Bliss

Her flippancy and irreverence put him off completely. She called it ‘taking the wind out of the sails’, and she did it intentionally when she thought he was getting too far above ground.-Nial Kent“The Divided Path”It is funny how things find you. I was at a boutique clothing store back in 2005 on La Brea Avenue in Los Angeles and noticed a set of compact discs for sale. There was a CD called “QUIET LETTERS, U.S. Edition” by Bliss. I was attracted...

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The Early Dairy Days

“When I’m unable to accept you as you are, I’ll let you know.”-Nial Kent“The Divided Path”Milk and dairy products were not always a part of the human diet. It is believed that the sour forms of milk (cheese, yogurt, etc.) had made a major difference in the life of the early Neolithic man. These dairy products provided all-season, high quality food that sustained man when the growing ‘in the fields’ season was over. Man could no longer collect leaves,...

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I'll Be There

“We only have NOW.”-Susan Sarandon as ‘Doris Duke’ In the 2007 film, “Bernard & Doris”51 Years Ago Today:On this day (August 29th) in 1958, the pop star, Michael Jackson, was born in Gary, Indiana. He would be fifty-one years old today.22 Years Ago Today:PHOTO: Joe Nelson Armijo, circa 1956b. Aug. 8, 1935, d. Aug. 29, 1987On this day (August 29th) in 1987, Joe Nelson Armijo (my father) died of heart failure at the age of fifty-two. He would be...

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Facebook Fatigue

“I’m tired of possibilities I need something real.”-as heard while watchingKYLE-XY, Season IOn Tuesday, August 25, 2009 there was an article in the 'Health and Wellness' section of the Wall Street Journal by Elizabeth Bernstein titled ‘How Facebook Ruins Friendships’. I found it rather amusing in this day and age where Facebook seems to be the social interaction place of choice for most people I know.If you CLICK on the link below you may read...

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District 9 vs. District B13

“My favorite thing is to go where I’ve never been.”-Diane ArbusInfluential 20th Century American Photographerb. March 14, 1923, d. July 26, 1971What is it about the word “district”? In the English Dictionary it is defined as (noun) a region marked off for administrative or other purposes or (verb)to regulate housing in certain areas of towns. Earlier this month I went out to see a film called District 9 that was produced by the renowned director,...

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The Last Chalkboard Lesson

"Bonds we make through other people can help us through any setback."-as heard while watchingKYLE-XY, Season IOn the last day of my stay at the W Hotel in San Diego I wrote a final excerpt of words by Franz Kafka on the chalkboard. This time I chose to write the following thought-provoking words:“We are like tree trunks in the snow. They lie there apparently flat on the ground and it looks as though one could push them away with a slight kick. But...

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The Chalkboard Lesson III

Michael was afraid to move or breathe, but he allowed the curves of his body to melt into his best-friend, and they lay like spoons in a case.-Nial Kent“The Divided Path”Kafka often made extensive use of a trait special to the German language allowing for long sentences that sometimes can span an entire page. Kafka's sentences then deliver an unexpected impact just before the full stop—that being the finalizing meaning and focus. This is achieved...

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The Chalkboard Lesson II

He was forced to heed his mother's third call.When she used that tone of voice, it was best to obey.-Nial Kent"The Divided Path"Kafka's writing attracted little attention until after his death. During his lifetime, he published only a few short stories and never finished any of his novels. Prior to his death, Kafka wrote to his friend and literary executor Max Brod:"Dearest Max, my last request: Everything I leave behind me ... in the way of diaries,...

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The Chalkboard Lesson

“Why am I doomed to be rejected?I need answers.”-John Cusack as heard in the 2000 film, “High Fidelity”While staying at the W-Hotel in San Diego recently I loved how the hotel room had a chalkboard. I had fun writing something new on the board each day and night. I started to read ‘The Complete Stories” by Franz Kafka, so I decided to write some excerpts of his words on the chalkboard. It would be our lesson for the day. It is a good way to re-read...

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Chances Are...

The chance factor in life is mind boggling.-Woody Allenas heard while watching his 2009 film “Whatever Works”My DNA cousin, John E Spencer, of San Francisco sent me the Johnny Mathis GOLD 50th Anniversary Celebration CD for my birthday. For the last month or so I have been listening to the first two tunes (Chances Are & Wonderful! Wonderful!) because they equate to a total of 5 minutes and 51 seconds.Each night before bedtime and ‘in the morning’...

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No Matter What

There was no inviting the hurt he knew would only be inevitable.-Nial Kent"The Divided Path"Have you ever heard of “Boy Zone”? No, it’s not a place where only boys hang out in cyberspace. It is the name of a boy band from IRELAND that had popular mainstream success in the 1990’s. They were most successful in The Republic of Ireland, Australia, Asia and the UK. The band has released six #1 UK hit singles and four #1 albums, with sales approaching...

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