Two Piece Puzzle

Imagine this, a two piece puzzle amidst a thousand pieces. You search and search through these thousand pieces to find the two that match. Just as soon as you think the pieces line up there is something that just isn’t right. You try to force the pieces together because you think they should fit. Soon you bring yourself to the realization that the pieces really don’t fit and your search continues. You begin to feel hopeless. This two piece puzzle amidst a thousand pieces will never be found. You give up hope and think that it will never be possible. You push the puzzle pieces aside in frustration never to be finished.

Then one day soon something catches your eye and you glance at the thousand pieces. You fiddle with the pieces for a minute or two with no rhyme or reason and like magic you find a match. Suddenly, you realize that there just isn’t one two piece puzzle, there are many. Almost five hundred two piece puzzles suddenly emerge. In this box of a thousand pieces it turns out not every piece fits with another piece but in the end most find a match.

The Bully

She stood eight feet tall, or at least that’s how tall she looked. She was a giant! Massive. Even immortals trembled with irrational fear when she walked by. She was huge, larger than life. We were in the sixth grade together at Stafford School. She and a few others had just transferred from Bingham School. I was amazed at how big she was. She was the biggest girl I had ever seen.

I had always thought of myself as a tall kid. I was one of the tallest kids in my class. I didn’t realize what I looked like to the shorter kids but this girl towered over me. I can’t imagine what she looked like to shorter and punier kids. She would stand up to anyone, even the biggest, most powerful boys in the sixth grade. I have to admit, I was not one of those boys. In fact, I was considered one of the biggest dorks. This made everyone want to pick on me even more. I didn’t mind that much until she came along.

It was the first day of school and she sat right in front of me. Every time the teacher passed something out she would turn around and whack me on the head. It really hurt. I couldn’t believe how strong she was. Now I had been hit before, even by some big kids, but this, this was incredible strength. I was truly terrified. Every day from then on she tormented me and even took my lunch money. She had this way of hurting me. Even though it hurt, she never left a mark so I couldn’t tell on her. Not that I could tell on her anyway. She would have killed me. I avoided her but somehow she always found me. She said, “Don’t try getting away cuz I’ll catch you. I am all that and then some with a box of cracker jacks.”

This went on for a long time. By the end of the school day I would be starving. I would come home from school and stuff my face with food. My parents started asking questions. “Are you eating at school?” they would say. Of course, I said, “Yes.”

After a few months she had the whole sixth grade in the palm of her hand. No one dared to stand up to her. The teachers were even afraid of her. When my teacher asked her where her homework was one day, she replied, “None a your bizness.”

The teacher immediately backed off.

Then she said, “I thought so!” I couldn’t believe what control she had over everyone. Then I thought, Oh my God! What are her parents like? My mind became filled with thoughts of Hitler and the Nazis in Germany. She is going to take over the world and destroy everything. I can picture it now somehow she become principal of a school. She marches each class down into the dark, disgusting basement where the children are subjected to mutilation. If that doesn’t happen, she would probably end up in a state penitentiary. Even there she would dominate. What if she actually slips through life and her tyranny isn’t stopped. What if she has a child? Gasp! I told myself she has to be stopped.

Then one day everything changed. The day started off normal; she tormented kids and took their lunch money. Then came my turn. I sat at my desk. Class was just about to begin. She made her way toward me. She punched me in the shoulder and said, “Where’s your lunch money, Dork!”

I said, “You’re not getting it today.”

“What?” she shouted.

The class went quiet. I stood up and raised my voice. “I said you’re not getting my money today!” I clenched my fist, took one punch, and then hit the ground crying because my hand hurt so much. She took my lunch money, again.

Phrases

“Don’t fall!”
I wasn’t planning on purposely falling.
“Be careful!”
Oh, thank you. I was going to be careless if you hadn’t said anything.
“Shampoo with ginseng and Echinacea”
The words sound nice but does it do anything for my hair?

One Spring Morning

Awakened by the light
Reach up to the blinds
Slowly turn the rod
The sun is rising
It blinds, but only for a moment
The light has entered the room
The long winter is over
All of the snow has melted
A breath is taken in
The weight has been lifted
Refreshing and invigorating
Entering the forest of trees
The green has overwhelmed
Animals scurry along
Up and down, they play
Running amongst each other
The ponds and streams have turned
From cold fidget ice
To warm flowing water
A deer wanders to the pond
She bends down and takes a sip
The ground is now warm
A green leaf slowly rises
From the earth it pokes through
A long stalk appears
Out bursts a blossoming tulip
Others follow along the same path
The meadows are no longer bear
The brown flat earth now holds
Luscious golden wheat
The sky is now blue
No longer gray
White fluffy clouds high above
Dancing robins and sparrows
Color and life is reborn
All from my window

Backpacking Europe: Brugge, Belgium

I was awoken many times by this loud obnoxious snorer. I just couldn’t stand it. While awake I felt something on my back pocket. It felt like a mouse so I swatted it with my hand. I felt nothing and looked up. To my surprise, I saw a man, my roommate, running back to his bed. I assumed he was trying to pick my pocket; either that or he was touching my ass for other unthinkable reasons. I literally slept with one eye open all night which was easy because of the other guy that was producing an incredibly loud horrifying snore. It had to be the worst sound I had ever heard. At 6:30 A.M. I said to myself that is enough and I grabbed my backpack and left the room.

I waited for breakfast in the well lit lobby of the hostel. Once the receptionist appeared around seven o’clock I told her the story of the pick pocketing roommate. She assured me that the man would not be allowed to stay there again and would ask the other men in the room if anything was stolen. I ate breakfast in a large room full of tables and chairs by myself and to my surprise, the man who had tried to rob me sat down next to me with his own breakfast. As soon as he sat down I got up, went to the receptionist, whispered that’s him and after a nod of acknowledgement from the receptionist I walked as fast as I could to the nearest train station and got on the first train to Amsterdam.

People and Animals

Have you ever noticed the similarities between humans and animals? Let’s consider comparing an elephant to a person. Elephants have four limbs just like we do. Sure they may use there appendages differently but still the number is four. Elephants have a mouth, a nose, and eyes just like we do. Yes, I realize their noses are much larger than ours. Elephants eat food and drink water just like we do. And guess what… they poop just like us as well. Of the course the quantity that is produced by elephants is slightly more than humans. Now think about every animal that fits into this criteria: dogs, cats, tigers, cows, sheep, pigs, wolves, deer, turtles, etc. And yes I realize that you will be able to come up with animals that won’t fit into this category, say lobster and spiders which have more than four appendages or fish which have a single tail instead of two legs but essentially the animals are primarily very similar.  Earth is basically a closed loop; the environment is conducive to this kind of life.

Scientists have spent a very long time separating all of Earths organisms into groups. But you can see how ironically similar all the species are. Now if you can grasp the concept of all the animals being more similar than different, then is it possible to have other beings on foreign planets that are unlike anything imaginable? What if on other planets of hot methane gas and boiling magma, where we think it could never be possible for life, there is life but unlike anything we know. Let’s call it Efil. I mean if it doesn’t fit into the group of Earth life then I guess we should call it something different, right?

Excuses

When we don’t do something well, we make excuses for not doing it well. I can recall a quote from a girl I played pool with in Alaska. “When I was little, we played pool all the time. I haven’t played in years.” For some reason society forces us to come with excuses for not being good at something. For some reason we need to be good at everything we do. We make excuses for ourselves and make fun of ourselves so that others don’t. It doesn’t matter if you beat me because I’m horrible at pool. However, if you are winning, “Watch out now, I’ve been practicing,” and you feel like you are on top of the world. We either put ourselves down or bring ourselves up socially depending on how we do at the activity. Why do we need to give excuses for ourselves? Why can’t we just play and enjoy it whether we win or lose. Besides if you believe you are bad at something than you will be and the same goes for the opposite. Believe you are good and you will be.

Grad Speech 1999

…And excuse me, can I have the attention of the class, for just one second?

I must say it is a pleasure and an honor to speak to you all this evening. It has been a dream of mine for four years to speak on this night. Now, I know we have all heard advice from parents, teachers, and other adults for our future. But I’m going to take this opportunity to let you hear a little advice from a fellow classmate. I suggest you listen carefully. You might be able to use some piece of what I’m about to say. So without further ado.

Live everyday like it is your last. So many times we find that life is very short. At the end of everyday, ask yourself if you have any regrets. And be able to tell yourself, no. Experience life to the fullest but use precaution. Do what you think you can not do. Be unpredictable. Be spontaneous. Do something new that sparks your interest -everyday. Do not let opportunities pass you by. And always remember you are only young once.

Do not worry about things you cannot control. Things will happen whether you like it or not. Furthermore, the past is the past so there is no use worrying about it. Although we can definitely and should, learn from it. Do not over analyze your thoughts otherwise, you will find yourself not sleeping at night. If things are not going well for you now, do not worry. Happiness is just around the corner. If things are going well for you, Congratulations.

Love yourself, but do not love yourself too much otherwise, you will find the mirror being your best friend. The people that matter will like you for who you are no matter what you look like. In other words, if you’re a banana, be a banana, if you’re an orange, be an orange. Do not try and change yourself and your appearance just to please others. You are all uni-que. I mean you are all unique in your own way. Never forget that. Now, something very important, playing video games and watching television will not help you mentally or physically, although running a mile and reading a book will. Never stop educating yourself. Most importantly never stop educating others.

There are no boundaries. Venture into the outskirts of imagination. Be whatever you want to be and do not settle for anything less. A high paying job does not necessarily equal happiness. You are better off being happy with a job you love. Before you get married, if you get married at all, live your own life first. If you are already married, be sure to keep each other young by enjoying one another. Work hard everyday of your life. Work towards every goal in your mind. Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. In order to be successful in life it takes hard work.

Take care of your body. It is the most valuable thing you own as an individual and the only one you have got. Otherwise at our 25th class reunion we’ll end up over weight and unhappy. Exercise and I guarantee you will be healthier. Try to stay healthy for the rest of your life.

Love and freedom are priceless and also free for the taking. The heart is a delicate thing so do not be reckless with it. Always remember to communicate with loved ones because you cannot always tell what someone else is thinking.

Never let anyone put words into your mouth. Speak your mind. What we need in this world are more outgoing talkative people. A lot of people need to realize that. Say what you want as long as it is in your own words and you do not offend anyone. It is sad that sometimes we have to fit into a mold someone has already made for someone else. Break that mold. Do not just say what people want to hear. Stand up for what you believe in.

All of you must remember that over time people change and so will you. Five years from now, almost nothing will be the same as it is now. People grow apart and people come together. We will lose some friends but make new ones. Life is in constant rotation.

Do not be afraid to live in different places. Sometimes it seems as though all roads lead back to Bristol. I suggest taking a different road to seek out new lands to enjoy. Seek out new cultures and new ways of life. Sure it might be scary at first but challenge yourself. Explore the world. Then decide where you want to live.

Travel but do not travel just to escape your problems, you will just carry them with you or they will be waiting for you when you return.

Invest in an IRA or mutual fund now. Watch it grow. Finance wisely. You must be careful if you live a life of materialism because a fool and his money are soon parted. All of the money in the world does not amount to anything without family and friends. Donate to charity because you never know when you will need charity yourself. Credit cards, now I know we all have one or more, do not solve financial problems they usually cause them. Use them wisely.

Now to conclude my speech, I would like to give a few last suggestions and reminders. Eat chicken soup when you are sick. Respect the Earth, it is the only one we have. Take many pictures. Do not drive fast. Invent something. Tell your mother you love her. Tell your father you love him. Read to your children. It is the best thing you can do to parent your children. If you cannot have children, adopt.  Do not forget to call home. And always remember to zip your fly.

Airplanes

On my trip to Alaska, I was waiting in the terminal for the flight to board. I was there hours before the flight was going to take off. With all the security measures, I guess it’s important to get there early. As the plane was about to board, I noticed many of the passengers standing, waiting, and very eager to get on the plane. I noticed people getting more and more nervous waiting for their row to be called. I began to wonder why people were so eager to get onto a plane. Personally, I didn’t care if I was first or last on the plane. What did it matter? I wasn’t going to get to Alaska any faster. Why did those people need to be the first on the plane? Just imagine. You’re standing, waiting, eager to get on the plane. You made it.  You are the first person on the plane. You quickly find your seat, stow your belongings and buckle your seat belt. Now, you still have to wait for every single passenger to get on the plane before you can leave. What was the point of rushing and raising your blood pressure?

Well, I began to think about why they actually feel this way. I tried to put myself actually into their shoes. I can imagine that when they got on the plane and found their seat that they felt secure. Why? Well, most people are a little nervous about flying. Whether it be the plane crashing, a canceled flight, gate change, lay over, lost ticket, security check, claustrophobia, baby crying or whatever. Everyone is probably a little nervous whether they realize it or not, probably because flying is out of our control. When you travel somewhere by car you are generally in control of your vehicle, however, you aren’t in control of the drivers around you. The feeling of being in control of at least our own vehicle gives us satisfaction. The fact that people have no control over the other drivers actually makes it way more dangerous than flying. When flying, someone else is in control and I think that makes people nervous. I think we live in a society that teaches us to be in control, or at least attempt to be in control at all times. The passengers trying to get on the plane as fast as they can are attempting to be in control of the situation.

People are also nervous because they want to get where they are going. Of course getting on the plane doesn’t get them there any faster; however, their job is done. They have done all that they could do to get there. “I’m on the plane. There is nothing else I can do to get there any faster.” I think this comes from society’s rush, rush, rush mentality. People need to learn to enjoy the journey as well as the destination. If we can enjoy the time it takes to get somewhere and enjoy the place we traveling to then we can double our enjoyment. Many times we are just moving to the next destination to try and find happiness but we never get there. We end up in constant motion searching for the next place when in essence we can be happy in the here and now throughout our journey of life.

November Photo - Swirled

Swirled

November Photo - Godafoss

Godafoss

November Photo - Akureyri

Akureyri

A Million Thoughts

A million thoughts role through my head so many thoughts that I can’t even pinpoint one thought.  Just as soon as I think one thought my mind races toward another.  I feel various emotions run through my body.  I feel the urge to cry but what for.  But why should I need a reason.  There’s more, there is more, there is more to this world and we all know it.  I feel like I’m spinning in circles.  I feel like I’m being pulled in a million directions.  I must find the light.  I must find the peace within me.  Oh God, what do I do?  Show me the path and I will follow.  But…I realize there is no path.  I must blaze the path but in what direction?  Direction means nothing where I want to go.  Such inconceivable thoughts, where is the guidance?  Acceptance, acceptance of what is real and what is not.  My body is merely carrying my soul.  How can I use my body to develop my soul?   That is the important question.  Simplify, the word rings through my brain a thousand times, simplify.  I want to experience what most people fail to experience in a life time.  I want to live a hundred men’s lives in a day.  I feel held back, bogged down by the demands of society.  I must separate society from what is true.  Follow the path inside myself.  Shut society out, shut out society but that is not an option.  I need to learn to follow the true path while living immersed in a society.  I want to explore the depths of imagination.  Use my mind for the impossible, to its fullest extent.  Open my soul let it pour out.  Let my soul carry my body instead or my body carrying it.

I say to myself, let your soul carry your body.

Mystery Meat

They are all made of meat.  Some are short and fat and some are long and skinny.  Occasionally, you can find the most popular kind which is long and fat but they are quite rare.  When heated they expand.  Some people like them a light pinkish tan color while others like them black.  Anyway you choose hotdogs are all made of the same stuff.

Bree

On many occasions over the past few years we all told her, “It’s okay.  You can go now.”  Two days later she would be looking at us with a smile on her face asking for a jelly donut.  Her will was much stronger than her body and that is because of family and friends. 

My Mom told my grandmother, “Call me when you get there.”  I think my Mom was a little relieved when she didn’t get this call.  I mean can you imagine the cost of a collect call from heaven.  Bree did send a message.  The message was not through the phone or sent in a letter.  The message was sent in words…and I speak these words to you now. 

You need not worry

For I am safe now

Where I am

There is no pain

There is only peace and love

Go now and enjoy your life

I will see you

When your time has come

Bree gave us many gifts.  She gave us three years devoted to bringing our family closer again.  She has taught us how important family is and how everything else in this world just doesn’t mean as much to us anymore.  Most importantly she has left us with…Grace.  I have learned so much from her and I will never be the same.  Thank you, Bree.  Thank you for everything you have taught me.  I love you so very 

Oh, Those Many I Haves

Oh, those many I haves, give me smiles

I have oodles and oodles

Of so many pleasant things in piles

I even have two huge poodles

I have a big T.V. screen

With a huge satellite

It’s the biggest you’ve ever seen

And I watch it all day and all night

My loud stereo

Is as loud as it can go

How annoyed was my brother

With a pillow, his ears he did smother

Today is my birthday

I knew I would get it my way

A new video game is what I wanted to play

And that my friends would be able to stay

Clicking buttons and pressing a lever

It could have lasted all night

I’d have to say my parents are quite clever

To serve me a pizza slice when I wanted a bite

I was sad to see

But my friends had to leave

It’s O.K. I really had to pee

My nose ran but I wiped it on my sleeve

The glow of the computer caught my attention

When I looked

I was shocked

So many messages and no one gave a mention

Bobby, Suzie, Cindy and Mike

Had sent messages wondering where was I

Suzie had gotten a new bike

Bobby got a bigger T.V. than I

What was this I thought

It was my birthday.  It’s not fair

I couldn’t believe what their parents had bought

I knew I just couldn’t compare

The next day at school

My teacher passed back a paper

My mouth hung so low I thought I would drool

She looked at me with a “Grrr!” instead of a purr

I couldn’t believe the grade was an F

Apparently TTYL and TGIF

Weren’t what you would call a word

My Mom would sure have a bird

The letters I used on my cell phone

Never made words at all

Oh how my Mom would moan

I hoped my teacher wouldn’t make a call

When I arrived home in the afternoon

I knew I had at least an hour

Before my Mom would call me a buffoon

She was at the bakery kneading flour

I went straight for my T.V.

But found out there was no power

No electricity

No stereo, might as well stare at a flower

I was bored to tears

I didn’t know what to do

Pretty soon my worst fears

Oh, when’s my next paper due

There was a bike, I just realized

Covered in cob webs, it had never been used

I dusted it off and off I went

My legs burned with every turn

Man, I was spent

Less work, my muscles did yurn

Then there was Bobby, Suzie, Cindy and Mike

Each riding on a dusty old bike

Except for Suzie who had one brand new

For her birthday she got a canoe

Suzie had no T.V. No stereo

Her parents didn’t believe in the mumbo-jumbo

Hiking in nature was where it was at

I can say the same about where Suzie and I sat

She held my hand and said

Look at all I have got

Down to the pond she had me led

Water, trees, birds, and hills what a lot

All around spinning was my tired head

Even better was the kiss that I just got

Before I knew it, it was dinner time

Time to face my fears

I’d rather suck on a lime

I hoped it wouldn’t bring me to tears

My Mom was at the door waiting

One hand on her hip

And her mouth was frowning

Then she pointed with her finger tip

My teacher had called

Now, I was doomed

My Mom said how important was school

So forget about T.V. and don’t be a fool

I learned a my lesson that day

It’s not about the I haves, No way

It’s about parents that care

And education that’s fair

Or maybe it’s about Suzie and nature

All I know is I’m in love and only 10    

I just can’t wait to kiss her

Again!