Return to normal

Penn State did it again, sending Syracuse home in defeat.

I found my bearing, because that’s what personal history does to you: a reservoir of stored stimuli-responses, choices and consequences.

Wall Street regained its footing as well, back to pre-9/11 mark, but some firms are  moving South, opening up offices in Washington.

And in Los Angeles Times Travel section, we found “Vietnam, a perfect place to ride out the Recession”.

For me, one cannot come home again. The context has changed, and with it, connected emotions.

Not that I didn’t try last December when I took the Cambridge Certification class to teach English in Hanoi.

In an attempt to find “normalcy”, I have approached things from a geographical stand point (PLACE).

Now, I long for what Paul McCartney describes in  “Yesterday” (TIME).

America would be better off if it could orchestrate a return to the days of “Chevrolet in the drive way and chicken in the pot”. The ex-chairman of ATT has now assumed the CEO-spokesman post for GM, and he pitches “money back guaranteed” i.e. if you are not happy with your car purchase, keep the receipt, and get in line at Customer Service (just as you would at Marshalls).

Gone are the days when a used car salesman would wave goodbye, good luck and goodnight, only to not saying “good morning” to you the next day.

Oh how I long for yesterday, ay, ay, ay.

The automobile marketing folks have tried everything: employee discounts extended to the buying public, and now, money back guaranteed (this happened after they had tried sub-prime automobile leasing also).

Eight years, with Peter Jennings gone, but Bin Laden still at large.

Tech bubble , housing bubble all busted.

And the veterans (and accompanied refugees) from Iraq will have to look hard to receive GI bills, VA hospital, educational and housing assistance.

Post-w-war initiatives back in the 50’s were the towers of social achievement.

Indeed, it was a start of a new middle class. Today, it is the reverse (Vietnam as the best place to ride out the big R).

I learn one thing from the 60’s, and it’s to view life from “Both sides now”.

And I also learn from my parents (and they from theirs) that adaptability is key. Who was it that said, it’s not the strongest, not the swiftest that will survive, but the fittest. Not high IQ but high AQ (Adversity quotient). And hard times are making strange bed fellows.

Some even have to move their beds. Wall Street goes Washington. I am sure there has been some tossing and turning. I did, on my first few nights in Hanoi late last year.

How I long for yesterday! Love is such an easy game to play. I hope Penn State win this season. We all need some win. There is some psychology principle at work here: once a winner, always a winner, even amidst setback.