Alternate Universe

Recently I’ve been musing about how the little choices in life determine our journey and bring us to where we are currently. It amazes me how the items we buy, the place we decide to visit, and the choices of the things we do lead us down different paths and, ultimately, to destinations different than other items, places, and activities would have determined.

We’ve all made our choices and… here we are. Yet I think that most of us also dream of that alternate universe in which we might like to live or in which we might have found ourselves had we just made a few choices differently.

This afternoon while waiting for our evening meal to cook (a zucchini casserole done via the stove top, btw), I was listening to Spa (XM’s New Age station via the satellite TV dish) and contemplating that “other place” for me. If I were not living in my here and now, how would I envision my world.

First of all, of course, my ideal world would be one filled with peace, prosperity, and plenty for all. It would be a world in which no one wants for basic needs or decent health, one in which we are free to love and to be whom we choose and who we are.

But let me go beyond (or below) that level and sink down to the nitty-gritty, intensely personal and even selfish universe of which I dream. What would *I* be like and what would my own little world be like?

In my own alternate universe I would imagine myself as a successful, educated professional of independent means, perhaps an architect. I would work from home with a flexible schedule and I would have a loving partner of similar status, education, and means.

I (or we) would live in a home that is modern, loft-like, clean, and minimalist in furnishing and design. Our home would be located on a large plot of ground that would foster a feeling of being remote and alone, yet it would be close enough to an urban center to take advantage of activities and events there – plays, concerts, and clubs. It would be in an area that was not too hot. It would be pleasantly warm or even cool and lushly green in vegetation. We would share our home with dogs and cats.

Our evenings would be spent in candlelight with New Age music softly playing in the background. We would talk and share quietly the things of the day or just recline in the comfort of each other’s arms, silently listening to one another’s quiet breathing.

I would have my health, devoid of illness and aches. Of course, in this alternate universe I would be eternally young enough to be “foolish” but old and wise enough to be savvy. Naturally I would be buf and built, handsome, and – *a-hem* – amply “gifted”.

My partner and I would enjoy travel, but enjoy time at home as much or more so. We would be quite comfortable being “just two” but would also enjoy the presence and company of a few close friends.

*sigh*

Sometimes it’s nice just sitting quietly and contemplating the alternatives and what choices led us to where we are.

So tell me: what does your alternate universe look like?

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That’s a wrap.

Sending HUGS to all!

Tomatoes, Tar, and a Rail

Just a quick update on life at the Lake.

A few of you inquired how my “reprise” gig went this past weekend. After checking my records, it was the first time in over six years that I had been invited to do anything like this.

I would like to say (as I wrote to one of you) that it was not at all difficult to get the rotten tomatoes and spoiled cabbage out of my hair (or lack thereof), but that removing the tar and feathers from my vestments was a bitch. I’m still trying to get the rail out of my butt.

In truth, it actually went very well overall. There were a few glitches, but nothing to write home about. The people were most gracious in their reactions and comments. The reactions were positive despite some of my content. I noted that sexual orientation does not matter to God (with a couple of scriptural justifications thrown in for good measure) . In a point related to our call not to judge others, I had a chance to talk about our favorite little group from Kansas who are not Friends of Dorothy, expressing my opinion that they need both to read the book as well as experience Grace anew. I also had the opportunity to talk about the relationship of David and Jonathan, whose love toward David (as I noted and quoted) “was wonderful, passing the love of women” (II Sam. 1:26).

So all in all, considering the audience, escaping unscathed and unsoiled by tomatoes, tar or a rail probably means that things went fairly well.

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That’s a wrap.

Sending HUGS to all!

Idle Hands

…don’t get the job done. *EG*

I’m just sitting here ruminating or rusticating or rutting or something. Ah heck, I’m just sittin’.

I’ve been the go-to guy for the group’s website for the last couple of weeks. I got them up and running and then turned over the reins to one of the more active members. I then served rather as a consultant when he ran into some challenges. A couple of weeks ago he had to go out of town without access to a computer or the source files, so I’ve take up his role. It’s all starting to come together. We’re seeing what works and what doesn’t. There is a major piece yet to activate (the member’s page(s)), but that is shaping up and should not be difficult to activate once we get the data and images from the members that wish to be included.

I’ve been groovin’ all week to the music of Tom Goss, and I have discovered another common link with Bigg and HB. They like him, too. I came to Tom’s music and his performance at Pride last week very much liking his song Till the End. Since I picked up one of his CD’s, I have fallen in love with his song Lover. It has been playing in my head day and night since Sunday.

My Tim the Toolman resume keeps expanding. This week I repaired two wooden chairs for which the wood had dried out and the joints became loose. They are now reglued and snug. We’ll see how long it lasts. I also put up a new house number thingy on the house. I think it looks rather butch and studly.

On Sunday I do a reprise of my former life. Some of you know about it. I’ve been prepping for it and I hope it goes well. I just feel very honored to have been asked. Since the congregation is using the alternate lessons, the first lesson just happens to be the story of David, Uriah, and Bathsheba. Oh, yeah! Can we all say, “family values”? As currently planned, I hope to get in a couple of subtle [positive] plugs for the “Family”.

In news I had not shared, I recently learned that someone made a death threat against my older son (along with a threat against a much more prominent member of the community) who lives on the opposite side of the state. The threaten-er is in custody and all things appear to be under control. Still it was (and is) a concern.

An unexpected gift at the property at Lake Gonebelow has been the appearance of moon flowers, at least that is what we call them around here. The seeds appear to have been mixed in with the mulch that I spread earlier this spring. They have now started to bloom. They seem to blossom in the evening and then wither the next day. Below is a picture of the first blossom. The bushes are now loaded with buds and blooms.

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That’s a wrap.

Sending HUGS to all!

Have One’s Cake and Eat It, Too

Thanks for your input, dear readers, regarding my dilemma of attending the dinner or the Pride festival.

I made my decision early Friday morning that I would attend the dinner on Saturday evening.

I met the guys early Saturday evening. We had a very nice meal at the restaurant and retired again to the home of one of the members for dessert and coffee. He showed us his bathroom and bedroom remodel project which is nearly complete and will be very nice. We ate our dessert amidst pleasant conversation on his deck. About mid-evening most of us dispersed. I offered my regrets that I would not be seeing them the next day at the festival and hugged everyone goodbye. One suggested that I “go out for a paper” at the appropriate time the following afternoon (today).

Without sharing details and without needing to “go for a newspaper”, the stars aligned and I was able to get away and attend the festival for about an hour. Yay!

Although I missed his performance, I did get to meet one of the performers, Chris Shirk, pictured below [in the white shirt] at our group’s booth talking with some of our guys. Chris is a local singer and getting his career going. Unfortunately I do not think Chris has a website yet but he does have this MySpace.

Chris Shirk, singer

A bit later I did catch another performer, Tom Goss, whose single Till the End has been on Logo. I love the video for it. He sang a number of his songs and closed with Till the End.

Tom Goss, singer

I wondered around the booths and the vendors. I caught up with a couple of guys from the first group that I used to hang with and we had very nice visits with each other. I met the partner of the pastor of the newly forming gay congregation in town. He was very nice.

I was pleased to see booths representing Lutherans, Episcopalians, and Roman Catholics with supportive, positive witnesses within the festival. Of course the “hate the homo” crowd was just outside the fence with their placards. For the most part they were not as loud as last year.

Around the Pride Pagoda

The crowd was a bit more sparse than last year, and most of the people I spoke with thought that it was primarily a function of the economy. It appeared that there were fewer folks from nearby cities. It was still a very diverse crowd, folks of all shapes, sizes, and ages. Of course some of the sights were, ah, breathtaking.

I exchanged quite a few hugs upon arrival and again upon departure. That felt good. All in all, once again, at my second-ever Pride, I felt at home. Best of all I was able to attend both the dinner and the festival.

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That’s a wrap.

Sending HUGS to all!

Quandry

This weekend is the local celebration of Pride. It takes the form of a festival on Sunday in a small park (no “parade”). Last year I attended for a bit. It was my first. It was also the first time that I hooked up with the local group with whom I have had occasions to hang.

That group is also meeting for dinner on Saturday night. I know that I cannot attend both events. Time, finances, and pass points will not permit both.

If you had the choice, which would you choose – and why?

The fellowship at the group’s dinners is great and I will get to see most of the core members. We usually go back to one of the member’s homes and enjoy some coffee and good conversation.

If I go to Pride, I may not see most of the guys in the group, but I might enjoy some of the entertainment as well as the general exhilaration of being a part of the event. One of the singers is supposedly signing CD’s at the group’s booth, too.

There are a few other additional factors for each, positive and negative, but I will let you all use your own imagination.

Decisions. Decisions. What shall I do?

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That’s a wrap.

Sending HUGS to all!

The Check’s in the Mail

Well, actually it is already in the checking account. I checked this morning and my first Social Security check had been deposited. Whohoo! Since I received my meager retirement distribution earlier this month, I am officially retired, and therefore I am also beholdin’ to all you currently hard-working, tax-paying citizens. Thank you!

[Image was the cover of a Hallmark Expressions(?) greeting card that I received]

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That’s a wrap.

Sending HUGS to all!

If You’re in the Area…

…my special banana cake (recipe via a friend of years ago) is in the oven. The icing is nearly made. Matt Alber is playing on the stereo. It won’t take long to make a pot of coffee or a cup of tea.

Just sayin…

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That’s a wrap.

Sending HUGS to all!

A Walk Through the Woods

As per my previous post, we were scheduled to attend a picnic this weekend. It was a kind of mini-family reunion hosted by one of my nephews and his wife. They live about an hour and half away from the present Lake Gonebelow. We had never been to their home which they lease together with my nephew’s in-laws.

As we neared the destination yesterday, we turned down a gravel road and suddenly left the crowded, noisy urban world and found ourselves in the midst of a peaceful, wooded and pastoral estate along a major river. It was quite beautiful.

My nephew’s home was originally a stable on the property which includes at least three “mansions” along with various “out buildings”. His MIL took us on a walking tour of the grounds so that we could see “how the other half lives”. (Please note that my nephew, his wife, nor his in-laws are part of the “other half”. They just happened to luck out and be able to rent their home at one corner of the property.)

Here are some scenes from our tour of the grounds:
(As they say, click to embiggen.)

Start of tour

Approaching the mansion

Mansion front

Chapel on grounds

Sailboat on river framed between trees

Riverwalk garden

Statue in the garden

Rear of mansion

megaroom 'cottage'

Home of portrait artist

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That’s a wrap.

Sending HUGS to all!

Adiaphora

I guess I am officially “retired”. One source of my monthly retirement income has begun to find its way into my bank account. Social security is to follow shortly.

The days pass quickly; they do not drag. For every “honey-do” that is scratched off my list two more appear. They are like heads of Hydra.

For a few days this week I have been scanning old photos that may be used in a multimedia presentation for a family event early this fall.

Yesterday I spent all day laundering old sheets and blankets (nearly 40 years worth). In a bit I am going to take them to one of the local animal shelters. I discovered that they are thrilled to get such things and I am thrilled not to throw them into the landfill without at least another good use.

I see that the work of the media, moguls, and agents is working: Michael Jackson music sales are skyrocketing. Lest I again be accused of speaking ill of the dead, I think that the real disparagement of the man is coming from those who hyped his death for a buck.

I feel similarly about the whole Sarah Palin hype. And Samuel (Joe) Wurzelbacher. It’s all about extending their fifteen minutes of fame… and their income.

Why cannot the people in the world who have truly accomplished something or those who have something worthwhile to say get good agents?

I guess that’s why, while I am scratching items off the honey-do list, that neither the tv nor the radio is on. If there is any “noise” in my home during the day, it is coming from my stereo or music software on my pc. That, or the barking of my princess at her boyfriend, Max the Beagle, as he passes our home on his outings. She’s even learning to speak “beagle”, but she has a very strong poodle/schnauser accent. I found a copy of the RosettaStone for Dogs CD in her crate last week.

Speaking of music, I bought myself a new mp3 player, a discontinued model at great discount as per the bylaws of The Society. I can broadcast its signal into Baby Blue’s radio when I travel via another gizmo. I can also listen to my music as I mow the lawn – assuming that the ear buds stay in. Man, I hate earbuds!

Independence Day was a quiet one in Lake Gonebelow. One of my sons came home for the holiday. It was great to have him home. Both sons will be here this weekend. We are going to a family picnic/mini-reunion at the home of one of my nephews.

Well, the scanner and the washing machine call. I cannot walk and chew gum at the same time. I might be able to scan and wash clothes, but throw in blogging and I melt into a quivering mass.

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That’s a wrap.

Sending HUGS to all!