I am that tree
my hands are free
my roots have spread
beyond the earth
my life imbedded
my reign, in depth
the sky, this ground
my cradle, my turf.
Summer in and around Llandudno, North Wales
The Promenade and The Pier
the view of the pier from the promenade
It was on a whim and a last-minute family decision to travel to North Wales and explore Llandudno which then turned out to be a pleasant discovery of an old-fashioned coastal town in a first-world country.
After an exhausting but uneventful six-hour drive from the South of England, we arrived at our hotel that was conveniently situated on the seafront and just a few steps away from the scenic Llandudno Promenade. The whole vista was indeed a welcome sight to behold!
It got my expectations of the town all hyped-up.
main entrance of the hotel
seafront and beyond
Determined to make the most of our short stay, we were at the promenade just as soon as we have unpacked. Our leisurely walk along the pebbled shore was accompanied by the intermittent squawking of flying seagulls. They seemed to be everywhere and spontaneously appearing out of nowhere! Well, that was an inevitability we have had to accept. These seabirds were bound to be visible in their natural habitat and territory.
seagulls were everywhere and they squawked a lot!
We then came across a sandy part of the beach when we realised we’ve reached the mouth of Llandudno Pier. A waft of freshly baked donuts filled the air. They were a temptation one couldn’t say no to.
We gobbled up our donuts with gusto as we made our way towards the end of the pier. Noticeably audible as we plodded on was the familiar sound of country music. Hmmm. Definitely American. And so, there it was; a stall selling music CDs of just that! (yes, CDs. I did say ‘old-fashioned, right?)
I would say that it is rather a rarity in England to hear this music genre.
Before settling abroad, I lived in a place in the Philippines listening to the likes of Johnny Cash and George Strait. To have been able to listen to them again in a pier in far-away Llandudno brought wonderful memories of home.
Llandudno pier, the longest in Wales
Midway into the pier was a mini kiddie fair where families with young children got fascinated with the rides and games on offer. Llandudno is also a definite if you are looking for a family-friendly summer retreat.
The panoramic view of the Llandudno coast from the longest pier in Wales was worth the trip. A glimpse of old hotel buildings lined up along the seaside is quite a landmark. No wonder Llandudno attracts a lot of visitors, old and young alike.
The same can be said about the view from a reasonably-priced boat ride that we took the next day.
Regrettably, the famous cable cars were not operational due to the windy weather.
A summer night stroll has revealed that Elvis Presley is a common favourite in Llandudno. Many hotels that we have passed by featured a nightly entertainment of an Elvis impersonation…his music, his moves, attire and all.
And guess what? Our hotel did, too.
Our room was above the entertainment hall and as it was an old building, we could actually hear the reverberating sound of ‘Jailhouse Rock’ as we slept and looked forward to another summer day in Llandudno.
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Out There
What’s beyond
is up to you
free your mind
imagine every kind
anything nice?
or something gory
dare to go
out there to know.
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When Lightning Strikes Twice
Affirmative. It did. I have barely got back on my feet and started believing that things were getting better, when, like the first time, lightning struck without warning. Another shocking truth revealed. This couldn’t be happening!
This time, it was more forceful, more poignant and more painful. It totally knocked me off balance.
I thought of all the others who got hit the first time and have been trying their best to move on. They have worked really hard hoping for that light at the end of the tunnel. But, has the strike of a second lightning, a more disheartening truth, rendered those efforts useless? And I can’t help but ask: Was I taken for a fool that I didn’t deserve to know the absolute truth the first time?
I am not angry. I don’t think I will ever be. However, I am deeply hurt to the core of my being. I may have every right to be. Well, give me that, at least.
What now?
My heart bleeds. I’m finding it difficult to breathe. Nevertheless, I have accepted the blow and have resolved to bravely live with it. Now and then, I force myself to stop those tears from flowing because crying neither stops nor changes the harsh reality of it all.
You see, discovering a lie for the first time, becomes an impetus for a massive shake-up of your personal beliefs.
Being struck with another lie the second time around, your world crumbles and then buries you with it. It numbs and sucks the life out you. It can kill.
What keeps me going? Unconditional love.
It stops me from blaming anyone including myself. Stop the blame. Live the game called life.
It makes me sane and be understanding of why lightning hasn’t struck once but twice.
It keeps the suffering under control.
Whatever happens next, unconditional love is a weapon that I am unable to surrender to the enemy. I will fight with it, not just today or tomorrow but definitely for eternity.
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‘Of The Sea’
There were four
That became two
‘Of the sea’
Just you and me.
When the world shook
An arm kept me safe
‘Of the sea’
Did it for me.
Kept apart by miles and years
The flow of blood, fervent
That bridge between prevails
Unbroken, forever unburnt.
My love, respect and awe
Never lost, be in the know
I miss the big bro
Of the sea, so I speak.
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My wheel. My life.
href=”https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/wheel/”>Wheel</a>
Take control of your steering wheel as you would take control of your own life.
The moment you touch that wheel, you become the boss of your emotions, your thoughts, your words and your actions. Do not be overwhelmed by that power, though. Drive safely. If you don’t, there’s bound to be terrible consequences. The worst is the loss of your life or someone else’s.
Therefore, live your life safely. Take risks but use your common sense.
Move away from danger.
The wheel is life. Sometimes you’re up, at other times, you’re down.
Therefore, do not mock and judge people. One of them might get to the top of the wheel, wealthier, more famous and more successful than you.
Remember the golden rule. Believe in karma.
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What we do and use to make wrong things right
(alluded to one particular leader of a land who thinks he can do anything with impunity)
Diversion:
-Constantly making up excuses or alibis. The attention is now drawn from what is actually wrong to prove the truthfulness of the alibi.
-Inferring from someone else’s experience. But, what has been right for someone may not be right for another.
-Knowing but not straightforwardly accepting that he is wrong. He cleverly fights back by pointing out the opponent’s wrongdoing instead.
Deception: Lying is not telling the truth outright. To deceive is cheating someone with a fabricated truth. That is double jeopardy.
Revenge/ Karma: The notion of “an eye for an eye’…
Beliefs:
-Customs and Traditions: If one can accept and adapt to changes of the times, then there is no need to justify a traditional practice.
-Ideology: Whatever society calls it and however it is applied, it does not necessarily determine that what is wrong is right and vice versa.
Social Media Misuse/Abuse
When one resorts to spreading and using fake news. And using it further to proliferate a graphic image or an erroneous information about the purported enemy.
Charisma
Its power can drive supporters to blind loyalty and encourages them to acquiesce to any idea without reading between the lines. They would go as far as defending and shrugging off the use of foul and offending language. They would further tolerate inhumane practices.
When their enemy falters, he is excessively mocked, bashed and taunted personally and via social media.
Keeping allies as close as possible and at all costs. Knowing full well that as and when needed, they can be utilised to propagate the same convictions as the charismatic leader.
White lies.
Wanting total freedom where there is a total disregard for the law. Divine or human.
