Dark Night of the Soul

Updated from February, 2011.   Now in the tenth year of what I thought was some kind of purgatory, it may actually be a recovery period after the Dark Night of the Soul.  And everything has been right in front of my eyes the whole time.  Even Krishna is a block away.  I'm not claiming to be "recovered" from comatic slumber or even at the point of letting go of it all.  But there is a pull toward facing Truth, one that is completely beyond reason and totally has my attention... as much as I'm able to give of it.  But the detail is at least more blinding than my own thoughts.  It's mesmerizing.  I think the path toward this was set a long time ago, as I've never completely bought into the facade that seems to be screaming fake everywhere I look.  Last Friday was bizarro!  "I" could count the number of bats of an eyelash on my friend at a party...  the more "I" felt ignored, the more I was alive.  It's a miracle.

The Hammer Shot

In the sport of curling, there are two teams.  Each team throws a stone.  The red team throws one, then the yellow team, then red etc.  The final shot is called "the hammer".  The team with "the hammer" shot has a tremendous advantage and often wins because of it.  Sometimes during a game, teams will purposely let the other team win points just to ensure themselves the privilege of having "the hammer" shot. 

Politics is just the same way.  The Republicans and Democrats are both willing to let the economy suffer to ensure they getting "the hammer" in the next election.  For example, the Republicans might be setting the Dems up for ultimate failure and sure loss, even it if means messing up the economic game just a little bit more right now. And vice versa.

But I've only been curling for three years which, now that I think of it, is one more than Obama has been playing El Presidente.  One thing I know, strategy is everything.  The winners know how they're going to win, and they know from the beginning of the game.

Recipe for a Bailout

Amidst talks of government bailouts, I can't shake this weird feeling... the same one I get when watching the old "Twilight Zone" episode To Serve Man where aliens land on Earth and promise to help us in every way, sharing technology, ending war, hunger, disease, offering gifts, and free trips to their beautiful planet. In the end our scientists discover that the alien code book is actually a cookbook, and that the aliens' true intentions are to placate us before the slaughter.

I, for one, embrace the WILD American spirit and loath the thought of becoming a nation of domesticated animals. Even grass fed, free range ones. Open wide and say choo choo... here comes the choo choo spoon. Mmmmm good! Without the 50 billion dollar bailout, auto giants may wobble, but startup electric car companies could benefit from that kind of dough. After all, fair spending should spread the wealth to the entrepreneur too. Clean energy solutions et al will be born from our garages, not big companies.

Personal aside... What does a government know about every niche and industry anyway? Canada gave a $50,000 GRANT to a friend of a friend of mine, an aspiring film composer who lives fifty miles north of Toronto. Wow... we don't need film composers that badly even in Los Angeles! I guess somebody in Ottawa reeeeaaaly liked the demo. *huge cinematic swell*

Election Empty: The Price I Paid for Not Voting

One of the reasons I'm not quite connected to the outcome of this election is that I DIDN'T VOTE. (Voting must release some psychological equivalent of the human oxytocin hormone - the one that bonds two new lovers, or a mother with newborn, or in this case voter with candidate.)

But they really wouldn't let me vote! ... For the past six months every time I was confronted at every supermarket about registering I would smile and clearly say "I'm Canadian", and they'd shy off like guys do when they find out a woman is on her period. Oh well. Would I have supported Obama? It's possible, but I'm still unclear about where he stands on many issues. For example, Canada. And small business. And NAFTA. If he's going to "reward companies that hire Americans", and discourage those that don't, where do legal Canadian immigrants like me stand? OBama vs. OCanada? ...Here's a good article on "What Obama means to Canada" http://twurl.nl/xah0b2

I want to be part of the post election hypnotic euphoria (hysteria?). But I believe that responsible citizens should scrutinize candidates before elections, and scrutinize governments after elections... with clarity. For what appeared to be during the election a mass calling by Democrats for someone to lead the country away from tyranny, economic failings, and other valid grievances, it seems that Obama has, very ironically, stirred up confidence in a lot of people to just do it, or in other words, if he can, we can. Regardless of party, this is the "American Way" as I see it.

President Obama

And so the story unfolds... Obama, the new President elect. I wish him well. I think he will make a good president and will strive to inspire Americans. No Federal Sales Tax please. Oh no, never that!

Keep our country beautiful.