Final Daze

And, it has been a bewildering year. The assassination of Benazir Bhutto this week was just the final shock in a terrible time. A time of inane leadership (here and other countries.) This was an incredibly intelligent, qualified leader and someone in a position to speak of democracy in the Middle East. We have no business meddling over there and when we do, it only inflames anti-American passion. Now another voice of moderation has been silenced. War continues.

Iowa is about to have an inappropriate and ill-proportioned say in our domestic leadership. Yeah, I sucked up in the Open Editorial Letter, but in the end it didn't help. The republican Register lived up to their rep and 1) failed to print an opposing view, and 2) endorsed Hoary Hillary hoping she'll lose in the general. They know damn well she won't be President -- she's too strident. And, despite Oprah's endorsement, I doubt Obama with his black and Muslim background, will either. And, he's a smoker. Here's a little something I clipped from another blog;

Smokers are considered by wellness enthusiasts as self-destructive, reckless lifestyle kamikazes lacking self-control, self-regard, dignity and panache. Just as you would not want to live with one, the chances are you would not vote for one, either.

I failed to make the wellness point for my man John Edwards. Look how fit and healthy he is at 54. Why would we want an ex junky or any of the old fat farts with baggy, saggy complexions and unhealthy hearts about to burst, as the Leader of the Free World? Having a moron hasn't worked, either. Let's have a healthy, respectable intellectual; someone who has taken care of himself, his family and is highly successful. Is that a hard call to make?

Truly bewildering is the environmental crisis. We're not making any real headway on the oil or deforestation issues. I remember putting up a solar panel in 1979. How is it that nearly 30 years later, they're still too expensive and complicated to use? I want a solar battery tender for my van. Think I can find one at a reasonable price? Ha! So forget solar powered cars or home panels. That's just F'd. And, so are we with this continuing oil dependency.

I feel my blood pressure rising. Which brings me to the concept of moral outrage. If we truly had any, instead of such apathy, we might see real change. But even that is bewildering. The Dalai Lama doesn't rant like this. In fact, he makes this important observation: All political and religious beliefs boil down to the desire for peace and happiness. He says we must not lose sight of the fundamental goal nor put the means before the end. We must always maintain the supremacy of Compassion over ideology. That's worth pondering for 2008.

I'm anxious to leave 2007 behind. It was a year of health crisis and many changes for me -- many of them hard and unsettlng. Yeah, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, but it can also make us bitter and sour. My challenge is to keep the Attitude of Gratitude for 2008 and gratefully welcome the new year.

I've been anticipating 2008 for seven years. I remember thinking in 2001, that I had seven years "to go" (for retirement.) Now, it's here. This is my final year of the daily government grind. I want it to be joyful and light. I've earned my keep and shouldn't have to stress out this last year. I should use it for transition and to maintain my fledgling health. I won't miss 2007.

Holiday Spirit

The Solstice was 12.21 at 11:08 pm MST. I celebrated with my annual ritualistic practice of burning the old and welcoming the new energies for a new year. I believe the Winter Solstice is not only the shortest, but final day of the cycle we call a year. It was a wonderful day for me. A group of us went to the BioPark for lunch. We sat amidst the festive holiday decorations, looking at the giant aquarium and the creatures living there, enjoying each other's company and blessing this holiday season and the new year. An Attitude of Gratitude; that's a beautiful theme for the coming year. If I can foster that feeling, stay in the moment and be grateful for all I have, that will be a true blessing.

I am blessed to be alive. I had a close call in 2007 and spent the year changing my eating and other habit patterns. I never was a heavy smoker, but I have not smoked now for over 10 months. I haven't had a coke, fries, trans fatty food, and haven't played poker (sigh) -- it's been a lot of difficult changes. Yes, I feel better physically, and now it's time to feel better mentally.

I get caught up in the swirl of negativity at work, and feeding on it with others. My sincere wish for this Christmas season, calendar New Year and the Precession of the Equinoxes is to let go of anger, negativity, and too much "forward focus." I have looked forward to 2008 for several years. It marks the final year of "Prison" (aka, government job.) But, as we know, Freedom is a state of mind. Change your mind, change your life. I can be free now.

As I sit here surrounded by my Taoist books and tapes, Cameron creativity books, Progoff life analysis and "the Secret," I know intellectually how to do this. Think positive thoughts. We manifest our reality through our thoughts. I know how the Law of Attraction works. I simply need to DO IT! Just like I changed my physical habits, I need to change my mental habits.

So, I didn't post pictures of me and Izzi taking van trips (which we did again -- to lakes and mountain retreats), and I didn't recap my activities as a government webmaster or IT Project Manager because in my most favorite term "who gives a ratz azz" (really), and I didn't even link to the new video I produced for the County (ok so I will now: "Bringing the Best Together") I spent ALL of November doing NaNoWriMo (novel writing, again.) All you have to do to see my life in review is scroll through the posts here or on the old blog.

But, the most important thing is what's happening right now this season. Can we please have PEACE and Gratitude, not war and misery. For those of you in Iowa, please vote for John Edwards. He is the best kept Secret! Happy Holidays and P E A C E ! (to everyone of all faiths and locations.)

Why do people complain?

That is the question posed by A ComplaintFreeWorld.org
Here's what they have to say about complaining;

Michael Cunningham, Ph.D., a psychologist at the University of Louisville, proposes that the human predilection for complaining probably evolved from our ancestors' way of crying out a warning when something threatened the tribe. "Mammals are a squealing species," Dr. Cunningham says, "We talk about things that bother us as a way of getting help or seeking a posse to mount a counter attack."

When an attack is imminent, it makes sense to sound a warning. However, most people are not threatened and yet we complain 20-30 times a day. In so doing, we are sending out negative energy and drawing back to ourselves negative experiences.

People complain because they have an unmet need. They may want a social connection so they begin a conversation by complaining... (sometimes innocently about the weather, politics, or sports .) It sounds innocent enough, but this negative talk is actually reinforcing the concept that "something is wrong in my world." Our thoughts (especially when verbalized) bring more challenges to us as a result. Beyond the need to connect, many people have a need to be admired so they will complain about an other's behavior as a way of saying, "I'm better than that person." People who habitually complain are often ostracized by their family, friends and coworkers. Complainers tend to have poorer health and not do as well at work.

Whatever the reason a person may complain, there are a lot of important reasons to put on a purple bracelet and break the habit, NOW! (especially this holiday season or for the New Year.)

I was watching a TV poker tournament just now and one of the players was still complaining several hands later about his "bad break." (Poker is often the luck of the draw, despite what Hellmuth says.) The commentator said the old poker joke about whining is; both dogs and poker players whine, but dogs stop eventually. (Memorial moment for Chip Reese, who died last week at only 56. )

Most of us here in the U.S. have little reason to complain (of course, there are exceptions.) But, a nation who is suffering (actually dying) from eating too much, rather than starving, should not be complaining. We should count our blessings. So this holiday season, I'll focus on that. (And, watch or read "The Christmas Carol" yet again.) My goal for 08: Stop forging more chains.

BTW, for those who logged on for the holiday update, this is not it. But, it couldn't hurt to click on the links (all of them ;) The link to the personal stuff will be here (soon.)

TV

I hate to admit this, but I spend way too much time watching TV. For instance, I'm watching several episodes of "House" as I write this. I think it's one of the best series. House is a wildly complicated character -- a witty, pain killer-addicted, arrogant, anti-social doctor. His colleague and friend Wilson, and former lover/female hospital administrator Cuddy are enablers and equally complex. It's not a typical medical show -- it's highly unusual. Hugh Laurie is Oxford English and yet there's not a hint of accent in the mean-spirited character he plays.

I'm bummed to be missing Dexter, but not enough to subscribe to Showtime. I pay way too much as is for cable TV. I DVR and watch On Demand. As for Dexter, guess I'll have to wait and get episodes on DVD. I loved Michael C. Hall in "6 Feet Under" and I'm sure he makes a great serial-killing cop.

I also like Boston Legal, Monk, tons of stuff on PBS, Dirty Sexy Money (another 6FU fav), and believe it or not, the cartoon series "Family Guy." The intellectual baby Stewie is hilarious. So much so, i had to get a 2008 calendar of just him. I should be writing about John Edwards and trying to persuade you to vote for him. (Been there, done that. Now I'm waiting to see if my letter gets published in the Des Moines Register. If so, I'll link right here!!!)

What started this TV talk tonight was seeing something on Amazon that makes me salivate! Northern Exposure was one of my all time favorites. Right up there with... Twilight Zone and, yes, Alfred Hitchcock. Remember Dr. Joel Fleischman? Cynical, bitter, intellectual. Wow -- kind of House-like, eh? Or maybe I like House cause I miss Joel. How about the quirky, intellectual, philosophical radio DJ (played by -- come on. What's his name?) or Ed, the young Native American Shaman/film director wanna- be. Just look at that amazing complete set in a cowhide bag. But, wait... I read some of the reviews and the music is missing? WTF#$%!!^%$ The Music was such an intregal part of that show. OK, forget that set. sigh! Back to getting Edwards elected...

the Best Place in the Universe

I better make this entry good. (Search engines may find it.) Apparently life forms from all over the Galaxy are focused once again on New Mexico. You know, just like they were in 1947 (after we made the bomb) and then detonated it at White Sands. Word is when the alien rubber-neckers crashed at Roswell back then, they were actually just gawking at our beautiful state. Now, we know they were hoping to prevent us from blowing ourselves up. Even Marvin (the Martian) knew that! Anyway, "they're back." Better check out the videos. I don't know how to link directly to them from the official Tourism site, so here's the famous Alien Ad on You Tube.

I actually had to contact the state Tourism office and suggest they use a more friendly alien, not the Reptilian variety that munch down on us and do weird cattle experiments. You'd think after all the contact here our tourism folks would know all this. New Mexico -- gotta love it. It's Weird and Cosmic! Why else would I be here ;)