My publisher, Arash the Magnificent (though I’ve threatened to replace him with his cousin, Shaheen) has informed me that I am three weeks behind in my entries. I had fondly hoped that I was only 2 weeks behind – but, alas, it seems to be at least 3 weeks (unless I have a lost article/essay lying about) that I have last penned something (though the beginning of my college classes has kept me in an Alpha State that renders my unconscious quite useless).
This writing thang has been very therapeutic for me – though not nearly as therapeutic as surfing…or, music! H-Chiso says we have a date with Dame Carter on September 12th – and I’m hoping that we create our first CD out of the experience – either that, or I have to win the lotto…cuz my Day Job is killing me. And speaking of killing…I’ve been around quite-a-bit-of-it.
For the past 3 Springs I’ve been e-mailing a fellow who has one-of-the-easiest teaching gigs in-the-world (at least that’s how I look at it). He sees a-half-dozen pregnant juveniles in the morning and writes up their status in the afternoons – whereas I’ve been dealing with about 54 rambunctious felons each day for the past 17 years. This Dude’s gig is paradise.
So for the past 3 years I e-mailed him each Spring and asked him if he would be retiring soon. Since I have it on good record that this guy is not only a pothead, but an alcoholic – I figured he’d welcome the day that he could enjoy his passions from dawn-till-dawn and not have to work in between. But for 2 years he told me he wasn’t retiring. This year he didn’t respond to me at all.
When I got back from my vacation in Turkey (as my readers know), I learned that this particular fellow had strangled wife #2 on a cruise ship down San Diego way…and so I job was FINALLY open! But now I learn that the job isn’t completely open until this character is convicted. Well, with the California court system as it is…I could be ready for retirement before the murdering educator is finally convicted – though I can’t see anybody defending this guy…but someone always does (I can hope that the ever shrinking budget expedites things…).
And while we’re on the topic of murder, in case I haven’t mentioned it…my cleaning lady murdered my gardener (her husband) some years back. That was kinda weird. But not so weird as the planned murder of our singer’s sister by her then husband. He still walks free when last I heard. I will never forget post-practice drinking sessions that this guy outlined the ease with which one commits murder.
And I shall never forget my two bosses being gunned down on the same day at Kalamazoo College — by the lady’s estranged boyfriend/husband. Gosh, now that I think of it – a shooter was on the dance floor with me at my 20th year reunion at good ol’ Kalamazoo College (and my olde acquaintances wonder why I don’t want to go to the 30th reunion?). This character shot his girlfriend and himself in the dorm that we had many-a-party in back in the late 70s.
I would like to think that I AM NOT A MAGNET for people bent on homicide, cuz the thought of killing someone has never appealed to me…but somehow, death is with me…late and soon…