LAS VEGAS. HOT DAMN!

Some of you may have mourned my absence last week in spite of knowing that Shirley and I had gone to the fleshpot known as Las Vegas.. You know their current come on: “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” Well, no more; I will bare all.

We have taken our annual trip there for about 8 years and always enjoyed ourselves. This time was not different though to thoroughly enjoy one must feel a bit of pain. After all, without contrast, how does one know how to rate the experience? For example, our flight from Denver left at 8:00 AM, necessitating arriving at the airport at 5:30AM to go though security. To accomplish that, we had to leave at 6:00 AM and I, somewhat sluggish in the morning had to awaken at 4:45 to have sufficient time to clean up, cram a few odds and ends into the suitcase and force feed myself. A slice of bread, a slice of ham and a bit of mayo all washed down with tomato juice sufficed. Coffee or tea take time, not time for that.

Happily, my darling daughter drove. Apart from her grumbling it was a very pleasant drive because I sat in the back where I could barely hear her. Poor Shirley sat up front and I suppose the two of them supported each others misery. Too bad.

At the airport we each paid $25 to have our bags transported along with us, an unpleasant shocker and later paid $16.57 for some coffee and some starchy stuff at one of those airport feederies. Getting through security was easy; old people no longer have to remove their shoes. That I don't get. Is it that we elderly sorts are too decent to blow up an airplane; is it that we old folks regardless of religion are most eager to hold on to life than the young; is it that even with an exploding shoe we are too creaky to bend over and set it off or it could be that the TSA is beginning the process of dropping the whole idea as ridiculous. Still, they required that I remove my handkerchief and run it through the X-ray machine. They must know something though perhaps only God knows what.

Leaving early meant arriving early. We arrived at our accommodation at about 10:00 AM but the room would not be available until 4:00 pm. The consequence of sleep deprivation is the intense desire to sleep and it occurred to me that doing so in the lobby would forever label us as alte, alte cockers. I pleaded with the desk clerk for an early room, perhaps begged is the right word, but failed. Shirley tried, Shirley who won the best sales person award 5 years in a row and the clerk “found” a room for us. We dashed up, unpacked and guess what? Hah, sleep! After a few hours we awakened, refreshed ourselves and dashed off to the nearest flesh pot, the Hotel Planet. Let me state here that I had brought along my trusty pedometer to have some measure of the physical expenditure of having fun in Vegas. Anyway, we arrived there a bit after noon, time for lunch. One of the most important thing we have learned in our travels to Vegas was never to order coffee or tea; the price ranges from $3.50 to $4.50 an amount that only the moderately wealthy or the improvident would consider.

Still, lunch, whatever it was was enjoyable. We watched the artificial rain storm, checked out some of the shops and went deeper into the bowels of the establishment. (Let me say here that in this hotel the shops ask reasonable prices for their goods. Places like Bilagio, Caesars Palace, etc.,have shops for the filthy rich and the sales staff, splendidly dressed stand around bored at the lack of custom.) We had a bit of pineapple gelato and found a magician. He required only $67 each for his show, we had second row orchestra seats and the last time I cheered so lustily was when it snowed and I could snuggle in bed.

After the show, we went to a Brazilian steak house. If you have not been, you might try such (we have at least one in Denver.) Servers stroll around with different kinds of meats on a skewer, lamb, two or three kinds of beef, ditto for chicken and ditto for sausage. Each presents himself and offers some of his cargo and it is easy to over-eat. There is a full-range salad bar, side dishes and veggies a\long with bread for the sensible eater.

We finally, weary beyond reasonableness, staggered back to the Polo Towers and fell once again into bed. I mean, how much fun is possible in one day?

If in Vegas you want lots of fun

You really have to keep on the run.

It helps if you're manic

But, there's no reason to panic

Just stay away from the sun.

petogynist

CONFESSIONS OF A PETOGYNIST

4-9-12

I'm not terribly fond of animals but sometimes I actually enjoy them. You remember that I spent my young manhood at the trotters, I have enjoyed zoos and watching You Tube antics of cats and dogs doing uncharacteristic things is always fun. Who wouldn't be thrilled by a house cat using the family toilet and then flushing? Hearing a dog saying “hello,” is a kick. A parrot reciting Shakespeare is always a grabber. So, I guess animals are OK … in their place. And, that place is not indoors, not at my home.

Many of you know that when events conspired to require my daughter to move in with me, she brought with her her cat, a big one yclept Tucker. Keep in mind that I had no experience with pets; both my mother and wife refused to consider having one and their wisdom prevailed. But, daughters will do as they choose, and having a cat at home was part of the deal.

The damned thing prowled around the house and deposited scents to stake out its territory. The stupid thing didn't realize it had no competition, I suppose genetics commanded it to do so. Even its replacement, a black, brown and gray animal called Bean acts the same way. They are all of a brotherhood.

Friend daughter had not a pet, but living on street level, she noticed an orange cat who moved from door to do begging food, drink and goodies. In the spirit of community solidarity, daughter also provided such victuals at the front door. This continued for a while until in the feeding process, the front door was inadvertently left open and the soon-to-be-named-Tucker sauntered in, thoroughly inspected the apartment and boldly announced, “This is my home.” Tucker was a squatter and the only way to reclaim the apartment was forcibly to eject him. Such assertive action was much too distasteful for my tenderhearted daughter (she is not made of the same stern stuff as me) so she took the only course left to her; she fell in love with the damned critter. Well, she had her own apartment, she could do what she damned well pleased.

When poor old Tucker became ill, good old dad paid the vet. Those of you with pet experience know that a sick household beast can beggar a family faster than a Republican budget. Finally, the too sick, suffering creature had to be put down. That's pet talk for killing it to keep it from a lingering, painful death.

Well, that episode in my life had ended but daughter languished. She missed her damned cat. That I did not had no significance, she needed a replacement though it took her a while before she could contemplate finding another of that beastly ilk. All would have remained in stasis when her hair dresser told her about an elderly woman who had a cat whom she could no longer care for. It was an opportunity of a life time and daughter, in a cat-like move, pounced. The woman gave copious instructions before she gave the to-be-named-Bean to daughter and for two months called randomly to find out how well Bean had survived the change. Daughter finally delicately hinted that such calls were a pain and they stopped.

What's my complaint? You mean aside from cat hair all over the place, peculiar smells, the yowling for food, its damned curiosity and climbing into bed with me? Hell, I can't even go to the bathroom without its trying to get in. Still the real problem is that the beast likes me. It finds my lap to be a delectable spot to settle down for a nice warm rest and if I stroke its body, even better. Does it ask permission? No. Does it provide a rational for its intrusive behavior? No. Without a hint, it dashes over and leaps regardless of my reading, or looking something up on the net or in the middle of a gripping TV drama … and I have sixteen pounds of cat on my lap. Damn!

But visiting Shirley provides a rest from such nonsense, does it not? Not at all. She has a dog, a frisky dog that zips around, barks and otherwise makes its obnoxious presence known. Understand that Shirley loves her beast, Max by name and might get rid of me because of my attitude about him so I am circumspect when he is around. And, the damned animal likes me, nay, he loves me. I cannot sit without him clamoring to climb upon me, to sprawl across my lap and demand a belly rub. He also plays fetch with one of his toys, an obnoxious, ropey thing that he is never without and on which he constantly chews. His saliva impregnates the damned thing and he expects me to toss it away so he can bring it back. He has discovered the pleasures of lying in bed rather than his kennel, so he makes up a threesome when I sleep over and he totally lacks any sensitivity, none at all to my need to sleep.

Alas, he has the brain of a demented two year old and I'm not too fond of kids.

I live in my house with a Bean

Toward whom I must never be mean

And Shirley has Max ugh

In my brain there are cracks ugh

Life's pleasure now rarely is seen.

LOVE YOUR ANXIETY? HUMBUG!

LOVE YOUR ANXIETY? HUMBUG!

On the way over, I began to plot out a piece about the Republican nomination process and how they tell us that all is well with them. Utter nonsense in light of the reality that women and Latinos are now overwhelmingly in favor of Obama. But on the radio, Sirota's show, he and a guest extolled the virtues of having anxiety. They babbled on about how that skunky feeling impels people to work hard, how it gave them a sense of who they are and how in our complicated society it makes sense to respond with anxiety . . . to all of which I respond: Horse Pucky. They did not, of course, mention heart problems, blood pressure, diabetes etc., accompanied by early death. And never mind how relationships are distorted; no none of that was part of their discussion. They started with how anti-anxiety medicines are ubiquitous and maybe that's a good thing! Yeah, and yeah, let's all have heart attacks and take digoxin for the rest of our lives.

They pontificate but haven't a clue about anxiety and its twin anger. You can't have both at the same time, either you're running like hell or fighting like hell.

But, whence all that? Clearly, without the twins, animal life could not survive. Some mammals specialize in one or the other, but both are part of our genetic inheritance. Of course! They are life saving responses to overwhelming danger. We had to run from animals (anxiety) who would eat us or fight them off (anger). That's what animals do; self protection is the law of survival. Surely, the capacity to run and/or to fight are vital to our lives . . . but, do you not notice that we no longer live in such dangerous environments. Well, yes, some do but even then, it is much better to figure out winning strategies and that's not likely with anxiety or anger present. When emotions go up, intelligence goes down.

So, what do you get anxious, or angry about? Are you faced with dismemberment or death, and do such experiences invoke the flight or fight response? Not likely. Think about any anxiety you might experience. I bet it had to do with the potential for loss. “It would be awful if . . .” is the usual formula even though the truth is that you could and did stand it. But, if you believe that formulation of course you have to get ready, ready to run, the anxiety component or ready to fight, the anger component. The survival formula is accompanied by “Oh God, what'll I do if that happens.” Well, that isn't planning, that's panic. Our cavemen forebears understood all this and figured out how to take down dangerous animals and food animals regardless of their size. I mean, they weren't dummies.

The truth is that most people have confused “I can't stand it,” with “I wouldn't like it,” treating the latter as if the former. There is a hell of a lot not to like; and I got myself started with thinking I might die with Romney as my president; and, I began to feel anxious until I caught myself and laughed at my idiocy. The survival mechanism is quite strong, but why should that be? Well, the unwary were eaten and if the survival mechanism were not strong we'd not be here. We are the children of those who ran or fought, it's no surprise that we respond like them.

Part of the problem is that we believe we should become anxious or angry in certain situations and believe there is something wrong with us if not. I was once accused of being manic because I did not panic along with my colleagues about some unpleasant possibility. Hell, we live in a world that extols such “virtues.” A fellow once boasted to Epictetus, a great Greek Stoic philosopher that he loved his daughter more than any man could possibly love his child. “How do you know?” says Epictetus. “When she becomes ill I become so distraught that I have to run out of the house,” responds the man. “And your wife?” Epictetus asks. The man responds, “She stays home and cares for the child.” Epictetus laughs. “It's a good thing she doesn't love the child as much as you, or who would help your daughter.”

When you're caught up in some sort of commotion

You'll experience some sort of emotion

If you want to remain sane

It's wise to maintain

Your survival isn't up for demotion.

LOVE YOUR ANXIETY? HUMBUG!

April 4, 2012

On the way over, I began to plot out a piece about the Republican nomination process and how they tell us that all is well with them. Utter nonsense in light of the reality that women and Latinos are now overwhelmingly in favor of Obama. But on the radio, Sirota's show, he and a guest extolled the virtues of having anxiety. They babbled on about how that skunky feeling impels people to work hard, how it gave them a sense of who they are and how in our complicated society it makes sense to respond with anxiety . . . to all of which I respond: Horse Pucky. They did not, of course, mention heart problems, blood pressure, diabetes etc., accompanied by early death. And never mind how relationships are distorted; no none of that was part of their discussion. They started with how anti-anxiety medicines are ubiquitous and maybe that's a good thing! Yeah, and yeah, let's all have heart attacks and take digoxin for the rest of our lives.

They pontificate but haven't a clue about anxiety and its twin anger. You can't have both at the same time, either you're running like hell or fighting like hell.

But, whence all that? Clearly, without the twins, animal life could not survive. Some mammals specialize in one or the other, but both are part of our genetic inheritance. Of course! They are life saving responses to overwhelming danger. We had to run from animals (anxiety) who would eat us or fight them off (anger). That's what animals do; self protection is the law of survival. Surely, the capacity to run and/or to fight are vital to our lives . . . but, do you not notice that we no longer live in such dangerous environments. Well, yes, some do but even then, it is much better to figure out winning strategies and that's not likely with anxiety or anger present. When emotions go up, intelligence goes down.

So, what do you get anxious, or angry about? Are you faced with dismemberment or death, and do such experiences invoke the flight or fight response? Not likely. Think about any anxiety you might experience. I bet it had to do with the potential for loss. “It would be awful if . . .” is the usual formula even though the truth is that you could and did stand it. But, if you believe that formulation of course you have to get ready, ready to run, the anxiety component or ready to fight, the anger component. The survival formula is accompanied by “Oh God, what'll I do if that happens.” Well, that isn't planning, that's panic. Our cavemen forebears understood all this and figured out how to take down dangerous animals and food animals regardless of their size. I mean, they weren't dummies.

The truth is that most people have confused “I can't stand it,” with “I wouldn't like it,” treating the latter as if the former. There is a hell of a lot not to like; and I got myself started with thinking I might die with Romney as my president; and, I began to feel anxious until I caught myself and laughed at my idiocy. The survival mechanism is quite strong, but why should that be? Well, the unwary were eaten and if the survival mechanism were not strong we'd not be here. We are the children of those who ran or fought, it's no surprise that we respond like them.

Part of the problem is that we believe we should become anxious or angry in certain situations and believe there is something wrong with us if not. I was once accused of being manic because I did not panic along with my colleagues about some unpleasant possibility. Hell, we live in a world that extols such “virtues.” A fellow once boasted to Epictetus, a great Greek Stoic philosopher that he loved his daughter more than any man could possibly love his child. “How do you know?” says Epictetus. “When she becomes ill I become so distraught that I have to run out of the house,” responds the man. “And your wife?” Epictetus asks. The man responds, “She stays home and cares for the child.” Epictetus laughs. “It's a good thing she doesn't love the child as much as you, or who would help your daughter.”

When you're caught up in some sort of commotion

You'll experience some sort of emotion

If you want to remain sane

It's wise to maintain

Your survival isn't up for demotion.

LOVE YOUR ANXIETY? HUMBUG!

April 4, 2012

On the way over, I began to plot out a piece about the Republican nomination process and how they tell us that all is well with them. Utter nonsense in light of the reality that women and Latinos are now overwhelmingly in favor of Obama. But on the radio, Sirota's show, he and a guest extolled the virtues of having anxiety. They babbled on about how that skunky feeling impels people to work hard, how it gave them a sense of who they are and how in our complicated society it makes sense to respond with anxiety . . . to all of which I respond: Horse Pucky. They did not, of course, mention heart problems, blood pressure, diabetes etc., accompanied by early death. And never mind how relationships are distorted; no none of that was part of their discussion. They started with how anti-anxiety medicines are ubiquitous and maybe that's a good thing! Yeah, and yeah, let's all have heart attacks and take digoxin for the rest of our lives.

They pontificate but haven't a clue about anxiety and its twin anger. You can't have both at the same time, either you're running like hell or fighting like hell.

But, whence all that? Clearly, without the twins, animal life could not survive. Some mammals specialize in one or the other, but both are part of our genetic inheritance. Of course! They are life saving responses to overwhelming danger. We had to run from animals (anxiety) who would eat us or fight them off (anger). That's what animals do; self protection is the law of survival. Surely, the capacity to run and/or to fight are vital to our lives . . . but, do you not notice that we no longer live in such dangerous environments. Well, yes, some do but even then, it is much better to figure out winning strategies and that's not likely with anxiety or anger present. When emotions go up, intelligence goes down.

So, what do you get anxious, or angry about? Are you faced with dismemberment or death, and do such experiences invoke the flight or fight response? Not likely. Think about any anxiety you might experience. I bet it had to do with the potential for loss. “It would be awful if . . .” is the usual formula even though the truth is that you could and did stand it. But, if you believe that formulation of course you have to get ready, ready to run, the anxiety component or ready to fight, the anger component. The survival formula is accompanied by “Oh God, what'll I do if that happens.” Well, that isn't planning, that's panic. Our cavemen forebears understood all this and figured out how to take down dangerous animals and food animals regardless of their size. I mean, they weren't dummies.

The truth is that most people have confused “I can't stand it,” with “I wouldn't like it,” treating the latter as if the former. There is a hell of a lot not to like; and I got myself started with thinking I might die with Romney as my president; and, I began to feel anxious until I caught myself and laughed at my idiocy. The survival mechanism is quite strong, but why should that be? Well, the unwary were eaten and if the survival mechanism were not strong we'd not be here. We are the children of those who ran or fought, it's no surprise that we respond like them.

Part of the problem is that we believe we should become anxious or angry in certain situations and believe there is something wrong with us if not. I was once accused of being manic because I did not panic along with my colleagues about some unpleasant possibility. Hell, we live in a world that extols such “virtues.” A fellow once boasted to Epictetus, a great Greek Stoic philosopher that he loved his daughter more than any man could possibly love his child. “How do you know?” says Epictetus. “When she becomes ill I become so distraught that I have to run out of the house,” responds the man. “And your wife?” Epictetus asks. The man responds, “She stays home and cares for the child.” Epictetus laughs. “It's a good thing she doesn't love the child as much as you, or who would help your daughter.”

When you're caught up in some sort of commotion

You'll experience some sort of emotion

If you want to remain sane

It's wise to maintain

Your survival isn't up for demotion.

LOVE YOUR ANXIETY? HUMBUG!

April 4, 2012

On the way over, I began to plot out a piece about the Republican nomination process and how they tell us that all is well with them. Utter nonsense in light of the reality that women and Latinos are now overwhelmingly in favor of Obama. But on the radio, Sirota's show, he and a guest extolled the virtues of having anxiety. They babbled on about how that skunky feeling impels people to work hard, how it gave them a sense of who they are and how in our complicated society it makes sense to respond with anxiety . . . to all of which I respond: Horse Pucky. They did not, of course, mention heart problems, blood pressure, diabetes etc., accompanied by early death. And never mind how relationships are distorted; no none of that was part of their discussion. They started with how anti-anxiety medicines are ubiquitous and maybe that's a good thing! Yeah, and yeah, let's all have heart attacks and take digoxin for the rest of our lives.

They pontificate but haven't a clue about anxiety and its twin anger. You can't have both at the same time, either you're running like hell or fighting like hell.

But, whence all that? Clearly, without the twins, animal life could not survive. Some mammals specialize in one or the other, but both are part of our genetic inheritance. Of course! They are life saving responses to overwhelming danger. We had to run from animals (anxiety) who would eat us or fight them off (anger). That's what animals do; self protection is the law of survival. Surely, the capacity to run and/or to fight are vital to our lives . . . but, do you not notice that we no longer live in such dangerous environments. Well, yes, some do but even then, it is much better to figure out winning strategies and that's not likely with anxiety or anger present. When emotions go up, intelligence goes down.

So, what do you get anxious, or angry about? Are you faced with dismemberment or death, and do such experiences invoke the flight or fight response? Not likely. Think about any anxiety you might experience. I bet it had to do with the potential for loss. “It would be awful if . . .” is the usual formula even though the truth is that you could and did stand it. But, if you believe that formulation of course you have to get ready, ready to run, the anxiety component or ready to fight, the anger component. The survival formula is accompanied by “Oh God, what'll I do if that happens.” Well, that isn't planning, that's panic. Our cavemen forebears understood all this and figured out how to take down dangerous animals and food animals regardless of their size. I mean, they weren't dummies.

The truth is that most people have confused “I can't stand it,” with “I wouldn't like it,” treating the latter as if the former. There is a hell of a lot not to like; and I got myself started with thinking I might die with Romney as my president; and, I began to feel anxious until I caught myself and laughed at my idiocy. The survival mechanism is quite strong, but why should that be? Well, the unwary were eaten and if the survival mechanism were not strong we'd not be here. We are the children of those who ran or fought, it's no surprise that we respond like them.

Part of the problem is that we believe we should become anxious or angry in certain situations and believe there is something wrong with us if not. I was once accused of being manic because I did not panic along with my colleagues about some unpleasant possibility. Hell, we live in a world that extols such “virtues.” A fellow once boasted to Epictetus, a great Greek Stoic philosopher that he loved his daughter more than any man could possibly love his child. “How do you know?” says Epictetus. “When she becomes ill I become so distraught that I have to run out of the house,” responds the man. “And your wife?” Epictetus asks. The man responds, “She stays home and cares for the child.” Epictetus laughs. “It's a good thing she doesn't love the child as much as you, or who would help your daughter.”

When you're caught up in some sort of commotion

You'll experience some sort of emotion

If you want to remain sane

It's wise to maintain

Your survival isn't up for demotion.

LOVE YOUR ANXIETY? HUMBUG!

April 4, 2012

On the way over, I began to plot out a piece about the Republican nomination process and how they tell us that all is well with them. Utter nonsense in light of the reality that women and Latinos are now overwhelmingly in favor of Obama. But on the radio, Sirota's show, he and a guest extolled the virtues of having anxiety. They babbled on about how that skunky feeling impels people to work hard, how it gave them a sense of who they are and how in our complicated society it makes sense to respond with anxiety . . . to all of which I respond: Horse Pucky. They did not, of course, mention heart problems, blood pressure, diabetes etc., accompanied by early death. And never mind how relationships are distorted; no none of that was part of their discussion. They started with how anti-anxiety medicines are ubiquitous and maybe that's a good thing! Yeah, and yeah, let's all have heart attacks and take digoxin for the rest of our lives.

They pontificate but haven't a clue about anxiety and its twin anger. You can't have both at the same time, either you're running like hell or fighting like hell.

But, whence all that? Clearly, without the twins, animal life could not survive. Some mammals specialize in one or the other, but both are part of our genetic inheritance. Of course! They are life saving responses to overwhelming danger. We had to run from animals (anxiety) who would eat us or fight them off (anger). That's what animals do; self protection is the law of survival. Surely, the capacity to run and/or to fight are vital to our lives . . . but, do you not notice that we no longer live in such dangerous environments. Well, yes, some do but even then, it is much better to figure out winning strategies and that's not likely with anxiety or anger present. When emotions go up, intelligence goes down.

So, what do you get anxious, or angry about? Are you faced with dismemberment or death, and do such experiences invoke the flight or fight response? Not likely. Think about any anxiety you might experience. I bet it had to do with the potential for loss. “It would be awful if . . .” is the usual formula even though the truth is that you could and did stand it. But, if you believe that formulation of course you have to get ready, ready to run, the anxiety component or ready to fight, the anger component. The survival formula is accompanied by “Oh God, what'll I do if that happens.” Well, that isn't planning, that's panic. Our cavemen forebears understood all this and figured out how to take down dangerous animals and food animals regardless of their size. I mean, they weren't dummies.

The truth is that most people have confused “I can't stand it,” with “I wouldn't like it,” treating the latter as if the former. There is a hell of a lot not to like; and I got myself started with thinking I might die with Romney as my president; and, I began to feel anxious until I caught myself and laughed at my idiocy. The survival mechanism is quite strong, but why should that be? Well, the unwary were eaten and if the survival mechanism were not strong we'd not be here. We are the children of those who ran or fought, it's no surprise that we respond like them.

Part of the problem is that we believe we should become anxious or angry in certain situations and believe there is something wrong with us if not. I was once accused of being manic because I did not panic along with my colleagues about some unpleasant possibility. Hell, we live in a world that extols such “virtues.” A fellow once boasted to Epictetus, a great Greek Stoic philosopher that he loved his daughter more than any man could possibly love his child. “How do you know?” says Epictetus. “When she becomes ill I become so distraught that I have to run out of the house,” responds the man. “And your wife?” Epictetus asks. The man responds, “She stays home and cares for the child.” Epictetus laughs. “It's a good thing she doesn't love the child as much as you, or who would help your daughter.”

When you're caught up in some sort of commotion

You'll experience some sort of emotion

If you want to remain sane

It's wise to maintain

Your survival isn't up for demotion.

LOVE YOUR ANXIETY? HUMBUG!

April 4, 2012

On the way over, I began to plot out a piece about the Republican nomination process and how they tell us that all is well with them. Utter nonsense in light of the reality that women and Latinos are now overwhelmingly in favor of Obama. But on the radio, Sirota's show, he and a guest extolled the virtues of having anxiety. They babbled on about how that skunky feeling impels people to work hard, how it gave them a sense of who they are and how in our complicated society it makes sense to respond with anxiety . . . to all of which I respond: Horse Pucky. They did not, of course, mention heart problems, blood pressure, diabetes etc., accompanied by early death. And never mind how relationships are distorted; no none of that was part of their discussion. They started with how anti-anxiety medicines are ubiquitous and maybe that's a good thing! Yeah, and yeah, let's all have heart attacks and take digoxin for the rest of our lives.

They pontificate but haven't a clue about anxiety and its twin anger. You can't have both at the same time, either you're running like hell or fighting like hell.

But, whence all that? Clearly, without the twins, animal life could not survive. Some mammals specialize in one or the other, but both are part of our genetic inheritance. Of course! They are life saving responses to overwhelming danger. We had to run from animals (anxiety) who would eat us or fight them off (anger). That's what animals do; self protection is the law of survival. Surely, the capacity to run and/or to fight are vital to our lives . . . but, do you not notice that we no longer live in such dangerous environments. Well, yes, some do but even then, it is much better to figure out winning strategies and that's not likely with anxiety or anger present. When emotions go up, intelligence goes down.

So, what do you get anxious, or angry about? Are you faced with dismemberment or death, and do such experiences invoke the flight or fight response? Not likely. Think about any anxiety you might experience. I bet it had to do with the potential for loss. “It would be awful if . . .” is the usual formula even though the truth is that you could and did stand it. But, if you believe that formulation of course you have to get ready, ready to run, the anxiety component or ready to fight, the anger component. The survival formula is accompanied by “Oh God, what'll I do if that happens.” Well, that isn't planning, that's panic. Our cavemen forebears understood all this and figured out how to take down dangerous animals and food animals regardless of their size. I mean, they weren't dummies.

The truth is that most people have confused “I can't stand it,” with “I wouldn't like it,” treating the latter as if the former. There is a hell of a lot not to like; and I got myself started with thinking I might die with Romney as my president; and, I began to feel anxious until I caught myself and laughed at my idiocy. The survival mechanism is quite strong, but why should that be? Well, the unwary were eaten and if the survival mechanism were not strong we'd not be here. We are the children of those who ran or fought, it's no surprise that we respond like them.

Part of the problem is that we believe we should become anxious or angry in certain situations and believe there is something wrong with us if not. I was once accused of being manic because I did not panic along with my colleagues about some unpleasant possibility. Hell, we live in a world that extols such “virtues.” A fellow once boasted to Epictetus, a great Greek Stoic philosopher that he loved his daughter more than any man could possibly love his child. “How do you know?” says Epictetus. “When she becomes ill I become so distraught that I have to run out of the house,” responds the man. “And your wife?” Epictetus asks. The man responds, “She stays home and cares for the child.” Epictetus laughs. “It's a good thing she doesn't love the child as much as you, or who would help your daughter.”

When you're caught up in some sort of commotion

You'll experience some sort of emotion

If you want to remain sane

It's wise to maintain

Your survival isn't up for demotion.

LOVE YOUR ANXIETY? HUMBUG!

April 4, 2012

On the way over, I began to plot out a piece about the Republican nomination process and how they tell us that all is well with them. Utter nonsense in light of the reality that women and Latinos are now overwhelmingly in favor of Obama. But on the radio, Sirota's show, he and a guest extolled the virtues of having anxiety. They babbled on about how that skunky feeling impels people to work hard, how it gave them a sense of who they are and how in our complicated society it makes sense to respond with anxiety . . . to all of which I respond: Horse Pucky. They did not, of course, mention heart problems, blood pressure, diabetes etc., accompanied by early death. And never mind how relationships are distorted; no none of that was part of their discussion. They started with how anti-anxiety medicines are ubiquitous and maybe that's a good thing! Yeah, and yeah, let's all have heart attacks and take digoxin for the rest of our lives.

They pontificate but haven't a clue about anxiety and its twin anger. You can't have both at the same time, either you're running like hell or fighting like hell.

But, whence all that? Clearly, without the twins, animal life could not survive. Some mammals specialize in one or the other, but both are part of our genetic inheritance. Of course! They are life saving responses to overwhelming danger. We had to run from animals (anxiety) who would eat us or fight them off (anger). That's what animals do; self protection is the law of survival. Surely, the capacity to run and/or to fight are vital to our lives . . . but, do you not notice that we no longer live in such dangerous environments. Well, yes, some do but even then, it is much better to figure out winning strategies and that's not likely with anxiety or anger present. When emotions go up, intelligence goes down.

So, what do you get anxious, or angry about? Are you faced with dismemberment or death, and do such experiences invoke the flight or fight response? Not likely. Think about any anxiety you might experience. I bet it had to do with the potential for loss. “It would be awful if . . .” is the usual formula even though the truth is that you could and did stand it. But, if you believe that formulation of course you have to get ready, ready to run, the anxiety component or ready to fight, the anger component. The survival formula is accompanied by “Oh God, what'll I do if that happens.” Well, that isn't planning, that's panic. Our cavemen forebears understood all this and figured out how to take down dangerous animals and food animals regardless of their size. I mean, they weren't dummies.

The truth is that most people have confused “I can't stand it,” with “I wouldn't like it,” treating the latter as if the former. There is a hell of a lot not to like; and I got myself started with thinking I might die with Romney as my president; and, I began to feel anxious until I caught myself and laughed at my idiocy. The survival mechanism is quite strong, but why should that be? Well, the unwary were eaten and if the survival mechanism were not strong we'd not be here. We are the children of those who ran or fought, it's no surprise that we respond like them.

Part of the problem is that we believe we should become anxious or angry in certain situations and believe there is something wrong with us if not. I was once accused of being manic because I did not panic along with my colleagues about some unpleasant possibility. Hell, we live in a world that extols such “virtues.” A fellow once boasted to Epictetus, a great Greek Stoic philosopher that he loved his daughter more than any man could possibly love his child. “How do you know?” says Epictetus. “When she becomes ill I become so distraught that I have to run out of the house,” responds the man. “And your wife?” Epictetus asks. The man responds, “She stays home and cares for the child.” Epictetus laughs. “It's a good thing she doesn't love the child as much as you, or who would help your daughter.”

When you're caught up in some sort of commotion

You'll experience some sort of emotion

If you want to remain sane

It's wise to maintain

Your survival isn't up for demotion.

LOVE YOUR ANXIETY? HUMBUG!

April 4, 2012

On the way over, I began to plot out a piece about the Republican nomination process and how they tell us that all is well with them. Utter nonsense in light of the reality that women and Latinos are now overwhelmingly in favor of Obama. But on the radio, Sirota's show, he and a guest extolled the virtues of having anxiety. They babbled on about how that skunky feeling impels people to work hard, how it gave them a sense of who they are and how in our complicated society it makes sense to respond with anxiety . . . to all of which I respond: Horse Pucky. They did not, of course, mention heart problems, blood pressure, diabetes etc., accompanied by early death. And never mind how relationships are distorted; no none of that was part of their discussion. They started with how anti-anxiety medicines are ubiquitous and maybe that's a good thing! Yeah, and yeah, let's all have heart attacks and take digoxin for the rest of our lives.

They pontificate but haven't a clue about anxiety and its twin anger. You can't have both at the same time, either you're running like hell or fighting like hell.

But, whence all that? Clearly, without the twins, animal life could not survive. Some mammals specialize in one or the other, but both are part of our genetic inheritance. Of course! They are life saving responses to overwhelming danger. We had to run from animals (anxiety) who would eat us or fight them off (anger). That's what animals do; self protection is the law of survival. Surely, the capacity to run and/or to fight are vital to our lives . . . but, do you not notice that we no longer live in such dangerous environments. Well, yes, some do but even then, it is much better to figure out winning strategies and that's not likely with anxiety or anger present. When emotions go up, intelligence goes down.

So, what do you get anxious, or angry about? Are you faced with dismemberment or death, and do such experiences invoke the flight or fight response? Not likely. Think about any anxiety you might experience. I bet it had to do with the potential for loss. “It would be awful if . . .” is the usual formula even though the truth is that you could and did stand it. But, if you believe that formulation of course you have to get ready, ready to run, the anxiety component or ready to fight, the anger component. The survival formula is accompanied by “Oh God, what'll I do if that happens.” Well, that isn't planning, that's panic. Our cavemen forebears understood all this and figured out how to take down dangerous animals and food animals regardless of their size. I mean, they weren't dummies.

The truth is that most people have confused “I can't stand it,” with “I wouldn't like it,” treating the latter as if the former. There is a hell of a lot not to like; and I got myself started with thinking I might die with Romney as my president; and, I began to feel anxious until I caught myself and laughed at my idiocy. The survival mechanism is quite strong, but why should that be? Well, the unwary were eaten and if the survival mechanism were not strong we'd not be here. We are the children of those who ran or fought, it's no surprise that we respond like them.

Part of the problem is that we believe we should become anxious or angry in certain situations and believe there is something wrong with us if not. I was once accused of being manic because I did not panic along with my colleagues about some unpleasant possibility. Hell, we live in a world that extols such “virtues.” A fellow once boasted to Epictetus, a great Greek Stoic philosopher that he loved his daughter more than any man could possibly love his child. “How do you know?” says Epictetus. “When she becomes ill I become so distraught that I have to run out of the house,” responds the man. “And your wife?” Epictetus asks. The man responds, “She stays home and cares for the child.” Epictetus laughs. “It's a good thing she doesn't love the child as much as you, or who would help your daughter.”

When you're caught up in some sort of commotion

You'll experience some sort of emotion

If you want to remain sane

It's wise to maintain

Your survival isn't up for demotion.

LOVE YOUR ANXIETY? HUMBUG!

April 4, 2012

On the way over, I began to plot out a piece about the Republican nomination process and how they tell us that all is well with them. Utter nonsense in light of the reality that women and Latinos are now overwhelmingly in favor of Obama. But on the radio, Sirota's show, he and a guest extolled the virtues of having anxiety. They babbled on about how that skunky feeling impels people to work hard, how it gave them a sense of who they are and how in our complicated society it makes sense to respond with anxiety . . . to all of which I respond: Horse Pucky. They did not, of course, mention heart problems, blood pressure, diabetes etc., accompanied by early death. And never mind how relationships are distorted; no none of that was part of their discussion. They started with how anti-anxiety medicines are ubiquitous and maybe that's a good thing! Yeah, and yeah, let's all have heart attacks and take digoxin for the rest of our lives.

They pontificate but haven't a clue about anxiety and its twin anger. You can't have both at the same time, either you're running like hell or fighting like hell.

But, whence all that? Clearly, without the twins, animal life could not survive. Some mammals specialize in one or the other, but both are part of our genetic inheritance. Of course! They are life saving responses to overwhelming danger. We had to run from animals (anxiety) who would eat us or fight them off (anger). That's what animals do; self protection is the law of survival. Surely, the capacity to run and/or to fight are vital to our lives . . . but, do you not notice that we no longer live in such dangerous environments. Well, yes, some do but even then, it is much better to figure out winning strategies and that's not likely with anxiety or anger present. When emotions go up, intelligence goes down.

So, what do you get anxious, or angry about? Are you faced with dismemberment or death, and do such experiences invoke the flight or fight response? Not likely. Think about any anxiety you might experience. I bet it had to do with the potential for loss. “It would be awful if . . .” is the usual formula even though the truth is that you could and did stand it. But, if you believe that formulation of course you have to get ready, ready to run, the anxiety component or ready to fight, the anger component. The survival formula is accompanied by “Oh God, what'll I do if that happens.” Well, that isn't planning, that's panic. Our cavemen forebears understood all this and figured out how to take down dangerous animals and food animals regardless of their size. I mean, they weren't dummies.

The truth is that most people have confused “I can't stand it,” with “I wouldn't like it,” treating the latter as if the former. There is a hell of a lot not to like; and I got myself started with thinking I might die with Romney as my president; and, I began to feel anxious until I caught myself and laughed at my idiocy. The survival mechanism is quite strong, but why should that be? Well, the unwary were eaten and if the survival mechanism were not strong we'd not be here. We are the children of those who ran or fought, it's no surprise that we respond like them.

Part of the problem is that we believe we should become anxious or angry in certain situations and believe there is something wrong with us if not. I was once accused of being manic because I did not panic along with my colleagues about some unpleasant possibility. Hell, we live in a world that extols such “virtues.” A fellow once boasted to Epictetus, a great Greek Stoic philosopher that he loved his daughter more than any man could possibly love his child. “How do you know?” says Epictetus. “When she becomes ill I become so distraught that I have to run out of the house,” responds the man. “And your wife?” Epictetus asks. The man responds, “She stays home and cares for the child.” Epictetus laughs. “It's a good thing she doesn't love the child as much as you, or who would help your daughter.”

When you're caught up in some sort of commotion

You'll experience some sort of emotion

If you want to remain sane

It's wise to maintain

Your survival isn't up for demotion.

LOVE YOUR ANXIETY? HUMBUG!

April 4, 2012

On the way over, I began to plot out a piece about the Republican nomination process and how they tell us that all is well with them. Utter nonsense in light of the reality that women and Latinos are now overwhelmingly in favor of Obama. But on the radio, Sirota's show, he and a guest extolled the virtues of having anxiety. They babbled on about how that skunky feeling impels people to work hard, how it gave them a sense of who they are and how in our complicated society it makes sense to respond with anxiety . . . to all of which I respond: Horse Pucky. They did not, of course, mention heart problems, blood pressure, diabetes etc., accompanied by early death. And never mind how relationships are distorted; no none of that was part of their discussion. They started with how anti-anxiety medicines are ubiquitous and maybe that's a good thing! Yeah, and yeah, let's all have heart attacks and take digoxin for the rest of our lives.

They pontificate but haven't a clue about anxiety and its twin anger. You can't have both at the same time, either you're running like hell or fighting like hell.

But, whence all that? Clearly, without the twins, animal life could not survive. Some mammals specialize in one or the other, but both are part of our genetic inheritance. Of course! They are life saving responses to overwhelming danger. We had to run from animals (anxiety) who would eat us or fight them off (anger). That's what animals do; self protection is the law of survival. Surely, the capacity to run and/or to fight are vital to our lives . . . but, do you not notice that we no longer live in such dangerous environments. Well, yes, some do but even then, it is much better to figure out winning strategies and that's not likely with anxiety or anger present. When emotions go up, intelligence goes down.

So, what do you get anxious, or angry about? Are you faced with dismemberment or death, and do such experiences invoke the flight or fight response? Not likely. Think about any anxiety you might experience. I bet it had to do with the potential for loss. “It would be awful if . . .” is the usual formula even though the truth is that you could and did stand it. But, if you believe that formulation of course you have to get ready, ready to run, the anxiety component or ready to fight, the anger component. The survival formula is accompanied by “Oh God, what'll I do if that happens.” Well, that isn't planning, that's panic. Our cavemen forebears understood all this and figured out how to take down dangerous animals and food animals regardless of their size. I mean, they weren't dummies.

The truth is that most people have confused “I can't stand it,” with “I wouldn't like it,” treating the latter as if the former. There is a hell of a lot not to like; and I got myself started with thinking I might die with Romney as my president; and, I began to feel anxious until I caught myself and laughed at my idiocy. The survival mechanism is quite strong, but why should that be? Well, the unwary were eaten and if the survival mechanism were not strong we'd not be here. We are the children of those who ran or fought, it's no surprise that we respond like them.

Part of the problem is that we believe we should become anxious or angry in certain situations and believe there is something wrong with us if not. I was once accused of being manic because I did not panic along with my colleagues about some unpleasant possibility. Hell, we live in a world that extols such “virtues.” A fellow once boasted to Epictetus, a great Greek Stoic philosopher that he loved his daughter more than any man could possibly love his child. “How do you know?” says Epictetus. “When she becomes ill I become so distraught that I have to run out of the house,” responds the man. “And your wife?” Epictetus asks. The man responds, “She stays home and cares for the child.” Epictetus laughs. “It's a good thing she doesn't love the child as much as you, or who would help your daughter.”

When you're caught up in some sort of commotion

You'll experience some sort of emotion

If you want to remain sane

It's wise to maintain

Your survival isn't up for demotion.

LOVE YOUR ANXIETY? HUMBUG!

April 4, 2012

On the way over, I began to plot out a piece about the Republican nomination process and how they tell us that all is well with them. Utter nonsense in light of the reality that women and Latinos are now overwhelmingly in favor of Obama. But on the radio, Sirota's show, he and a guest extolled the virtues of having anxiety. They babbled on about how that skunky feeling impels people to work hard, how it gave them a sense of who they are and how in our complicated society it makes sense to respond with anxiety . . . to all of which I respond: Horse Pucky. They did not, of course, mention heart problems, blood pressure, diabetes etc., accompanied by early death. And never mind how relationships are distorted; no none of that was part of their discussion. They started with how anti-anxiety medicines are ubiquitous and maybe that's a good thing! Yeah, and yeah, let's all have heart attacks and take digoxin for the rest of our lives.

They pontificate but haven't a clue about anxiety and its twin anger. You can't have both at the same time, either you're running like hell or fighting like hell.

But, whence all that? Clearly, without the twins, animal life could not survive. Some mammals specialize in one or the other, but both are part of our genetic inheritance. Of course! They are life saving responses to overwhelming danger. We had to run from animals (anxiety) who would eat us or fight them off (anger). That's what animals do; self protection is the law of survival. Surely, the capacity to run and/or to fight are vital to our lives . . . but, do you not notice that we no longer live in such dangerous environments. Well, yes, some do but even then, it is much better to figure out winning strategies and that's not likely with anxiety or anger present. When emotions go up, intelligence goes down.

So, what do you get anxious, or angry about? Are you faced with dismemberment or death, and do such experiences invoke the flight or fight response? Not likely. Think about any anxiety you might experience. I bet it had to do with the potential for loss. “It would be awful if . . .” is the usual formula even though the truth is that you could and did stand it. But, if you believe that formulation of course you have to get ready, ready to run, the anxiety component or ready to fight, the anger component. The survival formula is accompanied by “Oh God, what'll I do if that happens.” Well, that isn't planning, that's panic. Our cavemen forebears understood all this and figured out how to take down dangerous animals and food animals regardless of their size. I mean, they weren't dummies.

The truth is that most people have confused “I can't stand it,” with “I wouldn't like it,” treating the latter as if the former. There is a hell of a lot not to like; and I got myself started with thinking I might die with Romney as my president; and, I began to feel anxious until I caught myself and laughed at my idiocy. The survival mechanism is quite strong, but why should that be? Well, the unwary were eaten and if the survival mechanism were not strong we'd not be here. We are the children of those who ran or fought, it's no surprise that we respond like them.

Part of the problem is that we believe we should become anxious or angry in certain situations and believe there is something wrong with us if not. I was once accused of being manic because I did not panic along with my colleagues about some unpleasant possibility. Hell, we live in a world that extols such “virtues.” A fellow once boasted to Epictetus, a great Greek Stoic philosopher that he loved his daughter more than any man could possibly love his child. “How do you know?” says Epictetus. “When she becomes ill I become so distraught that I have to run out of the house,” responds the man. “And your wife?” Epictetus asks. The man responds, “She stays home and cares for the child.” Epictetus laughs. “It's a good thing she doesn't love the child as much as you, or who would help your daughter.”

When you're caught up in some sort of commotion

You'll experience some sort of emotion

If you want to remain sane

It's wise to maintain

Your survival isn't up for demotion.

LOVE YOUR ANXIETY? HUMBUG!

April 4, 2012

On the way over, I began to plot out a piece about the Republican nomination process and how they tell us that all is well with them. Utter nonsense in light of the reality that women and Latinos are now overwhelmingly in favor of Obama. But on the radio, Sirota's show, he and a guest extolled the virtues of having anxiety. They babbled on about how that skunky feeling impels people to work hard, how it gave them a sense of who they are and how in our complicated society it makes sense to respond with anxiety . . . to all of which I respond: Horse Pucky. They did not, of course, mention heart problems, blood pressure, diabetes etc., accompanied by early death. And never mind how relationships are distorted; no none of that was part of their discussion. They started with how anti-anxiety medicines are ubiquitous and maybe that's a good thing! Yeah, and yeah, let's all have heart attacks and take digoxin for the rest of our lives.

They pontificate but haven't a clue about anxiety and its twin anger. You can't have both at the same time, either you're running like hell or fighting like hell.

But, whence all that? Clearly, without the twins, animal life could not survive. Some mammals specialize in one or the other, but both are part of our genetic inheritance. Of course! They are life saving responses to overwhelming danger. We had to run from animals (anxiety) who would eat us or fight them off (anger). That's what animals do; self protection is the law of survival. Surely, the capacity to run and/or to fight are vital to our lives . . . but, do you not notice that we no longer live in such dangerous environments. Well, yes, some do but even then, it is much better to figure out winning strategies and that's not likely with anxiety or anger present. When emotions go up, intelligence goes down.

So, what do you get anxious, or angry about? Are you faced with dismemberment or death, and do such experiences invoke the flight or fight response? Not likely. Think about any anxiety you might experience. I bet it had to do with the potential for loss. “It would be awful if . . .” is the usual formula even though the truth is that you could and did stand it. But, if you believe that formulation of course you have to get ready, ready to run, the anxiety component or ready to fight, the anger component. The survival formula is accompanied by “Oh God, what'll I do if that happens.” Well, that isn't planning, that's panic. Our cavemen forebears understood all this and figured out how to take down dangerous animals and food animals regardless of their size. I mean, they weren't dummies.

The truth is that most people have confused “I can't stand it,” with “I wouldn't like it,” treating the latter as if the former. There is a hell of a lot not to like; and I got myself started with thinking I might die with Romney as my president; and, I began to feel anxious until I caught myself and laughed at my idiocy. The survival mechanism is quite strong, but why should that be? Well, the unwary were eaten and if the survival mechanism were not strong we'd not be here. We are the children of those who ran or fought, it's no surprise that we respond like them.

Part of the problem is that we believe we should become anxious or angry in certain situations and believe there is something wrong with us if not. I was once accused of being manic because I did not panic along with my colleagues about some unpleasant possibility. Hell, we live in a world that extols such “virtues.” A fellow once boasted to Epictetus, a great Greek Stoic philosopher that he loved his daughter more than any man could possibly love his child. “How do you know?” says Epictetus. “When she becomes ill I become so distraught that I have to run out of the house,” responds the man. “And your wife?” Epictetus asks. The man responds, “She stays home and cares for the child.” Epictetus laughs. “It's a good thing she doesn't love the child as much as you, or who would help your daughter.”

When you're caught up in some sort of commotion

You'll experience some sort of emotion

If you want to remain sane

It's wise to maintain

Your survival isn't up for demotion.

LOVE YOUR ANXIETY? HUMBUG!

April 4, 2012

On the way over, I began to plot out a piece about the Republican nomination process and how they tell us that all is well with them. Utter nonsense in light of the reality that women and Latinos are now overwhelmingly in favor of Obama. But on the radio, Sirota's show, he and a guest extolled the virtues of having anxiety. They babbled on about how that skunky feeling impels people to work hard, how it gave them a sense of who they are and how in our complicated society it makes sense to respond with anxiety . . . to all of which I respond: Horse Pucky. They did not, of course, mention heart problems, blood pressure, diabetes etc., accompanied by early death. And never mind how relationships are distorted; no none of that was part of their discussion. They started with how anti-anxiety medicines are ubiquitous and maybe that's a good thing! Yeah, and yeah, let's all have heart attacks and take digoxin for the rest of our lives.

They pontificate but haven't a clue about anxiety and its twin anger. You can't have both at the same time, either you're running like hell or fighting like hell.

But, whence all that? Clearly, without the twins, animal life could not survive. Some mammals specialize in one or the other, but both are part of our genetic inheritance. Of course! They are life saving responses to overwhelming danger. We had to run from animals (anxiety) who would eat us or fight them off (anger). That's what animals do; self protection is the law of survival. Surely, the capacity to run and/or to fight are vital to our lives . . . but, do you not notice that we no longer live in such dangerous environments. Well, yes, some do but even then, it is much better to figure out winning strategies and that's not likely with anxiety or anger present. When emotions go up, intelligence goes down.

So, what do you get anxious, or angry about? Are you faced with dismemberment or death, and do such experiences invoke the flight or fight response? Not likely. Think about any anxiety you might experience. I bet it had to do with the potential for loss. “It would be awful if . . .” is the usual formula even though the truth is that you could and did stand it. But, if you believe that formulation of course you have to get ready, ready to run, the anxiety component or ready to fight, the anger component. The survival formula is accompanied by “Oh God, what'll I do if that happens.” Well, that isn't planning, that's panic. Our cavemen forebears understood all this and figured out how to take down dangerous animals and food animals regardless of their size. I mean, they weren't dummies.

The truth is that most people have confused “I can't stand it,” with “I wouldn't like it,” treating the latter as if the former. There is a hell of a lot not to like; and I got myself started with thinking I might die with Romney as my president; and, I began to feel anxious until I caught myself and laughed at my idiocy. The survival mechanism is quite strong, but why should that be? Well, the unwary were eaten and if the survival mechanism were not strong we'd not be here. We are the children of those who ran or fought, it's no surprise that we respond like them.

Part of the problem is that we believe we should become anxious or angry in certain situations and believe there is something wrong with us if not. I was once accused of being manic because I did not panic along with my colleagues about some unpleasant possibility. Hell, we live in a world that extols such “virtues.” A fellow once boasted to Epictetus, a great Greek Stoic philosopher that he loved his daughter more than any man could possibly love his child. “How do you know?” says Epictetus. “When she becomes ill I become so distraught that I have to run out of the house,” responds the man. “And your wife?” Epictetus asks. The man responds, “She stays home and cares for the child.” Epictetus laughs. “It's a good thing she doesn't love the child as much as you, or who would help your daughter.”

When you're caught up in some sort of commotion

You'll experience some sort of emotion

If you want to remain sane

It's wise to maintain

Your survival isn't up for demotion.

LOVE YOUR ANXIETY? HUMBUG!

April 4, 2012

On the way over, I began to plot out a piece about the Republican nomination process and how they tell us that all is well with them. Utter nonsense in light of the reality that women and Latinos are now overwhelmingly in favor of Obama. But on the radio, Sirota's show, he and a guest extolled the virtues of having anxiety. They babbled on about how that skunky feeling impels people to work hard, how it gave them a sense of who they are and how in our complicated society it makes sense to respond with anxiety . . . to all of which I respond: Horse Pucky. They did not, of course, mention heart problems, blood pressure, diabetes etc., accompanied by early death. And never mind how relationships are distorted; no none of that was part of their discussion. They started with how anti-anxiety medicines are ubiquitous and maybe that's a good thing! Yeah, and yeah, let's all have heart attacks and take digoxin for the rest of our lives.

They pontificate but haven't a clue about anxiety and its twin anger. You can't have both at the same time, either you're running like hell or fighting like hell.

But, whence all that? Clearly, without the twins, animal life could not survive. Some mammals specialize in one or the other, but both are part of our genetic inheritance. Of course! They are life saving responses to overwhelming danger. We had to run from animals (anxiety) who would eat us or fight them off (anger). That's what animals do; self protection is the law of survival. Surely, the capacity to run and/or to fight are vital to our lives . . . but, do you not notice that we no longer live in such dangerous environments. Well, yes, some do but even then, it is much better to figure out winning strategies and that's not likely with anxiety or anger present. When emotions go up, intelligence goes down.

So, what do you get anxious, or angry about? Are you faced with dismemberment or death, and do such experiences invoke the flight or fight response? Not likely. Think about any anxiety you might experience. I bet it had to do with the potential for loss. “It would be awful if . . .” is the usual formula even though the truth is that you could and did stand it. But, if you believe that formulation of course you have to get ready, ready to run, the anxiety component or ready to fight, the anger component. The survival formula is accompanied by “Oh God, what'll I do if that happens.” Well, that isn't planning, that's panic. Our cavemen forebears understood all this and figured out how to take down dangerous animals and food animals regardless of their size. I mean, they weren't dummies.

The truth is that most people have confused “I can't stand it,” with “I wouldn't like it,” treating the latter as if the former. There is a hell of a lot not to like; and I got myself started with thinking I might die with Romney as my president; and, I began to feel anxious until I caught myself and laughed at my idiocy. The survival mechanism is quite strong, but why should that be? Well, the unwary were eaten and if the survival mechanism were not strong we'd not be here. We are the children of those who ran or fought, it's no surprise that we respond like them.

Part of the problem is that we believe we should become anxious or angry in certain situations and believe there is something wrong with us if not. I was once accused of being manic because I did not panic along with my colleagues about some unpleasant possibility. Hell, we live in a world that extols such “virtues.” A fellow once boasted to Epictetus, a great Greek Stoic philosopher that he loved his daughter more than any man could possibly love his child. “How do you know?” says Epictetus. “When she becomes ill I become so distraught that I have to run out of the house,” responds the man. “And your wife?” Epictetus asks. The man responds, “She stays home and cares for the child.” Epictetus laughs. “It's a good thing she doesn't love the child as much as you, or who would help your daughter.”

When you're caught up in some sort of commotion

You'll experience some sort of emotion

If you want to remain sane

It's wise to maintain

Your survival isn't up for demotion.

LOVE YOUR ANXIETY? HUMBUG!

April 4, 2012

On the way over, I began to plot out a piece about the Republican nomination process and how they tell us that all is well with them. Utter nonsense in light of the reality that women and Latinos are now overwhelmingly in favor of Obama. But on the radio, Sirota's show, he and a guest extolled the virtues of having anxiety. They babbled on about how that skunky feeling impels people to work hard, how it gave them a sense of who they are and how in our complicated society it makes sense to respond with anxiety . . . to all of which I respond: Horse Pucky. They did not, of course, mention heart problems, blood pressure, diabetes etc., accompanied by early death. And never mind how relationships are distorted; no none of that was part of their discussion. They started with how anti-anxiety medicines are ubiquitous and maybe that's a good thing! Yeah, and yeah, let's all have heart attacks and take digoxin for the rest of our lives.

They pontificate but haven't a clue about anxiety and its twin anger. You can't have both at the same time, either you're running like hell or fighting like hell.

But, whence all that? Clearly, without the twins, animal life could not survive. Some mammals specialize in one or the other, but both are part of our genetic inheritance. Of course! They are life saving responses to overwhelming danger. We had to run from animals (anxiety) who would eat us or fight them off (anger). That's what animals do; self protection is the law of survival. Surely, the capacity to run and/or to fight are vital to our lives . . . but, do you not notice that we no longer live in such dangerous environments. Well, yes, some do but even then, it is much better to figure out winning strategies and that's not likely with anxiety or anger present. When emotions go up, intelligence goes down.

So, what do you get anxious, or angry about? Are you faced with dismemberment or death, and do such experiences invoke the flight or fight response? Not likely. Think about any anxiety you might experience. I bet it had to do with the potential for loss. “It would be awful if . . .” is the usual formula even though the truth is that you could and did stand it. But, if you believe that formulation of course you have to get ready, ready to run, the anxiety component or ready to fight, the anger component. The survival formula is accompanied by “Oh God, what'll I do if that happens.” Well, that isn't planning, that's panic. Our cavemen forebears understood all this and figured out how to take down dangerous animals and food animals regardless of their size. I mean, they weren't dummies.

The truth is that most people have confused “I can't stand it,” with “I wouldn't like it,” treating the latter as if the former. There is a hell of a lot not to like; and I got myself started with thinking I might die with Romney as my president; and, I began to feel anxious until I caught myself and laughed at my idiocy. The survival mechanism is quite strong, but why should that be? Well, the unwary were eaten and if the survival mechanism were not strong we'd not be here. We are the children of those who ran or fought, it's no surprise that we respond like them.

Part of the problem is that we believe we should become anxious or angry in certain situations and believe there is something wrong with us if not. I was once accused of being manic because I did not panic along with my colleagues about some unpleasant possibility. Hell, we live in a world that extols such “virtues.” A fellow once boasted to Epictetus, a great Greek Stoic philosopher that he loved his daughter more than any man could possibly love his child. “How do you know?” says Epictetus. “When she becomes ill I become so distraught that I have to run out of the house,” responds the man. “And your wife?” Epictetus asks. The man responds, “She stays home and cares for the child.” Epictetus laughs. “It's a good thing she doesn't love the child as much as you, or who would help your daughter.”

When you're caught up in some sort of commotion

You'll experience some sort of emotion

If you want to remain sane

It's wise to maintain

Your survival isn't up for demotion.