Awareness Days

      Happy Sherlock Holmes Day! I didn’t even know that was a thing, let alone how to celebrate it. I think I’ll pass on this one. It makes me wonder, not enough to look it up, but wonder, how many things are a “Day” on each day? I only even know about the Sherlock thing because the little icon on my laptop showed me. I wouldn’t have had any idea. I didn’t even see anything about it on social media. Hence, I thought I should mention it, because, it is something that I did not know. And, anytime I find out something I did not know, I automatically assume there are other people who don’t know either. I apologize if I’m telling you something you already knew. That is the danger in assuming, it does something to both of us. Anyway, I’m into fun facts, and that is one, as ridiculous as it may seem. My interest is in how these things gain momentum. And how some get more exposure than others. Even the months have multiple meanings now. I’m pretty sure May is Asian American and Pacific Islander awareness month, and Mental Health awareness month. That’s a lot of awareness, and those are the only two I’ve heard of. Who knows what else we’re supposed to be aware of. I’m very into awareness, but sometimes it seems a bit much. But I put personal awareness, and the awareness of the All, in a different category than social, or organizational awareness. I’m not sure which month it is, you can look it up if interested, but there is a Breast Cancer awareness month. Is there really anyone who is not aware that breast cancer is a thing? I suppose it’s a good time to remind people to get their self-exams done, but in general, I’m pretty sure we’re all aware that it is a thing. I’m pretty sure we’re all aware that Asians and Pacific Islanders exist. Is it just our annual reminder to have Asian food?

     I don’t need reminded, I eat Asian food all the time. Well, not all the time, but very often. My memory starts in Japan, my first food thoughts are from Japan. I eat more Japanese, and Mexican food than any other “type” of food. Maybe because I grew up globally, I don’t feel the need to be made aware of things I am already aware of. Is there anybody out there who’s like: “You mean to tell me that there are islands in the Pacific, and people live there?” Are there people like: “What do you mean Asians?” I don’t know, after seeing some interviews with Trump supporters, there may be. Okay, okay, I’m not going there, it was just a thought. But, it all seems a little silly to me. Silly and sad. It’s sad to think that some people feel that their way of life is so foreign to others that they need to be made aware of it. I suppose there is the possibility that someone has not tried pancit or lumpia, and perhaps going to one of these gatherings could be a life-changing experience for them. Maybe they didn’t grow up in a military town, and have never been exposed to these things. I was around Filipinos for half my life. My wife, having gone to Catholic school, also had plenty of exposure. But, now that I’m in this mode, I may have talked myself out of thinking it’s silly. Some people may not know. Okay, okay, I may have had a mind change. IRL! IRT! This is obviously not where I thought I was going today, but it is where I went, and I have a deeper appreciation now, than I did when I started. Which is progress. And all because I wanted to know what the little icon on my laptop was all about. And also, because I didn’t try to stop myself from starting with something just for the sake of starting. I’m probably not going to be reading any Sherlock Holmes today, but I’m certainly hungry for Loco Moco.

     Well, that surely took up more time than I expected. All for the better! I didn’t really have anything much to write about anyway. Now I’m sitting here staring at the cursor. Like it holds some power over the infinite wisdom I hope to unleash. But no. It just sits there, blinking sometimes, and holding at others. All the while I’m wondering if the show I went to last Sunday is even worth the mention. It was okay. I had never heard of the first band, The New Dystopians. They were pretty good, I imagine I’ll run into them again. The next band isn’t worth mentioning. They weren’t even a rock band. It was weird that they got on the bill. I have “friends” in The Experiments, which is who we went to see. They don’t play that often, so I try to support them. Plus, the whole event was a fundraiser put on by the bass player’s wife, so we had to support. It was for abortion access rights. I didn’t really read that much into it, but I do know that if you don’t want to give birth, you shouldn’t. The last thing we need is more unwanted people. The last band was called the Wookalars. If you don’t know what a Wookalar is, look it up, it’s from one of my favorite movies, and it’s pretty funny. Just the fact that they are using this reference made me interested. Plus, I know people who like them, and have been telling me: “I have to see them.” So, this seemed like the perfect opportunity. A daytime show, where I’ll already be!? Perfect! But, I wasn’t really into it. They are good musicians, but they’re a two-piece, drums and guitar. It felt empty. They just got nominated for a San Diego Music Award. Perhaps they record better than they play live? I’ve been in, and seen, some interesting two-pieces with drums and bass, but this was “eh.” I’m glad I saw them, and the curiosity has faded. I’d audition if they wanted a bass player.