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Mark Valencia
MARK AND B HOLIDAY LETTER 2019
My life is winding down. I really don’t have anything significant to say about my experiences over the past year—except that I’m still here and still kickin’!! When I wake up and get out of bed in the morning, it’s a gift of another day in extra time. The alternative is increasingly a possibility but I take it one day at a time. However, given my various health scares of previous years, this year was relatively uneventful. I’m not running any marathons –except the one of life—I can only walk 50 feet or so without stopping to catch my breath—which is why --after a lifetime of travel--I don’t travel anymore—and I really don’t miss it –especially given the associated annoying hassle these days. Of course the pancreatic cysts are still there –and recently I have had a few episodes of angina—doc says my arteries are probably clogging again—will have another angiogram next month--but comparatively --so far so good.
I reached an attitudinal tipping point over the last several years. I have always been a contrarian-and I and my views on maritime issues in Asia—particularly the US--China contest in the South China Sea –have grated on the US government and supporters of its positions. Now I have reluctantly concluded that I and my submissions are essentially blacklisted by certain establishment think tanks and publications. Fortunately in this internet age, there are many alternative outlets for my work especially in Asia and I take advantage of that—publishing about an article a week in various outlets --but at least once a month in the South China Morning Post—a regionally reputable but not particularly pro-American daily. So rather than “hang it up” I have decided to let it “all hang out” by stepping up my writing of oped pieces and commentaries on others’ opeds—particularly those opeds supporting US positions and bashing China. There are no angels in the sad saga of the South China Sea and the U.S. is as much or more to blame for the tensions there as China. I have become rather good at it judging by the howls of protests from my targets and supportive comments I get from those unable or unwilling to voice similar views themselves. My greatest accolade so far was from one leading US militarist who was quoted as referring to me as “a son of a bitch—but a smart son of a bitch!!” So I have found my retirement hobby –speaking truth to power ,being a gadfly --or as some might say-- a “pain in the arse” (some would say I was always that)—and the beauty of it is that I get paid for some of my writings as well!! So I am still stirring the pot and poking the bear in the cage!
The grandkids in Hawaii—and their parents –come to us a couple of times a week. It is exhilarating to watch them learn and grow—and to begin to become what they will be. My greatest regret is that I won’t see how they turn out—but so far so good. I am trying to figure out the right time to introduce them to the Valencia rites of passage I have been saving for a long time–a Whammo slingshot, a BB pistol, throwing knives, switchblade, and blowgun with sharp metal tipped darts—all things I longed for as a youth but never had—except for the slingshots Smiddy and I made ourselves and much later, a BB rifle.
This year was a bonus because Aishah and her family will have come twice from Virginia—once for my 75th birthday in July and once for the holidays when we will all be together again as one family. Since I no longer travel and Dave and Aishah have only so much vacation, these are very precious times.
B has her normal routine of tending her gorgeous flower and spice garden --punctuated by trips. In March she was off to Malaysia for her niece’s wedding in the village. Besides being her annual ‘cultural refresher’, this trip was particularly emotionally rewarding. Since the wedding was a major family event, she reconnected with distant relatives and family friends she had not seen in years.
Then in October she went to California to visit her long time Malaysian friend Janat –a college professor in California. They had a good time together—some sightseeing—and a lot of expatriate cultural reinforcement. I know the desire and need having lived overseas for several years at a stretch without a ‘home leave’.
So here we are at dusk sitting at the pool’s edge for happy hour(s), watching the sky become a kaleidoscope of color, reminiscing about our latest voyage round the sun and wishing you were here. Come join us!!
From our humble home to yours—‘til next year at this time.
CHEERS
MARK AND B
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