When I was a wee tot, everyone was reading a book titled When Bad Things Happen To Good People. This, of course, is when they weren't reading The Road Less Traveled Or I'm Okay, You're Okay. I always wanted to retitle the last selection to I'm Shaky At Best, I Have No Idea About You. The books all address a similar issue -- turning lemons into lemonade, what to do when a shitstorm starts, and how bad times can actually be good. I agree. In theory. In reality, living through bad times is about as great as a colonscopy -- good to do (in theory), uncomfortable as hell while happening. I had a friend who described a root canal as uncomfortable but not painful, a distinction too fine for me to usually make. What do we do with our grief? How do we make sense out of misery? Like Neil Young, do we implore ourselves not to let us bring us down and find someone who is turning? Let's face it -- it sounds better when Neil sings it. It actually sounds much better when Annie Lennox sings it.
I think of everyone as having their hour of need which shakes things up, the status quo on which we rely. I've lived this in different incarnations many times. The whole Linus and his blue blanket thing. I like to think of transition as the time that the blanket is in the washer. It's a terrible feeling. You wake up one day and everything on which you counted is gone. You start over. You deal with it. You rely on coping mechanisms. You hope for the best. All the cliches apply. Time heals all wounds. (not really, if you're wondering) The cloud with its fucking silver lining. That turns out to not be silver and actually turns your skin green. But one thing applies -- we rely on our friends. We do our best, our personal best. We wait for the blanket to be clean again. It's not easy. The dryer takes forever. We wait. Bad things happen to good people. Worse, good things happen to bad people. But I'm okay and you will be too.
Michelle's Spell of the Day
"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
Cocktail Hour
Charlie Sheen show in Detroit -- losing! Don't be hating on my city, Charlie. Jokes about the dwindling population not appreciated. Don't be a troll.
Benedictions and Maledictions Happy Monday!
15 comments:
This is weird, but I've actually spent a few evenings listening to Neil Young songs for no other reason than to feel the pain in his voice. As for friends, I'm finding it easier talking to new friends as opposed to old friends. Does this mean I'm reinventing myself? I'm getting my own identity back?
I think I'd actually purchase I'm Shaky at Best, I Dont Know About You.
Maybe the title of your next work?
One door closes and another one opens! Fuck Jennifer Malfi!--Tony Soprano
Sheen was in Apocalypse Now and Detroit is Apocalypse Now! Fire up my PT boat on the Detroit River and start the Rolling Stones music! Let's rock and roll!--Oscar Winner
Anyone named after a revered bishop of the church can't be all bad!--Fulton Sheen
Maybe Charlie will hook up with someone nice like Lindsay in rehab!--E. Taylor
I like his real name and I have an opening for a drummer!--C. Santana
He'll do well as long as he doesn't develop throat problems!--C. Hitchens
Good time Charlie!--R. Lowe
I'm one of Charlie's goddessess!B. Olsoen
And that concludes tonight's episode of "It's Always Gray in Detroit!"--M. Albom
*shrug* We are so used to the taste of shit that we give the first bite of food to one of the animals just to make sure it has the possibility of being meat.
I remember when those books were all the rage. I was probably reading REH's Conan at the time. HOwever, the "I'm shaky at best..." might have brought me into the dark side.
"...at least don't hurt them."
Love it!
Michelle,
I read a quote from the upcoming film 'Hobo With A Shotgun' that I liked...'When Life gives you razorblades, make a baseball bat covered in razorblades'. :)
Hope you're having a good week, Darlin'!
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