Door Number 2

(These "unenlightened" thoughts occurred me during meditation class-- a true testament to the mind's wanderings when you are forcing it to be still.)

A scene from 'The Matrix'. Cypher-- the guy who betrays Morpheus and his crew-- is eating steak with Agent Smith.

Cypher: 'You know, I know this steak doesn't exist. I know that when I put it in my mouth, the Matrix is telling me that it is juicy and delicious. After nine years (of being 'freed' from the illusion/enslavement of the machines), you know what I realize? Ignorance is bliss.'

Meditation is supposed to heighten one's awareness-- of oneself, the suffering the world, and one's part in that suffering. Why, oh why, would I venture down that path? I am relatively happy and content. I am not blind to the suffering around me, and try to help out where I can. What am I doing fooling around with 'enlightenment'? Should I cling instead to the old adage: 'Dont fix what aint broke'?

Ah, but always-- always-- the allure of the unknown behind door number 2. Is it the jackpot-- brand new car, Carribean vacation? Or maybe a DVD player, or can of soda?

Cast your bets!

Post-script: All participants in the meditation class had to sign a waiver that the instructor will not be held liable for depression, divorces, suicides. I kid you not. How's that for a disclaimer?

'Pour reduire mon stress'

Mondays: Toastmasters/Yoga. Wednesdays: French for Advanced Beginners. Thursdays: Meditation.

Busy, busy time. For a change, the busyness is from non-work activities.

Why the flurry of activity, and why these? Several reasons: 1) Need to immerse myself in personal development, 2) My cholesterol report came in at 245-- ideal is 200. 3) I need to deal with work stress. (The title means 'to reduce my stress'). 4) [For good measure and to be consistent] I'm turning 3-0 this year.

So far, so good. I'm struggling to attend Toastmasters given it is over lunch and a 10-minute hike away. Yoga is ok but sun salutations, really? French-- who am I kidding by joining an 'advanced' class. Meditation-- omm, mane, padme, hummmmmmmmmm.... Zzzzzzzz....

Next quarter: Guitar, maybe some Spanish, and why not....skydiving!

'Maintenir la vie intéressante' (Keep life interesting-- or so the online translator would have you believe ;P)

Iodine

(Belated post: Went to Gatlinburg, Tennessee over the Easter holiday.)

Entirely uneventful, this trip was. Well that is not really true. It was remarkable-- in its crappiness.

Five hour drive each way. Traffic. Stifling heat. Tacky tacky attractions. Hands down the worst trip we've taken.

Oh, some pictures :)

Post-scripts:

1) The highlight: we happened to see signs to the Colonel Sanders Museum - yes the birthplace of KFC. How's that as the high point of a 10-hour trip?

2) Why the title is 'Iodine'? Supposedly, kids who don't get enough (iodine) in their diet, well, it stunts... (I am not going to finish that sentence lest my karma catch up with me).