The Grand Tapestry

 In this life, you meet all kinds of people at the local flea market or even just at church. Some have a natural charm—that magic touch that makes them a hero in the eyes of their friends and family. My mom always said that a sweet personality is the fountain of youth, but my professor at the university insisted it was all about DNA and neurotransmitter activity within the cerebral cortex.

I remember a pancake Sunday where my pastor and a local scientist got into a heated debate. They were discussing anomalies in genetic data and the ethical quandary of removing faulty genes. The scientist, a brilliant and intelligent woman who looked older than I am behind her thick glasses, called it a "chance of a lifetime" for humanity. The pastor, a traditional man, just looked at her and said, "That sounds like a trap."

It’s fascinating how smart people can disagree so fundamentally. I mean, we’re talking about genomic extractions and science while some moron in the back is shouting, "All right Tubby, pass the sugar!" It’s strange—the world is a mix of rocket scientists and people who think The Big Bang Theory is just a comedy show and not a study of the universe.

My buddy—let's call him Hercules because he thinks he's a strongman—once had this weird dream about NASA and a secret moon landing. He claimed he saw a shuttle landing in a hospital parking lot. He’s the dumbest man in the world sometimes, but he has a cute butt and a certain charming way of flirting that makes the ladies fall in love. He once tried to convince me to become a gambling affiliate to get "free money," but I told him I wasn't that rich yet and didn't want to end up fired from my real job.

Life isn't always lovely or normal, though. Divorce can make a person feel guilty and worthless crap can pile up in your mind. You might find yourself crying over a cat or a dog, feeling the weight of the years as they pass. You get busy, you get dehydration from working too hard, and sometimes you just need to relax.

I remember seeing a surfer at the beach once—a mighty fine and cool guy who looked like he didn't have a care in the world. He had nothing in common with the busy executive chattering on his main frame computer about businesses and market shares. The surfer just looked at the ocean and said, "I'm on fire today, man."

Whether you’re a teacher, a fire man, or even a stripper man (hey, no judgment!), we all have to pay attention to the little things. A kiss from a baby, the smell of honey, a day out fishing, or just speaking your heart to a mother who understands.

One time, Buddy’s idea was to take a cab to a sports bar to watch football and math out the odds of a win. He was acting like a pervert toward the waitress, and I had to tell him, "Hey, pull it out of the gutter and accept the fast." It was a difficult night, but he’s part of you when you’ve been friends that long.

In the end, we’re all just trying to find love and avoid the poop and pee of daily struggles. We want to be the finest young man or woman we can be. So, if you're feeling rich or poor, smart human or a bit of a moron, just remember to keep your hands clean, watch out for the ass of the joke, and if someone offers you a delicious meal, just eat it and say, "Thank you baby."

We’re all good to go on this journey around the world. Life is a trick, a dream, and a fascinating mess of feelings. Don't let your pants get slashed by the sharp edges of reality—just stay brilliant.