Looking down from above
Aug. 23rd, 2007 10:53 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sinanjuThe first time I ever flew* it was a cross-country flight from Virginia to Idaho, with a change of planes in Chicago. That was about twenty-five years ago but I still remember peering out the window of the plane as we came into Chicago. The city--the suburbs, really, I suppose--stretched out as far as I could see. A grid of streets and buildings spread out for miles in every direction with an occasional baseball diamond visible to give me some sense of scale.
I remember looking at all those streets and thinking of the countless miles of electrical wiring and water pipes and sewage and waste pipes and storm drains and thinking, "It works." Sure, there's plenty to complain about in any city and Chicago is reputedly more corrupt by far than most--but damn it, it still works. If people starve or thirst or live in their own filth it's not because the city can't handle it. Even the poor have light with the flick of a switch, water with the twist of a tap. For all the failures that critics can point to, it works for most people most of the time.
And it's the end result of millions upon millions of individual choices. There's no master plan, no matter how much some people might like to think of themselves as queen bee, no matter how much or how little control the city, county, state or federal governments exert. Individual humans spending time and money and brainpower and physical labor built that city--and all the others--and maintain it. Their individual choices, which collectively establish a culture, are what will continue to maintain it...or not.
I remember thinking that there are no doubt a lot of people who'd look at this man made environment and be appalled. I wasn't. I was impressed as hell to see a machine so large which worked so well--and worked because millions of people chose to make it work.
I still am. I through in and out of Chicago again yesterday on my way home from Virginia. Air travel isn't the grand adventure now that it was that first time. I didn't pay as much attention--but I always look at the city below me as I'm arriving or departing, and I still marvel at what humans can do when we choose to cooperate.
*...that I remember. I'm told that I took a brief flight in a private plane as a very small child, but I have no memory of it.
I remember looking at all those streets and thinking of the countless miles of electrical wiring and water pipes and sewage and waste pipes and storm drains and thinking, "It works." Sure, there's plenty to complain about in any city and Chicago is reputedly more corrupt by far than most--but damn it, it still works. If people starve or thirst or live in their own filth it's not because the city can't handle it. Even the poor have light with the flick of a switch, water with the twist of a tap. For all the failures that critics can point to, it works for most people most of the time.
And it's the end result of millions upon millions of individual choices. There's no master plan, no matter how much some people might like to think of themselves as queen bee, no matter how much or how little control the city, county, state or federal governments exert. Individual humans spending time and money and brainpower and physical labor built that city--and all the others--and maintain it. Their individual choices, which collectively establish a culture, are what will continue to maintain it...or not.
I remember thinking that there are no doubt a lot of people who'd look at this man made environment and be appalled. I wasn't. I was impressed as hell to see a machine so large which worked so well--and worked because millions of people chose to make it work.
I still am. I through in and out of Chicago again yesterday on my way home from Virginia. Air travel isn't the grand adventure now that it was that first time. I didn't pay as much attention--but I always look at the city below me as I'm arriving or departing, and I still marvel at what humans can do when we choose to cooperate.
*...that I remember. I'm told that I took a brief flight in a private plane as a very small child, but I have no memory of it.
From Alan - no need to post
Date: 2007-08-26 06:24 pm (UTC)Dad is doing fantastic. He is getting stronger everyday. He started to have an appetite yesterday (Saturday). He got on the computer in the middle of the night Friday night/Saturday morning - so that tells you something!
Where did you get your Calvin and Hobbs pictures?
Alan
Re: From Alan - no need to post
Date: 2007-08-27 03:35 pm (UTC)The Calvin & Hobbes pics are a set of LiveJournal custom mood icons someone created and I downloaded. I can email you the zip file if you want them.
Pops
Date: 2007-08-27 11:51 am (UTC)It is so good to read your blog and get really good info on Pops. I get much better information from your blog than from Scott in person!
Scott just returned home from spending Saturday and Sunday with Mimi and Pops and had a good time. He cut grass and did some chores. Other than Pops not eating very much at all, he seems to be well. Yesterday, the big drama was their pastor resigning and choosing to broadcast it on the radio program. Your father was really happy about this decision (altho' doing it on the air was most inappropriate).
I know it meant so much to your family to have you there during Pops surgery. I was glad you, Scott, Susan and Alan were able to huddle around Mimi even tho' there is nothing to do but wait. It is much easier to wait when you are with the ones you love. I lost my Mom during open heart surgery 2 years ago so I was very uneasy about Pops surgery---especially that he was at Lynchburg General---he assured me he was in the best of care.
Please tell Kai hello and it sounded like she had your back in making quick arrangements for you to fly out extremely quickly. She sounds like a wonderful person and by the way, congratulations on being Grandparents!
Scott and I hope to get back to Brookneal this weekend to check on your Dad. The kids start school this week (Lane started Early College 3 weeks ago...argh) so it will be difficult to get away until the weekend. Scott said your Mom was really tired. Hopefully, we can help out with giving her some relief.
Take care !
Warmly,
Di