14 Feb 17

Welcome back to another adventure and today's installment & corresponding lesson in the series will be time shifting and perverted holidays. So pay attention for some to most of this information will be on the quiz Friday AND the Final exam. Besides, you do WANT to be Enlightened DON’T you ?

So, first the time shift. I took the 21st century version of pen to paper Monday, the 13th and what could possibly be worse ? OK, Friday the 13th for partial credit.

This lesson will remain in the can I am thinking because we do not publish or post on the 13th day generally and only on the rarest exception and today is NOT one.

WHY ?

Because I am feeling depressed. OK? There, I said it. Maybe clinically today but not to worry. I have already run a model & simulation and can & will snap out of it shortly. Without any sort of meds BTW.

I chuckle, smirk & snicker at the TRUE STORY and not recalling if I shared this one here with this audience. I know in personal conversations I have but none the less it is a good one & a keeper.

One day in 2012, I had three appointments in one day. My EAP ‘counselor’, Jenkins my personal physician, and Father Bradley, formerly at St Michael’s in McK but since moved on to St Mark’s in Plano. But I digress from point.

The EAP ‘therapist’ was talking thru my relationship issues at that moment in time and when we were at the end I semi-seriously axed him if he thought I should try an anti-depressant. His reply: ‘Probably wouldn’t be a bad idea. I have taken them’ which stunned me. Like THAT FACT was going to validate usage for moi ?

He proceeded to launch into a lengthy lecture, seemingly well-rehearsed, about the different types, seratonin inhibitors, etc, which by now I was simply letting fly right over my head. My next stop was Jenkins I told him & I would discuss it with him. I left that day, my last such visit, totally bewildered and arguing with self the value of such ‘therapy’ AND therapists.

Regurgitating the episode & discussion with Jenkins an hour or so later, he smiled, put down his pen and said flatly, ‘No. You are dealing with ‘life events’ and are doing just fine. Drop her and move on. Do you know how many guys would trade places with you ? In a heart beat?’

I didn’t know or just answered no but I am thinking it was a rhetorical question. I was encouraged with this feedback and my confidence justifiably lifted.

Finally Father Bradley NAILED it. He echoed the same message. Her track record of serial marriages ‘should tell you something (red flag). She is the common denominator.’ He went on to say that the pre-marital meeting we had with him he had ‘questionable thoughts’ at the time but could truly say nothing. He told me to go forth & forward.

Anyway, she is now wearing a hyphen with hubby #4 and I am soooo glad it isn’t me.

Hindsight, she was a great liar, a better thief, a fine manipulator and a master of any & all sort of deception. Very controlling and that’s the end.

Perverted Holidays for $500.

WILL VALENTINE'S DAY MAKE IT ON THE CALENDAR ?

Short answer is no. However SAINT Valentine’s day is being debated as we speak and has a chance.

It would be a day of showing socially acceptable & appropriate love if approved & accepted by The Committee.

Expressing love to ONLY THEM, THOSE or WHOMEVER are THEE closest as in inner circle. None of this stupid cupid with bows & arrow crap.

Violence & criminal activity will neither be encouraged nor tolerated in ANY form. Think Commandments & civil law for precedents por favor.

Flowers are OK but don’t over do it. Just a simple thought or gesture of caring (think card) should suffice with a little, short brief hand-written note would get mileage in any relationship. Love does not show up with a price tag or value attached. SO wrong.

If the receiver is NOT satisfied, shows no to zero gratitude or God forbid goes so far as to complain, view this as the hand-writing on the wall (red flag) and don’t take a walk, RUN.

RUN NOW, RUN FAR & RUN QUICKLY.

***End 13 ***

***Start 14 ***

So I was scanning the yahoo headlines and really, the trash & garbage continue to accumulate. I am so glad that I have also learned to NOT be suckered in to reading any of that drivel.

This morning at 10:23 am CST, I reached the FINAL PAGE of the Paul Johnson book !! What a great read. Too bad I can’t recommend it to others.

Retrospecting, my vocabulary increased markedly, my grasp of history is indeed much greater and if nothing else the book revealed that history IS repeating and nothing is truly ‘new’.

There were corrupt politicians even then, the peasants, serfs or under-classes were abused with harsh treatment, countless oppressive fees & taxes, technology was only bitterly embraced eventually and the rich or wealthiest took their pleasure with the rape of the less fortunate.

WOW !! ALL THAT ??

And more for sure. I went to put the book on the shelf in the library and right THERE, another Paul Johnson book from the same estate sale. Modern Times but only about 776 pages. The years 1920 thru the 80’s. I am proclaiming self not ready for such an adventure quite yet. The interest level simply isn’t there. Something lighter and for pure pleasure.

I am leaning next to read something by Clay Reynolds. He told me his best to date and I wrote it on his card but proceeded to give the card away KNOWINGLY for a reference to another writer friend.

Clay & I are slated to play golf this Friday so I can get another one and we will have ample opportunity to chat.

SO HOW DID YOU SNAP OUT OF YOUR DOLDRUMS OGO ?

Well, unknown therapist, I’ll tell you. For $250/hour.

Members free.

I thought of reaching out and contacting some friendly acquaintances first. I could call only one first because I have a full plate again today. (Taxes & data management. BIG data)

Anyway, so I am pondering. Who should I either visit or call or perhaps even write ?

It's a short list, time is of interest & consideration and to the point, two have worse problems than mine. I did not want to share & fully disclose my small little issue but my goal was to let them know I was thinking about them and wondering how they were doing. Did they need anything ?

Suddenly, my problems seemed to fall back. One’s health is slipping, another recently lost a spouse so small financial matters don’t hold a candle to that sort of issue. I will get my data out today to my accountant, the refund will arrive and my little self-created issue will be reduced incrementally to nada.

Life will go on. The sun will rise again. Screw the clouds.

There are no problems. Only solutions.