"Okay, Christmas is over!" you say. I get it, they started the ads before Halloween and if you hear one Jingle Bell Rock one more time your ears will begin to bleed. I really do get it. There is however just one pesky detail...
If, and only if, you believe in the birth of Christ then Dec. 25 is the first day (of Christmas) and as anyone who's sung the song can tell you, there are twelve days of Christmas. In many cultures it is actually the twelfth day that is considered Christmas. That is the day that Christ was presented at the temple and recognized by good old what's his name as the Messiah. Now, that may be way too religious for a whole lot of ya, but I have a couple reasons of my own for going traditional.
First, the days following the 25th have always been the ones where all the running around is over. You get to play with your toys, visit with family and friends, and school's not back until at least the 2nd. You get to breathe a bit. Since I've taken this all a little more seriously, I realize that these are the days when one little tiny baby was the wonder of the world. I remember falling in love with a one day old, it is not to be skipped over. I for one, want these days to step back from the frenzy that Madison Avenue started and has taken on a life of its own...no, take some time to fall in love again. Enjoy the holidays, bask in the love of family and friends that we seem to only take out for this special occasion. Don't be in such a hurry to put away the Christmas spirit.
For another thing, it has pissed me off, for as long as I can remember, that this holiest of days has been hijacked by companies that want to sell me CARS to give as gifts and other ridiculous notions...arrrrg. More practically, I haven't finished (or necessarily started) my Christmas cards, shipping gifts and I just got the decorations up. So there, I'm just getting started and if you know me - even a little bit - you know that I am not letting the big businesses hijack my holidays, so if you are done - good for you! You can save my card for next year, and in that case, I'm early for a change. Merry Christmas!
Monday, December 26, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
The Holidays
Someone should have warned me
surely other people knew
that these days are full of landmines
from the people that I knew
Shopping misses someone
cooking misses two
decorating hoards of people
that should be here too
The richness of the memories
the scents that grace my home
are more than meloncholy
they're living good and true
What meaning I assign it
the tears that slip away
are really all about
the people and the day
It's fantastic that I loved you
I can't imagine any other way
my life could be so rich now
(unless you hadn't gone away)
I'm building a whole new experience
another good and true
but over half the richness is the memory of you.
Merry Christmas, where ever you may be <3
surely other people knew
that these days are full of landmines
from the people that I knew
Shopping misses someone
cooking misses two
decorating hoards of people
that should be here too
The richness of the memories
the scents that grace my home
are more than meloncholy
they're living good and true
What meaning I assign it
the tears that slip away
are really all about
the people and the day
It's fantastic that I loved you
I can't imagine any other way
my life could be so rich now
(unless you hadn't gone away)
I'm building a whole new experience
another good and true
but over half the richness is the memory of you.
Merry Christmas, where ever you may be <3
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Christmas Is Coming
The earth is white, as far as the eye can see. I am warm, safe and dry. The calendar says that Christmas is coming but I barely see it on the horizon. This will be the first Christmas I've spent without any family, or friends for that matter. It will be unique.
I've decided to observe the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas, which starts on the 25th. That makes me not late in sending out my gifts and cards after the first of the year.
I'm not certain how I'll spend the day...perhaps writing cards to loved ones, perhaps watching It's A Wonderful Life and other appropriate movies (assuming I can find them) I also may assemble the fire pit I received last year which remains in a box on my porch. However I end up spending the day, I am thoughtful of all the love in my life though the people be far away.
Learning to enjoy yourself, by yourself may be the lesson of the day...but don't worry because I will make the turkey, and you're welcome to join me.
I've decided to observe the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas, which starts on the 25th. That makes me not late in sending out my gifts and cards after the first of the year.
I'm not certain how I'll spend the day...perhaps writing cards to loved ones, perhaps watching It's A Wonderful Life and other appropriate movies (assuming I can find them) I also may assemble the fire pit I received last year which remains in a box on my porch. However I end up spending the day, I am thoughtful of all the love in my life though the people be far away.
Learning to enjoy yourself, by yourself may be the lesson of the day...but don't worry because I will make the turkey, and you're welcome to join me.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
A Plague of Wire
As the settling in continues, in fits and starts, one thing that has emerged are the obsolete wires to former electronic. Electronics which are now toast. The saver in me wants to hold on to them "just in case..." Just in case what? If I should need a new something or other, which I certainly hope that I don't, we all know that it would require a new improved chord. A port designed by an entire electronics division not to accept any pre-existent wires that you might have. Oh, you think I'm being dramatic?
Let's look at the evidence. A simple phone wire (okay two - 6' and 25'), two Ethernet cables also of differing lengths, 4 little adapters for dsl/phone lines, a cable whose origin escapes me, a weird one with a figure 8 attachment, three different chords with different circumference attachments, and wall chargers from my electric toothbrush, the blender and who knows what else. You know those round ones might be from the cameras...the label maker? an electric tea kettle? the phones?
The fact of the matter is that if I dare to part with a single one of those suckers an appliance will turn up in some unpacked box...aye...if I even dare to put them away (as if I had a place for them)... would I ever remember where I tucked them?
I know, you wish this was your biggest problem. Well, I wish it was my biggest problem - but it's not. It's just the only one I'm willing to share at the moment.
Let's look at the evidence. A simple phone wire (okay two - 6' and 25'), two Ethernet cables also of differing lengths, 4 little adapters for dsl/phone lines, a cable whose origin escapes me, a weird one with a figure 8 attachment, three different chords with different circumference attachments, and wall chargers from my electric toothbrush, the blender and who knows what else. You know those round ones might be from the cameras...the label maker? an electric tea kettle? the phones?
The fact of the matter is that if I dare to part with a single one of those suckers an appliance will turn up in some unpacked box...aye...if I even dare to put them away (as if I had a place for them)... would I ever remember where I tucked them?
I know, you wish this was your biggest problem. Well, I wish it was my biggest problem - but it's not. It's just the only one I'm willing to share at the moment.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Walking On the Moon
Sometimes I feel like I've fallen into a black hole or left the planet (I guess those both constitute leaving the planet). Anyway, today I feel like that - no particular reason except maybe because I don't have anyone to play with at the moment. I know, I know, I moved a thousand miles away...
As the holidays fast approach, I have been working towards getting the house ready for company. To this end, boxes are beginning to disappear and I hung some art and photos. It really warmed my heart to see so many loved one's faces and the house is feeling more like home everyday. Nonetheless, I have to accept the reality that I probably won't have an Open House this year. I was really hoping to get to know some people a little better, as well as making some memories in this house. ah well...
If you are a fan of the Neil Armstrong and the first moonwalk (No, not Michael Jackson's dance steps young'uns) you know the whole ..one step for mankind bit, but did you notice that he is very much alone - as am I, so perhaps I am walking on the moon.
As the holidays fast approach, I have been working towards getting the house ready for company. To this end, boxes are beginning to disappear and I hung some art and photos. It really warmed my heart to see so many loved one's faces and the house is feeling more like home everyday. Nonetheless, I have to accept the reality that I probably won't have an Open House this year. I was really hoping to get to know some people a little better, as well as making some memories in this house. ah well...
If you are a fan of the Neil Armstrong and the first moonwalk (No, not Michael Jackson's dance steps young'uns) you know the whole ..one step for mankind bit, but did you notice that he is very much alone - as am I, so perhaps I am walking on the moon.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Sleepless In The Springs
I didn't get to sleep at all last night, I can tell that it's not because I'm worried because I ran out of things to think about. When I worry, I never run out of new scenarios to concern myself with. I could say it's from pain, but frankly, I'm kind of use to that so even though I exhausted my remedies I remained awake, though resting in bed - more or less comfortable, whatever. Anyway, I have a few pet ideas that I take out to think about when I can't sleep. These are questions that have no obvious answer or no correct answer.
For example: What is the perfect amount of money to win in the lottery? Research has shown that lottery winners to the majority, end up in the same proportional financial position they were in before they won. This means that if they carried a 35% debt load before they won, they will after-leaving them in a much more difficult position because they do not have the earning power associated with their winnings. The winners that did not end up in this position all had one thing in common. They all had a plan for their winnings including how they were going to handle the charities that besieged them after winning. This is the research that parented my question, and it was my favorite mental toy until this summer, when I actually solved it -for me.
Needless to say, I think my idea is brilliant and it should be because I've been thinking about it for almost twenty years. Don't fret,I won't make you wait that long for my answer, and it isn't 42 (just in case you're a Hitch hiker's Guide to the Galaxy folk). My answer is $142 million. Now to some of you that may seem quite high, to greedy folk it may seem quite modest. If you follow the lottery you know that it often exceeds this amount, it doesn't matter because I rarely buy a ticket, I just want to be prepared so I'm not one of those winners that ends up deeper in debt (I shudder at the thought).
My calculation goes like this: The day I win the lottery, I inform all those I know and love that I have won the lottery and being the generous person that I am, I want to pay off all of their debts, including the mortgage on their homes and autos, etc. The debts must all have preexisted my winning the lottery. I will also pay the taxes on the financial gift they are receiving so as of one month after the lottery, they all have their income to spend as they will and I will not bail anyone out beyond these funds. That's final by the way, if you know me, you know that I can hold a line and that is my line. The only exception to this rule are the people I know who are homeless, they just get a house, median priced in their community (yeah, I'll furnish it). As for the charities, I've already selected the ones that I support and that's the end of that.
As for myself, well I will be buying four houses, one in New York by my family, one in Santa Monica which is my happy place, one in Colorado where I feel good and one in an undisclosed location that I have always loved but don't want any intruders to my paradise.
For me, the next part is my absolute favorite, if you've ever seen the television show Highway to Heaven, where Michael Landon and another guy travel the country and solve one person's problems in each episode. That's my plan, though I don't expect to spend a half hour on each person. I'm thinking, a check up from the neck up for each, and a friend (being me) who is willing to help them do whatever they need to fix their life. It's such a cool idea, I don't mind if Michael Landon had the job first. I can deal with it.
Now that this issue has been resolved, I just need to win the lottery, which means that I have to start buying tickets...hmm. Oh well, it will happen if it will happen. In the meantime, I needed a new nearly unsolvable problem to occupy my mind while I'm not sleeping (and usually in pain). The new issue is just as individual in it's solution so I guess I'll share that idea with you in a future writing.
For example: What is the perfect amount of money to win in the lottery? Research has shown that lottery winners to the majority, end up in the same proportional financial position they were in before they won. This means that if they carried a 35% debt load before they won, they will after-leaving them in a much more difficult position because they do not have the earning power associated with their winnings. The winners that did not end up in this position all had one thing in common. They all had a plan for their winnings including how they were going to handle the charities that besieged them after winning. This is the research that parented my question, and it was my favorite mental toy until this summer, when I actually solved it -for me.
Needless to say, I think my idea is brilliant and it should be because I've been thinking about it for almost twenty years. Don't fret,I won't make you wait that long for my answer, and it isn't 42 (just in case you're a Hitch hiker's Guide to the Galaxy folk). My answer is $142 million. Now to some of you that may seem quite high, to greedy folk it may seem quite modest. If you follow the lottery you know that it often exceeds this amount, it doesn't matter because I rarely buy a ticket, I just want to be prepared so I'm not one of those winners that ends up deeper in debt (I shudder at the thought).
My calculation goes like this: The day I win the lottery, I inform all those I know and love that I have won the lottery and being the generous person that I am, I want to pay off all of their debts, including the mortgage on their homes and autos, etc. The debts must all have preexisted my winning the lottery. I will also pay the taxes on the financial gift they are receiving so as of one month after the lottery, they all have their income to spend as they will and I will not bail anyone out beyond these funds. That's final by the way, if you know me, you know that I can hold a line and that is my line. The only exception to this rule are the people I know who are homeless, they just get a house, median priced in their community (yeah, I'll furnish it). As for the charities, I've already selected the ones that I support and that's the end of that.
As for myself, well I will be buying four houses, one in New York by my family, one in Santa Monica which is my happy place, one in Colorado where I feel good and one in an undisclosed location that I have always loved but don't want any intruders to my paradise.
For me, the next part is my absolute favorite, if you've ever seen the television show Highway to Heaven, where Michael Landon and another guy travel the country and solve one person's problems in each episode. That's my plan, though I don't expect to spend a half hour on each person. I'm thinking, a check up from the neck up for each, and a friend (being me) who is willing to help them do whatever they need to fix their life. It's such a cool idea, I don't mind if Michael Landon had the job first. I can deal with it.
Now that this issue has been resolved, I just need to win the lottery, which means that I have to start buying tickets...hmm. Oh well, it will happen if it will happen. In the meantime, I needed a new nearly unsolvable problem to occupy my mind while I'm not sleeping (and usually in pain). The new issue is just as individual in it's solution so I guess I'll share that idea with you in a future writing.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
It's Too Weird
One of the features of my blog is that it counts how many people visit my site and where they are when they do so. Tonight, I was feeling like I shouldn't bother writing one anymore since it is truly a one sided relationship which was okay while I was traveling, but since I am stationary, well, I'd like to hear from you too. Then I checked my stats:
1059 people visited my site this month. 30 from Germany, 28 from the Netherlands, and one blogger lists my blog as a good blog to visit. How weird is that? I just don't understand it, but then again, I might just as well as enjoy it. Finally, one guy who visits me 28 times a month(?) I don't post that often, but anyway, he has a get rich quick scheme that just cannot fail. You heard it here first...I guess I'll keep posting.
1059 people visited my site this month. 30 from Germany, 28 from the Netherlands, and one blogger lists my blog as a good blog to visit. How weird is that? I just don't understand it, but then again, I might just as well as enjoy it. Finally, one guy who visits me 28 times a month(?) I don't post that often, but anyway, he has a get rich quick scheme that just cannot fail. You heard it here first...I guess I'll keep posting.
A Light Dusting
The view is oh so gentle with a light dusting of snow upon it. I have been waiting for this for days. I don't know why, I just really wanted it to snow. It has really turned into winter now that the freezing temperatures persist in daylight. They are predicting that next Wednesday it will warm up a little, we shall see.
I have been somewhat reflective these past few days...I have been thinking about how much it has cost me to keep the word disabled out of my self-description...too much I think, now. It is the opposite of the power of positive thinking...when there is a cost to evading a negative truth. I don't know what to make of it really, and I'm not sure what the purpose is of me realizing it now, but true to my blog's name, I did realize it later and I've learned to pay attention to these understandings-even if I've already paid the price. So be it.
I had the Internet installed in the house, as expected. They had to wire the house from the pole since the former tenant had pirated off the neighbor...perhaps I should go introduce myself to this hospitable person? Hmm...an interesting thought.
I got baptised on Sunday, somewhat anti-climatic since God's been invited into every cell of my being for a very long time, still, I guess it was special in a very peaceful way. For me, I guess it was more a confirmation of my beliefs, perhaps that is just a Roman Catholic hangover....I can't support the distinctions religious people make about which flavor of Christian you are. For a long time now, it seems to me that God went through a lot of trouble making us all unique to insist that we be the same. I know, you don't want to hear about it, still, it makes me wonder.
I suppose that I should start preparing for the holidays, I don't think I will though. The decorations and ornaments (of which I have many) are all in the back of the shed since I expected to be unpacked by now...perhaps I'll aim for next Christmas? My time would probably be better spent finding an organization that helps people off the streets while the weather is life-threatening to them? More than likely, I will do what I have been doing, keeping warm, safe, and dry while I slowly unpack that box that is in my way. That's really why I wanted the snow, to force me to deal with the inside of my house, instead I got a light dusting...inside and out.
I have been somewhat reflective these past few days...I have been thinking about how much it has cost me to keep the word disabled out of my self-description...too much I think, now. It is the opposite of the power of positive thinking...when there is a cost to evading a negative truth. I don't know what to make of it really, and I'm not sure what the purpose is of me realizing it now, but true to my blog's name, I did realize it later and I've learned to pay attention to these understandings-even if I've already paid the price. So be it.
I had the Internet installed in the house, as expected. They had to wire the house from the pole since the former tenant had pirated off the neighbor...perhaps I should go introduce myself to this hospitable person? Hmm...an interesting thought.
I got baptised on Sunday, somewhat anti-climatic since God's been invited into every cell of my being for a very long time, still, I guess it was special in a very peaceful way. For me, I guess it was more a confirmation of my beliefs, perhaps that is just a Roman Catholic hangover....I can't support the distinctions religious people make about which flavor of Christian you are. For a long time now, it seems to me that God went through a lot of trouble making us all unique to insist that we be the same. I know, you don't want to hear about it, still, it makes me wonder.
I suppose that I should start preparing for the holidays, I don't think I will though. The decorations and ornaments (of which I have many) are all in the back of the shed since I expected to be unpacked by now...perhaps I'll aim for next Christmas? My time would probably be better spent finding an organization that helps people off the streets while the weather is life-threatening to them? More than likely, I will do what I have been doing, keeping warm, safe, and dry while I slowly unpack that box that is in my way. That's really why I wanted the snow, to force me to deal with the inside of my house, instead I got a light dusting...inside and out.
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