A River Between

Chessboard

Originally uploaded by holisticgeek.

I decided to put up a new gallery/photo set on Flickr today. It’s a hodgepodge of a lot of photos that I’ve taken that I consider my “favorites” that feature people I know, or moments and stories that I find very captivating. I’ve toyed in my mind with doing some more things with the photos I take, like making some into postcards or matting a few and giving them as gifts. Who knows, you know?

Here’s the link to the Photo Gallery.

Enjoy!

Bike Racks

Originally uploaded by holisticgeek.

I take a commuter bus to work five days a week now. Lately I’ve been thinking about the whole issue of mass transit usage and how our society can place us in class groupings by how we travel for work and leisure. I’m fascinated how mass transit causes a temporary “leveling” of class distinction. Everyone is equal, aside from their clothing. People of all races, religions, and differing socio-economic backgrounds are all together, sharing a ride.

Half way through my bus ride, we stop in a small town in Minnesota and pick up more riders on our way to the Mayo Clinic. The last two days we’ve had every seat full, with 9-18 people standing in the isle for 25 miles. Of course this is all because gasoline prices now hover around $3/gallon in Minnesota. While the vast majority of riders on my bus are women, I’m sure that for some, this is their first brush with public transit since their gradeschool years.

Today, on my 45 mile commute, I thought a lot about workers on many “welfare-to-work” programs who in some cases, bus 50 or more miles to their jobs. I thought of my friend Randy who doesn’t own a car. Most influential however, has been my partner Michael, who encourages me more and more to take public transit more often as a DUTY to the earth, rather than just a cost saving measure.

I guess I’m trying to find a silver lining in our over dependence on oil, and the behavior changes I’m seeing. A big hope of mine is that when/if gas prices go down, that some folks just continue riding the bus, biking, and carpooling. Wouldn’t that be great?…

Now that gas prices here in the US have climbed to $3/gallon, one thing that isn’t being emphasized is the impact that WINTER will have on gas prices, the economy, and everyone’s budget. Experts anticipate that oil will go up to $100/barrel this winter as folks use more to heat their homes. This means even higher prices at the pump, AND higher fuel bills this winter. However, there are some things that everyone can do to reduce their heating bills.
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Michael, Scott, Tes, Bob
Originally uploaded by holisticgeek

I spent a weekend near Cook, MN, along the shores of Lake Vermillion. Pictured to the right are Michael (my boyfriend), Me, Tes, and Bob. Bob and Tes have been living half of the year in Minnesota, the other half in Los Angeles, for nearly 30 years now. This vibrant couple holds peace and justice in high regard. They are warm friends of the Duluth Catholic Worker Community (in which Michael is a volunteer), and they host reunions and “play days” every year.

It was a special treat to meet them, and experience true hospitality from true people of peace. We canoed (I learned somewhat how to steer the canoe), had a wonderful sauna, and then jumped naked into Lake Vermillion to cool us off. My skin felt and smelled wonderfully afterward.

For more photos of this weekend, click on the photo and browse the ones before and after. Today I am way to daydreamy to make a photo album. I promise to do so soon.

Even after taking a few days off to rest sore pulled muscles from softball this week, last night was a great breakthrough. I was able to do the warmup and sun salutations all the way through without stopping to rest in the “child’s pose” during the 40 minutes I do yoga. AND… I was able to do the Tree Pose (where you balance on one leg, your other foot pressed against your thigh above the knee) for about 8 seconds!!

Also still caffeine free, but going back to the coffee shop to drink decaf when I want. It’s nice to be able to go back to haunts and not be tempted to get loaded on caffeine.

While I have no clue how much weight I’ve lost (scales are evil), the shorts I bought in late june that buttoned up and zipped quite snugly then, I can now just slip on and off without unbuttoning. Makes for interesting *ahem* views of the backside if I sit down or bend over, since my shorts basically now just rest on my hips. I can now wear all my XL shirts comfortably just fine, and I’ve noticed that the fat I used to have on top of my ribs below my chest is now not there, and I can feel ribs!! My face seems a little thinner too. I think I still have a ways to go to a weight that I want to be “comfortable” at. I still like being a little stocky, but I want a more healthy weight, and want to keep at this new regimen for a long time. My body feels great, and I am feeling younger. I must be doing something right. Feels good!

I’ve been reading the book, The Sprit’s Terrain, by Christopher Child recently. A wonderful concept he brings about is the striving for Fulfillment in our lives rather than Satisfaction. I think that this combined with other changes I’ve been making has really caused me to embrace this notion of fulfillment.

Satisfaction, as Child puts it, is short term. It’s that comfortable resolution to dissonance that our lives have constantly. It’s the raise you get, the big publishing contract, the job you want, the house you dream of, or the person you envision to live your life with and live “happily ever after.” It’s feeling full. Satisfied. Belly’s full.

Fulfillment is a process, and a long term state of mind. Fulfillment is the stories we tell over time, the bus driver who knows your name who always wishes you a great day, your own growth through the good and bad. It’s your intertwining and changing dreams and ambitions, and how you live through the friction and tension of day to day life. It’s the freedom you have to grow and change, and how you do it throughout life.
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I’m really starting to feel like doing yoga should be a very natural part of daily routines now. While I’ve taken some days off in the last two weeks, I’ve really begun to notice that I’m improving quite quickly, and feeling like I have more energy in my body.
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Since my roommate moved out a couple of weeks ago, I’ve been enjoying my space at home much more, and finding new ways to use it, so it seems. About six months ago I purchased OM Yoga in a Box, from the suggestion of someone over the internet, and practiced it a few times, then just sort of let it set for a while. I got a roommate, and in my small space, it just wasn’t convenient to move things in the living room to give me adequate space to do yoga.

This week, I seem to have found a new friend. I’ve done this yoga practice four out of the last five days this week, and I’m really happy with even the progress I’ve made in just four days.
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The pond at my parents home in Memphis, MO.

My friend Gary came to speak to our Northfield People for Peace group last night, and spoke about his experience with HIV and how he’s soon to complete his 25th bike ride in the fight against AIDS. He’s raised over $100,000 to fight HIV and AIDS now! Incredible! This man is in his 40s and just incredibly healthy. A lot of what he spoke about was keeping his stress down, and keeping his life in balance. While there were other incredible pieces to his story that he shared, I came away with a sense of wanting more of a balanced life than I may have now. Also perhaps the need to be more adventurous.
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It’s funny how I now define the summer as “my time off” but it really isn’t. I’m taking some time off of the major projects I’ve been doing. Timbre is done for the season, the AIDS Walk is done, and I have more time to do those fun things for the summer.

Today I had the day off, so I went up to the Twin Cities to meet my friend Linda for coffee, and generally enjoy the day, and do some quiet writing.

Technorati Tags: peace

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