When Friends Let Friends Listen to Joni

My best friend in the world is going through a tough time right now. She hasn’t really discussed it with me, which I know from years of experience means one thing: she’s ready to crack.

This girl is the savior who turned me on to Joni Mitchell 12 years ago, after we debated which was a better lay for James Taylor–Carly Simon or Joni Mitchell. At the time I vehemently argued that Carly was, until L. made me a Joni mix tape. A few rounds of Blue, Court and Spark, and For The Roses convinced me that not only was Joni likely a better lay, but also a better musician and songwriter. From that point on I was indebted to L.

Unfortunately, we still live miles and miles away from each other, so offering company, a bottle of Cabernet and/or excessive amounts of Belgian beer and cranking Joni (which usually turns into a classic rock trivia game involving Joni, Zeppelin, The Who, The Beatles, etc.) is a little out of the question. Normally I would have picked up the phone, but this time I opted for the most reliable source known: Joni. I emailed an mp3 of Lesson in Survival, a song that I always think of when things overall suck:

Lesson in Survival
Spinning out on turns
That gets you tough

There are times when I really feel like my friends are far better to me than I am to them; that I don’t do enough to show gratitude for their ears and hearts. I forget birthdays and anniversaries. I usually never have enough money to buy their kids the gifts I’d like to. Anything involving a greeting card takes me two weeks to send, by which time, the life event has passed. My internal debate/excuse is, “Well, I BOUGHT the card a month before the event. I just didn’t know what to write without sounding saccharine or fake for four weeks.” This excuse flies in my own brain, but doesn’t go over so well with friends who know that I have a degree in English and write for a hobby. My rebuttal is usually pretty simple: it’s HARD writing for or to people you care about!

And then there are other times and other friends who get it; who know how much I do care. This one got it and sent me the best email I’ve received in ages, “…how do you always know what’s going on in my head?”

Politics: Obama, Lieberman, Cindy McCain, American Pie, and Joni Mitchell

Hmmph. It seems that it’s been a while since I directly wrote about politics.

Obama
I bought Obama’s The Audacity of Hope a few weeks back. While I will admit Barack is a decent writer, I found it, overall, pretty boring. If you’re into policy, congressional history, mixed in with a little autobiography, you’ll like it. Otherwise, skip it or read the excerpts on the net.

I left the book thinking, despite his grandiose ideals (that I just happen to share), he’s not such a great husband or father. He’s got that only child, my-job-is-so-important-that-it-compromises-my-family-life vibe going. Then again, these are likely GOOD qualities for a leader of the “most powerful” country in the free world. Like any great writer, artist, or leader, I guess something has to give. In this case, we get an inspiring leader, while his kids and wife get a part-time father and husband.

I’m not buying 100% into his rhetoric, yet can’t help but appreciate the words and ways of thinking. Sadly, I kind of feel like he already sold out. The title of this book was inspired by a 1990 sermon from Jermiah Wright (a piece written in reflection of George Frederic Watts painting, “Hope”), the man he dropped like a hot potato following the now infamous Wright sermons on AIDS, 9/11, and White America.

The audacity of hope.

That was the best of the American Spirit, I thought–having the audacity to believe despite all the evidence to the contrary that we could restore a sense of community to a nation torn by conflict; the gall to believe that despite personal setbacks, the loss of a job or an illness in the family or a childhood mired in poverty, we had some control—and therefore responsibility–over our own fate.

It was this audacity, I thought, that joined us as one people. It was that pervasive spirit of hope that tied my own family’s story to the larger American story.

Lieberman
What’s the deal with his choice to speak at the Republican National Convention? Is he really this desperate for attention or is he merely “socking it to” the Dems for screwing his previous election? Either way, I tend to believe that his presence doesn’t make him look like some rebel, but more like an A-hole.

Cindy McCain
I never liked this woman. There. I said it. After this was covered on NPR the other day, I found yet another reason to strongly dislike her. Now, I know First Ladies aren’t exactly running for president, but the person you chose as your running mate in life certainly has a reflection on YOU. I never inherently hated McCain, but his wife, on the other hand, is quite a piece of work.

Just Me
I really hope the next 4 years will bring better times than the last 8. Not that I blame GW or 9/11 for all of my life’s tribulations, but this certainly hasn’t been a great time to come into adulthood.

I randomly heard “American Pie” on the radio the other night. The last time I heard that tune was the night GW was elected for the second time. I remember being on the 290 in my beat up mercury tracer station wagon and gulping back tears at the irony of the timing. I know I’ll never again be that wide-eyed 23 year old, coming to a new town with high hopes and aspirations. It’d be nice to come in from the cold.

We really thought we had a purpose
We were so anxious to achieve
We had hope
The world held promise
For a slave to liberty
Freely I slaved away for something better
And I was bought and sold
And all I ever wanted
Was to come in from the cold