From Canada to Outer Mongolia, millions of people observed a Total Solar Eclipse today. For those of us in the US, who could only enjoy in Second Life, here's a fun page with a video replay.
Total eclipses (solar or lunar) have always been considered omens. But, regardless of your beliefs or thoughts, it's an awe-inspiring phenomenon. It's amazing that the earth is just the right distance from the sun and moon so the moon can appear to perfectly eclipse the sun. Any variation in those distances would not create the perfect obscured effect. (You can observe demonstrations of this fact on the various sites here.)
I thought I remembered a total Solar Eclipse from my childhood, but according to this map there would not have been one where I grew up (in the Midwest) since before I was born. The one in 1991 passed sort of close to New Mexico, and I recall going out on the plaza during the day using the "pin hole in paper" method to view it on a piece of cardboard, since we didn't get the total effect here.
If you want to plan for the next total Solar Eclipse visible in the US, here you go. (It's not until 2017, so you have some time ;)
Friday, August 1, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Wesak Moon
Two months since I posted -- wow! I know why. I had decided that blogging was bogus. Why should I put all my personal thoughts and feelings on the web for every weirdo to view? Why publish a book, then, if that's the attitude? Why bother with anything?
OK, that said, I've decided to only post material that would be beneficial -- not just ranting and raving as I was before on the old blog and even here.
Yes, Tolle got to me. I was listening to Eckhart Tolle before, during and after his Oprah "outting." Not that kind of outting -- his unveiling to the public. I think he's the "real deal" and very inspirational.
and, now for Wesak -- a Festival for the full moon in May . It's the highest holy day (s) for devout Buddhists. Vesak (pronounced way-sak), commemorates Buddha's birth, death, and enlightenment and occurs every year on the full moon in May. Many devotees wear simple white clothing and spend the whole day in temples with renewed determination to observe and meditate on the Noble Truths and Eight Precepts. Since the actual Wesak Moon is Monday (at 8:11 pm MDT), I'll begin the ceremonies now (Sunday) and try to hold the intention during the phase of the moon. Always difficult on work days, but that's the most important lesson; staying centered in the face of adversity. Om mani padme hum
OK, that said, I've decided to only post material that would be beneficial -- not just ranting and raving as I was before on the old blog and even here.
Yes, Tolle got to me. I was listening to Eckhart Tolle before, during and after his Oprah "outting." Not that kind of outting -- his unveiling to the public. I think he's the "real deal" and very inspirational.
and, now for Wesak -- a Festival for the full moon in May . It's the highest holy day (s) for devout Buddhists. Vesak (pronounced way-sak), commemorates Buddha's birth, death, and enlightenment and occurs every year on the full moon in May. Many devotees wear simple white clothing and spend the whole day in temples with renewed determination to observe and meditate on the Noble Truths and Eight Precepts. Since the actual Wesak Moon is Monday (at 8:11 pm MDT), I'll begin the ceremonies now (Sunday) and try to hold the intention during the phase of the moon. Always difficult on work days, but that's the most important lesson; staying centered in the face of adversity. Om mani padme hum
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Free Tibet
I have a dirty, dusty bumper sticker that's been on my front window for 18 years (since 1990); "Boycott China, Save Tibet."
When I stuck it there all those years ago, I vowed to leave it until the Dalai Lama was allowed to return to his homeland in Tibet. How sad that not only have things not improved in those 18 years, they are so much worse now.
Several dozen (as many as 80) Tibetans and Buddhist monks were killed in riots in the past week. Chinese troops were surrounding Drepung monastery in Lhasa, with hundreds of monks still inside. I really want to expose what the chinese communist "boss" said (don't know his title, he was referred to as this on PBS.) I saw him speaking these words on PBS; "The Dalai Lama is a jackal. An evil spirit with the heart of a beast." I wanted to spit at the real lying jackal on my tv set.
Here is the direct quote from the Dalai Lama, "I appeal to the Chinese leadership to stop using force and address the long-simmering resentment of the Tibetan people through dialogue with the Tibetan people. I also urge my fellow Tibetans not to resort to violence."
Anyone who knows anything about the Dalai Lama knows he stands for Peace and Compassion. That has been his life-long teaching. He is a world treasure and even in the face of this horrible situation continues to urge non-violence. But, this was, after all, Tibetan National Uprising Day -- the equivalent of our Independence Day -- only we're free. Tibetan monks are still tortured, gagged, and silenced by their chinese occupiers.
Imagine 49 years of occupation! It will be a full 50 years next year, and even monks grow weary of daily abuse. Who could blame them? How in the world would we (Americans) act? We couldn't tolerate one attack on our precious soil (2001), and we'd be violent every day if our land was occupied. Try to imagine our homes and churches occupied -- our rights and weapons taken away. Americans can hardly conceive of such a thing, yet we occupy other countries (like Iraq) and support these chinese thugs even as our children are dying thanks to their poison toys and other imported junk. I end as I began, "Boycott china" -- their junk, their coming games, and for god's sake: FREE Tibet!
When I stuck it there all those years ago, I vowed to leave it until the Dalai Lama was allowed to return to his homeland in Tibet. How sad that not only have things not improved in those 18 years, they are so much worse now.
Several dozen (as many as 80) Tibetans and Buddhist monks were killed in riots in the past week. Chinese troops were surrounding Drepung monastery in Lhasa, with hundreds of monks still inside. I really want to expose what the chinese communist "boss" said (don't know his title, he was referred to as this on PBS.) I saw him speaking these words on PBS; "The Dalai Lama is a jackal. An evil spirit with the heart of a beast." I wanted to spit at the real lying jackal on my tv set.
Here is the direct quote from the Dalai Lama, "I appeal to the Chinese leadership to stop using force and address the long-simmering resentment of the Tibetan people through dialogue with the Tibetan people. I also urge my fellow Tibetans not to resort to violence."
Anyone who knows anything about the Dalai Lama knows he stands for Peace and Compassion. That has been his life-long teaching. He is a world treasure and even in the face of this horrible situation continues to urge non-violence. But, this was, after all, Tibetan National Uprising Day -- the equivalent of our Independence Day -- only we're free. Tibetan monks are still tortured, gagged, and silenced by their chinese occupiers.
Imagine 49 years of occupation! It will be a full 50 years next year, and even monks grow weary of daily abuse. Who could blame them? How in the world would we (Americans) act? We couldn't tolerate one attack on our precious soil (2001), and we'd be violent every day if our land was occupied. Try to imagine our homes and churches occupied -- our rights and weapons taken away. Americans can hardly conceive of such a thing, yet we occupy other countries (like Iraq) and support these chinese thugs even as our children are dying thanks to their poison toys and other imported junk. I end as I began, "Boycott china" -- their junk, their coming games, and for god's sake: FREE Tibet!
Friday, March 7, 2008
Wild Mind
In Buddhist meditation the goal is taming the wild mind. We sit quietly, and notice our jumble of thoughts without judging them. We label it "thinking" -- no matter what it is -- let go and try again. Natalie Goldberg, a long time Zen student, called one of her early books on writing "Wild Mind." It doesn't get much better than that for describing the writer's dilemma. On one hand you want crazy uncontrolled thoughts and emotions to spill out onto the page. The wilder the better. But the time comes to stop tossing words and ideas. Structure, architecture and even research are required to create something coherent out of the mess. Art? Fiction? What is it?
Today I was talking to another struggling novelist. He has the best take on creative writing -- that first and foremost it's for us. When an amateur musician sits down to play the piano on the weekend, he or she doesn't think about how to record the music and sell a CD of it; at least not at first. First, you learn to play the piano and practice. Then you might play to relax and unwind. A person can play music or paint just for the pleasure of it, and everyone understands that. Why, then, do amateur weekend novelists feel so obsessed with publishing? I just want to write for my own enjoyment. I want to release this obsession with how and when to publish. It's completely ruining my writing pleasure and the quality of the work itself.
Before I started my friggin' albatross-around-my-neck novel, I used to write for pleasure. Sometimes poems, sometimes "rants" and sometimes just weird blurbs that had no particular purpose. Those were the most fun. I think that's why I like the blog. If I get a wild idea, I can just go off on a tangent. I don't really care who reads it, or if anyone likes it. It's just for "fun."
Back to the novel. Tonight, actually as of 3-6-2008, I'm declaring my novel a pleasure piece. I'm writing for my own amusement and benefit. Scriblerian schmaltz! Oh no, just when I thought I could relax and goof off, I hear the heavy wooden door of "the Cloister of No Return" creak open. Monk Natalie beckons me. She speaks of craft and voice. Enter at your own risk.
Today I was talking to another struggling novelist. He has the best take on creative writing -- that first and foremost it's for us. When an amateur musician sits down to play the piano on the weekend, he or she doesn't think about how to record the music and sell a CD of it; at least not at first. First, you learn to play the piano and practice. Then you might play to relax and unwind. A person can play music or paint just for the pleasure of it, and everyone understands that. Why, then, do amateur weekend novelists feel so obsessed with publishing? I just want to write for my own enjoyment. I want to release this obsession with how and when to publish. It's completely ruining my writing pleasure and the quality of the work itself.
Before I started my friggin' albatross-around-my-neck novel, I used to write for pleasure. Sometimes poems, sometimes "rants" and sometimes just weird blurbs that had no particular purpose. Those were the most fun. I think that's why I like the blog. If I get a wild idea, I can just go off on a tangent. I don't really care who reads it, or if anyone likes it. It's just for "fun."
Back to the novel. Tonight, actually as of 3-6-2008, I'm declaring my novel a pleasure piece. I'm writing for my own amusement and benefit. Scriblerian schmaltz! Oh no, just when I thought I could relax and goof off, I hear the heavy wooden door of "the Cloister of No Return" creak open. Monk Natalie beckons me. She speaks of craft and voice. Enter at your own risk.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
the Scroll
No, not the lost Gnostic religious scroll. Not even the "Z" Sect (Zaddokite) scroll fragment #28 discovered in my novel, AKS. Nope, I'm talking about a continuous paper roll like the one Kerouac used when he rewrote his Road novel in a three week frenzy. The scroll that Wayne thinks I should toss in the Van and "just get after it." ROFLOL
Thanks to computers – especially laptops -- I don't need a giant paper roll and a heavy old Olivetti typewriter. I have an endless amount of disk space. So, if I do rewrite over 80K words in three weeks, I can just scream, “Yes, Yes!” as Dean Moriarty the maniac would.
I’ve spent years trying to understand what's wrong with my WIP (“Work in Progress” as Joyce called his.) When I finally had the “ah ha” moment, it was this simple -- it’s too adult. I always thought it was too juvenile. It was too juvenile for an “important” work, but too adult for nonsense. It's neither, nor and there lies the problem. If I’m successful (with the roll and rapid rewrite) it will become a blend of reality and nonsense, mixed genres and maybe even a little biography. The best writing, IMHO, delights young and old alike.
It may have taken James Joyce 17 years to write his WIP (Finnegans Wake), but I have to say it’s still not accessible. Dedicated scholars have spent years trying to comprehend it, and can’t. I can say this because Joyce is dead. I once said something critical to a budding young new age writer and he killed himself. I know I’m not responsible for his death, but that doesn’t change how you feel when that happens. Telling someone they aren’t communicating is dangerous and insensitive. Harsh criticism along the way sure set me back (for years), but as they say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. I endured.
Erudite, important literature has a place. But in a time when only one in four Americans even read a single book (2006), and if print books are on the way out (as I speculated in my last entry), then “nonsense” may be just the ticket. How many million -- or billion -- Harry Potter books have been read? Among our most enduring and most loved works are “Alice in Wonderland,” “Peter Pan (aka Peter and Wendy),” and though more popular as a movie, “the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” Add to that Harry Potter and maybe someday, “A Kindred Spirit.” I should be so fortunate to ever be in that illustrious company.
I do envision a movie, too, Mr. D, but first things first. I need to move at warp maniacal speed and crank out some nonsense. Those hypno sessions are certainly helping. "You can't wait to write. Your fingers are flying over the keyboard." (something like that.) I'm doing it. Yes, really, I am. The clock is ticking and calendar pages are flying by. 08, can't wait. Let's go...
Thanks to computers – especially laptops -- I don't need a giant paper roll and a heavy old Olivetti typewriter. I have an endless amount of disk space. So, if I do rewrite over 80K words in three weeks, I can just scream, “Yes, Yes!” as Dean Moriarty the maniac would.
I’ve spent years trying to understand what's wrong with my WIP (“Work in Progress” as Joyce called his.) When I finally had the “ah ha” moment, it was this simple -- it’s too adult. I always thought it was too juvenile. It was too juvenile for an “important” work, but too adult for nonsense. It's neither, nor and there lies the problem. If I’m successful (with the roll and rapid rewrite) it will become a blend of reality and nonsense, mixed genres and maybe even a little biography. The best writing, IMHO, delights young and old alike.
It may have taken James Joyce 17 years to write his WIP (Finnegans Wake), but I have to say it’s still not accessible. Dedicated scholars have spent years trying to comprehend it, and can’t. I can say this because Joyce is dead. I once said something critical to a budding young new age writer and he killed himself. I know I’m not responsible for his death, but that doesn’t change how you feel when that happens. Telling someone they aren’t communicating is dangerous and insensitive. Harsh criticism along the way sure set me back (for years), but as they say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. I endured.
Erudite, important literature has a place. But in a time when only one in four Americans even read a single book (2006), and if print books are on the way out (as I speculated in my last entry), then “nonsense” may be just the ticket. How many million -- or billion -- Harry Potter books have been read? Among our most enduring and most loved works are “Alice in Wonderland,” “Peter Pan (aka Peter and Wendy),” and though more popular as a movie, “the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” Add to that Harry Potter and maybe someday, “A Kindred Spirit.” I should be so fortunate to ever be in that illustrious company.
I do envision a movie, too, Mr. D, but first things first. I need to move at warp maniacal speed and crank out some nonsense. Those hypno sessions are certainly helping. "You can't wait to write. Your fingers are flying over the keyboard." (something like that.) I'm doing it. Yes, really, I am. The clock is ticking and calendar pages are flying by. 08, can't wait. Let's go...
Sunday, February 17, 2008
digi-mags and cell phone novels
It's time to face it, print books are going the way of vinyl records, 8-track tapes and bulky VHS cartridges. I can hear the groan as I write this. I'm not saying I agree or think it's a good thing. I love the look, texture and smell of a freshly bound book. I like to handle them, gaze at them on my shelves and yes, read them. But, I can see the writing on the LCD. Smaller, hand-held devices and digi text is what the current generation is accustomed to. HG Wells saw this in his Time Machine novel over 100 years ago. Books would become relics and turn to dust. Who can manage so much paper and volume? Not future generations. A mobile society will not haul boxes of books around when a 500 gig SATA drive costs under $100 and can easily hold an entire public library (7.5 million volumes could be stored in .zip format in 2.6 terabytes.) Your average 4-gig thumb drive can hold the text of 10,000 books. (source: Project Gutenberg) 30,000 books could be stored in 12 gigabytes, and we'll see 12 gig flash drives this year! You could carry around every word in 30,000 books in less space and weight than your average wristwatch.
Online data has already completely revolutionized research. I didn't have to make a physical trip to California to get information I need for my novel. I could take a virtual trip with Google Earth, view 3D renderings of the buildings, use panoramic photography to see interiors, and of course all information in the world is somewhere within Google's grasp.
This morning I saw a TV segment (CBS Sunday Morning) on cell phone novels. Huh? Kids in Japan are writing novels on their cell phones and uploading them to the internet. One woman has sold 800,000 copies and made over $8 million doing this. It's clearly time to completely reconsider what "publishing" means. I thought of this years ago when I told my friend JC that I envisioned some multi-dimensional novel with more than one ending. But, that time is NOW!
I'm looking at the 2008 Writer's Digest Yearbook and Harper Collins is publishing to iPhone now. Sales of e-books have tripled from 2006 to now (according to WD.) Podcasting and Audible by- pass print media altogether for those who want to listen, rather than view text. I don't have an answer here, but I sure have a lot more questions. I may jump into the e-frey with my novel. I was thinking POD anyway (print on demand.) hmmmmm.
Online data has already completely revolutionized research. I didn't have to make a physical trip to California to get information I need for my novel. I could take a virtual trip with Google Earth, view 3D renderings of the buildings, use panoramic photography to see interiors, and of course all information in the world is somewhere within Google's grasp.
This morning I saw a TV segment (CBS Sunday Morning) on cell phone novels. Huh? Kids in Japan are writing novels on their cell phones and uploading them to the internet. One woman has sold 800,000 copies and made over $8 million doing this. It's clearly time to completely reconsider what "publishing" means. I thought of this years ago when I told my friend JC that I envisioned some multi-dimensional novel with more than one ending. But, that time is NOW!
I'm looking at the 2008 Writer's Digest Yearbook and Harper Collins is publishing to iPhone now. Sales of e-books have tripled from 2006 to now (according to WD.) Podcasting and Audible by- pass print media altogether for those who want to listen, rather than view text. I don't have an answer here, but I sure have a lot more questions. I may jump into the e-frey with my novel. I was thinking POD anyway (print on demand.) hmmmmm.
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