The Best Laid Plans - by Jay Kuo
Good morning! I woke up today with determination and excitement. George Takei and his content team (which I head up) are launching our new big project today, which we’ve been working on for the last two months. I was going to skip my normal weekday post, but then I thought, “Why not write it and launch the new project! You got this, Jay!”
Alas, the universe often laughs at such ambitions and finds a way to derail them. Since noon yesterday, we have been without running water where I am in Mexico, and while we were assured it would be back up and available no later than 10pm last night, when I rose this morning at dawn, it was still non-functioning. So instead of researching my daily piece, I spent the early waking hours hunting down water for Hudson and me and figuring out a way to ration what I had.
This was also a good opportunity to take breath and consider all that I take for granted. Family history provided a reminder. My nainai, meaning father’s mother, started each day in wartime China walking many kilometers to the river to fetch water for the family, which she would then spend an hour purifying by mixing in aluminum sulfate to rid it of contaminants, then boil it so it was safe to drink. That consumed pretty much her whole morning. Some of my father’s strongest memories as a child were of her seated before the water bin, patiently stirring in powder to clean it.
Billions around the world struggle with water, either too little of it or too much of it. My own quest for it this morning was an inconvenience by comparison, and yet it was enough to derail the work I now depend on as my primary income. What must it be like, I wondered, to struggle with these basic sanitation issues each and every day?
The water will come back on, I’ll get to shower and use the toilet, and Hudson won’t go thirsty. Those are reassuring certainties in a world I take for granted, though a little less with today’s reminder. When I turn on a faucet later and cool, clean H20 emerges, I will give a little thanks and be a bit more grateful for what we have.
Look for the big announcement from George Takei and team later this afternoon, right here where you normally hear from me. I think you’ll see why we’re so excited about it!
Jay
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