A Bloy and his Blog

I’ve discovered that as I get older I have some seasonal rituals which I always do. Okay, the word ritual might be a little strong, maybe I should call them traditions. Anyway, today I performed one of my Spring rituals. Usually on one of the first warmer, sunny days of spring, I head out the door for a long vigorous walk with my walkman attached to my belt and the headphones in my ears. The CD I always end up listening to on this first walk of Spring is African Shadow Man by Johnny Clegg and Savuuka. It’s a definitely an album to listen to in the springtime with its blending of African and Western pop music styles. In my mind, it’s not Spring until I listen to that as I breathe in the fresh air and walk along the parkway with the sun on my back.

I’ve always been fascinated by my dreams and what my unconscious mind comes up with while I’m sleeping. Sometimes I have dreams that are so interesting it’s like watching a really good movie. Then of course, I’m disappointed when the show’s over and I wake up. Last night I had this dream about someone I used to work with, but haven’t seen, spoken to, or even thought of in at least 10 years. Where did that come from? We were in some kind of scavenger hunt and not being very successful. I’ll leave it to you to interpret what that means…

Several years ago I used to keep a dream diary. Maybe it’s time to start that again. Pleasant dreams!

In addition to time teaching all things (see my New Year’s entry) I guess time takes its toll on us as well. Today I went to the optician because I was having problems with my new eyeglasses. He told me that one of the problems I was having is an indication that someday I’ll need to get bifocals. Yikes! Proof that yes, the calendar is correct, I am getting older.

I also discovered a cool link today, Google Zeitgeist. It’s a look at the most popular search terms used on Google in 2001. Be sure and check out the timeline for a snapshot of searches people made throughout the year.

Happy New Year! My thought for the new year comes from Sophocles: “Old age and the passage of time teach all things.”

May the passage of time teach you and give our world peace, happiness and good health in 2002.

It’s been three months since the terrorist attack, and the ruins at ground zero are still smoking and smoldering. I certainly don’t want to appear to be an ignorant American, but it just boggles my mind that people can have so much hatred as to cause that kind of devastation. To quote U2 (from their latest album):

Peace on Earth, we need it now. I’m sick of all of this hanging around.
Sick of sorrow, sick of the pain, sick of hearing again and again,
That there’s gonna be peace on Earth.

Hear it every Christmas time, but hope and history won’t rhyme.
So what’s it worth, this peace on Earth? Peace on Earth…

My local public library is having their annual food drive. I’ve been reading in the news that donations to food banks in the U.S. have been much lower this year. At a time of the year when many of us are getting together with family and friends, please try to remember those less fortunate than yourself and do what you can to help the hungry.