"I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I don't think you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
I read a nice sounding meditation the other day. It said, sit somewhere quiet and hold up your hands in front of your chest - palms facing each other and a few inches apart. Then, for 5 or 10 minutes, depending on how long you have, imagine that space filled with images of someone you love being happy.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Strange Occurences of the Feathered Kind
Last night, Karen and Heidi and I stayed at Bob Sheaman's house. He was down in Colorado, so we didn't get the pleasure of his company, only that of his house. (Which was very nice, nothing wrong there!)
The strange thing happened after K&H left. I was sitting in the living room waiting for the dishwasher to finish, and I heard in that sort of non-listening way that you do when you're busy with something else, a strange kind of scrabbling and fluttering sound. The door was open (screendoor shut, no holes) and I was busy, so I ignored it. Whatever it was was probably outside anyways. Until I looked up and ... there was a bird standing on the floor looking at me. I couldn't tell what kind it was for sure. It looked rather like a skinny robin with a dark maroon breast instead of a bright orange-red one. I blinked at it, it blinked at me; I looked away to set my laptop down, and it was gone.
hm.
So now we're on a Bird Hunt. But I don't want to panic it and have it flying all over running into things and making a mess, so I am trying to be subtle about my huntage. There are no open windows, no holes in the screen door, no holes anywhere that I can find... On the first few go-rounds, I can't see it anywhere. Mental shake of head, back to living room and computer. I don't know how it got in, so maybe it got itself back out again the same way. But no, a couple minutes later, I hear it and get up and tiptoe into the other room, where it is perched on top of the typewriter.
Retreat to plan attack. Prop screen door open. Shut all other curtains and turn lights off. Sneak back into typewritering room. Bird is sitting there looking at me cheerfully. I look back. It's a standoff for a few minutes, then I take a step closer, and he flies off to sit on the back of the couch. This is better - at least he now has a straight line to the Way Out - if he will take it, and not fly down the hallway away from me. I have to come at him from the direction of the Way Out, and who knows about birds. This may be a bit too bold even for such an unpanicked fellow. But now, all is well. I get about 4 feet from him, and wave my arms encouragingly (encouraging in a sort of muted manner) and off he goes to sit on top of the screen door, and look around. Huh. Outside. How strange. Well, guess I'll see what it's like out here... and he was off. I shut the door in relief.
I still don't know where he got in. And he was astoundingly calm. You'd think he spent all his time hopping around people's houses and sitting on their typewriters.
The strange thing happened after K&H left. I was sitting in the living room waiting for the dishwasher to finish, and I heard in that sort of non-listening way that you do when you're busy with something else, a strange kind of scrabbling and fluttering sound. The door was open (screendoor shut, no holes) and I was busy, so I ignored it. Whatever it was was probably outside anyways. Until I looked up and ... there was a bird standing on the floor looking at me. I couldn't tell what kind it was for sure. It looked rather like a skinny robin with a dark maroon breast instead of a bright orange-red one. I blinked at it, it blinked at me; I looked away to set my laptop down, and it was gone.
hm.
So now we're on a Bird Hunt. But I don't want to panic it and have it flying all over running into things and making a mess, so I am trying to be subtle about my huntage. There are no open windows, no holes in the screen door, no holes anywhere that I can find... On the first few go-rounds, I can't see it anywhere. Mental shake of head, back to living room and computer. I don't know how it got in, so maybe it got itself back out again the same way. But no, a couple minutes later, I hear it and get up and tiptoe into the other room, where it is perched on top of the typewriter.
Retreat to plan attack. Prop screen door open. Shut all other curtains and turn lights off. Sneak back into typewritering room. Bird is sitting there looking at me cheerfully. I look back. It's a standoff for a few minutes, then I take a step closer, and he flies off to sit on the back of the couch. This is better - at least he now has a straight line to the Way Out - if he will take it, and not fly down the hallway away from me. I have to come at him from the direction of the Way Out, and who knows about birds. This may be a bit too bold even for such an unpanicked fellow. But now, all is well. I get about 4 feet from him, and wave my arms encouragingly (encouraging in a sort of muted manner) and off he goes to sit on top of the screen door, and look around. Huh. Outside. How strange. Well, guess I'll see what it's like out here... and he was off. I shut the door in relief.
I still don't know where he got in. And he was astoundingly calm. You'd think he spent all his time hopping around people's houses and sitting on their typewriters.
Friday, April 16, 2010
So I have a question. Can you dream an entire training regimen??
I had forgotten this, but a comment yesterday brought it back to my mind - and I'm sure it must have been a dream, because I do NOT like jogging, and despite the incredible real-feeling-ness of the memory, I can't believe I would have ever willingly started jogging; much less have done it enough to 'remember' getting better over time. Also, there's no timeframe in my life in which this would have fit....
So it had to have been a dream.
What it was, was a dream of running around a track. And doing this enough to get better. I remember the feeling of being able to go farther than I had before. Also I dreamed of being in a race, and doing rather well at it. I even *shudder* was enjoying myself!
Help! Wake me up, quick! Why couldn't I have dreamed about being a jockey or something, I ask you?
I had forgotten this, but a comment yesterday brought it back to my mind - and I'm sure it must have been a dream, because I do NOT like jogging, and despite the incredible real-feeling-ness of the memory, I can't believe I would have ever willingly started jogging; much less have done it enough to 'remember' getting better over time. Also, there's no timeframe in my life in which this would have fit....
So it had to have been a dream.
What it was, was a dream of running around a track. And doing this enough to get better. I remember the feeling of being able to go farther than I had before. Also I dreamed of being in a race, and doing rather well at it. I even *shudder* was enjoying myself!
Help! Wake me up, quick! Why couldn't I have dreamed about being a jockey or something, I ask you?
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
For my friends
What Cancer Cannot Do.
It cannot invade the soul
suppress memories
kill friendship
destroy peace
conquer the spirit
shatter hope
cripple love
corrode faith
steal eternal life
or silence courage.
It cannot invade the soul
suppress memories
kill friendship
destroy peace
conquer the spirit
shatter hope
cripple love
corrode faith
steal eternal life
or silence courage.
Monday, April 5, 2010
iPad? Sorry, not for me. Not that I don't think it's incredibly cool, and not that it doesn't look gorgeous, and fun, and I'm a bit of a geek and love new toys but.
There's always a but, and I'm afraid this is a big one. A big several, I should say.
(With the caveat that this info is from reviews I have read, not from personal, fingers-on, experience.)
*You can't use any programs that aren't apps specifically approved by Mac. No open-source software. No Thunderbird. Gmail? Apparently not. (Although I assume I could somehow download gmail email to the mac email client? Don't know.) Anyways, this is not so good.
*Onscreen keyboard. Right. Not interested, guys, sorry. I'd have to look at every key to make sure it was the right one before I typed it? Do you have any idea how SLOW that would make my typing? It would drive me crazy, I am pretty sure.
*No multi-tasking. Boy, another not good thing. Although, come to think of it - it might be good for me! Soothe my brain into calm and orderly thought! Do One Thing At A Boring Time....
No, no,no,no.
*No usb ports, no disc drives, no externals at all other than headphones and a docking jack. (But what's the point in a docking jack, I ask? So you can do all this stuff you would normally do on a laptop? I'll just keep my laptop, thinks I.) How am I supposed to watch my exercise DVDs? Not that I, uh, use them as often as I should, but still! I'd be even more of a couch potato and it would be all Apple's fault!
Also, I think I'd have to get a spiky haircut and die the tips blond, and sit around most of the time with my feet on the table. Oh, and wear European-style jeans, and sneakers with no socks. (Ok, I do the no-socks one already, but...)
There were some other minor things that sounded slightly annoying, but these were the major deal breakers. I can't do all the things I want to do on the ipad, and I can't afford space or money to carry around two things, when I can manage with one.
It's such a pity too, ipad looks so tasty! So cutting edge! So "I Am Cool and You Are Not!" Sniff.
There's always a but, and I'm afraid this is a big one. A big several, I should say.
(With the caveat that this info is from reviews I have read, not from personal, fingers-on, experience.)
*You can't use any programs that aren't apps specifically approved by Mac. No open-source software. No Thunderbird. Gmail? Apparently not. (Although I assume I could somehow download gmail email to the mac email client? Don't know.) Anyways, this is not so good.
*Onscreen keyboard. Right. Not interested, guys, sorry. I'd have to look at every key to make sure it was the right one before I typed it? Do you have any idea how SLOW that would make my typing? It would drive me crazy, I am pretty sure.
*No multi-tasking. Boy, another not good thing. Although, come to think of it - it might be good for me! Soothe my brain into calm and orderly thought! Do One Thing At A Boring Time....
No, no,no,no.
*No usb ports, no disc drives, no externals at all other than headphones and a docking jack. (But what's the point in a docking jack, I ask? So you can do all this stuff you would normally do on a laptop? I'll just keep my laptop, thinks I.) How am I supposed to watch my exercise DVDs? Not that I, uh, use them as often as I should, but still! I'd be even more of a couch potato and it would be all Apple's fault!
Also, I think I'd have to get a spiky haircut and die the tips blond, and sit around most of the time with my feet on the table. Oh, and wear European-style jeans, and sneakers with no socks. (Ok, I do the no-socks one already, but...)
There were some other minor things that sounded slightly annoying, but these were the major deal breakers. I can't do all the things I want to do on the ipad, and I can't afford space or money to carry around two things, when I can manage with one.
It's such a pity too, ipad looks so tasty! So cutting edge! So "I Am Cool and You Are Not!" Sniff.
Friday, March 26, 2010
And here's the horse-racing, as promised.
A couple of weeks ago, we saw a poster advertising Chariot Races. It was supposed to be in a field a couple of miles outside of Torrington; cost $5.00; from noon until 4. So, thought I, this sounds interesting, we should go!
I successfully remembered all the way to Lusk, Casper and back that I wanted to do this; and the following Saturday, we set out - only to find out that instead of the field promised, it was happening in a different field. One that happened to be about 1/2 mile from where we were staying. Handy, that.
The bad side - it was cold and windy and cloudy and really really cold. Brr. I spent the time in between races in the car trying not to freeze.
The good side - it wasn't raining or snowing. And there were all these horses! Skinny looking creatures, too; from being in training for racing, and not lazing about in a pasture eating themselves fat. The chariots (contrary to imagination) are not romanesque looking things, but teensy little aluminum platforms to stand on, with a curved front to lean against and wheels underneath. Woe betide the driver who goes over a bump; there's nothing to keep him on his perch! It was a lot of fun to watch - the horses in teams of two walking up the long muddy field, then racing back at top speed, spattering mud. One man drove with his whip in his teeth, like a pirate holding a knife. I think he was shouting around it too - something like "AAAIIIII AIIIII AAARRRRR AAAIIIIII" Teeth clenched the entire time. He won, too.
Then they had ponies - Shetlands, they must have been, they were so small - pulling small chuckwagons. It didn't seem quite fair to me that the smallest animals had to pull the heaviest, bulkiest wagons! But they were cute and fun to watch. They probably would have done better if there had been less mud. As it was, they got a bit bogged down and weren't very fast.
It SAID it started at 12, but it lied. That is - the whole thing started more or less at 12... which means, they started auctioning off something I never quite got. I think that was how they bet on the results? Bid on who you think will win? Maybe. It was away down the field from us, and even with the loudspeaker, we couldn't hear much to the point. The first race didn't actually start for another 45-60 minutes. Which meant, sniffsniff, we only got to watch the first 3 and one pony race, since we had an appt in town. Oh well. It was well worth my five dollars. :)
A couple of weeks ago, we saw a poster advertising Chariot Races. It was supposed to be in a field a couple of miles outside of Torrington; cost $5.00; from noon until 4. So, thought I, this sounds interesting, we should go!
I successfully remembered all the way to Lusk, Casper and back that I wanted to do this; and the following Saturday, we set out - only to find out that instead of the field promised, it was happening in a different field. One that happened to be about 1/2 mile from where we were staying. Handy, that.
The bad side - it was cold and windy and cloudy and really really cold. Brr. I spent the time in between races in the car trying not to freeze.
The good side - it wasn't raining or snowing. And there were all these horses! Skinny looking creatures, too; from being in training for racing, and not lazing about in a pasture eating themselves fat. The chariots (contrary to imagination) are not romanesque looking things, but teensy little aluminum platforms to stand on, with a curved front to lean against and wheels underneath. Woe betide the driver who goes over a bump; there's nothing to keep him on his perch! It was a lot of fun to watch - the horses in teams of two walking up the long muddy field, then racing back at top speed, spattering mud. One man drove with his whip in his teeth, like a pirate holding a knife. I think he was shouting around it too - something like "AAAIIIII AIIIII AAARRRRR AAAIIIIII" Teeth clenched the entire time. He won, too.
Then they had ponies - Shetlands, they must have been, they were so small - pulling small chuckwagons. It didn't seem quite fair to me that the smallest animals had to pull the heaviest, bulkiest wagons! But they were cute and fun to watch. They probably would have done better if there had been less mud. As it was, they got a bit bogged down and weren't very fast.
It SAID it started at 12, but it lied. That is - the whole thing started more or less at 12... which means, they started auctioning off something I never quite got. I think that was how they bet on the results? Bid on who you think will win? Maybe. It was away down the field from us, and even with the loudspeaker, we couldn't hear much to the point. The first race didn't actually start for another 45-60 minutes. Which meant, sniffsniff, we only got to watch the first 3 and one pony race, since we had an appt in town. Oh well. It was well worth my five dollars. :)
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