Let’s Try That Shit
Truthfulness—
I favor any skepsis to which I may reply:
“Let us try it!”
But I no longer wish to hear anything
of all those things and questions
that do not permit
any experiment.
This is the limit of my “truthfulness”;
for there courage has
lost its right.
–excerpt The Gay Science, Book 1, Section 51 by Friedrich Nietzsche
A Monday morning and the day begins with a perusal of The Morning, a New York Times email which I receive daily. The email opened with a debate between two Times opinion columnist David Brooks and Paul Krugman about just how strong is the economy? As I read I was reminded of my roots in the South, though I have lived in the Midwest, near Chicago for many years. Also, I thought of the reason why I am not attracted to returning to North Carolina, or to any of the states that constituted the Old Confederacy. This line from The Times jumped out at me.
The same laissez-faire, anti-regulation, low-tax instincts that make housing relatively affordable in Houston, Tampa, Fla., and Greenville, S.C., also contribute to high American inequality and stagnant quality of life — because some regulations are more conducive to human flourishing than others.
-excerpt The New York Times, Just Keeps Rolling by David Leonhardt
Growing up in the south, I’ve had “my fill” of traditionalism, rigid social expectations, and especially the tribalism which derives from the Bible-thumping-revivalist-literalism of Sunday school and the preaching service. If you grew up in the south you know what I mean. I recoil from an attitude of rigid boundaries, rails-of-steel upon which everyone must ride. All Aboard!
Presently I love the sport of drag racing, art and those dedicated to making art, Pride festivals, and among my most enduring loves, Rock N Roll. What those practices have in common: improvisation.
As a young adult, unaccountably, I learned this rule-of-thumb from other fellow travelers:
Let’s try that shit!
Well, I am ready for a tune. How about you? This one has stood the test of time: Have You Seen Her? by The Chi-Lites.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvbpWgs8i9E
Have You Seen Her
By The Chi-Lites
One month ago today
I was happy as a lark
But now I go for walks
To the movies, maybe to the park
And have a seat on the same old bench
To watch the children play, huh
You know, tomorrow is their future
But to me just another day
They all gather around me
They seem to know my name
We laugh, tell a few jokes
But it still doesn’t ease my pain
Well, I know I can’t hide from a memory
‘Though day after day I’ve tried
I keep sayin’ she’ll be back
But today again I lied
Oh, I see her face everywhere I go
On the street and even at the picture show
Have you seen her?
Tell me, have you seen her?
Oh, I hear her voice as the cold winds blow
In the sweet music on my radio
Have you seen her?
Tell me, have you seen her?
Why, oh why
Did she have to leave and go away, oh yeah
Oh, I’ve been used to havin’ someone to lean on
And I’m lost
Baby, I’m lost
Oh doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo
Have you seen her?
Tell me, have you seen her?
Oh doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo
Have you seen her?
Tell me, have you seen her?
Oh, she left her kiss upon my lips
But left that break within my heart
Have you seen her?
Tell me, have you seen her?
Oh, I see her hand reaching out to me
Only she can set me free
Have you seen her?
Tell me, have you seen her?
Why oh why?
Did you have to leave and go away? Oh yeah
Ooh oh, I’ve been used to having someone to lean on
And I’m lost, baby I’m lost
Oh doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo
Have you seen her?
Tell me, have you seen her?
As another day comes to an end
I’m lookin’ for a letter or somethin’
Anything that she would send
With all the people I know
I’m still a lonely man
You know, it’s funny
But I thought I had her in the palm of my hand
Have you seen her
Tell me, have you seen her (tell me, have you seen her?)
Oh doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo
Have you seen her?
Tell me, have you seen her?
Have you seen her?
Tell me, have you seen her?
Have you seen her?
Tell me, have you seen her?
Lyrics by Barbara Acklin, Eugene Record
