By Patrick F. Cannon
At the beginning of every year, I ask myself: can things really get worse? My inclination is to say “yes, by golly, they sure can.” But frankly, you just never know. Last year, for example, inflation and a looming recession were on our minds (well, maybe not the rich folk, who could give a crap). Well, there was no recession and inflation finally seems under control.
While the cost of fuel for our supposedly gas-guzzling cars is a constant source of complaint, in real terms, adjusted for inflation, it’s actually cheaper than it was in 1965; and average miles per gallon of current cars is 25.4; in 1966, 13.5. Persistently low unemployment rates have quieted calls for a higher national minimum wage, because the market has raised wages due to demand, as it always has. And despite what you may believe, real wages have increased faster than inflation.
All of this is going along just fine despite the chronic dysfunction in Washington. You would have to be some kind of lunatic to be looking forward to the 2024 election. I first voted in the 1960 presidential election, and I can’t think of one since that provided so clearly a choice between the devil and the deep blue sea. Frankly, I don’t think either likely candidate will survive the full four years, so we should all pay attention to who the vice presidential candidates are. I’m just a bit ashamed to admit I wish something would happen to both even before the election.
I do wish I could say that I was looking forward to a banner year for Chicago sports teams, but based on 2023, the future looks grim indeed. There was jubilation last Sunday because the Bears actually won a game. At 6 wins and 9 losses, they are unlikely to get in the playoffs, which they last did in 2018. Both the Bulls and Blackhawks are mired at the bottom of the standings, and the less said about the Cubs and Sox the better. Even the Chicago Fire had a dismal season.
Strangely enough, the Bears are the NFL’s fifth most valuable franchise at $6.3 billion; and the Cubs are MLB’s fourth most valuable at $4.1 billion. My wish for both is that the current owners cash out and we end up with folks like Jerry Jones of Dallas and the late George Steinbrenner of the Yankees, i.e., owners who have a passion for winning. As for Jerry Reinsdorf of the Sox and Bulls, I have no idea what goes on in his mind, but winning doesn’t seem at the top.
I can’t think of any resolutions for the coming year. Last year, I decided to be less judgmental. As a result, I keep dollar bills in my wallet and car and give them to panhandlers on a regular basis. I’m sure some of this money has bought drugs or booze, but I hope some has gone for a decent meal. Americans are the most generous people in the world, donating to charities and organizations of all kinds. Let’s keep it up.
I also fully intend to keep doing this blog as long as I’m able. This will be the 423rd week in a row that I have posted. At a rough calculation, that’s about 275,000 words. Sometimes my readers don’t agree with me, and take the time to tell me so. I value any response, so feel free!
Finally, my partner, photographer Jim Caulfield, and I are in the final stages of finishing our eighth book on Chicago architects and architecture. It’s a major revision of an earlier book on one of America’s greatest architects, Louis Sullivan. It is titled Louis Sullivan: An American Architect, and should be available late next Summer. As usual, I have sworn it will be my last. Whether I actually mean it this time will have to await next year’s final blog post!
Copyright 2023, Patrick F. Cannon
cannonnadedotcom 
The ancient Romans had a saying, “Dum spiramus speramus.” While we breathe, there is hope. They were also known for their stoicism. And assassinating their emperors.
Hope for the best, expect the worst was the guiding theme in one of the Mel Brooks movies (“Twelve Chairs”). It combines optimism with a shielding skepticism to help deal with things when they go wrong. If things go well, you are right, and if they don’t, right again! The irony also provides humor, like the inscription on a tombstone, “I told you I was sick.”
Life can always be better and it can always be worse. The past few years I’d say tilted toward worse. We may have avoided the technical definition of a recession, and inflation has slowed down, but too many people around here at least are still scuffling.
Politics has been on a downturn and seems destined to continue in that direction. People seem unable to elect effective leadership, partly because of apathy partly as a result of determined media partisanship. I’m with you regarding the two major candidates. Neither of them has the ability to lead the country. Both would be lame ducks if re-elected. Potentially, either could be a dead duck before the end of his term. Keep an eye on the VP!
I stopped following the MLB and NFL some time ago. I’m just amazed at the amount of money generated. College sports have now gotten in on the game. Sports seems to attract the Hope-For-The-Best crowd, especially gamblers. They must be heavy breathers.
It’s best to be grateful for what we have, knowing that there are no guarantees. We’ve been lucky. As Boethius noted nearly 2000 years ago, Fortune can be fickle. Life may be more technologically sophisticated today but fundamentally it hasn’t changed, for better or worse. It is what it is, but it’s best to be optimistic. One of my favorite Gershwin lines, from “Things are looking up”:
Things are looking up
It’s a great little world we live in!
So congrats on your blog. May it continue to liven up Thursday mornings. And good luck with your next book. Happy New Year! There are bound to be good things in store (In bocca al lupo, knock on wood, Kina hora! May there be no evil eye!).
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Good old Gershwin. And Mel Brooks ain’t no slouch either!
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