The Return of Ju-Ju

The heat slithered into our air a few weeks ago and its been giving us the ol' what-for for the better part of that time. Sweat is wrinkling our shirts. Sunburns are creasing our skin. Humidity is turning our hair to birds' nests.

And if the heat hasn't made its way under our collar yet, I'd be really surprised.

The avid reader of RER will remember a time about eight months ago when Bad Ju-Ju made a mess of the group dynamic around Mt. Willis. It was cold then, so I cannot blame the heat. To be fair (to the heat, anyway), Ju-Ju, especially the bad variety, runs on its own malevolent engine.

Now, the Ju-Ju has returned. The people with whom I surround myself are looking sideways at one another and it is all I can do to hide in the corner and wait for the Ju-Ju to pass.

I've seen it happen several times in my short life. People spend a lot of time around one another. They all love eachother , but they get to a point where they've just about had enough. Frustrations build to anger, anger builds to hurt feelings, hurt feelings can inspire something just short of hate. It is an ugly situation and it is all I can do to avoid it.

But, I fear, dear reader, that the Ju-Ju has a hold on this dynamic that is greater than before. I fear that real damage may be done this time.

Perhaps it is just the jetwash of my anger from earlier in the week (incidentally, that has passed and I don't feel as much like a wookie anymore). Perhaps I'm simply paranoid and overreacting. After all, there are some very good times ahead. This weekend should be top-choice. My brother will be in town. I will celebrate both his and my wife's birthday and hope my friends choose to join us. And in the weeks after that, fun of untold proportions lies ahead.

I've never been a big fan of change. I can handle a change for the better. I loathe a change for the worst. I want to free my friends from the Ju-Ju.

Any suggestions on how?