Looking Back

This post is meant only for me and for the members of the Den of the Secret Nine. I doubt that anyone else will be interested but I include these statistics here because these records are important to me and I can't seem to keep up with my notes when I save them offline.

If you're one of the few readers who are interested in such things as this, please leave a comment.

March 1, 2024

The oldest post on The Circular Journey blog is dated February 22, 2012. A few older posts were deleted to eliminate any evidence that may be used against me. Always a prudent precaution.

At any rate, this blog is now twelve years old. Happy birthday to The Circular Journey and happy birthday to my father, Genome Senior.

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All-time stats for the past 12 years:

• 244 published postings with 88,941 total views

I have never promoted this blog so all activity is organic. I am considering promotion in the future.

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Into The Breach

It seemed like a normal day running errands in the city. Of course, the Cape Fear bridge is closed for repair and all traffic into the city must cross the river on the north side. The additional daily traffic is estimated to be more than 30,000 private autos and anywhere between 400 and 700 big rigs.

That's a significant amount of traffic. Still, if I cross sometime after the morning rush hour, it shouldn't be too bad. That's what I told myself as I headed east on Highway 17.

The traffic backup began before I got to the battleship exit. That's about three miles from the Holmes bridge. If you're a regular here on The Circular Journey, then you've surely read my raves and rants on the subject of quantum physics. That being the case, I don't need to tell you that when a butterfly flaps its wings in the Amazonian rainforest, the upshot can possibly be a hurricane off the coast of Houston.

That butterfly was warming up its wings in the pit of my stomach as I contemplated those three miles of bumper-to-bumper ranygazoo. Princess Amy was repeating, Oh no, oh no.

As I approached the turning lanes, a pickup decided to move into my space. He began his move. It was a bust. He'd hesitated a little too long and had to cancel. But no! He'd made that change after all. He was able to squeeze his square truck into the round hole between me and the car ahead by forcing me to stop and wait for him.

Off with his head! shouted Amy.

I felt that old familiar feeling of anxiety growing in my chest. It grew some more when I realized that several people weren't in their preferred lanes and they began shifting before they missed the opportunity.

How is it that so many people panic even though plenty of signs on the highway remind us that there are two turning lanes--one leading to the beaches and one leading downtown?

Perhaps they think the helpful hints are for other people and they are not other people. Did I mention that I was just a little nervous as the mob of vehicles entered the downtown district.

In the lane next to me was one of those little muscle cars. The engine was loud and the driver liked to rev it up apparently because he liked the noise.

It was his turn to decide to move into the space that Wind Horse was occupying. Fortunately, he saw me in time to avoid a collision and quickly moved back into his lane. The foiled attempt seemed to disturb him and as I glided past he gave me a dirty look and revved his engine a few more times.

I'll give you something that'll make you think disturbed, said the little princess. It's something I heard often growing up and never really understood its meaning--not really.

Just to be friendly, I revved Wind Horse's engine and returned his look. Oh, man! That was a mistake. 

As soon as he gained clearance, he pulled right behind me and began alternately rushing up behind me and revving like the dickens. I interpreted his behavior to imply, Oh yeah! What do you think about that, Buster. 

I must have been driving too carefully for him because he seemed to quickly tire of the game and again changed lanes, moving past me with more engine growling and dirty looks.

I was tired of the game too. The unpleasant experience of coming downtown with all the extra traffic had put off my bien ettre, if that's the term.

I decided to abandon my errands at the next exit. As I pulled into the turning lane, the little muscle car cruised by me one more time, and one more time I was given the heightened RPM's and the dirty look.

Don't mess with the bull, young man, you'll get the horns. That's the thought I had as I sounded my horn to acknowledge his greeting. I smiled and felt much better about the whole affair as I saluted him with the fickle finger.

Ha, ha! said Amy. I hope he follows us. I'd like to give him a piece of my mind. 

Sometimes I think Amy should count to 10 before opening her mouth, especially when she's worked up.

Before closing, let me just say that I didn't really do or think such things. Not really. Oh, but I can't lie to you, my loyal public. Yes, I did those things. But please don't follow my example. I don't approve of my behavior, and neither should you, but sometimes I just can't control it.

I blame Princess Amy.

Working It Out

For months now I've been chevied by sewer harpies in the earnest manner of Snowball, that terrier belonging to Patrizia Miani, the girl next door. You probably remember that on the above occasion, the end result was embarrassment, humiliation, and ruin.

Something has to be done about it. Driving to my weekly rendevous with the representatives of Wilmington's quality, I was rehearsing my intention of giving Princess Amy a piece of my mind.

As I crossed the Cape Fear Memorial bridge, I happened to glance downriver toward the port and was dumbstruck. Although the morning was bright and clear at my latitude, a dark wall of thunderstorms was emerging from the Atlantic and heading my way. 

When Amy saw the cloud, she sounded the alert. "Faster, faster, faster," she shouted while jumping up and down like that little buffalo bird I wrote about in a previous post. She paused only long enough to warn me to get to Castle Street ahead of the storm.

I remember thinking that her warning was intended to keep me from getting soaked in a downpour. Just goes to show you, that life isn't always what it seems. 

By the time I parked, the sky had darkened all around. I rushed to the door of Native Grounds and saw Lupe and Claudia sitting at a table near the window. Before I could open the door, the shadow darkened around me and I felt something tugging at my jacket, pulling me back toward the street. I swerved around and swiped at the thing with my umbrella then I lunged toward the cafe, threw open the door, and fell inside.

"What the hell!" said Amy.

"Calm down, old girl," I said. "We're safe now."

I quickly moved to the table where my two young friends were watching me, wide-eyed.

"What the hell!" said Lupe.

"The darkness is getting full of itself," I said.

Claudia was up, looking out the window. "It seems perfectly quiet now," she said. "The darkness has passed and it's sunshine and blue skies everywhere."

"For the time being only," I said.

"I don't understand," said Lupe, "Amy's shenanigans are usually inside jobs, right?"

"Who's Amy?" asked Claudia.

"Not, Amy," I said. "Asher."

"Who's Asher then?" said Claudia.

"Asher!" said Lupe. "Charlie Asher? You mean this is the work of sewer harpies?"

"What're sewer harpies?" said Claudia, becoming more insistent with each question.

"Yeah," I said, "they've been following me ever since I crossed the Cape Fear bridge."

"Hey!" cried Claudia. "Remember me? What are you guys talking about, if anything?"

Lupe and I looked at her. Her wide blue eyes didn't register the wonder and excitement that I expected. Instead, they had a sort of glazed look that might come from drinking bourbon instead of coffee. They seemed to say, I'm out of here as soon as I find my car keys.

"You should probably explain," said Lupe.

"My thoughts exactly," said Claudia.

"I'll get a refill," said Lupe as she left us and moved toward the spot marked with an 'X' on the cafe map.

"It's a long story," I said to Claudia.

"Well, that's unfortunate," she said, "but I'm not going outside anytime soon," she said with another searching glance through the window, "so let's have it."

"It all began when I was recruited to be Death's assistant," I said.

"Did you say, death's assistant," she said.

"It's the mythological Death," I said. "With a capital D."

"And you're his assistant?" she said but not with any real sincerity.

I paused to marshall my thoughts. One doesn't want to rush into an explanation when one is aware that there's a high probability of being considered what my mother referred to as a nut case. After all, there are times when even I don't believe it's true.

"Like Santa's little helpers?" she said.

"Not exactly," I said. "Here's the deal. You see, Death's real job is to help the soul transition from one person--the one who recently clocked out and the next person in line to assist the soul on the path to ascension."

I looked for some sign that she was following the gist. I was concerned for her because her eyebrows were raised to maximum height and I feared they might be stuck there if something wasn't done soon.

"Wait," she said. "Is this a joke? "If not, then first I need to know why I should believe any of this. I mean, I did see the shadow, looked like some big bird. And I saw you flailing around on the sidewalk."

I opened my mouth to clarify but she hadn't relinquished the floor.

"Start at the beginning," she said. "How did you get involved in all this and why should I believe any of it. But before you start that, I'd better get another cappuccino and bring Lupe back to the table so she can interpret for me."

And with that, she left me. I was unaware that a blog post would result that would become the first to be continued in later posts. And that post, dear reader, is this post. 

I'll link all the related posts in chronological order so that you can follow the gist, unlike poor Claudia. Without the links, this post written in the past and the rest of the posts written in the future may become discombobulated and then where would you be?

If you get lost, just leave a comment on any post you happen to stumble across and I'll come find you.

Another White Chip

You know how the universe, or the Fate sisters, or some god-like intelligence working the joy-sticks likes to prank us by giving us the impression that everything is going our way? Of course, you do. You're no stranger here. Well, this morning was no exception.

I was up with the larks, the snails, and Bree, three of nature's best who apparently enjoy the early morning. The sky was clear and bright, the sun was at work on the usual corner, and bluebirds were singing the all-clear. In other words, all was right with the world, and no sign of the disaster that was to come.

But we Genomes are not new to this neck of the woods either. We've seen many days begin with this bien-etre outlook only to drop a banana peel in our path before mid-afternoon. 

Just as the honeyed sunshine climbed the garden fence and began creeping toward the snapdragons and clematis, I entered the kitchen to put on the coffee and get breakfast for Uma Maya and Sagi, the two resident felines of the Genome household. 

When Ms. Wonder entered the salon with a sheaf of travel brochures in her hand, I wasn't distracted in the way of lesser men. I naturally recognized the tactic as one of diversion and subterfuge. I knew that the imminent discussion of European river cruises was not the true source of danger.

Still, I'm amazed at the persistence of this Ms. Wonder in pressing the matter of cruises. Her fascination is becoming something that might possibly be defined in the Diagnostics and Statistical Manual V5. I can only assume it's something in her Slavic DNA, possibly something left over from the time her ancestors worked in the Orlov stables so near the Volga River. 

The problem with these luxury cruises, as I've mentioned in previous posts, is that once you get started, you find that you can't stop. You think you can quit any time you like but then the next thing you know, you're throwing a toothbrush and passport into a plastic bag and heading for the sea. First, it's a ship to Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, then it's a river barge down the Rhein, and the next thing you know, you're on a ferry down the Yangtze from Nanjing to Shanghai.

In the matter of cruises, I have taken a firm stand. If I wobble, she will be encouraged and continue to drag in these brightly colored tracts, much like Lucy, the cat, brings dead mice to the doorstep even though I make it clear in word and deed that the market for dead mice is sluggish if any.

Forgive me if the foregoing was a repeat. I sometimes get caught up in the emotions and let them sweep me away. Just stick with me and in the future, I shall remain mindful.

"Poopsie," I said, with confidence that suited me well; probably brought on by having the  home-field advantage, "do you know what today is?"

"Wednesday," she said.

"Today is the day Sagi gets his 90-day chip."

"Wow," she said, and with this one exclamation, I knew that I had sidestepped the talk of ships and ports of call. "Has he been clean for three months? Again?"

"That's right," I said, "our top-ranked caramel-colored tabby has not shredded a single roll of toilet paper since December 2. And you didn't need to add the 'again' to your remark. I'm aware that he's had his slips but let's remain confident."

"Oh, that boy!" she said with warm admiration. "Where is he? I'm going to give him a chin-scratching. He likes that."

Immediately, she was up the stairs and looking for the cat, probably on his favorite cushion in the upstairs window. And I was left in the kitchen alone, bubbling over with joie de vivre resulting from my nimble avoidance of you know what.

I was doing my patented victory dance, a little something that I'm told originated with Alexander, or was it Napoleon? No matter. As I danced my way around the kitchen island, the corner of the counter near the cupboard came into view. A sudden chill around the ankles stopped my dancing. I stared at a roll of paper towels sitting on the counter near the window. 

The subject, Sagi, sat next to the towels and looked toward me with an expression much like the one that native English speakers wear when about to say something in French.

The towels were not the tight wound roll of ephemera that you might expect. They were streaming out across the counter and down onto the floor. We Genomes have quick minds and I instantly discerned what had occurred.

There was Sagi, spirit floating gayly along, 90 days clean and sober. Sitting on the sofa with me watching Weekend Update and then I fell asleep, leaving no one in control. The Met Gala followed WU and all those celebrities parading down a long, flowing pathway must have reminded this champion feline of a roll of paper towels. 

Seeing that long, flowing streamer leading to the celebrity parade must have been too much for his paper addiction. I can see him now, white-knuckling through the show, hoping for the commercial that never came, until he could take it no longer.

I could clearly see, looking into Sagi's eyes, the familiar kitty lament that says, 'you promised that you'd never subject me to more than I can bear, but this!'

It must have been for him the work of an instant to leap to the counter and begin spinning the roll of towels until they shot across the room and floated to the floor. I can imagine how satisfying the sight must have been to him. But then the remorse of having gone back out inevitably followed, as it always does.

The evidence of his back-sliding is just another example of the trouble caused by Auntie Mabd, the younger of the Fate Sisters, or if you will indulge my own personal theory--Princess Amy. Now there's one of the girls if you want one. Benevolent universe, my left foot. And you can quote me! 

Not all aunts are bad, of course. My Aunt Mary Magdalene and Aunt Arvazine come to mind as the good and deserving types. Still, behind every poor schmuck going down for the third time is an aunt who shoved him into it and it's amazing how often the aunt in question is one of the big three--Mabd (Amy!), Nemain, or Macha.

It's the same for cats.

The situation strongly resembled some great moment in Greek tragedy where the hero is stepping high, wide, and handsome--as I believe the saying goes--completely unaware that Nemesis is following close behind looking for an opportunity to drop a banana peel. This moment was that moment.

I scooped him up and gave him a kiss behind the ear. "Don't worry my old buddy," I said. "We'll get through this; remember, my friend, you fail in the face of rolls of paper, but together we recover and re-roll."

Born Of The Sea

I entered the door of Native Grounds hoping to find my god-neice, Lupe, in residence. She's recently moved into the Castle Street Arts District and can be found most mornings enjoying a steaming mug of Jah's blessings at the cafe. This morning was no exception.

She was sitting near the window with her roommate, Claudia, and they were dressed in a way that left no doubt they traveled in the same circles. They recently met I'm told at the annual pow-wow in the mountains of western Carolina.

Having my coffee in hand, I joined them. 

"Hello, old ancestor," said Lupe.

"Not sure I like that," I said. "Isn't ancestor a title reserved for those who sleep with the stars?"

"Elder then," she said.

"How about, god-uncle?" I said.

"Genome, it is," she said. Claudia giggled.

"I'm happy to see you," said Lupe. "Now tell us a story. Claudia hasn't heard many of your stories and she thinks you're interesting. Although, I can't imagine why."

Claudia's brow wrinkled at Lupe's verbal jab.

"She likes to tease me about my stories," I said. "And yes, it so happens that I do have a story for you." 

"Knew you would," said the verbal jabber.

"Yesterday morning, I felt the need to go to get out on the open road to escape some of the depression that had enveloped me from the moment I woke."

"He talks like that when he's feeling philosophical," Lupe explained to Claudia. Claudia nodded.

"And so I thought I'd drive to Ocean Isle to visit my mother," I said.

"Does your mom live on the island?" asked Claudia. "I'd love to live there."

"Actually, my mother is the ocean," I said.

"The ocean is your mother?" said Claudia. Lupe smiled a knowing smile.

"Right," I said. "I was born of the sea."

"Oh, like Aphrodite!" she said getting into it. "She was born in the sea."

"Claudia," said Lupe, "don't encourage him. Humor him to be sure but don't make his stories illusions of mythology."

"But this is mythological," Claudia said. "And it's heroic mythology."

I was fast taking a strong liking to this new friend of Lupe's.

"Heroic!" said Lupe. "Heroic! That's silly. His stories may be entertaining but that's as far as they go. Nothing heroic."

"But Lupe, we all live in a fantasy of our own making," said Claudia. "We each are the hero of our life's journey. Joseph Campbell described it beautifully."

Lupe looked at Claudia the way one might look at a lost child. I looked at her like my new best friend.

"And so I was born at sea," I said. "Mother brought me to shore and hid me in the dunes among the sea oats. Fiddler crabs fed me and seagulls sang lullabies when the sun set each evening."

"Really?" said a wide-eyed Claudia. Lupe rolled her eyes in silence.

"With the next full moon, baby sea turtles hatched and made their way back to the sea and I followed them."

"Then what happened?"

"I was lifted from the sea and sailed on a wooden ship with brightly painted sails to my first home where I lived with other children like me until we were taken to our forever homes in this dimension."

"Oh," said Claudia. "You must have suffered separation anxiety in a big way."

"It hurt like unrequited love," I said. "But we consoled ourselves with the knowledge that the purpose of our lives was to raise the consciousness of earthlings around us."

"Oh, if only I could place my hands on a really hot stove right now," said Lupe.

I gave Claudia an inquiring look but Claudia was given Lupe one. Apparently, she was unfamiliar with the quote too. Perhaps it's one you know? Shakespeare, Aurelius, Socrates? Leave a comment below.