Welcome to the WZ
by Your Diva, Robin Pastorio-Newman

A thousand years ago, when grunge musicians roamed the earth, Your Darling, Your Diva, Your One True Love fell for a fellow who'd traveled all over the place with a backpack and without a map. He told the story of very briefly passing through a small, backwater burg where the townsfolk adorned their pickups with bumper stickers that read, "Welcome to [Insert forgotten location]. That better be a tan."
 
People get a lot of stupid ideas. It's a stupid idea to print your ignorance and stick it on a motor vehicle. It was a stupid idea to fall in love with a guy who got saner after a six pack. This week, people have the stupid idea that you should feel a certain way, whatever way they feel, and they plan to tell you all about it. Do yourself a huge favor and turn off the TV. Or how about you pick up a copy of the late Warren Zevon's new album The Wind. When Zevon was diagnosed with terminal cancer he was told he should go home and prepare to die. Instead, he wrote and recorded a CD full of his trademark cranky humor. Would this guy tolerate being told how to feel? Not a chance. Neither should we.
 
During the six weeks Your Beloved was glamorously confined to the couch, she had a good long think on when we are, which you can take to mean the here-and-now of us. What an interesting people we are! What fascinating things we accomplish! A crushing anger dissipated, and Your Sweetness felt lighter, and alive, and glad to be alive. That's one way to feel, but it may not be for you, for right now. Think this over: in your place, what would Warren Zevon do?
 

©2003 Robin Pastorio-Newman