Bu… bu… bu… burrrrrrrrr!

Chillin in the states is aggravated by my body being accustomed to the tropics. I miss my swimming pool. I don’t miss the endless mass of humanity and the pollution.

I’m in Carolina today, but have decided that additional warmth is needed. I’m heading south.

Being over fifty and never visiting any of the attractions near Orlando is almost as sad as being a pretty 28 year old who’s never been kissed. I hope to find a theme park with loads of happy people. Perhaps I do miss the endless mass of humanity.

New Year’s is coming! I’ll send pictures.

Merry Christmas!

Add a dash of understanding to your dinner of disappointment this year. It’ll help you sleep.

I can’t remember the last time I gave a gift that was appreciated to the extent with which it was given. Pouring heart and soul into another’s life always leads to frustration when financial limits restrict. However, simplicity and poverty cannot prevent loving gestures!

Many times before, I’ve seen superior cash flow rule. Quantity and quality overshadow gifts of scarcity. Those with abundance steal hearts with dazzling ease. There’s a reason why diamonds are measured.

The value however is in the giving! Give with all your might! Somewhere, someone will notice that your heart is included within the box of cheap shoes.

Well… maybe not this year...

Dashing with all haste the year is concluding.

Time is irrelevant. I’ll vote it does not exist. Our only valid perspective is to value people – all of them.

In my grand experiment of 2005, I separated myself from friends and family. Would they thrive in my absence? Yes they did. Did their value for me increase? Abundantly! Did my value for them increase? Infinity plus one and a half!

I’ve been home for a few hours and find the biggest change to be within me. In 2005, the biggest humbutt I’ve ever known was transformed. He is making his way out of the swamp! In anticipation as never before, he has enjoyed Christmas and is speeding towards the new year. Let the last week be fun!

2006 offers us all the opportunity to change how we comb our hair. My mother taught me a great lesson. Twice each year she rotated the curtains in her house. How she knew the importance of change I don’t know. But there’s magic in the air when you move to a new office, buy new shoes, or change your mind.

I look forward to changing your mind twice next year! It’s a gift!

Christmas came on the 20th at my house. Dinner was shabby, but we had plenty.

Family memories are unique. Tonight's dinner was actually extraordinary, but when contrasted with meals of years past, it was modest. We had home-made rolls with burned bottoms. Everything else was fair with the exception of the apple pie that "What's her number" made. The pie was super!

Imperfect efforts disclose love. Mery Christmas!

Customs officials are a pain!

Passing through immigration in Manila cost me a toothbrush, fingernail clippers, a fingernail file, and my thirty four year old pocket knife. I suppose the knife might be considered a weapon except it was very dull. It was the toothbrush that puzzled me. I’ll put my subconscious mind to work and figure out how it might be dangerous.

When I reached San Francisco, I was chosen for a full bag search and a complete investigation of my computer and all of the files on my hard drive. I stood there for an hour as my files were scanned for illegal software and child pornography pictures. Since I had neither, they let me pass.

Flying all night from California to Dallas was just another packed flight.

Sinus congestion is almost as painful as customs officials. Not only do my ears refuse to adjust, but my snoring is humiliating. Several times, I woke myself from a deep sleep with volume that rattles my own skull.

It’s been two days with only brief naps. My pillows are calling!

I’m leavin on a jet plane, don’t know when I’ll be back again…

Part of the life adventure is uncertainty. At least I think so. I’m leaving tonight on my way to San Francisco. My arrival is before my departure. I leave Manila at 10:30 PM on Sunday and I arrive at San Francisco at 6:30 PM on Sunday. I believe I spend a few minutes in Monday before I slide back into Sunday. At least I think so.

I was to be met at the airport by Pastor, however he can’t make it so he is sending someone. I am to look for a person holding a sign which reads… “John”. At least I think so.

Christmas this year is on the 20th. The dinner menu is still negotiable. I’ll decide tonight as I fly. Like the flight options, I guess we will have steak or chicken. My cooking will be better. At least I think so. Ribs also sound good.

I have a bag full of Christmas gifts. If the airlines don’t loose the bag, it will be a Merry Christmas. We have outgrown the need for excessive gifts at my house. Curiously I think my daughter-in-law will receive the most gifts this year. Things change. At least I think so.

My captivity here has motivated me to take a road trip. This holiday season, I will be driving for a few days. My route and destinations are uncertain, so some of you may find me knocking. If I miss you, I’ll leave your presents under your tree marked “from Santa”. At least I think so.

Watching a giant insect swallow a man’s head was unpleasant, but in general I enjoyed the movie. The story is in King Kong’s eyes.

Of course there was the subtle remark that the more a man loves a woman, the more he ignores her. When Kong ignored the maiden, she intensified her effort to be noticed. All this time, I thought you were supposed to gently pamper women. I’m such a goof!

Perhaps I was the only one in the theatre who cried when Kong fell to his death. I wish to be a skilled writer who kisses the girl before the end, but regrettably there’s a chance I’m a big ape who gets shot down as the handsome rogue rides the elevator to the top.


Like Kong, I’m leaving my island home for civilization. Perhaps if I’m a persistent and clever writer, I too will rescue my love before it’s too late. You decide. What’s my future… winning writer or bid dead monkey?