The Gift

The best most wonderful thing that anybody could ever give or receive this holiday season. You may be surprised by the cost.

That is how it really worked wasn't it? My Joe would wait until dark then kidnap Ken and then lock him up in the secret basement gulag (dad's toolbox). Once Ken was out of the picture Joe burned his wardrobe and the HE started driving Barbie's car. Ken always let Barbie drive the Corvette, what was he thinking? Barbie protested at first but even she couldn't resist a man in uniform with facial hair. I think old Ken is still banging on that toolbox under the stairs in Schenectady, New York. For presents this year I could just claim poverty since I am technically unemployed. Cover the kids and everyone else will understand. But that's not me and hey there's some stuff I want to get.

I might as well use some of my age and wisdom and ask for stuff that lasts, stuff that means something, stuff I will remember. I should give the same in return. Hmm? What gifts have I received that meet the above stated criteria? Actually very few. I'm not saying that people have not been generous to me but generous with what? Stuff comes and goes. I think of how many times I've started my life over totally. When I moved to California I drove cross country in a Honda Accord filled with CDs and some clothes. I wasn't really planning on staying so I packed up the stuff I really wanted to store and tossed the rest.

Now I looked at this stuff in storage during my last trip and I discovered that I didn't really want most of it. Pictures and event reminders were the only items I searched for. These were reminders of time spent together with friends. In fact these times were so special that I captured them on film. Actually it is a big deal since back then cameras were much larger and I didn't like carrying the thing. Unless it was a super duper event or extra special occasion I didn't take pictures. It makes forgetting your past easier too. No proof. Never mind, what I'm trying to say is that I don't want anymore stuff. I'll appreciate and be grateful for gifts of stuff but if you really want to stir me then get ready to dig deep into your pockets for ......time.

My tribe has been accompanying me while I come to terms with my past and what I will become in the future, or what I make of my future. So where is all this going? Back to the beginning, the start, where space and life all began. Time. Time is the fabric on which life and space weave our reality. Without time nothing or no one can or did exist. Ohm Ohm Leftcoast is getting all lotus.

Hang on I need to fire up some of Snowy's incense so I can keep the vibe going as I riff away.

I'm still a little woozy after Thanksgiving eve and day and evening at the Nottingham's. Snowy and her strays filled her sister's house along with family and then it was on. Food, football, a secret meatball survey (don't ask), and other side show attractions kept us all busy until the grand finale. Charades! Oh my god! People still do this stuff? Yes, I was swept up from the sidelines and was forced to put myself in the spotlight (yeah like this is hard to imagine, he he) and act out "The Bridges of Madison County". Everyone knew the category so I went for bridges. Maybe because the Golden Gate Bridge is such a fixture or maybe because there are so many total bridges in our area, but anywho my frantic and spastic hand gestures were understood and then stretched so that title did come out of the audience. Whew!

After a while I don't think anyone cared who was supposed to act out. We threw people up if they hadn't been seen in a while. My personal favorite (besides the mother and sister-in-law of the host sandwich during the dance party segment of the day) had to be Bill's cosmic ballet interpretation of "From Here to Eternity". I felt for the guy, that is a hard one to act out but he kept it real and broke it down swan style. Snowy's sister Bobbie took portrait photographs of all the guests. I am so sure we will all learn more from Snowy's perspective over at SnowyForest.com. Since it was a "family" event I'll leave the rest of the details where they belong. In our collective memories. Seriously, we laughed, we cried, and didn't care why. New family members (read Leftcoast) were put to the test and I think they'll keep me. I hope Snowy's mom can breathe because I make her laugh without trying. We even caught her using Leftcoastisms and voice. "Ha! Herghhh! Ha! Ha! Rrrrrrrr! Erk! Get away from the pie, hermph!"

Time is having an effect on us. We pick up pieces and add them to our puzzle as we spend more and more time with other people. I have been killing my friends since I am home most of the day alone with my computer and phone. I jet out here and there as documented all over the website. But what I really want these days is more time. More time to soak it all in. Short range or long range plans all involve a time component. I know some of you are saying, "Wait is this the Leftcoast who has a personal shopper?" " Is is forsaking shopping and new clothes?" The difference is that this is for stuff I get for myself.

I like stuff but I love time. There it is in the simplest of terms. So if you are wondering what to do for me this holiday (and birthday) season, then stop and call. Let's figure out a way to spend some time together. Your time is valuable in more ways than you might think. Ruby called me tonight from the road, just because. Nice way to kick off the season, we chatted up a storm and before I knew it an hour had passed. She's driving back from San Diego (it's far) and wanted to share her family's reaction to her recent trip to the Oxygen Bar. She said she was alone and driving and knew I could make her laugh and help keep her awake. Plus driving alone is no fun.

This made me think of something I heard Michael Prichard (actor/comedian/mentoring advocate) say, "Rescuing someone from loneliness is the greatest gift the human spirit can give." That's what I'm talkin' about! It doesn't have to be a big thing either. Ruby's call worked for me too. I have been writing and watching movies all day so I needed some contact. I love the random call. Or the random visit. My Mom brought coffee and muffins over to my brother's house after shopping with Megan. We all had a fine time visiting and sharing our treats. That random visit was one of the major highlights of my recent trip.

Here's how I see it. Everybody is always doing something to save time. Cell phone...email... pager...pay per view...pay later......pay me a visit :) Now do something with all that saved time. Spread it around, share it, keep a small bag of it in the glove box. Especially now during the holidays. Take an extra minute, or sixty, to crack a joke or give a compliment. Hug with abandon and make your phone calls before the eggnog kicks in. So ho ho ho! Young and old. Synchronize your watches and give some time.

Peace,
Sean

Sean and Sean