Choice Point or Two

Our choices tell so much about us. Like what's important or where we're aiming to go. Today I came to such a choice point.

We were strolling through an outdoor street market which had vendors who sold clothing, jewelry and Asian masks. I was especially interested in this one mask, a Hindu mask with its tongue sticking out. It was a serious mask and yet humorous too. Very intriguing. So I asked the price. The vendor after a little bit of fumbling replied $120 but I'll take 25% off. I did the math and came up with $90. Too expensive for the quality. But then maybe I'm comparing my mask shopping karma with Kathleen's. She bought me a Ganesh mask in San Fransico for $25 and it's a wonderful mask. Quite inspiring too. But my mask karma is different. More difficult and more expensive. I'm this way in all things. Everything costs me more and is harder to find.

So as I'm dithering about whether to empty my pockets of all my cash in order to buy this cool mask, Kathleen pipes up and says "It could be an early xmas present." Now I take my xmas gift points (and presents) like a serious business matter. Because you see I have my heart set on getting a iPhone. It will be a big upgrade and very complicated at first. And I'm already anticipating the frustrations it will bring. But I'm ready for this smart phone even though I'm still not convinced I'm smart enough to use it.

So I answer Kathleen's generous offer with, "I'll pass on the mask, I really want a iPhone for xmas. Or I'll just get it for myself. But I'm really in the market for one." Full of good nature, Kathleen responds with "Well, maybe the mask will still be here next Saturday and we'll get it then."

This is how my choices go for me. I really want all of the choices but must often bargain for the one I really want. I rarely get all of the choices. But then, I'm just grateful to have choices.

And so I've chosen a 21st century smart phone over a Hindu mask. Who's to say which one would actually do more for me. Maybe Kathleen's right. Maybe I'll be back at the market next week. My mask collection could always use an addition...

Columbus Day---Shall We Party?

I never know how to feel about Columbus Day. Shouldn't I be happy that Columbus discovered America so that all my ancestors who were all once immigrants could also discover America? Or what about the Native Americans who when they saw Columbus saw the end of their world? Should this be a day of mourning for them? I'm sure history will somehow work out these competing perspectives, but in the meanwhile I'm confused.

So what do I do as a 21st-century person on this day? Do I stay home and Internet shop, or do I go to a mall and shop? Do I clean house and do laundry? Or do I surf the net, read books and listen to the latest Pink album (which I must say is quite good)? Or do I find a restaurant that is celebrating dear old Columbus and party the day and night away?

What will you do? A day off with Kathleen is always a precious thing. Even though every day is a day off since I'm retired, I still enjoy the three day weekends with Kathleen.

So thanks for the three-day weekend in October. And as far as working out history for good or bad, I'm leaving that to the historians.

What Makes A Holiday A Holiday

So whatcha got planned for our day off? That's right, we laborers get to celebrate all our work on Labor Day, September 3rd. I've done all kinds of celebrating on Labor Day. Some lunches, some dinners and some weekends camping in the mountains.

For most of us a Labor Day celebration involves some form of leisure. For me that usually involves someone else doing the cooking. So I like celebrating with good food and drink at a fine restuarant. Ahhh, the sweet good life.

But unfortunately for me, my Ex (when we were together) didn't really like the restaurant plan. She liked fishing in a Virginia reservior for our holiday. I was so crazy about her that not only did I give up my lunch, I rowed the boat across the reservoir and then all the way back to the dock. It was a metal row boat and slightly unsteady, but I made it to the dock and earned my "butch" points for the rest of the year. To be young and a lesbian in love...what we will do!!!

Nowadays I've settled with the love of my life, Kathleen, and we have our US Open (tennis) tournament holiday that always happens over Labor Day. So we always have a plan. And in this relationship we just order for delivery. I've matured, dontchathink?!?