Thursday, June 30, 2011

Forever on a caravan trail

Prolific author James Michener once wrote a novel entitled, "Caravans." The book deals with traveling through Afghanistan immediately after World War II, and reveals the complexities and nuances of life in that country in view of the cultural and social differences between America and that distant nation. It would have been wise for President George Bush and U.S. military commanders to have read that novel before embarking on warfare there, however, it should not have been necessary for the drivers of these vehicles to have done so before embarking with their caravan from southern Minnesota to the Twin Cities. Should it? After all, how many cultural and social differences can there be between rural Minnesota and metropolitan Minnesota? a reader might ask. More than one would suspect, replies the wolf.

No doubt, someone knows

During the past eighteen months, I will have lived in eight locations. How many is too many? When is enough enough?

During this interval, I never have changed my mail address -- nor my primary email address, nor my banks, nor my driver's license, nor my concealed carry permit. I have owned one house (sold it) and four vehicles, one of them twice (sold it, bought it back, sold it again). They have been licensed in three different states.

Do not ask me how or why these things are the way they are. They are -- if you want them to be -- part of living in modern times, in the electronic world, in the age of anonymity. But, this also is living in a world that is unchanged since Day One: It is living as part of a caravan that sometimes pauses, but never stops.

During this time, I have been active at exploring the sea of blogs, yet only one person actually knows my name, my age, my real family history and my background thoroughly. Much of my past regarding education, military experience and marital history is right out front, but how much about the "real me" such data actually reveals is questionable.

My hair color and its length change when the mood strikes; my facial hair comes and goes; sometimes I wear glasses, other times I do not; my lifestyle changes and I blend in with whatever social or ethnic group interests me at the moment.

I suppose I was a bit paranoid about revealing my actual identity the first year or so of drifting upon the sea of blogs, which explains some of this, but mostly it reflects the "chameleon characteristic" born from being a reporter. I have written about it in the past on occasion. Most simply, it means this: Be who you want to be and be who you need to be, but always be in motion so the world never catches up to you.

All this amounts to another nonsensical piece of wandering words and leaves us with the question: What is next; where will the caravan lead? No doubt, someone knows. But, whom?

Freedom, baby .... freedom

For anyone who has not looked at a calendar recently, here is a not-too-subtle reminder that the anniversary of American Independence Day is soon to arrive.

Guitar "legend" and outspoken supporter of the right of any and all Americans to personally own and bear firearms, Ted Nugent, celebrated the Fourth of July with a concert in Deeee-Troit (= Detroit) on Independence Day in 2008. Here is one of the songs performed at that concert.

For anyone not familiar with Nugent, he is main man on the guitar. The singer is Derek St. Holmes.

I sincerely hope any and all Americans will take a few moments on July 4, 2011, to reflect on the magnitude of the act and the courage of the participants on that day in 1776 when 56 men signed the Declaration of Independence to break away from England and to proclaim the then-existing thirteen colonies as independent states.

In this manner, birth was given through forceful words and force of arms to a concept which evolved into a nation with freedom and equality for all -- so far, anyway.

13 comments:

Kaya said...

Caravan to the Southern Minnesota to the Twin Cities... Fram, are you already in the Twin Cities? I think you moved into this city. How do you like this rural city?

Fram the Nomad, the past eighteen moths were not easy for you, I think. Eight times to move to different locations and start everything all over.... Interesting, how does it feel? And what is next?

Did you want one day to get out of the caravan and settle for a while in some nice and peaceful place with nice people around? I live in a small city and every time I come to a big city, I immediately want return back home. And after a day or two I am ok.

Ahh, this sweet word freedom..... July 4th is coming. That would be nice to celebrate it with a nice concert in a big city ( yes, a big city would be good for this event) and watch fireworks and think about what happened in 1776 when 56 men really have a courage and signed the Declaration of Independence. I watched the show"John Adams" and I was touched by this very much, Fram. He was one of these 56 men....

I listened Ted Nugent and he is GREAT!!!!!!! Like him a lot. Very inspiring and very dynamic!!!!! GREAT VIDEO, Fram.

Ok, where you are and where you will be take care, Fram.

Fram Actual said...

I still have some items to retrieve from a storage unit, but, yes, I just completed my second night in suburban Saint Paul.

This is not very rural, Kaya. Where I departed from was rural countryside and a relatively small town -- about thirty-five thousand. Now, I have about three and one-half million "neighbors" in this immediate metropolitan area.

And, I have lived in Saint Paul before, only a few miles from my current location and as recently as May 2009. I could have said I had lived in nine places in twenty-six months, but that sounds a bit less dramatic than eight in eighteen. When my second wife and I parted company, I left South Dakota and came to Saint Paul, where I returned to journalism for a few years to "clear" my mind.

The bottom line, however, is that I am not a creature of the suburbs. Without going into details, this current interlude (hopefully) will last only a few months before I am on the move again. Sooner or later, I might find a place I wish to stay, but I would not necessarily bet money on it.

I do not mind living alone, but I do not like going places alone. Never-the-less, I might find a concert that appeals to me as a means to observe Independence Day.

And, yes, wild and crazy Ted Nugent. He owns land in Nebraska across the Missouri River from where I lived in South Dakota and, for a while, he was making an annual hunting trip there. I had given up hunting by that time, but I managed to get myself included in on a couple of his excursions.

Who could resist such an event -- an after-hunt party and "wild game feed" with Nugent? It is not every day that a person gets a chance to sing along with a big-name rocker at a private party with "hunting buddies." It also is amazing, sometimes, how being at the right place at the right time can affect a person's life, if only for a few moments.

Now, it is back to work for me. Thank you, Kaya, for stopping by to read and to write.

Kaya said...

Hi Fram,

Let's have a little talk about.... No ideas whatsoever today. Yesterday, I found a new and exciting hiking trail and went with my dog in the late evening on this trail. It was a beautiful sunset and I didn't have a camera with myself to take a picture of it. There were no people and it was so peaceful and nice. Solitude. it was solitude. Do you like solitude?

How are you in the Twin Cities? You wrote that you are not a creature of suburbs. Interesting, have you ever thought to live in the very secluded places far away from people?

Have a nice weekend, Fram!!!!! And nice Independence Day!!! .

Kaya said...

Ted Nugent is really awesome, Fram!!!! YES, HE IS WILD AND VERY COOL!!!!! I have already listened to him several times.

I always liked your selection of music. It's you and a little part your world.

I am reading right now the book The Paris Wife by Paula McLain. The place takes in Chicago, 1920. A quiet twenty-eight year old Hadley married to Ernest Hemingway who is only twenty two. I always was in love with Hemingway. Once upon a time he was one of my favorite writers. I read everything or almost everything what he wrote. I am again with the Lost Generation.

And I think about life and how we try to catch it and try to stay happy.

Fram Actual said...

You must be in a mood for writing and/or for visiting today, Kaya. I will write a more complete note later, but, for the moment, I wanted to mention one of my posts from some time ago which might interest you.

This particular post appeared a year ago today, on July 2, 2010. It has references to our friend, Ernest Hemingway, among other things. I would wager you will enjoy the music I posted that day, too, if you decide to listen to it.

I think I might order your book written from Hadley’s point of view. Ordinarily, I do not choose to read fictional work when actual people are the central characters, but now you have me curious. Have a pleasant Saturday.

Fram Actual said...

Now, I will return to your earlier comment, Kaya.

Yes, I like solitude, very much. But, when I go somewhere or do something, I prefer company.

As for secluded places, I have been in many on canoe trips and while hunting, but I never have considered living in such a place. This is especially true since I no longer hunt and am too lazy to grow my own food. It is simply privacy I crave, not isolation. A house with no neighbors for a mile or two in any direction is more to my taste. I have had such a place in the past, and lost it.

Since my earlier note, I have read four or five reviews/commentaries about "The Paris Wife," and have decided to buy a copy. Like you, I believe I have read everything Ernest Hemingway had published, as well as a few biographies. I have been in Florida and Cuba, but never had the opportunity to visit his houses in those places, and would like to some day.

So, you think about life and how we try to catch it and try to stay happy, do you? By the way, have you seen the film, "The Last Station," yet? You should, if you have not.

And, by the way once more -- my next post in a few days will mention something Russian and will have another song in which Ted Nugent is a member of the band.

I hope your weekend and the Fourth of July are enjoyable for you.

Kaya said...

Good Morning Fram,

I read your post Let Us Die Young or Let Us Live Forever. You are lucky guy spending a few days walking along and canoeing the Fox River. And I can tell you that I didn't read the Two-Hearted" story.

And the songs Forever Young and Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow are so beautiful.

And Fram, I thought that some day many years from now somebody will discover your blog and read, read and will come with an idea to write a book about an interesting and unique man Fram, the Wolf!!!! I wish it would be me but....

Just thoughts aloud.

Kaya said...

Fram, I hope you will not be disappointed reading The Paris Wife. It's well written and it's a smart book.

About catching life and trying to be happy. I do it from time to time just only to ask myself later, "Why I am doing that?" I think we all do that at some moments of our lives.

Ok, I saw the film The Last Station. And I am very anxious to know what do you think about this film. That would be interesting. My first and very close friend in USA said once that you will know the world if you read Leo Tolstoy and Bible. He truly believed in it.

I am waiting for your next post patiently. That is already intriguing and interesting.

I hope also that you July 4th will be enjoyable. Are you going to have a glass of wine to celebrate this day?

Greetings from Kaya.

Anonymous said...

hi there lovelies!!))

how are you!!

Iam very fine down here..but can not uplod photoes it doesnt work soo god the internet..so i will have them when i come home.

BUT..FRAM>>!!!!This is the best ever!!!!It is just like i wanted it..you can mingle with people or be alone..it is up to you..next week i go to Afrodithes Island and the cathacomes..you remeber poseideon and all those..of course you doo..!!Have been to famangusta and will go to jeepsafari to the mountains and Nicosia..
Ihave got a beautiful tan..my son is very happy eating alot of iccream..bathing and chiling down with all good..

hope your doing fine..i LOVE your blogpost and Kayas too..Be very happy and i will speak from the blogs..ok now Iam hungry and must have some food..hugs!!))

Fram Actual said...

Whether I am disappointed or not with "The Paris Wife" is irrelevant. I have read many books, and I think each and every one has been beneficial for me in one way or another whether I liked the book or not. And, all the reviews I read had only positive remarks about this novel.

As for the notion of anyone writing a book about me, you cause me to smile, Kaya. I am a background man. I prefer anonymity and privacy and to be in the shadows. I even have written a few speeches for others, but never would be the person standing on the stage delivering them. You should have seen me turn and run when a reporter once asked to do a story about me. Thanks, for the thought, though.

It seems to me that I admitted once before the only book written by Leo Tolstoy that I recall reading was "The Death of Ivan Illyich." I identified with this fictional character. I tried opening "War and Peace" a few times, but had seen the film and was turned off by it and could never continue with the novel.

With a book, you have your imagination; with a film, you must contend with actors whether you find them appropriate to their roles or not. Seeing a motion picture sometimes ruins a book experience for me.

As for "The Last Station," I found it to be a bit slow moving, but fascinating. I have no idea how true this motion picture was to the actual events of Tolstoy's life, but it seems that so often the lives of men such as he can be more interesting than the writing they produce. I was happy when he left his wife in the film, and I thought the place and time of his death formed a perfect way for his personal ending. I love definitive endings.

Your friend might well have been correct when he remarked that a person would know the world after having read Tolstoy and the Bible. For me, as with "War and Peace," I never have read the Bible, either, although I have tried several times. I guess I will simply continue learning about the world through my own personal experiences.

I think the Fourth of July will be little different than any other day for me until evening when, perhaps, I will have some Benedictine or Amaretto, and watch fireworks at a nearby park.

I hope your holiday experience will be pleasant, Kaya.

Fram Actual said...

So, Anita rises from the clear, blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea long enough to wave and to proclaim that she is enjoying herself and having a wonderful time.

To be honest, I envy you and your boy. At this moment, I see only places I have seen many times before, my own tan is rapidly fading away and there is never enough ice cream for me. But, as I recently told another, perhaps my time for fun is not too far away in the future. We shall see. Maybe, autumn in Europe.

If you go to Kolossi Castle, ask the walls if they remember Fram. I think I might have stood near them while in previous life a few centuries ago, but it has been a very long time and my memory is beginning to drift with the wind. Just teasing .... sort of ....

Anyway, continue having a good time, Anita, and I look forward to seeing some photographs from your adventure when you return to blogging in Norway.

Anonymous said...

oh Fram :)

Come with me sometime :)

Fram Actual said...

Who can say what the future might be?

It appears you are enjoying yourself, Anita, and having a good time. I am happy for you.

Take care.

Something special ....