Bibimbap 비빔밥

A part of me

Annette: "Thanks for including "The Pitch" . I thoroughly enjoyed it. My take-way: know your audience.

As for pitches... I personally have no clue. "

To Deborah Williams Place on Bookfase: "Udon is 'familiar'. I could imagine living elsewhere in Thailand though. But... probably not Bangkok (too big, too steamy) or Ayutthaya (too touristy). The truth? One doesn't really live in a country or a province, not even a city. One lives in a neighborhood or community. Wherever there are friends... there one finds a home."

To 🎄pwheeler joy to the world: "I do not observe Christmas; but, the music brings me to another time and place.

At least, "Mary did you know" is based on Christian beliefs regarding Jesus Christ.

The meta songs like "I saw mommy kissing..." may be cute but only comment on how the festival is observed by some folks, not the meaning behind it.

I immediately thought of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" and "Silent Night" from my childhood. These days, I might choose other tributes; but, music takes me back."

I focused for years on writing instead of marketing. I should have done both. Now it would seem a bit silly; although, I do need to make audios for my very best work. My friends would appreciate that.

How would I pitch myself? Egads!

1. Poet, gardener, community builder. Ancient, but eager to learn from the world and engage in it by traveling. Lyrical observations giving voice to people and places that I connect to.

2. Old gay fart with a serious, but sometimes witty, point-of-view on my past and present mistakes. A shy child who was chatty. An old man who won't shut up and annoys most everyone.

3. A wounded reluctant warrior for a better world I'll never live to see... except... in those small moments captured in rhythm and rhyme, like a haiku caught in the unseen juxtaposition of dark reality, illumined and brought to sight.

I have memories of Sabetha 1975, memories of San José 1974 and 2009 and... One can never put one's toes in the same river twice.

I'm glad to be in Udon Thani today. But, it would be nice to revisit past places that no longer exist as they once did.

I spent a couple days in Phimai, Thailand. It's over 800 years old. The sandstone... that is. It's much older than that. I can't go back to when it was a thriving oasis of an empire. It's still surrounded by water.

I no longer have a home. I'm severed from my past and from folks I called family and friends. Those I've met over the past 20 years are important to me, and perhaps I'm important to them as well; but the connections seem newfangeled and fragile.

I need to let go of the Past... but it's a part of me.

There are many ways to observe holy days and holidays. Every day is special... to someone.

We all speak a private language based on our beliefs, needs and wants. For me, the language of Christians does not always speak to me. The issue isn't Christ, his life, the Beatitudes, his love, kindness and humility. Rather, it's the arrogance, hatred shown to others, and intolerance of His followers in their individual and collective interactions with others.

I suspect that DEI is found in the New Testament. Diversity... like the woman of Samaria and like Martha, and women in general. Equity... meeting people where they are and not where one demands them to be; the reaching our to blind, deaf and dumb. Inclusiveness... was anyone turned away?

I find that Bahá'ís struggle with this too; although, the message of diversity-equity-inclusiveness is clearer and undeniable.

IMHO, the "Commercial Christmas" doesn't even bother to include Christ.

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