Christmas day

Merry Christmas
yep, it's Christmas day and I am home after traveling to CT to be with my family after the passing of my mom. We seemed to be able to have a lovely Christmas celebration even so. We were all ready and expectant of the spiritual release of mom from the skin and bone cage that was having a less and lesser grip on that splendid spirit I knew as mom.

open letter

This is to thank the Columbia, SC area drumming community for a warm welcome and to say that last night's last jam of the year was great. I haven't availed myself of the offerings of this area very much but, I have found some warmth and the beginnings of friendship growing with some of you. So, thanks and may your holidays be special. Let's make some more joyful sounds in the coming year.

cold

It's pretty damn cold here for here. Gees but I dislike the cold. I have become pretty narrow in my temperature comfort range. Is this a regular thing as we get older or have I driven myself in this direction? Southern living, mindset and a strong shift from an out of doors type to a cage dweller. Those seem like pretty strong factors. I hope wherever you are that you find your comfort.

first weekend in December

Great little drum circle last night. I've been stressed and bummed out, the state of mom is principle to this. So, I disappeared into the balafon for a great jam with some of the core. First really good Friday night in a while.

November weekend

Thanksgiving has passed and I worked a short day Friday. I seem to be having some trouble with brittle making, which I remember having in the past as well. Tried to make some with splenda for dad, but that stuff is even harder to get to set without burning. The cashew brittle is okay but I have to work with a smaller deeper pan I think or else try the microwave version with a large glass measuring style bowl, the kind with a handle on it.

I think I may have some mild frustration with the whole holiday thing, doing these creative processes keeps me thinking about everyone...

I started this a while ago but the cable was unstable; wrote more but it wasn't able to save it

sunday

Timeslip; closer to Thanksgiving and of course all of the days beyond.
Been mulling over the concept of a "Christmas letter" not to Santa but of the state of the person/family type. Maybe fictitious at the start and owning more as the words unfold. We shall see.

a short string of basic american english

No real news, seems to be a more common thread in this my life's tapestry. Sometime that is not now I will indulge in some story telling from my personal past, no doubt transitioned into whatever version is still available in this less than crystalline ego.


There are a number of people that I do and have been thinking about and since I no longer enjoy the pen to paper scribbles that are my poor excuse for writing and I figure a modified expansion could be duplicated and without stealth included with a personal communication to travel to coordinates in space and time and be received by the intendeds.


A loaf of rye bread will be reported on during the course of this input. In this recipe cocoa powder and molasses were added to the rye and whole wheat flours.


Today is the third day of a four day weekend. I achieved relaxation. No, I didn't take that trip across the state line that I had considered. I have goofed off, primed a surface for painterly creative surface treatment, I have met some local artists, made an eye exam appointment and driven through previously unexplored local areas. I did not drum as the circle seems to be on hiatus while looking for an indoor venue to meet through the shorter days of the year.


I miss a number of people in my life but have not yet realized instant bi-location and have capitulated to the present reality.


I lean back, light a cigarette and see the reflections along the timestream and can glimpse only partial histories along the multitude of divergent pathways. There is the one where I didn't sell my house in Neptune Beach and the one where I stayed in (haha, fill in the blank).


It's probably time to reread the Liz Green book on Saturn return (I am definitely in my second).


Blues accompaniment: NRBQ, Robert Plant, Julie London, Phoebe Snow, Lou Rawls...
reload: Hot Tuna, Harry Chapin, Janis Joplin, Joe Walsh, John Lee Hooker...


I punched down the dough although it hadn't risen as much as I usually wait for. Seems to be rising slower than the wheat I often make. It's a bit cooler in the house than it has been (finally broke 70 outside) denser flours and thicker liquids must all contribute.


Dinner was leftovers but quite good, wish I had been motivated to make a salad. Turkey Italian sausage, oyster mushrooms, spinach and cheese tortellini, black olives, onion, multiple peppers (red, green, yellow, cubanelle) tomato sauce.


So, I don't know when I will upload and print this as the full belly slow down is upon me. Looks like some half nods in front of the tube and I will return either later this eve or tomorrow.



Well it's tomorrow by the previously stated, but of course it's today too.
Still into the blues for accompaniment
Joe Cocker, David Bromberg, Bonnie Raitt, JJ Cale, Keb Mo, Paul Butterfield...
I'm prepping a group for burning. Need some more soundtracks at work.



The bread came out good. A little altitude challenged but tasty none the less. That's the picture at the top.
Just finished Blackening some chicken, will use it in conjunction with bitter salad and blue cheese, mostly for this weeks lunches. Trying to get more fresh greens in me during the week.

Halloween, bad movies and the calendar turns another page.

Think that I'll make a few phone calls after I post this while I sort through some more tunes.

I wish you all well. Thanks for stopping by.

about time

Yes it is. What, two months have slid by. I know, I know. I can't say that I really am motivated here, but I was feeling that the neglect was getting out of hand.

noon, not high

Saturday noon has just passed this longitude and I am heading into the streets accompanied by G. on a visit from Maine. Last night's drum circle was nourishing. Hope things are well in your world.

home again

A brief update.
I returned home from a nice trip to the Southern New England motherland and have returned to the work-a-day patterns that were not missed for the past 10 day. There is a storehouse of input that is certainly due. Nonetheless I will sign off with the intention of of fuller expression on my next visit.

not much

Not much to report. Work is the same. Looking forward to a little time off and up to New England I go.

hmmmm

I kinda feel like being belligerent just for the hell of it. No reason. I had a good time at the drum circle last night. The work week is over. Retirement is only about fifteen years away.

sunday

Just cut my hair, it probably isn't much of a do, but 15 minutes and a pair of scissors was all it took.
Scones today, nice. Got the lunches set up for the first part of the week. Going to head to the kitchen make a light dinner, haddock I'm thinking. Looking forward to some time off in a few more weeks. Wish the best to all.

okay, I'm back

So, no, it's not like I really have anything to say. I just feel that I've shortchanged the communicative aspect of myself. My other main communications are at work and via phone. The communion of drumming has been missing for a while as weather, a change in times (that I only recently found out about) and work have curtailed. So, not that I have an audience, but if you've been wondering; I'm fine, work has been on the tough side, still don't know where some of my art supplies are, although I have progressed a bit on a painting and I have been spending a bit too much time watching Netflix on line. I am trying to get a handle on Lost.

damn

So, there I was, had the vehicle loaded with dirty laundry and ready to get something done, but no, I couldn't take the damn thing out of park. It has happened once or twice before and I just had to get a little harsh with it. Not this time, I had to watch as a tow truck rubbed a good deal of rubber or whatever off of the tires as she was dragged aboard. Now I am almost ready to call and see how much economic damage there will be. Glad I didn't spring for the glass tabletop I was thinking about for my pedestal base. This was sure not the post I had planned.

snippit

I write posts in my head all of the time and then I see that, hey, well they really never did make it here. Probably just as well. Some thought organizing that would be conveyable just isn't publishable. So, yep I'm into my fifth day in a row off from work. Haven't done a lot, but I did manage to toss around some paint. I haven't located my favorite knife and ended up purchasing a not quite right stand in. It's good to be engaged in the creative visual process although I am not feeling that the work in progress is moving anywhere in the neighborhood of excellence. thanks for stopping by and I will get back here later today.

soon

Almost. I am sufficiently on my way to a relaxed state that was requisite to feeling like a word flow deserved sharing. Soon come.

cop out

Go ahead and read any old post you haven't before. I promise I will toss a few down next week. If you've read everything already, let me know, it may motivate me. Ciao

???

Tired with not much to say. I did not forget about here. So, stay tuned, I expect to get back soon.

memorial day

Well I said I'd be back to tackle my stance on the big war, military, the world we presently seem to live in and their inter-relationships. But, I don't have the energy to form truly lucid patterns of thought as the emotional components and my mild weariness ask me to either hesitate or maximum truncate this big theme.

So, given that, I wish simply to say that I hold esteem in my heart and mind for all of the fallen, wounded from the many wars, police actions and training accidents through the ages, of all of those who entered in good consciousness and intention towards a peaceful culmination.

I'm sorry to say that I can't feel the same for any who contracted for greed, vengeance, unquestioned duty or out of a feeling of superiority. May forgiveness flow from the afflicted and may enlightenment burgeon in the hearts and minds of all.

first entry on new pc

OK, so I got my emachine up and running. It has it's pluses and minuses. On the plus side: it seems pretty fast so far, it was not difficult to get going, there is a little spot to plug in my camera card, nice as I haven't yet found my patch cord. On the minus side: I don't have a free version of Microsoft Office, it's a 60 day then pay version, my printer cord has no female port, hopefully I can find an alternative, there is a work around even if that is not possible. The rest is yet to be discovered. Obviously the web is accessible, the sound system is functioning fine and I have a lot left to try.
Yesterday I commented on And y's FB post and caused a minor fuss from someone else. I sort of expected it might strike a chord and sure enough. So, I hope to expand s bit tomorrow as it's Memorial/Decoration Day and the gist is about war and peace.
Laundry is done for the week, a loaf of white and whole wheat with a touch of rosemary and olive oil is now in the oven, sweet potato chips have been fried, a mess of veggies a turkey smoked sausage and a granny smith are in various stages of becoming meals and I am going to post this and return to the kitchen.

another saturday

So, I let slip by a weekend with an old friend, a memorial service that I did not attend for a friend's mother and a friend as well, my dad's birthday, a good drumming time, a bunch of crazy workdays and more without a single little peep recorded here.

I did get my new pc but this isn't it. Nope, no problem that I know of, just haven't put the time into setting it up. Maybe, just maybe I will get it set up before the next entry.

note

I did get my refurbished pc but have yet to hook it up. trying to figure out what to keep from my old one as well as what will keep. Still don't know where my old disc set is. In a frakkin' box somewhere I'm sure.

meanwhile back at the ranch

So, I introed this as I did since this is wow, the third scratch in a single day. OMG. Dad asked me about the quotes I sent out from work for three years or so, quite regularly and And y mentioned that he missed them on FB recently. They have been on my mind as well. Not only can I no longer send them out from work due to my load and non affiliation with the learning arena, but I don't have lunch at my desk either. That was usually when I would catch up on my vocabulary building and quote e-mail subscriptions, with some serious cutting and pasting as well as some origin searches. A full week of that usually generated a pretty solid quote pastiche. I must have archived some 200 of those types of e-mail at work without time to peruse. After I get my new pc and transmigrate from this one I'm thinking of signing up for all of those subscriptions to a new e-mail address specifically for such. When this comes to pass I will consider assembling some favorites from time to time and publishing them here.

same day

Not long since the last post. I actually have this urge to root around and find an old AOE game install it and play. Hmmm. You never know. I guess I'll see if this is still on me after some showering, shopping and phone calls.

sunday

Kinda sluggish Sunday just passing noon without a swish. So many things I'd like to see done and so little enthusiasm to get there. Seems that most of them require finding something that hasn't been unpacked, for instance, I have mostly cleared out the area for the easel but don't know where the hardware is. I did finally get the coffee table set up but have moved a few things in front of the little under stairs storage. I'll need to go shopping today and am putting it off until after the blue laws in this little berg allow for more than just grocery shopping. I miss my old buddy Aquataine. So, basically I'm in a slug mode. Had planned to jot some more entertaining and/or cathartic word flows but as you see this is merely a mundane chronicle.

saturday

Another weekend has come along. The work week was still tough but tolerable with a few bright spots. Friday night drumming was low key but restorative.

I posted earlier about considerations of computer upgrading and one day when I opened my e-mail there was a link to woot.com mentioned in cheapskate tech news. I did. I clicked on it and since this was a 24 hr. only deal, ended up ordering a refurbished pc for under 325 delivered. I will have to report on it when it comes in.

I wish you all a wonderful weekend.

monday

Uggh! Monday, another stellar work day. I got through it and have to wonder what ever happened to all of the metaphysical and spiritual expressions that were planned to be here now?

happy mothers' day

Sunday, Mothers' Day, and yes I did make some progress around here. Another weekend like this and I will surely have at least one of my two art micro-studios set up. Looks like I'll have my keyboard ensconced and hooked into the pc; I hope that my software is still capable of interfacing. Been having a poor run on the poker tables. I'm down to a tourney that is presently on break. If I don't cash here it'll be time for a break. Of course, I will call Mom this PM which is pretty usual for Sunday anyway. Unless there are numerous visitors, I intend to read her one of the little Rudyard Kipling stories. The Elephant's Baby is my first choice. I hope y'all have a great day.

saturday

Another weekend has tripped around the spinning cosmic dance and again I have not input during the mundane work-a-day routine. I had a short discussion with another worker a few days back. The gist was that he didn't think I would know how to keep from boredom if I was able to be retired now. I so disagree, but that of course is moot. Darn it.

sunday AM

Yup, it's Sunday and I am back. Been dreaming about work again when I was surfacing this AM. I can't say that I am pleased with it. I've never been real good at separating or compartmentalizing aspects of self on a roll basis; seems like it would be very useful. Drumming was a bit weak but nurturing none the less. I'm feeling like I should lay down some strange as that would more likely elicit some response; but, what the hell is that about? Am I now situated in the place where I am in need or at least mildly expectant of responses? That's not what and/or why I started this little gig. Then of course I no longer am sure of what constitutes strange. My personal cosmology is definitely strange to the mass mindset, but with the population being so large, in fact a little too large for this small green and blue world, and the expansion envelope pushing processes of minds struggling for expression, what at one time may have seemed peripheral is well inside the box.

sunday

Did a fair amount of cooking today, took care of some gift purchases and donations, talked briefly with the folks, watched Pi,"π", a pretty disturbing flick, found out that my computer's DVD player and whatever video card I have are not sufficient to the task of playing the "netflix" DVDs I am once again getting in the mail. So, the big question is: do I need a new computer, do I need an upgrade or do I simply continue to stream netflix and play the DVDs on the player connected to the TV? I don't so much want to be spending any big amounts of currency, but this old pc is getting on in years, my guess is that it's over eight years old now, although I did some minor upgrading about two years ago and I've been dragging my feet about getting a laptop. Hmmm. Things to ponder and the longer I stay in ponder mode the longer I refrain from spending any cash. Or really, the longer before I transfer digital signals that will have a negative impact on my digital balances.

weekend

Saturday, yep I've got it off although that wasn't expected. Lots of issues permeated the work week and I certainly put in more overtime than I wanted to, to the point that I didn't have time to pick up my instruments before catching a piece of the Friday night drum gig at the park. I was scrounging for a djembe, but did have a pretty little xylophone to play. I dropped some stress but am still a bit ragged out. Well I hope y'all fared better and are having a lovely weekend.

coffee @ work

If I can locate the Dilbert strip that pertains I will link to it later. So, I get to work today and the usual pressure to get some things done sooner start to make itself felt. I open my e-mail and read one that states that coffee drinking and other things was not permissible where I am located. In all honesty I was wondering how to move on. I have at my desk an old Dilbert cartoon strip that has the evil HR guy stating that coffee could no longer be consumed at work and I had thoughts of blowing it up to poster size, but luckily my boss came back and stated that it was misconstrued.

boing boing

I've got to say I think boing boing is one of the more entertaining blogs out there; click on the title to check it out.

resurrection day

So, it's Easter, probably one of the biggest days for the Christians. Interesting about the physical level or vibrational amplitude of the reconstructed vehicle. Debate on this from the differing camps of believers has shaped factions for many years now. My own afterlife perceptions or concepts are more of an eternal aspect to the "soul" and myriad expressions in and out of time; extensions or termination points of view out from the unity of the ONE.

The pagan springtime iconography wedded to the holiday amuses me. It seems so many Christian holidays have usurped previous traditions and deny the origins simultaneously. Whatever your personal relation to the paradigms of this theme, may you enjoy and share them with those you love.

tuesday

I just watched a little two-part short film on youtube by LSM and am still trying to find a response. A little dark, very moody with a good score, but I will admit that I will need to watch it again when the Western exposure dims, as it is directly behind my pc with no more than white translucent mini blinds. I am most curious about the intention of the intro compared to the film itself. It is some nice footage, but knowing the primary creator a resonance is expected.

The link is connected to the title of this post for interested parties. Just click on tuesday.

later that same day

Sunday is slippin' by and I never did make those scones. Waiting for a return call on the cell and thought that I'd stop in and mention that I think I figured out who snarked at me some few posts back. At least there is only one person that I think would use the phrase about a Dodo bird.

Well I could be right and I could be wrong, so that is as usual; although I seem to have more certainty in many things. Tomorrow I get my djembe back with a brand new head. All tuned and ready to beat. I have missed it. I have brought my bougarabou and assorted percussion along with my bamboo sax, which needs a little work next. Last Friday I had the balafon and it added some new dimensions to the jams.

Spent some little time at the Sun Magazine's site which led me to pondering this whole writing thing. I'm considering utilizing that medium to spur some action. None of the topics posted for submission really struck me, but I may let them simmer and see if anything happens.

sunday AM

Sitting here on Sunday morn sipping on some Sumatran coffee and nursing a strained back. Not debilitating, but definitely noticeable, without knowing where or how I did it.

Had a lovely chat with an old friend yesterday, it was segued into from chatting on FB. We talked of family and deaths, aging and work, plans and things.

Again, the weekend has moved on and I haven't done near the work intended. Took care of a bunch of basic mundane tasks with little progress in the domestic scene. And I am realizing just how soon my taxes need to be done. I think along with the typical Sunday phone sessions and one afternoon trip to the store, after it opens; here in S.C. the retail stores don't open before 1:30 PM, I will mostly relax and let the rest of my home enhancements and arranging fall by the wayside. Excepting for a bit of cooking including some cherry scones. I may even come back here and splash the pages with something more. Have a great Sunday.

just a note

I admit that some of the little pieces of verbiage that find themselves embedded here are my little exercises of the language. Not expecting to make any impacts in the world, but I hope someone is amused in the process.

another departures

I learned today that a cousin has shed the mortal coil. Another being tripping out into the after-life. I wish her the absolute best with surcease from the dimensional burdens. This is probably a good release. Fare well cuz & may the light fill and envelope you.

this day

I am glad that the work portion of today is over. I am certainly not bored, as many bosses converged and wanted more. I think that down the line some cyclical rhythm will emerge and I can simply play the game; now, though I am playing with a grim determination and I am very aware that my gaming tends towards seriousness. Who knows maybe I can finally learn to take a lighter approach. There certainly is the opportunity.

brother Aquataine

So I go in and out of memories, thoughts and emotions as if my brother is a wispy phantom like in some of the stories we've read, traipsing through the halls of a vast edifice or drifting slightly above the ground. I am less sure of the afterlife than I used to be. Not that I don't believe in it. Contrary to that I am convinced that life goes on. The options are so much grander than I can fathom with this mind, as stretched as it has been. There has been some feedback from a mutual friend that he will choose a quick turn around and find himself or, wouldn't it be rich, herself back in the dimensions because you know this place has a lot of stuff to experience.

Whatever choice is made I support you and hope that you rest in the wisdom. If you do come back here, again please bring an anchor of light.

brother Aquataine

It's nearly a week since my brother and friend has departed this world. We became close back in my less mugglish days more than 15 years gone now. Those days were full of questing, development, T'ai Chi and a unique balance of freedom and discipline. A choice was offered to pursue one of two courses of spiritual group experience; a hard choice to make. I opted for the Star-Borne gathering instead of the Group Avatar one; this is where I met Aquataine along with many, many memorable beings...

...later, after the incredible gathering I spent a fair amount of time tripping down to Ft. Lauderdale to the sanctuary that brother A and Urithrael shared. Many a fine gathering of lightworkers found sanctuary, community and exceptional times in this environment. Yes, there was a great deal of mundane work to be done of which I did my share, from ripping out old vines, painting, planting, fixing the sewage, dressing marble, building an arbor (what an absolutely beautiful area that enclosed) to often being the head cook for a dozen.

There were difficulties with personalities, there was awesome joy punctuated with roaring bouts of Starry-Language songs and stories, there was love and lessons.



I will edit &/or add to this post again as there is a lot to convey.



Bottom line is that I miss my old deeply sonorous voiced friend and am very happy that he is no longer suffering.

hmmm

So, I have the old mixed energy relationship to old Mama Nature. I always admire and often sing the praises when she kicks up and tosses away our complacency and expectations; but simultaneously I really don't like cold and snow so much. I know that I moved north with a bit of trepidation taking the I still have a job and a paycheck approach to co-creating. This is what I get for it.

move, the end point

OK, I have completed the move to SC. I have a couple of days at the new DC under my belt. This whole moving thing is getting a bit harder as I put the miles on. It'd probably be easier if the tab for it was picked up. Condensed spacial parameters are a challenge and I have created a separation of pc & tv for a less multitasking home-life. We will have to see if this works.

just words

Just a few words dropping onto the screen. No real thought provoked mindstream. Unrusting the process. It is after all a new year as we measure such; new page turned or grasped with an almost kinetic slow-motion hesitation gravid with the next incarnation. Funny how I seem to shy from form in these jots. One who is so conscious when applying other media.

moving sale

I am discontinuing the moving sale; two days is more than enough. So, yeah I sold a good number of things at ridiculously low prices; a number of items I'm sure I will find myself replacing in the future. This will be a goof-off Sunday as the coming week will be pretty darn busy tying up details and transitioning from living here to being fully packed and easing into transience.

interim

So the fat lady belted it out yesterday, Elvis left the building and I am working on setting the transition process into gear. Talked with a possible landlord today and have to wait and see if someone he promised a look to decides for or for me. I am placing a request out there and will let you know how it goes. I have recently entered into the phase where you know what you own owns you.

new year

I was informed just before the New Year's long weekend that I still have a job. I will remain where I am through next Friday and then start on February 1st in SC. So frakkin' much to do; including a moving sale. If you are in the central Florida area and feel like a bargain or want to help me move please get in touch.