Today’s engineering more accurately approaches wangling than choreograph. By a series of manoeuvres we are attempting to orchestrate or finagle an objective, “an instance of obtaining something by persuasion and clever manipulation”.

The American Engineers’ Council for Professional Development has defined “engineering” as: The creative application of scientific principles to design or develop structures, machines, apparatus, or manufacturing processes, or works utilizing them singly or in combination; or to construct or operate the same with full cognizance of their design; or to forecast their behavior under specific operating conditions; all as respects an intended function, economics of operation and safety to life and property.

When dealing with professionals – those acquainted with the mechanics of an operation – it is wise to keep in mind that they are not to be dealt with other than in a respectful manner. That means traditional courtesy and not engaging in anything resounding of mercenary calculation.

Mechanics (Greek: μηχανική) is the area of mathematics and physics concerned with the relationships between force, matter, and motion among physical objects. Forces applied to objects result in displacements, or changes of an object’s position relative to its environment. Theoretical expositions of this branch of physics has its origins in Ancient Greece, for instance, in the writings of Aristotle and Archimedes.

Promoting an elevated correspondence with others engaged in similar pursuit is like meshing the finest gears of a precision mechanical device. The respective parts are in organic competition but cooperating together – as they must – they produce an efficacious result. I am for example reminded of a quality mechanical watch which preserves the organic necessity of setting and winding while forever susceptible to fractional detail and complication. Our current purpose – and one which reflects both engineering and mechanics – is broadly identified as our future. In the waning days of one’s existence the denomination of something so varied as the future is not without its accuracy and aptness; nor is its contemplation wistful. The quip, “Sooner than you think…” justifiably applies.

To be clear I haven’t much truck with the morose aspect of the future. Certainly I occasionally contemplate both physical and mental disparity; but largely my devotion is towards fulfillment and happiness. Here again – when talking about the future – the scope of one’s perception is narrower and more immediate for example than it was in one’s youth. But considering youthful prospectives were predominantly focussed upon employment, fornication and money – and that those limited views are now certain or exhausted – the alternative outlook of what may be willfully and unhesitatingly chronicled as inarguable and unqualified enjoyment is by far more appealing.

I don’t mean to suggest that the future is nothing but a bed of roses. But the experience of it in the late stages of one’s life is at the very least compatible with unrestricted anticipation. Basically, we have a choice about the way to live.  And it wasn’t always so! Whether legitimate or not, there were overriding expectations in youth that influenced or strategized one’s behaviour – essentially the same things upon which one was then focussed (employment, fornication and money). But in old age, “nobody’s listenting, nobody cares”. We have only ourselves to blame if we abuse the opportunity for pleasure.

With this in mind we proceeded today to engineer the mechanics of our future. There were conversations (among ourselves and with another); emails (back and forth); alteration and amendment of the calendar; calculation and summary; contemplation and prediction – and waiting. Naturally I am accounting but a portion of all that transpired. What lingers inevitably is the postponement and delay for which there is but one course of conduct. Wait.

So wait we must, moored in the still bay of temporary retreat, looking to the horizon. Blissfully evaporating into the ether along the way, swaying like a gull in the wind over the sea. Meanwhile I recall what…