Stream of Blog

Bbbbbblankety blank blank blag Blago Blog Blogging Blob:  Blob.  That's such an onomatopoeic word....it simply reeks of blobbishness, Darling.  Blobby blobby blob blog. Bobby.  Why were they called bobbies?  For that matter why coppers?  Copper matter hatter blatter blankety blanket.  I like this blogging.  I am aiming for the least number of legitimate readers in the entire world.  Does Dame Edna have a blog?  Does Sir Les?  Blanketyblobbobby. Fort Myers - what a dump.  On the one hand they spent a ton of money putting twee paving cobble cobbler stones in the downtown area.  Had to virtually close the place for at least a year, and the rest of the area is one seedy strip mall punctuated with McBlobbies and Blog shops.  An eyesore.  Not as much as Vegas though.  God what a dump.  I am amazed they can make it look so good in print and on TV when it's really a seedy old Madam.  Blagaggedy blob blog.  Anyone else like Family Guy?  Or American Dad? They are about the only thing making sense on the Tv any more.  :"?:>(*(^%$#*()::^%#$)!@$LLKKJ"_098<&^%>.  Like the proverbial chimp I was seeing if I could make anything by randomly pecking the shift punctuation marks.  I like it.  Especially the beginning.  Comp a chomp blogga, Baby.  Whoops, the copper stream is drying up.  Blankety blank blank blago Blogger Blacker - oh don't go black for god sake.  You might lose another reader.  Saw Apocalypse Now again the other night.  The parts I used to find boring make a bigger impression now than the racy scenes used to.  Keep meaning to check out some Iraq or Afghanistan soldier's blogs. I bet their blogs are black.  Cropper copper capper crapper - you knew I'd go there - blacker crapper Blago.  Stock market down again today.  What's up with that?  Ha ha.  Eat your heart out Joyce - (what a name for a bloke!). 

Who Meditates?

Who meditates?

The reason I ask is I am just getting back in to the habit of meditation.  I'm not talking about contemplating a daffodil or musing on an ipod, but actual setting aside time to relax, "meditate" and see where it takes you.  One friend goes to an immersion tank where he is deprived of sensory perception and swears by the experience.  A sister is an advanced yoga instructor, and I suspect there is a lot of meditation involved in that.

I was 'taught' (if one can be) how to meditate in Argentina in 2002.  Someone noticed I was a little overwound at an AA meeting and suggested I try his method of meditation.  The results were immediate.  No contortion or deprivation involved, in fact it's the perfect lazyman's method.  One simply lies on a bed, transfers the energy around the body and goes into a trance.  On one occasion I actually felt "at one with the universe", and I mean literally! No drugs involved.

Anyway, I got out of the habit and have decided to meditate every day for the next 30 days.  Just completed day seven.  I really think that already I feel more together or poised during the day.  And I feel great after a session which lasts approximately 30 minutes.  

Played tennis this evening; played rather well.  Otherwise the day a bit of a dud, although had a good meeting with a client. 

Summer's here: 90 degrees most of the day.  

A Naples Sunday

As expected, yesterdays advertised estate sales were pretty lame, including the one with the enticing copy.  I turned up there to be told they wouldn't open until 9:00....annoying, but I was able to catch another sale also starting at 9:00.  Both sales were duds - but that is normal for this town in the summer.  Did get some consultancy work in the form of a contemporary painting which I need to research and put through auction for a client.  Consulting is where I am heading.


If I were 85 and from Ohio and enjoyed golf a little more and thought Newt was an upstanding candidate, I think I would feel more settled here.  The "lifestyle" purrs fat living.  Beaches, golf courses, good restaurants and even a couple of museums.  But alas, little or no Bohemian element.  Some brave souls made a stab at a live jazz coffee house a couple of years ago, but that's gone by the wayside.  Even the theater seems Midwestern. So the median resident age here is 60.7 (according to the City of Naples) and God bless 'em.  I'm not complaining; I know there are worse places to live.  

On the docket today is tennis with my mate David.  We have fun and hurl abuse at each other for 2 1/2 hours.  He usually wins the first set but I usually come back in the next two sets.  Curiously I seem to have more stamina which is interesting as I smoke like a chimney and he doesn't.  Am contemplating a seminar in Miami today for voice-over work.  It's four hours and is basically an overview of the industry.  Let's see how I feel after tennis.  Two of my eBay items end today.  Hope they catch fire.

Day One

Yesterday a friend, Jim, suggested I start a blog about my experiences as an antique dealer.  One of those sledge hammer moments - thanks for a poor night's sleep, Jim!  It occurred to me this would be a great way to let curious friends and family know how I spend my days, and the characters I come across in my wanderings. Along the way, maybe I can give some advice to people wondering what Grandma's blue vase is worth or how best to sell their Vermeer. I have been buying and selling objects for 20 years, and yes, I have some stories and favorite finds.  But let's stick to today.  My roommate is having a yard sale this morning of junk he has accumulated over the years.  What a load of junk.  Just like all yard sales I have ever been to - electronics with missing leads and paperbacks with frayed covers.  Naturally I thought a good scheme would be for me to give him some of my junk to sell which I have been unable to sell to the punters.  Am I going to help him?  Are you kidding?  I am going to split.  I have an interesting-sounding Estate Sale to attend.  Tell me this ad. in yesterday's local rag isn't pretentious (verbatim):  "The recent sales of our Port Royal guest home, Old Naples townhouse, Sanibel home and Park Shore Venetian Bay condo mean that we need to liquidate! At this large sale we are offering furnishings, antiques,children's items....(etc)."  Pretentious, no?  But like a moth to a flame, I'll be there.  


    P. G. Wodehouse, in an introduction to one of his books, wrote about what dedications he would really like to publish.  My favorite was:  "To the swine, these pearls".  I'll check in later and let you know how the day went.