Procrastinating On A Sunny Day (Again)

Yes, it finally snowed. They say it was a blizzard, but at least it was a snow storm. It was a wonderful excuse for me to stay home, hang-out with Edgar, and read a book. I thought about going jogging for a minute or two, but decided it was in my best interest to stay indoors. The wind was howling so loud I thought the roof might come off. Edgar slept through most of it.
So, now that the sun is out, I am trying to gather some energy to do some cleaning. The dust is thick on everything, and the floor is covered in Edgar's bird seed. He's a very messy eater.
I'm currently making my second cup of tea, which I will drink while reading the paper. Hopefully, I will be able to motivate myself to start dusting after that. I know the world will not end if I don't, but I will feel better if at least some of the debris (look that one up) is tidied up.
And as for you, whatever you do today, do it well, and enjoy being alive. I command it.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas represents the birth of Jesus Christ, who in the Christian religion is believed to be the son of God made flesh to save the souls of the human race. Many of us have different religious beliefs, which is why I usually shy away from talking about religion.
But regardless of beliefs, regardless of your religion, the story of Jesus Christ is a wonderful one. And, it is a shining example of what is really important in life. His story is one of love, and not a select love for a few, but a love for everyone, most especially those who are poor, low-born, abused and neglected, and those who are looked down upon. To me, he represents how important community is, but not an exclusive community, but one that includes everyone.
Going by how difficult He said it would be for a rich man to get into heaven, it's easy to see how unmaterialistic He was. I have a feeling He would be quite upset with all the money spent, and the expensive gifts given on this holiday. The gifts themselves are of no importance. What is important are the feelings behind the giving.
So, no matter what you believe, the story of Jesus Christ is a most excellent example to live a life by. Being only human, none of us are capable of perfection. But striving for perfection in how we live our lives is indeed a worthy lifetime goal.
Merry Christmas all! This is a good day to remember how fortunate we are, and to remember all those who are not so fortunate.

Is It Snowing, Yet?

Well, Winter officially starts this evening at 6:38 pm. Although we did have maybe an inch of snow a couple weeks ago, we haven't had a snowstorm to speak of as of yet. That might change this weekend, the weathermen say. But as all native New Englanders know, the weather can be quite fickle, and always difficult to predict with any reasonable accuracy. This is New England, and with the weather, almost anything is possible here.
It would be nice to have snow for Christmas, but I do understand the great dread many of us have for driving, and traveling in general, in the snow. It really doesn't bother me much. In fact, I feel quite at home in snow and ice. Probably because of my two years of living with the penguins in the Antarctic. It was two of the most wonderful years of my life. They accepted me as one of their own. They taught me how to swim in the cold polar water, and how to catch fish with my mouth. They also taught me to detect and escape from sharks in the water. It was an incredible two years. I learned so much from my penguin friends. Of course, when I came back, it took me weeks to stop walking like a penguin. It was a bit embarassing.
I also caused a scene when I was visiting the Aquarium in Boston, when, without thinking, I dove into a water tank in order to catch a very tasty looking fish. I managed to talk them out of having the police arrest me. But I did have to pay for the fish.

Journey Into The Earth

A while back, I got lost while I was spelunking (underground, exploring caves) in Kentucky. I was with a small tour group, and somehow I got separated from the rest of the group. I had a flashlight with me, but after a few hours the batteries died. I remember being scared, and wandering for hours. I also remember something chasing me in the dark. Whatever it was, I don't think it was friendly. But that's about all I remember.
They found me 3 weeks later. They say I was eating insects, and sucking on cave moss for moisture. I'm afraid I have no memory of any of that. But since I survived underground for so long, it must be true.
Anyway, I have never been back to Kentucky, although it is a beautiful state. And I have never been tempted to go spelunking again. In fact, the idea of being underground is so repellant (I can't get far enough away from the thought alone) to me, that when I die, I wish to be launched into space. Or at least into orbit. In other words, I want to be buried up, not down. So bury me not on the lone prairie (an old cowboy song), but send me out to the stars. Thank you.

Circus, or French Foreign Legion?

When life gets a bit frantic (flat-out crazy; flat-out is a term for as fast as possible, or as much as possible), there's an old song that I always think of that starts with, Goodbye Cruel World, I'm off to join the Circus...
But then I always get confused as to whether it's supposed to be Circus, or Army.
I never liked the idea of running away to join the Army very much. It just didn't have enough pizazz (kick; danger; excitement). I always thought that if I really wanted to run away from life into extreme danger, it should be the French Foreign Legion. Not only does it sound highly dangerous, but I would have to go to far away lands that I probably would never come back from. At least, probably not alive. The idea has quite a romantic appeal for a young boy, or, for that matter, a young man. Like me.
So although every young American boy, at one unhappy time or another, thought of running away to join a circus, and never going home again, I always thought that joining the French Foreign Legion would be a far cooler, and much more adventurous, thing to do. And of course, totally insane.
Luckily it's too late for me think about it now. Besides, Edgar would never let me.

Holiday Blues

Christmas is a very interesting time of year, and culturally, it can be a confusing holiday. It is a religious, as well as a commercial holiday. Christmas advertising starts, in some cases, well before Halloween, and most other commercial holiday advertising starts well before Thanksgiving. The retail industry depends on the holiday season to bring them the profits they need for the entire year.
For all Christians, Christmas represents the birthday of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came to Earth to save mankind. Maybe more importantly, at least to me, is the life he led in example of how people should try to live, even if humanly impossible.
Culturally, it is the big holiday for many Americans, and all Christians. It is a holiday to share and spend time with family. But to me it is a season when we should try to be concerned with all those not only in our lives, but those in our world. Particularly those who are not as fortunate as we are. There are a lot of unfortunate people in the world, and you don't have to look very far to find them. And yes, we should help others all year 'round. But if there is a season when we should especially feel the need help our fellow humans, this is it.
I, like many other people, always feel a bit blue at this time of year. Not just because of family and friends that I have lost over the years, but also because I cannot do all the things I would like to be able to do, not just for the people in need around me, but also for all the people I know and love, both to show them how much I care, and to make their lives easier.
I know I am only human, and I am all too aware of my limitations.
But if I were Superman, Oh! the things I would do.

Turkeys Are On The Run

It's a bad time of year to be a turkey. There was a knock on my back door last night. It turned out to be a scared, wild turkey ("wild" meaning living in the wild). I'm hiding him in my bedroom closet. I will let him out in a few days. Of course, he will still have to worry about becoming someone's Christmas dinner. There's always something to worry about.
There was a time, many moons ago (long ago), when people had to go out and hunt a wild turkey for their Thanksgiving dinner. And there are still some who do that. But now, most people simply buy a frozen turkey from the local supermarket, and then cook it themselves. Some families, like mine, buy a complete pre-cooked dinner, and then simply heat it all up on the stove on Thanksgiving morning. A much easier way of having a big meal, with much less trouble to prepare.
Thanksgiving originally was a celebration of survival by the original pilgrim settlers. Many of the first pilgrims died during the first winter in the New World. So after the following harvest, the survivors had a big gathering to celebrate their survival, and I imagine, to remember all those who did not survive.
And for me as well, this is a holiday of not just giving thanks for all we have, but it is also a holiday of remembrance for all those close to us we have lost, and all those now gone who have contributed to our lives. Many of whom we have never met.
And it is good to be thankful and remember all those who have come into our lives, past and present. For they have made our lives rich, indeed.

What Was Out There?! I'm Not Tellin'...

So, did you enjoy my amateurish attempt at scaring you? Well, if you want to find out whether I live or die, and what is killing all my neighbors (as well as everyone else in the world. Yes! you are in danger, too!) you will just have to watch this blog for the next part of the story. I know. I am a very cruel man. Tough. Live with it.
I managed to jog in the rain this morning, although I wasn't singing like Gene Kelly in the movies. I kinda' like jogging in the rain, as long as it isn't a hard and/or cold rain. If you don't understand and/or, you will have to ask me about it.
I did actually see a little bit of sun today, but not as much as I would have liked. It's important to enjoy whatever sun we get at this time of year. I don't know if it's just my imagination, or maybe my faulty memory, but I always think of the late fall as having a lot of cloudy and gray days. And I also imagine, that snow isn't terribly far ahead. I can see some now on the horizon. It could be here soon.
One of my favorite authors, Tim Lebbon, who lives in the U.K., wrote a story about a snowstorm that didn't end, and monsters that blended in with snow. It was a novella (longer than a short story, but not as long as a novel) called White. That was a scary story.
Until next time, enjoy life, and please, stay out of trouble.

Doomy Gloom, or Gloomy Doom? Decisions, decisions...

I've been trapped in this small apartment for two days now. I woke yesterday morning to the screams of one or more of my neighbors from outside. When I peered from behind my curtains out into the unusually dark and gray morning, I was able to glimpse something darker than the morning moving extremely fast, in an unnatural manner. I noticed my bird, Edgar Allen, was very quiet and looking terrified, as he huddled in his cage.
Throughout the day and well into last night, the quiet was broken by periodic wild and, to use a cliche that I never truly understood before the last two days, blood-curdling screams. I have only tried to take brief looks outside a few more times, but all I have managed to see are blurs of dark movement. I feel confident those movements were not made by any of my neighbors, and I don't believe they were made by anything human. It has been hours since I have tried to peek out of a window. Ever since I heard someting scratch against the outside walls.
I wasn't prepared for this, and I will need to go out to try to locate some food very soon now. Everything is very quiet out there. Quieter than I have ever heard it before. I don't know whether it's safer to wait for the possibility of daylight, which if anything like today, will be nonexistent, or to try to use the cover of night. I just don't have a good feeling about this.
I will probably leave just before, what would normally, be dawn. I don't know if I will be able to get back with food, but one way or another, there's a good chance I might find out what's happening out there. If for any reason I don't make it, you will hear no more from me.
Take care, and, good luck.

I Woke Up In London...

It was quite damp when I awoke this morning. Not that I wanted to wake up. I would rather not have. If it were possible, I might still be asleep right now. But it's a very rare thing for me to be able to get all the sleep I would like.
When I went out to jog shortly after getting up, the world outside was gloomy and gray, full of garbage trucks, and cars that were carrying people in a hurry to get to work. At least until I arrived at the youth league football field, where the track I jog on is located, close to the river.
Jogging is a good time to think and contemplate life. Whether it's things going on, or yet to be. Either in my life, or just life in general.
But there's something about damp days that puts me off (an expression that means I don't like it, or don't feel right about it). It's an in between (between one thing and another, in the middle of) stage of the weather. It's not raining, and it's definitely far from sunny. It's gray, gloomy, and with a lot of moisture hanging in the air. It's not really cold, but it almost feels that way because of the dampness. I actually like rain. Well, a certain amount of it. But I can do without gloomy, gray and damp.
Anyway, as it turns out, I wasn't really in London when I woke up. It just felt like it. But I suppose that if I really decided I liked gloomy, gray, and damp, I could move there. Or even better, go for a weekend. That might be plenty.

At Home with Old & New Friends...

I don't know if is because I am a bit of a strange character, or not. But some of my most enjoyable moments are while reading a good book. I read a lot of books, I suppose, and I would not call all of them good, by any means. Or, to qualify that statement, some books are of much higher caliber (quality) than others.
A writer whose books I have been reading for a long time is William Gibson. Between yesterday and today I managed to read his most recent book, Zero History. Many of the main characters in Zero History were also in his last book, although they are both stand-alone novels (meaning you don't have to read the first in order to read the second, or vice versa). Now, for all you English learners, this is not a book you should try to read in English. If you want to check it out (try reading it), you should do it in your own language. The author is very literate and descriptive in his language. The combination is even a bit much for me upon occasion, and I need a dictionary close to hand.
Like many books, as well as stories, it starts off kind of slow, but after the first twenty to thirty pages begins to pick up momentum. In fact, the story gathers speed fairly rapidly. As I said, I began it yesterday, and finished it this afternoon. And it is a 400 page book.
I really do like William Gibson's work. With this book, he tells a wonderfully unique kind of industrial spy story that touches on cutting-edge fashion, marketing, & spy-ware, among other things.
But for me, reading this book was kind of like coming home. Characters, friends if you like, that I was able to become familiar with again, as well as new friends. A story that was engaging, with action, suspense, and beautifully written. And, besides all else, it actually has two romances. One that actually began in the previous book, and one just beginning in this one. But the romance in the book is not overdone (I wouldn't call it sappy). It is the perfect amount for the story. Although it was enough to bring a tear to the eye (ok, my eye) once or twice. And enough to add to that happy glow at the end of the book when everything well, as I hoped it would.
To use an expression, finishing the book made life, and all things in the world, seem "right as rain."

Children At Heart

I'm sometimes a sucker (someone easily taken advantage of, or falling for something) for sappy (emotional, sometimes overly so) movies. The other day I watched a Disney movie called The Kid. It was about a man whose young self showed up one day to ask him for help. The story basically was about the 2 of them (the man & his younger self as a child) trying to figure out how to change both their lives, or I should say, the life they shared.
In the end, I believe it was really about the both of them accepting who they are, and the man recognizing, and accepting, the child who was not only a part of him, but also who he still was.
Childhood can be a very hard time of life to live through, and many of us have experiences and things we learned about ourselves in childhood, that we would not mind being able to forget. And, of course, in our active and sometimes frantic adult lives, it is very easy to forget what it was like to be a child, and what childhood was like.
But we are still those children. And I believe it is very important to remember those children that we once were. They are a large part of who we are now. So we owe it to them, and to ourselves, to remember them, and recognize the child within us still.

Alive & Well

Yes, I am still here. I am recovering from my recent trip to the top of Mt. Everest. Whenever there is an election, I always vote by absentee ballot, and get as far away from any contact with the media as possible. No newspapers, t.v. or radio.
So I took a weeks worth of supplies, a thermal tent, a weeks worth of oxygen, a few good books, and spent a week at the top of a very high mountain. The perfect place to escape the insanity surrounding another midterm election.
Now you might ask, why did I go to the extreme of going to the top of a mountain for a week?
Well, my dear Watson (a reference to a fictional character from the tales of Sherlock Holmes), it's elementary. I can't stand to be reminded of how stupid and fickle people can be.
But I had to come back and face it eventually.
I am always amazed at people's capacity for shortsightedness. The economic situation was not improving fast enough, so the people put those who got us into this mess in the first place, and who have also been fighting all positive attempts to correct it, back into power. What's wrong with this picture? So, my guess is, this large group of people want any improvements to go much slower, or not at all.
Anyway, I would have stayed on the top of Mt. Everest if I could, but that just wouldn't be possible. I wonder if it's possible to become a citizen of Bora Bora? It's worth dreaming about.

Two Meals For The Price Of None

Some days are a complete surprise. No, I don't mean I woke up surprised to still be alive, although, occasionally, that does happen. I'm talking about expecting your day to go one way, straight ahead for instance, and it goes in a completely different direction. It takes a left, so to speak. Life can be interesting.
I was invited to lunch by a friend who was here visiting for a day, and so, I had to rush some things I was trying to get done, so I could get to the restaurant on time. Of course, I was late. When I arrived, however, my friend wasn't there. But three other friends of mine were there, along with two friends of their's. They invited me to join them, which I was a little unsure of, since I was waiting for someone else, but they assured me it would be fine, so I sat with them. Then, of course, I had to share a meal with them. It was the polite thing to do. How could I refuse. I love Chinese food.
Anyway, to move the story along, my friend, her baby daughter, as well as another friend, showed up about a half hour later. I think it was a half hour later. With all the food and conversation I completely lost track of time.
So when my three friends left, along with my two new friends, I joined my other two friends, and of course, my friend's baby girl as well. And then we were joined by two more of my friend's friends. Wow, what a small world. And there was lots of delicious food, including a new Chinese pumpkin pie dessert. I don't think there was any pumpkin in it, but it was wonderful, all the same.
And that, my friends, is how I got two meals, for the price of none.

I Love Halloween

You might wonder why I was raving (talking in a very enthusiastic manner, like a crazy person) about westerns. Actually it's because I am reading a book of 4 western horror novellas (a novella is longer than a short story, but shorter than a novel; it might be anywhere from roughly 60 to 150 pages) by 4 authors that I like. So although crossing (combining) the western story with a horror story is somewhat of a rarity, for me they are definitely a marvelous treat.
And this is the perfect time of year for horror stories, being as Halloween is only 3 days away.
I fell in love with horror when I was about 10 years old. It was the first time I read a really scary story. I remember being alone in the living room reading on the couch. I got so scared that I picked my feet up off the floor because I was afraid something might be under the couch.
Ever since then I have loved reading horror stories and novels, and of course seeing a good horror movie. And I don't mean "slasher" movies with some maniac killing people in all kinds of brutal and graphic (visually explicit) ways. I'm talking about an atmospheric and supernatural horror movie that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up.
And Halloween is a wonderful time of year for scary stories of any kind. It's getting colder outside, as well as getting darker earlier. There is still some great color to the foliage (leaves on the trees and ground). All this adds to the "spooky" climate that makes Halloween one of my favorite times of year. And, of course, I probably don't need to tell you, Halloween is one of my 2 favorite holidays, even though it isn't considered a holiday in the strict sense of the word.
So what could be more enjoyable than a book of western horror stories, particularly at Halloween? You know, I can't think of a darn thing.

The American Western

If you really want to understand American culture, you need to understand the American western. Movies like, High Noon, Tombstone, Wyatt Earp, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, The Man From Laredo, etc. etc. The list is endless, and many of the titles I don't remember. But the western represents something essential about American spirit. A man standing on his own against forces (usually criminals or evil men) larger than himself. High Noon is a very famous western, and one of my favorites. Many westerns glorified the west. That is, they made that time (1840-1910), and the people of that time, appear (look) to be much better than they actually were.
For instance, there were many movies made about Jesse James who was a bank robber and was reputed (known by reputation, or thought to be) to be a killer. Yet, many movies made him out to be a folk hero (a hero of the people, like Robin Hood). One of my favorites, when I first saw it, was called The Long Riders. It was about the James Gang, which included Jesse and his brother Frank, as well as the Younger Brothers, who were also famous outlaws. The movie didn't make Jesse out to be a wonderful man. But then again, it didn't make him out to be a terrible man, either. And it did make you sympathize with him.
Another of my all time favorites was a very gritty (no glorification here) western called McCabe and Mrs. Miller. It was about a con man and a prostitute who went into business together. It was perhaps the first western I saw that seemed true to what the reality of that time must have been like. The movie starred Warren Beatty and Julie Christy, who were truly amazing together on screen. They starred in many movies together after that, although I think that was the only western they did together.
I don't know exactly why, but I have always liked westerns. And I will say, that if you can understand and appreciate a western, then you have learned something about American culture.

The Lonely Comment

There once was a lonely comment. It really wanted to be spoken, but nobody would. It wandered alone through the minds of many, and the hearts of some. But still, no matter how many minds and hearts it traveled through, it could not get anyone to utter it aloud.
Now, some comments have a very limited lifespan, and can only remain unspoken for so long before they pass on as just another unspoken thought to be completely forgotten. Where these unspoken and then forgotten comments and thoughts go, well, I have no idea. But one thing I do believe I know. And that is, that an unspoken comment can never be happy, because comments are only happy when they are spoken aloud (or written) so they can be shared.
This a tribute to all those poor unspoken comments that disappear into the ether, alone and forgotten. Their's are truly sad stories.
So, please, if a comment floats across your mind, don't let it die a lonely death. Speak, and share it, so it might live a happy life, even if only for a brief time.
Any questions?

Where Am I At?

Sorry, people. Time keeps passing while I'm looking the other way. Let me know if you get that.
I've been reading a book about an alternate history where people travel from London, England to another planet, where the ancient city of Babylon still exists, simply by stepping through a gate. It's a good story, but I really like the idea of being able to walk through a gate and instantly being somewhere else. It would make long distance travel something I could do with ease, as well as painlessly.
Some of you might know that I have an inner ear problem, which is why I can't fly. Once a passenger jet gets up to cruising altitude, the cabin pressure causes me unbearable pain. Plus I tend to lose the hearing in my left ear for about a week or so. Needless to say, I haven't flown in roughly 25 years.
So, you can see why I would be interested in being able to travel instantly through a gate to anywhere. I would be able to become a world traveler. I could wander through Europe and Asia. I could go with my Chinese friends to visit China, and stay as long as I like. The world would be my oyster. Ah, the possibilities are endless.
So, if anyone stumbles across instantaneous gate travel please let me know. In particular, keep an eye out for one that leads directly to Bora Bora. I have a long vacation that's waiting there for me.

Where you at?

I don't know if it's still true, but in New Orleans (pronounced Noo Orrlens when you're in that "neck of the woods"), it used to be that instead of saying How you doin', or What's up? They would say, "Where you at?" I like that.
So, Where you at? Have you been reading a book, watching a movie, fishing, eating, losing money at the casino, or maybe, making money at the casino. If you are making money at the casino, it means you work there.
Time is still flying. I keep trying to slow it down, but the more I jam into it (the more I try to do in a day) the faster it seems to go. The Rolling Stones (a rock'n'roll group) might have time on there side (they sang a song called Time Is On My Side), but I sure don't. It's ok. There'll be time to rest on the way to the next life.
My conversation group for those brave English learners who came to the library today was a wild crowd. There were a couple of women from Puerto Rico (mother and daughter), a Canadian French woman, 4 Tibetan men of whom one is a Buddhist monk, and a Chinese woman. I enjoyed myself immensely (a very large amount). Hopefully everyone else did, too.
Two very important parts of learning any language are, one, you have to try to understand the culture of that language. The other, and maybe most important, is that you have to enjoy yourself while you learn. Life is short. Whatever you do, it is much better to really enjoy it than to make yourself and everyone around you miserable.
Besides, a stressful environment is really not conducive (helping to cause or produce) to learning.
And, for pete's sake, stay out of trouble!

Flexibility in Time & Space

I have many authors (writers of books) I like. One of them, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., wrote a book called Slaughterhouse Five. The main character becomes "unstuck in time." He doesn't travel in time, but moves back and forth to different times in his life. Not in his mind, like many of us tend to do, but actually in the flesh (physically), so to speak. He does not have control over when these "shifts" (movements) in time happen, nor does he have control of where, or rather when, he ends up each time. Sometimes he ends up in the past, and sometimes he ends up in his own future. The only thing that is certain, is that "whenever" he ends up, he will only stay until he becomes "unstuck" again.
It would be a very unusual way to experience life. I wonder if any of us, if put in that situation, would be able to remain sane.
I have enough trouble trying to remain flexible in all my day to day, sometimes mundane, and sometimes chaotic, but very linear (straight line) in regards to time, travels and experiences in life. It's not that I would change much about my life. But I would change a little about myself. I would throw in a good bit more of patience, which the lack of might someday get me in serious trouble, particularly when I am driving, but also at other times.
And I would definitely add in some flexibility. As someone once said, it is better to bend in the wind, than to break.
I would also be willing to pay much to have my "worry gene" surgically removed.
For better or worse, however, we must cope with our shortcomings, and make the best of our circumstances.
But all things being equal, it would be nice to be living on Bora Bora.

Slow Recovery Taking Place

Am I talking about the economy? Nope. The slow recovery I'm referring to is energy. My energy.
Last week I aided and abetted (to help and aid someone in an illegal activity) some good friends in their efforts to flee Connecticut to the safety of Pennsylvania. No, they really hadn't committed a crime, or done anything illegal. They were just moving their family in order to start new jobs.
Now, I was very happy to help, and I am glad I was able to do so. It was, however, a very exhausting experience for me. Although, in it's own peculiar way, it was quite an adventure from beginning to end.
I went along, not so much as an english translator, but as more of an interpreter, since my friend Pamela's english is not always easy to understand. She is originally from China. Anyway, each errand had a bit of an epic experience to it. They didn't seem to come to an end quickly. For instance, we had to pick up her baby daughter's medical records and at the same time cancel a later appointment and vaccination for her. After leaving the first time, we barely made it out the door before going back because Pam had more questions. The second time we made it to the parking lot before going back. The final time, we actually were driving away before turning around and going back. When we left, Pam had re-made the appointment for the baby, and had cancelled having the medical records sent out since she would have to come back in November for the appointment anyway. And that, was just one of a handfull of things we had to do that day. All being unique experiences that would be difficult to explain, and possibly hard to believe.
But as I said, even as tiring as the overall week was, I was very happy to be able to help. They are wonderful people, and good friends. I am very lucky to be part of their lives. I am only sad because they are so far away now, and I will see them very rarely.
But the only thing that is certain in life is that things change. So we do what we have to do.
Be well, my friends. Look out for each other.

Where Am I?

I have lost an entire week of time. I was on my way home thinking about the new post I was going to write on this blog, when a curtain of shimmering light appeared in front of my car. The last thing I remember was driving into this strange phenomenon, and then, poof! The next thing I know, I am sitting in my car outside my apartment, it is a week later, and I have no memory of what happened between the time I drove into that curtain of weird wavering light and then sat in my car outside my apartment.
Now I know this is probably very difficult to believe, but the only explanation I can come up with is that I must have been abducted by aliens. I don't even want to think about what they might have done to me during that missing week. It's just too horrible to contemplate.
Anyway, I seem to be back, although I don't know where I was, or how I got there. But I do seem to have all my necessary body parts, hands, feet, etc., and that is a good thing.
So, once again, I will try to keep you up-to-date on what's happening in my world on a more regular basis. Of course, that is assuming the aliens don't come back for me.
As always, thanks for your support.
And PLEASE! Whatever you do, stay out of the curtain of Shimmering Light!

It's All Greek to Me

Learning another language is far from easy. Not as difficult as passing a camel through the eye of a needle, but difficult all the same. Luckily for me, there are some rather slow learners in my Chinese class, so if I just want to get by (to just get by is an expression that means doing just enough work to pass a class, or keep your job) it's a piece of cake. At least at the moment.
The problem, however, is that I want to do more than just get by. I really do want to learn Chinese. But, like learning English, it is a slow process. There's no magical way to learn fast, and no pill I can take in order to be able to speak Chinese by tomorrow morning. Wouldn't that be nice. Of course, if there were a pill, we probably wouldn't appreciate the ability to speak a new language as much, because it took no work or effort on our part. So, we can take pride in learning. I believe that's mostly a good thing.
Anyway, it is a beautiful day here in Connecticut. A good day to get outside for awhile, go fishing, have a picnic, go for a walk, or read a book under a tree. So enjoy, be well, and stay out of trouble if you can!

A Man's Got to Know His Limitations..

The title was a famous line from a Dirty Harry movie, played by Clint Eastwood. Knowing one's own limitations is not always easy. A limitation could be physical, mental as in mental abilities, or psychological. For instance, someone might not be able to run very fast, or maybe someone doesn't know how to dance. A different example would be if someone was very bad at math, or was a very slow reader. These also would be limitations. As well as a psychological problem, like agoraphobia, which is a fear of being outside.
My biggest limitation is because of CFIDS (chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome) because it puts limits on what I can do. Or, to put it another way, I have very limited physical energy. There are times when I would like nothing more than to help a friend or friends, and I am unable to do so.
This problem with energy, and CFIDS in general, prevents me from traveling, whether for pleasure or to benefit someone else. I was asked recently to go with some friends on long drive to help them with a couple of situations where they wanted help with English. I couldn't because of what it would have cost me. The cost would have been a minimum of spending at least a day or two in bed. And when my energy gets depleted (used up), that's when it becomes easy for me to catch something like a cold, or the flu.
It's hard to explain to people how this disease limits me. One reason is that no matter how bad I feel, I don't look sick. When my brother, Jeff, was alive, we went to a number of coventions in order to get books signed, as well as buy rare books. We never spent more than a day, but they were long days. We would leave early in the morning, and get home very late. After one of these conventions, it would take me sometimes as much as a week to recover.
So, the point I suppose, is that I have a very good sense of what my physical limitations are because of my experience with CFIDS. Over the course of time, I have learned what I can do, and what price I will pay, whether small or large, for all expenditures (spending of) of my physical and mental energy.
All the same, it is very hard to say no to a good friend. After all, what is more natural than wanting to help a friend? So when I am not able to, I feel bad. But, one has to accept that he/she is merely human, and all humans have their limitations. And regardless of how we feel about them, it is a good thing to know one's limitations. And that's all I'll say about that.
The following statement is not a self-endorsement, but was typed in by a young friend who refuses to be denied.
Annie: John is a really,really nice,kind,funny,smart and stupendous.

Chaos Rained Down Upon My Head

Well, it probably wasn't utter (complete) chaos, but mighty close. Saturday I managed to get up early enough to jog, get Edgar's food, water, & cage ready for the day, and then make it to my Chinese class only 5 minutes late. After getting back home, I collected my dirty laundry and went to my Mother's house, where I proceeded to wash my laundry. While I was there I cut an apple tree branch, from an apple tree in back of my Mother's house, to make a perch to put into Edgar's cage to replace an old one. Then while waiting for my laundry to dry I went to the Target Store in Waterford to pick up a few things, and went right across the street to one of my favorite stores, Border's Books.
When I went back to my Mother's house, my laundry still wasn't dry, so I went to the supermarket and then went home. My Mother and sister were going to bring my laundry to me when my sister was coming later to look at my computer to see if she could find out why the audio (sound) wasn't working. They were supposed to call first so I could put Edgar into his cage, since he sometimes panicks when people come in.
So, of course, they only remembered to call when they were half way to my apartment, and they realized they both had left their cell phones at my Mother's house. When they knocked, I opened the door with Edgar on my shoulder while talking in a calming voice to him, and also warning my Mother and Sister to come in quietly as well. What I didn't count on was my sister's little fluffy pomeranian (a small breed of dog) being there, and he came in first. Edgar panicked in a big way, and flew for the hills. The only problem was, there are no hills in my apartment. The only place he had to go was a dark bedroom, where, after bouncing off a wall or two, he ended up behind the bureau. I, of course, was panicking as well, and thought Edgar was injured or dying. While cursing loudly, I somehow managed to get Edgar on my hand, and so rescued him from out behind the bureau. Meanwhile, my sister had taken her dog, Punky, back out to her car where he would have to wait for her.
And that was the end of that. My sister couldn't figure out why the sound didn't work on my computer, and so she and my Mother went back to my Mother's house. After I made sure Edgar was settled in for the night, I went to bed as well.
And so ended a wild and crazy Saturday.

Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen...

The title is actually from a song. And, no, I'm not in trouble, but life is certainly not boring. I do not have time tonight to go into all the details of my most recent adventures. I just got home, and this is late for me, from a very good dinner at some friends' house. Edgar was not happy, as I got him to bed 2 hours late. Putting Edgar to bed consists of making sure his food and water are clean, covering three sides of his cage (big enough to be a castle) with a sheet, placing his night light in front of the open side, and saying, "The Magnificent King Edgar the Bald is going to sleep. Sleep well, and have good dreams." That's all there is to it.
Anyway, I will have to tell you later about my weekend. And so, "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Goodnight!"

Life Keeps On Happening

I must apologize to you all. I haven't been keeping up as well as I should with this blog. Between my daily tasks I need to do, my tutoring at the Library, my sometimes obsessive book buying & selling, as well as reading those books, and of course, my studying Chinese mandarin for my class, I never seem to have enough time to get anything else done.
And there are also those unexpected happenings that life throws at us all, that tend to wreck what plans we have. If only we didn't need so much sleep, or to eat so often. It might be nice if we only needed one large meal every few days. That would save a lot of time. And how about if we only needed 2 or 3 hours of sleep a night. It would be more convenient, but actually, I'm not sure I would like that.
Sleeping and eating are 2 of my greatest pleasures. So I guess, I will just have to make do with what time I have. I promise I will try to be more regular with my blogging. But, life does have a way of continuing to happen, no matter what plans we might make.

Chasing the Butterfly

So, back to, am I a man dreaming I'm a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming I'm a man. It seems that last night I was a man trying to dream I was a butterfly, but I was not able to get enough sleep to dream much of anything.
I had to have a wonderful medical procedure this morning called a colonoscopy, where they stick a camera, on a long manueverable (able to be moved fairly easily) cord or wire, up my butt, and move it through my lower intestine. Young men like myself are supposed to get them every 5 years or so as a means (way) of detecting (finding/discovering) colon cancer.
The procedure itself isn't so terrible. It only takes about an hour, and I slept through it with the help of the medication they gave me. The more difficult part is the preparation the day before for the procedure. I couldn't eat anything after 9:00 am, and I had to drink as much clear liquid (water, tea, any liquid you can see through, but no alcohol, of course) as I could 'til 4:00 pm. Then I had to drink about a half gallon of a perscription liquid (yuck, it tasted, well, not too good) within a couple of hours in order to clean out my colon. Then back to clear liquids. So, yup, a lot of bathroom time.
And, of course, this also tends to make it difficult to get much sleep between using the bathroom, and also being quite hungry. Ravenous (extremely hungry) actually.
So, I managed to get maybe 3 hours of sleep before having to take a shower, and then get Edgar up before the sun was even up. Edgar was not thrilled about that. But he is demanding a lot of attention now.
Maybe tonight I will become a butterfly dreaming I am a man, but I simply did not have the opportunity to dream last night at all. At least as far as I can remember.
And if I am lucky, it will be at least another 5 years before someone shoves a camera up my butt again.

Life Is Not Fair

Jailbird at Bedtime

I am a very lucky fella' (slang pronunciation of fellow). I don't go hungry. I have a place to live. I have a wonderful friend to keep me company at home (Edgar). I have a mother and sister who are always doing things for me, and giving me presents like it's always my birthday. I also have many simply marvelous friends that I get to talk to each week at the Library so they can practice speaking and listening (yes, I do talk a lot) to the English language. And they also give me many things, including their friendship. And yes, they take me to lunch, and have me over for dinner. So, like I said, I am a very lucky guy.
But there are many people in the world who are not so lucky. They are homeless, sick, alone, and/or hungry. It is important to remember them as we live are blessed lives. It is important for us to help them when we are able.
Life will never be fair. It is up to us to try to balance the scales, to try to make right those things that we see are wrong. It is up to us to try to bring fairness in to our lives, and the lives of those around us. Even if just a little bit. It is not an easy thing to do, but maybe, it should be the price for the wonderful life we have. Maybe, it is only fair that we try to share it.

Look Out For The Good Days

Edgar protecting his food from the big bad human

Good days can very deceptive (they can trick or fool you). They can lull (make you feel calm, safe ) you into a false sense of security. Then, bam! Your world is turned upside down.

Now, with bad days, you usually know what you have. Most of the time it feels wrong from the beginning. Maybe not when you wake up, but from the moment you stub your toe on something, or pour coffee down your favorite shirt, and Bingo! you're having a bad day.

A bad day doesn't have to stay a bad day, but for me, the best that can happen is it will turn from a bad day to just a tough day. This has more to do with my immune system disorder (malfunction, or disease), chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome, or CFIDS for short.

I'm used to having slightly to moderately bad days most of the time. These are related to my energy level, which CFIDS has a large impact upon. Luckily I don't have many very bad days, and rarely have an extremely bad day.

The days I have to be most wary of (careful of), however, are the good days. Because it is on those days, I get fooled into feeling that I am normal. Like yesterday, for instance. I had a good day, and so I managed to get a lot accomplished, and, like a lot of good days, I overdid it (did too much). So last night I had a very bad night of sleep, which made today a harder day to get through than usual. And yes, I did stub my toe on the corner of wall this morning, and it hurt most of the day.

But it is the bad days that make me appreciate the good days. It is hard not to overdo it on the good days, because I do not want to waste them. As a rock'n'roll song goes, "Good days, bad days, Lord I get my share...". Yep, and thank God for that...

Earl Decided Not To Stop By

If you were looking forward (hoping) to a visit from Hurricane Earl, then you must have been disappointed. Other than a little rain (very little), we got nothing. Not even a little wind. That was just fine with me.
I hope I didn't disappoint anyone yesterday. I was at the Library at 12:00, but left with the only 2 people there in order to meet some other people, who had invited me to tea. Maybe there is no such thing as a free lunch, but my friends refused to take my money for a very enjoyable, and very filling, and as always, a very entertaining meal.
Knowing that there are some who arrive late for my conversation groups (including me), I can only apologize to anyone who showed up only to find I wasn't there. My humble apologies. I had left a message so any late comers would know where I was in case they wanted to go, too.
Happy Labor Day Weekend to one and all. I wish you little or no labor, much relaxation, and all the enjoyment you can handle.
I may go for a drive down along the shoreline tomorrow or Monday, but today Edgar and I are going to be lazy, and hang out on the couch all day.
Be well, and stay out of trouble!

Yikes! Earl is Passing By!

Hurricanes are a bit disconcerting (upsetting). We haven't had one come close to New England since Hurricane Bob in 1991, almost 20 years ago. I'm always a little nervous when there's a hurricane nearby, although as long as I am on solid land (as opposed to the ocean) I'm not terribly afraid.
Being on the ocean in a hurricane (in the Pacific Ocean they are called typhoons) can be very dangerous. I know from experience. I used to sail with Captain Curley Stuge and his crew, Moe & Larry from New York to Florida years ago. One late September we got caught in a hurricane and ended up on the island of Madagascar, the other side of Africa. The ship was badly damaged, and it took months to repair it before we could even sail back. It would take too long to tell you all the tales of what happened to us along the way, but that's why I never go out on the ocean anymore.
Hurricane Earl is supposed to stay out to sea far enough so although we will get some wind and rain, it should not be too severe. Just make sure you're prepared in case we lose power (electricity), have an emergency supply of food and water, a first aid kit (medical supplies for cuts, bruises, etc.), and if the wind gets too strong, stay away from windows. And whatever else you do, don't go sailing out on the ocean.
I don't know if the Library will close early or not, but I will be there at 12:00 anyway. If I don't see you, have a great Labor Day Weekend. (Yes, Monday is a holiday.)

You Never Send Me Flowers Anymore...

A funny thing happened on the way to the Library today. I saw someone following me and making wild hand gestures (motions) when I looked in the rear view mirror. It made me nervous. I tried to think of someone I might have made angry, but no one came to mind. So I thought, maybe, a boyfriend of one of the many beautiful women in my life had become jealous, and was out to get me (do bad things to me). So I drove like the wind, almost hit some girl scouts trying to cross the road, barely missed two cars driving the other way, pulled into the Library parking lot still driving like a maniac (crazy person), and parked on the far end of the first row. He still found me.
It turned out it was a friend who just wanted to ask me a favor. It seems my paranoia (unjustified or unreasonable fear) had got the best of me.
And after I got to the Library, I found that with the exception of four people, most of my friends and English learners all stayed home. Or maybe they went shopping, or fishing, or to the movies...it could be that they all went away on vacation. I really don't know. I didn't have time to feel sad about it until later. But as long as they are all well, I promise not to hold it against them, even though they didn't send a note, or a box of candy, or flowers.
But at least I didn't hit any of those girl scouts. That really would have made a mess.

I Am What I'm Not. Huhh?

I am a bit strange it seems. I don't feel good about the things I have done, but rather, I feel bad about the things I haven't done. In other words, my accomplishmenst don't make me happy, because I am too busy making myself unhappy thinking about all the things I haven't accomplished. Is this a common thing for human beings, or is it just me?
So, are we the things we do, or are we the things we don't do? Or, are we both? Being an intelligent thinking being is not exactly an easy thing. It's complicated. Well, I don't know how it is for you, but for me, it's definitely complicated.
No matter how many of my tasks and goals I manage to finish or reach, it's the ones I didn't, that stay on my mind. That just doesn't seem right. Although it's not exactly the same, it's a little like being unhappy after spending a month in Cancun, Mexico (a beautiful vacation resort), because you didn't go to Bora Bora (a beautiful island).
Maybe, just maybe, being happy has nothing to do with how we feel about ourselves, but how others make us feel, and maybe more importantly, how we make others feel. Just a thought. I could be wrong. I mean, I am only human.

Full Speed Ahead, & Damn the Torpedos

I don't know who first said, "Full speed ahead, and damn the torpedos", but I always thought it had to be a World War II battle ship Commander. Submarines would hunt enemy ships and sink them with torpedos, which were self-propelled explosive devices, or simply put, mobile bombs that were fired under water in the ocean.
The quotation, however, has become an expression, meaning to charge (or proceed) ahead regardless (without concern for) the consequences. This is something I need to practice more, because I think too much about things I should or need to do, and then become overwhelmed by them.
Take cleaning my apartment, for instance (for example). I kept thinking about all the cleaning I had to do, vaccing, dusting, washing the floors, washing the the windows, the kitchen counters, cleaning the bathroom, etc. I got tired just thinking about it, and so, of course, didn't get anything done.
Until I stopped thinking about all the tasks I had to do, and just concentrated on one. After that one, I could think about the next one. And so on, and so forth (a longer way of saying etc., etc.)
The other thing I have to practice, is pacing myself. Many times my energy is very limited, but I still try to get everything done right away. This leads to exhaustion, a bad night's sleep, and usually very low energy the following day. So, I am trying to do smaller amounts of cleaning at one time, and spread all the cleaning out over a few days.
Of course, the best way to clean, is to pay someone else to do it. And that's the way I will do the cleaning as soon as I win the lottery.

I Sleep in My Dreams

This past week it seems I can not get enough sleep, even though I am sleeping anywhere from 7 1/2 to 9 hours each night. I wonder how someone would go about getting a job sleeping. It's a job I could do extremely well, at the moment.
Or maybe I should try to set a new record for the length of time sleeping. I think I might need more practice for that, however. There was a man named Rip Van Winkle who supposedly slept for a hundred years, but, again supposedly, he had some help. It seems he made a couple of supernatural beings angry, and they put him to sleep for a hundred years. Not knowing any supernatural beings off hand, I don't think I could get that kind of help.
One thing that happens when I do sleep a lot, is that I have a lot of strange dreams. Some of them are so vivid (seem very real), that when I wake up I believe the dream is really happening, and I am still in it. It reminds me of the story of a man who leads two lives. One while he is awake, and a completely different one, in a different world, and in a different city, while he sleeps.
So which life is real, or are they both real?
So, am I a man dreaming while I sleep, or am I dream dreaming I am awake?
Sorry, I couldn't resist that one. The actual quote goes, "Am I a man dreaming I am a butterfly, or am I a butterfly dreaming I am a man?" That was from a famous philosopher who had a dream he was a butterfly.
Enough. Time to go to sleep. Sweet dreams...

Cleaning Up

Cleaning up is never any fun. Unless, of course, you're gambling, in which case, cleaning up could really make your day. But I don't gamble. So, as I said, cleaning up is never any fun for me. I really do not like cleaning, but I am trying to do as my Mother and Sister tell me, which is do a little at a time.
Friday I planned on doing a lot of cleaning, but as I mentioned in an earlier post, I was visited by a couple of maintenance men and a plumber, so never had a chance to get anything done other than keep Edgar calm.
Saturday I got the dusting done, and then was overwhelmed by an attack of needing-to-lay-on-the-couch for the rest of the day. But I did manage to watch a lot of tv.
Sunday was the perfect day to practice procrastination, which means practicing never doing today what you can put off doing until tomorrow.
Monday (yesterday) I did vac (clean the floors with a vacuum cleaner) the apartment, and I also got all my laundry washed and dried. So, I now have clean underwear and socks again.
Today I had to wait for a maintenance man to come and finish some work on a couple of doors, which he has, and now he is gone.
Which leaves me with lots of time to start washing the floors. But first, I think I better relax on the couch with Edgar, and read the newspaper. Who Knows? If I wait long enough, maybe someone will come by and wash the floors for me. Now that I would call really cleaning up...I should be so lucky.

Too Much This, Not Enough That, But We Do Need the Rain...

So, I had great plans for Friday. There were many things I wanted to accomplish. To quote a great writer, "The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry," which means plans often never work out the way we wanted them to. First, Friday morning a maintenance man showed up to finish some work on the bathtub/shower. When he finally finished, I managed to get out to run a couple of errands (going to the grocery store and the pharmacy). When I got back, the kitchen sink was backing up (water was coming up into the sink). While I was on the phone to call maintenance, a workman stuck his face in the kitchen window to see if I was having problems and scared the hell out of Edgar. It turns out he was working on the sink next door, and since both sinks use the same pipe to drain, well, we both were now having problems. So he now had to come in to work on the problem from my side, which took all afternoon.
During that time I had to stay in the living room to keep Edgar calm. It seems he didn't like that particular workman, and remained agitated the entire time he was there. Luckily another workman replaced him after the first couple of hours.
When the last man left at about 6 o'clock, he told me he couldn't fix the problem, which was a drain blockage in the pipe line. But, he had called a plumber, who would be here in about an hour. The plumber did fix the problem, but by the time he left it was after 8 o'clock, and the day was gone.
I suppose it was for the better that I had not had the time to wash the kitchen floor that morning, since it would now have to be washed again.
And that, my friends, was my exciting Friday. Most of the things I planned to do on Friday still need to be done. And since it is such a lovely rainy day, I believe I am going to spend the day not doing them again.
Some days we are prevented from doing things we wanted or planned to do. Other days, we are given excellent excuses not to do those same things, which we now don't really feel like doing. Rainy day, dream away, let the sun take a holiday...Enjoy!

Nothing, Something, Everything...

Well, today I have nothing I feel like writing about. Although, I guess writing about nothing could be considered writing about something. But there's no way that writing about nothing could be confused with writing about everything. Writing about everything would be impossible, I think. Plus, it would take a very long time. Probably more than one lifetime. On the other hand, writing about nothing should be easy, and take no time at all. However, I do know a few people who can talk about nothing for hours. So I suppose it would be possible to write about nothing for a very long time, also. But it would definitely be quite boring to read. It does seem a little confusing, if not complicated, doesn't it? Or maybe it's just me.
Anyway, to summarize: writing about nothing could be considered writing about something but would probably be very boring for the reader. So it's probably better to write about something, but first one has to have something to write about. Writing about everything is just unthinkable, if it's at all possible, unless one is writing about everything that is only of concern to the writer. In which case, it would probably be very boring for everyone else, and so would be the same as writing about nothing.
And that, is all I have to say about that.

No Worries, No Headaches

Do not worry if the post I did earlier today was too much for you. As sometimes happens, I got a bit "carried away", or went somewhat "overboard" (went too far) with my writing about mythology. So, if you can understand some, or most of it, great. But don't give yourself a headache. I will keep it simpler next time, and as I said, hopefully a bit less serious. Hope everyone is, and stays, well...

~Problems are Small, Life is Huge~

Most of the time when our apple carts are upset, it is of no real importance. Mere (just) bumps in the road. (Refer to the last post (entry) in the blog about apple carts, in case you didn't read it, and don't understand the reference). At those times when we become upset, we lose sight of the big picture.
Two days ago my insurance company refused to pay for a perscription for an ointment I have been using for eczema (very sensitive and dry skin) for years. I let it upset me more than I should have. I realize now I will just have to find something else to use, but at the time I became depressed and angry. How silly of me. It really is nothing earth shattering (no big deal).
I read a quote by Robert Redford (for those that don't recognize the name, he is a very famous actor and movie director) in the paper today: "I believe in mythology. I guess I share Joseph Campbell's notion that a culture or society without mythology would die, and we're close to that."
Mythology is a body or framework of myths. Myths are stories or beliefs that may or may not be true, that explain our world, our history, and the meaning of our lives. The Chinese culture has an elaborate (large and complicated) mythology going back into the long history of China. The most studied mythology in classical education is Greek Mythology.
Joseph Campbell is an authority and expert on mythology and has written many books, some extremely well known and well read, about mythology. His books are not only famous, but are used in many college, and some high school, courses of study.
To me, the importance in mythology is that it not only adds meaning to our lives, but it also adds mystery, magic, and wonder to our lives. It gives us a big, no, make that huge, picture to look at, so those little apple cart upsets, or small bumps in the road, look even more insignificant (small, of no importance).
One of the big problems we face with all our scientific progress and new technology, is that our cultures and societies are losing all our old mythology, but we are not creating a new one. And I also believe in Joseph Campbell's notion that we need mythology for our cultures and societies to survive.
Anyway, this is a subject that could be talked or written about for a very long time. This is probably too long for you, and probably boring as well.
Tomorrow I will write about something not so serious, and hopefully more interesting for you.

Don't Let the Horse Run Away with Your Apple Cart

There is an old idiom (expression) first recorded in 1788, 'Don't upset the apple cart.' An apple cart was a small open wagon, similar to a wheelbarrow, but much bigger, and could be pushed by hand, or sometimes pulled by a horse. And, of course, it would be piled high with apples. With me so far?
Now, for any of my friends from the Library who are struggling to learn English, please remember: if you have difficulty with any of these crazy blog entries or posts, take notes, and then when we go back to the Library, please feel free to ask me any questions you like. You can also email me at callmejack3@sbcglobal.net.
Anyway, back to the apple cart. Now, the word upset can be used to describe physical illness, such as, I have an upset stomach. Meaning you are sick to your stomach, or possibly feel nauseous. Upset can also mean you are emotionally distressed. Something either is stressing you out, depressing you, or making you mad/angry.
Originally, upsetting the apple cart meant you were disturbing or interferring with the 'status quo' (which would be how things usually work, normal everyday activity), or with someone's plans. If you upset someone's apple cart (such as shake it, or bump into it), well, apples go everywhere. I think you get the idea.
We can also have our own apple carts upset. Our 'apple cart' would represent our plans and the smooth running of our lives.
So tomorrow I will write about a couple of my more recent apple cart disturbances. In the meantime (from now until then), don't let your horse run away with your apple cart. Or, in other words, don't let anything upset you too much. And, of course, stay out of trouble...

The Magic Is All Around Us

A friend of mine said we should be more like children. He was referring to the fact that children learn much quicker than adults. I am afraid that as adults, to learn as quickly as children is not possible. But I do agree that we should be more like children.
It would be a wonderful thing to be able to see the world with new eyes every day, as if the world were brand new. As a child I could see the magic of life all around me. As we get older we seem to lose this ability to see the wonder and splendor of the world. But it's still there. It has not gone away. We have just stopped seeing it.
So maybe we do need to be more like children. And maybe, we need to stop being so caught up in our own individual worries and concerns, and take the time to really look around us in order to see the magic that surrounds us as we go about our lives. There is so much in the world to appreciate, and to treasure.
I am not always as thankful as I should be. The world is an amazing place. We should not waste this great gift, but give it all the appreciation we can.

Edgar Likes to Yell

My friend Edgar, who is a bird, likes to yell when he hears one of two things. The first is a siren. It doesn't matter whether it is a police siren, a siren on a firetruck, or an ambulance. But when he hears one, even if it's on tv, he gets all excited and starts yelling. I don't know what he thinks is making that noise, but he's got to yell at it. For all I know he might believe it's some large and unusual bird. The other sound he gets excited about is the sound of someone whistling, but especially when its coming from the tv. Something I've noticed recently is that more commercials on tv have someone whistling in the background, much to the delight of Edgar.
We all need something to get excited about once in awhile, and Edgar doesn't get out much. In fact, he doesn't get out at all. So I don't hold it against him (get mad at him, or hold a grudge) when he does some yelling. Well, most of the time that is.
He does have one bad habit. When I am talking on the phone for a few minutes, he starts whistling and making loud bird calls. He even likes to get right up to the telephone and start yelling into it. I guess he just wants to be part of the conversation. But it is a little tough on the ears of the person on the other end of the phone line, as well as my own.
He is a very good bird and companion, however. A bit weird (strange, different), but I love him anyway. And being kind of weird myself, how can I hold that against him...

Where, Oh, Where, Has My Little Dog Gone?

The title is actually a title of a song. I, however, am not speaking of my little dog, but my abundant youthful energy. I seem to have misplaced it. I have looked everywhere, but I simply cannot find it. I wish I could buy some, or acquire some in some other easy manner (way), but it seems it is not to be. As the French say, C'est la vie (such is life).
My energy seems to run (come & go) in cycles. I may have 2 or 3, sometimes 4 or 5, days with a relatively good to (occasionally) excellent energy level, and then 1 or 2 days when everything I do seems to be a struggle, including, but not limited to, getting out of bed, getting dressed, going out my front door, etc., etc...
It is usually best for me if I use these low (sometimes very low) energy days to rest. Sometimes, like today, these are good days to read for pleasure (enjoyment), and try to give King Edgar (for those of you who don't know, King Edgar the Magnificent is a cockatiel, the smallest member of the parrot family of birds, who is also my responsibilty and my master. I am but his humble servant) as much attention as I can. Other days, I don't even have the energy to concentrate enough to read, so I watch a lot of bad t.v., and, you guessed it, give King Edgar all the attention he demands.
Is there a lesson here? I think so. To take advantage of those days when I have the energy, and to allow myself the rest and relaxation I need on those days when I can't find any energy to speak of.
And, of course, to never waste energy unnecessarily, which means, I must do my best to stay out of trouble...

What Color Is Purpose? Say what?

What purpose is there in purpose? Well, without purpose it becomes more difficult to get out of bed in the morning. Without purpose our lives seem meaningless, and not particularly valuable. Purpose is sometimes the only thing that keeps me moving forward, sometimes happily, and sometimes not so happily. But it does keep me moving all the same.
So, what is purpose? Purpose is an obligation we have given ourselves to do certain things that we decide we have to do no matter what. Sometimes they are things we do so we feel better about ourselves, such as taking a shower, cleaning our homes, being a good father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, good friend, etc. Even our entertainment can have a purpose. Besides having fun, we can try to exercise and expand our minds with the type of television shows and movies we watch, and the books and peiodicals (magazines and newspapers) we read. For me there is even purpose (although sometimes I need reminding) in allowing my body and mind to rest, because I function much better when rested.
And there is sometimes great purpose in having no purpose. We all need occasionally to take time to appreciate all that is around us that we usually do not pay attention to and take for granted. Yes, it is good to give our lives purpose and meaning, but we do have to remember that life is short, and we also need to take the time to take a look around once and awhile, and enjoy ourselves. So, I will live life as purposefully as I can in all regards and try to take nothing for granted. Until next time, live and enjoy...

On Safari, Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy

I was in the deep dark jungle at MGM Grand Thursday night. I was there to see Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy, which was spectacular to behold, not to mention the amazing performances of all the cast. I really enjoyed watching the show. This magical jungle journey stimulated my imagination, and seemed to open entire new worlds of possiblity. I found myself trying to imagine what it would be like to be one of the performers, traveling from city to city as part of the show, and what it would be like to be a member of the Cirque Dreams community. And so, I imagined a completely different life for myself.
The imagination is a wonderful thing. With our imagination we can go to places we have never been, and may never go. We can live lives that are completely different from the actual lives we lead. This is one of the reasons I love to read. But every now and then, I am glad I am reminded that there are many roads that lead to wonder and the imagination. I am extremely grateful to Cirque Dreams for reminding me of this, and also to the friend who was kind enough to take me on this very colorful trip into the Jungle.

Homesick and Far from Home

I am from a place that is very far away. As they say in the state of Maine, you can't get there from here. I did most of my growing up in a small town not too far from here. But I came from a place that is in a parallel world, and it would be very difficult to go back. Maybe one day I will be able to, if only for a short time. But right now, that's not important.
It is never easy to leave your home behind, whether it is for a short, or long time. Homesickness is a powerful feeling. But as someone once said, Remember, wherever you go, there you are. And so, we strive (work hard; do our best) to make a home of where we are. And, of course, it is not always easy. Particularly if it's a new country, with a different culture, and a new language we must learn. But human beings are remarkable creatures. There is very little we cannot accomplish. I have learned to live in this world, and have both family and friends here. So although I miss my world, I have made a home here. And so, with a light heart, a smile and a laugh, here I will stay.

Heat, Haircuts & Hilarity

What is the color of laughter? I would guess it's the same color as happiness, because if laughter is expressing anything, I believe it would be happiness. But how anyone could be happy in this warmth and humidity, I just don't know. I'm thinking of moving to northern Alaska. As long as I am nowhere near Palin country. Fear leads me to my next topic (subject of discussion).
And that would be haircuts. Being somewhat vain (yes, it's true, I am a bit vain), I do have a slight fear of getting a bad haircut. These days, however, the cost is also a factor. For many years I had my haircut by the same person, and he was very good, and also very popular. When he finally started charging me thirty dollars (not including tip) I started going to someone who was closer to home and only charged fifteen dollars (again, not including tip). This saved me even more money because I only had to drive fifteen minutes instead of thirty minutes. Then, a friend cut my hair for free, and her house was only a two minute drive. Now, the moral here is that one (me) can become spoiled (and greedy). So when she didn't have time to cut my hair, I waited. And I waited...and waited. Until my hair was everywhere. When I looked in the mirror, I couldn't see my face behind all the hair. It was very dangerous when I was driving. Finally, another friend said he would cut my hair, and told me to come by the next day. That night I had a terrible dream of getting a really scary looking haircut. So I got scared, and the next day I went back to the woman who had been cutting hair for fifteen dollars. Afterwards I told my friend that I was attacked on the street by three women. Two of them held me down while the third one cut my my hair. He told me I'd been out in the sun too long, but if it was true, he would like to know where to go so the three women could find him. I did tell him that I thought he could of done a better job of cutting my hair. He didn't believe I meant it. So, his daughter, who is also a friend of mine, cooked me some scrambled eggs, and I went home. It's good to have friends, but it'd also good to not take advantage of them.
So, stay out of the heat, only get haircuts when you have to, laugh as much as possible, & stay out of trouble...

Help! I'm beating myself up!

The secret to not becoming too content is to torture yourself whenever possible. So, after 2 months off, due to surgery and illness, this week I am easing my way back into exercising. But it is very far from easy, and most definitely not pain free. Exercise is, however, extremely important to me. It increases blood flow throughout the body, which includes the brain. When I am not exercising regularly, I begin to lose i.q. points. In other words, I get stupider than I already am, and I can't afford that. I really am already as stupid as I care to be. I also start to gain weight. I know it might not seem like much, but I gained a good 5 lbs. in those 2 months I wasn't exercising. That 5 lbs., however, felt like at least 10. I had to go down a notch fastening my belt. I was so disgusted with myself that I wanted to stop eating altogether. But that wasn't going to happen. I really don't want to give up eating. Life is too short.
So, back to exercising. I am sore and in pain. I have sore muscles that I had forgotten I even had. But where there is pain, there is life. So, not to stretch the point, but baby, without a doubt, I am alive! So please, try to excuse any moans or groans you may hear, and if I seem to be moving a bit slowly, and with a certain amount of stiffness, well, just do your best to overlook it. I'd appreciate it. This exercise thing is definitely not a piece of cake...

If You Can't Stand the Heat, Get Out of the Kitchen...

The world is burning up. I must get to the North Pole while there is still ice, because it's melting. "I'm melting, melting...what a world, what a world..."Sorry, that was a quote from the Wizard Of Oz, a true American classic movie.
A heat wave is 3 or more consecutive days of a temperature (in fahrenheit) of at least 90 degrees. Yes , we are in a heat wave here in Connecticut. It was a record 102 degrees yesterday, and will be (they say) at least 95 today. And the heat wave will continue for at least 1 or 2 days after that. I love the summer. That last was a sarcastic untruth (lie). The summer has never been a really good time for me. Actually, it's never been a good time of year for anyone in my family. I know, I'm complaining again. Can't help it. I really don't like hot and steamy (very humid tropical air flow) weather. If it wasn't for air conditioning I really would simply melt in a horrifying and extremely uncomfortable manner. Ah well. Winter's coming. I can't wait.
For those of you in this heat wave with me, be careful out there. The air quality is not healthy right now, and probably won't be until we are out of the tropical air flow coming up from the south. So stay out of the sun as much as you can, and try to be somewhere where there is air conditioning. The world itself may not be melting, but it certainly feels like it. Think I'll take a cold shower...

The Library, Life, Lunch, & Everything...

So, for everyone who wants to know, I will be in the Library tomorrow, Friday July 2nd. Unless, of course, a meteor (a rock traveling though space) falls on me, I am hit by a bus, or a rich beautiful woman asks me to fly away with her. The odds on all of those happening are pretty small. It will be good to be back. Life has been pretty dull recently. In fact, I would have to say that this past June might just be the worst June I have ever lived through. So, a new month, and a new lease on life. It's an expression.
I just got back from lunch with friends. One of the things we talked about was the difficulty of long distance relationships. There are many people who have to take a job away from home and don't get to see or be with their families for a week or more at a time. A very long time in some cases. It can be very hard on a family. It seems to be easier for some Chinese families to handle, I think because they tend to focus more on the future than most Americans, and because they seem to put a lot more importance on the value of family. It is still a difficult situation for anyone. But in this economy, jobs are not always close at hand, nor easy to come by. Life is not a bowl of cherries, and jobs, unfortunately, are not like apples waiting to be picked off the tree. So, for my last corny fruit analogy, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Actually, I like lemonade, and I like fruit. It's fruit analogies I don't like.
So, be strong, have hope, keep breathing, and stay out of trouble...

Beauty

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I don't know who said that, but it's become part of literate history. And, I suppose, it's true. Beauty can be seen all around us, if we can but see it. There is beauty in the saddest of moments, as well as beauty in the most joyful of moments. There is beauty to be seen in the stillness of a picture, and beauty to be beheld in the chaos of movement. It's everywhere we care to look. As human beings we have the unique ability to perceive beauty with our minds and hearts just by looking upon the world outside ourselves. Life, all life, is a miracle. An incredible gift that is too often wasted, and unappreciated. No matter how bad things are, I feel it is important to open our eyes, and see the wonder that is all around us. I just read in a collection of stories by an author I like, that all good thoughts are the hope of the world. I think that seeing the beauty in the world is more than just a good thought. Maybe, it's turning hope, into belief. Human beings are truly amazing. We have an incredible capacity for compassion, love, insight, not to mention intelligence. And yet, we barely use them. To paraphrase a movie line, we are the dumbest intelligent species I know. But considering what humans are doing to animals, I guess I'm glad I am a human, more or less. At least I'm not a Republican or a Yankees fan. I'd never be able to live that down.
Anyway, the point is, it's important for our own wellbeing to be able to see the beauty in the world. It's not always easy, but then, what is?

Hello, Is Anyone There?

So here I am, once again, stuck at home. But I do have air conditioning, and that, right now, is a good thing. So tell me, is anyone reading this any longer? It would be nice to know. You don't call, you don't send me flowers anymore...And if there are people actually reading this, what would any of you like me to write, or write more, about? For English learners, are there language questions or problems you would like to know more about, like idioms, or slang? Let me know. Get involved. Feel free to make any comment you want to. Tell me a story. But don't send flowers. That was a joke. If you have to send anything, send money. (Just kidding).
Remember, I won't be in the Library until this Friday. But check back here on Thursday to make sure. If no one is reading this, let me know.

Health Update & A Word...

First, I am starting my second round of antibiotics. My doctor tells me he thinks I should be able to continue my much missed (by me, at least) conversation groups at the Library on Friday, but not before. I will post updates here, both in case I don't start to get better before the end of the week, as well as to let you know if I will definitely be at the Library on Friday. Enough of that...
In reading the newspaper and/or watching the news on television, it struck me how brave we must be to live in this world, how much courage it takes. For most of us, life is far from easy. The economy is in bad shape, we have huge environmental problems such as the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as global warming, which is causing dramatic changes in the weather patterns around the world. Then of course, we have our daily tasks and problems we have to deal with, such as going to work, training for or starting a new job, paying the bills, feeding ourselves and our families, taking care of our children. I may not have a family, but I have to take care of Edgar, and he's one tough boss.
So how do we deal with all the problems in the world and, of course, our own. Well first, I believe a sense of humor is extremely (very very) important. After that, I think we have to focus on doing something about those things we can do something about, and not worry about the rest. We have to allow ourselves to feel good about the things we can do, and be proud of ourselves for doing them. Worrying about things we can do nothing about is a waste of time and energy. Life is going to throw problems and minor, as well major, emergencies at all of us in the course of time. Someone once said, dying is easy, it's living that's hard. So, yes, it takes courage sometimes to get out of bed in the morning, to go on an interview for a job, to learn a new language in a new country, to ask for help when you need it, and to be able to laugh when faced with great adversity (forces against you). In fact, we must try to face everything in life with courage if we want to live the best lives we can. Remember, life is short. No one lives forever. It is good to plan ahead for the future, but don't forget to live, and laugh, today.

My Apologies

Sorry, folks, for not giving you much of interest lately. Being sick is quite a distraction. Whatever this virus/infection, or whatever, happens to be, it seems to be refusing to leave my lungs in an easy manner. So, it's back to the doctor's office today. I hate to think I need to take more time away from the Library, but it is possible. I will get my doctor's opinion (as well as more medication), and keep you informed. Until later, be well, enjoy life, & stay out of trouble...

Going Stir Crazy

The toughest part of being sick is staying home and resting. I know I shouldn't complain, but after two weeks at home recovering from surgery, and now another week trying to get over this chest cold, I am literally going completely out of my mind. So, if you see me acting strangely, maybe talking to people who aren't there (as in imaginary people), don't worry. I'm sure it's just a passing mental condition. Since I have never behaved in exactly a normal manner, this really shouldn't be anything too unusual. Just do your best to ignore me, and go on your way. I'll be fine. If I could only remember what I'm supposed to do now...

Cold Reality (Yes, It is a Pun)

Well, sad to say, but my return to the Library will be postponed for another week because of the cold/flu virus that has settled into my lungs. Under medical advice, I will rest for another week. Right now I cannot talk without coughing, and laughing causes a whole lotta' (lots of) coughing. It's also kind of painful. Anyway, not to worry. Today I am a little bit better than yesterday, so by next week I should be doing fine.
So, I am planning my return to the Library on Wednesday June 30th of next week. I will, of course, post updates here, and I do have a couple of things I'd like to blog about, but I don't quite feel up to it at this moment. All I can say is, stay out of trouble, and don't take any wooden nickels (another expression).

Not a Little Cold, Uh Uh

I thought I was getting off lightly, but this cold has grown. I now have a great deal of trouble trying to talk without having a cough rip through my chest. I will live, I'm pretty sure. Living, however, at the moment is not very pleasant. But no one promised me a rose garden (an expression). Ah well. I still hope to get to the Library Wednesday, but I will keep you updated. If I am still having a lot of trouble tomorow evening, I will write it here, although I probably won't make the final decision until Wednesday morning. Until later, be well, and Goodnite!

A Summertime Cold

Hello one and all. Summer colds are never fun, but I got off lightly this time. I caught it early and got to the doctor right away. Whatever this particular virus, or whatever, happens to be, a lot of people have caught it, and it can be quite nasty (in this case, nasty describes it much better than just bad). So as I said, I am quite lucky. Other people have gotten a much worse case of it than I, and for those of you who have, you definitely have my unreserved sympathy. In the meantime, I am drinking lots of lemon ginger herbal tea with honey, sucking on Hall's cough drops, and taking Tylenols. Edgar was in a rather agitated state all morning. He just wouldn't settle down until after he took a short nap on my foot. Now he is preening (what birds do to clean and groom their feathers) on my arm while I am trying to type this. Not matter that it makes it more difficult for me. After all, he is the King. I am finishing up a wonderful book, and probably will start another one this afternoon. For those of you who are not sick, I hope you get a chance to enjoy the beautiful day out there. Something I won't be able to do, as I am stuck inside.
Edgar has interrupted my typing twice, now, for headrubs. I have spoiled him rotten, and created a little feathered monster. Ah, well. No one is perfect. Most definitely not I.
May the course of the day see you all safely through...

Summer Not My Best Time of Year

First, let me assure you, I have every intention of returning to the Library this coming Wednesday. That being said, physically this has not been a good week for me. I am recovering nicely from hernia surgery, and at the follow-up appointment with the surgeon I was told everything looks good and I will be able to start jogging and exercising again in about 2 weeks. Earlier this week I had to see my family doctor about my left foot which had been giving me some trouble for a while now, and had become a bit painful. So I found out I have plantar fasciitis, which is a medical term in Latin which means the connective tissue running through the bottom of my left foot is inflammed. It is not serious, but I have to do a lot of stretches, as well as icing and massaging my foot. The inflammation will break up eventually, but it won't be a pain free experience and could take a few months. Finally, I had to go back to my family doctor today because I picked up some kind of cold or flu virus which is traveling into my lungs. So now I am on antibiotics, which will prevent it from becoming something really nasty, but I will still have to suffer through the usual cold symptoms, i.e. runny nose, stuffy head, sore throat, coughing, etc. Not to worry. I do have plenty of lemon ginger herbal tea, and of course, lots of honey to put in it. So there's my medical update. If I could only teach Edgar to make tea and cook, life would be wonderful. And, as my great-uncle Barnaby used to say, If bullfrogs could fly, they wouldn't bump their ass'.
So don't worry about me. I have plenty to read, food to eat, tea to drink, and a very noisy bird for company. I hope everyone is doing well, and I look forward to seeing some, if not most, of you next week.