A trip down memory lane.

Poland, summer of 1968.

Back then, I was only 10. Molly was only 9. Everything in the world was outside my front door. My life revolved around her. On a given day, we decided to go for a stroll in the park. We walked for five minutes, linking arms. She was my woman and I could feel manhood running through my veins. Silence. We sat on a hanging tire. Silence....
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Was I really a man? Could I be a man at that age? No, I couldn't. Maybe that was what I wanted to be. No, that was what I thought I wanted to be. I was only a child. A child who wanted to skip ahead of time. How foolish that was.
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Silcence...
Maybe we both realized that growing up doesn't have to be so much a straight line. It doesn't have to be as a series of advances and retreats. Maybe we just felt like swinging. But what ever it was, Molly and I made an unspoken pact that day to stay kids for a little while longer.


We swang and held each other in a tender embrace.

Fear

When we are little kids, we're a little bit of everything we want to be. Astronaut, teacher, boxer, race-car driver... Sometimes it seems like growing up is the process of giving those things up. One by one. I'm afraid we all have, at least, one thing we regret giving up. One thing we really miss. That we gave up because we were too lazy or, we couldn't stick it out or, because we were afraid.

When we grow up, things do not change that much. Fear still stings clear and we end up giving something up. I must confess that I used to be this way, but I have changed because I see fear as something different. And I wish people would see it, too. Whenever they want to do something, they, or at least many of them, usually think it shouldn't be done because of any unfortunate outcome. It looks like the pessimist side prevails. Yeah, I guess human beings think negatively since their origin. Well, I see fear as something that motivates me. Something that boosts me in order to face danger. Let the fear of danger be a spur to prevent it. Feel the fear and do it anyway!

Trees

I am no member of Greenpeace, but if there is something I care about is a tree. A tree or, at least, its branches, leaves, flowers and fruits can be useful in many ways. A tree can feed you; it can protect you from the heat or the rain. It helps your breathing; without trees there is no life.

A tree can shelter a love couple from a thunderstorm, as well as provide a romantic moment, those with hearts carved on the trunk. Have you ever swung on a hanging tire? Yep, you can take a great delight in using what a tree offers you. You can use it to play hide-and-seek; you can climb it to have a better view; a tree is much more than your eyes can see. It represents a family: A family tree. You can derive much benefit from a tree, and all you have to do is watering it in return.

There are some trees in my house. They are the most appealing billboards I have ever seen.

You've got a choice.

I feel there has been an upward trend in society. You may call it "personal accident", but I prefer the same old name: Suicide. It seems some people may hold such atrocity in high regard. Nonsense!!! I know some potential suicides will eventually come up with a few reasons, trying to coax you into believing they have a point. Yep, suicides may be methodical and meticulous. However, when a position is based upon reason, then the adoption of that position should be determined by the strength of reason, but I cannot find ANY convincing argument.

I'll number some of the reasons why People Attempt and Commit Suicide:

1- Firearm Availability
->Is it possible to believe some people buy a gun and shoot themselves out of "curiosity"? It's unacceptable the idea of someone who is unable to consider the likely results of his actions. Well, this is popularly known as imprudence. Anyway, bear traps are also available. Why don't they buy one and use it on their feet? I bet the damage will not be something to be too worried about. Give me a fucking break!

2- Depression
->This is the most dangerous symptom. It mows millions of lives down every year; but if treated properly, the treatment may provide great outcomes. Once you spot someone who suffers from depression, take all precautions in order to help this person: Take him to the doctor. Pills and therapy will help him overcome this problem. But, things do not only depend on family, close relatives or friends. If the person does not want to live, there is not much we can do. It's a matter of willingness. Living is worth the effort.

3- Schizophrenia, Personality Disorder, Alcoholism and Substance Abuse
->These are considered diseases and disorders, so they should be dealt with accordingly. The ones in charge of the person will play an important role on the patient's full recovery. There is always someone who cares for you, so don't you ever give up!

4- Illness and Physical Infirmity
->If you think you are unable to take care of yourself and feel you are placing a financial/physical and emotional burden on your family, why be ashamed? Don't be selfish and ask for help. If you don't like yourself, some people do. You are way more important than you think you are. You are not a disposable product :)

5- Revenge, Anger and Punishment
->This one makes me laugh. How can anyone kill himself in order to inflict pain on his beloved ones? To me, this is ironic enough, since this person will not be here to witness the damage they caused.

6- Sexual orientation and gender conflicts
->I believe a person is born homossexual, but even if the person isn't...Perhaps this citizen will have to face serious conflicts in order to understand he likes someone the same sex. But, in a free world like this, why commit suicide? Homossexuals have been gaining respect and some room in society. Things will be roughly equal in the future.

7- Loss of job or economic distress
->During hard economic times, some people who have been laid off or have gone bankrupt, cannot find a way to handle this situation. They feel unable to find any other way out other than suicide. If there is nobody to give you a hand, neither someone to lend you some cash, then you should really commit suicide! Killing yourself due to lack of money is pathetic.

8- Loss of a loved one
->When there is a breakup or a sudden death of someone beloved, some people are driven by loss to take their own lives. Have you ever thought millions lose loved ones every day but manage to go through? I myself have lost some, but I am here!!!

Gee! I know I must have forgotten reasons, but hopefully the most important are among the ones above. I hope I have made myself clear. I think suicide is a coward choice, a selfish one, or at least, not the best pick. Why simply give up? It is easy, isn't it? After falling down, stand up as many times as necessary. You have inner strength, you have people to lean on. Remember you have a choice...it is up to you :)

WOMEN: The greatest puzzle of mankind.

If there is something men consider to be the gospel truth is that women
cannot be understood. They act and think in ways you cannot hope to understand. You ‘design’ a set of decisions about how to capture their heart, but most of the times they end up throwing you off balance. You spend long years with them, but, someway, some feelings seem to wear off.
Ok, ok…the time has come! Men have the power of reason! On an attempt to ease the pain that breakup involves, we ask them if they still feel like putting the effort in the relationship.

“No. I don’t know”. WHAT ? This is something new. I mean, I always figured girls knew exactly what they wanted. They know everything - they have every single detail planned. Or maybe they don't. Maybe they are just as confused as we are. Isn't that great? It’s…- it's horrible. They don't know either. That means nobody knows.

Well, I swear I tried to think of ideas in order to shed some light on the “Women” issue, but I failed miserably. I am afraid we have no choice but to submit to their every whim.

A place to go.

I have come here tonight because I have something to say. There is a little piece of land, a couple of kilometers away from here. A place called Bob's house. You might have passed it on your way here or there. It is nothing special to look at. Some rooms, coloured walls, some pieces of furniture, adornments all around the place. But there is something you cannot see. Because there are some things you are not able to see with your eyes. You have to look at them with your heart. It was my teens, it has been my adulthood...and his...and hers...

At that special place you find people you can turn to, friends you can count on. You can find a middle-aged man who pats your hair down when you get there, a man who cheers you up when you are feeling blue, someone who is honest enough to say you look awful that day. Once and again, certain things can only be seen with the eyes of love.

Every human soul deals with loss and grief in its own way. The important thing is to not forget the bonds of memories. All the places have their memories. All the people, too. Don't let these memories lose their meaning. They are a natural part of our lives. Our world is a place too careless with its memories. I beg you: Do not allow them to sink into oblivion.

Referendum

Gun trafficking has 'always' posed a major problem in our country. I must confess that when I heard the Government would hold a Referendum on Disarmament I got a bit enthusiastic about the idea. Nevertheless, after thinking it over, I figured out there was something behind the scene, in between the lines. Politicians, specially ours, have never had the slightest intention of helping the citizens, so I pondered: What was all that hustle and bustle for?

It was crystal clear! They were diverting people's attention away from the real problems, misleading many into believing we had the power to choose something whereas they, who are the ones in charge, should have done the real thing.

The results are already in. As expected (at least by me), nothing changed and never will. Millions were spent, millions were deceived. Now, It will be funny to see how many people will be proud of their gestures; how many will boast about their 'YES' and 'NO'.

I have definitely lost faith in my country and the end of the tunnel is dark as a dungeon.