Escaping from the Jargon and the Cant

The precision of words. 

Jargon as words and expressions used by a particular profession or group that are difficult for others to understand.  Cant as hypocritical and sanctimonious talk, typically of a moral, religious, or political nature.  It takes a particular ability to talk confidentally in paragraphs about and around certain issues, yet say nothing substantive.  For the focus to be so strongly on the appearance of such things, the unobjectionable intention rather than the underlying issues.  To not see the absurdities, and ignore the obvious dissembling.

Looking at BO on this break, as he shuffles through documents, preparing for yet another cross-examination.  It occurs that maybe he just likes it, the way you like traveling.  The way you like sorting itineraries.  The way you like turning up in a new city, and slowly putting images to maps.  The way you like stories - random and imagined and unrewindable. 

Thinking back to the partners' meeting, and the comments from Darren as to why we come to work - bluntly, because we need the money.  While true, it is only part of the equation for many.  There is a social conditioning that promotes it.  The 9 to 5 day, the 5 of 7 week.  The working in order to spend, in order to keep up, to have and enjoy nice things.  The working to alleviate boredom, to occupy one's time, to take up a part and remain in society.  But also the working for stimulation, for an affirmation of purpose.

"Do you have any doubts, or do you?"  Heh.  I love the tradition of the board "huddle".

Time and space.  It has been awhile since Trafalgar, but always the earliest and most vivid memories of London are under that column, staring down Whitehall.  The sensation of returning, infrequently but regularly, to the same spot, at different moments across the years.  Like this room.  The flags and the Queen are still there.  So, to, the (faded) recollections.

Part of why that matters, why it relates to the thoughts of work/career - it is a reminder of both constancy and change.  You sit here and reflect on how specialized and focused our daily jobs can get, in all their individual roles, how each function serves the whole, how people choose to spend their lives.  It is a reminder of how, in recent years, you have been more successful in gaming the system than progressing through it.  Participating as an onlooker, passive rather than active, to the point where it is now hard to conceive of a path upward, in the usual or expected trajectory.  The very idea of that is laughable, and beckons an escape.  All the more confirmation of the Ahab plan.  Oh how I hope it is an option come May.  Surely. 

71 Nights to go - 10 in Moncton.  4 in New Orleans.  5 in New England.  The remaining 52 at home.  Such little time.  In a weird bit of symmetry, just about the number of days that you will be gone.  So let it not seem to close.