LATELY, I’ve been a little tired of sucking the marrow out of life.
I mean, I’m still doing it.
But could I be overdoing it now?
Or am I just feeling the toll because it’s already November?
Ever since I sold my house in March, I’ve been living to the max.
***
I’ve stayed a month in New Jersey.
Just explored the state, checked off the important sites.
Enjoyed early spring.
What stood out for me was the big burning, bursting bushes of golden forsythia everywhere.
Yellow New Jersey.
***
And there was June in Puerto Rico.
At a clothing optional gay resort!
I was just in my elements in that gay resort.
But I’m not sure now if I’m really gay.
Because I am not as gay as the others! Haha.
***
Then, I was in Los Angeles.
Which was a grand time because I have lived in El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de La Reina de Los Angeles de Porciuncula (that’s what L.A. stands for, can you believe it?) for eight long years.
I visited my familiar and famous hangouts in LA.
And even lived/stayed with friends in at least three counties of California
***
While based in LA, I made trips to Sacramento, San Diego, and other 4- or 5-hour away cities.
I even visited the Forestiere Underground Gardens in Fresno which had been a long time obsession.
I had a long weekend reunion with UP classmates in the City of Orange.
I even went sailing twice: in Coronado (San Diego), and in Newport Beach.
***
And don’t forget my hiking trips in Zion National Park in Utah in mid-June.
And in Glacier National Park in Montana in mid-October!
***
I was in British Columbia, Canada for about a month in August.
On that trip, I was based in Vancouver, but I also made side trips to Vancouver Island, and to Alberta.
The Alberta trip went to as far as Calgary, and had the sole intention of checking out the Canadian Rockies.
So imagine my delight that when I visited Montana, I actually saw the American counterpart of the famous mountain range.
If I don’t see the Rocky Mountains of North America again, I should be fine.
Been there, done that.
Did it there, too. If that matters! Haha.
***
I also visited Alaska for the fjords, icebergs, and glaciers.
I did the glacier cruise, and it wasn’t cheap!
Also, I almost got married to an Alaskan native.
Ah, but my life is on the road.
The road calls to me.
***
Because I checked off Alaska from my list, I dared to go to Montana.
And I’m glad I did.
I probably wouldn’t like to live in Montana, but having been there has made all the difference. Haha.
I bought some coyote pelt in some Indian trading center.
I wanted fox, of course, but that one didn’t come cheap.
And what would I do with a $1,200 mountain lion hide?
***
In Ronan, Salish Indian country, I lived in a teepee, for three nights.
The first night because I wanted such experience.
The two other nights, just because there was some guy in there with me. Bwahaha.
***
I’ve ordered my iPhone 13 Pro Max in October.
It took three weeks to be delivered.
And I didn’t open it for about three days.
I really don’t want to part with my RED iPhone 7 Plus.
***
I watched “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga.
It was an outdoor theatre (open theatre, if you will).
And that rush of feeling in being in a community watching something unfold in front of you made me hungry for more.
***
So I also watched “My Fair Lady” at the Dolby Theatre.
The last time I was inside that theatre, I think it was still called the Kodak Theatre.
On the same street as the Dolby is the Pantages.
And I love the Art Deco style and architecture of the Pantages; so when an opportunity to watch “Hamilton” for less than $100 presented itself, I grabbed it by the balls.
***
My next flight is going back to Baltimore.
And from there, I could be crossing the Atlantic Ocean to travel around Europe, and visit my family in the UK.
I mean, I really wanted to go home to the Philippines from Los Angeles.
But I’m still scared of unnecessary COVID-19 risks.
My uncle just died in the hospital with a P1.2-M bill.
***
True, I’ve been vaccinated. Booster shot and all.
But why take the unnecessary risks?
Also, what if I pass on something to you; and because you are not vaccinated, you got killed?
Because seriously, why would I go to the Philippines if I can’t kiss you?
***
Sucking on the marrow of life doesn’t mean choking on the bone!/PN
