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This is a test to see how much space is avaiable to type here nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
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It's uncanny how the biggest events in a person's life stumbles across their path when the least expect them.
All you have to do to diminish your fears is to develop more trust in your ability to handle whatever comes your way.
"Angles fly because they take themselves lightly."
You can drop an awful lot of excess baggage if you learn to play with life instead of fight it.
Take a risk a day, one small or bold stroke that will make you feel great once you've done it. even if it doesn't work out the way you wanted it to, at least you've tried.
Take only those risks each day that build your sense of self-worth.
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The Traveler by: Jennifer Greer
This is a fictional story loosely based on my experiences living on Earth. I dedicate this tale to my Sister Linda Breithaupt, whom I love very much. I hope she finds some insights and comfort in this strange tale that she inspired me to write.
Now The Traveler.... a tale in time
Let me begin by telling you a little about myself. I am a fifty year old female (but I think & feel a lot younger). I live in the panhandle of Texas in a community known as Lubbock. The terrain is relatively flat, beautiful skies and plenty of opportunity for those who look for it. I have a small close group of family and friends and I have cat pets that I enjoy around me very much. I am married to a wonderful husband whom I have been married to since 1974.
My story begins as any normal day in the past. I get up early five days a week to go to my job of sixteen years at a local television station. "Always the same, always changing." I was especially looking forward to this day because it was pay day, although in the scope of the economics of the times I am paid very little income. I am comfortable with my situation and always hoping for more. Wanting more seems to be a motivation for a lot of people. "Someday maybe I will be so wealthy and then I won't know what to do." That day never seem to happen. (Anticipation is motivation)
I was so anticipating the end of my work time so I could cash my check, fill up my little pick-up-truck with gas, and get something to eat. My favorite "#1 Combo" 2 chili dogs, fries, and a Coke. Then I had planned to go home eat my food, take a nap and wait for the arrival of my husband from his work. Things feel right after his arrival home.
As I was exiting the hot dog place, FLASH! In the blink of a eye, there was total confusion. I found myself in a different place. A very different place. Had I died? Was I in an accident? Where am I? What just happened? So many questions. A minute later or maybe five had passed. I began to observe and assess my position. Where was I?
I was still in my pick-up-truck. I still had my bag of food. So where was I? The Sun was starting to set, the landscape had changed, becoming a little hilly, some rocks, no visible roads, but possibly a walking trail a few yards away. The sky was turning orange, it was beautiful. The temperature was dropping, it felt as if it had been a very hot day and it began to cool down with the sun setting.
I had been listening to my favorite musician ,"STING" on my truck cassette player. I switched over to the radio hoping maybe there might be some news flash as to what just happened. There was nothing, just a hiss from the speakers. I tried the AM & I tried the FM. NOTHING! This added to my confusion. So... what next? My cell phone? Maybe I can contact someone to help me find my way out of this place and find my way back home. There was nothing...no dial tone, nothing.
A few hours passed. I began to assess my belongings and wonder how long I would be in this strange new land? I was still quite confused. I had begin to notice that I had not seen an airplane. I did see several birds. There was shrubs and natural things, and some bugs. I took an inventory of my belongings. A pick-up truck full of gas, a blanket, a towel, a first-aid kit, an umbrella, four bungee cords, a cell phone, a phone book with this cheesy looking sales guy selling auto insurance at LOW! LOW! LOW! Monthly Prices! A lot of good that would do out here. Who knows a phonebook might just make a good read? One 16oz. water bottle with the label "Legendary Lubbock Purified Water, purified by reverse osmosis and oxygenated for taste and purity, 100% recyclable. Please recycle." I also had several audio cassettes, a flashlight, sunglasses, lipstick, a pack of 17 count sticks of WRIGLEY'S spearmint chewing gum, almost a new pack, a hair brush that vibrates, a Swiss Army knife, a lighter(fire), and a jacket that I was proud to have. It had all kinds of pockets, zippers and Velcro. I also had a tote bag of papers, photos, notepads and pens .(You never know when an idea might pop in your head.) Last, a cool digital video camera and an extra charged battery.
It was dark now, very,very, dark. The stars were the at their best, no moon, some light thin clouds. This was comforting to me. The stars were watching over me.
NOW WHAT? Alone in the dark. Do I just go to sleep and hope that someone would come my way and help me find my way back? Or will someone rob me and leave me for dead? These thoughts were so overwhelming. I was starting to use my flashlight conservatively because I did not know how long I would be out there alone. I used the headlights on my truck to see the surrounding and I was hoping someone might see the lights to guide them to me. Then I began to wonder if I had the skills to survive in this strange place. All these thoughts were beginning to tire me and I started falling to sleep. I was grateful that it was not a very cold night and I did have a blanket. I looked at the sky one more time. I noticed that I had not seen even one satellite. On any clear night, you can spot several crossing overhead. I looked at my glow-in-the-dark watch. The time was 11:23 pm. As I drifted asleep I wondered If I would ever see my family and friends, my pets, and all those things familiar to me. I was grateful for the photos I had with me and audio cassettes to listen to. "STING." I found comfort looking at photos and listing to familiar music. I was so tired. I shut everything off, hoping again by sunrise things would make sense to me, and maybe what actions to take.
I slept very well, because I had been so tired . As I began to wake up, I saw that I was not dreaming. I found myself in the same place, in the middle of I don't know where. Where was I? Why was I here? Here come the questions again. I noticed that I was starting to feel hungry. I saw nothing around that I could eat. Now what? My truck was beginning to heat up inside from the Sun rising and I felt the effect of the morning dew. If you have ever camped out you know what I mean. I looked at my watch to see what time it was. It was around 10:00am. I sure was grateful for having my watch. It gave me a sense of time. But what time is it really? Another question? I began to wonder if anyone had started to miss me and were they trying to find me? Or even the thought, "Is there anyone who really cares about me enough to wonders were I was? "Questions! Questions! Well what next? I find myself asking the last question a lot. "What's next?"
I decided to get my video camera out and video tape my surroundings. Video taping would document my location on video tape, so when I tell my tale I will have proof where I was stranded. I leaned back on to the side of my truck to steady my shot and I felt a sense of security by touching the metal of the truck. As I was panning around the landscape ,I would zoom in and out. I would use the zoom to see further away like a telescope. SOMETHING just caught my eye! MOVEMENT! What, who, did I see? I zoomed in as tight as I could. I was so shocked at what I thought I saw! My first sign of human life. Who were they? Should I wave to get their attention? What should I do? (Questions) They were two or three miles away, I probably would not have seen them if I had not used the zoom on my camera. I began to make out what I was watching. It appeared to be a man, a woman and a young man around twelve or thirteen. I instantly thought of my nephew who had died around this child's age. They appeared to be coming closer to me and I saw that they had a pack mule. They were also walking at a very steady pace. A pace that is meant to cover a lot of ground trying not to tire. Just a steady pace, for a very long walk. Who were these people? Could they help me? Now I was asking myself "Is this my only chance to get back Home?" I decided to take a chance and wave, hoping they will see me out in the distance.The young man pointed. I HAD BEEN SEEN! I hesitated to leave the comfort of my truck. It felt more secure than ever now, besides, the best part of STING'S song was playing in my ear. That awesome sound. I stood still watching as they came closer towards me. The closer they got I saw more detail in their faces. I sensed a curiosity and fear in their eyes. I was surprisingly calm. I was equally curious of there appearance. Their clothing was made of animal hides, their shoes were made of some kind of wood. I really could not tell you what their shoes were made of. Their skin had darkened from constant expositor to the Sun. The Father appeared as if he had a hard life, in fact all three of them seemed as if they lived on very little resources. They were approaching closer now. I heard them speaking. I could not make out a word they were speaking. Not one word. They were also stunned by my appearance. I was a fish out of water. Did I say water? I was hungry and now I was very thirsty. I was willing to trade something. I was aware that they had only enough supplies to take them to their destination. I held my hand out to the Father to greet them. That was not cool, that scared all three of them. Why were they so fearful of my presence? I spoke,"I need help finding my way back home and I have no clue why I am here." They appeared stunned, obviously they had no clue to what I had spoken. NOW WHAT? Three people stand before me and all we do is stare at each other. I began to feel frustrated. I started to mumble WHAT? WHAT? WHAT TO DO NOW?
You will never guess what I did next. I offered them a piece of WRIGLEY'S chewing gum. I took my piece of gum, unwrapped it and be began to chew as three pair of eye were watching every move I was making with my mouth. They each looked at me then they looked down on their own pieces of gum. They were fascinated by the silver paper. I wondered if maybe they thought I was chewing the silver paper. They were also curious about the paper wrapper with printing on it,and what was that she put in her mouth? I realized I was not the only one asking questions. The young man attempted to chew his gum. I thought that he might try to swallow it. The taste appeared to be new and he suddenly spit it out. The mom began to play with hers as if were a unique object never seen before. The silver paper really had her attention reflecting the sun in her face. I continued to chew because that was all I had and I was really getting hungry!
Their instinct was to leave very quickly and don't look back. NOW WHAT? I didn't know what to do? They had to have had some food and water. They were so poor and out of touch with the modern ways of living. It was obvious to me that they lived off of what they found as they were walking through this baron land. I had admiration toward them. They did not need all the things I grew up depending on to live a good life.
SO, now that I have established that everything about me was not familiar to this family I began to use some "Magic." Isn't that what they do in the movies? I got out my lighter. Yeah! That will turn their heads. Nothing like a little fire to get their attention. That's a good one, burn something. I took a sheet of paper from my legal pad, rolled it up lit my lighter and set paper on fire. "Woo" This shocked them for sure. Instant fire. I then decided to make a jester like food to my mouth. It worked YES! They went over to the mule. They unpack what appeared to be a loaf of bread. Very dark brown bread, it almost look as if it were burnt. This bread did not look anything like the hot dog buns I had eaten yesterday. They were so giving and I was so hungry I had to eat it. It was the worst bread I had ever eaten. I had to spit it out. I thought that maybe that was what the young man thought when he had a taste of his stick of gum. The bread really made me thirsty. My water bottle only had about a third of water left in it. I needed a lot just to wash down the taste of the bread. I drank what was left. My bottle was now empty. They had never seen a plastic bottle either Good Grief! Who are these people? My next goal was to try and fill up my bottle with some of their water. I had to. It might have to last me for who knows how long? During this time they mumbled and I was mumbling. I discovered that they kept their water for their mule and themselves in animal bladders. GROSS! What dose this water taste like? I am very sure that it was not "Purified by reverse osmosis and oxygenated for taste and purity". And what was I always told? "DON'T DRINK THE WATER!" At this point, water is water.
I do believe they were starting to feel a little less threatened by being around me. And I was no longer threatened by the unknown. I began to feel hot, so I turned toward my truck's driver's side door. My intent was to start the air-conditioner to cool down some. That was such a very big mistake! I turned the motor over. That scared the mule and the family. They held their hands up to their ears, while the father tried desperately to calm the animal . I quickly shut off the motor. This almost became to much for them. The sounds of the motor and my "STING" music.
Once again, they were totally upset by my presence. My clothing was strange, I wore glasses, I had on earrings, and my shoes had rubber soles. I was wearing denim jeans and a gray t-shirt with the television station logos silk screened on the front and back.
By this time my imagination started to run wild. These people acted as if I was a alien who just landed from outer space. My truck, my clothes, my video camera, OH GOSH! My digital super-dooper video camera. Should I even let them see my camera? Maybe they will think it some kind of space weapon to use on them to rob them, or maybe even kill them. What would that do to this situation? Think what it would be like to see and hear yourself on videotape for the first time ever.
By this time they were aware of the time passing and an urgency to move on. They had a destination. I knew that I would not be included on their journey. I felt that I needed to offer them a gift for sharing with me their bread and water. I handed them my flashlight. Guess what? They had never even seen a flashlight. By this time this did not surprise me. I knew that they were not going to be able to assist me in my quest to go back to my old normal way of life. I attempted to show them how to turn on and off the flashlight. I was thinking that just maybe they would be able to make up for lost time if they had a light to light up their way. I had hoped they would remember how to operate the flashlight when it starts to become dark. I watched them go away at a slow and steady pace. Maybe I had made new friends? I was still feeling very hot and tired so when I felt they were far enough away I started up my truck again and turned on the air-conditioner on. I began to reflect on them and my life and wondered, what was yet to come.
"FLASH!" As soon as I was in the new strange land, I was driving out of the hot dog place and heading home. Again ,what happened? More question? I was so grateful to see familiar surrounding again it didn't matter.
You might ask why I told this tale? I told this story because after a lot of thought I realized I had gone back in time around 2,000 years and the traveling family that I met were on their journey home, as I was. I thought about how much I had learned by our meeting. That things are not always as they appear, and that you are always going to wonder and ask questions, and wonder what lies ahead. Oh ,by the way, this will probably not surprise anyone. Remember my attempt to video tape my surrounding for future proof of my experiences into the strange land? There was a glitch for a fraction of a second long, a nano second, on the video tape where I thought I had recorded. Go figure! THE END.... Jennifer Greer * 5/2001
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This a test 2
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