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.