A Quiet Place

Thinking philosophically, if the universe were using each situation or person you met as an ally to help you grow, what would you learn about yourself and life? Every interaction gives us a chance to improve, to see the world in a different light, to espy an alternate vision of ourselves. This is all according to the very positive Jim Demther, anyway. 2020 – the year we all grew a lot, mostly sideways, whilst watching our favourite racist films. In my opinion, this introspection could equally bring a review of others: it can’t all be about you, unless you’re a colossal egomaniac. Sometimes you just have to admit that you underestimated the sheer size of fuckwittery that some bastards possess, and be done with it.

I always enjoy it when the US is having such a bad run that it invokes an envoy from the Middle East to wind down the window for a chat. Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif condemned what he called “the tragic murder of black people and deadly racial discrimination in the United States” which must have been extremely enjoyable for him. Hand-clapped with sizeable guffaws from the corridors of power in Tehran, Zarif then managed to stutter betwixt colossal smirking and bladder-clutching, “the voices of the protesters must be heard!” before exploding in a pee-fountain. When Iran officials are giving you a kick in the shins on human freedoms, you stare nervously at previously sedentary custard pies in case they leap from the counter straight at your face. What next, Saudi Arabia coming forward with a novel approach to hand cleanliness during COVID?

An escape to the country as COVID lockdown lifts in Victoria

Aside from locking yourself in a cupboard for the rest of 2020, what can we learn from this? Apart from our absolute refusal to learn, obviously. Whilst the white west contains most of the perceived power, money and access to education, we need a great deal of schooling on equal rights. As for me, there is a balance to be had with protests amidst a COVID epidemic. Personal discomfort vs ability to infect others vs an innate inequality that must be addressed. Perhaps not voting in arrogant, right-wing, religious, racist bigots into top-jobs could be a step in the right direction, but this has been simmering for a long time. As per last week’s blog, it’s the same poor bastards suffering the most in the pandemic that are also tormented through inequality. Am not sure removing Gone with the Wind or banning Little House on the Prairie for its depictions of life one hundred and fifty years ago rights any wrongs but merely, pardon the wording, whitewashes the past. Let’s hope no one still reads the wonderful Flashman. Don’t get me started on blackmail, blackballing (hmm. . .), black death, black sheep, black magic, black pudding or Black Sabbath. Hash browns, arghh!!!
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In other news, my third-of-the-way life-crisis has bought a motorcycle into my life, with COVID restrictions enabling a trip out into the country. I forgot how crap freezing fog can be. Then again, honestly, who needs to feel their own toes and fingers? Overrated. Thankfully those forward-thinking Saudi’s have the solution.

Coooolllddddddd!!!!