I should start by pointing out that Jimmy Carter and I have almost nothing in common.  In fact, if we met, my first reaction might well be to declare my atheism.  Why?  I’ve heard too much about his theism.  You might have noticed this about me: if someone brings up, without prompting, their theist views (i.e., mind if I say grace, it’s a Jewish/Islamic/Zoroastrian holiday, gay marriage is a sin), I’m likely to start talking about my next atheist holiday.*

In fact, given my track record of this kind of thing, I can almost guarantee that if I met him, I would almost immediately say something like, “Hello. I’m an atheist and I love the work you’re doing.”  Jimmy Carter could handle it.  That’s one of the things I like about him.

You might have heard that Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested the other day.  I had a client meeting, so I heard most of the details well after they emerged.  Perhaps I’m more cynical than most, but one of my early reactions was simply, “Oh? And what about Mr. Mayor?”  This from someone who has voted for both of them at least twice.**

Did I know he had it in him to sell the senate seat when I voted for him?  No.  But even if you detest the expression, you have to love the gumption.  Most people would simply take it on faith that if they did the right thing the right things would happen for them.  And most of the time it would.  Look at Jimmy Carter: widely reviled as a president, you can’t help but admire his post-presidency.  Not that I get the impression he’s rich or anything.  Blagojevich on the other hand–he wanted a guarantee and to his credit he was willing to put in the work to get one, consequences be damned.

Good thing we were tapping his phone.  What would we learn by tapping George Bush’s phone?

In other news, this coming weekend is our annual Christmas party.  Should be amusing, even if the menu will lack innovation.  For those of you who have attended before: apple stuffed pork, au gratin potatoes, veggie sushi, meatballs, etc.  But tried and true doesn’t mean I’m not slightly paranoid about the whole thing.  For example, this morning, in a flash, it came to me: the hot water heater will explode, the basement will be flooded and the dogs (who are traditionally in the basement for the party) will be dog paddling for their lives.***

Not likely, of course.  I take it on faith that reality will continue to be reality-esque.  These kind of reality diversions are just that–not real.

What about that other party–the Democrats?  Yeah, I’ve worried about that, too.  Blagojevich’s behavior isn’t likely an isolated case.  Politicians–even those claiming an high degree of Faith****–are as cynical as the rest of us.  What if this spreads?  Obama looks like he’s not infected, J. Jackson Jr. as candidate number 5 is not great, even if he disclaims responsibility.  We need to shed some light on all this and figure out what’s what.  If we’re going to keep any semblance of faith in our government, we have to dig deep.

Let’s keep looking.  Let’s find out what’s there.

So that leaves me with only one thing to talk about: Alec Baldwin.  Ran into him the other night in NYC, outside of a great Thai place–Topaz.  (For my stalkers — yes, I already wrote about it at my other blog — sorry.)  He was slightly hunched, in an overcoat, iPhone at his ear.  Alec, if you read this, I was part of what I’m sure is a regular stream of gawkers.  You might remember me–I was wearing a dark suit with a black overcoat.  I was carrying a black shoulder bag.

Anyway, if I had it to do over again, I would invite him to the Christmas party.*****  He could probably use a night away from it all, although attending a neighborhood party in Chicago might be just as much of a comic genius acting gig as 30 Rock from his point of view.  “Alec Baldwin” is, to me, just another character in our entertainment culture, just like “Rod Blagojevich” is just another character in Chicago’s corruption culture.

That en-characterization–maybe that’s the problem, all the way around.  That we, as a culture, tend to look at the people in our lives in a very impersonal way.  And that we then only see them from a distance, just far enough that we only see what we want to see (the coiffed hair, the nice overcoat) and miss the important stuff.

I’m optimistic we’ll work through this.  And I’m optimistic that the pork will come out just fine, that the cookies will be good and that we won’t have a blizzard like we did last year.

OK that last one is out of my control.  The rest I take on faith.  After all, I’ve done the work.

* My favorite atheist holiday is called “Wednesday”.
** Given that this is “vote early, vote often” country, I should point out that this was in different elections. Or maybe I mean “indifferent”.
*** FWIW, even if the hot water heater totally exploded, it wouldn’t fill the basement up to dog paddle depth.  It would–at most–put an inconvenient trickle across the floor that would then drain out.
**** Yes, I meant to capitalize “Faith”.
***** Who am I kidding.