Friday, September 29, 2006

...one more thing Santa

As long as we're talking about wood (no, not that kind perv), Santa can ya git me this too.

You the man, Nick.

Thursday, September 28, 2006

Dear Santa

Santa, I've been a good boy this year. Soooo, would you entertain something like this as a holiday reward? You don't even have to read Japanese to appreciate how hip this is.

Pleeeeease...

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Jones Soda

Vancouver WheelIt seems like forever since I've had a photo of mine grace a bottle of Jones Soda.

So I'm back at it again.

Friday, September 22, 2006

HHDL Vancouver webcast et al.

Seminal event. That's the best way I can describe seeing HH The Dalai Lama in Vancouver a couple weeks ago. You can read the books but there's nothing like being in his presence.

Just to make sure I wasn't fooling myself I listened to his talk again via this webcast (Cultivating Happiness, skip to :50). Yep. He's the real deal.

Bryan and I watched Kundun last night. Whoa. Great compliment to Little Monk, an HBO documentary we saw about a young monk.

I've been sitting since March. I've gone as far as I can. I need a teacher. (That's me asking the Buddha.)

BTW, HHDL is coming to The Bay in April07.

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

engadet does gizmodo

Is it me or does the newly redesigned engadget bear a suspiciously striking resemblence to Gizmodo?

You be the judge.

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Teen-aged boys

West 25th, Cleveland OH
It's been over 6 weeks since my 17 yr old hit me. Needless to say, I've never gone this long without seeing any of my kids. Number one son is hiding at his mother's house or should I say "behind his mother's apron".

Some women recognize what's going on, almost all men grok it in fullness.

1a: karma is real
1b: payback's a bitch
1c: now I know how my father felt (tho I never smacked him nor spent time in juvy

2: as a Buddhist who believes in reincarnation, I realize it may take while before Michael grows up and learns the lesson(s) at hand

3: while my other two are watching their older brother, I pray they at least make their own (different) mistakes

This may take awhile.

Speaking of family, I had a great trip home last week. Spent lots of time with Mom, who's doing incredibly well after 2 breast cancer operations in 6 weeks. The unexpected joy was spending mucho quality time with my brother. As in 3 meals in three days. Not to mention is seemingly normal new girlfriend. Big shout out to Bruce'n'Barb as well. Ahhhh, Cleveland. Land of my birth.

Saturday, September 09, 2006

HHDL in Vancouver

Dalai Lama in Vancouver 09sep06
Lisa and I saw His Holiness the Dalai Lama today in Vancouver. He's here for the opening of a new center.

Tears streamed down my face though his speech was what I called "Dalai Lama Lite". Lovely enough but not a spiritual talk per se. I've been reading a handful of his books lately and I guess I had my hopes set a bit too high.

Being in his presence and hearing his voice was a joy. A true joy.

Perhaps the most touching moment was when he entered the room and his two RCMP escorts clasped their hands together and bowed to him. F*cking secret service agents wouldn't have done that. Oh yeah, it was qualatatively different being in Canada seeing him.

I promise to work harder for the enlightenment of all sentient beings. Each and every day.

Om mani padme hum.
Om mani padme hum.

Friday, September 08, 2006

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Lisa and I are on our way to Vancouver BC today to hear His Holiness the Dalai Lama speak tomorrow.

First time. I could use the inspiration about now.

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Altoids tin pocket shrines

Altoids pocket shrineWhile I admire those that re-use Altoids tins for DIY electronic projects, I use them to make pocket shrines.

Mints, gum, smalls, you name it, I'm shoving something into it.

I finally completed enough to warrant a web gallery of my Altoids personal shrines. Still working on several more so I'm looking forward to posting new pix as I complete them.