[BRINDLEKIN TALES – Book 4: Chapter 12]
Subject: Totally Zonked Out
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 26, 2021 8:04 AM
Re: Maybe he ain’t so evil after all…
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 26 2021 11:32 AM
> I’m relieved! And I LOVE the pic of the dreaming doggies!!
Isn’t that a wonderful shot? They are SO happy to snooze away in cushy comfort.
I just looked into applying for the Snap program online. I was impressed by how convenient and efficient the process is, until it came time to upload a pic of my state ID. It seemed to take several minutes…but then it stopped, said “bad gateway.” So I tapped on the “x” in the upper left, and instead of taking me back to the previous page, the whole site was gone! Now, they got my social security number and probably my state ID. Whoever they are; I should’ve looked into things more closely, they said they’re not a gov’t agency, but an organization that helps you apply for assistance. Anyone can slap a page on the web, and make such a claim. They’re called “American Hope Resources,” and here’s what the BBB has on them (not good):
For now on, I’ll make SURE to apply on OFFICIAL gov’t sites. What was I thinking? I hope nothing awful comes of it…that’s all I need, on top of everything else!
– Zeke K-Holmes
Re: Maybe he ain’t so evil after all…
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 27, 2021 10:05 AM
> You can tell how much they totally appreciate the comfort and security. That little exposed belly. They know they’re safe in a big, bad world.
They know when they’re with me, they’re 100% protected and loved. But Deek deserves SOME credit, for they are always clean and healthy looking when with him, and absolutely NO sign of doggie neuroses from mistreatment…which means there IS none. Something else is going on, that is not visible to me. Deek MUST be treating the pups better than I think, but intentionally acts otherwise, in my presence.
Which implies, once again, affirmation of my Bodhisattva Premise: that this is an act, whereby I am set up to be the hero of this movie. IOW: Deek is drawing out my noble spirit.
Speaking of Flaco’s belly: you can see there’s no suggestion of pregnancy. Her nips have completely shrunk down to normal size. God forbid Deek will ever admit I was correct about false pregnancy. Which lasts about three weeks, and that’s how it went with Flaco. But it served a vital purpose, in that I now KNOW Deek is not setting her up for a puppy mill venture, and HE knows for sure that I did NOT expose her to insemination, either intentionally or by accident.
> Aw, hell.
That site looks just like the gov’t one, totally legit. But it isn’t. My mistake was to not first check for the “.gov” extension. I think the worst that will happen is they’ll spam my mailbox with scads of flase promises to get rich quick, if only I send them a few hundred dollars, or give them access to my bank account. This is based on OTHER people’s experience with them, as posted to a BBB forum.
Had a wonderful sleep with darling Flaco in my arms, and Lucky at my feet. They love to press up against me, their fondness emanating like a fluffy comforter for the soul.
Well, it’s now 9:12 AM and I’m still waiting on a Comcast supervisor to show up. The previous two times before a techie would arrive, they called me ahead of time, anywhere from 20 to 10 minutes in advance. And they both showed up by 9 AM sharp. So I don’t know how this time around will play out. I already set up the alcove with three sleeping bags and a heavy coat, for when a Comcast rep. arrives. I will barricade it with one of my storage bins. See attached photo. Also see attached photo of the pups I just took a minute ago. Both shots were taken by my new smartphone.
Just got a text that a Comcast tech will soon arrive.
– Zeke K-Holmes
Subject: Comcast Update
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 27, 2021 12:32 AM
Technician Saul (pronounces it “sah-ool”) did a thorough job figuring out what needs to be done, and has scheduled for a new cable installation to my hovel tomorrow morning, with the help of a second person. He said the reason why he needs assistance, is because radio antennas on our roof can cause harm if you’re up there for too long! So they’ll take turns getting everything set up. He ALSO made it clear that Comcast DOES service this building, in spit of what Lester said.
It surprised me to learn he was on the roof in the first place, as there’s supposed to be a lock on the door leading to it. A warning sign claims no one has permission to enter, and an alarm will go off if you try. Apparently, that’s not the case any more. I just went up there myself, to discover the door is not only unlocked, it’s open! Last time I was up there (about three years ago), it had a severe warning in red with lots of exclamation points, and heavy wires wrapped around to seal it off…just as it has been for more than two decades. See attachment.
I thought this exposure thing was a fake! Now, good Dr. Wattson, I’m wondering how it’s impacting all the residents, including yours truly. Maybe that explains the nastiness going on in our building…and why those on the 4th floor (including the building manager, ha-ha) seem a lot more anti-social than those who inhabit the 2nd and 3rd.
It’s just one thing after another! And I’m SO stressed out having strangers come in and out of my room, seeing what a wreck of a hovel I occupy. I can’t even eat breakfast until they leave. At any rate, the pups were so mellow, Saul didn’t mind they stay inside. The brindlemutts just lolled blissfully on the bed, not a single bark from either.
When I DID transport them to the alcove as a test run, Lucky was fine with it and went right back to sleep. Flaco, however, stared up at me with ears pinned back, like I had just tossed her out on the street. The forlorn look in those sparkly brown eyes was a soul-crusher! Next thing you know, she jumped atop the bin and clambered into my arms. Her alarm was easily resolved, however, once I sat down in the alcove WITH her. She was perplexed as to why she had to hang out just outSIDE the room, instead of in here with me! And I don’t blame her one bit; I’ve never done that before. And I HOPE I won’t ever have to do that again.
– Zeke K-Holmes
Subject: The Howling [my latest video – 46 secs.]
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: Zeke’s Mailing List
Date: May 27, 2021 1:27 PM
When the sirens go off, so do the pups!
Subject: 26 Second Video of Myrtle Moving Her Last Things Out
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: Zeke’s Mailing List
Date: May 27, 2021 7:45 PM
I just HAPPENED to peer out the window at the right moment. Thank you, Kismet!
Subject: Comcast Appointment Screw-up!
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 28, 2021 8:09 AM
Affirmation of my next appointment for a tech to come out arrived in my emailbox, but instead of tomorrow between 9-11 AM, it said “6/1 starting between 7:30am – 8:30am!” So I clicked on the link to change the appointment to (hopefully) tomorrow, and a window popped up that said: “Looks like you don’t have any scheduled appointments. If you’ve recently scheduled an appointment, this information should be ready in a few minutes. Please check back soon.”
Now I don’t know if they’re coming out today at all! Even though Saul said he’ll be back this morning! And I don’t have his phone number.
– Zeke K-Holmes
Subject: Re: Comments for Tom Karinshak
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: Comcast ecare
Date: May 28, 2021 8:22 AM
The technician showed up yesterday on schedule (his name is Saul), checked out the cable box and my line, and said the cable needs to be replaced. So we arranged for him to come back tomorrow, with an assistant, to install a new cable line to my apartment. BUT:
Affirmation of my next appointment for a tech to come out arrived in my emailbox, but instead of tomorrow between 9-11 AM, it said “6/1 starting between 7:30-8:30 AM!” So I clicked on the link to change the appointment to (hopefully) tomorrow, and a window popped up that said: “Looks like you don’t have any scheduled appointments. If you’ve recently scheduled an appointment, this information should be ready in a few minutes. Please check back soon.”
Now I don’t know if they’re coming out today at all! Even though Saul said he’ll be back this morning!
Subject: Re: Comments for Tom Karinshak
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: Comcast ecare
Date: May 28, 2021 9:28 AM
It’s okay, Saul and assistant just showed up!
Subject:They just showed up, thank god!
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 28, 2021 9:41 AM
Comcast’s appointment “affirmation” gave me quite a scare, though! Saul and assistant are busy at work, preparing to get me a new cable line.
Subject: CONNECTED! <3 <3 <3
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 28, 2021 10:52 AM
Took them less than an hour to install the cable, and have me up and running! Delighted with my vastly improved DL and UL rates. See attachment.
I am a new “me:” smartphone and cable connection. Hooray!
Re: They just showed up, thank god!
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 28, 2021 2:16 PM
> Yay!
One “Yay!” Wattson, and a thousand “Huzzah’s!” Here they are at work (32 seconds):
But my cable outlet no longer has a cover plate.
No complaint here, though, I’m online, and FAST! I gave Saul and his assistant a profuse compliment for their excellent work, and kudos to Comcast for following up so quickly…on Xfinity’s “Send Tom Feedback” page.
Attached is also that video’s thumbnail, because it makes such a poignant statement all by itself. One might say I’m gazing into Xfinity!
I now have my Tracfone Moto and Android tablet connected to Xfinity, and have just disconnected/packed away my Chronic.net DSL gateway kit, ready to ship back to their Santa Roja headquarters ASAP.
Outside of all that, I DON’T WANT YOU TO MISS THIS VIDEO I posted yesterday to MCN, but might have eluded you. THE most adorable video yet, of Flaco & Lucky, and just 46 seconds.
Re: They just showed up, thank god!
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 28, 2021 3:36 PM
> Quite a production!!
I can’t praise them enough. I just hope they don’t fire the second technician, who spewed all this BS about Comcast not serving my block. After all, he DOES know where I live!
> And the doggies–little coyote yips and songs, their intelligent little faces, pure love….
Lucky too lazy to sit up, and a big ol’ yawn between howls. While Flaco gazed at me with SINCERITY; you know whatever she was thinking was VERY important to convey. She has all my respect, and more. What a darling, sweet face she has.
Deek dropped by yesterday afternoon to pick them up. I was returning from their afternoon walk, when I saw him across the street, by my building. Once I came up to him, Flaco raised her face to flash the most incredible, bright smile in his direction. “Look how happy she is to see you!” I pointed out. He never greets them with hugs, but Flaco finds a way to touch his heart, no matter what. But get this, Wattson:
He was lugging about a NEW and even LARGER speaker, almost five feet tall! He was porting it on a dolly. I queried, “WHY do you burden yourself with such heavy stuff?” He didn’t reply, but seemed in a pleasant-enough mood. I was just concerned that he may not be giving enough attention to the pups, as he only had the dolly with a few, stuffed plastic bags drooping from the handles…no shopping cart in which to stash things like a blanket or old jackets to keep the dogs warm and comfortable at night. But he’s efficient when it comes to gathering up whatever he needs, in a pinch.
Neither of us spoke much. I just said, “Well, is that it?” after he handed me TWO smartphones to recharge (and put music on one), and told me to hold onto that 20-lb. speaker he gave me a couple of days ago. He didn’t ask for more doggy food…or money. Okay by me (especially the money part, the food I always have to spare)!
Finally, gettin’ rid of THIS old thing, my last remnant of AT&T:
After all, even though I dropped my AT&T phone service a year-and-a-half ago, when I switched over to Chronic’s DSL Internet w/telephone, they were piggybacking on THEIR lines for both features.
It’s a new world for me!
– Zeke K-Holmes
Subject: And here’s the cable on the outside of the building:
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 28, 2021 7:49 PM
I can only hope no one who moves in next door decides to play my enemy, as it would be so EASY for him to bend down a bit, out the adjacent window, and cut the line! Everything about my life is jury-rigged; this is just the latest. Well, I’m certainly not gonna lose sleep over it.
Re: Would you recommend “auto-refill” for Tracfone?
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 28, 2021 10:42 PM
> I use it for the phone I gave to Dan’s widow. No problem so far. For the one I use, I just do pay-as-you-go.
Okay, thanks. I don’t see on my account how many minutes I’ve talked, so far. I guess that’s because I’m on unlimited. But I need to know in order to figure out if I can go for a cheaper plan. I’ve been talking on the phone a lot, which is unusual…but getting things straightened out with Comcast changed all that for awhile. Once things simmer down, I doubt I’ll actually use my phone for more than ten calls a month, if even THAT!
So I’m gonna try out one of their limited plans for a month, to see how it goes. I can always add more minutes whenever. I am not one to be out and about very much, so wouldn’t find keeping the Moto on me at all times a godsend. I’d probably text a lot more, though it wouldn’t mount to much, either. I’d be texting to receive deliveries from Amazon, and I’d have to be hovel for that, anyway.
At any rate, $20/month is a great deal, especially since I won’t have to pay for Internet access for god knows HOW long. But once the EBB program ends, it’s still only gonna cost me $10/month…plus taxes and surcharges. Putting the kibosh on Chronic.net was the BEST thing to do, and I thank them for getting the ball rolling! But what a rocky transition…now that it’s come to a happy end, I’m already laughing.
There is also my prediction that I will soon leap to worldwide fame…at which point my unlimited plan WILL pay for itself many times over. So maybe I’ll just count my blessings, and settle into things as they now are. Which are all shockingly recent, I should note.
I got my second covid shot, a Tracfone account, and a new ISP up and running, all within the same week! Also, I applied for food stamps yesterday, via the official state government site. If eligible, I’ll be getting at LEAST $245/month, which is their lowest amount. This is NOT like the last time I got on it, about five years ago when they gave me a measly $16. So I just decided not to renew.
Based on how much money I save from all this, I will increase Deek’s allowance accordingly…that is, he’ll get HALF of what I save. He has NO idea about any of this, BTW…including my FREE Internet. I don’t need him sticking his nose around in my finances.
The brindlekin have been a stupendous uplift of my world, causing so many good changes! My room is now as lovely as it can possibly be, given the rundown condition it’s in, thanks to lousy housing laws. You’re not even supposed to HAVE a pet if you live in a single room. However, others have done that, so I guess Ablablah Realty chooses to be kind enough to turn a blind eye. In fact, I don’t think you’re supposed to just bring in a dog without first getting their official permission!
But when I met Lucky, and later, Flaco, I KNEW they deserved much better than what fucked-up Deek could provide (as well as NOT provide, even though he could). So I just took them under my wing come hell or high water, let the devil be damned. And look at how well it turned out! I was never so determined about ANYthing in my life, as I have with caring for these outstanding pooches! And it can only get better.
Well, signing for off the nonce, dear Wattson. For another amazing day has come to a close, that an equally amazing day will follow on Aurora’s heels.
Subject: Considering Striking a Deal with Deek…
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 28, 2021 11:42 AM
…but since it revolves around money, I hesitate. With the savings on Internet fees, and (hopefully) getting food stamps, I can easily increase his weekly allowance from $60 to $100…and still have at least an extra hundred for myself. I’d pay him two lump sums per week, the first being $60 on Sunday, the second, $40 on either Wednesday or Thursday. With NO more “advance payment” requests ever again. But this raise comes with an iron-clad stipulation:
That he let the pups stay with me three nights per week. I will suggest four at first, because he’ll probably insist on lowering the number (meaning if I first ask for three days, he’ll demand only two).
I have been telling him for MONTHS now, that it’s just too cold to keep the dogs outdoors for such lengths of time. I’m NOT saying this for ME, but for the pooches. His loneliness when they don’t sleep with him should NEVER usurp consideration of this important aspect for the sake of their health.
He will probably resist in outrage with his little drama-queen scenario at first. But I believe he’ll come around shortly thereafter. Though since I hate using money to persuade him, because that’s treating the doggies like a profit machine, rather than living creatures who deserve 100% kindness and care. At any rate, I’ll have to wait on those food stamps before even considering this negotiation.
It is WRONG to keep them outdoors on ANY night, but I don’t see how he’d EVER agree to this, let alone my more limited proposal. BUT I’M FIGHTING FOR THEIR LIVES! So, what say you, good doctor? Your insight on this matter will be IMMENSELY appreciated, as it is on everything else you have advised me on.
– Zeke K-Holmes
Re: Considering Striking a Deal with Deek…
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 29, 2021 3:40 PM
> I’d say it’s a good plan, except for the fact that Deek has reneged before on monetary agreements. You gave him $300 not so long ago in exchange for him permanently relinquishing them. He went along with it for a while, then changed his mind, lied to the cops about it. And It’s not as if he gave you your money back!
He DID give me the money back, by my subtracting that $300 from his accumulated allowance that he never received while the pups were with me. We have an arrangement that, should he be gone for a longish time, I will hold onto the payments, letting them build up…not to extend beyond two months. So, after subtracting $300, I only owed him $160. Also, it was very painful for him to go through the hoops and deal with the police in any way, shape or form. It was a lesson burned into him like an iron brand. He’s now FULLY aware how far I will go to protect the brindlekin.
> So I fear he’ll find a way to twist this arrangement around. He KNOWS how much the pups mean to you, and that he can use them to blackmail you. He wants money, you want the pups.
Right. And if he rejects my proposal, he now knows that I have extra moolah to spend, so he’ll start whining for advancements more often, trying to squeeze extra cash from me. He is VERY clever when it comes to scamming, but I pretend to be clueless.
> But whatever it takes–even money–to make the pups safer and to bring them closer to being yours is worth the gamble.
The alternative is to use that surplus to keep them in sweaters and blankets…and whatever else I might deem necessary. He’ll think they’re coming from donations, and not my bank account. Frankly, his scammy nature makes me sick to my stomach, especially when two, adorable pups are in the middle of it all.
I’m amazed at how well I’m handling my expenses. I still have $127 in the bank, plus $41 cash at hand, plus $60 set aside for this Sunday, to give to Deek. My next Social Security deposit will arrive in just five days…so I’m sitting pretty! Next month will be even better, because no more Chronic.net expenses. And, get this:
I just learned that Google Voice does NOT require you to interface its app with a real phone number. So long as you’re on wifi, you can dial in and dial out with your smartphone even if it doesn’t have service. So I didn’t really need to purchase a cell plan, after all, if I’m will to do without texting and data! But the data option is useful, for times when my wifi goes down…as it did this morning for about 12 minutes. At any rate, it’s an excellent BACKUP in the event my Moto should break or disappear for whatever reason. I just tried it on my non-service LGE phone, and it worked like a charm. This is good stuff to know.
Finally: I found this big ol’ box on the back porch…the pups’ll love it! So much bigger than the last one, they’ll have a field day.
It seems to be one of the many perks of Myrtle & son’s departure. “Thanks for the box you two; I hope to never see either of you again!” To date, one of my enemies has died, and two have just moved out. I’m already benefiting IMMENSELY from Todd’s recent, and timely, departure, by having much more frequent access to the shared toilet, rather than being forced to wait until the old coot gets off the pot a half hour later!
Now, who’s left on the enemy list? Kevin the building manage, Moe my quasi-fascist neighbor down the hallway, and a spanking new one, whose name I don’t even know…and would rather NOT, anyway. The nasty one with the two chihuahuas, who chooses to manifest ENMITY rather than friendship. I’ve always been ready to make peace with my adversaries, but it rarely works out that way. So they wind up being driven far from THIS quizzical pilgrim, by their own karma, while I remain as always. Let’s see what becomes of these ambulatory turds. And, hopefully, none of them will conjure up an additional enemy or two via their gossip, before they themselves depart or kick the proverbial bucket. I guess Deek’s on that enemy list, too, so long as he neglects the pooches.
But I know I’ll be perfectly fine through it all; thus I know Flaco & Lucky will be too, because we three are intertwined by a beautiful force that is both conscious and benevolent. And its name is Love.
– Zeke K-Holmes
Subject: Zach showed up for his $60 allowance today…
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 29, 2021 6:45 PM
…which is pretty good, because it’s SUNDAY, and he didn’t try to squeeze an advance out of it by showing up on an earlier day. That’s a change for the better. He’s also been mostly impeccable in his appearance these past several weeks, including his shopping cart. But he only dropped by for a few minutes, was crabby, and asked for another supply of doggy food…meaning that he doesn’t want them to visit me.
I returned two, fully charged smartphones he gave me a couple nights back. One of them is thinly cracked all over, but still works fine. However, he started to gripe about how I removed the cellophane from it (which was already loose and shedding), which caused it to have many more cracks than when he gave it to me. I told him, that’s bullshit, YOU’RE cracked! Then he got upset that one of the two worn down headphones he gave me, was unpluggable, so couldn’t be charged…and blamed THAT on me, too: “You broke it!”
Meanwhile, I sat close by the pups, petting them as he droned on with hurtful nonsense. Then he caught Flaco licking the back of my hand and told her “Stop it!” She just looked at him, not sure WHAT he wanted, but ready to please him at the wag of a tail. I reiterated that what she was doing is harmless,just showing her affection; and he’s being stupid about it. This is just his childish frustration over how much both pups like me, so he invents whatever strikes him at the moment, to offend me.
But towards the last part of our meetup, we had a really GREAT conversation about dealing with crises and other difficult things in our lives. I gave him some very good advice, though he’s not the best listener…just kept talking over me, but I made sure he heard at least SOME of what I imparted. After listening to HIS difficulties, I then reminded him of all the crap I’VE been through in my building. Much to my chagrin, he played dumb: “What are you talking about?”
“I already told you,” I replied. “That black dude, for example.”
“Oh,” he retorted, “All I made out of that was you snitched on him, and he got angry.”
“Well, you read it all wrong then,” I corrected. “He threatened me, didn’t wear a mask in the hallway, nor did his friends, and they made a big nuisance of themselves right in the hallway near my door!”
“They were just chillin’, trying to have a nice time, and you got in their face,” he interjected.
“Nope, they forced me to stand up for myself, and put a stop to their craziness,” I further explained. “And they, and another dunce, got driven away from me, because of their wicked behavior. One of them even died.”
At any rate, Wattson, Deek showed ZILCH sympathy, even though I gave him mine. He loves to play the asshole. When he spoke about how difficult some people are, they’re drama queens, I mentioned how he, himself, acts like that from time to time. At that, he scrunched up his brow and queried: “What do you mean? When did I ever do that?” I said why bother, you’ll just get upset and deny everything. He actually just DID that only moments earlier, over a smartphone and a headset! But that was at the beginning of an otherwise excellent exchange of words.
Off they went then; we wished each other god’s blessing and a lovely night. Gave the pooches one last hug before I returned hovel, myself. I do want to point out, though, that his gripes are far less hyper, and he always keeps a soft voice through it all. Another good change that started some weeks ago. As for my tech adventures:
I got my Xfinity account locked down to be ultra private and secure, by blocking their offer to phone, text or snail-mail me with promotional material, including paying an occasional door-to-door visit to sell their wares! Who do they think they are: Jehovah’s Witnesses? I’ve never had ANY company do that…struck me as a rather strange selection in their opt-out list! See attachment.
I also registered my three smartphones and one tablet with my Xfinity account, for additional security. And put both my Moto and Google Voice numbers on the national do-not-call registry, and set up call screening for GV.
My laptop is now connected via ethernet, while all other devices use wifi, of course. Comcast encourages all their customers to just forgo ethernet entirely, as there’s really no point in using it. But something happened yesterday to prove otherwise. For about 12 minutes the wifi went down, right in the middle of installing an app on my Moto. So I checked the other two phones and my tablet: yep, they were all disconnected! My first thought was that it’s a Comcast outage in the region, so I started searching the ‘net for any reports coming in, on my laptop. Then it hit me: I can still get on the web with my main system! That told me right there, it probably was NOT an outage, but a glitch in the router. Had I not been using ethernet, I would’ve been at a loss, and without ANY Internet access at all!
Xfinity’s EBB approval arrived in the email yesterday. It’s right there on my billing page. So looks like I’m good in THAT department. You have to FIRST sign up with the gov’t’s Lifeline Support EBB program, and wait for them to send you a yea or nay. Which took all of two days in my case. THEN, and ONLY then, if it’s “yea,” should you go to your Xfinity accunt and register. They approved me just a day later. Others have had major glitches re. EBB, even though they’ve gone through registration and approval via the proper channels. Such as described in the following Reddit thread:
Others, like me, have been more fortunate. So now, I have great Internet access FOR FREE, though Boudica only knows how long THAT will last!
MAJOR learning curve re. Tracfone service, Moto E features, Android 10 and Xfinity. Spent three solid days getting through it all, but I’m there. Algernon never had it so good! But where are MY flowers?
Subject: I just learned something new about the Dog Star!
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 29, 2021 11:16 PM
…from this EarthSky article:
In India, Sirius is sometimes known as Svana, the dog of Prince Yudhisthira. The prince and his four brothers, along with Svana, set out on a long and arduous journey to find the kingdom of heaven. However, one by one the brothers all abandoned the search until only Yudhisthira and his dog, Svana, were left. At long last they came to the gates of heaven. The gatekeeper, Indra, welcomed the prince but denied Svana entrance. Yudhisthira was aghast and told Indra that he could not forsake his good and faithful servant and friend. His brothers, Yudhisthira said, had abandoned the journey to heaven to follow their hearts’ desires. But Svana, who had given his heart freely, chose to follow none but Yudhisthira. The prince said that, without his dog, he would forsake even heaven. This is what Indra had wanted to hear, and then he welcomed both the prince and the dog through the gates of heaven.
Subject: A bit more about Deek that I forgot to mention:
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 30, 2021 10:43 PM
Remember, Wattson, I told you I’ll never bring up the false pregnancy issue to him? Well, HE brought it up himself when we last met up…much to my surprise. Remarked how he was befuddled that she looked ready to bust with puppies, but now she’s as normal looking as can be.
“Didn’t I tell you it was a false pregnancy, Deek?” I replied, while rubbing her once-again flat belly.
Also to my surprise, he did NOT play the drama queen by opposing or mocking me, but accepted what I said matter-of-factly. It did give us BOTH quite a scare, and made us think the other had not kept his word. But I’m glad it happened, as Deek now knows better, that false pregnancies are real, and that maybe Zeke knows a thing or two about dogs.
– Zeke K-Holmes
Re: A bit more about Deek that I forgot to mention:
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 30, 2021 11:07 PM
> Oh, if only we could get her fixed…
Out of the realm of possibility. A pathological idiot stands in the way.
Subject: The Pups are Back!
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: June 1, 2021 4:46 PM
I JUST fed and watered them, after our usual group hugs, kisses and all-around canine jubilation. Deek came by an hour ago, said he’d like to go bicycling, and can’t do that with the pups. He still had that HUGE speaker on a dolly, and asked me to bring the OTHER heavy speaker down! I questioned his decision, considering he’s already burdened with much weight, but he just brushed it away, he can handle it…while strapping down one speaker atop another, and hooking the dolly up to his bike. Well, at least you’ll get a lot of exercise, I acknowledged. In sum:
All was calm in his interactions, didn’t even bring up anything to annoy me, at all. Which makes me think of that dog star tale out of India, whereby the main character’s love was challenged w/o him even knowing…and he’d sooner stay with the pup than go to heaven without him. So he passed the test and they BOTH entered through Nirvana’s Gates.
In a similar manner, Deek’s been testing ME with the dogs, by presenting one difficulty after another. Till the point where almost ALL my anxieties over them have finally vanished. At any rate, I couldn’t POSSIBLY be more content, than with the brindlekin my most honored guests…not even if God’s Own Angels came to me with a bounty of gifts in exchange for the pooches. I would turn them all down. For a dog’s love is boundless.
Re: The Pups are Back!
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: June 1, 2021 5:57 PM
> Every little thing they do is magic!
Their love and kindness radiate! Always a gift to gaze upon them, no matter what they’re doing, or not. As I said: a dog’s love is boundless. And God is love…so there ya have it. People go on these quests to find God, too foolish to realize they should just adopt a dog. Isn’t calling this divine creature “god” spelled backwards more than enough of a clue? It’s like hitting them over the head with it!
– Zeke K-Holmes
Re: The Pups are Back!
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: June 1, 2021 7:34 PM
> Harming a dog should be a capital crime.
I adamantly agree. The fact that it isn’t, only shows what a barbaric society we live in.
Re: The Pups are Back!
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: June 1, 2021 10:58 PM
> It’s even worse in other parts of the world. At least we don’t (as far as I know) have dog-meat farms, like China, Korea, the Philippines…
I’m all too aware of that. I’ve seen some videos, and they were horrific! Those sweet pups wagging their tails in friendly expectation, right up to the last moment when they are hung upside down and skinned alive. Beyond hearbreaking.
This is where my Bodhisattva Premise kicks in, in a most important way. And why it serves me so well, and can for everyone else. In that SUCH TRAGEDIES DON’T REALLY OCCUR. It is either a fake report, staged by the angels…or the dog’s consciousness has already departed to a friendly realm, while a dummy actor replaces it, to act out the throes of terror.
The PURPOSE of broadcasting these scenes is to teach us the virtues of compassion and long-suffering. And, since God is a loving God, she or he creates these false events, so that no REAL creature is persecuted. Once we’ve learned the lessons of virtue, the veil is lifted, and we finally see for ourselves: no harm, no foul. But if we come to this conclusion too soon–that these horrors never happened in the first place–we will never learn life’s most important lessons, which are the virtues. These lessons MUST be thoroughly drummed into our psyches before we are ready to cross over into a higher plane of existence.
I was given this remarkable epiphany years ago, over a vision I had of Randolph’s soldier buddies whom he lost to war in Vietnam…causing him GREAT grief and guilt, as did the hellish fate of that country’s innocent civilians. Which I wrote in my seminal work, “NeoPositivity: a Gay Religion.” It was a vision granted to me by Odin, of how Randolph’s misery shall be redeemed, along with that of every soldier who’s fought in battle. Odin then showed me how this revelation expands beyond the matter of war, and into all other aspects of existence, when it comes to terror, tragedy and crisis.
This new understanding that came to me is actually all there, in any religion or spiritual belief that counts. But you have to think for yourself, rather than listen to common interpretations, which sometimes are wrongly skewed. For when it comes to “sacred text,” what really IS literal, and what is figurative? I can cite from each of the major religion’s books, their most relevant passages which give clue to my Premise.
But why bother? I have already done that in various essays, but no one will comprehend until the time comes for their OWN veil to lift. Besides which, we are entering the era where ALL the world shall have this Golden Truth brought to light. Otherwise I would not know of it, myself…I’m just a bit ahead of the curve. So why bang my head against the wall, trying to get people to understand before their time? My writings on this matter shall one day be celebrated for the visionary screeds they truly are.
And I steadfastly believe that day is very soon, Wattson. It will mark the greatest transformation of humanity to ever occur. And it will be wonderful.
– Zeke K-Holmes
Subject: Well guess who’s back…Arwyn!
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: June 2, 2021 12:05 AM
Washing the dishes, getting ready for bed, which first means settling down with the pups to watch a couple of scary movies…when suddenly I heard that familiar “Whack!” of the parking sign out front. Now, since the Hohokum smoke shop opened, their workers hang outside most nights, and sometimes you’d hear one of them give their own slam on that sign. So I wasn’t expecting to see My Comely Chameleon when I stuck my head out the window a few moments ago. But yep, it was him!
He didn’t look back, and I didn’t call out…only because of that little smoke shop cabal that would love to stick their nose in my business…thus I didn’t want to draw their attention by hollering out the window. Nonetheless, it was a signal to let me know he’s back. Because all the many OTHER times I’ve heard that sign get pounded, not one of them proved to be He Who Found My Amethyst Crystal Under His Heel.
Things are gonna get interesting. Can’t wait to introduce him to the brindlekin! Maybe he’ll scare some sense into Deek, to surrender them to my care. He owes me at least THAT much.
– Zeke K-Holmes
Subject: SF to spend $1,000,000,000 on the homeless for the next two years!
From: Zeke Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: June 2, 2021 10:10 AM
What you need to know about London Breed’s new budget proposal
This is good. BTW, Deek has been speaking to the Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) on a regular basis, for help in getting a roof over his head, including the pups. So far, they’ve turned him down, due to budget restraints. But I told Deek to keep up the search, something really good will eventually pan out for him. He has already turned down ONE offer for emergency shelter, where he’d live in a warehouse environment with dozens of others, and no privacy! “Good for you,” I commented, “don’t settle for the first thing that comes along.”
These emergency shelters are poorly run, noisy and with theft and violence problems…and an AWFUL place for little doggies. There’s also a curfew, which really rubs him the wrong way. Plus, he’d be separated from his network of street friends…and that kind of isolation CAN’T be good. The shelter they offered him is way out by the bay: not his usual hangout.
But he’s making excellent progress, and I believe the pups are a powerful stabilizer for his bipolar swings. I would not be surprised at all if he soon comes to realize how important it is to not expose them so much to these chilly nights…and decides to have them stay with me more often. Everything I told him regarding better care for his dogs seems to be sinking in. Thank Artemis!
So this morning I stepping out with the pups for their usual morning walk, only to see a group of homeless camped out on the corner, just thirty feet away. Flaco & Lucky’s attention was riveted upon them, and I hoped to avoid any barking or conflict by skirting around them via taking the curbside route, instead of the sidewalk. Which really gave little leeway, but I had no other option, except to turn right towards Castro Street…which is another can of worms.
Thankfully, the dogs did NOT bark, but I saw one of them (a short, scruffy blond-haired fellow) eyeing us with suspicion. I wanted to cross the street right then and there, but the traffic light was on red. Sure enough he hollered out to me:
“Hey, where’s Deek?”
I turned to him, shrugged my shoulders and said, “I don’t know.”
Seeing as that response wasn’t gonna satisfy him, I elaborated: “I’m dog sitting for him, so he can take a break, ride his bike.”
“Oh, okay,” he replied. The light turned green at that moment and, as I crossed over, called back:
“You guys have an excellent morning!”
As we returned hovel, I thought: are they still parked on that corner, am I gonna have to deal with them again. But no, as I approached my residence, I saw they had already departed. What a relief!
Jeez, it’s like walking through a field of land mines sometimes, just to do good around here. Between the nasty residents in my building, and the dysfunctional meth heads on the streets seething with paranoia and Deek’s own gossip, it’s a wonder I haven’t been seriously threatened or beaten up by now! Or evicted.
But I’ve won every single battle thrust my way so far, and intend to beat the odds in any future conflict. I am nothing if not driven, for the sake of my brindlekin! No cause could be more righteous, AFAIC.
And maybe more street folks seeing me with the pooches will work in my favor, especially regarding Deek’s possible death, arrest or hospitalization. For more of them would know who to bring the dogs to, in such a crisis. They’ve seen me stepping through that front gate dozens of times by now…with the doggies. Both coming and going. I have no private life any more, either outdoors or inside! Thanks to Deek’s drama-queen bullshit, and the building manager’s extreme harassment. Flaco & Lucky & me against the world!
ZekeBlog 2.0 