HAPPY 13th. B'AK'TUN, MINUS 82 DAYS... AND COUNTING!!!
Sunday September 30, 2012 9:48 am
Well, are you ready for the end of the
13th b'ak'tun on December 21 of this year? I don't know about you,
but I can hardly wait. (At least for me, a much more important event
happens just prior to this one... but, I can't talk about that here.
Lol)
Honestly, assuming I'm still around I
am going to have a big party to celebrate this non-event. Apparently
the Mayans placed a lot of stock in 144,000 day intervals, which is
approximately 394 years and would represent a single b'ak'tun.
Assuming we have correctly translated their Long Count calendar the
date the b'ak'tun we are counting from was August 13, 3,114 B.C. So, fast
forward 13 b'ak'tuns later (13 was considered an important number for
them... come to think of it, me too! Lol) and we arrive somewhere
between 12/21 to 12/23 of this year.
If, like me, you would like to
celebrate and have a party during that time... write to me
(clarkmatthews1@aol.com) and we will make plans. I think it could be
a lot of fun (: Where were you and what were you doing in preparation
for the last non-event we had? Remember all of the dire predictions
and what was supposed to happen as the clocks rolled over to January
1, 2000? Look for something very similar to happen when these dates
roll past with nothing out of the ordinary happening. Of course, some
will be disappointed while the rest will be saying, “See, I told
you so.” Don't you just hate that group of people... the See I
told you so group, they take all
the fun out of things (:
I
hadn't planned on writing this blog for another month or so, but I
awoke this morning and thought I would go ahead and write it before I
go out to begin work on my car. I have four days vacation left for
this year and last week I put in for 12/20-12/23, so I can have a
celebration during that time.
The
reason I decided to write it now is that some who still reads what I
write lives great distances away and it would be impractical to
actually meet. But, I thought it might be fun to hook up via email or
by phone? To date, this month the countries who have visited my blog
are: Russia 58, Germany 18, Ukraine 7, Sweden 4, China 2, Columbia 1,
United Kingdom 1, and the good ol' U.S.A. 525. I will probably write
again as the date gets closer and at that time I will include my cell phone
number for anyone who would like to call. I also checked and for last month there were three other countries and one of them was Iran. Iran,
you're not invited... seriously (:
Hopefully,
the first week of November I will be moving into the hi-tech world of
text messaging. (lol) So, who knows... I might even decide to hook up
a web-cam for anyone overseas who might like to join the party that
way.
There
is one other thing to consider. When I was young, and as boys
sometimes our “play” could get pretty rough. So, I suppose I
heard at least a hundred different variations to the saying, “...
It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye...” theme. So, hopefully we
will all have a great time celebrating this Mayan non-event? Unless
of course, the Mayans were right and the world ends on that day.
Then, won't I look silly (:
EXERCISE ISN'T AS MUCH FUN... WHEN YOU HAVE TO?
Saturday September 29, 2012 9:14 pm
My car has been acting up for awhile
but I'm not real big on fixing things just because a light is
blinking on my dashboard? I sort of wait until they “die” on me
before I do anything about it. I once had an older Cadillac that the
'check engine' light came on... and I did, that is I checked it and I
could find nothing wrong. However, the little red light kept blinking
and after some time it started to aggravate me. So, I pulled a fuse
and 'presto' like magic... no more light. Problem fixed... right? No,
wrong, because the fuse also controlled some other lights that I
actually needed: like brake lights.
So, I put the fuse back in and once
again I had to contend with the little red light telling me that
something was wrong... but, I knew better because I had checked it
and could find nothing wrong. Then, I had an eureka moment. I knew a
way I could put the light out... permanently. I found a very tiny
drill bit and I shined a flashlight back into the dash board until I
could find the little miniature bulb and then I drilled through it!
There, finally, my problem was solved, no more light.
I don't know how much time passed after
I fixed my little problem but one night I was speeding up the Gene
Snyder heading to a sales call when I heard a great racket under my
hood and all of a sudden I had a rod shoot through the engine
block... it was great! I guess the little red light knew what is was
talking about after all.
Well, for awhile now I have had another
blinking light and I pretty much ignored it also. And I guess with
somewhat predictible and expected results I had to have my car towed
home a few nights ago. The good news is that I think I now know what
my problem is and I am going to work on it tomorrow afternoon. I am
having problems with the catalytic converter. The bad news is that
they want $1,200.00 to fix it and there is no way I am putting that
kind of money in a car with 100,000 miles and one I have never taken
care of in the first place. Anyway... tomorrow out comes my trusty
drill and I am going to remove both converters (front and rear) and I
am going to drill through them completely, and I will once again be
able to drive my car.
The bad news... after I use my drill to
fix my problem, and if I lived in a state with emissions testing my car
could not pass if my life depended on it. The good news though... I
don't live in such a state. (lol)
Now, I'll tell you what my title means.
Whenever I am wanting to get any exercise on my bike the “shortest
route” I ride is 17 miles. I ride this particular one frequently.
However, I “want to” do that. Now, I find that the six miles to
and from my house I am riding to work and back... I hate it! How can
it be that I loathe six miles one way because I have to... and I
never mind it when I am riding for fun and I go a minimum of
17miles... and many times much farther!
I suppose it really is all in one's
mind. If you want to enjoy something you will... and if you want to
hate something you will also find a way to do that. At exactly
half way from work to home... there is a .9 mile part of the road
that is entirely up hill. Now, to be fair it isn't a terrible grade,
but there is absolutely no break in the climb at all. So, coming home
that part of my ride is the slowest part and every car has to go
around me, and when I crest the top of the hill I feel like shouting,
and my legs are on fire! But, you ought to see me on that same road
going to work. At the top of the same hill I am flying down the road
with my gears set at three on my left and seven on my right and I
swear... cars have a hard time keeping with me (:
I hope everyone has a great rest of
their weekend!!!
I'M RETARDED
-->
Friday September 28, 2012 7:34 pm
After typing that title I thought that
if this had been six or seven years ago, and I typed that I would
have taken some grief through my email because of some
super-sensitive or “politically correct” person wanting to take
me to task. However, so few read this today I am confident I'll hear
no complaints. After what I tell you that I did today... you too will
agree with my assessment of myself.
This morning after arriving at work
there was a note for me to follow up with a customer's order which had been placed yesterday. Although it was in my name I had no
recollection of waiting on this girl the day before. It was simple
enough to do... however, I was irked because this wasn't mine and yet
I needed to follow up because someone else hadn't done their job?
I called her to find out the hole
configuration she wanted on her special order sink and then I would
fax it off to the company to have it properly drilled. Before hanging
up I wanted to find out who had waited on her and (though I didn't
tell her) I was going to tell that salesperson to make certain in the
future to not leave work undone for someone else to follow up the
next day. This is what she told me.
She said he was an older guy...
probably about 50 and his hair was turning gray. Well, I told her
that could be me, and I had written several contracts the previous
day but I didn't remember ordering any sinks? She said that it wasn't
me because my voice sounded way too young. I told her that if that
was true, then it was very deceiving because I am closer to 60 then I
am 50. At that point I asked her if the guy was wearing a cap...
because Rich and I are the two oldest guys in the department and he
is mostly bald and wears a cap because of that. She said, no... no
cap... wait, there is one more thing: he had a mustache. Okay, I told
her... that definitely rules me out... no mustache for me.
Now though, I really wanted to know who
it was. She then gave me the last bit of information I needed. She
said there was a “real tall” guy who said he was in “rough
plumbing” and he is the one who took me to the guy to order my
sink. I thanked her and hung up the phone. Kevin, was the guy in
rough plumbing and I was now going to find out who this mustached guy
was who left the order undone for someone else to have to follow up.
I started down the middle aisle and I
spotted Kevin at the other end of aisle 34. Aisle 34 is our vanity
aisle and every eight foot section there are mirrors to accent the
bathroom cabinets. I glanced over at one while I was walking... and I
stopped dead in my tracks! I was the mustached guy!!!
Now, it's bad enough that I had
forgotten I had sold a sink the day before... but, to not remember I
had a mustache... c'mon! In my defense there are two things. First,
the day before I had been very busy and had probably written a dozen
contracts, and... secondly I don't (as some guys do) have a
“particular look” that I wear. I only mean that sometimes I
shave very closely. First I use an electric razor to start and I
finish with an old straight razor I have and I get a close shave.
Then, there are times like now, I don't think I've shaved all week,
so apparently I have grown a mustache unnoticed, at least by me!
(lol) Sometimes I set the clippers at 1/2" and cut my own hair. Other times I forget to get a haircut for an apparently long time? A couple of months ago one of my daughters called me and began the conversation by saying that "she didn't care either way" but she wanted to tell me something. She said that one of the girls who had been sitting behind me at church said that "Papaw's hair" was almost to his shoulders? I laughed and said I hadn't noticed... but I went out the next day to a barber shop to get a haircut.
Anyway, other than I stay clean, I am not a person who pays a lot of attention to my appearance... yet no more than three hours before I left for work this morning I
would have showered and then brushed my teeth standing in front of a
mirror... but I never saw that I had a mustache? Do you want to hear
something else, maybe even more ridiculous than that, considering my powers of
keen observation?
Sometime back I was thinking that if I live to retirement what
was I going to do with the rest of my life? So, I had an idea that
might actually help some people and make their lives better. However, to
do that I needed a degree in order to obtain a license for the state and in order to pursue my next “career." So, I signed up and started taking classes to get my degree.
I thought it might be rewarding to
become a private investigator, but I would focus in only one area. I
would try to help people find lost loved ones they had been separated
from for a very long time. In this way I thought I might be able to help some
people have happier lives. Now though, after this morning I might
have to rethink that. I suppose before I could go out and locate a
complete
stranger... I might have to "really look" in a mirror just to remember what I look like? lol
Movie Review ... "13"
Monday September 24, 2012 9:03 pm
One advantage to being home today is that I got to watch a couple of movies. If you like those that are intense I will recommend one for you to see. It is called 13. Of course, with Statham and Rourke in it you might imagine there would be some strong scenes in it.
Anyway, if you like those type of movies, this one was pretty good and it had a bit of an unexpected ending.
SOMEONE FROM A FLYOVER STATE JUST WANTS TO SAY, "HI."
Monday September 24, 2012 7:47 am
Probably it was my fever... regardless,
I had such unusual and vivid dreams last night. In Psychology this
past week we were studying dreams and what some believe they are?
Because I couldn't return to sleep after awaking I have been sitting
here at my desk for the past several hours and doing my school work
for this new week. As soon as 8:00 arrives (because we can't upload
anything for the new week until this time each Monday) I will upload
all of my work for my class in psychology and I will only have
Criminology to do any studies for this week. That is one advantage to
not feeling well... and waking early: I should have all of my school
work done for the week by the end of this day (:
Usually whenever I am doing work at my
keyboard I have my iPod playing and I am listening to music. I have
always been a fan of music, but not all types and all artists:
however, a few minutes ago I was listening to Harry Connick Jr. sing
“Only You.” Normally he is one of those artists that I am
ambivalent toward, yet, he just finished singing and I thought he did
a really good job with that song. It's hard to listen to that song
and not picture being with someone you love and holding them while
slow dancing. (I like Jack Johnson, and he is now singing “Better
Together.”)
Virgil is looking at me with his
soulful eyes... I wish I knew what he was thinking whenever he does
that. Sometimes I make guesses and imagine he wants to walk or play:
but, of course they are only guesses. It might be nothing more than
the fact that he might still be sleepy and wants me to lay down with
him? Thinking about him I thought I would include a cute poem about
love and friendship
You can't buy loyalty, they say,
I
bought it though, the other day;
You can't buy friendship, tried
and true,
Well just the same, I bought that too.
I made my bid,
and on the spot
Bought love and faith and a whole job lot
Of
happiness, so all in all
The purchase price was pretty small.
I
bought a single trusting heart,
That gave devotion from the
start.
If you think these things are not for sale,
Buy a
brown-eyed puppy with a stump for a tail.
There was an instrumental just playing
and I was liking it so much I wanted to see a video clip of it and I
just finished watching it. Alison Krauss & Union Station
performing “Cluck Old Hen.” They really are a talented group!
Well, I have been stalling long
enough... and it is getting close to the time I will be able to start
uploading some work to school. I hope everyone has a great day today
(:
I really love the song now playing... "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" by, Isreal Kamamawiwo'ole. He had such a soft voice for such a big man.
BABY STEPS...
Saturday September 22, 2012 9:57 pm
Happy first day of fall! Well... perhaps small, but I took a few first steps nonetheless to doing what Mr. Morse only talked about? I had an appointment this evening at five and everything is done... and may I say, "ouch." I mean... "OUCH!!!"
I heard someone once say in speaking about something they did that it had been "real" and "fun" but, it hadn't been "real fun." To that person, whoever they might be, I say, "Ditto!"
I hope everyone had a great day to the start of this new season and what to me always seems to be the most optimistic time of year when all things seem possible! Even, if they really aren't?
I know, I know... I use far too many exclamation marks! See, I did it again... I guess I just can't help myself (:
DO YOU LIE TO YOUR DOCTOR ??? AND AN "UGLY DOG STORY!"
Thursday September 20, 2012 5:34 pm
I don't want to give anyone a false idea about me... so, when I say I almost never lie... that is true. However, even though I seldom lie... I am still not a good person at all. It is just that lying is not one of my "things." Although, I have so many other vices that if I were only a liar I would probably still be a better person then some of the other things that I do. In fact, almost all of the lies I tell are mostly by omission. In other words, I lie by obfuscating and not telling the whole truth. Sometimes I lie and I am not passive about it. Some of those lies that I actually tell, I try to think of them as "good lies." Hilarious... huh? Those are the ones I tell and in my heart I do it so I can spare another person's feelings. I know it still doesn't make it right... but, I suppose I justify those in my mind because I think I am helping someone else out? Now, that brings me to the first question I asked with my title.
The other day I had a dentist appointment and a young, very pretty, dental hygienist came in to do my teeth, and we began talking. One of the questions she asked me, I have to tell you that I sat there and looked into her eyes and unblinking I told her a big, fat, lie. (I'm not altogether sure what a big, fat lie is? I think, at least for me, it is when you tell someone something and there is absolutely no good reason to lie... the truth would have been just fine.)
She asked me how much coffee do I drink? I said... quite a bit. She asked about soft drinks? I said... seldom. She asked how often I brush? I said... several times a day. So far... all my answers were true. Then she asked, "How often do you floss?" I paused... but only for a heartbeat before I told her my big, fat, lie! Looking directly and unflinchingly into her very pretty eyes I casually said, "All the time." LIE... LIE.. AND LIE AGAIN! The honest truth is, I have never flossed in my life! Honestly, I know... mark me up as "plenty stupid" but I just cannot get the hang of dragging that little string between my teeth.
Now you would imagine that as soon as she started cleaning my teeth she would know I lied... right? Wrong! I guess my saving grace is that I do brush several times a day and I suppose it helps that I use a vibrating toothbrush? I don't know? All I know is that after she was done she remarked that I do a really good job in keeping up with my flossing (yeah right) and my brushing because even though I drink a lot of coffee she couldn't find stains on my teeth.
Anyway, here is my question. Do you lie to your doctor, and (or) dentist?
Now, my ugly dog story. Yesterday I came home for lunch so I could walk Virgil and Stella. After they had made their toilet I sat on the front stoop and watched them stretch out in the warming afternoon Sun. I first looked at Virgil. Though in "dog years" my little guy is really getting up there he is still a fine specimen of an animal. His chest is thick, his legs are corded with muscle and his flanks are well-defined. He has flecks of gray in his muzzle, but he is still mostly black, and his ears look like black velvet! Then, there is Stella (: The honest truth, though I wouldn't have the heart to do it... she could easily win an ugly dog contest... easily!
The Shar Pei breed of dog, can be a beautiful animal: however, poor Stella is only 1/2 Shar Pei and the other 1/2 she is Redbone Coonhound... poor, poor, girl ):
In addition to that unsightly mix she has myriad skin conditions. So, she is almost hairless from her rear to mid-chest. Her tail, if I took a picture of her tail only... honestly, you could not tell if it was from a dog or an armadillo: no joke. Her skin is so loose she can almost turn herself around inside her own body... again, not joking. (They were bred this way so as they were fought, other dogs could never get a good bite on them to hurt any vital organs.)
Her legs are scaly and they look an awful lot like the legs of an elephant... again, no joke. Her rear end... looked at by itself you would think it belongs on a sow, not a dog. Her breed is prone to soft tumors, thankfully non-cancerous... but growths nonetheless. So, she has many of these soft pouches everywhere. My vet says the risk is far greater in trying to remove them... then to just leave them alone. (If she were a person and not an animal, her occupation would likely have been a sideshow attraction in a carnival... again, not kidding.)
Shar Pei's were also bred to have heavy skin to cover their eyes, this was done so dogs couldn't get to an eye in a fight. The reason I told you that last part is she has one redeeming quality... it is her eyes, they are warm and a beautiful brown! However, usually they are hard to see. So, when I am (with my eyes) picking her apart... I usually say her name in an excited voice so she will force her eyes to open wide as she expectantly looks at me. Then I can honestly say, "Good girl... you're very pretty!" She does have one other redeeming quality, she's a very sweet dog also (:
Well, now I have to start working on my school work: I have put off doing it all week long (:
IT"S TRUE... I"M WEIRD!
Tuesday September 18, 11:00 am
I had a realization a little bit ago
when I thought about an appointment I have today at 1:00. With that
realization came the “revelation” that I guess I really am weird.
I'll tell you about it in a minute. First though, I want to tell you
about a humbling experience I had about thirty minutes ago.
(This morning I had to go into the
school to schedule a proctored exam for one of my classes that is
coming up soon.) The main entrance that I was walking toward has two
openings: one opening faces the front, and the side opening is on the
walkway I was on. Once you open either door you are in a small glass
cubicle and there is still yet another door which has to be opened in
order to access the building itself. There was a young girl who was
going into the front of the building and she was going to get there
several steps ahead of me.
As I opened my side door I could see
that she was standing there and smiling sweetly, with the door held
wide open waiting for me! I wanted to say... “C'mon, I'm not that
old. I just left the Y where I lifted X amount of weights and did a
certain number of laps.” Instead, I grinned and simply said,
“Thanks.”
Yeah... I'm at that age now where the
young ones hold doors for the old folks ): When I was a young man I
guess I never thought I would live to the age I am today... now I
know why! After having just worked out I felt good and I walked into
the school building briskly and with good stride: after that
experience, I think I must have left stooped shouldered and limping:
where is my cane? (I thought to myself.) Nothing like a pretty young
girl holding a door for the “elderly folk” to just about make my day (:
Not only must I contend with the
present knowledge that I am at the age in life when it is perceived
by those who are young that I am no longer capable of opening a door
for myself... but I also had the unsettling thought that there must
be something fundamentally wrong with my thinking as well? Here was
my “revelation.”
Today, at 1:00 I have a dental
appointment to have my teeth cleaned. It is a scheduled appointment
and I have them regularly. I have always tried to take care of my
mouth and this is just one of the ways that helps... right?
So-far-so-good... right? Here is the kicker. When I thought about my
appointment I realized that I was actually looking forward to it!
Now, c'mon, that's not normal is it? I mean, all that I ever hear
from normal people is how much they hate the dentist's office.
However, for me, I really like the feeling of my teeth and mouth as
I'm leaving... and I even hate it that first time I eat or drink
anything after they are so clean.
I guess it's destined not to be a good
day ): Already having a young person imagining I am no longer
ambulatory, or will most probably be that way soon.. and now this
realization: I really am weird! I hope all who reads these few lines
are having a better day than the start to my own (:
So, from all that to now I am getting ready to do a little work for school... WOW, this day is just getting better and better (:
SETTING A DATE
Monday September 17, 2012 6:55 pm
Well, I talked with them at Mom's
Music, then I spoke to Darin and bumped a particular date up from
November to this Saturday. Though the 3rd was my first choice and
that date very important to me, Saturday is the first day of fall and
that also means something to me as well. So, I think that I would
just like to get some things moving. Even if nothing is really being
accomplished toward any long-term goals, it helps to give me the
illusion that it is (:
Tomorrow, hopefully, I can get in a full workout at the Y as I don't have anything particular planned to do. Of course, at some point I will have to at least make an attempt to get some school work at least started for the week.
Also, in case anyone read my previous
blog I have an update: though I kept my eyes wide-open all afternoon
to any and all possible sightings... I saw nothing else out of the
ordinary. Because of that, I guess tomorrow I will go back to my life
of daydreaming... sigh ):
Have a good night!
ODDS & ENDS II (:
Monday September 17, 2012 10:43 am (Happy birthday Trinity!)
Well, I'm sitting here and sipping on
an icy cold 32 ounces Pineapple Surf (with energy boost) from
Smoothie King... it's really good! I am supposed to be starting work
today on my new school week and with a much easier schedule for the
fall I can do my entire week's assignment in only two days: so, being
off today and tomorrow you would think I would just go ahead and do
it... right? No, think again (:
I am going to write and tell you
something that happened to me this morning, just in case it shows up
on t.v. But, I am going to work backwards... sort of? They have so
many choices and I am never sure so I asked the girl at Smoothie King
what her favorite drink was... it's what I am now drinking, and it is
good. At the counter she slowly read what is written on my old gray
t-shirt I had on. I-Wear-This-When-I-Just-Don't-Care. She asked me
how often I wear this shirt? I said, “A lot of the time” ... we
both laughed. (I get more remarks about this one shirt I wear than any other ten items combined.) 20 minutes before I arrived at Smoothie King I had
left the school, but I'll tell you that last.
After dropping Deb off at the church
this morning I headed to the Y. My goal was to lift a little and then
swim one mile in the pool. After I got there and was dressing I began
to rehearse in my mind all that I wanted to do today and I realized I
wouldn't be able to spend a long time there if I was going to get
everything else done... so, I skipped the gym but I did get in 30
fast laps: at least they were fast for me.
After showering I stepped outside to a
warm steady rain. It felt really nice, so I walked slowly to my car.
The sky is the type that always evokes so many memories for me. It
was very pretty... maybe a leaden gray with what could be easily
mistaken for ocean whitecaps on the horizon. Feeling really good I
left the Y and drove to the school. The student parking lot was
completely full and I had to park at an annex lot quite a distance
from the main hall... this might have been fortuitous for me,
although I'm not sure? Lol
I was walking at a brisk pace when I
think... I came to a complete stop: I think? It's one of those
situations where something so unexpected happens it's hard to
remember exactly what I was doing. Maybe a hundred feet from the
sidewalk I was on, a girl stepped out of a side door wearing jeans...
and... and, nothing else. I started to say it was great, but I might
get in trouble, so I won't say that (:
She stood there for just a few seconds
and then turned and went back inside. It's funny the thoughts that go
through your head. My first thought was maybe it was one of those
shows where they try to capture people who don't know they are being
filmed? Then I thought, maybe I didn't really see it at all... but,
there were two guys with shovels and apparently working on a sidewalk
and they were maybe 100 feet or so the other side of where the girl
had been, and I noticed they were both still staring at the (now)
vacant door... so they had seen her also.
In the late '60's and early '70's I was
at many concerts where a lot of the girls were apparently proud of
what the Lord had given them and didn't mind showing it... maybe that
was this girls idea also... I don't know? Now, you might be wondering
why I just didn't turn away: well, truth-be-told, I did turn away. I
turned away after about 60 seconds when it became obvious she wasn't
coming back out. lol
The only good thing about it is if I
show up on one of those shows on t.v. at least I won't be dressed
like The People of Walmart videos. Thankfully, though my t-shirt is
ratty and worn, it is clean and I had just showered. One more thing,
she had blond hair and bare feet. (I'm telling you that so you will know that at
least I didn't just stare at one spot.)
After while I have to go to Mom's Music
and then after that to Louisville to see someone. I think instead of
sometimes going through life daydreaming instead of paying attention
to my immediate surroundings: at least for today, and for some
strange reason, I am going to pay attention to what's out there, who
knows what all a person might see in this crazy old world.
I hope everyone has a great day!!!
GOOD MORNING!
Friday September 14, 2012 7:15 am
Well, for a fella who didn't really go anywhere on his vacation... beginning last Friday evening and culminating late last evening I really did have a wonderful time! However, today I go back to my real world and all of the fantasy things are again over for me ):
I awoke about 4:30 this morning and began my day with a health shake. For me that consists of 6 ounces skim milk, protein powder, and one raw egg: 400 calories. I then left for the Y to try out some new shoes I bought for myself yesterday. I was told that they are very lightweight and good for running, and I wanted to see for myself. A couple of months ago I had purchased a pair of Saucony tennis shoes for that very reason... extremely light. My new Nike's are even better than those (:
As I sit here and type I have a comfortable feeling of tiredness in my shoulders, I suppose it is from the lifting and swimming? I like being able to leave the house while it is still dark and much of the world, or at least the part of the world I live in, is still sleeping. Even now, back home after working out it is still dark outside and everything is very quiet. (Virgil and Stella did meet me at the door as I tried to quietly let myself back inside.)
I have to be at Ivy Tech this morning around 8:00 because there is something I have to pick up there... after that I have a few errands to run and then back to work for me ):
Almost... almost, I was drug into the more modern world of cell phone use yesterday, that is I tried to upgrade my phone to one where I can text message. Apparently an upgrade on my plan is not available until early in November. Oh well, I guess I have lived this long without it so a couple months more probably won't hurt me?
I really just wanted to say, "Hi" to everyone and then I must get ready to really start my day. There is something I want to look at again before leaving so I will go now and write more at another time.
To all my friends everywhere and those I love most... I hope you have a wonderful day today!!! I know... I know, I use a lot of exclamation marks! (:
ODDS & ENDS
Friday September 7, 2012 2:21 am
Well, I have to be up in a few hours (5:45) as I am taking Deb to school. She watches the nursery for our church-school. Later in the day, she and Steph (along with several other ladies from church) are going I think for a couple of days to a "ladies retreat."
I just finished most of what I have due this week for my two classes of school work. I suppose I will finish up everything I have left sometime Saturday so I will have Sunday "free." (I just turned my hourglass over and started watching the sand fall into the bottom, if I do not begin to feel more sleepy by the time the last grain of sand reaches the bottom... I will force myself to lay down and try to sleep anyway.)
As I sit here and reflect on sleep and trips, and life in general I remembered a Rodney Dangerfield quote. (Of course, I didn't remember it verbatim... so, the last few minutes I have been searching for it on-line and now I have found it.) Speaking about his wife he said, "We sleep in separate rooms, we have dinner apart, we take separate vacations -- we're doing everything we can to keep our marriage together." That's hilarious, and even funnier than I had remembered it!
Bob and Tam and their family leaves in the morning for their vacation. Several months ago we had planned for this to be a shared vacation, and reservations were made and monies paid. Bob would have been competing in his third iron man and I would be completing my first. (I have done one "speed" one but never all three legs of it at that distance and at the same time.)
Perhaps foolishly I took on a summer semester of school work without ever looking into the number of hours that was required... and Bob has been very involved with the youth at church and the necessary training that is required to either compete... or at the least "complete" such a race had to be set aside.
So, instead of Cedar Point, Ohio they are headed to the "Arch" in Missouri and I am relegated to a "staycation." (lol) Oh well, I might... if any of the days are cool enough take Virgil to Brown County for a day. It is a nice community to walk around in.
I will leave any and all insomniacs who might still be awake to read my ramblings a very famous line from one of Frost's poems. My best guess is even those who do not like poetry will have heard these lines... perhaps though they would have no idea where they came from? His poem is entitled: Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. It is a short poem with just a few stanzas and the last one is...
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
He was a great writer!
Well, I just finished listening to a sad song on my eye-pod (
sic) and I think I'm going to turn in now. It looks like about half of the grains has already collected at the bottom of my hour-glass. I suppose they will continue to fall while I try to sleep. Of course, a deep-thinker might wonder if there is no one present to observe the sand continue to fall... does it continue at all? However, not being a deep thinker... the "deepest" thought I have in my tired brain at this present time is only this: If the plural of goose is geese... then doesn't it just make sense that a single Portuguese person should be called a Portugoose? I mean, c'mon... it just makes sense.
Goodnight all -- ST... ADLTBBB! (sleep tight... and don't let the bed-bugs bite).
HAPPY LABOR DAY!
Monday September 3, 2012 7:45 am
For the last two hours I have sat and
watched a small flashing icon on my computer screen mock me. I awoke shortly after five
with an idea of something to write. However, every time I started to
write a few words I changed my mind and would delete what I had just
written. (I had thought about writing my blog this morning built
around a Bob Marley quote, then I thought it was too "heavy” for
this day and this blog: instead, I will now write a few thoughts about
love, friendship, joys, sorrows, dogs... and this time of year.)
I always think of Labor Day as my own
“official” start to my favorite season of the year... fall! I know that most people recognize this day as the end of summer... but for me it is the beginning of that special time of year! (The
first string of cool mornings, leaves beginning to change color and
fall to the ground, being held up in traffic by school buses: all of
these things and a hundred more show me that this season is upon us!)
It is the time of year when my heart
and mind is full of memories of things past, and hopes and dreams of
the future. For me it is that magical time of year when all things seem possible... even if in reality they are not.
It is the season where I had my
greatest joys... and greatest heartbreak: yet, even though that is
true I still love and look forward to this time of year. I think
it's because I realize that is what life is really: life is seasons
of joy and heartbreak. And while it is true that I hate the
heartbreak side of life, without that how could one really know the
sheer joys in life. I mean, it would be impossible to recognize the view from the
top of a mountain unless you had also seen the valley.
Fall, for me, is that encapsulated span
of time: from blustery winds to the beginning of heavy snows and icy
cold air, and that is usually no more than a few weeks time... yet,
life can change so very quickly! I suppose that is why I consider this time of year to be magical and even yet today I think of it as rife with possibilities.
So, on this Labor Day... and especially
for those fortunate few who do not have to work: surround yourself
with those whom you love best and just hold on. For you see, friends
and people you love are the only ones that can go with you beyond
death. (Other than immediate family, I have, by choice(?) four
friends. I know for most people, and especially in this day of hundreds of FB
“friends” that might sound like an impossibly small number... but
I think it is because I count friendship as something more than some
people must.)
Few people who know me, even those who
know me fairly well, would be able to accurately name the three people in
life I count as my true friends. It is because I am “friendly” with many people
and would always be ready to offer support to any of them if they
needed it? But, the difference between being friendly to someone and
counting them as my friend is more than the difference between night
and day. I believe that friendship, like love, is something that is more
thrust upon us rather than being sought? If that is true... then there is still the possibility of more friends in my life depending upon whomever God might send for me to meet.
I don't necessarily like talking about friendship, love, and dogs in the same blog... except for the fact that one of my true friends in life happens to have four legs. My other three friends... two girls and one guy are of the human variety. (lol) Anyway, maybe I can explain by using an example of a dog what I mean about "true love" not being something we have to seek... it finds us.
One day in Hurricane I came out of church and saw a big red dog lying on the sidewalk. I leaned down and stroked his face and said a few words to him and then I started walking home. We lived just a block away. He followed me home. Hours later when I started to leave my house he had been lying by my front door and he followed me back. This went on for days.
At that time we already had a dog and I didn't think I could keep him. Many people at church had seen how he followed me everywhere and they thought it was something how it just seemed like he had "adopted" me. Because of that it was easy for me to find him a home for him as many people now wanted him. There was a girl, .... ...... who I decided could give him a great home, and she lived miles away in the country. This big red dog, on three separate occasions broke away from their yard and traveled all the way back to my house and would stretch out by my front door... waiting for me.
At that time I didn't understand what I do today about love... I hadn't yet learned two very important lessons: those would come later. Other than being nice to him I hadn't shown him any special attention: yet, he wanted to be with me. I asked .... to chain him as that seemed the only way to be able for her to keep him. Today I would have never done that, for I would recognize that, for whatever reason, he had "chosen" me and I would keep and take care of him until he died. Now it makes me sad just to think of how I turned him away: even though .... had given him a very good home.
You see, I hadn't yet learned two of my life's most important lessons. First, at that time I did not know that you could feel great love without being loved, and secondly, that affairs of the heart are not always of our own choosing. (Maybe the big red dog, upon first seeing me, had simply seen something in me that he alone saw, and that caused him to want to be with me above any other? I'll never know for certain, but I do know that life can change with but a single glance... and in an instant of time!)
James Lecesne wrote one of the best
statements ever about friendship: or at least this is how I think of
my three human, and one furry friend. He said, "This is how it works. I love the
people in my life, and I do for my friends whatever they need me to
do for them, again and again, as many times as is necessary. For
example, in your case you always forgot who you are and how much
you're loved. So what I do for you as your friend is remind you who
you are and tell you how much I love you. And this isn't any kind of
burden for me, because I love who you are very much. Every time I
remind you, I get to remember with you, which is my pleasure."
I hope (and pray) that any who reads this has a great holiday today!!!
B.A.T.T.
Sunday September 2, 2012 8:23 pm
I'm sitting here and I just finished with a very easy assignment and I am now done with my school work for this week. In case anyone cares... this evening my initialism (sometimes referred to as an acronym) is different than almost every other one I have ever done, for tonight it only stands for something impersonal: I guess it is more indicative of my mood than anything else.
It's raining outside and it is not a "good type" of rain that sometimes can make me feel happy. Tonight... it's just rain. Therefore, (I am) B.A.T.T. (bored-almost-to-tears). Dolly Parton is singing on my radio: someone, anyone... please make her stop (: My eye-pod (
sic) is on the charger behind my desk so I can't use it right now. Of course, that leaves me at the mercy of whoever is making the music selections on 103.9. Evidently some idiot forgot to turn off my iPod yesterday after they finished listening to songs. Wait a minute... that's not very nice to call that person an idiot: especially when the "idiot" who forgot to turn it off was me! (Hey... a good song just came on, "Stand By Me.")
Well, only four more days at work and then I'm off for seven: YAY!!!
Our church moved its sanctuary today and we had several first time visitors. The preacher had a message on the Holy Ghost... it was a good message. I can't speak for any others, but I know I have many times fulfilled Ephesians 4:30, which is naturally
not a good thing!
I hate it whenever a song plays on the radio and they don't give the artists name after it is over. I wanted to hear who it was that recorded the song that just finished. I thought it sounded an awful lot like Ben King... but, I can't imagine he would be playing on this station.
AVICTLSMLS(SWB)ATICDWS...TES!!!
I hope everyone has a wonderful night tonight and day tomorrow!
PS That last one is personal! LOL
