Merriam-Webster Word Of the Year Austerity.
I suppose given the current economic cycle the top two words of the year are austerity and pragmatic.
When I consider my own views, I see a paradox. While I value the simple practices of Zen, I also love to celebrate the "mad ones." Perhaps more reflection is called for.
1. austerity
2. pragmatic
3. moratorium
4. socialism
5. bigot
6. doppelganger
7. shellacking
8. ebullient
9. dissident
10. furtive
Since the blog also serves as a personal journal, I wanted to post a few quotes from the book I've been reading, Travels with Charley, In Search of America, by John Steinbeck.
In it, Steinbeck describes his travels through the country in a modified travel trailer and his dog Charley.
...I have always lived violently, drunk hugely, eaten too much or not at all, slept around the clock or missed two nights of sleeping, worked too hard and too long in glory, or slobbed for a time in utter laziness. I've lifted, pulled, chopped, climbed, made love with joy and taken my hangovers as a consequence, not as a punishment. ... My wife married a man; I saw no reason why she should inherit a baby
I remember an old Arab in North Africa, a man whose hands had never felt water. He gave me mint tea in a glass so coated with use that it was opaque, but he handed me companionship, and the tea was wonderful because of it. And without any protection my teeth didn't fall out, nor did running sores develop. I began to formulate a new law describing the relationship of protection to despondency. A sad soul can kill you quicker, far quicker, than a germ.
It occurs to me that, just as the Carthaginians hired mercenaries to do their fighting for them, we Americans bring in mercenaries to do our hard and humble work. I hope we may not be overwhelmed one day by peoples not too proud or too lazy or too soft to bend to the earth and pick up the things we eat.
Three things haunted me about Lonesome Harry. First, I don't think had had any fun; second, I think he was really lonesome, maybe in a chronic state; and third, he didn't do a single thing that couldn't be predicted--didn't break a glass or a mirror, committed no outrages, left no physical evidence of joy.
According to the chart the lunar eclipse will occur Tuesday Morning from 0141 to 0253. Getting the 5-hour energy ready for Tuesday.
Noticed this courtyard during a walk at lunch downtown. The scene is the closest look of fall that I've seen in this city. Even though it was almost 80 degrees yesterday.
Good lesson for beginning ukulele playing from LiveUkulele.com. Here are the words.
Chorus: C//// G//// F// C// G// C//
Verse: C// Am// F// C//
One Love, One Heart
Let's get together and feel all right
Hear the children crying (One Love)
Hear the children crying (One Heart)
Sayin' give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right
Sayin' let's get together and feel all right
Let them all pass all their dirty remarks (One Love)
There is one question I'd really like to ask (One Heart)
Is there a place for the hopeless sinner
Who has hurt all mankind just to save his own?
Believe me
One Love, One Heart
Let's get together and feel all right
As it was in the beginning (One Love)
So shall it be in the end (One Heart)
Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right
One more thing
Let's get together to fight this Holy Armageddon (One Love)
So when the Man comes there will be no no doom (One Song)
Have pity on those whose chances grove thinner
There ain't no hiding place from the Father of Creation
Sayin' One Love, One Heart
Let's get together and feel all right
I'm pleading to mankind (One Love)
Oh Lord (One Heart)
Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right
Let's get together and feel all right
We're wishing you a very Happy Birthday Christian. You are an awesome cousin.
I haven't attempted this game yet, but see if you can figure out the Color Physics.
Lots of fun with old friends, many of whom I would consider family. Many opportunities to tell lies of our youth, and try not to let the youngsters make us look to bad. I personally failed many times in this pursuit, but had a great time.
Here's a good one, remembering our old friends who couldn't make it to play.
We uploaded a gigantic number of pictures last night. Prepare for an onslaught of fun time and ignore at your own peril.
Here's a fun set when we celebrated Brian's birthday in Houston.
My personal favorite of the birthday boy. PEACE!
Sorry lots of interesting music today.
The Heligoats from NPR Tiny Desk Concert. The stories he tells between the songs are awesome. Would definitely make for a great concert.
John Anealio from GeekDad has Batman's back.
One more. Merry Christmas From Chiron Beta Prime. "...Where we work for our robot overlords."
Networking is not evil. Notice the Twitter hash #WorshipTheBaby.
Leo dutifully woke us this morning, scratching and exploring on his nocturnal rounds, to watch the meteor shower. While we did see a few meteors, I think we may have been a bit early to catch the most significant action (just found out that 5 AM might have been the best time).
We did, however, make some interesting observations in the cold, early morning.
From NPR's Tiny Desk Concert.
The simplicity of this group makes me smile with happiness. I think they usually play other instruments, but this setting is interesting.
Here's their MySpace page.
From EveryDayIsAwesome.
Is it possible to generate compassion and loving kindness for people who’s actions are intentionally harmful toward others? Can you separate the person from the deed and grasp on to whatever goodness is present in order to craft a loving response, despite the vile nature of their actions?
Just in time for Christian's birthday, the 10 weirdest animals of 2010 from National Geographic.
Here's the Yoda bat.
OK one more new one for me. Love it if only for the short kazoo solo towards the end. I can't think of a better time than, "Cooking in the kitchen of love!" besos amor
Take some time to listen to your favorite John Lennon today. This is one of my favorites. Sometimes I get to sing it to Isaac before he lays down to bed. While I can't seem to get through the whole thing without cracking up a bit, he still doesn't seem to mind being referred to as "beautiful boy."
Hallelujah indeed!
Have you ever stood next to an opera singer when they begin to work their craft. It is an awesome experience. Look at the faces of the children. They will expect a similar performance each time they go to the food court.
Heard the Jason Mraz cover on the radio the other day. Sound like a fun one, here are the chords, maybe easier on the uke.
A huge number of concepts here. Presented through doodling challenges makes it more palatable, almost enjoyable.
Happy Holidays! Notice the Galactic Empire logo in the middle.
Pictures my sister posted of Love Hike 2010. Fantastic day at Dulcenia, we even meditated on the Persimmon Trail and took a look at the shrine where we chanted with a mystical teacher.
More later when we retrieve pictures from our SD card.
Roger McGuinn posted this old sailing poem and added a melody for Christmas. I thought it might add a fun family contribution to our family's Christmas celebration.
We might change the key so that Isaac can play a rollicking recorder solo.
