Perspectives

I went to a yoga workshop yesterday and it was absolutely amazing. They usually are. I'd never studied with this teacher before, but was expecting great things because people had registered from all over New England. You gotta think if people are gonna shell out $300 for a weekend of classes AND cough up for a hotel room, the teacher is worth it.

And, of course, it was.

The opening meditation focused on perspective. Did you know that there are 840 thousand yoga poses? So, basically, every single thing you do is a yoga pose. Strike a pose, there's nothing to it. And Shiva taught in the tantric scriptures that each and all yoga poses can be pathways to ultimate freedom. So, anything you do can be a door to truly being free.

It's all in how you look at it.

So, I'm feeling glorious. I'm feeling like, yeah, man, that's deep. Oooommmm. And I'm stretching and sweating and balancing and really working hard to reach that next stage of freedom.

And the teacher paused class to have a demonstration of a pose --Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana (Revolved extended hand to big toe pose (doesn't the Sanskrit sound nicer?)). I watched with envy the woman who was demonstrating. Not only did she have an absolutely ripped, tight body, but she effortlessly floated into the pose and held it, rock steady and sure. I wasn't sure which I resented more - her perfect body or her perfect practice.

And just then, the woman next to me leans over and, smiling, says, "Isn't it glorious to see people who can really do these poses. It gives me such hope. She's really so beautiful."

It's all in how you look at it.

I'd really like to beat myself up for even being jealous in the first place, but maybe it's better to see the whole exchange as a hands' on learning experience.

Right?

Road Rage

There used to appear bumper stickers that said:

Visualize Using Your Turn Signal

I maintain that the new generation of bumper stickers -- anti-war, anti-administraiton, anti-violence, anti-anti -- would be completely unnecessary if people remembered the mantra of that simple sticker of long ago.

Do you know how much kinder and gentler I'd be if people signalled before they cut me off? And, after all, peace begins with me.

Well, actually peace begins with pea, but you get the idea.

Fear Factor

My life is an episode of Fear Factor.

First the aforementioned Cooch Roach.

Then, today, out to lunch with our HR rep. I order the Veggie Wrap, no mayo, salad instead of fries.

I'm at least three quarters of the way through it when I realize that taste I couldn't quite place ... Is CHICKEN. Not just bland, anonymous McChicken flesh. Actual chicken breast and skin. Real chicken. Like the chicken I had IMMEDIATELY before turning vegetarian.

How is one supposed to handle that in front of one's HR rep?

I didn't flip out but I did get a little snippy. Especially when the server acted like, dude, it was really no big deal that there was chicken in my sandwich, I mean, really. Dude.

And, as if that wasn't enough, apparently my hypnotherapy worked last weekend. Because even though I was out with HR to discuss certain, uh, issues, I just kept seeing the positive in all situations. The lovingkindness, as it were. Damnit. Damn healthy balance and being in touch with the greater Universal energies. Dammit.

PS -- Is DAMN IT spelled with an MM or an MN?

Cooch Roach

A week ago today I had a huge cockroach crawl up my leg.

Writing it like that doesn't make it seem nearly half as disgusting as it was. I'm still having nightmares about it.

I was waiting for a conference to start at the Fairmont Copley in Boston. Not exactly the low rent district. And at first I didn't know what it was. My leg felt tingly, a little electric, slightly cool. And then, reaching down, I felt something moving underneath my skirt. He was truly going for the gold.

I held it together long enough to make it to the ladies room. I have no idea how.

They bought me and Mr. Zips lunch in the Oak Room. Least they could do since they made me lose my breakfast.

I keep seeing that damn bug cowering under the chairs in the conference room and my hate knows no bounds.

Loving all of Earth's creatures is fine theoretically. It's something altogether different when creatures with six legs are trying to make it to home base.

My New Blog

Well, now I have a blog. Call me Captain Obvious. But it's much more practical than whipping out my journal at work and venting...

My random thought of the day --

I often mock my mother for being June Cleaver-light or Emily Post of the New World. But, honestly, I am thankful for (most of) the values she instilled in me. Like remembering the little things. Marking occasions thoughtfully. Being a gracious guest.

So to all my friends and lovers - if you and I are going to an event together, don't expect to show up - to a wedding, shower, party, or whatever - empty handed. Just don't.

Everyone knows I'm not a huge fan of the traditional marriage. Or any marriage, really. But, as I see it -- here's one value marriage offers. It gives guys the chance to learn things their mother would have taught them if they cared enough to actually listen instead of tuning her out and wondering if there's more potatoes or if Connie Chung is nasty in bed.

Aforementioned wedding event is happening in ME. Visiting Colby for the first time since graduating. Wierdness ensues.