it has been one year
since the global pandemic coronavirus began to shut much of our nation down
so much loss and so many sacrifices and lessons learned
everyone waiting for a return to fully living life
with hope on the horizon.
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“there are 31,536,000 seconds in a year. i am counting down every second.”
-ljupka cvetanova, the new land
grateful to have had my 2nd vax dose
knowing it’s not just to keep me well
but to give all who i may cross paths with
a better chance to stay well too.
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“healing yourself is connected with healing others.”
-yoko ono
from rogueNASA – “Ok, so far we’ve had a pandemic, race wars, a global economic collapse, a presidential impeachment, Brexit, murder hornets, and a contested election. Am I missing anything?”
credits: rogueNASA
“life is an improvisation. you have no idea what’s going to happen next
and you are mostly making things up as you go along.”
stephen colbert
dear ann arbor family –
see you in the fall
there will be bands & dancing as we reunite eventually.
thank you, roos roost coffee.
i really appreciate you
for filling us with coffee and optimism.
—
“joy weathers any storm: happiness rides the waves.”
-todd stocker
just because taking 4 minutes to watch this might make you smile all day. (sound up!)
it’s been an adventure to say the least.
(not saying who is who, but we unmasked for the photo)
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“dating isn’t just about dating anymore. you are picking your potential apocalypse partner. choose wisely, folks.”
-word porn
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image credit: google images
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“we are our choices.”
-jean-paul sartre
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image credit: new yorker cartoons – roz chast
Taiwan continues to cater to the needs of its travel-starved population by offering yet another aviation experience that doesn’t actually take you anywhere. Following up on an offer in July, in which the public was able to check in and board a grounded airplane in Taiwan’s Sonshan Airport, one airline has just upgraded the faux travel experience by offering an actual flight — to nowhere.
EVA Air, one of the biggest carriers in Taiwan, is offering the special journey on August 8 (Father’s Day in Taiwan) to help satisfy its customers’ travel itch. The trip will take around three hours, with the flight taking off from Taipei Taoyuan Airport, then circling the skies before returning to the same airport. If it’s a clear day, passengers will be able to take in views of several Taiwan attractions including Guishan Island and the scenic Huadong coastline, as well as other nearby islands.
Passengers will be flying on the “super popular” Hello Kitty Dream jet.The plane bears EVA Air’s special Sanrio-themed livery. An A330, it features many Sanrio characters including Hello Kitty, My Melody (Hello Kitty’s BFF), as well as Little Twin Stars’ Kiki and Lala. They can expect Hello Kitty in-flight amenities, free WiFi for texting and an inflight entertainment system that is usually reserved for long-haul flights. Inflight dining is another highlight of the trip, offering a choice of two main courses created by a 3-star Michelin chef.
The flight will be operated under flight number BR5288. Why? When spoken, it sounds like “I love dad” in Chinese. An economy class ticket is $180. Passengers can choose to upgrade their seats to business class for an additional $34.
International tourism has been effectively stopped in much of the world as countries shut their borders to stem outbreaks of Covid-19 and Taiwan is no exception. The island locked down its borders in March amid the growing coronavirus pandemic. Foreign nationals are still banned from visiting the island at this time.
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“you know the actor, john garfield? in one movie he walked up to this train station, the ticket booth, and the guy says, “yes, where are you going?” and he says, “i want a ticket to nowhere.” i thought, that’s it. i want the freedom to do that. i want a ticket to nowhere.” -wayne shorter
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photo and story source: cnn travel
aftermath of our afternoon trip down the river – 2020 style
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what started out as a promising enterprise
full of air and up on top
waylaid by the first set of cascades
day’s lazy dreams dashed against the rocks
so quickly deflated
yet just as suddenly
floated back up
found a way
after all
not as planned
this will always be remembered as the year that was
for so many reasons
that taught us how to make it to the end
safety vests strapped on and fingers crossed
even if we had to body surf our way through it
or borrow a raft now and then.
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“there is even rhythm in being empty.”
-miyamoto musashi
just another skill
acquired during the pandemic
my son-in-law built an axe throwing target
as something to do for fun
showed me how to throw
i’m definitely not a natural
but kept trying
finally got it to stick
my aim is not great
which might make me
even more dangerous
but that’s for another day.
—
“an axe cuts through a forest not because of its size, but its endurance.”
– matshona dhliwayo
I didn't have my glasses on.... 