New York Minute 67 - Unwanted Exposure

Overheard while walking down the street this past weekend. A young man was talking on his mobile phone.

“She, like, posted a picture of her ass. And she doesn’t even, like, have an ass.”

You know what they say. It’s not what you have, it’s how you use it.

Copyright © 2017 Daniel R. South 

All Rights Reserved

Raves

On the second day of a nasty stomach bug during a typically hectic work week, my fortunes brightened significantly when a colleague surprised me with an award for outstanding performance. Woo hoo!

Days When I Want To Scream

There are days 

When I just want to scream 

Loudly and angrily 

And curse a blue streak 

At the world 

And everyone in it 

Throw a big ugly fit 

Tear up the carpet 

And even break 

Some furniture 

Like an angry, crazed, 

Overgrown two-year-old 

Who’s tired and cranky 

And totally 

Out of control 

But no

I won’t do it 

I won’t and I can’t 

I won’t let myself rant 

Uncontrollably 

It’s not good for you 

And it’s not good for me

I’ll do something else 

Anything else 

I’ll find a better way 

To express myself 

I’ll take a deep breath 

Balance myself 

And get a hold of that urge 

To scream 

And be mean 

I’ll take it 

And push it way down 

In my soul 

Where the darkest thoughts swim 

In a cold, deep well 

Waiting 

Waiting to be reborn 

I use them, you know 

Those thoughts in the well

I harness that angst 

And use it as fuel 

As pure motivation 

The fire and passion 

I need 

To take action 

I can make them burn bright 

And turn dark into light 

When my focus is right 

I can transform the rawest emotions

Into joyful 

And helpful 

Experiences 

I’ll just relax 

And think for a bit 

And soon I’ll have some ideas 

Of how to make something nice 

Or provide some advice 

That might help someone 

In need 

I can think of a way 

To contribute some pay 

In a generous way 

Or maybe just stay 

In the house for the day

Learning to do 

Something new 

Something fun 

Something 

That will ultimately 

Help someone

Anything 

Just do anything 

Anything but scream 

No 

Don’t do that 

I won’t do that 

I won’t lash out 

Or throw a mad fit 

I won’t show anger 

Or harbor it 

I won’t share frustration 

Or unchecked emotion 

Or do unkind things 

Or say thoughtless words 

No 

No one deserves 

The wrath of my unmanaged emotions 

No one should carry my burdens 

But me 

My heart 

Is my own 

Responsibility 

And I shall be 

As positive 

As I can 

I’ll handle things 

Patiently and quietly 

Because screaming 

Is a waste of energy 

And so far beneath 

My dignity 

Copyright © 2017 Daniel R. South 

All Rights Reserved

Diwali - Day 2 -Narak Chaturdasi

Today is Narak Chaturdasi, the 2nd day of Diwali, when special baths with scented oils remove evil spirits from the body. May your life be cleansed of all negativity.

Desperation Diplomacy

Does Drumpf think that he looks strong when he criticizes Iran and North Korea? He looks like the man with the smallest penis in the world desperate to demonstrate his virility.

The Human Tragedy of Senseless Violence

I learned this week that my wife is related to one of the victims of the mass shooting in Las Vegas. The great-grandmother of the woman who was killed was the sister of my wife’s grandfather. It seems like a distant relation, but I have relatives who are similarly related, and they don’t seem distant when I’m with them.

My wife and I vacationed in Las Vegas early in our relationship. It was one of our first big trips together. We had a wonderful time exploring the sights and experiences of this amazing city. I can’t imagine if something had happened to her there, some senseless act of violence. I question whether I would have had the strength to go on. A tragic event like that would have haunted me forever.

Fifty-eight people where killed in Las Vegas that evening. Fifty-eight families are left to deal with the sudden, permanent loss of a loved one. How many husbands, wives, parents, children, brothers, sisters, and friends are left to deal with that grief, left to ask how something so pointless could have happened? Left to ask why? Five hundred more suffered significant injuries. None of those people will ever be the same.

The scope of this tragedy and the pain left in its wake is incomprehensible. How could one person inflict harm on so many, people that he didn’t even know, people with whom he had no apparent grievance? What drove him to plan a massacre of innocent people methodically for months in advance? How will the families and the surviving victims cope with what has happened to them? How will any of us ever look at life the same way again?

Copyright © 2017 Daniel R. South 

All Rights Reserved

New York Minute 66 - Subway Bust

I saw a guy being arrested on a subway platform last night, a young, tall, White guy with a mop of unkempt curly hair. He was sitting on a bench in handcuffs being questioned by a large officer in uniform when I got there. A minute later, an undercover cop joined the discussion, and the two cops started going through items in the guy’s satchel.

Undercovers are easy to spot. They have a uniform of their own: jeans, sneakers, and a baggy shirt or jacket that can conceal a holstered pistol. They’re always short. Always. My guess is that this helps them to blend into crowds and bear witness to acts of theft like pickpocketing.

I saw a couple of folks glance over to see what was happening, but no one stared, and most people didn’t look at all. The New York instinct to mind one’s own business kicks in automatically.

Copyright © 2017 Daniel R. South 

All Rights Reserved

Presidential Succession Protocol

Is there a protocol that would enable the Vice President to take over if his boss goes totally bonkers? We seem to be approaching that point.

Light Rain

Soft and warm, 

A light rain 

Calms my mind 

And invigorates my senses 

Like a tender, staccato massage

Copyright © 2017 Daniel R. South 

All Rights Reserved