Outside the Box of Thinking

"Connecting the Dots...That's what it's all about!"
-Zahra

I met Zahra at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City about five years ago. She and her husband, Tim, remain great friends. I just received a postcard from Zahra yesterday that included a poem that I wish to document in my blog today.
. . .
. . .
. . .
Can you connect all nine dots with four straight lines without lifting your pencil?

"Have you ever wondered why some of us are unable to turn our misfortune into insight, our grief into joy? I have been pondering this question of late.

The Persian Poet Rumi says:

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don't go back to sleep.
You must ask for what you really want.
Don't go back to sleep.
People are going back and forth across the door sill.
Where the two worlds touch.
The door is round and open.
Don't go back to sleep.

"Our lives are full of dots. The door is round in opportunities to live, grow and change. My dear friend...Are you awake or do you sleep?"
-Zahra

Twenty-five years ago today:

January 21, 1984

8:30am: I took a 'back and forth' ride on my bike along the Alameda South Shore Beach until 10:30am. It was funny when some old man shook his head after I passed him by for the 8th time during my exhilarating excursion.

10:30am: I had breakfast at Mom's house (356 Magnolia Drive). The chocolate milkshake I made was delicious.
"You careered!" said my brother, John, after he tasted the orange juice, vanilla ice-cream milkshake I prepared for him.

I called Sue Miller to verify the dinner itinerary. I couldn't stay still and had to go bike riding again until about 2pm.

Once I returned to my pad and fueled up on some water and yogurt I decided to nap until 4:30pm.

My mom stopped by to bring the keys I had left at her house. She started to 'pick up after' the household mess that John and I had left in the surrounding areas. I couldn't resist commenting.
"Let us live our bachelor lives in peace," I said jokingly.

By 5pm I was readying myself for 'A Little Italy' outing. I was at Sue's apartment by 6pm. Her brother, Michael Miller, was there and we talked for a while until Sue was finally ready to leave. I required Sue to listen to the taped music I had created. I think she was amused by it.

We met Rene (Dave's cousin), his girlfriend, Tala, and Stevei (Dave's girlfriend). We sipped white wine together until it was time to follow them to Castro & Noe to eat. The reservation was a half hour wait, so we had a drink at some Pub located down the street. Dinner was good. Rene was loud. Stevei looked familiar. Tala was good lookin' in her own right. Only Sue and I ate the coffee chip and coffee crunch ice-cream for dessert.

Before long we were en route back to the East Bay in Alameda but we decided to stop at The Rusty Pelican to dance a few. Sue said some 'fat broad' was giving her dirty looks, acting selfish and jealous. We decided to leave the scene. I had some iced-tea at Sue's apartment and we talked about the interesting and semi-eventful evening.

Tomorrow...Paloma and 'The Super Bowl' I suppose.