Jack & Jill 2021
Our Conversations and sometimes light banter, hearty and salient, sagacious, open-minded and non-judgmental, within the ambit of our polemic, sometimes controversial disagreements. Our stories: my stories, her stories – Never a zero sum engagement, subsumed in respect for each other’s opinion: agree, and sometimes agree to disagree – autonomy and sovereignty respected – a crucible for refining better outcomes. Mission: appreciate and celebrate passion, mindfulness, meditation, attentiveness, even lamentation on all that’s going on in the city, the state, country and the world. And yes, nature, as in our environment. And she said, do not forget about fitness, good books and good conversations, recognized even when it’s from others, yes, good conversation – Simple and confident, yet, humble and kind. And yes, even as we sometimes play advice columnist.
And, oh, there is a discordant tone, a notice, requiring attentiveness, an attention, even while seeming superfluous, and did not match style and substance: our first disagreement, a doozie.
Jill: Good day, Jack
Jack: Hello! How are you, Jill?
Jill: It’s a lovely day on Christmas Eve, and the New Year beckons, yes?
Jack: Yes, it is
Jill: I am happy when the sun is shining
Jack: Yes, it’s Sunny and all looks bright
Jill: Listening to music and reading books are perfect things to do on Christmas Eve, as we look forward to 202. How are you?
Jack: I am good, thanks. Yes, in times like these, reading and listening to music, a good thing, a good way to relax and unwind.
Jill: It was a bit gloomy this morning but all looks better and brighter.
Jill: I hope 2021 will be better after all we have experienced in 2020
Jack: I hear we might have some rain later
Jill: Probably tomorrow and the weekend. We do also need rain. Lol
Jack: Yes, I hope 2021 brings more cheers:
Jill: I do also enjoy an occasional winter rainy day when I am in the mood to read and probably write some poems. I hope 2021 will bring us more peace and humanity and less sadness and suffering.
Jack: I hope so. I hope the political leaders become more cooperative
Jill: Indeed! We will have to remain hopeful and do whatever we can to help. Not just the leaders in this country but the leaders across the world. I hope for more dialogues and corporations between countries and less hostility and trade wars
Jack; Yes, political leaders across the world, they need to put the interests of the people before their own. I agree with you
Jill: No more border walls and no more separation of children and the parents at the border.
Jack: 🙂 I hope after January 20, we will see a different approach to governance.
Jill: Totally. I started to see some good signs of that just by looking at the choices of the cabinet members.
Jack; True He seems to want a reset
Jill: It is so funny that I was never very political (was more philosophical) but this administration made me political
Jack: I say: our collective nightmare is about to be over:)
Jill: Indeed. And I hope the country will be more united and less split
Jack: I think so. People will see, continue to see the disruptive nature, unnecessary disruption of things, as they were.
Jill: I also hope we will be able to achieve more equality in all aspects: economic status, gender, race, and more
Jack: Yes!
Jill: And each of us contribute our fair share to make the world a better place
JACK: At the end of the day, the political class are the dividers. They use the divide and conquer method for their own gain.
Jill: I agree people can hold different ideologies but there shouldn’t be classes
Jack: Very true
Jill: And politicians shouldn’t use the differences among people for their own political agenda
Jack:Yes. We all aspire for the same things
Jill: Indeed
Jack: The diversity is what makes us strong. Actually, makes life more interesting. We need to celebrate that.
Jill: I have been debating whether I should continue to live in this country and the Bay Area but I realize that no place is perfect and I probably cannot find another place that has such diversity as in the Bay Area.
Jack: You’re right. Moving might not change human nature in where one might move to:)
As you said: we just have to do, keep doing our little best to advance peace and cooperation.
Love and equity for all.
Jill: Yes, thumbs up!
Jack: 🙂
Jill: Well our first conversation, entering the New year, is certainly centered around politics:)
Jack: Yes, and it’s because of the political situation, landscape we find ourselves:) and possibly, because we care:)
Jill: That’s so well said. I thought I didn’t care that much but I do. On a lighter topic, how do you plan to spend the time during the holidays
Jack: 🙂 The times, call for a quiet time at home,
Jill: Agree. I will use the time connecting with my family and friends all over the world And catch up with some reading.
Jack: I am thinking, when the relative lock-down is eased, we can set time for a meet…maybe go walking
Jill: Yes! Good idea.
Jack: Good
Jill: Walking in some places beautiful and tranquil.
Jack: Yes, a good walking trail, and yes, beautiful and tranquil:) Well put:)
Jill: I walk a lot when I travel in other parts of the world. Not so much here.
Jack: Now, we have to change that:)
Jill: 😀 We can share our travel stories while walking.
Jack: Walking and laughter, I hear, boosts ones immunity and good health:) Yes!
Jill: 😂
Jill: That’s my way of staying healthy. Being active and positive
Jack: A good thing! It’s been a good chat with you. Time for a late lunch, look forward to talking to you later🌹
Jill: Enjoy your lunch! Talk to you later.
Jack: Thanks🌹I have always figured you not be into Christmas, I am sure you know I am not:) In some parts of the world, today is Boxing Day. And the weather here has brightened up🌹
Jill: Good afternoon to you, Jack. My day just started not long ago (stayed late last night, technically this morning watch a new period drama, lol). Cooking my lunch now: Indeed the weather brightened up today as we had some rain yesterday😀 Christmas to me is less a religious holiday but more a time to get together with families. I am not into the commercialized holidays nowadays but I still enjoy some relaxing time and sharing gifts with families and friends.
Jack: Yes, it’s the way I take it too. As soon as Thanksgiving, the commercial interests go into high gear, for the most profits they can make, generate:) But, as you said, for some of us, it’s a day to rest and catch up on things, and friends:)
Jill: Indeed. I just put together my lunch and opened a bottle of wine. as you know, I enjoy cooking and eating a lot.😊
Jack: That sounds like a mouth watering lunch:) Even as it does not affect your physical aesthetics:) And, cooking at home, especially in these times, is what the doctor might order, you know where the food is coming from:)
Jill: Agreed.
Jack:
Yes! But I still feel sad for small businesses like restaurants and people who rely on them to make a living.
Jack: Yes, I agree, from no fault of their own, they are caught in this.
Jill: This year I am not able to get together with family and friends during the holidays. And most of my Christmas gifts stuck somewhere in transit. So I have to treat myself with extra food and wines to make up. 😂
Jack: 🙂 I hope the new year brings some relief, and we start to see some glimmer of hope.
Jill: Glad Vaccines are becoming more available. Once the majority of the population gets vaccinated, things should be more open and economic situation should improve.
Jack: Yes! There’s this talk of herd immunity, and hopefully, with better management of things, from a new administration, things might start looking up, let’s hope.
Jack: It’s lunch time for me, and hope to talk later🌹
Jill: Enjoy your lunch. Talk to you later.
Jack: Good evening, Yolanda🌹I am thinking, would January 3, 2021 be a good day to meet, go walking? Of course, that’s if conditions, i.e, restrictions allow:)
Jill: Good evening, Jack. Just got back running some errands. Yes if the lock down is not further extended, January 3 would be a good day to meet up for a walk. Let’s see how things go. Just pray that the lock down will be over soon.
Jack: Okay, sounds good. Have a great night, Yolanda, hope you sleep well🌹
Jill: You too. Very good night!
Jack: Happy Sunday, Jill, hope your day is going good🌹
Jill:Happy Sunday to you, Jack!
Jill: My day is going very well. Relaxing and enjoying food and drink.
Jack: 🙂 Mine has been good too, a bit more sedate, looking over some materials, and planning for the week. In a bit, fix me some dinner:)
Jill: Will next week be a light work week or still plenty going on? Do you cook much these day?
Jack: A light work week. And yes, I do still cook, albeit relative to work on hand and the food delivery availability, yes.
Jill: Likewise
Jack: As we prepare for the new year:)
Jill: Look forward to the new year
Jack: Yes!
Jack: I look forward to a meal together, soon as possible:)
Jill: I will use the time to do more walkout and catch up with reading. On a meal together, When things become more open. At least we can try to meet up for a walk.
Jack: Yes, reading, one of the more relaxing things to do, as he world turns.
Jill: What kinds of books do you read these days?
Jack: As a reader of all philosophies, and a student of the writing art, I still maintain my like for both fiction and none fiction: historical fiction, still my fave
Jill: Likewise. I read quite a few Philippa Gregory’s books😀
Jack: I do enjoy philosophy of both western & eastern
Jill: Me too although I am leaning towards western. As an engineer by training, therefore focus more on logic and reasoning
Jack: A fusion that gives me a balance, as imperfect as it is, on the ways of the world, some little understanding:) Of why things are the way they are:) Especially the power dynamics:)
Jill: Combination of the study of history and philosophy gives me more, more balanced view of power dynamics.
Jack: Yes, logic and reasoning, throw in some mathematics, allows for a better understanding:)
Jill: I am often puzzled by why history always repeats itself.
Jack: Yes! One can never forget history: know your history, you are half way there:) And Yes, to the repeating of history, it’s why it is said: the more things change, the more they remain the same:)
Jill: Also why Germans who are proficient in philosophy, logic and reasoning could have started two world wars
Jack::)
Jill: I am particularly fond of parallel and vertical comparison of historical events across the world.
Jack: I agree. I have always been puzzled why the so- called Brilliant people do very stupid things:) amazing:)
Jill:I am about to finish a book of Roman Emperors. The author also has another book comparing Korean War and the Peloponnesian wars. Plan to read that book next. One perk the pandemic brought us is the time for reading as we can’t travel, go out partying, etc.
Jack: The history of the Romans, Egyptians et all, at a further review, one finds out what ego and its attendant power struggle wreaked on the world.
Jill: I am going out to run some errands
Jack: Okay, let’s talk later🌹
Jill: Enjoy your dinner
Jack: Thank you🌹
Jack: Good day, Yolanda, how are you? Happy Monday🌹 By the way, Since you also like historical fiction, I would recommend, if you have not already read it: Gore Vidal’s Julian: about Emperor Julian, the nephew of Constantine the great. If you like, I will lend you mine, when we meet. It’s a good read. The thing is, I do have a habit of underlining, highlighting portions, not sure if you might find that off-putting:) And Oh, by the way, I forgot to add: unbridled ambition to ego and power struggle to the endless wars of yore:) Have a great day🌹
Jill: Happy Monday, Jack! It is still a work day for me. Was in meetings earlier. Luckily this is a short week and we are heading to new year day long weekend 😀 Thanks for recommending the book. I will look into it. Nowadays besides my own paperback collection, I tend to read ebooks. There are many reasons for wars (ancient times or modern). Sometimes it was for economic reasons or fighting for resources and survival. The wars between the Roman and the Carthaginian are examples. Religion, ideology, and culture clashes are often causes of wars too. Sometimes the causes are even difficult to define. For instance, the First World War was the consequence of a series of events including missteps. I am fascinated by the history, partly because I have been trying to understand how much human evolved from constant wars and struggles and tries to coexist with each other despite all the differences.
Jack: Economic, fight for resource control: trade routes and others, and religion are big drivers of wars. Then there are the unreasonable ones, like the ones, for example: the Romans and Egyptians, were partly driven by ego, powerplays, fight over a woman:): Anthony, Augustus Caesar, and Cleopatra, that took, unnecessarily, many lives and decimated vast areas. Yet, your analysis is on point and well taken. Yes, it’s good this is going to be a short week, and I see myself running between things as I write this:) Have a great evening🌹
Jill: Oh, before you go, The war between Anthony and Octavia (before he became Augustus) was inevitable, with or without Cleopatra. They both believed to be the successor of Julius Caesar (both had good reasons too). They joined forces to take revenges against Caesar’s enemies and then divided their territories (Rome and the west provinces and East provinces). However there could only be a Rome and a Caesar. Therefore I believe the war was bound to happen and this kind war happened many times throughout Roman history. I am just wrapping up reading my book “ten Caesars, from Augustus to Constantine. 😊 Enjoy the rest of your evening!
Jack: Good morning, Yolanda, happy Tuesday. Again, you make some very salient points: relevant and to the point. History, for the most part, especially of the ancient, have to be contextualized, as done, nuanced, to make head, better understanding, and you have done that in spades:) It’s a pleasure🌹
Jill: Very good morning to you! Love to have intelligent conversations in the space of history, philosophy, and humanities, and thank you, for the compliment, always true to yourself, Jack.
Jack: Thank you. And it’s a good thing, and wish more of it:) Any discussion that expands ones horizon, awareness about the world we live in, give us better understanding of our common humanity, yes! One of:)
Jill: And the conversations brought by different people from different background and life experiences give us different perspectives on life, the world, and the humanity.
Jack: Yes!
Jill: I view all aspects of learning equally important: reading, traveling, listening, and learning others’ experiences and perspectives
Jack: And a good thing. Being able to be open-minded, and open to new experiences, able to listen, and listen well, a good thing. And learning about others experiences, points of view, why they chose the views, a path to better understanding. The divide in society, for the most part, especially political, is from our inability to listen to the other side: when we become so dogmatic, inflexible in our views and it’s a zero sum engagement, results are a permanent divide: so, yes, you are right, we need to be able to see all perspectives and others life experiences
Jill: Indeed. I feel strongly about being open minded and the openness to the new experience. I also appreciate the fact that we live in The Bay Area where there is diversity in culture, background, viewpoints. I appreciate different aspects of things, and knowledge different friends bring to me
Jack: Yes, same, to be open minded, is for better understanding- and yes, the Bay Area, as a progressive region, allows for. Diversity is strength:) Should be celebrated:)🌹Anyway, it’s been a good chat, as always. Have a great day🌹
Jack: As always 😀 Have a lovely day.
Jack: Have a great night, Jill, hope you sleep well🌹
Jill: You too! Sweet dreams
Jack: Good evening, Jill, how are you? Hope your day went well. Best🌹
Jill: Good evening! A busy day. Finishing up works and running errands. Just got back and about to relax and watch a drama. Hope you had a nice day. And enjoying your evening
Jack: Good day, Jill, happy new’s year eve, and the beginning of 2021, yea!🌹 And yes, my day was fruitful, accomplished the tasks I set to do, thank you. On this New Year’s Eve, a quiet time at home is what is called for:) Have a great day, Jill🌹
Jill: Good day, Jack! Happy New Year’s Eve. And yes, the beginning of 2021. Happy New Year’s Eve! Glad to know that your went well. I have been occupied by communications with friends. Look forward to a quiet evening with movies and snacks at home. Not the worst way to celebrate the new year. lol
Jack: Good evening, Jill. I just came back from running my last outa the house errands of the year, yeah:) Yes, a quiet evening at home, with movies and snacks, no one would quarrel with that:) Have a great evening, Jill🌹
Jack: Happy New Year, Jill🌹may your New Year be filled with good Tidings🌹 Even though I accomplished all I set out to do the last day of 2020, I was up till about 1:30 AM:) Glad 2020 is behind us🌹 Happy New Year, Jill🌹
Jill:Happy new year 🎈Wish a better 2021 for all of us.
Jack: Yes! For all of Us: as attentive as always:)🌹Good Day, Jill! How are you?🌹
Jill: I am good. Thanks for checking in. Had a relaxing day. Slept till noon. Lol
Jack: You are welcome, same here, slept in too:)
Jill: A good way to celebrate the new year. 😂
Jack: Yes! Especially since it goes into the weekend:)
Jill: Indeed
Jack:What new book are you planning to read in the new year?
Jill: I plan to re-read Van Loon’s Tolerance. Read it before but think it is very relevant to the current situation in US. Or the entire world. Also plan to get another book by the same author of the book Ten Caesars, which I am finishing up.
Jack: I am intrigued by the Ten Caesars book, especially since your explanation, based on the premise that with or without Cleopatra, the chasm/divide between the two male protagonists was inevitable.
Jill: The book covers the period from Augustus to Constantine. It doesn’t include much about the time of Julius Caesar nor discuss to much about the way between Octavia and Antony
Jack: I am thinking of revisiting Tolstoy’s War And Peace. Read it some years ago, and it also allows for a revisit, especially with current permutations in Russia and their relationship with the west
Jill: War and peace is one of my favorite literature
Jack; It’s voluminous, but a great read, not easy to put down when one starts reading it:) And Yes! One of mine too
Jill: Russia back then was merely defending itself from Napoleon invasion. Invading Russia was the fetal mistake made by Napoleon and ultimately caused Napoleon’s down fall. As I mentioned before, history always repeats itself. Hitler made the same mistake.
Jack: Yes! Trying to swallow more than they can chew:) Greed is not a virtue, it shows, ego has limitations:) But, if you have not read Louis Menand’s The Metaphysical Club, I recommend it: A good book on the early formations, policies and direction of the foundation of America, it’s early building blocks and those who made contributions: for good or for ill.
Jill:Will add it to my list. 😀
Jack:How does the weekend look to you? Does Sunday still look okay for a walking date?
Jill: Sorry I thought that was off since the lock down has been extended I also need the weekend to catch up with families and friends. although most of my friends also live in the Bay Area, we all kinda obey the stay, shelter at home order. Lol .I also need the weekend to catch up with families and friends. although most of friends also live in Bay Area but we all kinda obey the stay home order. Lol Sorry about that
Jack: Okay, just wanted to put us on the same page:) I thought as much:) Let’s watch how things unfold
[Jill: Agreed
Jack:🌹
Jill: The situation doesn’t look rosy as the numbers keep rising. We don’t even know how it would go after Christmas and new year holidays
Jack: As said earlier, I do hope our collective nightmares, would start trailing off with the transition to a more mature management, in governance. Even the much heralded role out of the vaccine, has been underwhelming.
Jill: Changes don’t happen overnight
Jack: Yes, agree, changes don’t happen overnight, but a well coordinated approach to governance, consistencies in approach and governance, less transactional, but policy based, give people more confidence in those who govern them. It’s late dinner time, going between fixing that and our conversation:) Hope you have a great night🌹
Jill: I am doing some house chores while watching TV. Enjoy your dinner and have a restful night
Jack: Happy Saturday, Yolanda, how are you?🌹 Today, I am doing what you did yesterday, chores around the house:) Best🌹
Jill: I did more chores, caught up with sleep, and chatted with friends.
Jack: Same here, caught up on sleep, and chores:)
Jack: I am still working, developing the website, and you know, I am not the most savvy IT or website builder:) yet, I am still trying to do it in-house:) takes more time and effort. Part of daily chores, to upload some of my stories, books, photography, and more. So far, so good, and by the way, some of our banters and anecdotes:) Have a great night🌹
Jill: There are templates for building a website. There are also people who are professionals for building websites
Jack: Yes, thanks! I am more or less putting together the infrastructure, the building blocks, if you may – with attendant content info and space. And yes, I have also thought of, after this initial work, to hire a professional to finish it, by then, the road map for them is set:) and would not require more of my participation or direction. Thank you🌹 Still up on continuing on this path. Seems taskfull, but I believe I may reap the rewards later, for the complete autonomy, sovereignty over maintenance, management, the in-house advantage, that it would afford me:) Time to hit the sac, the long weekend holidays, as it is, requires body clock adjustment, after the fact. Go back to old schedule:) Bright side: made good progress. An aside, Just a thought, on the demise of Napoleon: don’t forget Waterloo, the stretch of beautiful land as you drive from Brussels to Paris🌹I am sure you are having a great sleep, hope you sleep well🌹
Jill: Good to know you have made progress. I indeed had a very restful weekend. Good to know you have made progress. I indeed had a very restful weekend. On the note of Waterloo, I view it as direct consequence of Napoleon’s defeat in Russia as the failed invasion exhausted France’s resources. It also worth mentioning Britain’s role of balancing the power in Europe.
Jack: Good to hear from you, Jill, how are you? It’s been a busy past few days, yet glad of outcomes. The rational, your take on the demise of Napoleon, Yes, plausible, yet, a great nation, power, is able to fight in multiple theaters, or fight one war after the other. And it further proves my point about: ego, unbridled ambition, greed, unreasonableness, by so-called brilliant, smart people. A great power should always be ready for all eventualities, not bite for more than it can chew. It smacks of, I sense, a naïveté, sentimental instincts, ill-prepared person, going to war at all cost, not mindful and attentive to reality.
Plato said: leaders should be philosophers, and philosophers should be leaders, i.e., reasonable, contemplative of all things, decisions, before action. Not hubris, hubristic tendencies. Logic and reason should be the basic nature of our world.
Let’s take the case of Octavian, the premise that Octavian and Anthony were doomed from the start, because there could be only one Caesar. Yet, Rome until then had had many Caesars, and just because there could be only one president, does not mean one going to way to take it at all cost. Octavian had already been assumed as heir apparent, Julius Caesar favored him, and was taken as the chosen one, the principal heir, his grand nephew. I sense a rascality in Anthony, sleeping with the enemy to achieve an unbridled ambition, trying to take what was not his to take from the beginning. A rascal, again.
And yet, they were “brothers,” great “friends,” in-laws, married to Octavian’s sister. What’s the assumption? That both Anthony and Octavian had been aiming for this from the beginning? That Rome had always had this kind of path to Caesar-hood, leadership?
There’s so many ways to an opinion, sometimes, there’s just not one answer, logic, reasoning, infinite.
Einstein is credited to have written, in a letter to his daughter, said: “if we want our species to survive, if we want to discover the meaning of life, and if we want to save the world and every life that dwells on it, then love is the only way.” Love cannot be manipulated. So many ways, so many points of views, it’s why on some of the reputable networks, they have multiple pundits on, to get the full spectrum on things.
It’s a bit long-winded, but as it is, and being an enjoyer of our beautiful conversations, and your points of views, which I respect, and enjoy having, it’s a pleasure to have these robust conversations, with you, and dissect all possible point:)
Hope your first Wednesday of the new year 2021, is going good. Am watching, while I write this, the events unfolding in DC, what a place we create, when we are blinded by power, greed, unbridled ambition, to get it at all cost, amazing! Have a great night and hope you sleep well🌹
Jack: I am, and still looking forward to our conversations: good intelligent conversations, as stated in original premise, even as we explore romance, but fusing it with exchange of knowledge and happenings around us, our world. Where when agree, we smile and laugh about it, and when we disagree, we laugh about it, in the process, we may have learned a thing or two from it all:)
Conversations that appreciate and celebrate passion, love, travel, food, mindfulness, attentiveness, meditation, even lamentations on going ons in the ecosystem, nature, fitness, good books: simple confident and direct, yet humble and kind.
When conversations, especially of controversial figures, and of the ancients are discussed, it’s best contextualized and nuanced, for the most part, simple explanations insufficient to explain some of their actions, deeds – the mind is vast, especially for those who engaged in rhetoric, especially during the Roman, Athenian, Spartan , et all. The minds of Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, explain all – they were known to debate lasting extensive amount of time: and why they espoused that Kings (leaders) should be philosophers, and philosophers should be kings (leaders.) I am looking to having such, even as we enjoy romantic periods, building romance and friendship. It is the art of getting people to agree with you, even when they may be at variance to your point: rhetoric:)
I have enjoyed it so far, truly. By the way, when I wrote: “I sense naïveté, sentimentality, rascality,” I was referring to Mark Anthony. I believe he was rash in his behavior.
Happy Valentine’s Day, Jill🌹
Jill: “Jack,”
Jack: “Yes, Jill.”
Jill: “You have an eye for beauty,”
Jack: “Thanks, I do my best, I am sure you expected that much in a partner.”
Jill: “Oh, I am creating a monster…”
Jack: “No, I am just stating facts, being real, the face of the father before I was born.”
Jill: “Tsk, tsk.”
Jill: “Since we are on the same subject, the art piece, I say, to make money from it, we need rational analysis and operational experience and flexible transactions.” She continued: “The direction and path of life we have chosen, are the choices we made. Don’t care too much about the past – the experience and memories, they are what they are: writer + Painter = ideological art, partners.”
Jack: ” Yes, Jill, I must say we do present, represent a synergy – the synergistic elements of writer and painter.”
Jill: “Jack,”
Jack: “Yes, Jill,”
Jill: “Are you familiar with what an intimacy coordinator does?”
Jack: “A bit new to me.”
Jill: “Do you know or not, yes or no?”
Jack: “From the bit I know, I believe he/she hang around on movie sets, telling people in various state of undress what they can do or not do to one another, what they mustn’t even think of when they are doing it, what they definitely can’t do, and, once they have not done it, how to treat the nasty case of inadvertent elbow to the eye, nose, other parts of the body, that they developed in the course of the movie making.”
Jack: “Does that sound good enough to answer your question, even from a novice like me?”
Jill: “I get the point, must be a tough job, if I may?”
Jack: “Yes! even those who are armed with the Black Book, Practical Ethics, that govern the trade, even then, the hardiest intimacy coordinators, armed with tape measure, protractors, magnifying glasses, still struggle, I suspect.”
Jack: “You have to know, be aware that we are talking about a man and a woman having sex, or near the start of, in the glare of the spotlight.” the activity itself is vanilla, even while vigorous: remember, the act of playing a part is to do it properly, and the motivation, is always in the back, remember that.”
Jill: “that must be task full, I never knew that so much go into lovemaking acts in cinema. And of course, these are people who just met, lounging around in ecstasy’s wake, and riffing about what comes next, and discovering that the riffing turns them on: this is why a intimacy coordinator is definitely required here, yes?”
Jill: “Yes! I can imagine what the adult coordinators must endure, yes?”
Jack: Yes! Remember these are relatively, even while handsomely clean cut, are still ragged around the corners, edges, in ways that are hard to define.”
Jill: “Jack, you are a sweetheart, a good explainer, I might add, thanks.”
Jack: “You are welcome, I do my best, especially when it’s you, Jill.”
Jill: “Go to sleep, I just had a glass of red wine, I am feeling a little dizzy.”
Jack: “Should I come over?”
Jill: “Don’t bet on it, not in my wasted mode.”
Jack & Jill: After the revelry, here and there: the asides, apropos.
And that was that, even when I thought it was meant to last the night, oh well: a dime for a pineapple with good rhymes, feeding the birds as the sun rises. a fruit basket, the view, every plant has their own requirements in order to grow, and so do people, to brew a perfect tea, the right, the right temperature is required…all being equal, as the memories of sucking the juice outa the apple, savoring the bite, mmm, goes for another bite and another bite, from the farm to the marketplace, to the kitchen, breakfast table: a bite of an apple…a lush open green field of assorted trees, plants, vegetation, seasonal colors visible, the changing colors of the season, old salutation, behind – a walk through the boulders of the marina – to sit, feel the warmth of the sun and gentle breeze, observe: the boats, the windsurfers surf, the kayakers kayak, the fishermen/fisherwomen, fish, patience as the bay water subsumed the fishing rods and thread: kids and grownups fish, boisterous laughter, good-natured – water, water everywhere, as far as the eye can see…and so it goes. the best view is from the back of the truck., she said outa no where. And Buddha says: don’t be angry, don’t be greedy, don’t be stupid: The venerable one went further, and he said: walk calmly and steadily, with poise and dignity. Admonition for an uncertain and fractured times…After the play in the mud of the rice field, even while in the shower, she said: before you speak, let your words pass through three gates: is it true, is it necessary, is it kind. Fall in love with life, and life will fall in love with you, because inspiration comes from many sources, and can manifest just like that. That’s what she said, even as she was falling asleep. As if I am on fire from within, the moon lives in the lining of my skin, that’s what she said, and she went back to sleep…to the uninitiated, they all might have made no cohesion…so it goes.
The next day:
Jack: the doctor of the south Asian extraction, she said to me; “Do I make you uncomfortable?” She asked, a demure, with a wry smile, no comment. She continued: “what do I have to do to make you comfortable.” She continued: Another demure with a wry smile. So, she went for broke: “Do I have to put on a clown suit to make you comfortable?” A little chuckle, a different kind of demure, no wry smile. “Take off your shirt.” She commanded, her tone very much forceful. A true story, between me and the doctor, a south Asian. End of story. In the circle of life…if you lose your shoes at midnight, you are drunk, that’s what she said. Cabernet Sauvignon, and appetizers for two. the wine and food and all that followed, does the body and mind good. The walk in the park to end the day, just as the sun sets. Looking at the half empty glass, the very last of the wine and conjures images of the walk in the park: Yes, a glass of wine is called for, not after all the snow and all. The caterpillar perched on her lap. The new moon rises. The moon child says: welcome, and happy new year. Solitude, serenity, contemplation, realization. A dime for a pineapple with good rhymes. From sunrise to canvas, an ode to my ghost muse, by way of Harbin, in a brief moment in time, inspired thoughts, insights, as a set of other perspectives – parts of the equation – yes! Not unlike polynomial. It’s the way of Jack & Jill, it’s everything and anything, all fused together, it is for the audience to make what they may, outa all. So it goes…
Jill: “Jack, whatever happened to the Singaporean, hiding something from me, Jack?”
Jack: “An open book like me does not have things to hide, I had thought we were on Sabrina, no?’
Jill: “Okay, tell me about your encounter with Sabrina, and then, I want to hear what became of the Singaporean, she seems more interesting, if I may.”
Jack: “Not sure who’s more interesting, Sabrina just happens to be a free spirit, carefree gal, who moves to her own drumbeats, not even a care in the world of other’s opinions, but, I think that should be for another day, you are kinda wasted, and I am beat, good night, Jill.”
Jill: “Sure looks like you are definitely hiding, keeping something from me. But then life is a path of destined meet between two people, for stunning times and gentle years – add pots and pans, and we have done all that, especially the addition of pots and pans, no?”
Jack: “Are we on ancients again, ancients fused with moderns? How do we categorize such philosophy?”
Jill: “Time will not mistreat them, life will not wrong them, remember, they are told to work hard, and we have done that. Get their inspirations from ancients, and we have done that: it’s like they are talking about us, no?”
Jack: “Your eyes are closed, your lips move, and the words come out, inspired by, I know not what.”
Jill: And they all became geniuses, producing all that’s allowing us to cope with modern society, internet of things and all. Did I mention great vacations – good, they have healing effect for body and mind, magically inspiring, I must say.”
Jack: “Will you remember all this tomorrow, or should I get a recorder, this sounds deep, needs decoding after the fact, no?”
Jill: “They are hastened to be reminded that on this realm, this world, no matter what kind of feeling, no matter what kind of relationship, they all need to be carefully managed, must be constant, consistent output of nourishment, otherwise, the time is long, made long and the days are long, made long.”
Jack: “Sounds like an ode to love, sounds like unrequited, and the result, creating a mindset of not totally onboard on the fundamental nature of love, no?”
Jill: “No matter how deep the feelings are, they will fade, no matter how good a relationship – it will alienate, they would become alienated, without the nourishment. What are the nourishment, one asks?’
Jack: “Oh, I was right, this has to do with love, unrequited love, love gone sour. You did not tell me of a new love interest, is there one?”
Jill: “With April unfinished, run into May, even if the road is muddy, you will harvest the brightness of the edge field, the field cultivated.”
Jack: “We do reap what we sow, don’t we, Jill?”
Jill: “People in this life who’re destined to meet, in fact, had long been predestined, as part of the relationships in the world ecosystem, geographical landscape, in our world, are in fact decided by fate, the probability of getting acquainted, being acquaintance is, has a zero in multiples attached.”
Jack: “In the A.M., we would need a decoder, dear Jill.”
Jill: “Since the reliability of love is being questioned, early to bed and good health it produces, can be relied on.”
Jack: “That I understand, the health benefit of good rest, sleep cannot be overemphasized, needs no decoding here.”
Jill: “Especially when teenage courage has run out and the waywardness of the twenties has been subdued, true love, what to do?” “Either you suffer, or commit a sin, and make others suffer, in the drive to get ahead, in the drive not to lose one’s position in the grand scheme of things, the station, one’s station, in the scheme of things.”
Jack: “Definitely needs a decoder for this, on this age group and love. Then one asks, what has age to do with love?”
Jill: “Thirty and up, the only thing to reflect on, think twice about, if you ask love, in this case Cupid, what to do, I can only smile, because I do not foresee an answer that is satisfying – so love yourself is the best romance.” Because human heart is like food. You should have it when it’s warm. If you don’t eat it, it’ll get cold. Even if you heat it again, the taste will change.””Will migratory birds come back?”
Jack: “To be continued.” As Jill finally doses off. Poetry of autumn breeze, painting of summer rose, in the rain. Her eyes are closed, the lips move: features in neat positions with clear shapes: perfectly shaped jawline, clavicles and sleek neck, perfect aesthetics shoulders and slim waist, perfect aesthetically built thighs and fit lower back, legs. When the fox preaches, take care of the geese. whispers of love, time for our own, rain nourishes silently.. They sounded ancient, orient, wonders source of quotes: justifications, practicalities and opportunities – can the purpose overrule the process? Even when a slight difference in thought will bring different results. We become what we think, because the body achieves what the mind believes, yes, we become what we think.
Ostentatious display of all things luxury and all – in a bustling city. And all living beings have emotions, suffer and all – even as they have more important things they care about. To struggle with people you can find your refuge, to struggle with people, you can achieve your pursuit. Find your own Tao, Tao of non interference. God bless us all – the sea in the east, and the desert in the west…history will judge if our choices were right. It’s absolutely not easy to change our nature – historical aggregates is what architecture is – the structure we leave is eternal, noble, if the right choices are made. The heart is fickle.
Jill: “Jack, let’s die and see if we can remember each other.”
Jack: “Jill, no, you cannot die, if you die I will kill you. Nothing good comes out of death.” Even in geopolitics, it is said that nations fall when they lose their sense of humor. And when one’s ear is black, the eyes are blind. At the end, the winner becomes the king, the loser the thief, even when the roles are misplace.”
The benevolent has no enemy.
The Crab Legs and Annie
Jill: “Jack,”
Jack: “Yes, Jill.”
Jill: “Okay, let’s lighten atmospherics, after all that just came from our mouths, now tell me about Annie Crab legs.”
Jack: “Oh, there’s nothing to tell, it was just a random encounter that happened to happen at the crablegs stand, and the nuanced nature of their cooked form: are they able to maintain integrity, or do they lose some parts as well as flavor, the fluids, juices and all.”
Jill: “What do you think?”
Jack: “I think by its nature, it is bound to lose some flesh, meat, and the softness makes it so: and yes, there would be a diminishing of flavor, having being previously cooked and all, some flavor is bound to seep into the fluids it’s cooked in, no?”
Jill: ” I agree with you, even though there’s a metaphor I suspect therein, no?”
Jack: It’s best left to the eye of the beholder.” Another question was whether there was still a need to wash, rinse, and if that would further diminish flavor or loss of flesh, meat?”
Jill: “I would suspect so, no?”
Jack: “I agree with you, mind meld.” “
Jack: “They had about 15 pieces in the box, which brought another question: How do you store, since it requires freezing? that was Annie’s question, who was giving a party for about seven, her freezer would not handle all the boxes. I suggested she get big Zip-lock bags and separate them into manageable units, and use as the need arises, the question solved.” Good idea, thank you, she said, Annie, that is.”
Jill: “That was the viable option, unless of course she has one of those stand-alone open freezers.”
Jack: always, we melded, thank you Jill.”
Jill: “For what, what are yo thanking me for?”
Jack: “For everything.”
Jill: “Being sentimental, Jack?”
Jack: “this time, not quite as sentimental as the naive and sentimental guy.” Laughs, boisterous laughs all-around.
As this subsided, Jill made a revisit to the ancients: sentimental. I must say, about all that our partnership has been. What it provides to both of us, and she said:
Jill: “We are each of us stronger than we think,” I sensed Marcus Aurelius at once. She did not stop there. It was a night of ancients, and she continued.
Jill: “It is the libido dominandi, our desire to dominate that is the troubles of the world, Saint Augustine was right, the imperfect nature of things, it is pretty much that, a result of the imperfect nature of things. the original sin, on this City of mankind, the city of God. And Thomas Aquinas would be worried about the conditions, the lack pf Faith and Reason, from the Patron Saint of teachers.”
Jill: “Natural laws and eternal laws, what roles do they play? Knowledge can come from multiple populations, places, sources, even as science grow revelation from pagans. So, the great secrete of education, what it wrought, is direct vanity to proper object as Adam Smith taught us, and he was a bright guy, don’t you agree?”
Jack: “I agree, and all the ancients, I almost agree with. And autocrats, advised to change their perception of reality of the things they design in their minds: the gaming of the system: the gamers and the breakers. As we saw recently, a force that would shutter our nation rather than share it, and Amanda Gorman was right.”
Elegance and the beauty of words.
Jack: “Yes, I agree, it has to be economy, a landscape of at once profitable and civilized, civilized means equity, all-around, and Oliver Wendell Holmes comes to mind: He pays taxes to buy civilization.”
Jack: “We both agreed, Annie an I, that they are good for the price, the big box and the storage condition it presented, already solved above, was the only thing.
Jack: “About five minutes later: I heard : “Oh, we run into each other again.” Big smile, showing beautiful teeth, smile remains, lingers as she stopped, and I looked up and it was Annie, at the fish stand, I thought to myself, silent talk, that she must be a liker of seafood”
Jack: “She, Annie, thrust ever so lightly, the fish, and proceeded to say: “They are good for the price. I cook them simply, I just add garlic.” I said: “Oh yes, I would do the same, simple with garlic is good, but, sometimes, a little basil and ginger and thyme,” she agreed.” That was all, no drama.
Jill: “I must say that was an interesting encounter, even when it was not in a fish market, centered on crabs, interesting indeed, unless there’s more to the story, no?”
Jack: “That was all there is.”
DR. CC Do
Jill: “Jack,”
Jack: “Yes, Jill.”
Jill: ” Now, let’s talk about the Singaporean, yes?”
Jack: “No Jill, the Singaporean comes with a long story, let’s visit Dr. Do, if that okay. you had once upon a time, pushed to have me tell you about the encounter, albeit a medical one. yes?”
Jill: “Okay, let’s visit Dr. Do.”
Jack: “Thank you, I am not quite ready for long visit, presently, especially not after that wine party the other night, a little beat, I must say.”
Jill: “Okay, don’t be long winded, not good for health:)” “you met with her, yes?”
Jack: “Yes,”
Jill: “What does she look like?”
Jack: “Why should that matter, it was just a checkup?”
Jill: “You hiding something again, Jack.”
Jack: “She, I believe, has a jene sais quoi aura, there was a sense of it, even while some depth and shallowness pervade, this is even as we consider all things. Opportunity to talk, contemplate in real time for two, about our area, state, country, our wold. Who we are, and what roles designated, mandated, in this very changing world, exponentially, even as it’s global inter-connected. No matter what we do, nothing can stop this rapid changing, especially in the very scrambled ecosystem, our geography. What intervention? Divine? Here and now, good conversation, good food, yes good food: yes, if we were to add good food, won’t this be perfect? In what my senses are telling about this scene. Both well traveled, mindfulness imbibed students, calm and happy. Let’s give it a meet, yes? 10 from there. My mind, yes, still had my mind on, contemplation/meditation, the antidote for this? For the times? This is nothing more than reflecting on one’s area, the state, country and world, writ large. The one we live in. For grounding and rational premise. Yes, for grounding and all. Allowance for going with the flow with mindfulness.Fusion of reality and one’s wisdom. Realistic and practical. Yes, we talked about all these: Who we are, and even while in her medical robe, if that’s what’s called. Beautiful body, nice legs and thighs: pants and shirt, just tight enough to notice the shape of what’s underneath, built well with superior material – in other words, beautiful. Yes, she has beautiful body, sexy as hell, with an elocution, articulation to match, even while every so often,, point to her midribs, lower body to make a point, one can notice that the pants, enhanced her crutches, as I said, she was sexy as hell.” To explain it is to hide it.
Jill: “And this is supposed to be a doctor’s visit, no?” “I sense one salivating, almost like an erotic dream or a seductive experience, your keen observation is impressive, even when the voyeurism is palpable, no?”
Jack: “Give me a break, it is what I observed, I actually though she was trying to seduce me, especially when she said: “I tell this to all my men,” a doctor, I believe, is not allowed to say that to her/his patients, no?”
Jill: “She said that?”
Jack: “Yes she did.” “Now, there’s a caveat, because of the PPE and mask she had on, I could not, and cannot, make a judgement on her face. Yes, she’s petite, beautiful seductive voice, an ABC, all I know, and was nattily dressed.”
Jill: “How long was the appointment?”
Jack: “It lasted 45 minutes, of what I termed a 45 minute s of seductive appointment, I did not complain, not for a red blooded man, with pulse, they never quibble over such harmless indiscretion, no?”
Jill: “Oh,”
Jack: ” I had to take off my jacket, shirt, and all – and there were some maneuvering: of leggs, while laying on my back, in different direction, to ascertain a condition verification – passed all- it’s what I do my exercises for, no? I would have been disappointed if otherwise – wasted efforts, no?”
Jill: “So, you enjoyed yourself, yes?”
Jack: “Not sure about enjoy or what, but it was pleasant, yes.”
Jack: “Another caveat, I was glad I wore one of my nicer boxers: because when I got home, i realized the pant, underneath, was torn. From this habit of always wearing clothes, worn out clothes to hospital and doctor’s appointment. That would have been embarrassing, no?”
Jill: “It seems you had fun.”
Jack: “Do I sense an emotion called jealousy?”
Jill: “No comment.” And that was that on doctor CC Do.