Going the Distance

 

Taken on Nov 11th 2023, at 1809hrs. 

Joy. 

What Would You Say?

- When he eats too slowly,

- When he uses too much oil,

- When he uses too many plates,

- When he doesn't turn his socks inside out,

- When he doesn't say anything?

- When he's gone.

Master of Puppets

 It's over. Not everyone likes the way it ended, but I love it.

Thank you for introducing me to Will, Lucas, Mike, Dustin, Steve, Hop, Nancy, Robin, Erica, Eddie and Murray.  It is nice to see the kids grow up, change, become stronger, and live. 

Thank you for the shared memories in Japan, with the little man. I believe.

I'll come back to Hawkins regularly. 

Caught by the river

Regret.

Tears.

Questions. 

Stand up.

I am here.

Love. 

Always. 

Time

 

You Have Been Loved

Thank you for being such an awesome daddy. I know you are not perfect but you are still Awesome Sauce (copyright @Toby D). I know sometimes I am like super annoying your har. I am sorry for that, but, I am trying my best to change. I know you are to. 

Thank you for being such a wonderful hubby and daddy. You are always so supportive and loving. I truly wish that you find joy and happiness in life. It pains me to see you so stressed up by works. Hope that you have a wonderful birthday and year 2025.

I Ain't Worried

His first concert! There are 50,000 people there, all excited for his favourite band. The atmosphere is wonderfully joyous. No one can be unhappy in such a situation.

Finally they come on and they do not disappoint. For 90 minutes they play all *their* hits, and then some.

Towards the end the heavens open up. It rains while we count the stars. They head home drenched, but beaming. What glorious fun.

Ordinary World

It is too much to ask for? A simple world. One where we can hear the stars swish and we can smell the sun rise. No, that would be extra ordinary. Alien, even.

But any world is our world. The fun comes from surviving everyday.

Better Man

She just couldn't find someone better. Someone who would not mess up the kitchen when cooking. Someone who would remember to check to ensure that the fridge door is closed.

She just cannot find someone better. Someone who cleans the house without being told. Someone who folds the laundry so she can rest. Someone who is thankful for her.

She just will not find someone better. She is at peace, knowing that there is someone to love them, always.

Ten Billion People

 Everywhere he turns, he bumps into someone. There is a queue for the urinal. The ice-cream stand demands a 10 minute wait. Mint chocolate is usually sold out anyway. Waiting is the new black.

Most people have their mind-shares turned on in the canteen. Ever since filters were banned from social media, mind-shares have taken off. The compulsion to share has already been ingrained in the cerebellum. Lots of images of food, meetings after food, joy of lunching with friends. Who needs television anymore?

His colleague comes up to him, gestures above his head with his eyebrows, and says, "Tough game, huh?". Maybe Liverpool will win next season.

More Human than Human

 Last week, after my English oral exams, my parents brought me to a staycation. In the car, I was vibrating with excitement. When we reached there, I immediately noticed there was a tray full of candies. I took some to bring to the room. That night, we went to a beach-side restaurant. I had so much fun there.

The next day, my parents brought me to Universal Studios. The moment we reached there I ran to the HUMAN, a thrilling ride. After that, we went to the Mummy. It was very scary. When we got back to the room, I watched a bit of TV and showered. Before I knew it, it was time to go.

I wish I can go again and have the same amount of fun.

Radioactive

When it was offered to him, he knew it would cause pain and suffering. But he convinced himself that there was benefit to others, that the burden would yield some benefits. That it would at least make him stronger.

After a year, it weighs so heavy around his neck that he can not look up. It is everywhere he turns. He has breathed in the chemicals for far too long. He is just a wraith; in some sense worse than one in bondage, for even a slave, whether he has any hope left or not, is aware of his position in space and time.

But now he is waking up. It is that very glimmer of hope that does it. It is obvious that he does not have to suffer. With a huge effort, he takes it off and tosses it to the ground, with nary a look back.

Staying alive, is not the same as living. Let the fire rise once more.

Last Night On Earth

She watches the workers dismantle the cupboards and wheel them out the door. She starts putting away her family portraits; there will be no place or time for these at the new premises. She shuts down her laptop and packs it away. She sips her coffee once, twice and looks out the window at the carpark where they usually wait for her. The only ones there are a lady and her toddler.

She is ready to leave. Her phone rings. She answers "Hello".

"We are here". No you aren't.

"Ok, I'm coming down now." No she isn't.

As they get into the car she looks up and sees a crane taking the company name down. When she first joined she was single. She hugs her son and remembers the journey so far. What's next?

All I Want Is You

You make life a thrill that I have not experienced elsewhere. I worry that it might end at any moment though. That the objection of others might lead to an end of days. That makes the thrill so much more intense.

Where will we go from here? I wish we could be the only two people left in the world. I would feel such bliss. I would entertain you tirelessly.

You have opened me up to so many new feelings. The excitement of your company is something I could live on. Although I do things that make you cry, you must know it is not my intention. I aim only to please you.

You are my muse, my eternal high.

Babyface

He is on the train from Kyoto to Osaka. It is a 'bullet' train. He closes his eyes and sings the song to himself. He knows it looks crazy, but he cannot help it. It seems appropriate. Their songs were as far sighted and wise then as they are passe now.

Periodically another super express whizzes by in the opposite direction, blocking the view of apartments in front of mountains momentarily.

The journey will end soon. The journey will resume soon.

That's Amore

It reminds him of those Saturday afternoons when he used to watch the Serie A highlights. It would begin with snippets of goals scored by Gullit, van Basten, Vialli, Manicini, Baresi, Signori, Rijkaard, Fonseca and others. There was a superb theme song that set just the right tone for settling in and watching clever football played in huge cauldron-like stadiums. Then the song would end, and the camera would pan out to show the line-ups for the featured match.

It seemed like Italian football was always played in the sun. Just brilliant.

One Night in Bangkok

It is just a short trip up and back. He reaches there at night on a Thursday, and is scheduled to fly back on the Saturday morning. In those two nights, the level of debauchery is unbelievable. He flies back in a state of shock at his own misbehaviour. It was meant to be a start of a new chapter, but he has backslid once more.

Fight Test

It is a crowded lobby. Parents are rushing to drop their kids off, and kids are doing all they can to delay going to school. It happens in an instant - he feels a child brush against him just as he whirls around. The next moment the boy is on his (diaper-protected) bum on the floor, and starting to wail. 

The father rushes to the boy's side and picks him up. Heaven forbid his son should fall down. He is gesticulating, swearing and comforting all at once. "You do know this place is full of children, right?". He mutters swear word after swear word. The lady at the front desk is watching the events unfold. He sees her and demands for CCTV playback, "Kick his boy out! We have no place for ignorant bullies here!".

The target of his ire thinks it is better not to fight. He asks if the boy is alright. His own boy watches on, bemused by the drama. Who does he think won this game? Who does he want to be?

Months later, the fiery nut tries to initiate polite conversation. The oppressed one nods but remains silent, forgiving but not forgetting.

Dog Days Are Over

Have you ever wished for someone you love to die, and to die quickly? I wish you never have to.

He is dreaming of walking, running, barking, playing. His breathing is steady. I see a smile twitch onto his face. In reality, he is just a shell, shivering at noon.

Rest in peace Tiger. I pray you are in a green field of happiness.

Do You Realize??

Play this song at my funeral.