Something That Happened.

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Thursday, September 11, 2003

Regrets...
I've had a few.
But then again,
Too few to mention!
--"My Way",
written by Paul Anka
When I hear that song, I think of Frank Sinatra, and sometimes Elvis or Sid Vicious -- all of whom have been known to perform, in their own unique manner, that wonderful song. Wonderful because -- though I don't always enjoy hearing it, I've heard it so much -- the song is a wonderful personal anthem. That's something we all need: a personal anthem. A song that praises our individuality; a mark of devotion to oneself. After all, they say you're going to have a helluva time loving anyone else unless you've first learned to love yourself, right?

This is not to replace your love for your God, or your spouse, or your family. I'm simply saying that we all need to give ourselves a bit more self-love at this time of year. (No, not that type of self-love !) Too many of us beat up on ourselves throughout the year, and then nearly destroy ourselves at year's end. No wonder there are so many suicides during the Holidays; the messages bombarding us are to Buy Buy Buy and to Give Give Give -- but what if you have nothing to give but love? If you have a dearth of that good stuff, then you'll have a bitch of a time spreading it around to your neighbors.

So be good to yourself, whether you're Christian, Pagan, Wiccan, Athiest, Hindu, Islamic, Mormon, Podcastin, or otherwise. Don't take the pills, they won't do you or anyone else any good; you'll simply miss out on the Next Big Thing (which may turn out to be Your Next Big Thing). Just do things your own way, singing that little hymn as you do so:
For what is a man,
What has he got?
If not himself,
Then he has naught.
To say the things,
He truly feels,
And not the words,
Of one who kneels.
The record shows,
I took the blows
And did it my way!

Wednesday, September 29, 2004

I had the weirdest dream last night. The most bizarre things were occurring. It was so strange. It was fantastic. It was unlike any dream I've ever had before. Wow, I'll never forget it. You wish you had this dream, and I woke up feeling more alive than I've ever felt before. Gosh, you're jealous.
posted by Harold  9/29/2004 09:51:00 AM | 0 Comments | Links to this post

Thursday, September 23, 2004

Though earlier today I was deliberating with myself whether to visit mom or not, somehow I managed to drag myself to her home. I'm glad I did, too. She looked good--healthier than I'd imagined, though the cap on one of her front teeth had fallen off, leaving a grotesque and witch-like skeleton of an pearl in her mouth. I mention this with the confidence that mom would have appreciated the joke; she had a self-deprecating sense of humor and herself would have busted out the comparison to Witchy Poo, a refrain she returned to on so many occasions. (Especially when I was really young and Witchy Poo was still on t.v.) Out of a minor sense of decency, though, I won't be posting any photos.

The visit was short, but I'll be returning soon. As for the past two weeks: I needed this vacation, so to speak, from the long and sometimes stressful bus rides. Most of the time they're not too stressful--just long, but nothing I can't counter with a good book or magazine. These past weeks, however, I just didn't feel up to the ride, and though I felt a bit guilty for not making the trip, someone close to me assured me that I needed to take "time off". And now, in light of the EKG results, I wholeheartedly agree. (Pun intended.)
posted by Harold  9/23/2004 12:37:00 AM | 0 Comments | Links to this post

Tuesday, September 21, 2004

If you heard today's audio post, you know that I visited the doctor today and underwent an EKG, receiving abnormal results. This does not mean I have anything serious to worry about--not yet, anyway, since I have to undergo a more extensive EKG in November to see what's really going on with my heart--but nevertheless, it got me thinking. Not to sound too fatalistic, but what will I do if I find out my heart is failing? Will I finally learn how to surf? Will I go to Disneyworld? Paris? The U.K.? Africa? Will I (attempt to) have sex with my entire community? Will I hitchhike across the country? Will I ride a Segway across America? Will I attempt to jump on a train or stowaway on a plane?

I know one thing for certain: I'll go skiing or snowboarding. No, I'll go skiing and snowboarding. Today, after my appointment with the doctor, I walked around for hours, wandering about and eventually drifting into a ski shop I'd always been aware of but never felt the motivation to visit. When I spotted the shop today, I decided to waltz in, and am glad to have done so. The shop was cozy and reminded me of good times and a desire to go up the hill. I've only skied a few times before, but every winter I long to hit the slopes again. Unfortunately, every winter I'm flat-ass broke, so I don't. If I find out the ole ticker is tickin' out, though, you can bet your bottom dollar I'll be slidin' down that hill someway or other.
posted by Harold  9/21/2004 12:20:00 AM | 0 Comments | Links to this post

Thursday, September 16, 2004

Alfred E. Neuman for President!

Though most of it is fiction anyway, I stay away from politics on this site. Still, don't you think this may as well be the face of our next president?

Listen to a teaser of my current project, "Dream Job". [Audio file; CD-quality WMA stream]
posted by Harold  9/16/2004 03:25:00 PM | 0 Comments | Links to this post

Wednesday, September 15, 2004

Well, I didn't make it to see mom yesterday. It'll have to be another day, since I'll be at the hospital today. Yesterday I ended up at perhaps the one UCLA library I hadn't previously visited, me being the library mole that I am: the Science and Engineering Library. Busting out my Alumni Association Membership card, I put my annual dues to work by obtaining a UC Library card and checking out a book on Apache and Linux configuration.

Huh?, you say? When did you get all geeky? Well, ladies and gentlemen, I've always inclined towards geekiness--it's just not reflected in the public record (though there are hints of my geekitude in my resume). I usually reserve the geeky side of myself for my Internet radio blog. I only mention my pursuits here today because they describe what I was up to yesterday, and because I think you may enjoy my latest project, which was founded by that innate geekiness:

The Great Glass Elevator

Enjoy.
posted by Harold  9/15/2004 12:00:00 PM | 0 Comments | Links to this post

Friday, September 10, 2004

I had an epic dream last night, but now I can't remember what it was. While I'm trying to remember, I'll continue testing out my audio mixer. First experiment using the mixer (well, it's not really much of an experiment, but it's my first use of the hardware, anyway...): Tempo of the Down, Session 2. Visit VoyagerRadio's Artists page for more info. on this fabulously exciting piece of work.
posted by Harold  9/10/2004 12:02:00 AM | 0 Comments | Links to this post

Thursday, September 09, 2004

"Dream Job" (teaser)
[Audio post; CD-quality WMA stream]

Still haven't heard the teaser trailer for that audio project I'm currently working on? Shame on you! Listen to it now while I'm setting up that new mixer I just picked so I can keep the magic going...
posted by Harold  9/09/2004 09:26:00 PM | 0 Comments | Links to this post

Wednesday, September 08, 2004

I must tell you that the Ghiradelli dark chocolate blocks you can buy at Trader Joes are much better than the Hershey's dark chocolate you can buy pretty much anywhere else. Especially when you place it in your fridge and take it out on a hot summer's day and have it for lunch. Mmmm.
posted by Harold  9/08/2004 03:38:00 PM | 0 Comments | Links to this post

Friday, September 03, 2004

this is an audio post - click to play

On my way home, on the bus, I can't help overhearing a conversation between two men regarding sports.
posted by Harold  9/03/2004 09:51:00 PM | 0 Comments | Links to this post
this is an audio post - click to play

These are my thoughts as I leave my mom's nursing home this evening...

...crossing railroad tracks on my way to the bus stop, the sun falling low on the horizon...
posted by Harold  9/03/2004 09:51:00 PM | 0 Comments | Links to this post

Businesses in Huntsville, Alabama

*

I once posted, in this space (this right column), the following:

If I had friends they would be listed here

That particular bit o' text, that silly and idiotic phrase, was repeated a dozen or two dozen or so times and was intended to be temporary. I had been working on a project -- a new layout for this blog -- and had intended for that text to be placeholder content. That is, the text was supposed to temporarily replace the content that had previously occupied this column (which was a list of links to friends -- that is, other blogs and web sites I linked to). I didn't know what content I was going to place into that (this) space, so I placed a bunch of duplicate phrases here as a placeholder so that I would remember to fill in this space again later.

At the same time, I thought I was being cute with the heading:

NEW & IMPROVED FRIENDS!

The fact remains: I still don't know what content to put here, in this column. Links again? Pictures? Video? Audio? Ads? Oh, hell no! It hasn't come to me yet, but I'm sure it will eventually, and when it does it'll come quick and (as usual) with consequences.