Rambling On

Travel with me down this forgotten road that leads us a few paces back the way we came. Now, I understand they tell us we can't ever go back again, but I'm asking that you forget their words and overcome the type of thinking that disallows a few remembrances.

Why is it the people we once familiarized with in the learning days of life turn out to have more in common with us the older we get? Is it that we're wiser in our post-school days or is it something more?

Take for example the many people I went to high school with who I never would have considered connecting with back in the day. What loner does look to connect with other folk? But let's forget that for now and move forward to the modern times where all these people are placing themselves out there on this internet to be connected with. Now, for what reasons are they doing this?

Could it be they have a yearning for the past? Have we gone so far forward that we're now looking for a new way back? Most people disliked their schooling days to the point of separating from those who they knew for a lifetime. Then these reunions arise and folks return in numbers to update others on their own lifestyles. But with this internet site, do we still need to reunite in real life?

That's not my point. My point is why don't we take the time to know folks the day we meet them instead of finding out years on that we have many things in common? Life is way too short to "what if" our way through it, but that seems to be the well traveled road. Sorry, Mr. Frost for ruining your moment of fame.

Or do most people age into the same interest groups? What we liked as kids may have been different, but now we're into the same things. All roads lead to Rome mentality?

I'm asking a lot of questions and not providing many answers. I get that. Surely I do. Maybe because I don't have all the answers. Maybe I'm asking for your help on this.

Let me know what you find. Until next time...

JvP

It's Time

Fear not, faithful readers, all of a handful of you. The time to continue our journey has finally arrived. I may be but a humble servant in all this, but I assure you, there is no better guide.

I marvel at the wonders of Christmas and the hypocrisy of the holidays. Oh, ye faithful, don't see this as a blatant attack on a fictional superstition, but more of a necessary finger pointing at the evils of humanity.

Humans call greed one of the many sins littering the bottom of the righteous toy box, but wallow in the juices throughout the seasons. Whether it's the door-to-door knocking of little ghouls demanding candy (picture their faces when they see a true trick instead) or the gluttenous suppings of a Thanksgiving day massacre (for what else is it to the turkeys but a slaughter?).

Which brings me to a festival of lights. No, Hannukah is not the only festival out there that celebrates lighting up the world. Christmas has become a symbolic torching of the night skies. It starts with little multi-colored bulbs plaguing the landscape for all to see. What bird or bug wouldn't be drawn to such brilliance? But I dally at such minor things.

Rudolph with his coked out nose so red guides a sleigh full of whipped lesser known reindeer through the frosty skies while a fat man with a reddish tint to his jolly face kicks back another pint over another midwestern town. The myth behind the man is legendary, but good old Saint Nick used to be a horror story, if you check your facts and dig deep enough. I dare you.

Now Christmas itself is meant to celebrate the birthday of a holy man who really was born in June (or spring if you ask the wrong people). June birthdays celebrated in December? Could this be why Christmas seems to stretch so long throughout the year from when decorations go up to when they come down? Confusion? Or is it something more?

Back in the times before time was clearly kept, the pagans held a ritual on December 25th. Now, Christians being as open-minded and accomodating people as they are, couldn't let this happen. They terrorized and confiscated this sacred holy day for their own. "Go ahead and celebrate your pagan nonsense," they would say, "We know you're really celebrating the birth of our son of god."

Before you wave me off as a nonsensical spouter of filth and waste, i ask of you to step back from your comfortable shoes and try on those of the people long deceased. Put your brains into their heads and seriously ask yourself how you would feel to have your holy days overthrown. Why can't we all get along indeed!

I say enjoy the winter for its wonderland of frosty snowmen and that little bugger Jack attacking your nose, enjoy the days off from work and school and sanity, but don't let yourself fall victim to the massive brainwashing that took place centuries ago. Be aware that there is but one birthday notably worth celebrating during this end of the year time. He's a dear friend of mine...Goes by the name....

Jamie Sunshine

Be warm, be healthy, be happy. Be safe, be careful, and be warned. Not everything is as it seems.

Until next time....

JvP

It Starts With a Step

Standing in the darkest hallway, staring ahead at the door with the thin bar of light below. Go ahead. Take that first step. Most people don't. It's safer to stand in darkness and be unaware of the world around you than it is to explore and learn and think.

Feel the slick surface of the walls as you guide yourself. Know how many hands have caressed where yours are? None. The dust beneath your feet will mark your footprints only. Brave. For all you know you could be walking into the mouth of hell. Just the little guppy lured to its death by a probing light into your inquisitive mind.

Maybe it's more of a gate. Rusted, instead of gold. A pauper sleeping in newspapers instead of a kindly old man with a clipboard and impatience. A yin to the upstairs yang. Maybe it's all this. Or maybe it's something new.

Take the door handle in your hand. Feel the gleaming brass pressing its cold surface against your sweaty palm. Twist and push the door open. A dazzling bright light engulfs you and for a split second you feel like Richard Dreyfuss will tell you about this Close Encounter. But none of that is real. Just a movie. Unlike this.

As you take a few steps in, the door slams behind you. Cliched, but you're too scared to realize that. Your heart beats faster, senses on red alert, and you find yourself neighboring panic. But sit and feel welcome. We're all friends here. Rules of the house permit no violence. Luckily, I make the rules, but I promise I won't hurt you.

Welcome to my imagination.

JvP