Little Women

We'll be mad, and explore. We'll recline a loft upon the breeze.
Dart about sail on with with ease.
Pass the days doing only as we please, that's what living is for.
Some things are meant to be, the tide turning endlessly,
the way it takes hold of me, no matter what I do,
and some things will never die, the promise of who you are,
the memories when I am far from you.
All my life, I've lived for loving you; let me go now.

These were lyrics from "Some Things Were Meant to Be" from Little Women the musical. This particular scene was poignant and touching.  My daughter and I saw a performance of it at Chandler/Gilbert Community College a few weeks ago. Sure, it was not Broadway quality...but it was charming and enjoyable and I rejoice in people willing to get up on stage and sing, dance, act...celebrating the arts at every level. These young actors were using their talents, singing from the heart and with great spirit. And they were loving the applause.

My daughter and I had one favorite moment: During the curtain call, one older lady was standing and applauding and joyfully shouting...'that's my granddaughter, wasn't she wonderful'. She was wonderful.

The performance was at Chandler-Gilbert Community College Performing Arts Center . A nice cozy theatre that seats about 300. My daughter and I had excellent seats at a reasonable price. Over the years I have attended various High School and local plays. My daughters have performed in a few small plays. I have also seen the big Broadway productions that pass through Phoenix. I love the theatre and get great joy in attending. But big or small, famous actors or high-school students....get out and see a play today!!! Support your local High School and Community Arts programs.

Cheers, nca

The Troubled Man

For sometime now I have enjoyed reading the Kurt Wallander series by Henning Mankell. Mankell is a Swedish author, the books are translated into the English, and I find them very engaging stories. I first got subjected to the stories through the PBS Mystery series starring Kenneth Branagh. Between the Wallander series, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo series by Stieg Larsson,  and "The Hypnotist", by Lars Kepler, I feel I have found a treasure trove of new novels that I love and recommend. Kudos to you Swedish authors out there. I admit, not being able to read these books in the original Swedish means I probably miss a lot of the language originally intended by the authors, and I also probably miss many of the cultural references in the novels, but I love them never-the-less.

"The Troubled Man" was my most recent read. Apparently it is the last in the Wallander series, and the author through plot and device ensures that for the reader. Slight spoiler there, but only slight since the method the author ends the series is unique to me. But let me say, "The Troubled Man" was troubling. Perhaps because I am only 10 years younger then the Wallander of the story. And perhaps since I have been dealing with health problems and dealing more directly with my own mortality, the book really hit home. The Wallander character has had to deal with divorce, dumping, health issues, alcohol abuse, wondering about his purpose in life...through a total of 13 books now...I was sort of hoping the author would grant Kurt a break in this final book. Give him a steady girl to stand by him, give him a rewarding and active retirement,  give him a break....

....but no....you won't find that in this final book. I won't tell you more....but just between you and me...after reading a series this good and this powerful, I think the author could have thrown Wallander and me the reader a bone...something small we could sink our teeth in.

Two Thumbs up for a great story, middle finger up for the author not giving Kurt a break.

Cheers, nca.

December 12, 2012

There is a website with a countdown to December 12, 2012. (there is a website for everything isn't there?)This to some people is the 'end of the world'. The countdown currently says 0303 days, 3 hours, 28 minutes, 25 seconds. Amazing. In many ways. But the direction I am going with this blog entry is...if I have 0303 days left on this beautiful earth, how wisely would I use them? Wise does not have to be in the equation really. Just how would I fill those last days as they count down.

As I was going into March of last year, I had surgery coming up. At the time I had doubts I would survive all that. I won't go into those reasons now. But at that time I had a real live mental clock counting down. Did I use those days 'wisely'. Well, perhaps. Maybe not. Not sure.

My daughter and her husband helped me write my Will and last requests. That was good, I had not taken the time to do that before.  We have that to show for my surgery, along with my scars and my heart that ticks like a clock.

My wife and I had gone out to some nice restaurants. We did have a nice Christmas that year...though with a beautiful wife, three beautiful daughters, and Grand kids...I think a nice Christmas will always be penciled in for me. My cup overflows with love for my family.

But is a nice Christmas, a few great date nights, and an completed will enough to put all my chips on the table and cash in?


Probably not. Not then, not now. Boy, do I need to get busy! I don't know when my clock will run out. None of us really do. My middle daughter teases me that I need to get writing my 'Novel'...one I started years ago. I also have ideas for screen plays, poems, and maybe another novel.

I started this blog out to sort of get the writing bug rolling, good start...but not quite enough.

And there are places on the globe I really want to visit before I check out. There are things I want to do. And I really need a few more adventures before I can call this life full. ADVENTURE. I have long held the belief that life, with all it's bells and whistles,  is the greatest of all adventures. But it is made up of a bunch of little adventures...and sitting around the TV after working for 10 hours each day is not living the adventure.
I'll let you know what I come up with. Wink Wink. Watch what happens.

Cheers, nca

p.s. Leap Day is February 29. That gives us all an extra day before the end of the world. What mischief can I get into between Leap day and the Ides of March? I'm telling you, there's going to be something to blog here.