silent thunder

One of my very dear friends of 20+ years is the founder of this organization http://www.upstreamarts.org/ based out of Mpls, but soon to grow nationally. They specialize in art based systems, geared toward developing learning and advancement programs for the severely disabled. My friend came upon the idea to found this process when he observed his son at a rehearsal. We were both stage actors at that time and were using a 'contact improvisation' technique founded by Jerzy Grotowski. There was no verbal communication, only gesture, contact, carrying, leaning etc. His son was sitting in the wings watching us. After a few days of watching us as we went through our warmup progressions and process, my friend noticed his son, who has severe physical and mental disabilities, which precluded any verbal communication and heavy physical limitations, he noticed his son was mimicking our movements. My friend began to work with him daily and the response was astounding. His son began to form a physical grammar that allowed greater communication of wants/needs. He also began to come out of his shell in ways that none of us expected, he usually took weeks of contact to become comfortable and relaxed around new people. When his son was born, he was given a prognosis of living to age 7. Last year he turned 22 and has moved out of his house and is in an assisted living home near his folks house. Their program focuses heavily on the arts, qi gong, yoga as a means of exposing more avenues of expression and communication to increase confidence and quality of life.

One of my most valued survival skills.

Honor and Respect to Master Watts...

Yup we order some things by the gross and it's 144. Never understood why that was gross though.

Two becomes three. Nice.

That is hysterical!

I agree. Started climbing (sans gear) in my teens and continued until my 30's when body issues brought that chapter to a close. It's a short trip into the pure focal zone of presence/awareness.

I still say the easiest/guaranteed is hammer...

Irony is so painfully beautiful sometimes no?

Really well said.

I will usually go out on the porch and talk for a while and share my views on the Cosmos when the witnesses roll around. I used to get all uppity and snarl, but life is too short for that shit now and these days I'm genuinely interested to see what put them on their path and to answer any questions they have about my views. I get regular visits from two different teams, one is a pair of sisters who look like Cameron Diaz doubles, we usually talk about their relationship with their father, which is what led them to their faith. He was abusive. The other regular is a very genuine man who found a comfortable place in the witnesses about half way through his life. We have a conversation, share some insights and smiles and then say farewell. All in all, very pleasant random guests.

Sweet! I did not know that!

I've been working with wood for 17 years or so now and I really like using boiled linseed oil. It is one of the more natural sealants you can use and can be followed up with bee wax if you want to stay all natural. Both have been used since the Egyptians/Sumerians. The refined oil seeps into the pores of the wood and then the bee wax seals it. I prefer linseed oil as sealing option over some of the synthetics around, though it's not quite as durable... depends if you want to trade all natural for more durability. Otherwise, after the oil you can seal it with Urethane, Varethane or Shellac, more durable, but chemical. But they'll dry with a harder coat. I usually go 3 coats of linseed oil with a light sand in between then multiple wax and buffs or multiple coats of shellac, etc, with light sanding in between each coat. Either way, if you've sanded it smooth it'll come out nice and rich. edit: you just buy cans of the oil or urethane or whatever you choose, brush it on or use a roller and wait for it to dry before light sanding between coats.

Definitely check first what you've got under the carpet before deciding anything. Often that ridiculous carpet has been protecting some nice hardwood all along. Some hours with a sander, some boiled linseed oil can bring some awesome results.

I like the look, durability and renewability of bamboo.

Remnants of a comet will produce a potentially awesome evening. One night only... http://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/meteor-shower/camelopardalids.html

Sleep called me down early... I hear it was pretty good up in Canada though.

change is constant, as such alchemy is natural... like it.

That is demoralizingly concise... ouch.

echo this...

Connection to partner trumps all others in my experience...

I get the sense more and more in life that there is a river. The current of which is determined by the conditions of our environment, over which we exert almost no force. We can swim against the current all we want. But the shape of the river remains shaped by the conditions. I find life most pleasant when I can sense the current and flow in accord. But then, who says life is about things being pleasant...

I'm 91/9 Right today. Few days ago I was 53/47....

My teacher said something that stuck with me. Inertia is extremely important to practice. Practice everyday. Missing a day is like missing ten days.