Something Wonderful is About to Happen

At least, that's what the bumper sticker said. What it lacks in precision, it more than makes up for in optimism. But I guess it's that view, belief, hope that keeps people going. Honestly, if your personal philosophy is 'Something Shitty is About to Happen", it's going to get pretty hard to get out of bed after awhile. But, "Something Wonderful"? Who doesn't want to be around for that? All you have to do is keep putting one foot in front of the other, and pretty soon - Something Wonderful!!!

Here's the rub - "Wonderful" is pretty subjective. Your wonderful could be your neighbor's worst nightmare. And, is this a practical wonderful, or a fantastical one? Also, is free floating hope a good thing, or can you sometimes end up discouraged if the right wonderful thing doesn't happen. Leaving the satisfaction of your 'wonderful' needs to the fates, may bring us to an frustrated end - as Johnny Lydon and Public Image Ltd. so succinctly put it: "This is what you want. This is what you get."

At the risk of tempting the fates, and their quirky sense of humor, here are some wonderful things I'd like to see happen: My sister be happy again, and the Giants win the World Series. I'd like to see our troops come home from Iraq, and jobs for people who need them, college enrollments go up and prison populations go down.

Do you think that "Something Wonderful" is about to happen? What do you think it will be?

What More Can I Say?

Peace on Earth!!!

Merry Christmas, Brushfires Family!!!

I hope you all have a safe and happy Christmas, and that it is a joyous celebration!!!

(This is effin' awesome!!!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDwWXpju77Q)

It's the End of the World As We Know It...

I watched this great 1998 film this morning, "Last Night" about a group of people and how they spend the final hours before the world ends. It got me to thinking, if I knew that approximately two months from now that the world was going to end, how would I spend that time? Would I show up to work every day? Would I make a list of all of the pleasures/adventures I'd always wanted to experience, and set out to do them all? Would I just curl up in a ball and wait to die? Who would I reach out to? Who would I want spend those last hours with...and who would want to share them with me?

Any thoughts you'd like to share?

For your listening pleasure: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02TUsZzF6es

UPDATE: I've been pondering this question, and it's a toughy. I'd want to be with my sister and the kids up in Seattle. But, I'd also want to spend time with my family here in NoCal. And, what of my chosen family? Will I have a chance to reminisce with them? Plus, there are movies I haven't seen, books I haven't read...and so many letters I haven't written. Do I take the time to tell my father that even though we're estranged, I still love him - even knowing as I do that I probably wouldn't get a response? What about my kitties? Do I use my junior detective skills to track down twinfan and have a real dinner with my virtual husband? (On the plus side - no more worrying about how the Giants will do in the upcoming season!) If, for whatever reason, I was alone in that final hour, I would grab my kitties, and put on Fred and Ginger in "Swing Time" and try to go out smiling, humming, and purring...

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!!! (or not...)

(My favorite special)

Our dear Gina brought up the notion that Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ. Now, while I do have a spiritual bent, you won't find any days of worship on my calendar. There are many holidays that are celebrated at this time of year: Christmas, Hanukkah, Eid, Yule, etc. There is also the school of thought that says that the Christians co-opted the celebration of the solstice to bring the pagans into the fold, as it were.

As neither Christian, Jew, Muslim, Pagan, etc., Christmas has significance for me due to the fact that everyone I know celebrates the day, in whatever way makes sense for them. I love that people seem a little friendlier, but there is also a lot of stress in the season - lonely, poor, or depressed people feel pressure to be jolly. A time of joy for others, becomes a burden to some. (Note: Johnny Mathis is just this moment singing "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" - yes, I'm listening to holiday music!)

So, what does the holiday mean for you? Is it a joyous time, hard work, or just another day? Are you looking forward to it, or just wish it were already over? Any fun holiday stories you'd like to share? (Gina?) Best gift you ever gave or got?

Happy Holiday$$$

My Aunt & Uncle have sent out an e-mail requesting that, instead of gifts, we donate to a charity in their name. They have asked for charitable organizations to which we might like a donation, in lieu of a gift. Putting aside my absolutely unbridled joy at opening presents (yay!!!), I really don't need more stuff, and this is a wonderful idea. I'm trying to think of what charity to suggest, so I've made a poll to solicit the thoughtful opinions of the Brushfires family. It's my first poll, so I'd love it if you would check a box. Of course, your comments are appreciated (and necessary for me to feel validated - what a sad life your host must lead...) Just remember, it has to be a charity, Political Action Committees and 527 Organizations need not apply. So, feel free - remember, it's not your money you're spending!

Workin' in a Coal Mine

Dear PrezBO,

I understand that you are very, very busy these days. Getting ready to deal with the flaming bag of dog pooh that W has left on your front doorstep is a big job. There's the war, the occupation, the recession (or the depression if you're one of the more than 25 MILLION people using food stamps these days), and the stock market crash. Oh, and what to do about the failing US auto industry?

As with most start-ups, the key to future success is the foundation you are laying before your operation goes 'live'. Foreign relations: Secty of State, National Security Advisor, Secty of Defense - check! Law enforcement: Attorney General, Secty of Homeland Defense - check! Economy: Treasury Secretary, Economics Advisor, Secty of Commerce - check??? Hmmm...what's missing from this picture? Oh yeah, the frickin' workers!!!!! Hello? President-elect Obama, where is your nominee for Labor Secretary? Remember labor? The workers who are the backbone of the economy, and therefore key to it's recovery???

With all due respect, sir, the US has barely survived 20 plus years of administrations that have put corporations before citizens, and I had hoped to see some movement in this area by you before now. Especially considering all that labor did on behalf of your election efforts. You say you want to help re-build the middle class, how about looking out for their interests in the marketplace? Labor is the driving force behind a healthy economy - workers that earn a reasonable living should be the desired market for goods and services here in the US. Employed laborers create the demand for goods, thereby sparking life into manufacturing, creating the need for more workers, who in turn, make their own purchases, etc.

Surely, if I understand this, a man of your considerable intelligence does. So, why not show that your pledge to 'main street' wasn't just lip service, and make your selection of Labor Secretary a priority - and, it really, really should be someone from organized labor, in my most humble opinion. As a member of the progressive community, I have been quite understanding that you are going to govern as the centrist you truly are. But, unless you want to bring your honeymoon period to a premature end, it's time to show the working poor some love through action - or the next flaming bag of pooh on your porch may bear the Union label!

Respectfully yours,

JM Ferretti