My New Apartment

One of my readers and his family have a small apartment building in Burbank, six units. I am moving into one of the one bedroom units. I went there today after work to get keys, look at the size again and determine what I would bring.

The person with the keys wasn't going to be there for a couple of hours so I walked down the street and investigated the stores and restaurants in the area. Everybody I spoke to told me how much they liked the town. Everyone I met was friendly and sort of low key, relaxed.

After getting the keys I drove home, 70 miles away. As I made the drive I actually felt light. I felt as if a weight were being removed from my body. I haven't felt that way since I was 12 and even then it was for but a moment. My life has been one of service to others and I am glad for that; but, too many just took and them came back for seconds and some of them had no gratitude. Don't get me wrong, the ones that were grateful more than made up for it. The funny thing is which ones were grateful and which weren't.

Anyways, as I drove home I felt light and I could see the light at the end of the tunnel, I could see a better life. I am going from a 2700 sq ft home to a one bedroom apartment, I have lost all my money and barely keep any that I make and I am just thrilled. I felt free and I liked that feeling.

I am not a big fan of possessions. I never cared much for money as I have seen it do more harm than good to people who chase it and those who get it. I have never seen money make someone a better person. This is not to say that I have not met good people who used money in good ways; they were already decent people when they got the money and they could handle it. They are easy to spot, they would give up all their money and not be bothered.

So far every experience I have had in Burbank has been a positive one. I forgot something funny that happened. There is a building a couple of blocks from my apartment, when I saw it today I laughed. I dated a woman about two years ago and I dropped her off at the building. I didn't know where I was when I dropped her off, it was the only time I had been there.

I think things are going to get better. I think that is called hope. I always sort of felt that life just sort of sucked. My life experience has not been very positive. I cannot say I have been a pleasure seeker. I have accomplished all I set out to and that feels good. I made more money than I ever wanted, fortunately the ex managed to spend it so I was not bothered by it.

Entering this new stage of life I am actually a little excited. I feel anticipation rather than dread, that is a change. I want to take inventory of myself. I am in good health (regardless of what the doctors think, I feel great), I still have pretty good analytical abilities (nice to know the ex knows she was wrong, everything I said came true), I have some great friends and family who love me dearly and I kept my morals, I lived my life, my way.

Few years back I thought I was going to die and I was good with that. I remember sitting and thinking that I had done what I had set out to do. Now I have a new job. Now I will set out to do something new. What a target rich environment. I sense a new purpose is on the horizon.

Perhaps I will assist the City of Burbank, I can cut their costs by millions with little effort. I know my industry very well. This could be fun, I may have a new chew toy. Hmmmmm. I actually paused for about ten minutes here, my little mind at work, nothing good ever comes of that.

Hmmmmm. I should look at their budget, calculate how much I can save them and then show them how. In case your wondering, I don't want any money from them. Got enough to get by. But, this may give me something fun to do and very civic minded. Doing what I love for the place I live in, now that would be unique. See, this move is going to do me good. THIS COULD BE FUN.

Interruptions. Be well.

Strange Days

I am sitting in my room listening to the sound of most of my stuff being packed inside a moving van. My cousin definitely had my back, he has done a great job at taking care of everything including me. Me he told to just do whatever in my room so I played poker.

Anyways, my dog and I like a fairly quiet environment. I am very much not into drama. We seem to like one or two quiet people around us and gentle play. Commotion, as occurs in a move, during my down time is not enjoyable. My cousin knows this about me and has been kind enough to keep me as removed as possible from it.

My thoughts are scattered. There was something I wanted to write. Oh yeah.

Any regular reader knows that I read lots of news sources. I pick up trends, things that I see in both alternate and mainstream news. One trend that I think we have all seen is the talk about 2012 (I don't think the world is gonna end). Another trend I have seen is the increase in talk about a coming "awakening". Supposedly in the near future we will all awaken to our true nature and have a greater understanding of the spiritual. Another trend is the argument by quantum physicists that there must be parallel universes for the physical universe to exist.

I have posted enough links in the past on quantum physics. If one wishes merely search for Stephen Hawkins. Then read the wikipedia article on him. Nuff said.

I was on "Above Top Secret" and had a reason to bring up quantum physics and religion in response to another persons post. It got me thinking. The physicists are saying that alternate universes exist. Isn't that what the bible says? I mean aren't heaven and hell alternate universes? They never bother saying what these universes are like, so, can't they be heaven and hell?

Now lets play with this chew toy for a bit. What if the coming "awakening" was to the fact that there is indeed a spirit realm. Hmmm. What if people could interact with spirits in this world, what effect would that have on people. Some, like the Chinese, would be fine with it (interacting with their ancestors). Some would say that it proves the eastern mystery religions and the occult. Christians and Jews would not like it because they are told to not interact with spirits. Muslims would not like it either, their evil spirits are called Jinn (like Genie) and are malevolent.

There was a movie, it was a cable movie, I think it was based on something that H.P. Lovecraft wrote. The movie takes place in the 30s or 40s and witchcraft is real. In the story a private detective is trying to solve a crime and everybody uses witchcraft and talks to demons. It makes the case a little harder to solve. People in the movie start using the magic in order to get what they want. I think he had it right.

If you could talk to spirits and get the winning lotto numbers, would you? I think most people would. I am pretty sure that my readers know that I would not. The movie was "Cast a Deadly Spell", I had to look it up. I have provided a link to the movies trailer.

My cousin has just informed me that the packing is done for the night and that they gave him the wrong size trailer for my car. I own a 1956 Nash Metropolitan. I was working on the car as a ground up restoration when my father got sick and have not worked on it since. He is taking it to store it for me till I am ready to do whatever with it. I had the engine rebuilt and balanced, the transmission rebuilt and the body was completely redone to original (even the original paint).

Back to what we were talking about. I have to point out that I have had more interruptions than I can count, including one that stopped in the middle of this sentence. What if the last trick the Devil did was to prove that he was real? What if he told you he was the Anti-Christ. With so many people hating God how many would be good with that? And then he let you use demons to gain what you desire, I bet some people would like that.

I like to play with "Revelations" because I cannot understand most of the imagery and I don't trust other people's interpretations. Instead, I take the parts we can understand and try to look at them in different ways. Imagine, like the movie "Legion" that Satan came to town and told you that "Revelations" was correct and that God was about to kick everybody's butt that wasn't a "true Christian". What would people do who didn't believe in Christ do?

The set up is perfect. Way too many "christians" tell people that they cannot be saved unless they know the name Jesus and who he is. On top of that are the people who really don't like God because life is not easy. Hey, the bible does not say that we will not know the anti-christ when he comes. It says he will perform miracles. What if everybody knew it was of Satan? That would be a good reason for the prophesied persecution of Christians.

By the way, to know Christ is not about knowing his name. People who lived before Christ were saved and went to heaven. That is what the bible says. To know Christ is simple, it is to know what he taught and then live by it. Love God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself. When asked he said, if you love me, you will do my will. His will was that we be in service to one another. Pretty simple stuff and we do fail often; but, we succeed too.

Please remember I am very distracted. My dog just completely flaked out, he is exhausted from barking at noises all day. He is not a bad doggie, he was abused, that is why he likes my calm way. He has a friend who just wants to relax and be nice to each other. He loves that, maybe more than he loves me; but, I don't think so. It is why he loves me and he loves me more. He went from a place of frantic and painful activity to a place of peace and quiet. He appreciates the change. He appreciates that someone cares.

That makes me think of something. The bible says that Satan is the ruler of this world, so what should we expect from this world, club Med? The "end times" are the end times for Satan's rule over this earth. That is what the bible says. People ask why God lets bad things happen, I think the answer is so that you can understand your choices. You got to know Satan before you can know God in order to make an informed decision.

Kismet

As I said before, I am in the process of moving. Part of the process was to get electricity and gas turned on in my new apartment. A couple of days ago I posted a request on line to turn on the utilities. I promptly received a call from a very nice lady who works at the utility company (Burbank Water and Power). She informed me that I needed to fax over a copy of the lease agreement. I told her I would and today I saw my new landlord and old friend who filled out the form and gave it to me.

When I got home I needed to find a place to fax it from. I found a Postal Store and had them fax it to the number. It took a couple of tries and eventually went through. As I left the store my phone began to ring, it was the lady from the utility company. She was following up to see when she would get the fax which I was holding in my other hand. I told her that I had just sent it as it came out of her fax. We both laughed.

I told the lady that I thought she had given A class service. I was impressed that she had followed up as she had told me I had till Thursday night. We had a nice laugh and I told her that I thought it was a good indication that I would like my new home, she said she was going to go out and buy a lottery ticket. I hope she does and that she wins.

Some things are meant to be. My move is meant to be. Everything just came together and I have the people and things I need to do this. It became so simple when it looked so daunting. God has certainly blessed me with all the right help that I need and Burbank is looking pretty darn good. I am meant to go home.

To long time readers they may remember posts that I made about my home, my Los Angeles. While I like the whole city, my favorite part is the San Fernando Valley, my home. Home is where the heart is and I have been away too long. I love the desert and am comfortable here; but, home will always be the San Fernando Valley. It just fits me.

I remember as a child driving from West Los Angeles into the valley at night, it was the most beautiful thing in the world. The San Fernando Valley is where World War II vets moved after the war. They came from all over the United States because they wanted something different. They had been raised in small towns, mostly rural, had killed in battle, seen Europe and wanted better. They moved to Los Angeles and created the suburbs.

Life is the valley was nice in the 60s, it was a unique place at a unique time. Young people from all over came to be hippies and musicians. They used to stand by the side of the road and sell flowers that they had picked or candles that they had made by hand.

The weather is wonderful, they have written songs about it. The mountains are simply wonderful. The attitude is generally pretty friendly. There is plenty to do and the valley is still about families. I was asked what I thought about my apartment and I said it was fine. To tell the truth anything would be fine in the valley. I never really thought about the apartment, I thought about where it was. It was home.

It has been a tough few years and I feel like the race is almost over. It is important to never let one's guard down until a task is completed. My life changes for the better in a few weeks. It changes for the better, there was a time when I thought that would never happen. Now it is about to happen.

Some things are just meant to be. Some people are destined for each other and some people are destined to come apart from each other. I am always where I am meant to be when I am there and so are you. We may or may not like it at the time; but, we are where we are meant to be and surrounded by the people we are meant to be around.

Community Redevelopment Agencies

I have been saying for the past two years that I believe Community Redevelopment Agencies will disappear. A article on CRAs going bye bye.

Patience with me

I kindly ask my readers to not be surprised if I miss a day or two during the next three weeks. I have to move all of my belongs to two different places at the same time, make all the arrangements to move into my new place and meet with the mortgage processor to give up the rights to my house. I have a lot on my plate.

Moving Forward

We all face difficulties in our lives. The difficulties challenge us only when we fear failure. Failure is impossible. No matter what happens you cannot fail until you are dead and then it doesn't matter.

We always have a chance for things to improve. Today a man killed his wife and child. After he through himself from a height and died upon impact. Whatever was behind his actions, he was as wrong as he could be with his response. People do the same thing in little ways, they stop trying and give up.

Success is the overcoming of difficulties and carrying on in a proper manner. That is success of the soul. Winning is not success, that comes and goes. At least that is my thought on the matter today.

Can't Sleep

I have to move what I am keeping to my new apartment in a week. I will have to turn on utilities, get a truck, pack and head out. What an odd feeling it is. For the past three years my life has been on hold. Now it looks as if that is all finally over.

I am not sure what to say. I am not sure what I feel. I am not sure what I think. I am plain not sure. The last decade was sort of harsh on me. I did well in my career but too many deaths and too much deceit by others. Sometimes I am shocked that I am still around at all.

I look at the world and laugh. Most things going on I had told the ex about waaayyyy in advance and she knows it. My kids know it. I even have a good read on what will occur next. Sorry, been playing poker which would explain the "good read" comment.

As I look at the coming year I ask myself what I want. I haven't asked that question much in my life. I am asking it now. I want peace. I want quiet. I want to be with with a woman who loves me for who I am and knows who I am. I want to be with a woman who I understand and love fully.

I don't want money, fame or garbage. I really am not that materialistic. Cookies are for children, not for adults except in extreme moderation. Cookies should be treats and not training tools.

What is the most you can do with your life? Right now, what is the most you can give. I am not talking about money, though ask yourself that too. What is the most good you can do for others at this exact moment? Have you even gotten close to giving it all with no return in sight?

My poker friend, he took in a homeless person that he didn't know. He did too, something we have in common and it was the same person. What can you do today that screams faith? I am not asking anyone to do anything, I am certainly not asking everyone to take in random homeless people; but, what can you do?

Can you do anything? Can you forgive someone who is dead? That isn't much to ask. Can you give a dollar to feed someone even if you think they are going to buy booze? Is there any good in you? None of us are good but we all have some good in us.

I will request the following. If you have had any enjoyment from my blog, do something nice for someone who doesn't deserve it this week. Anything. There is a caveat, you have to do it for someone who cannot possibly pay you back and you can't tell anyone else. You may not think you can benefit in any way from what you did.

I had a vision once, it was of hell or at least my fear and understanding of it. It was eternal solitary confinement. Every chance we get to help, to make things better is a chance to avoid my vision of hell.

This is a very strange post, all over the place. LMAO. So what. Have a great day and week, I think I can go to bed now.