The Telling

Lifelong, I have found that when you have to tell someone something that bothers you, for the most part, it does not change.  I have found this with a spouse, co-workers, neighbors.  People are who they are.  If they could change, they would.  They, too, have a time table.

In the apartment complex where I live,  I decided to tell the owners a few things that I believe need to be remedied.  The owner's daughter told the property manager my concerns, in front of me.  This was done, no doubt, to embarass me.  It did make me uncomfortable.

I am grateful this young woman told me who she was.  She confirmed my suspicions.  My feelings about the property manager were similarly confirmed, though, she tried to do things to make me more comfortable.  I think she did this more out of concern for her job, than to appease me.  Clearly, I do not require appeasement.  That I can do well nigh for myself.

This continual convolution concerns this writer.  There is no reason for it.  No reason for the drama.  No reason for me to be part of the drama.

Done. 

Don't Miss The Magic

You know by now how frustrated I am with all the controls going on in our world.  I am even more frustrated that people are not rebelling. You also know I love film.

Last summer, I stopped attending the nearby Regal Cinema when they started searching purses.  They were looking for food brought in from the outside.  They only sell junk food.  I can say right now that I do like popcorn and I often buy it. But  I would refuse to go to another movie if all the theatres nearby do search folks. I do believe it is illegal and wonder why the Justice Department hasn't done anything.

It is pretty cold here now.  In looking for a way to enjoy the warmth of indoors, I checked out a local theatre.  First, there were no benches.  Not a one.  Then I went to the counter and had to follow a zip zagged roped off  line much like they have at airports. The tickets were via a self-service ticket machine.  The junk food counter sold them, also. The young man selling junk food and tickets asked which seat I wanted to buy.  I mean how do I know where I want to sit?  I don't sit next to teenagers, obese people and young children if I can help it. I enjoy pure quiet in the theatre. And comfort.  I do the same, when possible, on airlines.  I matter.

Wanting ise, I went to the soda machine was self-serve.  When I tried to put ice into a cup, the ginger ale dispenser soaked my new coat and shirt.  There was not a wash cloth around, or fresh water or anyone to help me.  After 15 minutes in line seeking assistance, I was able to secure paper towels. Dry, not wet as I had requested.

Stopping to use the restroom before the movie began to remove some of the stickiness from my elbows and arms, including my deserve to soak my clothes, I noticed there was automatic toilet flushing, automatic water faucet, no towels. I didn't want to use the dryer thinking it might set the stains into the fabric.

So the first thirty minutes before I even reached the theatre, I told the employees I did not expect to return.  Nope, not with all these controls.  Not one drone seemed to notice, except for the ticket taker.

Happy to see the stadium seating, I found my assigned seat in the dark.  Not a soul was in the theatre until 3 minutes before the film began.  In walked two obese people sitting next to me.  Their complaints about the skinny seats went on for a while. They decided to fan out.  Their skinny teen aged son finally sat next to me.  He suggested his parents be quiet as the film was about to start.

Twenty minutes into the film two women sit to the right of me talking non-stop.  A loud shhhh from this writer silenced them. 

The Life of Pi was absolutely awesome.  So many metaphors, allegories.   As I walked out of the theatre the ticket taker, a curious man, to whom I told my story, wished me a good day.  There was something about the energy in this man. He gave me a wink and said he hoped I had a really great day.  Pure magic. 

The Disaster Within

Morning came early this post Thanksgiving Day.  Lots to think about. But maybe the thought most present on our mind is all living things. 

A dear friend in her 80s is on Long Beach Island this weekend celebrating with family.  There will be no heat, no electricity.  The meal will be catered and brought in.  For this family, there is abundant monetary wealth.  Two multi-million dollar properties were heavily damaged during Hurricane Sandy.  This family has already begun the intensive re-building process. They have money to do this without waiting the lengthy time for the insurance company to front the money. But for others, there will be months before the insurance companies reimburse them. 

So what happens with these violent storms that seem to be increasing?  Some believe the government should buy the families out.  I wonder why laws can't be changed to allow the insurance companies, well,let's be honest here - to force the insurance companies to cash them out. That way, many could relocate to safer areas.  Is this no different than people living in earthquake zones, on mountains, or forest fires that destroy homes, or other man-made or natural disasters?  What is our heart obligation to these folks?

People make choices where they live.  I live on the side of a mountain in a holler.  I bought the property fully knowing about mountain slides.  Though I did check with the geological survey to ensure no mountain failure, failures do happen.  Now insurance companies could choose not to insure these properties.  People could choose not to build on the land.  Still, tragedies happen.  Are we one another's safety net?  We know businesses have a history of not caring.

In a society who spends billions on destruction through these constant wars one would think they might also spend money to care for one another. This writer believes no government money should be spent to remove the Katrina families, or Hurricane Sandy folks. 

Earth is a precious home that has been foolishly abused.  This writer says this with her heart.  Consequential behavior is the only way, the only, only way to get out of this.  It is well nigh apparent we haven't learned of another.  And it is time to just grow up. 

All of us.

Ahhh

It's Thanksgiving Day.  So much to be grateful for.  My wonderful family and friends.  That life is this good.  There are always things we would like to change.  Taking the moment, this moment, to reflect on all that is, all that suffer, including ourselves and acknowledging it.  If possible, letting it all good. Letting it be what it is.  Whether others see this or not, it doesn't matter.  It does matter how we feel.

So take this breath.  Focus on enjoying this breath. Deep inhalation, deep exhalations.  Know you are here for a reason. 

We know this often isn't easy.  All the more reason to just do it!  And do it again and again.  And remind one another to do it.  Again and again.

So much has changed in my own life.  Some for the better.  Today I shall focus on all of that.  The love and joy, the peace within and without.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

Words Matter

I'm concerned, bothered and annoyed about how people use their words of late.  I hope I am compassionate and loving with mine.  Not always, I am sure.

It is about HOW people CHOOSE to respond in a variety of events.  Take a look:

1.  Customer says she would like a good waitress, as her experience hasn't been so positive in the past in    
      this eating establishment. 
     Hostess:  I am insulted!  All our waitresses are good.
     COMMENT:  Umm, I am the customer, is that not true.  I am not concerned with how you feel.  I
                            am concerned with the quality of your service.  I may not come back.  And yes,
                            I had the best waitress ever this time!  I just may return.  I hope you don't.

2.  Resident tells politician she is upset at how she was treated in the election.
     POLITICIAN:  WHO told you this?
     Resident:  What is this, Sherlock Holmes?
                     Everyone told me this.  Let's keep our eye on the ball you dumb cluck.

3.  Resident asks Property Manager to limit the non-resident cars parking near apartments.
     Property Manager: I park there and I will continue to park there.  This is my job!
     Resident:  Well, I guess you told us we just don't matter.  Enough said.

Speak with your money, your voice, your kindness and compassion. Sadly, I envision huge walk-outs by employees refusing to take it any more (Walmart, etc.), and more customers refusing to spend money with rude businesses. It is time to cut back in more ways than one.  And rethink this whole mess we have created.

Oh and why should I continually hear SHOP LOCAL?  BUSINESS OWNERS TAKE NOTICE.  I will shop local if your goods and prices are fair.  I am the customer and you need to remember that.  Oh, and kiss my *** regarding your attitude.

Said with the utmost compassion and kindness :)

Tabula Rosa

It wasn't too long ago that my new home looked like this.  A tabula rosa.  But isn't that how our lives go.  We continually begin again.  And again.  That is, if we are lucky.

I am lucky indeed.  Cold weather aside, maybe even snow.  Well, definitely snow from what I am told, I get to have another adventure.  This one is a big upside down.  Or maybe not.  Follow my thinking if you will.  It seems the home when one spends most of their time should be the larger home.  One with nooks and crannies, maybe even built-ins.  Apartments have none of these, especially if they are relatively new.  They offer other worthwhile conveniences like underground parking, a community room for folks to gather in the New England winter.  A small exercise room, even.

Some four plus months later, I am still beginning. Last evening as I was speaking with a new friend, it dawned on me.  I am trying to fit pieces from another life into this new one.  Some just don't fit.

Neighbors where my mountain home is told me they get rid of all their living room furniture every time they move. They buy inexpensive furniture, too.  Unlike me. At any rate, they buy a new sofa, chairs, maybe an end table or two, lamps, and new dining room furniture.  They say it doesn't cost them too much as they sell the 'old' stuff.  Maybe I should have left my stuff in North Carolina in the first place.  But as I always say, we are where we are til we aren't.  I can already hear the laughter from readers.  They know this is familiar.

Today I am thinking the same thing except gifting my furniture to my children instead of selling it.  I am more than ready for the next adventure.  So I shall sit on this for a while, maybe even rethink this as I often do these days.  The once definitive gal is now the new more open, flexible gal.  This or that, yes and yes, yin and yang.  It is all coming together.  It all works. My quetzalcoatl.

Comfy is in. Maybe I will even shock my family and finally buy a flat screen tv, stereo system and create the room of my dreams. 

Viva la vida. 

P.S.  Do not be too surprised if I write another blog explaining why I kept things status quo.  Does any of it really matter? 

The Tempest

Master the tempest is raging!

Tell me about that the planet isn't warming.  More furocious storms.

These were taken at 7 a.m. this morning at seacoast NH.  I couldn't get out of there fast enough!