Friday, November 28, 2008

Up, Up, and Away

I'm spending the day traveling to Australia, by way of Ottawa, Washington, LA, Sydney, and finally Melbourne. It is gently snowing in Ottawa today, but soon it will be nothing but sunshine, and warmth engulfing my whole being. Traveling is awesome because you never know how the day is going to unfold. I'm hoping that all flight connections come off without a hitch. Most of all I can't wait to meet my husband and son in LA.
I love traveling... okay got to pack.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Creative Juices

This is a wonderful demonstration of how creativity manifests in Vancouver, BC, Canada. This turkey is on its way to Occupied a gift shop in the heart of Gastown. It is for a window display competition. A winner for sure.
Go here to read more http://sewoccupied.blogspot.com to read more.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Nana Mouskouri - Adieu Angeline

What is in a name? A couple of days ago, I stumbled unto a song with "Angelina" in it, and now I want to find more. I am like a child who discovered how to write her name, and proceed to write it everywhere she can.

But, "Angelina' is not who I am. I've been know by other names, these names are not my identity. I am, but I am not.

Meanwhile, do I turn my head when I hear "Angelina", yup, I sure do.

This is a Bob Dylan song, but it sounds beautiful sung by Nana, don't you agree?

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Billy Bob Thornton - Angelina

Another Angelina song, my song. Who would have thought Billy Bob could sing...

Friday, November 21, 2008

Angelina - Marillion

Any song about Angelina, is my song...

The more I listen to this song, the more I love it. And it is not because it keeps singing my name.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Sunday Afternoon Reflections

Today is a messy day. The day began with the sun shinning brightly, then light wet snow, which transformed into rain. Now as of this writing it is cloudy, cold, and damp. Winter is coming there is no avoiding it, it happens every year at this time. I don't particularly dislike winter, it is just that I enjoy the warm sun beaming down on me more.

I decided to go shopping for groceries before the weather got too messy. I listened to Ajahn Brahm a Buddhist Monk from Western Australia, on my ipod as I drove to Kanata. (http://video.google.ca/videosearch?q=ajahn+brahm&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&resnum=5&ct=title#q=ajahn%20brahm&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&client=firefox-a&um=1&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&resnum=5&ct=title&start=40). Today's topic was power, specifically letting go of it.

We are creatures of habit, mostly living life in automatic pilot. But until we start paying attention, being mindful, life will pass us by in a blink of an eye. For me being mindful really is about living in the present, and paying attention in the moment. This is not always easy, but it is getting easier as time goes on.

We hold tightly to controlling aspects of our life, relationships, children and even things which are out of our control. I admit that I like to be in control, doesn't everyone? I am a methodical planner, and I think through all the possibilities before I take action (risk). But living life this way is stressful, particularly when things are out of your control. How do we begin to let go of our desire for control, and do we want to?

Meanwhile, since I am meditating more regularly, and I've found great sources of Bodhidharma talks, I am finding it easier to let go of my need for control. I say to myself, does this really matter, now?

For example, I was talking about my to trip Australia at the end of this month, and I mentioned to my friend that I was not looking forward to the 27 hours of actual travel time to get there. But just as I was saying that, I thought, the journey does not just begin when I arrive in Melbourne, travel there is part of the journey. So, I decided that I was going to enjoy every part of the journey to Melbourne, even parts that are out of my control. So if the plane is delayed, or I sit next to a grumpy person, crying babies, my luggage is lost, whatever this trip has in store, bring it on. I say, ha! because it just does not matter. It will be what it is. No worries.

Then life happens, the airline rescheduled my flight and consequently for the first leg of the flight I am not traveling with my husband and son. We will meet in LA and board the same flight to Melbourne. When I called the airlines, I noticed the flight was booked in my first name, which was different than my new passport (for some reason they only put one of my names on the passport). Meaning I either had to chance being denied entry into another country or worst have trouble getting back into my country. At the very minimum, I would have issues with immigration. Okay. Deep breath in and slow deep breath out and down to the passport office I went to correct it. It all worked out and I am being issued a new passport.

Letting go of control does not always mean do nothing. In other words, when faced with a situation, stop, silence your mind and concentrate on your breath. Make an assessment, what can you do about it. Move into action, without getting angry, depressed, or giving up. Too often it is our emotions that prevent us from seeing clearly and missing opportunities that could make our life better. It is being in a calm state, and present that makes a difficult situation easier to rectify. An example Ajahn Brahm likes to give is delays at the airport. No matter how upset one gets, banging on the desk, getting angry at the attendant, none of this brings the arrival of the plane any sooner.

Freedom is letting go of always wanting to be in control, but it is just as important to move into action calmly when the situation call for you to do that, and knowing difference.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

The Smartest Thing I've Done


Sixteen years ago today, 11.11.92 at 11 am we eloped.

I clearly recollect my wedding day. We awoke slowly, had breakfast and a leisurely talked. Then we realized we were running late and had to leave to Osgoode Hall, downtown Toronto where we were to be married by Alan's long time friend and judge, Roland (Roy) McMurtry QC.

We picked up Alan's mom on the way to City Hall. She had bought our boutonnieres. When we arrived our friends were already there.
Because it was Remembrance Day we had the beautiful historic building all to ourselves. The judge's brother Bill, Alan's partner at his law firm, found out about the wedding and crashed the festivities.

It was a completely stress-free ceremony, saying our vows which we had drafted a few days prior, went without a hitch. My face hurt from all the smiling as the photographer took pictures. Later, we went for lunch at Winsons's, an amazing restaurant where we ran into a few more of Alan's associates and the marriage was no longer a secret.

The courtship, and planning the wedding was a blast, the only people who knew our secret were our assistants Joanne and Roxy, who helped us with some of the details of the courtship and wedding. Mum was the word and they didn't let on to anyone. The eve of the wedding, Alan convinced me to call home, which I did. As expected, I got a lecture but by the end of the conversation got the blessings.

After lunch we drove to a resort, arriving as it was lightly snowing and very dark. We got lost at the golf course and finally made it to the main building as it was approaching 11 pm. Our room was not ready, and we had to sit in the lounge while we waited for the room. By this time I was hungry, tired, and getting grumpy. But the rest of the honeymoon was wonderful. Three days later, Alan drove us home, first dropping me off at my home, and then drove off to his home, in a different city. Our courtship had been brief and we had not discussed who would be moving leaving that discussion to after the wedding. Three months later, Alan moved to my city.

Whatever with a big splashy wedding, who needs the stress! I promised my husband our life would be simple, and non-complicated. By and large, that is how I am in this marriage. And to begin with, each year when we start seeing poppies, we know our anniversary is approaching it is on Remembrance Day after all. How easy is that?

Sixteen years later, among all the wonderful things this marriage has brought into my life includes a best friend forever (BFF). Sweet!

Friday, November 7, 2008

Network -

Sometimes having a good old fashion tantrum works wonders...then take a deep breath.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

293-World Music:Yma Sumac,Diva dos Andes,

By Dennis McLellan

November 3 2008

Yma Sumac, the Peruvian-born singer whose spectacular multi-octave vocal range and exotic persona made her an international sensation in the 1950s, has died. She was 86.

The complete article can be viewed at: http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-sumac3-2008nov03,0,572792.story


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