100 People to Meet Before You Die

I intended to get this post up first thing this morning, keeping with a schedule of posting Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Well, that didn’t happen. The old HP is not cooperating, lately neither is life, both keep getting in my way.

Anyway…that’s not what I came here to talk about. As I was visiting the blogs of some of my newest followers about that Versatile Blogger Award, I read some interesting stuff. A few of them had just participated in Awards and Tags where they were asked, ‘who either living or dead they would most like to sit down and have a visit with’. It got me to thinking about that very question. Which lead me to thinking about some of the interesting people I have met in my lifetime. I decided that although when posed with THAT particular question we generally think of the famous or infamous, I have started my personal list of the 100 people you hope to meet before you die.

These are not folks whose names make the nightly news, although they could. They are not the rich and famous, yet in a way they are. They probably are not on the list of others as someone they would like to sit down and have a visit with, but maybe they should be.

Well, ya all know how much I like to tell a story, so that’s what I’m gonna do here on this blog over the next few posts and they we’ll come back and revisit the idea when I meet more interesting people. That’s not to say that everybody isn’t interesting in their own way, but this will be just my personal opinion (move over Mitch Ablom). I’m also gonna send you back in time to revisit some of my older blog posts that cover some of my personal 100 and that’s where I would like to start today.

So click on the link below and read my all time favorite post from the 2012 A to Z Challenge. I hope (you know me and technology).

http://farawayeyes1.blogspot.com/2012/04/w.html

BLOG AWARDS - YIKES

While I was off being sick one of my new followers Lily Tequila awarded me The Versatile Blogger Award. Now most of you know that when it comes to these blog awards I’m a real curmudgeon and I generally don’t pick them up. I’m trying to change my ways and be more gracious – please don’t start awarding me all kinds of awards, because I said that, BUT I promised Lily that I would take this one.

Let me tell you how Wiktonary defines versatile;

 1. capable of doing many things completely

 2. having varied uses of many functions

 3. changeable or inconstant

 4. capable of moving freely in all directions (in biology)

Alright then…

First go check Lily out at   www.lilytequila.blogspot.com  

She has a rather eclectic blog herself that certainly qualifies as versatile.

Here are the rules:

 1. Add award to your blog

 2. Thank the blogger who gave it to you

 3. Mention 7 random things about yourself

 4. List the rules

 5. Award to 15 bloggers

 6. Inform each of those 15 by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. Hopefully that Blog Award has been added, but then you guys know me and the technology it takes to do that.

2. Thank you Lily – may I live up to your expectations.

3. CRINGE

   1.  I’m dyslexic. Probably not the way you think. There are many different kinds of dyslexia. Let’s just say, if you have or ever will read something of mine that sounds like English is my second language, which it is not, that would be my form of dyslexia shining through.

  2.  I’m a licensed Disc Jockey of the radio kind not the dance/party kind. Although I haven’t worked in this field for quite some time the licensing is for life.

  3.  I was a certified white water guide. Certification NOT for life and I haven’t done that in a long time either, but when I did it was exhilarating.

  4.  Although, I will talk to anyone at just about any time all the tests say I’m an INTROVERT. When I read their explanations I have to agree.

  5.  I don’t know my left from my right.

  6.  I believe God, Jesus Christ and even after everything, I believe in love.

  7.  I was a lifeguard and an assistant swim coach.

The rules are listed above.

I would like to award this to my 15 newest followers. I don’t know you well enough to know if you are truly versatile or not, but the 7 random facts will help everyone get to know you a little bit better. I’ll be in touch, via your comment box.

To the rest of you – go on over to my little icons of followers and click on their pictures and checkout what they have to say about themselves.

Last week I was visiting my friend Donna Hole and she was directing people to a site that was holding a poetry contest. The site is 'The Red Angel' hosted by Wendy Lu. In an irrational fit of thinking I should step outside my comfort zone I signed up.I was supposed to post my poem by June 24th (YESTERDAY). I didn't. Not because I'm a loser and a coward, although those words do sometimes apply, but I was not able to link back to Wendy's site. It didn't make sense to me to post and not let you look at the others.


Today Wendy sent me a very nice email,letting me off the hook. I'm going to post my poem anyway and I'll try again to make the link. If it doesn't work maybe you can go there yourself at theredangel.blogspot.com it could be my 'islands Internet connection' that is malfunctioning.


Here's the link, if it will work. www.theredangel.blogspot.com  OK there it is but it's telling me the same thing - that you have to be invited to read this blog and I'm not invited. Maybe you are. Try it.


Anyway...I'm coping out on the poem also. This is one I wrote and posted back in March We were supposed to write about 'birthdays' the roaring twenties' or 'time'. I think I fit into the 'time' category.


Life


Never cheat on your memories
Never live a lie
Never love someone falsely
Don't be afraid to die


Speak for the truth
Protect what is right
Give to the future 
Stand up to the fight


Don't break a confidence
Treat others with care
Give more than you take
Be not afraid to share


Go where you're sent
Do what you must
Find meaning in life
Are you still afraid to trust?


Dance like you're dying
Sing to no one
Step out on the ledge
Let yourself feel the world crying


Don't tell your secrets
Least they break your tender heart
Try to be better


Happy belated birthday Wendy. Hope some others make it over to your blog, even if it won't let me back in.


Interesting side note that today that poem has a whole new meaning for me. Maybe I just needed to hear it again. Thanks for playing along.

Holidays- The more Obscure the Better

Hi Guys, I’m back. Holy Carp, I have not been that sick in a long time. I’m listening to Tom Petty sing ‘You Don’t Know How It Feels” and today I say that’s a good thing. But anyway…Tom also says ’let’s get to the point…

It’s almost summer. The Summer Solstice is officially in two days, so what are you doin’ to celebrate. Me, I haven’t decided yet, but heading out to the ‘end of the world’ (Point Udall) to look for the ’Southern Cross’ is high on my list.

This got me to thinking about Summer Holidays in some of the places that I have lived. Here in the VI we celebrate Emancipation Day and Alexander Hamilton Day (AH Day might not actually be in the summer, but what the heck it’s always summer here). When I lived in Idaho we celebrated Pioneer Day and had a big Atomic Days (don’t ask) Rodeo up in Arco. In Colorado (my favorite) we had the Heeny Tick Festival in Heeny, Co up on Green Mountain Reservoir. Breckenrigde had it’s “No Man’s Land Days’ to celebrate the time when it was left off the map and not included in the US (Probably more rural myth than truth, but a great celebration none the less). And my all time favorite the ‘Get Yer Ass up the Pass’ Fairplay to Leadville Pack Burro Rack. Back in Chicago, there was the Bud Billikin Parade and Picnic in August. (Go ahead google this one)

Just goes to prove, you don’t have to dig very deep and you’ll find just about every place on the globe has their own special reason to party. So what is it where you live? Come on fess up to your particular obscure holiday and don’t forget the Summer Solstice.

Fuzzy Days and Sleepless Nights

Three times I came by here today intending to tell you a story about my Uncle Tony. It just ain't gonna happen. I'v been sick again and suffering from too many sleepless nights and fuzzy days.


Back in April one of my reasons for almost quitting the A to Z Challenge was that this Strep A infection decided to kick itself up again in my arm. One serious round of antibiotics and whole lot of pain meds later and it's still not taken care of. I get better for awhile and then it's back. This weekend has been one of those weekends. So I've been suffering from fuzzy days and sleepless nights and in general I'm pretty cranky.


That said it's probably best if I take a few days off and come back later and tell you about Uncle Tony.

I'll be Seeing You.

Say Hi to the Beer Boyz

If you have been reading my last few posts you cannot have helped but notice the ’blue funk’. What is with that? I’m gonna have to look for a different color funk. I actually, truthfully, and really used to own a pair of ‘rose colored glasses’. I wonder whatever happened to them. Well, no matter. Onward and upward to better things.

Couldn’t sleep again, so I’m up early this AM trolling the blogs. Due to the excess of ‘blue funk’ around here I try to hit the ’funny’ sites first. First stop are two seriously funny guys. Today I would like to talk a little bit about them and direct you over to their space.

BEFORE, anyone gets to excited about me ‘spotlighting’ (that’s a hunting term – where you shine a light in the face of your prey and they are then paralyzed with fear and you can shoot them – sad isn’t it?) another blog. Keep in mind, I have only done this once before and that particular BLOGGER completely shut his site down and went out of business shortly thereafter. Coincidence? Man, I hope so. I would hate to become known as the ‘kiss of death’ blog spotlighter’ (reference back that definition).

Anyway my morning laugh came from two really funny guys over at ‘A Beer for the Shower” here’s the link – hopefully – you know me and technology.

www.abeerfortheshower.blogspot.com

Brandon and Bryan are incredible artists and most days the visuals at their space will dazzle you into literary bliss. Recently, they’ve begun a series, a heartfelt tale about a hapless man who is the eternal sunshine of hope. Now I know many of you are little burnt by some of the writers who serialize their current WIP to bore entertain you at their space, BUT this is something special. Something that must be experienced to be fully appreciated.

The ‘Beer Boyz’ are from Denver, maybe that’s what makes me relate to them. I never lived in Denver, but my best stories come from my time in Breckenridge and Alma, Colorado. Don’t strain yourself trying to make that connection –some days, close enough is close enough. OK, I’ll try to explain.

Alma, Colorado sits at the edge of ’South Park’ – yeah that “South Park’ the place from the TV show –it’s real –I used to live there –not surprised are you? The first time someone showed me that show, I recognized every stinkin’ character (yeah, they are all real people). Anyway the South Park Boys, the writers, are thought to be some real clever dudes. I mean they even have the current number one Broadway musical running in New York City. They have made irreverence a science. It’s probably now a course in ‘film school’, but I digress. MY POINT IS…’the Beer Boyz’ are way more funny that the ’SP crowd’. I seriously expect one day to frame this blog bit and say’ I knew them when’.

So what are you doin’ still hanging out here, head on over and tell ‘em FAE sent you.

The Boyz always end their blog by telling you what music they are listening to and what beer their drinking. So in tribute….

Drinking: Caribbean Dreams Jamaican Old Style Chocolate (hey - it’s morning and anyway, I don’t drink beer, but you know those Jamaicans)

Music: Bob Dylan ‘Must be Santa’ (Christmas music reminds me of Colorado. It’s the only place I ever lived where I saw it snow every stinkin’ month of the year – besides Dylan and this particular Christmas song –hilarious)

Stay classy boys – Send me tickets for your Broadway opening.

IWSG or Insecure Writers Support Group

I forgot all about IWSG today, until I went to another bloggers site and 'whoopsie'


Anyway...I posted yesterdays post late last night. Currently, it's my biggest insecurity, so scroll down a little bit and read. Thanks in advance for all the nice things you will all say to try to make me feel better, but I know the truth. I can feel it.


The good news is that a lot of you will care and try to make me feel better. The bad news is I will live through this, I'll just have to learn to live with it.


You have probably figured out that I really like Van Morrison. Listen to him while you scroll back to yesterday for my IWSG post.

Advice Column

Here I am posting three days in a row. Do you know what that means? Me neither. But, I just might be winding up for a big finish. We'll see.

Advice Column

I have to admit that I get a bit impatient with all the advice, particularly writing advice on the blogs. Why is it we can’t help telling others what to do?

I heard some profound writerly advice in a movie I watched a few weeks ago. The movie  ~ Midnight in Paris ~ written and directed by Woody Allen. While there are many things I take exception about with Mr. Allen and his life choices, I do enjoy his movie making and think that on many occasions he has proved his brilliance. Just my humble opinion.

Anyway…in this movie he portrays a famous author giving some advice to an aspiring one.

Aspiring Author – Will you read my WIP?

Famous Author – Ok, I hate it.

AA – But, you haven’t even read it.

FA – I hate it anyway.

AA – How can you say that?

FA – Well, if it’s poorly written I’ll hate if because I hate bad writing. If it’s well written I’ll hate it because it might be better than my writing. Here comes the profound advice – wait for it – wait for it – Never ask another writer to read your work!

There you have it. Sage advice by none other than Woody Allen, feel free to consider that advice worth exactly what you paid for it.

NEXT, up some sage advice from none other than ME. I promise it will not be writerly advice. I value integrity and try diligently to act with it at all times, but most particularly when dealing with my friends. I have recently promised a friend I would never hurt them and I would always be honest. Therein lay the dilemma. There was something between us that I felt a need to tell the truth about, but I knew it would hurt this friend. If I told the truth, my integrity would remain intact and I would hope my friend might respect that, but I had the potential to hurt my friend’s feelings. If I lied, I would have to live with the fact that my integrity was not intact and I was not exactly who I thought I was. So what do you do?

What did I do? I told the truth, and I wish with everything that I am and will ever be that I had not. This friend didn’t say a word, but I know I hurt them. I’m lucky like that, I have the ability to make connections with people that I care about and feel their pain. Today there isn’t a dark enough place in hell for my soul.

My advice, if you ever face this particular situation. Lie through your teeth. My integrity will never be the same and neither will my heart for what I have done.

This is 'that' song for me. Enjoy!

Today, June 4, 2012 is the two year anniversary of my first setting foot on this rock that I call home. I live on an island in the middle of the Caribbean Sea. When you look at a map it’s just a speck, and yet it’s referred to as the ‘big island’ in the little country of which it is a part. Twenty-six miles long and seven miles wide at the widest part.  I live on St.Croix in the US Virgin Islands. Don’t let that US Territory thing fool you, it’s a foreign place. Beautiful, tropical and all that jazz, and although I now consider myself Cruzan, it’s not really ‘home’.

Recently, I’ve started to feel like I need to get off island and take a break. Feeling a little burned out I guess. I have to work hard on a lot of levels to be here. Regardless, I know I’m where I’m supposed to be at this particular time. I know some people think – oh yeah, complain – you live in paradise. You must be some sort of ‘jet set funder’ or have a fantastic job to be able to live in a place like that. Actually none of that is true. You want to live someplace like this – all you have to do is ask. But, be very sure about what you ask for, and be willing to pay the price. Because in life you are always paying it forward or you’re sliding into the muck.

OK, enough serious talk. It’s my anniversary. Let’s party. Even on a bad day, I live at the beach. The weather is mostly sunny with a chance of fun.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Today someone said to me,”promise me that you will make it count.” My answer, “Every day.”

Sometimes life is hard. Sometimes, I wonder what the heck am I doin’? Sometimes, I know for a fact, that I have no idea whatsoever, what I’m doin’? BUT, I keep on doin’.

We’ve already established, here on my blog, that I have no idea where the commas go. It’s kind of like that in life for me, too. No hesitation, no breaks, just charge forth into the breach.

A few minutes ago I was reading someone else’s blog and to my surprise they mentioned me. They said I was out doing what I do best ‘making friends’. Well, that was kind, but I’m not so sure this is something that ‘I do best’. Currently, I’m not sure about ‘what I do best’. Not necessarily some big cosmic conundrum, more like a little introspective peek into the mess that can be my mind.

Today, I find myself surrounded by books. Books of the non-fiction variety, but none the less entertaining, informative and totally mind blowing. I’ve been studying – everything. Looking for answers and for the most part, finding more questions. But then, questions are good for they lead to the answers. Maybe. Hopefully. I’m reading The Book, the one with all the answers. If I find them, I’ll let you know.

Until then its head down and keep moving forward. Complete the task or die trying.