4th of July

My family on my Mom's side lives in Canada, and when my sister and I were kids, my Mom would load us up in the family van, and we would make epic road trips there every summer, usually toward the end of June. I was a big Canada fan then, but I always made a point of being on U.S. soil on July the 4th. Not to watch fireworks, but just to be in America on its birthday. This amused my family to no end.

Since then, I've felt less pride in how the U.S. conducts itself at home and abroad. I've watched the far right co-opt patriotism and cheapen it, and I've been angered by obnoxious U.S. jingoism in general. As a nation, we still have a lot left to learn - and in my opinion, we need to do a better job of listening and not, y'know, attacking countries without cause or engaging in prolonged detention. My love of this country has always remained constant, but because of our destructive actions, this love has been normally overshadowed by frustration and, at times, shame.

Lately, though, I've felt a reawakening of pride for my country. A little over a month ago, I went to Washington, D.C. with my Mom. We saw the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the White House, the Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Tomb of the Unknowns, and lots more. I was impressed by all of those things, but what impressed me more, at that moment in time, was how there were so many of us there, Americans and people from other countries, and we were living the words set out in those documents.

A few weeks after that, Sara and I watched John Adams, a stirring and beautiful miniseries. I have always enjoyed reading history, but this re-ignited my interest in the Revolution and that time period. Although Adams is largely known for signing the Alien and Sedition Acts, we owe much of our governmental structure to him; his Thoughts on Government sketch out our bicameral legislature and checks and balances between all three branches of the U.S. government. The enduring love between him and his wife Abigail was also extremely touching, and affected me profoundly. I bought a book on their correspondence, as well as David McCullough's excellent biography, which I'm currently reading. He died on July 4, 1826, fifty years after helping to found this country (and within hours of his friend and fellow revolutionary, Thomas Jefferson). Adams didn't trust his fellow humans at all. He believed we needed government to rein in our baser impulses. But he was a passionate defender of liberty. He wasn't a perfect man (he is rightly criticized for signing the Alien and Sedition Acts), but I think his thoughts, views, and beliefs are worth considering in this day and age.

So, on this July 4th, I hope my American friends enjoy the day with friends and family, or celebrating the birth of the country. Happy Independence Day.

Lifecycles

When you're young, you see a lot of beginnings and "innings." Life is progression and transition. You're working to build something, or you watch something being built, or you see something grow. Now that I'm in my mid-30s (still arguably "young," I guess), I'm beginning to see things, people, places, institutions reach mid-points, or even come to an end. Lots of things have brought this to my mind. The loss of Michael Jackson, things in my personal life, finishing China's The City and the City, Mad Men, and then, just a few moments ago, I read about Eric Marin closing Lone Star Stories.

I remember when he started it, announcing it at the Rumor Mill (itself now gone). I even submitted a story to it once and read a few stories at the webzine. 2003-2004 were heady days where I was very much "in" the genre, reading blogs and messageboards obsessively, sending out stories like a madman. So much has changed since then. I'm sad to see Lone Star Stories go, but Mr. Marin's reasoning makes a lot of sense.

Entropy, endings ... these are things I've always thought about, but to experience it, to see it, to observe it ... it leaves me feeling sad, a little scared, but oddly fascinated, too. It's a preview of what old age will feel like.

...

Okay, I was overly optimistic about the aftermath of the Iranian elections. My thoughts go out to those fighting for their voices to be heard.

Iran and Obama

Obama is being criticized by Republicans (including his former opponent, John McCain) for not taking a more "aggressive" stance on the frankly amazing protests occurring in Tehran. This amuses me, because thousands of Iranian citizens are doing fine on their own, making their voice heard, and going so far as to openly defy Khamanei (who has already accused the administration of making provocative statements anyway). If the Republicans are upset because Obama lacks the Bush/Cheney itchy trigger finger, then their objections become a compliment.

Obama appears to be actually having a positive effect on relations with the Middle East, beginning with his speech in Cairo. The New Yorker agrees. He's taking a more measured and calm approach to this situation, which I think is better in these circumstances than going in waving a cowboy hat and potentially destabilizing the situation, or endangering the countries' tenuous relationship. It's clear that no matter how "supportive" a stance the U.S. takes in the coming days, the Iranian people are taking control of their political future.

Help Catherynne Valente

Although the economy is "supposed" to be getting better, it is still causing tremendous difficulties for people who are unemployed, especially people who normally would be employed during better economic conditions. Talented author Catherynne Valente and her fiancee are two such people. It's gotten so bad that they're practically out of food. She is writing a new novel, in real-time, for free, and asks for donations. I bear a few (healed) scars from this current downturn, so I can certainly appreciate her situation. I also really like her writing. I donated.

You can read more here.

Loyalty and Friendship

I saw that I got linked by a topic at The Mugen Fighter's Guild concerning loyalty and friendship. (I didn't know what it was until I went here.) One of the administrators linked to my post a couple of years back about Gabe Chouinard, the premature disintegration of Scalpel, and other sundry unpleasantness. Funny how Chouinard still seems to haunt this blog, even though he's gone MIA again, :-) So, welcome, M.U.G.E.N. folk!

Loyalty is funny. As I mentioned in that post, I consider myself pretty loyal. My college roommate said I was loyal "to a fault," and it's sometimes true. I sometimes will defend a person solely because I like the individual. I can also hold a grudge like anyone else, but as I've grown older, I see value in sticking by someone, or an institution. There seems to be more quality of life in letting injustices (real and perceived) roll off your back, and so forgiving what you may see as faults in someone else, especially a friend. I'm not always successful at it, but anyone who knew me 10 years ago would probably see a more laid back Mahesh now. There are still buttons that can be pressed, but I'd be more likely to end the conversation than prolong it with knee-jerk reactions.

Anyway. It's been kind of an intensive, stressful month, so I should hit the sack. I'm due for several hours of uninterrupted shuteye, :-)

Always liked this song, even though it's melancholy

A turning tide
Lovers at a great divide
Why d'you laugh?
When I know that you're hurt inside?

And why'd you say
It's just another day, nothing in my way
I don't wanna go, I don't wanna stay
So there's nothing left to say?
And why'd you lie
When you wanna die, when you're hurt inside
Don't know what you lie for anyway
Now there's nothing left to say

A tell-tale sign
You don't know where to draw the line

And why'd you say
It's just another day, nothing in my way
I don't wanna go, I don't wanna stay
So there's nothing left to say
And why'd you lie
When you wanna die, when you're hurt inside
Don't know what you lie for anyway
Now there's nothing left to say

Well for a lonely soul, you're having such a nice time
For a lonely soul, you're having such a nice time
For a lonely soul, it seems to me that you're having such a nice time
You're having such a nice time

(Just...)
For a lonely soul, you're having such a nice time
(...another day, nothing in my way, I..)
For a lonely soul, you're having such a nice time
(...don't wanna go, I don't wanna stay. just..)
For a lonely soul, it seems to me that you're having such a nice time
(... another day, nothing in my way; Don't know what you lie for...)
You're having such a nice time
(...anyway)

--Keane, "Nothing In My Way"