S3EP1: Once Upon a Yuletide Cheery

Hey, gang! Welcome to my life – where anything is possible and nothing is as it seems. I’m Freedom and I’ll be your host, coming at you from within the depths of Geistopia.

DOC: Velcum To My Life ees a prochect, un experiment in Life unt ART. A living storyboard, if you will. Its premise ees zat life ees experiential, unt zat you can, unt do, experience ze life you choose. It ees based on Ze Veel of Life unt Ze ARTs for Ze New Millennium as life building tools. Ja, it’s true!

WALT: Welcome to my Life is an I T.V. Studios/Geist…House Players Production, in association with the Center for Creative Inspirationalism. JustUs Productions, the parent company, would like to give a ‘Shout-Out’ to the following for their ongoing, and oft-times unknowing, inspiration and support:

Princess Cuddlebug

Princess Sunshine

Company

The Shaman

The Pillar

F’n Bob

The Entire Putt-Putt-Putter Clan

The Warden

FaeriePrincess

Professor Siggy Chong

Sparky Wentz-eclaus

The VanMan and General Ralph Glossop, and Craze (may they R.I.P.)

The Messengers of The Galactic Federation

Looch

The Bassett Hound

Bert-On

The Baker of the Cornbread

Andy Pandy

The Mudder

Zason

St. Diane & You

Brother John

Spooky Queen

Boom-Boom Snuffbox

The Nameless One

Tim-Bo

The Cousins

The Rox

PDT

Sir Richard Slouch

The Wix-ians

The Socialite

The Village of Idiots

Piz-Niffer

Dancing Queen

Downtown Encyclopedia Brown

Dick Pointer

Soup, the Son

The Legendary Pink Elephants

Baby-Mama Rabbit

Wisconsin Belle

The Babes

Aaaand, of course, a very generous sponsor who (not-so-much) wishes to remain anonymous.

It is…Sunday, January 2, Two-Thousand and Twenty-New. Time...Emitting

Theme – It All Comes Together

Over and over, time after time, the whole of my past two weeks just naturally came together on their own. All I did was show up and pay attention.

Lesson – Believe

I’m not even sure I can put descriptive words to this. It’s really just that simple. Believe.

Observation – Know What You Know

You’ll kind of see this at the end but we all know things - about ourselves and about life. Very often we allow ourselves to not own that knowledge [for whatever reason.]

The Post

The past two weeks have been so incredibly intense. Or, is that intensely incredible? I know I use ‘intense’ to describe my weeks often, but very often that is exactly what they are. So much was happening all at the same time over the past two weeks – Yule, moving into the apartment, My Christmas with The Princesses as well as our first weekend together, and of course that crazy assignment of The 12 Songs. [And, let’s not forget the list.] I didn’t really stop moving the whole time.

But now things have settled a bit and tomorrow begins a ‘new’ life. [Or, at the very least, a new chapter.]

I’m going to attempt to recall my Yule experience to the best of my ability. But, honestly, my mind is still in a haze from all of the activity. I do need to get better about some form of notetaking. More often than not I feel as though I get like three weeks in one. Every aspect [every moment] of my life is so very different. Existences all their own – separate yet connected. A collection of worlds forming the Universe of Me.

And, honestly, I never really know when a day starts just which worlds upon which I will land as I go.

The first interesting point to Yule is that this year it fell precisely between The Full Moon of December and the New Moon of January. Very rarely do the two weeks fell exactly between them. I can’t remember the last time it happened. [Yet, I am certain I will not forget this time.] The Full Moon was on December 19. For me, Yule officially begins on December 21, with a Day Before on the 20th. Yule end on New Year’s Day, with a Day After on January 2nd. The New Moon is today.

When Yule began I was still living in The Vantasm, but preparing to move into the apartment. [Which, because it is temporary and not a New Geistopia, will be hereinafter referred to as The Nest.] Work at The Theatre had come to a temporary halt at the end of the day on the 19th and I was looking ahead at two weeks of focusing on my Delivery Driving. I was planning and plotting and stressing over how I would make Christmas happen for The Princesses. Eventually, I would add to all of that planning and stressing how I would feed them for the weekend.

There was just going to be so much to do – both physically and financially. I’m fairly certain that I just closed my eyes, held my breath and dove right in. Now here I am on the other side.

I moved into The Nest on the afternoon of the 21st. I had taken a moment each day leading up to then to pack and prepare things at The Cave. I loaded into The Vantasm the things that I thought I may need right away. Between the move from Hoagie’s in mid 2020 and a few house sitting bits along the way, I somehow managed to get together 3 different storage bins of kitchen type stuff – some food, some pots and pans, a coffee maker, etc. There were things I had doubles of, such as dish soap, because I bought it once and then when I house sat again I couldn’t find it so I bought it again. I had my clothes organized and ready to go as well as all of my shower and personal care items.

I had worked for a bit that morning then went to Olde Geistopia to load out of The Cave and into The Vantasm. I met the Lil Boss at The Theatre and we headed to The Nest. It was about 1429 when I started loading out of The Vantasm and into The Nest. Thirty minutes and several trips up and down the stairs and I was unloaded and ready to start sorting. First, though, I had to move The Vantasm to an official parking spot.

The parking around The Nest is very touchy. The entrance to The Nest sits on an alley side. There is no official parking available in front of it. No street parking. There is a lot in the alley, which sits behind a building that splits the alley into two. Now, there is a sign on the back of that building – for the lot – that says ‘No Parking, towed, etc.” Yet, that lot is full night and day with cars from the neighbors across the alley way on the other side of the lot. Now, there is room for two vehicles to park perpendicular to the lot, if they stay close to the already parked cars. This appears to be an acceptable practice. The trick is to get one of those two spots. Sometimes it happens. Sometimes it does not.

Nonetheless, my first night there, I figured I would just observe the nature of things. So, when I was finished unloading I moved The Vantasm. I have been fortunate thus far that even when I do have to go find a spot it is within a block and a very easy walk back to The Nest. I parked. I walked back. I began to unpack and organize.

In my preparations for The Nest I realized I needed to be able to charge my phones. On one of my pre-move shopping ventures I was having trouble finding simple wall chargers that did not seem to cost a lot. I did find this one unit though that was a pen/pencil holder and a charging unit with 2 USB ports and a contact charger [which technically I can now use with the new phone.] I thought this was perfect because I could plug my AirTV mini into one port and still be able to charge both phone units.

When I went to set it up I learned that it had a cord but it didn’t have a wall plug. Suddenly I found myself with no way to keep my phones charged overnight. This is important because I need my phone in order to work. I remembered that just a few [ish] blocks away there is a large, franchised convenience store. So, I decided I would walk down knowing I could get some there. I chose to walk. I wanted to walk. I could have gotten The Vantasm and driven over. I was going to walk right past it after all.

I wanted to walk.

I’ve never really had that in my life – the ability to just walk somewhere to get what you needed. Olde Geistopia was rural [until they built houses in all of the surrounding fields and it became suburbia. Still, even then, it was 2-3 miles in any direction to even hit a convenience store. So, I wanted to walk because I could. But, also, I figured it would give me the chance to scope the neighborhood and sort of mark my territory. Plus, I wanted to scout out some of the things that Lil Boss pointed out such as the corner market and the laundromats.

It’s a nice neighborhood. It’s not the ‘best’ part of town but it is by no means the worst either. It is comfortable and quaint. [And honestly, relatively quiet.] I’ve encountered nothing but friendliness on the streets. I’ve actually learned recently that it is an historic district. So, many of the homes and buildings are painted and finished nicely.

In my range of walking, as it has been determined, there are three laundromats, at least three corner markets, several restaurants – including pizza and Chinese – two cemeteries, several churches, and a Family Dollar.

I reached the convenience store, fixed a coffee and found my wall plugs. They were more expensive than I would have hoped and I had determined already that I would actually need two. After surveying The Nest, I realized that I couldn’t properly function off of one centralized location. I would need two. Nonetheless, I needed them and this was how I was going to get them. I made my purchase and was on my way.

It was on the way back that I did most of my scoping and scouting. I returned to The Nest feeling empowered and accomplished. I pressed on, settling in and unpacking.

The kitchen was first. I needed to get that functional. Of course, I had bought some basic groceries to bring. But there was also some food and such left behind by previous actors. I sorted it all quickly but efficiently enough for the moment. There were some pots and pans here and I had a few of my own. There were two coffee pots but I had brought mine. So, I straightened and determined what was what. I figured this way no matter what the following days held I was able to prepare meals and lunches and coffee.

Next, I would get myself set-up in the bathroom. Now, no matter what the following ddays were to bring I could shower and shave and take care of myself.

The final big step was to get my clothes unpacked. I have been living out of a bag for three years. It was time to change that. The Nest has two bedrooms. I use neither of them except for storing clothes and such. The Princesses have never had a home space in which they have had their own bedrooms. At their mom’s they share a room which everyone else must pass through on the way to their own room. At Olde Geistopia they share a room, albeit much more private. Everywhere they have gone for the whole of their lives they have had to share a room. Even when we vacation. Those are their spaces. I would let them choose who was in which room and from there it is their own space.

I don’t need a bedroom. Outside of needing the dresser and closet space for my clothes, I have no need for an actual bedroom. I haven’t had a bedroom in just over a decade. I have spent that same amount of time sleeping on couches – or less. I am perfectly content sleeping in the living room. Fortunately, this living room has a futon. I am not unfamiliar to this. Once upon a time, when The Princesses Room was my MattLair, I had a futon. A sofa for day use and entertaining and a bed for night time and, well, other kinds of entertaining. The MattLair was probably the first example of the need for transformation in my life. [Also the need for ‘everything under one roof.’] A little tweak here and a little tweak there and it went from a functional living room to a functional bedroom. Just like that. That room could shift it’s vibe and its mood and its use and needs in the blink of an eye. There was always something so magickal about that room. [Much later in life I would learn that it was due mostly to placement.]

Nonetheless, I scoped the closet and dresser situation in each room and chose my space. My clothes were away Now, no matter what the following days brought I could be properly dressed. You have no idea, fellow travelers, how many times, living in The Vantasm, I would re-wear the same clothes another day because I just couldn’t get to my clothes for one reason or another. I believe there was one time when The Vantasm was so jam packed and chaotic and my schedule was hectic and full that I actually wore the same clothes for at least three days.

Not a proud moment.

But, shit happens.

It’s not happening while I’m here.

I got myself all settled in – Just Enough to meet the needs. There was still plenty more to be sorted and done but I had spent about six hours thus far making myself simply functional.

This all sounds good, but where there is good there must be bad. A give always accompanies a take. There is some bad to this story.

I got myself all settled in and fixed an actual dinner. Nothing special. Some boxed stuff. [But still better than what my diet has been.] I sat at the table to eat and just then my phone rang. It was Sunshine.

“Were you there?”

“Am I here?”

“Were you there?”

“Was I where?”

“The Holiday Concert was tonight.”

“Holy ffffuck! Oh, my God I am so sorry.”

She was disappointed but handled it good. I was devastated. I cried about that more than anyone should know. It has been my mission to not miss those sorts of things and I have kept up with it fairly well over the years. I was so looking forward to going too. But I was just so consumed with getting settled in and I completely forgot. It sucks and I hate it, but Everything Happens for a Reason – Precise & Perfectly Placed. As important as that concert was to me, there is no doubt that I needed to complete what I did that night.

I did make it up to her the best I could. I watched it on YouTube the next day and the following week when she needed some help I gave her my all without question.

I settled easy and deep that night. It wasn’t just the sense of accomplishment at getting settled in and functional. There was also this feeling of immense relief. Yes I was finally out of The Vantasm, but it was bigger than that.

This is truly a unique experience for me – a first, if you will. Never in my life have I had such space. I mean, it’s been three years since I have had any amount of space in which to move around at all. First it was The MattMobile and then The TreeHut and back to The MattMobile. Then it was off to Hoagie’s small basement studio apartment for too many months. Back to the MattmObile, into a tent, into a new tent, then to a friend’s basement rec room for sleeping, and finally into The Vantasm. It was here I would spend all but two weeks of 2021. There was the occasional house sitting, but for 50 weeks that vehicle was my home.

But, I’ve also never really had a home to myself. There was Olde Geistopia which contained the whole family. An apartment when I was married. And, hoagie’s. There is but one exception. A brief 5 month period when I had a small 1 bedroom apartment. But life was very strange and my mind and spirit were so clouded. It never felt like home. I’m not sure it counts. So this is the first time in my life that I can really move around as I please or need. I can cook/eat when I want. I can clean up and sleep and shower and organize and whatever I want whenever I want.

This is a whole new feeling for me. The other day I had a busy morning and I left for the day with dishes in the sink. I don’t like to do that. It was just one of those mornings. I could do it and it wasn’t going to get anyone angry or nervous or upset. It wasn’t going to ruin anyone’s day. Sitting here and writing this post – in comfort, with music, relaxed. No one walking past and casting judgment.

So I settled easy that night and every night since.

The next two days I spent switching between working and getting even more settled in. The Goal was to get settled in as fully as possible before Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve to the morning after Christmas was my time. It was promised to me. The absolute one day a year I can guarantee I do not need to work or do anything. I can completely shut down.

I spent time getting more food and organizing and tweaking a little bit more. I went through some stuff that came from The Vantasm or Cave. I also brought in a TV and some tables. The Nest has wifi but no TV. The actors come with their devices and stream so there was no need for a TV. But, I have a streaming device. So, I managed a 40” TV which also happens to be a smart TV. I just haven’t gotten it to connect to the network yet. Of course, I’m in no hurry for that.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day I stayed [mostly] true to the plan. I managed to do things but I also spent a lot of time doing absolutely nothing. Once the Holi-Day passed though it was time to return to working. And, my next goal was to manage Christmas for The Princesses, while continuing to organize and settle in.

There were so many random trips to the store and to Olde Geistopia in those first several days. If I wasn’t running for some bit of food then I was hunting for miscellaneous things to complete The Nest. I needed candles. When I brought the TV I needed a table for it, and though there is a small table for dining I thought the Princesses and I could use something a little bit more suited to the three of us. So, one day I brought over two worktables from The Cave. One for the TV and the other would eventually become the dining table. [It started as a junk collector until I could sort through things.] Slowly, but surely things were falling into place and it all seemed to happen so perfect and precise.

After the Christmas weekend came and went it was time to focus on the Christmas that would be for me and The Princesses. I had to wait because this was going to be a credit card Christmas. It certainly wasn’t a preferred way to get it done, but it was the only way I could. But even something like this turns out to be a little bit magickal.

When I first decided to try to do as much of Christmas on a credit card as I could I only had one and there wasn’t a great deal of credit available on it. But, just a couple of weeks before my shopping deadline I was approved for a second card which would give me quite a bit more wiggle room.

Now, The Princesses did not give me a lot to work with for a Christmas list. Cuddlebug said I could just get her some herbs, crystals, candles, incense/sage. Sunshine just agreed. I looked at this and thought these were nothing more than stocking stuffers. They were tidbits that one would use to fill in the gaps. I had to get a little creative on my own. This was easier for Sunshine than it was Cuddlebug. I know what sorts of interests she has, whereas Cuddlebug doesn’t seem to have too many lately [except maybe her boyfriend.]

On Monday, I had stopped to visit The Putter and afterwards I was going to return to working, but I decided it was time to shop for Sunshine. She has this wonderful interest in drawing and painting. I stopped at a big box crafting store and set about my shopping frenzy.

For my Christmas feasting I had bought a No-Bake candy cane cheesecake. However, when I went to make it I realized I needed a hand mixer, which I did not have. As I started out in the store I wondered if I would find one there. Sure enough I did. [It wasn’t just about the cheesecake. I knew the girls and I were going to make mashed potatoes for dinner on Saturday.] Not only did I find a mixer, but I found one at 40% off. [$15.]

After that I set about the store in the same manner that I do. I started by looking for the things I knew I wanted and then let the rest jump out at me. I bought her some different sized canvases and two sketch books – one larger, ring bound, and a smaller more portable one. These were the main items. [As were guitar strings but I needed to get those someplace else.] From there I found a couple of sets of paintbrushes. Any painter can tell you that one can never have too many paintbrushes. I got her a basic set and then a set with these brush heads like I’ve never seen before. I couldn’t even describe them to you. I found some small square canvases that were magnetic on the back. A set of paints pre-mixed for pouring. [No I have no clue what that means.] But I also found a book to describe it all. I thought perhaps it would giver a bit of diversity in here work – something new to learn. I also found some jars for Cuddlebug and I even found some hooks I needed for The Nest to hang things like potholders and a cutting board. While I was milling about I decided to look at my credit balance so I knew what I was working with. When the time came and I was checking out, my total bill was about $3 less than my total available. I felt both blessed and lucky as shit.

When I got home to The Nest I looked at the pile of stuff that I had so far and realized That I definitely did not have enough wrapping paper to wrap for both girls. I took to Facebook and asked for some donations. I had bought three rolls but at the dollar store and I knew they didn’t have much on them. As usual, my fabulous network of friends and contacts came through. I had three people from whom I was going to pick up paper. One even gave me a few boxes. And, in true me fashion I went very quickly from not enough to way too much. But, I was certain to use some paper from each and every roll I was given. But, it was an adventure running around The Valley picking all of that up.

On Sunday night, Sunshine had texted me. She and some friends wanted to go to the movies on Tuesday. But, they wanted to go to a theatre up this way [$5 Tuesdays] and they didn’t have a ride. Needless to say, I was willing to help out. But, I had to plan it around work and my shopping for Cuddlebug. I had a particular store in mind to do her shopping but it is actually down on the other side of the girls. So, we coordinated pickup s and showtimes and whatnots. I realized that lately at the movies I have been ordering all my food ahead of time and I wasn’t sure if that was the only way to do it under current pandemic circumstances. I tried a few times to call the theatre but no one would answer the phone. On Monday, I stopped in to verify. They could order food in person at the bar and they could buy their tickets when they arrived – if there were tickets available. Well, that was a twist I wasn’t expecting. I didn’t even give it a thought. When I go to the Tuesdays no one is there but this was a week between holidays when everyone is home. So, I left the theatre went on the app and found that for the showtime we agreed on there was only one set of 3 seats that were next to each other. The rest were one here, two there and so on. I made sure the location of the seats was acceptable to Sunshine and I bought the tickets. She asked if they needed to pay when they got there or if they should just give the money to me. My response text was, “I don’t know why you ask me such silly questions.” She was very quickly able to translate that into, “I’ve already paid for them and you’re good.”

I had planned to work just a little in the morning and then run down to West Reading for the shopping, then to get the kids and take them to the movies. But, Monday night I checked the store’s website and they didn’t open until noon on Tuesday. This messed with my plan but it was still workable. Perhaps even more so. I could work longer in the morning then take the kids to the movies, drop them off and go shopping afterwards. But, I would only have a bout an hour to get my shopping done.

The day and the plan were going well. I worked in the morning and I was satisfied. I got the kids on time and to the movies on time. I sat and chilled out while they were having their fun. I got them home one by one and after the last one was dropped of I put the store into my gps app only to hear it say that the store was closed. This threw me for a loop. I checked the website again. Again it said that it was open. So I called. This is when I discovered that it was not open. It wouldn’t open until noon on Wednesday. I didn’t know what I was going to do. I couldn’t afford to take a whole other afternoon off to go shopping – especially considering I was going to have to take time to wrap. Again, I went to my Facebook community.

The first person to comment gave me the name of a store that would be closer than the one I was headed towards but still in the same general vicinity. In fact, it would turn out that I was only 12 minutes away from it. The trick for me was that I needed a one-stop, much like the crafts. I needed to get everything I wanted in one place. I decided I would play off what I knew of Cuddlebug. I got her things she asked for. I chose a collection of herbs that I thought she could use as a decent base. She has shown an interest in my pendulum so I thought I would get her one of those. I wanted to get her a good starter book for the herbs but didn’t see one I liked. However, I was also looking at Tarot decks for her and I found one that was an Herbalist Tarot. Two birds with one stone. How can you beat that?

So, I managed all of her gifts and some randomness for Sunshine. Once again, I pushed the credit card almost to the limit. This was the new card. I didn’t like it but I knew going in that was how it was going to be. The only thing left on the Christmas gift list was paying for the movie we were going to see over the weekend, as well as the food for the visit. I figured I would just have to do this out of pocket. Then out of nowhere I received a notification that my original credit card had extended my credit by $100. Just Enough to take care of my needs [and then some.]

Wednesday I would spend my morning working and then running around for the wrapping paper. I would take the later part of that afternoon and the night to get all the gifts wrapped. Finally, by Thursday I had myself all caught up and a day that I could actually work the full day.

Friday, I worked in the morning and for lunch and then got the girls. We went grocery shopping which was much more expensive than I had budgeted but also included things like a mixing bowl. [Remember we were making mashed potatoes.]

All in all our Christmas was a success. The girls were happy with my gift choices and thrilled that I even put together stockings for them. We had eaten on the way home so we could get them settled into their rooms and start on Christmas.

Saturday I worked a bit but not as long as I had planned. Not nearly as long. It was a slower morning than I had expected. Sunday I had already planned on taking off so we could cook a nice breakfast before going to the movies.

I wanted to share the whole process as best I could because everything just fell into place naturally. I would spot a potential problem and it would resolve itself in no time. I did very little but just follow the natural flow of things. That is the take-away. That is what I want you to recognize, Fellow Travelers. It seems to be a Lesson of late. It is something I have really had to bring my attention to – life happens…naturally. Truly, all we must do is show up and pay attention.

Amidst all of the chaos of putting it all together I also had the challenge of completing The 12 Songs for the WTML YouTube Channel. I was not thrilled by this challenge at all. I enjoyed the creativity of it. I liked trying to see how I could utilize the characters. But I hated the singing. I love to sing. I hate singing. Singing lifts my soul, truly it does. But, frankly, I sound like crap. So it was not fun for me at all. I was really pushing boundaries.

Not only did I have to choose the songs and figure out how to play with them but then I had to film and edit them all. I had a good flow for a while but then there was confusion. I thought I had enough songs. Then I thought I had too many. Then I thought I had enough. Then I thought I didn’t have enough. Then I realized I had had enough all along, desp[ite the fact that I filmed a few extras just in case.

The Goal was to post one video each day for the 12 days of Yule. I was doing pretty good for a while then right near the end I stumbled. The last video would be posted on January 2nd – The Day After. But, I found this fascinating because when I rewatched the initial video introducing the 12 songs and my observance of Yule I realized I said that, for me, Yule goes until the 2nd. It doesn’t. Yet…in this particular area it did. [Life will also foreshadow itself if you pay attention.]

The last thing to look at is The List. It was so very different this year than it has been in the past. It started early. There was no crafting on my part. And I’m not even certain it was complete. It started with a coffee for a Sate Trooper. Two lighters given to one of my clients in need. The it did turn out to be three toys for tots. Before Yule would begin I would have a chat with a person I recently learned has been touched by The Kringle. I was given a message to share.

After that, I’m not sure exactly what happened. I know each of The Princesses were on The List. This was a very special Christmas for us. It’s been a couple years since we have been able to just sit and celebrate. Last year we took an overnight trip to do shopping and the year before that we didn’t see each other at all. But, also, this was the first Christmas I was really able to buy several gifts for each and give them something to be excited about.

On Thursday night I had given a long-distance Reiki session to Belle. She was on The List.

Tuesday as I explored and experienced this ‘new’ shop I had an in depth conversation with the clerk. During that dialogue The List light went on. I do not know what part of that conversation was the gift but I do know it was for him.

This brings us to ten and leaves us two to go. I heard whispers of what they may have been. Both feel like a stretch to me but I suppose I can get it.

The 12 songs was one. I don’t know why. I don’t know what purpose it served or what magicks it worked but this is what I am told.

The other was a gift for me and this has never happened before. It wasn’t a bought gift. It wasn’t even a revelation of any kind. The gift for me was Christmas Day. It was a day of rest. An entire, whole day of rest and I haven’t seen one of those in a year.

So, that’s all the news that is the news from the past. I am looking forward to the year ahead. This past year was challenging and exciting. There was loss and there was gain. But, I truly feel as though it was the best year of my life so far. Yes, I was living in my van for all but two weeks of the year. [Not counting house sitting.] But, I saw more growth this year than any other year. I made more money per week than I have ever seen before. I grew my credit score just slightly, but I grew it. I had quality time and interaction with The Princesses. Dad passed but we managed our peace before he did.

I saw spiritual growth this year. I have rediscovered myself. [I still am.] I’ve reconciled past misconceptions. I know now that given the chance I am active and productive and strong. I have been able to see that my systems, routines and beliefs work. They are good and they are true. They are true for me. But more importantly they are true to me. I have found the Principles to be loyal in their workings. They have revealed and proven themselves to me time and time again.

I even got to Quest this year and I needed that more than I had realized. As usual, it did not go nor end the way I had envisioned and hoped. But I have no doubt that everything about it was perfect, including the timing.

I am hoping that I can carry all of this with me into the new year. I still have The Void that is January to survive but I am interested in seeing how things set themselves up until then. I cannot say that I have any real wishes or desires for the new year. I came into this year not knowing what to expect and I am overwhelmed by what it became. This is the opposite of the previous two years. Each of those years I entered into with hopes and dreams and plans. I had things to accomplish and a life to establish. I survived both years but I got nowhere.

Of course there are things I would like – such as getting my mouth fixed. I can’t stand it. I can’t stand seeing it in videos and I can’t stand feeling the chaos that happens within it. I’d love to get new glasses. An actual home would be nice. But these are desires and attachments. It Is What It Is What It Is What It Is. I came into this year with no real hopes and it was absolutely perfect. So, I am trying to repeat that in this next year.

I can’t even hint at a foreshadow for the year ahead. All I can do, Fellow Travelers is say…stay tuned in.

If you’re not already there, go to the Welcome to my Life Facebook page – WTML. Or the YouTube channel – WelcomeToMyLife08. You can also find me on Facebook under Rev. Matt.

Wherever you are and whenever you are – Like, Comment, and Share – we’re on a Journey and it takes you to get there.

So, without hesitation, for now and for always, from here in Geistopia, this is your beloved Rev…

WALT: And Walt…

DOC: Unt Doc…

JOHNNY: Aaaaand Johnny…

And those guys, saying, “Stay Tuned-In, Fellow Travelers,” and wishing you Peace, Love, Light…

WALT: And Freakishness, Baby.

The Totems & Archetypes

**from Ted Andrews’ Animal Speak**

We will return to the use of Totems shortly.