July 12, 2012

• HUBBA HUBBA

  If you don’t know the expression, ask your grandparents, parents – or anyone who grew up influenced by World War II – and who wasn’t if you were there? The phrase connotes pleasurable excitement, especially when shouted by GIs to especially alluring females – think Betty Grable, Rita Hayworth or any leggy luscious pinup. Today the boys are fair game too but at the time those who weren’t too young or too old or infirm were in uniform.

  Hubba hubba was probably generated by the word hub: think big city hub-bub, airports, circuses, downtown…..anywhere the action is! And for a fee, you too can play...
  or enjoy as a spectator sport!

  Of course a hub is actually the heart of a wheel, the vital center from which the action springs, the centerpoint of the spokes leading to the perimeter where all outer activity runs around in circles, going nowhere or somewhere, usually in a hurry.

  THE HUB DOESN’T REALLY COVER DISTANCE AT ALL. IT ACTS AS POWER CENTER FOR THE PUPPETEER WHO PULLS THE STRINGS FOR THE ANTICS OF AUTOMATONS, WHO GYRATE ENDLESSLY AROUND THE RIM IN THEIR FRANTIC DANCE OF NEAR - OR COMPLETE - DISASTER. WHAT A WASTE OF POSITIVE POTENTIAL!

  THE PURPOSE OF THE SIDESHOW OUTSIDE THE BIG TENT IS TO ENTICE ATTENDEES, AMUSE THEM, WHET THEIR APPETITES, RAISE ANTICIPATION. LIKE SHEEP THEY ARE LURED TOWARD THE CENTER RING WHERE THE HEADLINERS PERFORM THEIR RITES OF RISK AND REWARD FOR THE ROAR OF THE CROWD.

  AS P.T. BARNUM NOTED: THERE’S A SUCKER BORN EVERY MINUTE.

  Could there be aliens on spacecraft examining us at this moment to determine if we indeed are a hazardous form of life in the universe? A threat to galactic harmony? What must we seem to a hovering host of angels? Especially non-judgmental ones?

  Almost everyone in the so-called developed world appears to be behaving like rats in a maze, desperately looking to find cheese where there is none. Even if they do find a nibble they had best be warned to check the list of ingredients.

  Inhabitants of third world communities are looking to join the race. At least they attempt to bring something fresh and creative to the game, including a willingness to work very, very hard.

  HUBBA HUBBA CAN BE VERY ENTICING TO HAVE-NOTS.

  THERE MUST BE ANOTHER WAY TO SURVIVE THIS TUMULT.

  SOME ARE HUDDLED AT THE HUB OF THE WHEEL, HOLDING ON FOR DEAR LIFE.

  My good friend and webmaster Juan is a triple-faceted example. He runs a media computer division which can demand his presence twenty-four/seven. He has moonlighting clients like me who grab for the leftovers. Plus, not least, his devotion and service to his family and faith. Actually that makes four, not including his personal welfare.

  FIVE!

  It may appear that Juan is chasing his dream around the circumference of the wheel, hoping to catch the tail of some elusive illusion of survival, or would happiness be too much to ask?

  Fact is, Juan is as secure as any mortal can be. Though he appears to be running himself ragged with little return, THE TRUTH IS THAT HE IS IN TRUTH! 

  There is no permanence in perpetual motion. Only in the small silent space of the hub – the heart – does tranquility reside. To believe this and live accordingly requires an ability to accept paradox - to live in an apparent duality secure in the certainty of an all encompassing Presence with no opposite. Juan does this.

  This willingness to play the game confident that we are all equal players - and eventual winners - requires both an outer objectivity and an inner tranquility.

  I have searched unsuccessfully for the origin of the following truism, which encompasses the elements of paradox as well as anything I’ve ever encountered:

  LIFE LIVED USING 99% OF ONE’S EFFORT IS GRUELING AND ULTIMATELY FUTILE – LIVED AT 100%, LIFE BECOMES MEANINGFUL AND PRICELESS!

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  • 9:49 pm
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