Smelling Trouble

[degringolade]

 

Been spending a lot of time lately keeping my head down and concentrating on my immediate surroundings.  Now, this doesn't mean that I am not being my usual eeyore-ish self.  But by concentrating on the local issues of my life, I find that I can have an impact and keep things going by increasing my effort and efficiencies.  So I find what is local, while not totally successful, is somewhat amenable to my actions and concerns.

I have been staying away from national and international news.  The words that I read about those subjects are suspect.  Narrative is the war of the day.  What is playing out in the ones and zeroes flowing through the electronics that are our digital tit is the war of factions.  Each of these factions are attempting to advance interests and increase their share of the power/money available in the world.

I am not even a pawn in this game.  Elephants are dancing and I am the mythical ant just trying to stay out of the way.  When I read the news, which is filled with bellicosity and hatred of the other, I am becoming more and more aware that the fight between the elephants is getting pretty ugly.  Things may very well be heading south faster than I would prefer.  Trade is looking particularly bad, and the problems in Iran and Venezuela have a lot more to do the the flim-flammery of the economics of shale oil than the politics of the arena.  

2019 might not end well.  I will try and figure out how to wedge myself in a corner where the elephant's feet cannot reach and wait it out.