The Rant: How did we get here?

Whenever a team loses a big game, they ask the same question.

Here’s the thing about life: It goes on, and doesn’t wait for a ruling on why something happened and what’s happening next. Think of it as a sports game that never really ends… until you end. Democrats and opposers of the new President-elect, Donald Trump, probably felt like they lost the World Series on Tuesday night.

Personally, being a Kamala Harris and anything not DT fan, it felt like the 2013 World Series. The Cardinals collected a couple nice moments against the Red Sox, but mostly got railroaded by David Ortiz and Boston. That felt like East Coast destiny, while this loss feels like a deeper cut of holy shit. This one will also last four years, unlike fans waiting five months for an official reset. It’s different.

Yes, I wasn’t Switzerland during this election. I took a side, and rode the wagon until the end. It’s easy to get on and get off, so I stayed in one lane. You can either sit between the two benches and root for each side little by little, and then shake your shoulders at the result. This is different. A few readers and fans have asked me why I am so dug in and writing about politics. My answer has never changed.

I truly believe Trump is bad for America, and that the outside countries are embarrassed for our country right now. It’s not like I’m the only one saying these things. He’s many things, and honorable and giving isn’t one of them. He may be protective, but it’s not of you. But instead of laboring harder into what he is and isn’t, a pic I shared on Facebook tells a better story.

Remember, all of these are true.

There’s no need to go over the things Trump is or isn’t, because it’s out there resting like a brickhouse. Everything above is true and to the point, and what will be the President for four more years. As a person who isn’t moving out of the country (the real estate market did boom on Wednesday), I want him to do a better job in his second term.

Don’t get impeached.

Don’t incite an insurrection.

Don’t post on social media about other countries. Don’t post at all.

Start there, and keep moving up. The “is he too old to serve” label has been stripped off Biden, and stuck to Trump’s chest. He’ll be 80 halfway into the term, something the Republican side roasted old Joe on for years. The table has been flipped. We couldn’t be farther apart, and I think it’ll widen even more by 2028. Let’s prepare for the worst, and hope for the best.

What can one individual do outside of screaming “fight the power” endlessly? Keep moving forward. Remember what Rocky said. Take the hits, keep moving, and refuse to stop until victory is owned and not leased. Keep working, moving, doing your thing, and spreading kindness. Whoever resides in the White House shouldn’t affect how we treat others. Practice that, and all will be fine. I think.

Shorter Rants

*Good for you, Billy Zane. When film lovers say that an actor is unrecognizable in a role, it’s usually not true. When the first pics of Leonardo DiCaprio were released for Killers of The Flower Moon, people said that same thing. He really just looked like Leo with an awful haircut.

Zane’s production photos as Marlon Brando in an upcoming film prove the saying’s merit to a tee. It’s not one individual reason, but a combination of many things. When you see the photos, he looks just like Brando, and it’s not obvious that he’s wearing prosthetic. Someone could sell these as paparazzi photos and see which idiot would bite down before releasing the sad truth. The journeyman actor may hit a home run, and storm the races next year. Keep a look out for Waltzing with Brando.

*The Cardinals are in big decision-making mode, and things are moving quick. Diamond Sports Group struck a TV rights deal with the team, insuring St. Louis baseball fans that they will be able to find the team on the same channel: FanDuel Sports Network. A streaming option that allows fans to pay strictly for Cardinals/Blues games is also in the works. The team couldn’t afford to wait on this thing, and not because it’ll affect their spending and cost-cutting in the offseason. I believe they have a set amount already in mind, but this will help keep the fans interested and connected to your product during a transition.

Moving Willson Contreras to first base is wise, and keeps him away from freak injuries. The lineup needs his bat, and the team needs his personality. Sonny Gray also wants to stay (his home is very close to STL), and I believe Nolan Arenado is the one who asked for the team to explore a trade. All of those would be good for the team. Ryan Helsley, according to reporters, is most likely gone as well. More on this in a future post.

*People could do a lot better on the road if they weren’t such assholes about the little things. Slowing down as you try to turn. Slowing down with you behind them. Speeding up to make a turn hard. Here’s the all timer though. The person who moves ahead of the line after she gets the red, even though you’re pulling a large box truck across the intersection right in front of them.

With as many souls creating chatter about who is or isn’t in the Oval Office, you’d think applying that energy to doing the little things would be more fierce and resolute. People are most likely content to be discontent, washing their remorse onto others while driving dangerous machinery.

One final thing before I head back to the dock. Remember what you can control, and what you can’t. I’ve lost hours and days of my 42 years withering away thoughts about how I should have done this or how it could have gone, and it’s an endless pit of self-hate. Control what you can, prep for the rest, and try to stay positive.

The rage is still all the rage right now. People love anger and madness, so I try hard to lean the other way. Is it easy? Fuck no. Is it worthwhile? Yes indeed.

Thanks for reading.