Things to do on My Last Day Alive

Damien Riley End of the worldIf this were my last day, I’d hit the grocery store first. All the foods that raise my triglycerides would nearly fill my basket. Just like a death row convict, my last meal would certainly be in order. Eating is such a pleasurable experience is it not? There wouldn’t be a whole lot of time to go places and in all truth, up here in the high desert town of Victorville, there isn’t much I care to do that I haven’t already done. Of course, I’d fire up the jacuzzi and do some serious backfloating in the pool but that would only be interesting for an hour or two. One thing that would be cool would be not having to worry about shutting off the heater or the pump. I’m always a teensie bit nervous I’ll leave the heater on an the next day when I’m at work it will pop on with the timer and waste gas. If this is it, who gives a sh** ;) Right? I’d pick up my guitar and jam out on all the songs I’ve played through the years. No need to record it though right? I might check in to Facebook and Twitter real quick, of course email, but not long. If for no other reason other than to check for videos, photos, and statuses about what I can do. After all, I might run out of ideas. I’d do some relaxation and meditation. I’d make my peace with God and Jesus through the peaceful lessons of Buddha. I won’t be asking for anything except inner peace and the ability to good in the next world.

I might think about what I could leave behind. It wouldn’t be a website or anything online. Those hard drives will burn right up. I think writing on stone might be the only way to actually leave a mark. Isn’t it odd that with all our invention as a human race, it will all burn away. I suppose some people are novelty fan and have made a time capsule but as for me, no such novelty will remain. The caves at Lascaux will outlive the writings on this blog. Riley Central will become less than a flicker of electricity in a puff of dust. Obviously, I won’t be blogging. I wish they had a machine that could allow me to blog on a stone tablet. If I knew my words were going to long outlive me, I would be interested in saying a few things. I’d do all these things I have mentioned with the wonderful people in my family. I’d hug my girls and high five my son. I’d kiss my wife and tell them how much they mean to me. I’d probably give my wife a massage. If my kids needed to see anyone, I’d make sure that happened. I’m not sure what they would want but I don’t want to be selfish about the last day. Dad’s should serve their children, husbands should serve their wives. This is bordering on a depressing note but I hope I’ve given you some interesting ideas about what YOU can do on your last day

Part of Stream of Consciousness Saturday

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Eat, Drink, and Be Merry….”

Things to do on My Last Day Alive

Damien Riley End of the worldIf this were my last day, I’d hit the grocery store first. All the foods that raise my triglycerides would nearly fill my basket. Just like a death row convict, my last meal would certainly be in order. Eating is such a pleasurable experience is it not? There wouldn’t be a whole lot of time to go places and in all truth, up here in the high desert town of Victorville, there isn’t much I care to do that I haven’t already done. Of course, I’d fire up the jacuzzi and do some serious backfloating in the pool but that would only be interesting for an hour or two. One thing that would be cool would be not having to worry about shutting off the heater or the pump. I’m always a teensie bit nervous I’ll leave the heater on an the next day when I’m at work it will pop on with the timer and waste gas. If this is it, who gives a sh** 😉 Right? I’d pick up my guitar and jam out on all the songs I’ve played through the years. No need to record it though right? I might check in to Facebook and Twitter real quick, of course email, but not long. If for no other reason other than to check for videos, photos, and statuses about what I can do. After all, I might run out of ideas. I’d do some relaxation and meditation. I’d make my peace with God and Jesus through the peaceful lessons of Buddha. I won’t be asking for anything except inner peace and the ability to good in the next world.

I might think about what I could leave behind. It wouldn’t be a website or anything online. Those hard drives will burn right up. I think writing on stone might be the only way to actually leave a mark. Isn’t it odd that with all our invention as a human race, it will all burn away. I suppose some people are novelty fan and have made a time capsule but as for me, no such novelty will remain. The caves at Lascaux will outlive the writings on this blog. Riley Central will become less than a flicker of electricity in a puff of dust. Obviously, I won’t be blogging. I wish they had a machine that could allow me to blog on a stone tablet. If I knew my words were going to long outlive me, I would be interested in saying a few things. I’d do all these things I have mentioned with the wonderful people in my family. I’d hug my girls and high five my son. I’d kiss my wife and tell them how much they mean to me. I’d probably give my wife a massage. If my kids needed to see anyone, I’d make sure that happened. I’m not sure what they would want but I don’t want to be selfish about the last day. Dad’s should serve their children, husbands should serve their wives. This is bordering on a depressing note but I hope I’ve given you some interesting ideas about what YOU can do on your last day

Part of Stream of Consciousness Saturday

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Eat, Drink, and Be Merry….”

Things to do on My Last Day Alive

Damien Riley End of the worldIf this were my last day, I’d hit the grocery store first. All the foods that raise my triglycerides would nearly fill my basket. Just like a death row convict, my last meal would certainly be in order. Eating is such a pleasurable experience is it not? There wouldn’t be a whole lot of time to go places and in all truth, up here in the high desert town of Victorville, there isn’t much I care to do that I haven’t already done. Of course, I’d fire up the jacuzzi and do some serious backfloating in the pool but that would only be interesting for an hour or two. One thing that would be cool would be not having to worry about shutting off the heater or the pump. I’m always a teensie bit nervous I’ll leave the heater on an the next day when I’m at work it will pop on with the timer and waste gas. If this is it, who gives a sh** 😉 Right? I’d pick up my guitar and jam out on all the songs I’ve played through the years. No need to record it though right? I might check in to Facebook and Twitter real quick, of course email, but not long. If for no other reason other than to check for videos, photos, and statuses about what I can do. After all, I might run out of ideas. I’d do some relaxation and meditation. I’d make my peace with God and Jesus through the peaceful lessons of Buddha. I won’t be asking for anything except inner peace and the ability to good in the next world.

I might think about what I could leave behind. It wouldn’t be a website or anything online. Those hard drives will burn right up. I think writing on stone might be the only way to actually leave a mark. Isn’t it odd that with all our invention as a human race, it will all burn away. I suppose some people are novelty fan and have made a time capsule but as for me, no such novelty will remain. The caves at Lascaux will outlive the writings on this blog. Riley Central will become less than a flicker of electricity in a puff of dust. Obviously, I won’t be blogging. I wish they had a machine that could allow me to blog on a stone tablet. If I knew my words were going to long outlive me, I would be interested in saying a few things. I’d do all these things I have mentioned with the wonderful people in my family. I’d hug my girls and high five my son. I’d kiss my wife and tell them how much they mean to me. I’d probably give my wife a massage. If my kids needed to see anyone, I’d make sure that happened. I’m not sure what they would want but I don’t want to be selfish about the last day. Dad’s should serve their children, husbands should serve their wives. This is bordering on a depressing note but I hope I’ve given you some interesting ideas about what YOU can do on your last day

Part of Stream of Consciousness Saturday

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Eat, Drink, and Be Merry….”

My Ever After is a Healthy I Told You So

imageI’ve been thinking a lot lately about how my kids have a lot of growing to do before we can have real sit down “talks” about life’s and it’s treasures. Don’t get me wrong, I love talking with my kids now but there is sort of a barrier called immaturity that gets in the way sometimes. Either they think they know it all or at least they know better than be. This usually comes with the subject of finances. My youngest, 8, will demand it’s unfair for her to not get dollars for the “claw” machine. Have you encountered these? They were made to destroy dad’s peace. My others have similar gripes they can’t have what they want and my wife and I have to be the bad guys. It really sucks! I think it will be around 5-10 years at least before they get some of the “no” answers we give them. I’m in fairly good health, but my happily ever after would be to enjoy life with my grown up children. Hopefully something doesn’t happen to me before then.

Mark Twain said:

When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.

I guess you get my point now. My son is exploring girls, driving, work, and even asking questions about credit cards. He’ll be 17 next month. I know I don’t have the best bedside manner but I have to let him know when I think he’s making bad choices at least every day. I’m tired of it. I want to be the nice happy dad who brings peace and encouragement to the room. Instead, I get frustrated trying to get my kids to mature. I’ve got a retirement pending so I’m not worries too much about money, though certainly I am not wealthy. My dream “ever after” is one of health. I want to be physically and mentally healthy to enjoy my wife and kids at retirement or before. And, it would be nice to be coherent and healthy when I say “I told you so.”

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Happily Ever After.”

My Ever After is a Healthy I Told You So

imageI’ve been thinking a lot lately about how my kids have a lot of growing to do before we can have real sit down “talks” about life’s and it’s treasures. Don’t get me wrong, I love talking with my kids now but there is sort of a barrier called immaturity that gets in the way sometimes. Either they think they know it all or at least they know better than be. This usually comes with the subject of finances. My youngest, 8, will demand it’s unfair for her to not get dollars for the “claw” machine. Have you encountered these? They were made to destroy dad’s peace. My others have similar gripes they can’t have what they want and my wife and I have to be the bad guys. It really sucks! I think it will be around 5-10 years at least before they get some of the “no” answers we give them. I’m in fairly good health, but my happily ever after would be to enjoy life with my grown up children. Hopefully something doesn’t happen to me before then.

Mark Twain said:

When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.

I guess you get my point now. My son is exploring girls, driving, work, and even asking questions about credit cards. He’ll be 17 next month. I know I don’t have the best bedside manner but I have to let him know when I think he’s making bad choices at least every day. I’m tired of it. I want to be the nice happy dad who brings peace and encouragement to the room. Instead, I get frustrated trying to get my kids to mature. I’ve got a retirement pending so I’m not worries too much about money, though certainly I am not wealthy. My dream “ever after” is one of health. I want to be physically and mentally healthy to enjoy my wife and kids at retirement or before. And, it would be nice to be coherent and healthy when I say “I told you so.”

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Happily Ever After.”

My Class Sings Chanda Mama for the Homeless

imageEver since I was a wee lad, I had a soft spot in my heart for homeless people. I’ve seen people provide charity for them of many kids like publishing their music as in “Playing for Change” and taking photos of them to auction off for their worthy cause. I guess I feel so much for them because they look so dirty and unhealthy. All people should have a reasonable chance at a healthy life and I’d definitely use more of my resources for them if my blog ever made more money. My class is performing a song from India called “Chanda Mama” at our annual International Week festivities at my school. The kids love the song. It was recorded by homeless people all over the world and is chiefly sung by Indian homeless people.

Going to soup kitchens and feeding the homeless is another thing I’d like to do. I have done it before and it is extremely eye-opening and gratifying. The homeless I’ve encountered are so jovial, so willing to talk. We may be worries about a cavity and won’t leave the house because of it while they have no teeth at all and are out on the street dancing, playing instruments, and yes, begging. I really do have a heart for the homeless. Here is the video to the song my class is doing. I’m not sure all the players are homeless, you’ll have to refer to “Playing for Change” if you’re curious. This is such a great song!

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Blogger With a Cause.”