Few days since I posted. It was deliberate. Not much that I wanted to put out in the internet universe. Life gets that ways. See all the time. Read on Facebook, a practice that no longer holds as much as excitement. Its nice to be voyeur and read others readings; however, other life stuff need attention. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I’m a bit excited and worried. Butterball turkey, yum. I am happy to see family. I am happy for the drive.
Dances with the Stars is over, not that I ever watched. Jennifer Grey won. Yeah, Wind and Dirty Dancing! Its just the sense of finality of another season bodes well. Lakers won a close game and the sun is shining so bright. Kevin and Luz got back from No Cal and seeing their truck outside warms my heart.
Seeing family brings me comfort. Brings me continuity. Things in the world seem alright. At times, I need to explore to venture on. Its just me. Read on Facebook about an old high school friend going to Boston. My former home. He took pictures of Fenway Park and brought back nice memories of a time when I was scared, excited, and homesick. Not sure where this wanderlust came from, but its there. I like it. When I go places, I am reminded how they are all the similar. When going on an adventure, I search for the minor differences. Its like a hiking trail. A trail well worn, with amazing all around.
It reminds me of being in a relationship. The little idiosyncrasies gets me. The way that a person orders her food. The manner in which she drinks her coffee. The attitude about the specific movie or TV show. Little things that only you and her know. Like, which side of the bed one sleeps on. Does she prefer an old T shirts versus negligee. Does she snore? It is the history one makes together. It is the little annoyances and delights that makes this person special.
When visiting places, its the minutiae that stands out. Obvious delights are always nice. The major reason why one should go. The Getty Center, for instance, overlooks the 405 freeway. One can see miles up and down LA. It is like watching the red blood cells in the artery on some Nat Geo show. Getty Center has the wonderful exhibits and the stunning gardens that shouldn't be missed. The architectural masterpieces and the general feel of the place renews the spirit.
When visiting a new place, I never open the map or whatever pieces of literature offered until midway of my adventure. My soul must be the pilot. Got to let it go on cruise control. Having her take every which way and that.
Taking camera I click at whatever needs attention.” Two is one; One is none.” This my motto. Got this from some military movie. They were talking about setting off demolition devices. Maybe it was Bridge of River Kwai. Maybe it was GI Jane.
Anyways, taking photos is reminds me of hunting. Hunting for memorable moment of the Big smile. Some events due to time and life constraints can only be captured in a split second. You need to be present. Like lightning or a great basketball shot, one needs to be ready at a moment's notice.
On the other hand some picture taking needs direction. It needs to be staged. Like posing for a wedding picture with some monument in the background. People are moved here and there. Smile, Act, Pretend. Make sure the photo tells a story. Think group photo, like a family get together. Usually it marks a special moment.
Its a juxtaposition of life. Several people from various backgrounds, from differing life moments, from around the world, intersecting at the specific moment and time. All consolidated in one shared purpose. Perhaps, it is a wedding, a graduation, a funeral, a kids birthday party or some sort of family outing.
People are vital. They are the actors. The background is the underlying theme of the story. Not the main actors, not even minor players environment plays. However, at a moment's notice, the environment may want to interject its presence. Think flood, earthquake, tornado. If I say Lincoln Memorial, Mount Rushmore, Grand Canyon, or Eiffel Tower, Las Vegas, what emotions and mind maps come to you? Place has weight. It evokes. It demands notice.
Whatever it is these captured moments reminds one of these fundamental truths. Time matters. People matter. Events matter. Observer matter. We think so often, how things become common place and that excitement lives out there, somewhere in the ethereal. Truth of the matter, excitement is everywhere. We think simple things loses its magic. It doesn’t.
Our vision gets cluttered. The filter we have, which sifts the extraneous gets clogged. It becomes worn. It only allows certain things in and out. Think plaque, think arteriosclerosis of the soul.
The reason we need to get out, to explore, to follow that calling for “Wander” is this. We need to move. To discover. To find ourselves. Over and over and over again. We need to be reminded the beauty of what we have. We are reminded that we live a good life.
We need to recharge here and there. May need to leave more often than naught because like batteries in a camera we expend energy with each picture taken. More pictures, more juice used up. More moments needed to recharge.
Draining batteries has been something I’ve been doing this entire year. I see some of the FB posts, Twitter feeds, internet search engine sites. Its the same thing. Politician sucks. Economy gets worse. A Dancer with the Stars gets booted. Blah, Blah, Blah. After awhile, of all this dross just weighs down the spirit.
Then, I realize there is Gold here and things aren’t as bad. Life is not as monotonous. Beauty, life, and all the other good stuff is out there. Just need to change my focus. Draw back, gain a wide view. Pull in, take a close up. Notice the little things. Discover again what make it unique. What makes it Special. What is the the especially wonderful.
Well, Thanksgiving is tomorrow and certain projects need finishing. Gots to get ready for Black Friday, Thanksgiving, a trip to LA. and Jury Duty Monday. Yeah, me. If I don’t write in the next few days, Have good holidays. Don’t forget Thanksgiving should be everyday, not just the last Thursday of November. "Everyday. . ." I say, ". . .Everyday."
It reminds me of being in a relationship. The little idiosyncrasies gets me. The way that a person orders her food. The manner in which she drinks her coffee. The attitude about the specific movie or TV show. Little things that only you and her know. Like, which side of the bed one sleeps on. Does she prefer an old T shirts versus negligee. Does she snore? It is the history one makes together. It is the little annoyances and delights that makes this person special.
