Fringeville #169: Fixing Stuff

...winter is coming...

We get hopelessly lost in the politics of blame.

A young lady, crazy enough to work for me and one of the smartest people I will ever know, wasn’t much on blame. Her attitude was: “I don’t care whose fault it is, let’s just fix it.”

And she did. Every time.

Regarding the latest terror attack in New York City, I boil things down to the simplest element: If Sayfullo Saipov wasn’t in America eight people would still be alive.

I don’t care whose fault it is. Just fix this.

* * *

I have no fear of immigration. None, zip zero. I believe the long-term success of America is tied to the success of those who emigrate here. We build a young, competitive workforce through responsible and intelligent immigration.

The answer is not xenophobia.

Just fix this.

* * *

For reasons I won’t delve into, I feel like a giant, gaping hole has been torn into my heart. This needs to be fixed, and I can’t fix it.

* * *

I want to write fiction right now. The only decent things I have written were done when I was struggling with some demon or another. I’m afraid to start writing, because if I do I may never stop and I don’t know what will flow from my brain to the page. It may be easier to remain a coward.

* * *

Part of me really just wants to get in a rental car and go north alone for the weekend. South would work, too. Perhaps stick my toes in the Chesapeake. Neither will happen, but truth be told I’d rather be in New England.

Until last week, I managed the full run-up to my imminent 60^th birthday without any personal angst. I have made up for it in the past week. Again, something is broken that I can’t fix.

Fix it is the theme today, in case that somehow got by you.

* * *

It is dark when I wake; it is dark when I get home. I cannot overstate how much I hate living in darkness. On its heels comes winter, just a smidge over the horizon.

Unlike past journeys into Pennsylvania’s grayworld, this one is harder. My legs don’t work the way they used to. My balance in the dark is way off, and if I’m outdoors after sunset I find the footing is treacherous and navigation difficult. It’s a little better indoors, but when my balance is off at least I can see where a friendly wall or piece of furniture is.

At some point this winter, I’m hitting the ground. My advice in advance to the orthopedist: “Just fix this.”

C’mon, you had to see that coming.

* * *

I saw the PA at my doctor’s office. She is a remarkable, compassionate young woman. It was a routine visit just to check and see if my blood pressure medication is doing its job. (It is.)

At some point in our conversation, I shared with her that I’ve come to realize I am perhaps one of the last generalists. It would have been more accurate to precede that with the words “self-taught.”

I’ve managed to become competent in a wide variety of roles. I am expert in none; I can’t stress that enough. But I know a lot about an awful lot, learned most of it myself, and managed to make my living at it. Someday I’ll jot down all the things I’ve done. The list will probably be incomplete.

At some point I’ll have to fix it.

* * *

Tuesday’s Election will be the first one in many, many years where I haven’t been working a poll and caught up in “Election Fever.” (I don’t count the Primary Election in 2014 where I was knocked out of action involuntarily by surgery, a failed attempt to murder my prostate cancer.)

I plan to under-vote heavily on Tuesday. I will leave vast, gaping holes on my ballot.

I will share the Plains candidates I plan to vote for:

Lynn Evans, Tax Collector. She is, quite simply, awesome and perfect for the office.

Barry Kresge, Commissioner: I’ve watched Barry grow over the last several Elections as a candidate. He deserves a shot.

Peter Biscontini, Commissioner. I’ve found him to be remarkably well-suited for the role. I wish him success.

I am also encouraging my friends in the Pittston Area School District to vote for John Lombardo, a young man going places who will do all the right things on the way.

I am also casting my vote for my great friend Harry Haas for County Council. I haven’t decided who else will get my vote, but there will be others.

In Lackawanna County, I hope Charles Kokinda wins his race for Recorder of Deeds. Another excellent young person going places and doing it the right way.

That’s it for politics, in a great many ways.

***

Yes, I rambled. I can’t fix that. Nor would I want to.

Be good to each other.

* * *