anyoldsite

I want to write a post about B&H;, the most amazing store in New York. I want to write a post about the snowstorm we’re supposed to get. I even kind of want to write a post about the aftermath of Macworld.

But not today.

Today, I mourn. And I wonder – will I still be living here the next time there’s an inauguration? Will I still be welcome, and free, in the country formerly known as America? The Times poll says that even though only 3 percent of Americans think Social Security is in a crisis (the mob has its facts straight for once!) and pretty much nobody wants it changed, a substantial majority say they figure W will get his way. They think most forms of abortion will be illegal before he leaves office, but that our troops will still be in Iraq that day.

The vote certification, the confirmation hearings – too, too horrible. I can’t believe the powerlessness. What, oh what, are we to do? It’s hard to hope today. I’m even offended that he wore a blue tie. That color is ours. I want to yell at him – Your color is the color of blood, and fury! Why must even your clothes be a lie?

The pigs and sheep are celebrating. But human beings can only cry.

This pleases me beyond reason. As my beloved Gizmodo so eloquently put it, “Sassy kawaii capitalism kitty crossed with trombone-engined super-phallus makes my head asplode.”

The consumerist convergence is dazzling.

I want one. I mean I really, really want one.

Steve Jobs says so, so it must be true.

Of course, some people are saying the notorious control freak’s sudden embrace of chaos is a result of his crazy cancer scare this year. Maybe so; maybe he’s now having his multibillion-dollar company create products just to illustrate newfound universal truths. Maybe the subtext of the G5 iMac is that the earth is flat. (It is if Steve says so, heretic. Who are you gonna believe – scientists? Or a guy in a black mock turtleneck who gives you pretty shiny things? I think we know what the government’s official position is on that. And you don’t want Uncle Alberto “What torture?” Gonzales knocking on your door, now do you?)

On the other hand, maybe “life is random” isn’t an observation. Maybe it’s a decree. As in, Steve has spoken, and henceforth, life shall be random. He could do it. Steve has powers. Secret powers. Secret powerful powers.

And since, marketing lead times being what they are, that decree would’ve had to be, well, decreed a while ago… This could explain a lot! W.’s “victory.” My recent taste in footwear. The weather. This little morsel of sheer genius. Even Brad & Jen! Not to mention the fact that I just brought that selection of things together in one place.

Am I blowing your mind? Good.

Now, I can’t say for sure if I’ve just become the first person to comprehend the true vision of the Mercurial Master, or if I’m just still loopy from the finest birthday dinner in the history of both birthdays and dining. I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see. If the ads for the new Mac mini sport copy like, “Yeah, there’s no monitor. Who’d want to see what’s going on in the world these days anyway?” – well, we’ll know the cancer-scare explanation is the one.

But if not, and if I keep seeing stuff like this in the news, well, I’m going to write a very nice letter to Mr. Jobs and request a new Apple tagline: Life is happy.

Worth a shot, right?

A gift of the universe this morning – a little recognition for a gentle soul I met in an unlikely place.

That, on the heels of a proposal to go and rebuild in Thailand – to actually make a real live difference, with my own two hands.

And the cat didn’t pull down the Christmas tree after all, and the new MOMA is, god, so beautiful, and it’s been as warm as springtime, and tomorrow is my birthday and J is taking me to the most amazing restaurant in the world.

New Year’s Resolution: Gratitude.