How long does it take to become complacent?

How long before you feel like you can just sit down, settle in, and make a place for yourself?

And then, just when you think things are just swimming along with a sense of normalcy

The ground begins to shake.


You know, right then and there, that your life is about to become something different.

That you are going to have to pull up stakes, get your things together

And get the hell out of Dodge.

Because if you don't, well

There are consequences.


Such has been my life of late.

Motoring along with a strange sense of settling.

Getting that picnic blanket spread out just so perfectly.

Basket on the ground, food and drink getting arranged.

Looking at the fine scenery all around.


Then, I see just the tiniest wisp of smoke in the air

Just over there.

On top of that seemingly peaceable mountain.

Next thing I know, I am rushing to a new place.

A different place

One that has a different sense of surroundings.


Once again.


I am sure you have had the same experience, haven't you?

Just getting used to being where you are.

Expecting things to happen just they way they have been happening.

So many times before.


Coming over to visit this site, even.

Just checking in, seeing if the Expat has awakened.

No, not today, you might think.

I guess I'll just move along, then.

Maybe check back again another day.


Because, sure as you are there, reading again.

You know that the ground will surely shift, sooner or later.

That the warmer substances that circulate deep within

Will  eventually make their presence known.

And, just as abruptly.


Make an appearance.

With all the concurrent chaos and grumbling and ground-shaking.


Just driving home this evening, I was

Getting used to having things just so in my life.

Listening to music on the XM radio,

Getting ready for the weekend,

When, suddenly


I knew that there was something else going on.

Much deeper, much more profound

Than whatever I was used to enduring these past few weeks and months.

And, as you all know so well, something had to be done about this.

Expressed.

Vented.

Engaged, even with you - yet again.


Sure enough, the computer comes alive again here in my little apartment.

And the pages shift over to, well, you know.

Here.


Like all of you have done before

Like all of us have so often experienced

Even those settled-in denizens

Of lands that take for granted, sometimes

That the grand old man down the way will remain

Just as he is.


Sometimes, he does just that.

Many days, many months, many years in the same way.

But eventually, as the Fujis and the Popos and the St. Helen's wont to do


Something else takes place


And with it, a new reality

A new place for you to be

A new place to adjust, to settle

To try as we might,

To avoid complacency.


Because, just when that happens, once again.

You can only look from side to side, maybe at another.

While you are going about your daily business, visiting.

And exclaim, suddenly,

Before you see the words that flow from here...


"What's that noise?"