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Down The Middle - March 19, 2004 - Printable Version
- With a Little Help From my Friends
by Down The Middle
Well, here it is...the first anniversary issue of the Faulking Truth, and I'm so excited, I even shaved extra close, just in case they want me for the centerfold. It has been interesting, to say the least, quite exhilarating, to say the most, and for the greater part, I have enjoyed it...but all things must pass. ...at least that's the way I began this article, soon after I e-mailed my resignation to Mark, last week. I had just finished my previous article, Revolution#9 www.faulkingtruth.com/Articles/DownTheMiddle/1029.html and had submitted it the night before...and though I had been a bit overloaded with duties, both professional and personal, the last some weeks, not to mention suffering a most irritable return of last Spring's neck injury, I think it was the theme of the article itself that finished me off.
I had begun writing for the Faulking Truth with the hope that I might say something, some where along the way which might enlighten or invigorate a reader or two (I started out saying, if I could only reach one...) and that, in turn, might have some real effect towards turning this nation around, before it's too late. The problem was, the more I wrote about the lack of people protesting the policies of this ultra-right administration, I began to realize my own lack of faith, my own lost hope that this "monster" would ever be caged. It was evident that as long as the American people were bound to those three little words, "I, me, mine", there could be no justice.
And what if I did quit? Would anyone really notice one less voice crying from the wilderness or one less fist of solidarity raised. There were plenty of excuses. I had fallen behind in my business due to my father being ill, I had loads of Spring chores to get started, and if I really needed a justification, I hadn't painted the mural around the jacuzzi that I was going to start, three years ago. The truth of the matter was, I didn't need this sh*t........or did I?
Wondering how I would explain my departure as I booted up the Mac, I was surprised to find an e-mail from Mark reminding me of the upcoming anniversary and telling me #9 was the best article I had written. He even said "Wow!", but I had made my decision and I wasn't turning back... so I mailed my resignation. Fortunately, Mark countered with, "Take a little time, just write when you want, you're getting hundreds of hits" (he never did bring up that minimum wage thing) so, I began to rethink the situation. In fact, I took a couple of days to think about it. During this time, a young contractor/friend of mine told me he liked my column because I was "radical" and then, a woman just happened to tell me the next day that she was just now starting to read the paper. Soon after that, I noticed a posting in the Guest Book, referring to my "Dogs of War" article. www.faulkingtruth.com/Articles/DownTheMiddle/1028.html Maybe, someone was listening. Maybe, someone did care. Maybe, someone would step up for America.
Well, I decided to do the right thing. I decided to do my duty...to do my part. On the third day, I mailed Mark the answer he had asked for.....I told him simply, "Never mind". After urging my countrymen to stand up and defend their country, I couldn't just walk away. Besides, Ken is getting started on his notable "Quote of the Day" and that should be fun. And how could I leave before I find out who won the stock market scandal debate between Darren and Jimmy B. (May the best man win.) Not to mention, I want to see if Cecilia is ever going to tell us about her singing, acting and dancing. (Ceci, before his death, my little brother worked Broadway and did several tours of Europe and the U.S., doing that very thing.) I also want to stick around and see if Lily will ever corner the ever-elusive Russell (Lily, did you say you didn't like Libra men? I am one, you know and I have been married twice...both of them green-eyed blondes which I believe from the postings I've seen, you are one! All I can say is, "Peace", sister".) and I'll want to know what wild and crazy thing lyza is going to come up with next. (Lyza...you crazy, girl! You need professional help, and maybe I should have offered you some, all those years ago.) And what can I say about Amber? I have to admit, that girl brings the Guest Book a whole different perspective (especially when she virtually parades back and forth in her "string" bikini.) Damn, girl!
Of course, I would have never left without saying thanks to Robin for fighting so hard to preserve our environment. She's a very talented, well schooled educator, and she cares deeply for our fragile planet. Having said that, "Robin, put down that damn ruler!" (My knuckles are still sore over that "theory" thing.) Then of course, there's Mike who paddled his way into the hearts of the Guest book. There's no way I wanted to leave before he tells us more about his mapping of the Great Northwest kayak trails! Do it, my friend!!! (Some day, Mike...eight-ball, tequila and a full moon.......some day......)
And then, there's the Editor......or Elizabeth as I like to call him. If not for the fact that he's wearing those virtual pink tights every time I turn around, I might actually admit to knowing him since he was a young lad. Hell, I might actually admit he's my friend, if he would just quit talking about Mike's legs. I might even tell you.....oh!.....I can't tell you that (Statute of limitations, you know). I will just say, I appreciate that he called upon me to be at his shoulder during the struggle.
WAIT A MINUTE! What am I thinking? How could I ever forget to mention her? She gave me my first serious post in the Guest Book, at a time when I wasn't very sure of myself (I was a painter, not a writer) and badly needed someone to tell me, "Yes". In fact, she gave me my Guest Book "handle", DtM. So, I just want to say to Leigh, "Thank you for being there, m'lady...and thank you for being you."
So, there it is. I'll keep crying from the wilderness, and I'll keep urging the people of this nation to do the right thing. Maybe, I should slow down long enough to smell the roses (more than likely, trimming and fertilizing) but chances are, a little rose pollen up my nostrils and I'll sneeze my way back to my computer before you can say, "Bush attacked another country!"
Yes, I had my "moment of doubt and pain" but then, I found a whole lot of people out there who are willing to stand up.....and along the way, I found some good friends, too.
A Little Help From My Friends (Lennon/McCartney)
What would you think if I sang out of tune,
Would you stand up and walk out on me.
Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song,
And I'll try not to sing out of key.
I get by with a little help from my friends,
I get high with a little help from my friends,
Going to try with a little help from my friends.
What do I do when my love is away.
(Does it worry you to be alone)
How do I feel by the end of the day
(Are you sad because you're on your own)
No I get by with a little help from my friends,
Do you need anybody,
I need somebody to love.
Could it be anybody
I want somebody to love.
Would you believe in a love at first sight,
Yes I'm certain that it happens all the time.
What do you see when you turn out the light,
I can't tell you, but I know it's mine.
Oh I get by with a little help from my friends,
Do you need anybody,
I just need somebody to love,
Could it be anybody,
I want somebody to love.
I get by with a little help from my friends,
Yes I get by with a little help from my friends,
With a little help from my friends.
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