Aboe to California

Abi Wabi turk-a-lurk, will you eat my leg?
I'd ask for you to stay in Boston, but I hate to beg!
For I concede that you must leave.
Oh how quickly 3 months goes.
And I fear, it's drawing near,
the day I pack your clothes.
So take your Joey Bag-of-Donuts across to Colorado
for 5 years, *stifle tears*,
Abi Green, like avocado.

I'm a Zen Theif!

First written September 20, 2007

So I have this book at school, "Zen Shorts" by Jon J. Muth. Pretty deep stuff for kids if I thought there were such a thing. But let me tell you something...kids are not stupid. They understand a lot for how new to the world they are. But they understand things in an untainted way. If they don't immediately and truly get it right away, they will often recreate this new information in play and wait for things to happen. Like trial and error, if you will. So anyway, back to the book. This book is about a Panda bear named Stillwater and he lives next door to three children. He initially meets all three children together, and then as the book progresses he spends time with each of the children individually. During each said time, Stillwater lapses into stories that encourage the children to reflect on their emotions and their actions. It also made me think.

Author's Note

"Zen is a Japanese word that simply means meditation...The Buddha's method of meditation was to sit very still, yet remain completely alert, allowing first one thought and then another to rise and pass away, holding on to none of them."

I have a really hard time letting things go. It took me over a year to get over my father-in-law's inexcusable behavior towards myself. It has taken me longer than a year to get over other affronts people have made against me over the years. It cuts me to the quick when people I care about act extremely carelessly at very inopportune times with sickening regularity. I have since began my relentless assault to shorten this grudge time frame, but I am by no means perfect.

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A Heavy Load: excerpt from 'Zen Shorts' by Jon J. Muth

Two traveling monks reached a town where there was a young woman waiting to step out of her sedan chair. The rains had made deep puddles and she couldn't step across without spoiling her silken robes. She stood there, looking very cross and impatient. She was scolding her attendants. They had nowhere to place the packages they held for her, so they couldn't help her across the puddle.

The younger monk noticed the woman, said nothing, and walked by. The older monk quickly picked her up and put her on his back, transported her across the water, and put her down on the other side. She didn't thank the older monk, she just shoved him out of the way and departed.

As they continued on their way, the young monk was brooding and preoccupied. After several hours, unable to hold his silence, he spoke out. "That woman back there was very selfish and rude, but you picked her up on your back and carried her! Then she didn't even thank you!"

"I set the woman down hours ago," the older monk replied.

"Why are you still carrying her?"

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Indeed, why do I carry this crazy baggage for so long? If I were to keep with the whole 'wise man once said' mentality, I would say "living well is the best revenge", and I indeed live a very lucky and comfortable life. But for years this never seemed enough...I was/am a brooder...although I am less so now. Hanging onto resentment just clouds my existence with poor judgement and karma, if you will. I hope that it is just my inevitable passage into adulthood...an experience of adultolescence that I will refer back to when I am 80, sitting with Bill on our front porch, reminiscing of times past. I can only try harder to let go of these events and people who have brought me down. But as a wise woman, Elenor Roosevelt once said, "No one can make you feel inferior without your permission." It think that goes for all emotions. Damn my weaknesses...damn them I say!

There are two other short stories within "Zen Shorts", and I will now relate one of these...as I believe relating all three might slap me with accusations of plagiarism...and I think you should read this book...the pictures are great and the story in its entirety is just awesomeness incarnate.

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The Farmer's Luck: excerpt from 'Zen Shorts' by Jon J. Muth

There was once an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years.

One day, his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit.

"Such bad luck," they said sympathetically.

"Maybe," the farmer replied.

The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it two other wild horses.

"Such good luck!" the neightbors exclaimed.

"Maybe," replied the farmer.

The follwing day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown off, and broke his leg.

Again, the neighbors came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune.

"Such bad luck," they said.

"Maybe," answered the farmer.

The day after that, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army to fight in a war. Seeing that the son's leg was broken, they passed him by.

"Such good luck!" cried the neighbors.

"Maybe," said the farmer.

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I take this as a sure sign that things do happen for a reason...and that perhaps my perception of good and bad is simply that, my own personal perception. When I'm down, I should lean a bit more towards sadomasichism and try to enjoy it, like a whip-slap across the back from a leather-clad, omnipotent Lord reigning above, controlling my every rise and fall. But then, I am bound by the genes that make me...me. As much as I enjoy feeling sorry for myself...and I truly do enjoy an elaborate pity party in my honor as much as the next gal...I enjoy living life a hell of alot better!

Here's to life; to the ups, the downs, the lefts and the rights, play and hard work, ruffled chips and cheese and cucumbers...all the things that go with all those other things. I'm glad to have made it so far!

Awkward Dichotomy

I can't help but think about all the possibilities in life...all the choices and people and places...even when life is comfortable and clean. I play back major and not-so-major events in my life...my regrets and shames especially...I can't help but dwell on these 'what ifs'...sometimes they all but consume the very core of me...each event playing rapidly on my mind in a never-ending, but sometimes lethargic, cycle...up-thoughts and then down...it's very hard to tread these cumbersome waves...it's such an awkward dichotomy.

I know I don't want to get stuck inside myself...I've learned from past occurrences that it's too destructive to me and to the people I care about. That's why I think it's wonderful I should find an author at these drowning points in life...it's not the first time I have found solace in the sympathetic writings of another being going through the same shit...it makes me feel like I don't have to be struggling all the time...it makes me feel like it's ok to fight the currents, or to just float or even to just tread along with it for a while without losing sight of the fact that 'now' will not turn into 'forever'.

So anyway, I am reading Tao Te Ching, (The Book of Changes) by Lao Tzu, and would happen upon this...the first chapter...I know it's lame but if it helps me to move on then I shall hold tightly!

Always without desire we must be found,
If its deep mystery we would sound;
But if desire always within us be,
Its outer fringe is all that we shall see.

And the wave breaks only to build anew...but in the meantime I will rest freely on this 'in-between'.

music, video games and the Hazards of Love

MusIc ~

I think one of my bigger obsessions - and I give this particular obsession such a high rating because it's one of my longest running - is music. It incorporates a subset of obessibles which is, for me at least, the written word.

I can really think long and hard about lyrics and what the musicians' inner English Professors are trying to say to my inner English Undergraduate. It's amazing I never majored in English now that I think about it. I love libraries and reading and book fairs. I have a tendency to shy away from jobs that encompass my inner-most loves, for fear said employment will disenamour me of my lifejoys.

I also have a tendency of gowing with the flow, so to speak, when it comes to jobs. I just kinda get dropped into jobs without so much as a plan as to what it is I want. I am working for Emagination, which offers specialized summer programs for video game design. And while I know Computer hates me in ways I can't understand, I am in love with video games - I always have been. My ideal gift is video game related - or music related - funny how these tangeants have a way of coming back around!

So I want to express my indie-me favorite album. I also want to say this album transcends the indie scene into a genre of their own. The Decemerist's The Hazards of Love is a stolbum (story + album = stolbum). And I have outlistened my last.fm's worth of free listening of said stolbum and am anxiously awaiting the arrival (on Friday, pleeeaassseee Friday) of this most glorious musical journey. Buy this stolbum, oh my God, buy this stolbum!

Hey Lamby...Here Lamby!

April 2009

I admit I was convinced I would owe at least $3,000 in taxes. Change that 'owe' to 'refund' and that's what really happened. This is fantastic news. April has lambed me silly, what with the daffodils a-bloomin' and the glorious tax refund shower. Everything is coming up Me!

All is clear on the job front as well. For real, and I'm not blowing smoke here, I love my new job. Maybe it has something to do with my lengthy unpaid unemployed stint, or the fact that the first job I got was for the douchiest douche who ever douched. I know I like the people I work with. I know I like the work. I know I'm happy about it so I won't speculate excessively.

I have made friends with a new obsession and they call it World of Warcraft. I tell people about this new interest of mine and I might as well be saying "I'm now addicted to crack and have no qualms whatsoever about it, wouldn't you like to join me?" It's only been about three weeks and I haven't; lost my husband, been fired from my job, missed out on important social events or neglected my kitties. I have; joined a guild, made new friends, nearly reached level 60, helped a friend move and nearly set my laptop on fire. The major casualties are; television, books, skinny practice, facebook and frivolous spending.

Overall I am optimistic - but mostly I'm just grateful. I'm in a good place right now and I just want to look up and let it fall all over me.

work progressing...even if slowly.

Consequences be damned...it's time to face the music, no matter how dissonant the orchestra may be! I can't help but to lurk around the past...it got me thinking about all the people I have selfishly and inadvertantly mangled along my personal journey through life.

I am totally dedicated to living with the guilt...it's really the only active thing I can do now besides apologize...guilt also serves as a reminder...my way to prevent any future wrecklessness towards those important to me. I do realize, however, that apologies don't smooth the rough edges of my ragged decisions...but hopefully they will offer some consolation.

I have left spite churning in the wake of some of my previous relationships...and have, in the end, robbed myself of some genuinely enriching experiences. I have sat idly by while friends have suffered great losses...and chose inactivity over charity. These actions are completely inexcusable...even though some of these damaged souls were generous enough to offer me their forgiveness...

for this I am truly grateful.

For all the rest...those whom I (at one time or another) felt invited my clapperclaw of mass cuntyness...and for those who most certainly did not...

I'm sorry. I truly am.

For those who I have trespassed against...I wish you health and happiness, enriching travels with open and loving hearts along the way...I wish you all the things I was never able to give you...the antithesis of our past interactions.

For myself, I only strive to be a better person. I am willing to work hard for this...I'm willing to do this for those still with me and for those still left to come...and if I am lucky...for those I have hurt in the past.

My work in progress will be constructive...I will strive to be the greatness I see in my family and friends, and I hope someday to be a better person...always progressing but hopefully with less emotional casualties.

21

December 5, 2008

Twenty-one years ago today, I was eight years old and I was a new big sister.

I remember we lived in a house that had three sinks in the upstairs bathroom and there was this big oval bathtub and everything in it was blue. And when you were old enough to sit up, we would take baths together sometimes. That was the huge house in Durham on Route 108. It had one of those cool doors that could open just on the top, or just on the bottom, or both together.

Then I remember the time Mom went out somewhere for the night and Dad was in charge. And he put you in your little blue jammies with the little mittens attached to the sleeves. And once he had you all ready for bed, you started screaming and crying and I think I probably said something along the lines of “He doesn’t cry like that for Ma.” And we thought that you just missed Mom, and we put you to bed, and you still cried. Then Mom came home. And you were still crying. And she went to check on you and it turned out your little thumb didn’t get through the sleeve and was being pushed against your little wrist. Mom fixed it and you went right to sleep.

Then we moved to the house on Pudding Hill Road, and you started walking. Gram lived with us then, and you weren’t any older than two the day we let you run around without your diaper on, and you pooped a little rabbit-sized poopy trail all through the house and it was hilarious! Dad got a coonskin hat for Christmas, and I got a basketball and you were the most excited about the box my basketball came in, and you climbed in and wore it and you were so cute! And our eccentric home-schooling relatives, Aunt Rainy and Uncle Bill, gave you these weird balls that looked like they were made out of brightly dyed hair. We all got the biggest kick out of those things!

We used to go rummage around the dump right down from the road from us, and one day we found this sweet rusty old-school Radio Flyer Wagon, and we took it home and rode that thing down the big hill behind our Pudding Hill House. We also used to go sledding with Aaron and Jonathan too. You loved your cars though, once you got older. And you would always say how you would have a police car and a fire engine and a truck and a tractor when you grew up.

We moved to Fox Point Road in Newington and it had a four-car garage with an apartment over it that was rented to someone I don’t remember. And the carpet in the living room was the exact same color as a pile of spilled fish food. A lady who did daycare in her home down the road from us took care of you, and her dog had puppies and we bought one and named her Sadie May Jangles. You were around three or four years old when we started living there. It was right across the street to this pond that had a lot of snapping turtles in it, but in the winter we’d skate on it. And it was right next to this awesome river that we’d go sit in sometimes. And Dad would take Sadie and us on walks to the peninsula and there would be horseshoe crabs all over the beach. And he would take us on little hikes along trails through fields and through the woods, and all along the way he would show us cool things. Like how these certain plants, when pulled from the ground, would stay attached at the root, making a length of natural twine. Then he would find a strong short stick, and a triangular rock, and he would tie the rock to the stick with the rooty twine and give us homemade play hatchets to walk the trail with.

Then Mom dared to leave us in the hands of Dad once again, as she and Jane went to Mexico for a whole week. And we ate out pretty much every meal of the day, and we got to sleep in Mom and Dad’s room every night, even if we didn’t have nightmares. Then Dad went and bought a Nintendo. And towards the end of the week, I got sick in Mom and Dad’s bed, and you know what I threw up? A whole pickle from a McDonald’s cheeseburger. It was gross. And your clothes were the perfect size for a puppy, and sometimes I would put your little tuxedo on the dog, and Mom would get annoyed.

One time we were riding around with Mom (we used to go on rides all the time) in the little blue Hyundai and we went over one of those hills that tickles your insides, and you said “OOOooo! It feels like you threw my pee-pee out the window…and then the car ran it over!” That was a freakin’ riot!

Finally we made it to Nottingham and I was a total bitch for about eight years running, and you claim to not remember, but we all have that terrible video verification of my wretched doings – a full-length feature film of an interrogation of a seven year-old. We would go over to the Louisos’ house and make forts in their basement and throw records Frisbee-style in an epic battle of girls versus boys or oldest versus youngest…until we got in trouble. Then we went sledding with Joanna and Zack down “Tailbone Heeeeeiiiilllllll”. We stole the cushions from Mom and Dad’s couch (you know, the one that matched the booger chair) and forgot them outside on Jeremy and Bethany’s swing set, and then the pillows got rained on and subsequently froze to the wood once it got cold. We managed to pry it away, only to throw it down “Tailbone Hill” so it could freeze at the bottom of the hill making a wicked sweet jump once it snowed. I got my license and got to drive around the Ford Escort, and I took you to Karate and back…and some of that trip might have been through the woods. Ian came into our lives, and you were wicked close friends with Jeremy Lemay. I was beginning to apply to colleges, so Mom and Dad signed me up for an interview with the army, which you thought was really cool. Cool enough to put on your full fatigues and hide under the couch, then the table – spying on the doomed-from-the-start interview. You were the only one who lightened that situation for me – otherwise I would have “run away” on pure principal alone! You got into dirt bike racing and four-wheeling – and you got me into that stuff too! I would go and see some of your races when I wasn’t being a total beatch.

You were 10 when I went to college. I missed a lot of your teenage years, more than I wish I hadn’t. I had you and Bill’s brother Nate come stay over when I lived on Gainsborough Street (the Columbus Ave.) in Boston.

You followed your heart when it came to your professional future, and you went to school in Canada to get your degree so you could install, into cars, pimp sound-systems and other cool electric complexities I could never understand. I remember how excited I was to go visit you up there – and Kristen and I flew up to Jane’s, and she drove us the rest of the way, and we had a wicked great time there. Even though we sat through an entire Medieval Castle experience when it was the retardedest retard that ever retarded as far as performance dining is concerned.

Now you are 21 years old and I can still remember the little boy with the blond bowl cut and the teeth he hadn’t grown into yet. And your wide blue eyes. You never lost those baby-blues! Or that blond hair for that matter. And I couldn’t be more proud of the man you have grown into. I can’t believe it’s been 21 years together.

But mostly, I can’t believe I made it those eight years without you.

I love you – Happy Birthday.