On Thoughts

i really wish i could turn my brain off sometimes while commuting. i've found that playing computer games effectively distracts me in that "calgon take me away" sort of way, but while driving... that's probably not such a good idea. i do, however, find myself in a bit of a driving hypnosis from time to time finding myself some 40 miles from home, but right were i need to be. safe and sound. ok, more safe than sound.

in a recent commute as things raced through my head, i again said to myself, i wish my mind could just quiet down. i really was quite frustrated as a variety of things raced in and out. sometimes related, sometimes not. some were pleasing, some upsetting, and then it struck me.

i don't have thoughts anymore. thoughts have me.

A Polaroid A Day

It's things like this that really strike a cord with me -- He Took a Polaroid Every Day, Until the Day He Died . I think it touches my interest in things that are visual, projects that are creative -- keep in mind this guy started this in 1979! -- and then really caught my attention with his battle with cancer.

Say Something

i have this bizarre desire to write something here, but really don't know what to say. weird! so i guess i'll jot down a few things to see if it makes me feel better. not like i don't have better -- ok, more important/useful -- things to do.

i'll be heading to the airport to pick up an old friend who is flying in to visit for the week. a single woman no less! sounds provocative doesn't it? we've known each other since ... um ... well, i guess elementary school. then i moved. and years later moved back. then of coursed moved again. anyway, her help and support when my parents passed was invaluable. i must say that she is an excellent example of "true friendship". despite not having exchanged even much in the way of simple pleasantries over 18 years, when my dad died she stepped up and did everything she could to help. since then, we've talked at least once a week. was back twice more when my mom passed. it will be nice having her out here on my turf.

unfortunately, i can't take her to a sharks game this time. i can't say the team choked, but they blew the first two games of the series, dug a big hole losing the third, and did an admirable job coming back. bummer they lost by a power-play goal in the fourth overtime. but such is life. :(

i mentioned entering a poetry.com contest. bad move. have gotten lots of spam from them. more annoyingly, they sent a copy of the poem to my house. my daughter grabbed the mail on the way in. saw it. opened it. gave me the expected razzing... "dad writes poetry?". good thing i didn't submit something i'd actually be embarrassed of them seeing. lesson learned.

Nothing In Particular

it is hard to believe it has been over 3 months since i've posted. i suppose i could sum up that time with dicken's opening to a tale of two cities -- "it was the best of times, it was the worst of times" though admittedly either extreme is a bit of an exaggeration, but i'll claim artistic license on the matter and be done with it.

so for grins, i entered a poem into the poetry.com contest. i originally published it here, so i hope they don't think i copied it. worst case, i win nothing and only spent the time to find, cut, and paste it in. winning even one of the smaller prizes would check off a bonus box on my proverbial bucket list.

there is just something about word associate that draws me to it, so here is my first of 2008.

1. Silence :: of the lambs
2. Wall :: another brick in the
3. Killed :: penalty
4. Wishful :: thinking
5. Poodle :: toy
6. Sullen :: sad
7. Do not disturb :: sign
8. Philadephia :: flyers
9. Anticipation :: carley simon
10. Sidewalk :: walking