A Funny Thing Happened...

But it did not happen on the way to the Forum. Just teasin' a little bit. Remember "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum?" If you do...you may be as old as I am.

No, the funny thing referred to is perhaps not so funny. While reviewing the blog, past entries, settings, and so on, in preparation for the next posting, happened to notice the images originally displayed in the "Primavera Negra Memorial and Remembrance" entry for March 23, 2007 were no longer visible. They had been trashed. Curiously, this, as far as could be determined, had not occurred with any other of the Havana5060 blog's graphics.

The sleuth in me said: "Investigate; find the culprits and round up the usual suspects." Blogger.com's Help feature was forensically combed through to see if the aforementioned problem was widespread. In fact, some information on the subject was found, to wit:

"Wednesday, April 18, 2007

RESOLVED: We are seeing reports of uploaded images not appearing properly on blogs. We are investigating the issue.

Update (12:36AM): there was a problem introduced during the maintenance earlier today which has now been resolved. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Labels: fixed

Posted by Vincent at 23:29 PDT"

Well, Vincent - no doubt you tried, or somebody tried; but none of the images used for the Bobby Fuller story featured in the March 23 post re-displayed.

So today, having some time on my hands, this being one positive benefit of the root canal procedure endured earlier in the day, and with the calming assistance of Ibuprofen 600 mg, the blogger bit the bullet...actually, not a good idea when you have been "canalized" - biting soft noodles might be better...and fixed the problem. Thankfully, all image and text files used had backups.

The lessons to be learned here, especially if you have invested much time and effort on your blog - this is for you too, Brothers and Sisters of the Blog 'Hood:

1) Give your blog a periodic checkup - postings, images, links, audio, video, whatever you have on it; if it ain't broke, don't fix it, but if it is, do your
repairs.

2) Back up your work - back it up, back it up, back it up. This is essential.

3) Remember that, just because you are paranoid, doesn't mean there isn't someone out there trying to get you - so protect your work whenever possible. Now, I am willing to accept Blogger.com's explanation about the image display problem, and even that "they" considered it fixed. Nevertheless, I find it curious that no other posting except this particular one, in the wake of the Fuller's stunning legal victory against the crumbling creep of Cuba, was affected by the mysterious problem. A closet acolyte of castrianism at work, perhaps? Anything is possible.

Since we are revisiting the Primavera Negra and Bobby Fuller subject, and since we are speaking of images and graphics, why not bring you a minor photographic update, courtesy of my younger sister, who had graciously volunteered to shoot some images for the original post, but which unfortunately were not ready on time. Nevertheless, the time is now.


The Bobby Fuller Way sign looks particularly nice with the Miami sky and the glorious greenery surrounding it, set in the neighborhood which he knew well.

And the very same mailbox next to which he was photographed in the early '50s still hangs on the facade of the Fuller home, a small memorial in its own way.





So, a blog glitch is fixed, the Robert Otis Fuller story continues to be told, and we remember once again the victims of Primavera Negra - The Black Spring.

April is a Taxing Month...

Pun intended! At least those who, like this blog author, must deal with the Internal Revenue Service here in the Good Ol' USA, would agree with the title of this post.

And this is one of many matters which have gotten between me and Father Time, this month; as well as many other chores, obligations, family and friend issues - fortunately nothing life-threatening or life-changing - and have made it very unlikely the usual reminiscence and bygone memories-filled post will become reality before the end of the month. The subject to be discussed requires thorough research and preparation to do it justice. Since yours truly is a firm believer in "quality before quantity," the planned post could not in good conscience just be slapped together. Therefore it will not be cobbled together carelessly. It should be ready for May publishing. Maybe? No, it will be done, God willing and with Father Time's cooperation. Bear with me this once, dear readers.

Instead, a little unusual post, hopefully short and sweet, out of character with the theme of this blog perhaps, is offered. Events in the past few weeks, and especially in the last few days have gotten your blogger down a bit, and have caused him to do some thinking - too much perhaps - and get a bit philosophical, pondering why bad things happen to good people, whether they are students cut down by a madman in the prime of life and intellect, or decent Habaneros and other Cubanos slowly being strangled and stifled at the hands of human predators who do not wish to allow them a life; or blogger brothers and sisters tearing each other up, rather than making common cause against the common enemy...

This anecdote, courtesy of a dear friend, sums it up perfectly - at least for me, at this time; sums it up because it points the way out of the strife, the turmoil, the violence, the agitation and restlessness of these times. Perhaps too simplistic, but simple lessons often hide deep wisdom by which we can all benefit. Starting with me.

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"
The wise old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

Which wolf are you feeding? I know I am having a lot of trouble feeding the Good Wolf within me...let us be careful not to feed the Evil Wolf within - lest it devour us instead.