wind, windmills...whatever

My father used a phrase when I was a kid...well, he used a LOT of phrases.  But one that I specifically recall hearing was, "You're just pissing in the wind."  I imagine I remember it so well because it was naughty.  Dad was not one to swear, but when he did, we paid extra attention.  Someone was in trouble of the capital T variety or something made him mad. Really mad.  (I recall him taking down a tree one time.  It was a vocabulary enhancing experience for me.)  Anyhow, I digress.

Pissing in the wind.

Engaging in the futile.

Tilting at windmills.

Keeping up a pointless activity, recognizing that it's getting you nowhere.

Refusing to face facts.

If you urinate into a stiff wind, all you're going to get is wet.

I need to remember this.

(After writing this, I remember that as a girl-child, I always wanted to point out to Dad that we females probably could piss in the wind and not get wet.  However, some instinct of self-preservation kept me quiet.  And regardless of actual pissing methods, the lesson applies.)