Dem Bones, dem bones...

The leg bone's connected to the....knee bone. The knee bone's connected to the...thigh bone.

That little ancient diddy twirled through my head when I was thinking about writing my newest blog entry. It's been several months since I've posted. Been a tad busy lining up all the details of my new life.

I'm moving to Austin - finally! I've always wanted to live there, and now I get to. Well, "get to"...I planned it that way. I decided that it was time I changed the status quo and did something that I wanted to do and not because I should do it or was obligated to do it.

I'm finally going back to get a master's degree. I always sort of thought I would, but didn't want to continue in the business field and go for the almighty MBA.

I've found what I do want to study - Oriental medicine. I'm starting school in January to get a MAcOM. That's a Master's of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

Color me crazy. It's a long 4 year program and not really going to be a walk in the park, never mind I'm old and I only have like 3 brain cells left to rub together. Regardless, I'm all over it and can't wait to start!

We'll talk again in January...and see just how great I think it is by then.

Miscreants in the house

There seems to be a collective effort among the animals that live in this house. They feed off each others' misdeeds.

Yesterday, one of the cats emancipated an unused tampon from the box in the bathroom closet. After taking turns batting it around with some of the other cats, the dogs stole it. They then took turns eviscerating it...removing the cotton from the cardboard tube, and spreading the puff about the floor.

It lays in the dining room...waiting to absorb something.

Dain Bramage

You could be playin' fooball, on a fooball fiel', wid a fooball.

Bob Nelson was one of the funniest stand-up comics in the mid '80's. Below is a clip of one of my all time favorite sets. Enjoy!

Awesome adventures in pet sitting

As does much of my material, this post was inspired by my past roommate, Sandra, and the fun that ensues from a household of domesticated animals.

I recently was animal sitting for the most needy of her pets. Two of the four invaders were cats; one with diabetes who needs insulin shots and blood sugar counts twice per day, and the other an old guy with arthritis and heart issues who needs pills twice per day. Along with those two cats came the dog I am still hopelessly attached to, Truffle (she's far too sensitive to be boarded - hehe), and Sarah's Chihuahua, Bailey, whom I demanded to keep Truffle company...as well as to entertain me.

Whilst administering pills to cats, which is never an easy undertaking, let alone twice per day, one must constantly adjust to their desires and wishes on just how they would like to partake of said pills. After all, we are their indentured servants and if we would like them to do something for us, it must be on their terms.

So, the pills must be properly wrapped in one of the following: Real cheese or canned squirt cheese. (And if those don't work, dissolve pill in water and shoot down gullet with syringe. I find that works the first couple of times).

Dogs also like a cheese treat now and again. Twice a day? They're in heaven. Cats first, dogs second.

And all you have to do is squirt the canned cheese into the air where they pick it off the nozzle...except when the can is almost empty...and it loudly, abruptly and violently spews random splashes of pasteurized genuine imitation cheese food into their faces...and they run and hide...

...from the cheese scented air.

You no longer match...

In my endless, daily job searching, I often receive emails saying, "We're sorry. You no longer match this job."

Um, how can I no longer match? How does that happen? What did I do to no longer match? Does anyone else no longer match or is it just me?

No other explanations. Just, you no longer match.

Well...maybe I don't want to match anymore. Did you ever think of that?

What if I decided not to match a real long time before you "decided" I no longer matched?

And now you're just getting around to telling me I no longer match?

What if my matching capacity far exceeds your match making?

What if I just don't feel like matching today?

Seems like it's more your problem than mine.

So, take that you job matching website!

I'll match myself.

Hold my hair

My roommate's daughter and her Chihuahua have been squatting with us for the last month....because she's afraid of bugs. Not the dog, the kid.

A long haired version, not the kid, the dog, is so ugly, it's cute. Big eyes that need to be shoved back into its miniscule skull, lips that get caught on its razor-like, double row of shark teeth and a feather duster for a tail.

It has a tendency to yak. I assume it has something to do with grooming its own long hair....like a puffy Persian feline that gets the frequent hairball.
As a result, we often hear retching at the most inopportune moments and in bad, bad places (well, is there REALLY a good time and place for vomit?). To avoid further gag-inducing cleanup, it's scooped and swooped into the bathroom where it is unceremoniously held over the toilet bowl....and she holds back the ear hair....of the dog, not the kid.

Being PC

Why is it the American public thinks it's so bad to speak their minds?

I'm just so curious about that.

Is being politically correct that important? Why do we care? Is it that uncomfortable to let others know where you stand personally on sensitive topics? Is it about not wanting other people to see you in a negative light because you have a certain point of view?

I sent out an email yesterday venting about some of the crap that has been flying in the current presidential election campaigns. I was met (not that I expected alot of reaction because people are afraid to be politically INcorrect) with deafening silence and one brave sole that respectfully disagreed....at which point we continued to discuss differing points of view.

As one of my long-time friends said, it makes her butt clench to talk about politics (and abortion, religion, homosexuality) with friends and family. I used to be the same way...it was a learned behavior. But WHY are we like that?

I think being PC has led to more problems than it has helped. Originally it started in order to minimize offense to certain identity groups. But it has morphed way beyond that behavior. Now it has just swung to the other end of the spectrum.

It's talking about issues that gets them understood and sometimes even resolved. Not ignoring them, sweeping them under the carpet or pretending like they're NON-issues.

I think our parents' generation utilized that method of dealing because it was more important to look a certain way -- normal, balanced, maintstream, etc. And, it seemed easier. But in fact, discussion, facing head-on, DEALING with problems and issues is the only way to get THROUGH and PAST them.

I think we, as a people, have maxed out the era of being PC. It's time to stand up and talk and maybe, just maybe, we might evolve toward a more productive and peaceful nation.

Rachel Maddow is my new hero!

And...my new girlfriend. And by girlfriend I mean, only in my dreams. She's the epitome of the type of woman/partner for whom I would sell my soul. Ok, maybe I wouldn't go that far. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't sell my soul for anyone. Hmm. I may have already done that. Not sure. Don't remember. Whatever.

She is INCREDIBLY intelligent (she was a Rhodes Scholar and went to Oxford for her doctorate in Political Science), extremely witty, confident and full of lively energy. And those are just a few brief descriptors. Read more about her here: http://www.maddowfans.com/bio/ or go to: http://www.rachelmaddow.com and click your way through her professional life.

Anyway, she now has her own show as a political analyst (which just started in September) on MSNBC. I have never in my life been so entertained by politics. Of course, there is a TON of material created daily in our current environment. But still...she does a phenomenal job.

I look forward to her show each night. I just wanted to share the fun that I have found. I hope you enjoy her too.

Oh, and below is a link to her appearance on Jay Leno. Loved it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuJAAPPEEJI

Chaos and compartmentalization...

I was watching The Biggest Loser the other night (as I sat there eating dinner) and thought about what Jillian was telling Tara about the mess in her room when the last 4 folks went home for 30 days before the finale week started. It was something about it being a manifestation of the chaos Tara was feeling internally.

I've seen people like that. Stuff just everywhere, nothing in its' place, pathways only big enough for walking, albeit carefully. And I do believe it's a total reflection of what is actually spinning around in their noodles.

I'm a tad different with that. I like to have order...mostly. Everything that can have a place, usually does. However, I have a stack of boxes that 1) I haven't made time to go through and keep adding to them every time I move, and 2) don't have a place to put those things that I don't want to part with once the purging actually begins.

As I was washing the grime off from a day of doing nothing, I realized what MY boxes represent. Each box, whether random and old paperwork or memorabilia and pictures, etc., reflect those compartments in my brain of things that I'm not quite ready to let go of, but also don't really have a place in my daily life, either.

I'm a firm believer that if you can't name it, you can't fix it. So, hopefully, I've finally named that issue, and can now start handling it.

Chaos is not my friend.

Hurricane (y)Ike(s)!

Well, as most of my friends and family know, we came through relatively unscathed. As did the 6 or 8 houses around us. Go a block over in any direction, and they didn't fare so well. Trees uprooted, roof damage everywhere, fences down or completely blown away, never to be found. We were very fortunate. As were most of my friends and family. For that, we are all profoundly grateful to the Powers That Be.

Our town still has no power in over half the area. Produce, ice, water and dairy is hard to come by. It seems none of us are going to shrivel up and blow away, but its not been easy.

I continue to be amazed that we can put flat screen tv's in the back of the headrests of our cars so kids can watch Pokemon while traveling 15 minutes across town, but the wind blows and the 4th largest city in the nation, and surrounding areas, is virtually paralyzed for going on 9 days now. Think it's time to find new methods of power distribution?

This catastrophe is no better or worse than say, Katrina, wide-spread damage wise. The damn thing was so big and lasted so long it made it's way up to the Chicago area and caused damage there too - that's over 1000 miles away. Many areas east of Galveston/Houston were hit even harder than this area. Just as Gulfport and Biloxi were devasted in relation to New Orleans. What remains a mystery to me is that once the initial coverage by national media was displayed, and "they" discovered that there weren't thousands of deaths in Ike's wake, they turned to other news. News no less newsworthy, but just turned almost completely away. As Rachel Maddow from MSNBC said, "...the media turned the page far too soon on the devastation of Hurricane Ike...".

It will be many weeks and months before life returns to normal. For some, it will never be the same. Hundreds of homes were simply washed away, businesses gone, widespread unemployment...and the list goes on.

I just hope that once Governor Perry finally takes a personal tour, which is supposed to be happening within the hour, more help will be requested from our Federal Government....who is busy trying to bail out our economy - the very one the Bush Administration tanked in the first place.

Wonder if there will be anything left for disaster relief.

"I'm a very nice person...."

"I'm a very nice person and I would like to meet a very nice person."

Yeah, that's the notification I just received from one of those personals sites. That "someone" wanted to get my attention.

Well, now, I'm enthralled. I have to get right on that and respond immediately. Because after all, what more can be said in a brief description of oneself?

Um...what was I about to do?

Value? Pfft!!!

I'm continually displeased and even disgusted by the perpetual lying and cheating of local and international corporations claiming more "bang for your buck".

The most recent of my disappointments manifested in a big ol' bag o' bird seed.

Yeah, you heard me.

We regularly fill the little log cabin shaped bird feeder in our backyard. And load the dried corn cobs on the squirrel feeder contraption that the squirrels never seem able to properly operate (they should have had a squirrel design it). Its entertaining, and brings some semblance of serenity to this suburban tract house development. I try.

So, in buying BIG bags of seed, for what seems to be a better price, I've either gotten a less than savory ratio of seed the birds like, to seeds they care nothing for. Or SAND! Yeah, SAND. I was just removing the cabin from the tree to refill it with seed, and there's an entire layer of sand at the bottom of the feeder.

Always in search of a different explanation to keep my blood pressure from boiling, I think that it could have something to do with giving the birds something they need to help their digestion. Just like you give chickens hard grit, if they are held captive for your egg-laying pleasure. But SAND is not listed on the label of ingredients.

So, I'm willing to bet it has everything to do with trying to fool the public in letting them believe they are getting more product for less money.

Throwing that 50lb bag over my shoulder, pulling a hamstring while tripping on an exposed root in the front yard, snorting the excess dust (with no added benefit) while transferring it into other containers to keep other varmints out of it (even though they probably won't eat sand either) -- NOT value.

Sand. I'm worn out!

Our place in this...Universe

A common argument, no, a discussion I have, is about the inherent flaw in the musings of humans regarding the idea that "we" are the only intelligent lifeforms in the universe. "How arrogant!", I exclaim. "We're not even all that advanced, for crying out loud. We can't even power our vehicles efficiently with anything other than billions of years old decayed animal and plant sludge! And never mind the peeps in our so-called "third-world" countries. Do you REALLY think there are pieces of another race relegated to starvation in a world where they can travel through space?"

Sidebar: Um...we COULD actually help "those people" MOVE out of the desolate and secluded arid terrain that doesn't support food growth of any kind instead of dumping bags of rice on their heads. Maybe...just a thought.

Yeah, my "discussions" sometimes get a little heated.

My point is: Our "developed race" (developmentally challenged, I challenge) has an awfully closed collective mind. We even have to attach a word to the vastness that our brains can't wrap around - Universe.

In the event that anyone ever even reads this blog, watch the video below and try, just try to begin to understand the human race's innate ability to underestimate...everything.

Eternal optimism...

I often find myself in the minority. No, not because I'm a lesbian - although that seems to be a problem for some. But, because I have this unnatural (I assume it's unnatural) desire to look on the proverbial bright side.

No matter what's going on, whether the cat puked on my bed, the paper girl lobs my news in a puddle, my employer, Enron, implodes or I land myself in jail (no...I wasn't a lying sack o' shit, cheating, stealing, no good "going straight to Dante's Eighth Circle of Hell" executive at Enron. I was a genuine, hard working, loyal employee who knew nothing about all the deceit), things have GOT to get better.

But sometimes they don't. At least not for a while. Sometimes things get worse...and worse. Yet I still find myself saying, "Self, you can't stay in this dark place forever. No one can. Well, some can, but its not a productive or healthy place to be. Find your testicular fortitude, stand up and start walking again."

And so I do. But then I trip on the dog and spill my coffee and have to think I might have just been bitten by a mosquito carrying the West Nile virus.

Many years of ceaseless struggle later (I'm 42) and I'm still expecting that things are bound to get better. Won't they?

Eternally optimistic...or partially retarded?

Hmm...

Cogito Ergo Sum

"Cogito, ergo sum" (Latin: "I think, therefore I am") or "Dubito, ergo cogito, ergo sum" (Latin: "I doubt, therefore I think, therefore I am") is a philosophical statement used by René Descartes, which became a foundational element of Western philosophy.

I like to utilize that quote on my personals sites. Yes, I used "site" in the plural form. I find I have to spread the wealth that is me, across the broad world wide web. Discussed, ad nauseum, among friends in the same situation, we all find it is more than a little difficult to locate intelligent, humorous, thoughtful, intelligent, kind, compassionate, self-actualized, capable, intelligent, professional, educated, strong, loyal and intelligent people to date. Just to date! Not even commit to - just date, for crying out loud.

Now, because I defined it, you don't have to look it up. But as my first test for worthy communication, I defy the women on those sites to actually exert some energy to find out what it means BEFORE they contact me. It rarely happens. And because it is so obvious that they don't bother, I have to keep myself from responding with some sarcastic or caustic comment to deflate their naively overdeveloped egos that prompt them to go ahead and contact me.

Now I'm not saying I'm "all that". I make it sound like I have a naively overdeveloped ego. I just actually try to have meaningful and genuine interaction with others of like mind (regardless of what certain DNA-related people think).

I'm choosy when it comes to sharing myself. I can't afford not to be.

So all I ask is, think, before you speak!

String Theory

No! Not the "...still-developing mathematical approach to theoretical physics, whose original building blocks are one-dimensional extended objects called strings....string theory is the first candidate theory of everything, a way to describe all the known natural forces (gravitational, electromagnetic, weak and strong) and matter (quarks and leptons) in a mathematically complete system.", as defined by Wikipedia.


The quarks and leptons I'm talking about are those that mathematically, or otherwise, manipulate the lives of others around them for a plethora of reasons. Reasons that often defy...reason.

I'm a steadfast believer in doing for others in my life because I want to. Not because it'll earn me something tangible or a place in line at the proverbial Pearly Gates.

One of my all time favorite people on the planet, Jae, who has her own blog (see "Links I Like" section), writes, "It's hard to separate our feelings of obligation from our own healthy choices...bottom line, people do what they do. If they don't want to do it, they won't. If they did it with strings attached, they shouldn't be surprised when someone has scissors, and knows how to use them."

To that I announce -- I bought some scissors!!!

Close Talkers, Mouth Breathers and others...

Close Talkers -

Ever have someone invade your personal space to the point that you want to smack them? I've tried numerous ways to get them to step back so I don't have to see or smell what they had for breakfast (most notably a Venti, Non-Caff Latte, shot of espresso, with Equal and no whip).

I've found the most effective maneuver is to place your foot out in front of you about 18 inches. That way when they try to get closer, your foot and leg are in the way and they can't get up on you. First, however, you have to make that quick step back and place your foot out there defensively BEFORE they follow you and pop your personal bubble.

I have a large personal bubble (unless we're dating and then it becomes almost miniscule)so to have a person raid it, is VERY uncomfortable for me.


Mouth Breathers -

Have you ever looked around at people and noticed the slack jawed, blank faced expression on so many in public? What is that?

Unless someone has a cold or some other "official" breathing difficulty, mouth breathing is just unnecessary. I'd like to walk up on a MB, place my index finger under their chin and gently lift it up so that their lips meet.

I'd like to think that the mean IQ doesn't have any correlation with mouth breathers, but I fear I am wrong.


Proportionately Incorrect and bad clothing options -

There's a disgusting restaurant here in my town that puts out a statue of Santa Claus each year. He's short and round, as well he should be, but his head is too small. We drive by intentionally every year just to see "Microcephalic Santa".

Why, oh why, did the 70's pseudo fashion come back in? It was UGLY back then!!! Its worse now, in my opinion. Namely because people that choose to wear the flare legged, low rise jeans, 4 sizes too small, DON'T LOOK GOOD!!! Now they actually have a name for the phenomenon -- "muffin tops". Um, I wear clothes that DON'T accentuate my fluffiness - but that's just me.


The Painfully Insecure -

I don't pretend to be completely happy with who I am. But I don't need constant reassurance that every person I meet, likes me.

I've decided to make t-shirts for every person that demands I tell them I like them. One for each of us.

Theirs -- "Please, like me!"

Mine -- "I will. From over THERE!"

Law of Repulsion

I think, subconsciously, I practice the law of repulsion. Everything I want, I still don't get...and everything I don't want, plagues me like a rash.

Loki, the Norwegian god of mischief, must be a late ancestor that's "looking out for me". Thanks...not funny.

I just sucked up some unknown object (swear, never saw it) while vacuuming. Trying to clean up debris, and the debris cleaner spews...debris.

Upon mopping, I'm expecting the mop head will fly off in one direction while I'm moving on a slick surface in the opposite.

Better go find some cleats...

The Borg vs. Microsoft Windows

Picard: "Mr. LaForge, have you had any success with your attempts at finding a weakness in the Borg? And Mr. Data, have you been able to access their command pathways?"

Geordi: "Yes, Captain. In fact, we found the answer by searching through our archives on late Twentieth-century computing technology."

Geordi presses a key, and a logo appears on the computer screen.

Riker looks puzzled. "What the hell is 'Microsoft'?"

Data turns to answer. "Allow me to explain. We will send this program, for some reason called 'Windows', through the Borg command pathways. Once inside their root command unit, it will begin consuming system resources at an unstoppable rate."

Picard: "But the Borg have the ability to adapt. Won't they alter their processing systems to increase their storage capacity?"

Data: "Yes, Captain. But when 'Windows' detects this, it creates a new version of itself known as an 'upgrade'. The use of resources increases exponentially with each iteration. The Borg will not be able to adapt quickly enough. Eventually all of their processing ability will be taken over and none will be available for their normal operational functions."

Picard: "Excellent work. This is even better than that 'unsolvable geometric shape' idea."

.. . . 15 Minutes Later . . .

Data: "Captain, We have successfully installed the 'Windows' in the command unit and as expected it immediately consumed 85% of all resources. We however have not received any confirmation of the expected 'upgrade'."

Geordi: "Our scanners have picked up an increase in Borg storage and CPU capacity to compensate, but we still have no indication of an 'upgrade' to compensate for their increase."

Picard: "Data, scan the history banks again and determine if there is something we have missed."

Data: "Sir, I believe there is a reason for the failure in the 'upgrade'. Apparently the Borg have circumvented that part of the plan by not sending in their registration cards.

Riker: "Captain we have no choice. Requesting permission to begin emergency escape sequence 3F . . ."

Geordi, excited: "Wait, Captain I just detected their CPU capacity has suddenly dropped to 0% !"

Picard: "Data, what do your scanners show?"

Data: "Apparently the Borg have found the internal 'Windows' module named 'Solitaire' and it has used up all the CPU capacity."

Picard: "Lets wait and see how long this 'solitaire' can reduce their functionality."

.. . . Two Hours Pass . . .

Riker: "Geordi what's the status on the Borg?"

Geordi: "As expected the Borg are attempting to re-engineer to compensate for increased CPU and storage demands, but each time they successfully increase resources I have setup our closest deep space monitor beacon to transmit more 'windows' modules from something called the 'Microsoft fun-pack'.

Picard: "How much time will that buy us ?"

Data: "Current Borg solution rates allow me to predicate an interest time span of 6 more hours."

Geordi: "Captain, another vessel has entered our sector."

Picard: "Identify."

Data: "It appears to have markings very similar to the 'Microsoft' logo."

Over the speakers: "THIS IS ADMIRAL BILL GATES OF THE MICROSOFT FLAGSHIP MONOPOLY. WE HAVE POSITIVE CONFIRMATION OF UNREGISTERED SOFTWARE IN THIS SECTOR. SURRENDER ALL ASSETS AND WE CAN AVOID ANY TROUBLE. YOU HAVE 10 SECONDS."

Data: "The alien ship has just opened its forward hatches and released thousands of humanoid shaped objects."

Picard: "Magnify forward viewer on the alien craft."

Riker: "Good God captain! Those are humans floating straight toward the Borg ship with no life support suits ! How can they survive the tortures of deep space ?!"

Data: "I don't believe that those are humans sir, if you will look closer I believe you will see that they are carrying something recognized by twenty-first century man as doe skin leather briefcases, and wearing Armani suits."

Riker and Picard together horrified: "Lawyers !!"

Geordi: "It can't be. All the Lawyers were rounded up and sent hurtling into the sun in 2017 during the Great Awakening."

Data: "True, but apparently some must have survived."

Riker: "They have surrounded the Borg ship and are covering it with all types of papers."

Data: "I believe that is known in ancient vernacular as 'red tape' it often proves fatal."

Riker: "They're tearing the Borg to pieces !"

Picard: "Turn off the monitors. I can't stand to watch, not even the Borg deserve that."


For more nerdy humor, go to:
http://www.enchantedmind.com/html/creativity/humor/humor.html

A house, a car and a boat....

Why is it those three things are considered the ultimate goal in the quest for success? I'll admit, it'd be nice to have those three things...again. (Not that I currently live in a lean-to, or have to hoof it everywhere, or use a log to cross a stream.) But I also have an interest in actual happiness, too. That corporate rat race, that keeping up with the Joneses - I'm so over it.

I get an email with daily inspirations...almost daily. I don't know why. I don't know why I get them and I don't know why they're called daily, when they're not.

Today's was:

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful".

Albert Schweitzer

Well stated.

While the daily inspiration emails can excite me, those ceaseless and inane promise/spam/solicitation emails I get, do not. Those guaranteeing that their business is THE ONE that will allow me to have that house, car and a boat with very little effort, just don't appeal to me. And if they did, I might have to worry about my continued sanity.

At this turning point in my life, or mid-life crisis (whatever the case may be), I think I'll choose happiness over status.

There's alot to be said for bucking the norm and refusing to conform to what everyone else believes is success. It's sort of freeing, actually.

Now, if I could just figure out what MY happiness is...

Memories, logic, perception and reality

My mom told me that when she was young, she argued that the trees made the wind. "How's that?", I asked. "Well, you never feel the wind unless the trees are blowing." "Hmm. Makes sense I guess." I was very young.

I became "aware" at a young age. I think it was a young age...I was 3. And I don't mean just memories I have. I was aware of my place in the family as the youngest, how I felt when I did something displeasing to another, how to make others laugh by saying something witty or doing something silly. I even became aware that our family was struggling as a unit. This all contributed to me being, what I determine now, oversensitive.

Those memories that have stuck with me have formed my perceptions and my reality today. I don't suppose I'm any different than anyone else. However, the difference I do see, is that my acute awareness, and subsequent discomfort of that awareness, led me down some specific paths.

For the longest time, I was worn out with being so sensitive. It was exhausting. I made a semi-conscious decision to step back...from everything. So instead of taking an active role in my life and making choices that were good for me, I let the realities of others guide me along a lazy path - and at one point in my recent past, a self-destructive path.

But, because of those experiences, and my recent re-entry into the world of the "awakened", after moving through the realities I created for myself and not liking them, I have a new perspective.

In my quest for a deeper understanding of my life, I have read, listened to and attended seminars given by people, current-day philosophers, like Deepak Chopra and Wayne Dyer. A lecture given by Deepak Chopra back in 1991 on The Basics of Quantum Healing, is transcribed on this page: http://www.ascension-research.org/reality.html . That was a similar lecture to one he gave and for which I attended in 2005 here in Houston. It got the juices flowing faster. And reading a variation of that lecture I heard in person, the above listed article, has given me more information to ponder.

As I walk further down my own path, in a renewed and heightened wakefulness, and not fearful of that awakening, or even exhausted anymore, I find myself choosing a much different path than those I have walked before.

My reality is different from what it was last year, last week, yesterday. My perception has changed and will continue to do so. My logic is finer tuned. And I will make new memories steeped in the experiences of my new perception, logic and reality.

The logic behind the trees making the wind is sound, based on a perception. But it is not accurate.