On his way to the Theatre of Pompey (where he would be assassinated), Caesar saw a seer who had foretold that harm would come to him not later than the Ides of March. Caesar joked, “Well, the Ides of March have come”, to which the seer replied “Ay, they have come, but they are not gone.”
Well, we know how that turned out …
(And if somehow you don’t, read some history, or some Shakespeare and get with the program.)
Caesar:
Who is it in the press that calls on me?
I hear a tongue shriller than all the music
Cry “Caesar!” Speak, Caesar is turn’d to hear.Soothsayer:
Beware the ides of March.Caesar:
What man is that?Brutus:
A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March.
Yes, today is the Ides of March … the 15th … and given all going on, a bit of bewaring sounds like a plan.
Between recent revelations on personal betrayals and news updates from the wider world, I’m reeling, and suggesting those with an option to spend a day under the covers with a diverting novel should bloody well do exactly that.
While there, some counting of blessings might happen, too, since if you have covers to hide under you’re better off than thousands of others today. Sometimes it is all about perspective.
Anyone whose Ides do NOT include impending assassination, mass destruction, incoming artillery, hourly earthquakes and a forced hunt for food, water, shelter and loved ones should actually be feeling pretty fucking lucky about now.
Of course, that’s no need to push it. What happens next is anybody’s guess, and assuming you’re cool because you don’t happen to be in Japan or Libya or Ivory Coast or Bahrain … pick a mess, any mess … could be an assumption based on quicksand.
It is crystal clear today that we could all easily be within hours of anything from getting hit by a bus to a nuclear event with global consequences, and as depressing as that though may be, it should also set the wake-up call bell ringing.
What we have is what we have, and when we have it is now. If it sucks, we deal with it it. If it’s great, we damned well should appreciate and enjoy.
Spending the little time we have on the Woulda, Shoulda, Coulda cha-cha-cha of the past while hoping for the Tomorrow Tango to start very possibly could be last thing we do.
Yes, the Ides of March have come, and those of us still standing can and should take comfort, but as the seer said, “Ay, they have come, but they are not gone.”
It ain’t over ’til it’s over.
So very true, Sandra. The world at the moment is quite amazing. We seem to have so many disasters, both natural and man made. It is very sad.
A columnist in our local paper write an article about the destruction of the first 72 days of this year. We still have just under 300 to go.
I think we will see more earthquakes this year – these plates start bumping and grinding and that sets off bumping and grinding elsewhere.
A little like the man made disasters: topple one megalomaniac and it seems to start a trend.
I wrote on day 71, and it’s YIKES and hang on!
There’s no doubt a lot of compensating must happen for the shifting going on. Since there’s now a 217-mile-long, 50+-mile-wide gap in the ocean floor … with an 8.5 meter vertical change … well, that’s putting the pressure on somewhere.
Once again … hang on!
Glass half empty? Glass half full? Mahaps it’s just (insert smirk here)relieving the long pent up pressure. Me/ I think the glass is too big.
Hopefully, it’s with tequila … then I don’t care if it’s half this or half that, just that there’s some there …
Right on, Sandra. All we’ve got is This moment whether it’s crappy or not. No point in worrying about what isn’t here yet or what’s past.
It’s a heart-wrenching situation in Japan, tragic situation in the Middle East and very disheartening when I look at the general world picture. Sometimes I feel guilty that so many are suffering.
I may be crazy to say this, but I can’t help a part of me that is listening to what I’m reading about man-made natural disasters. It’s a thought.
Guilt may be a compassionate response when so there’s so little one can do …
Yes…helplessness is what I feel. The revelation brought many (healing) tears. Thanks. 🙂
Seriously Sandra, you are most certainly channeling aspects of my mother. She said this every single March 15 – although it has taken me this long to make the connection. duh. and her life did change in an instant, causing her great and prolonged suffering, so a lesson well learned that she subtly attempted to pass along.
I am proud to channel your mom, Amy, if that’s what’s going on …
who’s to say what’s truly going on, you are doing swimmingly well as yourself. but the trips down memory lane for me are welcome and I thank you for that. 🙂
And, as always, Amy, I thank you.
As martin lawrence said, ride this bitch till the wheels fall off!! if at anytime you can stop what you are doing and actually think about life it self, then you are luckier then many 🙂
I am so honored you commented on my blog Sandy, made my damn day 🙂 (yes my life is that sad :P)
Love the Martin Lawrence quote! I may have to use that somewhere. And, yep, time for contemplation of circumstances translates to a luxury many are denied.
I read your blog from time-to-time, Bobby, but you make me feel far too guilty to do that daily. 😉 Maybe you should think about coming here to be my personal trainer …
I did not know that ! lol maybe 😉 I am sure I can firm you up…
The very thought makes my abs hurt …