Trying to stay sane

[Cyrano]

We humans have to tune out every once in a while to try to preserve our sanity.

Everything that is currently happening, (the waters of the gulf, the sands of Iraq, the rubble of Afghanistan, crazy people running around demanding their “country back,” the sewer that is Washington D.C.), are all warnings that it’s time to find a sane, quiet refuge.

My car radio is tuned to an all music station. My TV only displays DVDs from NetFlix. My recent DU posts have dealt with dumb trivia. And I’ve done everything possible to ignore the realities of planet Earth.

Unfortunately, it hasn’t worked. Current events have a way of slipping through the cracks. A neighbor mentions some four-star general with a big mouth. An old man in line at the supermarket has far too much cat food in his cart. The waiting room in my dentist’s office is tuned to FOX “News” which could turn me into a homicidal maniac. My uncle calls to tell me that congress is planning to end his Social Security and Medicare. Each monthly bill is higher than the last, even though I buy/use less and less.

I can feel my mind going. Escape is impossible. Hope is futile. Acceptance brings tranquility. We have always been at war with East Asia. I love Big Brother.

[griffi94]

1. you can't just give up

get drunk first, and then give up.

[dgibby]

2. Gardening, genealogy, my fur babies:

The only things worth getting up for some days.

[asdjrocky]

3. Pot helps.

Lots of pot.

[Cyrano]

5. Florida's pot laws are draconian

Not to mention that the munchies and the giggles are constantly lurking.

[Warpy]

4. Mental health breaks from reality are essential

which is another reason the drug war has failed so miserably.

The problem, as you discovered, is in trying to live on vacation. It doesn't work that way. Reality intrudes, boredom forces us to find something to do with idleness.

While it was restful being without computer and TV for a few days last week after my power blew up (long story), I was glad when both returned. Idleness is fun only when it's infrequent and voluntary.

[Cyrano]

6. I wasn't really trying to live on vacation, Warpy.

I was just trying a short term escape and it's depressing to find out that even that is too much to hope for.

I've become far too cynical to believe that things are going to get better anytime soon. Perhaps, some future generation will label our times as "The Second Dark Ages." And perhaps it's true.