Karma is a distinctive aura, atmosphere, or feeling. It is often wistfully mentioned in the Stream. Many of us feel karma is the ultimate in judgment and/or punishment. It's the belief that if one does good then good things will follow. It's fate or destiny. Or the biblical teaching to "do unto others as you would have others do unto you." A "what goes around comes around" philosophy of the universe. Or as the Beatles song says the "love you make is equal to the love you take."

Since I'm a fan of the show "My Name if Earl," I was excited to see it get recognition with a special Humanitas Award recently. The late Roman Catholic priest and TV producer Rev. Ellwood Kieser created the Humanitas Award 32 years ago, giving recognition to thoughtful stories and spiritually uplifting characters.


Well, low and behold, the ne'ver-do-well Earl is spiritually uplifting!!! From the beginning of the first show --- where Earl's true low-life character is shown --- to his awakening to karma, I have laughed and felt that the message behind this story is earth-shaking. To find it recognized for the moral transformation of the main character, and those around him, is totally unexpected. Jason Lee, as Earl, is the perfect actor for this hopeless do-gooder. Each story revolves around Earl's attempt to right a wrong he did to someone before karma changed his life. In seeking redemption, Earl sometimes goes to great lengths, with major help from his sweet brother Randy and a great cast, to try to accomplish his task --- which most of the time, he manages to pull off!


Earl's Karma Guide:

As I go through life, fixing my mistakes one at a time, I have learned a thing or two about Karma, and part of keeping good Karma is sharing it with others. I hope these notions help you as much as they have helped me.

Do good things and good things will happen to you.

Do bad things and it will come back and bite you in the ass.

If you want a better life, you need to be a better person.

Bad luck might be contagious. It wouldn’t be fair to bring someone into your life until you clean yours up.

Never underestimate the power of confidence. And never underestimate fifteen beers, a little enlightenment, and the power of Rob Base and DJ Easy Rock.

A person needs a little rest after having his moustache tickled at a gay bar.

You have to do the hard things in life sooner or later.

If you want the reward, you have to do the work.

The secret to life is fixing all the bad things that you’ve done.

Whether picking up trash, returning stolen merchandise, or helping a homosexual find love, it always has the same reward… feeling good about yourself.

Karma. You got to love it. ~~~ Earl

Streamers, you can take the Karma Quiz: http://www.nbc.com/My_Name_Is_Earl/quiz/

Again while driving today, I got a lesson in human behavior. Or stupidity. Or rudeness.

Take your pick! As I waited at a stop sign to turn left, a car coming from the left approached. I watched and waited for it to go past before I turned. Was it slowing? It seemed to be slowing. But it MUST be going straight cause it doesn't have a turn signal on, right? Nope. It turned and so I had sat there like an idiot! Better to wait than end up looking like this guy.

Next, there was a car ahead of me going to turn left --- it was stopped to the left with it's left turn signal flashing. The car in front of me decided to go around the car on the right side --- so I decided to do the same. But by the time I'm passing it, the turning driver starts driving straight! No turn! So now I'm right next to it and we're both trying to occupy the same space in time! Even with the turn signal on the doughwad goes straight! Unbelievable.

No wonder it only takes a few seconds to be in a car wreck. One car turns with no signal and the other signals a turn but doesn't! If life is indeed a highway then I'm parking my bike before I get hit. I wouldn't want it to get dented!

Well, maybe. Not to be outdone by London's newest oldest mom of 62, I decided to for go it again! Since I had a hysterectomy at 28, I'm not sure where I'll carry it. Minor problem for the science community. Anyway, there's probably a designer handbag especially made for it.

It's the perfect idea because now people get very upset with me when I run up to their baby stroller and rip their little ones out for snuggling. But there's nothing like it in the whole world! Once you've hugged a wiggling pastel beanbag --- you never forget it! I'm like a junkie looking for the next cutie-pie. Besides now that I'm up every two hours to go potty, those night time feedings should be easy.

Babies are the only true miracle in the world. Mothers will always be mothers and, once you've had that experience, there's no going back. We want it all the time. The world's record for the oldest mom is 66 years old! Grandmothers are always in search of the next wee tot to squeeze because our babies grew up too fast! So, you young mothers, hug them now before they're gone!

The deep green water

Wields restless passion

Hear it's glorious

Coming and going

 

Approaching softly

In the subdued candlelight

Demanding more

Than life and a slow death

"Hello," I say.

The distinctive delay tells me I'm in for a sales pitch.

Hang up! my brain screams!

A sweet female voice comes on the line and says "This is a recorded telemarketing call from Yada Yada Insurance Company. All our associates are busy right now, but if you................" I slam the receiver down on the cradle.

WHAT?

Did I just hear them right?? They called to tell me they were toooooooooo busy to talk to ME??? That's just plain nuts.