Hold Back The Tide With A Broom

The following will make me seem like a real bastard...

I've just heard, for the one millionth time (seems like that anyway), the radio commercial for NJ tourism with the song "Stronger Than The Storm."  If you live in the area, you've certainly heard this, or seen the TV spots, or the print ads all with the same stronger than the storm message.  All to get the message out that New Jersey is back open for business after the wreck that Sandy made of the area.  Back open almost a year later in some parts.

Surprise, surprise...I'm sick of it.  These kinds of messages and base outpourings of "up with us" kind of bleating really gets my goat.  Guess what New Jersey?  You were NOT stronger than the storm.  The storm soundly kicked your ass.  Whole communities were washed away.  Millions, if not billions, of dollars lost and now being spent on rebuilding residences, businesses and vacation homes.  RE-building a year later, RE-building that will still be happening months from now because nature bent us over and had her way with us IN ONE DAY.  It will be well over a year before things are truly back to normal in some places, if ever.

I understand that you want the rest of the country know that were tough and resilient, and that were not going to let Mother Nature keep up down.  Whatever.  I know the state needs the tourism dollars to support many shore businesses.  Whatever.  I get that we like to think we can overcome anything (admirable).  Whatthefuckever.  But the blatant fist pumping and rally around the flag pole stuff just gets really old really fast.

Is it not realized that a significant number of people's lives are irrevocably altered for the worst because of last years big storm?  Do we not know that this could happen again during the upcoming storm season and there's not one damn thing we can do to prevent the damage again?

I'm not saying we shouldn't rebuild after such tragedies.  I think it's great we can bounce back and rebuild the destroyed communities.  But I hate the unrealistic rose-colored memories that the current propaganda would have us adopt.

"cause we're stronger than the storm...."  Tell it to the average Joe Six Pack that's been living with a distant relative because he lost everything, FEMA screwed him on the recovery money, his insurance company considered it an "act of god", lost his job when the business was washed away, and has been living on the savings he was hoping to retire on.  Think he believes that song?

I know I'm in the minority on this one, but just had to get that rant off my chest.  Thanks for listening.

                                                             

Man Cave = Caveman?

I've been thinking lately about the "Man Cave" and why the whole concept terribly overrated.  I will admit that the idea of having a fortress of solitude adorned with all manner of sports and movie paraphernalia and posters of scantily clad women does indeed have a certain appeal.  But the more I consider the thinking that goes into a man cave, the more I think I would not want one.

On it's face, the man cave is a fun guy-centric place for the man of the house and his man friends.  No real harm in it, I suppose.  But I can't help shake the nagging feeling that just a little deeper is something not so perfect.  It's an exclusionary feeling that I think I wouldn't want in my home.  Is there any place I wouldn't want my wife or kids to feel comfortable in there own home?  Am I to be that inaccessible because me and fella's are watching the game?  Even asking those questions makes me squirm a little.

I know men who have rooms like this and I've been in many of them that look and fell great.  They are usually very comfortable, are adorned with all manner of sports/movie memorabilia, and generally include a massive TV.  I can't say I haven't enjoyed my time there.  There's always a thought, however, "I wonder if the wife has a spot all to herself, or the kids?"  Sometimes they do. And when a family is "lucky" enough to have enough space for dad to have his cave, mom her sitting room and kids their game room, each can treat their area as they wish without intruding on the others.  Anyone can retreat into their corner of the world and immerse themselves in their own considerations.

But this seems to raise more issues than it solves.  How does this family spend time together?  Do the kids really want to hang with mom while she lounges on her day bed with a good book? (yes, that is a ridiculous stereotype, but I'm trying to make a point)  Does mom want to watch ESPN classic while slugging down a cold one?  It just doesn't feel right, does it?

I can't say that there are not times that I want to be alone.  But for the most part, I like hanging out with my wife and kids.  Whether I find myself playing Xbox, watching a game or just reading I like having them around.

Now, stop.  If you have a "man cave", stop rolling your eyes at me.  It's all a matter of choice, of lifestyle...and hell, maybe on a level I'm a little jealous.  But it does make you think, doesn't it?  If your home really is your castle (or kingdom for this reference) why would you want it divided into smaller internal duchies?

                                                

The Powerful Play Goes On

As I sat on my covered porch puffing a Padron torpedo, something occurred to me.  We are pimples on Mother Nature's firm shapely ass.  I love to watch weather as it happens, and the latest raging storm has put on a good show.  I have no real interest in the actual damage a big storm can cause, but more in the majesty of it, in the raw power and enormity.

The freight train that rushes thought the trees passes right beside me.  The endless water flowing down the sidewalk and into the street portents of Noah preparing his couples.  Almost makes one believe that the seas will boil and frogs will fall from the skies any moment...almost.

It's inspiring, really.  We like to think we have a handle on our world, that we're prepared.  And maybe we are as much as we can conceive.  But is the ant really ever prepared for the boot?  Mother Nature continues her cycles around us without the slightest regard, and I think I like that.  It's humbling.  And at times we humans can use a dose of that.  We build monstrosities and fling ourselves into space and try to shape the world to fit our needs; and I think that's really very cool.  I would not for a second want us to stop any exploration.  But once in a while I feel a little tap on our collective shoulders to say, "You know, you're just tenets here," can be a good thing.  I'm sure the dinosaurs would agree...if they could.

There just isn't anything we can do about it in the long run.  Sure we can build levies, shutter windows and put our houses on stilts.  But we all know in the back of our minds that it's all just a band aid on a gun shot wound.  Eventually it will give way.

So next time Mother Nature gets her ire up and decides to put on a windy, watery, wild show, stop for a few minutes and watch.  She is as good a performer as you will find.  And you just might be a bit more introspective for the exercise.

RALSTON HAS SPOKEN