An Odd Sort of Thing

An odd sort of thing happened to me last month.  I wasn't going to mention it, but I felt like maybe it was something important to explain.

I was grabbing my keys to go out just like normal.  I've done it hundreds of times without incident, but on this particular occasion, something out of sorts happened.  My key chain fell off of my key ring. 

Now, I'm sure that it has happened before.  Several times, in fact.  It only makes sense that every now and then, the metal would come a little bit loose and it would fall off of the chain.  And each time, I'm pretty sure that I've just put it back on and gone about my business.  But for some reason, this particular time, I put it off.  I think at the time, I was on my way out the door and didn't really feel like being bothered with putting it back.  Also, I told myself it was concern about breaking the metal by trying to bend it for the umpteenth time.  And that did pop into my head.  But then I had another thought, a different thought.

See, this particular loosening of said key chain occurred right during the first part of December, which just happens to be right around the time that my father passed away.  And this particular key chain just happens to be one of the last things of his that I've held onto.

I can't properly explain how it happened.  I was in his house sometime after he died.  A week, a few weeks... I honestly don't remember.  And there were probably a dozen things I could have taken or claimed (I honestly ponder why I left a few things unmoved, but whatever... I was a  loss-stricken teenager, after all).  But I remember this: a single, simple key chain.  It was sitting on a back shelf or the corner of a table or somewhere.

I want to tell you that I put a lot of thought into it.  That I had some strange epiphany about finding something to hang onto.  And in truth, maybe I did.  Maybe I did make some conscious decision to grab it because it represented something.  It was a gift from his job.  A symbol of a major accomplishment made by the organization that he had worked at for so many years.  A silly little ornament, to be sure, but it seemed cool enough at the time.  And, at the end of the day, it served a practical purpose: I did need a key chain.

So of all of the things that I could have claimed or taken possession of, I took a simple little key chain and pocketed it.

I don't think that it ever occurred to me that it would have any real significance beyond that until I had to change key rings.  I remember at the time wondering if I should keep using it.  Time had not been kind to it, and even though it was still solid, it had gotten cracked and worn over the years.  I think maybe I always assumed that it would eventually fall apart.  The base would crack, the metal inside would drop out, and that would be the end of it.  Still, it wasn't particularly damaged, and I realized that I had put a certain sentimentality into keeping it.

And on thinking about it, I do remember the first time that it fell loose from my key ring.  Because I had a similar thought about the metal possibly breaking if I put it back on and tried to squeeze it tighter.  I also had a thought about leaving it be then.  But I went ahead and put it back on.  No point in rocking the boat, I imagined.  And again, I had grown a little attached to it.

So I'm not completely sure why this time was so different except for the one detail: the timing.  I had honestly spent some time pondering my father's death this year, much in part to it having been exactly 20 years ago.  It seems like forever now, even though I can still remember every single detail if I really focus.

And maybe that's part of the point.  While the memory and the loss are still there, they feel far more distant now.  Like the kind of small print you have to squint to see on a bottle of old familiar pills.  It's there, and it's important, but it's not necessary to check on it every day.  Just often enough to make sure that it's still there and still the same.

And I'm not one for symbolism or messages from beyond - not always - but I couldn't shake this feeling that it was more than a coincidence.  I had gone most of the day without really noticing that it was gone (why would I? it would normally be in my pocket anyway).  So clearly, I wasn't that attached to it.  At least not anymore anyway.

So after taking a day or so to mull it over, I decided to leave it be.  It sits now on the corner of my entertainment center.  If I get so inclined, I may move it to someplace more relevant or less cluttery.  The thought of tossing it out has never once occurred to me, but at the same time,  I'm not quite sure that it's important enough to store away as a cherished memento.  I've never really been one for that.  Perhaps it's served it's purpose, a simple little key chain that has gone on to retirement but not quite to a better place.  Wherever key chains go.

As for me, life goes on.  I want to tell you that it was part of some life altering experience, but really... it was just a thing.  An odd sort of thing that, through opportunity and timing, made me think about some things I hadn't thought about in a while.  Not that that's terribly good or bad, or terrible at all, really.  Just a thing that happened.

Also, I might be on the lookout for a new key chain soon.  Just putting that out there.

Every Streak Must Die Sometime...

Guy and gals, I have an announcement. It is not a sad announcement, so don't be sad.  But it is this: Nanowrimo is over for me this year.  And while normally, that would be a "hooray" sort of moment, it is slightly less so this year.  See, I've just decided to abandon the quest for now.  Or at the very least to suspend it until another month.

Well, I still plan to write.  I enjoy short stories and backgrounds and the like, and I was already trying to do more of that more often.  But I have a lot of things going on in my life right now, and I just can't balance out the time I need to get it done.  What's the point of reaching the goal if it is literally sapping my joy of writing from me?

And I do still love writing.  I have some script stuff I want to work on. Several projects, actually, and things that I simply cannot wait to get up and moving.  But I've had to basically suspend that effort for the month, because I can't work on those while trying to write novella. 

And yeah, I just haven't been feeling it. I liked some of the stuff I was writing, but the effort to beef it up was just taking too much of a toll. It was more of an obligation than any kind of fun. And I need some fun in my life.  Not "satisfaction of getting the job done" fun, but some "haha fun fun 'til my eyes bleed" fun.  Well, some type of fun other than the first one.

But I will still be here.  I will still write some this month and end with a final word count.  I may even just set a smaller goal and shoot for it instead.  And as always, I am more than willing to encourage others that are still working to wards the big goal.  So don't think of it as going away forever.  Think of it as Cal Ripken taking the night off.  I'm still here.  It's still groovy.  And more than anything, I'm quite content with my decision.

Grow Up.

Seriously.  Grow up.

I said it a few days ago, and I stand by it.  It's the only way that we will ever get anywhere as a country.  Assuming, of course, that people actually want to go forward as a country.

We have all sat through the most derisive, divisive, and outright sickening campaign of modern history.  Or maybe it was just the most transparent one.  Who can really say?

But the reality is that no matter what party or ideal you support, as an American a person who opposes your ideals has been in office almost half of the time the country has been in existence, if not more.  And you know what?  The country didn't die.

Despite treating minorities and women as second class citizens for years, we're still here.

Despite dipping as close to financial ruin as perhaps is possible without actually breaking in half, we're still here.

Through all of the adversity and terror that would seek to tear us apart, we are still here.

And we will be here tomorrow.  And the day after that.  And the next day.  And a year from now.  And so on.

So no, the election... the re-election of one man for a four year period does not spell the end of modern civilization.  God has not abandoned you, or at least not for that specific reason.  The sun will continue to rise in the east and set in the west.

Now is not the time for the garbage that got us into this horrible place.  Now, more than ever, we need to look at how to play nice and work together.  Neither side overpowering the other is going to get us where we really need to be, and that was never what the Founding Fathers intended.

Despite signs that things will return to status quo, I still hold onto the fragment of a belief that we can find a way to make this thing work.  The first step is to stop acting like immature children who didn't (or did) get the toy they wanted and to look ahead to how to make the country the best it can be. 

Regardless of party or affiliation, we are all Americans. And it's time we sucked it up, took some responsibility, and made a hard choice or two.  And if you're too busy feeling like the country is completely mismanaged to do it, then seriously... grow up.

To All Voters, Great and Small...

All right.  Time to lay it all down.  Here are my various thoughts to various people concerning the impending D-Day of the election:

To Democrats (or those inclined to vote that way):  You already know what you have to do. Your path should be obvious, but don't for one second be complacent.  We already know that there are people out there willing and able to cause dissension in the voting effort.  Sheer force of effort and numbers is the only thing that will offset that.  Stand strong and finish the job you started.

To Republicans (or those inclined to vote that way): I... I understand that you are inclined to vote for the more conservative candidate.  It's an ideological choice moreso than an endorsement of Gov. Romney.  But... really?  That's what you want?  And is this how you want it?  Regardless of how this election pans out, you as a party need to take a serious look at how you allow things to be run.  Your platform is hardline and uncompromising, which effectively alienates any of the groups that you might eventually woo.

And your presidential campaign advisers have played every dirty card in the deck, and even bought a new deck.  Four years ago, I made the observation that I could not abide by people willing to make use of these tactics.  I still stand by that.  The future survival of your party lies not in doubling down on the crap that's sort of worked in the past but in finding new ways to rebuild the many bridges you have burned the ground.  Sadly, that's all that I can offer you.


To Third Party Candidates (and those inclined to vote for them): I get where you're coming from.  I really do.  And I feel like you have a real chance at building strength and becoming full on threats to occupy all offices  and positions.  But this isn't your time.  Not for me.  Maybe after the continuing implosion of the Republican Party, there will be more space for you to make a foothold.  But for now, I feel my time and effort is better served supporting a candidate that deserves a chance to continue.  Four years from now, though... who knows?  Keep fighting for it.

To Everyone (voting or not, regardless of who you support): we need to grow up.  I say we because this affects every single person in this country.  Much like four years ago, we have faced some of the most divisive, underhanded, and downright deplorable tactics during this presidential election cycle.  And while neither side is completely innocent, one side is more blatantly guilty than the other.

If you think there's a personal bias there, you're right.  I am completely biased towards the truth, towards reason, and against playing towards people's base fears.  That anyone in any party would try to do such a thing is disgusting, but there's a clear, simple reason why they continue to do it: on some level, it works.

Which brings us back to us.  We, as a nation, as individuals and collectively as a people, have got to step up our diligence.

We have to stop hearing only the things that we want to hear; the things that make us feel better about ourselves.  We have to stop acting like there are easy answers.  Like there is someone out there that has some mysterious plan that is destined to work perfectly, and accept that there may be stumbles along the way.

We have to stop holding one person accountable for our status in life and look towards larger, fuller pictures.  A president can help affect change, but he/she needs support.  Not through some super majority that was an illusion to begin with, but through true, bipartisan efforts.

No one that has any vein of sense can say that the Republican party has done anything other than attempt to undermine the efforts of the President or Democrats these past four years.  They said as much, in public and out loud, and a large group of people would celebrate the blind ignorance that sent the GOP against the public interest and against policies that they themselves endorsed before they opposed them.  No one wins when we become so focused on winning that we're willing to destroy what we're intent on getting in order to do it.

But I'm not going to get into the heavy again.  Again.  No, I'm going to dial it back and say what I said four years ago.  We are all people of fair reason and moderate conscience.  Search your heart, focus your mind, and look through the lies to see the truth.  Then vote with all of that in mind.

I can't tell you which way you should choose, but I can say that when it's all said and done, I believe that our President has done enough to warrant another four years in office.  I also believe that his opponent has promised little aside from being "the other choice" and even then, the ideas that he does endorse are counter-productive to what would make this country thrive.

And like four years ago, I believe that Mr. Romney has had the worst possible supporting system and advisers during his campaign.  I refuse to support anyone that uses them and their tactics, especially if might allow any of them access to some sort of office or Cabinet position.

So there it is.  Way too rambley and probably ignored. But I felt like I needed to get it all off of my chest.  Good luck, godspeed, and happy voting.

My Not So Subtle On Voting Issues

If you want to be that "certain type of person" that manipulates facts or just outright lies to try and get your way during the campaign, then that's fine.  Okay, it isn't fine, but it's on us as a people and an electorate to stay informed (self-informed, even) and expose lies.  But when it is time to vote, your time is done.  The whistle has blown.  Your case is closed.  Like the oh so many cooking shows on, it's hands-up and no more working.

When I say that everyone should vote, I mean it.  I mean that even the ignorant, the ill informed, and dare I say it, those who simply disagree with me should be allowed to vote.  It is their duty, but more importantly it is their right.

Sorry if I get a little soapbox-y about it, but it means something to me.  People fought and died, literally, so that people that look like me might have a chance to vote.  So that all people could.  It wasn't the beginning of that fight, and it likely won't be the end.

So it's not some game to manipulate an outcome when you do or say anything that might affect that right.  It is a mockery of those people that put their lives on the line not so long ago.  It is a mockery of the foundation upon which this country was founded.  And beyond that, it is insidious and the lowest form of deceit.  It is nothing short of treason.  It is the very fundamental alteration of national politics and policies that certain people swear their opposition are trying to perform in office.  And yet, it is the game they play. 

Except it is not a game.  It is not.  It never was.

So go out and vote.  Don't be dissuaded.  Stay in line.  Do your part.  Speak your voice.  Don't let those that would treat you as less than a person get away with it.  Do... something.  You have that right.  You have that duty.  And no one, try as they might, can take it away from you.

HouseTV Review: Arrow - "Pilot"

Coming into Wednesday night's premiere of Arrow, the big question was: can the CW's new hero series carry the same success as its previous entry Smallville, or will a show about a nonpowered vigilante fare as well as their last attempt, Birds of Prey.  Do you remember Birds of Prey?  No?  Lucky you.

Let's be honest here.  Despite not being a perfect replica of DC Comic's iconic Superman, Smallville did offer the core of the character and (eventually) a hearty helping of his supporting cast that we know and love. 

And realistically, the character Green Arrow has never had the same appeal to the average fan as Superman.  Who does, really?   Yeah, yeah... Batman.  But you know you aren't getting a TV series based on him anytime soon, so deal with it.  Ironically enough, though, Green Arrow's best showing may have been during Smallville's run, where Justin Hartley played the character as a "Batman-lite".

So too does Stephen Amell (Oliver Queen), showing us the hard-edged, driven side of the "Arrow" in this first episode.  We arguably don't get to see much of Oliver Queen's softer side during this episode, but that's mostly because a great deal of it focuses on Oliver setting up his new base of operations.  We do get to see a little of Oliver building his "reckless playboy" alter ego, though, with varying levels of success and what are sure to be pretty intersting repercussions.

As for the story?  Well, purists will find it odd to find that Oliver has a few extra family members floating around among other changes, but fans of ye old Smallville know that shows like this normally take certain liberties with respect to their character history.  And at least in Arrow's case, Oliver's history isn't so popular as to agitate too many people.  Without giving too much away, I would say that the show seems to have created a cast that will leave comics fans anticipating what is to come while still leaving a bit of mystery.

And speaking of mystery... there are quite a few mysteries put into play in this pilot.  But unlike some shows which seem outright confusing by juggling a ton of plot points, there's a certain streamlining that seemed to take place here.  The story rolls like a well oiled machine, and even a popup reveal still feels like it was all part of the larger scheme.

The main thing I took away from the show was that it knew what it was doing.  Yes, it might be a little darker than some might prefer (Oliver Queen most certainly doesn't carry Clark Kent's moral compass, and it shows heavily here).  But it created that darker, grittier world and then went with it.  It's the world that Oliver belongs in, at least for now, and it works.

As pilots go, this was pretty solid.  It did what it was supposed to do, creating the origin and backdrop of the character while also managing to tell a story, and a pretty good one at that.  I went into this show with very low expectations, but after just 20 minutes, I was floored by how drawn into it I got.  And I'm definitely looking forward to seeing where its going.

Rating: 9/10 (An excellent start to a series that shows surprising potential.  Now if only it doesn't find a way to muck it all up...)

"Debate Night! Woo! Finally-Zzzzzzz...."

My prediction for this debate:

The President will be clear and a little wordy, but only so much as he needs to be to explain things in realistic terms.  His critics will pan him for the same illusionary issues they always do, disregarding any common sense that he might apply in his answers in favor of pinpointing miniscule, entirely reasonable errors and inflating them into monumental "game-changers" ("That word... I do not think it means what you think it means...)".

His supporters will (of course) accept any missteps as practical ones.  The President's campaign will continue on almost like normal, since they never planned to treat the debate as something that will overtly change their current strategy.  Okay, a stump speech or two will probably have some editing to reflect some comments.  Fair enough.

The Governor will make a valid point and a half before side scrambling into talking points and catchy phrases.  He will inevitably drop one of the various "zingers" he has been working on using.  If he does it more than once, at least one of those attempts will fall flat or blow up in his face.

Not that it matters much anyway.  His critics will pan him as being evasive, which he will be because... well, with the campaign he's been running, he has no other alternative.  Truth and reality have oddly become his enemies at this point, and I hardly see tonight as the time that he reins it in.

Meanwhile his supporters will celebrate his "aggressiveness", even if it isn't backed by any sort of logic or facts).  Because in business terms, aggressiveness is celebrated over getting actual results.  You're a Man/Woman of Action, and that's to be respected. (It's the reason why anyone has ever listened to Donald Trump about... well, anything.  Because he acts like he knows what he's doing.)

The Governor's campaign will run around for the next week citing some sort of moral victory, despite the fact that said words or phrases or factology in no way denote anything either uplifting for the Governor or damning for the President.

At the end of the day... week?  Nothing's really going to change.  Even if the Governor gets a slight bump by pressing a few issues, those numbers will revert as soon as he starts running his mouth in public again.  And even if they stick, he's still behind the curve that he needs to be ahead of at this point.

The President, however, is not really looking to change the game.  So a wash is just fine in his book.  He's unlikely to go for a "knockout punch" in fear of somehow making an exploitable misstep.  So he'll cruise through the debate, then go on about his business as if it was just another Wednesday.

Having said all of that, that's just my take on it.  Any given moment can shake up even the strongest prognosticator's plotting.  So happy debating, everybody.  For people who have no gumption for political rambling, have fun ducking and covering.  I'll see you when the dust has settled again.