South by Southwest: Where to start with changes?

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Where to start with changes?

Yesterday and today THE NATIONAL NEWS has my head spinning. But the spin is absolutely exhilarating. For the best summary of all that has happened read this story by the AP for YahooNews! THE NEWS of yesterday is all about change, positive mind-blowing changes. The article begins,

Bush pledges to work with Democrats By DEB RIECHMANN and TOM RAUM, Associated Press Writers. Wed Nov 8, 6:11 PM ET

WASHINGTON - President Bush pledged Wednesday to work with Democrats after the "thumping" that Republicans took on Election Day. He named a new defense secretary to oversee the war in Iraq, a change the president said was going to happen regardless of which party won the election.
Bush said former CIA Director Robert Gates, if confirmed by the Senate, would replace Donald H. Rumsfeld at the Pentagon

A few news items may have passed by without notice in the face of all THE NATIONAL NEWS. Following are some headlines that reminded me of changes about which I have wondered:

Election relatively smooth - From Facing South - "No widespread voting problems reported across South, nation"
Dow survives - From Kevin Drum at The Washington Monthly - "Dow up! Dow Down!"
Blair blasted - From the Financial Times - (Tony) "Blair set to feel icy blast of Bush defeats"
Ortega wins - From The Washington Note's Steve Clemons - "Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega: Further Evidence of America's Global Decline"
People leaving - From the Washington Post - "Changes in Congress: Democratic Wave Washes Over Capitol Hill's Character"
People coming - Also from the Washington Post - "DIVERSITY - Hill Demographic Goes Slightly More Female. No Racial Shift, But Minorities' Influence May Rise"
People detained - From TalkLeft: The Politics of Crime - "Cindy Sheehan Arrested"

Psychologically, adjusting to change, even if it is positive, is very stressful for everyone. Think about how difficult it was for many of television's most visible news anchors, commentators, sleep deprived pundits and newly elected officials to be really sharp as time passed from Monday night to the present. Some things make it better. The passage of time is one of the best cures for stress. We will also be helped by the dreams we have when we sleep. Dreams help to integrate new and novel facts into our consciousness. Last, there are salutory behaviors that assist with adjustment to change. Pay close attention to the basics of diet, exercise and sleep; minimize ingesting alcohol, sugars and caffeine.