Nip and Tuck

A snip here. A paragraph there. Cut and paste (one of the greatest tools of word processing) all around and Plan B.2 is ready for prime time. I got word back yesterday from Agent Number Two that the new and revised version was "good" and that they would substitute it for parts of the current version.

In short, I am feeling a slight surge of hope. I think by turning what was perceived as a detriment into an asset, we may have hit on something. Only time will tell of course, but for now, I'm content to drift on a cloud of renewed possibility. At least for a day or two.

The art of spin is fascinating. Clinton's mignons mastered it and so, to a certain extent, did the Jackson camp throughout the Barbaro saga. The truth is that people will believe what they are told (if it makes sense, even on some level) and the trick is to repeat your message early and often. I have a friend who says that you have to say everything three times in order for anyone to hear it. The spin doctors say it about thirty times--in different ways, to be sure, but never off message.

The topic of why we don't hear it the first time is another matter (perhaps we have become so programmed to hearing it more than once?) and actually one that concerns me. There is so much we miss by not listening--not only to words but to actions. It is a source of endless frustration to me that people simply do not pay attention to what is often blatantly obvious.

Anyway, it appears that playing in the big league requires repetition. So excuse me if you've heard this all before.