Managua Rain and I think its time to change.

Raindrops keep fallin' on my head And just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed Nothin' seems to fit Those raindrops are fallin' on my head, they keep fallin'

So I just did me some talkin' to the sun And I said I didn't like the way he got things done Sleepin' on the job Those raindrops are fallin' on my head, they keep fallin'

But there's one thing I know The blues they send to meet me won't defeat me It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me

Raindrops keep fallin' on my head But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turnin' red Cryin's not for me 'Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complainin' Because I'm free Nothin's worryin' me

... but this is where I am and this is the last country I will live in. I tried living in other countries, became unhappy, moved on. But it was me I was moving on from. Perhaps, now it is too late, I could have changed and those other countries would not have made me unhappy. For it was not they that made me so; it was me, stabbing myself in the back.

I always worked for 'the man' and took a low level of responsibility as a mental path of escape. If I am not responsible then the consequences are the result of others and I could play the Blame Game. If you blame enough people, life becomes uncomfortable and you move on. That was the old me.

I came to Nicaragua. I work for me now. If its wrong, its because I didn't explain clearly or enough times. if I explained it 20 times and quite clearly and its still wrong then its my fault because I chose this employee or that contractor. The Blame Game here is incredibly easy and - because it is so easy - the futility is exposed.

Would I blame a baby for not knowing how to speak? Or a dog for not knowing where to pee? Given the background, Nicaraguans are exactly what could be reasonably expected.

I am learning to love this country that was kind enough to open its arms to me; to these people who can be so happy with so little. I am learning to love myself and to be comfortable with who I am.

I can never thank Nicaragua enough for opening my mind to a new set of possibilities and a different way of life.

May the rains continue to come.

I didnt know you, Bob, but go in peace.

Bob. I am a relatively new member here and have been reluctant to enter the fray that I often see many posts degenerate into of late. However, in that discussions of rethinking the site and allegations of censorship etc. are being discussed, perhaps it is time for me to contribute by "dos centavos" although doing so may well paint a large bullseye on my posterior.

Like most, I joined this site because I had a real desire to learn about the real Nicaragua, not just the stuff of tourist brochures or real estate guides. I did this because of my plans/desires to move there, (sooner rather than later). For the most part, this site has been a wellspring of wonderful and useful information. The vast majority of the people who I have encountered here are clearly thoughtful, imtelligent, caring people who posses a deep love and respect for Nicaragua and for each other. I am deeply grateful to you all for the knowledge and insights you so generously share.

On the other hand, it would be so much better if you did not have to tip-toe around the puddles of emotional and political vomit that are spread around the site. I swear, a post could start out discussing chocolate chip cookie recipes and end up into a political brawl over American foriegn policy or the history of Che Guevera.

I am a firm believer in the benefits that free speech bring to any culture or country. I think we should keep any site-imposed censorship to a clearly defined minimum and then strictly enforce that minimum. What we could use a GREAT DEAL more of, however, is SELF CENSORSHIP (IMHO). If I may be so bold I might suggest a few guidelines:

1. Most of the members here seem to be mature adults who have long ago developed their own thoughtfully developed positions on most current topics, myself included. While I enjoy an intelligent discussion on most any subject, I do not enjoy being lectured to by anyone who is rediculous enough to believe they are the sole possesor of the truth and that "their side" has a lock on the entire answer pool. If you do not posses the ability to shut up, listen and learn, as well as lecture, you may not be aware of how foolish you appear to the rest of us.

2. If you find yourself typing a post that uses a lot of words like "Leftie", "Commie", "Facist", "Nazi", "Rightwing", "Leftwing" "Imperialist" "Anti-American", etc., you are probably only talking to yourself and there is no sense in boring the rest of us with your infantile catharsis. That kind of juvenile jingoism has never converted a single person to your point of view so please... spare the rest of us. I guarantee you that if this site had web cams, you would just see a chorus of YAWNS.

3. Figure out where you are posting. Although many of us spend a lot (too much? :-}) time here, it is obviously not the only website. If you wish to discuss the merits of America's involvement in Iraq, there are tons of websites, blogs and discussion groups dedicated to that very purpose, go THERE. If you wish to post pictures of naked women, there are likewise tons of sites for that purpose as well... go THERE (contact me seperately and I can give you a list of my favorites). (Incidentally, the photo of the semi-clothed girl passed out on the table is not a Nica topic. The photo has been around for a long time and any idiot can tell the FDC was just "Photoshopped" in there.) The rest of the photos I usually see are terrific and give me great insight into your country, Let me join with others in sending kudos to Honky on his fantastic slideshow and its well chosen music.

In short, I would like to see people treat this place like a great cocktail party, lots of friends, fun and interesting discussions among friends. If all you can do is scream and yell and try to pick a fight.... take it outside!

Well, I have rambled long enough. If you need me, I will be on the porch with Bob, a FDC in one hand and a Joya de Nicaragua in the other, listening to the rain.

because it’s another place on earth where I can continue to realize and recognize my dreams. I believe dreams do come true and one just has to learn how to recognize them once they’re realized.

There ain't no Mountain to high!

- "If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun" Katherine Hepburn

The rants from both extremes are getting tiresome. I was raking leaves (23 bags) and thinking how much different it is with 4 seasons and 3 inches of snow forecast for tonite. I think I can adapt to wet and dry seasons quite easily. Enjoy your warm rain - another reason to love Nica.

First Release

The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan 1963 { RealAudio } WindowsMedia { 56 }

Compilation

Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 1971 { RealAudio } WindowsMedia { 56 }

Oh, where have you been, my blue-eyed son? Oh, where have you been, my darling young one? I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains, I've walked and I've crawled on six crooked highways, I've stepped in the middle of seven sad forests, I've been out in front of a dozen dead oceans, I've been ten thousand miles in the mouth of a graveyard, And it's a hard, and it's a hard, it's a hard, and it's a hard, And it's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.

Oh, what did you see, my blue-eyed son? Oh, what did you see, my darling young one? I saw a newborn baby with wild wolves all around it I saw a highway of diamonds with nobody on it, I saw a black branch with blood that kept drippin', I saw a room full of men with their hammers a-bleedin', I saw a white ladder all covered with water, I saw ten thousand talkers whose tongues were all broken, I saw guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children, And it's a hard, and it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard, And it's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.

And what did you hear, my blue-eyed son? And what did you hear, my darling young one? I heard the sound of a thunder, it roared out a warnin', Heard the roar of a wave that could drown the whole world, Heard one hundred drummers whose hands were a-blazin', Heard ten thousand whisperin' and nobody listenin', Heard one person starve, I heard many people laughin', Heard the song of a poet who died in the gutter, Heard the sound of a clown who cried in the alley, And it's a hard, and it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard, And it's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.

Oh, who did you meet, my blue-eyed son? Who did you meet, my darling young one? I met a young child beside a dead pony, I met a white man who walked a black dog, I met a young woman whose body was burning, I met a young girl, she gave me a rainbow, I met one man who was wounded in love, I met another man who was wounded with hatred, And it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard, It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.

Oh, what'll you do now, my blue-eyed son? Oh, what'll you do now, my darling young one? I'm a-goin' back out 'fore the rain starts a-fallin', I'll walk to the depths of the deepest black forest, Where the people are many and their hands are all empty, Where the pellets of poison are flooding their waters, Where the home in the valley meets the damp dirty prison, Where the executioner's face is always well hidden, Where hunger is ugly, where souls are forgotten, Where black is the color, where none is the number, And I'll tell it and think it and speak it and breathe it, And reflect it from the mountain so all souls can see it, Then I'll stand on the ocean until I start sinkin', But I'll know my song well before I start singin', And it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard, It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.

Copyright © 1963; renewed 1991 Special Rider Music

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