A Work in Progress

I'm working on me. I'm telling fewer jokes, building fewer walls and trying to be more open. As it turns out, being less guarded is not as easy as I thought it would be. I can converse on many topics; history, physical science, sports, politics and yet more often I will tell a joke. Deflection.

I'm not sure when I started perfecting the craft of social masonry, but I've elevated the act to an art form.

So dear reader, in a step towards Grim 2.0 here are 5 tidbits about me. 1. I *should* have failed my driver's test because I was speeding. 2. The last movie I watched in the theater was Forrest Gump. 3. I actually do have "Mickey" on my iPod. 4. I have every season of "Three's Company" on DVD. 5. My favorite sound is the wind gently rustling the leaves of a large tree.

How's that? It's not much but every journey starts with a few steps. I hope you'll keep walking with me.

I Could Use a Sonic Screwdriver

I don’t like the universe right now. Every time that I repair one portion, another aspect has reached the end of its shelf life. It’s taken its toll. I’m not complaining (at least not overly) as I fully realize how well I have it in comparison to others. I’m not homeless, I have food to eat, I’m employed and I’m warm at night. Those are blessings not everyone can claim.


Still, I really could use a moment to just breathe. That’s all, just a moment to sit down and take it all in then to let it all out. A good nights sleep or day where my head doesn't feel as if it's splitting apart. Or just to scream at the heavens until all of the pent up frustrations are just cast out into the void, where they can do no more harm.


The month of May in particular has reached epic suckage proportions. If I didn’t know better I would think they’ve opened a Hellmouth franchise in my area.


I’m not going to get into specifics, you’ve already tolerated far too much of my whining as it is. Mostly here is the point of today’s blog in one word.


TARDIS.


I’ve never watched an episode of Dr. Who until last month. Somehow during the sleepless nights, stress, and stolen moments for Cap’n Crunch cereal dinners, I managed to become a huge fan. TARDIS. Just the name strikes glee and terror into the hearts of geekdom.


The Dr. is a universal handyman; he fixes the problems he sees with a screwdriver. (I might've gone with sonic duct tape, but that's just me.) When the job is done, pfft! Off he flies to a new wondrous world. No ties to anyone or anything, just an indestructible blue box and millions of frequent flier miles. He has the only key, a comfy chair and also seems to get excellent cell phone reception. What a brilliant way to live!


With that in mind, I’m starting a new Tumbl. “If I had a TARDIS”, where I will post musings on where/when I’d go. A transcendental vacation of sorts. Look for (in)frequent updates. I’m getting bad about finding time to blog lately.


I wonder if the Dr. could help me with that? Fantastic! Brilliant!

The Birthday Time Forgot

So I turned forty on Sunday. Yup. I admit it, four decades of mileage under my feet. Less hair and what I have is graying, more crows feet around the eyes and strange sounds emanating from my knees when I rise up.

When I was growing up, there was no internet, cell phones or CNN. The version of the iPod was a giant headset with an antennae with an AM receiver. We didn't download music from anywhere, we bought it or taped it from the radio. I still remember holding up a cassette recorder to tape music from "Solid Gold" on the television. And the theme song to "Fall Guy" but hey, it had Lee Majors and Steve Austin or not, he was still cool.

The point is, the world has changed.

It was a quiet day. I don't tell people when my birthday is very often, mostly because I'm very private. It's kind of getting to me as the years progress. Family members gone, friends lost to time, distance or illness. I think maybe I've gotten too private as this year, (with the exception of one dear friend on Facebook) everyone forgot; no cards, no calls, no texts. And that's my fault.

That's today's lesson, dear reader. Live. Don't just hunker down and go thru the motions each day. Make friends and get involved not only with them but allow them into your world as well. Playing it safe and avoiding the risks create the problem, it's not a solution. Being a friend is to be there for other's which I think I'm somewhat good at but it's also not fair to deny them to be there for you.

I posted this as a Facebook status and I truly believe it. "Time goes by so quickly & there's no do-overs. Don't hold back. Go big & full throttle. Take risks & savor each moment. If you fail, you've at least given your all for what you want in life. It's the path not taken that is the most worrisome." Take the time. Give and allow others in.

That's all.

Goodnight :)