Oh, Crap. Politics.

Politics.

I wrote several hundred words on this subject yesterday and today.

While I was pondering what I had written, I glanced up at the opening sentences. Here they are:

"I know what you're thinking. STFU! I've had enough."

I pondered while reading this. What the hell am I thinking blethering on about all this. I nailed it right there at the top. So while you were to be treated to yet another boring analysis about why our political parties should commit suicide and other angry rants, Surprise! I ain't a-gonna do it.

I was driving up to Vallecito Lake to get my hair cut, because that's where I go to do that. About half way up a mountain lion ran across the road. Now all you city folk will think, "Oh, cool," in a very lukewarm fashion. But you see this is quite amazing.

 Mountain lions, or if you prefer, cougars, pumas, catamounts or big-ass kitties that eat you, are very solitary creatures. They each have a range they patrol of up to 500 square miles. They meet with the opposite sex once a year for the purpose of procreation. Mama cougar raises her kits all alone. Pa cougar sneaks around his 500 miles eating mostly deer. They don't like people, traffic, roads, or being messed with. They do swim, though I don't know if for pleasure. I'm pretty sure they like sushi. Anyway, most cougars live far from people as they can get.
So, seeing one run across the road is big deal.

Some people are like that. They don't like to hang around people and while they might get along with folks ok, they prefer solitude. I've a friend like that. When he goes camping he finds a spot as far away from other people as possible. He doesn't like sushi though. I don't understand it. I mean sushi is really good. Personally I really like to be around people, some have said this is because I'm a clown and clowns require audiences. Probably true. Sometimes I like to be alone but by and large I'd rather be around people.

My friend though. He'll do anything for you, even if he doesn't really like you not only in a general sense but personally. Yeah, he'll bitch about it after but I think there's still some little bit of satisfaction in being a good guy under all the layers of crust. He doesn't think he's a cougar. He thinks he's a wolf. I'm pretty sure he's right but he's not your average wolf. He's the West's mythological lone wolf. Solitary in spite of his kind being devoted to the pack. He's a good man.

Ok. I told you I wasn't a-gonna do it, but I can't help myself.

I hope with all of the power of that thing in humans that creates hope that the people we've elected are similar to my friend. Similar inasmuch as underneath the crust, they are good guys. If they are then there is hope for me. Me and my friend, the cougar, the wolf pack, the country and the world.

You see, I'm a romantic. I think that even though there are a lot of really bad endings in a long story, the final ending will be a good one.

Oh, and if you're ever in Durango, Rice Monkeys on Main Ave. has good sushi.

I tried to find a pic of a cougar running across the road.
I didn't 'cause they don't like roads and traffic. 

He was haulin' ass by the way.