Strange things are happening under the midnight sun – many! Coincidences here, coincidences there, coincidences everywhere. For one thing that phrase came to mind – looked it up on Instagram and found that it stems from a Robert Service poem, something to do with the Creation of Sam McGee. So the fact that this phrase came suddenly to mind is an example of a coincidence. What is a coincidence? The dictionary defines it as a a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection. Its synonyms are: accident, chance, serendipity, fate, a twist of fate, destiny, fortuity, fortune, providence, freak, hazard; a piece of good fortune, (a bit of) luck, (a bit of) good luck, a fluke, a happy chance; happenstance.
So here is some happenstance for you. I open email at four in the morning and find an Atlantic (scientific) article on sleep which exactly describes me and my early morning wakening. “They naturally wake up before 5:30 a.m. (or earlier). They don’t tend to sleep in on weekends. And now research suggests that they may be more common than previously thought. These types get good will just for being up before the sun, benefitting ’from the societal impression that people who wake up early are go-getters and people who wake up late are lazy.” Olga Khazan writes. But note: They like to go to bed pretty early, as early as around 8:30 p.m. However, the main thrust of the article is about a sleep disorder called “delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS)—a disorder that affects one in 750 adults that causes them to be somewhat nocturnal. By that estimate, DSPS affects over 400,00 Americans. Essentially DSPS means a person’s internal clock is set differently. These clocks, called circadian rhythms, are innate and often change over the course of a person’s life—which why little kids wake up so early and why teenagers prefer to sleep in.”
But here is the freak, fluke and happy chance. At about exactly that time in pops an email from CPI. Well, she has DSPS, so therefore she is awake and I have started my day, so we are communicating, which has happened since we regularly began communicating in 2017. I gleefully forwarded the Atlantic article to her and she quickly (and jokingly) responded.
She: No guts to check out prognosis for DSPS.
Me: I do not blame you! If I were you I would not either.
But then this happened yesterday. Something that may be serendipity, fate or destiny. I do finally get around to making airline reservations for my Christmas sojourn to London. It was determined that I would fly Air Emeritus, the online reservation did not work so I called the number on the Internet and connected with Ms. Fernandez, an employee working in India. I was her first customer of the day – she was so incredibly helpful and, for me, I was very patient because it did take a long time. I was not aware of the fact that when you travel from SFO to London you stop in Dubai. Needless to say that brought great joy as I have become a huge fan of Dubai and am most interested in this progressive city. So, to make a long story short, I am going to stop in Dubai for a couple of days on the way back to San Francisco. I am so incredibly excited by this. But here is the bad news – I am going Economy, which is a bit beneath me. But as I said in an email to my friend Jennifer:
Me:I will be routed through Dubai and will spend two days there on way home! Yeah! Wow!
She: That will be interesting! Maybe the Sultry Sexy Sultan will happen to be there!💕💕
Me: I do love that new nickname SSS- well except for the slight Nazi connection. In my life who doth know. The only problem is that I am going economy.
She: That is too bad, but be brave.
Me: Yeah. But I am sure their Economy is better than United’s First Class. I do have an aisle seat – the one that matches my formerly bum knee.
It is so strange togo through Security with my bionic knee. One does get special attention because ordinary rules do not apply. It is rather funny. But with a wheelchair it is doable and at this point in time, I need one. I will be flying into Gatwick, not Heathrow. Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition. Heathrow is a nightmare – it is so huge and unmanageable. Following Ms. Hernandez’ impeccable service I requested to speak to her Supervisor.
Me: Most people probably complain but I am speaking to her about her exemplary service and telling you that she should get a raise
He: (laughingly) Thank you so much, she said you were such a pleasure to help and she enjoyed every minute.
Me: Yes, it was a win/win for all of us.
Complicated but running out of energy on computer. The photo is of a fantastic gathering in my Hayes Valley which I shall attend. Life is so incredibly beautiful!!! I am blessed!
