T h i s * i s * i t

Turn OFF

2008-03-29T04:27:00.000-07:00

Thanks to azgoddess for reminding me to turn out the lights tonight.

Find something to do which can be done in the dark......

.....like Dancing.

Running with Glen

2008-03-22T09:20:00.000-07:00

I met up with Glen around Tallassee and ran around 4 miles with him. He was trying to go 100 miles today, which would take him well into Georgia. He did over 60 yesterday, and is feeling strong for his final push to Savannah. He is setting new records.

While we were running, Glen put his trip in perspective:
Dean Karnazes made headlines when he did 50 marathons (1300 miles) in 50 days (in all 50 states).

Glen will do almost a hundred marathons (> 2500) in less than 40 days.

We did a Podcast interview, before I turned around and he pushed on.

Keep on Zzzooming, Glen.....

Update: He made 101 miles on Saturday, and 80 on Sunday. Around 160 miles to go...

From Glen's website:
March 25, 2008 Update:
Glen has reached Tybee Island, GA and has successfully finished his journey! His total distance is 4,233 km in 37 days 1 hour and 18 minutes. Congratulations Glen!

4233 km = 2630.264 mi (or more than 101 marathons)

For Nancy: Dog Blogging Friday

2008-03-21T09:13:00.000-07:00

Even your dog has a blog

Max The Golden Retriever

Update on Glen (from the previous post): He will be running through Montgomery this weekend, I hope to meet with him and maybe run some miles along side him.

I've been extremely busy with other distractions, little time left for blogging, but I still browse the blogs. See Ya round the blogosphere.......

Ultra-Running Extremist

2008-03-06T11:24:00.000-08:00

Meet Glen R. Turner.

He is more than just a runner, more than an ultra-runner.

He is a Journey Runner and Zzzoomer, averaging 46 miles a day.

He is running all the way across the U.S., then he will be running around the world.

Want to know more? Go to his website and check him out, and support him if you can.

Glen Turner Running & Zzzooming - Running Across America Blog

Thank you Carole, for bringing this to my attention, I will make sure I catch him as he comes through Montgomery. More links and articles about Glen can be found at Carole's blog

Quietly, Into the Light

2008-02-25T05:45:00.000-08:00

Apathy has taken control of my blog time.

The voices are still there, shouting as loud as ever.

I have found a way to block out the yelling in my head.

The voices stop when I look directly into the light.

Why We Eat

2008-02-20T05:54:00.000-08:00

The main purpose of eating is to maintain your health.

In the U.S. it is also a major source of entertainment and gratification. Since religionists identify other forms of self-gratification as immoral, they have created a culture in which this form of pleasure is wholesome and acceptable, when there are times when it isn't. My opinion is; in moderation, any form of contentment is healthy, and avoidence or obsession of these pleasures is ultimately destructive to our body's homeostasis.

There is a joy to eating, and science has learned to recreate the source of the stimulus, without providing the nutrition that real, whole food should provide. They do this by processing the food with salts, sugar, chemicals, and imitation flavors and ingredients. Your body will respond to this imbalance of nutrition from these artificial foods with cravings, which effects our moods, for the nutrients which is missing from the food.

We need to focus on real, whole, unprocessed foods in great variety and colors. If we would pay more for better, well-grown food, we'll benefit ourselves, our communities, and the environment at large.

A good source for nutrition information, and the ecology of food is Michael Pollan

My Freedom

2008-02-14T04:39:00.000-08:00

I once had the confidence to walk on the edge of life, at spectacular heights.

I didn't realize the reason for my confidence and courage of heights until they were gone.

It was because you held my hand.

....

Many have I loved - Many times been bitten
Many times I've gazed along the open road.

Many times I've lied - Many times I've listened
Many times I've wondered how much there is to know.

Many dreams come true and some have silver linings
I live for my dream and a pocketful of gold.

Mellow is the man who knows what he's been missing
Many many men can't see the open road.

Many is a word that only leaves you guessing
Guessing 'bout a thing you really ought to know, ooh!

You really ought to know...

- "Over The Hills And Far Away" - Led Zeppelin

Your Bondage

2008-02-08T04:30:00.000-08:00

You cannot be spiritual and egocentric at the same time.

You cannot say you have an eternal soul, if you are selfishly focused on your life, your beliefs, and your understanding of the material world.

You cannot say you know God, if you think that humans are some kind of unique deity-chosen animal to be the "caretaker" of this place. Humans are no more special than a handful of soil, or the worms that work it so life can prosper. Without either, life, as humans define it, would not exist.

Humans were late-comers to this planet, and will most likely be gone before this planet's demise. It is the natural order of things, to change, rid the bad parts, develop more useful and healthy life. Human life is only a mere speck of ordered material, inhabited for a very brief time on this piece of leftover debris.

Then there are the mysteries no human will ever know. The how, where, why, and what answers which are beyond what our limited insight and intelligence can show us. What is beyond the known universe, and beyond what we will never know? On that, we must rely on faith.

The lasting affect of long dead prophets, philosophers, and a supposed messiah, is not who they were nor how they lived, but how their past lives and teachings still influence our daily lives.

Enjoy all aspects of life. It is short, scary, and meaningless. The only thing that will outlast your brief moment of deluded consciousness, and bring some kind of meaning to your existence, is the affect you have on other meaningless lives.

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Dreaming Of Taos

2008-02-07T04:31:00.000-08:00

This is my future

My dreams last night were of this place, Taos, New Mexico.

I shouldn't be publicizing it. It is the most beautiful place I have ever seen, no matter the season. Brilliant Landscapes, Dazzling Sunsets, Mild Weather, sparsely populated, Amazing Summer Lightning Shows, people who nurture and respect the land.

It is not a paradise. It is rural, rough, hostile and not for ready typical pampered U.S. citizen. Besides, like The Eagles said "You call someplace paradise, kiss it goodbye"

This book about Taos, one of several nonfiction Taos books by John Nichols, author of The Sterile Cuckoo and The Milagro Beanfield War, is a memoir in words and pictures of his discovery and relocation to Taos. The pictures are wonderful, but don't even come close to showing the true beauty of this place, Taos.

When I lived in New Mexico, Taos was my favorite place to hike. Like the author, I would hate to see this place become the next place for rich east coast/west coast suburbanites and celebrities to ruin, like they ruined Sante Fe, New Mexico.

I plan to retire to Taos someday. Stay Away.

********************************************

His other books I've enjoyed, or plan to enjoy:

The Sterile Cuckoo is different type of love story, and one of my favorites (the book version, not the movie, which changed the story), because I am much like the male protagonist, Jerry. The book ends as many of my dreams do, lost. I also liked the movie very much, except for the changed ending. Liza Minelli received an Oscar nomination for her role.

The Milagro Beanfield War captures the essence of New Mexico and her people, tells the battles of a small local farmer against corporate mega-farms. It is a quirky comedy that should be a classic and on school reading lists.

He has another book, The Wizard of Loneliness, which has also has a movie version. I've neither read the book nor seen the movie, but this sounds like the type of story I would enjoy.

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Super Dull Sunday

2008-02-03T12:01:00.000-08:00

It boggles my mind how anyone can find anything interesting about American Football.

They are Faking It, this obsession to this entertainment. Like a religion, people jump on the bandwagon because they see other people doing it, and they have been hypnotized by the great American Mind Control machine. It is another television event, in our weak-minded society. If you don't watch this and say it's "fun", then you're a nobody.

Many people have told me the names of the teams that are playing, but my lack of interest fails to retain this information. If it wasn't for the endless news hits which have been polluting the airwaves and internet, I wouldn't even know the game is on today.

On the positive side, it is a good time to go shopping. DAMN, I don't like shopping either. I guess I'll go for run. What else do you expect me to do?

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The Foundation of our Culture

2008-02-01T04:31:00.000-08:00

Momma loves her baby
And daddy loves you too.
And the sea may look warm to you babe
And the sky may look blue
But ooooh Baby
Ooooh baby blue
Oooooh babe.

If you should go skating
On the thin ice of modern life
Dragging behind you the silent reproach
Of a million tear-stained eyes
Don't be surprised when a crack in the ice
Appears under your feet.
You slip out of your depth and out of your mind
With your fear flowing out behind you
As you claw the thin ice.

- The Thin Ice, Pink Floyd

Crowded Isolation

2008-01-31T06:52:00.000-08:00

Is there place that isn't so lonely?

People are so busy trying to do things to fill up their time, they are missing out getting to know other people.

The more I try to do the activities everyone else is doing, the more I try to fit in, socialize, and do the things people say are "fun, the more isolated I feel. I see them having this so-called fun, and it makes me sad. Literally.

I see this too much, that unless you are doing what they want you to do, what they like to do, what they consider worthwhile, then you are not worth their time. You must conform. They avoid people who think, act, or live differently from them.

Why live, if you're just going to be the same as everyone else?

It is time to run away, again.

"I gotta roll, can't stand still,
Got a flame in my heart, can't get my fill,
Eyes that shine burning red,
Dreams of you all thru my head."

- Black Dog, Led Zeppelin

Vengeance Is Mine

2008-01-28T06:00:00.000-08:00

I can't support any of the presidential candidate frontrunners.

Even the Democrats are abandoning long held ideals in favor of popularity and votes.

Clinton, Obama and Edwards all support capital punishment.

It's Time

2008-01-24T05:41:00.000-08:00

Worried about the economy? Why?

The U.S. is consuming the world's resources at a rate that is unsustainable. With less the 5% of the world's population, we consume 80% of the world's resources. If this were to continue, the U.S. will destroy the world within the next few centuries.

Economic growth is a deadly disease upon the Earth, and capitalism is it's most incurable affliction. We cannot have perpetual economic growth, and necessary climate and ecology practices. Economic growth is incompatible with a healthy earth.

The forces of Mordor (U.S.) will destroy the last few places of peace and healthy earth-friendly living in this world, until it is used every last resource within it's endless reach, and destroyed peace and nature, for the endless gluttony it demands.

Perhaps this can be prevented. Economic collapse destroyed the Roman Empire, and the Nazis dream of global domination. I'm hopeful economic collapse will shrink the USA's addictions to consumerism, material wealth, and global destruction of nature's resources.

The last eight years have seen unprecedented U.S. government spending and ever increasing use of dwindling military forces and contracted mercenaries to gain influence in the regions where we pilfer our "needed" resources. These actions have not only caused much shame to our country, but bitterness from groups whose ideals differ the majority of the U.S.'s.

We need to not only to stop our reckless economic growth, and cut it back to a more reasonable level. We need to stop our insatiable appetite for the worlds resources and learn to live in harmony with the other culture's needs and ideals, and in harmony with the earth that sustains our lives. We need to live within the space of the environment we inhabit, quit stealing resources from other places when we have plenty of our own to sustain us comfortably.

I'm not afraid of economic collapse, I think we need it, before the earth becomes a wasteland, and before our consumption becomes the cause of our extinction.

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Miserable Comfort

2008-01-20T04:27:00.000-08:00

I train for four months to run the race we ran yesterday.

I had a goal. To beat last years time. That didn't happen, but I was so glad to just finish, and surprised that it only took one minute longer than last year. It was the most miserable conditions I've EVER run.

I ran a trail run (Top of Tantalus) in Hawaii once, in heavy rain and ankle deep puddles and mud with slippery tree roots. That was bad, but at least it was warm, and the scenery was breathtaking.

I'm a person who loves the cold (not bitter cold), and love rain, and I love to run in inclement weather, but every person has their limits. The wind usually doesn't bother me, I can dress for that.

Yesterday was miserable. How miserable was it?

It was cold, windy, with heavy rain mixed with snow (the first time I've seen snow since moving here seven years ago). We had to run in those conditions for almost two hours. Continuous heavy rain and wind. We were soaked, numb feet and hands, and muscles that were becoming stiff from the cold.

It was a little comfort to see 200 fellow runners experiencing the same misery, and some of them weren't dress as well as I, for these conditions. We will be remembering this race as the worst conditions many of us will ever suffer.

As I was changing after the run, and putting my wet clothes into a bag to take home, I swear they must have weighed five to ten pounds. The upscale fitness club which sponsored the run, had very nice showers, with those foot wide shower heads. That was the best hot shower ever. My hands and feet were still cold later that night when I soaked in and hot tub and finally got the rest of the chill out of my body.

When I got home, everyone was excited because it actually snow and accumulated about one inch. It is such a rare event here, but yesterday I could care less. I just spend the rest of the day trying to get the chill out of my body. I slept well last night.

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Overwhelmed

2008-01-17T15:17:00.000-08:00

For the next few weeks, and possibly permanently, look for new posts here on Sundays.

I'll be running in a half marathon Saturday, then going to play in the snow in the Smoky Mountains, weather permitting. A winter storm is developing and could be hitting us on Saturday. The weather man has even said the "S" word about Friday night/Saturday morning, I doubt it will happen (I'm an optimist), but a cold rain or freezing precipitation could make things interesting, since I don't have cold weather rain gear for running.

Work, training, and a hectic schedule have me a bit overwhelmed for a little while. Please keep the place tidy.

A Purpose and a Plan

2008-01-13T11:15:00.000-08:00

One of my future vacation plans is go on a Hut-to-Hut hiking trip in Austria.

In Austria, most villages are not only connected by roads, but also by hiking trails, and it is possible to tour most of the country via these trails . There are even government sponsored hostels to provide budget travelers lodging and meals at a very reasonable cost. They even brew a special beer for the hikers. There is one tour that combines beer tasting and hiking. That's what I call motivation, hike to the next town to sample some local brews. (Mass produced Kool-Aid beers are shunned in these parts of the world).

Anyway, I was over at Hill's Country, I found out there is a special town in Austria I need to visit while I'm there. Fucking, Austria.

Here are the directions from Tarsdorf to Fucking. Pay close attention to last step in the directions.

I want to go to Fucking Austria.

I want to go to the Fucking town, and stay at the Fucking hotel. Then I want to go out and eat at a Fucking restaurant, go meet some of the Fucking people (would they be called Fuckers?) and see all the Fucking sights. Maybe I can get a meet a woman while I'm there , and finally have a Fucking girlfriend, You know, someone who can help me find my special purpose.

When we're done we'll hit the Fucking road to get the Bleep out of Fucking. Then again, maybe we'll stay there and have a great Fucking life.

Excuse me while I go dream of Fucking......

(Wow, writing that was strangely satisfying.)

Please don't steal the Fucking sign, or someone might miss Fucking, and that wouldn't be good.

P.S.:
Although it may seems like I'm taking advantage of the name this town, no expletives have been used in writing this post! So you guys watch your ~~fucking~~ language.

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When is Lunch? - Lunch Is Served

2008-01-08T10:00:00.000-08:00

Continued from:
When Is Lunch?
When Is Lunch? - The Next Meal
When Is Lunch? - Let's Go Out
When Is Lunch? - You Make It
When Is Lunch? - I'm Not Hungry

He started making plans to give away his assets, end his journey and make his misery go away.

He made a harder decision. He decided to keep going.

Life is an adventure, and around every bend in the road are new possibilities. It might be exciting, it might be scary, or just a long straight boring stretch of highway. Good things will happen, bad things will happen, people will try to run you off the road or block your way, it's all part of the adventure. He didn't want to miss the good times because of being afraid of hitting a few potholes.

The End

I wish there was a more exciting ending with ambulances, cheating lovers, back-stabbing friends, blood and gore, and life-altering situations. It is all there, I left out those details, because your imagination can create better stories than I can tell, let it run wild.

The posting will be a little light for the next few weeks, work and my training schedule are a little bit overwhelming at the moment.

Only seventeen days left until niCkDay.

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Really?

2008-01-04T04:56:00.001-08:00

I swiped this picture from Badtux. The latest in Republican head wear. This truly demonstrates that they are not ashamed to show us what they use their brains for. (<-- oops, I'm dangling)

I see Iowans have selected Huckabee for their choice to lead the dick heads nomination.

At first, I think it is a good thing, because there is no way the people of the U.S. would vote for such a phony and fraud, then I backtrack and say "OH SHIT", that's the exact same thing I said about our current fraud of a President.

FRACK.

Just Another Day

2007-12-31T05:22:00.000-08:00

Like Hell it is!

Today I will celebrate my two favorite addictions in a two day sleep-deprived drunken runfest.

It starts at 2 this afternoon, with a 5 Mile run on the Chief Ladiga Trail in Jacksonville, Alabama. That is the only serious race which I will be keeping track of my results. After a brief rehydration party, I will make my way over to Birmingham for a private New Years Eve run and party, with plenty of rehydration concoctions, and carbohydrate replenishment snacks. Then I will try to make my way back to Montgomery for a 10 AM New Years Day 5K Chili Run put on by our local club.

Running is a great way to avoid hangovers, as is keeping yourself hydrated with plenty of Guinness. I'm anemic, and Guinness is a brew with a high iron content, and it is very hearty drink, just the ticket for athletic wanna-bees who are looking for high calorie run recovery product. I only drink it for my health.

If you don't hear from me for a while, it means I couldn't find anyone to post bail, or I've become road kill on some suburban cul-de-sac. Don't worry, someone will take care of me when the smell gets too unpleasant.

If I survive, I'll be updating you with my stories of the drunk running dork and his adventures of the next two days.

Have a Safe and Happy New Year. Well, at least be happy, and stay out of the way!

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When Is Lunch? - I'm Not Hungry

2007-12-28T04:11:00.000-08:00

Continued from:
When Is Lunch?
When Is Lunch? - The Next Meal
When Is Lunch? - Let's Go Out
When Is Lunch? - You Make It

.... With the approval of his wife, he planned a trip to see a girlfriend from his teenage years .........

The visit with his old friend was incredible. They had so much in common. They both had a great time together doing all the things he been wishing his wife would do with him.

He decided, without much thought, that he wasn't the problem in the marriage. They had become two different people and their life together was bad for both of them. With encouragement from his old friend, he decided to end his marriage. If it was to make his life better, why did he feel so bad? His intuition said he was doing the wrong thing, but he couldn't see the reason in his head, which was telling him to change his life. Besides, his wife did not put up any fight, in fact she seemed relieved, like she wanted to go her seperate way, also.

He knew he could easily find someone with whom he could share his life, a kindred spirit. He met so many. Before he was divorced, they seemed to be everywhere and anxious to find someone like himself. Then reality set in. He found that what people wanted from life, and what they were willing to do make that life happen, were secondary to the cold comfort they now lived. They were too scared to change.

The next few years of his life were the most confusing and stressful time he had ever seen. Up until now it seemed that everything was just handed to him, like he didn't have any control of what happened, good things happened, and his career flourished, as long as he was going along for the ride, and not steering. Now it seemed he had complete control of his life, and he was scared he wouldn't be able to handle it. Stress, depression, and the feeling of hopelessness were daily visitors. Relationships didn't work out, work was overwhelming, and all the decisions he made for himself had bad consequences, which made him feel worse. He felt he couldn't fix this mistake his life had become.

He started making plans to give away his assets, and end his journey..........

... to be continued ...

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I Wish You Peace

2007-12-25T04:15:00.000-08:00

His words are simple
Love and peace for everyone
When do we begin?

Fa La La - La La - La La La La

2007-12-23T17:26:00.001-08:00

Is there a big sign on my back that says "Tag Me"?

Kelly The Black Dog did it this time!

This is my Holiday Gift to my readers. A Christmas MeMe.

The rules: Link to the person that tagged you, and post the rules on your blog. Share Christmas facts about yourself. Tag random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. Wrapping or gift bags? Bags. I'm too impatient for wrapping.

2. Real or artificial tree? When I was in homes that celebrated Christmas as a child, we always had real trees. When I had my own family, we had artificial, just because it was more frugal, and easy. Now I don't put up a tree. Because I'm lazy. and no one would notice anyway.

3. When do you put up the tree? As a child it was the week of Christmas, as an adult, it was mid-December. Of course now, it is never.

4. When do you take the tree down? New Years Eve or Day.

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes, I like Egg Nog, but I don't drink it, it is so full of saturated fat. I found Bolthouse Farms Perfectly Protein Vanilla Chai Tea (made with Soy) tastes just as good as Egg Nog and is healthy, so that is what I drink now instead of Egg Nog. I drink it spiked.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Legos

7. Do you have a nativity scene? No and never had one as a child.

8. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Can't think of any.

9. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards? I've never done Christmas Cards.

10. Favorite Christmas movie? A Christmas Carol. I have dreams similar to Scrooge's.

11. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Do all my shopping on-line (now), and wait until the last minute. I cannot stand stores this time of year. I have panic attacks and retreat to a dark corner for days if I go Christmas shopping.

12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Snickerdoodles and Dark-Chocolate Covered Marzipan.

13. Clear lights or colored on the tree? When there was a tree, it was always colored lights, but I prefer clear now.

14. Favorite Christmas song? Happy Christmas (War is Over) - John Lennon. I cannot listen to that song and not get tears. I wish others would understand the meaning of those words.

15. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Stay home.

16. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?
Yes. I can also recall the most famous reindeer of all and Olive, the other reindeer.

17. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Star.

18. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?
Morning. As a child, sometimes it was Christmas Eve.

19. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
Not being able to go to the store. I won't, it is just too degrading.

20. Do you decorate your tree in any specific theme or color?
No.

21. What do you leave for Santa?
Cookies and Milk.

22. Least favorite holiday song?
"We Wish You a Merry Christmas"

23. Favorite ornament?
None

24. Family tradition?
My childhood families? Dysfunction. My own family? Grandma's (in-laws) House.

25. Ever been to Midnight Mass or late-night Christmas Eve services?
No. Never.

I tag Mauigirl (she knows why), Cindra (Where have you been?), and Nancy (another non-traditionalist, and she loves to get tagged).

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Twelve Twenty One

2007-12-21T03:56:00.000-08:00

Only few days left before we celebrate how much Capitalism means to the U.S.A.

There's a "War" on it. Well, you can talk about there being a "reason" for this holiday, but few actually show it. They say actions speak louder than words, well show me what it means to you, quit just talking about it.

In my honest, humble, freaky opinion:

It should be a universal holiday to celebrate the beginning of life (the birth of a child) who is a child of a higher power (aren't we ALL). Conceiving a baby is the only way to keep human life on this planet, so it should be treated as a high honor. It doesn't matter if it is an poor unwed mother, teenagers discovering the beauty of human intimacy, or soul conceived in a relationship betrayal. It is a honor, and those receiving this honor should be placed on pedestal, there is no shame in any pregnancy.

Those not wishing to receive this honor or the responsibility it carries, should not be forced into receiving it by the judgements of others. It is intensely personal, just like spiritual beliefs, and cannot be applied uniformly to a species with very diverse lives and personalities.

Birth control and safe legal abortion must remain available to ensure the humans have the education and means necessary to make this life long decision, and to honor the sanctity of life. Those decisions must be made with logic and reason, not state or church control. The metaphoric "God" is in control of all our actions, and whatever the result, it is "His" decision.

That way we can have a holiday to honor the birth of a child for the "miracle" it is, the creation of life by a higher power in which we are the instruments of its actions.

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When Is Lunch? - You Make It

2007-12-18T04:44:00.000-08:00

The continuing mediocrity of a some nameless man. Continued from:
When Is Lunch?
When Is Lunch? - The Next Meal
When Is Lunch? - Let's Go Out

He had contacted and reconnected with girlfriends from his youth. He started thinking about them too much.

He liked learning about them and what their lives had been like. For the time being, all he wanted, was someone to write, someone who was more anonymous then his current circle of friends, but yet knew him. He needed to tell someone about what was going on in his life and in his head. Someone who was distant, but close.

He dark mood seem to lift as he talked to these past friends, but as he compared his life to theirs, he was embarrassed to tell them he had it so good for a long time. Here he was, with such a good life, and becoming depressed and miserable, when so many others have not had such luck.

Sometimes, you have to know a little misery to know how good you really have it.

He started thinking about one of these friends too much, and received messages and calls stating she was thinking about him all the time. He wanted to see her. His only intention was friendship, but his mind did wonder about "what if". He didn't think it was possible to change his life from what it was now, and he wasn't ready to think about that or change his life. The thing he wanted most was to keep in touch with old friends.

With the approval of his wife, he planned to trip to see her.........

.... to be continued .....

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