The Convivial Gist

                Have you ever thought about  how ants feel when they have sore feet from walking constantly  in search of food ? Do they ever scowl, grouse or go to their mothers, husbands or friends for solace? I have a nagging pain my my left ear from cold infection and I am reduced to a contemplative state of analyzing the physical pain of these social insects that belong to the species of Formicidae .  Are there any studies made  to measure the threshold of pain this animal can endure? How do ants  manage pain? I bet there are multitudes of dissertation made on these topics but I am making these as simple as the pain of an ant.   Humans being a more complex creature had to endure aggregation of suffering ; from physical to psychological to phantom pain.  If we can duplicate how the animals endure pain maybe life would be less stressful.   Having bigger brain, inconsequential  issues that would otherwise be of no consequence to our existence are magnified a thousand times

The end of the work day starts with the fifteen minutes ride in the train. She considers that space as an extension of her cubicle in her office. Taking the same car at the same time, she will end up with the same home bound cube dwellers, perhaps doing the same ritual that she does at the end of the day. The white dignified lady, the two African American women who sits together, the middle aged passenger who she presumes is mentally challenged, for when she gets in the train and her favorite spot ,the first 2 seats nearest to the door are occupied, she would turn beet red and start silently cursing, prompting the dignified looking lady to request the unsuspecting occupant to give the cursing lady her pre-ordained seat. Every one have its designated spot, settling in and doing their business on how to pass the time on the train, some opening their dog eared books ready to lose themselves in the unfolding storyline, others will drown their thoughts with their IPODs or immersed them

I was the last child of my mother, she died when I was a baby at the age of 40. Being motherless and with other 9 siblings to contend with ,ain't no fun.  People, successful or the opposite of what a succes should be are often asked, would you change the story of your life  if you are given the chance? Answer of  course would be relative, who would want to be a hobo all their lives; Bill Gates will say no, I am betting my last dollar on it.  After ruminating the events that had transpired from the day I saw the daylight (not even sure if I was born on daytime or at night) to where I am right now (a happy married life, good health, loving family and friends; and a demanding cat) there is only one thing I would change. I wish my mother had not died young.  But I believe there is no such thing as untimely death. If its your time its your time, no ifs and buts.  My siblings and I often wonder the scenario if Nanay is alive. What would she look like at old age, will the direction of