Bike Commuting

There were geese in the creek today, and a mallard couple, and a small mammal of some sort disturbed the surface as it swam. There was also some resilient ice in one of the drainage pipes, and the water was chilly blue-green.

much peace,

Abracadabra

So this talking snake in a tree told me that Xenu, the Director of the Intergalactic Federation, knocked up this chick who swore up and down she was still a virgin. This was AFTER this crazy bearded guy with a magic hammer caused thunderstorms all over Norway, and some other cat in the desert said it was okay to kill all the infidels, a position that met with serious objection from folks who avowed and averred that THEIR bearded sky fairy had Chosen only them for that luscious desert. Then Aslan gave Prince Adam this magic sword and he and MacGuyver hooked up with Wonder Woman and Batman and made some crazy looking kids that Abraham was quite ready to kill until Buffy and Angel convinced him to change his ways.

Now, which of these things can be proven by actual empirical observation?

Answer: None.

Have a nice day. Abracadabra.

The demons all come crashing in
to find a place under my skin
where there's fear and loneliness enough
for all the hosts of hell...

(CR 2010, tjb)

Awake and Alive

It's easier to get up in the mornings knowing I have a bicycle ride ahead of me, and office work is more tolerable when I'm looking forward to my bike ride home.

This morning I heard bullfrogs creaking and croaking down by the Papio Creek, and the locusts were louder than I recall in previous summers. At 6:25 a.m., the edges of greenery along the trail diffuse into the late summer haze, and the eastern sky is still a tumbled confusion of color and cloud.

My shredded, then repaired, then re-shredded right knee aches in rotation, but my breath comes easy, my heart is steady, and my muscles burn like the good old days. I could spend a day concentrating on the rhythm of my quadriceps: fire and relax, fire and relax. Hypnotic, like the locusts and the slow-moving creek. I'm nothing but an extension of the scenery.

much peace,

Old Friend

I saw a bluejay on my bike ride to work this morning. I hadn't seen one in a long time before that. I hope I see him again tomorrow.

much peace

Balancing Act

Starting a second job this week. The extra hours and work don't bother me at all. Being less present for the various important people that need me weighs heavily on me, though. So it goes in the good old sweat-combustion engine. At least I have a spot on the wheel to which I can place my substantial shoulder.

much peace

Market Research

So a child care center with franchises all over the world recently was exposed for molesting and abusing kids, covering it up and obstructing justice. The vast majority of perpetrators have avoided prosecution, or even termination, and the entrenched managers and executives refuse to leave. Despite all of the overwhelming evidence, and despite the proven track record of abusing children, millions of parents' loyalty to this brand is so strong that they still choose to entrust this corporation with their children's safety. I don't understand parents whose brand loyalty is more important than their kids.

much peace,
tjb