Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Rolleringgggggggggg

OK. I am still trying to figure out how to post the actual song that goes along with the lyrics (below) by Melanie Safka. Meanwhile here is the link to the YouTube video. Just click on the title of this post!
The lyrics will have to do for now and as soon as I figure this damn thing out I will put the song on too!!Very catchy little ditty... and I don't say that just because I bought a brand new pair of roller blades today:
¿Or do I?

I Got a Brand New Pair of Roller Skates

I rode my bicycle past your window last night
I roller skated to your door at daylight
It almost seems like you're avoiding me
I'm okay alone, but you got something I need

Well, I got a brand new pair of roller skates
You got a brand new key
I think that we should get together and try them out you see
I been looking around awhile
You got something for me
Oh! I got a brand new pair of roller skates
You got a brand new key

I ride my bike, I roller skate, don't drive no car
Don't go too fast, but I go pretty far
For somebody who don't drive
I been all around the world
Some people say, I done all right for a girl

Well, I got a brand new pair of roller skates
You got a brand new key
I think that we should get together and try them out you see
I been looking around awhile
You got something for me
Oh! I got a brand new pair of roller skates
You got a brand new key

I asked your mother if you were at home
She said, yes .. but you weren't alone
Oh, sometimes I think that you're avoiding me
I'm okay alone, but you've got something I need

Well, I got a brand new pair of roller skates
You got a brand new key
I think that we should get together and try them out to see
La la la la la la la la, la la la la la la
Oh! I got a brand new pair of roller skates
You got a brand new key

Don't have a visa or a job, but by golly I have new skates!!!
One step at a time... breathe

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Newness

Today is a day, much like any other day, yet unlike any other I have known. I am glad to be living it. On this day, I felt new music and then danced to some old. I feel the changes happening, I feel them deep in me. It's funny how connections happen. It's fascinating how things change. So many are afraid to let life evolve around them. Right now I welcome it all. Thank you world for bringing me newness, for keeping life interesting.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Schooling


Last weekend I attended a course to become internationally certified as an English as a Second Language instructor. The picture is of the folks I took the class with, what a great group!!

This week my leave of absence was officially approved. Things continue to evolve and happen. Though I don't believe much in luck, lately I am feeling very lucky.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Oh Captain, my Captain


When I moved to Key West it was the first time in my life I was on my own. It was also the first time in my life I didn't have a dog, so it seemed only logical to get one. The thing was, I always had dogs with my family, this was the first time I had one on my own and didn't realize the responsibility he would bring. I remember the day I went to the pound to pick him out. I wanted a small dog but found this cage full of a litter of beautiful little puppies, so I climbed in and played.. I was scratched, licked, sniffed and loved it. There was one little puppy who just sat and watched as I played with the others. His eyes told me he was mine. We left together that day and on the way home it was decided he would be called Captain... seemed appropriate for a dog born on a semi-tropical island. Little did I know how appropriate. Captain was the best, he was the kindest, friendliest soul I have ever known. He was adventurous, loyal and wanted nothing more than to be by my side. Two things I used to say about Captain and they still hold true. One is that he was an angel sent to me from the lord above via the pound... lol... I have never been a religious person, but I always believed Captain and I were meant to be together. The other was that Captain temporarily satisfied my maternal instincts. I wanted so badly to be a mom, even then and I knew I wasn't ready. I knew I had to have my life together before I brought someone else into it. But Captain was the perfect fix for that. From him I learned the importance of being responsible for another being, I learned what it is to love unconditionally and to feel unconditional love. I learned how to look in someones eyes and feel what they are feeling and understand what they need. He could just look at me and I would know... I never felt that way with anyone before, maybe it's kinda sad that he was "just a dog" but I don't think so. I think he was part of the life long process of learning.

He was with me through so much and I sacrificed a lot to keep up my responsibility for him. But he also gave so much. When we lived in Key West, he would ride in my bicycle basket. We would go all over town and people would ask us to stop just to get a picture. Being a very dog friendly town, he could come into bars with me. I would just tap the bar stool and he would jump up. I could put a twenty on the bar and he would set his paw on it... getting us a drink almost instantly. Ahhh yes... us.. Captain's favorite drink was a White Russian. I would let him have little tastes from my straw. Sure he would drink Margarita's or rum and cokes too, but he always seemed partial to White Russians. More that anything he loved to swim and he could go for hours swimming at the beach or in the pool or even in a hot tub. He even learned to use the ladder to get in and out of the pool in the backyard. Several times I caught him sleeping on a float in the pool, just floating around, enjoying his life.

When I moved back to NY, Captain and I found a basement studio apartment in the home of a lady named Alyce. She was very good to me, but it was no secret that she liked him better. She would "borrow" him from me all the time and take him for walks and hikes. We were lucky to have found her. The best was the first time he saw snow. He really loved the snow. In his tracks you could see four paw prints and one tongue print going from side to side, he couldn't get enough. So many Captain stories... so many in my mind.

I am grateful to have know him. I remember the comforting feeling I would get by listening to him snore by my side every night. As he got older the snoring got louder and louder. The sound never bothered me, but eventually I realized he was struggling to breathe. We tried everything to help him... meds, surgery, acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments, diet changes... but alas the time came when I had to let him go. I couldn't watch him suffer and deteriorate any more.

On April 4, 2004 I brought him to the vet for the last time and held him close to me as the vet injected him with a shot that ended his life in seconds. I held him and looked in his eyes so he wouldn't be afraid and assured him all would be ok and that we would see each other again. He was cremated shortly after that and the ashes were delivered to my house days later. I have held on to them for four years.

Today I let go. I went to Robert Past Park on the Hudson. The same place Ken and I had our wedding reception. I sat on a rock and cried as I let go of each handful of ashes. I remembered all the good times and the love that remains so strong
.
There at the park I also let go of the negative energy that has been plaguing me for so long. Yesterday, Ken went to India. I suppose some might say I should have been there mourning the loss of the man I spent the last 13 years of my life with. But honestly, I feel a sense of freedom. In many ways Ken is a good man, but his energy tended to over power mine all too often. He has always been on the look out for destruction and doom and didn't really get how to look on the bright side of life. I do. I always have. I thought maybe I could show him, teach him, rub off on him... whatever... but I couldn't at least not for long. The past few days he has been so scared and nervous about his trip. He has been reaching out to me and I allowed it once again. After all, don't I want to remain his friend? But the thing is, I think by being there for him, I have held him back and even though I tried like hell to encourage his growth, I held him back. In doing so, I also held myself back. I don't blame Ken for this. I take responsibility for my part. All I want is to grow and experience. My life is changing ever so rapidly and I am taking all the steps I need to to make sure it is all healthy for me
.
I will always have a place in my heart for Captain, but it is time to let him go.
I will always have a place n my heart for Ken, but it is time to let him go.
For the two I say thank you for giving me what you have and I wish nothing but the best for you.

After all was said and done... I skated around the park reminding me of what is yet to come.

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Now playing: Neil Young - Neil Young & Stephen Stills - Long May You Run
via FoxyTunes

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Being there

My friend J called me Friday night saying she need some TLC... although I had been home from work sick for three days, I grabbed another gf went over and spent some time with her. She is losing her mother, to a slow painful death, which of course is hard for any child to see, no matter how old. We didn't talk much about her mom, but we spoke of many other things. We drank some wine and laughed... laughter and friendship, the best medicines anyone can need. After a while we found ourselves slow dancing to French music in the kitchen and comforting one another... I imagine it would have looked pretty funny for an outsider to see three women holding each other and dancing slow but to us, it was just what we needed.
In my high school yearbook, under my picture, it says, "If you can't be with the one you love, love the one your with." Under that it reads, "I'm just a soul who's intentions are good, oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood." Funny that it still holds true today and not just for me, for most anybody. Sometimes we feel like we need more or someone else and sometimes it is just important to appreciate what we have right here in front of us. I was glad J called and told me she needed a friend, as I was in need of some friendship myself and certainly giving is more rewarding then taking... I love my girlfriends... each and everyone.
On another note, while my employer hasn't officially given my leave request approval, my job was posted on Friday. Looks like I will be approved. I spent hours on the phone on Friday trying to figure out the best plan of action for employment in Spain and visa's and so on... it's confusing as hell...lol... but I think I have a solid plan and will be ok... or maybe even better than ok. I know for sure that I am doing the best I know how.
Spring is nearing... I can feel the life coming back to my world. I love this time of year.