This mid-term political campaign has left me feeling depleted, bludgeoned, and unhappy. The deluge of e-mail solicitations, the mud slinging, and the growing influence of outside ‘dark’ money on elections, depressed me.
The US Supreme Courts decision to eliminate dollar limits and disclosure requirements has made getting elected in this country, an auction to the highest silent bidder. There was a time when my outrage was translated into action, and I believed we could create systemic change; now I’m not sure anymore, and it leaves me feeling demoralized.
When I get this way, I adhere to my mother’s advice, when you despair, feel helpless or hopeless; find something to celebrate and laugh about (my survivor Mother knew something about adversity). I’m a believer in this principle.
Three days before the election, the Arizona Ballet was performing Swan Lake at Symphony Hall, it was Halloween and if you wore a costume you were eligible for special seating and prizes. I don’t need much provocation to dress up and clown. My wife was fully into it and came as an elegant butterfly winged ballerina, and I went as my clown character, a giant flamingo ballerina in pink tights and tutu. As many times as I have seen this ballet (my absolute favorite), this was the first time I ever went as a clown.
We valet parked across the street and strolled arm in arm into the most elegant venue in the city, accompanied by enthusiastic hoots and hollers from street performers and Pedi-cab drivers. The Box Office found us great seats and we entered the lobby to be greeted by titters, outright hysteria, and wide mouthed disbelief.
I love getting into this persona; it gets me out of my headspace, and into my spontaneous, intuitive heart space. I tune into my uninhibited, unconscious mind, and see the familiar landscape from a new perspective. This place always lightens me up, and affects those around me.
The ballet was great, and the scene hilarious, and I won first prize. In the midst of despair find something to celebrate, lighten up, laugh more…it really is the best medicine.
That’s wonderful! It’s great you have a ready costume to reach for, too!
I, like you are dismayed at how elections are won (bought) by big money donors of both parties. But, I appreciate your efforts to maintain your sanity with a little levity. Well done!
Carl, you were always funny, even without a costume. With the one you clown with you are hilarious.
Russ
Carl
That sentence about the elections being
“won” by the highest bidder in a silent auction is the
very best “sound bite” ever to describe just how the
Supreme Court decision has severely damaged this country’s
democratic process.
And your “view from another perspective” is so very right on…
with your clown flamingo outfit and your wife’s ballerina butterfly interpretation… find a reason to smile. And I sure did.
Thanks so very much for your schlagbytes. I look forward to more.
Stay well
Tom Evans
Well, Carl, I’ll refrain from saying that too many politicians are clowns, dressed up like corporate citizens.
I’ve had the same responses and reactions when I’ve been in costume. My wife and I won first place at an art center blog; I was dressed up as the Jolly Green Giant of Psychiatry and she as Little Red Riding Hood of Song and Dance. May the Butterfly Effect of your wife flapping her butterfly wings make our political climate better. And, you. Just stay as beautiful as you are, in or out of costume.
What did you win, besides the smiles and laughter?
Steve
Carl,
Thank you for the much-appreciated laughs! I was so depressed b the results of the purchased election that I have retreated to Utah to camp at 40 degrees…your tale of dressing up for the symphony has cheered me immensely.
Kristin
Thanks to you all my friends and relatives (some of almost 50 years). The prize, unbeknownst to us, was $500 and 4 tickets to the Nutcracker next week. It came as such a delightful surprise to be so rewarded for an opportunity to be my ordinary clown self. :O)