Still Here

The solstice came and went, uneventfully, in spite of predictions attributed to the poor misunderstood Mayans. I still have to wrap Christmas gifts and still have to pay American Express. The Fiscal Cliff remains.

One of the things forecast to happen was the flipping of polarity, either on the Earth or the Sun. I thought, maybe something did happen. Maybe Republicans turned into Democrats, for example, and red states turned blue. But of course, it would have to happen the other way, right? It didn’t, but even if it had, polarity’s polarity, after all. I was almost hoping a polarity flip would reverse my moral compass and that I’d be on my way to Vegas right now, but that’s not happening, either.

No, the End is going to continue to be a limited group experience, or for some people, an individual one. I’m hearing this song from the’60s in my head, sung by Tennessee’s Skeeter Davis, accent and all:

Whah does the sun go on shahning?
Whah does the sea rush to shore?
Don’t they know, it’s ind of the world
‘Cause yew don’t love me anymore…..

Then there’s that other song from the later ‘60s, growled by Barry McGuire:

And you tell me, over and over and over again my friend
You don’t believe, we’re on the Eve of Destruction…

(Actually, shoulda been singing that one yesterday.)

Life not only goes on – it’s actually beginning for millions who are being born on this day. They’ll be able to tell their grandchildren that they came into the world on Doomsday. Even Mayans, or their descendants are having babies.

But enough of all this eschatological talk. Going back to gift-wrapping. BTW, if you see seven guys in the sky with wings blowing trumpets, then we’ve got something to talk about. Otherwise, just leave a message when you hear the beep. Thanks!

Final Thoughts?

Remote as the possibility may seem to some – even me – this could very well be my last post in this space if the Mayans and various doomsayers are right. So what have I got to say for myself?

I haven’t lived a spectacular life by modern standards, but it’s been a pretty good ride. I’d have to give it a B-minus. That, of course, is an average. The highs were high and the lows were low, and no, I’m not bipolar and temporarily off my meds.

I’m glad I have been alive for this particular span of years. It feels like I have one foot planted way back when, almost before TV, and the other firmly planted in the current age of communication miracles. And I have friends from a wide span of age groups, which has been very enriching.

There are many things I would do over again if given the chance, like many of you, but for the most part, I made the best decisions I could with the information available at the time. The things I regret mostly involve having treated people badly, and it would be nice to be able to go back and make amends. The only downside of that process is that I’ve actually tried it on a number of occasions, and most of the victims have no recollection of the rotten way I behaved toward them. It’s not like they ever forgave me, they just forgot about whatever it was and moved on. Maybe that’s the best payback for someone who hates to be ignored.

They say that no matter how fine a human being you have been or think you have been, there are always about 10 percent of those you meet who just won’t like you. In my experience, this is another average. I found myself in some places where it seemed everyone loved me to death, and in others where I couldn’t get arrested.

According to the stats page, this blog has had just under 6,000 clicks over a period of about four years -- not exactly viral -- but I’m grateful to all of you who have visited here from all over the world. I’m only sorry I couldn’t help those looking for porn or knockoff Vuitton. But if I’m still here Saturday, or posting from the “other side,” stay tuned. You never know what a desperate writer will do to attract readers.