It is a small world, after all.

And here we are, in a desperate Global Financial Situation. Things are crumbling all around us. That’s what the media is reporting, and the experts too.

Yes, the World Economy is on a bit of a roller coaster ride, as they say.

I’ve never been very crazy about roller coaster rides. In fact, I can’t stand them. I bet I’ve traveled on a roller coaster… at an amusement park, that is…. maybe….. four times in my life. Tops. I don’t mind the going-down-fast part… but it is the old ratcheting up slowly, the anticipation of horrible things to come…. that I can’t stand. Same with log rides. But those log rides are infinitely worse….. because your underwear gets wet, and stays that uncomfortable-way for the better part of the amusement-park-day.

So when you scootch on up next to Penelope Pitstop, to see if you are tall enough to drive the race cars (on rails that can’t go anywhere regardless of how tall you are)… Yes…. When you put your tallest back up next to ol’ Penelope, or Dudley DoRight, or whomever…. those undies are still soaked from the dag-gone log ride. You can’t stand your tallest with damp skivvies. So you miss out on driving the race car, by 3/4 of an inch. Tops.

And that bites. You have to head on over to Hanna Barbara Land, and ride one of the lame sing-song-story-book ordeals. Or worse yet….you are forced to get on the little motorboat rides that go around in circles. You don’t have to be taller than anyone to get on those. But you are now in the company of eight-year-olds. You are mortified.

May as well pack it in and go get a box of salt water taffy. But dang it…. your drawers are still wet from the dumb old log ride. No appetite for anything… in fact… you are starting to get chills. Even if it IS 84 degrees outside. Your clothes are wet. Right down to the booty.

It stinks being ten, I’ll tell… Yep. It smacks.

So you grow up…… vow never to waste money at amusement parks.  You save it and put it away… and then…. invest. Dabble in the stocks…hey…..things are good. You buy a house, and a real boat. You even buy a race car. HA! That will show YOU Penelope.

Then the Dow drops out. You lose your shirt. Actually, you are completely soaking wet…. all washed up… right down to your skivvies.

Yes, it seems that the world economy is on a bit of a roller coaster ride.  Perhaps, we all should have spent our money at Coney Island, or Disney World. At least we would have gotten some Salt Water Taffy out of the deal.

It’s hard being fifty.