Ok, for full effect, open the blog TWICE (I think it might happen automatically when you click on the title.) Then before you read further, see if you hear the Rocky music. If so, return to the other window and proceed reading with appropriate background music. If that's too much for you, just hum it to yourself. You know the old original Rocky "Getting stronger, won't be long now. Gonna fly now..."
Why, you ask, am I doing this? Cause I'm becoming a lean, mean fitness machine! Yes, me! You know, the former smoking, poker-playing party queen. Well, that life-style had to go when I had the near stroke crisis in 2007. It's taken awhile, but I'm getting into shape.
First, I quit smoking (almost two and a half years ago.) Then I got the Pilates machine. I didn't get really serious until about six months ago. I can do the full "hundreds" for those who know Pilates. (I was going to find a video link, but they were all too weird.) I also started some Yoga stretches and Sun Salutations when I retired. (I was always doing T'ai Chi, but all of this is more stenuous.) I'm still adding and learning more yoga. But, what brought on this Rocky-oriented post is that today I did the most I've done in one day --
I did the Hundreds this am, then late morning I got on the bicycle and for the first time went over a mile. I know how lame that sounds to fitness freaks, but I just got this bicycle less than a week ago and couldn't even ride a block at first. When I came back, I immediately got the dog and we walked on the ditch another 1.5 miles with the MP3 going. I was really jumping around, too and when I got home I did a serious aerobic dance routine to the music. My heart rate was up for a good 30 - 40 minutes. WOW! I could not have done any of this a year ago. And, I've lost several inches on the midsection. I'm really "pumped" ;) What next? Triathlon? Ha!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
A Real Shocker!
It's Paul Williams' birthday (May 19.) As I always clarify, not the chubby songster, but the rock critic. The guy who was Literary Executor for Philip K Dick's estate and founded Crawdaddy! -- the first U.S. rock magazine.
I want to say happy birthday -- email, call him, but I can't. He's suffering terribly, I'm told, with dementia. This is what I learned Sunday night:
Managed Care!! His voice is silenced? His family is pleading for donations since Paul has no insurance. He was always a free lancer -- a FREE man. His 45 year writing career was supported by sales and patrons. When I first learned of this, two nights ago (and after getting over the immediate shock), I thought, "thank god he wrote and published." At least the world has all his amazing insights about music, other writers (like Phil and Theodore Sturgeon), his own thoughts on Eastern philosophy, and the 20th Century's "Greatest Hits." That book was not just about music, but art and everything important, in Paul's eyes. His eyes. Are they cloudy now? Not the bright, intuitive flashing eyes I saw? Would he know me? Probably not. Does he still know his 8 yr old son? I hope so. He had the boy (with Cindy) after I left Encinitas -- sometime in 2001. Here is the famous Moonlight Beach and in the upper right corner, one of those buildings is his house.
I remember a phone call in 2002. By then I had Izzi (my dog), was engaged, and he just had a son. We laughed and I told him he had a bigger job raising a human. OMG! That was probably the last phone call. He said to call him when I "set the date" for the wedding (of course, I broke the engagement in 2003.) We've had a few emails since then.
He finished one more Dylan book -- "Mind Out of Time" (a play on the Grammy winning "Time Out of Mind" blues-ish CD/album by Dylan.) After coming here (to ABQ) for the July 2000 Dylan concert and seeing all my Madonnas, Paul added the Introduction/Chapter Zero -- "Visions of Madonna." The book was published in 2004. After that he sent a couple of clippings and articles about PKD -- one where he was interviewed again.
I knew he had brain damage, but contrary to what the site says, he did quite a bit of writing after that accident. He wrote the 20th Century's Greatest Hits (which I reviewed on Amazon, and it's still posted there) and the final Dylan book, did an extensive interview for a San Diego newspaper (which he signed and sent to me) and was in continuous contact with international film crews and fans about Phil's movies and books. He was still very productive and writing at least into 2005. So this incredible turn for the worse must have happened in the last couple of years.
I stayed up til 3 am (Monday morning) reading "Pushing Upward" (one of Paul's early books.) It was before he even met Phil (PKD, but he discusses Phil as a writer. Paul not only published about 30 books of his own, and many issues of Crawdaddy! and the PKD Society Newsletter, but he published one of Phil's mainstream novels (Crap Artist) -- a book no one else would publish at the time, and he offered to publish my novel. I just couldn't get it ready for his extreme scrutiny. Now, if this is true (which I'm still in denial) he never will see it, or realize he has.
Live every day like it's your last. And, if you can spare a few dollars, please donate for Paul's health care.
I want to say happy birthday -- email, call him, but I can't. He's suffering terribly, I'm told, with dementia. This is what I learned Sunday night:
The 1995 bicycle injury (and subsequent brain injury) likely triggered an early onset of Alzheimer’s disease; some symptoms were immediate, while others revealed themselves in tragic slow motion: fading powers of memory, then of comprehension and speech. In 2008, unable to continue caring for Paul while also taking care of their eight year-old son, Cindy began to arrange for Paul to live in managed care outside the home.
Managed Care!! His voice is silenced? His family is pleading for donations since Paul has no insurance. He was always a free lancer -- a FREE man. His 45 year writing career was supported by sales and patrons. When I first learned of this, two nights ago (and after getting over the immediate shock), I thought, "thank god he wrote and published." At least the world has all his amazing insights about music, other writers (like Phil and Theodore Sturgeon), his own thoughts on Eastern philosophy, and the 20th Century's "Greatest Hits." That book was not just about music, but art and everything important, in Paul's eyes. His eyes. Are they cloudy now? Not the bright, intuitive flashing eyes I saw? Would he know me? Probably not. Does he still know his 8 yr old son? I hope so. He had the boy (with Cindy) after I left Encinitas -- sometime in 2001. Here is the famous Moonlight Beach and in the upper right corner, one of those buildings is his house.
I remember a phone call in 2002. By then I had Izzi (my dog), was engaged, and he just had a son. We laughed and I told him he had a bigger job raising a human. OMG! That was probably the last phone call. He said to call him when I "set the date" for the wedding (of course, I broke the engagement in 2003.) We've had a few emails since then.
He finished one more Dylan book -- "Mind Out of Time" (a play on the Grammy winning "Time Out of Mind" blues-ish CD/album by Dylan.) After coming here (to ABQ) for the July 2000 Dylan concert and seeing all my Madonnas, Paul added the Introduction/Chapter Zero -- "Visions of Madonna." The book was published in 2004. After that he sent a couple of clippings and articles about PKD -- one where he was interviewed again.
I knew he had brain damage, but contrary to what the site says, he did quite a bit of writing after that accident. He wrote the 20th Century's Greatest Hits (which I reviewed on Amazon, and it's still posted there) and the final Dylan book, did an extensive interview for a San Diego newspaper (which he signed and sent to me) and was in continuous contact with international film crews and fans about Phil's movies and books. He was still very productive and writing at least into 2005. So this incredible turn for the worse must have happened in the last couple of years.
I stayed up til 3 am (Monday morning) reading "Pushing Upward" (one of Paul's early books.) It was before he even met Phil (PKD, but he discusses Phil as a writer. Paul not only published about 30 books of his own, and many issues of Crawdaddy! and the PKD Society Newsletter, but he published one of Phil's mainstream novels (Crap Artist) -- a book no one else would publish at the time, and he offered to publish my novel. I just couldn't get it ready for his extreme scrutiny. Now, if this is true (which I'm still in denial) he never will see it, or realize he has.
Live every day like it's your last. And, if you can spare a few dollars, please donate for Paul's health care.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
the Dharma Wheel
There are so many things I would like to share from my Wesak Buddhist retreat. But, the most important is how much peace and joy we can receive by simply stopping. Stopping our hectic, frenzied civilized race to ---
to where? Where are we rushing to?
I realize it's easy for me to say, now that I'm not in the rat race and have the luxury of making my own schedule and plans. But, it's more important for those who are working and stressed out. I know, I nearly died from too much stress a few years ago. Everyone can find some time to just stop. Stop and stretch and BREATHE!
I caught Michael Beckwith on CNN this morning. I started to say "accidentally", but I only turned on the TV for TEN minutes to check weather and somehow saw him. I really love his messages, too. He was being asked how he knew to leave the stock market in late September of last year. (There were documents showing he sold all his stock holdings just before the huge crash.) He calmly said, "I just stopped and listened to my inner voice. I knew it was time."
THE TIME IS NOW! That's part of the premise of my novel. Listening when we get a message. Yesterday, I was just calling to find a prayer wheel when I found the Tibetan group. I found much more. And as a sign, at exactly 10:01 last night when I went out to look at the Wesak full moon, I saw the most spectacular shooting star. It was amazing! Sometimes the stars do line up and we get just what we need. But, you have to be willing to stop and listen. Here are some beautiful, inspirational links. Wesak celebrations continue through Monday, May 11. Enjoy!!
* Beckwith on Spiritual Liberation (2 mins of your time)
* Dalai Lama words over stunning images and music (HiDef, go full screen!)
* Thich Nhat Hahn) Surrender to the NOW OR
longer on Mindfulness and "Blue Sky" or On Anger
* Eckart Tolle on God -- What Is
Click the title for info on Dharma Wheel, or if you really want to delve into Tibetan Buddhism: Pujas and Prayer Wheels
(I used to link to Mandalas, Mudras and Meditation ;) The Prayer Wheel is truly amazing. By simply spinning the wheel you are sending out hundreds or thousands of prayers for all sentient beings and the planet! Namaste!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Wesak 2009
Britain's PM is on it!! Gordon Brown's Message.
I wrote to Whitehouse.gov to ask if Obama would send a message to American Buddhists.
Click the Dream Flag for more info about it's meaning. As for Wesak, the "real" version is probably Vesak. I feel such a sense of community on Twitter where searching for Wesak turns up hundreds of messages of gratitude and respect. Wonderful!!
So, here's to the Dalai Lama on this auspicious day. Take a moment and visit His Holiness today -- after all many of us believe he IS the reincarnation of the Buddha. And, don't miss this Sunday on CNN when the Dalai Lama is featured on Zakaria's GPS program (11 MDT, 1 pm EDT) Anyway, Namaste to All! Blessings and let's be Mindful of our words, actions and thoughts (at least for 24 hours!)
PM Update: At the RigDzin Tibetan Dharma Center we chanted for the Amitabha Buddha tonight -- the Buddha of Infinite Light. Interesting since one of the only rituals I practice is Nei Kung for healing and in it we call upon Amitabha. I can't imagine how many prayers our small group sent up tonight chanting this mantra for over an hour, while spinning our prayer wheels. In less than 30 minutes the actual Wesak transformation begins. Gotta get back to spinning. More Saturday...
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Odd Day
It's an odd day. No, really -- today is 5-7-9 It felt odd, too.
I couldn't really get anything going today. Salmon Day (swimming upstream ;) Record heat here, over 90 today. I became obsessed with Kindle DX and the new MiFi (personal mobile internet access.) Finally late afternoon things cleared.
I need to get all this oddball stuff out of my mind and settle down. Wesak 24 hours has already started. (Buddhist "High Holy Days") It's time to be quiet, meditate and write, but not this crazy nonsense. Some introspective Mindful writing. I'm not going to rehash what Wesak is... read last year's post. This year it's at 10:01 Friday night in NM. The moon is full, and tomorrow is the 8th -- Infinity. For now, just read Odd Hours (or any of Oddie's adventures.) I'll be back AFTER Wesak. 8
PS - for a Real Adventure, check Shambhala! let's go!
I couldn't really get anything going today. Salmon Day (swimming upstream ;) Record heat here, over 90 today. I became obsessed with Kindle DX and the new MiFi (personal mobile internet access.) Finally late afternoon things cleared.
I need to get all this oddball stuff out of my mind and settle down. Wesak 24 hours has already started. (Buddhist "High Holy Days") It's time to be quiet, meditate and write, but not this crazy nonsense. Some introspective Mindful writing. I'm not going to rehash what Wesak is... read last year's post. This year it's at 10:01 Friday night in NM. The moon is full, and tomorrow is the 8th -- Infinity. For now, just read Odd Hours (or any of Oddie's adventures.) I'll be back AFTER Wesak. 8
PS - for a Real Adventure, check Shambhala! let's go!
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