Legislative Powers

Hm.  So not very long ago we had King George I.  I harumphed and grumbled loudly at his and his branch's power grabs and interesting view on executive authority under the Constitution.  I make no bones about that, nor do I pretend to be someone else or someone who generally believes that the power dispersion is set that way for a reason: checks and balances.  Duh, I know, but moving on.  

So here we are today with all manners of hubbub (bub) about the extensions of rights the Treasury is trying to make to encompass not only strictly banks but also other manners of financial institutions within their purvey.  I believe strongly that they have a right to do so, even if the laws set forth in regards to this in the 30's/40's did not necessarily allow them these privileges.  Perhaps it is that I believe the whole banking/financial system has so fundamentally changed over the last 80 years that I believe that now these companies (AIG of course being the specific top name, but there are many many) really should be liable to similar structuring as banks themselves and these companies have so comprehensively taken over our lives in many ways that we are all affected by them.  Of course evidenced by the current economies.  

Again, more thoughts than anything.  I hate to be hypocritical and allow some to be expansionist while others I deny, but in this case I see less abuse potential than the denial of basic human rights or the insidious secretive snaking into peoples' lives.  So too, I see this as a necessary step in the evolution of our financial institutions.  They have changed drastically in this immediately post-industrial world and our regulatory systems don't seem to have kept up.

I'd be interested to hear from any of you economic minds out there or just thoughts.  As usual, most of you respond to me privately since you are all private people, but I still want to know.  

Coordinating -or- On Herding Adult Cats

The majority of my professional time these days is spent chasing my tail.  I'm actually not complaining, I guess I should say that I am pretty sure I've always been chasing my tail, it's just more obvious these days.  Coordinating people and projects is a passion, and I recognize that it isn't one everyone shares.  It's herding adult cats who have no interest in what you offer and are fairly busy with their own interests besides.  

This makes me happy.  Indulge me for a moment.  I like doing things that not everyone else likes to do, it's a strange sense of accomplishment.  I am not saying that I seek the things that are unpopular and specifically do those, it just feels like I always end up in the position of enjoying something that others do not.  Take for instance this whole schtick I've happily fallen into: the vast majority of my time is spent on the phone and emailing following up on things, searching for things, etc.  Then the occassional creative work to keep me happy and we're off again.  Very strange.

Nothing too earth-shattering today, just ponderings.

So the line is, "Every form of refuge has it's price," (courtesy of The Eagles) and I can't help but wonder if that's one of those unfortunately too true statements. Actually, before I begin analyzing this, perhaps I should explain for my dear readers who are unfamiliar with my concept.

Statements which are too true are those which are too true are those which are made and although possibly made as a jest, or made as a statement of fact, reverberate more deeply into our little souls than the speaker intended. Instances of these in my own life include pretty much everything I've said that causes too much pondering after the fact and you lot have noticed my chagrin. For instance, the other day I was talking with someone about Orion and said something to the effect of that it's because of him I saw this last year through. Then I turned around and thought about it again and again and again afterwards and hugged my little bear with all my might once I got to him. It's those statements which one makes off-the-cuff often that turn into fodder for extended thought. Clear as mud?

Now, back to the point. I'm not going to lie, I've run away from things in my life. I also think everyone has but my fight or flight pretty much always means flight. There is one pivotal situation where I fought and fought well past the point I ought to have, but infinitely more often than that I flee. I get bored, I get anxious, I get wanderlust...all these things. At this point I've tried very hard to analyze my motivations before I do something and make sure I understand the why of it, but that doesn't mean sometimes I don't want to run away. I also pretty much think that's a natural thinking person's reponse so it doesn't trouble me in and of itself. What does though, is the possibility of fleeing to a refuge that turns into a cage.

To some extent, I think we all run to what we think is safe. We all construct air castles in our heads and then try to effect them in our lives. Again, not a problem. But you have to know the cost of the castle you are building and the effect it'll have on your own life. I guess this is what I think about a lot when I analyze a situation I want to put myself into: will moving/loving/puppy/new client/whatever make me pay a price for it that is more dear than I can pay? Is the cost of being without it more than I can bear too?

(if you made it this far, Ian and Juliuli, this is what the tattoo question was about and no I won't)

Here's to looking for your refuge, and hoping it isn't costly.

Puppies, fairytales and things.

I am a firm believer that people need a focus. Now, for most of us that is our family, our jobs, our dreams, whatever. But I do believe everyone has a central theme in their life and sort of fall into a couple categories. Bear with me as I explain these, and then you hopefully will see why I think it's important to understand these motivations of self. Quite probable that we are all some of each, just in different proportions, but you'll understand my drift.

People-centric. These are the lovers. They might be introverts or extroverts, (polite cough inserted here) but either way they live to love. People might be their family or friends that they make their family, but it gives them a great deal of happiness and satisfaction just to give affection. It makes them feel accepted and like their life has some importance if there are people for them to love. In the absence of people to love, they tend to become withdrawn and unmotivated. These people are me.

Goal-centric. These people have things to do. They very directly have things they must get done in this life and nothing will stand in their way. I thought I was one of these people for a long time, much to my detriment. This still comprises a good deal of my functionality, but it is not who my soul is or how I keep going day in and out.

Thing-centric. Okay okay, so most of you probably read that and think I am being mean and going to deride this, but that's not the case. This discussion is not about people of mean spirit, (note: I mean that in the sense of having a spirit that is less than on its way to enlightenment, a spirit that is not on the path to understanding itself, one that is basal, not mean in the sense of the evil or malevolent overtone) but just about different sets of people as self-actualized as can be. Back to the point. These are people for whom the acquisition and investigation of things can be its own end. I understand this the least but I've seen some people capable of deriving pure pleasure out of things: understanding their mechanics or enjoying their benefits or enjoying the possibilities they offer...etc. These are not inherent things of the items themselves but rather can act as catalysts for these individual, tools, if you will.

Now, I can't say that I do or ever will understand EVERYTHING about anyone, including myself. However, understanding these basic motivations is a very useful tool in helping you to understand how you can best snuggle someone you care about.

Case in point: I only just over the weekend watched someone I care very deeply about find her focus again. I don't mean she had lost it, but hadn't obviously had it in her life for some time. She got a puppy and I watched all of her loving personality bubble up to the surface and just cascade out of her. For reasons we all have from time to time, she had been holding back her love (and she's one of the first sort) looking for a repository, and KABAM! here it was. In the form of a small cuddly baby pup. Puppy for the win.

I think this is actually what fairytales are all about. We have things we are seeking in this life, and when we find them it's almost like the stars align and Prince Charming is Sean Connery and we are all happy. It's finding whatever your proverbial pot of gold is, and then making sure to keep it as long as you are able. For me, his name is Orion. He'll let me give him all the love I have to give and not complain. Mainly because he can't speak and has no thumbs to run away, but hey, let's not split hairs. Some day I'll have more, I know that. But for now, this is enough, it's enough. (for full understanding of the last statement, see 'Love Actually')