Life, love, lust and lunacies from the Sage of Topanga

   Every once in awhile I close my eyes and conjure up an island in the Caribbean where the beach is composed of gleaming white sand, the surf is gentle, the ocean is aqua and life moves at the pace of an iguana. It is an image not created by a dreamy inclination of the mind to wander but a memory based in reality. We have just come back from Aruba.
   For those unfamiliar with the geography of our ocean to the south, Aruba is a small island 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela. It is just 16 miles long and 9 miles wide in a vast terrain of water, calling in the whispered voice of Bali Hai, Come to me, come to me…
   Cinelli and I spent four days in Aruba embraced in the comforts of the Bucuti Beach Resort, a small hotel and spa that sits on the shoreline of the whitest sand I have ever seen. While the brilliant colors of the Aegean may be the glory of the planet’s oceans, Aruba has to possess the most glowing of beaches.
   Let me make clear that I am normally not one to spend my days lying on the sand sipping a Mai tai while the surf sings me to sleep. I am accustomed to an edgier life of push and shove where freeways are clogged, tempers are explosive and trouble is just around the corner. The music of my world is shrill, but I have chosen that tune and live with its discordance as I poke into dark corners of a city’s soul. This is my job. This is my inclination.
   But everyone needs an island or a mountain top occasionally to hide amidst the silences. Drums must be muted and horns quieted before a permanent kind of madness sets in and we lose whatever perspective we possessed in the first place. We need time and we need roses.
   It was why I was able to lie on the beach and sip a Mai tai when I was once heard to declare that I would rather drink battery acid and sleep on a bed of nails than roast in the sun sipping a pink doo-dah with a paper umbrella floating around in it. It was the tranquility that changed me. I was submerged in it.
   Cinelli used the phrase walking on cotton to describe the subdued tone of our experience on Aruba; not just its lack of calamity, but the softness of its atmosphere and the warm enclosure of its starry nights. There were places within reach where one could dance, snorkel, gamble, sail or paraglide high above the light blue sea, but that’s not why I was there. You know why I was there.
   Will we ever return? Probably not. A second look is rarely like a memory embellished by time and emotions into a high state of perception. But we will always have Aruba in a quiet place in our dreams, lying in the ocean sunlight, remembering us.
    Now pour me a martini and turn up the music. The honeymoon is over.

Promised I’d take a look. Enjoyed it. Like to get in the wind with some regularity myself( Sweetie in tow )……………later, Gene

Thanks for Your beautiful Blog !!
From my heart. i am glad that You had a nice time.
My regards to Cinelly !!!!

Does Garry Trudeau of Doonsebury live in our area? I keep thinking you are the model for his Rick Redfern journalist downsized from his newspaper and starting a blog. Or maybe there are so many downsized writers - Redfern is a generic composite.

Thanks, Al, for Aruba, but I think the blog praises Joanne too little.
I’ll bet she has even MORE talents, like putting up with YOU maybe !

I could take your praise of Aruba for real and plan a trip there myself,
but like you, it’s martinis around here !

Thanks, Al, for Aruba, but I think the blog praises Joanne too little.
I’ll bet she has even MORE talents, like putting up with YOU maybe !

I could take your praise of Aruba for real and plan a trip there myself,
but like you, it’s martinis around here !

Paul

Dear Al,
For some strange reason I have never wanted to visit Aruba. But you have surely changed my mind. I could just feel the quiet, the “walking on
cotton”; see the white sand; and hear the gentle waves.
Thank you for giving me such a wonderful place to think about. Thank you for making me so jealous.

much improved website.
To read your ongoing travelogue is a pleasant respite. Where to next?

Al,

You are a treasure! We are so fortunate that you are sharing your wonderful blogs with us.

A long long time admirer.

emilia kato

What a great post! I can hear the ocean from here! I really like the look of this blog, and as always, your prose is refined.

By the way, did you know about the Blog Blast For Peace? MimiWrites started it on her blog, and bloggers from 44 countries are taking part. You might have some fun. There seem to be a high number of CAT bloggers!

OH Al, this surely sounds like paradise! So happy to finally see a photo of the lovely Cinelli.

What do you mean the Times is phasing you out? We don’t have to go through this again, do we? Last time, as I recall, said paper was bombarded with protests!

Warmest Wishes,

Gloey Walton

I loved your blog and now love the two of you.
In a manner of speaking.of course.
Are there any old people in your course beside the teacher?

From France,

At last we have a picture of Cinelli (how do you prononce Cinelli) !! Such a great event is needed. Happy to see you both

I was in California for the first Bush voting (2000) when at less one month had been necessary to be sure. Sorry but I left before.

I was in Los Angeles sept/oct this year …. and have to leave before voting

merde ! merde! I would like to be with you.

Eveline

Al, I’m from Big Bear Valley, we are now a big city, we have had a killing and now we have had a Colubine type situation. 5 pesons where caught with guns and ready to shoot at the school. I don’t know if you read about itin the LATimes. I wish I knew how to write articals to submit, we are losing the battle.. Carlos

I have limited time, but I would like to know how to write… I know that learning how to write , takes TIME… Carlos

Al, Enjoyed.. as usual. I’m sorry the times is phaysing you out. But it may be only a matter of time b 4 they are 2
Hal

Al,
Just keep plodding away. We’re out here, we hear you. Keep on going on until the fingers and the mind will no longer cooperate.
Jon

Your Aruba adventure sounded great. If ever you need a white, sandy beach again, try the island of Boracay in The Philippines. Was just there a few years ago while on tour with The Cascades and it was very special. Also while there, we were wined and dined by the charasmatic Imelda, who continues to have the ability to light up a room, even in bare feet. We did see where she keeps her shoes though. Also had Gloria Macapgal Arroyo shaking her booty to our music at The Hard Rock in Makati City. I’ll be headed back in April 2009. All the Best, John Claude Gummoe

Al,
Hope you are well. If you didn’t live on the other side of the mountain, I would love to attend or visit one of your writing classes. When do you have them.
Give your beautiful bride my love and G Bless.
Joe

I have found you just now. Like a beautiful shell in the sand.
I write to ask if we could have a conversation.
That is ever so much easier for me than writing.
I want to tell you about my life in the Amazon Jungle. We need your help, if you would be so kind.
Sincerely,
Gina Low
Founder of APECA, Inc.
Association Promoting Education and Conservation in Amazonia
http://www.apecaperu.org
818-880-0996
cell
818-642-9032

Dear Al,
I must write to comment. First of all, I voted for McCain, there, now I’ve said it! Second, why oh why does everyone refer to Obama as Black, when he is half White? It is like not giving one bit of credit to his mother’s biological contribution, sort of like Tiger Woods, why is he not considered bi-racial instead of Black? If you talk about “Old Dixie”, let’s include the old bigoted idea of “one drop of Black blood and you’re considered Black.”
There are many bi racial people in this country, let’s refer to them as exactly that. Okay, Barge?
Thanks for listening,
Your faithful reader, Rosalie

I have such a place. Its my living room looking at my wife sleeping after her telling me what channel to put - she just had to watch that particular show. After 52 years she as beautiful as she was when we first met.

Since online advertising alone does not appear to offer enough revenue to support the cost of running and creating quality content, clearly there is a problem. ,

Name (required) Email (required, not displayed) Website