morningambassador’s posthaven

I'm sitting here, late at night in this house I call home.
I've been thinking about it a lot lately - the building
And the concept of a container for our lives,
What it feels like inside.
Barrage of crabapples plummeting onto the roof
Creaking floorboards
Hidden water heaters
Potential flood waters
Bowl shaped property
Larger Place than my brain for thoughts and feelings to reside
Shelter
Gorgeous view out back 

Mark Twain and Family at Mark Twain House

Behold the fool saith, "Put not all thine eggs in the one basket" -- which is but a manner of saying, "Scatter your money and your attention;" but the wise man saith, "Put all your eggs in the one basket and --WATCH THAT BASKET."
- Pudd'nHead Wilson's Calender (Mark Twain)

I am not one to argue with those of wit and experience. All I will say is this: there are two sides to every coin. They are inextricably linked. This quote of Mark Twain highlights a most interesting duality.

 

Art in Car's Dust by Scott Wade - based on the painting, 'Hylas and Nymphs' by John William Waterhouse (1849-1917)

Be an optimist -- at least until they start moving animals in pairs to Cape Canaveral.  ~Anonymous

I became an optimist when I discovered that I wasn't going to win any more games by being anything else.
~Earl Weaver

The basis for optimism is sheer terror.
~Oscar Wilde

For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else.
~Sir Winston Churchill

Churchill seized upon the central point for me today - to be OF USE or not to be OF USE.

What is 'of use' against pessimism, loss of heart, and entropy?

Entropy is in constant backward motion, eroding whole categories much as oxidation results in rust or tarnish. Every little step I take pushes it closer toward the pure morning sunlight when the day was starting and all things were possible.

Sitting down and succumbing to thoughts, images, and potential catastrophes is of no use against entropy and therefore aids its regression, which is ultimately cyclical as New continually becomes Old and Old gives birth to New.

There is optimism in that cycle, especially when I'm not stuck in the future or the past, with this particular form, associations, or possessions.

It's more important than I think to be gentle with myself.

Allowing too much oxidation of spirit sends it low and becomes frightening. Lightheartedness and good cheer are also contagious and can return to assist in a challenging moment.

This is my ghost story. My night sleeping in the haunted house on the corner for a dare. Waiting to see if i will emerge despite the bumps and visions to solid day once more.

I know it's important to make that effort. I eat blueberries which are excellent antioxidants.

"My baby's got a heart of stone

can't you people just leave her alone
she never did nothing to hurt you
so just leave her alone

The motion of her tiny hands
and the quiver of her bones below
are the signs of a girl alone
and tell you everything
you need to know

  I can't explain it
I feel it often
every time I see her face
but the way you treat her
fills me with rage and I
want to tear apart the place

You try to tell her what to do
and all she does is stare at you
her stare is louder than your voice
because truth doesn't make a noise"

The combination of sensitivity and observation with chaos and rage in the lyrics goes with the musical aspect of the song so well. Together they reel me in like a overeager trout. A gem in the stone. Tiny hands and quivering bones. All you need to know. Just try to tell her what to do. Keep on trying; it makes no never mind. And all the time the gentle observation...

The spirit of Aloha, as channeled by Quantum Fractal Energy Mandalas:

http://fractalenergymandala.com/  for more information or your own prints or personal energy mandala.

This image moved me and called out to be shared and contemplated.

What I've come up with so far:

There are so many words and images of welcoming in the many languages and mediums on this blue world. There is something comforting about that aspect of humanity. Once a person practices welcoming, it can progress far beyond a simple greeting to a personality with whom we are familiar. There is an allowing of the space needed for the presence of others, self, concepts, truths, and all manner of deeply held experience to flourish.

Aloha!

Beats Antique just came out with a new album named, 'Blind Threshold.' David Satori, Tommy Cappel, and Zoe Jakes will tour with the Eco-Bus for the Sustainable Living Roadshow. Here's the link if you would like more information:

http://www.sustainablelivingroadshow.org/

To celebrate, I'm including this video which includes a clip of Zoe Jakes' belly dancing without quick edits to obscure her style. Here is what the YouTube uploader said:

"Enjoy BEATS ANTIQUE performing live at LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE 2010 in California Memorial Day weekend. There is something fascinating about capturing live video from a video screen being mixed live of a live performance.... a multi dimensional moment in time and space indeed."

I sat down to watch the critically touted, "Boardwalk Empire," and couldn't believe what I was hearing in the opening credits, which I loved and thought I'd pin down here. It's possible, given the top ten Google search hits that I'm in the minority.

As my eyes were feasting on both the subtle and overt lighting changes, as well as Steve Buscemi's magnificent face, I was hearing the strains of "Straight Up and Down," by the Brian Jonestown Massacre. Their music is dear to my heart... and yet, not something I expected to hear in a mainstream presentation on HBO.

This link will take you to an article about the development of the history of that time and place from page by Nelson Johnson to screen.

http://www.atlanticcityweekly.com/arts-and-entertainment/boardwalk-empire/Empire-Builders-from-plexus-to-HBO102974859.html

First episode had plenty of conflict and complications. The commercials almost deterred me as it seemed like the pacing would be too pulse-pounding for my frame. Commercials and end product? Not always identical in overall effect, I've found.

Today is the date Professor Tolkien set as the birthdays of Frodo and his uncle/cousin, Bilbo.
It's also the date they each set out on their individual journeys in 'The Lord of the Rings.'
Finally, it is the date I begin to read the books again - often aloud to others - annually for many years. This past year someone read them to me over Skype from across the country over months' time. What luxury.
I've been a fan for as long as I can remember, and I raise my glass now to the author and the characters that have threaded throughout my life with much chewing over meanings and bottom lines. At this moment, I'm thinking of the story in terms of one of its themes ~ how means justify ends is chosen over ends justifying means. It's been worth the contemplation for me.

Secure in the love of one of my favorite tales, I offer a bit of fun with The Flight of the Conchords performing, "Frodo, Don't Wear the Ring."
Even if you've seen it before, you might watch until the end for it to yield all of its silly treasures.

This appears to be a Public Service Announcement.
No description is available on YouTube.
It is a long time since my last posting.
I need a little kick in the pants to get
Myself going again.

This video reminds me of my experience during days
This autumn. Just when I least expect it, once again
The untrimmed crab apple tree pummels the roof
With its fruit in its continuous rally to keep me
On the edge of my seat.

Here are some other ways to be kept alert.
It may seem as though you are advised not to
Try them at home, but that all depends,
Doesn't it?

The nicest thing about it is its good cheer
And friendly attitude.
That's always welcome.

Such joyous recognition in heart, arms, smile... and a placard
There are such campaigns all across Europe, East and West,
Australia, Japan. This is one from Italy.
In case you should feel inspired to know more or do your own,
Here is the official website:

http://www.freehugscampaign.org/

There's never any time like the present for a real,
Honest to goodness hug.

Takes people a while to allow themselves that public happiness
But then the river flows, and it's something to look closely at the faces
Of those being hugged.
All the tension released.
Something held - maybe for years... or decades.
Let go.