Airing of Grievances

During this time of Festivus, it’s appropriate to air one’s disappointments from the past year. Traditionally, as far as one considers Seinfeld’s Frank Costanza traditional, the airing of the grievances occurs on December 23rd at a dinner during which each person at the table informs everyone else how he/she has been a disappointment. While I have a number of grievances to air, and I am duly cynical, it does seem a bit difficult to be particularly negative on Christmas Eve. I guess this is a hold-over from my Catholic upbringing, but I do tend to focus on the positive and get quite reflective at this time of year. However, in the spirit of Seinfeld, consider this entry my blogging Festivus. Unsurprisingly, it is a day late and a dollar short.

One of my biggest disappointments from this year is that I don’t use this space more often. Originally I thought it would come in handy for working out particularly vexing problems, as I have a tendency to perseverate on things. Or I thought I could vent about the frustrations that accompany the career choices I’ve made while also cluing people in to the wacky world of academic research. But instead, I have let this space languish. I think about it often, and I feel as though I should write something. Something insightful and clever, that resonates with others and maybe gives a voice to their secret thoughts. So why don’t I do this? Can I do this? How disappointing it would be, to realize that one’s observations which typically burst forth from the mouth dripping with juicy witticisms and sarcasm, do not lend themselves easily to the written word for others to experience. How could that be? How could I---she of the keen eye for surveying all that is preposterous surrounding her---be unable to convey that with words? I could have sworn I have plenty to talk about, and a story to tell. But when I sit down to write something, my inspiration evaporates and I am left with the briney residue of dissatisfaction I feel when a task is incomplete.

In addition to the Airing of Grievances, Festivus would not be complete without the Feats of Strength. This typically takes place after the meal when the head of the household is wrestled to the floor. In lieu of such a physical display in the present moment, I would propose an alternative: I shall write at least one blog entry per month from here on in. Judging from the amount of time that has elapsed since my last, this is in fact, a Herculean effort, and if successful, will be quite a feat of strength.

Having said that, happy Festivus, and bring on the meatloaf!