Daylight Savings Time ends tonight, for another season. We have been steadily losing daylight for a while now, it’s so depressing, but it’s the annual cycle we live through. Things shift an hour, backwards this time, and it now will be dark so early. I understand why bears hibernate, and feel the urge to do the same. But we have no time for that, as things are just getting cranked up.
Holidays are on the way. Don’t blink, they’ll be here and gone before you know it, and Mariah Carey will be put away for another cycle. One of my friends, whom I love dearly, already posted her on Facebook yesterday, November 1st, with a declaration of no remorse. That’s alright this year, because it wasn’t a political ad. Mariah is far less scary and annoying than the assault that is trying to watch TV or listen to radio for the last 4 days of the election cycle. I look forward to the holidays, but I like to take them in order, and cranking Christmas music too early just grates my nerves, because there are not that many songs but so many bad versions of each of them. I can probably bitch about this more as we get closer to the real time. Put a pin in that for now.
I am not going to go on too much about the election in 4 days. I would imagine most people are firm in their choice of candidates, and little I do or say would sway someone. But I do encourage people to vote. Get out and do it if you haven’t already. Nothing is worse that a person who complains about everything but won’t contribute to the chance to change things by casting their vote. The presidential election is the headliner, but there are many other important positions to consider, including referendums, depending where you live. Whomever sits in the White House is one thing, but down ballot candidates, particularly local elections, affect your life far more immediately than those national clowns do, so consider that. Get out there and be heard, things can’t change if you don’t help to change them.
And the election, by the way, is once again bringing out the worst in people, some people, I should say. We all have to live here, and being civil is not that difficult. In my neighborhood, there are a fair number of political yard signs, and I believe most of them have not been messed with. I see stories of intolerant people on either side who will steal them, burn them, deface them or whatever, because they disagree with the candidate. Here is what I say to that: Grow Up. I don’t like when adults act like assholes, and I think most people feel that way. Leave your neighbor’s yard signs alone. It is that easy. Sitting there, seething because your neighbor likes the candidate you don’t is unhealthy, and immature. Just stop it. Be nice to each other, and if that is too much for you, get some therapy or move. I know there are worse things happening with this election than just yard signs, and people are cranked up and triggered right now, but act like a grown up and control your emotions a little bit. You know what I do? I stay out of political discussions with people that get too emotional about it, even if I agree with them. I won’t compromise my mental well being just to get a couple of jabs in. People who know me know where I stand, I don’t have to defend it, or explain it to anyone.
Moving along from that, in this season of change, is my age, soon. I will somehow be turning 55 in a month. I absolutely love when I tell people that, and they say no way! I don’t feel that “old” and I kind of attribute that to all the good clean living I do. (Just kidding, you all probably know better than to buy that comment!) But, I did just come off a Sober October that I felt was the easiest to endure. I have done that for a few years now, and it’s a nice little reset before the holidays and birthday come along, and it gives Miller Brewing Company a chance to catch up on production after a busy summer. To be more realistic, I think I feel younger than I am due to the varied ages of people I get to interact with on a regular basis. At the gym and work, the only places I feel like I ever go, I am not the oldest nor the youngest in any grouping. I am on the older end, most of the time, but there is a nice balance. I talk to people of any age, and feel pretty comfortable doing so. Not exactly a fountain of youth, but it helps me keep an open mind about things. I don’t know the artists or actors some of the younger ones are talking about these days, but I do know some of the struggles they face as they navigate life, and I can throw some suggestions their way. I enjoy that, truly. And those that are aging alongside me, we are figuring stuff out together too. It’s a blessing, to be a part of a varied group of people, at any time, and I hope that never changes.
Before I go outside on this lovely Saturday morning, to pretend I will catch up on my autumnal yard duties, I wanted to touch base with the few of you that read my nonsense, and say to embrace this season of change. Don’t let the election stuff cloud your mind too much. Some scary stuff could happen, but unknown things are always scary. Don’t obsess. That’s the best I can say, even if I know some of you are already obsessed. Breathe, be sure to change the clock on your stove back one hour, and take in some of the loveliness that is Fall. We live together on this planet, in this country, and we need to get back to being neighbors and friends. The seasons change anyway, we are only along for the ride. Thanks for reading my personal therapy session, as I talk it out inside my head, and onto the old laptop.
Coco's Veiw of the World 