Lazy is as Lazy Does

1/20/26

The word Lazy isn’t really a part of my vocabulary.  For me, I feel a little guilty when I don’t take full advantage of the limited and precious time we’re granted on this earth. I also somewhat irrationally feel that when I’m lazy, I’m admitting defeat to the aging process and declaring myself “Old”.    I know some people feel they’ve earned the right to be lazy, and I’m happy for them.  But for me, today was lazy.  And given that Forrest Gump was playing on the “Movie Under the Stars” screen this afternoon, that blog title manifested itself.  In my defense, I logged over 15,000 steps, so perhaps lazy is relative.

As mentioned in yesterday’s post, the last few days of any segment are bittersweet.  We said goodbye to Rich and Rose from Utah as they’re disembarking tomorrow.  We did 2 taxi tours with them and they were such fun to explore with.  I also said goodbye to Jason and Colleen, a youngish couple I played pickleball with.  He’s a retired cop and was likely a good one based on his large frame and even larger personality.  And as I approached the room before bed, I saw all the suitcases outside people’s staterooms.  It transported me 4 months into the future when that will be us preparing to disembark.  It definitely produces melancholy-type feelings. Lastly, playing into it all, we’ve had 2 consecutive days of time changes.  Now I’m waking at 3am ship time.  It just takes me a bit longer to adjust my sleep patterns.

So all in all, today was just a slow sea day of fitness time, guitar time (I’ve almost got “A Horse with No Name” memorized), reading time, pickleball time and casual conversations with fellow passengers.  Regarding “A Horse with No Name”, by America circa 1971, it’s just 2 chords but an interesting strum pattern.  I’m enjoying learning to play it as the lyrics could easily apply to this cruise.  Here’s what AI has to say about the meaning of a Horse with No Name:

"A Horse with No Name" by America symbolizes a journey towards tranquility and escape from life's chaos, using the desert as a metaphor for peace and freedom.  "A Horse with No Name" is a song by the American rock band America, written by Dewey Bunnell and released in 1971. The song became a significant hit, topping charts in several countries and becoming one of the band's most recognizable tracks.

The Horse: The "horse" in the song represents a means of escape or a vehicle to tranquility. Bunnell has described it as a metaphor for finding peace away from the confusion of everyday life. The absence of a name for the horse suggests a sense of freedom and anonymity, emphasizing the journey rather than the destination.

The Desert: The desert setting is crucial to the song's imagery. It symbolizes a place of solitude and reflection, contrasting with the chaos of urban life. Bunnell wrote the song while feeling trapped in rainy England, longing for the warmth and openness of the desert, which he associated with his childhood travels in the American Southwest.

Interpretations: While some listeners have interpreted the song as a metaphor for drug use, particularly due to the slang term "horse" for heroin, Bunnell has stated that this was not the intended meaning. Instead, the song reflects a desire to escape the pressures of modern life and find a peaceful state of mind.

Conclusion

Overall, "A Horse with No Name" captures the essence of seeking freedom and tranquility in a chaotic world. Its evocative lyrics and imagery resonate with listeners, making it a timeless classic that continues to be interpreted in various ways. The song's popularity and enduring appeal lie in its ability to evoke a sense of adventure and introspection.

Maybe I’ll do a remake “I’ve been through the Ocean on a Ship with No Name”

The Original	The Remake
On the first part of the journey, I was looking at all the life. There were plants and birds and rocks and things There was sand and hills and rings The first thing I met was a fly with a buzz And the sky with no clouds The heat was hot, and the ground was dry But the air was full of sound	On the first part of the journey I was looking at all the food, There were breads and stews and soups and things, there were fries and onion rings. The first thing I ate was a burger with cheese, the meat was hot and the bacon ground, I bet it was half a pound.
After two days in the desert sun My skin began to turn red After three days in the desert fun I was looking at a river bed And the story it told of a river that flowed Made me sad to think it was dead	After two days at the Lido Buffet, my weight began to spike.  After three days with a full meal tray, my belt declared a strike. The story it told of a jello mold made me sad I couldn’t eat more.
You see I've been through the desert On a horse with no name It felt good to be out of the rain In the desert, you can remember your name' Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain	You see I’ve been through the ocean on a ship with no name, it felt good to be at the buffet.  In the ocean, you can’t remember your weight cause there’s always food filling your plate.  La la la la la.

Tomorrow’s a big day as the rest of our PC family is joining us (not Politically Correct, Pacific Circle).