Thursday, December 30, 2010

comfortably uncomfortable

new year's is my favorite.  mostest.

as the wise Thao says, we brave bee stings and all.

if you're into reflection and celebration and all that hocus pocus, i hope each of you enjoys your new year's reflection and celebration.  

I'm thankful.  Oh so thankful.


don't these kind of make me look like kermit the frog?

you're invited!

it's not too late.

http://artclash.com/index.php?page=newshows

won't you join me?
go through the link on my facebook page!

I just came up with my January project last night...I'll keep you posted.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

empire state of mind

belly distenders






Is "app" a word in the Scrabble dictionary?

my yaktrax allow me to walk confidently in ice around town.


but I do find myself walking like a nervous duck on the Rite Aid floor...

the tradeoffs in life.

badass bikers put me to shame

while feigning humility, I'll confess that I've mostly thought myself a pretty badass cyclist.


but when Sharon rides this beast:


yes that's sheepskin

in weather like this:

I have to tip my hat.  
I concede that I am just not that badass.

as an aside:
Sharon wears an eye patch 
and despite my attempts to banish it from my thoughts,
when she rides by me, fabric a-flowing, I hear the wicked witch music in my head.
Sharon also is the only person at whom I've heard my family's dog bark.
and she once asked me in front of a long line of customers at the grocery store,
if I had a bladder infection because she noticed I go to the bathroom quite frequently.
I kindly told her that I'm well hydrated.
She proceeded to tell me that she opts to preserve her own urine.
The conversation continued but I'll spare you.

This evening, as Sharon rolled up to the Rite Aid, I asked if she had studded tires on that thing.

She laughed and said yes, but in reality, she has the most balded tires I've seen.

Not a bad idea.
Tyler knows what's up.


Monday, December 13, 2010

hello my name is...

What I'm working on mentally calculating is, when exactly did I go from "Miss" to "Ma'am"?






Wednesday, December 1, 2010

constants and variables

if M then RI 
     
      R = M + I


          I = M/R
               
               I-M = delta R


change may be the only variable that's constant.


Sunday, November 28, 2010

I don't want to alarm anyone

I just want to inform you that Mercury is about to go Retrograde.
This can cause challenges in communication and information and Mercury rules these domains.

This need not be catastrophic, in fact, simple awareness of it can help.

But we are heading into the high travel season of the holidays and one of my favorite astrologers, Dipali has some helpful hints for us:

Best Way to Prepare & Suggestions:
The suggestion is: to finish up Holiday shopping in advance, writing out cards and any other preparation ahead of time. Due to Mercury being retrograde during most of December, people may encounter more mental stress and strain with delays or snags in travel. It is best to value the quiet time and appreciate the fact that the things slowing down will ultimately help you if you have the understanding. -Complete things that are left undone, projects, organizing, sorting out. -Triple Check all appointment details -Add extra space between appointments and while traveling -Back up your important documents, files and pictures onto an external hard drive. -Leave time to mediate, relax, dream and be in the non-linear space -Try not to force the mind to produce if you don’t have to. -Wait to sign important documents or make major decision until early January 2011. -Wait to purchase “brand new” electronic items if possible (renewal is fine) -Clear Away Clutter: old documents, paperwork, files & sort through the last 3 months. -Renew commitments. -Now is the time to review your thoughts, perceptions, words and actions to see if they are in alignment (Capricorn) with your goal(s).


the good news is there is a huge potential for transformative energy in the coming weeks.



I'm going to go back to painting my nails.


Tuesday, November 23, 2010

litmus test

What if time is the only true litmus test?


I recently heard a guy say as a child he was a slave to his impulses.  Now he's a slave to his habits.

This morning I was a slave to my sleep habit not my yoga habit.

I predict the same scenario for tomorrow.

Am I repeating myself?

Blogspot is stupid and has rejected all the photos I've tried to upload.



PS I lied, I don't believe in litmus tests.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

In The Beginning



Should We Talk About The Weather?








ladies and gentlemen,  Jupiter has entered Pisces.
as such, this is an excellent time to give back or to "pay it forward."
don't judge the expression "pay it forward" by that movie with that kid who sees dead people.
but it's one way to keep the energy flowing.  
flow and movement are good in my book.

additionally, full moon in taurus today.
we might be feeling over sensitive during this time
your friendly neighborhood astrologer might recommend taking it slow around the full moon.

in other news, it's snowing again and we are officially 3 working days from thanksgiving.



Saturday, November 20, 2010

beets taste like dirt.

brussel sprouts make my apartment smell like pee.

I love 'em both.

Thanksgiving Feast, bring it.

Expressions of gratitude are not limited to this one day.
But I do like the swollen size of my belly to be proportional to the ongoing gratitude that I feel.



elucidate


there have been a lot of seemingly untimely passings lately. 

I wish it all made sense.

I take them as reminders of love.

I light a candle to each of them.

Friday, November 19, 2010

miracles happen and shit happens.

I'm going to be chewing on this one for some time.  
Kind of like a cow's digestive system.  
Four stomachs!


According to Judith Lasater: svadhyaya as "more than just mental clarity. It is the deep acknowledgment of the oneness of Self with all that is. In other words, to practice svadhyaya is to begin to dissolve the illusion of separateness we feel from ourselves, those around us, and our world. To practice svadhyaya is to find God in the person standing in front of us at this very moment."




the Samarya Center newsletter is chock full of brilliance this month.
here's the link but November's isn't posted yet.  
patience.
or scroll to the bottom of any page of the website and subscribe for the sneak peak.



Miracles Happen and Shit Happens.
I have consciously adjusted my life because of the life events this year. I can't fully say why it takes a series of crisis events to begin to live more fully, and I have.   I have slowed down a bit more. Hold my loved ones closer and longer. Turn off my phone and really be with the person I am with. Smile more. Give more -I saw a man asking for money with a sign that he had colon cancer and no money. I walked right by-- a block later I turned around, walked back and gave the man some money. I drive slower and let more people in on the freeway. I find myself more willing to let someone have the arm room on a crowded airplane. Hang with a friend having altitude sickness rather than bagging another mountain summit, and be thankful and feel better for the time with this friend. People I have perceived as competitors have become significant friends.
A part of the gift I have received is that I am less worried about my fears of future events, how much I will have and why someone said what they did. I am living now and my life is more full than ever.

Jim Hayden, Board President


I do believe we are not dealt more than we are able to handle.
We have the capacity to hold a space for it all.


Thursday, November 18, 2010

it'll all work out


sometimes it's hard to believe but i'm pretty sure all of it all works out
in the end...perhaps
but maybe universally.
continuously.
like a dj looping your favorite sample
if you can get past the moment of hesitation and fear...




an update:
venus returns to direct motion today and jupiter tomorrow. 
four day weekend is four work days away.

a kitten on fire

a baby in a blender



Both Sound As Sweet As A Night Of Surrender.
I Know It Ain't Easy - But You Do What You Can. 
If Your Livin Gets Weezy - You Can Follow This Plan:
Put In More Than You Could Ever Get Out. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNkBlm44lTQ

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

he who feels punctured

must have been a bubble.


maybe the point is not to be humble.
maybe the point is to be honest.


Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Sunday, November 14, 2010

ahimsa

a friend of mine just posted that she is dedicating herself to living life with intention.
she's starting with ahimsa and i'm thinking i'll join her.

ahimsa is the first of Patanjali's 8 limbs of yoga.
it's the principle of non-harming.

the hardest aspect of my life to which i try to apply this principle is in right thoughts.
non-harming thoughts to myself and to others.
from right thought comes right action.

i'll be trying to explore this over the next month.


Saturday, November 13, 2010

it's a grind

40 hours got me down.




bacon tastes better when someone else makes it.

Friday, November 12, 2010

But who's counting?

Venus goes direct on November 18th and Thanksgiving weekend is 8 working days away.

I'm ready for both.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

who who & who

five faculties, capacities, powers

i like capacities and capacitation.

confidence / faith
effort / persistence
presence / mindfulness
focusing / concentration
discernment / wisdom



peter bjorn and john

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Ode to Brussel Sprouts

that's all I got so far...

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Killing a Goat

It will always be difficult.
But if you cry like this every time, you will die of heartbreak.
just know that it is enough sometimes to know that it is difficult.




chris abani

Yoga for Drummers

I already was a yogi.
Now I'm a drummer.
This is very relevant.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Humus

Humility is when the love of truth is greater than the love of self.

In other words.

love of truth > love of self.

92nd Rule

I just heard this idea of the 90 second rule.
If you don't do anything about a strong emotion that's happened, emotions don't last more than 90 seconds no matter how intense or strong it is.  

It lasts longer if we get involved.

Getting out of the way of an emotion.

Emotions are processes that we can get out of the way and allow them to pass through.

Can you be patient for 90 seconds?


check out gil fronsdal.  he knows what's up.
so does speech.


New Moon in Scorpio for Diwali

You can't really go wrong with Helvetica.  

Until a week ago when I was sent an evite for a Diwali party I had never heard of the Festival of Lights.  Combine that with a new moon and it seems like an auspicious time.

My horoscope is telling me to be spontaneous without being impulsive.  Oooh, that advice could have been handy several times in this lifetime.




Monday, October 25, 2010

Friday, October 22, 2010

Thursday, October 21, 2010

circular error

appearances are deceiving.  
face values are mostly inaccurate.  
sometimes you think the other person is at fault.
turns out you're at fault.
turns out the error was rather circular.
who cares?
just your ego.
why does it matter?
forgive and forget.
let go.
move on.



Monday, October 18, 2010

Home


Rumi:
It may be that the satisfaction I need depends on my going away, so that when I've gone and come back, I'll find it at home. 


Sunday, October 17, 2010

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

renshu taiko


practice makes perfect.
perfection is not the goal.
goal oriented society.
journey not the destination.

do your practice, all is coming.
-Pattabhi Jois.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

10/10/10 at 10am


I've had the flu this week.
I've taken so many tinctures that they actually taste good to me.
I've spent enough time in bed to get physically sore from it.
And I knit this scarf while listening to my itunes on shuffle.

I learned:
You can fight the flu and win (whiskey does indeed help).
Tinctures aren't bullshit.
My bedroom seriously needed to be decorated.
I still remember how to knit and I can listen to over 5 hours of itunes and not get tired of my own music.
History does not always repeat itself.
It's very convenient to live upstairs from a natural foods grocery store.


Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Craig Etheridge--Messenger World Champion

Craig Etheridge is a friend of mine.
But then anyone who meets Craig wants to claim him as a friend, and not just a Facebook friend.
He's salt of the earth. He's modest. He's kind.
And he's a seriously badass rider.

In this clip he says that there's an element of luck to winning. And it's true in the sense that if you don't get a flat tire, you're lucky. You can roll tuffys or you can not roll tuffys and either one can flat you out.
But Craig is a phenom. He's incredible. He's tireless. And he smiles. He's strategic and he's gifted.

My claim to fame is that I met Craig when he was filling out his application to be a bike messenger in Seattle.

And now he's World Champion.

Cheers, Craig.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

it's not so much that i like to be right


it's more that i don't want to be wrong.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Begin the Begin


let's begin again.
begin the begin.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

new life plan


it's in the works.




stress free


sometimes it hits you over the head like a sack o' potatoes.


Saturday, September 18, 2010

no fear


seek the truth.
speak the truth.
there's no reason to fear the truth because truth just is.


Wednesday, September 15, 2010

snapshots

this is pretty sweet.

kind of amazing is the contrast of comments in the US and India.

i love polaroids and was kind of devastated when they stopped producing the film.