Quote of the Day

"Was my life absurd? Absolutely.. ...Reader, I was up to my hips in absurdity. But I had learned now not to care about that sort of thing. The forces of chaos, I had learned, were only enemy forces if you attempted to resist them. The moment you accepted the idea that your life could, and probably would, veer off in an implausible new direction at any given moment, those forces started working for you. Because if anything was possible...well, then anything was possible."

From "My Little Blue Dress" by Bruno Maddox,

This is the motto I'm trying to live by: "If anything is possible, ...well, then anything is possible." Alleluiah!

Soccer Mom Saturday and other Events

"I get up. I walk. I fall down. Meanwhile, I keep dancing."
–Rabbi Hillel

Saturday I had a fun day with P and the kids. First we went to cheer Teo on at his 7-year old soccer league game. He was a bundle of energy and was always running to the ball and hustling to get his wee bum up and down the field. India and I brought pom poms and cheered for the Mustangs, Teo's team. Marley was the unofficial mascot. Unfortunately the hard-working Mustangs lost the game, but the kids were all smiles at the end. It was Daniel's (one of Mustangs) birthday and his mom brought donuts for the team. The loss was quickly forgotten as the boys dove into the box of Crispy Cremes.

After the game we went for lunch at Eat A Pita on Fairfax. We enjoyed some open air souvlaki and then headed to the market to buy pumpkins. From there we went to my place for an afternoon of pumpkin carving.

From there back to Peter's for a bbq. We ate outside to the light of the jack-o-lanterns. Fun was had by all.

On Sunday I went to Agape and then had a relaxed brunch with friends, a mani/pedi with Cookie, and finally over to Eleonore and Nico's for a wine and empanada party. Being at their place, surrounded by Argentines and full with Malbec and empanadas, reminded me of Buenos Aires. I was aglow with warm memories of my time in South America.

Now it's back to the law firm.

Marley Update

Somehow Marley tore the ACL in her knee. She's limping and could be limping for the rest of her life. Or not. A surgery could help her stop limping. Or it could not help at all. Or it could make her worse. Her other knee could also go bad. Or not... This is the information I received from her vet. It did nothing to alleviate my concerns and it didn't give me clear guidance about what to do. I've decided that I'm going to try to let mother nature heal my dog for the next month or so (vet thought this could help) and then reassess. In the meantime, my darling dog is taking anti-arthritis medicine which will hopefully help her to walk and feel better. Please send prayers her way.

Poem and Marley

i found god in myself
& i loved her
i loved her fiercely.
- Ntozake Slange

It's not Thursday and I don't have much to write about, but I wanted to share this beautiful poem.

Oh, I wanted to write about my beautiful Marley. This Sunday is the one day anniversary of her adoption day. I was thinking of having an Adoption Day Party for her. I could invite Peanut, the next door neighbors' dog; Melissa and Jason's two puppies, Kingsley & Janey; Chris and Lisa's dog, Leila; and Cornelia's dog, Zane. I thought about it and then thought about how Marley is very shy and would probably hide under a bed if all these dogs came over. So, I changed my mind. I think I'll just give her a new dog toy and maybe a piece of steak. Also, Marley has just started to limp. I'm not sure what's wrong with her but I'm taking her to the vet. Spontaneous limping is so worrisome.

last weekend

"Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart."
Confucius

Last Saturday, after a 7 hour mediation class, I donned an angel outfit and headed to the outskirts of downtown LA for a Burning Man Decompression Party. There were crazy costumes, amazing art work, music, fun people... It was good times and made me want to go to Burning Man 2007. I feel like it will really alter me (in a good way).

After the LA Decom, P and I went to have dinner at our friends' Pam and Allen. I was still in my angel outfit when I arrived. (I don't know about the others, but it made me laugh to show up at the dinner party wearing wings, a halo, white sequined top, and a gigantic white tutu.) Allen and Pam made a delicious dinner of shabu shabu. Mmmm. It was great to catch up with them and to see their beautiful new house.

Sunday, Sean, P and I went to Agape. Afterwards, I had a chill afternoon at home with P. It was so extraordinarily relaxing for me. I was ALMOST ready to face my busy week...

Poetry Thursday

The Night Cometh
by Annie Louisa Walker

Work! for the night is coming;
Work! through the morning hours;
Work! while the dew is sparkling;
Work! 'mid the springing flowers;
Work! while the day grows brighter,
Under the glowing sun;
Work! for the night is coming,--
Night, when man's work is done.

Work! for the night is coming;
Work! through the sunny noon;
Fill the bright hours with labour,
Rest cometh sure and soon.
Give to each flying minute
Something to keep in store;
Work! for the night is coming,--
Night, when man works no more.

Work! for the night is coming;
Under the sunset skies,
While their bright tints are glowing,
Work! for the daylight flies;
Work! till the last beam fadeth,
Fadeth to shine no more;
Work! while the night is darkening,--
Night, when man's work is o'er.

I can't believe it's Thursday already. Time flies when you're working. Yup, after a week and a half of unemployment I started working again. In addition to taking my mediation classes and starting my mediation practice, I am working as a contract attorney, 30 hours per week in a small law firm. It's rather nice working (a) only 30 hours (not billing) and (b) in a small friendly firm. I feel like this is an opportunity to renew my relationship with the law. Maybe I don't have an aversion to the law. Maybe I was just not meant for big firm practice. I've only been here a week, but it's much better. And I'm SOOOO excited about mediation. Can't wait to finish my course and get mediating.

Anyway, being busy from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. working or in class has made me feel like quite the busy little bee. Hence, the above Poetry Thursday poem. Enjoy.

celebrating and more

"'How does one become a butterfly?' she asked pensively. 'You must want
to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar.'"
- Trina Paulus

My birthday celebrations keep going on and on. That's the way, un huh, un huh, I like it! Yesterday, Ariane took me to lunch at Lulu's Cafe. It was a beautiful day and it was nice to sit outside and chat. Afterwards she brought her Burning Man stuff to my house so that she could rinse off all the dust. I had to leave in the middle of the rinsing and run off to a job interview. Sean came home last night and asked "why is there a tent in our backyard?" I suppose that is a curious sight to come home to.

Then last night I was treated by Melissa to see Paul Simon at the Greek! The concert was so phenomenal. I know why Paul Simon retains his popularity year after year. The man is an amazing entertainer. He played all my favorite songs and we were treated to three encores. Yippee! I was on a high. :)

In other news, yesterday was P and my 6 month anniversary. Time flies when you're having fun (6 months already!!) and yet it seems like we've known one another for eons. Both ways of thinking about it him/us make me happy. Here's to 6x66 more (and beyond).

Poetry Thursday

Here are my Poetry Thursday submissions. Today's Poetry Thursday prompt was to write about body part(s). I decided to publish a couple odes I'd written myself. Enjoy:

ode to my calves

how can you not love
the strong curves of my lovely calves
the product of miles of running and cycling and yoga and life
shapely and hard
changing shape with each movement of the foot
enticing, alluring, and unforgettable


ode to my knees

we've gone on so many journies together
at times you scream in protest
and i give you love
heat, ice, massages, strength training, physical therapy
and you silence
and quietly support me up, down, and
all around the world

Birthday and other news

"The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning."
-Ivy Baker

My birthday party was so fabulous. I'm so grateful to P for throwing one for me. There were lots of people and it was a really nice crowd -- everyone kept saying how nice my friends are. Some of the usual suspects were missing, but there were some new faces and I'm just filled with warm fuzzies thinking about it. Also, the birthday present desire list really worked out for me. Isn't it funny ... if you ask for what you want, you're more likely to get it.

My actual birthday was unusual -- church, party clean up, multi-level marketing meeting (don't ask how I got roped into that one), sushi dinner, and then a 2:30-4:30 a.m. meditation for peace (again, don't ask). Monday I fasted with P for Yom Kippur (since I dragged him to a middle of the night meditation, I figured I could deal with a few hours without food). Even though we were fasting, we had a good time. The weather was beautiful and we went surfing (he's teaching me!). Later he went to get his kids and bring them to the house. They helped me wash Marley. Afterwards the four of us went for a walk in the neighborhood. I feel so lucky that the kids love my dog. I had to mediate who could hold the hose to rinse her off, who could brush her, who could hold the leash, and even who could pick up the poop! You know you've got it good when kids are fighting over who can pick up the dog poop. I hope that lasts, but I'm not holding my breath.

Anyway, speaking of mediation... I had my first mediation training today. It was SOOOO fun. I'm really excited to be getting into this arena. Yeah! It's nice to like what you're doing. :)