Fishing Boxes

Another happy accident. Serendipity in action. Looking for something else (long forgot), I came upon these fishing boxes from a site called The Kenya Collection. These boxes mirror the cardboard ideas that I am working on. These are a great inspiration. It's always nice to see a visual image of what's brewing in the mind. These aren't exactly what I have in mind, but they are inspiring to behold. I'm glad they are different. I want to know that my designs are original.

This is a great way to divide up a larger space so that smaller items can be placed more neatly. It is very visually appealing and very functional at the same time. That's a great combination. I have done this both horizontally and vertically. It works great either way.

Blind Faith

Heard this song on an NPR show - World Cafe, if I'm not mistaken.

I came back from the Big Tub and was eating and doing errands around the house while the stream played from WUMB. I was preparing to record Afropop on that station because I was planning to be out when it would air. This song came on with just the intro that it was a song from the days when Steve Winwood was with Blind Faith.

When it came on, I recognized it as something I heard long ago and didn't really get to know. The vague memory of it was there, though.

It also conjured thoughts of a song I heard on a documentary on free-styling. It was the closing song that mellowed the mood after all the aggressive improvising. I found out that it was a tune by Minnie Riperton (who happens to be Maya Rudolph's mother - I huc 'em both) called Les Fleurs, which, I believe, has the same chord progression in it as the Blind Faith song. It's that descending bass line that nabs me. The song is called Can't Find My Way Home. My kind of tune. Tinted with a touch of melancholy, it takes me away somewhere beyond time and space. These are the songs that appeal to me most. Some people see them as sad, but for me they fill me with empathy, nostalgia, and longing. I guess feeling that way. It's a kind of joy, for me.

I learned the song from this version done by Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, and Nathan East singing the lead.



Here are other versions, including one by Blind Faith live in London's Hyde park back in '69.

High Resiliency

I was somehow compelled to check out Al Siebert's site on Resiliency. I took the quiz for kicks just to see where I rated in general. More important is looking at the traits of a Survivor Personality and strengthening the ones that I find I'm weak in upon introspection... I do like that I scored high, just the same.

Your Resiliency Score is: 89

Scoring:
80 or higher very resilient!
65-80 better than most
50-65 slow, but adequate
40-50 you're struggling
40 or under seek help!

Interpretation

Over 30 years of research into the inner nature of highly resilient survivors has created a clear understanding of human resiliency and how it develops. Highly resilient people show many similar qualities:

Playful, childlike curiosity. Ask lots of questions, want to know how things work. Play with new developments. Enjoy themselves as children do. Have a good time almost anywhere. Wonder about things, experiment, make mistakes, get hurt, laugh. Ask: "What is different now? What if I did this? Who can answer my questions? What is funny about this?"

Constantly learn from experience. Rapidly assimilate new or unexpected experiences and facilitate being changed by them. Ask "What is the lesson here? What early clues did I ignore? The next time that happens I will...."

Adapt quickly. Very mentally and emotionally flexible. Comfortable with contradictory personality qualities. Can be both strong and gentle, sensitive and tough, logical and intuitive, calm and emotional, serious and playful, and so forth. The more the better. Can think in negative ways to reach positive outcomes. "What could go wrong, so it can be avoided?"

Have solid self-esteem and self-confidence. Self-esteem is how you feel about yourself. It determines how much you learn after something goes wrong. It allows you to receive praise and compliments. It acts as a buffer against hurtful statements while being receptive to constructive criticism. "I like, appreciate, and love myself...."

Self-confidence is your reputation with yourself. It allows you to take risks without waiting for approval or reassurance from others. You expect to handle new situations well because on your past successes. "These are my reliable strengths...."

Have good friendships, loving relationships. Research shows that people in toxic working conditions are more stress resistant and are less likely to get sick when they have a loving family and good friendships. Loners are more vulnerable to distressing conditions. Talking with friends and family diminishes the impact of difficulties and increases feelings of self-worth and self-confidence.

Express feelings honestly. Experience and can express anger, love, dislike, appreciation, grief--the entire range of human emotions honestly and openly. Can also choose to suppress their feelings when they believe it would be best to do so.

Expect things to work out well. Deep optimism guided by internal values and standards. High tolerance for ambiguity and uncertainty. Can work without a job description, is a good role model of professionalism. Has a synergistic effect, brings stability to crises and chaos. Ask "How can I interact with this so that things turn out well for all of us?"

Read others with empathy. See things through the perspectives of others, even antagonists. Win/win/win attitude in conflicts. Ask "What do others think and feel? What is it like to be them? How do they experience me? What is legitimate about what they feel, say, and do?"

Use intuition, creative hunches. Accept subliminal perception and intuition as valid, useful sources of information. Ask "What is my body telling me? Did that daydream mean anything? Why don't I believe what I'm being told? What if I did this?"

Defend self well. Avoid and block attacks, fight back. See through and side-step cons, "games," and manipulations that others attempt. Find allies, resources, and support.

Have a talent for serendipity. Learning lessons in the school of life is the antidote to feeling victimized. They can convert a situation that is emotionally toxic for others into something emotionally nutritious for them. They thrive in situations distressing to others because they learn good lessons from bad experiences. They convert misfortune into good luck and gain strength from adversity.

A good indicator of exceptional mental health is when a person talking about a rough experience says "I would never willingly go through anything like that again, but it was the one of best things that ever happened to me." Ask "How can I turn this around? Why is it good that this happened? What is the gift?"

Get better and better every decade. Become increasingly life competent, resilient, durable, playful, and free. Spend less time surviving than others and survive major adversities better. Enjoy life more and more.

This is good to look at from time to time. It helps to monitor where I'm at in my life in terms of how good I am in facing life's never-ending, often unexpected challenges.

Throb Othe ZOB in the Mara Throb

Here's a motivating article on getting In The R in the Mara Throb. This is what I seek. I am building up my conditioning to increase my distance and time so that I can be at it long enough to slip into the zone.

Running in The Zone has to be one of the most satisfying experiences. When it all fits together it can seem effortless and intensely rewarding. But why are some times better than others? Is there anything we can do to help ourselves get into The Zone? Here is my personal account of one of my most memorable runs.

My Perfect Run in The Zone
I hadn’t initially intended to go for a run following a ten miler the day before. But as I looked out of the window at such a beautiful summer’s evening I became tempted.

Following a warm-up I headed out at around eight o’clock. I wasn’t disappointed. It was perfect evening for running with the faintest hint of a fresh breeze, warm air and the birds singing.

I headed off down the hill and started to run through my checklist – jaw is free not tight; I’m aware of my skull sitting on top of my spine so I’ve not stiffened my neck; my shoulders are relaxed and my arms swing freely from their ball and socket joints; I’m allowing the air to enter my nose and let the ribs move into the gap between my torso and arms. I think ‘light arms’ to open up the muscles in the upper back to keep my upper body poised.

Next I apply awareness to the space in front of my hips joints to allow the legs to swing freely from these points. I maintain all of these thoughts as I allow my lower legs to fall and bounce back from the road giving me a push right back up to the top of my head. That’s it! The hand break is off. A sudden lightness and simultaneous feeling of release and elation tell me I’m there. I’m now running in the zone. I pass the first mile mark – a turn in the road.

I have consciously reached the state where I am running in The Zone by removing all the obstacles that prevented it happening. Because it was a conscious process that brought me here I am able to consciously maintain it. Seemingly without effort, the hedgerows begin to flow by faster as I get a lift from the road’s surface. I keep up with my thinking, I call it ‘interactive awareness’, but it’s easier now as once there it requires no effort to maintain – its all encompassed in one thought.

Two, then three miles pass by and my pace is good. Perhaps slow by some standards but for me its fine; in fact it doesn’t really matter at the moment because I'm running in The Zone. Another turn in the road and I will start a climb of about half a mile. I consciously check for signs of my old habit of getting set to climb the hill. My face is free, no facial expression required to try harder in anticipation of this fairly steep section.

I allow my arms to open up a little to increase the swing and imagine my head is releasing forward and upwards to lead my body up the hill.

As the gradient gets steeper I become aware of a greater push (ground reaction force) and allow it to propel me up the hill as I keep my knees released so my lower legs stay swinging. My breathing has increased but I maintain an ‘upness’ and soon see the top of the hill.

Once over the brink I slow my pace a fraction and let the air flow into my lungs. With the hill out of the way and my breathing recovered I start to think about increasing speed. I hold this thought for a moment to prevent any inappropriate effort building up. Not too long ago this action would have brought my shoulders up and my head back as I pushed the pace. Now I just keep my shoulder and hip joints free and become aware of the direction my elbows and knees are moving. Even though I have followed this procedure thousands of times before, I still get a thrill from seeing it in action. With little perceived effort I am now moving much faster but still running in The Zone. I have about a third of a mile to go downhill. I check that I’m not braking in fear of falling over – again another old habit. Letting go of my legs and keeping the hip, knee and ankle joints free I release and let gravity bring me down the gradient.

Dark clouds are gathering but the evening sun is still peeping through a slit in the horizon bringing a reddish tint to the cornfields on either side of the road. A warm light rain begins to fall and I get a picture of Gene Kelly singing in the rain. I feel his joy and there is ‘a smile on my face ... because I'm running in The Zone'. I pass the old barn with the rusty green tractor and know that’s seven miles. In another half-mile the road forks; the right one takes me home in about a mile; the left fork opens up more options. On previous runs there would have been no debate as the short route home beckons. Tonight there is no question of ending it so soon and I head left taking me away from home. I don’t care about planning out any directions because at the moment I feel I could run all night.

I guess I’ve now covered about ten miles and start to feel the first signs of fatigue. I run though my checklist again to find my shoulders have lifted a fraction and I have collapsed a little in the torso. With this realisation I am able to release the shoulders, release my arms and return to a lighter state as my breathing opens up and I'm back running in The Zone.

I reach a crossroads and know it is three miles from home if I turn right; five miles if I go straight over; and God knows how far if I turn left. I make an informed decision, and turn right, after all I don’t want to spoil this evening my pushing myself too far. The last three miles are a joy, partly due to maintaining an efficient style and still running in The Zone but mainly because I know I’m nearly home where a well deserved cool drink and bath are waiting. The rain has stopped and I can just see the sun starting to sink below the horizon. I arrive home and stay on a high until I go to bed.

This is why I run. Not for glory, not for achieving personal bests, its for times like this when everything comes together creating a feeling like no other. I'm fully engaged, living in the moment, enjoying every moment. Knowing that this experience is repeatable is what keeps me going out for more. As I said at the start few sporting experiences can match running in The Zone.

Esther On Oprah XM Radio

Wow. This is an example of LOA in action. I had made the decision to follow my path with focus and determination. I knew it would take discipline and a change in my daily activities. An answer came to listen to inspiring audio as I worked. This would help pass the time and make it easier to begin tasks, which is the most difficult thing for me. And so I have been on a quest to find audio that's inspiring. I had been hoping for more from the ABAHI. I came across good tidbits on YouTube, which I will still turn to, but this is a good long interview with Esther Hicks herself. I am grateful and amazed at how this has come about for me. And I take full credit for it. Well, as a cocreator with The O.

Esther Hicks on Oprah's XM Radio show

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10 Qs to the people who put this on MySpaceTV.


Part 2 Esther Hicks on Oprah's XM Radio show aired 04/05/07

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More 10 Qs for Part II.

Part 3 Esther Hicks on Oprah's XM Radio show aired 04/12/07

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Even more 10 Qs for Part III.

Vane Sun

Like this image. It is so appealing to look at. Caught my eye instantly. It's from Standford University's Solar Center site. There's nothing fantastic about the image. It just looks good.

Circular Pyramid

Also on C2C is this image of a circular pyramid. I knew there were pyramids in other parts of the world besides Egypt, but I don't remember seeing circular ones. It's a great photo taken from a vacationer. I've seen other images of this pyramid and this easily is the best. The location and view and the richness of the color make it exceptional.

Circular Pyriamid
at the archeological site called Guachimontones,
in the town of Teuchitlan

This site is about an hour away from the town of Tequila, which is known for the spirit of the same name. Tequila is made from blue agave. What's less known is that blue agave is also the source of the newly discovered natural sweetener called agave or agave syrup.

I've not tried this stuff yet, but I'm a fan of it because it comes in a very natural form, meaning very little processing, unlike refined sugar. It's healthier because it has a lower glycemic index rating than sugar, and it's sweeter which allows you to use 25% less for the same flavor. It's expensive right now, but I hope it catches on and becomes the new standard over that bleached out junk that is all over in the U.S.

In this image, you can see why it's called 'blue' agave. Close up it seems greener, but a field of them seen from a distance shows the 'blueness' which more readily.

It is the heart of the agave plant, the piña, that is the source of the nectar. Here you can see it's size in relation to a person. It looks like a giant pineapple with the stem cut off.


Here are cut blue agave ready for transport. See the field of them growing in the background.

Blue Sun

Rare Atmospheric Event: Blue Sun @ Giza

This was pointed out at C2C. It comes from a site called PyramidCam Live which updates a live images of the Giza pyramids every 30 seconds. The blueness is said to come from smoke in the air.

There's also a time lapse sunset over Giza there.

A Reminder of Where Our Strengths Lie

I came upon this site a while ago and then lost touch with it. This is something good to revisit regularly. Part of the Daily Dups.

Well, I came across the older Blogger version of the site. I found a revealing study of body language that compares two photos:

"Body language is another of those right brain languages that we can learn to improve our intuition. This young woman works for Hooters, an extablishment which makes a point of eye cand and the illusion of easy women.

But take another look. Could her body possibly be more closed off? Both arms and legs are crossed and arms are crossed over the crucial area. (Also, her eyes reveal that her smile is inauthentic.)

Now look at the young woman sitting in the backseat of the car.

Arms and legs wide open, arm draped askance across leg. This woman is a much easier approach. Now combine this with your own knowledge of facial expressions. The Hooters lady's face says "yes but no". The lady to the left is actually exhibiting classic signs of female "aggression", meaning "come get me".

To learn more about body language from an intuitive place, I have a series of articles you can browse HERE. These pages are especially good for picking up dating cues."

More noteworthy is a comment at the end of one post that spoke of a new TV show that showcases introvert qualities in its heroes. They are FBI profilers who are skilled into tapping into criminal minds to anticipate what they will do next so they can be caught before they do it.

"Not the best written show on tv by any means, yet it is interesting to see the importance given to the inner world. This is our forte as introverts and sure enough, a cast full of them!"

Introverts are naturally gifted in understanding the inner worlds of folk. We live in their own inner world much of the time. And we have great empathy, so we can comprehend what it's like for others easily.

The last part of the post is a great reminder to me said in a humorous way, which makes it even easier to keep in mind.

It reminds me that most folk I will run into will be extroverted. Because of this, they will not be as perceptive, sensitive, subtle, or emphatic.

I've had many personal experiences that exemplify this reality. Experiences where folk could not give me the understanding that I gave them time after time. Instances of mean and cruel treatment for no reason. I did not do anything to these people. They just find being this way amusing and don't have the capacity to feel for how it effects the other person.

But what about them? Can't them they comprehend this when it is done to them? No. They are so outwardly focused that they can't even comprehend it when it happens to them. They don't feel so deeply. They don't sense so acutely.

"This show is a reminder of where our strengths lie. If you can get into someone else's mind you sure aren't an extrovert. They can't even get into their own minds :-)"

Payne Park

I served as a juror yesterday. While being sequestered in a back room, the seven of us (one alternate which ended up being me) made small talk in this unnatural setting of being unable to talk about what was most on our minds: the present situation which brought us together.

A large window gave view of a large number of tennis courts. The most I've seen in Sarasota. We talked small, so to speak, about whether it was public or private, or maybe part of the nearby high school. There was a track behind it that was distinguishable by its orange-colored surface. I wanted to find out more about this and made a mental note to look it up later. I knew that Payne Park was in this area and looked that up first. Sure enough, there had been recent renovations and among the additions were tennis courts and a track made of a very cushiony surface.

I was happy to find a track that was open to the public. It's a half-mile long with mild curves and seems to even vary in grade a bit. I plan to make a visit some time soon. If it is what it appears from a distance, I plan to make it a regular place to visit for the Bubblin Fizz. I hope to find other surprises like maybe a place to do Nups & Lollies, and various surfaces and obstacles to try some Hakbang Moomin.

Once again, developments arise as I progress. The opportunity comes as I am ready for it.

Body Language

Yahoo! had an article called Three Nonverbal Keys to Negotiation. It is basically about body language. Nothing new, but the reminding is good. I'm recollecting the parts I found useful and want to keep in mind. These have been recommended to use while negotiating, but can be used all time.

The first is called the power stance. It is a stance that reflects authority. It is common sense. Keep both feet planted, about shoulder width apart. That looks solid because it is a stable stance. Aikido and other Asian Arts takes it one step further by having one foot forward with the other back. This gives fore and aft stability. In this position, you can keep better balanced if pushed from the front or behind, and you can lean more forward or back.

Another part of the stance is to keep the shoulders high and back while keeping relaxed. Another obvious way to express sureness and project authority. If you overdo it, thought, you look like you're trying too hard or you're overly self-involved and cocky. Cocky is a good word for this; it is so much like a rooster.

Also, hold the head high with the neck directly underneath. This is also recommended in Feldenkrais. Keeping the head and neck (and the rest of the body for that matter) in a balanced, neutral position puts the least stress and wear on the body, conserves your energy, and allows you to relax more easily. And as this article states, it also projects authority. I see a lot of people with this flaw in posture. It really does make them look unsure and timid. It is so revealing. I've seen guys who are large and muscular and tall with their heads bent forward. It negates the authority of their size. A lot of tall people do this. Along with slumped shoulders. Especially gals. You can gather that it's probably they feel awkward being taller than a lot of guys. And insecure tall people, in general, don't like the way their height draws attention to themselves.

The last two parts are stomach in and arms relaxed at sides. Relaxed arms shows a calm confidence. And stomach in displays a stable core. They should add a slightly arched back. Core stability comes from all directions. The key is to keep a neutral position. This is where balance gives you effortless power. You can hold up you body easily in this position. Being relaxed this way lets you use your energy for other things.

A good tip in the article is to not lean against anything. You think it's more restful, but even better is to stand and sit straight in a neutral position. It's the most relaxed way to be still in space.

They also remind to sit with feet planted, too, instead of crossing the legs or sliding feet under you. I've been very conscious of how the legs look better this way while sitting.

Another good tip that body language source all talk about is the effect of leaning forward or back. They say one exudes energy and the other expresses relaxedness. Good to use in negotiation, I see. If you want to dominate and get attention and express more authority, lean forward. If you do it while listening, the other feels like you upped your interest in what they're saying. The other really feels like you are listening. If you want to appear unfazed and confident and unshaken, lean back. While listening, though, thus makes it look like you lost interest or just don't care at all.

A quick reminder: Crossing arms communicates that you want to put a barrier between you and the other person. It can betray your feelings; that you are feeling vulnerable and defensive. In can be used to your advantage, too. You can communicate that you are not in agreement with the other by crossing your arms and shaking your head, No. Is also useful when reading other people's body language.

What I got about hands is to refrain from touching in most cases. This includes yourself: Don't touch your face. I've been observing this for a while now since I read that rubbing the side of the nose or scratching the ear or side of the face is a sign of a deceptive comment. Sometimes the person is lying. Sometimes the person is unsure or uncomfortable with the comment. I saw it a lot on TV when a celebrity was being interviewed and is asked an awkward, personal, or revealing question.

Another good hand tip is that any kind of gripping with the hands is a sign of discomfort. It might reveal that you are uneasy, intimidated, or unsure.

It was a good reminder that people's feelings are revealed most in their eyes. Making eye contact is well-known. Making eye contact with everyone involved is a good detail. Another good reminder is that an authentic smile involves the eyes. Also, that dilating pupils reveals excitement. They say it reveals interest, but I think it might reveal fear as well.

Negative actions with the eyes are to blink often and to look away when someone is talking to you. They say the more a person blinks, the less trusted that person is. Looking away obviously reads as a lack of interest or more interest in other things.



Well, this has gone on too long. Here are the key points I want to remember:

• You can project authority with your stance and stride. The easiest and most natural way to do this is to find a balanced position.
• Don't lean against a wall or anything else. It is more restful to stand on your own in a balanced neutral position.
  
• What you do with your arms and hands reveals a lot about how you feel and what you're thinking. Touching your face for no reason is an example.
• Leaning forward shows interest. Leaning back shows you are calm and relaxed.
• Eye contact (and lack of it) has a powerful effect.
• Gripping with your hands reveals tension.
• The more you blink, the less you are trusted. So they say.
• Watch for those dilating pupils!
  
• Observe other people when interacting with them. Instead of being self-conscious and nervous, put your attention on what they are revealing to you. You will be a much better communicator in all kinds of interactions.