Get On Board!

Warning: Serious thoughts and religious topic. Please move on to the jokes if you aren’t in the mood.

I had a physical exam the other day. Before seeing the doctor, I was given some standard health questions about smoking, drinking, allergies and family history, etc. but there was a new section that gauged any loneliness and depression — alluding (I assume) to suicidal tendencies. I guess the hospitals are finally addressing the growing epidemic of suicide all over the world. Indeed, more and more people have lost hope in this confusing world. What a tragedy.

John the doctor

John F., my business partner, wasn’t his jolly old self when I called him this afternoon. Apparently, his friend (John P. MD) had just passed away a few hours ago. Doctor John and his wife had just moved in to their new down-sized home when he fell down the stairs, cracked his skull and never recovered. My partner is devastated but I’m sure it doesn’t even compare with the family’s grief. They had just seen the movie “Freedom” and they had plans to help stop child trafficking … but God had a better plan. “Sad. See you again, John,” said my partner in their group chat.

Bob the harmonica player

None of my band members heard from Bob (our harmonica player) all of last week. I only found out from a mutual friend that he had a near-fatal heart attack. Thanks to the doctors who put a stint on his artery on time. I had a long chat with Bob on the phone. I enjoyed sharing ideas with a friend whom I almost lost. I’m looking forward to Bob’s melancholy woodwind in a few weeks.

Jerry the gentle giant

Jerry, was a genuinely nice 6’2” giant with lots of friends and a huge family. In the last 5 years, he had his knees and hip replaced. He battled with chronic pain for months after and practically lived off pain killers. No one realized he was that sick. There was always hope that he would return to our breakfast meetings. Even though I knew Jerry didn’t share the same faith, something prompted me to text him and I sent him a long prayer. “Thank you dear friend,” he said, “I can use all the help you can muster.” The following week he was gone.

“People get ready there’s a train comin’.
You don’t need no baggage, you just get on board.
All you need is faith to keep the diesels humming.
You don’t need no ticket. You just thank the Lord.”
— A song by Curtis Mayfield

If you haven’t guessed it by now, I’m part of the Baby Boom generation. My circle of white haired friends are boarding that Train in record numbers. Life is fleeting.

People came knocking

As I was walking our dogs this morning, a herd of church people entered my community dressed in their Sunday best and with pamphlets in hand. Although I don’t particularly agree with their beliefs, I was open to have a discussion with them; however, when I returned home, they had already knocked at my door and left a pamphlet. Their brochure was an invitation to their upcoming convention on how to “Exercise Patience.” I appreciate the boldness of these well-meaning witnesses but I question their beliefs — do they believe that Jesus is the son of God? May God humble our hearts and guide our path to the truth.

All of this is a reminder of my mission to spread the gospel. Think about it: If being “saved” is all that matters, why didn’t God let the “saved” get on board the train immediately after they accepted Christ? If you are “saved” why aren’t you “saving” others? I believe Christians are here to lead others to the truth before the wrong crowds lead them elsewhere.

Sure, I respect other beliefs and I am willing to listen to other ideas (if you have questions, I have time for you) but so far, the truths in the Bible have answered all my questions without a doubt. Although we’re curious how people die and speculate what could have been, the fact is, the Train is coming for everybody. We just have different scheduled boarding passes. It isn’t about works — it’s nothing we can boast of. It’s about faith. It’s about God’s grace. Do your research, discuss, question, do what you have to do to settle things now. Get your ticket to get on board before it’s too late.

“for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.”
— 1Thesolonians 1:5

Blessings to you all. TGIF people!

Raoul

BTW, thanks for all your prayers for my Ai talk. It went very well. People hung around for half an hour in animated discussions. I will be writing an article about this soon for travelingboy.com.

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Marilou of Pila Laguna, Philippines

Original art by Raoul Pascual.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Maling of New Manila, Philippines.

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

I found these

The Traveling Boy

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with these.

The post Anger Management appeared first on Traveling Archive.

WARNING: Very personal letter. Not in a funny mood. Let’s joke around next week.

I woke up just before 6am Friday (Philippine Time). I walked into my Dad’s room and his caretaker and his house help were huddled around him in disbelief. The house help mumbled something that I didn’t understand but when I saw Dad’s lifeless body, I knew what she was trying to say. I reached for his chest. He was no longer breathing. His heart had stopped beating. Dad had passed on to eternity. Both of them looked at me for instructions. I knew there was a lot of work ahead.

I had rehearsed going through this moment ever since I arrived here over 2 weeks ago. And now that it’s here, it’s a little different. I started to go through the checklist in my head: First, have a video conference with my sisters, then inform the Kapitan Del Barrio (the Barrio Captain), get the doctor’s death certificate, inform the city registrar, inform the funeral home, get a priest, inform the cemetery, wrap up his finances, inform the relatives, etc. It’s the end of the long day and I still need to make arrangements tomorrow. My surviving sisters are giving me advice and moral support but they can’t come so I’m doing this with the help of the people around me.

I have not shed a tear yet. I think it’s the Adrenalin that put my emotions aside. I remember that this also happened when my Mom passed away. It was months later that I found myself sobbing uncontrollably. “I’ll weep for you Dad, but today is not the day. Today, I have to make sure you have a good final goodbye.”

I appreciate all the kind thoughts and prayers. There are a lot of you. And for that, my father and I are truly blessed. TGIF people!

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.”
—- John 11:25-26

The post Sorry No Laughs Today Again appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Interruption

As I shared last week, I was on an extended travel to a beach house in a little village named Dalipuga in Southern Philippines. While I was there, so many things happened back in the States (both in business and personal matters) that needed my attention so by the first week I was already pinning to go back home. It was an excruciating countdown to return to the USA.

Despite the short “prison term” I made good use of my time. Almost every morning I had a goal to accomplish for that day. And so for the next couple of weeks, I intend to share some lessons from my stay over there. I hope that’s okay.

My brother Paco
That isn’t his real name but that’s what his friends called him. To me he was always Gary, my little brother who thought a lot, laughed a lot and dreamed a lot. His philosophy in life was greatly influenced by Atticus in the movie “To Kill a Mockingbird.” In fact, that was one of his names. He became a lawyer and a scientist … a Director for the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) in Washington DC for about 30 years. A series of events (like his dissatisfaction with the previous administration who “didn’t believe in science”) made him quit his job and he found himself alone in a village called Mindo in the jungles of Ecuador which is the northernmost tip of the great Amazon Rain Forest. All throughout his career, he saw the importance of preservation. He made feasibility studies of Ecuador, and then plans which he presented to scientific bodies and received a huge grant from MIT. Two of his articles are published in Travelingboy.com. He was building his dream of a sanctuary for birds and lost souls (people with broken hearts). He invited all of us siblings to retire there. He would shoulder all expenses –“come … just come … all I want is your presence here” he said with excitement. One of my sisters and Paco’s daughters planned a trip this September. I too was seriously considering a trip early next year.

In the morning of June 9, I got a call from my sister. She was sobbing uncontrollably. “Raoul, I need you to sit down. I have some very bad news … Gary is dead. He’s dead!”

“What?!? We were just talking to him a few days ago. Dead?!? How?! Why?!?” My questions rattled out in rapid succession.

The hotel maid found Paco dead in his room just a few hours ago:  his face peaceful; his body wrapped inside his blanket; his right hand clenched. Apparently, it was his first and last heart attack. Paco had no enemies. In fact, the whole village knew him and loved him. He was last seen alive playing with the children of the village. Later, we learned from his wife that Paco had a history of unchecked high blood pressure and cholesterol. We assumed he was healthy because he would hike 45 minutes up and down the hill that he purchased almost everyday. We were wrong. And he was gone. My dear sweet genius of a brother had gone on to be with the Lord.

Night fell and I could not sleep. I crept out of the house around 2 in the morning and walked to the beach and looked at the dark horizon. The stars were hidden by the clouds. I asked God so many questions. I started to write a song with the thought that “it should have been me.” Gary had so many wonderful plans for mankind. My dreams were nothing compared to his. It should have been me. I’ve lived a long enough life. No more mountains to climb. I’m near retirement. My kids are grown and independent. My wife could survive without me … in fact, I always joke around that she could benefit from my insurance. My different circle of friends (including YOU) would miss me for a time and then life would go on. Life is short.

In the gospel of Luke chapter 20, Jesus tells the parable of the rich fool who had plans to increase his storage for more profit:
v.20
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

Paco had done his research. Out of all the spots in this great big planet, Ecuador was where he could make the biggest impact for society. But beautiful and noble though his plans were, they were not God’s plan.

What, may I ask, are your plans? What are you to do today? Tomorrow? What does your big picture look like? Is it centered around you?

Luke 20
³³ “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. ³⁴ Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”

I’m thinking about this myself. Perhaps our plans may not be as grandiose as saving the planet but take heart —we are not all called to save the planet. God called some of us to be Kings and some to be pawns.  Both are important. Some of our plans are never meant to come to fruition but the process is meant for us to grow closer to the Lord. Let’s not miss the sign posts in our life journey. Think about it: Why have you survived Covid? Why do you still occupy space among the living?  Whatever our purpose, let’s do it well.  Let’s ponder it together.

TGIF people!

Raoul

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Peter Paul of South Pasadena, CA for these riddles.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Maling of Manila, Philippines

Thanks to Efren of Manila

The post 2 British Riddles appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Well, it’s been a week. And once again I find myself sitting on the park bench in Vevey, Switzerland next to the statue of Charlie Chaplin, with whom I share the panorama of shimmering Lake Geneva and the pristine snowcapped Alps in the distance. I’ve covered a lot of tracks: indulging in the region’s world-class wines and scrumptious Swiss-French cuisine, wandering Lausanne’s cobblestone streets, and seeing the former home of Audrey Hepburn in Tolochenaz, near Lausanne, and the current home studio of Jean-Luc Godard, also near Lausanne. I tried to make sense of Huguenot, John Calvin’s Gestapo-like control of Geneva, and laid victim to the region’s steep prices. A simple café au lait and a buttery croissant set me back twenty U.S dollars! But it was time to return to the centerpiece of my trip, an exploration of the life of Sir Charles Spencer Chapin. He chose Manoir de Ban, a neoclassical mansion in Corsier-sur-Vevey, to live his remaining 25 years, which, according to his family, constituted his “happy years.” I had reserved my final day to visit the Manoir, now rechristened Chaplin’s World – which has been repurposed and expanded as a museum that showcases Chaplin’s work and life as a family man in Switzerland.

Personal Life

Chaplin enjoyed what had appeared to be a fun-filled period during his time in Hollywood, but privately led a lonely life, filled with scandal and haunted memories of his impoverished youth. His home in the Pickfair neighborhood of Beverly Hills – a neighborhood named after the mansion of married couple, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks – was designed by himself and built by studio carpenters, not known for building structures that lasted.  It began to slowly fall apart, and was affectionately coined, “The Breakaway House.” The guests loved it, and it became a place of merriment and refuge from Hollywood’s bright lights. Chaplin would entertain his guests by playing a pipe organ, inventing new gags, organizing swimming parties and games of tennis, where even the elusive Greta Garbo was a frequent player.

Sadly, defamation was also part of his life. During World War 1, the British press labeled Chaplin as a self-absorbed coward whose loyalty to his home country of England was questioned for never serving in the military, despite aggressively selling war bonds and transferring large amounts of his substantial income to the British government. Nevertheless, cutouts of the Tramp were propped up by British soldiers in the trenches “so the Germans would die laughing” and his movies were projected on the ceilings of military hospitals where wounded warriors could enjoy morale-raising laughs from their beds. Another scandal occurred when Chaplin briefly dated 22-year-old Joan Barry, who later reappeared in his life, claiming that Chaplin was her baby’s father, and filed a paternity suit.

The public trial was so intense that Chaplin’s hair literally turned gray overnight. Blood tests proved that Chaplin was not the father, but, at the time, blood tests were inadmissible evidence and he was ordered to pay $75 a week until the child turned 21. Matrimony was also a problem for Chaplin: marrying three times to younger women with striking resemblances to his mother, Hannah. The wives club included Mildred Harris, age 17; Lita Grey, age 16; and actress Paulette Goddard, age 28, who costarred with Chaplin in Modern Times and The Great Dictator.

I have the good fortune to be married to a wonderful wife. I wish I could write more about this,
but it involves love, and perfect love is the most beautiful of all frustrations
because it is more than one can express.
– Charlie Chaplin

His life took a blissful turnaround upon meeting the luminous Oona O’Neill in 1943, daughter of American playwright Eugene O’Neill. Chaplin had been looking for a lead actress for his next (unrealized) project, and discovered the mesmerizing 17 year old O’Neill. He was overwhelmed by her captivating beauty, and their meeting led to a life-long romance. A month after O’Neill turned 18, they eloped and married in a secret civil service in Carpentaria, California.  Playwright Eugene O’Neill immediately disowned her upon learning of her marriage to Chaplin, who was the same age as him. He refused all future attempts at reconciliation. Chaplin’s final marriage lasted until his death, producing eight children: Geraldine Chaplin, Michael Chaplin, Josephine Chaplin, Victoria Chaplin, Eugene Chaplin, Jane Chaplin, Annette-Emilie Chaplin and Christopher Chaplin. Although Oona stayed in the background, happy to focus on their home and children, she also spent time at the studios when Chaplin was working, offering her opinion about his various projects.

I have no further use for America. I wouldn’t go back there if Jesus Christ was President.
– Charlie Chaplin

During the 1950s, the House Un-American Activities Committee’s witch hunts, a disturbing period in U.S. history where Cold War tensions fueled fears of widespread Communist subversion, was in full swing. The committee used various charges of communism, communist sympathies and disloyalty to attack a number of  individuals, which included many left-leaning Hollywood personalities. Chaplin was considered dangerously progressive and amoral. FBI Chief J. Edgar Hoover and HUAC mistakenly believed that he was injecting Communist propaganda into his films. It was also revealed that he had never bothered to become a U.S. citizen. When Chaplin and family were departing back by vessel to Hollywood from a European vacation, Chaplin was informed that he would have to submit to an interview concerning his political views and moral behavior in order to re-enter the U.S. Rather than fight a pending investigation by Immigration Services, Chaplin decided not to return to Hollywood at all. The Chaplin family, though, needed a new address in Europe. His older half-brother Sydney Chaplin, suggested they visit Switzerland’s Lake Geneva region. Chaplin set his eyes on the enchanting town of Vevey, nestled along the lake. He was taken by its enticing tranquility, not to mention Switzerland’s attractive tax laws.

You’ll never find rainbows if you’re looking down.
– Charlie Chaplin

Manoir de Ban

He purchased the vacant Manoir de Ban, a neoclassical mansion in Corsier-sur-Vevey, in a resplendent country-like setting near the banks of Lake Geneva. This is where he chose to live his remaining years with his family, from 1952 until his death in 1977. It was the most joyful and contented period of his life, where he would take strolls in the spacious grounds, plant flowers in his radiant gardens, play with his children and host friends from around the globe. He also spent a large percentage of his time working on the screenplays for his films, A King in New York and A Countess from Hong Kong, as well as adding music to his silent feature films, which he composed at the family piano.

Chaplin’s health was in slow decline after suffering a series of minor strokes in the late 1960s. Despite the setbacks, he was soon writing a new film script, The Freak, which he intended as a starring vehicle for his daughter, Victoria. His fragile health prevented the project from being realized.  His speech, hearing and sight began to be impaired, and he later he was confined to a wheelchair.After 10 years of absence, Chaplin returned to the U.S. to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 1972 Oscar ceremonies. (The same year, Limelight is finally released in the U.S. and he wins an Oscar for best original score the next year). In this clip, Chaplin is clearly overwhelmed by the audiences’ response as he accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award.  The applause lasts for a record of 12 minutes, still the longest in Academy Award history.

In 1975, Chaplin was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace as Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin. He was 85 at the time. He commented that he hoped to be called ‘Sir Charles’ (as opposed to ‘Sir Charlie’).

On Christmas Day in 1977, Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin died peacefully in his sleep with most of his family at his bedside.  Lady Chaplin said “All the presents were under the tree. Charlie gave so much happiness and, although he had been ill for a long time, it is so sad that he should have passed away on Christmas Day.” Family doctor, Henri Perrier, ascribed death to old age. Funeral services in Vevey were private and restricted to the immediate family. Sir Charles and Lady Oona are buried side-by-side in a simple gravesite at Corsier-sur-Vevein. When I told son Eugene Chaplin that I visited the gravesite, he smiled briefly with British understatement, and said that James Mason is also buried there, too.

Chaplin’s World – Manoir de Ban

On April 17, 2016, Chaplin’s former home and expansive grounds were officially open for the whole world to see. Rechristened Chaplin’s World – Manoir de Ban, it was repurposed and expanded as a museum that showcases Chaplin’s work and life as a family man in Switzerland. The goal was to allow visitors to discover the man behind the movies. The centerpiece of the museum is the three-story, richly decorated Manoir, and a newly constructed studio.

In  Chaplin’s World – Manoir de Ban, visitors are introduced to the Chaplin family. The home has been restaged with a number of its original furnishings, personal items, photographs and family mementos. Each room focuses on a particular period of Chaplin’s personal life, while the dining room pays homage to the family’s everyday routines as well as the many Hollywood celebrities who visited them. An interactive studio features the work of Chaplin the artist which commences with a montage of clips from his half-century of writing, directing, producing, scoring and acting in movies.

The interactive studio is followed by an exhibition of recreated scenes and sets from many of his most famous films, along with wax figures of Chaplin’s famous co-stars.

It’s almost like a theme park where guests can enter the iconic cabin from The Gold Rush, while in the middle of a simulated blizzard, sit in the famous barber’s chair from The Great Dictator, or negotiate  the cogs of the industrial revolution machine from the madcap scene in Modern Times.

A stroll in the Manoir’s 10 acres of expansive green grounds is mandatory with the reward of stunning views of the Swiss Alps and Lake Geneva. This is where Chaplin lived and what he saw and what he loved.

The world misses you, Sir Charles – but your legacy lives on.

This is the final installment of a three-part series about Charles Chaplin.

In Part 1, the focus is on Chaplin’s early life and the genesis of the Little Tramp, Part 2, Chaplin’s movies.

Special thanks to Chaplin’s World for their assistance in this article, and to My Switzerland for making my journey to Vevey possible.

The post In Search of Charlie Chaplin: His Personal Life, Part 3 appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Still Alive and Kicking

I was talking to Lois, a friend who wrote the book “Tom the Mouse” which I illustrated. She told me her plight about losing her identity. I joked that she should write about it. She did. And here it is below. Hope you like it.

*  *  *  *

This is Your Life – or Death – or Whatever

by Lois McKinney (a subscriber of Raoul’s TGIF Joe)

Let me start by saying that reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.  In April, 2018,  I received a letter from my medical insurance that announced my demise.  I took a picture of the letter and texted it to my two daughters with the note “Is there something you girls have been meaning to tell me?”  Their responses weren’t as flippant as my remark.  One said, “Uh oh. This is not good.”  The other daughter responded “We need to fix this ASAP,” and she put her money where her mouth was, spending many hours with me as I made numerous phone calls and accompanying me on my trips to the Social Security office. A SS rep said that this situation usually happens as a result of one of their employees making an error when typing a Social Security number.  One would think that a governmental agency this size would have fail-safe measures to avoid what happened to me.  It was amazing how fast the wheels were put into motion to ruin my life.  My medical insurance was cancelled, my bank account was seized, and it took many trips to the Social Security Office before the deceased status was removed from my records.  Through it all, I tried to maintain my sense of humor.   At one point I asked my daughter to accompany me to the Social Security office so that I could offer to breathe on a mirror.  As she and I sat in the SS office waiting, I turned to her and said, “Consider this a rehearsal.”

For the past ten months, there have been no more reports of my death, so I became complacent.  BIG MISTAKE.  This morning I received a call from American Express informing me that there is a hold on my account because a credit bureau stated that there is a deceased person connected with the account.  Here we go again . . .

* * * * *

Well, I certainly hope Lois can get this straightened out.  She’s much too frail. I’m glad she can still find humor in all this. She’s an example for us all struggling with the complexities of the 21st century.

BTW, If you are in the Los Angeles area and you want your caricature done, I will be doing volunteer work for the kids at the Hope Central Project, City of Watts, Friday, 6:30 to 9pm and on Saturday at Grocery Outlet, La Habra @ 1pm to 5pm. Please pray for safety and that my back doesn’t hurt like the last time.

TGIF people!

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Peter Paul of South Pasadena, CA for sending this joke.

Video of the Week

Have You Seen My Wife?
Sent by Mike of New York

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Parting Shot

Thanks to Naomi of West Hollywood, CA who shared this.

This notice can now be found in all French churches:

En entrant dans cette église,
il est possible que vous entendiez l’appel de Dieu.
Par contre, il n’est pas susceptible de vous contacter par téléphone.
Merci d’avoir éteint votre téléphone.
Si vous souhaitez parler à Dieu, entrez,
choisissez un endroit tranquille et parle lui.
Si vous souhaitez le voir, envoyez-lui un SMS en
conduisant.

Translation:

Sent also by Ernie of Fresno, CA

The post Saying Sorry appeared first on Traveling Archive.