Radical Changes vs Sleepy Porch Time ( #AtoZChallenge )

     Radicalism for me is more of a mental concept that I ponder occasionally and not so much of any participatory action.  I'd rather find myself relaxing on the porch than marching in some kind of protest line...



 

 Radical Changes vs Sleepy Porch Time

       Radical thoughts may cross my mind every now and then, but you will probably not catch me acting upon any of those thoughts.  Some change is okay with me as long as I have mostly instigated the change or that change serves me to an advantage.  Change often requires too much thinking, learning, and rearranging.  Let's face it:  I tend to be kind of lazy and don't like messing with change.

      Personal change that I am happy or intrigued about is something I can deal with.  Something like moving for example--that is, moving because I want to or the move provides a tremendous opportunity for me.  In those cases you can count me gone if that move is within my means or it's paid for by someone else.

       But here I am in my busy urban surroundings.  Millions of other human beings within a close radius from where I live.  There are plenty of opportunities to experience culture and ethnic diversity. Restaurants abound and in normal non-COVID times there is so much to do.  Nothing overly sleepy about urban Los Angeles (other than me, my wife, and others like us).   Even in the current pandemic setting there is a bustle of traffic and people out and about.  A continual stream of traffic seems to pass by my windows both day and night.  This city never seems sleepy, but anxious and edgy.  And these days worried and wary.

       If I close my eyes I might imagine lazing on the front porch of my home in some rural setting back east.  Oh, I have a front porch in my present home, but the view just ain't what I envision in my country mountain home in southwestern Virginia.  It's a dream for now.  Going there would be a radical change for me, but that sleepy porch time just might be worth it.


         Where do you dream of being?  Do you deal well with radical changes?   What was the biggest change that you had to adjust to in your life? 

Eastward Focus ( #AtoZChallenge )

California seemed like a good idea to me once many years ago, but now my focus is again on the eastern United States.  I guess it's a matter of roots...





Eastward Focus

       Eventually I'd like to move back east.  Since I'm married it has to be either a mutual decision or a matter of me just going on my own.  The latter doesn't seem to be a particularly good idea since I do love my wife and her happiness is maybe more important than my own.

       I tend to find a contentment wherever I am.  This might be a matter of a transient state during childhood--we moved a few times from one extreme to another so that I've learned to adapt.  And there are a number of aspects in Los Angeles that appeal to me.

        Maybe I should have stated at the outset that I currently live in the Los Angeles area--have lived here for 29 years now.   Moving here was a choice that I made in what almost seems like another life.  At the time it seemed like the best thing that I could do, but years have passed and my situations have changed.  In this stage of my life now, living in a state like Virginia or Tennessee seems like a nice place to settle in for retirement.

         Nearly always, my thoughts, my focus is in the eastern part of the United States.  All of my kids are in New Jersey or Virginia.  Living back there would make it much easier to see them, my grandchildren, and other family and friends.  So I dream of being there, perhaps living in a house on a nice parcel of land, away from the bustle of the urban area like that in which I currently dwell. At my age I don't need a lot of things to do or places to shop.  Small town life would suit me just fine, but I don't know if my wife would like it.  Besides, she's got family here in California so that is her main draw.

        So here I am, not in so much of a dilemma, but in a state of longing for a dream that perhaps could be mine.  Maybe, one day, or maybe not.  The scales are balanced as far as weighing out benefits of either outcome.  I'll be okay here in L.A. as long as things remain pretty much as they have been in recent years. 

          Of course, nothing ever really stays the same.  Nor should it.  For now I'll deal with it.  I'll let tomorrow be a surprise.  Hopefully a pleasant one.

           Is there somewhere other than where you are now that you'd like to settle?   Do you prefer a city or a rural life?    For you, is the grass usually greener on the other side?







       

     

You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To (#BOTB)

Pensioners Cottage, Ballygowan. This quaint old cottage in original condition is located near Lammy crossroads.
 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Home Sweet Home

       Settled in for a few days, it's almost like we never left.   The miles behind us, the places we've been and people we spent time with almost seem like a dream now that I'm nestled back into the familiarity of the house we've lived in for the past nineteen years.  A vacation is nice, but in some ways being home in familiar surroundings is equally so.  In many ways it's better.

        From the vantage point of this modest place we call home, we've seen our girls finish school, leave home, and start families and careers as I've settled into retirement and my wife will soon follow.  Will we stay in this dwelling in the years to come?  We have been pondering that decision in recent years and the decision is one that will likely be made within the next few years.  I have some dreams in mind, but the act of moving is not something I particularly relish.

        For now I'll keep this decision of relocation in the back of my mind.   The thought will creep frequently into the forefront of my thinking as the quandary looms ever larger over my shoulder.  I love this place I call home, but it is a mere physical abode.  This is the place my wife and I think of as home, but this place can be replaced in my worldview.   I don't have to be here forever and come to think of it I won't.

        The structure where I keep my stuff is merely a storage room and a shelter for my physical being.   Eventually this situation will pass and my spirit will move on.  But until that time comes, I hope I can find that near perfect structure in that near perfect geographical location where life can be lived in peace, comfort, and as much happiness as circumstances will allow.

Battle of the Bands

         Battle of the Bands is the blogging event started by Far Away Series and now hosted by StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands.   This event happens twice each month on the 1st and 15th.   The premise is simple:  Listen to the songs presented below and then in the comments vote for your favorite and tell us why you liked it.  Then visit the links listed near the bottom of this post for more Battle action.



"You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To"

         This 1943 song by Cole Porter has been in my BOTB song queue for a couple of years and coming home from vacation seemed like the ideal time to unleash it.  Though I've heard this song many times since childhood, I was first drawn to it several years ago when I bought the CD Sinatra Sings Cole Porter.   The haunting version on this album came from The Frank Sinatra Show which was broadcast on television on February 3, 1951--four days after I was born.  I had planned on using his duet with June Hutton for my battle, but I could not find a video that was unrestricted in all countries.   However I offer it here for anyone who is interested in hearing it (but please don't vote on this version).

         The song has been recorded by numerous artists since first appearing in the film Something to Shout About where it was introduced by Don Ameche and Janet Blair.  For my battle I have chosen two very short recordings which came from live performances in the 1960's, both done in Japan.

Anita O'Day "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" (1963)

       Internationally proclaimed for her jazz singing style, Anita O'Day was nicknamed "The Jezebel of Jazz."   Throughout her life she struggled with drug addiction though she lived until age 87 still recording until near the time of her death.  Her smooth song styling is showcased in this following performance with some fine Japanese jazz musicians.





Julie London "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" (1964)

       The prolific Julie London had a popular career as a singer, actress, and television personality through four decades starting with her first film role in 1944 and up to her recurring role on the television show Emergency! which ended in 1978 after six seasons. Her sultry singing style led to the recording of 29 studio albums with 29 singles hitting the charts.  Her version of this battle's song by Cole Porter is from the laser disc "Julie London Show", with the Bobby Troup Quintet, recorded on May 28, 1964 in Japan.






Time to Vote!

         Hope you've enjoyed this trip back in time with a Cole Porter classic.  Maybe it's not your style of music, but hopefully you'll keep a musically open mind in assessing the two versions.   Let us know what you think about these two recordings. Is there one that you prefer over the other?    If you're visiting a Battle of the Bands post for the first time then let me briefly explain.  Please give each song version a fair listen to decide which one you enjoy the most.  If you don't like either then at least tell us which recording was least innocuous to you. This comes down to your preference and it's as easy as that.

     Please vote on your favorite by letting us know your choice in the comment section and tell us why you prefer the version you chose. Then after you've finished here, please visit the other blogs listed below who may or may not be participating this time around. And if you've put up your own BOTB contest let us know that as well so we can vote on yours.

Here are some other places where you might find BOTB posts:


 StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands

 ‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’ 

  'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'

'Curious as a Cathy'

Sound of One Hand Typing

DC Relief Battle of the Bands

The Doglady's Den 

Angel's Bark  

Cherdo on the Flipside  

Jingle, Jangle, Jungle 

Janie Junebug Righting & Editing.
  
J. A. Scott  

Quiet Laughter

Holli's Hoots and Hollers

Be ReInVintaged


Winner Announced on Monday August 22nd

      I don't plan to post on this blog until next Monday, but who knows what wild things might come to my mind that will lead to another post this week.  I'm just saying that another post this week is not in my plans for the time being.  That's the way it is.  And actually I need to do some recouping after our long trip away from home.  See you when I see you.

       Are you happy with where you currently live?   Do you think you will ever move to another home?    What is your dream location for a home and what would you like to see in another home if you were to move?

Related articles

• Thoughts..!!!
• Life Forms
• Good Day

JUST DIFFERENT (On the Move) : Special Guest Hijacker Lubaina E.

          Our hijacking visitors have taken us throughout the world and today is no exception.  Lubaina is a teenager from Pakistan and judging by this guest post she is one intelligent young lady.   This was an eye-opening read for me and I hope you will gain some insight as well.   

JUST DIFFERENT (On the Move).

Lubaina E.

lluviatic-logophile@blogspot.com

What if my life were a movie and I was the audience watching it?   I wouldn't accept any action, nor any horror for that matter.  Yes, there would be many lame jokes like 'What's green and says I'm a frog ?' 'A TALKING FROG!' and much more of travelling and shifting homes.  We sure have moved around a lot.  The home I'm sitting in right now is the ninth one in eighteen years of my life! :D 

Well, seventeen years and eleven months to be exact. (Yeah, my birthday's next month)

Here's how my experience has been of the most recent moving from Islamabad to Karachi last year. (I live in Pakistan)

Disclaimer: This piece of writing is no criticism and nor an attempt to devalue any city or citizen of Pakistan. 

Shifting from Islamabad is a one of a kind experience. Having spent almost a year at Karachi by now, the packing boxes, saying goodbyes and letting go of a place that held memories will always be remembered. Not because it was a very happy one, but because it was just different. And we all love adventures right ? :D

My home at Karachi

From getting used to a city with greenery, the peace and quiet, the early nights and a weather that could not stay warm for long to having to settle in a city full of life, with crowds of people and sudden bouts of rainfall. Being a rain lover the thought of missing all the rain spells was saddening (very saddening indeed), but what has to be done, must be done. 

So, this free citizen packed her stuff, got onto a plane, with her family of course, and landed at Karachi.

My home after it rained in Islamabad

First Reaction as I set foot in Karachi: WIND!
Second Reaction as I set foot in Karachi: WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIND! 

Third Reaction as I set foot in Karachi: DADDYYYY! (Yeah, the wind was getting old by now and my dad who had already moved in was there to pick us up at the airport)

Even then it was settled, that even if I make no friends, stand out in the crowd and do not adjust to living in ‘the Karachi way’, the winds will always be there to whisper comfortingly and to push the newcomer into the crowd. Yes, shifting to a new place does bring with it fears and I-don't-know-how-will-I-fit-in-phobias, but by my third day I had already begun to fit in. Of course, not entirely but a part of me felt like a part of Karachi.

So here’s rule number one of settling in at Karachi; if you want to be accepted, you have to accept it first. Because walking with a smug look on your face and brooding over what you would have been doing if you were not at Karachi does not go down well. Be positive and think positive, that should be the aim.

Most importantly, make sure you do not let all the “news” get you down. (Well, the news abut Pakistan is devastating usually, but my homeland is more than that. You'll see.)

The news comes with the experience of what Karachi has become now. How Karachi comes out of its grasp is a different debate, but for now enjoying all that this injured Karachi has to offer is my top aim. For when one’s injured and in pain, seeing the other’s smile makes the injured one smile too. 

Having spent exactly a week and three days in Karachi back then. I knew one thing for sure, the ‘Karachi-ites’ have not lost hope and that someday it is all going to be A-ok. 

The greens at Karachi are going to be back :D

The political rivalries are going to end :D
My overseas friends will then finally come visit without fear throbbing in their hearts :D

(The news sure is exaggerated at times though)

Apart from all this, Karachi can be very confusing. An ‘Isloo-ite’ like me is not used to living in a city with so many flyovers and bridges. And the inevitable has already happened.

The other day I was going to a friend’s place and was told to tell the driver to take a left turn before a bridge. I saw the road going upwards and immediately took it to being the beginning of the bridge. Well what do you know, I got it all wrong. After asking many passers-by, making calls to my friend and the ones who had instructed me to turn left before the bridge we found out where I had gone wrong.  The road going upwards was merely a road going upwards, not a bridge. For the bridge came after the upward road, with signboards and cemented railings on its sides, I am a newbie and I sure made a show of it. I mean who sees an uphill road as a bridge! Answer: ME :P

When we reached the beginning of the actual bridge, the driver stopped the car deliberately to show a red-faced me what a bridge looked like, all through heaving uncontrollably with laughter. (He would have let out loud guffaws if I hadn't looked so embarassed) 

Well, I still have to get used to the roads of Karachi and I still have to visit the 'Hawksbay' beach, but that experience is for another story. For now this newbie has said all she had to say. Oh and, the ice cream melts faster at Karachi than it does at Islamabad. A fact I thought you should probably know.

lluviatic-logophile@blogspot.com

        Does moving to new places excite you or does the idea make you apprehensive?   Have you ever been to Pakistan or thought about going?  Does Lubaina's story intrigue you to learn more about Pakistan?

Related articles

• In the twilight zone: On Karachi
• Karachi By Sunset.