tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44980221058205779732024-03-13T14:09:58.246-07:00Train WriterWriting's the best way to kick ass! Charles BukowskiTrain Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05270427788688339497noreply@blogger.comBlogger356125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498022105820577973.post-20346406730396400682024-01-28T13:29:00.000-08:002024-01-28T13:29:50.162-08:00London Calling<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">January 28, 2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Flying to London tonight for our sales meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First time traveling out of the country for
the job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First time in London since 2001
or 2002?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been at this job eight
years this year and recall during my interview when the HR person asked if my
passport was up to date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was
speculation that our sales meeting would be in the UK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, here I go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></p>Train Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05270427788688339497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498022105820577973.post-64928235964039841862024-01-14T06:42:00.000-08:002024-01-14T06:42:51.909-08:00Hey it's a New Year 2024 and it's time to set some goals! <p> <span style="font-family: arial;">January 14, 2024</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Instead of starting off that it has been so long since I wrote
a blog entry, I will stop and say that it’s good to be back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2023 was the first full year, living with Meli.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our relationship is growing, and I am
grateful each day that we are together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last
year, we went to some concerts, Mark Anthony at Prudential. It was the first and
last time I saw him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Juan Louis Guerra
at MSG which was a great show, Cheap Trick, Santana, Smithereens, and Duran
Duran.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also went to a Jets preseason
game, NASCAR in the Poconos, IronPigs baseball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Trips to Costa Rica, Mexico City and a week in Maine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, there were the trips back to Long Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We finally saw a CC performance, a drag show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went out to dinner many nights and took up
hiking, bike riding, joined a gym and have been working out consistently for close
to a year. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ran a half marathon and a 5-miler
last month. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finally got into fly
fishing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had visits from family and
hung out with friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My second novel
in the Bombastic Adventures in the Arizona Desert trilogy will be published by
Imzadi this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last year, an audio
book of Black Market Bones was published.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And our home has a new roof and siding and lots of plants and books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, that is a brief summary of where we are
at. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">But this is a time of reflection as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this is where I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday, I had a coaching session with John
Joseph, former singer for Cro-Mags, Iron Man, a plant-based guru.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an intro session. We need to know we
can work together and what was supposed to be a half hour turned out to be close
to one hour. I told him, I’d like to get back on task.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My writing time and output has been minimal,
and it’s been this way for months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get
in maybe 10 minutes a night and consolation were that is ten minutes more compared
to not writing at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Walter Mosely writes
every day for hours and I was thinking, so can I. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used to get up and write before starting my
real job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finished a novel, not in the
trilogy, that takes place in Ireland. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
since my wife is here, life is different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She likes to have breakfast together each morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most mornings, I clean the dishes, make
breakfast, eggs, turkey sausage, we eat together, and I warm up her car and
scrape the windows off of any frost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
used to drive her to work, and I am grateful that she’s driving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This saves a lot of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what am I doing with the extra time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be honest, not much.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Last year, I made the foolish decision to go back to Facebook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s different compared to when I was on it
back in 2017.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are now reels and
there are the same friends who are making the same comments, sharing new
pictures, happy for those who are expecting or been promoted or other positive or
not - life events which should we shared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But most of it is whining, political or religious banter, regurgitating
of old garage bands, reliving the romantic past, but it was the reels that did me
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Months later, I got off FB. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was difficult. There were a few aborted
attempts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s been months since I’ve
been there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Formerly Twitter, X was back
in my life as well, but again I realized I was in a place that was wasting my
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s taking me away from my goals
and I am encountering posts that I don’t need to be exposed to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It all boils down to time management.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">It is Sunday morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I woke up at 5:00. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to
start waking up earlier, before Meli, so I can write. One of the suggestions
John made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mission accomplished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s more than two hours since I started and
I am happy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John said many things yesterday
and I will hire him for more coaching sessions, but he said, I love what I
do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also writes and is focused on his
projects, meals, workouts, and goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
am getting back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haven’t had a drink
since January 1<sup>st</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meli and I
are on the road to transitioning to a plant-based diet. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year looks like it will be more productive
and just think, my phone is tucked away in the drawer to avoid any distractions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for reading this,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mike</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPqqRGW_kaQ9iNoSJu0t65PCfv6tDkBGSZ8RrZ34nY-_djB57sSoD-QqoGvaW_TVR4cw7FPTfGezFlxCyujxgPjceeAhguoykWzmVTy9HVn26YFHV81eb-XmQ8GMSWWlckCx2HwOlClmqRJWkx-ZVwyzlAJZBxiGsWw5UwW5s43zvhZ81PbSHf8NcetUW/s3088/Beach%20CR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPqqRGW_kaQ9iNoSJu0t65PCfv6tDkBGSZ8RrZ34nY-_djB57sSoD-QqoGvaW_TVR4cw7FPTfGezFlxCyujxgPjceeAhguoykWzmVTy9HVn26YFHV81eb-XmQ8GMSWWlckCx2HwOlClmqRJWkx-ZVwyzlAJZBxiGsWw5UwW5s43zvhZ81PbSHf8NcetUW/s320/Beach%20CR.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It has been almost
a year since I posted on the blog. It’s
a good time to provide an update on things.
Today’s rain has something to do with it and with a new computer comes
the opportunities to post a few things.
So here it goes. At the end of last
October, I flew down to Costa Rica to bring Meli and her cat, Blue back to the
US. After waiting for years, it happened,
and it seems like more than a year ago when we pulled into the driveway together
for the first time. Meli and I have
settled into the house with two cats and an assortment of books. Since she came, the house has been re-sided
with what looks like cedar shakes, a new roof, re-insulated. Soon we will have two new storm doors and new
basement windows before the winter hits. There are new plants and trees in the yard
and the look inside our home feels warm and welcoming but call me first if you’re
interested in visiting. Since February, Meli
has been working as a technician at the pharmacy department in Allentown Hospital. She likes her job although I think she can
earn more money since she is busy speaking to a majority of patients who only
speak Spanish. She is driving back and forth
to work with me in the passenger seat, and she is working on getting her permit
and license here. Before you send in the
cops, she has her driver’s license from Costa Rica so she can legally drive. The kids are all doing well and I will share more
details in further blogs. My job has
been very busy and I’m happy with the progress I am making on some prospects. The job allows me time to write on the side. Back in July, I submitted the second installment
in the Bombastic Adventures in the Arizona Desert. I am currently working on the third and final
book. The audio book for the first installment,
Black Market Bones will be released soon. So, look for more posts on my flyfishing,
working out, biking, running, reading and other assorted comments about this life.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for reading.</span></span><div><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>Train Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05270427788688339497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498022105820577973.post-1902145852892178362022-10-28T18:32:00.000-07:002022-10-28T18:32:11.631-07:00The VISA is on-hand<p><span style="font-family: arial;"> 10/17/2022 07:55</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I have to get ready for work but wanted to write that my
wife has her visa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is after two
plus years of us processing. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">10/17/2022 22:36 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Calling it a day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Time for me to get out of the office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">10/28/2022 18:35 Bethlehem<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Well, it’s happening. Flying to Costa Rica on Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plan is to stay a couple of days and fly
back on Wednesday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll either drive to
Long Island tomorrow and spend the night at Ma Pa’s or spend the night here and
wake up early and head out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How much
time am I saving if I stay the night on Long Island?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe about an hour, so it may be best to
leave from here and make it a day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll park
at the terminal. So, instead of waiting for the LIRR and heading back to Ma Pa’s,
Meli and I with her cat Blue will drive back to Bethlehem. It will be another long
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll buy a coffee at Dunkies at JFK
and make the drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope we’re back
here by 1 AM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would be incredible
but being this is her first trip and immigration and Blue’s paperwork, we may
not get back till…I don’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want
to think about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What will it be like
to start at life with Meli?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last night I walked around the neighborhood.
Saw one lit up face in a dark living room on their phone and was curious why
they were in the dark, what was so engaging?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Engrossed in the news?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll pack
tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Need to buy a couple of
things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a small bowl of candy
outside for the trick or treaters and I thought I may have missed the costumes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not sure if I will see any.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Need to turn on the lights outside for the rascals
and animals who will happily eat the candy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But here it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meli will be here, and we can take walks
together and all the sites that I see, the rivers and streams, we can share together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We already have plans to see Tina, the
Broadway show – playing in Philadelphia late next month, on her birthday, the
22<sup>nd</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there’s so many
more plans. Travels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meeting my parents
and eventually the kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What will it be
like?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How about all the stores who know
me and our story, when will your wife be here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hey, look, here she is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is all
in God’s hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until she is here, until
a few weeks pass, and we settle in and know this relationship is real and it is
meant to me and not something in the future, until then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More months will pass and then years and we will
create the life we want.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for reading this</span><o:p></o:p></p>Train Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05270427788688339497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498022105820577973.post-14255615115626406442022-09-11T15:19:00.001-07:002022-09-11T15:19:19.348-07:009/11 and Covd<p> <span style="font-family: arial;">9/11/2022 14:46 Covid</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Last Tuesday, I woke up feeling miserable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My brain was throbbing, coughing, fatigue and
aches and the rest of the symptoms that would make anyone guess, they got it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I heard the expression a couple of weeks after
people were getting hit with Omnicom, it’s not a matter of IF you get it, it’s
a matter of WHEN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought I beat it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I take care of myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I eat well and run and workout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I play baseball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it caught me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made an appointment at the local Rite Aid
and took a test.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The results came back Thursday
morning as positive. I took a rapid test which looked inconclusive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wednesday and Thursday I was feeling better and
thought, I beat this. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Friday, I woke up
feeling sicker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday, I woke up
feeling horrible, as if I had a hold cold, but without the mucus and in the shower,
I noticed my sense of smell was gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
played our first in a series of three in the playoffs and lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were down a few players, but next weekend
we will play a double-header and that will be it for the season unless we win
those games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel better today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still no smell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I heard this thing kicks ass for two
weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I am resting and reading,
Stories from the Tenants Downstairs by Sidik Fofana which came from Strand as
part of a fiction Book of the month club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am enjoying it, the characters are in a series of train wrecks which constantly
pop up. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Received a text from my publisher and they are scheduling interviews
and promo pieces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to jump on marketing
my book now that it’s out for a year. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Worked on Part II of Bones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">It has been raining all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A stark difference to that day twenty-one years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May those souls rest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for reading this <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>Train Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05270427788688339497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498022105820577973.post-34458744025471047992022-09-05T17:27:00.006-07:002022-09-05T17:36:18.366-07:00Installing Ring and Immigration frustration, Part 2<p><span style="font-family: arial;">September 5, 2022</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">19:53<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">It’s Labor Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
drilling holes in our home trying to find a way I get the Ring wires up from the
basement where’s there’s plug set up high and the mystery is getting the damn wires up and through the
wall to where the doorbell will be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Let me explain. </span>This
house is solid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Concrete. It’s not blowing
over. I may need to hire an electrician. If you live in an older home and thinking of Ring, try the wireless. In my opinion, it will be less hassle and less money in the long run, but you need to charge the batteries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ran earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More than four miles, but my right knee is
acting up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of walking and I had a
shitty time in the humidity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was
minimal traffic due to the holiday. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Passed
a few dog walkers who scowled when I said good morning. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The attorney called Meli from Mexico.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s the scoop, one of my clients works and
lives in CDMX and reached out to a friend who is an attorney. The attorney
thought Meli was in Mexico and a Mexican.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She said Meli needs to submit her birth certificate with a stamp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The good news, we found that we could request
the police records on-line, avoiding the trips back to the Mexican Embassy in
San Jose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No handwritten letters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bad news, all of September is booked, and
she scheduled an opening on October 3<sup>rd</sup> and now she needs to get a birth
cert with a stamp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The attorney told her on Friday, we should have
the police record this week, this Friday the latest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that is out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re back to waiting for October which will
come fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I waited for August to breeze
by since she had her interview on the 23<sup>rd</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought about flying down to visit her, but
that would be a waste since there is a possibility, she will fly back with me
next month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can look back on this and
say, I should have hired an immigration attorney.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I did, we may be together at this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The normal process is two years for a spousal
visa, and yet this is not normal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
lived in Chile and Mexico.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More
paperwork. More bureaucratic bullshit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She went to the post office and sent for her birth certificate with a
stamp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will take two weeks from the
Costa Rican government.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to be
patient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to be patient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been patient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve been patient.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for reading this.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Train Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05270427788688339497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498022105820577973.post-57721622502900352372022-09-05T17:22:00.000-07:002022-09-05T17:22:07.430-07:00Installing Ring and Immigration frustration, Part 1<p> <span style="font-family: arial;">8/27/2022 21:40</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Today, I installed a new Ring doorbell, clipped some wires,
and tried to kick start the thing, but it’s not functioning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to buy another device in hopes I get
the thing working before my wife joins me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How is that going?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you for
asking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The interview we waited for was
this past Tuesday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last week, the staff
at the US Embassy reviewed her paperwork and it was all in order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The week before that, Meli had her medical,
up to date vaccinations, a check of some vitals and she passes and had to pay
out of her pocket for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each trip (3)
my wife makes to San Jose can take up to five hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had spent nights there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last week the interview took place and the
only thing holding the visa from being approved it her police records from
Chile and Mexico.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She now has
Chile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked her to spend the night and
go to the Mexican Embassy the next day and explain the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They recommended she return this Monday and
wait in cue and once at the window, explain to the embassy rep that she is from
Tilaran which is five hours away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
will make an appointment on Tuesday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That would be two nights in San Jose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She would have to go back the next day and write two handwritten letters
which will be sent DHL to the police records in Mexico City where a friend will
have to pick them up and mail it back to the embassy in San Jose CR.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What happened to email?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The internet?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Chile sent her police records by PDF in a few hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know what would happen with Mexico.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the first two attempts, they will
apologize and explain they lost the letters, or they misplaced the filing, and
she would need to start the process again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Go back to San Jose for the third attempt, since three times is a charm,
and let’s face it, it will be a new year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole concept it
too vague.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the US Embassy promised,
hey get us the certs from these countries and we will send your visa in two
days!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Monday, she’s speaking to a
friend in Mexico City who will work on this request.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked Meli to speak to another friend whose
husband is an attorney and maybe he can assist with these records.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I reached out the local congresswoman’s
office who called me back mixed up thinking I was calling about my wife working
at the US Embassy, nope, not me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I reached
out to an immigration attorney who explained she does not need the national
police, but the state police record will be sufficient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And other friends and clients have offered
suggestions, do you know an attorney? So, for now, we are ignoring the Mexican
Embassy since that will not work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for reading this.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Train Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05270427788688339497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498022105820577973.post-40568253307634793822022-06-29T19:40:00.001-07:002022-06-29T19:40:27.620-07:00Flying to Costa Rica 30May22<p><span style="font-family: arial;">05/30/22 10:05 30,000 feet above the Atlantic</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The sunlight is pouring through the open window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can pull the shade, but don’t want to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like looking outside, even if it is the
endless ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sky is clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There has been minimal turbulence, dare I say
none.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a nervous flyer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was before starting this long-distance
relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last night, I stayed at
the Fairfield Inn at JFK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was thinking
about all the flights I made to Mexico City and Costa Rica over the past four
years to visit Meli.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I flew Jet Blue,
Aero Mexico which is a class act, blankets on each seat and a nice shot of
spirits before landing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They even serve
a hot delicious meal and alcohol which is part of the fare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also flew Inter-Jet which I don’t believe
exists any longer, they were cheap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
think I bought a sandwich on their flight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The service was minimal, flickering lights in the cabin and I thought
just maybe it’s not the safest airline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, I stay at this same airport for these trips to CR.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s what I do when I depart from JFK in the
morning and Jet Blue only offers these flights a few days out of the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this last hotel booking was expensive,
almost $250 with tax for the room…for the night?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seems steep, but it’s supply and demand since
today is Memorial Day and the first of summer for many American travelers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I waited for the 6 AM shuttle to the airport,
met an older gentleman who asked where was I going?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>JFK, I answered, no, your final destination? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, Costa Rica.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m flying down to Costa Rica to visit Meli.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that I mentioned my wife’s name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t need to know her name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Meli moved back there this past September, and I feel this
is the third trip I made to see her there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once in November and flew down on New Year’s Eve and back to New York on
the 9<sup>th</sup> of January.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Haven’t
been back since.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish she was here
with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish we lived together and
the good new is, we are getting closer to when the visa is approved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s still a few pending steps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My paperwork and the interview date still
needs to ne arranged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She will need to
see a doctor sponsored by the embassy ten days before the interview.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On July 27<sup>th</sup> will be two years
since I submitted the spousal visa paperwork.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I heard it took that long, but somehow, I didn’t believe it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was fooling myself, not believing the
facts, no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It won’t be that long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s becoming that long.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The media and the pundits should know the average duration
to immigrate legally into the US.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes,
the previous administration had an impact, but this was for certain
countries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d like to think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, COVID did have an impact, and I believe
still has an impact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I should have
hired an immigration attorney, instead of going the cheap route with Catholic
Charities, but what difference would it have made?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You complete paperwork and submit and
wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last review, they needed
additional paperwork from me for proof of my divorce and tax forms for
transferring a portion of my 401K to Ali.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Meli’s paperwork is approved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was certain she’d be flagged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So that
put us back a couple of months and it’s where we are at.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Waiting to see if my paperwork was accepted
and from there, our case is transferred to the embassy in Costa Rica.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Meli still lived in Mexico or the
Philippines, the process will be longer since there is such a backlog in those
countries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">There is a little girl in the seat in front of me and she’s
stretching her hand back onto my tray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Time for wine!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for reading this.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Train Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05270427788688339497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498022105820577973.post-19719496927421644882022-05-23T19:46:00.002-07:002022-05-23T19:47:28.487-07:00The Last Lonely Year<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">05/23/22 Bethlehem <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Well, look. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">We are here again, and you are there, and I am
tapping these words onto the page and thinking of you and how much has changed
since we exchanged glances.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">It’s in the
past.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Isn’t it nice to be separate and
living our own lives?</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">There is much to say
about distance and passing years.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">You
may assume I am writing about you.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Since the
last entry I bought a small cape in Bethlehem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am next to a highway and am used to the traffic like constant gusts of
wind or waves crashing into the shore, but there is the asshole and the hollow radiating
muffler who demands attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fuck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He passes and I ignore him or her or whoever may
be behind the wheel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My last
novel was published under a pseudonym, Roberto Picado.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Black Market Bones which is by far the best
thing I’ve written in a few years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
part of a trilogy and I am banging out Part II this year.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>More
later</span><o:p></o:p></p>Train Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05270427788688339497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498022105820577973.post-34769714865194260412020-12-19T19:36:00.002-08:002020-12-19T19:36:34.459-08:00Christmas and Covid in Mexico City<p><span style="font-family: arial;">December 19, 2020 2035 Coyoacan, Mexico City</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I flew down here on Monday, leaving Bethlehem with the
threat a major snowstorm to blow through the area on Wednesday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the first time I used Lyft which came in
a few minutes and dropped me off at the bus depot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through a light snowstorm, the bus took off
to pick up more passengers at Allentown airport, Easton, and another stop in
Jersey before Newark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At Newark, I checked
my bag, security and had a good two hours to drink a couple of beers and have a
veggie burger and fries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat at the
bar and had the bartender to myself and after a few minutes wanted to be alone.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The airport was eerily quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A girl rode a skateboard through the terminal
and glided by with ease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to ask
her if I could take it out for a spin since she looked like she was having fun,
but instead I was responsible and worked - answered emails and kept an eye on
the crowd that was forming at the gate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
like a couple of glasses of wine while flying. I got up and asked the woman at
the counter if there was wine on-board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The United website was vague. </span>Oh, yes, the woman said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I boarded and spoke with
Bella Boop, grateful to Ali since Bella cannot use her phone. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we were off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the flight attendants came around with a
bag of snacks and a small water and soda or coffee I asked if they had wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, we’re not serving wine or beer in
economy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was not happy and had a ginger
ale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched sports which is something
I don’t do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And looked out of the window
at the distant lights and was prepared for the usual bouts of turbulence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m used to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt immobile in my tight economy compartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My knee was against the seat in front of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been more than 9 months since I flown
and yet it felt good to be back in the sky even though it was night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I prefer the day when I can see more,
especially the clouds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We landed a
little early in Mexico City, after flying over buildings and cramped roads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sent a message to Mel that was here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My wife was waiting for me and after taxing, immigration
and recovering my luggage, and at last after 9 months we were together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a late dinner and an Uber to the Airbnb
where I am writing this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The days have been
filled with work expect for today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meli
and I bought a few things at a local shop - to decorate the apartment for
Christmas and afterwards went out for a bite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mexico City is in a code red which means the museums we wanted to go
into are closed as well as the parks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re
smack between the Frida Kahlo museum and Leon Trotsky museum, but cannot go inside
either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The storm did hit the area. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m grateful for my neighbor who dug a trail
for the post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I owe her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Mexico City, it’s 70, in the days and
there are no hints of rain or snow. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for reading this.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Train Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05270427788688339497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498022105820577973.post-42864680451607349462020-11-15T18:50:00.000-08:002020-11-15T18:50:05.295-08:00This to shall pass, but some days it feels like this ain't going anywhere else real quick<p><span style="font-family: arial;">11/15/20 21:02</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Earlier today Meli and I watched a church service, Passion
City Church which is broadcasted around the world through YouTube their website.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Energetic and positive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is our routine for Sunday mornings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was Meli who introduced me to the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She found it through Chris Tomlin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow he was affiliated with the church and
I feel I wrote about the church already for my blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe it is this Covid mindset, which I can
easily slip into.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went out and ran. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mowed the lawn and waiting for Lowes to tell
me the battery and charger has been ordered for my battery powered lawn
mower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forty percent off, but waiting is
the hardest part, especially when they don’t call back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I borrowed my neighbor’s lawn mower and moved
both of our lawns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But here it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can make healthier choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For instance, running, reading and what about
Dinner?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made my own from scratch and
feel better for it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will still go out to
pick up a burrito like I did last night from Orizaba on Broad Street, they make
an incredible shrimp burrito and a delicious veggie taco.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I ate meat, I would share more options,
but this restaurant is a weekly place for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One of the owners is from Costa Rica, so I need to be there!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Buenos Tica!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Pura Vida! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another is the
pizzeria on the corner of New Street and Elizabeth, Fratelli’s – an amazing
white pizza which I savor the garlic enriched topping on most Friday’s…it is across
the street from where I used to live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thinking
about the house and how barren it was and yet, it was home for over a year and
the landlord was accommodating and welcoming, I was invited to their house for
Christmas last year. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year, I hope
to be in Mexico City, visiting Meli.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
will be in quarantine for most of the visit. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hope, I will make it there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want to spend our first Christmas – married
and our first wedding anniversary in Bethlehem; alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Covid is the determining factor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No news on the spousal visa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I left a voicemail for Catholic Charities. Yes,
I am grateful for the incoming Biden administration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The current immigration policies by the
Trumps is impacting all of the applications and yes, they can imply Covid is a
factor – I am sure it is. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">At the end of the day – at any time of the day it is all in
God’s hands and I can have faith.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for reading this.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Train Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05270427788688339497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498022105820577973.post-49594427725879088522020-10-11T19:12:00.004-07:002020-10-11T19:12:54.481-07:00Baseball carries Death, a Short Story (rough draft) <p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Baseball
carries death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ed Casey was cleaning the
dishes and suddenly he was having one of those deep moments when one of the mysteries
of life was clear to him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">His father was
sitting next to him on the school bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Men were smoking in the school bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They laughed and cracked open cans of beers and passed them inside the
school bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some cans sprayed out, and a
few times the cold beer showered around him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was waiting for something to drink. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was hot in the bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were words on the metal surface, but he
was too young to read at the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
recognized the letters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a drawing,
but he could not tell what it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
looked back and saw one old man sitting on the edge of his seat, his feet were
in the aisle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The old man winked at him
and he looked back to the front. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Are
you having fun yet?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m
thirsty.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Going
to see the great Willie Mays, this is so much fun.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
men belonged to a club his father explained, a local rotary club, but he was
not interested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted something to
drink.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
turned back around and looked at the old man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His eyes rolled back, and he fell into the aisle of the bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the heat someone said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get him some air someone said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The men
were trying to get the old man to wake up, but he was not moving. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
bus stopped and an ambulance crew came on the bus and carried the old man off.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What
happened to him?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“They’re
taking him to a park and let him rest next to a tree.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
wasn’t sure what his father meant, but he imagined the old man, sort of dazed
from the heat, sitting on the ground with his back against the tree. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alone and not sure when the bus would come
back and pick him up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those facts were not
made clear to the young Ed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At
the game, his old man bought him a blue plastic batter’s helmet with an orange plastic
band that had to be adjusted to fit his small head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was given an American Cheese sandwich in
wax paper, a small bag of Wise potato chips and a grocery store soda wrapped in
aluminum foil to keep it cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
remembers watching Willie Mays get up to bat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But his mind went back the old man sitting against a tree in the
park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When
they arrived home, his mother yelled at his father since he was drunk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Roberto
Clemente died in a plane crash; a few years later, same happened to Thurman Munson
when he was flying his plane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was Donnie
Moore, a pitcher for the Angels who committed suicide after he shot his wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lou Gehrig.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Babe Ruth giving his last raspy voiced farewell speech. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gil Hodges. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ed
put the last dish on the rack to dry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That day Whitey Ford died and he recalled seeing Ford throw out of the
ceremonial first pitch at Yankee Stadium when the Yanks played The Mets in
2000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The chairman lived to 91.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But back then he was just getting over
cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ed
sat in the living room and checked the apps, his email and felt the night
settling in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His parents were back on Long
Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was alone in his house and
yet the sound of the cars rushing by the highway and the isolation was
peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like the old man leaning against
the tree in the park, baseball carries death, much like life.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Train Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05270427788688339497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498022105820577973.post-65566013545290798802020-10-06T19:59:00.000-07:002020-10-06T19:59:08.914-07:00Grocery Shopping at Night <p><span style="font-family: arial;">10/6/20 22:39</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">There is something about grocery shopping at night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the time when most are home and
watching TV and the few stragglers, myself included voyage into the barren
store. Mask on, the cart’s handle wiped clean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are open lanes, except for the ones with carts and boxes of
products to be shelved after midnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are less hurried folks at night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The focused fucks who are in a rush after work, who are on their own must-get-it mission and who do not give a
mighty shit if you or I are in their way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A tap?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A nudge?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe an excuse me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I am confusing these scenes with my previous shopping
sprees on Long Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few times, we
stop in the dead zone; where lanes intersect, eyes looking at eyes not sure if
the person is smiling or sneering. I debate should I pick up a six of a pumpkin
brew?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I debate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have these internal debates all of the time when I am shopping. Should I pick up Goyo
product even if the COO praised Trump?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Does this shopping spree have to become a political event?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why are groceries so expensive?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I buy vegetarian meals and organic, but spend
next to nothing on my clothing detergent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In some ways I am cheap, a reminder of my father who to this day loves a
good sale, but I won’t stoop to his frugality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The man drinks water from the tap, who would do such a thing? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just think, I used to dread the supermarket
and now at night I have found my oasis in the distance. The lit up parking lot beckons under the October moon.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for reading this.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>Train Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05270427788688339497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498022105820577973.post-55367453170587876712020-10-05T20:21:00.003-07:002020-10-05T20:21:32.538-07:00Twenty years ago, Kid A and Twenty Five Years Ago (today) Automatic for The People were released<p> <span style="font-family: arial;">10/5/20 22:46</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Twenty years ago, Kid A was released by Radiohead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the new album for me and the new
band since they released OK Computer which is one of my all-time favorites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sent a text to Jason since he is a Radiohead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he called me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This led to you must listen to The Bends and
Darkstar and I have a homework assignment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Insane how we can be so passionate about our music, even decades later
they stir up the dust and haunted visions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We can share music like books and yet the songs speak to our souls in
different ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jason brought up
Automatic For The People by REM and this led to stories about their song Drive…the
album.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked up the listings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The album was released on this date back in
1995.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>25 years later we are talking
about where we lived and what were doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jason was in Arizona and listened to the album over and over and I was
back in Northport, renting a duplex, married with two daughters who are now women…and
would listen to that album and felt the defiance in Ignore land. My how the
world has changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">It’s late night in Bethlehem and the house is quiet expect
for Kid A playing in my headphones, Morning Bell…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for reading this.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>Train Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05270427788688339497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498022105820577973.post-89121014187422632202020-10-04T17:52:00.004-07:002020-10-04T17:52:37.597-07:00Imzadi Publishing Accepts The Bombastic Adventures in The Arizona Desert<p><span style="font-family: arial;">9/30/20 23:07 Home</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Good news my dear friends, my novel was accepted by Imzadi
Publishing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mailed the contract
yesterday and based on the wail the mail has been moving in this country, the
publisher should have it in two weeks. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bombastic Adventures in The Arizona Desert
is expected to be published in July. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The house is coming along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I painted the other bedroom since Emma, Bella and Matt are planning to
visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, it looks like it will be the
Halloween weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be the first
time in three years since I slept in the same place with my kids.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">10/4/20 20:21<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Meli is working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are
on Zoom together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is playing music and
both of us are doing our things and yet we are together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Earlier, I ran for 8 miles and now can feel
my body slowing down and asking if it is time for bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thinking about the morning light falling
through the brittle leaves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are
some maples that are still green, grasping onto the summer even in October.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Made it back home for church and I’m thinking
of the miracles, praying to God for something specific, and yet I felt a little
awkward, don’t put God to the test.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
praying the spousal via<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I’d like to get back into the challenge I gave myself last
year, a blog entry each day, even if they are short.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe this time, I will share more poetry?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever, even a stream of conscience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Cleaned the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yesterday, I cleaned the windows and wished Meli was here to help or to
keep me company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then today were more chores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a few hours or being in my sweaty clothes
I took a hot shower,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the steam was
flowing out the open window and the sunlight was bright in the small room, open
shades, there’s no one living behind this house to peer in, so I took my naked
time and got dressed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I spoke with my brother, my sister Eileen for a few seconds,
Mom and Dad and caught up for a few minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And here I am listening to music my love is playing, and I am really impressed
with this Spotify list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Reading Raymond Carver, shorts from Cathedral and Labyrinths
by Jorge Luis Borges.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for reading this.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Train Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05270427788688339497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498022105820577973.post-25479718185353434282020-09-06T17:07:00.000-07:002020-09-06T17:07:04.215-07:00Six Months since I saw my wife due to Covid<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">9/6/20 19:13 Home<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Tomorrow will be six months since my wife and I waved
goodbye at the airport in Mexico City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
planned to work in Mexico City last month, my director gave me permission, but
the cases of Covid in Mexico were too high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The plan also involved me staying in quarantine for at least ten days in
an Airbnb and then staying at Meli’s apartment with her roommate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The three of us would work, using the
apartment’s Wi-Fi which let’s face it, is not the best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it was an opportunity to be with my wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We both want to see each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We scrapped the plan and have tentative plans
for November or Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything
depends on the Covid status, both here in Pennsylvania and in Mexico. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">In some ways, the distance and the lack of travel has had a strain
on the relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet, we are committed
to each other and to the marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither
of us is wondering what did we get ourselves into.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the Covid factor has brought bouts of anxiety
and depression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have survived six
months and can go longer if necessary, the saving grace if the spousal visa is
being processed and more importantly we have faith.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We have attended church on Sunday, Passion City Church and
we have heard messages that have touched our hearts and souls and have given us
the strength to keep going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life will be
rough, but we will survive and be stronger for it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">This has also been a good time to discuss our relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some key differences, age, culture,
height and my wives’ taste for mindless movies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are making plans for the house, plans for our weekends, growing a
garden and even getting a dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To give
you an example, each time I am out on a run and see something beautiful, I wish
my wife was with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am saving these
places in my memory and want to share all of them when we are together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a lot of beautiful places in this
area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just hope I can remember how I
got to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The house is coming along and I am taking it slowly since we
own the house and no one is making me do anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know what I mean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to convert to gas, redo the floors,
new windows, and I have to take it one project at a time. Today I installed the
toilet paper holder, some painting outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe I can take a full day off tomorrow?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you for reading this.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S1HntveqSiY/X1V5gn4o-TI/AAAAAAAALlY/IRF2emn7-PMz4V33EH0tmoG8-0SmLFcLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/Meli%2BDec%2B19%2BCR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S1HntveqSiY/X1V5gn4o-TI/AAAAAAAALlY/IRF2emn7-PMz4V33EH0tmoG8-0SmLFcLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Meli%2BDec%2B19%2BCR.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p>Train Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05270427788688339497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498022105820577973.post-57283699840429626902020-07-30T20:10:00.005-07:002020-07-30T20:16:19.872-07:00Nuestra Casa!<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">7/30/20 19:58 Bethlehem, PA</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I am writing this from our home. On July 17</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">On Monday, I submitted the spousal visa to homeland security
through Catholic Charities and was told to be patient. It’s going to take four months to process,
and only then will I receive an update, and yet I wanted to check their site
since this case is going to be different. This is my case. Sure.
Meli and I have accepted that she won’t be here for at least ten
months. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">With some reluctance, Meli and I decided to hold off till
maybe November before my next trip to Mexico City. Does anyone really know what the future will
be like? I don’t want to speculate, but
I hope to see her before the year is finished.
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">There have been thousands of couples who encountered longer separations,
through wars, disease, immigration, yet their love continued. The relationships survived. Meli and I are very close. We laugh, get frustrated, share our goals and
develop a unique bond like nothing I experienced before. We are working with what we have, WhatsApp,
daily and nightly routines, sharing our distant lives. We attend church regularly, watch shows on
Netflix or Amazon Prime and have our routines which help get through this time.
I don’t want to compare our relationship
to others since it is so different. But
the connection we have is also different from anything either of us had
previously. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Cultivate the gratitude.
Look at the miracles and be patent for God’s blessings. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Thank you for reading this.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br />Train Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05270427788688339497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498022105820577973.post-73159448762231497132020-06-22T18:36:00.000-07:002020-06-22T18:36:39.333-07:00A New Home <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6/22/20 21:19 N New St. Bethlehem<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last week, I made an offer on a house and it was
accepted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is exciting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For years I thought I would never own another
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a long story and if you’re
really curious, please let me know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
will be closing on July 17<sup>th</sup>, which is almost three years to the day
when Ali and I split.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s amazing to think
it has been three years. Three years later, I am married to the love of my
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moved into a new house in a new
state and starting over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you know,
Meli and I are working on the visa and I will provide updates; but for now it’s
one of those entries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The heat is
stifling in the room and the only break is the tapping of the keys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You ask, where is your house?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is in Bethlehem, it is a single and it has
a yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is on a dead end street, so
to speak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has a driveway and a garage
and basement and three bedrooms, so the kids can come up and visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is work to do, like pulling up the
carpet, throwing out some furniture, painting, floor finishing and tackling the
outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking forward to the project
and thinking about what needs to get done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One room at a time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Start in the
living room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Order a new mattress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will write down a list or maybe not since a
list may be too much for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need
structure and I like projects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to
buy a lawn mower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will buy a lawn
mower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow an inspector is heading
over at 4 PM and it will take two hours for the inspection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it will be less time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like I said, it is hot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just finished a beer in seconds and I may
have another.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for reading this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /></div>
Train Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05270427788688339497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498022105820577973.post-76286245477925863812020-06-06T15:20:00.001-07:002020-06-06T15:20:47.938-07:00Spousal Visa Process, Part II<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6/6/20 18:00 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Updates on the Visa, I ordered a copy of the birth
certificate and received it this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The two passport photos with a white background, also done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hurdle will be the divorce paperwork which
means I need to go to a UPS store to notarize my signature and send a check to
the country government on Long Island – through the mail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My wife is working on her items, but it is more challenging since she is
in Mexico and needs to process her order in Costa Rica.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, that it is where we are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to make time to accomplish what is
pending.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the current events and the
global crisis, there is a feeling that perhaps this will take even longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As long as we take action, any action towards
our goals it is better than another day - another week - slipping by. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looking at homes in the area that I can afford. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not that confident that this is the right
time to distract myself with another home, instead I need to focus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The real estate agent sent a new listing for
Nazareth which is a competitive market, a two bedroom that looks
promising.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a couple of houses
in the area that look intriguing, but there’s not a rush to jump into an empty
house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This house is empty enough and
can’t imagine what it will be like buying furniture, a bed and the rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spoke with the publisher and they are reviewing my
manuscript.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I may travel back to Mexico this August.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is an opportunity to rise, to express our good angels, to share our faith in each other and speak in unity and compassion. God bless the peace makers and courageous protesters!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe it’s time to get outside and get in a game of basketball?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for reading this<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /></div>
Train Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05270427788688339497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498022105820577973.post-41638833336503494312020-05-29T16:12:00.000-07:002020-05-29T16:12:42.286-07:00The Immigration Process, my wife is a Costa Rican citizen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5/28/20 22:11 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My wife and I have been using ZOOM at night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We start with WhatsApp, and soon switch to
Zoom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It gives us the ability to work
and see one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last time we
were together was on March 7.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Covid was
starting to take hold in different parts of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wore a mask at the airport in Mexico City,
and yet it seemed the virus was a distant threat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same attitude some world leaders regrettably
took.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have permission to work in
Mexico City, to be with my wife, but the hospitals in Mexico are not prepared
for this crisis. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may not be a good
time to travel there. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do I want to risk
it? There are travel restrictions, essential personal is allowed entry, not
tourists. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After checking more details on-line,
the restrictions are meant to curtail land entry, but not air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe in a couple of weeks? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll talk with Meli about this tonight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The visa process has been on-hold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Due in part to the government agencies had
been closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But honestly, it has been difficult to dedicate time to this
process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One factor may be the way we
have led our long distant relationship for these past two years. Things are not
that different, although we are married.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each day, we wait;
it’s another day longer in the process. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
that simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last night, Meli and I discussed structuring our time more effectively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which includes making time for the visa
process. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taking action has been my theme for the last few weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever action that may include, family,
work, visa, exercise, program, meditation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I need to take the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I
take the time and accomplish my tasks, I will meet my goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sounds simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, how about it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
am going to keep a record of what we need to do to accomplish this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first task has been completed, contacting
Catholic Charities in Allentown who are assisting in the process, check.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Completed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They asked if I obtained the necessary documents. No check there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So we are back to square one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Order my birth certificate from the town, which I was told
is easy enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will do this today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Order proof of my divorce, I tried to go through Suffolk
Country offices web site, but the offices were closed and there was not a link
to process this request.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the past, I needed
to go to office in Riverhead, which is at the end of Long Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I needed the same official paperwork to get
married in Costa Rica, and last November I drove out to the offices. I obtained
and submitted – all originals to the lawyer who conducted our civil ceremony,
my paperwork – our paperwork is stored in a government office in Costa Rica.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not getting them back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take a passport photo with a blue background?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will double check on the blue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will take care of it this weekend at the
local CVS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both my wife and I have been busy at work and we are blessed
to have our jobs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are both hard
workers and now with this blog entry, it will serve as a record keeper, I will
record our progress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this includes
the effects of the Covid-19 virus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for reading this.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br /></div>
Train Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05270427788688339497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498022105820577973.post-85901423478962492532020-05-09T14:09:00.000-07:002020-05-09T14:09:56.939-07:00Blue skies, snow flakes in May<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5/9/20 16:39 Bethlehem, PA<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The loneliness is kicking in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can give into and feel the misery or I can
make healthy choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What can I do at
this moment instead of self-pity and stirring the pot of fear? Exercise, clean
the house, make a healthy meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Write
for my blog. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Foe the past few weeks, Meli
and I have been watching movies, at least one night of the week on Netflix and
Amazon Prime. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am grateful for these
moments with mi esposa, since we are not sure when we will get together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My heart is going out to the families who are
on-line for food, who are unemployed, suffering and wake up in
desperation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first responders and
those who are heading to work in supermarkets, the essential workers, I am in
awe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bus drivers and postal workers,
those who are in factories, production at our plants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who are working at Sharp, Thank you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May God bless you and your families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve noticed the media’s penchant for bad
news, the black hole which is thousands and thousands of light years away is
getting closer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A killer wasp that can
wipe out the bee population, the untold deaths from Covid-19 to name a
few.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many times when I feel
frightened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was looking forward to a
sunny Spring day, but it is chilly and even saw snow flurries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, it is May.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not the end of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will pass and we will come out all of
this closer and stronger and perhaps take into consideration all the good in
each of us. Even if we are wearing masks and follow lines in supermarkets to
keep us aligned. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Find the good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Patient endurance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some good news?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
in negotiations with a publisher for the last novel I completed, Bombastic
Adventures in the Arizona Desert. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Better
news?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can see the blue sky over
Bethlehem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Focus on gratitude and let it
blossom, like the leaves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for reading this.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br /></div>
Train Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05270427788688339497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498022105820577973.post-88385959194104451912020-04-02T19:44:00.000-07:002020-04-02T19:44:33.247-07:00This too shall pass, let go and let God<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4/2/20 22:17 Bethlehem, PA<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This too shall pass and yet the question begs to be asked;
when?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel sorry for the families
stuck inside their homes, dogs and cats as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have the serenity of a quiet house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I live with two other guys, each of us has a bedroom
and we share the rest of the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not
too bad of a place, but it can use some work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Be grateful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am trying to be
grateful at this time of uncertainty and yet I cherish the changes in
nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trees are blooming, flowers
are spouting and yet the silence looms in the streets. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As if no one is outside to take in the rush of
scents and colors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s young and fresh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No more winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I noticed a
neighbor hanging their bed sheets out on the line and was envious, what a great
day to let the sheets take in the sun and the breeze. I can find gratitude for
seeing that or the other neighbor next to us, the one who I can see inside
their house when the Venetian blinds are open or up, the one with the piano, TV
and lamps, and their bird feeder which is attached with suction cups to their
window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A pair of cardinals and many
sparrows come to feed from it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once a squirrel
hopped up and the feeder crashed to the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They fixed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their cat watches
the birds from the warmth of the room, his head darts back and forth till he
accepts the fact, the birds are outside and he is still in the warmth of his
room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that has been my days so
far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I miss hanging with the kids and
watching something, popcorn and their laughter and yet if I was with them –
their insanity - there is a good chance I will be off in another room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is the fact of my life when we were all
together, I was off in my room or in the den reading and trying to gain some
serenity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What does the future
hold?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Possibilities and the living a
clean and sober life, but it is one day at a time for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not sure how long the visa process will
take, but as long as Meli and I maintain our communication and humor, there is
little we cannot get through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are
people dying, More than 5,000 in the US.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Families are devastated, emotionally and financially.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More than 6 million filed for unemployment and
what would it be like for most if they were working?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Living paycheck to paycheck and all of a
sudden, they are hit with hardship, pain, fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bare down and consider who is around you and be grateful. “But we’re
hungry.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grateful for who is in your
life and what they bring to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Open a
book and read, this is the time we waited for, we can discover ourselves for
the first time and appreciate who we are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Let hope reign and fear ride in the back seat like a pain in the ass who
wants to know when we’re going to get there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Let it pass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for reading this and God bless you and your families.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Train Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05270427788688339497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498022105820577973.post-2481960175779671522020-03-18T20:22:00.001-07:002020-03-18T20:22:11.880-07:00Breathe in and let in God<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3/18/20 23:06 Bethlehem, PA<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leaving my parent’s house was sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was the sense that it could be the last
time I saw my mother alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She came
outside to see me off, blowing me a kiss and a God bless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe she was trying to ask me to stay another night?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was not the usual handshake from my
father, no hug for Ma. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I drove off in my
car with some groceries I had bought and intended to eat while staying
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I was done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent two nights and their day to day
activities and banal conversations were making me irritable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was working in a room upstairs and they’re yelling
to one another – not fighting about some bullshit in plain English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is enough stress in the world, I
reminded my son of this in a text.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
can read it here and so can you. There is enough unease and panic that erupts
with each sneeze or dry cough and I can hear my roommate upstairs hacking. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The good news, I am away from my parents and
the idea that I am a carrier or that one of us is sick in their house was too
much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before leaving, I made sure my sister, Eileen
would buy them groceries, I did not want Dad out in the world and especially in
a crowded supermarket, searching for a way to save a dime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is very frugal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did not balk or try to interfere when I
said I spoke with Eileen who will take care of the shopping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Good idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My other sister is holed up in her house for
fear of the virus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have enough food
and toilet paper for a couple of weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think she is alright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can
call her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will call her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will call my brother and cousins as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a time to share our isolations and
our vulnerabilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will pass like
a long wind which dissipates over the ocean.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for reading this.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Train Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05270427788688339497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498022105820577973.post-90186204177192791822020-03-11T19:49:00.001-07:002020-03-11T19:51:13.610-07:0039,900 feet above Athens, Ga <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3/7/20 17:38 39,826 above Georgia<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I miss her already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yesterday, we went for a walk in a national park in Mexico City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The squirrels are tame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They approached us looking for a snack, but
Meli and I kept on moving, eventually she became scared of the little critters
who looked innocent enough, but like any real terror they play the part of the
cute creatures, taunting us, a horde of violent rodents, till we ran for our
lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I miss her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We bought flowers and plants for her
apartment, and planted the new flowers in the bed outside her living room
window, hovering four stories over the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She appreciated all I did, but we worked together on the project. We are
a team and by the end of the night, we were exhausted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want to fly back and yesterday I
thought, what would it be like for both of us if we lived in Mexico?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could go for walks in the parks and share
meals together, and just be together all of the time, but I won’t make such a
decision since my children are back in the States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meli and I have come to the conclusion that
having children is not a good idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
that is that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s based on a couple of
things, I already have four children and my age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>From the flight map is appears we are approaching Athens, GA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The memories of the town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Athens is calling you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bought a promo poster for REM’s album
Reckoning on Ebay for $30, it’s something I wanted for my collection for
decades, Letter Never Sent…I can share this town (Athens) with Meli and we will
share Yellowstone and Vegas and jazz concerts and classical concerts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On our last night in Oaxaca, we went to a
classical concert together, sat in the front row and walked back to the hotel
with some secret fears that it was night in the strange, colorful city and yet
we didn’t know what the ominous shadows may contain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We made it back to the hotel and shared a drink before falling
asleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This trip was different compared
to the rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I worked yesterday and
Thursday, actually we both did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was
upset that her manager was asking for assistance while she was on vacation, and
both of us stirred the pot of resentment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is a baby crying a few rows back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I recall those days and don’t really want them again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved my children when they were younger,
cute and little who were very curious and funny, and the baby falls back to
sleep for a few seconds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell us a story
Dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I would make up a story on the
fly and share something that involved them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tell us a story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am grateful
since Bella and I are texting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joe does
not want me to mention him in this blog, so I will respect his wishes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emma and I are talking and I was thinking of
heading back to Long Island tonight, but will not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turbulence as we approach North Carolina, maybe
next week I will get back to Long Island.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let the music carry me away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When I get my car and drive back to Bethlehem, I will put on REM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a few songs I would like to listen
to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s getting darker and after 1800,
39,350 feet above Charlotte.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe it’s
time to have another glass of wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meli
is expecting some friends to come over, they can look over the bed of flowers
we planted and get a feeling that being a part from one another is never
easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, flying above these Southern
states and the lights in the cabin are dimmed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I released again and feel much better thank you for your concerns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel like watching The Joker again which I
took in on the way down to Mexico.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
flight is close to a sellout; we took our chances for various reasons to risk
the exposure to the Coronavirus. The desire to venture into the States, to get
back home, to escape from home or to see what Freedom appeared like from the
other side of a TV screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who can say that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are hitting turbulence, but I don’t
care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My love is in Mexico and each
second I am flying miles away from her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you for reading this</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Train Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05270427788688339497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498022105820577973.post-56076521223902078802020-01-30T19:03:00.003-08:002020-01-30T19:03:50.015-08:00Radio radio<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/30/20 21:49 Bethlehem, PA<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I went to the radio station earlier today and sat with the
GM, Neil who were a plaid shirt and had a great radio voice. It was
natural.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could see myself having a
beer with him and catching up on what bands we liked and maybe we are both frustrated
singers now we’re smack in the middle of middle age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keith Morris is still doing it, man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, it’s been a busy week which started
on Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I woke up and could not find
my wallet anywhere. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I swore it was on
the dresser and in fact, I organized my money in it, not too much, maybe $50. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tore apart the room, the house and no
wallet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The odd thing, I did not go out
on Saturday, I was a homebody.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meli
called me and I vented to her and emotionally lost it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next morning, I was flying to Boston for
a client meeting, and I was responsible for the rental and driving us to the
scheduled meeting. It’s a long story, but I found it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the street and under my car - under the
driver’s side. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Note, I did not drive my
car. The trip was fine and we all made it back alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tuesday, our old roommate came over to visit.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom and I had pizza across the
street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Similar story happened to Tom
when he was living here a few months back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Left his wallet on the dining room table and lost it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was found next to his car, on the street between
the curb and his car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about last
night?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meeting and tonight?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A run and yes it is time to call it a night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for reading this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Train Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05270427788688339497noreply@blogger.com0