Friday, May 10, 2013

Celebrating Life, Awards and a Black Eye

Before I start with the celebrations I would like to remind you next Friday is the Best and Worst Movie Remake Blogfest, hosted by the Ninja Captain, Stephen Tremp, Livia Peterson and yours truly. You don't need to be a movie expert to join (I'm not.) On May 17, list the best remake you've seen and the worst. As added bonus, list the worst/best song remake you've heard. If you have not signed up yet, you're missing the chance to win a dwarf. No. Not really. But you'll miss the fun. :o)



   Celebrate the small things is the brilliant idea of VikLit. Each Friday we post something we wish to celebrate achieving or doing during the week. It can be writing/reading or life related. You can find the list and join us here.
   I made a small modification to the way I do this Meme. Instead of listing what I did during the week, I will  list every week ten things I love about my life. The challenge is not to repeat myself and mention things that meant a vivid joy when I lived (or live) them.
   I knew this list would become more difficult each week. I'm starting to dig deeper in my brain.

1. Walk barefoot on the grass (I know. Dragons don't wear shoes. I mean in human form.)
2. A ride on a boat along the Panuco River on a Saturday evening. (The first and last time I enjoyed getting on a boat.)
3. Endless hours my brother and I spent planning a movie. I wrote the script. He took care of the score. We were going to get George Lucas out of business. Lucky Lucas our determination was sort of disperse at the time.
4. The first theater play I wrote and directed; I was 8 years old. Lucky Andrew Lloyd Webber. I would have ruined him too with my Dragon of the Opera. (Muahahaha)
5. Wine and cheese party.
6. Independence Day party (BTW, Mexican Independence Day is on September 16, not Cinco de Mayo as many believe.)
7. The sound of guitars. (Acoustic)
8. All types of dance.
9. Keep Mexican traditions. El Dia de Muertos (The Day of the Dead) it's my favorite.
10. Seeing an UFO. Thrilling.


11. People thinking on me to share their awards. :D Since I tell you a lot about me every Friday, I just want to thank these wonderful ladies and gentleman for their kindness.

Franny Stevenson from Dr. Franny and Mrs. Myself awarded me with the Super Sweet Blog Award and the  Sunshine Award. Thank you very much, Franny. As I said, you're spoiling me.

Lara Lacombe and Brandon Ax awarded me with the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Thanks guys!
Christine Rains awarded me with the Zombie Rabbit Award. I'm glad you liked my theme, Christine.


My dearest butchering parrot has been with me for 12 years. He was a hatchling when he arrived at the dragon cave and thinks Father Dragon is his mama. He's sick with a lung infection and I've spent the last two days nursing him, hopefully back to health. The vet is not being very optimistic (actually not optimistic at all) but I am. The little guy is putting up an excellent fight.

Yesterday, Mother Dragon and I were making adjustments in the Main Chamber for the nebulizer. She thought the cardboard packing from the treadmill would work as protecting base. Problem was, the thick cardboard had a beam attached (one hard as wood.) Since she just needed the flat base, I pulled from the beam to detach it...on the wrong direction. Never realized I was pulling towards my face until the beam finally detached and hit me with all the merciless impulse of my own strength.

It hit me half an inch below the eye, so hard that my skull hurt, my knees bent and I saw bright blue spots dancing around. Mother Dragon turned when she heard the *thunk* and saw me pressing my paw over my eye. Scared out of her mind because her first thought was that the beam poked my eye out, she rushed to me, commanding me to let her take a look. It hurt so much that I just kept pressing with all my strength, trying to decide if I should try to keep on my feet or just kneel.

The funny thing is that I was this close to explode in rage due to pain, but for two seconds an image appeared in my mind of how I should have looked when the beam hit me. Or rather when I hit myself with the beam. The vision was so close to one of the Three Stooges that to my own surprise, I laughed hard. Only then I could move my hand so Mother Dragon could see the damage and do what was needed to keep it from getting all swollen and give me a Rocky Balboa look. The best thing was that at my thunderous laughter, she started to laugh too, easing her fright and calming her.

You know I'm always trying to keep my sense of humor but this was completely unusual. My first reaction in such situations is anger, not laughter. Mostly if it's hurting like hell. Barely half an hour before this incident, I was holding a conversation by mail that had me chuckling but it was also sort of enlightening. Thirty minutes earlier I was thinking there are no good or bad things. Each one of us use our filters and label things as we want them to be, good or bad. It doesn't depend on the thing itself, but on what filter we use to look at it. I was thinking on my own ability as writer, and the concept I have of myself as good or bad writer. Then a beam hit me and for two seconds I had the clarity of mind to realize I could choose to get angry about the pain my stupidity was causing me or to laugh at the "cartoonish" sight of it.

I chose to laugh and made Mother Dragon laugh too. Laughter eased my pain and her panic. We made jokes about it while she tended my wound. I cannot say everything is perfect now. My parrot is still sick and I have a black eye. Yet, we don't feel as depressed as we could feel, should I have reacted the other way. So, I think I'll celebrate laughing at a black eye. Oh, I also celebrate Mother Dragon harvesting blackberries.


What are you celebrating today?

64 comments:

  1. Congrats on your well deserved awards, I celebrate the fact I have reached another year on my life's journey.
    Have a great week-end.
    Yvonne.

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    1. Congratulations Yvonne. That's a blessing, save me a piece of cake. :)

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  2. Oh well done - all those awards! And condolences on poorly parrot and blackened eye. Heres wishing you both a quick recovery. X

    PS: I'm celebrating here: http://shahwharton.com/2013/05/celebrate-the-small-things-turning-pages.html

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    1. Thank you for the good wishes Shah. On my way to celebrate with you

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  3. Really sorry about the black eye. Excellent attitude about it though. I would've laughed - much later.
    Sorry your parrot is sick. Just keep tending to him and again, maintain the good attitude.
    Too bad you didn't put Lucas out of business...
    Congratulations on the awards - have an excellent weekend, my friend!

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    1. I usually laugh later too. Must have been some remaining trace of humor from previous conversation.
      I've nebulized myself so many times, I'm already wondering if I have the cleanest or most open bronchia in this cave.
      Well, yeah, Lucas deserved a chance. I'm magnanimous, hahaha.

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  4. Al...glad the eye isn't poked out! And I hope your parrot recovers. Bird sickness is tricky...birds are fragile, from what I hear.

    You deserve all those awards! You've really endeared yourself to this community with your wonderful attitude and fantastic posts. Your eagerness to participate is unmatched and I so appreciate you, my friend.

    M.L. Swift, Writer

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    1. Ah, Mike, you're very supportive. Even though you're extremely busy, you are one who is always looking to improve. And I appreciate you a lot too. :)

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  5. Oh no! Black eyes are no fun! I hope it heals fast. You have quite a list this week Al. And putting Lucas out of business will be a task for sure. Congrats on all of the wonderful awards!

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    1. They say it gives me an interesting look, hahaha. About Lucas, I'm not interesting in the film making business anymore, so he's safe. :))

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  6. Oh Lord, please be more careful. Being able to laugh after you smack yourself silly is good. Not smacking yourself silly is better. Congratulations on the well deserved awards. I'll keep my fingers (toes, eyes) crossed for a full parrot recovery.

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    1. I must agree with you. No smacking is a hundred times better. My fault, I was careless and rushing. Nothing works as it must when you rush. Thanks for the good thoughts!

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  7. You certainly have a positive and refreshing way of looking at things even with a black eye! Ouch! Sending my best to your poorly parrot too.

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    1. Thank you Suzanne. Here I am, standing guard in the parrot ICU. Let's hope for the best.

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  8. Ow!! Sounds like something I would do. I'm not sure I would laugh, but after making sure I was okay, my husband would start laughing and set me off.

    Jo Wake suggested I share some vegan recipes with you (as I've been a vegan for years) if you're interested?

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    1. Oh yes! I am very interested. Jo was very kind to comment. I would love to add new options to my menu.

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  9. Owch! Sorry about the black eye! And I hope your parrot recovers :)

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  10. Yay for you lovely list, various awards, and being able to laugh at yourself. If you love accoustic guitar, try Armik, a great Spanish guitar player. :-)

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    1. You know what I'm talking about. It's the first time I hear this Armik but *this* is precisely the kind of guitar I was talking about. Beautiful. Armik has just won a dragon fan. Thank you very much for the recommendation, Lexa! :D

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  11. The sunshine on my face and the wind at my back.

    Thanks for the wonderful post.

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    1. Do you mind if I stand next to you to enjoy that sunshine and wind? Mostly if it is in a Caribbean Island! :)

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  12. I guess dragons DON'T know their own strength. Glad for your laughter. Anger only makes things FAR worse. Sorry about you friend. With the love and tenderness from both you and MD, I hope you baby will return to good health once more.

    A shiny black eye surely enhances your stoic and masterful brow FD...

    Keep the laughter up this weekend!

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    1. I have to agree with you, Michael. Anger makes things way worse for me, usually with nasty aftereffects.
      I think the disease is at its worst. If he can get through this until the antibiotic makes effect, then we'll be on our way to good health. I'm trusting. :)
      Thanks. May your weekend be full of smiles too!

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  13. I have my Movies post up and ready to go!

    And I'm sure they make shoes for dragons. Sandles for sure. Try Dragons R Us.

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    1. I still have to make my research. Cannot think on any single film and I know I've seen them.
      I think a dragon with shoes would look as funny as a dog with shoes, hahaha. Probably if I can find some tap shoes. That way I can at least go for a show.

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  14. Great way of reacting. I have to learn from you! You see I was right in nominating you! http://frannychallenge.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/very-inspiring-blog-award/
    I see you already received it, but still I want to thank you...and keep feeding you ego!

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    1. Ah, Franny, Franny, when the dragon doesn't fit in his cave anymore, you'll have to make him room in your site, hahahahaha.
      Thank you very much!

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    2. Do you know what?! Don't worry! I have an island in Sonrisa that could just fit you! Its name is Fire Bloom Island! I let you imagine what is about...you also have a vulcano!
      And I hope also that your eye is less black and your friend feels better! Let us know!

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  15. I always get mad when something like that happens and tend to snap at people who are trying to help. I should learn from you, great example.

    Not doing the remakes thing, I wouldn't know a movie remake from an original.

    Congrats on the awards, I have the Zombie Rabbit one too.

    So sorry about the parrot, I hope he will get better, if your nursing is anything to go by he will.

    JO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE

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    1. I would also snap at people, but since it is Mother Dragon and she is stronger, more powerful, more fierce and a total badass, I rather shut up and do what she says. :D I'm a wise dragon, hahahahahaha. There is a saying here, "Do you know how to treat an angry woman? Very carefully. VERY carefully." The same applies with Mother Dragons.
      I should do a bloghop of recipes and then you'll just have no excuse to enter. ;)

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  16. Feeling sorry for you for the black eye..Hope your parrot recovers. I feel Father Dragon is getting accident prone..its time for me to wave my magic wand and set things right. Hugs.

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    1. Amazing but you're right. I get accident prone when I'm distressed. I turn careless and absent minded. That's something I really must change. But a little magic always helps! Thanks :)

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  17. Congrats on all the kudos, Al...very deserved, for sure.

    It's nice to hear you can maintain your sense of humor even in the face of pain. I'll have to try your "Three Stooges" method the next time something like that happens to me :)

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    1. I recommend it highly, Mark. I hope next time it happens, I can work it the same way again. As I said, not my usual response. :)

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  18. That was an interesting conversation that you were having prior to your black eye. There are no good or bad things, but it is how we filter them through our experience that makes them so. Our perception of an event makes it what it is. The event is simply an event. Being hit by the beam was an event. You had on opportunity to see it as an aggressive thing by the beam hitting you and respond with rage. OR a silly thing (cartoonish as you said) like something out of The Three Stooges and choose to laugh. By laughing, all of the anger drained out of you. We have this control all of the time. That is something to be grateful for, I think. Definitely something you can add to your Top 10 next week. You had a major breakthrough in Understanding Something Theoretically and Acting It Out in Real Life. Once you have done that once, it gets easier to repeat. I would like to begin to implement this one in my own life more often!

    I posted my first Thursday post after the A to Z. If you stop by you will see what all the "Ruckus" is about. I think you'll like it:)

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    1. Now our minds are connected, Robin. You've summarized the revelation I had yesterday with perfect clarity. I do sincerely hope I can pull this out just as fast the next time. I impressed myself but as you say, it's something I want to keep doing long enough to make an habit of it. Then maybe hitting myself with a beam was a blessing in disguise. Laughing at it made me feel proud of myself and that feels nice. I'll be reading your post in a moment. Thank you. :D

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  19. I'm sorry you hurt yourself, but I'm glad you were able to laugh about it. I hope your feathered friend is doing better today!

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    1. Eye is getting better. Thanks for the good wishes. That also makes one feel better! :D

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  20. Ouch! I'm glad you were able to laugh about it though. Laughter is always better - for you and everyone else around you.

    I'm sorry your parrot is feeling poorly. It hurts to have our companions in that situation and not be able to fix it.

    Don't your blackberries ooze into the electrical outlets when you try to recharge them? ;)

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    1. Yeah! Do you have ones too? Besides, so many little buttons that don't work. I chose to make a milky shake with them. Delicious. Now I don't care I couldn't check FB with them. :D
      It seems to me that if my parrot survives the weekend, then everything will get better. I'm standing guard for any sign of breathing failure. So far so good. Let's keep confident. :)

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  21. Black eye? No bueno! Hope your eye and your parrot get better soon.

    Lucky Lucas indeed :D
    Congratulations on you awards!

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    1. Hahaha, yeah, Lucas should be lighting candles every day to thank the Higher Powers I didn't ruin him. :) Thank you, S.K.

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  22. I'm so sorry about your black eye, Al. But glad you were able to laugh at the absurdity of it too. And so sorry about your parrot, I will send good wishes and lots of positive energy his way too. :)

    I wish I could have seen Dragon of the Opera!

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    1. Oh, yes, it was terrific. I looked very good wrapped in Mother Dragon's curtains. Thank you for the good vibe. He's better today! :D

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  23. Congrats on your awards! And wonderful celebrations - humor during pain is tough, but walking barefoot in the grass, and dance of all kinds . . .wonderful! I hope your parrot feels better soon, and I hope your eye heals quickly.

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    1. I hope the humor continues but I'll work to make it my first response. Dancing is great, isn't it? My baby is feeling better today. I'm very happy for that. Thank you, Tyrean. :)

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  24. I could do the research, but from what I remember, Cinco de Mayo commemorates a fairly unimportant battle of some kind. It's much more significant now for having inspired a day of celebration than for anything it achieved at the time. That sort of thing.

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    1. Truth is people in the US celebrate it as our Independence Day and we don't even light a single firework because of it. We just get the day off from work. Very few people knows why May 5 is special or what happened that day. It was the Battle of Puebla and our army defeated the French army, thus ending the French invasion. Probably we would be talking French if the outcome would have been different, who knows. In any case, it's not Independence Day. The day of hot tamales, tequila, mariachi and fireworks is in September. :)

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  25. I'm celebrating my healing foot. Last time I walked in the yard (last Friday) I slipped and broke my ankle. I swear people, I did NOT kick Father Dragon in the eye! That wine and cheese was good therapy for my own ridiculous blunder. I was lucky no body saw me sitting right down on my own foot! At prompt care everyone was having a much needed joke: "Donna Hole stepped in a hole!" Sometimes humor is the only way to get through a bad situation.

    My last ex-husband's temper caused us to divorce. Not that he was a bad man, just not an understanding man - especially when it came to the kids. Kids are just kids - same, I'm sure as Dwarves are just Dwarves. Gotta love the fun, and forgive the mishaps.

    I am glad you saw the humor in your disaster. Doesn't lessen the pain, but having a positive attitude can help the healing. Well, that's always been my motto.

    Have a good weekend Al. I hope your eye heals quickly. And if you eat the healing steak, well, I'm sure that will do you much good too :)

    ........dhole

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    1. Hahahaha. Now you made me laugh. I'm ready to testify it in a court of law if it is needed, Donna. I'm so sorry about your foot, my friend. We can make the Pavilion of Wounded Writers, if you wish. Yes, humor changes everything like big time. It helps you clear your mind as well to see possibilities that otherwise you wouldn't notice. Have a wonderful weekend as well, my friend. Take good care of your foot and watch your step. :D

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  26. Sir Jeff is most glad the "eye beam" incident wasn't worse. I'm glad you found humor in it. I've done similar (on rare occasions) and it makes all the difference in the world. I know that your parrot is better off under your care.

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    1. So let's try to do it more often, Sir Jeff. I think your order should adopt it as part of the knightly code, don't you think? It does work miracles and makes things better. After all, knights are there to make things better, right? :) My baby parrot is better this morning. Hopefully we're on the mend.

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  27. Congratulations on all those awards, Al!
    I'm with you on the sound of acoustic guitars... and all types of dance... I love dancing!
    And I think that it's very important to be able to laugh at oneself... it's liberating and therapeutic.
    I really hope that your black eye and the parrot get better soon!
    Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

    Writer In Transit

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    1. You love dancing? What do you dance? We should make a party. I'm fairly good dancer so don't fear I would step on you. :)
      I think I am doing laughing sessions. I watched a show once about laughing yoga or something like that. It was in Deepak Chopra's site. I thought it was a good idea to put your funny bone to work.
      Parrot is better today, I'm glad to say. Thank you very much! Happy weekend to you. :)

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  28. Sorry to hear about your parrot, hope he gets to feeling better.

    I so get the laughing thing, I think it runs in my family, but ever since I was a kid every time I got hurt my family members would be laughing along with checking on me.

    A few weeks ago I sat down in my new recliner a little to enthusiastically and the whole thing tipped over and I hit my head on the floor, my wife rushed over to check on me and like you the pain made me want to be angry, but looking up at my wife and my feet dangling in the air I just had to start laughing. It really is up to you how you react to life as a whole, great post and congrats on the awards.

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  29. Hi Al .. laughter is the best medicine - and probably the best way to react .. remarkably stupid how at times we can be .... but crumbs at least we can laugh at ourselves ...

    Sure hope the parrot improves ... and all those awards should bring joy to your heart ... cheers to you - Hilary

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  30. such an inspiring post!
    from wonderful celebrations to well deserved awards to a happy ending! so glad i stopped by to read it all!
    keep smiling!

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  31. I hope you're having a good day today, Al :) Been thinking about you.

    Laughter does make things easier, and you may yet make Lucas and Weber jealous. I think so. They don't have cheerleading dwarves. Do they?

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  32. Hi Al,

    My goodness, all those awards. Excellent stuff and many congratulations. As for blogfests and blog hops, um thanks, but no thanks. I'd rather be hit with a wet noodle :)

    A sick parrot and a black eye. Oops, but you know that trying to find a bit of the funny side in the not so funny, helps maintain a positive outlook to life. You take it very easy.

    Gary :)

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  33. So glad you found the humor, but so sorry for the pain and black eye. I too am learning to laugh at the pain -- helps the tears to fly away.

    Awards all well deserved - and celebrating with wine and cheese, that would be a dream!

    Do hope you and your parrot are much better soon.

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