Phillip Wilson

Amazingly, I survived my Life
2011-09-30 00:02:32 (UTC)

2001 REVIEW (PART THIRTY-TWO)

13 February-31 December, Childersburg/Sylacauga, AL (continues)

As to that question, why is it that some people seem to stay busy in the entertainment business while other are almost always idle? And to make matters worse, the former are usually much less possessed of talent than the former. It seems unfair. And it is unfair. However, it takes a lot of hustling to “fill up the schedule ca__,” either by the actor/performer her- or himself, or, as is most often the case, a personal manager. The b___ performers don’t have are not just represented by an agent: They have personal managers that almost go from “door to door” hawking their “product.” A professional actor/entertainer is usually not nearly as good as a top-notched amateur! Actors/entertainers: One can be lousy and be a “success,” if one knew a “seller” that was on call “24/7.”

(acerca 2:26 P.M.) “I am disappointed, but not discouraged!” So spoke James O’conner, the gentleman caller, to Laura, during a discussion in “The Glass Menagerie.” The conversation was about the time since high school. I, too, am terribly disappointed that my future has turned out as it has, but I am not discourage yet: Although I am quickly becoming so. And when I do, I doubt if I will be able to live with it. This is why I want to get as much down in my journal as I can before discouragement stops my pen forever!
There are just so many Second Chances available: Alas, not enough to go around! There are only enough Second Chances for every 3 or 4 people out of ten. And what happens is this: Strips of paper are put into a box, some blank, some with “Second Chance” in bold letters written on the paper. Everyone draws a strip: There are many more losers than there are winners! As luck would have it, I am a loser!

(acerca 3:54 P.M.) It’s hard to explain, but in juggling a “Fountain” display, the forearm and the wrist flip are not equal movements for obtaining the necessary balance for a good display. The forearm must articulate two or three times more than the flip of the wrist. It is almost as of the elbow is a block and tackle pulley. That’s the secret: To find the proper ratio (forearm movement/wrist flip). That’s the best I can tell you at this writing. But you can be sure that I will keep you abreast of my research!
Usually when I practice in the house I listen to Classical music via public radio (WBHM). Not only does it help juggling, I become better acquainted with an aspect of the humanities.
Amanda Wingfield, the mother in “The Glass Menagerie,” feels the loss of an exciting past, as most people do. This desire for what was good impacts her present. Me, I take the opposite view: The horror of my past and a desperate desire to do life better impacts my present. The fact that I can’t is almost unbearable! I could easily rise above it, if people would only let me. And if circumstances weren’t stacked against me! I can well understand why recidivism is so uncontrollable: Once a person learns a money-making “crime,” she or he has no choice but to fall back on it, given that society refuses to allow that “ex-con” a “legitimate” outlet for a non-criminal method of earning a living! Crime doesn’t pay? Yeah, right!

(21st, About 7:55 A.M.) Late last week – or was it Monday evening? – there was a news package on the local news – Fox 6? – concerning people donating their hair to children undergoing chemo-therapy that needed real-hair wigs. What better, than, could Deah’s hair had gone for once the fleece was removed from her as it was early yesterday evening? Although I must say, her former hair would have made a funny-looking wig! Indeed, instead of a hairpiece for a child with cancer, might I suggest a wig for a picture book, painted face clown?
Deanna did it for $25 for what is most likely the final hair removal this year. From about 5:00 P.M. to about 7:00 P.M. For about 1 hour and 15 minutes I waited at Kayla’s house, but home before Joyce supplied the transportation to the groomers on Coleman Bridge Road.
Let me tell you, it is horrible having to rely on others for transportation! I realized Joyce can’t see clearly to drive at night – neither can I – but I had hoped to have Deah de-haired Saturday morning. In fact the day had been set aside for such, although Joyce stated that I should “check” with her beforehand in case she had other plans. At the time she didn’t.

(acerca 8:37 A.M.) It was Tuesday (not yesterday but a week ago yesterday) evening when I had made the appointment with Deanna; and it was that same Tuesday evening, but later, that Joyce told me to check with her the next time.
It was either the following day or Thursday that “other plans” came into being: David would bring his pick-up truck down for an oil change. He had a 9:30 A.M. appointment at the Toyota place in Sylacauga. Deanna had originally set-aside 10:00 A.M. for Deah, but Joyce hinted by phone one morning (she was at work) that it would be best if I counted on 10:30 A.M. So I called Deanna and moved the appointment up a half-hour.
Saturday came: And David came.

(acerca 4:12 P.M.) I wanted, subconsciously, to have a child with Anita Matlow? If NOVA (8-9:00 P.M., P.B.S.) yesterday evening can be believed, the urge to procreate is a major, major driving force in m_n (and I don’t men Man!)!
I don’t think so! But thank you for trying, anyway!
In a program dealing with “Life’s Greatest Miracle,” the “birds and the bees” was explained and depicted – visually everything but the, you know. Even an actual birth was shown! What a great baby picture that will be when the baby grows up!
Of course, Anita wanted a child with me: But only so I would have to financially support it, and she would use some of the money for herself. She even went as far as to test herself with a home pregnancy test, which cost, if I remember, nine or ten dollars!
If NOVA is correct, no wonder intellectual, “classy” people make terrible mistakes in choosing a mate! It is atavism at its worse!
I have heard this theory before: That rape is “forced” upon man because something inside him makes him want to pass on his “seed.” Most people – and Joyce is included, when this theory was proclaimed over the airways of television, she and I both disavowed it, insisting that rape was violence against women. But were we, like most thinking people, refusing to acknowledge the bestial drive in humankind? Does the truth offend the so-called “superior animal”? Maybe this is how it was when Darwin made his evolution claim?
Anyway, the NOVA show was very technical: And very interesting! I hope to see the episode many more times: As usual with NOVA documentaries, it was so “loaded” with information that over half of it didn’t register. And reproductive science is something we all need: It is the only thing we share in common – Orientals, Caucasians, African Americans, etc.
Keeping the Tv set in my room on public television, I also watched LIVING EDENS (9-10:00 P.M.): It was a documentary about “Glacier Bay: Alaska’s Wild Coast.” After the NOVA “shocker” – so graphic at times that I felt it – it was a relief to see the birth process of icebergs and salmon. And to be reduced by nature, an “instinct” that, atavistic it may be, is one that we all should be proud to carry around with us. One that __body should be afraid to face.
I was familiar with SECERTS OF THE PHARAOHS (10-11:00 P.M., P.B.S.) – an investigation of the people who built the pyramids. However, the more times I am confronted with the data, the stronger will be my acquaintance with ancient Egyptian history. And as a humanist, it is essential that I have a solid foundation of that subject.
Let’s not be concerned about the JAG episode (7-8:00 P.M., C.B.S.) that I watched in the Family Room: It just happened. So please don’t hold it against me!

(acerca 5:23 P.M.) It was a tad on the cool side this afternoon: the upper-50-degrees (F). Phoebus saw to that by keeping the Clouds away from the sky and allowing Winter space to maneuver. As Phoebus did with the “stage” yesterday evening: It was as if the stars were begging me to re-acquaint myself with Them! By all rights I should: I am a fool for not doing so! As Zobra the Greek said, “If a ‘woman’ ask you to bed and you don’t accept, that is the biggest sin!” (Or was it Zobra the Greek that said that?)
Haven’t I failed to make the most of opportunities in the past? Isn’t that the reason I am in the shape I am in today? So why am I holding back now? I may as well combine walking Deah, smoking a cigarette, and stargazing late at night: Maybe the latter will cancel the middle.
Returning to the tale of the Shaggy Dog: 10:30 A.M. came Saturday morning, and Joyce and David were not back. At about 10:40 A.M., I was just about to telephone Deanna – I had the cordless in my right hand walking down the hall to my room – when she contacted me. I laid on her a tale that my “meeting” or some such nonsense was longer than I had expected. I apologized several times and cancelled the apointment, tentatively rescheduling for what was then next week. Deanna told me that she had a couple of other clients that day (Saturday) that she could “move up,” and so my no-show was no inconvenience.
I had answered the telephone after the first ring, hopefully convincing Deanna that I really had been fixing to contact her.

(acerca 6:00 P.M.) A few seconds after I had “hung” up the phone, Joyce and David walked in: The “appointment” that had been arranged for the oil change in David’s pick-up truck hadn’t been honored, and they had left after an hour of no service. I revealed to Joyce the news of my cancellation. Of course she and granny really wanted to go up to David’s place near Inverness anyway, and the cancellation was ta__lly welcomed news.
I confirmed a re-scheduled appointment for Deah Monday evening for the following evening (yesterday). Joyce said she would be willing to take the dog that evening (Monday), but it was around 6:30 P.M. already when Deanna responded to an earlier-in-the day message I had left on her Voice Mail. So why was Joyce so “semi-bitchy” about driving in the dark yesterday evening?

(22nd, About 8:18 A.M.) Yesterday morning I couldn’t figure out why granny kept asking if I was ready: Usually when she and I keep Kayla, it is only a matter of showering and getting ready while Kayla and granny are playing.
Come to find out, and unbeknownst to me (Leslie and granny had earlier in the morning made the plans via the telephone), we would be supervising Kayla over at her house: Shortly before 7:00 A.M., granny stood on the other side of the door to my room and shouted, “She’s here!” I thought she meant that Kayla had arrived. So I rushed out of my room sockless and shoeless. I quickly found out that “She’s here!” meant that Leslie was in the driveway, driving her car, with Kayla, waiting to take us to her house. As fast as I could I dressed my feet. Once in the front passenger seat of the car – and seat belted in – I explained to Leslie my dilatory response to her summons. Of course she well knew of and appreciated the reason that was beyond my control.
Around 12:45 P.M., Leslie carried me to the house where I walked Deah in the backyard, then to downtown. At Hardee’s, specifically, where I dined on a double cheezeburger (99 cents) and a 44 ounze drink (99 cents). The tea tasted like weeks-old, the sweetened so loaded with sugar that it was sickening, and the coke of questionable quality. No wonder there was a drink sale!
A pack of cigarettes from the nearby convenient store, where unleaded gasoline (regular) is 99.9 cents a gallon for the first time in a long time, started off my non-food buying. I continued at Dollar General: From there I purchased four birthday cards ($2), two four-pack of “C” X-tra Heavy Duty batteries ($2), and a gift for David (a socket wrench set for $5).
Then it was on to the library, where I looked over my e-mail account, only to find that all my incoming messages for the past week were just “Spam.” This is usually the case, so I wasn’t saddened or angered. Before leaving the library, though, I “borrowed” a pocket-size paper back copy of Tennessee Williams’ “The Glass Menagerie.” Then, after getting two 34-cent stamps from the across street post office, I started the walk home.

(acerca 9:20 A.M.) I was in a hurry to get home to my honey (Deah)! So I walked all the way from the library without even touching a can or plastic bottle, never mind collecting either! However I did have to make two stops to expel the pressure on my bladder: Don’t worry! The two interruptions were in “wooded area,” away from “hungry eyes”!
The weather was cool; however after a while it was hot. That’s what happens during a 2-3 miles hike. But all the pre-arrangements that “appeared” to have been made for the walk ended up seeing fruition.

(acerca 10:05 A.M.) “Inside the Vatican” was the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SPECIAL (8-9:00 P.M., P.B.S.) yesterday evening: The history of the Catholic Church is not something that I would normally research. However, as a humanist, the development of religion and the part it played in society down through the ages are facts that I should have at last a conversational familiarity with. And this program provided me with such.
LOVE BOAT (7-8:00 P.M., TV Land) and LATE NIGHT WITH DAVID LETTERMAN (10:30-11:30 P.M., C.B.S.), along with the usual local news and night-time game shows, provided the visual background to personal planning and Family bonding.

(acerca 12:39 P.M.) For some reason, Leslie handed me a $20-bill early yesterday afternoon, as she took me downtown. I reminded her that yesterday had been the only morning of Kayla-keeping this week. She said take the $20 anyway. As I said before, I am a charity case for Leslie: She, as do most people, feels sorry for me.
The pain in my right shoulder and upper part of the upper arm is becoming so bad, Sleep avoids me. I suppose this means that I should develop a left-to-right Fountain: I may as well have a matching of hurtful shoulders!
I was not sanguine as to a passable Thanksgiving Day weather-wise. But today is surpassing all my expectations: The lower-60-degrees (F) is laying a great foundation for a beautiful afternoon. Phoebus adds the frills. Even the few Cloud patches are welcomed components.
Before last Saturday afternoon recedes too much, let me say something about it: Boy was it quiet when I took Deah on a walk! It was almost like a ghost town! The reason? The Iron Bowl: The annual football clash between the University of Alabama and Auburn University. It just so happened that the former beat the latter 31-7; but was everyone dropped out of life to watch the game on television?

(acerca 1:59 P.M.) When he was young, the late big band and pop singer Mel Tome was skinny; but when got older, he “blowed” up. Is that what happening to me? As recent as 1999 in Tallahassee, FL, my rapid metabolism kept me thin. “Them” days are gone forever, as is my rapid metabolism. I am unable to snap or zipper the waist band of most of my trousers. Is a midriff bulge the price I must pay for a renewal of life? If indeed this is the case, then I should be proud to have the “enlarged growth” in the middle of my body, right? The truth of the matter is that I have no idea how to react to it. No doubt I look like a straw with a marble struck in the middle of it! Maybe now my naked body will be welcome in a life drawing class!
Remember the African American male in the early- and mid-1980’s – he was or had been UAB’s Student Government Association President – who had “agreed” to serve as my personal manager? His name was Howard Johnson and he may have been sincerely interested in selling my services: He may have been aware of a lucrative business potential. Or maybe he, too, was only patronizing me. We will never know. Surely if Howard had been interested in forming a p__tnership he would have seen that I was not capable of doing business and would have been more forceful about taking over and assuming control of my failed marketing! But of course I doubt very much if Mr. Johnson really was interested in me except as someone to humor! I wonder where I would be if I had been in shape for arranging this business connection?

(23rd, About 7:54 A.M.) The images came like this (as usual, I was only semi-asleep; and the list may not necessarily be in the order that the images actually appeared): A busy urban commercial district; Exiting from under an archway of a building (the left of the “frame”); a bank or something with a hallway that “ran” from bottom left to mid-center. A restroom was aparently at the end (top center), because I think I was near undress as I traveled the hall; Aseated at a table (on the left) of some establishment. Later I was walking down the street when I remembered that I had left my umbrella at that place; I was in line around a typical half-cage (top) – (money changers?). The wall “extension” was on the left. I was handed something and turned it over to another male (younger and taller than I. He angrily said to me something like, “Get you hands off my things!” or “Don’t touch my things! He was walking stage left (right) to stage right (left), “upstage” of me. I no longer can repeat verbatim what passed between this man and me, but there was strong words. I do recall calling the man a “Mother Fucker!” Once the latter term had left my mouth, the “dream” came to an end (I think). Where was I? What business did I have? Whose house was I leaving? Who was that man with whom I had an verbal altercation? Will I ever find out the answers? Or should I try to figure out, before it becomes too late, this riddle: For it may very well be my “future” talking to me!
I think it was Lifetime that presented back-to-back showings of the old TV hit GOLDEN GIRLS. One of the mid-afternoon re –broadcasted episodes had the character played by Bea Arthur stating that parents are never satisfied no matter how much a person does to please them. And that children don’t choose the parents they get, but must learn to deal with the ones they are given. Apparently my filial desaster is not unique: After all, it found voice in a sit-com monoloque. But can anything be done about the situation?

(acerca 9:00 A.M.) A most welcome sight: Rain! And lots of it! There was drops of water on Joyce’s car this morning when I led Deah on her matutinal walk: So I interpreted that to mean an early morning Waterfall. And now there is no doubt about it: Rain will be a major part of this day. Just in time too: The area was becoming dried out.
The fact that I came to realize what Doug Green was doing to me was an earth-shattering event for me, and went a long way in my development. To turn my back on Steve and Mary Holt once and for all is one of the better moves I have ever done. That I was able to avoid a future entanglement with Vic and Barbara Camillo says worlds about my emotional direction I was headed for. As monumental as the above revelations were, noting – nothing! – “moved me” as finaly knowing and accepting for the person she is! It was my final loss of innocence, a step that needed taking years ago. No wonder my emotional inmaturity has been so protracted!

(acerca 10:10 A.M.) As did the majority of families, there was a celebratory diner at this house yesterday morning. Bill, Leslie, and Kayla came over. David came down. The usual turkey and dressing were a part of the holiday menu.
Next Tuesday is David’s birthday, so we honored it yesterday.
Around noon, Kayla was taken home to nap. Around 4:00 P.M., she was brought back, all rested and refreshed.
Kayla is typical: Her Terrible Three’s period has her over active and “semi-independent” in behavior. Joyce was insistent that Kayla was brought back over, yet she becomes upset when the child displays the Terrible Three behavior. She yells at the kid. Worse of all, Joyce uses Leslie and/or Bill as punishment: She threatens to telephone her parents in an attempt to modify Kayla’s behavior. And yesterday evening Joyce stated (we were all – Joyce, Kayla, granny, and me – sitting at the kitchen table, clockwise from Joyce’s place [her back to the front wall, parallel to Princeton Drive]) that Kayla would have to go home by 8:00 P.M.: That was when C.S.I. (C.B.S.) came on.
Kayla departed around 7:20 P.M. and C.S.I. was watched.
Remember in late-1999 or early-2000, over at Kayla’s house, when granny was saddened and sitting away from Kayla? She told me that Joyce wanted control of Kayla and all of her attention. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but now I realize that it was one of the few times that granny had been right. “Children are not things to mold, but people to unfold” should be repeated by Joyce over and over again!

(acerca 12:05 P.M.) I may not have learned much in graduate school, but I did have it brought home to me that a humanist should be well-versed in film history and film’s impact on American and world culture. To that end I “took in” FRONTLINE (9-10:00 P.M., P.B.S.) yesterday evening: It “exposed” how monetary concerns runs the film industry. It made me realized how many people have been ignored by the business, or have avoided a connection with it, who could have made a valuable contribution to it. I am not alone in my “What should have been . . .” predictament. The program made me realize, too, how lucky I was and that I did make entertainment history for a few short years. So I can leave off on the whining: The vast majority of people, otherwise talented, never even come close to the opportunities afforded me. No: What’s brothering me really is independent of my artistic output. And when I find out what it is, I will let you know!
I must learn to separate my clowning past from that “other.”
I don’t remember being afflicted by sleep problems in Tallahassee or Tuscaloosa – even Louisville! So why now? I awoke around 5:00 A.M. and was unable to re-establish a relationship with Sleep: Was it the force of the “dream” that overpowered Sleep? Something’s going on, that’s for sure! I suppose it is better that my sleep disorder has a starring role now than if and when I relocate!

(acerca 3:28 P.M.) Juggling needed doing, piano-practice hasn’t been carried out in a while. So what did I do when Joyce and granny were away from the house early this afternoon: I napped for over 2 ½ hours! Of the three – juggling, piano-practice, napping – which did I need the most? Well the question should be in what order did I need them: For all three were and two still are raising quite a stinck. I was hoping to get to the juggling and piano-practice urges after I satisfied Nap, but the bed kept me between the sheets longer than the “scheduled” time.
At the moment, Rain seems to be napping too. However, the sky remains as It found Sky: Heavy, wall-to-wall Clouds. Surprisingly, the day hasn’t been so weakened by Rain that Cold easily finds a hold! Rather, Cold appears to have given day the support and encouragement It needed for an upper-50-degrees (F) afternoon.
Body hinted and pleaded for sleep, but I didn’t realize the former was that deprived! Maybe juggling and piano-practice will understand what I had to do, and not be too angry with me!

(acerca 4:33 P.M.) A gloomy, dreary day. In more ways than one. I have already told you about the weather, having left out the part about the falling leaves, curtisey of Zephyr. And now it seems that 1-866-823-7404, extension 225, a telephone listing for Wildlife or Postal Jobs that made up a part (Page 10) of the Employment Guide, Birmingham Edition, for the week of November 19-26, 2001. Having called the “agency” twice, I was informed the first time (morning) that a credit or debit card (checking account) was required. Too stupid to see the connection between any wildlife job and a checking account, I answered that I didn’t have either. I was, therefore, not allowed to proceed.
The second call was made about twenty minutes ago. This time I acknowledged my checking account. The Customer Service Representative, a male, was soft-spoken: I could barely make out his speech. In fact, only 40-50 % of the words registered. However I did hear, “If you are not employed, there is a complete refund.”, though not an exact quote. Warning lights flashed before my eyes. When he asked me what check number I would be using, I asked him if I had to pay for information. I was told that information wasn’t sent to me, and, yes, a deposit was required. Realizing full well that it was all a racket – complete refund my ass! – I said “Thank you” and abruptly ended the conversation. Undoubtedly it was a “company” that took advantage of unemployed people’s desperation and I want no part of the scheme! If I must be exploited, it will be where my chances of getting a job are better! The very idea!

(acerca 10:01 P.M.) “Yes, until there’s a war. That’s when adventure becomes available to the masses.” So speaks Tom Wingfield to Jim O’Conner in scene VI of “The Glass Menagerie.” This is why otherwise non-American-acting people are in favor of military action in Afganistan: It doesn’t have anything to do with getting rid of terrorism. Most people live pathetic, uneventful, and unproductive lives and the September 11th attack is giving them something to do, a diversion from their pathetic, uneventful lives. The attack also provides what they think is justification for their h_noophobic mindset, a mindset that they know, “deep down,” is unchristian” and opposed to what use the be the American way of life. However, before the Administration “rubs its hand in glee,” keep in mind that such foundations for jingoism quickly fade away.
This war also gives people an excuse to kill and hate, including and especially the police!
There was no way I was going to make it three days in a row: For the first time since Tuesday, juggling took up some of my day. Two 17-18 minute sessions between 5:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M. in fact.

(24th, About 8:__ A.M.) The United States government didn’t believe the Taliban when it said that it had no idea where Osama bin Laden was, immediately after the September 11th attack. So why is the United States government quick to believe the Taliban now when it confirms the report that the top aide to bin Laden has been killed? Surely the war planners are aware that the deputy is possibly alive and well, and that this confirmation may be a ruse? I realize that the Bush Administration is using this anti-terrorist campaign for political purposes, in spite of what it may claim to the contrary. But is it that desperate for a victory that it would be so deceptive to the American people? It has happened before: One only has to look at the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution in early August of 1964: President had to find some way to fulfil his promise (to business leaders? the military? the conservatives? in exchange for civil rights legislations?) to fight in Vietnam. Doesn’t George W. Bush realize that such a political strategy usually back fires?

(acerca 12:39 P.M.) The Bush Administration plans to go after other countries that have terrorists-in-residence. All countries are home to terrorists: I doubt if the United States will get by with singling out fifty or so!
“The Storm is a-coming! The Storm is a-coming!” You reckon Zephyr is a modern Paul Revere-figure, warning of the approach of bad weather? The invasion is from the west – whenever it gets here.
WASHINGTON WEEK (9:00-9:30 P.M., P.B.S.) was the centerpiece of my day yesterday. PROVIDENCE (7-8:00 P.M., N.B.C.) AND THIEVES (8-9:00 P.M., A.B.C.) were also featured in the Family Room yesterday evening.
Correction: WASHINGTON WEEK wasn’t the centerpiece of my day so much as it was the television highlight of my day. MURDER SHE WROTE (A and E) was also an entry into the top TV Shows of 23 November, as was SUPERMARKET SWEEP and SHOP ‘TILL YOU DROP (5:00-5:30 P.M., 5:30-6:00 P.M., 6-6:30 P.M., PAX).
Kayla was a guest for about three hours this morning and early afternoon. A much welcome guest!

(acerca 1:17 P.M.) 68-degrees (F) in Birmingham: So this is not a mix-up by Winter Weather. It may be a temper tantrum thrown by Spring in an attempt at Fall serving It an Eviction Notice.
I don’t count sheep when I can’t fall asleep. Nor do I count my blessings (which wouldn’t take long, anyway.). What I do to attrack Sleep is bound to be different than what “normal” people do: I practice mime. I did that years ago and it brought on “success.” So I wonder: Is the déjà-vu an avoidance of what will inevitably a horrible future, or is the nocturnal mime games a sign that life is returning to me in all its glory?
I have crossed my Second Loss of Innocence: Since at least the late-1980’s, it has been clear that a “friendship” didn’t exist among Steve and Mary, and me. The three of us have __t less than a dozen times in the interim thinking that maybe we could re-ignite the relationship. But things are too far gone for such to ever happen. I understand now the futility of trying. I accept the reality of the inevitable at last. And that was probably the final blockage to my development: Could it be that the Second Loss of Innocence – or the completion of the first and only loss of innocence – is what is meant by male menopause?

(acerca 2:26 P.M.) Last Tuesday afternoon I called UNIPAC, the holder of my student loan. College Loan Corporation, which ___ my undergraduate and graduate consolidated loans, is a part of that organization. It’s a “900” number in order to contact the Loan Consolidation Program by telephone, and a “900” call incurs a charge. Being opposed to that, I contracted a Customer Service Representative at the no-charge toll free number of 1-888-486-4722. I explained to the female answerer that I was hoping to have a copy of the promisory note o’kaying consolidation sent to me - I had requested such via telephone 4-5 weeks ago – but since I hadn’t received one, I explained the reason that I needed to look at the promisory note: I did not sign it, and if it has been signed, somebody forged my signature. The female told me that she would forward me a copy of the promisory note. UNIPAC has already paid my graduate school loan of nearly $20,000, so if there was a forgery, most likely UNIPAC will be stuck with that former Sallie Mae Servicing loan and the undergraduate loan of $10,000 plus that I contracted with it back in 1994. Let’s see how this legal battle plays out.
Thunder, Lightning: All because Electrical Storm is jealous of the attention given to Tornado! It wants to remind people that It, too, is a force to be reckoned with!

(acerca 2:59 P.M.) I have a visual image of working at a Sears store for a day or two. But, try though I may, I can’t remember what city had me doing such a thing: Was I getting jobs through a Day Labor agency?
I have a feeling that this Sears employment connection was within the last eight years. But I really can’t tell you anymore about it: Maybe I wrote it up in this journal, but that’s not to be relied on.
Thunder and Lightning are being escorted by Rain in a triumphal parade through town. And until the parade passes, Deah is stuck in the house.

(acerca 4:49 P.M.) It is better if a married couple waits 5 or more years before having a child: If only to insure that the marriage is “strong.” It usually takes that long, at least, to determine the compatibility of the couple. The last thing that should be done is to bring a child into an unfit family environment! To rely on a child as the only means to “cement,” so to speak, the marital bond is nothing short of child abuse! No wonder there are so many broken homes if – and it is – this policy is as widespread – the woman becoming pregnant right off the bat, or even before marriage – as it is! Give the foundation of family time to be built for heaven’s sake!
As for the dry conditions in this area: That has been taken care of this afternoon. And ha_ it ever! Many places had an uninvited guest: Tornado. Of course, Princeton Drive was finally cleaned – only to be littered with leaves, the Leaf Fall sponsored by Zephyr.

(25th, About 8:19 A.M.) The arm opposite the surface of the mattress is above your head, and the hand, palm down, is 50-degrees or so from your nose; the forearm is “parallel” to the wall; the elbow is cocked. The arm of the side of the body that is in contact with the mattress is pointing down, palm up, the arm is relaxed, 45-degrees or so from the lower body. One is almost lying on one’s stomach, if not for that arm closest to the mattress.
The leg of the hip making contact with the mattress is “straight,” an extension of the upper body. The other leg sticks out by the knee, the thigh 60-degrees or so from the parallel, the lower leg straight hanging down from the knee.
I can’t believe that I am having to describe step-by-step, the position that attrac_s the best sleep! But if I keep this method in mind, I shouldn’t experience the sleep problems I have been having. Whatever helps, no matter how childish it seems!
It is important, for some reason, that I include in my day, two sessions of juggling at least fifteen minutes in length. On normal days, of course, the practice schedule is “more standard” (whatever that means); but yesterday, being a non-normal day, brought out the two “mandatory” training in the evening.

(about 9:56 A.M.) Today is apologizing for what Tornado did yesterday. A beautiful, heart-felt apology that we gladly accept. A bouquet of Shine is extended to us. The Clouds are not being allowed to gather. Zephyr is banned from the area. A soothing Coolness comforts us. It is as if yesterday never occurred. But can 25th of Month XI really convince people that the 24th of Month XI never happened, that we only think it did? However, we have proof that yesterday did, indeed, hook up with Storm – video tape – to rape and pillage the area! Seeing is believing!
The television I watched yesterday evening – all in the Family Room – probably destroyed as many brain cells as Tornado did buildings: THE DISTRICT 9-10:00 P.M., C.B.S.) TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL (8-9:00 P.M., C.B.S.), RELIC HUNTER (7-8:00 P.M., WB), and WHEEL OF FORTUNE (6:30-7:00 P.M., FOX). Of course, a lot of coverage of the severe weather being experienced in this area was “taken in” throughout the afternoon.

(acerca 10:34 A.M.) For many years I have associated the German city of Worms with Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation. It was only in graduate school, however, that I learned of Wittenberg and October 31, 1517. And it is only with the McGiffert biography that I am currently reading that I became familiar with the difference between Wittenberg – where Luther posted the 95 Thesis – and Worms – where Luther was excommunicated five (?) years later. But Worms: It is pronounced “Vorms,” the German “W” being voiced as a “V.” I will never forget, however, the Dr. David Darst, the so-called expert on the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and the instructor of these periods of Humanities, “refused” to recognize the correct pronunciation on Worms, and insisted on saying “Worms.” So much for the acceptance of other cultures by higher education! One of the main purposes for attending college and graduate school is to be immersed in as many cultures as possible, to even a small depth. That is why when I gave a lesson on Bach at the Tallahassee Community College in 1999, I insisted of the “ch” being given the correct voicing: It is like clearing your throat, or the pr__lude to spitting. And its “MickelAngelo,” not “Michelangelo.”

(acerca 1:19 P.M.) Believe it or not, ten years ago I didn’t know that a word such as “ominous” existed, let alone what it meant! That term was used yesterday by Richard Jacks, an NBC 13 meterologist, several times whenever pictures or videos of “ominous” skies and weather patterns were shown on TV. It’s not that the word wasn’t around in the early-1990’s: “Ominous” has been a part of the English language for several centuries. But as it has been with most everything else, this word became trapped in my stable long past the time it would have done me any good.
How “Spingy” Fall is! The upper-60-degrees (F) invited me to juggle clubs in the back yard late this morning and early this afternoon. It must have been a trick: I’m sure am tired from the work-out! How many more years will I be able to handle a 45-minute session? I guess I had better get all I can while I still can!
Remember the time in Dade County, Fl, when I went to visit Linda and her new husband Mike in Miami Lakes? It must have been at least fifteen years ago! Linda told me that her apartment was too small to accommodate a guest, so I was taken to a “park” for my overnight stay: What if I had been killed? Would Linda had regretted her refusal to offer me hospitality? The next day – or some time later – she told me that someone had been murdered at that “park” either the evening before I had been thrown out there, or a day or two later.
It is no co-incidence that Linda and I have not been close since that night. No wonder she turned to religion: The fact that she was almost the cause of her brother’s death undoubtedly awakened a need in her! Although I can’t see that it has helped. And the fact that Michael Hipkins can live with a woman like Linda shows that he can’t be much different!

(acerca 3:58 P.M.) Deah is a “dish”; and what do you do with dishes to clean them? You use dish detergent, right? Well, that’s what I did about an hour and a half ago: Gave her a “dish” washing, i.e. bath! Although I did sneak in a little liquid hand and body soap, since my bottle of detergent was near empty.
Is there anything worse-smelling than wet dog? Sure there is! But the former oder is an awakening, let me tell you! And I wouldn’t trade it for the world!
You may be wondering how club-juggling can fatique my legs so much. The lower you juggle clubs (from eye-level) the faster you must flip them (the wrist flip). And that means more stress on your body, a stress that spreads into your legs. Just think how your upper body would feel afterwards if it had to keep all the stress to itself! But the legs agreed before hand to share in the load to help out the upper body. It’s a sacrifice, but that’s the kind of “people” the legs are!
I even worked on my piano-playing this afternoon! I don’t count it – piano-playing – in my “circle of friends,” but I do like a meeting with it now and then. I only regret that we get together not as often as I would like!

(26th, About 5:33 A.M.) Yesterday the NBC EVENING NEWS (5:30-6:00 P.M.) on television led off with a story about the cloning of a human embryo. The “donor” to be copied was a middle-aged man confined to a wheel chair. Supposively the cloned embryo will just be used in stem cell research.
Would I submit to being cloned? In a heartbeat! That is, if a copy of me can be made without carrying over the speech impediment and the possible mental/emotional disorder. Just think if I could transfer all of my access and begin all over again! Of course I probably wouldn’t go into __ clowning: But that’s o’kay! I wouldn’t have to! And even if I did, imagine how it would be in a well-managed performance career!
A brilliant physic__st like Stephen Hawkin who is victim of Lou Gerig’s (?) Disease: It is mind-bogling when you consider what a version of Dr. Hawkin sans Lou Gerig’s Disease could do!
And what about a Christopher Reeves, the actor crippled by a spinal cord injury? Or any of the thousands of other spinal cords injury sufferers?
What about Childersburg’s own Lee Carpenter, a victim of Lou Gerig for the past twenty years or so? His mind is stuck in a body that can’t move. He was an athletic coach before being ravished by the disease in his prime.
No doubt cloning could be use in nefarious ways: The people of the United States are most likely afraid that someone like Osama bin Laden would be able to replicate himself. If the technology ever gets out, most likely he would find a way to hijack it and “weaponize” it. No one would argue – except bin Laden and his followers – that such would be terrible. But from the perspective of the disabled, and the cancer-strickened, and the aids patient, assuming that these conditions and diseases cannot be transferred via DNA, cloning would be the best compensation ever! It’s easy for someone that doesn’t have a physical or sensory disability to vehemently opposed and be appauled at the very idea of human cloning!
The vast majority are opposed to cloning because it is “playing God.” All I can say to that is: Since when do these people speak for God? Are they able to read Her/His mind? Do they really believe that they can second-guess God? Besides, isn’t it “playing God” by making the “playing God” argument in the first place? If Cloning could improve “God’s creation, I’m sure that She/He is all for the process: If the creation process is trial and error, and things didn’t turn out well one way, who is to say that cloning won’t give God the edge She/He needs? And to deny God access to another creation method is – well “playing God”!

(acerca 10:27 A.M.) Wouldn’t cloning prevent people from attempting to “overcome” their past with “Criminal” acts? Not that all crime can be blamed on Past; but is that Demon responsible for, say, 70%? Cloning may very well be the salvation we have all been waiting for!
“If I knew then what I know now!” That’s a very common expression. Most people would agree with it. So why not clone “what I know now!” and apply it to “If I knew then.”
Linda is most likely dead set against human cloning: Her connection to the Catholic Church brainwashes her so: But if she would only cast that propaganda aside for a second, she would realize that cloning may very well give her back her left leg.
It may appear that I am a die-heart supporter of human cloning. But such is not necessarily the case: I am only 60-70% attracked to it. The other 30-40%: I will discuss that later.
In the meanwhile, let me tell you about yesterday evening’s television: The two shows that I focussed on in my room was LAW AND ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT (8-9:00 P.M., N.B.C.) and ANY DAY NOW (9-10:00 P.M., Lifetime). In the other location (Family Room) I watched AUSTIN CITY LIMITS (6-7:00 P.M., P.B.S.) featuring the singing duo Brooks and Dunn, and DOC (7-8:00 P.M., PAX).
This morning was the meeting with Alan Yates. It was at Hardee’s at 8:00 A.M. As you know, I was hoping not to have dealings with Alan Yates anymore, but as the rock band The Rolling Stones declared in one of it’s songs, “You can’t always get what you want!” I was dreading the meeting: I was well aware from the first “relationship” that Alan was patronizing and interested only in fulfilling his contract with Voc Rehab, not my peace of mind. But I was pleasantly surprised by the tone of the meeting! Maybe it was “out of the ordinary” because I jumped in at the beginning and took control.
I put my signature on the usual forms: Basically I became a customer buying via Voc Rehab his employment placement.

(acerca 2:33 P.M.) Take a handful of Saturday’s non-storm elements and a handful of Sunday’s weather; combine them, not mix them; and you will have today: Alternate periods of “ominous” and sunny. And not only that: This morning Fall had the day all it Itself – a chill circulated around the area. Spring, you see, was late clocking in. It has now, and the mid-70-degrees (F) has been “laid” down.
The vicious action of Zephyr has heated the mixture finally: Thar she blows! may be the theme of the afternoon.
Joyce made a special trip for me this morning: Instead of going with her at 6:50 A.M. when she went to work, she returned for me around 7:35 A.M. and carried me to Hardee’s. Leslie and Kayla picked me up in the Hardee’s parking lot (southside), and Kayla remained behind once the three of us arrived at the house on Princeton Drive, around 9:25 A.M. Leslie reported to her job at CACC, leaving Kayla in the charge of granny and me until around 1:50 P.M.
Another reason I favor human cloning: I should have put everything on hold thirty years ago until I took care of my transportational problem. Cloning would give me a chance to do what I didn’t do in the early-1970’s!
Upon making the comment that she was the job liaison at Gentry, Helen Waldrop, during our meeting at Hardee’s about two weeks ago, told me that she had her office there but she was not the job liaison for the trade school for physically and mentally challenged people. However, when I confronted Alan Yates this morning about Ms. Waldrop’s position, he confirmed what I had suspected all along. I explained to Alan that my speech pattern “invites” people to lie to me, and that, after all these years, I am use to it and don’t care if people do.
It makes no difference if Helen is with Gentry or not: Why she had to lie about her connection I don’t know. My only concern was that Ms. Waldrop is so use to getting jobs for people who probably have a hard time even functioning at a basic level, someone like me that is well-educated and “talented” may be – extremely likely – too much for her to handle. Which is why I am doing a lot of the job search myself: I am an unusual case, at least as far as Voc Rehab is concerned.
No, I answered in response to his comment, a job at a place such as Hardee’s would be irksome to me, and I would not look forward to the next day. But it would be a job!
Beginning in January, Alan will be job placing with Voc Rehab, no longer associated with Easter Seals as he is now and was when I first had dealings with him in the Spring.
Alan and I conducted business at a “booth” directly across from the side entrance, by the restrooms. He sat with his back to the wall (Cooking area) and I was opposite, in a moveable chair, facing him.
Never know more than your interviewer, I stated. Or outdress them, Alan said: I was wearing a red turtleneck, greenish trousers, and a black blazer, and wore dark brown socks and dressy 2-tone brown shoes. That I even had to ”register” with Alan Yates was a sad, pathetic comment!
It would not be right to rely on Joyce or Leslie to carry me to Sylacauga or Talladega every day: I got myself in this position (of no car), it is up to me to get myself out!

(acerca 3:44 P.M.) I am still trying to figure out who did what to whom in the renaissance! As pathetic as it was, I was unaware of most of the “stuff” that I was introduced to in that Middle Age, Renaissance, and Baroque Humanities course of the Spring semester 1998: My ignorance was (and is) appauling! A cloned me would make sure that the above would be taken care of when I was twenty-eight, not forty-eight! And I wouldn’t have to depend on The World Book Encyclopedia, as I am having now, either!
The meeting with Alan Yates ended around _:50 A.M. In the twenty minutes or so before Leslie and Kayla came for me, I walked north a hundred feet or so to the convenient store (where gasoline is less than a dollar per gallon for regular unleaded for the first time in a long, long time!) and, for $1.39, purchased a pack of cigarettes.

(acerca 4:30 P.M.) The more I think about it, the more reasons I can come up with for being a fan of human cloning: In the summer of 1968 when I left Childersburg, it should have been f_rther than Tuscaloosa. And it should have been for good! If I had, I wouldn’t find myself back in this town, trapped.

(acerca 5:27 P.M.) When we “drew” names for Christmas gifts, Bill’s name stuck in my fingers when I removed it from the box containing the strips of paper. Of all the names to pick – Joyce, David, granny, Leslie, and Bill – I had the hardest one for which to buy: No one knew what he did for a “hobby.” Though I immediately relized the challenge. And isn’t that what Christmas is suppose to be about?
On the way from Hardee’s to the house this morning, I asked Leslie if she would give me a list from which to choose a gift for Bill. I was told that I had swapped with granny, and that she (Leslie) had already bought something that granny would pay her for, and give to Bill. Now, granny had told me – not asked me but told me! – that she was going to trade Leslie’s name for Bill’s. By co-incidence, or as a result of it, the episode of me inquiring to Bill about his vasectomy when Joyce had supposively told me in confidence, had occurred the evening before: I will always believe there is a connection.
I explained to Leslie that Christmas-gift buying should be a challenge: Otherwise why even “draw” names if the names will be swapped around? She agreed. Then I mentioned that I understood several years ago Joyce, David, granny, and Leslie (Bill?) – I wasn’t in town – made gifts for a pre-selected name. I wanted the same kind of challenge. Leslie finally said that I could have the challenge of buying for her.
I have never had a good Christmas. Never once have I been overjoyed to be a part of this family as it gathered for gift-giving. But things may have been different this year: That Bill, or anybody, would know what I ended up getting for him – the anticipation of his, and everybody else’s, surprise – would have gladden my spirits and finally made Christmas meaningful for me, was taken away by, as usual, my mother. And to think it is her holiday! What a travesty she makes of the holiday!

(acerca 6:00 P.M.) In the event that I go back with a circus – I don’t want to but I may be force into it; I told Alan of this last-resort plan – it would be good if I could present a juggling act that is better than just pretty good. Two 15-minute practices are the best I can do for the development of such an act. It would be nice to have access to more time each day, but my heart is in the right place, anyway. That should count for something: The heart be “damned”! Juggling is pure technique, not an emotional “art”! This “heart” nonsense: This has been my problem all along!

(27th, About _:01 A.M.) I haven’t heard much anti-cloning argument from the clones themselves – of course – but if I did I’m sure it would go something like this: As with anything else that can affect the quanity of life – it would be possible to make an unlimited supply of just one individual – the quality of life of the clones may be even worse than anything occuring naturally! For instance the immune system may not be transferable. Many people’s immune system betrays them and let them get in terrible physical shape, but imagine no white blood cell defense line at all! Although the latter may offer advantage to people with auto-immune diseases, i.e., arthritis, AIDS, cancer, what a world it would be if everybody was this way! Besides the fact that bio-terrorism would be so easy to do.
As flawed as the human race is, the same model has managed – surprisingly! – for thousands of years to survive and, amazingly as it seems, to prosper. I doubt if a “more flawed” model could make it when the “standard flawed” model can just barely!
Will cloning “photocopy” the complete person, or just one aspect? If this is the case, I can see a scenario where a terrorist group clones the warrior that is in all of us, especially themselves.
On the other hand, this new incarnation of Homo might just create a “perfect” world through the use of cloning’s “selectivity”! Some people, though, would not consider the New World Order as a p___ders when it is possible to create pure scientists, pure artists; pure anything: Most likely the opposition to human cloning comes from the fact that this new version of human beings may not have need, or even room in her/his society, for God and religion. I think modern human is afraid of God who, you must admit from reading over God’s relationship to people, may take harsh action if She/He feels that Her/His exalted position is threatened: One only has to look at the Adam and Eve story to see how God’s vengeance can be manifested! Add to that the tower of Babel, and no wonder people are afraid of pissing God off!
Whether or not human reproductive cloning is accepted or not boils down to control: This “playing God” is a convenient excuse. The likely possibility of cloning taking off on its own doesn’t appeal to the vast majority of people. If we were one hundred percent sure that we would always be in charge and determine the function of cloning and not the other way around, most, if not all, of the opposition to it would fade quitely away!

(acerca 12:24 P.M.) Just think of the massive outlay of money that it took to get me even halfway in shape for living! And I still have a long, long way to go! Would I want to be cloned? You damn right I would! Imagine, having “re-access” to those 45-50 years! Just think what I could do with them! Most people would, after having spent half of a lifetime getting to where they are!
No body – no one! – knows how God feels about human cloning. So leave Her/Him out of the equation. To even suggest that She/He may disapprove is blasphemous!
THE NEWSHOUR WITH JIM LEHRER (7-8:00 P.M., P.B.S.) and MASTERPIECE THEATRE “Uncle Silias” (9-11:00 P.M., P.B.S.) were my two television “picks of the day”: The LAW & ORDER (8-9:00 P.M., TNN) was just something to past the interim between the two “picks,” and to “check in” with the family.
Kayla was over here about 2 ½ hours.
I told Alan Yates about that telephone call that I made Friday (?) inquiring about the government Wildlife jobs: The government doesn’t charge for jobs, I told Alan. Of course, I don’t know if it does or not: I just wanted to let Alan know that I was trying many different avenues in my job search. I also brought up that a teaching job takes weeks to get: One just doesn’t apply one day and be hired the next. Letters of reference, transcripts, etc must be examined. This was a subtle criticism of Alan last April when he was “pushing” the Talladega County School System as a job site. Alan reluctantly agreed with me: He realizes now that I am much more “fit” to handle my own situation than he though and, no doubt, was led to believe by Helen Waldrop.
I’m sure you have notice that today’s report is tri-colored. That is because two of the colored-ink pens “died” on me. What do you expect for 15 cents?
A warm low-70-degrees (F) and a Cloud-covered sky are tell-tale signs that today may end in a terrorist attack. It doesn’t take a major intelligence-gathering campaign to tell me that!

(acerca 2:10 P.M.) Most people – people with a mentality of a Bill Reeves – would say that the September 11th, attack was “God’s punishment” for the United States taking prayer out of the schools, the openness and social acceptance of homosexuality, etc. How dare these people! What they actually mean is that they are opposed to all these “godless ways” and don’t have enough “balls” to stand up alone for their beliefs! They feel that, for some reason, “God” carries more authority, and by stating what the credit to God, it exonerates them from hatred and bigotry. Well, did you ever think that maybe God is punishing the United States for slavery, or the many lynchings in the 1920’s and 1930’s, or the church bombing in Birmingham in 1965, or any number of things? And before you say, “Mr. Wilson, that stuff happened a long time ago!”, keep in mind that our time and God’s time are not necessarily the same: The 1860’s are probably “yesterday” to God. Even if there was no time difference, God can choose whenever and however She/He wants to inflict punishment.
There is no doubt in my mind that it is offensive to God when people pull this “holier than thou” nonsense, outwardly profess alligence to Her/Him, insist that a godless society is deserving of everlasting fire and brimstone, while at the same time engaging in racist, homophobic, misogynistic practice that is more harmful to the country than any terrorist attack!
Ironically, instead of convincing people that such widespread anti-racial behavior must be abolished, it has been “justified” in these people’s bestial mentality, that those terrorist acts are the things needed to prevent any further terrorist attacks! Will someone kindly explain that to me?!

(acerca 3:54 P.M.) You know what really convinced me that the Wildlife job was a scam? When I was told that “a full return of your money” would be granted if I didn’t get a job! With the exception of the military academies (West Point, the Air Force Academy, the Naval Academy, the Coast Guard Academy, VMI, and several others) very few training grounds can guarantee you a job upon completion of a degree or certificate: It may be a 60% chance of ever working in the trained-for career! And if you sought a return of the tuition of that Wildlife job, very likely you would be told some excuse such as you didn’t try hard enough for work: It “ain’t” the training’s fault!
Higher education and/or post-secondary school training improves one’s marketability, no doubt. But it doesn’t insure one a job in that field. Even with all the education I have had, it is a struggle to get work as a stock clerk! Just think where I would be and how I would be if I didn’t have an advanced degree? Unfortunately, though, a MA degree doesn’t cancel out my Old Man appearance and the fact that I don’t have a car. I should have seen to the latter before I sought the former! And now it may be too late!

(28th, About 8:08 A.M.) Whether or not human cloning should be done is academic: It has been done! The “inventor” may be sincere when she/he/they vow to only use the process for theraputic cloning, i.e. harvesting of stem cells, and not for reproductive cloning. But the fact that cloning can be done, sincerity goes for naught! And no law will be able to stop it! By codifying a moratorium on human cloning could even have the opposite effect: You know how some people are. They see the law as a challenge and focus all their energies on breaking it! Though even if that wasn’t the case, other countries with human cloning technology may no try to control it with legislation. For if the American scientists have cloning figured out, you know other countries do or will soon.
To begin with, I don’t think the federal government should ban human reproductive cloning technology, especially the Bush administration: Remember, it wants to control technology in the form of a missle defense shield and such a shield would require all the latest discoveries and inventions. The only way – “If you live by the sword, you’ll die by the sword!” – that a person, though, can reap the benefits of technology to its fullest is only by being willing to suffer its consequences! You must understand that technology may “turn” on you any moment, and one shouldn’t cry when that happens.
When I think back on the difference between the Phillip Wilson of the 20th century and the 21st century, I am amazed by the change. I suppose that it is only appropriate that my life would be so difference in the third millennium than it was in the second millennium. But usually there is a slow transition. Not this time, however: The transformation occurred almost over night! You can easily see if in this journal. I will never live to see another century, much live another millennium, but how exciting it has been to have been alive at this time! Never in my wildest imagination did I ever think that calender change would result in such a lifestyle make-over!

(acerca 9:05 A.M.) Yep, it was the year 2001 that made a new man out of me! A co-incidence? Whether it was __ not, what diffence does it make? The fact that I was created anew is the only thing that matters!
The week of September 11th – the terrorist attack - didn’t really have a direct effect on me. As horrific as they were – and I don’t mean to sound callous or cruel – September 11th was the best thing since the civil war to have happened to this country! That day forced the United States to examined its relationship with other countries, and Americans to upgrade their dealings with their fellow Americans. September 11th probably saved the United States: Without it I doubt very much if the 22nd century would have seen it around! The fact that the terrorist attacks occurred in the first year of the third millennium just may have given this country enough momentum to make it into the fourth millennium!
2001: HAL’S LEGACY (9-10:00 P.M., P.B.S.) and SECRETS OF THE PHARAOHS (10-11:00 P.M., P.B.S.) were all mine yesterday evening. JAG (7-8:00 P.M, C.B.S.) and 24 (8-9:00 P.M., FOX) were shared with Joyce and granny in the Family Room. Obviously I lost most of the dialogue of the latter shows since I had to rely on air transmission of the audio over a space of 15-16 feet. As always, it was better with the former two: A wire brought the sound from the television set to my ears via headphones.
For over two hours yesterday evening – about 5:15 P.M., to about 6:55 P.M. – Joyce, granny, and I visited Kayla on her home field. Once back on our home court, we, as is usual, criticized Bill’s parenting and what is will be like in six or seven years. The three of us agreed that by then the relationship between Kayla and Bill – and Leslie – will be explosive. (continued)




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