I am finding that where community is concerned, having one foot in and one foot out builds nothing. Community requires a word much like itself: commitment. To those I have committed my life and energy towards, I am the closest. To those I have committed the least amount of time, I am the most most distant. All of these observations now sound like trivial and obvious “discoveries” to me as I write them down, but I will continue to contemplate their meaning and the impact it has had on my existence in this bitterness filled town. Seattle is home to countless injured souls. We are stiff, selfish, quick to anger, and distrustful. To my own detriment I have been a participant in this snarky discourtesy masquerading as aloof superiority of mind. I often times do not like who I am in my own home town.
We have something in common these days, here in Seattle; a topic which is as innocuous as the weather yet far more exciting. American style football has been my favorite sport to watch since around the time of Super Bowl 22, but I was aware of it beginning with the 1985 Bears team. I used to have a Refrigerator Perry action figure from G.I. Joe. There are still boxes of football cards in my parents’ basement. This year my sister bought my father and I tickets to the Cardinals game on December 22nd. The Seahawks’ fan base is reminiscent of our Mariners fans in the 90’s. Our city is benefiting from this current run in ways we can not even discern.
After tomorrow, I will continue to put on courtesy like I put on socks. People are all the stamp of the few, earliest humans who have had the fortune to pass their genetics along thus far. And those people must have appreciated eye contact, recognition, a word, and the kindness of simple gestures of deference. We are Seattle, and we dictate the culture moving forward, even when there is nothing innocuous to speak of.
albaniacalling 