We’ve got the Global COVID Pandemic, over 7,000 wild fires in the Western US so far, and sequester life and distance learning and so much wrapped up in between.
A weird year filled with uncertainty and many unsettling things.
Here in the San Francisco Bay Area where fires are burning on three sides it seems, the sky was gray, then later dark orange-red.
The kids were saying it was something like a movie maybe, living on Mars.
SURREAL.
Looking out into the strange orange hue, I can’t help but think, “Carry On.” “Keep going. Do what you can. Stay connected. Don’t give up.”
Even as there is fire in the sky waiting to rain down, PERSEVERE.
Do what you have to do to adjust and protect yourself and your people. And don’t let up. PERSEVERE.
Through the pandemic and challenges at work and home, enduring fire from the sky, the orange red time of many unknowns, PERSEVERE.
Quite a risque song, if you find the translation. Or better yet, check out the Youtube video at the end, with the English translation embedded. Listen and enjoy the song, the beat, the performance, the play.
Ay candela, candela Candela, me quemo aé Ay candela, candela Candela, me quemo aé
Puso un baile un jutía para una gran diversión De timbalero un ratón que alegraba el campo un día Un gato también venía elegante y placentero “Buenas noches, compañero,” siempre dijo así el timbal
“Para alguien aquí poder tocar para descansar un poco Salió el ratón medio loco también voy a descansar” Y el gato en su buen bailar, bailaba un danzón liviano El ratón se subió al guano y dice bien placentero “Y ahora si quieren bailar, búsquense otro timbalero”
Ay candela, candela Candela, me quemó aé Ay candela, candela Candela, me quemó aé
Ay candela, candela Candela, me quemó aé Oye, Faustino Orama’ y sus compañeros Necesito que me apaguen el fuego
Ay candela, candela Candela, me quemó aé Margarita llama pronto a los bomberos Para que vengan a apagar el fuego
Ay candela, candela Candela, me quemó aé Oye, si estás perdida llama a los siete ceros Y así vendrán más pronto los bomberos
Ay candela, candela Candela, me quemó aé Ay candela, candela Candela, me quemo aé, mamá
Margarita que me quemo, yo quiero seguir gozando La candela me está llevando, me gusta seguir guarachando Esta tarde venimo’ acabando, como quiera venimo’ tocando La mujer cuando se agacha, se le abre el entendimiento
La mujer cuando se agacha, se le abre el entendimiento Y el hombre cuando la mira, se le para el pensamiento De ti me gusta una cosa sin que me cueste trabajo De ti me gusta una cosa sin que me cueste trabajo
De la barriga pa’ arriba, de la cintura pa’ abajo Mira se quema, se quema, mamá, mira se quema, se quema, oye Mira mamá que me quema, mira llama pronto a los bomberos Para que vengan a apagar el fuego, mira que el fuego me está quemando
Y yo quiero seguir guarachando, mira se quema Báyamo Mira que Songo está que arde, mira se quema La Maya Mira ese pito que suena, Malaguën está que corta mamá Santiago de Cuba está que te mete en llamas se quema, se quema, se quema, oye
Mira me quemo, me quemo, mira que me quemo, oye, yo quiero seguir guarachando Mira mamá que yo vengo quemando, Faustino Orama’ tú está acabando Mira se quema, se quema pero mira mi mami se quema, oye se quema, se quema
Youtube, Buena Vista Social Club, Live in Amsterdam:
There are so many ways, so many takes, but in the end just one purpose, I think: EQUALITY.
After 400 years a society, and almost 250 years a country, let it be so: that all people are equal and should be treated as such.
These names come to mind: Tommie Smith, John Carlos, Harry Edwards, Bill Walsh, Al Davis, Phil Woolpert, Horace Stoneham, Colin Kaepernick, Steve Kerr, Kyle Shanahan, Gabe Kapler, Evander Kane,…and…
George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Atatiana Jefferson, Aura Rosser, Stephon Clark, Botham Jean, Philando Castille, Alton Sterling, Michelle Cusseaux, Freddie Gray, Janisha Fonville, Eric Garner, Akai Gurley, Gabriella Nevarez, Tamir Rice, Michael Brown, Tanisha Anderson, to name a few. These names? Those names of African-Americans who have been killed by police officers.
Some of these words on the backs of some NBA players’ jerseys as their teams compete in the playoffs.
“Say Their Names.”
“Love Us.”
Elevate the Voices That Need To Be Heard.
Brown Lives Matter.
“Enough.”
“Stand Up.”
“Black Lives Matter.”
“BLACK LIVES MATTER.”
Let your elected officials know what you. Let them know they are accountable for making society worse for all people.
A little longer stretch, a little gentler start as we kick back into the “new normal” after the three-day weekend capped by the Labor Day holiday. The kids back to distance learning. The adults back to work-from-home. Easy does it.
I think about the riders in the Tour de France, entering their second week of the three-week race. They’re racing a 170 km on Tuesday. Their already in one of the biggest, longest, most grueling races in the world. A Grinder, to be sure. Add COVID protocols, all the more challenging. It’s been a tough race so far, with plenty of crashes, and some riders already crashing out.
So when I think about heading back to work, to the daily grind here at home…well, while it’s all relative, I, we’ve got it pretty good. Help ourselves start the day with the right attitude. Help the kids do the same. Stay hydrated. Stay invigorated.
Now, if these fires in the area would subside, and the heat-wave would break…then I might call it…wait for it…it’s really no surprise…GOOD.
The late 19th Century saw the labor movement gain ground. As the turn of the century approached the movement spurred popular support to such degree that national, and international holidays were established to recognize and celebrate workers around the world.
During this same time more reasonable norms were established for number of working hours, and improvement of working conditions in some parts of the world as well.
This work for fair pay, safe conditions, and reasonable parameters otherwise is not complete. The movement must continue, and spread further now to more of the developing world where populations of workers still do not have basic rights and safe and reasonable conditions.
In the United States we celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday in September. In many other parts of the world they celebrate May 1 as Labor Day. Whichever the day, the cause is the same.
More than a century later, let us still Honor Labor. Not only that, let us demand safety, equity, and respect for workers everywhere.
I don’t mean to bug you, but I do mean to elevate the voices that need to be heard.
These simple words from Francis seem to sum things up pretty well, to me.
During these especially crazy times with so many variables in play, I find myself drawn to these simple ideas: interconnectedness, solidarity, mutual support and empathy, compromise for the common good.
Pandemic, social unrest, political turmoil, economic uncertainty…one by one we’ll handle what comes our way.
Friday night, front end of the three-day holiday weekend.
Everybody ready for bed by eight in the evening, relaxing, screens fired up, and kids winding down.
Room lighting just so, a fan blowing gently behind me, easy breeze, hum, glow from the screen on the wall delivering food network fun, light, soft-brain goodness. What’s on? “Diners, Drive-In’s, and Dives.”
That’s about it.
Brain slowing, blood pressure easing up, sleep soon on the way. And up ahead? Well, nothing but home time and family time for the weekend.
Simple. GOOD.
Thanks, Guy.
Guy F., (Right), “Diners, Drive-In’s, & Dives.” Food Network
We can find inspiration everywhere, really. Some people, like me, find power and energy in reminders, lists of things that specify what we think, strive for, believe.
One list.
The list above? Not even sure where I found it. Nonetheless, it’s a good collection of things to strive for; these things, well-practiced, might just make life a little better.
Then there’s “Desiderata”. It was in my house growing up. I recall this wood plaque on the wall in my parents’ house. I looked at that thing for years thinking it was too lofty for me. As the decades have gone by the words ring more and more true.
Then of course there are our to-do lists. On notepads or post-it’s or digital of any variety, lists help keep us focused, on-track.
Whatever the type, whether lofty or mundane, allow the list to speak, to inspire you. Sometimes it will be that very list that gets you through the hour, the day, inspired.
You might be thinking, “RUSH must be this guy’s pandemic band…” not so.
In fact, this band has buoyed me for the better part of my life. Here’s another great lyric from a more recent tune by these guys, so true, seeking every day glory.
