a gift of resplendence

Today, I devoured a book. I mean, literally. I read the whole book in one day.

Light Boxes

by Shane Jones

It was a beautiful little story. I loved every minute of it. Read it. Now.

Also interesting to note: While searching for the image of the cover to attach, I discovered that Spike Jones has just acquired the rights to this book for film production. I smell a quirky, esoteric film coming...

sub me!

I love sandwiches! The perfect sandwich is hard to find, but when you do...oh, the places you will go and the things you will do!

My perfect sandwhich includes:

Turkey
Mayo
Spicy Mustard
Lettuce
Tomato
Pickles
Green Peppers
Avocado
Pepper Jack Cheese

On a crunchy french baguette

a pickle and some salty chips

Would you please excuse me?

A Rebel Without a Cause? OR How I Learned to Trick Myself

I am crazy.

Here's why:

Last night I had planned to do an evening run. When I got home from school I hung out, had a snack, and read for a bit. Slowly, I start to secretly tell myself that maybe I won't go for a run after all. "It's been a long day" I tell myself, "Maybe I should just relax". So, I decide not to run. OK, right? No. As soon as I decide not to run, I start wanting to run!

What I learned about myself (well, actually I think I already knew this, but it was just reinforced) is that I like to do what I'm not supposed to do or what goes against a previously made decision. The rebellion in it is too much to turn down. There is something so satisfying about just saying "F*** it!" to a decision or a plan.

So, how I learned to trick myself: Reverse psychology. I think I just need to decide the opposite of what I need to do- then I will end up doing what I'm supposed to do.

on the edge

We've been talking about "the edge" a lot in yoga lately."The edge" being the point between not enough and too much. Erich Schiffman (yoga-meister) wrote about this and discusses a negotiation of balance in the yoga practice and in life. I like to think about it in terms of Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development (there's a little educational jargon for you). A point at which if you did any more it would be too much and any less would be not enough. And it's only at this point that one can truly grow and develop. So, in terms of a yoga practice it makes perfect sense. You have to push yourself forward to develop, but if you push too hard you will have nothing but pain and sorrow. As you flirt with the edge, the threshold is slowly raised and you progress through your edge only to encounter a new edge.
Obviously, as with all yogic theory, this applies to life on and off the yoga mat.

Naturally, I love this idea. Being the non-pusher that I am, I like to think that people who push themselves too hard are missing out on something. And, being the non-pusher that I am, I have also learned that by not pushing yourself enough you are missing out on something.

Balance. It all comes back to balance.

Home brew!

The newest home brew from Barbee-Roberts* Brewing Company is pretty darn tasty! We call it Yellow Bellied Warrior. Named for the pleasant amalgamation of Amarillo and Warrior hops, the Yellow Bellied Warrior pleases the palate of those seeking a delicious summery IPA.

Yummy.

Anybody want to give us $100,000 to open up our own brew pub?

*Jason did most or all of the work. I just like to "Little Red Hen" all over the place!

EO-pee

Before we begin, you must clear your desk of all materials except two No. 2 pencils. Please check to be sure that your pencils are No. 2 and are sharpened. If your pencils are not No. 2, please raise your hand and I will provide them for you.

Can you feel the crazy?

Let me just soap box for a minute about the garbage that is the End Of Grade standardized test.

Why oh why must all children be held to the same standards? Why should a child who doesn't know what a book is be expected to take the same test as a child who was read "Good Night Moon" in the womb? And why is it surprising when children from backgrounds other than white middle class do not perform on the test that was written by and for the white middle class? And, if I know that the tests are not a valid measure of intelligence or human worth why do I even care?

Make your marks heavy and dark. Please make sure that the number of the question you are bubbling on your answer sheet matches the question number in your test booklet...

Biodynamic

Yesterday, I was transported back to my childhood while picking strawberries. Jason and I also learned something new along the way. Here's how it happened:

Friday: I say "Hey! Let's go pick strawberries tomorrow"

Jason says "Ok!"

We found a place about 10 miles north of Hillsborough called Whitted Bowers Farm

We drove there, got cute little picking baskets and proceeded to time travel to our strawberry picking childhoods.

Another cool thing- Whitted Bowers Farm is certified organic and practices biodynamic farming.

What exactly is biodynamic farming? Well, the bearded man in camping chair who worked at the farm explained it as a mystical practice of farming which followed astrological calendars, old school harvest mentality, and good old fashioned love for the crops. They are a fully sustainable farm. They don't use any pesticides. All bug friends are welcome because they have a place too. And maybe if you put the strawberries next too the garlic, the garlic might deflect the strawberry bugs and vice versa. That sort of thing. They also use solar power and bio fuel for all of the farm equipment. So, basically nothing shitty touches these fruits and veggies, including shitty vibes.

I like this idea. I like to think that as I eat these berries, I am filling myself with pure love and energy from nature. Delicious.