An interesting day, yesterday was.
I've been out of sorts for a week or so, with what passes for me as a sleep pattern gone all off-kilter. This, for me, can result in a miserable state. Part of it was physical in nature, manifested first as a kinked-up neck a few days ago, followed by a knot of sharp discomfort in one of the few previously pain-free spots in my lower back. No, lumbar issues are not news to me, and unless I get off my butt for some vigorous exercise soon, they will likely not be getting any better. Back to the point. Since I had resorted to using a prescription muscle-relaxer the day before, which pretty much knocked me out, I woke yesterday morning in a hangover-like funk, barely willing to haul myself from slumber and in no mood to feel optimistic about anything. I hate narcotics. I felt like I needed to pick up a white chip or something. Anyway, despite my worst efforts to the contrary, I have picked up some tools over the past ten years or so, which I can use to get out of such a sorry state. After a few supportive calls to a couple of struggling friends, I felt much better, likely because it gave me an opening to vomit forth all my own troubles. Interesting how that works.
So by this time I’m back up. To the point where I’m actually enthused to be done with breakfast (both mine and the cats’) and able to sit down and take care of some music responsibilities, including sending new songs to a vocalist friend we recently started working with. She is really a quite capable singer, but as yet still a little rusty for not performing for a long time. I’m jacked about working with her. It feels wonderful to resurrect my flagging energy level for my music projects. Maybe one day I’ll get good enough at it to bring in some income. I keep telling myself that, but truth is, I just enjoy it- usually, more so when when I don’t take it so seriously. Again, interesting how that works.
I had just received a phone call from a potential client (I tell ya, everything’s going to be fine), when I went outside to go to my storage room, which is right beside the entry to the rental apartment (my own residence until a few months ago), facing away from the street and out of my immediate line of sight. As I rounded the corner, I saw smoke billowing and my friends, who also happen to be the almost-brand-new occupants of my former residence, scrambling around with containers of water and throwing them at a growing conflagration. My house was, basically, on fire. A plastic bucket which they had placed by the door to receive dead cigarette butts had caught up and the entrance to their space was no more than a moment or two from being engulfed in flame. To cut to the chase, we were able to subdue the small blaze just in time, thanks, in part, to the fact that the structure next to said bucket was either glass block, thus un-burnable, or sheathed in sheet metal . Another moment or two and we’d all have been standing out on the street scratching our heads and wondering where we’d be sleeping tonight. As it is, the damage amounts to replacing a screen door and the door frame and outside trim. If I needed to find something to be grateful for, it was readily available, in the form of my still-standing abode. I think my friends/tenants expected me to be freaked out about it, and I’m still not sure why I’m not, unless it is again an instance of bringing tools to bear and dealing with stuff in a practical and un-emotional fashion (new territory for me). Interesting how that works.
I went on to meet with that potential client, and went through the rest of the day in a bit of a daze, realizing what a close call we’d had and feeling much gratitude. As concerned as I have been about a shortage of work, having to downsize and relocate, etc., I continue to believe I have a guardian troll (not yet being myself deserving of an angel), or that there exists something like a benevolent universe out there, that looks out for me (and for other sometimes-clueless individuals), as long as I continue to do my part.
My recent situation has made me study more closely my current shortcomings, and perhaps dwell on them a little too long. I figure by now I am (we are) over the worst of recent situations regarding the economy, etc., and I look forward to getting back solidly on track. I hope and trust that you do, too. Interesting how that works.
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