Last night in chat, E said she plans to give her husband a fantasy weekend package of some sort for Christmas this year. She put up a link that listed all sorts of fun things to do. Some cost relatively little (in the $150 range) to pretty expensive ($1,730). Just about any city has some sort of package.
http://www.cloud9living.com/
Fighter pilot for a day seems to be an offering in many cities. One package lets you get a taste of CSI. Leave it to E to know about such sites. I think cattle drives ala "City Slickers" would work for Amarillo. I know they do camp breakfasts.
If I had tons of money, I would love to gift these types of experiences to my friends. The joy of giving someone his dream.
Maybe money limits the type of dreams you can fulfill, but ways exist to make others happy. See just how contagious smiles are. Open the door for someone. Simple courtesies and acknowledgment of others. How hard can that be? The wonderful thing about how this works: you reap benefits, too.
Many days a two-line email improves my outlook immensely. Or a quick note posted on FB. A phone call, lunch with friends. All so simple, yet enriching for the soul.
Starting Tuesday, I am volunteering at Catholic Family Service's immigration division. V, who was my boss at the paper at one time, needs some temporary help. I look forward to working with her again and getting out of the house a couple of days a week.
Have you known any old souls? I have.
My thoughts head to Boston for the weekend. I will attend in spirit.
Later.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Baa
I think I finally shucked my 3 a.m. rendezvous. My pal loosens his grip gradually. One of these days he may leave permanently.
I find myself in a blue funk again. I grow weary of this. I see the doc Wednesday. Maybe we can figure something out. I guess I want an easy answer and that does not exist.
My friend tells me I have always fled from death. She said yours and Bruce's have hit so hard because I am seeing my own mortality. I can agree to that. I also know in my heart the feeling (condition, whatever it is) is more complicated than that.
Sad, sad, sad.
I miss you, dude.
Later.
I find myself in a blue funk again. I grow weary of this. I see the doc Wednesday. Maybe we can figure something out. I guess I want an easy answer and that does not exist.
My friend tells me I have always fled from death. She said yours and Bruce's have hit so hard because I am seeing my own mortality. I can agree to that. I also know in my heart the feeling (condition, whatever it is) is more complicated than that.
Sad, sad, sad.
I miss you, dude.
Later.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Feelings
The Animals did a song whose lyrics express my feelings right now.
That sentiment simplifies the situation, of course. Feelings and thoughts of others do not compare much with ours. Oh, in ways, yes.
Feelings and thoughts make us individuals. Seldom do you run across someone whose feelings and thoughts mesh so well with yours that the line seemingly does not exist. That simpatico meeting shakes the world.
Some friends finish sentences for you, they know you so well. Some know when something does not quite seem right with you. Some will kick your posterior when you need that. Some offer to hold you while you cry.
Friends connect. Somewhere in the fifth dimension, we see the ethos of like-minded people. In this world, we constantly bounce about like molecules in the atmosphere. I am dust and you are water. We meet and a new particle forms. No other like it exists.
Later.
"Sometimes I find myself long regretting some foolish thing, some little simple
thing I've done. But I'm just a soul whose intentions are good, oh lord, please
don't let me be misunderstood."
That sentiment simplifies the situation, of course. Feelings and thoughts of others do not compare much with ours. Oh, in ways, yes.
Feelings and thoughts make us individuals. Seldom do you run across someone whose feelings and thoughts mesh so well with yours that the line seemingly does not exist. That simpatico meeting shakes the world.
Some friends finish sentences for you, they know you so well. Some know when something does not quite seem right with you. Some will kick your posterior when you need that. Some offer to hold you while you cry.
Friends connect. Somewhere in the fifth dimension, we see the ethos of like-minded people. In this world, we constantly bounce about like molecules in the atmosphere. I am dust and you are water. We meet and a new particle forms. No other like it exists.
* * *
I will never forget. I am working on forgiving.* * *
I love you, dude.Later.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Messages in a blog
Message to Dorian: OK, dude, about this gig. I am not a mind reader, so I do not know how you view this upcoming event. The party means something to everyone attending. Do the best you can to honor my friend. I've heard you were at the top of his list. Peace.
Message to Dave: Thanks a million for allowing me to suggest a toast. Do a great job, but most of all, have fun. Relax and get into the music. Dedicate a song (even if it's only in your mind) to those who could not come.
Message to Kevin: Ah, another Mooney mystery. Fear not.
Message to Kim: Thanks, sister. I can see why you were the go-to friend.
Message to Colleen, Cheryl, Marcia, Carol, Ellen, Cathy, Jen, Liz, Drini, who reached out to me at the beginning of my journey with PH, and the rest of the PHriends I have met online: Without you, my life would be empty.
Message to journalism buddies: I wish it had not taken a death to draw us together for the first time. I fear it also was the last.
Message to you: I care. I will until the day I die.
Later.
Message to Dave: Thanks a million for allowing me to suggest a toast. Do a great job, but most of all, have fun. Relax and get into the music. Dedicate a song (even if it's only in your mind) to those who could not come.
Message to Kevin: Ah, another Mooney mystery. Fear not.
Message to Kim: Thanks, sister. I can see why you were the go-to friend.
Message to Colleen, Cheryl, Marcia, Carol, Ellen, Cathy, Jen, Liz, Drini, who reached out to me at the beginning of my journey with PH, and the rest of the PHriends I have met online: Without you, my life would be empty.
Message to journalism buddies: I wish it had not taken a death to draw us together for the first time. I fear it also was the last.
Message to you: I care. I will until the day I die.
Later.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Repartee
The domino effect of life amazes me. I know, I know. If it does not happen, then you do not know that. Only if it happens do you take note. That conundrum puzzles me; you had it figured out.
You say random, I say some meaning somewhere. You say meaning only because of random; I say surely a reason.
I miss that repartee. Hairy soccer players, indeed.
Knowing some of your friends allows me to see another facet of you. I catch glimpses of you in all of them, as strange as that might sound.
Later.
Peace, my friend, peace.
You say random, I say some meaning somewhere. You say meaning only because of random; I say surely a reason.
I miss that repartee. Hairy soccer players, indeed.
Knowing some of your friends allows me to see another facet of you. I catch glimpses of you in all of them, as strange as that might sound.
* * *
I wonder if all the journalists will clean up for Bruce today. Bruce knew folks from all walks of life. So to Bruce it would not matter. I am unsure what I will wear, but I probably will clean up.* * *
Kim and I finally got to chat this morning. I am gladdened by news your folks were first. Kim also got to listen. I cannot wait to hear it. What a wonderful collaboration and tribute to you.* * *
Dude, I am sad and glad. You know.Later.
* * *
Postscript: Bruce, the turnout filled the church. So many familiar faces only older and grayer. Some of the youngins showed up, too. I enjoyed visiting with all the gang. Each person there told the story of your life by his presence.Peace, my friend, peace.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Love & life
Making contact with longtime friends, some after more years than I would like to admit, makes me realize how swiftly time goes. I would love to share this with my younger friends. Wake up. Before you know it, you look at life from the other direction.
People tend to get caught up in the everydayness of life. The big picture blurs because the detailed view overwhelms. Technology allows us to be busier than ever, which is a double-edged sword.
We forget happiness does not have a pricetag. We worker harder to make more to spend more. We sell our peace of mind to do so. When you start to count quality time, you slip into a wonderful lie you hope to fool yourself with.
The little moments make the biggest impressions on our minds. To have those little moments, you need to get off the moving sidewalk you are on. Devote a half-day a week to spend with your family or friends. Lie around and talk. No TV, no music, no distractions of phones.
You will gain so much at the cost of nothing but a small amount of time.
Dude, my time with you was priceless.
Later.
People tend to get caught up in the everydayness of life. The big picture blurs because the detailed view overwhelms. Technology allows us to be busier than ever, which is a double-edged sword.
We forget happiness does not have a pricetag. We worker harder to make more to spend more. We sell our peace of mind to do so. When you start to count quality time, you slip into a wonderful lie you hope to fool yourself with.
The little moments make the biggest impressions on our minds. To have those little moments, you need to get off the moving sidewalk you are on. Devote a half-day a week to spend with your family or friends. Lie around and talk. No TV, no music, no distractions of phones.
You will gain so much at the cost of nothing but a small amount of time.
Dude, my time with you was priceless.
Later.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)