Who Do I Thank for Life?

After having good conversation with my brother--who is the blogger of Incongruous Circumspection--and a couple of fickle (on my part) friends, I have some serious matters to sort through in retrospect of a frightening incident I experienced today. Some "what ifs" have come to the forefront of my meanderings, and though they aren't musical in nature, I could easily sing about how I feel--in fact I'm doing just that, as you continue to read.

I witnessed a rollover today on the highway, right in front of me! A Honda SUV was on the opposite, oncoming side of the grassy divide, and somehow the driver swerved onto and over the grassy divide coming into my lane. There were several cars ahead of me, going 65mph, and this SUV flipped, and rolled over across the path of all these cars, not hitting a single one! Then it bounced back upright on the far shoulder, completely clear of any further danger. The female driver was okay, as well as the young adult male passenger. Their belongings had flown out of the windows all over that stretch of the highway, however, they were okay. After I called, first-responding police and firemen arrived and were assessing the situation.

There I was, an observer of an accident that I had nothing to do with, yet what if...? What if I had been driving slightly faster. What if I had left from home two seconds earlier? What if this vehicle had run right into me, or I'd run into it? Had I not been paying attention, I would've done just that.

Who do I have to thank, that they're okay, that I'm okay, that everyone who possibly could've been involved in a potentially fatal crash, are okay. Don't I have somebody to thank? Can't I thank anyone? Or is it all just happenstance, just chance that it worked out the way it did? And is it even a positive outcome that nobody was fatally wounded, that no one died? Can I even consider that as something to be happy about?

Had they died in that accident, I would still be happy that I'm alive, but I'd be sorrowful that they're dead. And towards who would I be angry for their death? Would their death be chance? Either way, if the outcome had been good for me and bad for them, or good for them and bad for me, to whom would I give my gratitude, or my hard feelings? Can I include god in this picture? Is god even actively involved in this situation? Do I have any proof that I was saved, that others were saved from further harm? Do I have proof that god was giving us a second chance at life, showing mercy in a greater way than we had ever seen it? Would something finally click, that one of us had heard or experienced before this incident, and now that we have survived a potentially fatal crash, it would ring truer in one of our minds, so much that we would give thanks to god for our very life that we can still hold onto and enjoy for its remainder?

The only way I can see it as a positive outcome is if I include God and his protecting of us. Without him, there was no one actively protecting us, or even knowing the outcome. It's all up to chance, and therefore it could even be a negative that the crash even happened, that the Honda SUV even swerved off of the right path on the highway, that the vehicle is totaled, and that they might be slightly injured or their progress in life was delayed. There are a lot of seemingly negative outcomes, but the positive outcome of the driver and passenger simply being alive seems to outweigh all of the negative repercussions of getting in the crash in the first place.

So why is it a positive thing that they're simply still alive? What do they have to live for now that they didn't have to live for before the crash? And would something good have been ended, had they died? I think all life is good. The fact that people are alive is good, wether they do harm or good. The fact that they're alive is good because they still have a chance to help others, and to make inroads into others' lives for making a change for the better, creating a greater sense of a loving community.

The Urge to Splurge

This morning, I asked myself, with a forlorn undertone, why myself has deserted my blog for nearly a month. Myself casually replied that there just hasn't been a blogging urge. Upon considering such a reply, myself suddenly felt an urge. I and myself are finally converging to articulate my meanderings once again, in hopes of finding another pleasant opportunity to Face the Muzach.

I haven't had much sleep this week, as I am working 14-hour days. Imagine the drop in energy that an Energizer Bunny wannabe would experience. He'd keep on slowing, and slowing... and slowing... in fact, there's only one solution to re-boost his battery: a good nap. But as time is of the essence, that is no option for this workhorse. The next best alternative would be to guzzle a Redbull--or two, to give me that winged-flight-like buzz. Then after being bucked from that bull at the eight-hour buzzer, seconds would become hours as the remaining 43% of my workday edges to a close. It's completely worthwhile however, considering the fact that I'll have a long weekend. It's high time for a restful getaway with my wife!

We most likely will go lie in a nearby flowery field and fly an imaginary kite, as a pricey plane  would fly overhead, far beyond our financial fringes. Much like a kite, our meager income will soar high on this gust of overtime, only to come crashing back down to earth before we'd have the chance to spend its spool. Why should a young, vibrant couple have to resist the urge to splurge? Except for the facts that we have a single income, a daughter, car payments, rent, iPhone bills, other bills, hungry bellies, two gassy cars--and did I mention a single income--we should go along with the urge! But all facts considered, here we'll stay and close our eyes together for an unforgettably fleeting fantastical daydream.

The Proof is in the Pickle: Facing Life's Sour Reality

There are two questions you should ask yourself about your very own two ears: "Have I put them to good use?", and, "Why did I ever try growing corn in the first place?" The first question is of concern here, as this has little to do with corn, and everything to do with pickles!

Like a pickle, reality is so often too sour to handle all at once, so it's best to just ease yourself into it. What may be music to one person's ears will either be similarly pleasant or rudely repulsive to your own. When putting your ears to good use involves hearing other unpleasant perspectives, a further question should be, "How have my ears been trained?" In regard to life itself, that's a multifaceted query with quite the quibbles for answers.

In regard to music, however, it's easy to simply respond with a list of your preferences that, to your two ears, taste as sweet as corn. But when someone else's preferences interfere, you may well find yourself in a pickle. There's no reason to fret though; only all the more reason to prove your integrity, and face the same sour reality of life along with everyone else.

A Timely Interview: Featuring Time Itself

Host: I'm glad you could find yourself to be on my show this morning.

Time: Well, here I am.

Host: Indeed. Please go ahead and share a little bit about yourself.

Time: Alright. Well, I'm dependable.

Host: That's a good trait. How would you say you're dependable?

Time: Oh, well, of course you can always count on me! But one drawback to being so dependable is that I tend to tick people off a lot.

Host: Really?! I guess I can see that. Are you ever able to just tock it over together?

Time: No, because I always hear about it at second hand; and I can't turn myself back, so I always have to take the blame.

Host: Do you feel that's unfair?

Time: Well, yeah, "Don't shoot the messenger." Right?

Host: How do you mean?

Time: See, I'm just the messenger. They should rise to the occasion and take it up with my boss if they really want to set things straight.

Host: Oh, yes. I see. I'd imagine that'd be a heated debate!

Time: Yeah! But all I hear is that they want more of me! It's not easy being the only employee.

Host: So would you say being dependable has its perks?

Time: Oh sure! Especially when it comes to music. People love to have a good one of me, and music helps them appreciate me for who I am. And, with all due respect, music would be nothing without me! Nothing!

Host: Oh, so you're all that now, huh?!

Time: Hey, take it up with the boss. I'm just sayin'!

Host: Right, right... Well I see our hour is up.

Time: Yeah, I get that a lot. I can't help that it's written all over my face.

Host: No, but really, I'm glad we found you to get to know you a little better. I hope you enjoy the rest of your Saturday, and enjoy your weekly meeting with your boss tomorrow!

Time: Of course. I hope my boss still thinks the world of me.

My Hairy Lullaby Story

I've occasionally lulled myself asleep to the timeless tune of "Ain't Never Goin' Bald". It's an old lullaby, and I vaguely remember the story of Dad singing it for my three older brothers. Supposedly, their hair would begin to buzz as they'd drift off, making a noise like a soft "zzzz..." Grandpa apparently sang the lullaby for Dad, and even Great Grandpa must've been fond of the tune. I figure, "It worked for them, it'll work for me!" Right? So far, so good - for me, at least.

Upon hearing the devastating news that my two eldest brothers have lost more than just a few irreplaceable hairs, I have resolved to be more religious in two important ways. One, I won't live a similarly stressful, adventurous life - fertile grounds for baldness. Secondly, I will teach the far-reaching traditional folk-tune to my wife and daughter so as to have a doubly hearty, harmonious rendition, giving it twice the hair-restoring power.

As for the other brother, he seems to have found an effective, healthy alternative to the tune of the follicle-stress relieving activity of blogging. Needless to say, his Incongruous Circumspection blog has proven therapeutic, although it unfortunately leads to periodic bouts of 'hair yanking'. But, nonetheless, that serves only as a convenient and necessary counterbalance to his abundant hair restoring alternative.

With all due respect, I would never stoop to such an alternative as blogging, as I am convinced that I've held to a better ritual. Mystical? Admittedly so. But, there's no shame in a good lullaby, no matter how magical it's become. So let the jealous accusations fly while I ensure my hair is being sung spry!

No potions needed here. Just my stress-free, unadventurous life along with the trusty, generational, passed-onto-the-youngest-child... family-sung folk-tune... rendition of the "Ain't Goin' Bald" lullaby. And please everyone, keep the flabbergasted compliments to a minimum; I might get too big of a head - of hair!

And, if you don't mind, I need to sing right now - with my wife and daughter, of course.

"Ain't never goin' bald... ain't never goin' bald......
This mystery unsolved... yet, to it I'm lulled......
I'll keep all my hair, I'll keep all my hair...
'Cause it's only fair, to every one there...
Ain't never.. goin'... ba...... zz... zzz.. zzzzzzz......"

My Humble Beginnings

A fresh start! New ideas, blazing the untrodden trail of my musical meanderings.

With more depth and insight to be composed, this is merely the overture of an amateur. 'What's that awful sound I hear?!' Oh, I see: it's just my humble beginnings. Stick around long enough, and you may deem this a winning score!