7th Day Surprise: Biggest Loser?

THE GOLD STANDARD?

Tonight is the

NINETY THIRD

Academy Awards ceremony.

Yet who cares?

Who has even seen the movies nominated?

Will Oscar survive his bout with Covid 19? 

And the envelope goes to...

FAKE VIEWS

"I" cloud
Long ago a wise person suggested that one

not talk about things they don't know. Sadly

in our modern world few do their research

prior to spouting an opinion. Reacting to

controversy by immediately picking up the

phone or hitting the send, post, or publish

button. Long before they know that facts.

Rumor and innuendo rarely being a true or

complete representation of reality. Hence it's

best to step back, dig deep, and think before

you opine. Especially on people, places, or

situations you have no knowledge of. And

via data from questionable at best sources.

Show me the money
I have no idea what it's like to be a young black

man in these United States of America. Hence

it's hard for me to understand the many forces

that negatively impact males of color from birth

on. Several of my comfortable white friends are

questioning recent recognition of the victims of

racial injustice. Citing a history of questionable

legal and moral behavior that some suggest may

have contributed to their downfall and demise.

When queried for my opinion my response is

that I have no opinion. Given my ignorance as

to all of the facts. Therefore I'm unable to judge

others for the lives they've led and sadly.... lost. 

Easier said than done
Racism, poverty, and prejudice are complex

issues that cannot be easily linked to white

suburban values. There is no comparison.

So before we accuse others less privileged

of negligence...  I suggest we walk in their

shoes. Step back. Take a deep dive. Into a

very different world where many factors

limit one's options. Influencing their acts,

words, and deeds. One thing is certain. You

won't find easy answers. Nor direct links to

affluent cliches which suggest redemption

awaits poor folks who play by white rules.

Fixing society's wrongs isn't that easy!

SPHERE OF INFLUENCE

Over easy
This morning my daughter sent photos of my

two grandsons enjoying spring tulips at the

Chicago Botanical Gardens. Both I assume

were grinning ear to ear. The problem is you

couldn't see their happy faces hidden under

their Covid masks. Which their mom assures

me don't seem to bother them. Since at ages

three and five much of their lives have been

spent wearing face masks. Causing grandpa

to wonder what they'll think thirty years from

now when this pandemic is simply history.

Will they or any of us remember just how

stilted life was as we fought for our lives?

Full circle
We humans by our very nature are adaptable.

Changing our modus operandi based on all

that comes our way. The question is whether

said ability to shift with the tide is good... or

bad. At some point it's rather easy to become

complacent. To embrace the status quo even

when it's not good for us. Hence Americans

have become numb to the craziest of things.

Be they mass shootings, the unfair treatment

(and murder) of people of color, or a former

president totally incapable of telling the truth.

And in doing so passively condone unfettered

aggression, hate, and prejudice.

Pop goes the weasel
At some point we all reach our personal point

of no return. That not so sweet spot far beyond

the limitations of conventional wisdom. Said

guardrails set by a variety of emotional, moral,

and ethical factors. While I consider myself to

be highly adaptable even I have my boundaries.

Which are currently being put to the test in our

trying times. I have an extremely long "fuse."

Which makes those willing to test my patience

quite vulnerable given that once I hit a point of

no return it's over. Will I give those who push

my envelope the benefit of my doubt? Or stop

their foolishness before it's too late. 

Now... where was I?

Lost and found
There are times when we all lose our way.

When suddenly we can't recall how we've

arrived where we are and for what purpose.

This morning I ran to the hardware store.

In theory to pickup a few things. My issue

being that post arrival - I had no idea what

said tidbits were. Obviously I could have

brought a list. However that would've been

too easy. So I wandered up and down the

aisles hoping for enlightenment. Which 

post a few minutes in limbo finally dawned

on me. Soon I was back at the task at hand.

Only to realize I'd forgotten a key element.

Then and again
My father had tendency to repeat himself.

Hence whenever I left a portal ajar Dad

would yell "the door, the door, the door"!

Three times may be a charm but rarely did

it guarantee compliance. Nowadays I do or 

say the same thing multiple times prior to

accomplishing anything. The sole benefit

being the extra steps needed post realizing

what I forgot in aisle one. As I stand in the

parking lot. While ever patient Frank grins.

Assuming that whatever self flagellation 

involved may teach me a lesson. That is if

I'm able to remember what it's all about.

Forgive and forget
If nothing else I've become incredibly skilled

in the art of omission. My lack of instant recall

not only defers judgement but quickly wipes

life's slate clean. Given I can't seem to keep

things straight - who am I to judge? I'm proven

to make my share of mistakes thus it's only fair

to afford others a margin of error. There but for

the grace of God go I. Or who knows? Maybe

I've already been there and simply forgot? All

the more reason to treasure the here and now.

So rather than dwell on what's lost - appreciate

whatever you already have. After all, isn't that

what memories are made of?!

GUILT BY ASSOCIATION

Open or shut case?
Most of America and much of the world awaits

the verdict in Derek Chauvin's trial. Relying on

twelve of our peers to decide on one man's guilt

or innocence. However said decision will be of

historic consequence no matter the outcome. By

either righting racism's wrongs or... protecting

its legacy. While in theory all are innocent until

proven guilty, George Floyd's death exposed in

horror the dehumanization of endemic racism. 

Thus his death is more than horribly disturbing.

It's a harsh reminder that the cancer of hate, 

prejudice, and derision poisons our democracy.

Therefore we are all guilty by association.

Human decency
Throughout my life I've found that the worst

of times inevitably brings us to a better place.

Hence while I'm certain that our racial rift is

far from resolved - I'm cautiously optimistic.

Now that the worst in us has been exposed

for all to see - there is no escaping it. Derek

Chauvin obviously considered George Floyd

nothing more than a criminal nuisance. The

human equivalent of vermin that needed to

be exterminated. Whereas since his death -

Americans now know George Floyd for the

man he was. All too human as he constantly

battled against his enemy -  racial injustice. 

Free speech
Who knows what Derek Chauvin thought as

he snuffed the life out of Mr. Floyd. Sadly

it's apparent that he felt that his job was to

eradicate a nuisance. Rather than subdue an

innocent until proven guilty human being.

Which in my opinion proves he is guilty of

crimes against humanity. Whatever the final

verdict in this case - America cannot escape

our collective judgement day. Now that our

racism has been exposed it must end. If for

no other reason that in doing so we can all

deliver on the original American dream that

ALL are created EQUAL.

"OVER IT"

Unnecessary nuisance
There are times when you're just "over it."

Whether said apathy is driven by impatience,

exhaustion, or defeat really does not matter.

All that does is the realization that whatever

task or subject at hand isn't worth one's effort.

This morning I had to scape our sidewalks.

Removing a layer of ice and snow from the

prior night's storm. A necessary evil that one

can't escape in January. Yet come mid-April

becomes nothing more than an unnecessary

nuisance. One that good, bad, or indifferent

must be dealt with. Even if the last thing one

wants to do is deal with reality.

Let it snow
The other morning I turned off the news. Said

snap decision occurred post hearing of yet two

more mass shootings the night before. At best

such strategic abstinence is little more than a

temporary diversion. In that life (and death)

goes on. Whether one acknowledges it or not.

All the more motivation to try to find some

good in whatever happens our way. Thinking

about it - the snow this morning was rather 

lovely. Especially the way it clung to every

tree branch. In addition, central Montana is in

need of moisture after whats been a dry winter.

So maybe... said snow was a good thing.

Better late than never
One's view depends of one's perspective. Hence

when stuck beneath a dark cloud all is gloom

and doom. Whereas if one maintains a sunny

outlook it's easy to find gold at the end of the

rainbow. My problem (and I assume yours) is

that there are times when optimism can't stem

a tsunami of pessimism. But what comes next

if one is "over it"? Many a fresh start is fueled

by bitter defeat. What's done can't be finished

until the job at hand is done. Tomorrow this

snow will melt. Watering all the flowers just

waiting to pop. So better late than never the

best is yet to come. Until then get shoveling!

7th Day Surprise: Saturday's Child

"OFF" DAY 

For reasons within my control

I'm not blogging on Saturdays

for the near future.

Too much to do.

Too little time.

So with apologies...

I'm taking Saturdays "off".

Happy spring Sunday!