Red River Ox Carts

Check out my homies.  Yeah, they were a bunch of mixed-breed prairie dogs.  I bet you all never knew about the Red River Ox Cart Trails and what it meant to the expansion of trade to the western U.S.  The 'middle trail' on the map follows what is now interstate 94.  It explains the remnants that were left behind of the traders that passed through 1820-1880.  It explains the rotted cabin foundations we came across in the woods with the little, glass apothecary bottles.  It explains the arrowheads and painted pottery that surfaced each spring. 

There are stories that are longing to be kept and retold.  If you really listen, the trees are talking. 

All You Need is Love: Santa Rosa Pops Symphony Series

OK.. This was the #1 song the day I was born.  Clue to my age.  Still, the lyrics hold true and are timeless.  Today I was gifted tickets to the Santa Rosa Symphony for the "Classical Mystery Tour."  I've been to 'fake' Beatles concerts before.  Some were actually pretty good and some laughable.  However, this one made an impression on me.  I can now understand why the Beatles stopped performing live after 1966.  Their music became too complex incorporating an orchestra to take on the road to perform for unappreciative, screaming, teen youngsters.  The Beatles wanted more critical, mature accolades. 

If there is one thing to notice about Beatles music after 1966 it is the incorporation of string and wind instruments.  Today was the perfect rendition of their music.  A live orchestra to back up their most beloved songs.  I bet you never really noticed the strings in "Yesterday" and "Elenor Rigby" and even "A Day in the Life" and the horns in "Penny Lane." 

The Beatles were one of the first to incorporate a live orchestra into modern pop music.  ELO came along a few years later.  Love them both:)

Funeral for a Baby

Nothing downs a spring Saturday more than attending a funeral for a 21-month-old boy.  The karma and dynamics are so overwhelming and deep on so many branches and levels it would take a story line over several seasons and episodes like 'Game of Thrones' to explain it all. 

I'm not kidding.

The over-simplified cliff's notes version of Saturday's episode include the patriarch of the family crying his eyes out.  Understood.  Patriarch tried to keep strict control over anything and everything to the point of putting a tracking device on his wife's cell phone so he knew where she was at all times. Well, patriarch could not even attempt to brace himself for the tragedy that happened with the toddler boy. 

Looks like Patriarch is not really in control after all, is he? 

In looking around at the people who attended the services, there were just a few industry people that actually took the time to drive at least an hour to show up.  I'm wondering now if Patriarch is putting together what all the super-long hours at the office and ass kissing politicians really gets him? 

Harrison

I had to run into a grocery store this week and grab an item.  I got to the check out and there was a young man cashiering.  Without even really having a good look at him, he reminded me of a young George Harrison.  I then noticed his name tag - Harrison.  I said, "You were named after George Harrison, weren't you?"

He gave me a grin and said, "You are one of the rare people who immediately put that together."

We then had a quick conversation about how his parents were Beatle-fan-hippie-freaks who lived in San Francisco. 

I think George would be pleased about his namesake. 

Presidential Campaign

I'm already sick of politicians jockeying for the next presidential election.  Here's something I find quite disturbing and hope you all ponder it as well.

Doesn't anybody find it weird that the propped up candidates are either from the Bush or the Clinton clan?  That's what we've had in place for 30 years.  Since when are we a dynasty?  

Karma and Compassion

April 2014 will go down in my personal journals as karma komplete.  Why?  OMG.  Where do I even start?

I've griped before that I've always thought my "soul mate" was NOT Prince Charming riding in on a white horse and living happily ever after.  Rather, it's the guy I work with who has delusions of grandeur thinking he's the next Adolf Hitler.

No, we are not best friends.  We generally can't stand one another.  If the future of all humanity depended on us reproducing it would NOT happen.  I don't think he likes females anyway, so it's a moot point.

Anyway,  I spent all day Wednesday in San Leandro with him while he grandstanded his ideas on how methodically folding the foil in chewing gum wrappers is going to save the world.  This guy works 60+ hours per week convincing himself that the proposed legislation on the proper folding of gum foil will save our dying industry.  We need to get our elected representatives involved!  Bond measures need to be passed to fund the 'gum foil' initiative!  It's all for motherhood and apple pie!  Rally the gum foil inspectors!  Set outrageous fines!  Our industry must prevail by these artificial, pathetic means!

Yes, I admit I sat in the back with the few kindred souls in my organization snipping at Captain Gum Foil and his sidekick, DoubleMint.  The next day was no better.  I spent 7+ hours  with Captain Gum Foil in a meeting that would not end lest the sound of his own voice would cease and graciously relieve us.

All this petty $#@%^&* changed in a heartbeat.  Today I received word that Captain Gum Foil's two-year-old grandson drowned in a tragic accident at his home.  For the first time ever, Captain Gum Foil and I shared tears.  For the first time ever I felt true compassion and sympathy for somebody who I considered an "enemy."

I may be a bitch, but I don't wish such a tragic loss on anybody.

USS Bonhomme Richard: Search and Rescue

About a month ago I was snarking that a copy of classic literature was stolen from my son's living quarters upon the USS Bonhomme Richard.  Was it the crime of the century?  Hardly.  If a book "donation" makes life a little easier for those aboard who now have the grim task of pulling dead teenagers out of the South Korean sunken ferry I feel it's the least I can do. 

Yes, my son's ship was assigned to the search and rescue effort.  The tone is that of sadness and despair that so many young people were doomed to a watery grave.  The survival rate is 50-50 after 8 hours of being in the water.  We all can do the math.  Yes, tough marine and navy divers can and do show emotion and cry. 

The Lotus

Amid the mud and yuck grows the lovely lotus.  This flower has meaning in many spiritual practices seeking connection to the mysteries of the universe.

In my work world the lotus grows in Contra Costa County surrounded by the cesspools of Napa and Alameda Counties.  I am being asked to keep the lotus living. 

Affirmation

I'm up against a decsion.  I need to define my political alliances for my job.  My gut has always told me to align myself with the "Peninsula People" (San Francisco, San Mateo, and San Jose - basically the coast) rather than the cluster f*** of Alameda County, et al.

My gut received affirmation again tonight.

The Alameda County representative of my industry is arrogant, selfish, and full of himself.  Everytime he gets the microphone close to his mouth, all I can think of is that he's giving it a blow job.  He's blowing himself and everybody within earshot -- and licking the microphone innaproprotately in the process.  He LOVES to make love to the microphone.  Somehow, the only one ejaculatng is the speaker.

Sorry, they don't pay me enough to swallow.

Ojai, California

I did the drive today from Sonoma County to Ojai, California.  Most people would start out after the Bay Area morning commute clears (or before).  Not me.  After some deep thought I decided to go about my morning complete with my hippie friends followed by a dance class.  That's how I like to start my day.

I did not leave Sonoma County until 2:30 in the afternoon.  Oh well, I may bump into some afternoon traffic going through Oakland and again through San Jose.  Who cares.  There was a method to my madness.  

The reason I'm in Ojai is for work.  There was nothing good that could come from an early afternoon arrival as opposed to a 9:00 PM arrival.  Why?  This place is crawling with people from my industry. Some are OK, don't get me wrong, but I ALWAYS manage to bump into the most repugnant ones upon check in inquiring about my dinner plans.  No, it's not that they think I'm so charming and fun to be around.  It's because I have the company credit card and they want to check out the most expensive place they have read about in 'Trendy Bitch Magazine.'

By 9:00 o'clock they have given up hope that I will arrive in time for dinner.  The desperate text messages went unanswered because I was driving.   Poor souls.  They will have to figure out their own dining plans and then anguish if they dare to try to get reimbursed for excessive expenses and risk repercussions from their peers.  It's much cleaner when I'm with them.  I put it on my credit card; therefore, no reimbursement request is necessary.  That's why I'm loved so much.  

So, arriving late and slipping into my room unnoticed is heaven!  

Going Home

I've been away for almost 30 years.  May I still call it home?  I don't know.  I'm about to enter a vortex of emotions, memories, and all unresolved issues from my childhood to present.  Ready or not, here karma comes. 

I'm truly caught up in the tornado storm, Toto, and Kansas is looking better and better.   I might also add that the Wicked Witch of the West is looking better and better, too.  She may be a safe haven for what I'm about to face.  No matter what the outcome my cousin, TW, reassured me with the words of, "go with love in your heart,  intent, and actions." 

Wise words, little cuz.... I'm sure you shouted them at me while I gave you atomic hanging wedgies when you were 5.  Damn, you grew up to be a smart little shit.  Sorry about the wedgies.  I hope I did not cause permanent chafing damage. 

Well, all I know is that Tony Jaros's GREENIES are waiting for me along with a karaoke machine or two at assorted NE Minneapolis dive bars with my homies.  Watch out.  We may brake into song/dance.  At least then the joint will clear out and the house will buy us drinks so we will LEAVE plus cab fare home. 

Tasty Pizza, anybody????????????????????????