The Default Position

[jamesq]

I'm a big fan of The West Wing. Someday I hope to finish watching it, seeing as how I own the whole series. I bring this up because of a small quote from the series. It was not a big speech or idealistic quip like most of the memorable lines from that well written series. It was just a small exchange between two of the main characters. it stuck in my mind at the time. The quote's not on IMDB, so I'll have to do it from memory, hopefully I'm not too far off.

President Bartlet: How're you Toby?
Toby Ziegler: I'm happy.
President Bartlet: Why?
Toby Ziegler: Happiness is my default position.

The thing you have to understand about this exchange is that Toby was actually quite the Eeyore. He grumbled and he growled. He was perpetually pissed off about something. Sometimes he ranted and on a few memorable occasions he had a full on yelling, screaming rage. It was fun to watch.

He always had a reason to be pissed off, he was the White House Communications Director. Good television means conflict and the West Wing had it in spades because the (fictional) stakes were so high.

So it was nice to see, that when there was no reason to be angry about something, that he reverted to happy. He wasn't an angry person, he simply found himself in angry situations a lot of the time.

This is all a preamble to me announcing that I'm happy today.

I've just woken up, I've done some chores and I'm about to go for a run. I'm only working a half day today so I'm not in my usual morning rush. The last few days have been fun. I'm confident in my abilities and appearance. I'm not second guessing or depreciating myself.

It's a nice feeling and I hope it lasts.

Comments

[wackynephews.livejournal.com]

Toby is one of those characters that you can't help but admire. Despite his position and his knowledge of the power structure of DC he is still an idealist at heart.

And, yes, you really need to watch the rest of the series. Season five and six are really good TV but season seven is, along with season 1-4, perhaps TV at it's best.

Also, glad to hear that you are happy.