MAW

This is a great week. It's Marcel Appreciation Week!

I have had the good fortune to meet a dude who is super patient and kind--and not only to me.

He shares many of my values and beliefs about the right ways to behave to contribute to a functioning society.

I am so grateful for his generosity of time and food. We have discovered that experimenting with (and without) different recipes can lead to culinary mirth and nourishment, often with a ginger aftertaste.

Yesterday's specific points included thanking him for being such a conscientious and careful driver who shuttles me all over creation without ever complaining. How in the heck?

I admire how skilled he is at parenting two teenagers, now. He manages to keep his wits about him and maintain perspective of issues, taking multiple preferences into account at any given time.

Like I said, I am so excited about celebrating such a top human this week (and as often as possible).

 

Loving today.

November 2017 AntiGravity "Bird's Nest"

  This is where I am.  I could focus on all the things about myself that are different from others; such an exercise might help me understand surface reasons relationships ended as they did.  At least for now, I wish to celebrate the good choices that have been made for me and the ones I have made to get me as far as I have come.
  I think deeply and love fully.  I seek humor that refrains from ostracising people unfairly; ostriches are usually fair game, though.  If I am stronger than yesterday—physically, mentally, or both—I continue the evolution toward unlimited supporting of myself and thriving in my connection to community.
  This week I remembered a song like a long-lost friend from a couple of years ago.  The ukulele chords came back, first.  After playing other music, a general impression of the song returned.  I played some more other music.  Then, the notion that the lyrics were about a girl and included something silver surfaced.  I played more other tunes.  Then, "Suddenly I See" arrived and gave me the biggest hug!  I jumped up and down.  All the chords were there in muscle memory.  The lyrics came back, too.  What a moment.
  The next day, I got to spend an hour with two of my favorite visitor friends.  Little Amber sat on my feet at one point while I talked with her kind dad about his brilliant wife and other peaceful subjects.  She seemed curious but more calm.  I feel so inspired by their precious relationship with each other.
  Then yesterday, I got reacquainted with a mother who had asked to book me for her daughter's birthday party ten months in advance.  Now we're four months out and she gave me the exact date.  Her daughter wasn't sure about StoryPlace at first.  I slowed down and rested with her in the present, blowing bubbles, looking for the little mouse puppet, and playing peek-a-boo with her around the space until she calmed down and remembered the joy to be found there.
  I am so grateful to be alive.

Working through world news

Hope Town Lighthouse, Elbow Cay, Abaco, Bahamas by Dmadeo

I have been wishing for some guidance on how to maintain a personal calm while crazy stuff is happening overseas.

Today I thought, "Perhaps some of the advice I've gotten about other things in the past could apply to my present situation."
Maybe it can.

Some wise folks speaking at the Shambhala Meditation Centre of New York City have made their talks available in a podcast series, for which I am immensely grateful.  It's called Meditation in the City.  I hope to make a pilgrimage to the site someday and attend one of the Weekly Dharma Gatherings myself.  In the meantime, I listen, learn, and attempt to apply.

So, how should I act when others annoy me?  Well, Ethan Nichtern passed along some ideas from his teachers in the Buddhist tradition.  Start by choosing to get curious about the source of frustration and attempt growth.  Whenever I can remember that I'll never experience another sentient being's feelings directly, I may find it slightly less difficult to generate compassion, even as I feel a twinge of loneliness.  I think it was Lodro Rinzler who said that bit, actually.  Anyway, they both know their stuff!
Ethan spoke of the disappointment I could feel when I become aware that someone must take the high road, and I realise it is I.  If no one takes it, humanity's consciousness suffers the hit.  Knowledge offers me both power and responsibility.
What seems true, also, is the notion that happy people don't go around trying to cause conflict and pain for others.  Another way Ethan worded it once was, "I know you're suffering; that's why you did that stupid thing.  May you suffer less."  Occasionally I prefer the slightly more edgy, "Go love yourself."

Even with these kindness guidelines, I find news stories about poaching, murder, fraud, and rape really challenging.  I don't want to relocate under a box; yet, I feel powerless to "be the change I wish to see in the world" from here.  I avoid taking part in those activities myself and wouldn't pretend to approve of anyone's behaviour if they told me they did.  Even so, bringing up the topics in conversation seems like fear mongering or stirring up negativity unnecessarily.  I appreciate my isolation and the large number of aspects of my life which allow me to feel safe, peaceful, and abundant.

More songs for my nephew (and the other kids I'm lucky to have in my life)

Ostrich

That ostrich there takes fatherly care

He stays with his egg clutch for days (50!)

If twenty babies hatch and, "Need seeds!"

He's happy to help with that phase

Rhino

I've got a two-ton pal who runs with a crash

She charges credit when she's rationing cash

Her horn is made of keratin

Her skin is latticed collagen

And tapirs are her next of kin

Rhinoceros, rhinoceros

Go rhino, go!

That's Amore (or A Moray, in this case)

Ocean dwelling, pea green
If he seems a bit mean
That's a moray

With a mouth that won't close
Good for chomping his foes
That's a moray

Hiding in the reef, darting like a thief
Causing lots of grief as he sorts out his dinner

Seabaja.com Isla Tortuga photo Panamic green moray eels

Sharp serrated fangs out from overhangs
Curb his hunger pangs; he emerges a winner

Benthic fish with a wish
For raw crab on his dish
That's a moray

His fierce face from above
Only mothers could love
That's a moray

Check his vomerine teeth
He can hide in their sheath
That's a moray!

Kids' Songs

You'll have to check with me for the tunes on these; as far as I know they're not parodies of anything!

Giraffe

I'm a little giraffe, and I live in the zoo
I make friends with the staff; they look after me, too
When I'm five-and-a-half metres tall like my dad
I can reach my own leaves
Won't I be glad?!

Horse

The horse gets up rather early

She finds her favourite grass and hay

And when the dew shines soft and pearly

She knows it's going to be a great day!

Musical Tour of 20th Century Exhibition

1940s
Take the A Train (1938, Billy Strayhorn)

You must fight the Germans

And host 100,000 (a hundred thousand) other soldiers

1,400 (Fourteen hundred) women

Will pack up and depart with their new husbands

But your kids can go to Health Camps

Maintain teeth that shine like headlamps

Alas! What of the Treaty?

One hundred years from signing we’re reminded

Of the promises made then.


1950s
Hound Dog (1952, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller)

I wouldn’t want to be a Springbok in 1956

I wouldn’t wanna be a Springbok in 1956

When the All Blacks win at Eden and they send them home with nix

But back another 3 years, that is quite a time

Jump back another 3 years; that is quite a time

There’s a visit from Elizabeth and Edmund’s famous climb!


1960s
Hello Dolly (1963, Jerry Herman)

Goodbye, railways

Yes, so long, assets

We enjoyed the opportunities for wealth

These User Pays changes challenge all ranges

After medical and Uni bills

We’re left with … health

At least the pub’s serving

All the deserving

And the pill allows for family planning, too

Hey, brave UK people

Pack up and head our way, people

NZ may never grow this way, again.


1970s
Sing a Song (1972, Joe Raposo)

March, march along

Claim our ground

Show we’re strong

Speak for ancestors gone

Let their stories live on

Hey! Women, too.

We’ve been stifled and now it’s time we flew

Some worry while others act in ways to rectify what was wrong

We march, march along.


1980s
Thriller (1983, Rod Temperton)

It’s close to midnight and something evil’s lurking in the dark

Under the moonlight they feel a jolt that almost stops their heart

They spring to life

Their sinking ship is not imagination

Their only crime was stepping up to controversial lines

(There were no signs)

On this the terror, terror night

The secret agents bomb the Greenpeace ship without a fight

This is a terror, terror night

And France’s flat denial only serves to heighten the slight.


1990s
You’ve Got a Friend in Me (1995, Randy Newman)

They’ve got some land for me

They’ve got some land for me

Thanks, Waitangi, help them see

Uphold the Treaty and its bold decree

With the Tribunal settle 2 and 3

Return stolen land to me

Won’t you please?

Give back my land to me

(Bridge)
Some folks might be a bit more conservative

Naïve and frightened, too

But with the new Human Rights Act

We’re free to be ourselves with glee

And as the years go by

These issues could fade and die

If we work towards unity

Fair treatment sea to sea

It’s our plea

Same opportunities

Let it be

Grant what is right to me!

Nose to the ground

Looking down until you're better

Your mirror lets you see the view

It's a temporary fetter

Determination gets you through

A week or two to be cared for

Is certainly not a big deal

Is there a soul who has shared more?

Give your cells what they need to heal

Knowing you, you'll gain great insights

I surely hope that you will share

Some unforeseeable delights

You find through stillness and a chair

Fun times await you through the year

You're tough to have fit them all in

Continue on with your career

I'm honored that I am your kin.

Tribute (good memories of March)

As promised in the previous post:

You improve my best reflection with you pallette of correction
And I wear a bronze complexion; I glow.  Let me know...

Are you all wizards or are you magicians?
If you're magicians, you are wizzes of magicians!
You make up powers I can't comprehend and my wig reflects the extra time you spend.

You detonate my eyes to magnify their size;
It's such a cool disguise.  For those who knew me: SURPRISE!

I'm a girl who feels like a goddess
Thanks to you artists with your aerosol and iso.
You fix my mind by fixing my make-up.
Imagination fills your overflowing cup!

Now won't you use your stipple sponge
Reload me up with sooty grunge?
Dragons make a mess; wigs redress.

I look smokin' when I'm dying
Oh, burning to the ground!
Thank you make-up gurus, haristyle masters,
My artists and my friends!
Dale in 2012, to the end. <3

Good Times Ahead

26 January 2012
  I have started meditating.  Apparently, my new hobby has the potential to make me smarter and shrink my worry and fear centre.  Time will tell, I suppose.  In the meantime I enjoy the clarity I have found and the bit of space between thoughts.
  Finally the start date for Philosophy Part 2 has nearly arrived.  I hear this section will focus on happiness.  I'm guessing it might not be so much about the pursuit, though.  I think that pursuing things (sometimes, in certain ways) could be the best way to avoid them.

3 April 2012 (here in New Zealand, anyway)
  Maybe I should go ahead and post this before too much more time passes.
  What a year it's been, so far!  I LOVE my Philosophy class; this term is nearly finished, now.  I remember the few days I managed to meditate with fondness.  How quickly I fell off of that wagon.  Perhaps I can get back on at some point.
  I had an incredible opportunity to work on a movie for 4 fun-filled days.  I had to sign more than one confidentiality agreement; so I'll wait until December (at least) to talk about it further.  I might post the lyrics to the parody of "Man or Muppet" I wrote to thank the lovely and patient make-up artists working with us, though...
  I am very grateful for the chance I've had to teach a preschool music class one day a week as part of my normal shift.  There are so many talented Kiwi artists producing terrific material suitable for starting young children off on the right foot for appreciating the wonderful language/world of music.
  "I like life.  Life likes me.  Life and I very fully agree.  Life is fine; life is good—especially mine, which is just as it should be..."

The School of Practical Philosophy

I've just finished up my first ten-session class in the beautiful mansion on the hill in Aro Valley, Wellington.  I participated in weekly two-and-a-half hour discussions on contemplating ways a wise person would approach decision making, finding moments to pause and tune in to the senses, knowing thyself, considering levels of awareness, being present, balancing the different sources of energy in life, acting justly, using reason, considering beauty, exploring unity and seeking truth.  I learned something every time and established a foundation on which to build a more solid (and, I hope, more fun to be around) Anna.  I can't believe I have to wait nearly two months to start the next class!  With the hours I'll have free I guess I could get inspired to find some supportive material at the library in the meantime or begin the long journey back into physical shape.

Sending thoughts of love and peace across cyberspace to you.

No More Shortcuts

I've burned a few bridges on this leg
And have eaten the humblest pie
I've tasted my toes and masqued with egg
Climbing down from my horse so high

It seems that my britches may have shrunk
Coinciding with "Banquet Self"
The poppy-mowing landscaper punk
Knew my pride belongs on the shelf

At last reality's fully checked
Any ruffled feathers were plucked
I'll start at the bottom, EARN respect
And embrace the system I bucked.

PSA for the EQC

Can be sung over the tune of "Special" from Avenue Q.

So, the woman you ALL will want to hear
The Newtown Community Centre is proud to present
Fresh from her world tour, headlining in
Haiti, Japan and Christchurch, New Zealand.
Please give a warm hand to
The star of Mother Nature Fights Back, Quake Safe Your Home and Survive a Tsunami
Lizzie the Safety Officer!


I can help you feel certain
That you’d know what to do
I can help you get ready
For a 7.2

The risks that we face just repeat each day
Think and know when you’d go and where you’d stay
And maybe you feel like, “It won’t hit here.”
But all the same, it’s good to prep some gear.


[Spoken: Yeah, they’re real (while showing the earthquake risk map).]


In other places the earth holds still
And seawater stays in the sea
But you might move to let down your guard
And get fires or flooding in your backyard

Some will accelerando but you can ritard with me
With me…
Others panic and speed up but you can stay calm and ritard with me.

Birth, Death and Disrespectful Idiots

(Tahoenathan's photograph of some Death Valley sand dunes looking East toward Nevada)

The great circle of life still feels scarily close. I don't know why I thought it might just be a strange phenomenon of 2010. I am over the moon for people I know who are starting a family of their own and/or creating precious new additions to their team. Each death of a family member, a friend or a friend's relation affects me in a distinct way, though.

Lately I have been considering the importance and various manners of finding closure. I would imagine that ever since people have died and left survivors rituals have been created to comfort those still alive.

Why do some people feel like nothing will ever matter, again? Why do some choose to push others away? Aren't we able to decide how attached we are to people or events? What is the right balance in the illusion of control or going with the flow of life's challenges?

I could certainly ask myself the last two questions when I encounter people who seem to take everything for granted and act as thought the world revolves around their every whim. Looking at the bigger picture reminds me that they don't have to figure in to my day.

(Public domain image of a cool lightning storm over Boston from NOAA, taken by a Boston Globe photographer)

2010 Reflections

Had to get this started. Off to a New Year's party so I can get home early. I want to ring in the new year with a morning skate. Oh weather, please cooperate.

I had so little to say for so long.

November musings

I can't believe how quickly 2010 went.

Right now I'm feeling bogged down by people masquerading as my friends but not really being there for me in a friendly way.

This too shall pass.

I wish I knew what was true and the rest of the real story about FaceBook.

More fiery lyrics

(Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious)
Conflagrations happen where there's not enough hydration
Running rampant they wreak havoc on dry vegetation
Adding wind allows them to cause widespread devastation
Maintain irrigation to avoid this situation
Aren't you glad we had this most important conversation?



(Every Breath You Take - bridge)
Though you know folks who smoke and seem all right
And you've found it controls your appetite
It stains your teeth but looks cool to hold a light
The government still campaigns to end the fight
So weigh options; know statistics, please...

Fiery Song Lyrics

(Flintstones)

Pyro, pyrotechnics
That's the stuff exploding in the sky.
Shot there with a launcher
By a fireworkin' girl or guy.

Sometimes they can give me quite a fright
Booms and flashes cuttin' through the night.

When I'm watchin' fireworks
I feel just a bit excited
Even delighted
The wonders fill my head.









(Build Me Up, Buttercup)

Why did you burn it down?
Dottie's log cabin was the best in town.
When word gets around
She'll come after you
And ask you some things about the stuff you do
From "out of the blue."

It's not right.
Won't you take all that fire and
Use it to do something good?
Weld a pipe
Heat a room?
I know you could.

(Jamaica Farewell)

By the bay the other day
I smelled smoke and saw fire in a restaurant.
I rang alone on my mobile phone
For help to save this place - my favorite haunt.

And I'm stoked to say that right away
FIREMEN came and saved the day.
They doused the flame
They found out who was to blame
And I admit I think my life will never be the same.

(Livin' on a Prayer)

We're gonna cook all the food we caught.
It doesn't make a difference if you like it or not.
We have some eels and in that kete there
The possum we shot.

Oh, we're cookin' out.
That's what campin's all about.
Get some wood; I'll show you how.
Oh, light the fire now.






(Bare Necessities)

When we go burning DVDs
Supporting pirate entities
We're causing actors poverty and strife.
So? BUT
If we keep burning DVDs
We're following a recipe
To rob the whole film industry of life!

Head down to the theater, the video store.
The picture looks sweeter
Outside our door.

Although the illegalities may never be enforced with ease
When the credits roll let's use wit.
How would it sit if the hardest hit were members of the crew?
Their job security depends on what we do.
Let's pull them through.

(From Me to You)

You'll get back on your feet again.
You'll recover and start anew.
I know you will, and I'm singin' this song
'Cause I've been fired, too.

We had jobs (we thought) that needed us
And loved the work we did.
Then the storm cloud that impeded us
The truth no longer hid. (Ugh)

Try to see this a different way.
You've got dreams you can follow through.
You're finally free and you're movin' along.
Do what you like to do.
You'll join the chosen few.















(We're Off to See the Wizard)

We'll burn these onto CD
The wonderful pictures of, "Aw."
The shots we got of all of our tots
The hardest of hearts to thaw.

The coldest and bitter don't stand a chance
With pictures of babies and puppies in France
They'll soften, thaw, warm up, defrost and MELT
Feel squishier than they've ever felt
*whistle*

We'll burn these onto CD
The wonderful pictures of, "Aw!"
























(FAME)

They're never the same - flame
Ages ago in Athens athletes began to compete - neat
Now it biannually happens, switching between cold and heat - flame
Running through hosting countries, lighting the way to the games - flame
Honoring rich tradition, no two are ever the same - Olympics, Olympics, Olympics...

Oh, NO!

I can't believe how quickly last month seemed to pass. That's what happens when you get really busy, I suppose. First came the School Holiday deluge of visitors making every work day into a struggle for survival (in a good way). Then Little Shop of Horrors opened and ran for three lovely weekends. In the midst of all that I moved for the first time in three years. Wow, do I have a superfluity of junk. But what will be the topic of my next blog? Say, it isn't writing about figuring out what to write about, is it?!

Well, current circumstances call for me to offer some sort of proof of my worth. I'm OK at meeting deadlines, generally. It seems to depend a bit on who set them, though. I connect intellectually with kids under five years of age pretty effectively, usually. I realise that last claim wouldn't carry much weight in some professions. I find it useful in my current one, though. I care about my teammates and show that by giving them variety in their schedule (when it's up to me) and by trying to take care of myself so that I can stay healthy, especially when we're short-staffed.

In other news, I have been really blessed to have found some incredibly positive friends who have increased the joy in my life at least ten-fold. Things are looking up.

(By the way, I chose these pictures because they have clocks in them and are set in NYC and Wellington -- two great cities in which I have spent some quality time.)

A New Low

I struggle to think of something that is right in my life
I looked back at old blogs for some inspiration and found the same troubled patterns
Sometimes poetry can pull me up
I maintain a tense-jawed hope that this could turn into one of those times
Off I go to search for some Billy Collins stuff

He said this (among other things):
"As I'm writing, I'm always reader conscious. I have one reader in mind, someone who is in the room with me, and who I'm talking to, and I want to make sure I don't talk too fast, or too glibly. Usually I try to create a hospitable tone at the beginning of a poem. Stepping from the title to the first lines is like stepping into a canoe. A lot of things can go wrong."