Gratitude — a time when a stranger performed a kindness

I was 20 years old and in Venice Italy. I was studying in Italy, and our class was based south of Florence. I had taken the weekend to go up to Venice and meet a friend from college. (Side note: how the hell did we do that back of the 1980s without cell phones? I just coordinated to meet this woman on a random day in a random spot in Venice? I must have!) 

Anyway… so I was preparing to leave Venice and was at the train station. And Italian men have the reputation they have for good reason. And I was tired of being flirted with and chatted up and hit on and pestered by Italian men. I had seen a guy sitting on the steps of the train station, actually playing violin beautifully, and I overheard him speak and knew he was American. He wasn’t a busker, he clearly was a passenger, waiting for a train, just happened to play violin (side note: found out he played violin for the LA symphony!!!) . Anyway, I went to talk to him and confirmed he was American and said can I sit next to you so these other men will stop bothering me. And he said sure.

So then I asked his name, and funny thing his name was literally Guido. He was American, but his mother was Italian. When the train finally came, Guido had a first class ticket and I was back in second class. And it was a late night train. I went into a car and then the rest of the car filled up with drunk Italian men. Which in general they’re harmless but annoying. I knew it was gonna be a long ride. Before the train left, Guido came back to see what my situation was saw I was gonna be in an uncomfortable situation and pulled me out and found me a better seat in a car with nice polite people. And then I never saw him again.

Gratitude questions

A friend on Facebook asked questions about gratitude. 

My answer today: 

• Cheap long distance absolutely! 
  
• Better support for mental health and alcoholism (makes my family sound like a disaster, but they were good people still struggling) 
  
• Better cardiac care and knowledge and specifically pacemakers (my grandmother died at 65, my dad at 56)
  

Election Day plans

To get through the anxiety and avoid obsessively scrolling on Election Day… I will: 

• Delete social media apps. ✔️
  
• Go for a long walk in the woods. short walk in parking lot 
  
• Finish reading a book.
  
• Meditate. 
  
• Drink limoncello cream.
  
• Add: baking cookies 
• Add: shopping for Xmas decorations  ✔️

Walking tour of art in downtown LKLD

walking tour and other info on art downtown 

Me and Guy Fawkes

Fun weird fact about me: 

For the TL;DR crowd: I wanted to go to a pub but now I’m not.

The full story:

I love the British holiday known as Guy Fawkes Day. I mean, maybe it isn’t that weird as I am approx 75% English (yes, English, not British, it’s higher if you also count Scotland!). But all my ancestors came here in 1600s, so it’s not a recent connection to England for me. 

But then again! … maybe the reason is that the original Guy Fawkes’ attempt to blow up parliament in 1605 was a recent memory for my English ancestors.

SIDE NOTE: Sean and I’s very first date was him joining me on an excursion to a variety of British pubs in Palm Beach and Broward Counties. I was writing an article for a ‘zine (it’s a paper thing from the mid-’90s, kids, look it up) reviewing various local bars, with the hook that we were publishing it near Guy Fawkes Day, November 5.

***Remember remember the 5th of November!***

ANYWAY, so in my current attempt to explore west central Florida, I wanted to go to a British Pub about 45 minutes away that is recognizing Guy Fawkes Day tonight with a traditional bonfire.  

But it’s been raining all day, and is 75% chance of rain or better into the night. And I am too old for driving in rain solo especially after a couple hard ciders.

*sigh*

Who is Guy Fawkes and why is he more relevant than ever? 

In 1605, he was a Catholic and an explosives expert, who joined the Gunpowder Plot, a conspiracy to assassinate the Protestant King James I and blow up the Houses of Parliament in London. He was caught before anything could be blown up, he was tortured, and executed. He has long been considered an example of terrorism.

AND YET, over time, he’s become a symbol of anti-authoritarianism. Through the graphic novel and film V for Vendetta, the stylized Guy Fawkes mask transformed from a symbol of a failed Catholic plotter into a global icon of anti-establishment protest, hacktivist groups (like Anonymous), and anti-government resistance movements.

Seems relevant the week of this election and the next three months of bullshit we’re about to endure in the US. 

One of many variations of a Guy Fawkes poem popular in the UK over the centuries — this is a shorter one without Catholic insults: 

Remember, remember, the 5th of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, ’twas his intent
To blow up the King and the Parliament.
Three score barrels of powder below
Poor old England to overthrow.

By God’s providence he was catch’d
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holler boys, holler boys, let the bells ring.
Holler boys, holler boys,
God save the King!

(As for that last line, I say: OR NOT) 

All that… but honestly, I’m also sad about not having sticky toffee pudding tonight.

November Ins & Outs

IN:

• Job flexibility
  
• Making new friends 
  
• Going to bed early 
  
• Finishing reading books
  
• Riding bikes 
  
• Exploring local art scene 
  
• Thrift store shopping for clothes in a new size 
  
• Explore Japanese stores in Tampa 
  
• Meditation
• Sending out happy mail 
• Organizing book shelves
• Naps
• Giving compliments 
• Evening walks 

OUT 

• Staying up late
  
• Stubbing toes 
  
• Being chronically online 
• Long daily To Do lists 

Upcoming theater options

Dirty rotten scoundrels at FSC Feb 19-28 

Dear Evan Hansen — WH Mar 25-Apr 11

Waiting for Godot 5/19-20, LKLD comm theater 

As She Likes It — Shakespeare female characters — Feb 5-6, Harrison