Last night I took a few minutes to stand on the balcony, feel the breeze, listen to my various neighbors' wind chimes, and watch the moon. I had a glass of wine, too, which may have helped the mood I was in, during and after all of this. Or not.
The night was comfortable for me, probably around 65 degrees. The breeze was welcome, but tended to lower the temperature to more like 60-not enough to scare me away, but enough to bring an occasional goose bump.
What really brought the goose bumps was the moon, clouds and branches. The moon isn't quite full yet. I believe that comes this Monday. Monday. Moon-day. In French, it really is named after the moon, Lundi. I love that name. I knew a boy in grade school whose last name was Lundy. We weren't friends, but in my mind, whenever his name was said, I heard Moon Boy. (I knew a small amount of French then, from listening to my older sister Pat, who would practice her French homework aloud. I probably knew more then than I know now...)
So I have seriously digressed from my point. Blame it on the moon.
I may have mentioned in previous blogs that I love the sky here (once, twice, or a dozen times). I also love the trees here, especially the ones surrounding my Palm Tree House. If I can ever get a decent digital picture, I'll post it. You really need to see it to understand the places it takes me in my head. The trees in front of my balcony are a mix of Palm and what I believe is a local version of Live Oak. Both are well-decorated by the Southern arboreal treat called Spanish Moss. This time of year, when the Oak branches are full of new leaves and the Palm fronds have reawakened and returned to a healthy green, the Spanish Moss also fills out and takes on a special visual meaning. To me, it means you're really in the South, and you need to go in the kitchen and bake up some BBQ Ribs and Pee-Can Pie. That is, except when I'm in mystic mode like I was last night.
Standing on the balcony with my wine, I was drawn to the edge by the brilliant silver glow of the moon, calling to me in a visual dance with the clouds and branches above me. I stood there watching the moon slide in and out of clouds and peak through the branches. I'm sure it was telling me a story of mystery and spirituality. It probably came clear in my dreams last night, but I don't remember them. Perhaps I will when it is needed.
I stood looking at it with not just my eyes, but with my full imagination. I may just as well have fallen in love with it, I was so entranced. Eventually I decided to look at it without the branches in the way, so I moved about 30 feet down the walkway in front of my neighbor's apartment, where no branches interfere with my view of the sky.
Here, I looked up to see the Moon glowing through a massive thin cloud that was moving across the sky at a brisk pace. Even with the speed it was traveling, it took a good ten minutes to travel all the way across. I observed the cloud and its interaction with Moon, still absorbed and entranced by the mystic nature of the evening. The cloud was enormous, but I noticed that its shape and texture reminded me of a giant ethereal angel fish, especially where the Moon was showing through it. And the Moon itself looked like a negative exposure of the pupil and iris of an eye. If not for the fact that it was in the middle of the fish's back when I noticed it, I would have thought the eye was looking at me, watching me even as I watched it. But then, maybe it was. Who knows for sure how the eyes of a giant ethereal angel fish work. Perhaps instead of moving the fish to point where the eye wants to look, the eye simply repositions itself on the fish where it needs to be for the best view.
Eventually the cloud concluded its journey with the Moon and passed on to its next adventure. As they parted company, though, the Moon made its mark on the cloud. The Moon exited the cloud's cover via what would have been the tail fin of the angel fish, and as it passed through the outer edge, I noticed the cloud's shape lost integrity in the place where the Moon last touched it. Not to worry, though. It's a cloud and clouds are not meant to keep the same shape forever. They are constantly changing, which is one of the things about them that fascinates me. For all I know, by the time the front end of the cloud had passed over my building, it was probably not shaped like at a fish at all anymore, but some other creature that is equally out of place in the sky.
The Moon, now free of its cloudy bonds, shone down brilliantly in a clear sky, so brightly I could not see the stars that I knew were there. I stood there a while longer, silently communing in unknown words, thoughts, emotions, neither knowing what was said, nor what replies were made. When it is time to know, I will know it.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Friday, March 23, 2007
My roommate was a serious blessing this morning. I was out late last night, joining the Bunny Hash at a big to-do at a place called Fairvilla. I won't go into what's there as I intend to keep my blog safe for the little eyes. Suffice to say, it was a great adult time.
This morning my alarm went off, as usual at some random time before 6:30. I attempted to reset it to 7:30, but it took several tries. By the time I succeeded and rolled back over, I had to pee desperately, and the cats were scraping at my door.
Sigh. I got up and turned off the alarm. There was no point now. Once I fed the cats and peed, I was not immediately getting back to sleep. I prepared myself for washing the coffee pot (that I was too busy to wash yesterday) so that I could start pumping the caffeine into my blood. I was in serious need of a caffeine transfusion.
I peed, went to the kitchen to feed the cats, and found the coffee pot already set up with coffee in it. My day is already improved.
. . .
From a news bit on my home page: "The tiny long-whiskered owlet found in the Peruvian jungle has never been seen in the wild before."
Isn't the Peruvian jungle already the wild?
. . .
The fact that Yaw is foreign is sometimes an added entertainment to me all by itself. He and I were at Winn Dixie yesterday, getting some lunch at the deli counter. The meals we ordered automatically came with a cafeteria-style roll if you wanted it.
The deli worker asked, "Do you want a roll?"
Yaw replied, "No I'd rather stand." Pause.
She laughed, sure that he had said "I don't understand." He is very soft spoken sometimes and was a bit distracted yesterday, so he was very quiet.
She explained herself. "Your meal comes with a roll. Do you want it?"
Yaw looked puzzled. "Roll?"
I said, "Bread, not rolling on the floor." The lady at the counter looked slightly stunned, abashed, and several other random emotions, all of which she tried to hide, but failed.
"No, thank you. I do not want any bread."
I laughed and teased him all the way back to work. It's a good thing he has an easy sense of humor.
This morning my alarm went off, as usual at some random time before 6:30. I attempted to reset it to 7:30, but it took several tries. By the time I succeeded and rolled back over, I had to pee desperately, and the cats were scraping at my door.
Sigh. I got up and turned off the alarm. There was no point now. Once I fed the cats and peed, I was not immediately getting back to sleep. I prepared myself for washing the coffee pot (that I was too busy to wash yesterday) so that I could start pumping the caffeine into my blood. I was in serious need of a caffeine transfusion.
I peed, went to the kitchen to feed the cats, and found the coffee pot already set up with coffee in it. My day is already improved.
. . .
From a news bit on my home page: "The tiny long-whiskered owlet found in the Peruvian jungle has never been seen in the wild before."
Isn't the Peruvian jungle already the wild?
. . .
The fact that Yaw is foreign is sometimes an added entertainment to me all by itself. He and I were at Winn Dixie yesterday, getting some lunch at the deli counter. The meals we ordered automatically came with a cafeteria-style roll if you wanted it.
The deli worker asked, "Do you want a roll?"
Yaw replied, "No I'd rather stand." Pause.
She laughed, sure that he had said "I don't understand." He is very soft spoken sometimes and was a bit distracted yesterday, so he was very quiet.
She explained herself. "Your meal comes with a roll. Do you want it?"
Yaw looked puzzled. "Roll?"
I said, "Bread, not rolling on the floor." The lady at the counter looked slightly stunned, abashed, and several other random emotions, all of which she tried to hide, but failed.
"No, thank you. I do not want any bread."
I laughed and teased him all the way back to work. It's a good thing he has an easy sense of humor.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Giant Sliver-Eye Moon
I just came home a little while ago. It was already dark out. Yaw had called me about 40 minutes before to say goodnight and I was still at work.
Sigh.
Anyway, coming home, I couldn't help noticing the sky since it's so big, and it's right up there in ... well, in the sky. It's been overcast for a while now, and tonight was no different. Yaw asked me today what I thought the reason might be.
I said that the Spring/Summer thing is trying to push its way into our area, but the Fall/Winter thing hasn't quite decided to leave yet. So we have a lot of what I call great weather days but with lots of clouds. Yaw thinks it is still too cold and too cloudy.
Tonight, the clouds were deep purple/blue in the night sky, except for one little spot that kept giving off a faint silvery glow. That spot would occasionally open up a bit and reveal a sliver of moon. It winked down at me like a giant silver eye, barely opening in its sleepy stupor, and closing back in on its dreams without ever realizing I was there.
But I was there, and I wished it sweet dreams as I drove home within the posted speed limits, like a good little night owl.
Sigh.
Anyway, coming home, I couldn't help noticing the sky since it's so big, and it's right up there in ... well, in the sky. It's been overcast for a while now, and tonight was no different. Yaw asked me today what I thought the reason might be.
I said that the Spring/Summer thing is trying to push its way into our area, but the Fall/Winter thing hasn't quite decided to leave yet. So we have a lot of what I call great weather days but with lots of clouds. Yaw thinks it is still too cold and too cloudy.
Tonight, the clouds were deep purple/blue in the night sky, except for one little spot that kept giving off a faint silvery glow. That spot would occasionally open up a bit and reveal a sliver of moon. It winked down at me like a giant silver eye, barely opening in its sleepy stupor, and closing back in on its dreams without ever realizing I was there.
But I was there, and I wished it sweet dreams as I drove home within the posted speed limits, like a good little night owl.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
The Ticket
I don't have a lead foot. Really. I learned that lesson long ago. The difference in the cost of auto insurance alone is enough to make my broke little butt keep the pedal off the metal.
Except, apparently, when it's finally a beautiful day out, I'm at lunch alone because Yaw came in late, and I am completely and blissfully unaware of anything but the fact that I just got my truck washed, nothing leaked into the cabin, I am on my way to get tacos for lunch (Yum!), and oh, look at those blue lights coming up behind me...
Sigh.
"Do you know how fast you were going?"
I look at my speedometer. Like it's going to tell me something. I am stopped. It reads zero. I certainly hope so. I wish I had looked at the blasted thing about a minute ago.
"No, sir."
"I clocked you at 64 back there and the speed limit in this zone is 50."
Congratulate me, please, on the fact that the words in my head managed to stay there. "SIXTY-FOUR?! OhmygodImsosorryIhadnoideaIwasgoingthatfast." (You have no idea how hard it can be to type an entire sentence in one word and not hit the space bar. But that's how it came out of my mouth so that's how it goes in here. Kinda like at work, but that's another story altogether.)
"Yes, ma'am. I'll take your license to my SUV Cop Car here and I'll be back in just a minute." (OK, those aren't the exact words he said, but I couldn't help noticing that it was an SUV, which I thought was pretty darn cool, even though I knew I was totally going to get a ticket.)
While he was gone, I decided that the five minutes I had remaining for lunch were definitely not enough time to finish being punished, stop for lunch, and get back to my desk and logged on the phones by noon. I picked up my cell phone and started dialing work. I was apparently a bit rattled. It took 3 tries to actually get my work number, which I give out at least 50 times a day to clients.
I finally got it right, and spoke to Wendy, letting her know I would be late because I got pulled over. I could see Mr. Stern Cop Man working his computer and doing Cop things in his SUV Cop Car and I kept my eye on him in the rear view so I could get off the phone when got out.
He got out, and I said "I have to get my ticket now. I'll be back as soon as I can."
He came up to the window and noted that I was putting my phone away. He decided to make sure I wasn't talking on the phone when he clocked me. "No sir, I was just calling work to tell them I'd be late." (rezzafrezzammmphth)
(The following section is the cop's real comments, or pretty close to them, but as you read mine, realize they are not the words I said, only the words I thought. I did not really want to be clapped in irons and taken to the brig. I just wanted to say words that I kept inside.)
"I reduced your fine to what it would be for 59 since you were wearing your seatbelt."
"How can I thank you enough? Would you like me to rub your feet?"
"You have the choice of going to court or paying the fine."
"Hmmm, which will it be? I can hardly contain the excitement I feel at having such a choice to make!"
"If you do not take any action on this citation by the allowed time period, additional fines will be incurred and you could face further penalties up to and including suspension of your license."
"Will it be suspended over flames or boiling oil? Do I get to choose that as well?"
"Your citation shows where your fine is reduced for the use of your seatbelt. This other page is the fine schedule with further info on ways you can pay your fine and where."
"My, that certainly is a FINE schedule."
"Slow it down and have a nice day."
Sigh.
Back at work, I went over to Yaw's desk, handed him his lunch and said I'm sitting down now before I get another ticket. Then I had to explain myself. He said I need a radar detector. I said no I don't. I don't usually drive like that. Besides, I'd be more afraid of getting caught with that than I would be of speeding, so I'd never go above the speed limit. That's me. Rebel on the outside, scardy-pussy-cat on the inside. Move over Binks, there's a new chicken in town.
Oh, and I have a leak somewhere. Transmission fluid according to Mike. I'll have to figure that one out. Don't need THAT blowing up on me. It's a good thing they understand the concept of kitty litter for driveway clean-up. Seems like every time I go over there lately I leave a present behind. Maybe I should just stop visiting them. Then I wouldn't leak anymore, right?
Except, apparently, when it's finally a beautiful day out, I'm at lunch alone because Yaw came in late, and I am completely and blissfully unaware of anything but the fact that I just got my truck washed, nothing leaked into the cabin, I am on my way to get tacos for lunch (Yum!), and oh, look at those blue lights coming up behind me...
Sigh.
"Do you know how fast you were going?"
I look at my speedometer. Like it's going to tell me something. I am stopped. It reads zero. I certainly hope so. I wish I had looked at the blasted thing about a minute ago.
"No, sir."
"I clocked you at 64 back there and the speed limit in this zone is 50."
Congratulate me, please, on the fact that the words in my head managed to stay there. "SIXTY-FOUR?! OhmygodImsosorryIhadnoideaIwasgoingthatfast." (You have no idea how hard it can be to type an entire sentence in one word and not hit the space bar. But that's how it came out of my mouth so that's how it goes in here. Kinda like at work, but that's another story altogether.)
"Yes, ma'am. I'll take your license to my SUV Cop Car here and I'll be back in just a minute." (OK, those aren't the exact words he said, but I couldn't help noticing that it was an SUV, which I thought was pretty darn cool, even though I knew I was totally going to get a ticket.)
While he was gone, I decided that the five minutes I had remaining for lunch were definitely not enough time to finish being punished, stop for lunch, and get back to my desk and logged on the phones by noon. I picked up my cell phone and started dialing work. I was apparently a bit rattled. It took 3 tries to actually get my work number, which I give out at least 50 times a day to clients.
I finally got it right, and spoke to Wendy, letting her know I would be late because I got pulled over. I could see Mr. Stern Cop Man working his computer and doing Cop things in his SUV Cop Car and I kept my eye on him in the rear view so I could get off the phone when got out.
He got out, and I said "I have to get my ticket now. I'll be back as soon as I can."
He came up to the window and noted that I was putting my phone away. He decided to make sure I wasn't talking on the phone when he clocked me. "No sir, I was just calling work to tell them I'd be late." (rezzafrezzammmphth)
(The following section is the cop's real comments, or pretty close to them, but as you read mine, realize they are not the words I said, only the words I thought. I did not really want to be clapped in irons and taken to the brig. I just wanted to say words that I kept inside.)
"I reduced your fine to what it would be for 59 since you were wearing your seatbelt."
"How can I thank you enough? Would you like me to rub your feet?"
"You have the choice of going to court or paying the fine."
"Hmmm, which will it be? I can hardly contain the excitement I feel at having such a choice to make!"
"If you do not take any action on this citation by the allowed time period, additional fines will be incurred and you could face further penalties up to and including suspension of your license."
"Will it be suspended over flames or boiling oil? Do I get to choose that as well?"
"Your citation shows where your fine is reduced for the use of your seatbelt. This other page is the fine schedule with further info on ways you can pay your fine and where."
"My, that certainly is a FINE schedule."
"Slow it down and have a nice day."
Sigh.
Back at work, I went over to Yaw's desk, handed him his lunch and said I'm sitting down now before I get another ticket. Then I had to explain myself. He said I need a radar detector. I said no I don't. I don't usually drive like that. Besides, I'd be more afraid of getting caught with that than I would be of speeding, so I'd never go above the speed limit. That's me. Rebel on the outside, scardy-pussy-cat on the inside. Move over Binks, there's a new chicken in town.
Oh, and I have a leak somewhere. Transmission fluid according to Mike. I'll have to figure that one out. Don't need THAT blowing up on me. It's a good thing they understand the concept of kitty litter for driveway clean-up. Seems like every time I go over there lately I leave a present behind. Maybe I should just stop visiting them. Then I wouldn't leak anymore, right?
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Random Ramblings on Cold Meds
I have a cold. It's my own fault, so I'm not whining about it...yet.
I'm taking Tylenol Cold for it and hoping for the best. I used to only take Nyquil until I learned that brand doesn't have a decongestant anymore. Hello? Cold? Decongestant? See a connection here?
I had lunch today with some members of my group, and the group's director, and Deb. We were celebrating reaching a goal we had set a long time ago, which I had come to see as unreachable. While attempting to nibble at my steak sandwich, which I could only taste because I had taken the Tylenol Cold, I reminded myself of something I used to always say when addressing a seemingly overwhelming problem. "You can eat a whole elephant. Take it one bite at a time." Then I went back to talking about how I missed the Acid-Trip-Gecko artwork that used to be on the walls in this restaurant. Maybe I'll cut out a bunch of elephants with bites out of them and give them to all my co-workers. Or not.
When I came home from work tonight, I fed the cats and then went to the bathroom. By the time I got out of the bathroom the cats were done eating. The dish wasn't empty; they were just done. I figured out why a half-second later when my bare foot came down on the remains of someone's appetizer. A lizard, about the size of the palm of my hand, but without a tail, lay cold and unmoving on the carpet. I wrapped it in a paper towel and tossed it over the balcony. I'm sure the potty box will be interesting tomorrow.
Alright, Deb. It's your turn.
I'm taking Tylenol Cold for it and hoping for the best. I used to only take Nyquil until I learned that brand doesn't have a decongestant anymore. Hello? Cold? Decongestant? See a connection here?
I had lunch today with some members of my group, and the group's director, and Deb. We were celebrating reaching a goal we had set a long time ago, which I had come to see as unreachable. While attempting to nibble at my steak sandwich, which I could only taste because I had taken the Tylenol Cold, I reminded myself of something I used to always say when addressing a seemingly overwhelming problem. "You can eat a whole elephant. Take it one bite at a time." Then I went back to talking about how I missed the Acid-Trip-Gecko artwork that used to be on the walls in this restaurant. Maybe I'll cut out a bunch of elephants with bites out of them and give them to all my co-workers. Or not.
When I came home from work tonight, I fed the cats and then went to the bathroom. By the time I got out of the bathroom the cats were done eating. The dish wasn't empty; they were just done. I figured out why a half-second later when my bare foot came down on the remains of someone's appetizer. A lizard, about the size of the palm of my hand, but without a tail, lay cold and unmoving on the carpet. I wrapped it in a paper towel and tossed it over the balcony. I'm sure the potty box will be interesting tomorrow.
Alright, Deb. It's your turn.
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