Mind Your Ps and Qs, Son
I’ve been writing Ps & Qs for twenty years, first for the Valley Journal and now for the Sopris Sun. As you may know, Ps & Qs refers to pints & quarts, the measurements of drink used in local pubs back in the day. Aptly named, my column really began in Claddaugh Irish Pub where I would sit with my friends, waxing philosophic on any and every topic to come up…
Ontology is the branch of philosophy that studies existence, being, becoming, and reality. In other words, what it is to be a human living among other humans, gaining life experience. My take is that life is hard, and it should be. Comparable to a video game, each level contains more difficulty and/or obstacles, and sure, you can play it safe and stay at a level that you’ve already mastered, but what’s the point of that?
I am not a fan of conventionality or predictability. I much prefer magic and spontaneity. In life I seek out new people, new places, and I try to generate positive esprit in all my endeavors. And whenever I find myself in the midst of an existential crisis, I recall the words of Dan Aykroyd as Jimmy Carter on SNL, “Just remember you’re a living organism on this planet and you’re very safe… Relax, stay inside, and listen to some music, okay? Do you have any Allman Brothers?”
I believe humor to be the elixir for what ails us in this life.
Please enjoy these ontological observations and mind your Ps & Qs!
Ranch in a valley along the river
Sunday supper was as reliable as death and taxes, and we had just as much control over the portion put on our plates. Finishing your dinner was non-negotiable and rummaging through the fridge later was not a thing on the ranch.
Everybody’s home
Here we all are, living on this planet together, and yet oh-so focused on our individual needs. Living the dream, i.e., working like rats on a wheel to keep a roof over our own heads, buy groceries, pay for water… Shouldn’t the water be for all of us?
Roaring Rednecks
I think that’s exactly what happened to Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley. A Billie (local term of endearment for billionaires) got a flat tire on Highway 82 and that was that. The valley morphed from a place where everyone could play in privacy, into a place to BE SEEN.
Is Trump Number 2?
I’m just saying that entrusting our only planet to something we, ourselves, invented might not be our smartest play. Especially with our country’s current administration. They’re like if the short bus got lost on a field trip to the coal plant and started a useless war with Iran.