I’ve decided to take a break from the darting scene for a while. No issue with the game, I’ve been pretty happy with the way I’ve thrown lately. It’s more of a people issue, and of course, I’m one of those people. I’d been spending three and sometimes four nights a week at Alley Cats. It has been said that familiarity breeds contempt. In this case, it isn’t really contempt, rather more of a “what am I doing here?” feeling. There was one issue with one staff member, and another kind of issue altogether with someone else No big deal in either case, it just seemed to be a signal that it was time for a change of scenery.

The Facebook memories feature brought back a gem I had first posted nine years ago. Actually, it was this post of Kevin Kim’s from April 2005. I believe that was right around the time I discovered his blog and this remains one of my all-time favorites from this gifted writer. I hope you’ll indulge me if I post the full text here (that’s what I originally did on FB):

I was sitting under a tree, feeling glum.

The tree asked, “What’s up?”

I said, “You know, I’ve done things I’m proud of, and things I’m not proud of.”

The tree said, “It sounds to me like you’ve got something specific in mind.”

“Yeah,” I said. “Just some things I’ve said and done recently which are bothering me.”

“I’m only a tree,” the tree said, “but I’ve been sitting in this spot for centuries, collecting wisdom from all over. Tell me what’s on your mind and maybe I can offer some insight.”

“OK,” I said, heaving a sigh. “Let’s say you’ve gotten into a fight with someone.”

“A female someone?” the tree asked slyly.

I smiled. “Yeah, a female someone. And let’s say that… well… you both said things you regret. Things you might have meant, or might not.”

“You’re not sure if you meant what you said?” asked the tree.

“No, I’m not. I really don’t know,” I replied. “I sure as hell meant them the night I said them, but now…”

“Now you think that maybe you had your head up your knothole,” said the tree wisely.

“Yeah, that’s about the size of it. But I’m still angry, see. She said some awful things that night, and it wasn’t just that night, but the night before, too. I think she meant what she’d said.”

“I see. Have you thought about simply forgiving and forgetting? Have you thought about apologizing for what you said?” asked the tree.

“Apologizing? Forgiving? Forgetting?” I asked, incredulous. “Tree, I don’t think I’m there yet. And the last things I said and wrote to her were… well, they pretty much killed any possibility of further dialogue.”

“So it seems. You strike me as something of an arrogant bastard, if you don’t mind my saying so,” said the tree.

I kept silent. The tree seized the opportunity to keep talking:

“Did you ever see that movie, Karate Kid 2?” the tree asked.

“Yeah, I remember it,” I said.

“Remember the beginning of the movie, when Mister Miyagi has the chance to kill that evil karate instructor, but he doesn’t?”

“Yeah. Pretty cool,” I said.

“Daniel-san asks him why he didn’t do it. Do you recall Mister Miyagi’s answer?”

I racked my brains. Then it hit me.

“He said, ‘For man with no forgiveness in heart, living worse punishment than death,'” I quoted. I looked up at the tree. “Are you saying I should forgive her, anyway?”

“You’re pretty good at quoting movie lines, aren’t you. Yeah; try some unilateral forgiveness,” suggested the tree.

I was angry again. “But she doesn’t think she did anything wrong,” I said, staring into the branches above me.

“And you don’t think you did anything wrong, either, do you?” asked the tree.

“I gave her so much, and she kicked me in the damn head,” I snarled.

“The selfsame head that’s stuck up your knothole?” grinned the tree.

I simply glared at the ground. It’s hard to take when a vegetable is dispensing wisdom you don’t want to hear.

The tree pressed its advantage. “Just a little while ago, you expressed regret for things you’ve said and done. At least we know you’re feeling sorry, even if you are still angry.”

“So?” I asked.

“So,” said the tree, “that’s your starting point.”

“I don’t get it,” I said.

“That’s because men are perennially stupid,” sighed the tree.

I looked up. “You’re not a guy? Not some fatherly wisdom figure?”

“Deep wisdom is always female,” laughed the tree.

“Women are fucked in the head,” I said. “They say one thing, they mean another, they don’t make any rational sense.”

“And there’s your problem in a nutshell,” said the tree. “You’re looking for sense. Do you think you can be philosophical about matters of the heart?”

“No,” I admitted. “A man can try, but… ultimately, no.”

“So– back to that starting point we talked about. I don’t know her side of the story, but it sounds to me like you’ve got some regrets. Do me a favor, would you? Try this. Stand up.”

I stood up, somewhat reluctantly.

“The wind is going to blow hard in a second,” said the tree. “When it does, just shout I’m sorry into it.”

I didn’t want to do this.

“Trust me,” the tree said, apparently reading my mind. “It’ll make you feel better.”

A slight breeze caressed my face, then began to build.

“You ready?” asked the tree. I nodded.

The wind picked up, turned harsh. The tree’s leaves rustled and its branches writhed violently. It was like watching some mysterious, inhuman struggle.

“Do it!” boomed the tree.

“I’M SORRY!” I shouted.

“The wind is still blowing! Do it again!” shouted the tree.

“I’M SORRY!” I shouted.

“Come on, keep it up! You’re making progress!” exhorted the tree.

I’m sorry…
I’m sorry…
I’m sorry…

I shouted until I was hoarse. Then I finally slumped down. I felt intensely pained, but strangely relieved. It was a bizarre, paradoxical feeling.

The wind ended.

“Not bad,” said the tree, thoroughly impressed. “Maybe the wind will carry your message to her.”

“Maybe,” I said. What was I hoping for?

“If the message reaches her, what’ll you do?” asked the tree.

I thought for a bit. “I don’t know,” I said honestly. “I really don’t know.”

A soft breeze rustled the tree. I thought I could hear its smile.

“One day at a time,” the tree whispered. “Just take it one day at a time.”

Yep, one day at a time. That’s how I’m trying to live my life.

Speaking of Facebook and their ilk, I enjoyed posting this there today:

So, the time I’m not spending in Alley Cats needs to be spent elsewhere. Last night, that elsewhere began at Dive In. Alright, I had to buy some vape supplies, so I was on that side of town anyway. And yes, I craved the delightful company of Jessa. She didn’t disappoint. She joined me for drinks (that’s her job after all) and we engaged in our usual chat and banter. I was the only customer, so we had total discretion in selecting the music videos. I was in a country music kind of mood and enjoyed introducing the youngsters to the kind of music my dad would play after a hard day at work; namely Marty Robbins and Patsy Cline. I reckon they had to indulge me seeing as how I was buying the drinks. I also went next door and got them a roast chicken to go with their noodle-like meal. Now, that’s what I call a good time!

I popped into It Doesn’t Matter for a couple more beers and lady drinks for Roan, then headed over to The Pub for my Wednesday wings, Korean-style, of course. Yeah, I’m living large, but why shouldn’t I? Turns out, I’m rich!

I’ve mentioned before that sometimes living here in a small town with other old expats feels like being in a retirement community. But one with some special perks and benefits I wouldn’t find back home in the USA. This picture I think captures those differences quite well.

Alright, I promised you some photos from yesterday’s hike and here they are. It was a nice, flat, 8.6 kilometer hike through the Naugsol valley. Thanks to Scott for a lot of these:

That’s my story for Wednesday. My Thursday story will include a trip out to the Baloy Beach neck of the woods. See you tomorrow!