January 11: Marvels of the Universe, Ford Prefect, Low Blood Sugar

Back to Ford Prefect, Arthur Dent's friend from a planet near Betelgeuse . . .

In fact what he was really looking out for when he stared distractedly into the night sky was any kind of flying saucer at all.  The reason he said green was that green was the traditional space livery of the Betelgeuse trading scouts.

Ford Prefect was desperate that any flying saucer at all would arrive soon because fifteen years was a long time to get stranded anywhere, particularly somewhere as mindboggingly dull as the Earth.

Ford wished that a flying saucer would arrive soon because he knew how to flag flying saucers down and get lifts from them.  He knew how to see the Marvels of the Universe for less than thirty Altairan dollars a day.

Well, you can't get through Walt Disney World on thirty Altairan dollars a day.  That's for sure.

So, our teenage Ford Prefect finally came to his senses after about half a day at the Magic Kingdom.  The day became much better after the Haunted Mansion.  We started at the Jungle Cruise.  Moved on to the Country Bear Jamboree, followed by a side trip to the shooting gallery for my son..  Then we took a ride with the ghosts.  After the ghosts, we headed off to Hollywood Studios.  By that time, Ford Prefect had returned to Betelgeuse, and I stopped looking for flying saucers.

At Hollywood Studios, we rode the Tower of Terror.  Well, most of us did.  There are some non-thrill-ride people in our party.  After that, it was Alien Swirling Flying Saucer ride in Toy Story Land.  Didn't partake in that pleasure,  Too much spinning for my vertigo-prone brain.  Then, we had dinner.  Chicken and biscuits for me.  Delicious.  After that, Star Tours--which is a Star Wars-themed virtual reality ride.  Pretty cool.  We were going to try to get to the Muppet theater  for the 3-D movie, but it was closed for the day.  To round out the night, we saw Fantasmic, which is a laser/fireworks/water show with Mickey and company.  My son was enthralled through the whole spectacle.

We came home, tired but not exhausted.  Had some hot chocolate (it was in the 40s last night).  Watched some Shark Tank.  Went to sleep.  That's when I turned into Ford Prefect.  Or at least my body did.

I had a really low blood sugar early this morning.  Almost ambulance-worthy.  However, my wife and daughter were able to get enough sugar packets and peanut butter into my mouth to bring me around.  What I remember about the night--not being able to control my body.  My right arm and leg simply wouldn't do what I wanted them to do.  Plus, I couldn't speak.  I was terrified that I'd had a stroke, as my brother and sister did before they died.  Even after my blood sugar was at a normal level and everyone had gone back to sleep, I lay awake in bed, moving my fingers and toes, just to prove to myself that I was not paralyzed in any way.

That was my day.  Not uneventful.  Full of Ford Prefect moments.

Saint Marty is still on Earth, and he will be heading to the Animal Kingdom in a little while.

September 4: Episodes of "Girls," Gerard Manley Hopkins, "Hurrahing in Harvest"

So, I recently acquired the ability to watch HBO on my iPad.  My sister subscribed to the premium channels, and she kindly gave me her password.  Therefore, I have been binge-watching season three of Girls.  Yes, I am not ashamed to admit that I love that series, and I have two episodes left.

I will certainly be a little depressed when I'm done with the season.  However, I have plans to watch the entire series of Breaking Bad.  Granted, it doesn't have Lena Dunham or Adam Driver, but it does have a shitload of Emmy Awards.  It is certainly a little darker than Girls, but I am not averse to darkness.

I don't like things ending.  TV series.  Jobs.  Good books.  Good movies.  Good chocolate.  I'm still getting used to the end of summer.  Not really enjoying autumn so far.  Long days of work.  Long days of teaching.  Acute bronchitis.  Short weekends.  I'm sure, in a few weeks, I'll be used to my new life.  At the moment, allow me some time to mourn.

The poem I have from G. M. Hopkins sort of celebrates the conclusion of summer.  I'm trying to get excited.  Tomorrow, I will start the countdown to Saint Marty's Day, that annual holiday of everything me.

Saint Marty will have to go up to his attic and get his Saint Marty's Day decorations down soon.

Hurrahing in Harvest

by:  Gerard Manley Hopkins

Summer ends now; now, barbarous in beauty, the stooks rise
     Around; up shove, what wind-walks! what lovely behaviour
     Of silk-sack clouds! has wilder, wilful-wavier
Meal-drift moulded ever and melted across skies?

I will, I lift up, I lift up heart, eyes,
     Down all that glory in the heavens to glean our Saviour;
     And, eyes, heart, what looks, what lips yet gave you a
Rapturous love's greeting of realer, of rounder replies?

And the azurous hung hills are his world-wielding shoulder
     Majestic--as a stallion stalwart, very-violet-sweet!--
These things, these things were here and but the beholder
     Wanting; which two when they once meet,
The heart rears wings bold and bolder
     And hurls for him, O half hurls earth for him off under his feet.

Admit it!  You watch, too.