Good day today.

Well, I submitted another short story today. I have three short stories and two poems submitted for publication currently. I hope one gets picked. It would be nice to get some official recognition. It wouldn't be about the prize money or anything but seeing something in real print would be great. I had one poem get published supposedly by the Poetry Motel but never received a copy of the journal so I don't know. I received a letter with publishing release from them then. It's a pretty small journal and I don't know if they are still in business. We'll see about the new stuff.

Peace

dumbdavid

31 Years ago today.

Scott, it's hard to believe that 31 years have passed since you died. It's a whole lifetime without you. Did you know the impact you would have on everyone's lives? It doesn't matter now. I miss you. I miss the fun we used to have. I wish I could talk to you now.

It is awfully quiet around here. Communications have gone down again. It comes and goes with no predictability. I hope everything is okay with Phyllis. I told her I was still thinking about her. I have tried not to say things like that. I don't want to stress her or put any pressure on her. I wish her happiness even though I know it probably means without me.

Talked with my daughter last night. She still has a nagging cough. It's everywhere. Lucky for me I am missing this round of colds it seems.

R.S.N. 10/27/60 to 2/21/1980. RIP Scott. I love you.

Peace

dumbdavid

Today's horoscope, oh the irony.

February 20, 2011


Virgo (8/23-9/22)

There are many metaphysical books on the market now that tout the validity of coincidence, or, more accurately, of the fact that there really is no such thing as a coincidence, only a series of symbolic events that we're occasionally smart enough to notice. When you notice just such a pattern occurring now, don't question your sanity. You're absolutely right. Once you notice, you'll have the answer to that pressing question you've been asking yourself.


Peace

dumbdavid

Sunday morning early

Well, I woke up early again. Caribou had Sumatra coffee as a choice. I really like it. A good friend started me on it. Now, it will always be linked to them for me. It's funny how inanimate objects take on additional meanings due to association to people in your life. Sumatra, Maui, Rotini pasta, and poetry now are forever linked. It's okay. Good memories.

Slow day today waiting for the storm of the century to arrive. I thought I would wake to a blizzard. There was only cold high winds. I am sure the snow will start anytime. Yuk. I can't wait for spring. At least the Twins pitchers and catchers reported for spring training. Yeah!!!! I have to go to a Twins game this year. I don't care if it's the crappiest seat in the house. I think I want to go to the porch over left field.

Well that's enough for an early Sunday.

Peace

dumbdavid

Interstate 94

Well, I am back after another successful run to the Dr. Office in Edina. Twice in one week. I am so good at driving down I-94 that I could do it in my sleep. Almost a two and half hour one way trip for a 10 minute Dr. visit. At least the infection on my arm is still receding. I can't wait to finish the antibiotics.

I was in bed in early again last night. Five hours of driving kind of wears me out. Back to the routine of Saturday visit to dad's. My daughter was busy baby sitting this weekend so it didn't work out for a visit.

Well, not much else going on. French roast coffee and a survey coupon this morning. Nice start to a gray day here. Very cold. More snow tonight and tomorrow.

Peace

dumbdavid

St. Cloud 1983

I have started working on a new story. I am combining a piece of memoir from 1983 and adding fictional parts to it. I have always wanted to write about this time in my life, freshman year in St. Cloud. I don't think I am dwelling on the past as much as taking some interesting events and expanding on them. They say the truth is more interesting than fiction sometimes. I think writers take real pieces of their lives and inject it into their writing. Zach Braff admits that during the interviews for the movie Garden State. He said he took many stories from his and his friends lives and merged them into the script for Garden State.


Speaking of movies, I watched Henry Poole is Here last night. Highly recommend it. I thought it was going to be a comedy since Luke Wilson was on the cover. I didn't even look at the back. I like his work. It was actually a serious drama with a few comedic moments. It's a story about faith and miracles. It's something I struggle with a lot. My faith. Well, it's a good movie.

Peace

dumbdavid

Sunny Sunday

Well, it's a sunny Sunday here. Drinking coffee killing time waiting to go get my haircut. My hair has gotten shaggy again. Local shop has a Sunday special so I will be there when they open. My roof started leaking into my main floor bathroom yesterday. I had to call my landlord. He actually showed up pretty fast and took off the snow and ice dam.

Going to stop at Menard's to look at book shelves. I need another short one for my living room.

Kind of fun to people watch at Caribou. B. the local cop brought in a new lab puppy to show the girls who work here. It was like a week old, golden colored. Too cute. I wish I had a dog, but I don't want to pay the deposit. I would have problems with my travel too. Someday. Definitely a lab I think.

Peace

dumbdavid

Poetry submissions

Well, I submitted two poems today to The Talking Stick. It is a Minnesota literary journal that publishes Poetry and short stories of Minnesota authors. I have submitted now one short creative non-fiction and two poems to the Talking Stick. The creative non-fiction is a story of a ski trip I went on with my brother. I am still going to submit one of my longer stories to Glimmer train.

It is hard to reach out with my writing. I fear the rejection which is a normal part of the writing process. I have always feared the rejection. It's part of life. It doesn't make it any easier though.

The sun has popped out here. It is supposed to be above freezing today. The first time I think since before Christmas. We are in for a stretch of a couple of days like this. Spring can't get here soon enough.


Peace

dumbdavid

Spring time melt

Let the melt begin. It is finally starting to warm here. Thank goodness. I can't wait for spring. Hoping to actually play some golf this year. I didn't play once last year. This elbow injury has taken forever to resolve. I just hope everything stays on track. I am nervous about going back to work. It won't be for sometime but there are no lightweight positions where I work. We'll see. I also don't know what my fellow employees will be like. I ran into one yesterday I have never like. He was cool like he always is.

My daughter has missed three days straight from school with bronchitis like illness. My ex only informed me last night after she went to the doctor after day two. It's frustrating being so far from my daughter. I wish I could just pack up and move sometimes. With my workers comp situation I am forced to stay and resolve it. If somehow I can't continue with my employer due to my injury I will seriously look for something much closer to my daughter. I think Mankato may be my best shot for employment. I wouldn't mind working two jobs if I could get the scheduling to work.

Peace

dumbdavid

Heat Wave

Well a heat wave is on the way finally. It's good. This below zero shit was getting on my nerves. I am struggling today a bit. I will just keep putting one foot in front of the other. I did submit one story for publication today. I don't know if it is good enough but we'll see.

Working on the therapy. Each day three times have to do exercises. My elbow is pretty sore by bedtime. It definitely has loosened some though. It was really stiff after surgery. Don't have much else to write today. Caribou is packed with loud old people today. I have my Ipod cranked to drown out their conversations. I guess I am just shallow not wanting to hear about their Bursitis.

Peace

dumbdavid

Gratitude by Melody Beattie

Great Value Cinnamon French toast sticks for breakfast, yummy. Sitting at Caribou per usual. I have discovered that bringing my own cup saves me .50 per visit. Duh! Well it helps now.

I started reading Gratitude: Inspirations by Melody Beattie. It is helpful. I made it half way through last night. I was asked to read it by my counselor. I have been working on changing my negative thinking to more positive reading. I highly recommend the book. There was a important part that really fit with me on page 38 about personal responsibility. I won't quote it but it made sense to me. I hope lots of people read this book. I got it at the library but it is only $10 new.

It was another beautiful sunrise. I am grateful for beautiful sunrises to start the day. I am grateful for cheerful coffee shop employees and Mahogany coffee. I am grateful for Physical Therapy to help towards a successful recovery. I am grateful for many things and people in my life.

Peace

dumbdavid

Same as it ever was.......

Well, I guess I am alone again. I love Phyllis but she needs some time. It's okay. I want her to be happy most of all. We hopefully will remain friends. I hope that others will give her the space she needs too. She is a wonderful woman. I am sorry if I caused her stress. Well, as David Byrne said, "Same as it ever was..". I will be fine. I will keep writing and visiting my daughter when I can. Thank you Phyllis for being my friend. It does mean a lot to me.

Peace

dumbdavid

Physical torture, err therapy

Well, I start PT again today post surgery. I am not looking forward to this. At least not physically. I know it will be tough and painful. I know it is necessary to the healing process. I will do the best I can. I need to get back to work eventually.

It was a beautiful sunrise this morning. I always appreciate them. They are so beautiful as the sky changes colors as the sun rises. A low cloud bank was moving in from the northwest and the colors were bouncing off the clouds. I can't wait for spring. I have had enough of the snow. Speaking of which I heard Sunday we may get more accumulation.

I hope I can golf by late summer. My golf clubs sit like orphans upstairs. We'll see. I watched Social Network last night, the story of Facebook. I liked it. The lead actor is Jesse Eisenberg, also with Justin Timberlake, directed by David Fincher. I like Fincher's directing. He has interesting visuals and cinematography. If you use Facebook you would probably enjoy the movie. I was surprised that Timberlake can actually act a little. I haven't seen him much but I heard Alpha Dog was good.

That is all for today Friday.

Peace

dumbdavid

Security

I am a Chatty Cathy. I like to talk. I say everything I feel and I like it. I know one person who also likes this. I had to change my security settings to protect my privacy. I caused some undue harm and feel bad because of this. I am sorry I caused this pain and stress. Things will be better now. I believe in the more positivity now than I used too. My counselor says negativity is easy. Being positive is work but it's rewarding. I have my gratitude journal and letters of thank you to write. It's funny I used to guard nuclear weapons. I should know about the violation of OPSEC[operational security]. In world war II they said loose lips sink ships, it's true sort of. Hoping that doesn't happen.

Peace

dumbdavid

Sadness or Gratitude

For my 100 post I have chosen to write about sadness vs. gratitude. I am sad today after leaving from my place of convalescence after surgery. I will miss Phyllis greatly until I see her again. I am grateful for the time we shared and how she took care of me during this difficult time. She is wonderful and deserves massive kudos for putting up with me.

In the old days I would have focused on the negativity or sadness of our situation. Today, I know we will reunite in a short time. I look forward to it with gratitude and thankfulness. I know I am truly blessed with this relationship. Phyllis will always be a part of my life. I am truly better for having known her. I have learned about myself and the fact that I am capable of being loved this late in life. I had doubts before. The world is sunny today and my soul is warmed by her spirit. Thank you Phyllis for everything. We will be back together soon.

To all others, I hope you do not lose hope in life. It can surprise you when you least expect it.

Peace

dumbdavid