Let me say that again – in 2007 the U.S. government spent 20% more than it received.

What kind of example does this provide for us? No wonder the U.S. has a negative savings rate, and the dollar isn’t what it used to be. And, there’s no end in sight. According to early reports, the ’08 budget calls for $410 B of deficit spending (and this is with war spending $120 B lower than 2007 levels. If you believe it’ll remain that low, I have a nice package of subprime mortgages I’d like to sell you…)

It gets worse. Due to many years of such atrocious “budgeting”, our government owes itself (social security and medicare “surpluses” that have already been spent), other countries, corporations, and individual bondholders $9.2 Trillion dollars – or in more real terms – $60,100 per working citizen (or $30,400 per man, woman, and child). And this is going up at a steady rate (over $1M/minute due to interest alone).

Ask yourself a question – how long would you be able to survive if you had $60,100 in additional debt and you spent 20% more than you made? I’m guessing bankruptcy would soon be calling for most of us (considering that the average working U.S citizen earns $32,140). This picture only gets worse once we consider that the U.S. population is aging, and soon there will be no social security and medicare “surpluses” for the government to spend. 

Isn’t this something we should care about? Not just care about – be horrified by! I think it’s our civic duty to implore the people authorizing the spending to change their ways. It’s why I voted for Ron Paul in the primary. I’m fairly certain he has no chance of winning (maybe he’ll get enough votes to make the other candidates nervious and inspire change) but at least I’m trying.

Are you?

Even more important – will you?

If you don’t want to vote for Ron Paul, how about writing your congressional representatives? I pledge to write my congressional representatives within 30 days. Anyone want to join me?

But then, in June, I miss the stark, slippery, calm snow.

Right now, all the snow has me feeling like a Snow Man.

The Snow Man

One must have a mind of winter
To regard the frost and the boughs
Of the pine-trees crusted with snow;

And have been cold a long time
To behold the junipers shagged with ice,
The spruces rough in the distant glitter

Of the January sun; and not to think
Of any misery in the sound of the wind,
In the sound of a few leaves,

Which is the sound of the land
Full of the same wind
That is blowing in the same bare place

For the listener, who listens in the snow,
And, nothing himself, beholds
Nothing that is not there and the nothing that is.

-Wallace Stevens

Whenever a band I know (and enjoy) stops by, I try to see the show. I’ve dragged a few friends over from time to time, and it just happens that there are a wealth of good opportunities in the upcoming months. I encourage my Chicago friends to check out a few of the following concerts:

2/15/08 – Howie Day (sold out, else I’d provide the Schubas link) I was pleasantly surprised to find out that he’s playing at Schubas, considering the success of his single, collide.

2/29/08 – Pela Since I have to work on the extra day of the year, (isn’t February 29th the biggest crock ever for those of us that have salaried jobs? Ugh.) I feel fortunate to be able to check out what is sure to be an excellent show. I wrote about the first time I saw them at Schubas. I’m looking forward to the second experience.

3/1/08 – Griffin House- Alex introduced me to Griffen last year at a benefit concert at the Hard Rock Cafe. Griffin’s music is that of a happy, romantic, country-tinged, acoustical songwriter. Check out “the guy that says goodbye” and “better than love”.

3/4/08 – Phosphorescent- Phosphorescent was both one of my most fortunate and unfortunate Schubas experiences. A few years ago I went to see Boxtrot at Schubas and had the great good fortune to hear Phosphorescent opening for them. Matthew Houck’s beautiful, haunting voice matches up well with his ghostly songwriting (“wolves” is one of his best – and reminds me of something out of McCarthy’s The Road). A few months later, after dinner on a first date, I brought a girl to Schubas to see Phosphorescent again (this time headlining the night). I don’t know what happened, but this time Matthew was up there all alone (last time there were six or more members pumping out a raucous sound), with only a rather creepy porcelain doll (the kind whose eyes open and close – but this one only had a lazy eye *shudder*), and an electronic sound producing machine that pumped out sounds reminiscent to those of the original Super Mario Brothers soundtrack. Needless to say, it wasn’t the best show, ‘though it does make for an amusing story. I’m hoping this show is closer to my first Phosphorescent experience.

3/19/08 – Bell X1 – Besides having a really cool name, they are deservedly popular in Ireland (just ask Fiona) which is the only reason I know who they are. Evidently they used to be in a band with Damien Rice. I can believe it. They sound like an Irish pop/rock band should, but are a little sadder than I’d like them to be. They don’t approach Damien’s level, but could use a little cheering up. They do produce beautiful music nonetheless (check out “rocky took a lover”).

3/20-21 – Spinto Band-This is one of Ryan’s emusic discoveries from last year. They play infectious pop music. Check out “oh mandy” or “direct to helmet”. I highly recommend their music. It’s all kinds of fun.

“Write a wise saying and your name will live forever.”

-Anonymous

Pause for a second and enjoy the irony. 

Aside from appreciating the irony involved, I think the quote (and missing author) is especially precious because it encapsulates an important aspect of the human experience. 

Most of us are motivated by recognition.  We not only want to make a difference, we also crave recognition for our good work.  While joy comes directly from deeds, being recognized for them makes for a much, much, better experience.  Sadly, there is often a disconnect between the two.  I know I don’t express my gratitude/enjoyment/etc. as often as I could.  This quote is a reminder to spread the joy.  And not just out of duty or obligation. Providing recognition not only gives the person you are recognizing warm and fuzzy feelings, it also allows you to bask in their happiness (assuming you don’t suffer from excessive envy and schadenfreude).  Sheesh.  I might have to add this on to the list of new year’s resolutions as well.    Wish me luck.

The kind of laughter that causes your soul to shine out from behind your eyes.

Thinking about laughter reminded me that it isn’t just a source of momentary pleasure. It also contributes to one’s health. I remember hearing about various studies that “proved” laughter is good for you, and decided to refresh my memory. It turns out that laughter:

• improves immune function (it increases a number of antibodies and activates T cells)
• protects your heart (if you laugh a lot, you’re less likely to have a heart attack)
• oxygenates your body
• increases lymph fluid circulation
• works your muscles
• decreases stress hormones
• reduces pain
• lowers blood pressure

So, I’m adding laughing more into my list of New Year’s Resolutions. Feel free to help me out with this one. It’ll probably be good for both of us. (I mean really – it’s free, good for you, and feels great. Other than sex, I can’t think of anything I’d rather do. And I can laugh with anyone and anywhere, so it’s got that going for it.)

However, do keep it under control, because I also discovered that like so many other good things, laughter has a down side. It’s contagious. Seriously contagious!

In 1962, in the small village of Kashasha, Tanganyika (modern Tanzania), a group of students at a boarding school began to snicker following some remark or event which is now lost to history. For reasons unknown, the laughter was abnormally infectious, and soon the greater part of the student body was incapacitated with the contagious convulsions. In an effort to quell the inexplicable outbreak, administrators closed the school and sent the giggling students home, but this allowed the epidemic to spread. Parents, siblings, and neighbors were reduced to wriggling, vocalizing masses, and the Tanganyika Laughter Epidemic rapidly propagated to thousands of people including other schools, workplaces, and a neighboring village. The sporadic, uncontrollable episodes quickly became unpleasant for the sufferers, leading to abdominal pain, fainting, respiratory problems, rashes, and uncontrollable weeping; but it continued nonetheless. Reports vary regarding the duration of the epidemic– spanning anywhere from six to eighteen months– but over time it naturally faded. The underlying cause of the outbreak is still uncertain, but most historians and scientists attribute the bizarre incident to mass hysteria. The nation had won its independence from Great Britain only months prior, and the resulting increase in expectations among the citizenry was said to have produced unusually high levels of stress.

The excerpt above is from a blog posting, and you can find several reputable sources confirming the epidemic. It’s not Hamlet’s father’s ghost, but reading about it makes me echo Horatio: “O day and night, but this is wondrous strange!”

Sigh.

Back to the books. Book #1 – The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Book #2 – Ishmael by Daniel Quinn. Both would be best described as novels – though Ishmael has a more overt “spiritual” or “philosophical” bend. Both have a rather dim view of humanity’s current course. Both are excellent, page turning, thought provoking.

McCarthy’s novel is a tale of a father and son’s journey through post-apocalyptic America. As always, his prose is beautiful, if gut-wrenching. In the midst of delivering a completely engrossing, suspenseful tale, he weaves in a number of thought provoking themes. He suggests that, if push came to shove, and survival were at stake – society would dissolve and mankind’s humanity, by in large, would disappear. He presents us with two figures who “carry the fire” (of civilized behavior/human spirit) and leaves us to grapple with the whys. Why do these two “carry the fire”? Why do they continue on? How do they retain their humanity? etc. McCarthy gives us hints as to their motivation: God, the paternal bond between father and son, stories of heroes past, but no clear answers. The ending, as seems to be common in his books, does not resolve the issue. All in all – a beautifully crafted and thought provoking book. I highly recommend it.

Quinn’s Ishmael is a novel of a different sort. Instead McCarthy’s well crafted story that blends in difficult themes and questions amidst beautiful prose, Quinn puts forth a “Socratic” dialogue that supplies questions with the not-so-subtle force of a sledgehammer. The tale begins with the narrator finding a personal ad: “TEACHER SEEKS PUPIL. Must have an earnest desire to save the world. Apply in person.” Our narrator is drawn, seemingly against his better judgment, to answer the ad. The resulting education is thoroughly annoying (to this reader) but annoying in a very good way. This book works well as a gadfly. Even if you disagree with every point – the premise is so novel that you’ll learn something from reading it.

Ishmael (the teacher) takes a look at human civilization and takes a stab at boiling our activities down to a root cause. He attempts to identify the source of humanity’s “fall” (in the biblical sense) or flaws. After doing so, he tells a new “story”, even turning the Genesis story (Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel) on its ear a la Wicked vs. the Wizard of Oz to provide us with an alternate story – an alternate cultural aim that he believes will lead us in a better direction.

As I hinted above – I don’t agree with Ishmael’s tale – I find it to be flawed. But, I have spent hours and hours ruminating because of the book. It’s subject is one near and dear to my heart – eaudaimonia – and if Quinn’s book is not as elegant or well reasoned as the philosophical greats, it is much more accessible (it nearly demands to be read) and well worth the relatively short time it will take you to read it. I highly encourage you to do so, and if you do, let me know. I’d love to hear your thoughts and have a discussion about it.

• An amusing take on the all too annoying error 404 page.

• A list of movies (many that I’ve never heard of) that sound fantastic.

• One of the best political editorials I’ve ever read. It eloquently states many of the reasons I’m frustrated with infuriated by our current political “regime” and am so excited for the upcoming elections.

What do you digg? Where do y’all go for your internet brain food?

Since several of my ex loyal readers have asked – no the blog is not dead. It’s just been dormant. Life has been good and busy. A trip to Europe, busy work schedule, holidays, indolence and new girlfriend have derailed the postings. Fret not – I’m feeling the urge to write again.