I Differ

There are some things that are (by their nature) a bit difficult to discuss. Topics that cause a little uneasy squirming in mentioning. Orgasm is somewhere near the top of that list. The very word encourages a turning away of the gaze, and nervous shuffling of feet. But I found myself speaking (albeit in a somewhat obtuse manner) about orgasm and foreplay during a prolonged exchange of candor with a dear Friend, just yesterday. So, as is the natural course of things with Yours Truly, my mind continued on with an expanded consideration of the subject, today. And, bless your enduring and tolerant heart, you, My Darling Reader, are now confronted with the outfall of some of those considerations.

I have been, for quite a long time, bothered by, and even, with some regularity, aggravated by our world’s fascination with and propensity toward what we lump together under the heading of “Extreme Sport.” I am vexed by all of the expense that is funneled into … and all of the time, energies, and pre-occupation devoted to .. Bungee-cord jumping, sky-diving, snow-boarding, black-course ski slopes, running of the bulls … well, you catch my drift. I listen, with intense focus, to the interviews of participants as they breathlessly describe the orgasmic satisfaction achieved at the peak of their short-lived experience … and I have yet to be impressed. And, until the light of understanding began to glow in my conscious awareness, yesterday, I really dismissed my lousy attitude as just some individual, and yet-undiscovered, hang-up. But I now know what “the deal” is with me. I yearn for foreplay. Yep! That’s the whole story in a proverbial ‘nutshell.’

I am far more enchanted with and excited by the intercourse between the Performer on stage and their engaged and captivated Audience, than I am with the orgasmic applause at Performance’s conclusion. I savour a day of hand-holding and silly whisperings far more than the immediate and conclusive pinnacle of sexual climax. And no! … you may not dismiss this propensity as the natural consequence of three-score years of living. Nope! I have always known this preference as my own. But, until yesterday’s conversation, and today’s writing, I haven’t had the clarity of understanding or comfort in expression, necessary to express my preference. And, lucky you [smile], you get to be the first to be assailed with my opinion.

I clearly remember my tears and sense of wonderment and appreciation as I watched Red Skelton sharing moments of unstructured and spontaneous silliness with his adoring and readily included Audience. Though I always (including today) shed tears of loving admiration at close of each of Mr. Skelton’s performances … as he humbly and graciously thanked those who had granted him the honour of the time and attention shared … I never (before now) examined the “why” of my reaction. I dismissed it as just another example of my over-the-top predisposition to sensitivity. Today, I have a clearer understanding and appreciation of my values. I would live a life of unending foreplay. I would choose the sprinkling of moments of sweet sighs amidst a mist of consistent touches, kisses, messages, looks, giggles, brief dances, and playful comments … over the occasional happening of the wildly athletic sexual rodeo (though those will always have a welcome place in life’s repertoire.)

So, Dear patient Friend, there you have it. Yet another glimpse into the not-so-orthodox inner workings of your John-Michael. I do gratefully thank you for your generous enduring of my altogether personal openness. I accept that as a rich personal compliment ... and leave you with This.


(Note: If you have no success with the link above, I ask that you do your Self the favour of copying, and pasting ...
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_PIadFsvDk&feature=related . You will be glad.)

A 'belated' MeMe

Because some unknown Force cast (some while back) a shadow … blocking the beneficial rays of the Sun of Goodness from my life … I was “blessed” with the “Gift” of a ‘MeMe’ assignment. Had it been sent by any, other than the One, who so endowed me … I would have (no doubt) put it on some remote “back burner” of my stove of life. But, alas, it came from One who holds such regard as to command a response (though well-belated.) So … I comply, in keeping with the following set of guiding “rules.”

1 – Write the title to your own memoir using exactly six words.

2 – Post it on your blog.

3 – Link to the person who tagged you.

4 – Tag five other bloggers.

Hence, the Title (in “exactly six words”) of this supposed memoir might be:

“How I Came To Be Me.”

And (by virtue of the fact that you are (as we ‘speak’) reading this … I have met the requirement of “Rule 2.”

In adherence to the rules of this exercise (inasmuch as I am one who unflaggingly adheres to all “rules” [save all admonishments against lying]) I acknowledge the Giver, of this Gift Assignment, to be none other than the ever-auspicious “SulDog“ hisself.

Also, in keeping with said “Rules” (whilst remaining in concert with the guiding principle of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”) the five “other bloggers” who I tag with this assignment are: Anonymous 1, Anonymous 2, Anonymous 3, Anonymous 4, and lastly (but by no means Least of the group), Anonymous 5. And, yes, they, each and every one of them, will remain forever in my debt for the honour.

Amen.

Showing It All

Perhaps all of this "Tell All," MeMe, thingy has gotten to me. But when I received a message from Silvia (my Spirit-Daughter in Italy), I had "a moment."

In response to a photo sent to her by my Best Bud in the whole world, Dav (from Iceland), in which he showed an image of me with his visiting Dad and Sister [with Dav and his Wife in the center], Silvia said, “… in the pics there where you! first time seeing you in the whole figure...and not posing for the pic so i could grasp your real smiling...and How tall you are!” And it occurred to me that You, Dear Faithful Friend, have been presented the same perspective of me that I had shared with Silvia.

So, in the spirit of "full disclosure" ... Here is what you would find greeting you outside of our favorite Thai restaurant if we could share this moment.



I've shown you mine ... [smile]

A "Tell More" MeMe

With a gracious bow of recognition and respectful admiration to a Lady whom I have become quite fond and appreciative of, San Merideth, I offer this, my response to her “passing of the torch” of a MeMe. And, I will simultaneously earn the ire of some, and (no doubt), the thanks of others by letting this “fruit of the MeMe vine” wither and die with me. So, I will deny some, whilst blessing others (depending on your point of perspective), with my not passing this one on.

I do, most sincerely, want to express my genuine appreciation for and sense of compliment from the award bestowed on me by San. I am forwarding the “EXCELLENT BLOG AWARD” to each of the blogs on my list (on the side-bar) of places “WHERE I FIND BLESSINGS, ENJOYMENT and SATISFACTION”. For each of these continue to share in touching my life and spirit in ways unique to them individually.

That said, here is my response to San's:

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Me but Were Too Polite to Ask (All responses listed in alphabetical order)

4 Jobs I've held (Inasmuch as I have listed four on a previous MeMe, I will, here, list some part-time employs that met a need at their time)

Minister of Music and Youth (several years whilst a Life Insurance Agent Full-Time. I LOVED this! I had a brass ensemble, puppet performance groups, adult choir, youth choir, and a youth Bible study. It was marvelous! [just could not deal with the ‘politics‘])

Night-Time Delivery of Fuel Oil (for one winter season to accumulate a down payment for our first home)

Overnight Store Re-stocker, Lionel Play world (during the Christmas season for several years to provide for child-support [you would not believe the devastation wrought upon a toy store by Christmas shoppers!])

State-Wide Courier Contractor (in conjunction with delivering newspapers whilst going to school full-time [took my son with me on many ‘runs‘ and we explored and enjoyed together … great teaching and coaching opportunities for him])


4 Movies I have/would watch over and over again

(Four Robin Williams movies that I will count as One) Dead Poet’s Society/ Patch Adams/ Good Morning Viet Nam/ Mrs. Doubtfire/

Forest Gump

The Emperor’s Club

You’ve Got Mail


4 places I've lived (I have, previously, given locales in another MeMe. Here’s ‘another perspective.’)

With my parents and siblings. (19 years)

With my wife. (5 years)

With my wife and my children. (16 years)

With my Self. (22 years)

4 people I want to "Bitch Slap right into the middle of next week"

I can readily think of at least four associated with the current political administration in Washington DC. But I refuse to give any of them the benefit of having their names published in even this minuscule way. I do all that I can to delete any conscious awareness of them from my mind.

As to any other “candidates” … if I feel that strongly about them, I disallow myself from investing even the slightest amount of my emotions or attentions to them. Hence I will not permit my Self to visit their corporately-shared cesspool of my dismissal … for even this exercise.

Whatever emotional/Spiritual/ mental energies that would have been wasted in considering the Cancers of life is best invested in relishing its Treasures. (Don’t like to trash up my own mind … I tend to dwell … and there are far better things to dwell on.)

4 People who email me regularly (I rarely receive Emails, so had to look back at saved files and these were the most 'received from'))

Carol M. (my very dear and longstanding friend)
Denise D. (a wonderful friend in the UK)
Elaine C. (a sweet friend and my brother’s friend/colleague in Missouri)
Silvia D. (my spirit-daughter in Italy)

4 TV shows I watch (when I do watch … which is very rarely. Click on their Names [linked])
Antiques Roadshow
Antiques Roadshow, UK
CBS Sunday Morning Show (One of my rare concessions to ‘network TV.’ Charles Kuralt drew me into it and kept me there for al of his years as host. I seldom watch now.
Charlie Rose
Great Cars TV


4 Places I've visited

Denver, Colorado (amazed [being a ‘Florida Guy’] at the snow on the leaves whilst we wore shirtsleeves in the warmth of the sun … So cool!)

Key West, Florida (where my lighthouse-keeper grandfather met my Bahamian grandmother … I still feel “at home” there.)

Siesta Key, Florida (the most perfect powder-soft sand beaches and romantic get-away [sunsets that enchant!])

Toronto, Ontario (the most hospitable, gracious, and genteel people that I have ever been blessed to develop friendships with)

4 favorite foods (I have mentioned foods in an earlier MeMe, so here are styles that I prefer)

Indian
Italian
Mongolian
Thai
(seems to be a “spice theme” here)

4 places I'd like to be right now

Saint Petersburg Beach, Florida (very intimate, personal reasons)

Lucca, Italy (with my spirit-daughter)

Peculiar, Missouri (close to my brother, Steven, and his family)

With You (and if your Spirit is speaking an affirmation to You, as You read this … this is how You know that You are One, to whom I speak.)(I live and love in this Reality)


4 things I'm looking forward to this year

Taking the “Adirondack Special” (train) through the Adirondack Mountains as the leaves are at their full Autumnal-colour. [I have been fantasizing this trip for decades.])

Taking my first “exploratory” trip to Europe in search of my future home (If not at the end of this year. The first of next.)

Dating. (NEVER before done [yep! You heard right … NEVER!])

Improving my skills with my cornet. (Love to play the Blues. [Living the Blues ... not quite so much fun. [smile])