Ron

How did I discover that I was gay in high school?

There’s been news that Toronto, Canada has received its biggest snowfall ever. Well, I can tell you that I remember having to shovel snow off of the backside of my townhouse there with a long handled shovel, pushing it to the side each time so it fell where I could shovel it up yet again and dispose of it elsewhere because the snow was so deep. And then having to shovel off the second story deck as well, adding to my horror at the amount of snow that came down. Did Toronto get a record snow? A half an inch here, a half an inch there . It looks like my neighborhood got around 9.5” of snow overnight. Although … it’s snowing again which may add another 1-3” of snow. Before these tranches of snow we were down 1.5” of precipitation for the year after having been in a moderate drought last year. I don’t like the snow, I certainly don’t like the very low temperatures we’ve been experiencing. I don’t have a car and I must walk everywhere so that’s been tough. Basically, I effing hate winter. I do hope for real spring temperatures and with the ordinary rainfall during that appropriate time capsule, and without jumping straight into summer’s 90* days, which has happened in the last few years. Fingers crossed.

I’ve greatly enjoyed this series. Hockey moves so fast on the ice that an inexperienced viewer could hardly be expected to follow the pace of the action, let alone the puck. One Brewers game in and I couldn’t tell you why some players were fighting on one side of the ice while the puck was down on the other end deciding the play. A slow beginning and a smoother operation after a couple of episodes is all good to me. Quite frankly I’m pleased at the actual amount of hockey activity. Unless you’re a hardcore fan, fewer hockey visuals is good hockey, (just enough) in my opinion (sorry if I’ve offended any sad Canadians — but I’m not into it one guy @wildone ).

I accidentally kicked a glass of water onto a laptop in Singapore (thereby rendering it useless) due to having no furniture (yet) and everything was on the floor: My computer; My former partner; A full glass of water; and Undisciplined feet. Crap happens all too frequently I'm afraid and no one can be blamed.

Listening to this at 44.1 kHz/24 bit music through Tidal Audio and further on through my system is sort-of, kind-of a gorgeous experience. Have a listen ... . The entirety of If You Wait is recommended. By me; of course.

I so wish that there was a rolls eyes emoji for that one. So, in that vain Too funny, man.

I was minding my own business , rinsing off the dishes and equipment from having reheated a store-bought Tikka Masala (spicy version) which was smothering sautéed, boneless, skinless chicken thighs with the addition of convection baked tater tots on the side. This is after having finished dinner (as one does) when: "Spider-Man, Spider-Man. Does whatever a spider can! Spins a web any size ... . Look out! Here comes the Sider-man." This ... people. This is how my mind occasionally works, sometimes. It can be glorious and it could be considered borderland to "Lah Lah Land" (snort). Nevertheless, I'm often curious as to what will pop up next! You might well wonder as well. TBC My life! Always an adventure!

Let your reptilian slide and ‘go for it.’

OMG. I would totally respond to comments but I have somehow yet to get the Tikka Masala simmer sauce on my iPad screen off. Suffice it to say that I’m really trying to wrap my head around your cognizant comments. Ugh, maybe next time. 😏

@Justin4Fun A word of advice: Practice developing a thick skin. You’re never going to please most of the people some of the time. <— please note the seemingly incongruous connection between the terminology. Basically, I’m saying give up on the idea of pleasing more people than you might think you deserve (that’s self defeating). That’s also not to say that perhaps, with fortitude and a large dollop of luck, you will one day prove your detractors wrong — oh, so wrong. 😉

I sure these same thoughts are what hold me back from putting words to the page. I have what I believe to be rather great ideas (plural) for story arcs of a few to several chapters each (something of which I have yet to do with my record of having only written standalone short stories) and I'm fearful that I won't achieve anything close to what my mind envisions. Maybe I just need a good quick whack upside the head. I'm sure that I could find someone to do that for me if I decide to go the drastic route.

Ouch! But fair. I have definitely been in a too long rut — there’s a great many words and ideas floating in the old noggin but when looking at the blank page … I get nothin’. Enough about me. I do appreciate the ideas offered above. And, @Cia I apologize for being so publicly cranky at your expense.

Blah, blah, blah and blah. I’m sorry @Cia but I don’t see how you added to the conversation — not one iota. You managed to reiterate the least common denominator considering the conversation however, and that’s NOT constructive in the least. Pick and choose you say, ‘Google the theme words’ you say, as if that has any meaning whatsoever. I expect better from you! One word inspirations are lacking, in my opinion. I can’t believe that I am the only person who thinks so. I suspect that the anthologies are disabusing and dissuading authors that otherwise might participate without much better input (direction) — notwithstanding the core principle authors that continually comply with the current perimeters to better or lesser measure — hit or miss as they do..

I get the whole one-word scenario construct, @Myr. But a reasonable diametric would suggest otherwise. Free form thinking is a fine construct but direction is so much a better construct than let it flow, let it flow, let it flow. People respond to direction better than they do to a vague impotence.

So, I hit the thumbs up button to indicate that I read the article, but no more than that. Horizons and Unspoken are the topics of the day and just how boring these one word subject topics stretch the imagination. They stretch the imagination far too far. I envision a far more robust direction. Such as including multiple wordings, ‘The Man in the Black Hat.’ or ‘Pizza for Three.’ These scenarios and subjectively others provide a vastly better opportunity to … well, to advance a more creative scenario than the one-word sound bites that are currently offered.

Oh, my goodness. Listening to London Grammar's Hey Now on my system was an extraordinary, brilliant thing to do. I sat back and closed my eyes allowing the music to envelope my room and my senses. It's a thing. A very good thing! That's not to say that one should be discounting the rest of the album of If You Wait, because that would be a disservice to the entirety of the album, which is an exceptional body of work. Highly recommended -- whether you listen through headphones or speakers. Jump in ... you won't be disappointed.

Already! I haven't gotten through last year's anthology stories yet. I'm a slow but methodical reader (apparently).

Does that mean that people need to begin @Ron’ing my name in order to get my attention? Enquiring minds and all that … you know. Get busy people! First comment — gets first reply. Lines are waiting!

Cheers for your 500th accomplishment Steve! Well done.

People are generally and often times remarkably consistent in their expectations of recovery. No, no it won't take months of therapy. I'm resilient! I can do it!

Here is an amusing article from a Boston Globe food critic concerning things people are reluctant to eat: Globe readers recount food fiascos

For the first time in ten years George Michael's Faith will be released on vinyl -- good news for those who chose to slip-slide backward (as far as I am concerned) in time. Also (Yea!) there will be a CD release, though HiFi+ magazine states there will also be a Blu-Ray release too. Here's a link to the official George Michael page. And here's a link to the HiFi+ page.

Just go with the flow.

Whole Foods brown-butter chocolate chip cookies are the bomb! I can’t remember ever having tasted a chocolate chip cookie as savory-delicious as these. I chose the small cookie option, and upon first bite I was blown away by the taste. My salivary glands flooded my mouth to the point of almost drooling onto the napkin right in front of me. Unbelievably delicious. Highly recommended!!