Comedy of errors, or am I being haunted?

I went to Virginia today.
I came back home, not really accomplishing my goal, which was to meet a new person and give them my old TV.
Why?
Well, it seems I am being haunted, so anything I do is foiled by a ghost. Let me make a list of what happened. You decide:

• I programmed the address into my GPS. The problem was the address isn't listed yet because the complex is brand new. So, the tomtom can find the general area, but not guide me to the exact location.
• I backed up the tomtom with map quest. I entered the exact address, and printed out the map and directions. The problem is that for some reason, the print out only had the town name and zip code. There were no street names. I'm sorry, but I have been having a very hard time remembering things like street names recently (for the past 57 years), so when I tried to recall it, I had no luck. I even drove around the area for over an hour hoping that it would spark my memory. I stopped and asked some people too. They guided me to apartments and condos, but there must have been a million of them.
  
• I programmed the person's name and number into my cell. But, when I went to call them, I got a wrong number. When I looked at the number, I realized I programmed a local number instead of the proper number. So, when I got to the general location, I couldn't call to ask for directions. How many strikes is that?
• I forgot to pack my afternoon vitamins, and a protein bar. I had planned on visiting, then heading out to find a motel halfway home so I could veg out with my laptop and take my time going back home the next day. Oh, did I forget to mention that I forgot to take my laptop?

The ride was 180 miles long, and my tomtom wasn't a happy camper. It decided at one point to not show me which way to go, and I ended up driving through downtown DC. It is an amazing place, but not when you're trying to drive through it.
I called a friend halfway there and asked him to try to find the person's cell number online, or to try to contact them on Facebook, but he had no luck.
I still haven't spoken with the person, OK, OK! It's a lady. Give me a break. It could have been a nice day with a nice lady....a date if you will. But, I screwed it up, or rather, my wife came back and caused all these things to happen.
I had conversations with several people on the phone during the ride, and I stopped off at a Wawa and got a wrap and a bag of sun chips. I stayed in VA. until almost 2pm after arriving around 11:30am, but never got a call back from the lady. So I guess our relationship is off to a bad start.
The ride to and from was very nice. I won't let anyone get me down. I'll just move on. I did get to drive my little red car almost 400 miles including the meandering around looking at street names and apartments. The Acura got 33 mile per gallon!
Tomorrow is supposed to be a very nice day. I am going to try to get a good night's sleep and head out early for a long walk on the rail trail. I may get to see my grand kids too since they are in the area.
Life is good!

Pilgrims

There are times over the years where I have had trouble understanding a situation and no one was there willing to explain it to me.
It was either because I had never seen the situation before, or I just didn't pay attention.
I always felt that the only way to learn something was to experience it, and then read the instructions to re-enforce things. That way, I actually learned something and remembered it later.
I think I have used that many times over the years to help other to understand what is happening when they might not have gotten a full view of something.
I tend to over explain things,a nd I do it on as simple a level as I can, just in case someone is not up to par.
Einstein talked about this, and someone actually wrote it down. He said something to the effect that if someone had a theory, they should also be able to explain it so that almost anyone could understand it. The people didn't have to be mathematicians, but at least they could have a grasp of the theory.
I've found that many people my age go back in their mind to the past, particularly that time when they were teens and had lots of peers and friends that they left behind because they were leaving the nest and starting their lives.
So, a few years ago when the internet was younger, I started my search for closure. I thought about people from back then that I lost touch with and through research, found them again.
I have found all but a very few and have touched base at the very least, and actually spoken with them.
I have been able to understand some of what I missed back then, and filled in enough of the holes in my past that bothered me so much. I have done the same for others who have asked, and even done it with some who didn't ask.
I wrote long letters to many of them.
I feel as if I have done what I can to close up the holes in my heart, and finally start to move on.
But those people, and those times will always be the best time of my life. I will always go back there in my mind and dream about what we did and said, what we felt, and what we experienced together.
Listen to this song and you'll know what I mean. Henry Mancini wrote it. The Carpenters perform it.

Life is Good!
Sometimes

Sunday night before the new week.

The so-called stress that we have here in this country could be a good excuse for me to blame my fatigue.
All the pressures of life the past year could be responsible.
I don't really think it is a physical cause, other than the fact that I've gained a few pounds from not getting my exercise or eating properly.
I am not going back to the old habits. I just have not been as strict.
Last week, I walked about 12 miles total, which is more than I have in a long time. My feet were actually sore.
This next week, I'm hoping for warmer weather and more energy because I want to walk more.
I have some things I really want to finish, and some that I really want to start.
I listed a bunch of stuff on craigslist and even managed to sell them too. I shipped one item out today and will deliver another item next weekend.

• I dragged the back bedroom carpet out to the enclosed porch. I went out there today and boy did it reek! I'm going to drag it down to the curb and hope someone takes it, or maybe the trash men will take pity on me.
• I went to find a box to fit the item I shipped and realized I have way too many empty boxes in the basement. I have a ton of stuff up here that I should either throw out, sell or box, so I will start to blend the items together, the boxes and the junk.
  
• I have to organize an area where I can write down lyrics that are going through my head. I have a place to play my guitar and sing, but nowhere to write. I learn songs by listening to someone else doing them. I learn the lyrics by writing them down and singing them over and over. I learn the chords by hearing them in my head. But, I've been having problems remembering as well as I used to, so it's becoming a real chore.
• I am going to separate my laptop from my IMAC so I can use it other places. I plan to take it with me when I take drives so I can stop and write things down. I tried using a hand held recorder, but that doesn't work with me.
• And of course, I have the things from the previous blog to accomplish. I believe they are all related, and I also believe that they will all come together soon.
  

In talking with a friend this weekend, I was surprised to hear them say that they have trouble getting things done when they are alone. They say they also let things sit sometimes because they just don't feel like doing it.
It's funny, but just them saying that to me without being prompted, made me feel better. I thought I was the only one who couldn't get things finished.
Because I heard this from someone else, I will be able to work harder now and get more done. That's just the way I am.

This weekend, I asked someone out on a date. I didn't mean to, but I did. This blog is about me. It is in no way a reflection of the lady's response. She said "OK". I've never met this woman. I only know her through Face book, but I like what I see. Do I have to put in all kinds of disclaimers here? I read her comments, I see pictures of her and her family. I see her profile, and I like what I see.
I have thought about asking other women out, but don't think it is appropriate through Face book. Or at least, I didn't.
I'm not sure it's such a good idea for me to start "dating" again so soon after my wife's death, but I have to start sometime. If it doesn't work out, that's fine, as long as I don't run out of the place screaming, things should be OK.

So, next weekend will be a mini vacation for me. I am going to try to book a room halfway between here and my destination on the return trip. I will look for a place to relax, but may just grab a place that allows me to carry my laptop and write.
Let's see what happens.