Or maybe less is more. But the more things change the more they remain they same. Or so it seems. Hell, I don’t know anymore. It’s all good, no complaints. This may be the worst start to a blog post in the history of poorly started blog posts here at LTG. So, let’s get on with it. Whatever it may be!
I’m reminded that time flies. It’s been 12 years since I played darts in this tournament in Seoul with one of my earliest dart mentors.
My life is pretty simple these days and that’s my choice. I have my routines and I’m maintaining a level of discipline that helps stave off getting lazy and completely unmotivated. I’m not unhappy with my choice to live here and although there are things I want and don’t have, it is easy to look around and see what a lucky bastard I truly am. Hell, I even have love in my life!
It gives me happiness to see how far Buddy has come from those first days after he was rescued from an abusive home and the trauma he experienced when he ran away from mine. He ain’t going anywhere now, that’s for sure.
Other dogs aren’t so lucky. Like this little guy:
I gave the pup some food and water this morning but it breaks my heart to see him like this. I’m thinking I’ll try and track down the owner and see if he is interested in selling his “pet”. Most dogs I see in these parts live a miserable life. You can’t save them all of course, but I might have room for one more in my house and in my heart.
And of course, I’m still walking my life away. A life I might not have if I wasn’t walking to maintain it. I guess that’s what you call a win-win. Yesterday I was out and about with the Wednesday Walkers group.
And that brings you up to date on my so-called life. More or less.
I am one of the searchers. There are, I believe, millions of us. We are not unhappy, but neither are we really content. We continue to explore life, hoping to uncover its ultimate secret. We continue to explore ourselves, hoping to understand. We like to walk along the beach, we are drawn by the ocean, taken by its power, its unceasing motion, its mystery and unspeakable beauty. We like forests and mountains, deserts and hidden rivers, and the lonely cities as well. Our sadness is as much a part of our lives as is our laughter. To share our sadness with one we love is perhaps as great a joy as we can know – unless it be to share our laughter.We searchers are ambitious only for life itself, for everything beautiful it can provide. Most of all we love and want to be loved. We want to live in a relationship that will not impede our wandering, nor prevent our search, nor lock us in prison walls; that will take us for what little we have to give. We do not want to prove ourselves to another or compete for love.
For wanderers, dreamers, and lovers, for lonely men and women who dare to ask of life everything good and beautiful. It is for those who are too gentle to live among wolves.”
― James Kavanaugh
UPDATE: Well I’ll be damned. I used the “More or Less” title once before in September 2013. It was a post about my darting exploits back when I was living (part time) in the USA. A lifetime ago.
*Actually, I do know her name but out of respect for her privacy, I’ve deleted it from this post. The picture of me and Petro will remain. And just for the record, a polite request goes a lot further with me than a rude demand.
I hope you have a chance to try the Alps someday. I’ve done very small parts of the Berner Oberland, not too far from the Swiss part of the Alps. It’s all quite majestic. I’ve also done mountains at the Taos Ski Valley in New Mexico; you start at 9200 feet, where the ski lodge is, and walk up to Williams Lake at 11000 feet. The air is thin enough to get an unconditioned person wheezing; my whole family had trouble merely climbing the hotel stairs during our first couple of days there; after a week, though, we had all gotten stronger and hardier thanks to the lack of oxygen. I can see why Olympic athletes engage in high-altitude training.
In terms of the view, though, nothing beats places like the Berner Oberland and the Alps. Those vistas can make you cry. On two occasions, I’ve hiked (and camped) around Lake Brienz, one of two lakes flanking the town of Interlaken, Switzerland. The view is incredible whether you’re looking up at the actual mountains or down at their perfect reflections in the lake. Unforgettable.
interesting. I’ve done some hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park and had a big headache which I attributed to the thin air. Got back to the car and almost immediately fell asleep. Good times!
Yeah, ol’ Gunter goes back home every summer to play in the “real” mountains. Who knows, maybe someday I’ll meet him there…
DELETE my photo immediately please.
I have never given you the permission to upload on your blog.
The Blue dress.
Delete my photo and my name IMMEDIATELY.
Ms. Yoon, I don’t need your permission to post anything on my personal blog. There is no name on the picture. Why does it bother you to see me with my friend Petro?
You changed the explanations of my photo but I still see my photos on your blog.
please DELETE all my photos and names from your blogs if you ever respect me.
Or you became one of those who lived in Asia too long, forgot how to respect others?
You may want to remember me.
But this is not the part, people (especially my child) see this image.
Why don’t you respect others’ opinions? and YES, you need my permission to upload my photos (you can just cut me out of photo). I ask you again, please delete all my photos.
SeHwa, if you had asked me in a polite and respectful manner I would have not had a problem with your request. Instead, you were rude and demanding. If you knew me at all you would know that I do not respond favorably to someone trying to tell what I have to do. If you want respect maybe you should try to give some respect. Or are you one of those people who have lived in New York so long you have forgotten how to be respectful?
And just to be clear–that photograph was taken in a public place with your knowledge and consent. I can, therefore, do with it whatever I please. I hope your kids NEVER read my blog because it is not written for children. I must admit I am very curious about why you object so much to that picture. It’s just three people standing there, not in a bar, not doing anything objectionable, with a nice view of Seoul Tower in the background. What’s the problem?
Anyway, since it bothers you so much and it doesn’t matter to me, I have removed your face from the photo. Happy now?