weeeeeeeeeeeee!

weeeeeeeeeeeee!
Originally uploaded by misslissa13

Vacations from work are fun! Even if you don't go away.

I spent many hours at Caumsett State Park yesterday with my mom. Of all the years I have lived on Long Island, I had never been to this park. What a great place! There's a paved bike/hike path, a historical self-guided tour, bridle paths, unpaved paths, bird watching, polo fields, mansions, a dairy and even a swing by the Sound!

I am thrilled to have spent so many hours there breathing in the salty air, enjoying the intermittent sun and spending time with my mother (who, unfortunately hurt her leg while we were there - the only downside of the day). This is the start to peeling away the layers of stress that accumulated over the past few months.

And, boy, did I sleep well last night! Aaaah!!!!

ah, go take a hike!

And indeed I plan to. This upcoming week is all about recharging, self-care and creativity. I took the week off from work because, well frankly, I am just plain exhausted! Tuckered out, if you will.

The plan is to take some yoga classes, lace up the inline skates and hit the pavement, tie up the hikers for some trails and tune up the bike for a spin. There is always ice skating or maybe even a few more jogs. Do you see a theme here? Physical activities that I love!

Creativity will come in by creating some art or new jewelry pieces. I picked up new colored pencils I need to break in and have some wire I want to play with.

I wonder if I have time to pick up a book and read?

Oooo! Prepping the ground and planning the garden...getting my hands dirty with earth sounds divine!

I feel eager and excited to dive in to some serious self-care. I am all about resting, creating and living. Anyone care to join me?

today is a birthday, they're smoking cigars

today is a birthday, they're smoking cigars
Originally uploaded by misslissa13

i really just entered the world and stuck around for the ride

It's my mom that did all the work. Thanks mom! :)

I like the following birthday wish I received from one of the (way-too-many) online communities I belong to (but this one involves healthy lifestyle and it's free! - SparkPeople.com ) The sentiment is dead-on so I wanted to share:

(Birthday) Cheers,

Melissa

(click image to view larger:)

i am for animal testing...

...if it is for taste-testing a new flavor of dog food.

"New beefy-goodness! Sign me up!!" - Fido

------------------------------------

In reality, I am split on the animal testing issue. I do not believe that everyday items, such as cosmetics and household cleaners need testing on animals. But medical research and biological education is another story. This is where I am on the other side of the issue. (Yes, I know. *sternly wagging finger* "tsk tsk tsk Bad vegetarian!" *bop on nose with rolled newspaper*) It still breaks my heart and I could not personally take the life of an animal for such reasons, but I sure am thrilled that I never contracted small pox!

Yes, I am selfish like that.

dali lama, barbie and commodity fetishism

for your viewing:

102 days and counting

Word! um...I mean Om!

next week

I will be taking the week off from work commencing next Monday. Here is my tentative plan:

exploring local hiking trails
taking a yoga class or two
resting
letting Sherman hop around my feet
reading
creating art
writing
clearing my mind
deep breathing
prepping the garden and sowing seeds
laughing

Anyone care to join me?

proud donor

194.365 proud donor
Originally uploaded by misslissa13

i gave blood today.

It was painless.

It did not take up too much time.

It is one easy way
to save lives.

Do it.

...word.

Being humble

(because we all could use a little Tao)

----------------------------------------------------

Being humble

If a man is crossing a river and an empty boat collides with his own skiff,
even though he be a bad-tempered man he will not become very angry.
But if he sees a man in the boat, he will shout at him to steer clear.
If the shout is not heard, he will shout again, and yet again, and begin cursing.
And all because there is somebody in the boat.
Yet if the boat were empty, he would not be shouting, and not angry.

If you can empty your own boat crossing the river of the world,
no one will oppose you, no one will seek to harm you....

Who can free himself from achievement, and from fame, descend and be lost amid the masses of men?
He will flow like Tao, unseen, he will go about like Life itself with no name and no home.
Simple is he, without distinction. To all appearances he is a fool.
His steps leave no trace. He has no power. He achieves nothing, has no reputation.

Since he judges no one, no one judges him.
Such is the perfect man:
His boat is empty.
(20:2, 4, pp. 168-171)

Chuang Tzu

---------------------------------------

Chuang Tzu was a Taoist sage, living sometime before 250 B.C. The book Chuang Tzu is believed to contain both his own writings and writings by others about him and his teachings. The quotations at this site were taken from The Way of Chuang Tzu, which was compiled by Thomas Merton (a Roman Catholic monk) after reading four different translations of Chuang Tzu. It is an abridged version of Chuang Tzu. As Thomas Merton says in his introductory note, you enter upon the way of Chuang Tzu when you leave all ways and get lost.

well, i never!

I have never had any children I cannot afford...
... so I do not receive handouts and donations to care for them.

I have never committed a crime...
...so I do not receive a free college education or technical training in an emerging field.

I have never failed at a job causing an enormous financial meltdown...
...so I do not get a million dollar bonus.

I have never scammed millions of dollars from innocent people...
...so I do not have tons of money hidden away.

Something is askew in the World, is it not?

However, I do sleep well at night knowing that my parents raised me right and that I am an honest, hard working individual. Perhaps I am getting paid in karma points! And really, who can put a price on that???

let's play a rousing game of musical brains

from Yahoo News (link included)

Musicians' Brain Waves Are Also in Tune

Tue Mar 17, 11:49 pm ET

TUESDAY, March 17 (HealthDay News) -- When they play together, musicians' brain waves harmonize along with the music, according to new European research.

They analyzed electrical activity in the brains of eight pairs of guitarists as they played a short jazz-fusion melody together up to 60 times.

The study found that brain-wave similarities within and between the musicians' brains increased as they listened to the beat of a metronome as they prepared to play, and also when they actually began playing together.

As expected, the frontal and central regions of the guitarists' brains showed high synchronization. But the temporal and parietal regions also showed high synchronization in at least half the pairs of musicians. These regions may be involved in the processes involved in the coordinated action between the guitarists, or in enjoying the music, the researchers suggested.

"Our findings show that interpersonally coordinated actions are preceded and accompanied by between-brain oscillatory couplings," said study author Ulman Lindenberger of the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin.

The findings didn't show whether the brain synchronization occurs first and causes the coordinated brain-wave readings, or whether it occurs in response to the beat of the metronome/music, and as the musicians track each others' movements and music.

The study, published in the journal BMC Neuroscience, is the first to analyze musicians' brain waves as they play together, the authors said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20090318/hl_hsn/musiciansbrainwavesarealsointune

slow and steady in the human race

193.365 slow and steady wins the race
Originally uploaded by misslissa13

95 days into my daily yoga practice

22 pounds dropped

Surrounded by love

Entertained by rabbit

life is love, love is free
and as they say in New Hampshire "Live free or die."

Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

say "cheese!"

189.365 photoblocking
Originally uploaded by misslissa13

beware of needlework!

Even though Friday the 13th tend to be good days for me, I am still going to steer clear of needleworking...just to be safe.

--------------------------------------------

From The Writer's Almanac 3.13.2009:

Today is Friday the 13th. The superstition that Friday is unlucky has been around for hundreds of years. Chaucer mentioned it in his Canterbury Tales, and by the 1800s, there was a whole list of things that were unlucky to do on a Friday, including needleworking, writing letters, beginning a sea voyage, moving, getting married, and going to the doctor. As for 13, its status as an unlucky number probably comes from the Bible — Judas Iscariot was said to be the 13th guest to sit at the table at the Last Supper. By the 1700s, it was a common superstition that if 13 people sat down at a table together, one of them would die. Eventually the number 13 became unlucky in any circumstance. Many hotels still skip the 13th floor, labeling it as 14. At some point, these two superstitions were combined into a fear of Friday the 13th.

what if..

186.365 what if..
Originally uploaded by misslissa13

...there was no limit to your potential?

What if you did not stand in your own way?

What if your personal resources were endless?

What if you start today?

What if you didn't have any critics, external or internal?

What if you "threw caution to the wind"?

What if you fail?

What if you succeed?

What if you simply took a chance?

What if you lived without regret?

What if you went someplace that scared you?

What if you kept a glimmer of hope?

What if...

...your life is truly lived?

does it really fix EVERYTHING?

185.365 alt 2
Originally uploaded by misslissa13

Doubtful. But then again, my neck and shoulder pain has mostly left my body and it was after I took this shot. Coincidence? Perhaps or perhaps not. I wonder...

Either way, I am glad to feel realigned (literally and figuratively) and have been able to intensify my exercise again. Subsequently, the rigorous exercise is helping my body feel better and more alive. Whew!

Now, where to stick duct tape next...

let's spin, shall we

Unemployment rate jumps to 8.1% in the US.

Well, on the upside 91.9% ARE employed! Whew!

um....?

The economy is tanking. Hard-working, honest individuals are losing their jobs and do not have the money to go back to school...... yet, prisoners are being rehabilitated by being trained in new, up-and-coming fields of "green technology" while being housed and fed on taxpayer money...

So, in a few years, all the ex-cons will have high paying skilled jobs in a burgeoning field, while those that have not committed crimes will still be in the same position.

Am I missing something, or has the world gone all wacky-like?

Now, do not get me wrong. Rehabilitating criminals with the possibility of actually becoming productive members of society is important, but, come on.....

It is almost as ridiculous as professional athletes making millions for playing a game while Joe-shmoe busts his but 60 hours a week for minimum wage to feed his family a semi-decent meal.

Somethings got to give!

*end rant now*

holy freakin snuggie!!!

No f'ing way! Costco is finally carrying the Snuggie! First the Sham-Wow, and now this?!??!

The Universe has imploded on itself and there is joy all around.

changing "growls" to "om"

The feeling of disconnect is prevalent in my World lately. Mainly stemming from the misalignment of my neck and subsequent shoulder pain, I am incredibly "off." Feelings of exhaustion due to lack of quality sleep on top of the physical discomfort is taking it's toll. Every day is a challenge to get through as I simply do not function well on little sleep.

Tuesday involved a trip to the doctor but there was not much he could do for me because my insurance only covers chest x-rays. (Great insurance, huh? Good thing I did not go in with a broken bone or I would have been s.o.l. The doc actually advised me to go elsewhere if I ever break my leg.) I suggested he have the technician do a chest x-ray with bad aim but, dang it, he would not go for it. Since this is a recurrent problem he wants me to go see an orthopedist who, presumably, will be able to x-ray and see what is going on inside me. Now, I am just waiting for the referral. Patience, patient!

In the meantime, I am continuing my daily yoga practice with careful diligence. I continue to (try to) focus on staying grounded, but this is not always easy. Perhaps, taking some vacation days from work in order to recharge is in order. Perhaps a visit to my acupuncturist or massage therapist would be helpful. Yes, I think it is indeed time. Time to ratchet up the self care until I can get realigned.

the roots on late night

It is always nice to see friends being successful, especially doing what they love. A friend of mine from high school, Kirk Douglas "Captain Kirk" plays guitar for The Roots. Now, this amazing band has a new gig: house band for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. The following article was in yesterday's Newsday (Long Island's newsrag), but ironically did not point out the Long Island connection to the band. I guess Glen Gamboa did not do his research!

The Roots hope to flower on Jimmy Fallon's show
March 1, 2009

'Late Night' finds its musical Roots

As the house band for "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon," which debuts on NBC tomorrow night, The Roots are getting used to a lot of changes.

The biggest difference between being hip-hop's premiere band and the newest entry in the late-night sweepstakes? "Rehearsing," says Roots' drummer Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson. "We've never prepped so much for any project for anything we've ever done - including our actual show. At the end of the day, this will probably make us an even better machine once we return to the stage."

"More efficient," says Roots' vocalist and rapper Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter, adding that the group is ready to be part of the show, even getting involved in its skits and working on what could be recurring routines. The Roots will also regularly back many of the show's musical guests, starting with Ludacris this week, as well as provide all the music between segments and commercial breaks.

But some things won't change. The band is making the 90-minute commute from Philadelphia to Rockefeller Center every day on its tour bus. And it's already started recording the next Roots album, as well as booked concerts for six weeks when the show will be on break.

"This isn't the end of a sentence," Thompson says. "It's just another step. ... This will show that there is absolutely no challenge or obstacle we can't master. It's just part of the ongoing, linear voyage of The Roots."

-Glenn Gamboa
www.newsday.com