Say What?!

I heard just now that a volcano had erupted in Iceland and that a cloud of ash had covered Northern Europe. I had no idea. I have no idea really of what is going on outside of a little strip of beach front called Sanur. Volcano? What volcano? Skies look pretty clear from where I am sitting.

Strange feeling, this--separated from the better part of the world by a combination of isolation, language, locale, and who knows what else.

Is it the end of the world? Am I the last to know? Or is this something that has been greatly exaggerated by my source--like the fallacious newspaper report of Mark Twain's death a-way-back-when?

My first reaction? Well just so it don't mess with my particular paradise.

Careless of me, yes? Even sociopathic?

What business has a volcano erupting anyway? What's the point? Are not the dinosaurs extinct, and long since at that? Or maybe not. Maybe not in Iceland. I really cannot say. I've not been there . . . nor do I even want to go, now.

Apology

Apologies from Jim Dandy, who has been sick and has therefore not posted lately. Confined to his bed with Masuk Angin (aka entered by the wind--which is bad, yet infinitely better than 'exited by the wind') he has been unable to move, think, or write.

Jim Dandy welcomes all cards, gifts, and good wishes.

Eleven Things I Like About Bali

I like the fact that when one eats out at a restaurant he may find himself in the company of various dogs and cats, coming and going as they please. It makes the meal a more friendly experience, and gives you someone to talk to if you’re alone.

I like the fact that many bathrooms have their sinks in a community area with one community towel for all.

I like seeing 4 year olds drive past my door on motor scooters.

I like the fact that there is no leash law and that dogs customarily roam about with their friends.
I like the fact that most dogs are Hindu and thus nonviolent.

Here in Bali all holidays are observed, Hindu, Muslim, Christian. I like that.

Hindus prefer not to work with their hands because they don’t like getting their hands dirty. I am a Hindu at heart. Or my hands are, anyway--always have been.

I like that motor bike drivers park under trees when it rains and can get going again in generally less than ten minutes.

I really like that it generally only rains for ten minutes at a time, even in the “rainy season,” I like that when it rains it pours down great buckets full of rain, which must be such a relief to the clouds, and I like that fact that the rain is as warm as bathwater.

I like the unaffected friendliness of the people.

I like the grace of the women.