Enchanted - Theme Fridays
Posted on October 10, 2008 - Filed Under hope, imagination, joy, original fiction, theme fridays
It was the oldest tree in town, reaching seventy five feet into the sky and it enchanted Sally. Her first sight of it was when she was eleven, not quite as tall or grand but even then it had an endless reach toward the heavens - this glorious Sycamore. Trees always spoke to Sally and this one spoke in wonder. She longed to climb it and know its secrets and started to but skinned her knee in the attempt. Not because she wasn’t an agile climber of trees for Sally had conquered many but because of the tow-haired boy who surprised her by yelling, “Hey!”
The peeling bark of the old syc was merciless as she slid down its trunk. “Hey what? Look, you made me skin my knee!” She grimaced at the fresh blood and broken skin.
“That’s my tree and you can’t climb it!” The boy’s blue eyes matched the morning sky but there was a little danger there too.
Sally huffed off, feeling those eyes watch her until she disappeared from their view. His tree? He must have been one of those Halligan’s. They owned most of the town and truth be told she was trespassing whenever she visited her tree, the Syc. His tree?
But she could never stay away from it, though always on the look out for the blue-eyed boy, she visited her tree, her tree, every chance she got. That had a heart in its trunk left by a broken and removed bough, that had a dancing man and woman made of twisted branches at the top. And they weathered the seasons together - in Spring Sally sat beneath it and wrote poetry, in Winter she left bread crusts in the heart for the birds and squirrels who refused to go south, in Summer she clung to its shade and in Fall she collected its blazing leaves and pressed them in books. Yes, her tree. Her Syc.
And when Sally left home to discover her own life, she brought the Syc with her and kept it close in mind and heart, longing to feel the rough bark, smell its musky scent, feel its sway with the wind and time. It was a special place Sally could go to when life was cruel and uncaring. Her life had fallen away from the simplicity of home, love refused to oblige her, work refused to fulfill her and the sky was never blue enough, never the color of that boy’s eyes. “Come home,” Mom had written so many times in so many letters. Sally resisted that request for years until the story about her tree.
Mom sent a copy of it in a letter. “Look what they’ve done with your tree, Sally,” was all the letter said. The Halligans had parceled land to the town and a park was now the permanent home of her tree. Her Syc. And she had to go see it again. Go home. Leave the empty place of small city apartments, commuter trains and singles bars.
Sally sat in her car in wonder, parked on Main. The town had changed so much - but the tree never changed. It had only grown higher and stronger and she didn’t have to worry about the blue-eyed boy, the Halligan who once claimed ownership. She could climb it now and she would.
“What are you doing with that ladder?” Dad asked seeming to know what she had in mind.
“Never mind, Dad,” Sally said and pecked his cheek as she grabbed the keys to his truck.
“The town won’t let you climb it either,” he said as she started for the door, “They’re more strict than Will Halligan ever was.”
Sally stopped and turned. “Will Halligan?”
“The boy who made you skin your knee,” Dad said. “He’s still around, loves that damn tree as much as you do.” Dad giggled a little and shook his head. “Have fun, honey.”
The sun had left only traces by the time Sally got into the park and she drove the old pick-up right up to its trunk, next to the heart. She wrangled the ladder from the truck bed and rested it firmly against the Syc. “I will climb you now, my friend,” she said rubbing its bark and feeling giggles rising up from her eleven year old soul. And when she reached the top rung, Sally clung to the Syc’s trunk, still unable to find a foothold into its arms.
“Hey!” the man’s voice startled her and the ladder rattled.
Sally looked down and there he was, that boy, now a man - Will Halligan. And though there was only moonlight to illuminate his face, the eyes were still morning sky. “What?” Sally asked annoyed and embarassed that she couldn’t move without falling.
“You’re going to break your ass trying to do that, darlin’.” Sally heard the smile in Will Halligan’s voice.
“Go away, I’m busy,” she said. “And this isn’t your tree anymore, so just go mind your business.”
Will was already in the truck bed putting his hands on the ladder to steady it. “Okay, I’ve got you, you can come down now.”
Sally looked over her shoulder and down at Will Halligan who seemed to be enjoying the view a little too much. “Who said I want to come down? I’m going to climb this tree,” she insisted.
Will laughed and it was sweet and boyish, his laughter. “Well you’ll be there quite a while. You’re going to need a cherry picker to get up there. You want me to call Bert, I think he has one. Though I don’t know if he’ll come down here at this hour…”
Sally’s arms were aching from trying to keep her embrace on the massive trunk and her pride was slipping too. “You’re an ass,” she said. “Get out of my way, I’m coming down,” and she started her descent, secretly hoping he wouldn’t let go of the ladder.
“Okay darlin’,” Will said, “you’re fine, just keep coming,” and Sally felt his hand on the small of her back to steady her. Sally was thankful for the moonlight because it wouldn’t reveal the blush that rose from her toes and reached to her face.
“I’m fine now,” Sally huffed, “you can let go.” And they stood face to face in the truck bed, in the moonlight and the blue eyes no longer held danger but something else that frightened her more. “What are you looking at?”
Will jumped down from the truck bed and grinned. “Why do you love my old tree so much?” he asked.
“Why do you still call it your tree?” Sally retorted. “It’s not your tree anymore,” she pointed out.
“Darlin’, it will always be my tree,” his grin grew wider and Sally thought she saw a wink. “So, why do you love it? Tell me.
Sally stood in the truck bed looking down at Will and resisted the smile that forced itself on her face. “Because it is perfect, because it is glorious, because I could see everything from the top, if I could get there. Because it enchanted me from the very first time I saw it,” she whispered.
Will reached out his hand to Sally and she took it and came down to solid ground but never let go, and they stood in the moonlight, beneath the Syc, looking at each other for the longest moment. “What?” Sally finally asked.
“You enchanted me from the very first time I saw you.” His eyes were liquid sky and mirrored the stars.
PANTHER IS ENCHANTED HERE AND CHRISTINE’S ENCHANTEDNESS WAITS HERE
Hey Buddy, Have You Got the Time?
Posted on September 17, 2008 - Filed Under Just For Fun, brain farts, imagination, joy of creating
One of my chums sent me these amazing pics - little models made out of old watch parts:
Sorry for the shitty, cop-out posts guys, but I’m still wiped from my weekend project. Hopefully it gets better later in the week.
You - Theme Fridays
Posted on August 15, 2008 - Filed Under imagination, original fiction, power of words, theme fridays
She sat down at her desk, blew on the hot coffee before she took a sip and lit a cigarette…
Dear You,
As I sit here in early morning daze and drink coffee and smoke cigarettes - trying to lift the fog of bad dreams and lousy sleep, my mind grasps nothing but the thought of you.I wonder where you are and what you are doing. If there is music or fresh air, sunshine or rain in your little corner of the world. What you ate for breakfast, if you sleep in contented suspension and dream of good or terrible things.
I wonder what you would do if your doorbell rang and it was me. Would you still know me? Would I be welcomed with embrace or slamming door? I wonder too, what would happen if my doorbell rang.
It’s funny what we wonder, isn’t it? Why people can’t get along, why they hurt each other. Why the sky is blue and the sunset takes your breath away. Why chocolate tastes so good. Why money is such a problem.
The whys and you get wrapped up in my mind like a giant ball of string - no beginning, no end. And I’m left with a mess of everything and nothing. Wondering how you are while trying to think of anything but you.
Me
And she folded the paper in three parts and tucked it in an envelope - sealed it without addressing it. Then put it in the drawer with the others.
Jess, what about you? And how about you, Christine?
Apologies - Theme Fridays
Posted on July 11, 2008 - Filed Under Deep thoughts, bad hair day, imagination, original fiction, theme fridays
Apologies
rhymes with…
Swallow knees (how would you?)
Hollow sneeze (God bless you)
Apollo cheese (dairy products for only astronauts - like tang and instant?)
Wallow please (I do, and often)
Apologies, I don’t like them. Getting them. Giving them. It’s always an embarrassment for both sides. I’d rather have a time machine that would take that time back, only those few seconds when the words were uttered and/or the actions were done. Just like a movie director, I could yell “cut!” and then we could do a retake. Edit out all those mis-statements, mean thoughts, wrong steps. Where I could correct the lighting and all of it would be photo perfect again.
Life would be better if it were a movie. There would always be a happy ending and the right people would end up with each other and the music would always be context appropriate. Popcorn, coca cola and hot dogs would not be taboo foods - and except for the occasional idiot who forgot to turn off his cell phone, we could all sit in the dark, ah and ooh and feel entertained and safe, relaxed and happy.
No, I don’t like apologies nor the things that make them necessary.
For apologies from Jess, go here and for apologies from christine, go here.
Driven (to distractions?)
Posted on July 10, 2008 - Filed Under adventure, brain farts, imagination, in my head
I’ve never thought of myself as driven. Truth be told I’ve always thought that I was somewhat lazy. If you ask my mother, I had an answer for everything. I thought that came from having a sharp mind or being like my dad or possibly both.
I do have a high IQ and spent many years of my life trying to hide that fact. You know, wanting to be just one of the gang, not wanting to stand out? God forbid that any of my friends should know I had a brain and that I knew how to use it. So, in my formative years, my time and energy was devoted to consealing my terrible secret.
Quite possibly, that is why the path of my life seems to the casual eye, so driftless and aimless. I am a slacker by all standards harsh and otherwise. I go off in all directions, like a gun on crack - never knowing what target I’ll be aiming at next. Or so I thought. Actually, now I’m thinking not so much.
Since I’ve made the ill-advised foray into self employment or as we like to call it out here in unemployment land, freelancing - I’ve come to find that there is a certain trajectory I have plotted for myself. In fact, I’m a writer. And truthfully, have always been. Even when I couldn’t read or write I was writing stories in my head. I was making up shit with wild abandon. In my imagination I have been married to William Tell, Eric Clapton, all of the Monkeys, Robert Dinero and Rudy Richards. Of course, none of them were aware of this and probably that’s for the best. But I digress….
The point here is that I am driven. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that I could spend 18 hours at a computer keyboard without even noticing the time going by. That I could spend those hours looking for ‘markets’ and ‘jobs’ and ‘gigs’ and buffing up resumes and looking for ‘clients’ and such. I never thought I would find it more important than eating or socializing or watching television. I never thought I would ever be driven toward anything. Or amount to anything. Of course, the numbers aren’t in on that one yet - so it’s always a possibility - still, my drive seems to say no.
And even though there are many times, sometimes in the course of a single hour, where I think it’s time to pack it in and give up. To go and get a ‘job’ and join the rest of the human race in normal life, something happens. Unexpected money, an offer of work, something…and my drive gets reinforced even more.
It’s a curious thing to realize that I’m not really that laid back, easy going slacker chick that I’ve fancied myself to be all these years. That I have big ambitions and a never ending drive, but realize it I have.
I’ve no idea where it will lead but I must say I will be fascinated to see how it all turns out.
How about you? What are you driving or what’s driving you?
The Air Car & Other Green Stuff???
Posted on June 24, 2008 - Filed Under Current Events, imagination, possibilities
Well, it’s been a busy week for new green solutions for the price of gas. Though I hate that term green solutions - how about non-tyranical, got you by the balls, solutions? Yeah, I like that better. Anyway, I give you the Air Car! Tada!
(here’s the scoop) The Compressed Air Car developed by Motor Development International (MDI) Founder Guy Negre might be the best thing to have happened to the motor engine in years.
The $12,700 CityCAT, one of the planned Air Car models, can hit 68 mph and has a range of 125 miles. It will take only a few minutes for the CityCAT to refuel at gas stations equipped with custom air compressor units. MDI says it should cost only around $2 to fill the car up with 340 liters of air!
The Air Car will be starting production relatively soon, thanks t o India’s TATA Motors. Forget corn! There’s fuel, there’s renewable fuel, and then there’s user-renewable fuel! What can be better than air?
For more info, check out the website here. (HT to Marli)
And Zelda sent me this:
From The Times
June 14, 2008
Scientists find bugs that eat waste and excrete petrol
Silicon Valley is experimenting with bacteria that have been genetically altered to provide ‘renewable petroleum’
Some diesel fuel produced by genetically modified bugs
Some diesel fuel produced by genetically modified bugs
Chris Ayres
“Ten years ago I could never have imagined I’d be doing this,” says Greg Pal, 33, a former software executive, as he squints into the late afternoon Californian sun. “I mean, this is essentially agriculture, right? But the people I talk to - especially the ones coming out of business school - this is the one hot area everyone wants to get into.”
He means bugs. To be more precise: the genetic alteration of bugs - very, very small ones - so that when they feed on agricultural waste such as woodchips or wheat straw, they do something extraordinary. They excrete crude oil.
Unbelievably, this is not science fiction. Mr Pal holds up a small beaker of bug excretion that could, theoretically, be poured into the tank of the giant Lexus SUV next to us. Not that Mr Pal is willing to risk it just yet. He gives it a month before the first vehicle is filled up on what he calls “renewable petroleum”. After that, he grins, “it’s a brave new world”.
Mr Pal is a senior director of LS9, one of several companies in or near Silicon Valley that have spurned traditional high-tech activities such as software and networking and embarked instead on an extraordinary race to make $140-a-barrel oil (£70) from Saudi Arabia obsolete. “All of us here - everyone in this company and in this industry, are aware of the urgency,” Mr Pal says.
Related Links
* Biofuel: a tankful of weed juice
What is most remarkable about what they are doing is that instead of trying to reengineer the global economy - as is required, for example, for the use of hydrogen fuel - they are trying to make a product that is interchangeable with oil. The company claims that this “Oil 2.0″ will not only be renewable but also carbon negative - meaning that the carbon it emits will be less than that sucked from the atmosphere by the raw materials from which it is made.
LS9 has already convinced one oil industry veteran of its plan: Bob Walsh, 50, who now serves as the firm’s president after a 26-year career at Shell, most recently running European supply operations in London. “How many times in your life do you get the opportunity to grow a multi-billion-dollar company?” he asks. It is a bold statement from a man who works in a glorified cubicle in a San Francisco industrial estate for a company that describes itself as being “prerevenue”.
Inside LS9’s cluttered laboratory - funded by $20 million of start-up capital from investors including Vinod Khosla, the Indian-American entrepreneur who co-founded Sun Micro-systems - Mr Pal explains that LS9’s bugs are single-cell organisms, each a fraction of a billionth the size of an ant. They start out as industrial yeast or nonpathogenic strains of E. coli, but LS9 modifies them by custom-de-signing their DNA. “Five to seven years ago, that process would have taken months and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars,” he says. “Now it can take weeks and cost maybe $20,000.”
Because crude oil (which can be refined into other products, such as petroleum or jet fuel) is only a few molecular stages removed from the fatty acids normally excreted by yeast or E. coli during fermentation, it does not take much fiddling to get the desired result.
For fermentation to take place you need raw material, or feedstock, as it is known in the biofuels industry. Anything will do as long as it can be broken down into sugars, with the byproduct ideally burnt to produce electricity to run the plant.
The company is not interested in using corn as feedstock, given the much-publicised problems created by using food crops for fuel, such as the tortilla inflation that recently caused food riots in Mexico City. Instead, different types of agricultural waste will be used according to whatever makes sense for the local climate and economy: wheat straw in California, for example, or woodchips in the South.
Using genetically modified bugs for fermentation is essentially the same as using natural bacteria to produce ethanol, although the energy-intensive final process of distillation is virtually eliminated because the bugs excrete a substance that is almost pump-ready.
The closest that LS9 has come to mass production is a 1,000-litre fermenting machine, which looks like a large stainless-steel jar, next to a wardrobe-sized computer connected by a tangle of cables and tubes. It has not yet been plugged in. The machine produces the equivalent of one barrel a week and takes up 40 sq ft of floor space.
However, to substitute America’s weekly oil consumption of 143 million barrels, you would need a facility that covered about 205 square miles, an area roughly the size of Chicago.
That is the main problem: although LS9 can produce its bug fuel in laboratory beakers, it has no idea whether it will be able produce the same results on a nationwide or even global scale.
“Our plan is to have a demonstration-scale plant operational by 2010 and, in parallel, we’ll be working on the design and construction of a commercial-scale facility to open in 2011,” says Mr Pal, adding that if LS9 used Brazilian sugar cane as its feedstock, its fuel would probably cost about $50 a barrel.
Are Americans ready to be putting genetically modified bug excretion in their cars? “It’s not the same as with food,” Mr Pal says. “We’re putting these bacteria in a very isolated container: their entire universe is in that tank. When we’re done with them, they’re destroyed.”
Besides, he says, there is greater good being served. “I have two children, and climate change is something that they are going to face. The energy crisis is something that they are going to face. We have a collective responsibility to do this.”
Power points
- Google has set up an initiative to develop electricity from cheap renewable energy sources
- Craig Venter, who mapped the human genome, has created a company to create hydrogen and ethanol from genetically engineered bugs
- The US Energy and Agriculture Departments said in 2005 that there was land available to produce enough biomass (nonedible plant parts) to replace 30 per cent of current liquid transport fuels
***
Now, I don’t know if any of this spells solutions but I do think it’s nice to know that there are those out there looking for solutions and trying to get us there.
UPDATE: Ger sent me a link to a vid for another company called Tessler Motors they offer this car:
Which is fully electric, power efficient and fast - plus there is a solar option which means it is energy positive - and according to their website they have already worked out the recylcling issues for both the tires and battery which is built into the purchase price. Though, I’d be curious to know if they have included the safe disposal of the battery acid as well, since that is my particular concern with electric vehicles. If they have managed to find a way to reuse the batteries, as is the case with current standard car batteries that would make me happy. There isn’t enough data on their website to answer this question, however.
Christmas on the Cheap
Posted on December 14, 2007 - Filed Under Christmas, adventure, imagination, joy of creating
I sort of stole this idea from my buddy Teeni, who was pondering how to enjoy Christmas when you haven’t much money or have to watch your budget. So, I thought I would just give you a list of my tips and tricks, since I am notorious for being the bargain queen (well, I am, really.)
Places to shop:
Not all of us can zip through the mall, weilding credit cards and checkbooks with wild abandon. In fact, chances are you’ll pay more for anything in a mall than you would if you looked a little further. I only go to the mall to get ideas (if at all) then I check online to see if I can find it for a better price. For electronics/computer stuff try Tigerdirect.com - they have great prices on many things and their delivery is pretty quick. Overstock.com is an Amazon competitor and frankly, they tend to have better prices, much cheaper shipping costs and quicker delivery. They don’t have the enormous selection of Amazon, but they’ve got some groovy stuff. If you’re in the market for computers try, electrorent.com - I got a laptop for under $300 and it came with a free case and only $15 delivery fee. Again, quick delivery. The computers are used/refurbished but are in great shape and come with a 30 day return policy so if it’s messed up they will replace.
Thrift shops, used bookstores, garage sales - being the treasure hunter, bargain queen that I am, I love these places. I’ve found amazing things in these places. A set of crystal wine glasses for about 4 bucks, a rare book (that was being bid for on Ebay for $30-$40) for a mere $3, tons of movies and cds, designer bags (the best one, a Prada bag for 10 bucks), antique vases and silver serving pieces, antique Christmas ornaments, etc.
The Dollar Store - everyone has some semblance of this in their neighborhood (I think) and once you get past the stigma of being in a cheapo place you can find some amazing things. All manner of great candles and candle holders, gag gifts, wrapping and ribbons, craft items, photo frames, art supplies, small toys, winter scarves, puzzle books, school supplies, garden supplies, baskets, baby stuff (I once put a package together for a friend’s new baby - from bibs to blankets and picture frames and it came to about $10, including the gift bag).
Big Lots - again, get over the stigma of shopping in the discount universe and check it out. They often have great Christmas cards for bargain prices, decorations, coffees, cosmetics, watches, sundries, etc. Occasionally, you can even find good music or movies there. It’s worth checking out anyway.
Decorating:
We all love the beautiful trees and decorations we see in the magazines and department stores and maybe even fantacize about having such things but they can cost a fortune if you’re not careful. Here are some free or almost free ideas:
1. Pine cones and spray paint - if you live in an area where there are pine trees, then you can find tons of cones usually just lying around on the ground. Gather some up and spray paint silver and gold - put them in baskets on your coffee table or dining table - or attach fishing line to them and hang them on the tree. Same for pine branches/boughs - why go to Home Depot and pay a fortune for these things when a walk through the woods will yield all you want for free.
2. Unusual Christmas Tree - I’ve had a few Christmases where I couldn’t afford any kind of tree. And let’s face it, they are expensive. Again, if you live in an area where there are lots of trees or woods, take a walk and look for a fallen branch or bough and take it home. Spray paint it silver or gold, stick it in a tree holder and hang ornaments on it. I know it sounds a little odd but it does make a beautiful and unusual tree. Or if you want something traditional, check the local thrift shop for an artificial tree - Roomie & I found a 7.5 footer for $25 this year and it looks great. Plus, he’ll never have to buy a real tree again if he doesn’t want to. Decorate a large potted plant like a Christmas tree, you’d be amazed at how beautiful it is and after the holidays it goes back to being a regular plant.
3. Spray paint - if you have a couple of cans of silver and gold spray paint you can Christmas up just about anything - bowls, baskets, vases - add a little sparkle and you’re there.
4. Old toys and CDs can be hung on trees as ornaments - spray paint them or put some spray glue on them and sprinkle them with sparkles - if you’re good at crafts, make some from wheat paste and craft paint.
5. Make a Christmas card tree - we all get some and it’s easy to fashion a tree or decorate a wall or mantle with them - they are festive and sweet because they came with love. Why not use them as part of your theme.
6. Put a red tablecloth on a dining table or coffee table, top it with the basket of pine cones - instant Christmas.
Activities:
1. Christmas movie marathon - all of us have at least a few Christmas movies or if not, tape some that play on television. Dedicate one night to watching Christmas movies till your eyeballs bleed. Add some popcorn and hot cider, with a blazing fire and you’ll get a serious case of the warm fuzzies.
2. Help out at a local charity or church. Giving this time of year especially, will fill you with the Christmas spirit. It’s what it’s all about, right? Almost any church has some sort of meal they host or if you haven’t the time, donate any leftovers from your Christmas party to the church. Help with a food drive. Or heck, just put 5 bucks in that envelope for St. Jude’s or your local animal shelter.
3. A Christmas light walking tour - bundle up everybody one evening and take a tour of the neighborhood to see all the lights and decorations people have put up. There is something wonderful about walking in the cold air and seeing pretty lights and decorations that is invigorating and makes you smile.
4. Christmas Scrabble - Pictionary, Charades, etc - take your favorite board game and play it with Christmas theme - only seasonal words or ideas or movies or characters.
5. Decorate your tree by candlelight with Christmas music playing - it’s warming, a little romantic and sometimes hilarious.
6. Baking parties. Have it with friends or family or both. Baking supplies are pretty inexpensive and there isn’t anyone who doesn’t like getting sweets for the holidays. Wrap them up in clear gift bags (at the dollar store you can get fifty for a buck) and tie with bows and give to the postman, your favorite mechanic, hairdresser, neighbors, co-workers, etc.
7. Write a Christmas story. I try to do this each year. I don’t know why, but it always makes me feel good, even if the story turns out to be silly. If you have kids, have them help you with the story. Then read the story the next year and add to it.
8. Snow ball fight. If you live in an area where there is snow - have a snow ball fight until there is one man/woman standing - then go inside for hot chocolate and a Christmas dvd or tape.
9. Midnight mass - I was raised as a Catholic and one tradition I always loved was Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. Even in the smallest church it is usually magnificent and fills you with the wonder of the reason for the season. I imagine other churches have similar services. Get dressed up (take a nap before hand if you need to) and go honor he whose birthday it is.
10. Christmas scavenger hunt - create a scavenger hunt for the kids to find their presents on Christmas morning - rather than jamming it all under the tree and having them open one present after another until their eyes glaze over - leave clues and have them search them out. It’s gets everyone moving and it’s so much fun having to find your presents than having them stuffed in your hands one after the other.
But mostly, just enjoy the day/time. For whatever reason, people seem more open and friendly this time of year. We feel freer to express our feelings and our love for our fellow man. Revel in it. Soon enough, you’ll be back to the day to day grind. Let yourself enjoy whatever it is you have and not worry about what you don’t have. Love is the best gift of all and if you give and recieve love, what better gift could you get?
WC
Lights! Camera! Action!
Posted on August 16, 2007 - Filed Under I love movies!, Just For Fun, Life, adventure, imagination, possibilities
A newbie on my blogroll (and a fabulous writer btw) Paul, wrote a post a while back where he talked about life being a movie. The whole idea tickled me and I’ve been thinking about it.
If you aren’t a movie star, a dare-devil or a railroad tramp, life is boring and lacks adventure for the most part and serves up a healthy portion of the mundane. We get up, go to work, come home, make dinner, surf the web, watch a little television and off to bed, only to repeat the same thing the next day - and the day after that and the day after that. The weekends may have a few highlights - perhaps lunch with a friend, a phone call to or from the folks back home, buying a spiffy pair of shoes at a bargain, maybe even a ballgame. But come 6pm on Sunday, our tummies are already tensing up for the coming work week. We are figuring out lunch menus, schedules to pick up and drop off kids, groceries to be bought, meetings to attend, deadlines to meet. Face it, exciting it ain’t.
So the whole concept of just waking up Monday morning and deciding what movie you want to be in that day has its appeal. Our fantasy life is the thing that keeps us going, isn’t it? Winning the lotto and daydreaming about how you’d spend the money. Thinking about if you could do anything in the world what that would be. Publishing a novel, becoming a celebrity, a world famous chef. We all have the big dreams in our little lives. So why the heck not?
So, here’s the question: If you could make your life any movie what would it be, and why? AND If your life were a movie as it stands today what would it be?
For me, my current life would probably be 9 to 5. Remember that one? All the gals stuck in the cubicle universe with the nasty boss? Yep, that’s me. That’s my life.
If I could have the movie of my choice for my life, I’d pick Rear Window - what more could you want, adventure, mystery, a rough and ready boyfriend who thrives on adventure and gorgeous clothes and looking like Grace Kelly? I’m saying.
So, those are mine. What are yours?
WC
Simple
Posted on June 15, 2007 - Filed Under Dreams, Just For Fun, Life, Random Thoughts, imagination, joy of creating, my opinions, possibilities, tomorrows
Simple…isn’t it a great word? It sort of bounces off the tongue and flits across the room, landing like a raindrop in a pond. Plop.
But life is anything but simple, isn’t it? Or is it? You’re born. You live. You die. End of story. The only two certainties: death and taxes. Right? Pocada pocada and away we go…
I’ve been thinking about how simple life was when I was a child. I woke in the morning, had a bite to eat. Got dressed, washed my face and hands and off to school. Where I learned a little bit and then came home. Had some cookies and watched cartoons - fought with my brothers and sister. Dinner. Bath. A little tv and then to bed. Simple.
I never thought about the bills or the price of gas. World affairs or politics. Celebrities or assholes (well maybe the bully down the street). My job or rotating the tires. Nope, not even one brain cell was devoted to that.
My brain power was devoted to pressing questions like: Why don’t cats like to wear doll’s clothes? How can I get that way up there booger out of my nose? Do bees make their kids go to bed early? Yep, all the really pressing issues of the day. Well….at least my day.
And I dreamed…about the future. About being a ballerina, a teacher, a singer, a painter (now how did I end up a writer?) and even a fireman (firelady?). I imagined the pretty dresses I would wear and what I would name my babies. About becoming that mysterious and fascinating character: an adult.
Funny how when the dream becomes the reality it just ain’t that simple any more. Is it? Go figure.
WC
Silence
Posted on June 7, 2007 - Filed Under breathe, imagination, in my head, joy of creating, motivation, my opinions, possibilities
I was thinking about silence last night. It’s an odd thing to think about because on the face of it, it seems like nothing. But it really isn’t. It’s a big something. It’s like a promise of what could be. As a writer, I have always enjoyed being alone. I like to think, thinking, pondering, considering, imaginging. All of these things are solidary actions.
Though, I’ve been able to do them in crowded rooms, noisy bars, on busses, at work, wherever - because somewhere along the line I’ve learned to create a bubble of silence in my own head, my own space. It produces an interesting sensation, almost like floating and looking out at what is or isn’t happening around you. All of that is distant and the silence settles in.
I know that some people don’t like silence. They hurry to fill it up with words, sounds, music, televisions, aimless action, in order to avoid it or hide from it. I think that’s a shame. I think that they are missing out on something. The opportunity to hear who they are. To see what they think. To know what they feel.
Someone much smarter than I said, “A person is only as valuable as they can serve others.” I agree. But I also think that one can’t serve others, bring joy, happiness, help or peace to others if they cannot bring it to themselves. And that to do that for yourself, you need that silence. That time with just you. Not to become self-absorbed or create a nifty little altar to the greatness of you - but know yourself, your beliefs, what’s important. It’s very revitalizing to take the time. Even (or maybe especially) if you don’t have it to take.
That television will be re-run again, that ballgame will be written about in the sports page tomorrow, that cheeseburger will have another one just like it the next time you go through the drive-thru.
So next time you find yourself getting nervous by the silence around you, whether you are in a room alone or standing on an overcrowded train platform - reach out and grab it for yourself. Hang onto it. Let it take over for a minute. You may learn something you never knew about you before. And it might make all the difference.
That’s what my silence is like, what’s yours like?
WC
PS: There is an excellent post on this topic here. I highly recommend it.
