This past week was one crazy week. In case you missed it, there was a Presidential election in the United States this week. The voters spoke.
But with that always comes a day or two of commentary. The winning side is ready to move forward for the next 4 years, and the losing side bemoans it. Sadly, this year seemed to have far more fear-driven commentary in the days post-election. Maybe it’s just because people now discuss their thoughts in the realm of social media, and we all know how the digital world tends to make some far more “verbal” than they would be in real life. Thanks a bunch, Facebook.
Onwards with Episode 53 of the Rhubarb Report.
The day is upon us. Tomorrow, November 6, is Election Day in the United States.
As of November 7, we can get back to the tasks at hand, namely getting the country moving in a forward direction. All the diatribes, lies, propaganda, and vitriol will be over – at least for a while. At least we can all hope that is the case, because this election cycle has been downright ugly.
But in the meantime, we have a responsibility. For all that we like to talk about rights and freedoms in this country, the oftentimes-forgotten yet highly important issue is that we also have a responsibility that comes with those rights.
It was a 3.4 mile run that fit nicely into my training plan. It also happened to be the first event held at the new Circuit Of The Americas (COTA). Nice coincidence! Better yet, Formula Run would provide a great opportunity to get a sneak peek of the circuit just two weeks before the the wail of Formula One cars will be heard throughout central Texas.
There was no way that I was going to miss this event. There were 5,000 runners in complete agreement with me, with a large majority of them out for a morning stroll and sightseeing tour. After the run, there was just one word to describe my first thoughts of COTA: wow. This is going to be one amazing race course.
On a beautiful fall day in October, I had a sudden, chilling realization: the time change is upon us in one week. Ugh. I like my sunshine. The upcoming time change always harkens me back to my days in Canada. Back then, it would signify the coming of a long, cold, blustery winter. It would be dark going to work, and it would be dark leaving work. You had to go outside at lunch time to acknowledge the sun’s existence. Just the thought of this makes me want to hibernate.
Fortunately, a couple of days after the time change, we will also see the end of the current election cycle. That has to be a good thing – or lets hope so. A least the sound bites will change. Of course, the election may also give us all reason to hibernate for 4 years – but I digress.
Episode 52 of the Rhubarb Report takes a look at politics, football, and a brief look forward to college hoops.
The fall season is upon us here in Austin. There are fewer hours of sunlight now, so my runs seem to take me into darkness more regularly. Cooler temperatures are slowly, and thankfully, making an appearance. This is always a great time of year in Austin.
This year, the fall season finds us in the midst of, yes, another presidential campaign. If you can’t find rhubarb in all of these events and activities, then lo and behold, there will always be some to be found in the run up to a November election. With that in mind, I bring you a lively Episode 051.
There are now 38 days until the US Presidential election. Oh, and 87 shopping days until Christmas. I suspect that most people have a far greater affinity to the latter than the former.
But with that said, it is critical that we all get out and vote on November 6. The democratic process is only as good as the votes of the constituents. Though there are times when we all feel like we are just a small speck in the political machine, “we the people” are still responsible for putting our representatives into Congress.
This episode of the Rhubarb Report has a few thoughts on the political realm that we will be immersed in over the next 38 days.
Bob Dylan got me thinking today. His lyrics have a way of doing that to me. Much like any good book of poetry, you can listen to the words, or read them on the page, and there will always be some new meaning or insights to be found.
I have always been fascinated and inspired by the power and beauty of the singer-songwriter. First of all, it is quite an undertaking to peel away layers of your own soul and reflect upon the raw emotions that lie under the surface. That is tough enough. Putting them into rhyme and verse is yet another compelling task. But beyond all of that, there is a real vulnerability in baring your soul to the world – one person, one guitar, one song – raw and uncensored. Powerful stuff – even when there is a full band behind the lyrical musings.
Allan Besselink, PT, DPT, Ph.D., Dip.MDT has a unique voice in the world of sports, education, and health care. Read more about Allan here.