Monkey In A Tree - Part 2

Like I said a long time ago. I'm just a monkey in a tree.

Facebook Hurts

[NAME REDACTED] April 9, 2009

Not sure if this is the Ardi I would have known, but does the name [NAME REDACTED] sound familair?

Just curious....

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Ardi Mekanik April 10, 2009

My freshman year in college I fell in love. She was a beautiful vixen, athletic, curvy, with hair that smelled like summer and toxic eyes bluer than the deepest ocean. They looked green when she was angry or serious.

I met her out one night with friends. She had a boyfriend at the time. She wouldn't let me kiss her. But I knew we had something. 2 weeks later she called and said she's coming over. We went out to dinner and she told me she broke up with her boyfriend. My 19 year old mind wasn't smart enough to worry about this being a pattern. I was just glad she was single as she fell asleep in my arms.

She knew how to love and when she gave herself she gave all of herself. Fully. Honestly. No holding back.

I was young and untamed. She tolerated my immaturity, infidelity, and selfish idiocy for a year. Eventually she found someone better and moved on.

The last time we spoke she told me she was getting married. I told her I was happy for her. I meant it. I told her I would love to attend the wedding. She said she didn't think it would be appropriate. I wished her well. We never spoke again. That was 15 years ago.

I've only been in love 3 times. She was one of them.

.......................................................................

That [NAME REDACTED]? ummmmm ... no ... I don't think I remember her.

The Real Enemy

Our real enemies are not those living in a distant land whose names or policies we don't understand; The real enemy is a system that wages war when it's profitable, the CEOs who lay us off our jobs when it's profitable, the Insurance Companies who deny us Health care when it's profitable, the Banks who take away our homes when it's profitable. Our enemies are not several hundred thousands away. They are right here in front of us

- Mike Prysner

Sage Advice

'Maul her,' he said.

'What?' I said.

'Wait until she has to go to the bathroom. After about a minute, go by the entrance. When she comes out, just maul her.'

He went back to eating. He said it like he was explaining where the frozen food section in the grocery store was located. I got the feeling my interaction with Rob was going to be short - i.e,. he didn't seem like he was dying to talk to me about something he considered obvious - so I lasered in and demanded he proffer more information.

'What do you mean?'

'She comes out, grab her by the back of the head and kiss her. Push her up against a wall if there's one. Just maul her.'

I laughed. This was sexual assault. He was fucking with me. Right?

'What if she freaks out?'

'There's a fifty-fifty chance she'll smack you. But anybody would play those odds in Vegas.'

Then he winked and went back to work on his penne.

- From Going To The Maul by Bill Dawes

Where have all the cowboys gone?

Three-line ad from the London Times, December 29, 1913:

Men wanted for hazardous journey, small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful, honour and recognition in case of success.

5000 volunteers queued up in response to this advertisement, posted by Ernest Shackleton seeking crewmen for his Antarctic expedition.