Thursday, March 26, 2015

Short Skirts and Trade Winds


Excerpts from a new journal:

Sunday, March 1st, 2015 (First entry):

Starting a journal is a tricky thing. The inclination is to begin at a beginning; the first of a year, a birthday, or some significant milestone in one’s life from which the subsequent narrative may be launched. An anchorage. En media res seems unsuited for such auspicious commencements.

But here we are, nonetheless, right in the middle.

We’re here in the middle because my old journal's disappeared, lost in the machinations of luggage and travel and displacement. My personal history, scribblings accumulated over much of the past decade, has somehow been misplaced, much like the years themselves, and I find myself without written context. My literary moorings unstuck.

But starting anew, in the middle of things, is not without benefit. Instead of a life event anchoring a new journal, let a new journal anchor a life. Write a new story, set a new tone in the narrative, change the language of my existance. For what’s done is done and there’s no recourse but to move forward, lessons learned or no.

Put the old book behind, forget it, and begin to write a new reality.


Monday, March 2nd, 2015:

New Spanish words of the day:
hielo - ice
luvia - rain
la quenta - the bill
Si, cariño - Yes, dear (very important)


Wedensday, March 4th, 2015:

Working on kicking my Mt. Dew addiction. I have a little Coca Cola as my morning coffee, water during the day, and piña coladas at night. Not sure that latter is the right direction, but what the hell. I worry, though, that if I'm successful here, I'll be returning home where there are three six-packs of 16oz bottles and a couple of loose ones in the fridge, ready to test my newfound resolve.

The fact that I know exactly how many await is disturbing.


Thursday, March 5th, 2015:

Up early to get into town to take some pictures during the morning golden hour. But early also means morning shadows, a particularly interesting shade. Not dark or foreboding or rife with dangerous possibilities, but sluggish and sadly shabby. Corners put aside and forgotten, neglected, left to age. Places left without possibilities, unchanging, and sliding unnoticed during the day towards darker times.


Friday, March 6th, 2015:

Short skirts and trade winds. Such a delightful combination.


Saturday, March 7th, 2015:

I wonder, as this vacation enters its last couple days, how to return and not fall into the same old patterns. How to take some of this serenity, some of this quiet inspiration, and use it to beat back the routine. Yet, at the same time, I look forward to the familiar and natural rhythms of home; the comfort. So how do I reconcile this contradiction? I suppose I could look at my everyday habits with the eyes of the tourist, to examine and appreciate them as if seeing them for the first time. I wonder if that changes anything...

Sunday, March 8th, 2015:

...or if the patterns are established because they are right.

9 comments:

Mike C.W. said...

Wonderful, Mike. I've enjoyed your vacation posts, pics and writings. Tough about the journal but not only a good way to lool at it but the only way.

Your thoughts on coming home from vacation are inspired. I'm always asking myself how I'll be able to sustain the ease and curiosity. Man, you nailed it.

Thanks for sharing with us.

CathyB said...

You're a damn fine writer, Mike. I hope you've got a super-secret book project going, so that we'll all be able to enjoy your vivid insights in a longer format.

No pressure. ;)

Mike Sepelak said...

Thanks, Michael. I hope that my dalliance beyond fishing has not been an issue. And the good news is that I found the old journal where I usually find lost things; right where I put it so I wouldn't lose it. The better news is that I don't feel inclined to return to it. I like my new start.

And Cathy, my book will come out right behind yours. :-)

CathyB said...

Ouch, my friend! I guess I had that one coming. :)

Mike Sepelak said...

I truth, I'd love for you to finish that compilation of essays from your up-bringing, Cathy. Wracking my brain to remember the title you had in mind. Something "Houses" as I recall. You had a wicked good start.

We need to get together again soon.

Brk Trt said...

Mike, not only are you a fine writer, your photography is not to be topped.

That photo at the start of this post says so much of everything to so many.

Mike Sepelak said...

Thanks BT. It seems more and more often these pieces start with the image, not the other way around. I'm still learning to use both, the camera and my words, and I hope that I'm making progress with each.

Unknown said...

Kick the Mountain Dew addiction?? When I figure out Smith River brown trout...

Mike Sepelak said...

I think we're both pretty well screwed then, Darrin.