Five Days

Its In All of Us

Must have driven by a hundred times, but never noticed them. Deep rich purple just energized me. Living in the desert, brown and dark green becomes common. No surprise, no thrill. Just unspectacular. Today was different. 

Right Here, Right Now

Needed to take pictures. Why? To capture this moment in time. Perhaps, to document my earliest sign of senility. How could I miss something so rich and full of life? Drove by never noticed the color before. Felt this need to grab some pictures. As I got closer, noticed there were hundreds of bees all around. Must have been attracted to the same things I was. It was beautiful. Pulled over on the side of the road. Took a few minutes and just started shooting. Bees were flying up to me. Guess, they were protecting this purple wellspring.

Its funny at times. Couple of days ago, I asked if there was an earthquake recently. The reason is that the view from the house, one could see the mountains. Than of nowhere, there was this giant spot on the mountains I've never noticed before. On the dark, mountain landscape, there were these jutting of rocks that was not there before. I asked family and friends if they noticed that projection before. No one said anything. For me, it looked like a mini-Vasquez Rock just mushroomed out of nowhere.

Serendipity

I knew what it was, but still. It was magic. It was the Devils Punch Bowl. It’s a unique geological specimen. Two or three fault lines juxtapose right in the heart of the desert. Hiked there a few days back. It’s a sight to see.

Lately, things having been jumping out. Perhaps, it was the flowers blooming in the first time. Perhaps, my vision started getting better. Perhaps someone is trying to send me a message? Whatever it is, I'm enjoying it. Looking back this year, the greatest things that has happened is that I’ve taken to the digital camera. Not like my brother, he’s an expert. It’s just that I’m finding the need to capture and share what I’ve been noticing lately. Couple with this inkling to blog, it is becoming a time-consuming, worthwhile adventure.

Many of my pictures posted don’t have people in them. Don’t know why? Some things, I like to keep these for myself. In time, I may share pictures of family and friends. But not just yet. 

Moments Missed

What I will share is this? Experience and thoughts. Of late, I never taken so pictures many until this year. For me it is landmark of the many moments in time. It is bridge between past and the future. It is the building block for tomorrow and obligation to yesterday. In FB photo albums and blogger’s posts, we need to write, document what has happened to remember how we got to where we are going.

Keep Hope Alive

This may be futile. This may be craziness. That's a condition I've fully accepted. I am better for it.

Gone

One hard lesson learned, is that without notice, all of this may be gone. With no rhyme or reason, just vanish. This is not bad or anything. It is just that this moment now is missed. It may or may not come again. So between adventures, I will just catch and release what I’ve learned and experienced, in hopes that these scribbles will make some sense to someone in one their own moment.

I Believe. . .

What was here now, may be gone tomorrow. Holding on to some memories can get us through the times when there is no bloom. 

Present

Drove by the same bushes and it just wasn’t the same. Next year it will flower again. Next year, hope to be around when it flowers again. Thing is, they flower when they are ready and if you are not present you may never see that beauty again this lifetime.  

 

This lesson may be slow learned, but for now I am armed and ready, Kodak in hand.

Can't See the Forest, the Trees Are In the Way

Feel My Flow

Saturday. Juno's on. Okay. I stopped the  video. I'm sure it is a good flic, just not into it. Been false starting a lot of late.

Enter the Dragon

Got some Dragon Blood incense burning. Need something different at the moment. Sunny outside and here I sit. Thought about writing on the full moon last night, but just wasn’t in to it. Its been that way for awhile. Not being into it. Been feeling Flow-less of late. Been swimming everyday. Been writing every other day. 

Its Genetic

Been asked to do Ballroom dancing with a friend. Sounds fun and I think I am in. My Dad was a dancer. A good dancer from what I understand. Always said, before getting married, if I get married, I'd learn how to Ballroom. Maybe this is a precursor for something. Who knows? Sounds fun. My brother Kevin took a Ballroom and he has been good in about everything he does. I am incredibly proud of Kay Kay. My sister-in-law’s nephew dances too. It looks fun.

Color Me Bad, A Time Remembered

Remember years back at the frat days. BU Sig Eps threw the best mixers. Mrs. Gold, Alpha something. Toga. Boy oh boy, I was intoxicated. An angry dancer, something to prove. Something that I needed to get out then. Not a couples dancer type at the time. Got that anger out of the system. Thought about dancing as a minor. The "E Effect" again. 

Lombard Street

Yet Tango looks like fun. Smiles, coordination, a little attitude and personality. A certain, "I got this" attitude. Only one I remember dancing with, being in sync with was. Well,  actually two. Ahhhh. Let’s not go there. Too many twists and turns, like Lombard. 

It was Michael Jackson's death anniversary yesterday. All these dancing videos are on. Remember the Time, Smooth Criminal, Dirty Diana. Perhaps, unconsciously I equate dancing with Life. With Energy. With Celebration.

In Sync, Not Really

So where do I go from here? Laundry is drying. Kitchen is a disaster. Getting new counters installed. Granite. Maybe a swim. Maybe a run. Maybe I will just continue writing. But about what? My usual process is to type and it just flows. Perhaps my chakras are blocked again. Perhaps, I am just not feeling in sync.

Just Jump

Dragon blood smells red with energy. Bathroom has some oils burning. Linen. Like fresh laundry. Always loved that smell. Smelled like renewal. It smelled fresh. It smelled of “Vigor again.” A life lived to do again. Saddling up. Getting back on the horse. Taking a jump. I should follow my Uncle Juhn's example. Get on the zip line in the Philippines and just hang on. Always loved the smells of freedom and risk.

Moment of Pause

It’s funny. Always considered myself the thinking type. Logical. Analytical. Orderly. Now, its been more spontaneous, un-planned, more energetic. Guess, like the feather in the wind Forrest Gump-ish.  History, destiny, universe giving me a nudge here and there. Looking over these last few days, it has been uneventful. Maybe it's time to pause and collect myself.

Getting Messages

Recently adjusted my google calendar to send me email reminders of museum days.  The blackberry buzzes for awhile. Many I would like to attend. Forrest Lawn Mexican Museum, the Getty has few. Ones  to attend feels like the La Brea Tar Pits and Natural History Museum. 

Odd thing, I noticed my viewing choices of late are of the history channels.Seeing these shows and museums strengthens me. It invigorates me.  Makes me think there is life out there. It has been there. It will always be there. It sends my soul messages. "Get out there learn from it. Go make some history yourself."

These visits to the Descano Gardens, Getty Center, Hearst Castle stirred something. Life, I guess. Media moguls that made fortunes like Citizen Kane. Able to make these beautiful homes with incredible gardens and forests. 

Flower Flow

Noticed that the flower vibe. I think its the "E Effect". Blame her.  She’s projecting and I picked up on her flower vibe. She hasn’t written for a bit. Hope things are well. Now, I've been stopping here and there on the side of the road taking photos of flowers and trees.

All Kinds

There’s meaning and purpose to this. Just don’t see the bigger picture right. Maybe its from the Phenomenon movie. John Travolta's character picks a bouquet of wild flowers from his house to his love interest Kyra Sedgwick. You'll have to see it to get the meaning. As for my reason for taking photos of flowers and trees, I don't know. No love interest at the moment. Answer will come. This I'm sure of.

Funny at the Descano Gardens I found myself taking lots of photos of trees: bamboo, spruce, redwood. 

On the trip down from SF, on the Coastline and Big Sur, I was amazed at the little pockets of trees on the side of the mountain. Green and lush on the yellow, maize hills. Green trees hugging the jagged silver coastline. Beautiful entities that hides the rivers, hides the mountains, brings shade to weary traveler. So much history.

Buddha and Bohdi, Spiritual Enlightenment

Perhaps the fascination began with learning the spiritual significance of the Bohdi tree. Read that the Buddha found enlightenment in the tree's protection. Perhaps it has been the vanishing Josuha Trees close to home. Perhaps it was the drive to Zuma with the Totem poles. Funny, started with the dance and now trees. Don't the significance of trees to the soul, but there is calmness there. Been feeling the inkling to go to the Pasadena Arboretum. Never been. Just learned about it. Maybe its time.

Gaea

Can’t watch the show the Ax Man. There is purpose in what they do, however, it feels like whale hunting. Not something that feels right. Perhaps, it is the environmentalist emerging inside of me. Stop the Oil Gushing, BP

Sitting out Big Sur just felt energizing.  Trees all around. Lots of energy. It felt like wearing clothes  just out of the dryer. Renewed. Well, it is time to go. Got to look at the Bonsai, she's calling. It needs some love and attention.

Descano (Part 2 of 3)

(Cont)

It's a Journey
Got there and I am glad that I did. Spent a few hours there. It is a beautiful place. Sitting in the parking lot doing some reading and writing. Got a call from cousin Jason and asked where I was. Figuring I’d be here an hour or two. Said let's, "Hook up before the graduation party."

Many Things For the Senses
Well, it was an adventure at the Gardens. Koi, turtles, almost breaking my ankles, Japanese tea garden, Lilac lots, redwood trees, walk up hill to the Boddy house, getting lost, off trail, trams, trains, wedding parties, bonsais, chips, class on bonsai pruning, herons, jumping fish, waterfall, lots and lots of pictures (648 for the day). It was cool. Couple are not enough.

Listening to shuffled songs on the blackberry as I was on my journey. Thought of my Dad. This must be  where his inspiration may have manifested.

Altitude Equals Attitude
Sitting atop of the stone bench above his house. It was an adventure. Met up with Jay and we took a tram. Was not going to do the walk again around the place. It was tiring. Plus, the Salmon/ spinach crepes were escaping my digestive tract. Went to the bird observation and took some photos.

Remembering Special Moments
Don’t like to take too many pictures of people because that feels like an invasion of privacy. If they are far off and can’t get a good picture of the face, I am less troubled. If you noticed, don’t have too many pictures of my family. Just those things are private and special to me.

Rebirth, Renewals, and Wet Willies
The rest of the day was marking things to do on life list. Finally went to Vromans to get that Phoenix. Hung out with the family. Discovered that Cathy, Marn’s ex, got married that day.

Messed with Jillian. Gave her wet willies. (Jillian, It wasn’t coke. Just joking with you.) People don’t laugh and smile a lot. Some much tension around. Wet willies to all.

Sabbath and Serra
Went Saturday Mass in this huge church in Pasadena. Fourteen multi-colored columns. Pictures of saints. Father Serra statue was in the parking lot. (Forgot to take his picture) Church was huge. Had to be at least five stories high. I think a Filipino priest. Could tell by the slight accident. Notice atop of one of the arches that there was this gold mylar balloon overhead.

Feel My Flow
Got me thinking there is so much out there. If we just notice the signs. Would not have gone to the Descano Gardens if I didn’t notice the signs. Some stuff is in our mental hopper just percolating. At the right time, things begin to flow. You will remember some obscure factoid and you will be somewhere you are supposed to be. Don't forget to take pictures.

(Cont)

Descano (Part 3 of 3)

(Cont)
Flow
Got me thinking there is so much out there. If we just notice the signs. Would not have gone to the Descano Gardens if I didn’t notice the signs. Some stuff is percolating in our mental hopper.  At the right time, things begin to flow. You will remember some obscure factoid and you will be somewhere you are supposed to be.

Listen to Your Compass
Riding this wave we need to see the long view and short view at the same time. They say, "Be Present. Don’t worry about the past, don’t worry about the future. Concern yourself with only the present." My views has changed. Its "Do all at the same time." Be present, remember your past, act for the future. Yes, at the same time. 

SAID (Specific Adaptation to Increased Demands)
Look at everything now. Multi-task mentally. They say 10 percent of the brain is used. Maybe we got to work on the interneurons more. Build that corpus callosum that connects the right and left hemisphere. Touch, taste, sight, smell, hear—Use all the senses to build those memories. Activate all the lobes. Make these connections better. Overload your synapses. Apply SAID principle to the brain. Get all these senses firings. Imprint. Bring all the senses, activate all the lobes, parietal, temporal, occipital, frontal. Swish that cerebral spinal fluid.

Afferent Neurons Receive Info From Senses
We primarily have three senses to our learning style preference, KSA: Kinesthetic, Sight, Auditory. However, our gustatory and olfactory sense seem to bring the greatest memory.

Think about your first love’s scent. Cool Water. Peach Bath and Body lotion. These were what I wore. (Not telling you what my first love wore. Its my little private heaven.) Think of the senses that brings those happy memories. Those that bring you, peace. love. joy.

A Pattern Exist, People Face Challenges
It is said that physicist were able to take a picture of a molecule. They took pictures of it at three different places. No big deal. (Movie, What the Bleep) Significant fact was the same molecule, (or was it an atom) was photographed in three distinct location at the same time. In other words, the atomic particle was three places at the same time. If children, can watch tv, listen to their ipod while blogging and studying, then why can’t a person be multi-tasking.

Answers Revealed, They Are In the Little Things
Perhaps a bit far-fetched. Its just at times when getting in the flow, I noticed that memories of the past, now, and the future rush in. Time feels like it slows down when being in the zone. Can’t help think of a line in a Star Trek movie, Insurrection (I think?) “One can live a lifetime in a moment.”

Angels Above
Maybe this is true. So this is guess, what I am saying. Live a lifetime in a moment. People, events, thoughts will come to you sending. Your soul is always listening for these moments. Its up you to decide to act, to move. Inertia causes the body to move in the same direction unless a force greater will cause it change direction. Live your life the way it is and a certain results are highly probable. Eat, watch tv, live a life alone. Enjoy, take moments, live a life full. We will all have a journey's an end. Its natural. Its okay. Do you really want to live forever? 

All count moments. Perhaps, it is a flirtatious smile. Perhaps, it is a bee flying on a plant pollinate it. Perhaps it is a surfer standing on the shore, ready to journey ahead. Little events can be the force that changes your perspective. An old saying goes, that a butterfly's wing flapping caused a tsunami in China that caused the surf on at Zuma. (Okay, I revised it)

Can You Hear Me Now?
Your inner voice will give suggestions. Sometimes it is a whisper. Sometimes its a shout. You are the captain of your ship. Go with the flow or battle the storm. Both work.

Everything Count
For me, I rather live regretting things I did, than things I never did. Like a kiss on a moonlit night. Like a flight to somewhere across the continent. Like pulling off the side of a road, because a sign on the side of the road said "Descano Gardens" My soul heard, "Go."