Well, after a birthday (a few days ago), I usually think back over my life, or parts of my life and I wonder if I really remember things as they occurred or if I am editing the past. So, this year was no different. I can say that I have a completely accurate file of memories in my mental «hard drive» and things I remember did really occur.
Like…
Well, I grew up listening to music. Luckily for me I was introduced to The Beatles and became a life-long fan. Actually their songs helped me to get better acquainted with the English language and what they taught me I still practice to this day. Of course, I also listened and absorbed the music of my own country and familiarised myself with its sounds, rhythms, lyrical structure et cetera et cetera…
I have also seen travel and have lived in other countries, especially the United States, for many, many years of my life. I don’t really understand how that happened, but it had everything to do with my parents decisions at the time due to work considerations. But that experience opened my eyes and my mind to many things which I am quite grateful for.
I saw military service, deployments and conflicts in places where I never thought I would go and never see. And that helped me as well to strengthen my body and mind and to also accept and respect other people that seemed and looked different from me and from those I was accustomed to seeing.
I entered police work, thinking it would be transitional and punctual but it lasted a lifetime…
I saw revolutions and massacres, witnessed famines, hunger, death, destruction, terrorists and murderers turned into heroes and liberators, fanatics trying to shove their thoughts and religions down everybody else’s throats, rotten, corrupt politicians lying and stealing, tyrants ruling by telling their victims that they are the builders of communism so everyone can be equal while in truth they were being starved to death, ambitious dictators that tried to expand their boundaries to the detriment of so many who perished, I have witnessed the brainwashing of so many that thought, and still think that communist murderers like Che Guevara is a freedom-fighter and that mass murderers like Stalin and Mao were the best alternative for the growth and development of their countries, I have seen the persecution of Nazi war criminals but not the persecution of communist war criminals, paradoxes, paradoxes, paradoxes…
Well, enough for one chapter, I’ll leave it here, Diary, until chapter 2…
JaZzArt en València 
Why don’t you say what you mean Francesc? 😊 What you say is so very true though, even though I haven’t (fortunately) seen life at the sharp end nowhere as much as you. One thing about having your own website is that you can say what you like, and if people don’t like it they don’t have to look at it. It’s as simple as that. As I said to you this morning, on my travel orientated website, I prefer to let people make up their own minds as long as I present the facts – but I’m becoming like you where I’m thinking more about defending democracy than just presenting facts. Believe you me, if I go down that road, there will be no stopping me. I may lose a few friends on here, but as I haven’t got that many it won’t really matter will it?
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I fully agree with you Malc, on many instances I just present the facts as they are collected and displayed. As a former detective I always followed the facts, the evidence, that which was solid and unshakeable, but now, well, I can give myself a little extra room and since this is a «diary» I have allowed myself to be a trifle more subjective. Now, whether many, or few, friends, or acquaintances, like my points of view or not, that is not my concern. I have friends on both sides of the aisle and we just agree to be agreeable with the things that we believe in and hold dear. Defending democracy is crucial and educating the young is essential and without such education there can be no well trained and prepared cadres to guide us all into the future. A population which misjudges, which attributes glory to tyrants, murderers and corrupt leaders is a lost population that can never create. So I agree with you, if I lose any friends, well, they really weren’t my friends at all then. Cheers Malc, and all the best!
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Por cierto, ¡feliz cumpleaños!
Espero que todo te fluya para bien, cuídate.
Elvira
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Muchísimas gracias Elvira! Un saludo.
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Gracias a ti, Francisco.
Otro saludo.
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De nada Elvira y que pases un feliz día 😊🌹🙏🏻
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Igualmente Francisco.
🙏🏻☺️🌞
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wow, that’s a lot for one person to have dealt with –
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Without a doubt 😊
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Happy Belated Birthday, Francis! Those are some deep thoughts from a life well-lived. That is a variety of life experiences you’ve had. My wish for you is that the best is yet to come. Be well. Enjoy your weekend and many more birthdays. Janet
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Thank you so much Janet! I certainly appreciate it. All the best!
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