There is something to be learned...
"There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When meeting with a sudden shower, you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road. But doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet. When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed, though you still get the same soaking. This understanding extends to everything." -Ghost Dog
I comforted myself with this thought as I rode through the rain, with the road crapping mud into my lap. It can be extended to everything. Or at least the things on my plate for the moment.
1 - Republican crap
I was soaked on my way home from a talk entitled "Why Republicans Win." It should have been entitled "Why Democrats Lose." And the answer -- "Dems do not articulate their ideas well" -- was articulated quite well. Other important factors include: redistricting/gerrymandering, vast investment in rightwing media, and bloated, complacent, corrupt Democrat power in the 90s that's still lingering. (c.f. all Dem presidential "hopefuls") Now, Republican control is not as natural as the rain, but it need not cause perplexity. We too must be like the rain. (i.e. far more investment in media outlets and institutions where ideas are debated and issued in talking-point format) There could be a 2014 "revolution" to match the 1994 "revolution", and I sure as hell want to be part of that party. which brings me to ...
2 - My stalled career
Almost everyone here has lived in the Cities for more than a year, giving substantial advantage over me. The 20something local in front of me applied for a job I just found out about, I overheard. She bubbled to her chat-partner that her dad also knew the head of the nonprofit, just like chat-partner did. I'm not gonna get that job. But this is, again, no reason for to be perplexed. Again I can learn from the rainstorm and act as they do. I should be volunteering for the Democratic party -- I have a friend who was recently integral and more-recently waylaid by brain surgery. I could fill his shoes, or the voids that follow in his replacement. I am getting to know more people and I shall know even more on Friday if things go smoothly. I too may be the rain.
3 - Hail
It's hailing outside. Icy attacks in the middle of summer, storming my windows and the porch. What do you have to say about that, Ghost Dog? Sometimes you just have to wait under the eaves of houses so you don't get smacked around by Nature.