The View Up Here

I've been writing and editing, so please stop poking me with that pointy stick about not blogging. Sheesh . Black Doves is coming along, deadlines are set for the final editing, proofing, cover design, and approval. It will be ready. It just will be. The song that inspired the title and to some degree, the story:

As promised a while ago, my second installment of "The Art of Life" Snark . Or, Snark . If only we had more of the latter and less of the former. Snark is everywhere. It's cool to be snarky. The more sarcastic you are, the more witty, clever, hipper and awesomer you are. If you can get the digs in with a super-superiority and ultra-arched eyebrow, you're golden. There are ka-billions of blogs, web shows, TV programs, magazines and media I probably don't even know exist that are dedicated to people getting their rocks off at other people's expense via sarcasm. And you know what? That really makes me sad. When did we become so unsure of ourselves that we had to resort to clever insults as a means of expressing ourselves? In the past, sarcasm has been used for social commentary, and to that end, it has a place. But that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about mean-spirited personal commentary that has one purpose: to make someone feel bett...

Gonna do this for awhile. The group Zero 7 is not a Christian band, but I've loved their music for ages, and now I read the lyrics with a different spin on them. For example, this song, "Spinning." It's an apt description of the longing I believe we all have to be set free by God's love (however you name that or think of that to exist in the universe). It certainly describes my own powerful experience of Redemption. "Spinning" by Zero 7 Was it loneliness that brought you here Broken and weak Was it tiredness that made you sleep Have you lost your will to speak Was the earth spinning round Were you falling through the ground As the world came tumbling down You prayed to God what have we done Free me from these chains I need to change my way Heal these broken wings I need to fly far away, far away, far away Was it emptiness that made you weep No more secrets to keep Was it bitterness that gave you time To forgive your sins Was the ear...

...even if I didn't post for a few days. Things got busy here the last couple of days. Good stuff, more to follow on that. For now, a few things I appreciate: The Metro. Yes, there is some form of public transport in L.A., and while not perfect, it is still a damn sight better than trying to drive into and park downtown.  Central Market. Awesome market downtown with the cheapest produce anywhere, ever. TL - my friend who introduced me to my roommate, and who will go to sad little movies Snow White or Joan of Arc? You decide. like " Snow White and the Huntsman " and joyously deconstruct it with me afterward (i.e.the many many ways and levels in which this film failed (despite Chris Hemsworth)). Blackberries and vanilla yogurt. Netflix's policy of instantly replacing a defective DVD, even before they get the defective disc back. The Bradbury Building . I was in it this afternoon. Photos to come (eventually - don't pressurize me!) Being greeted by ki...

The Peace Garden at Holy Spirit Retreat Center Today was another sunny in the 70s day in the L.A. area. I took a short drive over to the Holy Spirit Retreat Center (a.k.a. " the best kept secret in Encino ") so I could walk and meditate in the Peace Garden. The garden isn't very big, but it is restful, with roses, succulent plants, resounding wind chimes, and sandy paths that wind through wooded and open areas. Later I visited a friend of mine who works there (Sr. Linda, who I met when I started attending the Centering Prayer group at HSRC). Such a warm, pleasant, smart lady. I'm pleased to know her and receive spiritual counseling from her on occasion. Nuns are awesome. Today was just the sort of day when it's a crime to stay inside all afternoon. I'm grateful for the Peace Garden for when I need to soak in some solitary outdoors time not interrupted by the sound of traffic (nor requiring any hiking).

I took a day off from blogging yesterday. I've been dealing with what I can only imagine is a histamine reaction. I suppose I should see a Doctor about it. I've got itchy patches on my face and neck. Hrrrm. Today, I'll do a list of appreciation. Tomorrow, I'll be back with more eloquence and verbosity. Trader Joe's all-natural lotion with aloe Mystics of the Christian Tradition by Steven Fanning My fuzzy red blanket on a cool, overcast morning Lattes made at home Clean bedding minus all the cat hair Fixing my rosary with tweezers (i.e. MacGuyvering my rosary) The power of my public library card Roses Movies with Tom Hiddleston in them Burt's Bees lipbalm, aka " my lipshit "

Alone Time When you're a little kid, no one uses the phrase 'alone time.' More like 'go to your room!' or 'you're grounded' or 'we don't want to play Battlestar Galactica with you.'  (Okay, chances are, no one's ever said the latter to you, but I heard almost that exact phrase when I was little. That says a lot, actually). My point, and I have one, is that when we're little, we hate being alone. We want to be with the grown-ups past bedtime, we don't want to take a nap, we don't want any down time. We fight down time and sleep and all the things that now, in our middle years, we would give our left kidney to have built into our day. Imagine, every day at 1:30, business shuts down so everyone can take a 30 minute nap!  What a beautiful world it would be. This weekend, my roommate is in SanFran visiting her sister, so I have the place to myself. And it's nice to have the alone time. Not that I don't spend hours a d...

My Family Today is my sister-in-law's birthday, and in 3 days it will be my niece's birthday, which is also my father's birthday. Seems like a good time to ruminate upon the gifts of family: They all still have the South Shore accent, while mine just pops up now and then They get my silly sense of humor (they share it, in fact) I remember my parents by interacting with them I see myself in them They love me even when I do stoopid stuff They support me even when I do crazy-awesome stuff that no one else gets (like, oh, say, move to Korea or California!) I can be myself around them, and they are totally authentic around me We all love ice cream and it usually plays a significant part in any get-together We all know how to make The Sauce, and it plays a prominent part in any get-together I miss them After Sunday dinner was usually a trip with Dad to the DQ