Peace in the Morning

Nian nian you yu! 2011, the Year of the Rabbit, and it couldn’t have happened at a more aligned time. Everything around us is going so fast, maybe it always has. But now, recently, it seems like everyone is desperately reaching for the next phase in their lives, too busy to enjoy the present moment: this simple blessing.

I was reminded recently how certain repeated resolutions really weren’t attempts for permanent change. Surprisingly the idea of change and the efforts which dissolved after a few weeks were merely entertainment.

Let me explain, speed is the vehicle of entertainment, nothing absorbed, and nothing needed to absorb. For example, how much can one really take in from daily inspirational messages? The frequency of these messages can only lend themselves towards entertainment, quick anecdotes, and impenetrable points, given to moments of memory; only to be forgotten the following day.


Let’s look to the rabbit this year as a mnemonic device for the story of the Tortoise and the Hare. This poignant story is a reminder for a slower way of living. Try not to get caught up in the quickness of life. Slow down, walk a little slower, and enjoy each step. The prize isn’t the finish; the real prize is having the ability and opportunity to continue. Life, that’s the gift.


May you always get more than you wish for!

VIDEO~Sade - Morning Bird

Travelling Through Writing

One day I’m going to write a novel, one day I’m going to write a book. Too many of us talk about writing with the preface of ‘one day’, and for some reason that ‘day’ never comes.

Last year, traveling through the web I landed on nanowrimo.org. NANOWRIMO stands for National Novel Writing Month. Their premise is simple, write a novel in November, and submit it to their website on the 30th. The content has to be new, and a minimum of 50,000 words. {there is a word scramble, so no one is going to steal your s*}

This year my mind unravelling challenge was to read a Science Fiction book each month, so staying in the same genre, I’m writing a Science Fiction story for nanowrimo. It’s funny how the story is starting to form, because on day one I had a hundred different stories in mind, but luckily for me there was a bully in my brain, who pushed her way out of my hippocampus, and into my frontal lobe.

So, this morning I’m travelling through the earth to the SFContario Science Fiction Convention in Toronto to learn about Food in SF, Keeping the Science in Science Fiction, and four other panel lead discussions. The convention started yesterday, but there are daily passes for today and tomorrow.

SFContario Science Fiction Convention - http://www.sfcontario.ca/

National Novel Writing Month - http://www.nanowrimo.org/


VIDEO ~ Outkast – Return of the G { contains ungranny language }




VIDEO ~ Outkast – Return of the G { instrumental version }

Meech Lake Ruins

T.O. A-Z | One Man's Trash

Heading off to the grocery store I couldn’t find a quarter anywhere. A couple of useless nickels were all I could find, certainly not big enough to unlock a cart, and definitely not enough to do the awkward-coins-for-cart-exchange.

Luckily for me I saw a few stray carts in the parking lot. I grabbed my grocery list, shopping baskets and ran over. Shoot, as I got closer I noticed that two of the carts were connected, but one was free.

Flyers lined the inside of the cart, and it was missing a handle, but it was free. Grabbing the flyers with one hand I formed a huge ball. Rather than tossing the papers into the garbage I shot a three-pointer into an abandoned cart housing a huge garbage bag.

“Hey lady”, a man smiled at me, “You think that’s garbage? That’s not garbage, it’s my stuff!” I returned the smile, retrieved the un-crumpled paper, and it was then that I saw a small cardboard box filled with groceries proudly perched on top of the garbage bag.

VIDEO, THE ROOTS, DEAR GOD 2.0 FT. MONSTERS OF FOLK

Camera Practice | Captured Beauty

Just this morning I saw a beautiful lady with a full head of rollers in her hair driving a rusty old car. It was the perfect image. The pink and blue cylinders royally crowned her head, and were tightly set upon her midnight black hair.

It’s moments like these that make me want to carry my camera EVERYWHERE I go. That’s it! From now on I’m keeping my camera beside me at all times. And hopefully, if I’m fast enough, I’ll capture these rare moments of humbled, underappreciated beauty.

VIDEO, AMY WINEHOUSE, VALERIE

Cindy on her soapbox | A Recipe for Action

The way one approaches cooking could also be said for the way one approaches life. Take me for example: Whenever I try a new recipe I approach it cautiously and follow it exactly. I avoid adding personal touches. I simply follow the recipe as intended by the Chef. After I’ve tasted the end product I’ll then go back and tweak the recipe to suit my own personal preference.

But what if there is no teacher, no guide, or no leader? Then the follow-the-leader approach crumbles, like a cookie without baking powder. Unlike cooking, there is no manual on how to do everything in life, and without someone leading the way; one is often left to search on ones own. Sounds like a good thing right?

Yes, being left to search, discover and explore independently is great, however, a guide is often appreciated. It’s for this exact reason that we see so many people seeking outside influence and inspiration. But the truth is, we’re slowly becoming a society of passive observers—watching how things are done, listening to how others did what they’ve done, and then do nothing with the newfound knowledge.

The solution: Curiosity. Allow your curiosity to lead you, let it surface, and LISTEN to it when it questions things. Don’t get me wrong, I’m 100% in favour of learning from others, but use caution, and don’t be afraid to add your own personal touches. Take out the parts you like, and then discard the crust.

BJORK - BACHELORETTE

Pockets of Peace Within the City