Dear Heather Hubler,
I was very interested in this particular challenge. After the last few weeks, I feel like I deserve the right to rant, no matter what the restrictions might be.
Asshole: I am in a café between things, about to head out, when someone comes over to my table, plugs in his phone, and leaves it there. I glare at him and he just stares at me. I often wonder if I should have spoken to him or responded in a much more visceral and graphic way. But I let it go; he looked like a wet weed in a bike helmet and I had too much on my mind.
Bills: I have to cover a credit card minimum and some other payments this month and I am wondering why I cannot get more work with all of the job-hunting I have done.
Chocolate: I have a basic need in the autumn for any chemical that can get me through the day (this could have been caffeine). Things change.
Dogs: Going for walks in the park, or runs, or hunting book boxes, I realize that I have more in common with the dogs that have to pull their owners along with them (same attitude and feeling about things) – just need to relax and enjoy the scene.
Ego: Mine has taken a beating after many years of teaching, but when I am on the page, seeing my work, it can come back.
Friends: Information not available.
Guitar: I have actually started to play again. I used to spend hours on scales, modes and chords; now I just pick up and play and it is much more enjoyable as a break in the day. Maybe I need to write a proper song.
Helly Hansen: You have the same initials as my shoes. Just thought that I would mention this.
Idiots: See “Asshole”, and also consider kids coming late for a midterm and having no excuse besides not buying their metro pass (covered in another article).
Joke: A little boy comes home from school. He says, ‘Mommy, what is an orgasm?’ His mother says, ‘I don’t know, dear. Ask your father.’
Kendall: Yes, that is my real name and that is how it is spelled. Wonder why I still get questions about this (that damn Jenner chick).
Love: All you need is… Well, I am still trying.
Money: Information not available. Just kidding. I know what it is. Just not comfortable exploring it after Love (too tempting a substitute).
Necessities: I turned 50, and I am realizing more and more how little I need to get by in this life. Certain things are just not a part of it and there is not much urgency to find them (won’t list them all here).
Observations: Most of what has inspired me to write has been just from observation (cafés, restaurants, buses, subways, and the like have been a gift for me). Maybe I should try to find a village square the way Tolstoy did, and just write based on the inspiration of different faces.
Penguin: Not specifically the animal; just the imprint. I am a collector of the paperbacks and I am a little bit happy that I can live in a place with multiple book boxes with various titles and subjects that I have not yet explored (photo necessary?)
Questioning: Again, as I said about turning 50, you consider what you need and what your life is all about. You question what things you would change, and maybe perhaps what can still be done. Not always a healthy thing to do, but I have a questioning mind. And the answers…?
Reading: This is my lifelong habit that will not change, even when my eyes fail (Braille would be an interesting life skill to obtain). As I said, I am a collector and need to consider what I may never read. But I will get to it…
School: I am an instructor, but I am still learning. Languages are my main thing, but I wonder about coding (another language) and other things.
Time: Too long an issue to explore here.
Uncle: I am one, and I do sometimes wonder if I am doing my job.
Vanity: Do I have any? Again, another deep issue…
Winter: Yes, it is coming. Feel a little more run down year after year (not odd for a Canadian).
X: I feel like I have not found my spot (get it?).
You: The one I thank for offering this challenge. I needed it.
Zappa: Need to listen to him while I finish up some other writing…
Thank you for the chance to empty out my thoughts.
KD
