The Unknowable Future

The title this early evening from Master Nasser Al S. a few nights back.  "Last night I went to Whiskey's in Dartmouth and ended up having a threesome in the North End - you cannot know the future!!"  Said in his inimitable accent, of course.  Hope he fares well over Ramadan, and can we convince him to join for a Nashville Saturday night?  Doubtful, but - as his apt saying goes - who knows?

So it has been with MJC, and the abrupt Friday afternoon email signaling his move away from frustration, into (perhaps) further frustration with ye olde and continued enemy.  Freeing up some work opportunities within the group here, we can hope, although again the idea of drafting such applications and the like no longer holds the type of appeal it did in the younger days... Also, it must be said, how nice it is to contemplate the magnitude of expenses that do not show up within your income statement, and allow for the consideration of broader ventures, the freedom of escape, and chance to chart a new course.

I suffer so much amidst the collection of papers gathering upon the desk, the unwillingness to organize, the failure to grow up - to "take ownership", as Mmc would say and as I have been urged to do.  That call is one that makes me realize this path, long-term, is not well suited.  How funny that over two bottles of wine in Calgary, the brother-in-law would bring up musings from the drive to Heritage Park, and be perceptive of the possibilities that lay behind those spoken words.

Gartner saw it once upon a time.  Cara.  The love for words, and for stories, the creation of experiences, and the power in reminiscing on them.  Over and over and over again.  Out in the world.  The stories in poker hands and football matches and dive bars and elections.  Songs you can't rewind.

The pattern holds and, despite one resignation, the desire remains and should not be shaken.  Still some time out until next year under the current plan, and even an opening to plant the seed of the inevitable in the right places.  Today was the day of the Antarctica disclosure to the co-instructor, remember?  How oh how I hope you make/made that trip.