In a world of fluidity and change constancy is a comfort. We like a lighthouse in our lives that stands still in the inconstant weather. Alas there aren’t many of them; every year something we thought unwavering dissolves. The riddle starting with “This thing all things devours..” has for its answer “Time”.
I have been at the same job since 2005. Barring some severe lapse of judgment on my part or disaster to the clinic my postion is likely to last as long as I do. Patients find this reassuring. The ones who go away for a few years only to return are grateful “I am still there”. Sometimes I think the ‘success’ of Medicine is to be with patients on their Journey more than what I do along the way.
I recently got a memo from The Board of Directors Here at Spo-reflections proposing ‘changes’. They made modest proposals to change the format, the font, the direction, and (if I don’t behave), get a new writer. This sounds like a classic case of Verschlimmbesserung* and should be resisted. There were no reasons given; I suspect they are just bored with the ‘same old thing’ and they want something new and shiny. After all they are Vikings: they are used to traveling and seeking out new places for ransacking and rapine.
While I ponder what to do with this Hobson’s Choice, I reflect on my own mixed desires for ‘same old comforts’ vs. ‘things new and adventuresome”. I like seasonal constants but I also yearn for new things. As I age my desire for novelty wanes. However I don’t want to become ‘set in my ways’ like an old geezer who won’t eat anything but four items and wears the same shirt over and over. Now more than ever my inner-Auntie-Mame tells me to open a new window every day.
As for TBDHSR, I am going to delay their polite request as long as possible, hoping it slips their pugnacious Nordic memories in their next round of drinks at the Heirat.
*Verschlimmbesserung is a lovely albeit hard to properly translate German noun describing an action or intervention that is supposed to improve something, but it ends up making things worse instead. While there is good intent to better the situation it only makes matters more of a mess.
17 comments
August 7, 2018 at 11:01 AM
mitchellismoving
Verschlimmbesserung. Now that’s catchy!
The only thing constant in my life, I think, is change.
August 7, 2018 at 3:59 PM
Urspo
that and Swedish Fish
August 7, 2018 at 4:32 PM
anne marie in philly
I LOVE SWEDISH FISH!
August 7, 2018 at 11:15 AM
Old Lurker
Uh oh. How long before the BoD decrees that you dump us and get a fresh new set of Spo-fans?
How is your Monty Python cheese adventure going?
August 7, 2018 at 4:01 PM
Urspo
The BoD as you call them are greedy gannets who would sell their own grandmothers (or at least my grandmother) for as many Spo-fans possible, so no fear of being dumped.
The cheese adventure was put on hold for the 3 weeks the fridge was on the fritz and we had no storage. Now that it is repaired I can venture forth on my quest for cheesy comestibles.
August 7, 2018 at 4:35 PM
anne marie in philly
I have been at my job since october 3, 2003. I like it.
the BoD’s request for font is a modest one. give them a case of beer and they will forget they ever made the request.
August 7, 2018 at 7:25 PM
Urspo
I have my fingers crossed. Beer (meade) and danegeld usually work and there is always blackmail.
August 7, 2018 at 6:47 PM
David
Let them pillage Nevada, that will keep them out of your hair for a while.
August 7, 2018 at 7:26 PM
Urspo
Nothing to pillage there
August 7, 2018 at 10:20 PM
Practical Parsimony
Chasing novelty is a matter of not seeing that there can be novelty in constancy. I like huge helpings of constancy with a sprinkling of novelty.
August 8, 2018 at 7:33 AM
Urspo
You are in the ‘norm’ that most people want constancy most with a little novelty. Sort of like paprika on the potato salad.
August 8, 2018 at 3:13 AM
Todd Gunther
German nouns can be tricky. We could easily translate this concept to the American acronym: SNAFU.
You may want to casually mention to the BoD that the liquor here at Chez Gunther is never locked up. It might buy you a few days of peace. Just sayin’….
August 8, 2018 at 7:34 AM
Urspo
I would like to be a fly on the wall to watch the boisterous board overstepping boundaries on WQ’s turf.
August 8, 2018 at 3:23 PM
anne marie in philly
I AM WARRIOR QUEEN HEAR ME ROAR! WHO DRINK ALL MY GIN?
August 8, 2018 at 9:52 AM
Todd Gunther
Film at 11!
September 2, 2018 at 4:37 AM
Ron
I like your old format just fine. But then I am that Old Geezer who eats the same four foods every day, day in and day out
September 2, 2018 at 6:09 AM
Urspo
Apparently that works. There is a lesson there.