P.J.'s Abbey
I just got back from a very nice trip to Southern California. Everything went the way I would have liked. On Sunday morning we had brunch at P.J.'s Abbey. I was with my Mom, my Sister, her son (my nephew) and his wife. The interesting thing for us (the old ones anyway) was that this particular restaurant is in a unique place. They took an old church and converted it. The old church happens to be the one we always went to when we were growing up. I was married there, as was both my sister and brother. All kinds of significant events occurred there.


I've been there several times, and I'm used to it now. At first it had a very dreamlike quality. I could always imagine telling someone... "I had this weird dream. We went over to the church, but now it was a restaurant! We sat right where the piano should be, and there were waitresses and musicians and everything. We ordered food and were sitting there sipping coffee. Then I woke up."


You can see more about this place here.

Good Samaritan
I've never minded helping people out, especially neighbors. A week or so ago I was on my way to the bank and I heard someone say something like "Are you taking me to the bank?" It was a young lady of color, and I thought she was talking to me. The convergence of the question with the fact that it matched my intended destination, made me think I must be mistaken so I ignored her. The other afternoon I was walking to my car and the same girl demanded a ride to AutoZone. I wasn't in a particular hurry so I acquiesced. Then, as these things always go there's a catch. We just had to take her battery. I was hoping it was already disconnected but of course it was not. I'm not a mechanic, I warned. It would require tools. Soon I was fetching a crescent wrench and a pair of pliers from the apartment. I was trying to be unruffled. After two bolts into the job (there was some metal bar over the battery) I was unable to actually remove the battery. That's why I'm a member of AAA. She of course was arguing with AutoZone on her cell phone -- some problem. By the grace of God she let me off the hook. She called me "Buddy" and thanked me for being willing to help a stranger.

Yesterday afternoon I was in the parking lot again and the same girl called out to me. I asked if she had gotten a new battery, assuming so since the car was in a different spot. She said something like "Yeah, as soon as you give me a jump..." I told her I didn't know how to jump a car, which is more or less true. Sure, I've done it but it always seems risky, and I knew she would be no help. I also told her I didn't have jumper cables. I think there's some around here, but I couldn't lay my hands on them at the moment. She just turned away without a word.

Return to Sender
Yes, it's that time again. What time is that? Once again I will present this public corner of my mind. I have reason to ponder this baring of my thoughts. But mine is not to reason why, etc. And you, Dear Reader may take what you wish and leave the rest behind. It is an arrangement that works for everyone.

We live in a world of illusion. Everyone seems to agree on this, but I have yet to meet anyone that knows what this means. I certainly don't. I have a vast supply of illusions about myself. Am I going to list them for you? Hell no. I don't know what they are! They seem real to me... as real as this keyboard upon which I type, or your eyes which are scanning these words. They seem as real as the waves of energy which we are all forced to emit. As real as our desire to have these emissions bounce back and return in perfect harmony.

There are those that say desire is our main problem as human beings. Others say something else, and still others say yadda yadda... I simply try to convince myself that I want for nothing, but I seem to be lying. These self-deceptions serve me well, and I exist for one more glorious day.

And so we conclude this message and pay the proper postage for its delivery.