The Fine Art of Navel Gazing

Frayda, the millionairess I knew from 2003 to 2006, died this day in 2006 around 6:30 a.m. No amount of money could stop the pancreatic cancer.

Excerpt from Conquest of Abundance....

The crucial judgment on a life is not about the philosophy or theology that the person claimed to follow, but the kind of life that he actually lived. In his acclaimed autobiography "killing time", Feyerabend says: "It seems to me that love and friendship play a central role and without them even the noblest achievements and the most fundamental principles remain pale, empty and dangerous".

https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/feyerabend/#TenWondYearEighBerkZuri

Feyerabend complains that the ideas of reason and rationality are “ambiguous and never clearly explained” (Farewell To Reason, p. 10); they are deified hangovers from autocratic times which no longer have any content but whose “halo of excellence” (ibid.) clings to them and lends them spurious respectability:

[R]ationalism has no identifiable content and reason no recognizable agenda over and above the principles of the party that happens to have appropriated its name. All it does now is to lend class to the general drive towards monotony. It is time to disengage Reason from this drive and, as it has been thoroughly compromised by the association, to bid it farewell. (FTR, p. 13).

Interestingly, he was, in terms of philosophical perspective, compared to Bruce Lee.

Striking Thoughts: Bruce Lee's Wisdom for Daily Living

"Since he himself would not wholly accept any particular style of martial art or philosophy, Bruce encouraged his students not to accept, without question, his teachings. His main message was to keep one's mind, attitude, and senses pliable and receptive, and, at the same time, develop the ability to think correctly. This process of inquiry, debate, and practice would lead not only to knowledge of one's physical strengths and weaknesses but also to the discovery of basic truths that allow one to grow toward a state of harmonious unity of spirit, mind, and body." — Linda Lee Cadwell, from her preface

"I thought Bruce was a brilliant, fine philosopher about everyday living. He was very much into finding out who he was. His comment to people was 'Know yourself.' The good head that he acquired was through his knowing himself. He and I used to have great long discussions about that. No matter what you do in life, if you don't know yourself, you're never going to be able to appreciate anything in life. That, I think, is today's mark of a good human being—to know yourself." — Steve McQueen

I'd add: If you are continuing to grow mentally, emotionally, then knowing one's self is an ever-changing event.

As a polyamorist, I've valued my relationships above all else. They helped me grow in ways I never could have imagined. And each time I thought I'd NOW done everything that could be done in bed, another would appear to show me a whole new dimension.

The joy of love-imbued orgasm is the highest. My deepest gratitude and undying love to each of you.

                   💝    

The Biggest Engine That Could

There's distinction in pariah-hood. I can grasp my lapels and thrust out my paunch with pride in NOT  having any followers. But then, several years ago, one appeared. Then, for a while, there was another. I stoically endured. Eventually though it got to me...as everything does.

Fortunately, after several recent visits to "the 2nd's" blog they realized the error of their ways and dropped off. But then another, like a leech or lamprey, attached itself. It wouldn't be so bad except for the list I'm included in. It's, it's a mass of, of...Hoi Polloi!

The first one -- the one that's gone the distance -- has a blog about motors. Today, in an effort to remind him/her/it that they miiiiiiight want to STOP following me, I visited. But I was, in my earliest years -- those when one thinks the blatting of a mufflerless motor inspires tingles in womens' clits -- a mechanic. And there remains juuuust enough vestigial interest to prompt a link-and-look at this....

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W%C3%A4rtsil%C3%A4-Sulzer_RTA96-C

Eggs

I like to have them around, hard-boiled, for snacks. When I left I was waiting for the water to boil. The task caused me to forget and before I knew it...

Artists!! Can't turn yer back on 'em for a second!

                                                  (her serigraphs from the 1990s)

On the Way to Albuquerque

I was (reluctantly) working my way northward. I HAD to meet with a cardiologist about my Amylnitrate Cardial Infarcation (or some such), but wasn't in any big hurry.


This boulder looked pleased with itself.

You can see why; it had made it down the hill further than any others.

The Little Yellow Flowers (LYFs) were in profusion.

And the wind was between 30 - 40 knots.

Phoebe waiting patiently....

Wasted Worry

I have a good rapport with my primary physician; he tolerates my Germanittude (Vee Vahnt to Know und you VILL answer zee Qvestschunz!) without getting defensive. The results of our phone conversation yesterday...

He increased my meds so I won't have to take them as often....and they can be increased further and there are some other drugs to try.

When I explained that I wanted an MRI or echocardiogram to determine if we'd be stenting a heart that is 80% dead or stenting a heart that is only 20% dead he said neither test would be helpful...it's not that simple. (We won't be stenting.)

He asked how my blood pressure and pulse are (both are good) and how I'm doing in general. He said THESE are the determinants, how one presents, that they use to recommend treatment. If I don't have the strength to go to the bathroom then I'm in trouble. The fact that I can walk a ways but am unable to exercise and I have severe bouts of angina indicates I'm in bad shape but not "in trouble."

Additionally, he said I'm tolerating the drugs well --- no dizziness, fainting, too low blood pressure --  so it's all good. If I take my meds, am careful about my diet and don't have another heart attack I might live forever.

Bonsai the cat, shown above in the classic leopard-on-a-limb pose, is ensconced on the arm of my 1920s J.C. Penney armchair. That's $120.00-a-yard mohair she's lounging on. I found the chair on the street my first year of college (1983, I was 33) and used my student loan to have it recovered. Mohair, the original fabric, is virtually indestructible and has a wonderful feel to the nude body draped upon it. A number of cats have enjoyed it too.

MFH - Albuquerque

The line in Waiting For Godot, "It's a Carrot" served, for many years, as a koan whose meaning was: It is what it is.

All the while I interpreted the scene as Beckett's sarcastic poke at homophobes. The critics frequently made reference to it in metaphorical terms of Vladimir's balls (testes) and the carrot as his dick. I imagined Beckett muttering: "Stupid buttheads! They read too much Freud."

My sister embroidered this bandana 45 years ago.

Over time the carrot morphed into The Prime Motivator...as in when dangled, on a schtick-und-schtring, in front of a mule. I discarded the stick and enjoyed the metaphor. The phrase "It's a Carrot" became the acronym IAC. And in those days, when the gallery was going strong, Contemporary Art was my Prime Motivator -- compelling me to LEAP from bed (with enthusiasm) each morning.

Ms. Cook found this SPLENDID robe -- and t-shirt -- online. 

Not ALL my stubbornness is genetic; I AM a Capricorn.

At the Santa Cruz Valley Regional Hospital after the angioplasty.

Tinsel & Carrots, Oh My!

About Poetry
from:  Nine Gates  by Jane Hirshfield

Look Here.

Another Worthy of Note

                       The video is magical!


http://corneringconsciousness.blogspot.com/2014/10/october-rise.html


They claim, on their website

https://risefestival.com/

that they pick up 100% of the lanterns....and more. They CLAIM, on their website, they pick up other trash they find and do all they can to leave the area cleaner than before the festival.