Ffolkes,

“Love isn’t love until you give it away.”

~~ Subtle Bee ~~

Curtola Parkway in early fall….

Hajime…. For me, the process of blogging has, for the past six-plus years, served as a means of staying within shouting distance of normalcy. Oh, not that I ever wanted to BE normal; I just enjoy being around it, as the world is less unpredictable in that neighborhood. Actually being normal, myself, was never part of the issue, which, in the final analysis, is a good thing, for trying to join the ranks of those who practice such habits would be futile; you see, I am not normal, by any stretch of the imagination…. This is not just mouthing platitudes, it’s an aspect of reality of which I have always been aware; moreover, I’ve always accepted it as my lot in life, without resentment. In fact, I rather enjoy my differences. for variety is, indeed, the very spice of life, as many noted philosophers have noted….

In my own case, being NOT normal comes with a price tag, expressed in reality’s only currency, to wit, challenges to our balance and stability… in short, to maintain any semblance of sanity, one must learn to wrestle with demons… & not just any demons, but, the most vicious & dangerous sort, to wit: the demons we create ourselves. I’ve always enjoyed the relevance of the following meme, a picture with a poem that expresses much of the “look and feel” of what I am attempting to describe….

Yesterday, as some gentle readers noted, I blew off blogging altogether, for the simple reason the stress of recent days apparently bled out of my head into reality, & I spent the day fighting a series of personal demons. While not an unfamiliar process, it is time-consuming enough to keep me from any sort of creative activity, other than creating new ways to both torture myself, and to fight the urge to do so. In such times, there is almost nothing I can do to distract myself from the task at hand, to wit: keeping myself from falling into one of the deep holes with which I find myself surrounded. Sadly, since I am a rather over-educated warrior, my demons can draw upon my own depth of knowledge to formulate their attacks, making it a tricky process, indeed, to formulate a defensive strategy, much less implement it against a foe who knows my every weakness….

It all sounds rather complex and distressing, to be sure, and, I can attest, it is very much so. So much, the only thing which saved my ass long enough to get this far today was putting together today’s messy, yet critical post. If you need to ask why it is ‘critical’, well, perhaps you need to pay closer attention. But, that’s neither here, nor there, as it turns out, and would be impolite to discuss any further. In fact, I have the feeling, if I don’t get this done, starting now, it won’t ever get done. So, I am going to pull this plug, rather abruptly, I’m afraid. Y’all had best hang on; the ride could be a bit rough today, as I have been compelled to pilot this vehicle myself…. It’s been a while since I’ve practiced, so, I suggest exercising some caution….

Shall we Pearl?….

“Every moment is precious. And precarious.”

~~- Edward Abbey ~~

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On a day in which all is defaulted to paradigm, we, of course, go with a default choice for our musical selection. This compilation is from one of my favorite composers, and, one to which I listen on an almost daily basis…. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do….

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Camille Saint-Saëns

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Momentary Terror

Absently casual, memories pester endlessly
leaving only bleeding remnants, amiable and loving.
Coming awake, I cry to still the pain, shamelessly.

Elsewhen, time gives surcease, if only to live,
shoring broken pilings, worn and gray.
Passing on, I laugh at the pain, accept all it will give.

Time will build a shelter, warm and ever safe
save for Fate’s busy hands.
Enduring, I follow the pain, knowing it will chafe.

Fixed against a darkened sky of starry black
such beauty brings us to our knees.
Entranced, I welcome the pain, ’tis all I lack…..

~~ gigoid ~~

2/4/2013

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Naked Pearls

Esoterica….

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Though one must first learn skill and ethics thoroughly,
one must come to embody them so completely
that they become subconscious.
Reacting to a situation
by asking what is right and wrong
is already too slow.”

~~ Deng Ming-Dao ~~

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“What is the first business of one who studies philosophy?
To part with self-conceit.
For it is impossible for any one to begin to learn
what he thinks that he already knows.”

~~ Epictetus — Discourses, Book ii, Chap. xvii ~~

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“The greatness of a man can nearly always be measured
by his willingness to be kind.”

~~ G. Young ~~

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“The strongest of all warriors are these two — Time and Patience.”

~~ Leo Tolstoy ~~

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“You give but little when you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.”

~~ Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet ~~

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“Heaven embraces the horizon.
No matter how jagged the profile,
the sky faithfully conforms.”

~~ Deng Ming-Dao ~~

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“I am going a long way
With these thou seest–if indeed I go
(For all my mind is clouded with a doubt)–
To the island-valley of Avilion,
Where falls not hail or rain or any snow,
Nor ever wind blows loudly; but it lies
Deep-meadow’d, happy, fair with orchard lawns
And bowery hollows crown’d with summer sea,
Where I will heal me of my grievous wound.”

~~ Alfred Tennyson, “The Passing of Arthur” ~~

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That’s all, ffolkes. I have nothing else, literally. I’ll do my best to find some balance, and hope to return soon. Y’all take care, & stay tuned to this channel for further announcements, as they become appropriate. Be alert, be strange, and, be happy as you may…. Sometimes, that’s the best you can hope for; expecting it doesn’t work, as reality resists all attempts to predict with any reliability…. See ya…..

Y’all take care out there,
and May the Metaphorse be with you;
Blessed Be, dearest Carole, Mark,Theresa, & Richy
and everyone else, too…

When I works, I works hard.
When I sits, I sits loose.
When I thinks, I falls asleep.

Which is Why….

Sometimes I sits and thinks,
and sometimes,
I just sits.

gigoid, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

À bientôt, mon cherí….