Whine & Cheese

It's been far too easy to complain as of late. The state of the whole physical world seems to have turned upside down. Financial panic, our country in two wars, instability in the workplace, a seemingly never-ending monotony of bad news in the paper, online, on the radio, on television, etc. And so there's been stress. It shows in my face in the worry about company politics. It shows in the formation of gray hairs. I feel it in my very guts.

But then as quickly as it comes (weeks in the making), it fades just as fast. Just 24 hours ago I was on the verge of going stir crazy. I'd looked to all my hobbies to alleviate the frustration but as soon as I finished one task the moment of calm would usher in an unforeseen neuro-overload.

Cut to last night. Halloween 2008 at my neighbor's house. A time to be someone else. "Hello," the man formerly known as me said, "I'm Caesar Salad." The smiles came freely and the social conversation was finally something other than stocks and bonds and bears, oh my. And just like that (with the help of some sangria and a few tequila shots) the world melted away for a time. I awoke refreshed this morning, if not a bit hung-over. I felt like a weight had been lifted. We shopped for groceries, prepared a menu for the week, cooked a delicious dinner, went for a lovely walk and watched a film from Netflix. What's not to like?

And so another week begins. It's so critical to be able to take a step back (or out) from what we perceive to be reality and look at what is truly (physically, spiritually, philosophically?) essential. I see an absolutely beautiful life. So tonight I toast to just that. To having wine with my cheese, instead of whine with my cheese.