stay cool because this world might be an illusion

I found out this afternoon that a former coworker passed away. He found out in June that cancer had returned and it took him quickly. He was my first friend when I moved here. He spent a couple hours on the phone with me and filled me in on culture so I wouldn’t embarrass myself or offend anyone. He’d done it for years with island newcomers. I trusted him because in his calm quiet way he stood up to bullies and liars. He knew how to lead and he inspired me. I dreamed dreams along side with him. He was delighted with nature and devoted his life to figuring out ways to teach science. He stayed calm when most would get upset and I think it was mostly because he knew this all was temporary. He loved sailing and took whoever would go. He taught gently and was a good captain. I didn’t get to tell him how much he meant to me and how much I admired him. I believe he knows though. Our grief makes a sound in the universe that those who pass can hear. I know he’s in a comfortable place and now he knows.

Bare chested vlad on horseback.http://bit.ly/49ZqCY

I’ve stumbled upon a Discovery Health show about the lives of twin sisters who have autism and savant abilities in memorization, Kathrine and Florence. They are 54 in this program. They love Dick Clark and so at this point in the show they are going to visit him. They tracked all the episodes of the 10,000 Pyramid. It’s such a great show that tells their story in a way that honors them as people. It just reminds me how unique everyones stories are. Ironically, they have an almost identical story. They were so optimistic and happy in peaceful sort of way considering the reality of the way the world treats them. Hmmm

Found this funny blog of video mistakes. This one is about food

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GVrAFusTEY

I have so many moments like this. Glad they aren’t being videotaped.

I went to the pet store this evening to pick up some really healthy food for rabbit and guinea pig because I love them and I like how happy they are when they get good stuff to eat. Of course I made a bee line to the back of the store because that is where they keep the most hideous of all nightmarish creatures imaginable, the Hairless Guinea pigs.

Dreaming of those would make you wake up in a cold sweat or even crying.

There were some kids looking at them and some military guys that just were as appalled as I. One guy with a crew cut said, "That just ain't right for animals to look like that", in a southern drawl.

The little girl next to me pointed out that the one near my face was nursing her young. Ughhh, newborn ones are even worse.  Many were pregnant, she also pointed out. They get really fat when they are about to, spew more of their kind into the world.

I told her I was really grossed out by them. Her friend came up and said to us something that caused my whole perspective of our place in the circle of life to shift, “What if WE looked like that”.

In an instant I said, “My God, we DO!”. We might look like, to the dogs and cats of this world, something like a gigantic, gangly, hairless guinea pig. Kinda makes you vomit a little when you think about it.

I said we should make them clothes to which the little girl said that we’d have to make cut out places for them to – go potty. I suggested diapers but she said, “we’d have to change them”. Not kidding.

This actually happened. True story.

Then, I told the store clerk about how I go back there and traumatize myself every time I come to the store and she said, “lots of people do that, you’d be surprised”.

All the income streams that tribute into the river that funds my household were dammed up until today. I did the work to ensure they wouldn’t dry up. I’m glad I was able to live without hysteria. Sort of. All is working out today so yay.

My grandaughters elementary school did a spring program this evening that made me feel wonder and make my head in disbelief. They did “Jungle Book” with a mix of bollywood choreography, lots of kids choreographed hip-hop, over acting, great singing, terrible singing, preschoolers dressed as jungle animals, and a rendition of Bahlu singing “Be Like You” with a chorus of mostly local island kids in blackface with canes. I was in tears several times. The best was the costuming. Kids are really being shortchanged in the music programs these days.

I’m suppose to figure out some of this transparency stuff for work. After spending the last 3 weeks learning a little bit about it I’ve decided that prayer is required. I need divine intervention to figure out what to do. OK, I said it, now I’m here waiting. Maybe I should go to sleep and I’ll dream about it.

I ran into a filming session of “Lost” today on the way to Starbucks. I watched from across the intersection because I figured they were aimed at a certain building they were close to. I got my coffee and watched for a moment as I crossed back over to go to work. A guy yelled “Go” and all the cars, that looked like they were just parked, started moving. A girl in an orange shirt walked down the street. Other people crossed in the crosswalk a block away. It all looked so normal, but not at all normal for that particular place. It was MAGICAL. I crossed with the light and then stopped at the other corner because it was all set to happen again! It did. Wow was it cool. There was a guy at the corner and I commented to him how cool it was. He said, “yeah, I’m actually working with them, but I’m in disguise and I’m trying to keep this area clear because they are shooting this direction”. He looked so totally normal, like some college kid just walking down the street. It was really cool. As I got closer to work I passed the lot with the wardrobe trailers and the lunch tables. A barbecue was set up and a sign on one of the trailers said “Kate/Mike” or something like that. We have so much fun finding the places they shoot while we watch the show.

OMG! These people just keep popping up! Todays theme was computer programing on new technologies. Ran into 2 really interesting folks. A VR guy and then an iPhone programmer. An old friend called and we spoke about both, so the day just got even more surreal.

I walked to the store and as I was going I was sure I was going to see someone but didn’t have a clue who it would be. Ran into an interesting guy also walking there and he started to tell me about his life when he got stopped by a neighbor. Went into the store and talked to techie friend I hadn’t seen in maybe 2 years. Then there was the guy in the t-shirt that said “Farting is just my way of saying I “heart” you”. I goofed on the shirt then we ran into each other 4 more times.