Musings from “Life Is a Road” author–Daniel Meyer
Archive for January, 2008
Nuclear Strawberry
Jan 24th
We were cutting up some strawberries to go with breakfast the other day…oooh yeah…an omelet…with feta and goulda cheeses and a crumbled sausage…little bit of cilantro and just a touch of dill…and a large pile of fresh strawberries on the side.
Anyway, this was a 7 pointed strawberry. Nearly a pound, all in one massive berry. Palm-sized or so. Really odd thing…but it sure was tasty!
I’d make the obligatory joke about everything being bigger in Texas…but I expect that even though Texas is a major strawberry producer…given the wierdness of corporate economics and the world economy, these were grown in Gebackestan or something.
Yum!
CUAgain,
Daniel Meyer
Quite possibly the saddest…
Jan 22nd
So, y’all remember “Calvin and Hobbes“? I hope so. A boy and his stuffed tiger have all sorts of adventures and mischief. The tiger (Hobbes) is alive and can talk to Calvin when they are together and nobody else is around…and stuffed and immobile when other people are present.
Yeah yeah…a metaphor for imagination. Or take it literally and believe in magic, either one works.
Calvin and Hobbes was touching, funny, exhilarating, and life-affirming. It ws nothing short of brilliant. I hated that the artist ended the strip even whilst I understood why. I wished it could go on and on, even knowing that it simply couldn’t be.
I ran across some things today that brought all those feelings back with a vengence… More >
Electric Dreams…
Jan 19th
During the infrequent and far too short times when I actually get any sleep, I frequently dream. They are often quite forthright and enlightening…when I can remember the details that is.
Some believe that dreams are the mind processing excess information it didn’t have time to deal with during waking hours. Due to the frantic pace of life and the constant barrage of information it has to shunt some stuff to a cache and process it later.
I enjoy dreaming…but don’t always get to do so. I’ve wondered why. What makes the difference when I do dream vs the times I don’t?
I’ve noticed two things I can do that almost 100% make sure that I do dream, and dream very vividly.
1) Fresh air. An open window guarantees I will dream, and vividly. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to sleep with open windows all the time. Right now it’s a bit chilly somewhere under 25 degrees F actually…and during the summer the heat in Texas outdoors is set at “deep-fat-fry”.
2) Electric blanket. Yeah. I thought it was wierd too. During the winter we put on an electric blanket. When I turn it on, I dream, constantly and vividly. It’s not the temperature…I can turn the heat up in the house and leave the blanket off and I don’t dream.
Last night I rode a dragon, ravished a willing princess, reveled in the music of the universe, raced a car, shot an idiot, saved another, flew without any assistance, reaffirmed my belief in magic, found something I’d lost (for real), and did nothing less than substantially alter the course of my life (again).
I also died twice. Went to hell once, heaven the other time. I didn’t mind…I had words for the CEO’s of both places. If only I’d remembered to bring along my Super-Soaker. No bonuses for either of you twits this year…you hear me?
The electric blanket is the most reliable way to make me dream…and those dreams are by far the most vivid I ever experience. Lucid too, in that, I’m not along for the ride…I have control…well…for the most part anyway.
An electric blanket. Why do you suppose that is?
CUAgain,
Daniel Meyer
Slipping Away…
Jan 14th
I’m a bit frustrated lately…I can’t seem to get anything done.
Projects are piling up around the house.
The Dragon needs some maintenance. Bunnie, my best bud’s Goldwing is also stuffed in my garage needing some work.
Big Iron needs some tinkering even though I don’t drive her much, and even Crunchbird, the wife’s ride, needs occasional attention, none of which I’ve given it lately.
I’ve got two books I’m working on, one for spring release (Stormrider), and I’d like to keep pursuing my interests in the visual arts as well. I’ve a rather special project in mind in that genre that I need time to work on. A class or two might be nice too.
Then there’s the New Year’s resolutions. I’ve not even made any yet…but one I know I will make and need to take seriously…it’s time to take better care of my health…losing weight and much more excercise for starters. Middle age has arrived and more of my “way too big” is fat than used to be. Middle age seems to convert muscle to fat. Gad. That means carving out a time slot just for those activities.
But the time just keeps on slipping away. I’m not sure how to change that. I already don’t sleep enough…where do I get more time?
Part of my frustration I think is that December was simply a bust for me. I worked a horrendous amount of hours that month and thus had no time for anything but sleep and work.
Something’s got to give…or it’ll be me that breaks. One thing I’ve learned, is that work will consume all I have if I let it, and that nobody really cares when it does.
I’ve got some time coming from work. Guess I need to start taking it.
It won’t be enough.
CUAgain,
Daniel Meyer
Campaign 2008
Jan 8th
So, I like Ron Paul. That’s all I’m going to say about it…
But then ya got:
Your Rebublican Platform: “We’ve no clue what the US needs OR what the republicans traditionally stand for…but we know what’s best for you AND it’s your patriotic duty to fear, so we’ll offer up more of the same.”
Your Democratic Platform: “We know you’ll vote for ANYBODY but the repubs, so we’re running ‘em!”
Your Independent Platform: “Huh? There’s an election?”
Again, no firm stands on any issues from any of them. Not even deep down in the dregs of their websites.
(starts humming)
You’ve got to stand for something, or you’ll fall for anything…
(sigh) Only 10 more months to go….
CUAgain,
Daniel Meyer
An open letter to Haltom City…
Jan 3rd
I sent this to the entire Haltom City Council, the Mayor, and the City Managers:
Regarding this story.
Simplified…
The folks were washed out.
They hired a contracter to cleanup, who took the money and ran.
The city says, “Clean it or we fine you.”
They say, “We can’t. Help?”
Assistant City Manager Chuck Barnett essentially says, and I admit, politely at that, “Too bad, so sad. Good luck with all that…”
No disrespect intended, but this story represents exactly what has gone wrong with government at nearly every level today. More >