By 12:30AM Sunday morning, all the de-stressing I’d done since Friday came unraveled due to another round of idiotic things beyond my control.  I was livid, and finally said, “Hey, screw this.  I’m getting the Hell outta here for a while.”

     I drove northeast for several hours until I couldn’t find a cellphone signal.  Then I drove into the mountains in the middle of nowhere … someplace with absolutely no chance of hitting either a Digital or Analog cell signal.
     As angry as I was at certain things that were going on, I figured it would take longer than it did to mellow out.

     I sat.
     I thought.
     I relaxed.
     I communed.
     I slept.

     Eventually, after spending twenty-four hours away from everything — work, people, computers, cellphones, cats, asshats — I woke feeling refreshed and optimistic.
     It was time to depart.

     It was rainy and foggy most of the weekend.  Coming back over a huge mountain in the car, I was having a little trouble not skidding down the hill at times thanks to the deluges of water over the road at intervals.
     About halfway down, I began to pick up speed quickly, hydroplaning downhill at a breakneck pace — no brakes, no steering, no control whatsoever.  The car turned better than a one-eighty, and, terrified, I stared to back to my left only to see a fast-approaching wall of limestone at the bottom of the hard-left switchback.
     Shocked, and unable to do anything to avoid impending doom, I braced myself for what would well have been a massive impact.

     In that instance, every hope of peace & quiet, and the objectivity I’d gained by getting away, was dashed.  Every scintilla of serenity I’d earned myself the previous day was shattered in an instant by yet another unavoidable event that was completely beyond my control.

     In bracing myself, I must have inadvertently turned my wheels back to the right a bit more than I expected.  Suddenly, a wheel stuck, the car one-eightied again, and I found myself going down the hill in the narrow, oncoming lane.  A few flicks left and right, and I had control again!
     I managed to slow my descent, veer left, then right, and narrowly avoid a second problem — going through the guardrail and plummeting hundreds of feet into the valley below.

     It lasted but a few seconds, but seemed like forever.  My heart was racing.  At the bottom of the mountain, I pulled to the side of the road and thanked my Maker for getting me through.
     Yet again, I’d come out unscathed.

     The last couple of months have dashed my persective a bit.

     Sometimes I forget how lucky I really am.

     I’m lucky not only for getting away unscathed, but also for the fact that every time something happens, I come back stronger than before.

     Some people aren’t so fortunate.  But knowing that I’m a lot more than just the sum of my experiences helps tremendously.

Just imagine.  Diva is sitting in a quiet, corner booth at Catscratch Jane’s.  It’s 9:30pm on a Wednesday night.  Diva is occupying this booth solo.   This is surreal, and I started thinking, which is usually not a good thing when beer is involved.

My 1st thought is this:  I am sitting here, alone.  Am I bummed that my friends aren’t here?  Am I feeling as if my friends have deserted me for bigger and better things?  Do I feel like I am being neglected?  Am I getting bitter?  No. No. No. No. And no.

I am actually quite content with my life and the way it’s turning out. I’m glad to see all of my friends are happy, content and satisfied in where the last year has taken them.  I am totally capable of amuzing myself and having fun in the situation I find myself in.

My second thought:  Yes, I miss my friends.  But, we have a lifetime of memories made in the short span of approximately one year.  It’s not often that a group of mis-matched people come together like we did.  Every single one of us had some sort of need that this rowdy, loud bunch was filling.  Why, it was only a year ago that we all magically morphed to Catscratch Jane’s.  And dear Lord, the place wouldn’t be the same for several months.

Then something happened.  We all started to settle down.  Some of us fell in love.  Some of us found satisfaction in our careers… Regardless of what it was, we all started to find what we were looking for in life.

All of this brings me to a minor crash in self-analyzation.  I’m 100% secure to know that, although I’m sitting quietly in a corner watching the goings on around me, we all meant and still mean alot to each other.  In some cases, we’re far apart in our physical being. In some cases, we’re just right down the road.  Regardless, we are still together in soul.  Pirates deep down?  Maybe just a little… that Pirate dwells in each one of us forever.

We are really fortunate to have had the opportunity to build bonds that keep us close enough to have a quick lunch, early dinner, a cold beer, or even just a comment on MySpace.  God bless technology.

I really do love where my life is now.  But I still thank God every day that I’ve been blessed with a bounty of friends ~ near and far~ ~old and new~

Sappy, yes.  But, sometimes even Pirates can be sentimental.

     “After midnight, baby … we’re gonna let it all hang out…”

1. The Misanthtropic: Name something (about humanity) you absolutely hate.

     I hate all the negativity in the world. Seriously, mean, negative people? I hate the bastards. MEAN PEOPLE SUCK! I wish they’d all f&#$ off and die!
  (Yeah, I can’t think of anything I haven’t posted already)

2. The Meretricious: Expose something or someone that’s phony, fraudulent or bogus.

     My previous answer to the “Misanthropic” question is definitely bogus.

3. The Malcontent: Name something you’re unhappy with.

     The last three months, on the second of the month, I’ve posted some time-lapse video from a recently discovered artist. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find anything new that really struck me the same way.
     Well, I did run across one guy … But he was such an arrogant prick, I couldn’t bring myself, in good conscience, to post his work.

     I’ll find something, tho … if I have to do it myself.

4. The Meritorious: Give someone credit for something and name it if you can.

     My friend Novia was having a pretty rough time.  She started a business a few months ago, and it’s really great to see her succeeding in that, to see her coming out her funk and enjoying herself for a change.  And even though she’s had a lot more things dumped on her plate lately, she’s getting right through it.
     Cheers, girl.  Inspiration and optimism have put you on your way. 

5. The Mirror: See something good about yourself and name it.

     I remember someone once telling me that I was “too intense.”  I took that as a negative at the time.  But as opportunities have continued themselves, I find that intensity, passion and drive are what push me towards true happiness.
     A lot of people think “risky” is a bad thing, too.  Calculated risks, however, can be very rewarding.  I’m not afraid to take  Leap of Faith on the things that are important, things that actually matter.

     I’m on a damn good road.  And it’ll only get better.

6. The Make-Believe: Name something you wish for.

     Instead of naming something I wish for, I will state two profound truths:

• It’s only make believe when it’s impossible.
• Everything is possible.

     Of the most important things in my life … I have absolutely no doubts.

Now it’s your turn.

You can take part in The Monday Melee, even make it a regular feature at your site by visiting The Monday Melee page and following the steps. Kick-start your brain on Mondays and meet other bloggers.

     Isn’t that the way it always goes?

     I sat and talked with a girl for about three hours last night… She gave me a helluva ego boost when I needed it, and she’s cute as hell, too.

     Also made me realize … I gotta start taking better care of myself.

     In the immortal words of Tony Soprano:

     “Everything’s good.  What the f#&*?”

One day I woke up and said, “I don’t want to work here anymore.  Why don’t I just move.”  So I finally did it.  I relocated.  Let me tell ya, I am quite a bit happier.  Not that I don’t love my friends and family that I have left behind, but I needed change.

Of all the things with this move I wish I could change, I think the one I could do without is all of the driving.  Then again, I could just be saying that because I just heard the Frank Sinatra redition of “Fly Away.”  If only I could simply go to Peru or to have a drink in an exotic local just for kicks.  For that matter, wouldn’t it just be nice to take a sabbatical just to make whoopie? 

 I don’t think that I am the only person who is guilty of not taking enough time for themselves. 

 Oh well, with this relocation I have become not only a photographer, but I am also the ice cream delivery guy.  Just remember if you let me cool ya one time you’ll be my regular stop.

     All the “stress” of the last several weeks is finally resolved.

     The court has declared that my part in this is over.  I’ve gotten some much-needed vindication.
     A couple of my friends were able to observe some ridiculous perjuries by the so-called “Christians” on the witness stand.  It’s really comforting when people you know — who’ve experienced some events with you — get to see how others will lie and twist things, regardless of being under a sworn oath.  It’s even better when a Judge noticies their inconsistencies and calls them out on it.
     And, to top it all off, I have some angry, post-court telephone messages which will certainly come in handy should any of this situation ever arise again.  They’re indicative both of the perjuries, and some sick minds.
     Why, it’s a stress-freeing trifecta!

     Needless to say, last night’s the first time in a while I’ve gotten a good night’s sleep.  This morning, I am rejuvinated!

     A special “thank you” goes out to a lot of friends, both old and new, for offering an ear, not asking questions, trying to cheer me up, etc.  Mostly, I thank them just for being there.

     And now that’s done … I’m late for an on-site call… heh

Susan Alice Shelley - 12/2/1964 - 2/21/2007

People living deeply have no fear of death.
— Anais Nin

     Just forty-eight hours ago, I was sitting down to write about what great friends I have.  Mere moments after writing, “Pirates never die,” I received a phone call which showed that the world had decided to see just how much I really believed that.

     She was there one minute, laughing with us like no tomorrow.

     And then she wasn’t.

     We’d met before, briefly, some fifteen years ago.  We knew the same towns, some of the same people.  And when she showed up again last year, it was all so familiar … hard and fast friends, an instant sister, that crazy gypsy, that Wicked Wench.
     It was only natural that I wrote her a testimonial a few months ago:

She’s an incredibly talented artist with a death-lock stranglehold on the eclectic. She’s all fun, all the time, complete with an infectious laugh that can change the mood of an entire bar!

     For those of us who’ve been around her, all we have to do is remember how she she lived: Like there’s no tomorrow.  Nothing left unsaid.  Nothing left undone.  No regrets.

     Laughing at every damn thing — like a bunch of kids with attention deficit disorder — certainly has its benefits.  I remember taking her out for her birthday that night with Niki, going to Market Square…

     Oooh, Kitty!

     (Maybe it’s Susan *grin* Besides, it’s only a 24-Bar Break)

     Pirates never die.

     I’ll write more on this later.

—–

     [5:34PM]

     Reason I waited?

     A pirate died.

     At 12:22 or so.

—–

     [11:34PM]

     Back on the track.

—–

     [2:21AM]

     We’re always there for each other.

Isn’t this where … we came in?
— Pink Floyd, The Wall 

     A few years ago, a friend of mine and I became pretty close.  Circumstances weren’t exactly ideal for either of us.  But in her absence, I did what I’ve always done: ignored it all, pushed it all down and convinced myself it didn’t matter.

     Yesterday, after returning from Savannah, I realized just how much it did matter, actually.  Hearing from her again after all of these years managed to keep me distracted and despondent throughout most of today.

     Tonight, we talked on the phone for a while … a lot of lighter subjects, interspersed with long, uncomfortable pauses caused by deep thought and an inability to express the range of emotions we were both going through.
     But all in all, it was good.  Eventually, we got out what we needed to say to each other.

     When you break a bone and it doesn’t fit together just right when it starts to heal, it can hurt you for years.  The only way to fix it is to break it again, and set it correctly.
     Relationships are the same way.  Sometimes you’ve just gotta rip away the scabs and scar tissue.
     At least then, it only hurts for a little while.

     Friends are always a good thing.  Love ya, Cait.

     Here’s the obligatory holiday photo…

     I missed the Thanksgiving post because I was busy enjoying myself during what was certainly the event that I was most thankful for in 2006.  Miranda and I spent some good, quality time together discussing everything that went wrong during our marriage, and making our apologies where they were applicable.
     Sure, divorce is divorce, and it is the end, but it’s always better when you can part as friends.  And hey, everybody can use a few more friends.  With that, we have all the closure we need to go ahead and get on with our lives.
     So, Miranda, my friend, I hope all of you on your side of the world, and the rest, have wonderful and memorable Holidays. *toasts*

     To my family, hey…  *toasts*

     To Mr. & Ms. Swanky, here’s to you guys.  You know why.  *toasts*

     To the Bloggers I’ve talked to, met, hung out with and e-mailed over the last year, kudos, and here’s to a great new year.  *toasts*

     To my customers & clients, we’ve had a good year through all our ups and downs.  I truly appreciate the business, loyalty and reciprocity we’ve all achieved this year.  *toasts*

     To my new neighbors, who’ve been great to hang out with and talk to the second half of the year. *toasts*

     To my friends, both new and old, thanks for the wild times and here’s to us making a few more. *toasts*

     To my Pirate Chicks (possessive little bastard I am), certainly, you girls have certainly made my year.  You’re every one individual and unique, some loud and some quiet, some bold and some shy, some aggressive and some passive, but I know damn well when the shit hits the fan, every damn one of you would be right there with me — and for any of you, I’d do the same.
     You’ve made the good times better, and the bad times bearable, if not hilarious.  *hugs* I love every damn one of ya.  *toasts*

     It just wouldn’t be like me to get all sappy and not leave something sarcastic.

     So, to all the ladies, a special gift, courtesy of NBC…