Monday, September 2, 2013

Where was the Dragon?

I took some days off. It is not that I was going somewhere. I just wanted to get away from something. My objective, getting as far away as I could from the computer and the Internet. I was trying to think and I found that the endless flow of information was causing a sort of "noise" in my head, loud enough to keep me from hearing myself. A warning blinked in red "Brain Overload." "Shut Down System."

Seeing me singing "I feel pretty, oh so pretty that the city should give me its key.." was not as alarming as watching me waltzing around the cave in a pink tutu and a helmet with long blonde braids attached to it. Nothing ends until the fat lady sings.

Tassin, my taskmaster and the dwarf in charge of taking care of the dragon, commanded dwarves to disconnect everything lest Father Dragon's brain getting fried beyond repair. Internet modem was shut down and all social media was closed and taped. The change was not smooth. I fled out in a sudden need to get in touch with life beyond the keyboard and the screen. Those odd creatures that you can see move, hear them talk, and who actually smell to something... and cut you off in traffic jams. I can't stand them for long but I was in a what the heck mode. In such mode, I thought on breaking the vegan diet. Pizza, hot tamales (die of envy, Alex ;)) Chinese food, wine, cake, dragon gods forbidden chicken! And I started my first day off with food poisoning. The irony, it wasn't any of the forbidden food that got my stomach upside down. It was broccoli, simple, badly cooked, worst preserved murderous broccoli.

Just as good. My body managed to take the broccoli out of my system as my head managed a reset. In such a pitiful state I hardly had strength to move from my favorite spot, I got my claws on an anime series. Dragon digs anime. Death Note was such an evocative title. My brain was still flashing the "Out of Service" sign when I started watching. Two episodes were enough to make it reboot and work again. Five hours later, I was still in the same spot, with my eyes glued to the TV and my brain working at its best speed, encouraged by the series most compelling plot. I had to force myself to turn the TV off in order to get some sleep but I finished watching the whole two seasons that very weekend.

My dragonness back in a 80%, I tried the streets two more times with better results. This time I didn't have any broccoli. Chinese did great. The awarded iPad I was waiting for 3 months finally arrived. "Hallelujah!!" the dwarves chanted in chorus. Before I had it figured out I was downloading the art software and trying to paint with it... and before I realized it, I was having an affair with iPad, Procreate, and tango, rumba and mambo. Try painting and dancing on your chair at the same time. Blissful blessed fun.

All the times my Internet connection sucked so much the service was down for weeks, I suffered from withdrawal. Withdrawal was nowhere to be seen this time. The only thing I checked sporadically these days was my personal mail. No emergencies, no fire, no flares with the dragon signal, okay, back to fun! I was happily lost in the dragon dimension, getting what Gary could call "a blogger detox." Experimenting with my new toy in a creative way, feeling the thrill of discovery and the satisfaction of figuring out new technology, I had the chance to make silence in my mind and heart, still my emotions and settle down some things that were bothering me enormously. More than I wanted to accept.

Father Dragon was in the dragon dimension SPA. Dwarves got beauty treatments, beards trimmed, relaxing massages, sun tan, and some lifting that made them look 3 hours younger.  They came back with mints and niceties. I came back with a lesson.

Be careful what you ask for. You might get it. If you ask for something, make sure you DO understand what it is exactly that you are asking for, what's the full scope of it, and what are the changes having your wish granted would bring to your life. Above all, make sure you're wanting to go with those changes as much as you want your wish come true. It sounds very silly, but it is rather common that we tend to wish carelessly. It is rather common that we want the wish granted but we don't want the responsibilities and the hard work that comes with it. It is even more common that once we have the wish manifesting itself, we scream in terror at the sight of what comes with the package. That might be because we never truly believed the wish would really be granted in the first place.

I'll certainly discuss this more later. For now, Father Dragon is here and I'll see you on Wednesday for the IWSG. Dragon hugs to you.




33 comments:

  1. Welcome back and glad you are closer to a hundred percent! A shutdown is good sometimes. That's why I didn't blog today. (And it's a US holiday. I skip those.)
    Glad you are having fun with your iPad and I dig the image you sent me.
    Careful what you wish for - isn't that the truth? We often don't think about everything that will happen between here and the wish coming true. And that's what I tell people who wish they had my following. Be careful what you wish for...

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    1. Thanks! Yes, definitely closer. :) I'm having so much fun with the iPad, I am forgetting to eat sometimes. Having your following, hmmm... knowing what I know, that's one I scratched of my lists last April.

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  2. Welcome back. You have been missed. I remember taking a few weeks away from blogging to recharge not so long ago. It can really help.

    I keep hearing about Death Note I have not watched good anime in a while.

    That art program sounds great. I tried a free version of GIMP, just to test the waters. I really want to learn one of those things.

    Also, yes wishing aimlessly is a common trait. We must understand that a wish granted is a responsibility given. Can't wait to read your IWSG post.

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    1. You really must see Death Note, if you like brain games type of plot. It's very good. At least the first two thirds are brilliant. The end was not as good, but it still makes it worthy to watch it.

      I'll tell you more about Procreate when I learn more. I'm a novice with this technology. :)

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  3. It's good to see you here. I do understand about the need to take a break from it all. It sounds as though you accomplished rather a lot during your much-needed time away.

    That bit about being careful what you wish for it soooo true. I look forward to reading more of what you have to say on the subject.

    See you Wednesday!

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    1. I am not sure how much I've accomplished but I came up with something. A trial and error system. :D Good to see you, Robin!

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  4. Welcome back. As someone whose brain frequently goes out to lunch without inviting me, I so understand the need to step back, reconnect and just be...

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    1. Hahaha, I wonder why there are some brains that just leave without their owners. ;)

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  5. A break is always good, for the brain, for the muse, and for the soul! So glad you are feeling rejuvenated, and the Dwarves were pampered too.

    Happy Monday!

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    1. Thanks, Yolanda. Yes, Dwarves deserved some pampering too. Otherwise they will ask for a raise, hahaha.

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  6. It is good to take a break from all the brain clutter and noises of the internet. I am planning on going that route the end of this week. Some days I seem chained to the computer, others, I can do without. Glad, other than the broccoli (nothing good comes from broccoli) you are feeling more focused.

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    1. It's a good idea! You'll enjoy it. (Yes, I've not approaching to broccoli for a while. ;)

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  7. Welcome back Father Dragon. I am glad you feel refreshed and back on form again. You were greatly missed.

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  8. I'm glad you're back and feeling rejuvenated! Sorry to hear about your food poisoning episode--that's never any fun. Enjoy your new toy, and I'll see you on Wednesday! :)

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    1. Not fun at all, but the iPad surely is. Thanks for coming, Lara. :)

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  9. Welcome back, an internet detox is much needed occasionally. I took about 10 days off recently and it was good to go out without thinking about being contactable all the time. Glad you are feeling better.

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    1. 10 days! More or less the same I was away. It really makes wonders. Glad to see you, Suzanne. :)

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  10. "We all go a little mad sometimes." - Norman Bates, Psycho

    My philosophy: take as many breaks as necessary before YOU break! Good to know that the dwarves are taking care of the dragon. And an ipad! Woo! Touch you! Sizzle.

    I had this cute little meme to post for you, but Blogger's comment box won't let me put it in like WordPress's does. Oh well. Another time.

    So glad to see you around again. As you can see, I'm learning how to use my Bloglovin' reader a little better!

    M.L. Swift, Writer

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    1. Send it to me by mail, Mike! Now you have me curious. :) I use Feedly but I'm behind on my reading, of course. We'll catch up, eventually. Dragon hugs!

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  11. Glad you're back. Sorry to hear about your troubles and the bad broccoli, but it does sound like you are in better spirits. (: Taking a break sometimes helps clear the mind. I know I felt better after a short blogging break, and now may take another. Wish I had the artistic talent to warrant downloading art software, it looks like a great tool. *le sigh*
    See you for IWSG! (:

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    1. You've been on vacation from vacation or so I've heard, hahaha. I am glad to know you had enjoyed yourself. About the art software, you do very good job with the one you have. Your sketches are very fun. You always give me a smile. :)

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  12. Welcome back, Father Dragon. When broccoli goes bad... sounds like a bad show.

    Breaks are necessary if we are to maintain our sanity.

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    1. Very bad show, hahaha. Glad to see you, Diane!

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  13. Anyway to cut down on the "noise" in our heads is always a good idea Al. Glad your back!

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    1. Glad you dropped by, Maurice! Yes, it came out to be one of my best ideas. :) Glad to be back.

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  14. Hi Al .. that 'noise' is a right pain at times and just being away helps so much .. I don't use or take my phone when I'm out and about, unless I'm travelling and then I'm liable to forget the charger!! Still I do feel better for it - the brain has to work ..

    Good for you and I might pop over for some ipad lessons and drawing lessons too! cheers Hilary

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    1. I get some complaints that I don't keep my cell phone close enough. I can't imagine how would I be if I would listen to those complains. Silence is a dear gift sometimes.
      Still figuring out the iPad but dragon is certainly getting there. I'll share my wisdom with you anytime, Hilary. :D

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  15. Oh my gosh... one of the most entertaining posts I've read in a long while... laughing!!!!

    Broccoli? And Dragons love anime??? Did you know I used to *love* Yu Gi Oh! ??? Yeah... well... I still do... sh... don't tell anyone!

    And totally loving the Gary comment... Glad to see you back, Al. It seems like your break did you well!

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  16. I'm so glad you've detoxed. Yay for the iPad and Procreate! Boo for broccoli. I love broccoli, but I've had experience with evil broccoli, too. It can be a tricky little veggie. :P

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  17. Everyone has to get away from time to time.
    Missed you, though. Glad you're back. :)

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  18. I remember the old saying "Be careful what you wish for." And it's true. So great you got away from the computer for a while, it truly helps.

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  19. Aloha Al,

    You do sound like you are more "on fire" (excuse the pun:) and I'm very glad to hear that :)

    Oh, and take care of your tail - it may help you tell a tale :)

    Brother hugs :)

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