previously- a relic of Civil War politics which pretty much assures gerrymandering will prevail barring some extraordinary turn of events. Turns out the Second Amendment which every Tom, Dick and Harry has posted on his driveway fence here, is also a relic of those politics, an earlier (1780?) institutionalization of slavery in the form of saying “well regulated militias” can bear arms. I always wondered about the well regulated militia part- I mean, how does that connect with needing to shoot poisonous snakes out in the country at times? AND! IT DOESN’T! It connects, completely, with slaveowners in the South being able to pick up a gun and go after any enslaved individual uppity enough to make a run for it. So that discord in your head? Is because this particular thing IS what it seems to be- a rule ensuring that somebody will always be able to shoot you if you go against their wishes. And this, Gentle Reader, is in the Constitution. While this may be an oversimplification, it is not an untruth.
Juggling that bunch of indigestible information with recent events has been challenging.
Then, as usual, events conspired to show a bigger picture. The medical care to which we have access is not wonderful. Don’t misunderstand me, I am grateful to have any access especially given the vigor with which certain “legislators” are going after getting rid of it entirely. But it means the care we get is spotty and not very personal. SO ANYWAY. I have had certain health issues which were largely precipitated by the Hospital Hell of 2015. I went to get this evaluated recently, and this evaluation, in which I told the person seeing me exactly what I wanted because that’s how they do it…there is no look at my situation and ensuing diagnosis…culminated in an email telling me I had something quite serious wrong with me. This happens to be the something that killed my father (even though I only learned about it by having his obituary sent to me in a Christmas card). There I was all of a sudden in a hall of mirrors with a flashing neon light saying IS IT TIME TO FREAK OUT YET. Which, upon reflection, I realized is pretty much the norm now. You get told that something is the way it seems…to someone else….and that’s the end of it. It is then your option as to whether or not to stew about it or enjoin the battle for further information.
I admit I was rather surprised at the unease this whole thing generated. However, nils desperendum. Insisting on seeing the actual test results, I was able to see that in fact, this issue is “stable”, doesn’t require MORE medication, and is something that I can do something about with the tool box I have. My own diagnosis, in other words, was correct. I gulped down that food for thought.
This really made me think about everything from economics to the fate of fresh air. And what I continue to see is that we are all being encouraged to disenfranchise ourselves from everything. To accept top down word which seems designed to foment separation and fear more than anything. To not, crucially, think for ourselves. We’re encouraged to accept “solutions” from a prior paradigm which didn’t really work then and is entirely unsuitable today. As long as we are fretting about the fact that things aren’t working for us we aren’t taking a breath, asking questions and trying something different. Not that this is easy but no matter where you find yourself, it can be done. It’s important to just stop beating your head against that wall for a minute. ( Finances especially seem non-responsive to head banging, for example.)
One thing that absolutely (to my mind anyway) has to happen now? We all must stop accepting and consuming crazyoverthetopcrazypants as sane instruction or information, wherever it may pop up. The Emperor really IS naked for the entire parade snaking over our planet, and actually this is a great opportunity to design a new suit and parade route. Of course this means giving up one’s own attachment to a Certain Sort of Button and folding chair (from which to watch the proceedings) but inspiration does give a person wings. Those wings usually are much, much better than any Button or seat you were ever given by other routes. And after all buttons, and chairs, are utilitarian items that can also be beautiful, so there’s another stellar opportunity to CREATE. Out of what may seem in the moment to be thin air, but…..what the heck. Why not??? Blessings and thanks as always!
Boozilla: learning to fly one room at a time 