I've been gone here for a while but I wanted to take a few moments out of my Sunday to reflect on a few things, on the week, on the new year, etc.
Firstly and foremostly I have to say I'm happy I was around for this very important week for America. I legitimately never really thought I'd see a minority elected to the White House, especially a black person. I don't want to overstate anything; Obama isn't our savior or even a silver bullet.
But the truth is that racism is a huge part of the American story. It has been at the center of almost every pivotal movement of our country's history. Colonialism, slavery, the Civil War, WWII, Civil Rights, and the 21st Century. Racism is among the ugliest and most base of all human traits. It's powerful and it's forever.
Our new president is a new symbol that stands against racism. In America we all want to be included and recognized equally no matter how different we are, and through whatever differences we maintain. I watched Barack Obama's inauguration with the knowledge that problems will always exist, but seeing also that things have changed from the way they were. Things have changed for the better.
Sometimes the better parts of America can get muffled under television advertising and the Dow Jones and Iraq and Enron. This week I saw those better parts coming through. And I know that things will get better!
So enough of that, onto 2009. What to expect and what to do. I think that in 2009 androids will make their debut as assistants to humans, and scientists will find a new power-source from coffee beans. Wars will become obsolete and cancer will be eradicated.
No for real though I think 2009 will be a great year. For me personally 2008 was easily the best year of my adult life and I think 2009 will be even better. I'm really lucky to have amazing family and friends in my life who are for the most part happy and healthy. In 2009 I don't want to take anything for granted and I want to treat those people close to me in the amazing way they deserve to be treated. I want to be supportive and full of wise advice. A friend of mine told me this week I was a good influence. Me! Out of all people! Definitely one of the better things I've ever heard and frankly five years ago I would have never believed it.
One of the things I've been learning lately, to follow this musings-on-life current, is how much power I have; more specifically how much control I have. I've let a lot of things happen to me and I watch a lot of people let things happen to them. And that ain't right. People need to make things happen and not let things happen. If you do things right and have pride then you should be in control. Don't do things half-assed and if you start something then FINISH it. You are the boss.
Of course there are rules and people that suck. But I've been trying to make my own rules lately, without breaking any of the big ones like murder or arson. In 2009 I've been sticking up for myself. Sometimes it has meant being a dick or butting heads with "superiors." But these "superiors" aren't actually superior to me, they're just in a different position. They're not better than me, and with all due respect, someday I'll be pissing all over their faces.
So that's it. It's called "I'm the man in 2009" and you all should be saying the same thing. Lets have some pride in this new year. If you fall down, get back up. If someone disses you, hunt them down and destroy their character. LETS GO 2009!
