The Friday upon landing was spent at Foundations bar enjoying the company of family and friends as well as a Bourbon and home made Cola! Muey deliciouso! A dinner at Sono rounded out the evening perfectly.
Is there any better catharsis than sitting next to Med Byrd and getting poked or slapped each time I turned my back?
Despite the harassment, There were moments of perfect clarity while sitting in the restaurant...moments of contentment knowing that any conversation around the table was fueled by unmitigated synergy and love. Thanks guys, sorry to the few unable to attend, your absence was felt but understood.
As for visiting? A quick trip to Julie and Ryans country crib to visit with Lilly Catherine, a few weeks young staring at the world with all of the wonder those tiny eyes can take in. She is beautiful and truly the boss of the Chateau!
Another quick trip to Carolyn to receive my blessings from our strange angel! I always feel like all is right with the world after my ephemeral encounters with Caroleena! Reminded once again to open myself up and the universe will take care of all...kinda new agey but forcing life has not worked so great so far...so gentle reader, leave me to my existential mid forties rant.
I've recently read an article (the in flight magazine - don't judge, there's some good info. in the Delta Sky) that points out places and conditions for people to be happy. Income of course is pretty high on the list but only to $75,000 as there isn't a difference for any thing above that. Another thing was location but one factor was age. It seems the happiest time in a persons life is in their fifties, and unsurprisingly the least amount of stress in a persons adult life. All I can think of is that SNL skit where the woman keeps saying, "I'm fifty! I like to kick and stretch!" it's hard to imagine spending fifty years on the planet before our overall happiness reaches a peak. Spending time with my 80 year old mother and with a soul only a few weeks on the planet, both spanning the proverbial ends of a life expectancy chart one must expect a degree of self reflection on birth, death, life and happiness from 26,826 feet and still climbing. Any great revelations? Life is over in an augen blick.... So dance naked in fields of mist covered daisies as often as possible! No great truth, rather a reminder to me, living forever is not a goal, living the moments is more important...and more fun.
On that note, a few recommendations for you gentle readers:
Reading Recommendations: Jodi Picoult, Nineteen Minutes. My friend Gail recommended this book with the grandiose claim this is one of the best books she has ever read. After reading it, ditto. It takes place after a Columbine type shooting in a small town and includes reflections on bullying, school dysfunctions, and the ability to have compassion for the villain. Part mystery, part courtroom drama, and heavily character driven. I couldn't stop reading even after the late night jet lag kicked in.
Music Recommendations:
1. Florence & the Machine, Dog Days Are Over - I dare you to listen to this without wanting to exuberantly dance in your living room with the blinds flung open. Winter be damned.
2. Habits, Animals...just makes me happy...despite the bubble gum pop nature of the song!
3. Matt & Kim, Good Ol' Fashioned Knightmare...the base is overwhelming on this song, I'm sure Med would hate it (of course Med would hate all of the songs I'm recommending, but this one in particular).
3. Frightened Rabbit, Swim Until You Can't See Land...coffee house rock but who doesn't sometimes feel like taking a dip in freezing cold water..."are you a man or are you a bag of sand?". What the hell does that even mean?
DVD Recommendation: The Mordecai is a Drag Party, 2010- thanks Med!
Thanks gentle reader, as the deck nears completion just know we will reserve an Adirondack Chair and a cool frosty one until your visit!
