Human Exploration

My life changes when I get to really know someone. My own world expands. Forget space as the final frontier. The random person sitting next to you on the subway is a subject I’m referring to here. The anonymous person you email from an online ad is another. A stranger is one such uncharted frontier. I’m an introvert in public, so I don’t believe it’s appropriate to ask that person sitting next to you a series of personal questions. However, when you ever find yourself engaged in some form of dialogue, offer undivided attention. Ordinary people are fascinating.

One’s trust is a gift, so we should be so flattered to hear someone sharing an intimate story. I have a handful of dudes that I call my “brothers.” Each bond was born in different social circles and from unrelated circumstances and yet each bond thrives on the occasional conversation over beer or coffee. I know these guys very well, but it’s always a trip to catch up on what’s going on in their respective worlds.

When you have a family, your social circles tend to involve other families. Talk about drab and predictable. For those parents out there, you know why - almost every other topic is about the children. Whoever said that a parent’s life ceases to matter or deserve focus and attention once children join the household? Obviously, children are a priority, but I believe some parents have abandoned themselves, their inspirations, their desires, and their well-being. I digress, but my point is that parents should be encouraged to meet new people that aren’t parents. To lose one’s identity as an individual is just tragic. (I may devote a blog entry on this topic of neglected parents at a later date, so stay tuned.)

Engage someone new today, however brief, and may you be moved by the experience. It certainly doesn’t have to involve a commitment or anything, but if there’s a connection, you just discovered a whole new world.

Was it all a dream?

Where have I been? I’m not even sure myself. I do know that I’m now back in Seattle as I am once again surrounded by natural beauty in the form of mountains, lakes, trees…and more trees.


I know I still don’t have any readers (except me), but I hope to start up my blog again.  Why?  Because I need to find inspiration somewhere.  Even writing to myself satiates my need to create.  I continue to lament not having good opportunities to play drums in a group.  I miss it sorely.  I am now compelled to simply imagine playing the drums when listening to music.  (I hold concerts to sell-out crowds in my head.)  Oh Music, how I still love thee.  As estranged as I felt towards you, Music, in both collaboration and listening, I eventually realized it wasn’t your fault that I had to hang up my sticks.  I need you too much for healing and sustenance.

Oh, I now have two boys (a child is cheaper to buy…er, bear in Toledo).  How foolish was I to think that time and energy were scarce before with just one child!  Parents with children do not risk sleeping away their lives.  Guaranteed “me-time” only exists when I shower and commute, with the latter only being occasionally.

So what happened in Toledo?  In hindsight, it was a great experience.  It certainly didn’t feel like that when I lived there.  Shoot, I couldn’t stop cursing the place, the drivers, the crappy cell reception.  However, I did meet some wonderful people that I continue to stay in touch with. Good relationships with good people are tough to find no matter where you live.

Instead of dumping all my Toledo stories into this one blob entry, I will gradually share them as they come to relevance per blog entry.  That I even managed to conjure up one today is a miracle in and of itself.


Happy 2013 to all my readers.