The Big Apple

Proxy War

In the absence of the Cold War, world players still need to stand tall. The military posturing of both Russia and the United States is two bullies on either side of a playground squaring off, neither having the audacity to take that direct step towards the other. It’s a chess match using only pons, because moving a bishop or knight is geopolitically embarrassing. Russia invades Georgia. United States condemns. Poland signs missile defense agreement with United States. Russia condemns. Ukraine says it will repeal lease of port space for Russia navy in Sevastopol. Russia ignores.

In the end, governments can condemn, but it’s clear that the United States has lost any post-Cold War influence that it had on Russian diplomacy. Just as China announced its coming of age party with the Olympic opening ceremonies, Russia has also demanded world attention, albeit in a different capacity. Instead of parading athletes and peaceful pageantry, it has paraded tanks...uninvited, across Georgian sovereignty. Since Georgia is not NATO, the automatic military support from allies is not there and America has its hands tied, not only diplomatically, but also militarily.

With so much men and material invested in Afghanistan and Iraq to the southeast, the United States is in no position, literally, to contend with Russia’s exploitation even if we did in principle intend to assist in defending Georgia. However, logistics are not the cause of our handcuffed predicament in our macho posturing match with Russia. Moreover, even though our economy is suffering at the moment, it is also not a reasonable excuse either. Go so far as to spew nationalist mantra and it hits us back smack in our face. With troops spread over the globe, it would take a fool to criticize another world player for solidifying its borders. We can criticize and condemn Russia’s actions, but in that light, how does our invasion of Iraq, a country thousands of miles away from us, contrast?

Simple Pleasures

Whether it's the prickly sensation of emerging hair-stubble or the wind through your hair driving with the windows down on the highway, life abounds with the simplest diversions that make us feel alive. There are so many, I hardly can pick one to start with. But here I try:

A sobering shower to assuage the brain-freeze of a morning hangover

Strumming my 1.5 inch, one-hair boy-beard in middle school (until it was unceremoniously yanked from my chin and left me like Samson)

Speed, in all forms

The endless possibility of maps…where you’ve been and where you plan to go

Frozen lemon peels in a cup of Dell’s

Bodysurfing waves at the beach

Kinetics of human motion: athletics, in all forms

Food and sex, let’s be honest, two of the greatest pleasures known

A starched shirt, a sharp collar and a crisp tuck

The second drink of a night (when your taste receptors start their enjoyment)

A first kiss

Sitting atop the river bank in the cool shade on a hot day watching debris on the water float by on its way

The ear-splitting metal creaking of the Green Line T as each train rounds the bend in and out of Scollay Square station.

Home-grown vegetables

Accomplishment, in all forms

Helping someone else enjoy life i.e. putting smiles on faces

Fathers and sons at the ballpark

Communicating with others in a language different than your native tongue

Crossdressing…just kidding

Exploring tidal pools like a kid again

Arranging bills in the wallet

Stacking neat piles of receipts (don’t ask)

The slight ache of sore muscles

Slowing down to take that deep, paused breath

A walk in the woods

A gentle breeze

Friday afternoons

Considering the everyday plight of the mushroom

And those who know me well, knew I would not hesitate to add watching a gorgeous sunset fall from the sky