Month: September 2010

I like to see new horizons. Always have. It keeps me young and maybe explains why I still have all my hair and a spring in my step, though that could also be the extra stomach I grew this summer. I always look over the next hill with fresh eyes and new wonderment.

The world turns.

This month alone, much has changed. The Ex I moved to Canada with 6 years ago is moving to Ottawa, starting a new life with her new BF. Her kids have their own lives now and can fend for themselves, so why not and good luck to all! I have grandkids in the UK I’ve never seen; a couple of my relatives are moving on in lfe, location and love; my niece just brought a new life into the world, and that young life has already seen some dramatic things most of us never will.

Most of us do not like change, but it is the only real constant. Things ALWAYS change, however much you fight for them to stay the same. The irony is, those wishing desperately for change only have to wait. It may take 20 years of misery, but it WILL happen. Of course, you will have lost 20 years from your life by then… but Time will change it, it cannot be stopped, for good or bad. If you want the change to be immediate, you really have to take the initiative. Bite the bullet. If you change your life, you can beat time at it’s own game and not lay dying in your old age, wishing you had done it. Carpe Diem. Seize the fish.

The world turns. I’ve been thinking.

I get homesick sometimes. Nothing major, just restless. I want to take the edible Nikki to some of the places I love and share them with her. I also want us to go to places neither of us have yet seen in countries we never thought of.

I’m getting a little antsy for far-off exotic places like Huddersfield, Heckmondwike, Hanging Heaton, Hemsworth and Holmfirth. I can feel the old wanderlust taking hold. Nikki tells me she will follow me to the end of the world, and I believe her. Sometime soon I’m going to put a couple cases in the car and toss a coin to choose a direction. Don’t know how long for, or if we’re coming back. Part of the fun is playing it by ear. I know it will be a great ride, and a comforting memory to share on our death beds, hopefully many centuries from now, medical science permitting. Just two more aging hippies, still holding hands and laughing at the world, while the world will keep on turning long after the sound of our laughter has faded into history. Seize the fish.

The edible Nikki and I have friends, Mike and Melinda. Melinda has a particular dream. She wants to visit Scotland. I know the area reasonably well and can guarantee a most enjoyable holiday experience. We talked over maybe making up a four to go there and check the place out. THAT would be awesome, I really want to show Nikki the old country and Mike and Melinda would be fantastic companions. For now, I just wanted to show how beautiful the place is, so here is a bad photo of me, scaling the foothills of the Cuillin mountains on the Isle of Skye, in a previous life. That’s a story that would take a book, so just enjoy the photo.

This shot was taken just below the peak of the location used in the film Highlander: the shots where the helicopter circles the peak as the Highlander finishes his training and gets struck by lightning. The Scottish Board of Tourism actually keep plastic swords on this peak, for any intrepid tourist to get his buddy to take a photo. All you got to do is climb. The actors were air-lifted up there.

Skye is a beautiful, evocative and mysterious island. I enjoyed my brief time there, an extended weekend on a mission of mercy. That’s all I’m going to say on the subject, except “Thank you”.

I heard a show today that addressed a listeners question about whether breast implants can make noises. Apparently they can, for the first six months, when they are new. Truth! Made me think.

I wonder if there is a market for custom implants? Maybe I could get rich selling ones with those little dog chew toy noisemakers that squeak when you squeeze them? It would keep babies amused for hours, never mind any straying husbands. Maybe a different squeak for each breast? Wow. Imagine a thousand of them at a hockey game. Who needs air horns? Or hockey, with that kind of a spectacle. I could even expand the range to transparent ones with fish in them… Be honest. If it was possible, someone will have it done. You know it’s true. Makes you think, doesn’t it? 🙂

The edible Nikki is working and I’m not ready to go home yet. As I type this on my iPhone (You notice that, our Vyv? :)), I’m bored. Sitting alone in a bar full of empty, nursing a lonely drink. When it’s this quiet, you can’t help reflecting… I have spent many hours waiting in bars. Some of it waiting for people, some for the night to end, some to forget, some to see who I would wake up with. Some avoiding going home, for various reasons. If you have to ask, you wont understand and you’re obviously too young to drink anyway.

This waiting is different. I can honestly say I am looking forward to the end of the evening. Why? Because the edible Nikki will be there with me. Curled up on the couch, end to end, rubbing each others feet, laughing at the same jokes and enjoying the hell out of life. We took very different roads to get here. Me? UK. Mining community, old school, respect parents or die. Nik? Pretty much the same, Canada style. Were both from broken families: My dad died, hers left to make his own path. Yeah, i know, boring. Point is, same result; broken kids seeking unconditional love. Here’s to the future. We found it.

Life moves forward with or without you. Remember the past with a smile and don’t let it die, but you can’t live there and be happy. Not if your brain works properly (Old age can be a blessing).
Keep moving forward. Remember that.

Over the years families tend to grow. Mine is no different: We have a new addition to the clan.

I wish all to join me in welcoming into the world Amber Rose, who drew first breath on September 1st, 2010 at 4:27pm.

Daughter of niece Rachel, if she grows to be half the no-crap ass kicking soft hearted heartbreaker her mom is, the world will be a better place. Hugs and Congratulations from Uncle Carl.

From 3,500 miles away, I raise a glass and salute you both. CheerS!

I saw a news item today about a Florida preacher that plans to commemorate the anniversary of 9/11 with a book burning of the Qu’ran at the church he is pastor of. Just the suggestion of that has already caused riots and the retaliatory burning of US flags in Afghanistan, Iraq and a host of other countries. There will be deaths on both sides and the end result will simply be further suffering.

More weeping mothers in a dozen countries. And why?

What exactly is this fool trying to achieve? The church he claims to represent promotes love, mutual understanding and the teachings of the Word of their God. Burning religious texts goes beyond national boundaries and government, it strikes to the very heart of Faith, whichever one you believe. Or don’t. It is, quite simply, a call to war. And in response? ‘They’ show righteous anger at the thought (as would most Christians) of their most sacred texts being destroyed in a public act of dishonor. But still, these protesters choose to dishonor the U.S. flag, not the faith of its people.

I have yet to hear of any terrorist (or the mosque across the street) burning a single bible.

Even ‘they’ have respect for the deeply held religious beliefs of others. This man of God should hang his head in shame for the pain he will cause on both sides.