Knot Tying Demonstration And Class With Gardy Winchester Video

This post practically wrote itself:

"Little brown eel comes out of the cave... Swims into the hole... Comes out of the hole... Goes back into the cave again... It's not too good is it Chief?"

What are you, Captain Knots? Capt. Tying Knots? Anyone needs a knot tied they go to you."

PS - this awesome guy saved my computer from death. Weird weird world....

PSS - Props to Capt Joey for recording and posting this.

TMI

I went for an early morning bike ride this a.m.

Because I was not thinking clearly whilst purchasing my new bike, I forgot to add in a bottle clip. So drinkage is difficult while cycling.

Ergo, I usually stop at the Rockport General Store and down a Gatorade before tackling the second half of my route.

Today, an old salty seadog followed me right into the store. Feeling rather spritely, I noted that "it's way too hot to be wearing coveralls."

He grinned at me - several teeth missing - and gave me a wink. "You'd be surprised. They let the air ... circulate."

OK - I know I invited that one. But really? Ew!

"Therapy Speech"

It's kind of a joke among many of my friends that, when one is in therapy for awhile, one develops "therapy speech.' (or, as Sheldon on BBT would say, "one can also get beat up in high school for referring to oneself as "one"...) Therapy speech is basically using the language of talk therapy in everyday life where, unfortunately, not everyone is so blessed or priveleged as you and is not currently "In Treatment."

Today, I caught myself using therapy speech. A friend asked me how things were going.

"Pretty good. I had a bit of a backslide this weekend, but I realized it, acknowledged it, found my center again and forgave myself for forgetting myself momentarily."

OK - maybe it's not QUITE as corny as that. But still, it is pretty corny.

Which is why it amazes me so much that it works.

I really did see myself backsliding this weekend. After a week of 24x7 CBL and "team bonding" with the work group, I pretty much felt emotionally ambushed. That on top of a really insane travel schedule and I was in danger of losing sight of the me that is me.

But, I managed to wake up this a.m., recite my mantra in the shower (hey, that way the roomie can't hear it) and take the steps I need to take to take care of myself.

Including bringing a travel alarm clock to the office to make sure I don't miss yoga!

So, it sounds new age, fluffy bunny, touchy feely, but this stuff works.

And, then, of course, I took an amazing yoga class where the instructor assisted me no less than three times. We did lots of poses that I can easily do (encouraging) and many poses I need to work on (challenging) and managed to hit a great balance so I walked out of there glowing.

And I've got a bike ride planned for the a.m. Altho - if I'm as sore tomorrow as I was last Tuesday, maybe more yoga is what the doctor orders...

Damn Leftist Elitists

So, I'm almost halfway through Team Bonding Extravaganza 2010 Part One. I hate this shit. I like some of the people I work with. I love some of the people I work with. I hate some of the people I work with. And others? Well, it's wicked complicated.

(And yes, I know there are many dangling participles in the previous 'graph. Deal.)

So this Group Hug shit drives me wicked crazy.

Regardless. Or irregardless. (They mean the same thing btw.) We all went to Blue Man Group tonite. Just so happens I wind up sitting next to CBL.

Not going to pretend the show wasn't mesmerizing. The "actors" were phenomenal. And even though the show was a visual and aural extravaganza, I also was really blown away by the social and metaphorical commentary the show offered.

Or maybe that was just me.

Because CBL sat there and laughed and giggled at the silly bits and couldn't seem to understand why I was disturbed at some bits or gleeful at others.

So, yes, I spent a lot of the show evaluating and comparing my reaction to the performance to the reaction of those around me. Which, I guess, is pretty Meta. And I guess I'm still on the fence about whether this is a good thing or bad thing.

But I do know that it made me realize I am glad that I have friends who could go out for coffee with me after this show and discuss/debate the meaning behind the cool drumming, the boggling blacklight effects, the atmospheric use of audience participation, A community to evaluate the commentary on decadence/consumerist nature of society, the duality of seeing and being seen, the effects of conformity and non-conformity, and the commercialization of art.

Because CBL thought it was just really funny to see a bunch of guys force feeding Cap'n Crunch.

I saw an expose on the commercialization and devaluation of consumption and the loss of communal values.

Does this make me a damn elitist? Probably. Am I glad that it does? Probably. But the jury is still out on the issue...

I was RIGHT THERE

This video was taken by the person standing next to me at the Friday night show. You can actually hear me screaming at the end. How do I know? Well, I think (I could be wrong...) that I was the only person screaming "Thank you" in Norwegian. "Takk skal du ha" anyone

By the way, did I mention I met the band...? *grin*

Isn't it funny?

I sent around an email on Tuesday, alerting my team that, "As of Thursday, 12 noon EDT, I will be off phone, offline, off radar as I will be stalking myself some Norwegian musicians. I will return to the office on Monday. I will return to Earth sometime next month."

And so I was rightfully surprised when my BB rang today and showed a Boston office number. There were two possibilities. CBL or awesome new hire (ANH). I took my chances. It turned out great.

ANH apologized right left and center for calling me. But there was a bit of a debaucle and she was concerned about how to handle it. And, although, yes I am technically of radar, I wasn't at all troubled about talking her through it. I told her in unmistakable terms, that it was fine that she called me, she could free to call me again if she needed to, that she was handling it correctly and that IT WAS ALL GOOD.

I felt great after the phonecall. The crisis was averted, she was comfortable again and all was even more right with the world. (Yes, still on cloud one hundred and nine from last night!)

I even admitted to her that I was still lounging in bed in my hotel room. And she had words of wisdom to offer me: "This weekend you should live for the night and not for the day." Man, I love her!

That being said, if the phonecall HAD been from CBL, I think I would have ripped her hair out from the roots and made her eat it.

Isn't it funny how different people and different approaches can affect your behavior in such different ways?

Manhattan Skyline

It's always darkest before the dawn, right? Happy to say - dawn is upon us. And then some!!

My friend observed late last night that, "you okay? your voice sounds a bit rough..." Well, yeah! I've been screaming like a sixteen year old for three hours!

Yesterday was Day One of the two day A-ha extravaganza!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I queued up around 3:30 for a doors opening at 7. I met amazing peeps and had loads of fun. I became an instant hero because my ringtone is Take On Me. We shared stories, compared notes on favorite songs and albums, learned where we were all from and what brought us to the show, what we did for a living and what our pet peeves were. Instant bonding. (Which, of course, is different than instant bondage!)

Doors open, and I make a beeline for the merchandise table. $125 dollars later, I've got two shirts, a poster and a bag to show for it.

Ran into my friend from line and we devised a strategy. First night, front row against the rail, second level. From there, we could take in the entire show. She cried at her songs, I cried at mine. We both cried at the end, when the band stood together, arms around each other, and shouted GoodBye. Night two would be the chance to bum rush the stage, close enought to watch the sweat pour down their faces.

After the show, I waited - not exactly patiently - for the band to come out. One by one, they did. Mags. Pal. And then - finally - Morten.

I got all of their signatures. And when Morten came out, I got to look him in the eye and say, "Thank you. Thank you for everything."

Because they've been the soundtrack to my life. Scoundrel Days came out when I was a teenager and needed to go in my room and be angry at my parents and shout loudly along with Cry Wolf. And Analogue came out when I was going through a rough break-up. And East of the Sun West of the Moon came out when I was trying to figure out who I was and what I believed in.

So I thanked him. And then, the most amazing thing happened. Morten Harkett, the only unblemished love of my life, looked ME in the eyes and said, "You're so very welcome."

It was only a moment to him. He probably forgot it the second after it was said. But it will remain with me forever. Because at that moment, I found a true glimpse into what made me ME.

I drove an hour into Manhattan to experience something important to me. I navigated my way from Jersey to the Lincoln Tunnel and then through the busy streets of New York City. I stood in line with strangers and wound up with friends. I found someone I totally connected with. I chatted with drunken fanboys. I got the signature of each member of a band I've loved forever. I walked to a luxurious hotel and from the downy comfort of my bed, I shared my exultation with friends across the country.

I am strong. And powerful. And passionate. And confident. And capable. And dedicated. And funny. And insightful. And likeable. And worthwhile.

I'd forgotten all of this.

It took a concert to remember.

Life is funny, ain't it?

Hmmmmm

Been having a complicated week. Lots of stress w/ Good Buddy - altho he's finally owned up and said, yes, he screwed up and this pretty much was all his fault. Some stress w/ work peeps, altho that's also pretty much resolved itself. And then mucho happiness w/ a 15 mile bike ride, some ocean gazing, a hike and beach walking in bare feet.

So, good times, bad times, in between times.

What I have realized is that I CAN be in control of my life. Whether I am making decisions that will be for my higher good or not, they are decisions I am making. I'm not being tossed about by the waves any longer.

I know, for example, that I have more than 30 emails from CBL in my inbox. But it is Sunday. The Lord's day of rest (grin). And so I shan't look at them until tomorrow. Afternoon, because I have a mtg starting at nine. And that's when the work day begins. And my time is my time.

I also know that the best thing for me to be doing right now is to be out enjoying the sunshine and warmth. But right now, I feel like hunkering down in the dark, cuddling w/ my kitties and being sad. Not despondent, but sad. So that is what I will do.

All in all, feeling this way is a good thing. Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

Amen and Hallelujia!