Just One of Those Days

Wednesday was a sweet, sour and delicious day for me … a confusing day.

Sweet because I wrote a song for my wife. Sour because I’m very concerned about my friend who opened up to me. Delicious because my college friends said I look like someone in the Fast and the Furious movie.

SWEET

Being human is a juggling act of emotions. I talked about this last week when I shared the movie UP. What is it with that movie? I was so inspired to put words to the theme music because it reminded me of my wife. The melody played in my head for days and one morning the first words came out in my dream. I spent a few days honing the lyrics, the melody and the harmony. It ain’t perfect but my wife loved it and that’s what’s important. The song’s kinda mushy but If my wife will allow me, I’d like to share it with you someday.

SOUR

Not to get into too much detail but my friend is going through a difficult time. I wish I had a magic wand to erase all of the pain and the anxiety. We’ve stepped into the realm of spiritual topics. We could use your prayers.

DELICIOUS

My old chums sent me a picture of an Asian actor/director from the movie Fast and the Furious (I never watched that episode). They said the guy looks like me. I laughed when I saw the picture but I had to make a double take because he really does look like me
… at least when I still had hair that wafted in the summer tropical breeze like Favio … and before my eyes puffed up like Igor in Young Frankenstein … and way before the wrinkles of my shriveled skin. This is the picture they sent me:

I was flattered because I think that guy’s pretty handsome. So if he’s handsome, can I say I am too? Shock!! Honestly, I never thought I was handsome. At one point I thought I was downright ugly when pimples covered my teenage face. I was so ashamed of my looks that I would always look down. But it was my Dad who started to build my confidence when he said not to worry about my pimples because it “made me very manly.” I never cared how I look anyway. Still don’t. It’s not important.

Imagine going through life not knowing I was actually good looking? The only person who said I was handsome was my grandma when she was combing my 5 year old hair with greasy pomade (one of my earliest memories). I never believed her because grandmas are supposed to say sweet things. Even my Mom never said I was handsome … even my wife never said so. In fact, one time I asked her if I was handsome and she said “not really but you’re charming.” Well, whaddayaknow — I’m the ugly duckling who’s been living a lie — I’ve been a swan in duck’s clothing. Very strange to find out this late in life. Send in the clowns baby! Send in the clowns!

So I don’t know what to call Wednesday. Weird day, perhaps. I have no real message today. I can only think of Forrest Gump.

As always, this is just me. Is this you too? Did we connect?
TGIF people!

“Confusion now hath made its masterpiece.” —William Shakespear

“I’m not confused. I’m just well mixed” —Robert Frost

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Original art by Raoul Pascual.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Sharon of Connecticut

Thanks to Jennifer of Denver, Colorado

Thanks to Magda of Boston, Massachusetts

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Thanks to Drew of Anaheim, CA

Thanks to Benny of Detroit

Thanks to Rachel of Seattle, Washington

I found these:

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

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Observations of the Debate

WARNING: Political Topic. Move on to the jokes if you’re not interested.

The great debate between Biden and Trump is history. You’ll know whose predictions were accurate. And the media will have their analysts massaging the truth to their liking.

I dare not contribute to the confusion so I will just share a few observations about the event.

For me, this is a perfect example of why America is such a great country. To witness polar opposites verbally slug it out yet still being relatively civil to each other is impressive. Few countries have the forum nor the political stamina to stage this.

In the main stage was a battle of ideas, name-calling and lying. But the setting of the battleground itself was beautiful to behold. I think we should be conscious of the forces that try to divide us. That is the real enemy. America, despite all the craziness in today’s politics, is still an amazing country to live in.

But this is just me. TGIF people!

Raoul

” Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.” — Romans 12:14

” The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.” — Sun Tzu

“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,” – Proverbs 24:17

“If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy.” — James Madison

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Parting Shots

Thanks to Benny of Chicago

Thanks to Maling of New Manila, Philippines

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Drew of Anaheim, CA

I found these:

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

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The post A Forgotten Beatitude appeared first on Traveling Archive.