Living In Interesting Times

I had the realization recently that everything I've been doing fitness, research, learning and philosophy-wise has been preparing me for what's to come.

Keep doing what you're doing.... 

The Chinese curse I've been referring to since my first encounter with it goes, "May you live in interesting times." I was told it was a curse, but it could also be a blessing. Many elements of life can be switched 180 degrees depending on our perspective. I like to think of it as a curse because it provides a challenge for me to over come.

Times have been interesting for me since the age of reason. I was born in the middle of the week, under the first of two full moons of that month, in the "upside down year." President Kennedy - the last US President to be assassinated - started the Peace Corps earlier that day. I arrived about dusk. First step on the stairs.

I've learned from history and observation that this civilization has always been in turmoil. A constant conflict exists on all levels of society. One can discern and compare the politics of the 'hood to the politics of the globe and realize that they are not very different at all. It comes down to competition over cooperation. We are conditioned, probably in the womb, to compete with our fellow organisms; to be better - and when better stopped being defined by skills, wisdom, or intellect, it began being defined by the amount of stuff one owned. (Of course the concept of ownership had to be invented, but that would take me off on another tangent.)

True to the Chinese curse we are living in "interesting" times. In case this becomes a time capsule, let me just enumerate what I believe are the top five existential threats to humanity. (I think these are all related.)

1. The global economy is in danger of collapsing. This is a threat because humanity has become so dependent on money... buying stuff... that most of us don't know how to actually do things for ourselves. Also because of money, private property and ownership, we've become isolated from our neighbors and tend to have a hard time cooperating with one another even if it would save our lives. 
2. Apparently World War III in imminent. Prognosticators connect this to the economy. They speculate that it's because of the Central Bankers need an excuse for the system to fail so that they can reset it. Historically, the point to war as being the answer to this conundrum. 
3. The combination of ignorance, stupidity, shortsightedness and somnambulism has made it easy for the "They" (aka Powers-That-Be) to control the masses. This control has made us dependent on stuff like status, entertainment, gadgets and the like. It's also fashioned us into haters of those who have more (of the above) than "we" have. While simultaneously inspiring us to hate those who have less than we have by telling us that they hate us for what we have. which leads us into wars and killing and destabilizing regions.
4. Global Climate change. Since I'm not a scientist and I'm not actually going out and taking measurements of ice tables and glaciers, I have to decide which hypothesis I want to believe; that which blames the phenomenon on humans and which can be alleviated by the digging into the public's pockets - or - that something extraterrestrial if affecting the Earth (as well as other planets in our solar system, including the sun.)
5. Which brings me to the Nemesis Gang; a brown dwarf star that travels with its own posse; three planets and two moons and is said to be making its 3600 year unwelcome visit into our solar system. The alternative media fear this visit could cause an extinction-level event either by knocking asteroids into the Earth, electro-magnetic interaction between planets Earth and (most likely) Nibiru, by heating the Earth to a point that's intolerable to human life, or causing a catastrophic pole shift. Observers/historians suggest that it was on one of Nemesis' (aka Planet X) visits to our solar system that was responsible for the meteor that wiped out the dinosaurs. And, according to Sitchin, Nibiru, the outer most planet is where the Annunaki came from - so we may be looking at an alien invasion as well. 

The Nemesis Gang - A mini constellation.

Interesting times indeed.

I've started to feel that my way of life, the decisions I've made, the disciplines I've practiced, the books I've been given to read - or those I've discovered, the lectures I've "attended" and even the friends I made (or tried to make) are not just random. It might be lucky, or what I like to call magic, but there now seems to be a reason to it/for it. Although, (as mentioned in a previous post) I haven't been (to my consciousness) contacted by a spiritual being yet, it feels like what I'm doing and where I'm going has significance - as if it's part of a plan. It could be all (or mostly) in my mind, only time and perception will tell. 

A long time ago, I worked with a guy (a pandit) who read my palm. The take-home message, that I never forgot and that reassures me was Keep doing what you're doing. Certainly anyone can tell you that, but it let me know I was on the right track. To stay on that track I have to have the confidence in myself and the track. Every so often I meet someone along the way that reassures me. 

Don't Miss Me

I want to tell my friends not to miss me. It seems kind of cold and heartless, but to me it's practical.

More than likely, I have little if any idea why people like me or what I do for them in live face-to-face moments. It might be the way i make them feel; maybe a laugh or good company. I tend to talk a lot, maybe that's it. I've been told I'm entertaining, that could be it also. It's possible that there isn't a single it, but a combination of factors. What I call magic.

Maybe it is a matter of resonance; vibrations; the pleasure of being with like-minded people on the same frequency. Our organisms move towards pleasure and away from pain.

Maybe I can figure out what they might miss about me, by thinking about what I've been missing about them. Most of my friends are otherwise occupied with careers, relationships, academic goals, family - the usual suspects.  Many have left the area so the days of random gatherings are over. Families - as I know so well - restructure our priorities and we have to divide our time between the desires of family members and friends. Most of those goals and that lifestyle is behind me now, so I'm vibrating at a different frequency. I have more free time, more freedom and fewer people to share it with.

The Fram

Hmmm. Could be.

The point is, situations and opportunities and time are aligning to create a chance for me to get out of the city I've called home all my life. An uncomfortable home, but home nonetheless. People have told me they'd miss me and I don't know how to respond. "Thank you for saying that'? "I'll miss you too"? "I've been missing what we've been for the last several years"? Do I say that? I want to say, "Don't miss me. Everything I've been for the better part of the last decade will still be there... on the net. In social media. In status updates, selfies, and video clips." 

I'm not pointing fingers, if I were the proverbial three would be pointing at me. I'm a self-styled anti-social loner yet at the same time cherish my friends and respect their priorities. I don't throw parties or DJ events anymore and I don't invite people over to my constantly-in-renovation-mode house for cocktails or movie nights (no furniture, no TV, no video games). If I really wanted to make new friends, pursue new relationships or anything else social, it wouldn't be difficult. I'm pretty good at it, too good... and I promised myself I wouldn't get wrapped up in anything that would keep me here. That's the responsibility I take for my distance and insularity.

The Funky Luau.. a Framly Tradition

Bottom line - I'm leaving. Best friends are standing up. I know who you are and if you ever read this, my appreciation has hopefully been demonstrated in real time, in real life.

If we haven't been hanging out, interacting, vibing, loving.. what is there to miss?

What I needed to do in Philadelphia has been done. What I need to do next, cannot be done here (or so I believe).

Next chapter, you're invited to and you will not be forgotten.
 

The Funky Fram'ly Luau

The Funky Luau - June 18, 2016... Fram for 20 years now.

I've been trying to capture the concept of the "Fram" and explain it by way of a blog entry, but haven't been very successful. I liken this group, the core of which is captured above, as a band, just as bands are likened to families. The "Fram" is obviously a melding of friends & family and just to pint out this tag came before the word was commercialized and used to sell phone service.

When we were a "band" the "music" we created was a magazine called Audiogliphix [AG], this is where out talents blended and that publication extended to throwing parties, meeting for happy hours, supporting each others adventures (and ventures). The friendships lasted longer than the magazine.

Still, I'm at a loss to completely explain how this evolved... maybe it's not to be at this moment.

Anyway, the Funky Luau is everything it's always been; a gathering of friends. Tet & Carol host it at their home. Tet's always been the nucleus; the guy who reaches out and brings new friends into the fold and as he's been studying architecture for the past six years he's begun to bring his fellow students, as well as co-workers into the circle, which makes for a more dynamic mix of personalities. He's reached back into his Philly past and brought many of his home boys into the mix as well, which adds a different depth to the gathering.

Depth and Diversity/Depth of Diversity at the Funky Luau

Our Funky Hosts, Carol & Tet - Much Gratitude

Finals Days of BBC5 - Evals Time (Again.)

You can click on the image to see it full sized (suggested)

These images will be poster sized when I launch the the 6th Season of Bajai BootCamp aka BBC6.

Longer ago than the years I've been working out I met a Philadelphia body builder who told me it's not the quantity of muscle, but the quality. I was probably bulky at the time; the muscle I'd built while in the Navy had been covered by the fat that came from eating too much bad food too often. When I finally got my act together in the mid-1990s, all I wanted to do was lift weights - "guy lifting" I called it. Everything I did was to build upper body aesthetics, which meant a lot of bench presses and working the muscles that supported heavy bench presses. I got better definition up top, but the belly was still big and present.

Eval pic from 2000 (Y2KC)

I'd dropped 25 lbs. landing at an even 200 by the turn of the century and I was pleased with that. All I wanted to do was get stronger.

Okay, so let's fast forward to 2011 when I decided that every day should be a workout day and I'd make myself accountable to my self by not only training daily, but posting a blog about it.

At some point I succumbed to the reality that nutrition was more important than exercise and that my plans to train harder and not align my diet with training discipline was mythology. Breaking my old eating habits turned out to be more difficult than getting into the gym on a regular basis.

Let's take another leap to March of last year (2015) when I decided to eliminate wheat from my diet. It wasn't as tough for me as it's been for several of my friends - I either don't have opiate receptors in my brain (doubtful) or there's just something odd about me, because I didn't have that much difficulty quitting the wheat. Of course this meant giving up pizza, wraps and my favorite, quesadillas. The results speak for themselves. Images 1 and 2 show the difference between a diet of wraps, pizza slices and carrot cake (all little goodies I used to treat myself to on a weekly, or even monthly basis) and a diet without.

December 2011, 6 Months into BBC-1

Another realization, which I'd made years earlier but put into practice with verve as I learned more and more about food and eating, is that dieting is not an on-off strategy... it's a lifestyle. Two of my favorite double-entendres, are fit for life and eat for life, because both are very, very true.

A week ago, I wondered if maybe I wasn't eating enough protein to fuel my muscles, (I posted an entry about this), so I decided to buy more protein foods, basically meat (I handle meat better because I have O+ blood, there's an entry about that also) - turkey, chicken and grass fed Angus beef, to go along with the lamb and goat I've been eating for a while now in my stews and soups.

Essentially, going into the next season of Bajai BootCamp, I'll be eating more Paleolithically and as for the training regimens, I'll be adding (have already added) wind sprints; I'll be continuing with the body weight/gravity training and weight lifting once a week. The walks will continue, because that's primarily how I get around and hopefully, I'll be able to add more yoga and martial arts exercises (which both mesh nicely into body weight training) into my routine as the seasons progress.

So, that's it. I've managed to post several more photos of myself on this blog. No apologies. I didn't realize until I saw the 2015 pic along side today's pic just how much of an improvement I've made.

I keep getting better as I move through time.

This is important to emphasize because there are people with less time on this plant than I've spent here, that consider themselves old and believe they can't change their situation, improve their health or their physique. There are three reasons I do this now, 1) because I'm addicted; 2) I like the results; 3) I want to prove it can be done.

Thanks for indulging me.

Life Style: A Current State

The term lifestyle and the connotations thereof fascinate me to the point of temptation toward delving into its origins and how it became a symbol of status. But I won't. This is about me and mine. Somewhat of a time capsule (and since these aren't backed up) it may end up dissolving like the oral capsule.

Note to self: Backup this series. 

Genting Highlands, Malaysia foto by Jini

Here's the current state of my lifestyle; I work, I workout and I travel... in that order. I have a handful of close friends, one of which has the time and the interests in road-tripping around for eats, looking over real estate and shopping. I'm not a big shopper, but any opportunity to get out of the city I accept. Plus, we're a lot like twins... or more accurately Yin & Yang. In that we're very similar in ideology, although we approach life and lifestyle differently to end up at the same place.

My other close friends are pursuing careers and educations and/or family lives that are satisfying them and/or preparing them for their futures. I see them occasionally. Some of them live in other states and cities, but we're still close, in that way that transcends geographical distance.

I just realized, that as with the term lifestyle each element of my life can be a blog post in its own right, so I'd best exercise some discipline on this topic.

I've worked at the same job for about 28.5 years at this point. I've never been laid off or fired. Never been out of work for any amount of time since I enlisted in the US Navy. Yeah, I'm a veteran too. I've got the age the time and the ambition to retire from this current gig. I've chosen to leave at the end of this year, however I have yet to commit to this decision. In a way I am in transition and perhaps a self-imposed limbo. I have imagined what I'll do next, but haven't planned anything specific. I don't plan - I kind of dream and let life and opportunities happen. Again, this could go off somewhere, but let's move on.

Chillin' with first born, the unexpected blessing

I live in the house grew up in. I bought the house 10 years ago from my parents, as my dad was ill (and passed in 2008). Up until that point I'd been renting from the 'rents, paying the bills and so forth. I've made a few improvements, but haven't invested too much money into it, as I don't plan to stay here. In fact the current state of the neighborhood suggests that my timing is close to perfect. I should be out by December. I have declared I will not spend another winter in Philadelphia.

I've been a dad slightly less time than I've been at the gig. This gig and my first born came along at about the same time; serendipity I'd call it as neither were planned, although I knew each could happen and remain grateful for the synchronicity. Both of my children are off pursuing their dreams, living in cities other than here, so I have a few places to visit when I wrap things up at my current location.

Number 1 Son, Following his LA dream

I exercise every day. I used to be obsessed,  now I'm addicted (committed). I'm a fitness professional in addition to what I do at the main event. I've been teaching/leading group fitness classes/sessions since 2007. I'm pretty fit, however lately I've been getting tired sooner. My Auntie immediately cited my age. I told her, "Age is the last excuse." I don't buy the conventional statistics that we slow down with age. In fact I believe the opposite. So instead of taking it easy because I feel tired and weak (relatively speaking,) I go harder and longer. I'd stopped... for some reason, working out every day and went every other day instead; which is my theory as to why I was feeling as I was. So, I went hard two days straight and already stated to feel better. Unless something extreme happens, I won't be backing off again. I had to restate my personal standards - and work up to them again. And that's all I'll say about this, (except, I'll go hard again tomorrow.)

From regional road trips to meeting internet friends around the world, I get to travel a little bit. A little bit was a fine description a few years ago. I've been able to wander and explore more and more often in the past few years. Because I'm miserly when it comes to material wealth and status, and refuse to pay for unnecessary recurring services (i.e cable TV,) I can stash airfare, train fare and bus fare away for an adventure or two annually. I am not burdened by the expenses of a motor vehicle, which is kind of a double-edged sword as I miss those events I'd surely attend if I was still driving; but oh well - we prioritize don't we? What I like least about traveling is returning. It used to be returning to Philly; now it's returning to the US. The paranoia is palpable. On my last re-entry, I was instant-photoed (the way I used to do to prisoners at the gig), then thumb-printed before I even got to the customs inspector. It was pretty smooth after that; no undercover entrapment specialist walking a beagle came to sniff my crotch after this most recent trip.

Finally, a few notes for my future self to look back on and reminisce over or laugh about, depending on how the future unfolds. I am single and don't date per se. In case there's any doubt as to my preferences, I'm not gay (not that there's anything wrong with that). I can imagine this, now classic line, will soon be coming after a declaration of heterosexuality as the future majority will be pansexual and/or polyamorous. "Straight" will mean depriving one's self of the joi de vie or the variety of what life has to offer.

More often than not I eat at home and cook my own food. I'm not a foodie, I'm not a vegan, I'm not Paleo, (but I'm closer to this than anything else), I'm not militantly organic. People, I'm happy to say, even those I've only recently met, recognize my Zen. However they mean it, I appreciate them for recognizing it.

I'm very much in transition as a human and a personality. I'm excited and a bit nervous about what comes next. I think about that day after the last day of work. As mentioned earlier I've been working for decades... probably four of them. I will probably work again. What I hope won't happen is the paper chase. I don't have ambitions of material wealth, status, or such as keeps the global economy healthily unhealthy. I picture myself as a Vagabond Philosopher teaching 6th to 8th graders about life and numbers and how the two relate; hosting meet-up groups/workshops coaching people on how to become effective and qualified group exercise instructors, or myself being a live-in personal trainer. Building houses, even if it's just hauling away the excess, for Habitat for Humanity and working on farms, whether it's in South Jersey, Wisconsin, or somewhere in India or New Zealand. I just want to keep moving, learn some good stuff, teach some good stuff, be with good people and then pass along what I've experienced.

Vagabond Philosopher, Pretty much how I envision my earth-self

If this blog lasts another decade or two, we'll all be able to witness the change - in my growth and perspective, in my attitude, and physically as well.

I think I can share this with you now. A few of you anyway.

Sometimes the spirit in me recognizes the spirit in others. What is that recognition? That we are everything that is was or will be. We are made of the same stuff as the universe because we are the universe. We are the hands on the wrists, the fingers on the hands, the nails, skin, hair, pores on the hand that's on the body that's in space-time. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.

That is all.

Namaste

200 Days

Memorial Day weekend and I drop down to 200 days; good timing.

I have nothing profound to say, just wanted to mark the day. But the longer I type the more likely something interesting will emerge.

Nothing yet. ha ha.

I'm not feeling a sense of urgency yet. Situations seem to be aligning themselves so that when I'm through with this career and retired, there will be opportunities for me to live very inexpensively, keep moving, help people improve their lives and lifestyles through fitness, health and magic while documenting and presenting the discoveries I encounter and lessons I will inevitably learn.

This may seem like a jumbled mass of words at the moment, but hopefully I know what I'm talking about.

Miami Living, Christmas on the Beach 2012

First stop is still Miami. second stop looks like it will be California, mostly likely Los Angeles... and working my way back to Singapore and certainly stopping in Malaysia. I wonder how realistic Europe will be from there? Will I be able to get to Spain for the ESL immersion (volunteer) session? Will I be able to get to Ireland for the wedding? Will I even want to leave Asia the next time I'm there? I have to be back in 2018 for a series of milestone birthdays... unless I can get them to where I am. Hmmm...

I'm fantasizing now, more than planning. I have to start getting rid of stuff with verve now. Sign up to Let-it-go and start letting it go.

I was debating on whether to let this go out my some of my closest friends. I'll consider that this week. I don't know if they'll even read it. I have to be brave... write as if no one will read it and then invite everyone to read it. I have some editing and proof reading to do, there are a lot of my typical spelling errors and type-ohs through out.

Okay, I've said too much.. I haven't said enough.

Cheers.

Path of Destiny (Part 2)

May 8th, 2016 Hiking in the woods, in Philly.

Since the first part of this series several things have seemingly ironed themselves out; First of all, I won't have to find a buyer for this house. My brother will buy it. I think he wanted it all along and knew he'd get it eventually. I envision this working out. Secondly, I've been to the other side of the planet and the grass looks greener over there - so to speak. Of course I know better. I've been over on this side so long... long enough I'd say and it's time for a change. Third, number one son has relocated to Los Angeles and after two days is already making the necessary moves to stay, so it looks like LA will be my next stop after Miami. Good thing too - it's another coast and even though it's California, the one-time love of my life, I have a lot of people there I need to meet up with before I jump back to Asia. Besides it's closer. Maybe a stop in Hawaii first.

Okay, so back to the point. One hundred things to do, be or achieve is just too many for me. I never even completed the list. Under the influence of astral theology I decided to narrow the list down to 12 things I can accomplish in the next year or 200. I've already pulled the top 25 from the list I made and now it's time to narrow it down to something memorable.


#12. Live my life as though I'm on vacation. This is tricky to explain, but I've been saying it for so long it needs to be on the list. I want to stay in warm to cool environments where people are there to have fun and forget about the world. I thought I might like to work at resorts here and there. I can always teach group fitness classes. It would depend on the terms of wherever I am working and how well I am treated.

Maybe a stop in Hawaii on the way back.

#11. Is a lot like 12 to the point that it should be included within - and it might be in the next chapter but for now it serves as a further reminder. Travel, work, write and document around the world, and let me add here, Become a global citizen - in the true sense of the term. I love collecting information and learning stuff and passing along the information to anyone who wants it. I must find someone(s) or some entity who will pay me to do this, even if the funds trickle in through crowd sources or photos/films for hire or whatever. The ideas are always flowing and I'm sure opportunities I have yet to ponder will present themselves when needed.

#10. Learn to speak other languages. As a global citizen this will be necessary, however I don't plan to be anywhere long enough to take classes and become fluent. It will have to be on the fly, as needed. I will pick up what I need and go from there.

#9. Photograph 1,000 women around the world. Everything from fantasy to crazy to cos-play to glamour to street. Whatever they want. Whatever the mood and opportunity calls for. And then maybe, by the end of the era, publish a book. It may be more than 1,000, but that's a lot and it will test our creativity and imagination(s). (Celebrities not included.)

#8. Clean out and get out of my house... and maybe patch it up a little more. This is a long story, but it goes along with getting out of Philly. There are still three generations worth of stuff (memories) in here. But with my brother willing to purchase it, some of my Dad's stuff doesn't seem so urgent to get rid of.

#7. Become a lecturer, speaker and possibly teacher. I once joked about teaching 7th graders math in Hawaii and then this Hawaii teacher shortage came up. I may send them an "offer." But I'd rather teach something connecting numbers to life than simply math... I think they'd get more out of it. I could also lecture on personal fitness, methods and strategies and/or be a gym teacher... or pick up some group exercise classes at colleges anywhere it's wanted.

 #6. Make new and lasting friendships around the world. This is updated from Meet all my internet friends around the world, because I met two of my longest, most distant friends this year. There's a

Meeting Susan in Singapore after 20 years.

friend in New Zealand still to meet, so the item is still open. Anyway, I've updated it. I hear there are a lot of travelers out there - I should be able to connect and become friends with a few of them.

 #5. Leave Philly! Not forever, but not coming back here to live, unless - as I've told my kids - they offer me my dream job here. But then again, if it's in Philly it's not my dream.

#4. This one is about health and fitness, I want a 4:1 muscle mass to body weight physique. That's about the most I think I can manage. I've already hit 3:1 but haven't been able to maintain it, so I had to make a few adjustments. 4 to 1 might look like 20 lbs fat, 80 lbs muscle. My muscle weight has stayed around 80 lbs since I started tracking. Also, I need to master the plange, and horizontal body holds, muscle ups, and general body-weight strength moves, which means stronger core and upper body - but I can't neglect the legs either. Compete? Doubtful, but I never know.

#3. I had to skip to number three while it's on my mind because it's important. It's to remain happy and healthy, disease and injury free, mentally sharp and cognizant, dexterous, have an indestructible nervous system and a bullet proof immune system. There are several other elements that go along with this goal, such as becoming a healer, learning Reiki and becoming a massage therapist... freelance. This also leads into number one, as well.

#2. Find the love of my life. This has moved up to number 2, although it seems to conflict with the on-the-go lifestyle I'm working towards. If it's meant to it will work out.

#1. Live healthy and vibrantly for 210 years. I believe I can think myself into this along with the proper action, precautions and attitude. I've already picked the day... well night I will leave this realm, although I think it will be an emotional challenge with what the world is going through right now, I think I can swing it. The first hundred years are the toughest.


Okay... most of these should be doable. Most of them have been done already.. or I am on track for doing them. What I haven't figured out yet is how long I want to be on the road, so to speak; or how long I Can be on the road. My plan... take it 90 days at a time... and day-by-day if necessary. I'll be updating again in maybe 58 days? That should bring me down to around 150 days left in Philly. I should have some solid plans by then.

A Nice Text From a Good Friend

From E: 

Well, as I try to put my thoughts together about you moving away, I can be comforted in being able to say I was fortunate enough to have spent time with you, got to know you, laughed with you, cried happy and sad tears around you, learned so much about myself because of you and I can only hope that you won’t forget about me. You are part of my life. You are an inspiration and you have one of the biggest hearts of anyone I know. I feel very blessed to know someone who is so hard for me to say goodbye.

The Funky Luau, 2015 - The Pisces Dance

I want to remember this. Here seems like a good place…. She may not mind making an appearance here. 

Pisces Wonder Twins

I got to hang out with my 2011 Friend of the Year yesterday and it was exquisite. As I always say, "we meet the people in life we are destined to meet," and we might as well make the most of it.

Our introduction came by way of social media, although we have so many characteristics in common, not the least of which is our sun sign, we may have eventually crossed paths at some point; mutual acquaintance or some such... or maybe, probably I'd say now, social media was the way we were supposed to meet. After many false starts and re-schedules, we finally met as the sun was in the twelfth house, off of Rittenhouse Square over octopus.

Friend of the Year is a distinction I came up with this century to describe people I meet and expect to still be friends with five years later. During times when I was much more social and sociable, I became friendly to quickly with people who turned out not to be the kinds of people I wanted to be friends with, or the other way around. I looked at my core group and realized how long we'd known each other and decided it really takes about five years for people to learn each other, tolerate each other, communicate with each other, feel each other and thus become life-long friends, regardless of distance, life changes, sickness and health.

It's been five years now since Yael and I made that connection. She had to leave Philly, but comes back to visit every so often. We like to make it a point to get together, have a nosh, a drink or two, share philosophies, experiences, life updates and yesterday we shopped.

This piece found me. Magic is everywhere.

Whenever we're together our powers are amplified; the Pisces Magic happens and reality seems to shift in our favor (without taking anything away from anyone else's world). For me, this magic manifested simply in finding a tapestry that called to me in a South Street shop (Eyes Gallery) that I haven't set foot in for a long, long time and running into a work colleague from years ago.

The more I want to recount about yesterday's travels, the more I realize that words cannot capture the memories, the feelings... the power of being with my spiritual twin... dare I say soul mate? (In the most spiritual sense of the term.) I'll just use these words to hold the space so-to-speak, in this farewell to the home town chronicle.

Wake Up Call of the Twenty-First Century

If I had to place a date on my awakening it would be March 13th, 1996. It happened with a emotional shock, hence the precision of the date. Since that time, with the help of what I call angels - indeed messengers, I have completely changed my lifestyle, my think-style, my attitude, my perception of reality and a host of other elements too numerous to list.

Needless to say it's been a long and often difficult journey. An infinite journey, as I feel once we begin we never stop. Or maybe I should just speak for myself.

A la Casa - 2006, just back from Paris

"Wake up!"

Is the call of the (still rather new) century. Everyone seems to be trying to wake us up! However, to my observation the so-called wake-up call has become little more than a marketing slogan. A quasi-metaphysical way to convince us to a certain way of thinking and thus behaving. For the most part, these clarions seem to be educational - the only reason I state it like this is because of my own experience(s) - however I can imagine and maybe detected some commercial uses of the term for commercial and political objectives.

During the course of this twenty year journey I have learned - rather decided a few things which has led me to adopt several beliefs that assist in my behavior and subsequent survival in this world.

But first a disclaimer; This diatribe should not be construed as a declaration of awakenedness or any kind of new age consciousness as compared to the reader or any-body else. The level of consciousness/awareness I enjoy today is compared to that which I did not possess towards the beginning of the journey. Hopefully, and most probably, the period in which I am composing this will prove to be relatively unenlightened compared to five-plus years in the future. A key lesson learned is that everyone has their own level of consciousness and that their beliefs impact their perception of the world and those perceptions impact their behavior.

I am fond of reminding those who stamp the word "truth" on that with which they agree, that there is no truth; at best there are theories, ideas and agendas that are supported by evidence revealed and presented. We have witnessed in the last hundred years the theoretical changes in the sciences from archeology, to quantum physics, to astronomy and especially history.

Humanity, in my opinion has an intolerable arrogance about its importance on earth and its place in the universe. Collectively we have no respect for our environment, our fellow species or each other. We can debate the reasons for this although I am confident that we'll find no easy or agreed upon answers, or solutions, although some theories might be fun to knock about.

One of the most detrimental beliefs of humanity, especially in the west, is that of origin. Most humans cannot conceive of forever and relentlessly search for the beginnings of this or that; not only of our species itself, but for the birth of the universe... literally the beginning of everything. I too, having been raised in a Judeo-Christian atmosphere, am guilty of this concept. One of the goals on this journey is to release myself from that concept and accept everything as everything and be willing to embrace infinity without question.

Well, time for this little number is running out. I feel as if I could go on for another two or three hundred words, however I have to discipline myself. Got errands to run. I can imagine revisiting this piece sometime in the future; yet I can also imagine it becoming obsolete in a week. Nonetheless I am glad I took the time to jot it down. Someday you may read this and have an opinion. One day perhaps we will discuss this.

One day you might just "Wake Up" - to your own concept of reality.

O+ Diet: This Explains A Lot

Note to self - refer to this stuff from time to time.

Within the last decade I learned about the "blood type diet" which as it sounds, is based on the theory that different blood types operate differently and thus require different diets. For some reason I have recently revisited this idea and went to Dr. D'Adamo's website that explains this stuff and got an update on the information.

Briefly, it states that Type Os tend towards a higher level of stomach acid, which makes this blood type well able to digest meats. This is explanation enough for me as to why my attempts at vegetarian diets haven't stuck.
Conversely, Type Os more easily convert carbohydrates, grains especially into fats and triglycerides, which again explains why I dropped 5 to 6 pounds of body fat when I stopped eating wheat, in particular, as I'd already cut most other grains back to zero. As a Type O I am probably a good candidate for a paleo, or ketogenic diet of predominantly meats and veggies.

There are other characteristics, personality traits that seem to be connected to blood type, that align with some of what I've experienced in my life and lifestyle. Following are a few paragraphs about Type Os directly from the website I decided to add just as a reminder. I think this time I'll internalize the information and make it an essential part of my lifestyle.

Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo & The Blood Type Diet

Type O Strengths and Weaknesses

We've already mentioned the tendency of type O towards higher levels of stomach acid. There is also another unique characteristic of type O that is perhaps even more important: This blood type has a very well-developed ability to digest meals that contain both protein and fat. This is because two chemicals used by the digestive tract, an enzyme called intestinal alkaline phosphatase, and a lipoprotein called ApoB48 are secreted into the digestive tract in much higher amounts by type O's. These digestive factors greatly enhance the ability of type O to not only metabolize the choelsterol in animal products more efficiently, but also greatly increase their ability to heal their digestive tract and better assimilate calcium. However, these very same strengths come at a cost: in Type O simple carbohydrates, especially from grains, are more easily converted into fats and triglycerides. Many grains also contain reactive proteins called lectins that can ramp up the type O immune system, resulting in unwanted inflammation and auto-immunity.

Manage Your Type O Stress

The legacy of your Type O ancestry causes an immediate “fight or flight” response in people of this blood type. However, this finely tuned response to stress, so vital in early Type O’s, is not always so beneficial in modern times. The Type O response can cause bouts of excessive anger, temper tantrums, hyperactivity and even create a severe enough chemical imbalance to bring about a manic episode. Since there is a powerful, synergistic relationship between the release of dopamine and feelings of reward, Type O is more vulnerable to destructive behaviors when overly tired, depressed or bored. These can include gambling, sensation seeking, risk taking, substance abuse and impulsivity. To avoid becoming overstressed, Dr. D’Adamo recommends following the Type O diet, which focuses on lean, organic meats, vegetables and fruits and avoid wheat and dairy which can be triggers for digestive and health issues in Type O. Additionally, he suggests that Type O’s avoid caffeine and alcohol. Caffeine can be particularly harmful because of its tendency to raise adrenaline and noradrenaline, which are already high for Type O’s.

Energize - The Essential Exercise Component

Type O’s benefit tremendously from brisk regular exercise that taxes the cardiovascular and muscular skeletal system. But the benefit derived surpasses the goal of physical fitness. Type O also derives the benefit of a well timed chemical release system. The act of physical exercise releases a swarm of neurotransmitter activity that acts as a tonic for the entire system. The Type O who exercises regularly also has a better emotional response. You are more emotionally balanced as a result of well regulated, efficient chemical transport system. More than any other blood type, O’s rely on physical exercise to maintain physical health and emotional balance. Dr. D’Adamo suggests that Type O’s engage in regular physical activity three to four times per week. For best results, engage in aerobic activity for thirty to forty five minutes at least four times per week. If you are easily bored, choose two or three different exercises and vary your routine.

Live Right!

In addition to exercising and eating foods that are Right For Your Type, here are a few key lifestyle strategies for Type O individuals:

• Develop clear plans for goals and tasks – annual, monthly, weekly, daily to avoid impulsivity.
• Make lifestyle changes gradually, rather than trying to tackle everything at once.
• Eat all meals, even snacks, seated at a table.
• Chew slowly and put your fork down between bites of food.
• Avoid making big decisions or spending money when stressed.
• Do something physical when you feel anxious.
• Engage in thirty to forty five minutes of aerobic exercise at least four times per week.
• When you crave a pleasure releasing-substance (alcohol, tobacco, sugar), do something physical.

Dr. D’Adamo recommends that Type O, “Approach this program as a long term strategy. This is not a short term goal, rather a lifestyle that you adapt for a lifetime of health and well being. There is no doubt that there is a connection between the mind and the body. The knowledge that we can do something to change our genetic destiny is powerful.”