Discovered

What in the world is going on here?  This is the year of being sick, for me.  I can't seem to stay healthy.  Taking tons of Vitamin C.  Airborne at the first sign of sniffles or sneezes from my co-workers.  You name it.
And what do I get for my troubles?  Sick.  First with the head problems, now this is cold/flu number 5 or 6.  Turning fifty must mean turning into a virus catcher.

And to top it off: the Dallas Cowboys are trying to beat the New Orleans Saints in the annual Thanksgiving Day Football match.  While I am from Texas, originally, I am NOT a Dallas Cowboys fan.  Never have been.  Can't stand 'em.  This is the only part of Thanksgiving I indulge in.  I don't hold this as a holiday to celebrate, anything.  Sorry excuse for giving thanks, in my opinion.  My mother's mother's family is primarily Native American.  So I always feel like a heel, schmuck, hypocrite when this stupid holiday rolls around.  Most of our family does celebrate.  I just can't.  When my son was little I had to put on the show for him.  Until he got old enough to understand why I dislike this day.  (Oooohh: Cowboys just missed a field goal which would've tied up the game!!!)  That gives me a happy.  Back to my rant.  I have a bumper sticker that says:  In 1492 Native Americans Discovered Columbus Lost at Sea.  Makes me smile just imaging the looks on Native faces.  "Who/what are these guys?  Look at how silly they're dressed.  And, they talk funny."  (Dallas LOST: YEA!!!)

I made spaghetti for dinner today.  As far from turkey and dressing as I could get.  Turned out really good too.  Why is it that even when I follow the same recipe for something it hardly ever comes out the same way twice?  That's always baffled me.  Oh well.  Today was a good spaghetti day.  Just be "thankful" right?????

I bet there are many folks going out tomorrow to shop the Black Friday sales.  Not I.  I have to actually work that day.  In retail.  We get packed even though we don't do any kind of big sales.  We're already a used entertainment/bookstore and our prices are very, very low to begin with.  What we have going for us though is that we take in stuff that our customers bring in and they spend trade credit with us instead of money.  They can always take our cash offers but less than 10% take cash.  It's wild and crazy but every Saturday is like that anyway.  We're used to getting crushed.  Like grapes.  But not into wine.  More like jam.  With all those little seeds left in.

Stay safe, happy & healthy!
redopal

Idea vs. Sleep

How often does this happen to you:  You're lying in bed, just beginning to drop off and some new/wild/crazy idea pops into your head?  And, while trying to decide if you're even able to reach over and grab a pen & paper, you fall instantly back to sleep?  The next waking cycle (see I didn't say morning!) that wonderful epiphany is gone!  Leaving behind some vague vapor trail.  Just a hint of a tease that drives you nuts all day/night long.  It happens to me so often that I've now become a "Night Writer".  I just reach over, grab the nearest piece of paper and pen and start scribbling.  No thought as to what I'm jotting on.  I've often written over other swell, great, wondrous thoughts, too.  But, at least I have something to try and decipher.  Most of the time these ideas are about art.  A new technique to try, or maybe an insight that finally found its way into my consciousness.  Or, heavens above(!) a way to salvage something that's been going wrong from the get-go.  I love those!  No starting over, just something to add or subtract that gets the whole project back on track.  Wish that would happen more often.
Now, I have a small notebook on the end table, turned to a fresh new page each night, and I tied my favorite pen to it so I don't have to fumble.  I have to continue to write in the dark because if I turn on the lamp then I'll be awake for hours trying to go back to sleep.  And when weighing the cost of lost sleep against the super-stupendous idea, Hey! I'm gonna choose sleep every time!  I'm just sayin'.  So what if I have to try to make heads or tails of what my scribbles are saying.  That's easier than not getting my 4 or 5 hours of sleep each night!  Most times it's more like 3 or 4 hours.  If I ever find the switch that cuts off my incessant  brainwaves I'm gonna flick that thing off so many times I'll need to set up an account with the local electricians union!  Put 'em on speed dial or something.  "Hey, can ya send over Oscar or Leo to take a look at the brain switch that was just installed?  I think it's broken, again."  I say keep your business local. 

Stay safe and restful,
redopal

Butter Fingers!

I was waltzing around my blog.  Trying out all kinds of stuff and I inadvertantly deleted 25 comments from the comment field!  I didn't even know that would happen.  I thought I was getting rid of the comments that needed to be "moderated" and that the actual comments would stay on the blog site.  What a freakin' dope!
This ain't email, for sure!  Wow, I am in serious need of a nerd/geek friend to drag me through this new adventure.  If not, there are going to be many, please quote that, many mistakes in my future! 

The learning curve may have met its match.

Stay safe,
redopal

Hey! Did you see that?!

I finally managed to load a photo without help from anyone else.  I know I have lots to learn and any tips on making the layout of this blog more "presentable" would be gratefully and graciously welcome.  (Hint, Hint!)

redopal