Learn For Yourself

"You shall no longer take things at second or third hand, not look through the eyes of the dead, nor feed on the spectres in books."

Be Skeptical
What does this quote mean? To me, it means that I need to experience life. I need to look at the raw data myself. It means not just taking one's word for it. Be skeptical. It means to not just live life vicariously. It means Carpe Diem. It means go out there and get it. Life happens and its our choice to take other peoples word for it (which is fine) or you can out that and learn for oneself.

It doesn't mean simply to accept what so-called experts says. It means get second opinions. It means trust your judgment and be a bit skeptical. It means that reading books and other people's experiences is okay, but it means taking the adventure yourself.

Take Everything In
Day began on with bad directions. Cloudy day, with light drizzle. Found our journey taking the back route of Griffith Park from Burbank. Wouldn't want it any other way. Discovered travel town. Learned of Leif Erickson statue.

Stopped at the Crossroads of the World. Once a landmark site to the Stars. A mall of the future turned to an office complex. No longer holding its lustre and fading into the background of oddities and has been. Stopped by Kanters, near Melrose to get bagels and breakfast. Jalapeno Cheddar and Chocolate chop something. 

Time to Learn. Time to Teach
Traveled in time, remembering my past. Toured the tar pits and told of yesteryear events. Explained the going ons of history. Tried futilely the greatness of rolling down the hill at the Page Museum. Learned of extinct camels and explained Dinosaurs could not survive the Tar Pits. This includes Tyrannosaurs Rex, too, Laurence.

Trojan town
Left the civic and got a ride to USC. Hurriedly visited the Annenberg, California Science Center, and the Natural History. Lifted a 5200 lb truck with relatives. Spoke with my old Sales Manager's father because of a butt call. Touched a capsule that orbited the earth. Sat in a Helicopter again. Photographed prisms, dinosaurs and polar bears. Saw the headless figures of the Coliseum.

Like the Clippers, I left the Sports Arena. Traveled on the highway, saw Billboards on buildings and ate a closed store. Shared my tartar sauce with family. Returned to my car, left her again. Parked at the site of the laser pointer incident.

Going Back to Getty
Drove in the Wilshire traffic for an hour to discover that the Getty is open until nine--On Saturdays. Parking is $5 after 5pm (Normally, its $15). Unfortunately, it only on Saturday that is open 9 and the Museum has been closed for a half hour.

Left the Getty again, and found me driving traffic-packed Wilshire again. Drove by the sushi restaurant with the stripper pole. Stopped by a 711 because my cousin had to pee. Unfortunately for him, Bathroom was broken.

Sunsets, Soccer, and Singers at Santa Monica
Found us at the Pier and Promenade. Got my beach water and saw the sunset. Discovered a great singer named Cydney Robinson and lost my tour guide book. Passed an art gallery and saw a soccer fan running in the night with flag wrapped around shoulder as he shouted, "Netherlands won! Netherlands won! Netherlands won!" (They lost in the World Cup Final yesterday)

Parted ways with family. Drove up Fairfax passed the places I was night before--Egyptian, El Capitan, the Roosevelt. Got extremely tired and learned an angel guided this weary, heavy-eyed traveler home.

What a Difference a Day Makes
Moral of the Story: Any day can be an adventure. Make every hour, every minute, every second count. One does not need money or a guide. Good attitude, an adventurous spirit, and little prayer is all you really need. Money, car, food, good walking shoes, GPS, and laptop helps. Again, attitude makes a world of difference

Awakening

Feeling melancholy. Don’t know if it’s the weather. Don’t know if it’s the music I’m listening to. Don’t know if I am just feeling. . .down. Didn’t like my horoscope for tomorrow much. It said,” That old expression, if you ignore them, they'll go away? Well, that might not always hold true, but right now it just so happens to be quite accurate -- especially when it comes to a certain family member or friend who seems intent on obsessing over something neither you has any control over. Explain this once, then put some distance between the two of you until they get over it.” I’m having lunch with someone important. I’m afraid that I will be that person ignored. I will be the one that will be asked to put some distance.

Battery for laptop is about to die. Orange light has come on. Well, I hope to put what I can before the lights go out. I need to gym it. When I gave blood this afternoon, they said I should avoid strenuous exercise for at least 12 hours. I am afraid if I don’t go, then I will be slip sliding down that slippery slope. Didn’t jump in the pool this afternoon because I was told that I might go in cardiac arrest due to the cold water. It scared me. I know that I can work out tomorrow. It will be fine. It’s just my psyche will be more effected by not going in. It has already effected me. Doubt Gremlins has effected my hampered my risk-taking mechanism.

Well, I must be going because laptop is about to shut off.

I wrote the above the night before. I’m back. Went to the gym last night and again this morning. Jumped in the pool. No cardiac arrest. I'll admit I was scared. Got some feedback today. It was good. My posts are vague at times and it feels that like I am speaking to someone. I get that. It’s fair. Guess, I got the Doogie Howser syndrome. I appreciate the comments. Give me more. Please. 

Who am I writing these blogs to? The Universe. Basically, whoever wants to listen. Whoever wants to read this blog. This is who I write to. I’m also writing to myself, flushing out stuff and making some beliefs stronger.

Finally saw Book of Eli. I liked it. It hits home for me. Been going through a spiritual awakening. Going through a journey of discovery. Been going to church more and more often. Been reading about more and more religious texts. Picked up the book for Everything to Know About Islam. Been reading some Jehovah Witness literature. Had plans to go see the Dalai Lama at Universal City CityWalk last weekend. (Plans fell through) Listening to lots of Matisyahu. Don’t know if that counts. Love listening to Halleluiah. Been jumping in my pool a lot, kind of rebirth/ pretend baptism of sorts. I’m attending weekly Religious Inquiry class Tuesday nights.  I pray every sunrise and sunset. I pray when I eat. I pray when I go to bed. I pray when I wake up. I find myself planning on attending morning mass on weekdays. 

Been reawakened of sorts. Never been a churchie, so this all new.  I am finding strength—I am finding understanding—I am finding peace whenever and wherever I pray.  It’s funny. I’ve heard so many people say it’s chore to attend. I  like it. I like going to church.

What I like is continuity. I like the message of hope and redemption. I like meaning and symbolism of the events. Lent, for example, is a warm-up for Easter. For the resurrection. The forty days symbolizes Christ’s 40 days in the desert being tempted by the Fallen. The ashes on the forehead represents an ancient tradition reminding people, “from dust we came, from dust we shall return.” Its 6 times a day, worshippers of the Muslim faith prays. It’s the reading stating from the Jehovah Witness that a sprinkling of water on the forehead is not a true baptism until one is fully submerged. It’s the learning that in Jewish Temple, there is the big room where the highest of highest books are placed. It’s the tradition that the people of the Muslim faith have to take a journey to Mecca. Its Dalai Lama’s 13^th Incarnation. Its Shamanism of the Totech and the 5 agreements.  What I like is everything.

Don’t know where any of this leading. Don’t really have any expectations. It just seems to clear. I know so little and this I don’t know what to call. It brings me peace and strength. It makes sense to me. I am just thanking the Big Smile. There are times of melancholy. There are times of forgetfulness. There are times I question where this manifestation comes from. All I know is that I feel congruent. I feel steadfast and expansive. I see things more clearly. I notice more. I take pictures all the time. I am just amazed about everything. Events seem more purposeful. It feels like a jigsaw puzzle coming into place.

I’m getting these Ah-ha moments all the time. Strange, I know.  Events of long ago, events of the future, and  moments-in-the-now  feel “together” I worry less about the past. I am not so concerned with the upcoming. I am just here and it seems so clear. There are questions--so many questions. Yet, it feels like if I look more closely, listen more intently and keep my heart more open answers just appear.  Of course, there is life stuff. There’s always life stuff. Yet, it’s just stuff.

“Vague”—Yup. I will work on that.

Well, what a difference a day can make. What a difference a 10 miles of cardio can do. What a difference jumping into a cold pool will do. No--Its more what new discovered Faith has me doing. Jumping a freezing cold pool. It has me doing 10 miles of cardio. It has me attending church more often. It has me reading the the Bible, the Torah, and the Koran. It has me feeling more in tune. 

Well, it’s gym time again.

My Promise to the Sunrise and to the Sunset

Lantern Away
Made a promise today. Its a big one for me. I have decided open my heart. I have decided to put it in someone else's hands and jump. Hal Jordan jumped off a cliff and just let go. For those comicphilles you will know who this is and I will leave it at that. It was the first edition of the second series I believe. I digress. Looking over the cliff and just letting go. Diving headfirst, death inches away, and now faith renewed.

This post is my world promise, my announcement to all. I will take the steps to get this done, but for now Universe its no turning back. This declaration is commitment to yours truly. Its my promise to be unwavering. To let my conviction to you be an example in this brief time. An announcement of my faith in this relationship. I hereby promise to take formal steps and there will be some studying, but I am going to jump. No, I am not getting married. No, I am not coming out of the closet. I am not. I very much love women. But I have decided to be open and be guided.

I will take the road of Chris in the Morning from Cecily, Alaska. Northern Exposure reference. (Another favorite)

Firebird Promise: Sunrise and Sunset
Made a promise. Every sunrise and every sunset to take 5 minutes. Talk and listen. I will hear your message. I will listen for your song. City of Angel. Close my eyes and listen. You were there and I thank you.


You Can Put Me Down Now
No turning back. The track of single footsteps are yours when you carried me through these troubling times. I believe I can walk now. You can put me down now. Its my turn to stand and walk. Not alone, but by your side. Hand in hand now. As has its always been. Thank you for holding me together. Let me never forget this promise to you to be steadfast. Doubts begone. My Faith unshakened and now renewed. I am so thankful for all you have done. Baby steps are over now. Leaps are now my expectation. May my actions be a testament to yours. Be well and thank you all you have done.