Eventful Mother's Day & Day After

So I got to spend time with Phove on Mother's Day. We met at Descanso Gardens and drank Genmai Cha from Styrofoam cups(!) in the Japanese Tea Garden. We had a great time
talking about the complexities of life then left in her car to visit her mom.

Her mom was really great, and we decided to take her out to Gordon Biersch for Mother's Day. We figured it would be a better place too since most people would not be
taking their mother's there - we wouldn't have to wait too long for a table.

It was great because we got a table right away and got to talk a bit more. I also saw my friend, Clay, who was tending bar so I said hello and caught up on old times a bit.

Then we left and went to drop me off at Descanso to pick up my car when we discovered that the gates were locked (horror!!!) and the sign said that they are open from 9 to 4:30 on weekdays. Unfortunately, I work from 8:30 to 5. Luckily I walk to work so I just need a ride home (Phove gave me the ride) then I need to figure out how to get my car out. I couldn't think of anyone that I know who don't work during the day. But I contacted No. 1 who said that he'd be kind enough come by my work during our lunch hour, pick me up, and take me to Descanso so that I can
pick up my car before they close again.

Aah!!! Freedom!!!

I drove my car home and walked back to work.

All was once again well with the world.

Friends

One person can change your life forever.


Thank you to all my friends!!!

All Is Full of Love

You'll be given love. You'll be taken care of. You'll be given love. You
have to trust it. Maybe not from the sources you have poured yours.
Maybe not from the directions you are staring at. Twist your head
around. It's all around you. All is full of love. All around you. All is
full of love (You just ain't receiving). All is full of love (Your phone
is off the hook). All is full of love (Your doors are shut).

Bjork says it well if we just listen and heed.

Good Times

Yesterday I spent time with Phove, and we talked for hours on end (what? me talk for hours on end?) about all manner of things in life. It was good being able to share more of myself with a friend. That's when people get to know how crazy I REALLY am. Whee!!!

We shared a great afternoon. We had brunch at Hugo's and then continued the conversation at Portrait of a Bookstore then later at the park and finally at Phove's apartment. And who knows, maybe Phove can give me a sense of style - maybe I'm finally ready. I'm too old to not care about how the whole package. Watch out world - here I come!!!

Electricidad

Went to see Electricidad at the Mark Taper yesterday, and it was a great show.

It is a contemporary Latino East LA barrio take on Sophocles' Elektra. All of the principle role actors were amazing. The actor who played Orestes, Justin Huen, gave such a powerful performance - full of emotion - that Stephanie and I wondered how he can give it all up for every performance night after night like that. I am honored to have been able to experience it.

Props

And while I'm at it in remembering people, I'd like to take a moment to send some shout outs to some peeps (Oh, Jeez! That is so five years ago!).

No. 1
I can't say this enough. You've helped me change and improve in so many ways it's frightening. I can only hope that I've provided half as much inspiration in your life. It feels to me as if we two have been walking this path together for many lifetimes. We've been through thick and thin, and I for one am working on making sure that there are more thick times than thin in the many years to come. Thank you for being my Yogi.

Pierre
I miss you though you've only been away a couple of months. The short time that we were able to spend together means a lot to me. I WILL come visit you. Just give me some time. And maybe I will have built a body in the meantime that can match yours (yeah, right). Please tell your family that I said hello. Thank you for being my Yogi.

Stephanie
What can I say but, "I was walking down the street. . . ." I know we've pulled each other out of many holes, and I'm sure there are a lot more to come. You've made this path enjoyable. I don't think I would have laughed as much without you. Thank you for being my Yogi.

Nature

The squirrels have been playing and having a good time on the roof for about an hour now. I've heard some people who have tried to take steps to get rid of them because they feel that nature is encroaching into their lives. The problem with this theory is that WE encroached into THEIR lives a long time ago. We must learn to coexist with them as they've done with us long ago.

Me, I've been relishing in listening to their play wishing that I could play with them. But I'll satisfy myself in being the silent listener and feeling the joy. Then I'll spread some of that healthy joy today wherever I go.

Heya Chris

I've been thinking of an old friend of mine lately. He was one of the first people that I met in the blogosphere (do they even call it that these days?). I first discovered him when he was running B(oy)log, and I continued to follow his posts as he moved on to Chrisonomicon. I never had the guts to start my own blog during those times but I did get up the gumption every now and then to post a comment or two to his posts.

During our exchanges over the years we got to know each other a bit and even keep in touch every now and again. The 'net has allowed us to bridge the geographical gaps as well as pull back to those geographical limitations. I know he had a huge following, and I'm sure that many people were sad to see him go offline (I know I was!). So hopefully I can develop my writing skill to be as succinct as his was (and IS I'm sure) so that I can inspire new thoughts into the minds of those that come here to read my rambling posts.

Here's to you, Chris.

Hand Washing

Have you ever noticed when washing your hands that one washes the other
differently? I've found that my left hand washes the right more
thoroughly. Maybe it's because I'm left-handed. I've tried to emulate
the technique with the right hand but it hasn't seemed to catch on.
Maybe I just need a little more practice.

I'll have to try it some more and see if it catches on. I'd like to get
my ambidextrousness back.

(No) Kung Fu Hustle

I was trying to get some friends together to go see Kung Fu
Hustle last night (saw it this past weekend and had to tell
everybody how much it rocked), and things just sorta went awry for a
short time.

Steve called and said that he was going to check out his taillight and
see if he can get it fixed before the movie. And I was also waiting
for a call from Rob. So I hang out and wait and finally decide that I
should call Steve to tell them that we're going to have to go to a
later showtime. When I pick up the phone, I hear the stutter tone that
tells me that I have messages (why didn't my phone indicate it for
me). I check my messages and hear that they are from two hours before.
Rob says call him. Steve says he's getting everything fixed and should
be able to be there for the movie.

I panic (I've got 20 minutes to get there). Call Rob back. Leave a
voicemail to say I'm on my way to the movie and sorry I'm calling so
late - something's wrong with my phone. Race through the freeway then
through the streets and arrive 20 minutes late. Call Steve who's gone
home by now. He says that he went to the ticket counter to get a
ticket and was turned away because of some bank robbery. He tells me
to go to the ticket counter to ask for a ticket. I can buy one just
fine. He's pissed because he was turned away (something about a bank
robbery nearby). I told him that 20 minutes can make a big difference.

I asked him if he would still like to do something but he's to pissed
to think. I convinced him go ahead and go out to blow off some steam
and let the evening end on a good note. He agreed. I went to his
place, picked him up and we headed off to CPK to grab some grub.

All in all things ended well. But it certainly had crazy beginnings.

So Bush Has Pirated Music

Uh, Mr. President, hand over the iPod.

http://www.boingboing.net/2005/04/13/bushs_ipod_filled_wi.html

Freak Power Failure

So we had this power failure in Glendale today at about 3:30pm. They said that it had something to do with Glendale Water & Power and that power should be restored by about 4:30pm. Because we are so dependent on our electronic systems, they said that we could leave early today. But, of course, we would have to use the stairwell since the elevators were reserved for emergency use only. I work on the 18th floor of the Nestlé building which isn't so bad except I got trapped behind slower people on the stairwell. As we all start backing up behind the slower people, it felt as if we were cattle being rounded up. Then because most of Nestlé was leaving at the same time, the parking lot and the streets outside got full. I decided to wait with Melissa to keep her company and let the traffic die down.

At least it added a little excitement to our afternoon.

Final Week

So I told management that I have accepted a position at Russ Reid, and they've taken it pretty well. They would like me to give them an extra week but I've told them that Russ Reid needs me to start on April 11 so that won't work very well. Everyone has been really supportive of me so that has been great.

It's difficult to go because I work with some SOLID people and made some SOLID friends. But I'm also looking forward to the future. It feels good, being in this ambivalent state.

Meandering Metaphysical Post

I was just talking to Stephanie last night about past/multiple/alternate lives. And it has me thinking (uh oh).

First, I think "past" lives is a limiting term. It works for us here in the physical world but when we realize that there is much more to us than these physical bodies and this thing we call time, we know that there is so much more. If I use what little knowledge I have of quantum physics, there are more than what we experience of 3 dimensions of space and one dimension of time. But these dimensions are simply curled up and imperceptible to us on this physical plane. What if there are more dimensions of time and that in fact all time is NOW. It's just that in this existence we have, stretched out before us, a couple of dimensions that allow us to easily make sense of things. It reminds me of a quote I heard awhile back ago:

Time exists so that everything doesn't happen at once; space exists so that everything doesn't happen to you.

I think there is much more to this existence than we can conceive of.

I get the feeling that I have been travelling together with both Stephanie and No. 1 during our multiple lives. They both play such important roles in this life. They both understand me so well when I feel misunderstood by so many people in life. No. 1 has helped me shape myself into the man I am today, and Stephanie has helped me validate this shaping. I thank them both for being the kindred spirits that they are.

Happy Friday!!!

Happy Friday to all. It's such a beautiful day in Los Angeles today maybe our April Fools is that we have to stay inside.

Reminder to turn your clocks FORWARD one hour before retiring on Sat. night. In 1987 federal legislation fixed the period of daylight saving time in the United States as the first Sunday (previously the last Sunday) in April to the last Sunday in October. Arizona, Hawaii, and sections of Indiana do not use daylight saving time.

Spreading the Joy

I was sitting in a meeting a couple of days ago, and I started to mentally disconnect with my body. And I got this feeling that we all were sitting there just trying to get things done. And we all were afraid because we thought that others would judge us for not being able to get our portion of the project done. I thought to myself, We're all in the same boat; when will we all get it?

I tried to, as I always do, spread some more joy and compassion around and remind us all that we all are the bomb. Not sure it worked, though. This crazy mixed up world gets us all caught up.

New Beginnings

I've just accepted a Traffic Manager position at Russ Reid. They are a marketing firm that does work with the non-profit sector. I am really excited about this because I believe it will be a lot closer to feeling like what I'm doing with my life will be helping to make a difference in the world.

It also doesn't hurt that it is a fully benefited position and that it's a 20-minute walk down the street from my apartment.

Change Is Coming. . .

Wow! A co-worker of mine just let us know that she's leaving the company. Tomorrow will be her last day. I must say that I've really enjoyed getting to know her. She's a really good egg. She said that she's on to bigger and better, and she deserves it. I hope that we keep in touch, but I know how life pulls us in different directions so many of our friendships are frienships of convenience.

I am honored to have had the chance to get to know you for this short time.

Learning Lessons

I was recently thinking that about how life seems so difficult right now and wondering if it always felt this challenging. But as I look back on my life, the difficult parts have always felt this difficult. It's probably because each situation is brand new that it feels at that moment to be the worst thing in the world.

That makes me feel not so bad about everything. Especially since I know that I've gotten through all those previous things in the past. It helps me smile through the rough spots.

Beginnings. . .

So I keep being reminded that I need to start writing. Maybe I need to do some more sharing than I have been lately. So hopefully this will all be a cogent and helpful exercise for me and those who read this.

I've recently been troubled by the new devastation that's been going on in Indonesia after the earthquake they just experience. It's too much since they've been trying to recover from the recent earthquake and tsunami. I just want to go out there and help clean up the mess but I may just get in the way by doing that. At least I have and plan to continue to help out financially. It's all too much.