Anahata: Zuma Recharged

Chakras 

Sitting, watching the waves crash. Having the water rush to where I sit. Drinking the colors of the rainbow. Spinning the chakras. Breathing red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. My base, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, brow, and crown. Lam, Yam, Ham, Ram, Ohm. Breathing the energy in to let the spinning. Taking the ocean of ions recharging the spiritual batteries. 

Clarity

Never been a great follower of the energy healing, however, why not.  I must admit sitting there, there were moments when the sounds of the ocean waves got clearer. Perhaps my sinuses were clearing. Maybe just sitting there and taking in just made thing more salient.

Upside down happy face by Angelo

My Needs

Breathing better now. Slept like a baby after the day at Pointe Dume. Don’t want to say it was the force, my prana, Big Smiles touch, or whatever divine intervention that brought some clarity. Hanging with family at the beach was. . . therapeutic. Honestly, needed to be there yesterday. Needed to watch the sun race across the sky, shine its light on me.  Needed to taste to the white waves crash. Needed to bathe in the smile of my family’s face.  Needed to hear the laughter of kids on boogie boards catch a good one. Needed to dance with the seaweed mountains as they swayed in and out the wet sands. Needed to feel safe as the lifeguards patrolled this space of heaven, while they twirled their red buoys in BayWatch fashion. 

This lifeguard saved two people today

Diaphragmatic

Taking a deliberate breath. Four seconds in, two seconds hold, and four second out. As I sat there I was reminded that transitory nature of everything. It was watching the kids dig holes on the beach, digging desperately to try keep the ocean out. Smiling on how this was incredibly futile. Their joy, their laughter, their cries, as they held on to what can’t be held. Yet, they dug anyways. I was reminded it was not that the holes was dug, it was not whether succeeded in stemming the tide. It was the act and their responses to endless ocean. Instinctively, I knew they knew. Yet, they smiled and sighed anyways. I forgot this was the fun stuff. Their joys reminded me of this fact.

What Is Really Important

Watching them dig deep for sand crabs. Pulling out little creatures as they tickled their hand trying to bury themselves in the beach, not knowing the crabs are in the hands of babes. It was watching Dorian laugh glee as the sand crabs disappear into the sand. It was the Flow

V

Entertainment was watching the overcast on the beach. Being amazed as the endless oceans crash. Seeing the flying “V” of the  pelicans. Looking at the water beyond the crashing waves, hoping to see a family of dolphins. 

Pelicans

For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge 

Lying on the unicorn blanket listening to college kids using the word, “Fuck” as an adjective, verb, pronoun, adverb, and an interjection. It was hearing their conversation transition from well-reasoned debate on China’s single child policy, to choice between death by polar bear, gobi desert, and mount everest.  It was listening to the gasping incredulity of the group as one of the group admits her inability to swim. It was the realization that I heard their parent’s guilt trip in these cynical kids. It was the listening to the necessity of IPads, desktops, and need for a shower.

Seaweed, Sand, and Sun

Joy was watching the family packed beach with makeshift forts made of umbrellas and boogie boards. It was the tanning femmes. The sight of footballs flying overhead amongst the kites and helicopters overhead. It was watching the bi-plane overhead telling all to Find their Captain and drink some innocuous drink.

ticket attendant. It was worth every penny

Something  about Point Dume. Something about Zuma.

Heliotherapy, Zuma-Style

Sunday at the beach recharged my batteries. It reminds me to take a moment of pause. It reminds me of the noise that one hears from all around. It reminds me that all these moments is the fun stuff is. It is wonderment of sand crab crawling on one’s hand for the first time. It was learning of a lifeguard saving a grandfather and grandson. It is watching a 3 year old sleep under a towel forever because he played  hard on the Dume. It is hearing the noise of college kids daily challenges. It is sitting watching  the summer sun chase after its lover to the west, to some place  special. It is not so much saving the world for me anymore. It is more staying in the right now. It is that one moment in time and being in the past, present, and future at the same time.

Sitting there she said this at least a 10 times. Must heard what I was feeling

"I Love the Beach"

It’s a gift.

She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain When She Comes

Two Steps Back
Solvang--Took the long way to three hour tour. Got a bit lost. It rained. Windshield wiper needed replacement. Got bad food service. Left for another restaurant. Got bad food. Drove home in the pouring rain. Vista Point of the Saint Ynez River closed. Knew I should have stopped earlier. Gift shop at Chumash Casino was limited. My favorite Catch-21 was closed. Pita Pit just closed in Valencia. 

Overall, I had a good time.

One Giant Leap For Me-Kind
Spent all day driving, eating, and taking pictures out of my car. Said hello to nice people. Angelo from Tom’s. Greek fella. Got to say in Greek.  Thank you thanks to much needed Facebook support (Thanks Michelle, Roselyn). Got free drinks, food, and stuff by just listening today.  Took some great pics. Chumash Reservation area was. . .not that big. Beautiful and if I had more time I would like to have just sat there for awhile.   

Was up in the clouds today. Got to look down at the clouds, too. Took a view of the Santa Ynez River and Cachuma Lake. Makes me want to visit Lake Elizabeth in the near future. Never have before.  But it is more than inkling now.

Visited the Mission of Santa Ines. Think I want to go to service there one day. Think I want to visit the other mission, too. San Fernando and San Buenaventura. 

Didn’t put my feet in the Pacific like I would have liked. Too rocky, too rainy, and getting too late. Waves were crashing hard and I had no change of clothes. Got a bit scared at the black van at the Sea Cliff, too. Very Nomad-ish. (1980’s movie)

Listened on the radio on 60 minutes about the Nine year boy old finding remains of the other nine year old that lived 1.9 million years ago. Supposedly, it is the connection between homo sapiens and Cro-Magnons.

Pacific Coast, Chumash, and Korean War--Sunday Highways
On the drive to Solvang, I kept on seeing the real Camino sign on the highway. Thought about how the Danish journey to the far west from European roots to create the town of Solvang. Driving the windy road, seeing the Chumash Highway sign, it made me think. Danish were not the first here. There were many others. Chumash Indians, probably the Spaniards, than the Danes. Probably before them were the Chinese (If you haven’t read or heard there was a theory that China landed in California some time before Columbus). Driving kept me think of connections. Made me think of the others before me. Made me think of the people after me.

Memories On These Lanes
What also fascinated me was the drive. It was memory lane for me: going to Carpenteria with Shell, driving through Ventura thinking of J. Hill and Kirsten, Delpster and UCSB leadership camp. What fascinated me the most was the drive through the mountains and then the discovery of the Santa Ynez River. It was my remembered sighting.  I’ve seen brooks before, but never a river like the Santa Ynez. 

Read somewhere that rivers were the symbol of life. When I saw the Santa Ynez River, I just wanted to follow it wherever it led me. Remembered a good time with Glenn Young going to Kern River.

Had intentions of taking pictures of the Cachuma Lake, but didn’t want to spend the parking fee. Not worth it. Still did not get to Solvang yet, time was short, and it was getting late. Would have liked to have spent more time there. (Another few things to add on the life’s to do list)

Just For the Trees, That's Enough
Finally got to Chumash territory. Chumash reserve, well, its nice but nothing to take great pictures of. What I saw was green, a few trees, and more green. Guess that is why the Chumash settled this area. Big spanses of green. Close to the river for fishing and hunting. Beautiful area. Close to the ocean. Kind of.

Days Coming To an End, Still Much To Do
Spoke to a pretty Chumash lady at the Casino. Big Brown eyes. Smart.  Could have talked more, but it was late and there was more life to see. Needed to get to Seacliff before it got too dark. Needed to get on the hwy 126 and get some fruits from the freeway. Needed to go live life. If I had more time, another life perhaps.

Another post, another time.

Churches, Temples, and Marathons--Just Another Day At The Beach

Sunday and it’s a quarter til seven. Been a busy and filling day. I’m at Vista Point again. It’s getting dark. Cars are racing past again. Waiting for the sunset to come down. Going to say my prayers and thank the Big smile for letting me enjoy this day as I have. Been all around and it filled my day, but I sense there is something missing. 

Listening to the Corrs on my way up and down today. It’s been good day, but. . .

Events of the day. Went to Sunday Mass. The Father giving the Mass had the shakes. At one time, I thought he fell asleep. It was a bit hard to hear at times. He was soft-spoken or had the mic a little too far from his mouth. Picked the missal and read some of the songs and prayers. Think I figured out the Reiki Guide thing. It was Gabriel. He’s an Angel prominent in both Islam and Christianity. Left after the wine and bread thing. I am not sure what you call it.

After taking some pics, headed down to LA. Wanted to see part of the LA Marathon. It was kind of cool walking on Highland. All the streets were blocked off so I had free roam. Walking in the middle of the streets taking pictures here and there. Would never be able to do this at any other time of the day or any time of the year. Reminded me when my Integra stalled on the 170 and I had to get pushed by police car. They stopped the freeway for me during prime time rush hour. It sounded like the ocean stopped. It was so quiet. The silence was deafening.

Took pictures of the Church on Highland. Got the Lucky Strike. Also, took a few up and down Hollywood Blvd. Finally got some pictures of the Ripley’s Believe Or Not Dinosaur. Also took a few in the Egyptian and Mann’s Chines. Watched the water dance and took some pics of Elephants in the sky.

Called Jay to see if he was up for a bite, but he had a study date with a femme. Asked if Bri, Mike and the kids were at the house. They were. However, that voice that listen at times said the Beach and that where I went.

Got on Highland after picking up a sub. Almost got rear-ended by a guy in a truck. Didn’t speed up because he was honking his horn at me. Well, when you do that you are inviting me to be an asshole. I did not speed up as I was going to so, I just kept it at the other cars pace. Truck driver got pissed. Didn’t care. So he got in front of me and decided to slow down. I just smiled and let it go.

Well, off the  170 and got on the Ventura West. Thought of the many times of the Warner Center and LA Fitness. Thought about stopping by Fryes and taking some pics on the way back. Anyways, Got off Malibu Canyon and I was stopping off at most of the viewing stops and took the obligatory pictures. 

All of sudden I found myself at the Hindu temple. Made a quick left and went in. You had to take of your shoes and which I was much obliged. So I wandered around took some pictures of the temple. Beautiful artwork. There was saint or some religious figure in all corners of the temple. At times, people would go to each corner and I assume say a prayer. I wondered if they prayed on Sundays like Christians. Guess, I will have to look that up. There was a service and I walked in. No chairs. The holy man was chanting and people were sitting barefooted and socked. Incense was burning. 

There was a sign saying, “No Photos or Videos.” Thought this was strange. I’m curious to visit other temples. Synagogue and Muslim temple are next on the list.

I finally got to the Beach. Zuma that is. Its been some time. Thought about Brad and Shelly. Brad and I would take a trip here and there. I wondered how he was doing. I remember that Valentines when Shelly locked the key in the car. I was freezing because I had shorts. She got dressed before locking the keys in the car. My luck. Took more pictures of surfers and families enjoying the day. I download my Marathon and Hollywood walk pictures. Sorted out some postcards. I was going to write Shazam and Laines, but it started getting cold and I wanted to head back.

Stopped here at the 15 minutes park stops and took more photos of the Malibu Canyons. Driving through the Canyons I passed the Calabasas sign. Prece’s coach is moving here in a couple of years. Offered to move down here so Prece can train with her coach here. Another time. Another story. Eventually got on Ventura East. Driving past Topanga, Tarzana and Encino. I saw a sign for historical site at Encino. Never found it. Got on Ventura Blvd and said, its time to get back.

Drove by Sepulveda Park and I found myself at the Japanese Gardens. Didn’t have the chance to go, because it was blocked off. That was something I definitely would like to see. Some other adventure. At any rate, I found myself at the Archery Park wanting to string up and shoot a quiver. Saw couple of Filipinos there shooting. An older man and father with his son. I could tell by the speak. The older Filipino man was eyeing the Armenians or were they Russian?

Probably Armenians. They had the nice bows. Compound, camouflage. I could tell they were from the old school. Just the air about them. One of them let loose one by accident and took off. The older one scolded they younger. All I could hear was “. . .Safety. . .” Every so often, they would say, “Clear” and retrieve their arrows. Reminded me of pool. It’s good form not to Shark a shooter.

Well, I left after taking some pictures of the Archer shooting at the haystack. Passed the Cricket match and took a photo of the Sepulveda rock sign. Kids were all around. Kind of nice. Used to work in the area and I never took the time to drive by. Got on the freeway by getting on Roscoes. Passed my Tommies and the Budweiser Brewery. Got 405 and headed north. Took the Soledad Canyon offramp and pledged that I would go see the CatHouse.

Here I be now on Vista Point. Its dark and the sun has set. Got 30 minutes to do a couple of miles of cardio.  Have to get home soon to tape Life on Discovery. Maybe I can catch the Laker game too. Be well and Have Faith. No moral. No thought exercise. No meaning, except what you give it. It’s just a day in this journey.

Karmic Dances

Manhattan beach parking lot. Next to lifeguard towers. Sand on my feet and my parking meter has nine minutes. Bootleg of Up in the Air is on my flash drive now. Planned on going to Michelle’s house but I got no word about it. They had a thing yesterday and I thought today. Maybe I am wrong. Left them a message on email and voice-mail.

Kevin and the kids are going to Papa’s dance recital. Surfers are gearing up. Ladies are paying for the parking meter. Dressed in funny outfits. Quarters drop in and drop out. They are overweight. All of them. I’m overweight, too, so I can say crap like that. Not happy with weight, but I’m working on that. Read a post of some guy with my last name. He made this girl cry. She wearing jeans and a fanny pack  was jogging down the street. He paused and said, “You’re fat.” She left teary eyed.

I started replying, “No comeback. Maybe this will prompt her to get in better shape and if she can’t take a joke fuck it.” I decided not to reply because didn’t really want to engage in Facebook conversation. I’ve learned that this out-loud brashness may be masking this Facebook friend's pain. This insensitivity and the need to create shock value for this person is either smoldering pain or just bluster. I am sure he has good inside and he knows what he is doing. I will say this, “Karma can be a Bitch.” The not so nice talk says a lot, but those that like to psychoanalyze, I will leave at that.

Spoke to Ms. Potter and I reminisced on not being so nice. “No, you can’t sleep here tonight.” “No, I don’t want to look up your skirt, I rather read a book.” ‘She Kisses like a lizard.” These words haunt me because I realized how stupid and mean I have been. Maybe I had the need to put a facade. Maybe the filter from my brain and mouth were shear. Yup, they were pretty transparent. To those I spoke these words to and about, please accept my apologies.

Didn’t mean to scar or hurt because I know choice words can leave oh so painful scars. Been judicious with my words for some time now. Plus, I have been more accepting of nature of people. Trying not judge and just to see people honestly and openly. Those I found that have the nature to so say not so nice things are really hurting inside. I see the nature of those that take years and years of unkind words. They lash out in pain and/or become stand-up comedians.

Can’t tell you how much I admire Rinnes and Jason. Suffered so unkind words and they flipped it. Lost weight and more focused than I will ever want to be. Another, she’s found a good man and has great kids. She found a calling and accepted the therapeutics of comedy.

Personally cringe a bit inside when I hear “Bad Boy. If you don’t do this, I will take this away.” I understand this and accept it.The raised voice is there. Heard and said it. I am not a parent, not a real parent, so I can’t comment or criticize. I can only observe and just listen. At times, I say and show a different way to handle things. For me, whenever shouted at or threatened, it only strengthened my resolve and it stirred my need for payback.

Well, I am trying to rid the hate in my heart. Don’t want to carry that Karmic headache. I understand the wrath and it is fun to lay down the wood, but its temporary. I try to bring love and laughter to heart that’s healing. Ocean waves are crashing. Parking lot time was up 25 minutes ago and I got to pee. Too much tea. Thank you, good night and have a pleasant tomorrow.

Sun Rings and Beach Sand--An Exercise In Listening

Sun Ring, Moon Ring. . .

Books My Friends
Read in an old Britannica book. Not the big thick brown tomes with the letters etched on the side. These were the thin, uniform-shaped white ones. These books were categorized in various topics, literature, world events, countries, etc. My favorites were the mythology and science. Best gifts ever. I was able to learn about anything and everything in these. These is where I found solace. This where my love for books took seed.


Self-Inflicted Sleep Problems
This will be a short post. I am low on gas. Low on time. I have got to get going. Last couple of days, I have been having trouble sleeping. Self-imposed, self-inflicted shots away from routine. A routine that I know makes me feel better. Slept on the couch, to George Lopez Comedy Special. No CPAP giving me my much needed breath of life. No comfortable king-sized bed to spread out. No comfort of the dark room. Two nights ago I was in the living room cuddled up, listening to the rants and laughter until Nox took over.

Last night, it was troubling. Thought about my life and how in a three or four decades, it will be over. Boy, could not go to sleep. Been thinking about things done and wondered is there enough time. Been surfing the net for exercise techniques to improve my writing. A few stood out. Alternate history, yearbook, and dollar. Alternate history one imagines a road not traveled, a "What If? comic book. What if you took different road, a different attitude during a significant time in your life. Yearbook, flip through the pages and write a story about the people inside. Who lived? Who died? What are they doing? Dollar, chronicle the exchanges of the dollar bill. Where does it go? What has happened?

Thought about these exercises, and it troubled me. Don't know whether my blood sugar got low and I was suffering from a hypoglycemic depression. Don't know whether the mid-life just hit. Will the next stage of my life be filled with purpose, hope, and renewed vigor. Or will it be. . .

In the coming months, in my journey toward Salvation. . .to the Big Smile. . .to whereever the Fates takes me, I will just Flow. Today's events will be to Tujunga to Uncle Juhn's birthday celebration. Need to get direction. Need to clean up. Need gas.


I Got This For You But I Didn't Know It At the Time
Back to the Sun ring. If you look up in the sky, you will notice around the sun. A ring of light. Sometimes its visible, sometimes its too bright The moon has one, too. Moon is easier to see Read about this phenomenon in my white Britannica. In my hurry out the door, I looked up saw the sun ring. Can't look at it directly, you'll go blind. No, I don't know. What significance does this have to what I write. Don't know how I will tie it end. But, I will.

I have been doing that lately. I do some things out of the ordinary, with this feeling that it has some later purpose.

Few weeks back I picked up some moleskin journals. Didn't know why at the time? I just knew I needed to get them. Thing is I just bought three myself earlier in the week and I thought it was an extravagance I did not need. Feeling kicked and I got them anyways. Later, spoke to my good friend Shazam. There was trouble and I sent them to her children. When speaking to them I knew it was for them

Last weekend, went with Jason, my cousin, to the beach. Had the same feeling. I emptied an aquafina. Went to the beach to and put beach sand and ocean water in the empty bottle. Very Saving Private Ryan-ish. Gathering dirt and putting it in a can. Last night, Kaprece and Kaelyn brought home some tiny hermit crabs in a water bottle. There was some sand, but nowhere the amount needed to keep them alive for the night. I said, "They have more beach sand and ocean water in my car. Go, get it. I have some in the car." They asked,"Why do you have beach sand in your car?" I replied, "Got it for you, but I didn't know you needed it at the time." Sun ring, same thing.

Its a Book of Five Ring's thing. Its the Ah-ha skill, I have been working on. Intuition. Listening to that voice, the nudge, the Angel (maybe). I'm more conscious to these nudges, these whisper, these "Ah-has"

Well, I need to run. I apologize for any typos, missed words, and run-ons. Please forgive. They say quantity over quality. That is what it is today.

Be well.