February 22, 2021
I haven’t commented in a little while. The vagarious world has continued apace, still spinning, still flying toward Wherever. There is still war, pestilence and cheap plastic everything. Whew. The upsy-downy world is heading toward the endplace, if there is one. There is one for us wiggly things, so I think Earth has one, too. I think we should call the endplace ‘Wherever’, don’t you? In that way, no one should be offended. There is a wealth, diversity of opinion on what happens there and exactly where, when it happens or what the place should be called. Heaven and Hell have an edge on place names but I just think it should be called Wherever and leave it at that. “He prayed real hard, avoided pork, fish, red meat – drank moderately, never engaged in sex outside of marriage, he didn’t help the poor but always voted conservative…and he is going to Wherever if anyone is…”. “He raped and pillaged and ate too much ice cream, he is definitely going Wherever!”
Yup, we are going Wherever Mother Teresa is or Hitler Abominus is. We are going Wherever President Kennedy or Little Barfy the dog is. We are going to Grandma’s new house, Wherever that is. We are going Wherever. It is unavoidable. We have to do the thing but we cannot know what happens or where we go at the end. Duh… this is not news, just call me Sherman Obvious. That we forget Wherever we are going and engage in fruitless excitement or worry about ‘the state of things’ is equally old news.
As creatures on Whomever’s good green earth we stand alone in our denial of or praises of and fretting about — Wherever. As creatures on Whomever’s spinning ball, we forget the end and crawl around looking for that last little something that is more important. As self ordained superiour creatures, we have discussed and discussed Wherever. We have denied it, acted as though it wasn’t a place, that we aren’t going there. We have focused on the transitory day-to-day as if it were crucial. We have kept our heads down and fought over what is free to each and all, always. We tried to keep Wherever labelled and owned by this group or that group who each have specific rules about entry into Wherever. We have tried to follow the rules but Wherever is so factioned and nebulous a place, that no one really knows it’s real name and how to get there.
Some folks get worried about Wherever and strictly follow the rules as they understand or interpret them. Adherence is the one true path. This makes for some unpleasantness from time to time. Families get left at home while there is work to be done. Folks tie each other up and send each other to Wherever, thinking they are doing a service to their own, personal Wherever. Pleasure of living is set aside while our tomb-horde is assembled. Every last penny is frugally spent or agonized over if not. Our imperfect selves get criticized and criticized. Either we are bitching or someone else is. Either you are bitching or I am. Still, no matter the noise, we are going Wherever…cannot be avoided.
I guess every soul who is headed toward Wherever has a sneaking suspicion that there are no high-end Hifi stores there, no vinyl records, no shopping around. There are no mansions, even if Jesus promised us. No virgins. There isn’t any ‘no, I shouldn’t buy it’ expensive stuff. There are no banana splits, no driving too fast, no sitting on the beach, wasting a day. There is no laying about in bed, smooching with a favourite someone else (or plastic doll). There is no just plain soul satisfying enjoyment of living. It is obvious to all.
On the way to Wherever, we will each do our best, no matter what. Some shit is gonna happen but Wherever is there, no matter what. Deep down, we know that. Nothing to agonize over. It would be nice to try a little sweetness and light. It would be nice to be pleasant and kind. It would be nice to save the money for retirement, but…we are human anyway and humans are pretty chaotic. From time to time, we will get it right and from time to time we will forget where we are going. The creatures who share Whomever’s world do this as well but they do it with a difference. They relax more. They don’t worry so much. They don’t call each other, “fatty!”
Ask a pussycat where he is going at the end. First, the pussycat will pique both ears forward, thinking, “Is there something you are not telling me about that last horrible visit with the vet? Was it more than just a hair-ball?” After searching your face for clues, then deciding that you are sincere and not predicting anything, necessarily, M. Poohsay Kaht will answer. He/she will answer with a yawn and a little self-lick of face, “…Wherever, man. I am going Wherever.” It will be said with a hint of condescension. It will be said in that voice only a so-called, in-name-only ‘owner’ would understand. At the same time the answer is given, the furry small creature’s inside voice will be mewing with, “These guys really don’t get it, do they? Whatever…”
Robert On The Air 