SlowTime

  I never really think of myself as depressed, you see. It's more like being in  hibernation.  I don't dwell on negative topics.  I don't get sad, or dwell on dark thoughts. I just kind of lose steam. I'll still work on whatever I have in process, but  end not to start anything new.  I remain curious.  I read, listen to music, play games.  I go online and talk to friends and relatives, play my guitar.  But I don't do these things with the same attention or gusto,  it's more like treading water until my mojo comes back. 

The problem isn't an internal one.  The problem is how I am perceived. People  are so used to  other people who are upbeat and energetic.  They have also been taught about depression, an illness that effects a lot of people.  I am not one of them.  I don't suffer from depression, I really don't suffer at all, I just kind of slow down.  I also grow thoughtful and introspective.  I don't know why, but a lot of people seem to view such thoughtfulness as somehow dangerous.  Deep thinking isn't understood or acceptable.  

That in a nutshell is the problem i've always had. I like to think. It makes me feel whole.  When I get contemplative in the winter, I am content, whole, happy.  I only want people to accept that.  

Title 1

It was about four in morning on New Year's day. He was packing the change up,after facing and bundling the days bills, and was about to start packing up for the Long trip home.

There was a young man standing in the shadows,leaning on a tiled column. The young man cleared his throat, then walked over to stand close.  Willy had his guard up. This late, that close, it couldn't be good.  His left hand was already deep in the pocket where he,d just stashed the money, and we as already clutching the small bottle he kept there.

When the young man pulled out a small pocket knife, Willy struck, jock as a snake. The bottle came out, Willy pumped three times full in the would be assailant's eyes, and then said quickly "you'd better move fast, asshole! Your eyes will be stinging right now,but that is nothing compared to what is to come.  You can finish trying to rob me. If you do, I'll lay you out flat. Or you can go now.  I figure you've got a few minutes to get to the emergency room."

The young man was rubbing his burning eyes, still holding his knife, but he was clearly unnerved by Willy's comment.

"what the fuck are you talking about old man?"

Willy looked him full in his smarting eyes and said "That's eight molar nitric acid I sprayed into your eyes. If you don't go to the emergency room now, you will be totally, irrevocably blind within the hour."

Now the disdain on the hood's face changed to terror, as the threat sank in. 

"Time's a wasting!" said Willy, in a friendly tone.  

The young man dropped the knife, tried furiously to wipe his eyes with the back of his sleeve, which just made burn all the worse, then took off into the tunnel, the Mass general hospital was just a few blocks away. 

Willy picked up the weapon that had been abandoned and hollered "Hey, thanks! My Nephew will love this knife!

He laughed heartily as he finished packing his gear,then hustled to hop on the train that had just pulled in.  

Just before the door closed, Willy tossed out the spray bottle, and the weak mixture of lemon juice and vinegar that remained inside. 

Later that day, when Beatrice came home from work, Willy asked her if she'd gotten the present he'd sent her.  She laughed unrestrainedly, saying "that poor boy was crying like a baby when he came in."

"Did you tell him what it really was in that bottle?" he asked.

She just grinned and said "Why ruin a good thing? You may need that again some time."

And Willy said "He's lucky I didn't use the hammer instead!"

   

Making the World Safe for Streetsinger's

It was about four in morning on New Year's day. He was packing the change up,after facing and bundling the day's bills, and was about to start packing up for the long trip home. There was a young man standing in the shadows,leaning on a tiled column. The young man cleared his throat, then walked over to stand close. Willy had his guard up. This late, that close, it couldn't be good. His left hand was already deep in the pocket where he,d just stashed the money, and was already clutching the small bottle he kept there. When the young man pulled out a small pocket knife, Willy struck, quick as a snake. The bottle came out. Willy pumped three times full in the would be assailant's eyes, and then said quickly "you'd better move fast, asshole! Your eyes will be stinging right now,but that is nothing compared to what is to come. You can finish trying to rob me. If you do, I'll lay you out flat. Or you can go now. I figure you've got a few minutes to get to the emergency room." The young man was rubbing his burning eyes, still holding his knife, but he was clearly unnerved by Willy's comment. "what the fuck are you talking about old man?" Willy looked him full in his smarting eyes and said "That's eight molar nitric acid I sprayed into your eyes. If you don't go to the emergency room now, you will be totally, irrevocably blind within the hour." Now the disdain on the hood's face changed to terror, as the threat sank in. "Time's a wasting!" said Willy, in a friendly tone. The young man dropped the knife, tried furiously to wipe his eyes with the back of his sleeve, which just made burn all the worse, then took off into the tunnel, the Mass general hospital was just a few blocks away. Willy picked up the weapon that had been abandoned and hollered "Hey, thanks! My Nephew will love this knife! He laughed heartily as he finished packing his gear,then hustled to hop on the train that had just pulled in. Just before the door closed, Willy tossed out the spray bottle, and the weak mixture of lemon juice and vinegar that remained inside. Later that day, when Beatrice came home from work, Willy asked her if she'd gotten the present he'd sent her. She laughed unrestrainedly, saying "that poor boy was crying like a baby when he came in." "Did you tell him what it really was in that bottle?" he asked. She just grinned and said "Why ruin a good thing? You may need that again some time." And Willy said "He's lucky I didn't use the hammer instead!"