The idea is to randomly open a book and, without looking, point to a page. The word or words closest to your pointing figure becomes the prompt. Today we opened The Last Drive to page 31, and the word nearest my finger is “curls.”
Thinking hard today has been difficult. I’m not sure if it is the high humidity or some kind of star alignment. In any case, when I opened my eyes and looked at the word “curls” near my finger, my mind froze. This is not just the momentary fleeting freeze usually associated with panic. No, this is the garden hose washing all the chalk off the driveway kind of freeze. A blank slate of emptiness freeze. (Final metaphor) It is an empty canyon with three echos freeze. In short, I had nothing.
Usually, taking a quick walk around can be done to thaw the mind. So after a three-mile bike ride, the feeling returns to the old mind. So now, let’s talk about curls.
I think the best way to handle the prompt is to tell a little story.
Once upon a time, there was a very strong man. He would work out in the gym building his muscles. He would do curls with heavy weights to develop his arms. His legs were strengthened by running and more weight work. All this exercise had one objective: to allow him to ride the curls of waves with his surfboard. He loved his surfboard and would spend hours waxing it and admiring the curls in the wood. One day while he was sitting on the beach, he couldn’t help but notice a fellow surfer riding the waves. She placed herself on the front of her board, allowing her toes to make curls over the leading edge. The effect was increased speed and control. When she finished and was making her way to the beach, he decided he needed to talk to her about the style she used. Getting closer, he noticed her wet hair hung in curls and framed her beautiful smile. He greeted her with a grin and an upbeat good morning. The two chatted and found much in common and spent the rest of the day together until the dusk curls of the clouds indicated that the day was done.
Well, that is it. But, yes, they developed a relationship and now live in Santa Monica, California, with their two kids and a dog.
This post first ran on January 16th, 2017. Since wine tastings are still happening, I think it is still relevant. I hope you enjoy it.
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The inspiration for this list is attending some wine-tasting events in my time. The Producer worked as a marketing person for a winery in Northern California and was required to taste wine every week. Of course, she was a professional and would delight in witnessing some of the events listed. Since I was well-schooled by her, I never made these faux pas. (I would have died on the spot if I had.) I hope you enjoy it.
10 If you are attending a wine tasting, do not insist on special glasses to claim to have a whole tasting experience. If you do, at best, the rest of the gathering will take you for an idiot. At worst, the host will produce special glasses, and then you will be on the spot to render a scholarly opinion. (Up to tonight, your experience has been Boon’s Farm Apple Red, right, Buford?)
9 If you are attending a wine tasting, do not throw back the wine as if it is a shot of tequila. If you do, at best, your drink preference and sophistication will show through. At worst, you will find yourself all alone as the discussion turns to the merits of the wine. (No one cares what you think about wine and probably thinks your chewing tobacco will get in the way of an honest opinion anyway, Tex.)
8 If you are attending a wine tasting, don’t forget the crackers are to cleanse the palette, not a meal. If you do, at best, the host will move them away from you. At worst, you might be subtly offered a place in the kitchen where the host promises a bucket of fried chicken and a six-pack of Keystone Light. (You think that offer might not be so bad until you see the look on your spouse’s face huh, Bunky?)
7 If you are attending a wine tasting, do not start describing the various flavors of the wine unless you know what you are talking about. If you do, at best, you will get polite nods at your incredible ignorance. At worst, someone will ask the host to send you to the store for more crackers. (You will find out coal oil is not a legitimate taste on the flavor wheel, Buster.)
6 If you are attending a wine tasting, do not try to sneak Two-Buck Chuck in a brown bag into the line-up. If you do, at best, the host security system video will show your placement of the bottle. At worst, one of the wine snobs will involuntarily spew the wine on Tiny, the WWF champ. (Right now, Tiny is going from guest to guest demanding to know who brought the wine. You have always been a lousy liar, and your turn is next, right, Weenie?)
5 If you are attending a wine tasting, do not forget you are not supposed to swallow the wine. If you do, at best, you will need a ride home. At worst, you will decide to inform all the guests what you think of each personally, identifying what you consider a flaw in their personality needing correction. (The next morning will be a beauty, especially when you learn what you called your boss.)
4 If you are attending a wine tasting, it is best not to wear a white shirt. If you forget, at best, you are very careful and escape embarrassment. At worst, someone asks a question and surprises you just as you raise the glass to your lips. (Maybe that shirt will make a nice car wax rag or a tie-dye coverup.)
3 If you are attending a wine tasting, do not over-swirl your wine. If you do at best, your glass will be big enough to keep the wine under control. At worst, your red wine swirl will go outside the glass, and land on the white linen couch the host just explained was made to order and arrived this afternoon. (Make no mistake, you are now the proud owner of that couch, Cowboy.)
2 If you are attending a wine tasting, do not ask for ice for your wine. If you do, at best, your host will take your wine. At worst, your host will ask you to go to the convenience store to pick up a twenty-pound bag. (It is hoped that the tasting is over before you can return, Slick.)
1 If you are attending a wine tasting, try not to argue with experts about the quality of a particular wine. If you do, at best, even if you are right, you will look particularly brutish. At worst, one of the experts just got his graduation certificate from the anger management course mandated by the courts after being arrested for assaulting a wine steward at a restaurant for disagreeing with him on wine quality. (Looks like a knuckle sandwich is on the menu, Pal.)
The Lakeway Parks and Recreation had initially planned an event for May 4th featuring a movie showing Star Wars; The Rise of Skywalker. Unfortunately, there was the threat of thunderstorms, so the event was moved to the 5th. We can still go back and participate through the magic of time travel. Here is the poster for the event.
We are catered by
So let’s go.
We are in the right place. The big screen is set up.
Folks are gathering
The Craigo’s truck is here with free pizza.
The popcorn is ready to go.
A storm Trooper looks like he’s ready for all comers.
Here is a brave warrior taking him on with a laser sword.
The kids are ready for laser tag, as is Din Djarin.
Fun for everyone.
“May the Force be with You.”
Let’s have some pizza and enjoy the movie. I hope you have a good week.
The coffee machine has finally come to an end. Reminds me of the song we sang in the schoolyard. “Ring around a Rosie. Pocket full of posies. All fall down.” Since that song was inspired by the bubonic plague, it seems fitting in this situation. The machine has given up the ghost and must be replaced. The new one is on its way, but until it arrives, it must be jiggered to override the internal controls. With much jiggering, a cup comes at last.
The first sip brings to mind the statue of Roger Rabbit. A deep sigh follows the thought of having to get rid of it. The first task is to see if it is still there. A check of the ring doorbell on my phone shows it is no longer on the drive. To confirm the security shutdown process is begun. The claymore mines disarmed. The tower machine guns are placed on standby. The boiling oil vat is secured. The moat net retracted. The concertina wire rolled back. The trebuchet was secured. The gate lifted. The locks and deadbolts reset. The front door opened.
Looking at where the statue used to be confirms it is gone. In its place is an envelope. Tearing it open, there are two messages. The first is from someone who signs their name, The Phantom. It reads No Police. If you want to see your stature again, you’ll follow our directions. We will be in touch.
I hope the would-be kidnappers are happy with their statue since there is no reason to respond to any demands. The second message is from Linda Hill. It reads. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “a song from your childhood.” So think of a song from your childhood and just write. Have fun!
If you’re planning a trip to the other side of the world’s richest city-state, Singapore’s “biophilic” CapitaSpring tower is now fully bursting with a publically accessible urban forest.
In Singapore’s business district, you have to go 17 to 20 stories above street level to find vast open greenery. On CapitaSpring’s “Green Oasis” floor, accessible to the public, a spiral path winds through gardens and small replicants of tropical forests, like the kind that stood there before Singapore came to be.
On the roof, three rooftop market gardens supply fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers to three on-site restaurants, and trees grow in nooks in the building’s facade as often as windows.
Ground broke in 2018 under the supervision of two of Europe’s most significant architecture firms—Carlo Ratti Associati and the Bjarke-Ingels Group.
“Due to the unique character of Singapore’s urbanism—both extremely dense and green—we decided to make the design a vertical exploration of tropical urbanism,” founder Bjarke Ingels said in a statement, adding that the tower is “like a vision of a future in which city and countryside, culture and nature can coexist.”
The 51-story building houses over 80,000 trees and plants across 90,000 square feet of landscaped area.
Credit Courtesy Finbarr FallonBjarke Ingels Group
It reflects the belief of the nation’s founder, Lee Kuan Yew, who referred to the city-state as a “garden city.” Despite 6 million people filling an area smaller than Greater London, plants are easy to come by and are, in fact, a legal requirement in building regs.
The good news here is that if an effort is made in Singapore to ensure a dense Uban area has a proliferation of plants, such an effort can happen anywhere. Today’s JohnKu talks about creativity in urban planning. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
So the idea is to open a book randomly and then, without looking, point to a page. The word or words nearest the pointing figure is the prompt. Today I opened The Last Drive to page 201, and my finger landed on “expression.”
This post first appeared on February 27th, 2017. Since its purpose was simple humor, I think running again is okay.
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The inspiration for this list was the desire to do a top ten post that would provide no useful information but just an attempt at humor. I picked bungee jumping since most of you have never contemplated doing something that obscure. If you have, then all the better. I hope you enjoy the list, even though it may not apply to you.
Top Ten Things Not to Do While Bungee Jumping.
10 While Bungee jumping, do not attempt to light your smoke. If you do, at best, you’ll still be trying at the bottom of the jump. At worst, you’ll be successful, and between the highs and lows of the leap, your shirt is now on fire. (Tough to put out with this wind, huh, Bunky?)
9 While Bungee Jumping, do not attempt to tighten your ankle cuffs. If you do at best, you will turn the keys properly for tightening. At worst, you’ll be confused and loosen them instead. (Sure feels funny this free-flight thing, huh, Pilgrim?)
8 While Bungee jumping, do not try to impress your friends with too many acrobatics. If you do, at best, that Triple Lux comes off without a hitch. At worst, you have extended the Bungee cords about one foot too far. (You could have used that foot when you hit the canyon floor, Buford?)
7 While Bungee jumping, do not try to eat your leftover Pad Thai mid-air. If you do, at best, you might get a bite or two. At worst, you’ll finish the jump looking like the after photo of a food fight. (If careful, you can save some of those noodles, Buster.)
6 While Bungee jumping, do not group text your friends. If you do, At best, your text won’t be understood. At worst, the auto-correct feature will alienate every friend you have. (You thought the message, “Best of Luck to You,” would be well received, huh, Leroy?”)
5 While Bungee jumping, do not edit your latest manuscript. If you do, at best, you get one or two words covered before the first bounce. At worst, the wind will take your manuscript and spread it over several miles. (Should have numbered those pages, huh, Slick?)
4 While Bungee jumping, do not close your eyes on the way down. If you do, at best, you might miss the good parts. At worst, the ride personnel will assume you’ve passed out and throw you into an EMS vehicle despite your protestations. (Who ever heard of someone taking a nap on a bungee jump, Ferd?)
3 While Bungee jumping, do not jump before taking care of that 32 oz Big Gulp drink you just finished. If you do, at best, you’ll feel like a full watermelon when the g-forces hit you at the bottom. At worst, you treat all the bystanders to a show at your expense. (Now, where will you find some dry pants, Tex?)
2 While Bungee jumping, do not turn the GoPro camera to capture your face. If you do, at best, you forgot to turn it on. At worst, the video of you screaming like a kid will go viral. (You could have taken some beautiful shots of the valley, but no, you had to be a hero, huh, Ralph?)
1 While Bungee jumping, do not forget to tip the cuff connector guy. If you do, at best, you can take care of it after the jump is over. At worst, Tiny, the WWF champ, was highly offended you forgot him. (That ground comes up fast without those bothersome lines huh, Burt?)
Today we are going to visit some mailbox toppers. Most are new, but there are a couple of repeats. We are catered by Trulucks of Austin. Our entertainment is Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.
Menu
Prime Seafood
AVAILABLE PAN-SEARED OR BROILED WITH EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL, FRESH LEMON, SEA SALT AND BROCCOLI
CHILEAN SEABASS MSC certified, all-natural, mild flavors with a clean finish
NORWEGIAN SALMON* all natural, well marbled with clean flavors
SUSHI GRADE TUNA* AAA sushi grade, bright red with a steak-like texture
IDAHO RAINBOW TROUT Idaho raised, tender, flaky, and mild
TEXAS REDFISH smooth textured, sweet, and firm meat
Prime Steaks
USDA PRIME HAND-CUT, AGED A MINIMUM OF 30 DAYS. ALL STEAKS ARE SEASONED AND BROILED AT 1200 DEGREES
