Life is an endless series of cycles. Sometimes the cycles are predictable and sometimes they catch us unaware. Either way, they can be either good or bad.
Just now, both anticipated and out of the blue changes have me adjusting course on several fronts.
One of those course adjustments is the frequency of my blog posts. Over the next few weeks my musings may well be posted with a certain irregularity.
Once I get a feel for the new guiding currents I'm certain I'll reestablish a predictable routine. For those who look forward to their daily read of this blog, I'll strive to keep disruption to a minimum.
For today I offer a contemplation:
The person who rides the currents of life the way a cork rides the currents in a stream encounters countless opportunities.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Expanding Our Universe
Guess who's coming for dinner? It ain't who you think.
There have been times when I've looked up at a full moon on a crystal clear night and wondered... what if that isn't a moon at all? what if it's the eyepiece to a cosmic sized microscope?
A rather unsettling thought considering, were it true, it would make me the equivalent of an amoeba on a glass slide.
Of course in the days when I pondered such possibilities I was also devouring the classic book Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
Turns out I might just have to brush off that guide.
Thanks to NASA's Kepler space telescope, surveyors of the universe have identified 1,235 possible worlds (and their respective suns). Compared to some of the newly discovered suns, our own UV producing star is little more than a grain of sand.
I'm working on loading up the pantry. No telling when company might drop by.
There have been times when I've looked up at a full moon on a crystal clear night and wondered... what if that isn't a moon at all? what if it's the eyepiece to a cosmic sized microscope?
A rather unsettling thought considering, were it true, it would make me the equivalent of an amoeba on a glass slide.
Of course in the days when I pondered such possibilities I was also devouring the classic book Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
Turns out I might just have to brush off that guide.
Thanks to NASA's Kepler space telescope, surveyors of the universe have identified 1,235 possible worlds (and their respective suns). Compared to some of the newly discovered suns, our own UV producing star is little more than a grain of sand.
I'm working on loading up the pantry. No telling when company might drop by.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tuning Up
The swaying branches of willow trees are practically glowing green. Hardwood trees are sporting buds of green and red. Flowering trees are offering displays of pink and white. Miniature daffodils have unfolded blooms as yellow as the sun and pansies are pinwheels of primary colors.
It is the color equivalent of an orchestra tuning up prior to a concert.
Seated in the front row, I wait anxiously for mother nature to raise her baton. When she does, the isolated dots and stripes of green, yellow, white, and blue will fill out into wide brushstrokes of rainbow harmony. I'm certain the opening stanzas will take my breath away.
It is the color equivalent of an orchestra tuning up prior to a concert.
Seated in the front row, I wait anxiously for mother nature to raise her baton. When she does, the isolated dots and stripes of green, yellow, white, and blue will fill out into wide brushstrokes of rainbow harmony. I'm certain the opening stanzas will take my breath away.
Monday, March 28, 2011
It Ain't the Way It Sounds
Intimacy has been bastardized.
There was a time when the word intimacy conjured up images of snuggling with a significant other. Perhaps sharing a bottle of wine in front of a fireplace or spooning under the covers.
These days, concert promoters have made intimacy synonymous with robbery.
Recently radio stations and websites have been offering a plethora of intimate evenings with rock stars of long standing. It sounds enticing. An opportunity to listen to a gifted artist in a small venue. Only the venues aren't necessarily small and the suggestion of intimacy is only an excuse to start ticket prices at a hundred and fifty smackers per seat (or standing space).
To some folks an opportunity to see an artist in a building smaller than a sports stadium is worth the exorbitant price. I don't understand the acceptance of that price tag but I don't hold it against anyone either.
I do resent the bastardizing of what should be a loving term. Intimacy is one word that should remain pure.
There was a time when the word intimacy conjured up images of snuggling with a significant other. Perhaps sharing a bottle of wine in front of a fireplace or spooning under the covers.
These days, concert promoters have made intimacy synonymous with robbery.
Recently radio stations and websites have been offering a plethora of intimate evenings with rock stars of long standing. It sounds enticing. An opportunity to listen to a gifted artist in a small venue. Only the venues aren't necessarily small and the suggestion of intimacy is only an excuse to start ticket prices at a hundred and fifty smackers per seat (or standing space).
To some folks an opportunity to see an artist in a building smaller than a sports stadium is worth the exorbitant price. I don't understand the acceptance of that price tag but I don't hold it against anyone either.
I do resent the bastardizing of what should be a loving term. Intimacy is one word that should remain pure.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Infiltration Denied
It was a near thing.
Despite Punxsutawney Phil's perfect prognostication. Despite the red breasted Cardinals taking the field. Despite the extended evening daylight hours. Despite recent temperatures in the fifties and sixties... Nightmare almost slipped back in the back door.
With the Weather Channel having posted a weather advisory including the words snow and ice I had gone to bed last night feeling like a condemned man who had just seen his reprieve snatched away.
Fortunately I woke to discover nothing more than a scattering of white flakes blowing across the back deck.
By noon sunshine was abundant and the mercury was moving upward.
Pre-summer had held its ground.
Despite Punxsutawney Phil's perfect prognostication. Despite the red breasted Cardinals taking the field. Despite the extended evening daylight hours. Despite recent temperatures in the fifties and sixties... Nightmare almost slipped back in the back door.
With the Weather Channel having posted a weather advisory including the words snow and ice I had gone to bed last night feeling like a condemned man who had just seen his reprieve snatched away.
Fortunately I woke to discover nothing more than a scattering of white flakes blowing across the back deck.
By noon sunshine was abundant and the mercury was moving upward.
Pre-summer had held its ground.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Driverless Cars
It should be a law that a person can't buy a car if their head doesn't come above the steering wheel.
I had the misfortune of being stuck behind two different seemingly driverless cars tonight.
It's a truly unnerving experience to encounter a self-directed car. All the more so when that car weaves from side to side as though only chance keeps it between the traffic lines on the road.
Considering the only thing in the driver's line of sight was the tuner for the radio, it just might have been chance that kept the car aligned - chance and the fact the driver was apparently unable to reach the gas pedal.
I had the misfortune of being stuck behind two different seemingly driverless cars tonight.
It's a truly unnerving experience to encounter a self-directed car. All the more so when that car weaves from side to side as though only chance keeps it between the traffic lines on the road.
Considering the only thing in the driver's line of sight was the tuner for the radio, it just might have been chance that kept the car aligned - chance and the fact the driver was apparently unable to reach the gas pedal.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Conquering the Field
The redcoats overran the battlefield this morning.
Or so it appeared as I watched dozens of Cardinals plucking nutritional tidbits from the grassy areas in the center of the office complex today.
Marching twelve and more abreast with a single minded determination, the red breasted Cardinals drove sparrows and finches alike from the lawn.
As harbingers of pre-summer, the vast numbers of Cardinals did my heart good. Despite that certain four letter "s" word being in the forecast, this morning's maneuvers by the red breasted avians is a sure sign that warmer temperatures are on the way.
Or so it appeared as I watched dozens of Cardinals plucking nutritional tidbits from the grassy areas in the center of the office complex today.
Marching twelve and more abreast with a single minded determination, the red breasted Cardinals drove sparrows and finches alike from the lawn.
As harbingers of pre-summer, the vast numbers of Cardinals did my heart good. Despite that certain four letter "s" word being in the forecast, this morning's maneuvers by the red breasted avians is a sure sign that warmer temperatures are on the way.
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