21st Century hitchhikers

Hitchhiking was common when I was young

Ran out of money when leaving the pub

Get back home with just a thumb

We did it often as a necessity

Group hitchhiking was more difficult

We put the cute girl at the side of the road

While the rest of us hid in the bushes

I never had a problem hitching a ride

People took pity on poor students

You could hitchhike all over Europe

Meeting interesting people along the way

Somehow hitchhiking became less popular

Maybe it was due to safety concerns

Or the fact that minor roads were replaced with freeways

I suspect the Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie is to blame

America responded in typical reactionary fashion

Making it illegal to hitch a ride

Europeans are much more pragmatic

They made public transport more accessible

Low cost student rail passes across Europe

A better and more secure way to travel for students

Fast forward to today and look at the road

There are still young people looking for a ride

But they are holding a smartphone waiting for an Uber

Perhaps all the hitchhikers become Uber drivers

With so much traffic on the roads we need to change

Most cars have just a single occupant

Imagine a new version of hitchhiking

With an App to hitch a free ride

You build up points as a car driver

Picking up folks on the App looking for a free ride

You earn more points by picking up multiple riders

Spend your points by taking a free ride

Less cars on the road and lowers carbon footprint

Somebody probably just invented all this before I reached this line

I might hitch a ride home tomorrow

If you see an aging hippy please pull over

I am not a chainsaw murderer

Hopefully you are not a murdering driver

Cheeky Monkey Hitchhiking rules!

Keep it simple

Early to bed

Full nights sleep

Wake up refreshed

Healthy breakfast

Drive to sports bar

Meet friends

Watch Liverpool FC game

Sing songs

Drink alcohol free beer

Celebrate goal

Talk at half time

Staying optimistic

Getting nervous

Only one goal so far

Second goal comes

Go crazy celebrating

Game ends

More singing

Group photos

Send texts to family

Send texts to everybody I know

Drink more alcohol free beer

Sing more

Lose voice

Drive home

Long nap

Watch recording of game

Send more texts

Gloating and boasting

Prepare dinner

Watch more LFC video clips

Eat dinner

Read reports from LFC game

Early bed

Dream about LFC

Dream about playing

Dream about scoring winner

Dream on

Ambushed by a turkey (twice)

Thanksgiving 

Massive

Spread

Turkey

Potatoes

Beans

Stuffing

Gravy

Pies

Pies

Pies

Fell 

Asleep

Food

Coma

Woke

Up

Next

Day

Sore

Head

Full 

Belly

Starting

Diet

Today

Open

Refridgerator

Leftovers

One

Bite

Fill 

Plate

Microwave

Hot

Meal

Belly

Bursting

Damage

Done

Diet

Tomorrow

Or

Later

Maybe 

After 

Christmas

taming the nocturnal beast

Many a dark evening

Gathering outside with friends

Around a fire pit

Adult beverages flowing

Somebody claims control

To feed and poke the fire

Sending sparks into the air

Amid the billowing smoke

The flames are mesmerizing

Everybody chips in

With ideas when to feed the beast

The fire takes center stage

As we all debate the plot

In this open air theatre

Chairs in a circle

Crafty folk arrive early

Claiming the upwind places

Hoping to avoid the smoke

But the fire is boss

Commanding the breeze

It changes at his will

Sending sooty hot gases everywhere

Nobody escapes the fumes

We all go home reeking of soot

This days are no more

For now we have a gas fire pit

No need to gather piles of wood

No more lighting ritual

No more fire master battles

It lights with a button

The flames burn bright and hot

Without emitting smoke

We still sit in a circle

Adult beverages flow as before

The flames are equally hypnotic

Conversation is just as intense as before

Nobody talks about the old days

But our minds drift back

To those nights of man made fires

The constant poking and meddling

As we battled to master the beast

Who has now been tamed by a gas valve

There is however one huge bonus

Its so nice to wake up the next morning

Without that smokey fragrance clinging to you

Holiday romance

She opened her suitcase

It was toppling from her terrific trip

She unpacked slowly

Savoring the stupid souvenirs

Laughing at the ludicrous laundry

Smiling at the soiled socks

Unfazed by the unpleasant underwear

Sniggering over the sweaty swimsuit

Jealous of the jumbled jacket

Purring over the pretty pants

Skittish with her somber skirts

Howling at the hilarious hats

Shocked by her sexy shoes

Drooling over her delightful dresses

Scowling at her sensual slinky suits

Tinkering with her tedious toiletries

Manic about her many medications

Alarmed by the audacious alcoholic beverages

Then she found a note

His name and phone number

Drunken memories flashed by

He must have dropped it in her suitcase

Before his walk of shame back home last night

She picked up the note and paused

Terrified to toss it into the trash

She stashed it in a safe place

Considering cold calling 

Try a timid text tomorrow

Was he really that good looking

Were his feelings solid and sincere

Would he even remember her

She sent a short sharp text

He answered immediately

Please come back soon for more loving

She started to repack the suitcase

Plenty of reasons to be optimistic

Despite the doom and gloom spread by news media, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about our future.

Here are a few reasons.

Advances in Medicine: Innovations like gene editing, immunotherapy, and AI-powered diagnostics are revolutionizing healthcare, improving lives, and extending lifespans.

Environmental Progress: Renewable energy sources like solar and wind are rapidly growing, helping to reduce carbon emissions globally.

Global Collaboration: International efforts such as climate summits and global health initiatives demonstrate humanity’s ability to unite for common goals.

Technological Innovations: Breakthroughs in fields like artificial intelligence, robotics, and quantum computing continue to solve complex problems and improve daily life.

Rising Awareness: More people are becoming educated about issues like mental health, sustainability, and social justice, leading to meaningful change.

Cures and Vaccines: Diseases once considered incurable are now manageable or preventable, and vaccine development has accelerated tremendously.

Space Exploration: Exciting missions to Mars, moon colonies, and the search for extraterrestrial life inspire wonder and innovation.

Youth Activism: Young people are leading movements for climate action, equality, and innovation, bringing fresh ideas to old challenges.

Global Connectivity: The internet and social media connect people across the globe, fostering understanding and collaboration.

Education Accessibility: Online learning platforms and scholarships are making education accessible to millions worldwide.

Decline in Poverty: Global poverty rates have declined significantly over the past few decades due to economic growth and targeted programs.

Innovations in Agriculture: Advances like vertical farming and drought-resistant crops promise to combat hunger and food insecurity.

Scientific Discoveries: From understanding the human brain to mapping the universe, science continues to unlock awe-inspiring mysteries.

Resilient Ecosystems: Conservation efforts are leading to the recovery of endangered species and ecosystems.

Humanitarian Efforts: Grassroots organizations and global NGOs are addressing crises with compassion and effectiveness.

Energy Independence: Green technologies like hydrogen fuel and battery innovations promise a cleaner, self-sustaining future.

Cultural Exchange: Art, music, and literature from diverse cultures are becoming more accessible, fostering global appreciation and unity.

Mental Health Progress: Growing conversations and resources for mental health are breaking stigmas and helping people lead fulfilling lives.

Entrepreneurial Spirit: Startups and innovations continue to emerge, solving challenges and creating jobs.

Human Resilience: History shows that humanity has overcome immense challenges, proving our capacity for adaptation and growth.

Marina sunrise

The marina was full of sailboats

All sleeping sound at night

Most of them on permanent moorings

A few were overnight visitors

They were the ones who woke up first

Chatting incessantly at dawn

Speculating if the sunrise would be special today

The long timers were not amused

Its only a sunrise

We get them here most days

Not worth waking up for

Keep down the chatter 

Some of use want to sleep more

The visitors ignored them

Wow look at that big sky

The clouds are lit up orange and purple

Lets turn to watch the sunrise

They were in awe of the spectacle

The rising orange sun floated on the horizon

Was it under the ocean all night

Did the sun just wake up too

Does the sun make these colors for fun

Is he in awe looking at us 

This could never get tiring

The sun rose higher and the colors faded away

Soon it was all over with dull cloudy skies

Wow that was amazing

You resident sail boats are so lucky

You should all we waking early daily to watch this

The residents were totally unfazed

Go back to sleep

It was only a sunrise

You need to rest more

We have a hard day of sailing ahead

The wind started to pick up

Chopping up the surface of the bay

A few early sailers appeared

Rolling down sails in preparation

The newcomers were excited

Oh we get to explore this bay

Maybe we will see dolphins

Lets see who can sail fastest

I will win today

The residents were not amused

Why do they let visitors moor here

They always wake up too early

Its was just another sunrise 

My sails are still tired from racing yesterday

A few hours later

All the visitors were away sailing

The remaining residents dozed

Peace at last

Thank goodness they left

I hope they all sink today

There was however one dissenter

I am glad they woke us early

Sunrise was truly incredible today