13 Comments
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kathleen's avatar

It would be hilarious if it weren't so frustrating, infuriating and, yes, sad. Sigh.

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Radio Far Side's avatar

Many years ago, I asked an old man I worked with why he was always smiling. "I'm just laughing to keep from crying," he replied. That answer has stuck with me all my life, and seems apropos just about now.

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kathleen's avatar

"a smile is just a frown turned upside down".

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Radio Far Side's avatar

And a rainbow is a smile flipped on its head. :)

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kathleen's avatar

and you just made ME smile!

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Radio Far Side's avatar

That's the best thing anyone's said to me all day!

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Stephen Simac's avatar

I hope your gall bladder flush succeeds. Reminds me of a group fasting purge some hippie herbalist concocted with water, cayenne, apple cider vinegar and something else- this was 40 years ago. It was while trapped in a cabin in winter Lake Tahoe, after a New Year's Grateful Dead series of miracles, before my first trip to Hawaiii-Big Island. Somehow this was certain to prep our bodies against staph and other tropical parasites- Burning all the way through, purging the parasites, I'm sure. Weirdly I did feel better for a spell.

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Radio Far Side's avatar

I only slam my head against the wall because it feels so good when I stop. :)

I think you have a Tom Robbins-eque novel somewhere in there, with hippie purges, Grateful Dead miracles, frozen Tahoe cabins, and trips to Hawai'i. Let me know when it comes out. I'm down with the read!

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Stephen Simac's avatar

No one would believe it was factual, not fiction.

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Radio Far Side's avatar

I have found that the best fiction is reality, because no one could possibly dream up everyday life on this planet.

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Lynnie's avatar

Wow, Henry, the feeling is mutual.

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Lynnie's avatar

Comments are as good as article. It's nice to hear what happens in Jakarta.

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Radio Far Side's avatar

We are very fortunate to have an extraordinary group of readers and commenters around here. It's the best reward a writer can have. I'm happy to know you appreciate the local flavor. There aren't many writers in Indonesia, so I figure folks might like hearing what life is like on the Far Side - not to mention the fact that life here is just a bit wonky compared to most places. Thanks for chiming in!

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