Your Post Pandemic Reveal
Should auld acquaintance be forgot?44 total reviews
Comment from lyenochka
Thank you for this interesting reflection. I saw the title was intrigued to know how different your reflection will be on 12/31/21? And did the "god of self-acceptance" and "god of inner peace" visit you this year and guide your resolution? I found it interesting that the Sumerian god of the sun is "Shamash" and in Hebrew the word for "sun" is "shemesh." And you don't write vowels so you can really see the similarity!
reply by the author on 20-Dec-2021
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Thank you for this interesting reflection. I saw the title was intrigued to know how different your reflection will be on 12/31/21? And did the "god of self-acceptance" and "god of inner peace" visit you this year and guide your resolution? I found it interesting that the Sumerian god of the sun is "Shamash" and in Hebrew the word for "sun" is "shemesh." And you don't write vowels so you can really see the similarity!
Comment Written 20-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 20-Dec-2021
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Thank you mightily, Helen, for reading this. I rather enjoyed reading it again just now. How the lad talks ... and talks. I wasn't feeling too optimistic about the world's future. I only regained my faith in humanity in the early months of the new year and thought Covid had actually met its match. My God, was I wrong! And now I face 2022 with with even less hope.
Sorry ... I shouldn't have re-read my post. I'm angry.
Thank you, though, so much for digging into my portfolio again and reading some older stuff. Tomorrow I'll begin my search for some of your 25s, just quivering toward ATB. Any suggestions?
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I am feeling optimistic for 2022. The 1918 Flu lasted about 3 years and I feel it will get much better next year. Let's not give up hope!
As for my posts, if you are interested, a few of my chapters in Real Heroes couldn't make it. You might find the one on Zheng He interesting. But no worries if you don't have time:
https://www.fanstory.com/displaystory.jsp?id=1036037
Comment from karenina
Of course I've read and enjoyed you before...but kmoss highly recommended you as someone I ought to visit or revisit...and so I thank her for leading me here, this day. Your writing captures the hunger of the soul to expand, be more present, and at the same time juxtaposes that with the very real trepidation our minds are pulsing with as we cope (or do not cope) with the very social construct of our world thanks to a pandemic. The universal question is intriguing...is not the very act of living a contract to reach higher, listen more, improve what we can even within our social restraints, lest we infect ourselves and our loved ones?
And without this driving force, are we not simply wandering endlessly? NO set course and so an ever sapping journey? All of these thoughts and more from your write. I thought I had fanned you...but with the latest site crash half my list "disappeared."--I'm fanning again!--Karenina
reply by the author on 29-Jan-2021
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Of course I've read and enjoyed you before...but kmoss highly recommended you as someone I ought to visit or revisit...and so I thank her for leading me here, this day. Your writing captures the hunger of the soul to expand, be more present, and at the same time juxtaposes that with the very real trepidation our minds are pulsing with as we cope (or do not cope) with the very social construct of our world thanks to a pandemic. The universal question is intriguing...is not the very act of living a contract to reach higher, listen more, improve what we can even within our social restraints, lest we infect ourselves and our loved ones?
And without this driving force, are we not simply wandering endlessly? NO set course and so an ever sapping journey? All of these thoughts and more from your write. I thought I had fanned you...but with the latest site crash half my list "disappeared."--I'm fanning again!--Karenina
Comment Written 29-Jan-2021
reply by the author on 29-Jan-2021
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Thank you for your stellar review and kind words, Karenina.
I likewise will be adding you as a fan. Anyone who can write as stunning a review as yours deserves to be read and read deeply. I am a very slow writer, and I'm lucky to be able to publish one a week--very lucky. I hope I will be gaining much more gold by reading your more frequent posts. I've given up trying to read everything that Krystal posts. She's a dynamo.
Anyway, let's have fun with this, Karenina.
Jay
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I post at most once a week... I edit and edit again...and also I don't pay real money to promote to I wait until I've reviewed enough to promote to the top twenty so I can get maximum feedback. I'm so glad you enjoyed my review... Karenina
Comment from R. A. Battin
Beautifully hand crafted, "casting that filthy, maggot-infested mantle that was 2020 into the black, soul-sucking universal abyss". Enjoyed reading this colorful New Year's piece.
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2021
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Beautifully hand crafted, "casting that filthy, maggot-infested mantle that was 2020 into the black, soul-sucking universal abyss". Enjoyed reading this colorful New Year's piece.
Comment Written 23-Jan-2021
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2021
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Much obliged, R.A. I'm thrilled that you enjoyed it.
Comment from Bill Schott
This was an interesting look at how one's time-honored rituals can evolve with the times. Through it all, I believe that your observation of setting a 'resolution beginning' (Gee, is that an oxymoron?) for spring, when all things new are expected, is a good idea. Of course, if my wife wants to fit into her bikini by summer, she'll have to begin liposuction early, so the bruises will heal.
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2021
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This was an interesting look at how one's time-honored rituals can evolve with the times. Through it all, I believe that your observation of setting a 'resolution beginning' (Gee, is that an oxymoron?) for spring, when all things new are expected, is a good idea. Of course, if my wife wants to fit into her bikini by summer, she'll have to begin liposuction early, so the bruises will heal.
Comment Written 09-Jan-2021
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2021
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Hahaha, bruises I understand. If a fly walks across my arm I get a bruise. I'm glad you enjoyed this, Bill. Have a happy New Year!
Comment from Suzanna Ray
Dear Jay, what I find most intriguing about this post is the illustration that you have chosen. I know there is great symbolism in it, but I am not sure if I read it aright!
As for your decision to change the date of your New Year's resolutions, I think you have supplied enough reasons to do so.
reply by the author on 08-Jan-2021
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Dear Jay, what I find most intriguing about this post is the illustration that you have chosen. I know there is great symbolism in it, but I am not sure if I read it aright!
As for your decision to change the date of your New Year's resolutions, I think you have supplied enough reasons to do so.
Comment Written 08-Jan-2021
reply by the author on 08-Jan-2021
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Thank you Suzanna! I appreciate your comment and the lovely stars.
Comment from Father Flaps
Hi Jay,
Thanks for the blessings of "Peace, Health, Love, and both Inner and Outer Wealth/ in 2021!" Right back atcha!
I think Spring is a good time for new beginnings... not now, right after Cratchit's Christmas. I'll need 4 months to pay off the bills! But everyone is happy with their gifts. That's the main thing.
I don't even bother with resolutions anymore. I could never keep them. I don't think I ever made it a whole week.
Somehow 2020 got hitched to this miserable virus. Guilty by association! A serial killer... life in prison! No parole!
I like these lines,
"2020 was COVID-clad in a black cape!"
and,
"~robbed the world of more than 1.7 million people."
The countries of the world have to go after China! They've got to be made to clean up their act! I wish people would start BUYING LOCAL instead of "Made in China". But you know, that's where a lot of our drugs come from. Imagine!
Nicely penned, Jay!
Cheers,
Kimbob
reply by the author on 08-Jan-2021
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Hi Jay,
Thanks for the blessings of "Peace, Health, Love, and both Inner and Outer Wealth/ in 2021!" Right back atcha!
I think Spring is a good time for new beginnings... not now, right after Cratchit's Christmas. I'll need 4 months to pay off the bills! But everyone is happy with their gifts. That's the main thing.
I don't even bother with resolutions anymore. I could never keep them. I don't think I ever made it a whole week.
Somehow 2020 got hitched to this miserable virus. Guilty by association! A serial killer... life in prison! No parole!
I like these lines,
"2020 was COVID-clad in a black cape!"
and,
"~robbed the world of more than 1.7 million people."
The countries of the world have to go after China! They've got to be made to clean up their act! I wish people would start BUYING LOCAL instead of "Made in China". But you know, that's where a lot of our drugs come from. Imagine!
Nicely penned, Jay!
Cheers,
Kimbob
Comment Written 08-Jan-2021
reply by the author on 08-Jan-2021
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I heard today that in all of China they had 82 (or it might have been 87) new cases of COVID. Our County, in California, on a bad day, has 500 + new cases. So they gave it to the world with a "no return option". Thanks, Kimbob, for reading and your detailed comments.
Comment from Veronica Grace
2020 was tough and you write so in a way that makes the endurance of it... almost dream-like, and not the nightmare it actually was. In the end you reflect the light at the end of the tunnel, as that flicker of hope felt... enter the new year. Beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
reply by the author on 07-Jan-2021
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2020 was tough and you write so in a way that makes the endurance of it... almost dream-like, and not the nightmare it actually was. In the end you reflect the light at the end of the tunnel, as that flicker of hope felt... enter the new year. Beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Comment Written 07-Jan-2021
reply by the author on 07-Jan-2021
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Thank you, Veronica. I was certainly not trying to underplay the nightmare that was 2020.
Comment from --Turtle.
Hi, Jay,
I read through this reflective self improvement. Where you resolved to not really get into resolution in your normal allotted time slot, all connects well with tradition, things we do to shed old skin and start again, and timing. And not really feeling it after years taken carving out the specific time slot activity. The tone and voice are entertaining and pleasing to read. The theme food for thought... as I fell asleep this year at 10pm before new years. With my daughter, on the floor. She made me sleep on the floor. uhg. I'm not as young as I used to be.
In truth, I did do a resolution before I fell asleep, but it was abstract and kind of singular this year, a theme over anything specific.
Do stuff, and enjoy it.
That's my theme for the year. I know it's going to be a continuation of a rough year. I don't want to fall into the trap of sitting on the couch binging reruns with my brain leaking out my ears. Hopefully my 2021 theme will remind me... hey... do stuff.... remember? There's stuff to do.
My few thoughts along the way:
and held up his free arm for silence.
(Nice intro, as it hooked curiosity as to what was done, and recognition that this was a year of something different happening)
two hours, hope fairly crackled with expectation.
(I'm too scattered for rituals... I rarely remember where I am most end of years. And this year... by 10 pm... I think I was in bed. : / On the floor. And not because I was drunk.)
--the god of self-acceptance, the god of inner peace.
(I like this, as it gives a sense of how many reflect and recast the new year as if the rollover will make changes)
I just didn't care.
(Oh, man... I feel that. Yeah... I also walked around knowing what day it was, and that I should be doing something, but... I was indifferent to doing it.)
The year itself had anthropomorphized into a deviate--a serial killer.
(Ha! I also feel this, that this year is blamed for so many things, but really, it
from the neck which he throttled like it was Medusa's, herself.
(I didn't watch the festivities, but I really like the similes and imagery you captured here.)
2020 into the black, soul-sucking universal abyss.
(I actually think 2020 was so rough... it's still 2020. It will be 2020 until 2022)
reply by the author on 07-Jan-2021
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Hi, Jay,
I read through this reflective self improvement. Where you resolved to not really get into resolution in your normal allotted time slot, all connects well with tradition, things we do to shed old skin and start again, and timing. And not really feeling it after years taken carving out the specific time slot activity. The tone and voice are entertaining and pleasing to read. The theme food for thought... as I fell asleep this year at 10pm before new years. With my daughter, on the floor. She made me sleep on the floor. uhg. I'm not as young as I used to be.
In truth, I did do a resolution before I fell asleep, but it was abstract and kind of singular this year, a theme over anything specific.
Do stuff, and enjoy it.
That's my theme for the year. I know it's going to be a continuation of a rough year. I don't want to fall into the trap of sitting on the couch binging reruns with my brain leaking out my ears. Hopefully my 2021 theme will remind me... hey... do stuff.... remember? There's stuff to do.
My few thoughts along the way:
and held up his free arm for silence.
(Nice intro, as it hooked curiosity as to what was done, and recognition that this was a year of something different happening)
two hours, hope fairly crackled with expectation.
(I'm too scattered for rituals... I rarely remember where I am most end of years. And this year... by 10 pm... I think I was in bed. : / On the floor. And not because I was drunk.)
--the god of self-acceptance, the god of inner peace.
(I like this, as it gives a sense of how many reflect and recast the new year as if the rollover will make changes)
I just didn't care.
(Oh, man... I feel that. Yeah... I also walked around knowing what day it was, and that I should be doing something, but... I was indifferent to doing it.)
The year itself had anthropomorphized into a deviate--a serial killer.
(Ha! I also feel this, that this year is blamed for so many things, but really, it
from the neck which he throttled like it was Medusa's, herself.
(I didn't watch the festivities, but I really like the similes and imagery you captured here.)
2020 into the black, soul-sucking universal abyss.
(I actually think 2020 was so rough... it's still 2020. It will be 2020 until 2022)
Comment Written 07-Jan-2021
reply by the author on 07-Jan-2021
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You think we have a whole 365 openings and closings, wakings and sleepings before we can skud this monster? I'm meditating. I'm getting closer to mid plus, mid minus, thought and no thought. When none of it will impinge.
Hey, you weren't far off one fella's mark with your generalized resolution. Read this: https://bit.ly/3s0CnJT
Turtle, as always, you are my writing's antennae. You let me know whether or not my intentions strike home. Thank you so very much for that.
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Ha! pretty cool. I guess I have a mantra for the year. Do stuff! (Next year I might have to zoom in on one stuff at a time... I'm a little scattered this year. December 37th 2020 ; p )
Comment from humpwhistle
As far as I can tell, 2021 is deeply related and beholden to 2020--though the test sample is yet a small one. Research tell us resolutions, by nd large, are doomed from the git go--tawdry sacrifices we make for the sake of breaking. Carson Daly and his ilk may be able to coax the ball down, but no one can dictate its ultimate roll.
It think it is wise for us to give up on half-hearted resolutions in favor of alcohol, empty calories, and predestined disappointment. Calendars are for those who don't wish to forget. I, on the other hand, prefer not to remember.
I'd have dropped into my chair at precisely 10 PM in heady readiness. I didn't.--Not sure about the grammar here, Jay, but I think 'I hadn't' sounds better than 'I didn't'.
Happy New Year, Jay.
Peace, Lee
reply by the author on 07-Jan-2021
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As far as I can tell, 2021 is deeply related and beholden to 2020--though the test sample is yet a small one. Research tell us resolutions, by nd large, are doomed from the git go--tawdry sacrifices we make for the sake of breaking. Carson Daly and his ilk may be able to coax the ball down, but no one can dictate its ultimate roll.
It think it is wise for us to give up on half-hearted resolutions in favor of alcohol, empty calories, and predestined disappointment. Calendars are for those who don't wish to forget. I, on the other hand, prefer not to remember.
I'd have dropped into my chair at precisely 10 PM in heady readiness. I didn't.--Not sure about the grammar here, Jay, but I think 'I hadn't' sounds better than 'I didn't'.
Happy New Year, Jay.
Peace, Lee
Comment Written 07-Jan-2021
reply by the author on 07-Jan-2021
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I didn't do it. I hadn't done it. You are right of course. Often you practice with Arthur Murray twenty years, but when the music starts you gotta go with the rhythm the jungle taught us. Thanks, friend Lee, for reading and responding. If we can just keep entertaining, courting smiles and gasps, I think both our years will be Happy, hadn't you? LOL, I don't know where that came from.
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Ah, I think entertaining is the operative word, for me, anyhow. Incidentally, Arthur Murray banned me for life. My feet's too big. L
Comment from judiverse
Those are lovely wishes--peace, health, love and inner and outer wealth. Wonderful New Year's wishes! I like your added thought about them taking up residence. It's interesting about your ritual of taking time to set forth your resolutions for the new year. I never even consider making them. If you missed your yearly ritual, it was for the best. Great description of 2020 being a serial killer. It has changed people's outlooks. I'm surprised Hoda and Jenna were up that late. I didn't even find anything good to watch on TV New Year's Eve. Once you reach a certain age, you might as well just settle for who you are. Happy New Year to you!
reply by the author on 06-Jan-2021
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Those are lovely wishes--peace, health, love and inner and outer wealth. Wonderful New Year's wishes! I like your added thought about them taking up residence. It's interesting about your ritual of taking time to set forth your resolutions for the new year. I never even consider making them. If you missed your yearly ritual, it was for the best. Great description of 2020 being a serial killer. It has changed people's outlooks. I'm surprised Hoda and Jenna were up that late. I didn't even find anything good to watch on TV New Year's Eve. Once you reach a certain age, you might as well just settle for who you are. Happy New Year to you!
Comment Written 06-Jan-2021
reply by the author on 06-Jan-2021
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Thank you, Judi. I always appreciate your thoughts
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You're very welcome. Here's hoping we have a better year ahead. We deserve it. judi