ME,MYSELF AND I

Robert - 2014

 Let us be clear about one thing.  This blog is all about MOI.

Truth be told, I think I am bloody brilliant these days.  Who would have thought the old geezer would be 'normal' size...

Rather think I have well formed legs.  I do think I wear an ALOHA shirt with a certain flair.

There are some who feel that the old geezer does not 'smile' enough.  As you can see from the snap, the old geezer has a brilliant smile.

Lame I may be but do not think am near the emotional cripple have been in the past.  There is much love in me life and am right pleased to have picked a lovely 'circle of life' to be a part of.

IT IS THE LIVING OF AND NOT THE LENGTH OF LIFE THAT MATTERS

Life is a characteristic that distinguishes objects that have signaling and self-sustaining processes from those that do not, either because such functions have ceased , or else because they lack such functions and are classified as inanimate.

My dears, always remember that whatever lands on the pages of this blog are but the thoughts of this old geezer.  It is not the 'burning bush' and like most opinions, clearly open to folks tossing off as the rants of a mad diarist.  Am compelled to mention this, as from time to time the mail received from one of me post makes for interesting reading.  After the thought is tossed out there, many land on it and give me the piss for having put it down in print.

Having had a 'near death' experience, this old geezer is well aware of just how fragile the hold on life is.  In a tick it can be gone.  With loss of life comes the after, being worm food.

Truth be told, the life lived has not been with out challenges.  Come to think on, which life has not been without challenges?  Part of the journey requires one to pick up a little dirt along the path, even some cuts from a few falls.  The real thrill is picking one's self up and walking on.

Right, so I have beat up on a few souls of late.  Did it go unnoticed that this old geezer has received his share of knocks as well?  Mind, it many seem a little cheesey to tell the whole world of trials, but then that is what I do.  Share.

Being brassed off at the turn of events of late means that one has to vent.  This old geezer used this forum to do that.

Friends have been made, perhaps not so good of mates as one would like, but you learn to work with what life tosses at you.  With a little effort it was possible to get more folks to begin to enjoy their community and not hide inside flats and let life pass by.  That is a thrilling part of being able to reach out and touch others.  It is all about the touching...

Many will think me a quitter.  Cut and run when the cards do not fall where one would like.  Rubbish.

I have fought long and hard to make a difference.  Truth be told, a major difference has been achieved in a rather short time.  The difference in being a quitter and a realist is one knows when there is no point in fighting a battle that is not well supplied.   Am not keen on driving self into ground due to lack of support.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions, and for the past 5 months MOI has heard many a good intention come off the lips of one who should be fighting the hardest to save this patch of earth.  For some odd reason there always seems to be an excuse for not following through.


Que Sera, Sera,

Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.

Truth be told, lacking the gift of sight makes this old geezer stand in the queue and wait with the rest to see what will unfold.

"flamboyant" MOI??

"Rob, you are flamboyant". So said a mate to MOI in a long chat we had yesterday. MOI is gutted, will have to take to his bed, he will, to recover the arrow shot through me heart................... Cue the violins, make ready the camera for my 'Camille'.


The dastardly wicked utterance came to be as he asked MOI to critique an article he was writing. A bit like asking Nero to describe the burning of Rome.

Flamboyant..........it is the same in French. The dictionary defines as; 'strikingly bold or brilliant, 'to flame' or 'attract attention'. It also says a lot of other bits, but we will get to them.......patient, you must be patient.......

To be true, MOI has a rather colourful style of writing, more to catch the attention of the reader. What purpose would be serve to bang out post in a dull manner? One has to hook the limited attention span from GO or all is lost.

It is the opinion of this old geezer, and one shared by many who read, that MOI writes much as he speaks. Were you to meet in person, you wold see that the written word is as one with the spoken. MOI is colourful 24/7. Mind, a bit too colourful for some.  Rather refreshing to meet lovely folks who are in on the colourful bit and run with it.  Not all are full of selves, and see the value of a giggle or two.


Let us get back to the matter at hand. Flamboyant.............

'Conspicuously dashing and colourful'................as in 'the flamboyant idol of international society', mmmmmmmmmm do so love that take. Mind, it can also bring to fore; 'bombastic', 'camp', 'chichi' and 'gassy'. MOI like to think of self as 'calm', ,modest', 'restrained' and 'tasteful'.

My dears, being 'au fait' with, you do know that MOI is having a giggle here.  MOI does go out of way to catch folks right off, and that would be, in the eyes of SOME, flamboyant. MOI likes to think of it as panache................but then he would.

$64,000.00 question. Do you think that if MOI had landed on the road lived and tried to be quiet in his effort to make the road brilliant, it would  come to pass?  I think not.

While there be some who will always be of the opinion that this old geezer is just a 'headline' grabber, there be others who know that the attention is not personal, just important to getting the message across.  Bloody hell, first clue that MOI was a bit much was to find a blog with name and a bleeden YOUTUBE channel.

Truth be told, matters not if some find this old geezer LOUD.  Being a bit hard of hearing, am prone to chat on the loud side and do tend to bang on a bit of matters that concern.  That will just have to be the way of it.

A CHRISTMAS TALE - 2013

Over the past several days I have watched multiple versions of the movie "A Christmas Carol".  There has been the 1935, the 1953 and the 1990's telling of what has to be the definitive Christmas story, penned by Charles Dickens in 1843.

You may well say that the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future have made quite a few visits.

I know that there are many who wish that the whole business of the holidays would just go away.  They would like nothing better than to wake up and find that they have missed it completely.  There are many known to who feel that the the buying of presents, for people not well liked, the putting up a tree and other decorations starts way too early and the endless din of Christmas music heard the whole day long is more that anyone should have to bear.  BAH HUMBUG.

To be true, the old geezer cannot look back at some Christmas seasons with undiluted pleasure.

My early memories of Christmas date back to the orphanage.  While there was a tree and bright lights and a few outings to mark the season, the whole experience was not entirely well received.  The nuns in charge had a knack for pulling donations out of the pockets of the well to do.  Putting small unwanted children on display was a sure way to tap into the guilt of folks.  The money poured in and presents received for 'the poor children' were locked away to be used as bribes in the future.  To say that Christmas was mean would be to put it mildly.

Then I met John and the true meaning of Christmas revealed itself to me.  How well I remember the first Christmas.  There was an enormous tree in the living room.  I had bought many strings of lights to put on and tree and was feeling in a most festive mood.   John pointed out to me that the lights bought were the sort that one placed on bushes and the such OUTSIDE of the house.  I knew that.  I wanted to make sure that when the tree had been lighted the light coming from the tree would blind you.  What a sight it was and to this day remains one of the special memories of Christmas.

There were many Christmas seasons spent with fond memory.  Christmas celebrated in many different parts of the world.  Christmas in Stockholm was special as were the ones had in Paris, Copenhagen, Amsterdam and London.  London, now there was Christmas remembered.  The whole English manner in celebrating the holiday appealed to me.

Hawaii is completely different to manner in which Christmas has been celebrated in the past.  It is hot and the sun shines all day and there is nothing remotely common with the memories of Christmas past connect to it.  There is however the spirit of ALOHA, a spirit that seems to get stronger during the Christmas season and just wraps you in warm blanket of love.  It is also the place John loved most and it is where John rests.

Christmas, for me, is a collection of past memories that fill me with hope and remind me of the love received and the many kindnesses received.  Christmas is a time I remember all of the people met during my walk through life.  People who have become a part of who I am.

Many years ago I received a little article cut from a newspaper.  It was inside a card received and has become a tradition of mine at this time of year.  I would like to keep that tradition going...

I have a list of folks I know all written in a book.
Every year at Christmas I go and take a look.
That is when I realize that these names are a part
Not of the book they are written in but of my heart
Each name stands for someone who has crossed my path sometime
And in the meeting they have become the "rhythm of the rhyme"
While it sounds fantastic for me to add this claim
I really believe I am composed of each remembered name
While you may not be aware of any special link
Just meeting you has shaped my life more than you can think
Once you have met somebody the years cannot erase
The memory of a pleasant word or friendly face
So never think of my Christmas card is just a mere routine
of names upon a list, forgotten in between
For when I send a Christmas card that is addressed to you
It is because you are on the list of folks I am indebted to
You are a part of the total of many folks I have met
You happen to be one of those I prefer not to forget
Whether I have known you for many years or few
In some way you have had a part in shaping things I do
Every Christmas I realize anew
The biggest gift that life can give is meeting folks like you.

This time of year I remember so many.  Carol, the lovely lady who sent me the clipping.  Randy and Jack.  Anita, my 'aging hippie' friend who never gave up on her community.  Paul who was my friend and is sorely missed this Christmas.  Roy who allowed the old geezer to get some pretty good deals and will always be remembered as the person who helped me have the best Halloween ever.  Laura who shared so much of herself and has a heart as big as Texas.  Paul who has been a better friend that I deserve and reminds me that caring and sharing are just a natural part of his make-up.  The Big Kahuna who helped this old geezer through a rough patch and allowed me to celebrate his Christmas Eve with his family.  Ron who tries to act so mean most of the year and overcomes his mean nature to put on a Christmas Eve gathering for many folks who would not otherwise has a Christmas.  Ron who spends much of what he has little to give presents to all who come to his gathering.  Alan who pretends to hate Christmas and has more of the true meaning of Christmas in him that any I know.  Angie who married my brother and tries to create a family for him.  James who overlooks the faults of his friend and tries to makes sure that the spirit of Christmas is there for him, even if he does not appreciate.  Rocky who tries to keep the spirit.  The flood of faces and names is endless.  I have been blessed by so many and loved.

Truth be told there are folks not named but still very much a part of my memories this day.  If not today, they have been mentioned in the past and will be very much on my mind as I celebrate Christmas this year.

A special thanks to the dear old friend who sent me the snap of me when I was 24.  It touched me so much that I made sure to place a snap of me as I am today.  Odd how I still do not smile...

Like Scrooge, I will try to keep Christmas in my heart the whole of the year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS MY DEARS AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT...

WAIKIKI GARAGE SALE - DIVA STYLE

This weekend,Saturday and Sunday,  Ron, AKA "The Diva", will be holding another of his fab garage sales.  Mind, 'garage sale' is a wee bit mis-leading, as Ron places tables round the car park and loads them to breaking point with all sort of treasures collected since he last did a sale.

Having an apartment complex in Waikiki is the perfect way to gather many items for sale.  Folks move to Hawaii, thinking that life will be more perfect than when they came from, tire of all of the sun and living in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and give up their collections to Ron, rather than pack up to ship back to the mainland.  Truth be told, it can be rather dear to ship home things.

Ron is a fixture in Waikiki, and all during the week folks drop by and leave things they no longer want or need.  There also are people who 'find' treasures and leave with Ron.  One is constantly gobsmacked at the amount of things that pile up, waiting for another sale.

Some twenty years ago, if not longer, MOI had set up a flat down the road from Ron. Not having any furniture, the old geezer made a beeline to Ron's, and in short order had a complete one bedroom fitted out quite nicely.  So good were the furnishings that when MOI made another of his moves back to the mainland, the items purchased from Ron some years back, brought a small profit...

There are 'garage sales' and there are "Garage Sales".  Never fails that as the date nears for the sale, the car park fills up with a most interesting collection.  There are 'rare' pictures, tellies, cameras, computer parts, furniture, records, dishes, cutlery, pots and pans, clothing and linen.  You might well find the kitchen sink there as well.

As usual, Ron will be joined at his sales by a good mate.  Roy has a shop in Chinatown, sells art and the like, makes jewelry and been known to paint a lovely picture or two.  Roy has been round Waikiki almost as long as Ron and between the two, there will be in-fighting, to see who runs up the most sales.  There will be other local colourful characters at the sale, meaning that chins will wag all the day long.

Truth be told, MOI is of the opinion that Ron gets more out of the meeting folks from all over the world, then he does from the money generated from the sale.  Ron has been known to meet a new resident to Hawaii, like them and gift them with all sort of things to furnish their flats.  Not rubbish but rather useful items.  There might be a chair, rattan of course, with lovely cushions, just perfect for the person to love being in Hawaii.  Or there might be a set of curtains.  Dishes and glasses and all sort of items for the kitchen.

Being that MOI is here before the sale starts, he got to look over some of the items.  MOI loves to travel light, and clothing was sorely needed.  To my delight,  several pairs of shorts (Tommy Bahama) revealed self.  There were shirts as well,  Ralph Lauren, Harley Davidson, Greg Norman, to name but a few.  Not worn out items of clothing but items ever so slightly used and in some cases not even used.  For less than a 'fiver' me wardrobe has increased big time.  Having gone through the shops in Waikiki, know full well that some of the items are $40.00 plus retail. Am over the moon at all of the cash saved.

The sale will last all day long, rain or shine.  If past is any clue, come late Sunday, the tables will be quite empty.

Am quite looking forward to the crowds that will gather to lock up real bargains.  Curious I am to see if all goes...

WHITE HOUSE WORRIED

DATELINE-Washington,DC

President Obama addressed members of the White House Press Corps today.

Holding a snap of the old geezer, President Obama told gathered reporters that he thought he was in real trouble come November, as the old geezer was not buying his programme to push same-sex marriage.  "I guess Mr. Romney comes across as more honest."  The president went on to say that the old geezer had told him it was all about 'the economy', not who marries whomever.

TRUTH COMES OUT

"Is Robert moving back to Hawaii or entering a nursing home? Not that I care....I just hope if he's planning on doing himself in, that he doesn't make a mess at the house. Honestly, if I couldn't taste food, had health problems, couldn't hear, had  no friends and hadn't had any sex in a dozen years, I wouldn't have much of a reason to go on. Don't tell him I said that. His life is my worst nightmare."

Just had to share this email with you.  Knew when had the stroke that former 'friend' could not wait for my departure from his home.

Mind, the old geezer is very much alive and coping rather nicely with new situation in life.

In other emails, the old geezer being 'FAT' and liking his ciggies are two more reasons not to like the old geezer.  Fancy that...

All this from an ageing homosexual who is despersate to stop the clock from showing his own slide into 'old age'.  Guess if one has buckets of cash to spend on 'face work' and endless supply of cheap wine, others do not matter.

OLD GEEZER IS A SMALLER PERSON

Robert - September 2011

The first snap is of the old geezer in the back garden of house lived when first arrived in Reno.  Seem to recall that there was a gathering round the pool and there was a massive cook-up.  No doubt, one can clearly see that MOI did not miss out on the groceries.  Am the sort of person who gains weight just looking at a plate of food.  Mind, there is more than looking, was not shy about groceries.

For some strange reason, thought shaved head was a better look.  Truth be told, look like a bowling ball...

Robert - May 2012

The above snap shows the new and improved Robert...

Weight is down 2 stone and am dealing with life well.  At least MOI thinks so...

There are big changes in the wind for the old geezer and will share them with you shortly.  Just wanted to let folks see that the old geezer was not wasting away due to lack of taste...

OLD GEEZER HOLDS SMART DINNER PARTY





 MOI thought it was time to have a smart dinner party.  Having come to enjoy the company of Paul and Alan, it seemed like a clever bonding experience...

Gave plenty of notice to, and hoped that it would be an eventful evening...

With pot and kettle sorted out, all that was required was a trip  to market to get the fixing for meal planned.  One so much wanted to impress invited guests.

Being the world traveller, the old geezer thought to serve up clever finger food.  SPAM, sliced and diced up on crackers.  There was also egg salad on crackers.  Dressed up with olives.  Not one to spare expense, the old geezer had lovely Havarti cheese as well.  Quite grand.  So Continental...

The salad was a pure delight to the eye.  There were tomatoes, radishes and 3 different colours of bell peppers.  Tossed and allowing for guests to dress as they wished.

Main course was bangers and mash.   Yummy.  Very British.

Afters was a creation from heaven.  Would have wished for the above, since was really putting on the dog, but me guests had to settle for a Strawberry and Cream Cake.

The evening was ended with watching a British film.

What made the evening a huge hit was the very enjoyable company.  Sitting at table and making an event of the meal.  Without the telly or a mad dash to finish meal.

MOI sort of picked, but could see that Paul and Alan tucked into their meal with delight.  Lovely to see so much joy at eating.