MUTUAL INTEREST FOR THE LONG HAUL

Start with mutual interest, something you both like.

In the beginning every new discovery is a happy revelation.

 

“You know how to cook? So do I.”

“What’s this?”

“Dinner.”

“Oh.”

Too often people start off on the wrong foot. An arranged marriage isn’t arranged by the bride or groom.

It’s arranged by necessity.

And it’s not confined to the kingdoms of the Middle Ages, modern India, or families who live in the far reaches of Appalachia.

I remember couples from high school who looked arranged.

Same school, same church, same classes to hold hands in.

Of course they would get married and live happily ever after, even in the 70’s.

Some made it work, but as baby boomers know, happily ever after is different for everyone.

My happily ever after started in 1986, which is ancient history for anyone born since then.

From high school in 1973, that’s thirteen years on my own for the math impaired.

It’s like a graduate from 1960 getting married in 1973, but it’s a different thirteen years.

My thirteen years stretched between North Bend, Ashland, Monterey, San Antonio, Philadelphia, Eugene, Wilmington, Brooklyn, and Portland.

I started over often enough to know what’s what.

The same years between 1960 and 1973 feels like two different worlds.

Cathy’s Clown was a big hit in 1960.

Tie A Yellow Ribbon was #1 in 1973.

Let’s Get It On was #4.

They ran the gamut of emotions from A to B. (hey Dorthy Parker)

 

The 70’s Learning Experience

I remember programs to make people feel better about themselves.

 

“Do you get it?”

“Just be with it”

“Be Here Now – with nothing added and nothing taken away”

“What is is, and what isn’t isn’t”

“You are the source of your existence”

“The best direction to ride a horse is the direction it’s going in”

“Do you know the difference between your ass and a hole in the ground?”  

“When you’re hot you’re hot, and when you’re not you’re not.”

 

After a year of college I was going to major in P.E. No, Sociology. No, English. No, History. Okay, P.E.

Or . . . ?

It was confusing and I wanted to feel better about myself, so I joined the Army.

The words ‘joining the Army’ still sound weird.

Did I feel better about myself for doing it and serving two years?

It’s a learning experience that never ends.

Learn how to work with authority figures in over their head.

How to cooperate with others just learning to live somewhere different.

The biggest takeaway?

Watching today’s angry old men in suits rant into TV cameras like a Drill Sergeant in a trainee’s face.

If you’ve never lived it, or seen it close up, an old man working his mouth out is impressive.

They must be some riled up to go off the way they do. No one could fake it.

Could they?

 

I was walking around with a group that included a famous artist with an online presence he cultivated.

Every so often he’d excuse himself to take a selfie with a whacky-happy expression and post it to his online audience, then return to the group as morose and glum as he’d been before the selfie.

Artist: Once you know your audience you need to give them what they want.

At least he didn’t scream in my face, which I didn’t want when I got it, and still don’t like.

 

Those Darn Authority Figures

Mutual interest means mutual respect when interests change, and they will.

They’re not changing because they want you to tell them what to do.

How do wives take it when their husband gets a new job that requires him to wear a mask and the gear he bought to play soldier?

 

Wife: Honey, why does it say ICE on your vest?

Husband: It’s nothing, just part of the new job.

Wife: Why ICE?

Husband: I’m an ice man. We drive around like the ice cream truck helping people.

Wife: Oh. Okay. Are you hungry? I’ll cook breakfast for you.

Husband: Mmm, mmm. Not today, Hon. I’ll pick up something up to eat when we raid the kitchen help at the school cafeteria.

Wife: What?

Husband: It’s father/son day at school.

Wife: Oh. Okay. You are so caring and loving.

Husband: Love you, too.

 

If that’s not living happily ever after I don’t know what is.

Two special people sharing a special time opening up to each other about their hopes and dreams for a better future for all of mankind.

For most of mankind.

Okay, for anyone but those South Park guys. 

 

 

The media conglomerate Paramount announced Wednesday afternoon that the creators of “South Park” had agreed to produce 50 new episodes over the next five years in a deal reportedly valued at $1.5 billion.

Paramount spokespeople did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the episode.

In a statement, White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said in part: “This show hasn’t been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention.”

“The president has delivered on more promises in just six months than any other president in our country’s history – and no fourth-rate show can derail the president’s hot streak,” Rogers added.

 

Hanging on by a thread of $1.5 billion.

Let the mutual interest grow.