tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316764322024-03-06T19:40:49.669-08:00Alicia M B Ballard's WORD RAPTUREAlicia M B Ballard StudioGaleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11330807567104236747noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31676432.post-7596882589021530002017-07-24T12:56:00.002-07:002017-07-24T13:04:15.639-07:00Morning Reflections: Feminism and Me<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I am not sure, where or when my “feminism” began, but I am sure it was not an outside influence </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">that inspired me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">As far back as I was conscious of reason, I had a very strong sense of independence and justice </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">which, got me into trouble at a very young age and throughout my school years, particularly in </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">boarding school, where such matters were strongly opposed. It failed to change me. Stop me. I </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">failed to bend me, conform me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Throughout the years I was first granted the honorary title of “defender of the poor” and later on, </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">was “accused” of being a feminist for exactly the same reason. But it was not before decades past </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">that I had come to terms with the role. <i>In my own way.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I simply dreaded the term and, I hated the feminists of the day. I found mostly them combative, </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">rude, careless... Sill, I found myself (with my brother, he though she was cute) at an University </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">talk of a foreign one (the one I most disliked). Just had to hear what she had to say. (well, I </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">learned a lot about her, nothing that the I liked or wanted to emulate).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The event was disgraceful for all her (unfortunately tolerated) bad behavior in general. She did </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">not dispel the loathe increasing in my belly. My perverse curiosity for what is contrary to myself </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">has always propelled me towards understanding what exactly I did not like about the idea or the</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">person...</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I continued being myself, <i>“doing my thing”, independently </i>and mindfully, way before </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 13px;">mindfulness became a virtue... (My goodness, such an elevation of simple manners!).</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 13px;">However, I have always been strictly concerned with “human rights”. Everyone’s rights. Male, female, adult, child. </span><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 13px;">Old, young, middle aged. </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 13px;">Living/alive, was good enough for me.</i><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The couple of decades of resenting “bullying” feminists faded away quietly as most of them </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">did... Some, are still around. One, I admired somewhere “in between”. Still, my favorite people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In the meantime, I arrived back at one of my youth’s passions of painting, and because of it, have </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">been consistently invited to share works for the celebration of International Woman’s Day </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">during these past twelve years. A number of subjects on the topic came to the fore and I</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">addressed them as observed, as a woman. How else could I?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Here I am again, in the role of the (unwilling) feminist. <i>But this time is different.</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I am totally focused on the rights of group of people: women, which actually, make me by </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">default or, perhaps even willingly, a feminist. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I began to embrace the thought. The concept of having been one all of my life, and understanding </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">(as in lightbulb going on) that in fact I have been/was a feminist. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I actually embodied feminism, before I had any inkling of it, let alone have knowledge nor conscience of it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I was a full fledged feminist. <i>I have plowed through life according to the </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>circumstances. </i> It was never a concern of mine if it was considered a “male or a “female” job; </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">while knowing we are intrinsically different, apart and aside from being human beings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Therefore, I was many “first” in a series of positions/jobs, volunteer and salaried that were met </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">with some surprise, amusement (at the beginning) and also resistance with scorn. Occasionally, </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">also malice. To think of it, I was most likely the first female “consultant” in our area, </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">when “consultancy” was still in the womb.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In some cases, there weren’t facilities available for females. As was the case when applied at the </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">zoo to become a zoo keeper. At the time I felt I rather shovel animal shit, than take any human </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">one! It was not to be. I understood by the tone of our interaction this was not personal, just a fact. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And determined as I though I was, I did not follow through; What I missed, was the opportunity </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">to state or do something that would have opened the doors sooner....</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">However, the zoo director fully supported me later, while I was collecting signatures for a</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">petition to change the law, by increasing the penalty for the killing of wild animals in captivity, </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">after a couple of tragic incidents in our area. The law was changed that Fall and was actual until </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">recently, when it was greatly objected to by female hunters, shooting wild animals in captive at </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">a farm for killing purposes... I believe they succeeded. Glad not live there anymore. Sorry I </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">was not around to oppose them myself. One must effectively conclude, that I do not believe in </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">supporting all women in everything because we share a gender.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Despite all the intricacies life threw in my path,<i> I just continued doing “my thing</i>” and lived </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">happy and proud of myself. Despite family opposition in some cases (if, not most!). Mostly, I </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">accomplished what I desired. Other times, I gave up my determination for my sanity. Of course, </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 13px;">as much as I love certain trades, like carpentry (inherited from grandfather), I had no desire to</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">have any trade jobs traditionally held by males. (not really, they are a number of jobs though, none that include the </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">use of muscles)</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Except, and, a big “except”, for painting. Yet, it never occurred to me personally that, this was a </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">male dominated profession (mainly, by male peacocks!)... A “tradition” of ignoring great art </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">executed by women, as well as the women themselves.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">A few years back I decided to revisit my “investigation” on the topic and learned that there are </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">many types of feminism. <i>So, I quietly, privately, added my brand to it.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“Just do it”. Not to plagiarize a slogan.</i>.. The way each one of us lives is, (should be) a </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">building block, a “tribute to the cause”. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">No virtue in being a feminist if, all aspects of our daily lives are not permeated with humanity, </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">decency, compassion, justice, respect, understanding and love for others; which, are not </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">exclusively feminine attributes. We are all in it together. As in:<i> All of humanity is in it together.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Shuffling, solving the Rubik's cube of life....</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br />
©</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qzM-9WIOkz95BLmKzZhWgbUVXe2v5HQzHs3dAR33ZgSHEdwTHBuA-XnbXwcPgyl_eNr5CV4jM6cWsKRhz_JK871fENdPMxmq9f7xT1LkOFy1R2mFzaBfhUR4Q6E-fr9dVYAA2Q/s1600/%2522Thorn%2522++03.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1600" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qzM-9WIOkz95BLmKzZhWgbUVXe2v5HQzHs3dAR33ZgSHEdwTHBuA-XnbXwcPgyl_eNr5CV4jM6cWsKRhz_JK871fENdPMxmq9f7xT1LkOFy1R2mFzaBfhUR4Q6E-fr9dVYAA2Q/s320/%2522Thorn%2522++03.13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span>"Thorn" Giclée - 16" x 20" ©</span></div>
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Alicia M B Ballard StudioGaleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11330807567104236747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31676432.post-42038515227927238522017-07-11T12:36:00.002-07:002017-07-11T12:40:36.583-07:00Words, words, words!Is it only me that at the sight of a word or a "string of words" conjures up images of unrelated<br />
thoughts?<br />
For example: Sign reads<br />
"Live yoga"... as opposed to dead yoga? Or, what is that they had in mind?<br />
Is it a drop-in yoga place?<br />
The instructor is alive?<br />
The participants are required to be alive? And so on...<br />
<br />
And then there are a couple of retirement homes that in themselves are not funny, but the choice of names have my smiling or laughing at their site:<br />
White Cliff: as in "readying to jump off"?<br />
Peace Arch: as in "Once you are through the doors, you are done?<br />
<br />
Words have such power over me... and I love it. It makes for interesting walks and thoughts, letting<br />
imagination run wild!<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvBlydBjmC3AmE1X2-ZHnblzeI9CFSw8GmqSw6emnK6jdy51WcfgBqi7fNuelDNC9a0RDs20HdxdedT6rcu-YqTm8DkDwWeBj-aOAlT4JdY9rYvYVbk2-BfJtepjJ79ySixvDJw/s1600/2+Walk+in+the+forest+04.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvBlydBjmC3AmE1X2-ZHnblzeI9CFSw8GmqSw6emnK6jdy51WcfgBqi7fNuelDNC9a0RDs20HdxdedT6rcu-YqTm8DkDwWeBj-aOAlT4JdY9rYvYVbk2-BfJtepjJ79ySixvDJw/s400/2+Walk+in+the+forest+04.12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Alicia M B Ballard StudioGaleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11330807567104236747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31676432.post-17474738347674576982016-04-20T09:15:00.004-07:002016-04-20T09:16:49.356-07:00a Very short Wednesday story<h4>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Considering he was on a five year downward spiral, would never find his way to GQ's sidewalk, let alone grace its pages, he dumped her after 5 years of unending love promises, within minutes of her telling him she put on some weight again....</span></h4>
Alicia M B Ballard StudioGaleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11330807567104236747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31676432.post-7529648118590081632015-03-26T17:48:00.001-07:002015-03-26T18:30:45.176-07:00"Moments": Germanwings Flight 4U9525On this sunny and warm afternoon, Manuela sat sipping her black coffee, inhaling her cigarette smoke and picking at her cuticles, alternately.... high above, an airplane hummed its passing by.<br />
The contents of her stomach fighting to hurl up the earlier lunch, while she fought back tears. No one she knew on Germanwings Flight 4U9525, yet, the overwhelming sadness in her was undeniable; she felt a deep loss.<br />
It was a deep loss of trust, as she thought about the times she trusted more the pilots of the planes she flew, than perhaps that one particular physician in her entire life...<br />
How will she ever be able to climb upon such magnificent flying contraption again and trust? As she now realized the enormous trust placed upon them in the past. Honest, spontaneous, unquestioning trust.<br />
She felt no longer capable to do so. Would she demand a look into the eyes of both pilot and co-pilot next time, would she board hoping to safely land. Possibly many others feel this way today. How soon will it take for this feeling to fade away? And how much scotch would have to be consumed to ease the panic of the memory? No question she would have to trust.Alicia M B Ballard StudioGaleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11330807567104236747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31676432.post-44507768993850949672015-03-23T10:03:00.000-07:002015-03-23T10:12:56.233-07:00Momentos/Solamente, otro dia en el paraiso"<br />
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<i>Manuela despertó lentamente, pero lo suficiente como para apretar sus ojos cerrados aun más. Es que no quería despertar otro lunes en medio de este inerte, estéril e insípido suburbio norteamericano, el cual luego aun más la irritaría con los ruidos incesantes del dribar de la pelota, y los </i><i>innumerables </i><i>fracasados atentados a dominar el skateboard y la bateria de un vecino distante con demasiada ilución. Un auto que otro agintando el aire... Nada deliciosamente </i><i>cosquilloso y </i><i>estimulante. Solamente, otro dia en el paraíso!</i>Alicia M B Ballard StudioGaleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11330807567104236747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31676432.post-31226964757874027692015-03-23T09:47:00.002-07:002015-03-23T10:19:51.204-07:00"Moments / Just another day in paradise"Manuela woke up gently, but enough to squeeze her eyes shut with all her might, for she did not want to wake another Monday in the middle of this inert, sterile and insipid north american bit of suburbia; which, she knew would further irritate her day with sounds of apparently incessant basketball dribbling, skateboarding attempt failure and the distant overly optimistic neighbour's battery sound. The odd passing car rousing the air, but not much else. Nothing deliciously ticklish and stimulating. Just another day in paradiseAlicia M B Ballard StudioGaleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11330807567104236747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31676432.post-63900076856685747372015-03-20T15:40:00.000-07:002015-03-23T10:22:16.531-07:00"Moments" - The callThe land line rung itself out and disengaged; she was not available, no one was available despite the urgent prompting of the phone. The caller, survived and forgot the urgency.<br />
She was driving away when the intrusion occurred; would the cell have rung, she would have immediately snapped herself to answer it, a silly matter, as usual. She also survived.<br />
Life has such a determined way to go on...Alicia M B Ballard StudioGaleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11330807567104236747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31676432.post-47446895584688777132015-03-18T11:30:00.002-07:002015-03-18T11:30:48.147-07:00"Momentos" - 2Ella, soñaba y soñaba.... ese mundo creado era su latiente realidad.Alicia M B Ballard StudioGaleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11330807567104236747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31676432.post-89333599369446953822015-03-18T11:28:00.000-07:002015-03-18T11:31:51.305-07:00"Moments" - 1With quick efficiency the smart phones staked themselves to transform their lot into monoliths... then, went daringly silent!Alicia M B Ballard StudioGaleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11330807567104236747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31676432.post-26333841578299641812015-03-17T20:26:00.000-07:002015-03-18T11:31:20.948-07:00"Momentos" 1<span style="color: #999999;">Manejando, encontrándose sumergida en una densa sopa emocional, se llegó a una intersección; obsevando el tráfijo volando como flechas en tres direcciones... "posiblemente" mil, no la despaviló!</span><br />
<br />Alicia M B Ballard StudioGaleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11330807567104236747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31676432.post-44044270882810764322015-03-17T18:46:00.000-07:002015-03-17T18:46:36.940-07:00I am baaaaaack!I sorely regret having left the blogging for it be included in the website. I much enjoyed the interaction and the friendships (that still continue strong to this date.<br />
Maybe it is time to post my writing and stop procrastinating with its sharing.<br />
I look forward to continue building what I once started with a full heart.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6iISt_-bsZIs1j6cEiK0l_D5u9Ptb_E1UkDmfYeINLHuiti_BjAu-V5pvH7DlFNlHA3Lk5rCMdQUxjIQ0dSa-9Cw78ayXKXtzmSj8CBOEVluKJF3oa4uicr86DnYvrV1bANykw/s1600/IMG_6507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6iISt_-bsZIs1j6cEiK0l_D5u9Ptb_E1UkDmfYeINLHuiti_BjAu-V5pvH7DlFNlHA3Lk5rCMdQUxjIQ0dSa-9Cw78ayXKXtzmSj8CBOEVluKJF3oa4uicr86DnYvrV1bANykw/s1600/IMG_6507.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
Alicia M B Ballard StudioGaleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11330807567104236747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31676432.post-61464108822886900732011-01-11T17:11:00.000-08:002011-01-14T14:13:49.806-08:00Tu, me embriagas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrIr5EpvIsbFZUamcjZFC5YBXhfg63CY0QiEUGa5rbr-fwZfdOOFRlCt-GboyH4Y-0ptmWU1dvj3Byx263LcuwKMNoRioqFK1vch8laj1hGScyzOAj1RtMseU67_20wEYd1L9nA/s1600/DSCN0105_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrIr5EpvIsbFZUamcjZFC5YBXhfg63CY0QiEUGa5rbr-fwZfdOOFRlCt-GboyH4Y-0ptmWU1dvj3Byx263LcuwKMNoRioqFK1vch8laj1hGScyzOAj1RtMseU67_20wEYd1L9nA/s320/DSCN0105_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tu,<br />
me embriagas,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">pensar en ti<br />
me embriaga,</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">tu inquiedtud es mi inquiteud.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Hablas,<br />
haces,<br />
vas,<br />
vienes.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Desapareces.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Vuelves,</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">me sacudes, </div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">revives, </div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">suave cuerda de salvamento</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">llegas de rondas</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">alerta, sabio...<br />
<br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Te escucho,<br />
te veo, </div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">te pienso,</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">te siento</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">dulce;<br />
sutíl </div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">y fugáz</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">intoxicado</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">desborde de emoción.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Desecho los barrotes</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">a la briza de tu ligero pasar,</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">sujetando en tus estelas</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">reflejos </div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">de lo que aún</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">no conocía saber...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh822y7Ap0qYwfeHwudxkSRUSdbFHrGcJVk4nuucY4hPVu4V8Wu3ss8YCFjtif9Yh3Faglj3-84pHhNZbAcPrLo-pR_KUxLE4e8jDKVAxGKBdngf1JYoxoxxEPxdl2a_oLWfvxo7w/s1600/DSCN0105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh822y7Ap0qYwfeHwudxkSRUSdbFHrGcJVk4nuucY4hPVu4V8Wu3ss8YCFjtif9Yh3Faglj3-84pHhNZbAcPrLo-pR_KUxLE4e8jDKVAxGKBdngf1JYoxoxxEPxdl2a_oLWfvxo7w/s320/DSCN0105.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">©ambb</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">01.11.11</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Alicia M B Ballard StudioGaleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11330807567104236747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31676432.post-85065373580732714202010-12-29T19:00:00.000-08:002011-01-12T21:56:50.259-08:00How do I admit...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b83400; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px;"><b></b></span></div><b></b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b></b><br />
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<b><div style="display: inline !important; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> to myself,</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">to someone, </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">anyone?</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">her...</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Love, </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">compassion, </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">disappointment,</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">unfortunate</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">long standing,</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">sudden</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">suspicions confirmed, </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">profound hurt, </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">bewilderment,</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">shock, </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">loss!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Why?</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In daze of</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">cacophonic dialogues</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">playing over and</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">over,</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">head stunned</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">by reality of lies...</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Lies,</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">clumsily fails</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">describing</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">the rot,</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">unwillingly</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">becoming</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">another lie.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div></div></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Attempting</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">deep</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">breath</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">air stuck</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">in my throat</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">collides with</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">choked back</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">tears,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">jaw breaking</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">would-be</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">screams,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">vomit,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">regurgitated</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Herculean</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">marrow gnawing</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">family vestiges.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Feeling,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">seeing</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">such </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">vulgar,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">savage truth,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">exposing</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">her lies,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">crafty malice, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">manipulation,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">fraudulent,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">extorting,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">victimizing victimhood</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">addicted;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">disoriented, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">self-centered,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">self-destructing,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">embracing</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">self imposed</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Dantesque inferno.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Decades fueled</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">operatic melodrama,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">still dark</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">downward spiraling</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">libretto,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">failing permanent</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">light-seeking, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">willing,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">contemporary</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">transparent </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">adaptation.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Scenes </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">repeating</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">themselves,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">déjà-vu sequences</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">aiming to</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">drill into,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">flooding cell corners,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">frenziedly rushing</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">to usurp</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">my brain...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Tangled</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">double Uroborus</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">that will only end</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">when </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">one of them</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">is gone;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">her former</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">lover</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">matter</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">of-factly</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">said to me... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">She is,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">definitely,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">her mother's</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">child-daughter-woman;</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">no longer</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">a doubt</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">about it!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I admit it... to myself.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">© Alicia M B Ballard</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Dec. 29, 2010</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfbX6VcjyXb_Ha-BxJlqFDOicxH2WgQggFmHlxiCnrEeSy2bpAacKwR4WY-bDcQOp0ERth8zVybGUTMJ35qQ-Xg1POFwgRIJLCiFQA3q8vLCYnffkY23Mx72WU_1-F-77tKdn5Q/s1600/DSCN0484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfbX6VcjyXb_Ha-BxJlqFDOicxH2WgQggFmHlxiCnrEeSy2bpAacKwR4WY-bDcQOp0ERth8zVybGUTMJ35qQ-Xg1POFwgRIJLCiFQA3q8vLCYnffkY23Mx72WU_1-F-77tKdn5Q/s320/DSCN0484.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo: Mine ©</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Cleansing Ritual"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Alicia M B Ballard StudioGaleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11330807567104236747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31676432.post-67635010261332507832010-12-09T18:05:00.000-08:002010-12-09T18:11:52.407-08:00Imagine!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWjW1UNxWd-Ji-dok5A_mMnQTI__l8bMbzgXXR60hI1Qksv6JsaYrXzHY3VFXGnAupP9GqWmCYmkG0bw3lGojcLjz7xwklhZ1SknQHGkNunmp6fM5Sbi9b7dmsy02sEenCYZ5GA/s1600/DSCN9961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWjW1UNxWd-Ji-dok5A_mMnQTI__l8bMbzgXXR60hI1Qksv6JsaYrXzHY3VFXGnAupP9GqWmCYmkG0bw3lGojcLjz7xwklhZ1SknQHGkNunmp6fM5Sbi9b7dmsy02sEenCYZ5GA/s320/DSCN9961.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">If all we were told was true.</div><div style="text-align: center;">If democracy was a fair and equitable proposition - as we are told it is...</div><div style="text-align: center;">If wages would be at par with cost of living.</div><div style="text-align: center;">If there would be <i>true</i> freedom of speech - with accountability.</div><div style="text-align: center;">If we could really trust to have each other's best interest in mind.</div><div style="text-align: center;">If freedom flowed naturally, for all, without prejudice.</div><div style="text-align: center;">If our rights were limited by the respect we owe one another.<br />
If heads of state would go to the front lines,<br />
instead of other peoples children.<br />
If we would all have enough of all we need.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Imagine... just imagine how much better off we would all be<br />
if, we would equitably and fairly share the goodness and richness of the world.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">©<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Inspired by the current state of affairs, in particular the overreaction to Wikileaks. Who IS actually affected by them? <i>Not us.</i></div></div>Alicia M B Ballard StudioGaleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11330807567104236747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31676432.post-69744832821111540462010-11-03T22:59:00.000-07:002010-11-03T22:59:58.963-07:00November 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqT2urwaPp0LO32UAUaZC_-WwWVEVRqjNEkELquvdGFno2o3zbVMPiGJiSkvhajg-PJcWoVE4a4sRH_aZnaTPVPbSVC2aupR7-0c5caad3FcNAECOdbUftlxagWcZH9TTmkVyVA/s1600/PACE-HiRes-v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqT2urwaPp0LO32UAUaZC_-WwWVEVRqjNEkELquvdGFno2o3zbVMPiGJiSkvhajg-PJcWoVE4a4sRH_aZnaTPVPbSVC2aupR7-0c5caad3FcNAECOdbUftlxagWcZH9TTmkVyVA/s320/PACE-HiRes-v2.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.mimilenox/blogspot.com">Blogblast for Peace</a></b></div>Alicia M B Ballard StudioGaleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11330807567104236747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31676432.post-24280514032981810292010-06-13T17:00:00.000-07:002010-06-13T17:00:31.090-07:00Interview - Part I & Part II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMueRfgYVmVj6RcaQM0UzH7nP7dL0ItqY0-Ozgk6rXbrtIBGupLt4ee5RjQIf-EiV1PvbOPA76WagQ1NebHI5OD5J1cqVwkhw5Aphj0qhqymk4puo9klN-1CTtFxLgGYPgMWPEw/s1600/DSCN8331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMueRfgYVmVj6RcaQM0UzH7nP7dL0ItqY0-Ozgk6rXbrtIBGupLt4ee5RjQIf-EiV1PvbOPA76WagQ1NebHI5OD5J1cqVwkhw5Aphj0qhqymk4puo9klN-1CTtFxLgGYPgMWPEw/s200/DSCN8331.JPG" width="163" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.michele-andree-unblugged.com/">http://www.michele-andree-unblugged.com/</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Also, check out the Health and Wellness section,</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The Terra Studios Introducing</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">"Circumpunct"</span></i></div>Alicia M B Ballard StudioGaleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11330807567104236747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31676432.post-83770439682890234422010-05-23T10:10:00.000-07:002010-05-23T10:11:03.756-07:00Thinking out loud.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcQilrlnp_mwrunF-KiHvWVbqSB1-L7tAYB-xIzVRnnc3c-LlfSUI5sru7qiARvvygtThAkybL5AcWVVHIJ39KOL5E3nivWcQxHsGjEmb4-TAh4-cNprfvqjBMlqJWBYtlwz4vA/s1600/DSCN8621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcQilrlnp_mwrunF-KiHvWVbqSB1-L7tAYB-xIzVRnnc3c-LlfSUI5sru7qiARvvygtThAkybL5AcWVVHIJ39KOL5E3nivWcQxHsGjEmb4-TAh4-cNprfvqjBMlqJWBYtlwz4vA/s320/DSCN8621.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">since not much "poetry" has run through me lately </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">neither has the need to pour out a rush of feelings or</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">silly anecdotes...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Overtaken </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>by brushes</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i> bottles and tubes</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>cajoling, forcing, </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>empowering to tell </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>with colour instead.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Alicia M B Ballard StudioGaleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11330807567104236747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31676432.post-84786552850922441422010-01-08T20:20:00.000-08:002010-06-14T15:15:07.286-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzBc97kqnbdin5onwtH-E5efMtTcfEw3_XjFcLus_qpeXTkWWRvycxqkDeoHdITbc7u68nXExhSWfNIyRGlJW6-od996tL0OhTYrBrgFXEZjSyhPjjNTKwfu0cqZmyHRvgkkVYQ/s1600-h/DSCN7255.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424589631229724338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzBc97kqnbdin5onwtH-E5efMtTcfEw3_XjFcLus_qpeXTkWWRvycxqkDeoHdITbc7u68nXExhSWfNIyRGlJW6-od996tL0OhTYrBrgFXEZjSyhPjjNTKwfu0cqZmyHRvgkkVYQ/s320/DSCN7255.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg037eK4O6RaaSLbuNFfeSpK6ewirM_ZaJg6vJBuqPtQWgv_alKbBMVw65UJi4yoDtP0ELoHzmX8pXJtpk7rA8TsdaNoHFJaMEMlAytU4MpU1-JwwnzfoVZTBfbyYY1mNg0nH20Zw/s1600-h/DSCN7543.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; font-family: georgia, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 33px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">Paz </span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg037eK4O6RaaSLbuNFfeSpK6ewirM_ZaJg6vJBuqPtQWgv_alKbBMVw65UJi4yoDtP0ELoHzmX8pXJtpk7rA8TsdaNoHFJaMEMlAytU4MpU1-JwwnzfoVZTBfbyYY1mNg0nH20Zw/s1600-h/DSCN7543.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; font-family: georgia, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 33px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">~ Béke </span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg037eK4O6RaaSLbuNFfeSpK6ewirM_ZaJg6vJBuqPtQWgv_alKbBMVw65UJi4yoDtP0ELoHzmX8pXJtpk7rA8TsdaNoHFJaMEMlAytU4MpU1-JwwnzfoVZTBfbyYY1mNg0nH20Zw/s1600-h/DSCN7543.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; font-family: georgia, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 33px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">~ Pace </span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg037eK4O6RaaSLbuNFfeSpK6ewirM_ZaJg6vJBuqPtQWgv_alKbBMVw65UJi4yoDtP0ELoHzmX8pXJtpk7rA8TsdaNoHFJaMEMlAytU4MpU1-JwwnzfoVZTBfbyYY1mNg0nH20Zw/s1600-h/DSCN7543.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; font-family: georgia, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 33px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">~ Paix </span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg037eK4O6RaaSLbuNFfeSpK6ewirM_ZaJg6vJBuqPtQWgv_alKbBMVw65UJi4yoDtP0ELoHzmX8pXJtpk7rA8TsdaNoHFJaMEMlAytU4MpU1-JwwnzfoVZTBfbyYY1mNg0nH20Zw/s1600-h/DSCN7543.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; font-family: georgia, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 33px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">~ Paqe </span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg037eK4O6RaaSLbuNFfeSpK6ewirM_ZaJg6vJBuqPtQWgv_alKbBMVw65UJi4yoDtP0ELoHzmX8pXJtpk7rA8TsdaNoHFJaMEMlAytU4MpU1-JwwnzfoVZTBfbyYY1mNg0nH20Zw/s1600-h/DSCN7543.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; font-family: georgia, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 33px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">~ Paçoz </span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg037eK4O6RaaSLbuNFfeSpK6ewirM_ZaJg6vJBuqPtQWgv_alKbBMVw65UJi4yoDtP0ELoHzmX8pXJtpk7rA8TsdaNoHFJaMEMlAytU4MpU1-JwwnzfoVZTBfbyYY1mNg0nH20Zw/s1600-h/DSCN7543.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; font-family: georgia, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 33px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">~ Friden </span></span></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg037eK4O6RaaSLbuNFfeSpK6ewirM_ZaJg6vJBuqPtQWgv_alKbBMVw65UJi4yoDtP0ELoHzmX8pXJtpk7rA8TsdaNoHFJaMEMlAytU4MpU1-JwwnzfoVZTBfbyYY1mNg0nH20Zw/s1600-h/DSCN7543.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; font-family: georgia, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 33px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">~ Peace on Earth...</span></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 28px;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 28px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">Love, Joy, Abundance and Laughter too!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">♡ ♡ ♡</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">2010</span></b></span></div></span></div></div>Alicia M B Ballard StudioGaleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11330807567104236747noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31676432.post-66782872026528439392009-11-24T19:31:00.000-08:002010-05-23T10:13:52.022-07:00<div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4OzwqHr-U3t4YEbX8OfP76o0PX5wShyphenhyphens7RcUHRxSVD9H4Pp6pv5asDzMR8S2el95JGo0zKEBAdB3XrDrdNeW2GOcGLsNZ_Hh52hwGelX1V_N9xSsAjhCIkL-r3oPnm_U-IAsuQ/s1600/DSCN7018.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407878621692288770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4OzwqHr-U3t4YEbX8OfP76o0PX5wShyphenhyphens7RcUHRxSVD9H4Pp6pv5asDzMR8S2el95JGo0zKEBAdB3XrDrdNeW2GOcGLsNZ_Hh52hwGelX1V_N9xSsAjhCIkL-r3oPnm_U-IAsuQ/s320/DSCN7018.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 213px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Didot, serif; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The Power of One</span></span></div><div><div style="font: normal normal normal 19px/normal Didot; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 29px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="font: normal normal normal 21px/normal Didot; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">One song can spark a moment,</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 21px/normal Didot; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">One flower can start a dream,</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 21px/normal Didot; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">One seed can start a forest,</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 21px/normal Didot; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">One drop can start a stream.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 21px/normal Didot; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 27px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="font: normal normal normal 21px/normal Didot; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">One smile begins a friendship, </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 21px/normal Didot; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">One hug can lift the soul,</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 21px/normal Didot; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">One star can guide a ship at sea,</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 21px/normal Didot; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">One word can frame a goal.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 21px/normal Didot; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 27px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="font: normal normal normal 21px/normal Didot; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">One vote can change a nation, </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 21px/normal Didot; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">One sunbeam lights a room,</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 21px/normal Didot; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">One candle wipes the darkness,</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 21px/normal Didot; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">One laugh can chase out gloom.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 21px/normal Didot; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 27px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="font: normal normal normal 21px/normal Didot; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">One step will start a journey, </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 21px/normal Didot; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">One word will start a prayer,</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 21px/normal Didot; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">One hope will our spirits,</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 21px/normal Didot; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">One touch can show you care.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 21px/normal Didot; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 27px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="font: normal normal normal 21px/normal Didot; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">One voice can carry wisdom.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 21px/normal Didot; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">One heart can know that's true,</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 21px/normal Didot; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">One life can make a difference,</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 21px/normal Didot; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">You see what one can do!</span></i></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 21px/normal Didot; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 27px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i></i></span> </div><div style="font: normal normal normal 21px/normal Didot; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 27px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i></i></span> </div><div style="font: normal normal normal 19px/normal Didot; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Author unknown</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">This poem was sent to me a few moths ago by a friend of almost 40 years!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Few of those...</span></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT54Vh4ZbCL8PLDPTCNMhWs18OUQRfwqkfaYfOrq2zXu9tCdbboChwC1m67SryPunzSnNqxhRC1-5Iw5VICkM7egoH46uPeMeiHxCH4oEL6vW8Q4cUBIbV6YzmmVFNcNHQooc4hA/s1600/DSCN7018.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407877798540834930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT54Vh4ZbCL8PLDPTCNMhWs18OUQRfwqkfaYfOrq2zXu9tCdbboChwC1m67SryPunzSnNqxhRC1-5Iw5VICkM7egoH46uPeMeiHxCH4oEL6vW8Q4cUBIbV6YzmmVFNcNHQooc4hA/s320/DSCN7018.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 205px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>Alicia M B Ballard StudioGaleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11330807567104236747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31676432.post-34858581497156900072009-09-12T09:37:00.000-07:002009-09-12T09:37:43.863-07:00<div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGLvPVhbKyRqOfclxF2qnH1AomaXfb655pYl5c-SyyFVaJhnpvChNWMGruPugbEZjDvflL6ODkiPAh1yJY1l3NAbPEoJXTCNAil7GSZ0Y6JMvmo2C7Ba413gydMRzQFd-LNBL1g/s1600-h/DSCN6965.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 139px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGLvPVhbKyRqOfclxF2qnH1AomaXfb655pYl5c-SyyFVaJhnpvChNWMGruPugbEZjDvflL6ODkiPAh1yJY1l3NAbPEoJXTCNAil7GSZ0Y6JMvmo2C7Ba413gydMRzQFd-LNBL1g/s320/DSCN6965.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380620588311809186" /></a><br /><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica"><b>How fortunate to have been born</b></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">Fortunate, how fortunate to have been born</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">to hold a friend's hand</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">and be witness to the </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">miracle of each dawn.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">How fortunate to have been born,</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">to have the option to chose,</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">to weigh defeat and hope</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica"> against glory and the fear to fail.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">How fortunate to have been born,</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">to understand that honesty and perversity,</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">despite their contrast,</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">equality share this Universe.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">How fortunate to have been born,</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">to keep quiet when someone wiser speaks,</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">to listen, is the key to learn </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">when one intends to understand.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">How fortunate to have been born,</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">stating this without false pretenses,</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">a total victory in that of being or not being,</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica"> in asserting oneself.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">How fortunate to have been born</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">to sing to the people and to the rose,</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">to the dog and to love and, any other things</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">to which feelings may attach.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">How fortunate to have been born</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">to have access to fortune,</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">to be river instead of lake,</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica"> to be the rain instead of watching rain.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">How fortunate to have been born,</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">to be consciously bitting into the apple,</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">without the ancestral fear of the cloth</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">nor, Lucifer's final revenge.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">Yes, how fortunate to have been born,</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">but, I know, I know well...</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">one day I also will die.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">And I if I live now happy with my lot,</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">God knows what I'll think while dying,</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">never been in that trance,</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica"> I don't know what balance I'll hold in that anguish.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">But, I know, I know well</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">that on the final leg of the journey</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica"> I will hear ambiguous ringing of bells</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">bidding my farewell,</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica"> and another day, another voice like myself, </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">with another accent,</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">will be singing to the four winds...</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica"><i>Translated from Spanish by moi</i></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica">Saturday, September 12, 2009</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3eJbiwPpg78ZtekwfbVWPiioAqcu1LVlJ0aYGfZpCbiTntkS-xUmUsqsz-3YF5Fgs1L8lENEpgwl3hX2KZnQNQb7f2J85o0LaTvuDz1OyevD8od8SS33E3QbHz6fx8SX-6bvTw/s1600-h/DSCN6778.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 103px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3eJbiwPpg78ZtekwfbVWPiioAqcu1LVlJ0aYGfZpCbiTntkS-xUmUsqsz-3YF5Fgs1L8lENEpgwl3hX2KZnQNQb7f2J85o0LaTvuDz1OyevD8od8SS33E3QbHz6fx8SX-6bvTw/s320/DSCN6778.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373944056936192226" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold; font-family:Georgia, Verdana, sans-serif;">Que suerte he tenido de nacer</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Qué suerte, qué suerte he tenido de nacer,</div><div style="text-align: center;">para estrechar la mano de un amigo,</div><div style="text-align: center;">y poder asistir como testigo</div><div style="text-align: center;">al milagro de cada amanecer.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Qué suerte he tenido de nacer,</div><div style="text-align: center;">para tener la opción de la balanza,</div><div style="text-align: center;">sopesar la derrota y la esperanza</div><div style="text-align: center;">con la gloria y el miedo de caer.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Qué suerte he tenido de nacer,</div><div style="text-align: center;">para entender que el honesto y el perverso</div><div style="text-align: center;">son dueños por igual del Universo</div><div style="text-align: center;">aunque tengan distinto parecer.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Qué suerte he tenido de nacer,</div><div style="text-align: center;">para callar cuando habla el que más sabe,</div><div style="text-align: center;">aprender a escuchar, ésa es la clave,</div><div style="text-align: center;">si se tiene intenciones de saber.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Qué suerte he tenido de nacer,</div><div style="text-align: center;">y lo digo sin falsos triunfalismos,</div><div style="text-align: center;">la victoria total, la de sí mismo,</div><div style="text-align: center;">se concreta en el ser y en el no ser.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Qué suerte he tenido de nacer,</div><div style="text-align: center;">para cantarle a la gente y a la rosa</div><div style="text-align: center;">y al perro y al amor y a cualquier cosa</div><div style="text-align: center;">que pueda el sentimiento recoger.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Qué suerte he tenido de nacer,</div><div style="text-align: center;">para tener acceso a la fortuna</div><div style="text-align: center;">de ser río en lugar de ser laguna,</div><div style="text-align: center;">de ser lluvia en lugar de ver llover.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Qué suerte he tenido de nacer,</div><div style="text-align: center;">para comer a conciencia la manzana,</div><div style="text-align: center;">sin el miedo ancestral a la sotana</div><div style="text-align: center;">o a la venganza final de Lucifer.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Si qué suerte he tenido de nacer,</div><div style="text-align: center;">pero sé, bien que sé...</div><div style="text-align: center;">que algún día también me moriré.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Y si ahora vivo contento con mi suerte,</div><div style="text-align: center;">sabe Dios qué pensaré, cuando mi muerte,</div><div style="text-align: center;">cuál será en la agonía mi balance, no lo sé,</div><div style="text-align: center;">nunca estuve en ese trance.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pero sé, bien que sé...</div><div style="text-align: center;">que en el viaje final escucharé</div><div style="text-align: center;">el ambiguo tañir de las campanas</div><div style="text-align: center;">saludando mi adiós, y otra mañana</div><div style="text-align: center;">y otra voz,que como yo, con otro acento,</div><div style="text-align: center;">cantará a los cuatro vientos...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><div style="text-align: center;">Autor Desconocido</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></span>Alicia M B Ballard StudioGaleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11330807567104236747noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31676432.post-5515837918566201112009-07-31T19:55:00.000-07:002010-06-13T17:09:10.500-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">About Toads and Frog Princes - series</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"> posted in consecutive order</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">~</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">I plan to have an </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">installment</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"> </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">ready about 8:00PM PST nightly </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">until I run out of "Case Files"</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">~</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">Feel free comment :)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><br />
</span> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">Most of all I hope you will enjoy!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">Now, scroll!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;"><br />
</span> </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">Next Story:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;"> "Allister" The </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">City</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;"> Council Candidate</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">Monday, August 10</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ccffff;"><b><br />
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</b></span></div>Alicia M B Ballard StudioGaleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11330807567104236747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31676432.post-19555936608975809632009-07-31T19:45:00.000-07:002010-09-06T12:37:37.074-07:00ALL about SLEEK mEn...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24JYrcee08wFVfrRtJa3wWqMn3rK082RAhyphenhyphenZyguhkG3CIN1zA4twS8hfQaD7Gl46TotWMuIGp6Wwn69xpew4HtO0nZjMBQ-wFW_18mU2GkHapwkPW5KMhm5DUDS-0ky-00D42lw/s1600-h/DSCN5959.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362484871499332962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24JYrcee08wFVfrRtJa3wWqMn3rK082RAhyphenhyphenZyguhkG3CIN1zA4twS8hfQaD7Gl46TotWMuIGp6Wwn69xpew4HtO0nZjMBQ-wFW_18mU2GkHapwkPW5KMhm5DUDS-0ky-00D42lw/s320/DSCN5959.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 143px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><b><br />
</b><br />
<div><b>Where do I begin?</b><br />
<div>Perhaps by telling you that is just as easy to wail and tear my hair out, as it is to roar with laughter!</div><div>So, as you see <b>my</b> choices aren't many... </div><div>I will choose to laugh and tell you in future installments, about eight years worth (off and on, mostly off!) of various sordid <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Internet</span> connections, beginning with the latest one.</div><div><br />
</div><div>While not all of them are belly grabbing and roll over the floor kind, they gave me an understanding (well, maybe an insight) about men - <i>in general, of course!</i> - that I had never had before.</div><div><br />
</div><div>No matter what I'll write, this "<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">disclaimer</span>" will stand:</div><div><b>I love men. </b></div><div><b>But, <i>I would really much prefer to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">looooooove</span></span> one!</i></b></div><div><b><i><br />
</i></b></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">* One little thing I will share with you now, "no matter how old or how fat you might be, there is always a guy, in the wings, ready and willing to lay you - IF, you'll just let him..."</span></i></div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank Heaven for Testosterone!!!</div><div><br />
</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5y8q3E4UIvR5yAp_v5VT0uAjNnEMpKyHA77S5L4E1jX7oh2CsGClnPfzpWPPWx8jMzCd7IUgEj-9VU-VZZag_iECuxUNyt-vgsoj9CeBQsf1JIa9ZhNLzs0Jghx-vQlQECs6JlA/s1600-h/DSCN5942.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362484868081056098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5y8q3E4UIvR5yAp_v5VT0uAjNnEMpKyHA77S5L4E1jX7oh2CsGClnPfzpWPPWx8jMzCd7IUgEj-9VU-VZZag_iECuxUNyt-vgsoj9CeBQsf1JIa9ZhNLzs0Jghx-vQlQECs6JlA/s320/DSCN5942.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 139px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></div></div>Alicia M B Ballard StudioGaleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11330807567104236747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31676432.post-68272450210733966342009-07-31T18:20:00.000-07:002009-07-31T19:51:37.931-07:00"Love" search on the Net - Case File No.1.09.2<div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUORHSyRcQ0OMijWrS6wLqkTQQ9WECRX8VEK1_zf2hO_clsJrE-UKC2bzi1mxvLTjEsgnD05cpt4iWqFpuy_M0JORw_qERfSOqea4C6sfuRBcatShHpkqH9P0hRnfYm7cm83a1IQ/s1600-h/DSCN6108.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 106px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUORHSyRcQ0OMijWrS6wLqkTQQ9WECRX8VEK1_zf2hO_clsJrE-UKC2bzi1mxvLTjEsgnD05cpt4iWqFpuy_M0JORw_qERfSOqea4C6sfuRBcatShHpkqH9P0hRnfYm7cm83a1IQ/s200/DSCN6108.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363705335485370290" /></a><b><div>Introduction</div></b><div><br /></div><div>So, here I go... and only because a friend made my promise to write this story - she thinks I have a humorous way of relating my stories, <i>my account</i> of experiences lived.<div>You see, she is getting older, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ouchie</span></span> and, lately housebound (we'll all get there!) And, appreciates detailed sordid tales of love lost and found - although, the later is debatable.</div><div>These are tales of - I don't even know how to put it! - <i>t</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">ales of insane times, where age and technology mix, resulting in some of the most perplexing and convoluted experiences imaginable. </span></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>I am pushing 61... <i>Still feel "frisky" beyond imagination</i>; odd, how ones chronological age advances completely disproportionally to ones thoughts and emotions. </div><div>Body Parts: somewhat rusty. Heart parts: that of a teenager! Intellectually: Sound - I am one of the soundest people I know. Activity Level: Full time Artist, and, I mean "full-time"! I am doing what I was meant to do my entire life, finally.</div><div>(I do not run or do any other exercise besides walking - saving my energy for good sex, if I could only find it!!! </div><div>I firmly believe it is the only truly healthy exercise for us, the rest are just excuses to avoid intimacy - <i>think about it...</i> hm?) </div><div><br /></div><div>I speak fluently three languages and, I can get by with another three... I read quiet a bit and I am up to date with current events, science, technology, architecture... In brief? A lot of stuff! Unlike that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Palin</span></span> woman... the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Pitbull</span></span> with lipstick one, <i>you know</i>. </div><div>I am opinionated, always have been. Some, say I am eccentric - but in the "nice" way. (And, what way would <i>that</i> be, I ask myself?)</div><div>True, I do not live or think inside the box, <i>don't think I even saw one in boarding school, which, is where all my troubles began!</i></div><div>It could be sworn I am my own woman, but, that does not go down well with many, particularly those of the male persuasion. (Should I care? Do I care? <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Hmmm</span>. Not really...)</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I'll start with the (true) story of Monty. Only names and certain identifying details will be changed. Bear with me; It is not nice to talk behind other people's back - I was told as I child - and I never did, with any malice <i>if or when</i> I rarely did so.</div><div>(My rule: if I am involved it is also my story therefore, it is not gossip.) </div><div>Furthermore, I will not do it now either, because there is no way I want to harm any poor fool that fancies himself a smart cookie while trying to grab himself a little woman.</div><div>It just happens I do not want to be any fool's little woman - for that, <i>I could have sold out years ago! </i>Although, the "fool" part would certainly not apply.</div><div><br /></div><div>Still, I do believe in love, happiness, loyalty, honesty, seduction, romance, chivalry, intellect, manners, grooming, etc. and, definitely a <i>healthy and </i><i>rambunctious</i><i> sex life - which, has nothing to do with a gym ....</i></div><div>Remember, no matter how old, one must carefully choose ones exercise routine! Why, I Ask why, <i>waste time</i> in the gym or running around the park <i>alone</i> - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Hah</span>?</div><div><br /></div><div>Allow me, I refuse to entertain the idea this could possibly be a delusion.</div><div>If it is, P-L-E-A-S-E do not tell me, I want to die in <b>this, (my?) divine</b> vortex!</div><div><br /></div><div>©2009</div><div><br /></div><div>PS.: Worth noting I am NOT "<i>a little woman</i>" if you know what I mean. I am a full-figured woman - I am like a lot of very normal women my age are... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">yeap</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">rounded</span>, <i>with no edges!</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCFFFF;"><i><b>Continuos bellow</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCFFFF;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div>Alicia M B Ballard StudioGaleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11330807567104236747noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31676432.post-8403152257357456692009-07-31T18:15:00.000-07:002009-11-05T13:02:12.447-08:00"MONTY" - CASE FILE 1.09.2 CONT ...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwDAeOrQk5_kRgztohuNtZKtaRhLEWjxfsi5EWXzLJrmLFVEr89wSzoOSwttwqFrrwy2ZUkDZZQcukPu4HqOq_eCN3WPLLZnLFlEjLTbb-2-4dtuCO87GS81DTYtJPnJx6J8LWg/s1600-h/DSCN6106.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 87px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwDAeOrQk5_kRgztohuNtZKtaRhLEWjxfsi5EWXzLJrmLFVEr89wSzoOSwttwqFrrwy2ZUkDZZQcukPu4HqOq_eCN3WPLLZnLFlEjLTbb-2-4dtuCO87GS81DTYtJPnJx6J8LWg/s200/DSCN6106.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364048737531895010" /></a><div>Where to begin?<div>There is so much (yet, so little to the story), but I will re-tell it as told to Dzidra. More or less. </div><div>Here it goes my friend, for you.</div><div><br /></div><div>As most everything in my life "it just happened". One early Spring evening I went to Graigslist to place an ad to sell some odds and ends.</div><div>Not being overly familiar, I took some time to browse the different categories, and sub categories, amongst those, I stumbled upon the <i>Singles Ads!</i></div><div>I find that when on the net, late at night, I follow all sort of links that lead to some rather interesting places - <b><i>not</i></b><i> what you are thinking, naughty-naughty!!</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Lo-and-behold! People my age, were (mostly shamelessly) flogging themselves in ads that varied from the virginal shy to the outrageously provoking.</div><div>Brace yourself! <i>I joined them.</i> What could I loose I asked myself as I quickly scrambled up a post exalting my attributes and the requisites to be filled by the aspiring Romeo. The obvious one was that of age, having found lately that older man aren't nearly as attractive as when I was younger... aha... therefore, my "flexibility" does not exceed 5 over/under - <i>under is better.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>So, one would think that a woman my age would have to wait for the odd response to trickle in. Wrong! Ding-Dong... men are calling. Many men are calling! What? Don't <i>they</i> have a life?</div><div>It immediately became apparent, just 'coz many are calling, does not mean there is reason for any excitement - whatsoever...</div><div>Ay, Chihuahua... which rock have these specimens been hiding under?</div><div>I tell you, this was an eye opener both to how much "I can see coming" and the distasteful nature of some man - so disgustingly transparent, obviously in relationships, with dubious motivation, slimy, disrespectful, rude...</div><div>Most of these would be Romeos did not even bother to say hello, or even include my name - they went directly for the kill!!!</div><div>I took the time to respectfully turn them down, thanking them for responding - I felt maybe, if they are shown how it is done, they might smarten up. Being turned down was no deterrent, for a number of them wrote back requesting a date/meeting. I assure you, I did respond in English.</div><div><br /></div><div>These men did generally not even check their spelling.</div><div>One sent a "form resume" he must have prepared for such occasions; was later followed by a couple of other similar ones, but not as extensive. Clearly, this was not about me - <i>but them, shamelessly flogging themselves</i>.</div><div>The ones that were this brazen, I simply deleted as they obviously were playing the odds and figured they did not have to put in "the effort".</div><div><br /></div><div>And then, among this flurry of communication facsimiles - was Monty's response. A lackluster, simple, somewhat pushy/rude announcement HE, arrived in my world. Monty was immediately rejected. No ifs or, buts!</div><div>Monty, was among those whom, did not take <i>no, thank you,</i> for an answer. Did not even take NO, THANK YOU, for an answer either! Third time, I took the time to explain <i><b>w</b></i><b><i>hy! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Seriously, I could sense there was a lot of animosity in the air and did not want to contribute to it, instead, wanting to have a different experience.</span></span></i></b></div><div>I soon realized that there is no "high road" in these matters - one is forced often to go for the jugular! (Will share about those couple of darlings in coming posts).</div><div>One thing for sure: it is NOT the place to look for ANYONE - all the bottom feeders appear to have gathered for debris at "the list" - these, are the ones that will not pay for a more serious matching service (OH, yeah... I have tried that too, <i>don't pelt me!</i>).</div><div>We must stay away form "free" sites. A smidgen of self-esteem warrants different options. Although... hmmmm, did I say, options?</div><div><br /></div><div>OK, back to Monty; he, then, responds in Spanish. Me, so wanting to have someone to speak Spanish with, let down my guard, and began communicating with him by phone. (I know... go ahead pity me - It is awful (awfully funny) to admit it.</div><div>I will not deny he was charming on the phone, his manners appeared to have considerably improved; in no time we found we had quiet a bit in common. I will say, I even liked him!</div><div>For the bad news (at least the way I look at it) I was soon informed of the prestigious address he inhabited, his late model European import car newly purchased... his eating out, dry cleaner, an other habits... his favorite bathroom... the view form his spacious apartment...</div><div>Just as quickly I informed him I, did not have a pot to pee in, walked to the only wall my pc could be plugged in, and so and so forth - as in "tit for tat" - since he did not yield with this practice despite my repeated requests. It is vulgar. Period.</div><div>No, not the money!</div><div>I told him that if we had chemistry, money was icing on the cake, since I was not going to compromise for anything at this age - like, I am crazy or what???</div><div><br /></div><div>Talking about age. It is 7:35PM, 31℃/80℉, the fan is blowing a hole in my back, my bum is square, my legs swollen... Time to finish today's installment - sorry, must also inform you I am rather "long winded", <i>all this might take longer than planned - lol</i></div><div><br /></div><div>'will continuo tomorrow ...</div><div>© moi.09</div><div><br /></div><div>ta-ta for now</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Alicia M B Ballard StudioGaleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11330807567104236747noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31676432.post-69749747516769505382009-07-31T18:10:00.000-07:002009-07-31T19:50:24.898-07:00Monty ....Before I proceed any further, I must get to Monty's age. Remember 5 yrs. over/under? Well, he did admit to being 69! What are 4 more years? He objected to such callous discrimination against men his age... Why? He was still young, a young and dynamic 69... <i>He definitely sounded young.</i><div><div>Insisted I go to another (ethnic) singles site he had a posted profile with a recent photo. It was hard to tell how authentic or, old this photo was - but, decided to accept things as they were, as ultimately I do not give a hoot about "appearance" - as long as immaculately groomed! Hah - gotcha!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>I must also add that I even went as far as to ask him if he had teeth - OK, you can roll all over the floor, I'll wait!</div><div>(Done with the laughter? There <i>is</i> a reason, and that reason is a handsome, 6'3" - introduced by a friend, none-the-less! - who lives on the west coast of the "big" hazy island... about him, later, when <i>his </i>file comes up - a jewel of a fella that one turned out to be. We will call him Bill)</div><div><br /></div><div>Where were we...?</div><div>Oh, the teeth! Yes, Monty had his own teeth, alas, <i>I though I was making progress</i> although, I was loosing ground in other areas. For instance, even though "we were going to take it easy", I insisted - we all know by now how that weird chemistry thing works, or doesn't - did not want to commit myself to any joint plan to live in Mexico City part of the year; despite liking dogs and cats was not sure I wanted to live in a big sprawling house - no studio! There was never mention of a studio... oh... all those brownie points he was missing out on.</div><div><br /></div><div>Basically our phone calls revolved around his daily properly acquisition trips, stock market fluctuation (don't give a bloom!) family, particularly how his ex wife left with <i>a </i><i>sizable</i><i> bounty never seen in the region</i>... (granted by the courts, of course) and, about a variety of other topics of mutual interest, but never, ever about my work, my life interest.</div><div>The extent of his engaging with my work entailed visiting my site once to view photos of myself. He did mention liking my work (with credibility) and would love to own some - I encouraged him to buy... oh, yeah :)</div><div><br /></div><div>He was quiet prompt asking me to meet for coffee but, for reasons I cannot now recall, I wasn't free to meet that week, the following week he got an awful cold that lasted about 15 days give and take.</div><div>Our meeting stretched out to probably a month after initial contact, during which time we shared a number of things. Particularly from his end it was becoming apparent "<i>he</i> was falling apart".</div><div>Each day he opened up more and more about his numerous ailments and medications and I was increasingly "putting on the brakes" on <i>marriage in 6 months talks...</i></div><div>I became quiet attached to him, he was definitely a charming, educated, worldly, otherwise engaging man. The way it was shaping up, I was sure this could be, at a minimum, a lasting friendship.</div><div>He phoned 2-3 times a day, which suited me fine as I don't like to either bother nor chase anyone... and believe this kind of contact necessary in any relationship - of course, these were not "check-up/jealousy/control calls - those taste differently... </div><div><br /></div><div>We did agree, <i>we were still definitely interested in sex</i> - but - "we" would give it time until <i>I was good and ready, </i>as I had a hunch (?) it was not going to be "soon".</div><div>So, this was good news, no? Interested but, willing to wait... Hm, of course, at our age, there is no use on pretending any virginal status or need for "wasting time" either. So, in my mind -<i> I was going to play it by ear - same as by hormone! </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>The odd time I could hear a faint tapping in the background and asked for its origin, he didn't know. Is he a smoker? </i>Flashing in my mind when hearing him inhale deep<i> - sucking on a cigarette? </i>No, I don't smoke, he would smoothly and convincingly respond.</div><div><i> I did not want a smoker. </i>I never dated a smoker. I was a serial hypocrite because as a smoker I had very low opinions of men that did - I think of them as "flakes", The ones I almost dated, were! True. I never had a relationship with a man that smoked. </div><div><br /></div><div>By now we had all the ducks in a row and the big date was about to happen... we were going out to a local quaint restaurant of my choice.</div><div>The day before he had an appointment to see his doctor for which he asked for help to make list needed to run by her. It turned out that his knowledge on computers was near zero and scraped by with the advise and help of his accountant/friend in his 80's...</div><div>He phoned that early evening upon his return from the appointment and giddily announced he was given a shot of xyz@doc. Had <i>no idea</i> of what he was talking about.</div><div>What is that, I asked?</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(204, 204, 204); line-height: 28px; font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;">© moi.09</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;">To find out, you'll have to return tomorrow as I conclude the <b>Monty chapter</b>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99FFFF;">It is still very hot and I not feeling any better than yesterday, only the fan is driving my a little pottier each day.</span></div><div>Nite-nite.</div></div>Alicia M B Ballard StudioGaleriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11330807567104236747noreply@blogger.com0