Ouch, I've Fallen. . .

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Took a fall this morning. Knocked the wind out of me. Thought I broke my arm. Just throbs right now. Got lucky. It could have been worse. Last few nights its been brisk. Hitting the high teens.  Morning sprinkler is on a timer and I wasn’t paying attention this morning, focusing on the day ahead. Felt the lower step, then the slip, then the slide. Before I knew it, couldn’t breathe.

Grabbed my elbow, praying I didn’t break it. Nice lump though. “Uuumph” this is the sound of having the wind knocked out of you. My fight or flight response was on overtime.  Respiration was high. My eyes were dilated and my heart was bumping. Before I realized what happened, my world changed in an instant. No longer straight ahead, I was looking up at the deep blue sky. Let me tell you, there was no bird. No plane. Not even Superman.

Ouch, it did not tickle. Got up. Looked down and noticed the ice at the entrance. Took another deep breath and went on my way. Got in the car and just sat there for a moment, assessing what happened. I was lucky. It could have been much worse. If I wasn’t wearing my backpack at the time, I'd still be on my back, maybe unconscious. Certainly with something broken. Got lucky. Maybe my Guardian Angel was watching over me.  Thank Goodness, I didn’t put my laptop in my backpack this time. I'm lucky my elbow didn’t feel broken and I didn’t need x-rays. 

Don’t wallow on what could have been. Just want to be thankful for the lucky events that could’ve happened. It could have. . .well, lets not worry about that.

Sitting right now, tapping the keys. I want to say that I’ve been blessed.  Blessed with a good family. Blessed with good friends. Blessed for many things. Yesterday was Thanksgiving. It was a busy day. Fun filled one, too. Got some time to explore a little of LA. Ate at my first Boulangerie. Had poached eggs and salad for breakfast. Realized that I missed having a dog. Met my cousins for the first time. Barbara and Pia. Beautiful, smart, and funny. Was welcomed by Aunt Mary, Uncle Bradley, and Bee. Had some good grubs at my Uncle Juhn’s place. It was packed. Had a private mass there, too.  Salmon, pancit, fried turkey, mashed potatoes and a bite (only a bite) of pecan pie. And a bite chocolate silk pie. And a bite of raspberry cream cheese. Yum.

Missed working the soup kitchen at Grace Resource. They were closed by the time I got there. However, I did see my good friend’s mom in the hospital. She is doing better than when I last saw her.  After wards, had some more good eats at my Sister-In-law’s family house. Decorated mini Xmas stockings and had some tamales and strawberry salad. Yum.

Looking back at with all of the bumps and bruises life has to offer, I’d say I’ve been pretty lucky. Many people fall down. Many people have it worse than a slip and fall in the front yard. Many people lose hope and wallow in what could have been. Seen it in their eyes at Skid Row in downtown. Admittedly, I too, made sure my door was locked when stopped at red light.

Thing is this. Maybe I am writing to the person that asked me, “Why am I so busy?” Partially, it is because I’ve fallen down, and I can get back up. There will be a time, when getting back up won’t be so easy. I know that in a moment, life can change in heartbeat.  Not anyone’s fault, just life happens. Its just staying down, that is the really question.

A saying comes to mind. “Get busy living or get busy dying?” Choice is up to you. Finished up a dvd last night. Its an old one. An Academy Award Best Picture. 80 Days Around the World. It’s a story of a gentlemen placing a wager with his fellow club members. He had 80 days to travel around the world. Facing Hot Air Balloon difficulties, broken down boats, burning at the stakes on two continents, bull runs, and a host of other challenges. He is challenged by a series of setbacks. He overcomes events with some life judo. Using the momentum of troubling events to catapult him further along his journey.

We can succumb to many slips and falls. We can remain anchored by past regrets and sorrows. Truth of the matter is no one would blame you for not wanting to go on. Fact is no one would cheer you on to move forward either. The truth is its your choice to get up or stay down.  If and when you do get blamed or cheered on for actions done and not done, it is a miracle. They cared enough to say something. Better than silence I say. When they say nothing, they don't even care. Remember, criticism and praise are  fleeting.  It’s a miracle at times to get kudos. Its miracle at time to give a pat on the back. Let me tell you, they are needed.

People are on their own journeys. They come from many places. Struggled through a host of challenges, seen and unseen.  Not one to judge and pile on, anymore. Before we look at another with disdain and pity, I think it best to look at one’s own face in the mirror before rendering advice and equivocations.  If you can say you are perfect, than I by all means share your knowledge of the world. Until then, I think its best to look with softer eyes and more open heart. Just be grateful for all things given and do what you can to help another when they have fallen on hard times.

Before you know it, visions of bright future in the horizon could be changed without notice. You may be on your back looking up wondering what just happened.  Trust me, I can speak to this matter first hand.

Thanksgiving: An Everyday Holiday

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."

Where's Waldo?

"Pull Over" Okay, I Will
October 2, 2010--Had to get out of the house. Needed to get away. Outside tapping at the keyboards just enjoying this nice autumn night. Can’t really tell in California, though. No demarcation from one season to another. It is just nice weather,  then not so hot, and back to nice again. After living back East, I rather have more helios. For me, I prefer the steadiness and sun

Just Sitting There
So what now? Well, its bucket list time. Found a website where I can start putting my bucket list on the electron internet-verse. Leaving a record of what I would like to accomplish. Having a guidepost of stuff I’d like to see and do. A list in which I can mark off things I have done. A reminder of what my dreams and wishes were before.

Little Things
Been using my journal to document this and I am a true believer in putting pen to paper. The act of putting a promise to yourself and what to do. Trouble is keeping reminders at times creates clutter.  Been reading a book of Feng Shui and learned something. Clutter, in a nutshell, not so good. I have clutter. Think its genetic. My dad had stuff all around, too. The garage is also a bit messy, too. Bedroom is like that. Clutter, time for you to go. You are are effecting my Flow.

Let Go, Let Flow
One principal states that one should remove the clutter. Let the energy flow. Don’t get stagnant. Reminds me of the Buddhist thing about carrying stuff and how it can bog you down. We are given what we need and we should leave what we don’t need.

Something Happen For a Reason

Well, the gist of this is that these last couple of weeks stuff has been swirling around the cranium. Stuff has been stirring in the emotional core. Body’s feeling backed up. Holding all this stuff is not good and a nice house cleaning may be in order.  My laptop crashed and I lost a lot of stuff there. Still, not too terribly torn up about it. Guess I needed to wipe the slate clean with stuff. Go tabula rasa.

Enjoy Where You Are At
Well, sitting out here in the patio of It’s a Grind. Feeling the swirling energies of the cars behind me. Listening to the crickets sing their song. Enjoying a nice hot cocoa. It feels nice to feel the swirl. To let the energy centrifuge the unnnecessaries out. It rained and lightning-ed (I know not a word) a couple days back. It was cleansing.  It is not the same as getting my ions recharged at the beach, but for now it will do.

Clockwork.Few days back it was the hottest recorded temperature for this time of the year. 113 degrees. Thought it would be an ideal to wash the car. You see I have got this gift. Whenever I go to a restaurant, less than 5 or 10 minutes, it gets busy thus slowing down the servers from getting or order in a timely. But that is not my greatest gift. I can solve the water problem in California. You see whenever it rains, the next day or two it showers. Well, like clockwork. Wash car Tuesday, rain on Thursday.  You are welcome.

Sitting There On Side of the Road

Anyways, just want wanted to enjoy the now. It is just nice to smell the rain in the air. Looking at the clouds hang so closely. It is nice to see the contrast of something a little dangerous and calming. For the longest time, I’ve felt calmest during the storm. My old Myspace had that background. (Think its to delete this one) Well, anyways, its almost eight and I think I’d like to just enjoy my hot cocoa.

Yeah, he's in all the pictures. Something told me to stop at that time. I then started clicking away.

Up and Away
Sorry, no moral. No theme. Just a pleasant sharing of thoughts with those out there.  Guess, I wasn’t ready to say, So Long. Getting the vibe to just take a moment of pause. Sitting there on the side of the road taking picture of the San Andreas Fault line on Highway 14. I realized that I wasn't the only one there taking a moment. Looked up and there he was. Guess, he needed something, too. We all need something. Needed to get some perspective. Needed to Elevate and Escape. Needed to know I wasn't the only one that needed to take a moment. At times, life goes by so fast that it would be best to just pullover on the side of the road.You'd be surprised there is much  to discover and appreciate.