I can’t simplify my life if I keep saying yes. I have to say no. It’s the only way. So today, I am practicing NO – if you are anywhere in my vicinity and ask me a question, prepare for No, it is the first and only answer I have today. No. A resounding No. Or perhaps as Tin now says, “No, thank you.”
I was speaking to the wife of a doctor who said that the organization he works for has them scheduling the patients and followup in such a narrow window of care that there is no time even for eye contact. I went ahead and cancelled my dermatologist appointment with the automaton – everyone has time to be human – and scheduled with a real person. I walked over to the Zen center to check out…
Tin and I went to Clever today to see Evan Christopher performing with Roland Guerin, Matt Lemmler and O.C. Davis play some wonderful jazz. Tin stared adoringly at Evan the whole time and no wonder – those cats could play!
Death is one moment, and life is so many of them. Tennessee Williams This was one of the first years since returning from California in 2005 that I did not attend the Tennessee Williams Festival. The reason – dinero no hay. I let lapse my MOMA, NOMA, Ogden, City Park, Pitot House, and everything else membership because charity begins at home when you are starting over. I was reading that Tennessee died in 1983 and…
Too much of anything is no good for you baby – I noticed that Facebook usage spikes during events and then now dies down to a couple of regular posters, while Twitter got so noisy, there was nothing to gain from it, and then Google+ (meh). I sat outside with my friends yesterday on the bayou. I called a friend last night. Old fashioned social media rocks.
I took Mom’s day out today – had a babysitter come from 11 to 3 and of course, wouldn’t you know that Tin has been just adorable and cuddly and cute ever since … But I went to see Jeff, Who Lives At Home and frankly I was surprised by the movie. I laughed out loud, I cried, and I genuinely left feeling as if I had taken a walk into the quiet desperation that…
Tao te Ching 15 The ancient Masters were profound and subtle. Their wisdom was unfathomable. There is no way to describe it; all we can describe is their appearance. They were careful as someone crossing an iced-over stream. Alert as a warrior in enemy territory. Courteous as a guest. Fluid as melting ice. Shapable as a block of wood. Receptive as a valley. Clear as a glass of water. Do you have the patience to…
From a city where African Americans dress like Indians to celebrate an Irish and Italian catholic holiday – oh my New Orleans Saints, we don’t bow down: Indian Red Might cooty fiyo, hey la hey, hey la hey I’ve got a Big Chief, Big Chief Big Chief of the national Wild, wild creation He won’t bow down Down on the ground Oh, how I love to hear Him call Indian Red When I throw my…
To Trayvon Martin’s family, I send my heartfelt condolences and share your outrage. Lynn Varner in the Seattle Times read my thoughts when she wrote her editorial, as I was coming home the other day thinking at some point Tin and I would sit down and have the Talk. Rest in peace Trayvon and I feel your family’s pain. Such a beautiful young man, killed in cold blood.
Many moons ago when I was going through a behavior modification program because I was prone to panic attacks and then subsequent phobias (bridges, freeways), I learned how important it is to recognize your victories – no matter how minor. So we kept a victory book and when I got on the freeway and was able to overcome my phobia, I took my victory lap. The important thing about victory laps are that as you…