In Search of the Champagne Life
by Jennifer Barnick

 Click here for introductory column

 

 

 

 

Right This Right That—Part II (11/12/04, Vol. 2 No 32)

            In my last column I introduced the Eightfold Path, which is the Buddhist version of the Ten Commandments…and yet as I type I want to be very quick to point out that the Buddhist take on moral living and development versus the Judaeo-Christian (with their Ten Commandments) is very different.   The Eightfold Path is seen more as a support for one's spiritual quest—meaning if one were to follow the precepts and ideals laid out in the Eightfold Path then life should move along relatively smoothly—not stealing, killing, lying, and choosing legal and honest employment, and taking time to meditate properly are all good ways to avoid a great deal of Nirvana-stealing drama.  

            Today, I am going to briefly discuss or explain (the best I can) what each of these “rights” mean.   I must admit I am more than just a little hesitant, however, to do so.   I have made Buddhism a long-time study, and within the past decade I have come to realize that like all religions Buddhism too has several forms and denominations.   And while in most cases the essential essence remains—even in the face of seemingly immense difference—the interpretation of The Eightfold Path differs widely.   In fact, recently while reading a book discussing Carl Jung's theories regarding one's feminine and masculine identities the writer somehow managed to construe “Right Livelihood” as meaning finally finding the work you find that you love and want to pursue “passionately”…in fact I believe Eros…that frisky son of Aphrodite…was meant to be courted or invited along this journey towards “Right Livelihood”.   Now, I will be the first to admit I am not a true scholar, however, from what I have come to understand regarding Buddhism, I have grave doubts that “Right Livelihood” had anything to do with Cupid.   So, with all that said I shall do my very best to give you at least the most accurate or perhaps, common a definition I can for each of the precepts.

            Right Understanding and Right Thought are the study of wisdom.   Generally speaking “wisdom” in this case means the study of Buddhism.   However, over the years I have come to see Buddhism as really a long, well documented history of people seeking enlightenment.   I do not mean to imply that Buddhism does not have a proper and well-curated cannon nor do I want to imply that Buddhism does not have ritual.   However, even Gautama Buddha (the historical gent who founded Buddhism around 500 BC) was quick to point out that his words were not to be taken as truth that he merely wanted to get people thinking because ultimately the path to enlightenment must be journeyed alone.   And throughout the history of Buddhism there are countless anecdotes along the same lines—that wisdom and the search for enlightenment aka Buddhism was often to be found in unexpected ways and most definitely was always to be found through self-searching and not from an outside source.   So with all that said it is best to think of “Right Understanding” and “Right Thought” as a sort of call to become a very good student and to seek out a very good teacher and to become extremely discerning throughout the entire process.

            Right Speech is the first “suggestion” or “commandment” or even better, “admonishment” that would fall under the category as a precept or rule.   However, Right Speech (like so many things in Buddhism) is deceivingly simple and actually has two very different meanings.   The first meaning to right speech is obvious:   do not lie, do not swear or belittle or berate, do not use speech to do anything evil or abusive.   The second meaning is very intense and subtle and to be honest the first moral or ethical argument for the white lie .   The white lie has been the fodder for comedies and armchair snotty-pants ethicists—how often have you heard the argument that a white lie should be construed as a normal lie and that we all must pursue honesty at all costs?   Well, not in Buddhism.   However, before I give everyone the okay to compliment away this holiday season, know that the reason white lies should and are permitted is not to keep interpersonal relations calm.   The not only permitted but insisted upon white lie in Buddhism is for teaching purposes only and was explained by Buddha as thus:  

            “Suppose that a mother who is outside doing the laundry sees that the house is on fire.   She runs in to tell her children to get out of the house.   The children are playing with their toys and are so engrossed with their toys and their playing that they refuse to listen to their mother.   Their mother in utter panic and not wanting her children harmed tells the small children that just outside of the house is an even bigger pile of toys…toys of much higher quality than the ones they currently have…and if they were to run out quickly now they can have these wonderful new toys.   The children then run out of the burning house and are saved.   Now, it is true the mother did lie, however, because the children did not die in the fire then they will actually be able to play with toys…of any kind, and while there were no toys waiting for the children immediately, the mother can buy them once they are out.”

            The whole point is that a teacher must use whatever is necessary to get the student “out of the burning house” and onto the path to enlightenment.   Sometimes the teacher must promise fabulous things to get the student interested, however, the noble truth is that no-thing could compare to liberation or enlightenment.   But it takes a relatively advanced stage to realize this…so in the beginning the teacher much say whatever she deems necessary to save the student.

            That is all we have time for today.   On Monday I shall be continuing with the Eightfold Path.   Monday, November 15 is also the day our newest issue—the Holiday Issue—will be released.   Have a great weekend, and I profoundly thank you all for reading my column and supporting The Better Drink.

 

Right This and Right That—Part I (11/10/04, Vol. 2 No. 31)

 

 

            Buddhism is considered to be the fastest growing religion in America, and one of the more curious aspects of this has been a sort of mélange of misunderstandings that have been bandied about enough to almost pass as truth.   One of the more popular treatments of Buddhism is that Buddha was “just like Jesus” and that Buddhism has an almost uncanny resemblance to Christianity.   Also due to the increase of Buddhism I now hear Jesus being referred to as “a great spiritual master” and as a “sage”.   Both are more than just a little funny if one were to genuinely take up the study of Christianity and Buddhism.   Yes, there are similarities, but very often these similarities are only on the surface, but if one were to take into consideration the finer, more profound points of each faith than one could quite quickly see the immense gulf where perhaps there was a perceived synthesis.

            One surface similarity and deeper gulf is with Buddhism's Eight Fold Path.   On the surface the Eight Fold Path could be seen as the Buddhists' Ten Commandments.   However, immediately one should sense a wholly different tact when the term Path is used instead of Commandments .   Then again, both are meant to serve as moral instruction or parameters in which a faithful adherent is implored (or commanded as in the case of Christianity) to follow.   The tenants of the Eight Fold Path are as follows:

            Right Understanding

            Right Thought

            Right Speech

            Right Action

            Right Livelihood

            Right Effort

            Right Mindfulness

            Right Concentration

            Right Understanding and Right Thought are the study of wisdom.   Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood are the study of the precepts (or Buddhist moral vows).   Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration are the study of meditation.   And finally, Right Effort is common to all three studies—meaning one must apply oneself properly to the Eightfold Path.   Already one can see the different approach—trying one's best or properly applying oneself is in itself a moral obligation.   And yet they are not called the Eight Obligations or the Eight Rules or the Eight Commandments…nope, they are indeed the Eightfold Path…they are also referred to as “The Eightfold Noble Path” or “The Eightfold Right Path”.

            Another way this path has been referred to is found in the Mahayana Lankavatara Sutra (Sutra essentially means gospel or direct teachings from Buddha versus a commentary or teaching about a Buddhist sutra or gospel):   “Only the One Great Vehicle has the soothing eight branches of the path.”   The word sila is a Sanskrit word translated as “precept”.   Generally the term precept is interpreted as rules.   However, the word sila actually means calming, soothing.   So, in actuality the precepts or rules laid out in the Eightfold Path are meant to calm or sooth.   The idea being that if one can adhere to these suggestions or wisdoms or precepts or doctrines than life will go on pretty smoothly.   And the ultimate hope is that if one's path towards enlightenment can be made as smooth and as hospitable as possible than one's chances of becoming truly enlightened increases.  

            Pure mind is one common term used in reference to the Eightfold Path.   For instance if one's mind has regret than it will become annoyed and restless.   If one's mind is restless than their ability to meditate is diminished.   However, one cannot even grasp that one should find calm and peace of mind if one has not sought out wisdom or a proper master—aka Buddhism.   Essentially, the Buddhist's approach to morality and to its doctrinal “laws” is that if one were to live according to these practices than life will go a whole lot smoother, which then will free up a person's energy to meditate and develop wisdom.   If one can then pursue meditation and wisdom (versus perhaps ticking off neighbors and dealing with angry spouses etc…) than one can better realize liberation or enlightenment.   One of the principal differences to this approach is that in Buddhism morality is seen as simply the easiest and wisest way to approach life—not as commandments from a ruling God who will punish any offenders.   Punishment in Buddhism is seen coolly—as nothing more than the effects of one's causes—basically “you reap what you sow” and not “you are punished from above” or by some type of parent-god.

            Again, on the surface this “reap what you sow” idea can seem actually very Christian.   In fact, “reap what you sow” is a verse from the Holy Bible.   However, Buddhist causality is not as cleanly moral as it has perhaps been perceived in our Western, Christian society.   From a more profound perspective Buddhist Karma (which more often than not is confused with the Hindu concept of Karma as is the same for reincarnation—while Buddhism and Hinduism both share the term reincarnation both interpret the concept entirely differently) is actually neutral and not the simple morality play of “if you do bad then bad will come to you”.   Causality in Buddhism is actually a very elegant and complicated issue—way beyond the petty foibles of any one individual.   Causality in Buddhism begins with one primary tenant:   that all “effects” have at least two causes…meaning any one event had at least two or more events that kicked it off.   The term used to explain this idea is called “dependant origination”.   I mention dependant origination not to stray completely from the Eightfold Path, but to better illustrate the profound differences between the Buddhist approach to morality and doctrinal conduct and Christianity's Ten Commandments.   Dependant origination introduces the concept of all beings actually being more dependently tied to each other—including our supposed “wrongs” and our supposed “rights” versus being independent operators taking our punishments and rewards as we choose right and choose wrong.

            Causality…Karma…a pure mind…these are all very profound concepts that truly deserve more space.   However, it is my hope that some of these ideas will spark a want for further investigation, which I believe, fundamentally is a good mind—the investigative mind—to have if one truly wants to find the sweet shores of the Champagne Life.   Tomorrow, I will break down the Eightfold Path a bit and explain what all these “right” instructions actually mean.

 

Born Rich (11/9/04, Vol. 2 No. 30)

 

            Money…a complicated topic…an even more complicated conversation.   I just watched (it is currently out on DVD) the documentary Born Rich by Jamie Johnson—the Johnson & Johnson Jamie Johnson.   Jamie Johnson heir to the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical empire explores what it is or perhaps what it means to be born rich…immensely rich.   Jamie not only shares his own perspective, but a handful of his fellow heirs and heiresses also share strikingly intimate details regarding what it is to be born rich.  

            The movie opens with Jamie Johnson's twenty-first birthday party where we are both introduced to him and informed that today he will come into his vast fortune.   His voice overlays him getting dressed for his party, and he opens up with two really good points:   America is not truly a meritocracy and money is a very awkward topic for people to discuss.   Jamie wants in his movie to open up the subject of money and the children who inherent fortunes versus making them, because he sees his group as a too-long hidden cultural phenomenon.   Jamie also plainly argues that if he is perhaps able to confront his life circumstances openly without shame or embarrassment than he will not suffer some of the personal issues he sees in his family's past.   In one strikingly honest scene Jamie's very uncomfortable father (he did not approve of Jamie's choice of movie subjects—money) admits to his fortune making him feel more the outcast than the privileged.   However, I want to quickly point out that the one absolute saving grace of this movie is that at no time does it reduce itself to a “poor little rich kid” saga.   In fact, it is oddly relieving that the kids are more honestly pleased with their lot than cursed, and their personal issues are well within most young adults'—regardless of money.

            The movie is spare and elegant, and I found myself completely enthralled and thinking….   Throughout the movie I found myself asking several questions:   Why do we (at least in America) have a hard time talking frankly about money?   What would it be like to inherent a massive fortune (I mean massive)?  

            Why do we have a hard time talking frankly about money?   In my family money was actually spoken of rather often, but I know from talking to many of my friends that this was rare.   My mother was a Scottish bookkeeper—money was everything—I grew up using tiny hotel shampoos and soaps almost exclusively.   I remember asking her if she wanted to be buried with her wedding ring on and she laughed and said,   “What and waste all that gold?   Never!”   For my mother money meant survival love didn't mean a thing if you were dead.   My father was a great deal subtler regarding the subject, but he too felt it important to teach money skills to us kids.   However, many of my friends admit that money was never ever discussed and that often when they faced their first “real world” experiences they truly wished they had a better understanding of the stuff.   But all this is the practical side I suppose…but what about the other more philosophical realities surrounding money like does the more you have make you happier, or is money a sign that god loves you or a stumbling block on your path towards salvation?   After watching the movie I came away with mixed feelings.   The kids to me seemed like almost all of the twenty-one years olds I meet.   These kids felt strong in money, while some twenty-one years olds feel strong in immortality or sex or beauty or hope or intelligence or options or idealism.   In truth, life has not really kicked in at twenty-one….   What I really would like to see is these kids at fifty-one, and again, would money—lots of money have any bearing on their happiness?   What type of power does money actually have?

            The other question that swirled around constantly was what on earth would it be like to inherent such an immense fortune?   This was one part of the documentary I felt did not really translate or perhaps (and this might be the case) this question is not answerable even by the people involved.   I say this because one gets the sense from even the film maker, an heir himself, that the experience of inheriting a vast amount of money is a curious, almost elusive thing…does it truly make one's human experience unique?   Or is it foolish to think that money could radically alter the overall life of a person?   Of course one could dream and easily think up a myriad amount of things one would do with an immense fortune, but lets just say after a decade or so of shopping and traveling and the whole glimmer wares off a bit would having an enormous fortune alter one's existential experience of life of being?   I suppose the only definite affect would be in self-definition:   I am a rich kid .   And I suppose that if one self-defined one's self as a rich kid than perhaps that would prove to be a tinted enough of a lens to color one's world.   However, I strongly believe that all of us define ourselves and these definitions can shift along with experience meaning being a rich kid at one point is great and at another point is terrible—and the same could be said for all self-definitions.   So…I guess I am back to the wondering-board.

            I genuinely loved this movie.   I saw it with a friend, and I would really suggest you do the same.   The movie without a doubt is a conversation stirrer and brings up many interesting questions and observations, and I love movies that do this.   My friend and I ended up spending much of the afternoon swapping our own experiences with growing up and money, and talking about our own curious and sometime awkward feelings regarding the class system in America, and we also found ourselves departing from the money topic and discussing the need to understand oneself and one's lot and we both felt that essentially that is what this movie was about…Jamie Johnson set out to understand both himself and the world in which he lived…something everyone whether rich or poor should try.

            Born Rich a documentary by Jamie Johnson.   Official Selection 2003 Sundance Film Festival.

 

Confrontation (11/8/04, Vol. 2 No. 30)

 

            Today I want to talk about a very delicate and a very difficult topic:   confrontation.   I found myself over the weekend having to do a little of it (actually a rather big, almost-overwhelming dose of it) with a friend, and oddly just the night before I had seen a documentary about Africa and how one culture had managed to tackle this very touchy subject.   While it was very late at night, so my memory for exact details may be minimal, essentially this tribe that lived at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro had some fabled plant that had many life-sustaining uses.   One of the uses, however, was social…and awfully clever…so much so I truly wish that New England had something similar….   The plant had long, palm-ish sort of leaves that were very flexible.   If, someone in your town had in some way upset you, or if in some way you felt the need to confront this person, but this person was difficult or intimidating to confront then all you have to do is hand them one of these leaves, knotted in the center and then they will know you want to confront them but were to afraid to.   Then the person receiving the knotted leaf knows to soften and welcome the person into conversation.   The knotted leaf was a sort of ice-breaker, or in some cases a red flag…and man oh man do I wish we had this system.

            Unfortunately, while our founding fathers drafted up one heck of a constitution and civil society, they did not, however, come to peg some type of flora or fauna down as being the “hey buddy you're out of line” signal.   Instead, most of us are faced with usually two options with both more often than not requiring each other.   The two options I speak of are:   A. you tolerate the behavior as much as you can and then behind their backs vent everything to as many friends and family members as you can.   The obvious pitfall is that you are often reduced to becoming a petty gossip.   B. you tolerate the behavior as much as you can then finally blow up…usually at bad times in public places like restaurants, parties, or street corners.   The obvious pitfall is that you are often reduced to becoming a crazed fool…often becoming the topic of petty gossip yourself…and giving the offender a much needed advantage in the court of public opinion.

            However, even with all of the pitfalls, confrontation is actually one of the healthiest and often most profound acts of love one human can offer another.   Because in truth, only people who genuinely care about you are really going to bother…particularly when you consider the costs often paid by the person doing the confronting.   One of the costs (as I learned over the weekend) is feeling like the high school principal or worse, like the over-achieving student hall monitor anxiously waiting for someone to get in trouble.   Another cost is making someone cry, which even in the face of immense correctness is never good…it always sucks…which brings me to another cost…actually being too right.   Yes, too right.   Sometimes when you confront someone you find out that things were actually much, much worse that you had imagined (as in my case this weekend).   Then you find what was irritating or somewhat “wrong” was actually far more intense and involved than you ever realized…I believe the cliché “can of worms” comes into play under these circumstances.   Lastly, one of the most involved costs is the responsibility of the confronter.   I assure you, if you are to confront someone than you will be seen as the primary officer regarding the issue.   Meaning, if you tell a friend they are drinking too much then you will quickly be made into the “drinking cop” by your friend, and truthfully by your own sense of guilt.   Now, mind you everyone has different levels of guilt and senses of responsibility, but this very often appears to be the case.

            So what are some good ways to confront someone?   Because I want to say again that confrontation is actually one of most loving and compassionate acts a person can do.   I suppose I can readily think of a few tips—based on both times I had to confront someone and times when someone confronted me—and while it's never great when someone confronts you a few people in my life have done a great job and I will always be grateful for their love for me.  

            Never confront someone when you are angry.   Wait a little.   Collect yourself.   Never confront someone when you have been drinking.   I do not believe I have to say any more.   Try walking with a person as you talk.   This is a good one.   Walking will naturally reduce the amount of adrenaline and cortisol (the stress hormones) in the body.   Walking will also keep a person well oxygenated, which also reduces panic sensations.   And generally speaking moving around helps the conversation to move rather than stall-out into an argument.   Warn the person ahead of time.   Tell the person before you talk that you need to confront them on something.   I really think it is fair that you allow someone to “brace” themselves.   Accept and be prepared for the other person the defend themselves and realize you may not be one-hundred-percent correct in the situation.   Really, really, know what you want to say.   Rehearse the confrontation if you have to, but I think it is important to really know what it is you are upset about…otherwise, the confrontation can just become nothing more than a personal attack, which is neither loving nor healthy.   And this brings me to my last tip, and I think the most important:   only confront people you really love.   This is a big rule.   True confrontation—confrontation that was meant to either repair a suffering relationship or aid an out-of-control loved one (as in the case with substance abuse) is always grounded in love and never grounded in self-righteousness or meddling.  

            Looking back at my own confrontation this weekend I will say I feel a mix of irritation (that the whole terrible event…on such a lovely fall day…had to ever happen), self-doubt (that perhaps I was getting in “way over my head”), and hope.   And while I still feel a little bit of “confrontation shock” (something I am quite sure you all have experienced) the day ended with a warm, long hug and a heartfelt “thank you” from the friend I had finally found the nerve to confront.

 

The OC (11/5/04, Vol. 2 No. 29)

 

 

            For the past two months or so the Fox television network has been telling me that America's most popular drama on television was a show called “The OC”.   They also went on to tell me that The OC “was the show that changed a generation” or was it “the show that transformed an era”?   Either way this show was touted to be THE show to watch.   Fox's claims were doubly backed up when MTV aired its “the real OC” which, was a reality show made with genuine OC kids whining, primping, and crying all over Southern California…all by the way completely synched up to soulful, complaint rock playing almost as loud as it would be in a rock video.

            Wanting to experience the show “that changed an era or generation or transformed” I sat myself down (even with pen and paper) and watched Fox's “The OC” as intently and as soberly as I could….   And to be perfectly honest….   I Loved it!!!   Just loved it!!!!   And now I know that pretty much from here on out Thursdays between eight and nine are booked.   First off, as expected everyone (except for the blond male lead) is really rich, and right off the bat we are informed that they are the way all Americans like their really rich:   beautiful, jaded, and very very unhappy.   There is a father character who I believe is a lawyer who seemed perhaps to have a soul, but early on you see nobody really listens to him.   The other adults are as saucy and fashionable as their teenage co-stars and have big problems of their own to drink, pout, and silently stomp along with loud, driving pop music.

            But the real treasure was the kids.   Man do I love spoiled, depressed teens.   I am actually not kidding here.   To see two hot bikini clad teen-babes (who looked not a day under 25) drinking before noon by the pool and being suspected of having eating disorders (one teen suggests that the other hotter, taller, more depressed, and harder drinking teen was perhaps too thin…something only the very few and privileged are suspected of).   And while, for at least the season opener it seemed the girls were getting all the really dramatic, rock-video, teen diary moments, the boys proved that they too can have diva fits and moments of tear-jerking silence while loud music drove home that life was INTENSE.   And this dear friends was why I loved “The OC”, and why I love teenagers.   I would simply give anything to feel life like that again.   And as I think about last night's show, I realized the amazing thing teens offer to the table of life:   heartfelt drama.

            A boyfriend decides to leave home (threatening that it is for good) (leaving his new address and number) because his best friend moves almost what appears to be a half-hour away.   The girlfriend of the boy who moved a half-hour away (to stand by a girl he had knocked up) begins to drink vodka straight from the bottle and while she was still this amazingly beautiful, posh young lady she cried a great deal when she was alone in the mansion and was really really curt to her glamorous mother.   Frankly, these kids were managing better skin and more emotions than any adult could ever hope, and as I watched all I kept on remembering was the Fourth of July in my neighborhood.   This past Fourth of July I had walked with my dogs to a park near my house where several people were gathering.   I sat with my dogs on the grass a bit to enjoy the illegal fireworks a group of teenage boys were putting on.   Teenagers were everywhere, and I found myself actually a little jealous.   They were picking each other up, fighting, cussing, crying, and having torrid meetings about either love or hate.   Best friends were inevitably dressed like identical twins and while they all still had these pouty-toddler faces one could immediately tell that their activities were not for the faint at heart.   Oh, the passion of the teenager!   May God Bless them all!

            Just after watching Fox's “The OC” I quickly changed the channel to ABC's “Life As We Know It”, which is a sort of east coast, intellectual version of “The OC”.   Here the kids are not as rich, not as tan, but just as beautiful and just as heartbroken, confused, angry, and passionate.   It struck me as identical to the iconic show “Thirty Something”, and to be honest I have to say (once again) I LOVED IT!   Unlike adult shows were everyone is being tough or subtle or working on a career or worrying about stuff, teens could not care less about anything but the present crisis before them and when teens are in crisis they are anything but subtle.   They scream, drink heavy, hate everyone, lie, get in fist fights, make their families suffer immensely and show an almost deadly loyalty to each other...and all the while soulful, moody pop music roars and rolls….   Oh, the passion of the teenager!   May God Bless them all!

            I suppose my suggestion for today is that perhaps all of us subtle, well-healed adults could use a little teenager in our lives.   I mean it, when was the last time you threw a chair after someone asked you a question?   Or, when was the last time you daydreamed and wept about your love interest (all the while dressed in amazingly hip clothes and listening to the moodiest and deepest of pop music)?   And how often do you solely value what you feel above all else?   I suppose I am suggesting that while most of us would cringe at the thought of being teenagers all over again, perhaps we should not take leave of those awkward years completely.   There is an honesty and passion to the teenager I think we all can learn from…not only do I believe it could help us find the sweet shores of the Champagne Life…I also believe it looks like a really fun time….   Just to make out one more time like a teenager…just one more time…man oh man.   Oh, the passion of the teenager!   May God Bless them all!

            Have a great weekend!   See you on Monday.

 

Tarot Thursday (11/4/04, Vol. 2 No. 28)

 

 

            Today I have decided to once again do a little divination, and once again I shall use the Tarot cards (see my column Vol. 2 No. 16 for more on the history behind Tarot cards).   Divination is a curious thing.   On the one side, it can be addictive and can be badly used:   as in using divination when good old patience and/ or logic can be employed.   On the other side, it can be really helpful:   as in a lesson one can meditate on during an intense time of life.   Often when I read cards I simply ask,   “What is it that I should meditate on today?”   Over the years I have been amazed how timely and useful this practice can be because in truth, the Tarot was meant to be a spiritual aid—not a fortune teller—and actually true divination was meant to dovetail with or enhance one's logical reasoning and one's spiritual practice.   Socrates and Confucius both spoke extensively regarding divination and both felt it should be a regular aspect of one's life.

My question:   “What lesson or advice do all who read my column on Thursday, November 4, 2004 need?”

            The answer:   The Three of Pentacles, The Six of Wands, The Five of Pentacles, and The Three of Swords

            Today is a day to think about money and your career, and to consider the people whom you work with and are dependant upon to make money.   The Three of Pentacles is an interesting card.   It is a card for monetary success, but only if one works in concert with one or more persons.   It is usually a call to link up with a partner.   If one manages to find a partner then, in this case with a Six of Wands right after it, supreme success is suggested.   The Six of Wands is an all-out victory card—often denoting a victory after some strife or worry.   The Six of Wands has a great deal of energy—usually the type of energy that can bring a great idea to fruition.   Wands are generally idea and energy cards whereas Pentacles (or coins—the other term for the suit) are generally the material manifestation of something.   So, linking the Three of Pentacles with the Six of Wands is a clear message that one should reach out and work with others today…with the reward being absolute success.

            This reading is interesting because along with a positive suggestion it carries a negative or rather a warning.   The next two cards I pulled were the Five of Pentacles and the Three of Swords.   Now, not always will card readings include a warning.   Sometimes they will simply give more details regarding the lesson…for instance:   if I had pulled a few court cards (Kings and Queens etc…) than I could have given more suggestions or details regarding what specific type of people one should seek out for money ventures.   However, today the Three of Pentacles and the Six of Wands—two very positive cards indicating success—are followed by two cards that very clearly indicate failure.

            The Five of Pentacles is a warning card…big time.   The Five of Pentacles is all about not understanding or seeing the true value of any given situation.   It is a card that can suggest that a person is not appreciating just how good things are, and instead they are focusing on the negative.   The warning is that if one does not see the goodness of their current situation than they will essentially be left out in the cold.   If, they can take pause and really see just how great things are then they will find themselves finely protected.   The image on the card is quite clear:   two impoverished people, barefoot and lame are limping in a snowstorm, when right behind them is a warm, well-lit church that is open to them any time they would like to enter.   However, these people do not notice or recognize the open church and instead continue to suffer in the cold.   It is my suggestion today that the “warm church” that one should take care to acknowledge is in the form of other people.   My reasoning is the next card:   the Three of Swords.   The Three of Swords is one of the more descriptive cards in the deck.   It is simply a large red heart with three swords piercing it.   It is the absolute opposite to the Three of Pentacles, which for me clearly suggests that this card is meant as a warning—not as an outcome.   The Three of Swords is the card for heartbreak and suggests pain brought on by another.   Because it follows the Five of Pentacles I can see that if one does not see or value the people that surround them then much needless sadness and struggle will follow.

            Essentially, the cards today are suggesting that great success is in our midst, but this success is only to be achieved through working with others.   However, if we try to go it alone and not appreciate or realize the good people that surround us and that are willing to aid us then we will be left out in the cold.   It is a good day to take a little pause and genuinely look to all the people that surround you…chances are you are profoundly more loved and protected than you currently may realize.

 

What it is Not (11/3/04, Vol. 2 No. 27)

 

 

Well, I'm back from my break…hope you enjoyed the repeats.   While on leave I found myself surveying my position a great deal.   I also caught a terrific cold, which I believe aided my contemplative mood. The search for the Champagne Life…I have been writing essays regarding the subject since the end of June and now that the leaves are genuinely going away and I am finding socks once again in my laundry basket I wonder if I have actually made any progress towards my goal:   living the Champagne Life.   In truth, and I do realize that heavy doses of cold medicine cannot be helping, I feel no more close to the Champagne Life than I did at the beginning of my journey.   In fact, I have come to believe that since my journey began I have only become more poignantly aware of just how far off I am.   However, just as quickly as I write that past line I want to write this one:   is this such a bad thing?   Meaning…is it possible that as one truly attempts to find the sweet shores of the Champagne Life that one first must realize what is not the Champagne Life?  

            So, for today I want to run through a few things that I have personally realized as definitely not being the Champagne Life.   Negative deduction is not uncommon in philosophical and religious teachings, and while it can be immensely more comforting (and clear) to know what something is…sometimes the best a person can do is to know what something is not.   Lately, I have been finding my ship docking at many Is Not Ports, and while they can be a real drag to visit I do feel some satisfaction when I come to realize that I must get back to my ship and return to the open sea.

            Seeing into the future is not living the Champagne Life.   Lately, I have been noticing a great many people seeing into the future.   And I have also found that when others see into the future it stirs me to see into the future as well.   However, I have begun to suspect that this parlor trick is not such a good one to play.   Seeing into the future could also be termed:   trapping one in a destiny or planting seeds of misery.   In truth, the only real time is in the moment.   Part of living the Champagne Life is realizing that we are free—that our future is really only what we make of our present.

            Keeping score is not living the Champagne Life.   I have realized that keeping score is a tough habit to break.   However, it is a terrible habit to retain.   It is also a habit that can sneak up on you.   So many times I find myself comparing my self and my behavior to others and my friendship to others and my life to others, and what I found after a good session of “Well, I did this and he did that…” was a bitter taste in my mouth and a general sense of isolation.   I do not believe it is possible or fair to score other's generosity, phone calls, behavoirs, visits, and honesty.   I also do not think it is possible or fair to score one's self regarding how good a friend, spouse, child, employee, or person we are.   Part of living the Champagne Life is knowing how to simply enjoy people—including ourselves—and not constantly picking relationships apart looking for some kind of fairness.

            Perfection is not living the Champagne Life. All perfection will do is keep you from doing anything.   And I have also found that if one falls into the trap in believing that perfection actually exists that one then becomes a terrifically nasty judge—both towards oneself and others.   Instead of perfection, I am beginning to believe in the “good enough” or “best you can” philosophy.   I have this great life-coaching book and in it she devotes one whole chapter to perfection and its inherent pitfalls.   Perfectionists rarely get things done…however, people who feel okay about doing the best they can very often take great risks in life and achieve great successes.   Part of living the Champagne Life is accepting both the good and the bad with grace and humor—not waiting for a time when everything is just right.

            Searching for the Champagne Life has been one of the greatest and most fulfilling endeavors of my life.   It has also been confusing and at times contradictory.   There are many teachers and many texts all claiming a clear route, however, for this explorer I have come to realize that the Champagne Life requires a great deal more than blind adherence, it appears to require an abundance of earnestness, honesty, and good old fashioned trial and error.

 

She's Happy Now (10/27/04, Vol. 2 No 26)

 

 

            The old saying goes “a way to a man's heart is through their stomach”, and while so far I have found that statement to be overwhelmingly true, is also appears to work on woman's passionate ticker as well.   I know this because in all truth one of the surest ways to this ol'girl's heart is most definitely through her stomach.

            I am a passionate cook.   The only problem is that when you are a passionate cook you tend to cook a lot.   When you cook a lot your skill level does go up.   This is all fine and good, however, one of the side effects is that nobody wants to cook for you.   I find that only my other friends who are also passionate about cooking “dare” to have me over to dinner thinking that my passion for cooking also is a passion for food criticism.   The sad thing is that the truth could not be more different.   In truth, I love cooking because I love eating, I love people, and I run a little nervous…cooking tends to combine eating with socializing with good mind-calming, Zen-like activity.   Every once in awhile there is a daring friend who cooks for me.   Dr. Timothy Smith, the co-founder of this magazine is just this sort of person.

            I have known him for many years and throughout that time he has come to see the dog-like quality in me in that I respond very well to food.   He is a smart man and has learned to soften me greatly with something warm and savory (which is my preference:   over something cold and sweet).   The below recipe is one of my favorite things he makes:   Twice Baked Potatoes.   The potato truly is for me the path to my soul.   Usually, along with some steamed veggies I like these as a dinner.   However, for gents allow two potatoes if you are intending this recipe as a main course.

Timothy Smith's Twice Baked Potatoes

4 medium potatoes

½ cup sour cream

1-2 Tablespoons milk

1 carrot finely shredded

2 cloves garlic pressed

1 Tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

8 twists of freshly ground black pepper

1/8 teaspoon salt

paprika

4 thick slices of cheddar cheese

preheat oven to 425°

            Bake potatoes at 425° for 40-60 minutes (or microwave the potatoes according to your microwave instructions).   Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle—around ten minutes—cut the tops off the potatoes and scoop out the potatoes leaving a thin shell.   Put the scooped potatoes in a bowl and mash with an electric hand mixer.   Add salt, pepper, garlic, milk and sour cream.   Mix until smooth and fluffy, adding 1 or 2 extra tablespoons of milk if necessary.   Stir in carrot and parsley.   Re-stuff the potato shells with potato mixture and top with paprika.   Bake for 20 minutes at 425°.   Then top each potato with a slice of cheese and some additional paprika.   Bake for five minutes more.   Remove and let sit five minutes before serving.   Makes 2-3 main course servings or 4 side dish servings.

 

Dogen's Shobogenzo (10/26/04, Vol. 2 No 25)

 

            Shobogenzo means “Treasury of the eye of true teaching”.   Shobogenzo is a collection of Zen essays written by the 13 th century Japanese Zen teacher Dogen Kigen.   Dogen is widely respected as a religious reformer, an accomplished Buddhist adept, a profound thinker, and a brilliant writer.   Shobogenzo is among the best of Zen literary works.   It is one of the most demanding, and is also a tool to help foster the Zen use of the mind.   Dogen was born 1200 CE to a noble family in Kyoto, the imperial capitol and cultural center of Japan.   At eight his mother died—this would lead him to his calling based on his profound preoccupation with the impermanent nature of things.   Dogen was the founder of the Soto Zen School.

            The actual Shobogenzo text is a lyrical, complicated series of essays and allegories that primarily focus on “bodymind”.   In the west body and mind are seen as separate—the problem then is to see how they ultimately interrelate.   For Dogen (and a Buddhist) body and mind are fundamentally one—the problem then is to re-experience this fundamental oneness.   Dogen wanted people to learn how to experience life and the world directly: without all of the preconceived notions and assumptions that come between us and any type of phenomenological experience.   The practice of meditation is of profound importance because it is meant to help the aspirant to directly experience being.

            Shinjin datsuraku is traditionally translated as “casting off body and mind”.   This term is used throughout Shobogenzo.   Dogen felt this was the “one great matter of Zen practice for my entire life”.   Dogen actually said that this (casting off body and mind) is all one needs to understand Buddhism.   Casting off body and mind means to experience the world and life without any thetic positings.   For example:   “I love dogs”, “I hate broccoli”, “white is good and black is bad”, or “accept good and reject bad”.   These are all examples of personal views and preconceptions.   Dogen insists that to reach enlightenment one must move beyond relative thinking and critical opinions.   For these cloud reality and our ability to experience the world and life as it truly is.   A practitioner of Buddhism strives to react to a situation without any prejudices—rather than impose all of his presumptions upon any person, place or situation.

            For today's column I read the essay (from Shobogenzo) One Bright Jewel .   One Bright Jewel is a story that revolves around a teacher named Gensha and a student-monk.   Gensha was a highly honored teacher and after attaining enlightenment he said to the people,   “The whole world in all ten directions is a single bright jewel.”   The student-monk then says that he is not sure if he understands this.   Gensha, the teacher, then replies,   “The whole world in all ten directions is one bright jewel—what does it have to do with understanding?”

            The next day Gensha asked the student-monk,   “The whole world in all ten directions is one bright jewel—how do you understand?”   The student-monk then responds by saying that the whole world is a jewel and what does this have to do with understanding—essentially repeating what his teacher, Gensha, had said the day before.   Gensha then reprimands the student for acccepting ignorance.   For while the teachings may be true regardless of one's understanding, it does not mean an aspirant should settle into ignorance—rather an aspirant should always seek to understand.

            What does “The world is one bright jewel” mean?   If you were to remove relative judgments or assumptions from your experience of the world such as good and bad, hot and cold, ugly and pretty, and so forth than the world would no longer be a series of distinctions.   The world would be a unified continuum of being, which includes the one experiencing this “being”.   This experience of unity with the world or oneness is poignantly pursued in zazen or “sitting meditation” and is the primary crux of Zen Buddhism.

            Why would one want to experience the world without relativity?   This is not an easy question (nor, actually, is Dogen's Shobogenzo) to answer.   As someone who has been a meditator and practicing Buddhist for over a decade I can tell you that not only peace arises but a curious flexibility does as well when one genuinely tries to approach life without judgment.   I have a dear friend who is also a practicing Buddhist.   Everyday when he walks to work he practices a walking meditation.   As he walks he tries to “take-in” what he sees, hears, and smells without judgment.   He told me that one day after around a year of this practice he found himself so overwhelmed with joy he was moved to tears—he told me that as he worked through the habit of judgment he came to see that day how absolutely gorgeous every single person he saw was.   Nobody was too fat, too old, dressed out of date, or crippled—everyone, he said, was the most beautiful human he had ever seen.   Even years later my friend refers to that experience as radically altering his understanding of the world, and I assure you this transformed perspective graced him with much joy.

            Dogen's Shobogenzo is a great book to read and spend a lifetime trying to understand.   Even now I feel it is important to disclaim my own take on the essay One Bright Jewel in order to stress the importance of contemplation and meditation when it comes to tackling the teachings of Dogen.   This is the Zen way.   For today's column in addition to my Thomas Cleary translation (and notes), I also used the intellectual assistance of David E. Shaner's paper “The Bodymind Experience in Dogen's Shobogenzo:   A Phenomenological perspective”, (University of Hawaii Press, 1985).

 

It Worked Out After All (10/25/04, Vol. 2 No 24)

 

 

 

            Are you the nice person who gets screwed-over?   Do you find that Mr. Envious, Ms. Liar, and Dr. Motive seem to have better social lives, jobs, and bank statements?   Have you ever questioned whether or not the Universe was ultimately just?   If you have ever said “yes” to any of these questions then have I got a story for you!

            It has been a long time since I have read a story that gave me such a sense of hope and cheer…hope that as one truly struggles to develop their sense of character and honor that somehow—even in the face of immense adversity—Providence is wholly just and wise and ultimately elevates the noble.

            The story I am referring to is Voltaire's Zadig.   Besides being absolutely entertaining and often hilarious, Zadig is an ingenious argument for the existence of a just world in which Providence—not man—knows the final outcome of any given course of action.   Basically, only God knows what is good for us…and as for us…we need to concentrate on being as good, intelligent, and as honorable as we can.

            The story is built upon several gem-like vignettes each with its own gorgeous display of reason and tribulation, and Zadig, our hero, is the complete model of “nice guys finish last”.   Near the end of the story Zadig has fled town in complete anguish and frustration.   He has had it.   It seems that the more good Zadig does for others that it only brings more grief upon himself.   As Zadig paces a riverbank outside of town, thoroughly considering that perhaps God has forgotten about him, he comes upon a hermit.   The hermit's presence cheers Zadig, and Zadig agrees to accompany (upon the hermit's request) the wandering hermit for a couple of days.

            The first house they visit is of a very wealthy man.   The host offers them a lavish spread, including a solid-gold bowl inlaid with rubies and emeralds to wash with.   The next day as the hermit and Zadig resume their journey Zadig comments on how lux their accommodations were.   The hermit answers that he thought the host was vain and too lavish.   As they spoke Zadig notices the hermit had stolen the solid gold, bejeweled bowl (much to his shock).

            The next house is that of a wealthy miser.   They are rudely hustled by a shabby servant through a mean lunch of spoiled olives, stale bread, and old beer.   The hermit requests to see their benefactor in person (much to the rude servant's dismay), and upon greeting the miser the hermit thanks the host profusely and hands him the stolen precious bowl as a gift.

            The next house they stop at is a retired philosopher's.   The philosopher treats the travelers to a wonderful night filled with good cheer, conversation, and genuine hospitality.   Both Zadig and the hermit remark what a wonderful man their host was and what a remarkable evening they had.   The hermit energetically agreed, and upon leaving he tells Zadig that he was going to reward the philosopher for being such a fine man and host.   Zadig is shocked (and horrified) that the hermit's “reward” is burning the philosopher's house down.

            The next house they stop at is a widow of comfortable, but relatively modest, means who lives alone with her fourteen-year-old nephew with whom she holds her future hopes upon.   The widow is kind and generous with the travelers.   She laments the next day that she had nothing to spare for them to take along on their journey, but she does offer her nephew to join them as a guide.   Once again, both Zadig and the hermit remark that she should be rewarded somehow.   Almost as soon as the hermit says this, he pushes the nephew over a steep ravine to his death.

            Zadig finally snaps and demands an explanation.   The hermit returns that the show-off needed to learn a lesson about being too ostentatious.   The miser needed to be embarrassed by his stinginess—which the grand thank you gift (the gold bowl) did.   An enormous buried treasure was underneath the philosopher's house (unbeknownst to the philosopher), and burning the house down would finally reveal its location.   The widow's nephew had been plotting, and would have successfully murdered his aunt within the next year.   The hermit then turns into an angel and explains that only God truly knows whether or not a blessing or curse has befallen us…and essentially told Zadig to stay cool and stand firm in his principles (and without blowing the story for you—for I really encourage all to read this tale—I assure you that nice guys do ultimately finish first).

            So, all you patrons and sailors joining me on the search for the Champagne Life do not give up trying to be good…our reward will come soon enough…and it is doubly important to note that our “reward” may come in a way we may not immediately recognize.   How many buried treasures and plotting nephews do we have in our lives?  

 

Painting 101 Part II (10/21/04, Vol. 2 No 23)

 

            In yesterday's column I talked about the healing qualities of art.   I strongly believe that expression of oneself in one way or another whether musically or with painting or writing or even acting is an important and integral part of being human.   Unfortunately, so much emphasis has been placed on “genius”, “talent”, and “fame” where art is concerned that many people avoid taking up the practice…often with lines like “I can't draw” or “I am not very creative”.   In truth, drawing is only one type of creating and to be honest any time you put pen or pencil to paper you are drawing…and as for creativity…every human is creative.   Creativity is a skill we all use to negotiate life.   Getting out of a speeding ticket or making dinner when there is seemingly nothing in the cupboard are both examples of extreme creativity.

            In Painting 101 Part I, I discussed the various mediums and their pitfalls and suggested that a beginner begins with acrylic paint.   I also included a comprehensive shopping list for anyone who wants to commence painting a little…or (hopefully) a lot.   In Part II, I will be laying out a series of “exercises” that will get you working and painting like an artist…not as someone who is taking art classes.   Over the years I have helped many people get started with painting, and I have distilled what I believe the real skills a person needs to develop in order to create art of depth and beauty.

            Every time you sit down to paint whether every day or once a week I have three distinct exercises to complete.   Acrylic paint, once it dries, is virtually impossible to remove so please be careful to pick a work area that you can easily tarp.   Also, please wear surgical gloves when working.   Many art supplies are extremely toxic and while acrylic paints are relatively safe, it is good to get used to the practice of wearing gloves when you create.   Also, before you begin have everything out and ready:   palettes, a couple of tall cans or jars of water, and your paints should all be out and easily accessible.   Over time you will find the best place and set up for you.

            Exercise One:   for now keep your stretched canvas in the closet and pull out your sketchbook.   For exercise one I would like you to paint an image solely from your imagination.   It is important in this exercise that you only use half of the paper.   It is not important in this exercise, however, that what you paint is of any one “thing”.   You can paint a design or a monster…it doesn't matter.   On the other half of the paper write down how you are feeling at the present moment.   Are you sad?   If so…why?   Are you having a great day?   Again, if so…why?   You do not have to write a great deal (unless you really feel you need to).   Just a half page describing how you feel.   This exercise is very important for two main reasons.   One, it helps you understand and connect with your emotional image vocabulary.   Painting images strictly from your imagination then recording how you felt will help you develop a solid working relationship between painting and your being.   Another reason this exercise is important is because the actual exercise is extremely therapeutic and it has immediate stress reducing qualities.

            After you have completed exercise one move on to exercise two.   It is important to note that all three exercises should be done one after another every time you sit down to paint.   For your next exercise, I want you to make as many colors as you can using only your five tubes of primary colors (see yesterday's column for further explanation regarding paint).   Do not get overwhelmed here…just fill one page of your notebook and have a lot of fun.   This exercise is extremely important because it both teaches you how to mix paint and (and this is the big reason) it helps you develop your own personal color palette.   Every artist has their own personal color vocabulary or alphabet that they use to express themselves.   Using pre-mixed paint is not only a way to make dull, amateur art it also disallows a person from genuinely expression oneself.

            Exercise three:   pick something whether a plant or a friend and paint it.   Do not worry if your painting “comes out”.   To be honest the real lesson is the items that you pick to paint.   Like with the color lesson this exercise helps the artist develop their own image vocabulary.   Over time you will find a clearer and clearer portrait of what you actually are interested in painting.   For now relax and really just paint what ever it is that comes to mind and that you find interesting.   This exercise will also help you develop your “eye” or your ability to paint or draw from what you see.   Do not get frustrated with this exercise…I assure you over time your skill level will naturally improve.   Remember though that the most revered art is not for its technical bravado rather its depth of expression.

            Now, once you have completed one whole sketchbook I want you to spend one or two evenings thoughtfully looking over your work.   From your sketchbook I want you to begin a painting on yes, the canvas.   Be sure to use the colors and images in your sketchbook as a touchstone for your painting.   This helps you learn how to paint from fully developed ideas.   Professional artists create art and collections of art from highly developed themes.   It is unbelievable the difference in art created on a whim and art created from a highly developed theme.   Often I have found that if one really follows my instructions and goes through all of their sketchbook and contrives a painting from their sketchbook that even their very first painting has a strength, beauty and depth that few first paintings do.

            After you have completed your painting start from the beginning again:   purchase another sketchbook and another pre-stretched canvas (or if you would like you can begin stretching your own—many books or often a helpful sales associate at the art store can help you get started).   After you have completed around five or six sketchbooks and paintings you are ready to expand.   Next purchase drawing materials and a large piece of very high quality acid free cotton paper made for drawing and a good batch of drawing materials:   pens, pencils, easers, charcoals, pastels, etc….   Essentially, check out the stuff and go nuts—get whatever looks interesting to you.   Now, use the drawing materials for either your imagination drawing exercise or your drawing an object exercise.   When you have completed a whole sketchbook in addition to creating a painting also, using your big, gorgeous piece of paper make a drawing using your new materials.

            After you have completed six or seven large drawings, paintings, and sketchbooks with both paintings and drawings go to the art store and purchase a good starter set of watercolors including watercolor brushes and a good “how to get started” watercolor book and a big piece of watercolor paper (along with your big piece of drawing paper).   Your hand dexterity, color sense, and eye should be very keen and proficient at this point and commencing watercolors will be rewarding.   In addition to substituting one of the painting exercises with drawing medium, now substitute one of the exercises with watercolors.   This time you can also (and it is strongly suggested because watercolors are so different) use watercolors for your color creation exercise.   And again, after completing six sketchbooks with one exercise in acrylic, one with drawing materials, and one with watercolor, and six paintings on canvas, six drawings on fine large-scale paper, and six watercolor paintings of fine, large-scale paper you are ready to move on.

            At this stage I assure you your skill level is quite high.   Really time is at this point your most important master…basically the more you paint the better you will become.   If you were interested in working with oil paint, now is a perfect time to commence (“now” meaning after you have worked through a dozen sketchbook rounds).   Oil is expensive and really requires a more or less permanent set up or work area.   If you were able to complete a dozen whole rounds of my exercises than you genuinely have the passion and really it is well worth the money and effort to make yourself a good painting area.   At this point really your sketchbook does not have to be so formal.   However, working regularly in a sketchbook is invaluable if you want to create paintings of genuine depth and quality.   Some people might want to simply continue with the three exercises…certainly a dozen rounds is minimal when it comes to truly developing an image and color vocabulary and a keen eye.   To be honest it generally takes years and most artists would argue it takes a lifetime to fully develop one's sense of color, image, and emotional landscape.   These exercises help breakdown this process into a very clear mode of practice.

            I personally wish you luck and hope that some of my beloved Sailors and Patrons decide to give painting a try.   I can say that for me personally, painting has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

            Have a great weekend!   See you on Monday.

 

Painting 101 Part I (10/20/04, Vol. 2 No 22)

 

 

            In yesterday's column I interviewed a poet who felt poetry had transformed his life.   I wanted to interview him, because I felt that perhaps for some people, taking up poetry writing might be a positive, healing experience.   Lately, I have been visiting a friend in the hospital a great deal, and slowly I have been getting to know some of the other patients.   One very gentle and kind woman was very interested in the fact that I was an artist (my “day job” is actually painting…I do portraits and my own collections).   She spoke so tenderly and sadly that she wished she were an artist, but she feared that she would not be able.   I explained to her that all people have a voice and that she should not care about whether or not she had gone to art school or if she was “talented”.   In truth, the verdict of “talented” is often only given after a straining through a thick cheese-cloth of history, politics, critics, salespeople, auctions, writers, and many other things that had no real hand in either the art or the artist that made the work.   Really, the best thing to do is to work with love and with the most honesty you can possibly muster.

            Now, love and honesty and muster are all well and good, but as a former art instructor myself a little know-how and some sound instruction can be invaluable when commencing anything.   Over the years many people have asked me to help them get started with painting, and during that time I have sort of come up with a pretty good “formula” to at least get someone started.   I genuinely believe that all humans have a valid, wonderful voice…and that expressing oneself whether through painting, poetry, or music is a potent health tonic…and in some cases a potent chemotherapy.

            And now…getting started.   I am not going to mince words—the most difficult forms of medium are:   first watercolors…please beginners do not purchase watercolor paint thinking it is smaller, easier to work with and less intimidating.   Watercolor painting is by far the most technically demanding of all mediums.   I am not kidding.   Please, please resist the temptation!   The world has enough terrible amateur watercolor paintings.   You do not want to have to force your friends and family members to lie to you, and then have to hang your bad art in their homes.   Trust me even the newest of painters can make amazing art…but not amazing watercolors!   Then drawing.   Forget it.   Good drawing takes lots and lots of obsessive-compulsive effort.   And to be honest, even if one can get the materials and techniques down, most of the time the art still is crappy because the subject matter of beginner drawings are usually a little trite or goofy…Grandma is never going to look good in pencil; a seascape in pen and ink will look like pretty good menu art; and god forbid we all have to suffer another smudgy pastel of either saccharine flowers and fruit or (ugh!) soulful girlfriends.   Oil paint I mention last because, in truth, it is not so bad as a beginner's choice…but I still feel that the technique required is still a little daunting for the beginner.   For oil one must also have a properly ventilated work area, which also can make it inconvenient.   However, oil is romantic and has an impressive history…and so after a few months or so of my “beginner's approach” then one can easily transition to oil.   But please purchase a good oil painting handbook that has a very, very comprehensive section on safety and on materials.   Many oil painting books focus simply on style or method.   Forget about those…you will discover your own style and method.   However, you must know what a “glaze” is or how to mix paint with mediums or different varnishes, solvents, and pigment densities.   To be honest, I still, to this day, use my oil painting desk references.   So many variables can come up with a painting that it is good to have a comprehensive reference book handy.

            So, what should one begin with?   Acrylics.   I love acrylics and still work with them today.   Acrylics are one of the safest mediums around.   They are relatively easy to work with and the brushes clean up with soap and water.   Water is used to clean the brushes while you paint (a few good swishes can usually clean a brush while working, however, use soap and water before letting them dry…once acrylic dries there is no turning back).   Acrylics can also be thinned with water, however, I would strongly suggest that one only uses water minimally…otherwise their paintings will come out dull and thin.   Instead of water one should use “Acrylic Medium”.   Acrylic mediums come in various shines and thicknesses.   Personally, I like high gloss, but this is a place where no one is “right” or easier to work with…it just depends on what one ends up liking better.   Acrylic mediums are used to aid in paint flow.   With a medium you can make smoother and longer lines, silkier colors, and profoundly more even coverage.   To use just mix a little onto your brush and a little into whatever color you want to use.   Over time, you will get to know the amount you like to use…the more you use the more transparent the color becomes, which can be invaluable when you want to layer many colors.

Shopping List

—Purchase only five…FIVE…five tubes of paint:   a red one, a blue one, a yellow one, a black one, and a white one.   Now feel free to choose your favorite shades of the primaries, but do not…DO NOT…purchase any other colors.   Those premixed shades are lovely and are very tempting to buy.   However, beginning with premixed paint will put you on the fast track to bad amateur art.   As I said, any beginner can make amazing art…even in the beginning…but I assure you if you paint a painting with premixed paint any artist will know you are an absolute beginner and that your art is bad.   I will explain further in tomorrow's column when I detail the exercises.  

—One or two types of Acrylic Medium.   The gel type that comes in a tube is very convenient, has a nice satin finish, and a good body.

—Six or seven good quality paint brushes of various sizes.   Make sure they are made for acrylic paint.   Most likely they will be very clearly labeled.

—One really good quality sketchbook that can handle wet or dry medium.   Generally speaking avoid the big and the small ones.   Buy one that you can realistically carry and keep around.    If it's too big it will become a pain.   Too small and you really won't have room to move your brushes well.   Do not buy the super expensive watercolor sketchbooks!   Just find one that says it can handle “mixed media”.

—One pre-stretched canvas of medium size.   Again, too big a pain…too small and you will not be able to learn good brush techniques.

—Other items:   a few coffee cans or large jars for water and brushes.   Lots of frozen dinner plastic plates cleaned, pie tins, and old teacups—these will be your palettes—they are profoundly better than the old wooden wheel type.   Rags.   Latex gloves.   A shoebox to hold your paints. And an old apron.

            That concludes part one of Painting 101.   Tomorrow, I will give you a great set of exercises that will quickly get you genuinely painting with expression, depth, and know how.

Healing Words (10/19/04, Vol. 2 No 21)

 

            Last week I attended “Stone Soup” a 33 year Boston poetry tradition.   The guest MC for this open microphone poetry night was Felipe Victor Martinez.   Jack Powers, the founder and regular MC was currently in the hospital.   Two things struck me regarding Mr. Martinez:   his powerful and emotional reading style and one thing he said,   “Poetry totally changed my life.”   It was clear that for Mr. Martinez poetry had a meaning and power beyond artistic satisfaction.   I was intrigued by the idea that poetry could help someone transform so I asked Felipe if I could chat with him a bit regarding the subject.   I explained to him that I am searching for the Champagne Life…as were my dearest Sailors and Patrons…and that I would be profoundly honored if he would share his story with us in order to perhaps assist us on our journey towards transformation.

            Felipe Victor Martinez is 34 years old and was born and raised in Medford, MA.   He is self-employed.   He founded and owns a company called Astro Imaging ( www.astroink.com ).   Astro Imaging repairs laser printers and sells recycled consumables for laser printers.   Currently, his poetry can be found at www.bostonpoet.com .

Jenn—When did you first discover and begin to write poetry?

Felipe—I think I began to write poetry probably when I was 15…16.   When did I discover poetry?   Probably when I was 21…22….   I actually don't even think it is poetry—I think it's more how I feel.   I think it is not discovering that you write poetry, rather, excepting that you write poetry.   What really changed the way that I perceived everything was going from just writing poetry to reading publicly at poetry readings.

Jenn—You said poetry changed your life.   Could you explain?

Felipe—Well, I started writing because no one would listen.   In the situation where I was with my family—where I came from—no one would listen—so, I started writing all my questions, feelings, and trying to read them afterwards and understand it ‘cause no one would listen.

Jenn—This was when you were a teenager?

Felipe—Yeah.

Jenn—As you grew up did your poetry help you along?

Felipe—I don't know if it helped me along…it helped me get through life.   It was an outlet—instead of doing something else that would get me in trouble.

Jenn—Was it rare or considered odd in your family and neighborhood to write poetry?

Felipe—Yeah.   Mostly in my neighborhood where I grew up as a child, and growing up in such a dysfunctional family, that my family couldn't explain to me what poetry was or literature.   Because of their background you could not even have a normal conversation with my family…I still can't.

Jenn—Why was communication so difficult with your family?

Felipe—There are only three people in my family who have a high school education.   There was no ambition in my family.   They weren't able to give me what I needed as a child, a teenager, as a young adult intellectually.   This is actually why I started writing—because of that.

Jenn—In your poetry you deal with drugs, abuse and neglect.   Is this a reflection of your home life growing up?

Felipe—Yes.   It was the way that I understood things and by writing I came to understand things a little more.

Jenn—Explain how poetry helped you understand things.

Felipe—When I wrote I wrote in a rant style.   I still do, and when I write it comes out as I feel it so when I write I am actually feeling it.   So, it's very emotional…sort of inspiration that usually doesn't stop until the end of the poem or rant.

Jenn—Now that your poems are being published and you are reading them publicly how do you feel about your poetry?   Do you still see your work as solely therapeutic or are you beginning to see yourself as an artist?

Felipe—Interesting…an artist…in my family…it doesn't seem possible…but so, did an entrepreneur in my family look possible?   Growing up it looked bleak.   I could have ended up in jail or dead or in a rut like my family.   If people want to perceive me as an artist or a poet they can, but at this time I just think I am a survivor of life.

Jenn—How did you go from just writing poetry for yourself to doing public readings?

Felipe—Something happened in my life.   I was in a transition in my life, and I needed another outlet to express who I was.   The outlet was the spoken word, and the people that I met who understood me, guided me through that transition.   I feel like I owe my life to them.

Jenn—Who are these people that influenced you so greatly?

Felipe—First of all Jack Powers who was the founder of “Stone Soup” (see “Stone Soup” column vol.2 No. 16 in my previous columns below if you want a fuller account of this Boston poetry tradition), and every single poet that ever went through the open mic experience.   I didn't even know about Jack Karouac, Gregory Corso…Alan Ginsberg…I like the beats.   It was through Stone Soup that I learned about these greats…it was like I was put there for a reason.   I had very low self-esteem and I realized it was a normalcy between my writing and I.   I had a better understanding within myself…of why I was alive.

Jenn—Was it exciting to discover that your rant poems had a heritage…a school…like Ginsberg and Corso?

Felipe—Yeah.   After not fitting in after so many years and finally finding out at the age of 29 that I do actually fit somewhere in the scheme of life.

Jenn—What advice would you give to someone who may want to begin writing poetry?   Someone who perhaps has painful issues that they too want to work through?

Felipe—Start writing in journals.   Start asking yourself questions on paper.   Don't feel that whatever you write is silly or stupid or goofy.

Jenn—Lastly, what do you think the meaning of life is?   Cheesy question I know, but I try to ask as many people as I can.

Felipe—The meaning of life…(he looks away and grins) I don't want to sound cheesy (he smiles widely), but here was a movie Forest Gump and he said,   “Life is like a box of chocolates…” something like that….   You just never know…life is like a box of chocolates….   And the meaning of life is experiencing the unknown.      

 

Taco Time (10/18/04, Vol. 2 No 20)

 

 

            Okay…I'll just come out and say it…I love Mexican food!   I love it.   I believe I could eat it everyday.   I know growing up in the Central Valley of California has something to do with it…for my brother too lives almost completely off of Mexican food.   I think the only reason I do not live off of it is that I have such a passion for cooking that I find myself curious about other nations' cuisines and the creative part of myself cannot resist experimenting.   And I suppose I could really just as easily say that I love food from all over the world…but even as I write that last line I balk…nope, Mexican food for me is still at the top of the heap.

            The recipe I am going to give you today is currently (I stress currently because I am always making up new tacos) my favorite taco…in the world.   It seems like a bit of work, but the tacos are amazing and actually pretty easy to make.   Make them with a friend in the kitchen to chat, sip some cold Mexican beer, and chop…Mexican food generally means a lot of chopping…it is not good loner food.   Mexican food even in its preparation is community food.   Alone, with some really good Cuban or Mexican music I can make this whole meal in around an hour (or less depending).   With a friend and some really good Cuban or Mexican music and some cold beers I can usually prepare this in around an hour…but this dish is wildly flexible so I can spread out the preparation and cooking time to around two or three hours…add a bowl of chips and salsa and really the preparation of the meal becomes the party.

            The recipe makes around ten good tacos which feeds around four people.   I like to add some good quality, boxed Spanish or Mexican rice pilaf, a couple of cans of high quality refried beans, and some sautéed corn and peppers (in which I shall also include recipe below).   The tacos are “soft” and served open-faced, but are meant to be picked up by hand and eaten like a “crunchy” taco.   Hard-core gringos might have to be instructed as to how to tackle their taco…however, I have found that is usually takes only a brief demonstration for even the most profound of novices to master eating the hand-held soft taco.   Simply pick it up, fold it, and eat taco end to end…not top to bottom.   The most dramatic and beautiful way to serve this meal is to place all the tacos on a large platter along with the rice, beans and corn in pretty bowls family style.   Provide a good array of hot sauces, cold Mexican beer, and salsas.

Mushroom Black Bean Tacos

For the filling:

2 tablespoons virgin olive oil

1 ½ cups finely chopped onions

8 ounces mushrooms (3 cups) chopped (note:   you can really mix it up with the mushrooms I normally mix a quarter pound of white mushrooms with a quarter pound of shitakes or some other type of exotic mushroom.   However, it tastes just as great with just white mushrooms)

3-4 cloves garlic finely minced

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (or in a pinch, you can add 2 teaspoons dried cilantro)

1 15.5 ounce can black beans rinsed, drained, and lightly mashed, using a potato masher.   Mash beans in a sturdy medium sauce pan and set aside.

2 teaspoons “Gravy Master” (Gravy Master is a natural caramel color product made from caramelized vegetables and yeast extract.   Its flavor and color is very rich and is a great kitchen aid.   It can normally be found in the sauces and gravies section of any super market.)

For the topping:

10 white corn tortillas

3 tablespoons oil mixed with ¼ teaspoon chili powder and 1/8 teaspoon (pinch) of cumin (have a small brush handy…the oil will be brushed on the tops of the tortillas before they are broiled)

4-5 cups shredded Romaine or green leaf lettuce (iceberg will not work in this recipe)

1 ½ cups shredded white cheddar or Monterey jack or a mix of both

3 Roma tomatoes seeded, cored, and chopped in a relatively fine dice

Lime Crema (1 cup sour cream mixed with 1 tablespoon lime juice and 1 teaspoon lime zest…this is well worth the tiny added effort…it tastes awesome!)

            First begin the rice pilaf following box directions.   Then make the filling.   You can make the filling completely and keep it warm while you prepare the toppings.   Heat olive oil in large skillet over med-high heat.   Add onions sauté until just tender.   Stir in mushrooms, garlic, salt and pepper and cook, covered for 3 minutes (reduce heat to medium).   Remove lid and cook until no more liquid remains.   Add mushroom mixture plus fresh cilantro to mashed black beans in the medium saucepan.   Add the two teaspoons Gravy Master and stir.   Note:   while this should be the right texture for the filling…it should be relatively “dry” and stiff otherwise it will ooze out of the ends of the taco.   However, add around a quarter cup of water in order to simmer and heat the filling stirring regularly.   Make sure the water has evaporated before you serve.

            For taco assembly:   first make sure all of the toppings are prepared in advance before you toast the tortillas.   You will want to work quickly once the tortillas are toasted so the tacos are warm when you serve them.   This means that the rice, beans and corn should be warm and on stand-by and the table should be set.   All this can be done while the filling is being warmed.   It sounds like a lot but it really only takes around 15 to 20 minutes.   Heat broiler.   Then lay out tortillas on a cookie sheet (it's okay if they touch a little and hang a little off the edge).   Lightly brush with seasoned oil and toast for 1-2 minutes.   Broilers dramatically vary so please baby-sit these…you just want them lightly toasted.   Then lay tacos out on one or two large platters depending on what you have.   Then divide mushroom filling, then lettuce, then cheese, then tomatoes, and then add a small dollop of Lime Crema.   Serve immediately.

Sautéed Corn and peppers

1 10 ounce package frozen corn (or two cups fresh)

1 red bell pepper chopped

1 bunch scallions (green onions) chopped

1 teaspoon chili powder

½ teaspoon cumin

¼ teaspoon paprika

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon oil

salt and pepper to taste

            Heat butter and oil over med-high heat in large skillet.   Add vegetables, lightly salt and pepper and sauté until hot and tender-crisp.   Turn heat up to high add spices and cook until spices just begin to toast.   Make this right before you toast the tortillas…keep it tightly covered on stove over low heat until you serve.   In order to save time and effort I usually use the same pan for this as I do the mushroom filling…I just wipe the pan out with a paper towel.

Timing re-cap (because actually that is the hardest part about cooking)

—start boxed rice pilaf

—make taco filling

—while taco filling is warming season oil and have brush out.   Shred cheese and lettuce.   Chop tomatoes.   Make Lime Crema.   Empty cans of refried beans into sauce pan and begin to heat.   And lastly make sautéed corn and peppers.

—set table round up diners

—toast tortillas

—put side dishes in bowls

—prepare tacos and serve   

 

The Fool (10/17/04, Vol. 2 No 19)

 

 

            Last week I gave a Tarot reading along with a brief description and historical account of Tarot.   Today I want to talk about the actually meaning of the cards…one by one.   The Tarot is actually (and should be thought of) a book of wisdom.   The Major Arcana is in a very real way a step by step guide to enlightenment or complete unity with the God-power.   The lessons in each of the cards are complex and in many ways never ending.   For remember, each card is influenced (as is its definition) by the cards surrounding it.   It is a curious book of wisdom in that it can tell millions and millions of stories…involving passionate Kings of Wands or calculating Queens of Swords…it can tell a story of physical Death or a story of a spiritual redemptive Death.   Once one begins to truly “unlock” the inner and profound wisdom of the Tarot one begins to see its purpose:   a helpful tool for a spiritual aspirant.   One also begins to see the true meaning of “divination” in which a Tarot card reader's role is not as fortune teller or entertainer, but rather as spiritual assistance.   The logic being that any given event in our life has a deeper meaning and is meant to teach us a lesson or help us along towards enlightenment or towards unity with God.   The cards are meant to help us see and understand the deeper meaning of any one event and within that wisdom the cards can help us with how to best act or judge any one situation.   Most importantly, the cards are never meant to offer up an “un-changeable” future or situation:   meaning nothing is “set in stone” the cards only give warnings or favorable outcomes based on the current situation at hand.   If the Querent (the person asking the question) wants to change an outcome to any given situation then the person can…free will is always—always present in the Universe.   And it is profoundly important to note that when one ever uses an oracle such as the Tarot that one's inner voice should always take precedence over any reader's advice.

            With all that said I would like to begin slowly in my column to break the cards down, one by one, and try the best I can to share with you the lesson…for it is my belief that they are quite beautiful, profound, and yet oddly practical in some of the most mundane circumstances.   Today (as the title suggests) I shall be talking about the very first card:   The Fool…number zero on the deck.

            The Fool is a very complex card—as is the rest—however, The Fool by its very definition, lies somewhat unknowable.   The Fool is zero and quite unlike its very deceiving title The Fool represents the God stage.   Fools are Gods.   The Fool is the point of conception—before any type of differentiation.   The Fool represents the pure creative energy of the God force or the Tao or the Life-Force.   The Fool is the life force before it is married with flesh to make one an animated human.   Its assigned number is zero, which could not be more applicable.   Breath, Life-Power, and All-Pervading Cosmic Energy are also terms used to describe spiritual stage of The Fool.   In a sense, one must first recognize and have the force of life or God present before one can commence anything:   whether the creation of a human or the creation of a business.   Its lesson is for us to remain aware that within all ventures, all life is breath.   This breath is all pervading and immensely powerful.   We can as people create lives of greatness if only we remember this breath…if only we use the profound power of creativity.

            The reason the card is called The Fool is because this Life-Force is at the abyss of creation.   It is completely fresh and unformed.   For it will require will and creativity to become something (such as a child or a poem or a restaurant).   However, The Fool is not to be confused with the term Foolish.   For a person to be at the spiritual stage of Fool is a stage of great exaltation:   for a beginner it signifies a person ready to pursue enlightenment (which is a place of great wisdom), and for a more advanced seeker it represents various stages of creative power and can mean that they have completed one or several “rings”.   “Rings” are one complete cycle through all of the Major Arcana.   For one begins with The Fool and reaches enlightenment at The Universe, however, as one evolves one realizes that enlightenment has many levels, and it is very important to note that once one reaches the stage of enlightenment or total unity with God then one becomes The Fool….

            In a card reading The Fool generally has two distinct meanings that depend on the Querent's question.   In a material reading like,   “Is so and so honest in his business dealings?”   The Fool can represent unknowing.   I would usually counsel that the Querent should more deeply investigate the situation—that there are elements to the situation he is not currently aware of—this definition is derived from the idea that ultimately The Fool is unknowable because it is the pure source of energy from which all things are born.   In a spiritual reading like,   “What was I to learn from my break-up with so and so?”   The Fool represents a time of profound creativity.   The Fool can signal a time where one can and should begin new things and begin them fearlessly for the Life-Force is not only strong but completely available this availability is often dependent on how open or clear one is to receive it….   Often, after perceived “losses” The Fool arises.   For very often “losses” are actually times of great cleansing and very often it commences a time of healing (for the rotten tooth was extracted).   The point being that while God or the Life Force is always available to use one must be open or clear to receive it.   A demanding and toxic situation can muddy our awareness of this all-powerful primordial force that we can access to create greatness.

 

The Better Drink (10/14/04, Vol. 2 No 18)

 

 

            The whole reason this magazine was founded was out of love.   Dr. Timothy Smith and I both shared an abiding love for the finest of wine, art, literature, and living.   We did not, however, see this fineness couched necessarily in monetary grandness.   What was more important to us was a spiritual grandness…and a genuine sense of celebration for all the truly wonderful aspects of life.   Sparkling wine for us was the epitome of celebration and union—marriage of both earth and spirit—of both art and science.   We both saw a deeper meaning or symbolism in the making, sharing, and drinking of sparkling wine, and within this deeper meaning we saw the inclusion of making, sharing, and drinking of poetry, fine art, literature, and true life stories of passion, love, and loss.   And I suppose even my dear old scrappy column is meant to weave all of these ideas into a sort of daily morsel of making, sharing, and drinking.

            Today, on this fine Friday I want to share with you three poems that are quite beautiful—and maybe a little saucy.   Going to the poetry reading on Monday and hearing original work as well as great classics made me realize how wondrous and soul-grounding poetry can be.   Too often, I believe, art and literature is left far behind after one leaves school…and so it is my immense pleasure to perhaps encourage all of my dearest Sailors and Patrons to dust off some of those old volumes and enjoy a little literature this weekend.   To wet your appetite I am going to give you a few greats…that are completely sumptuous and grand…they made my toes curl, and I hope they do the same for you.

The Owl and the Pussy-Cat

Edward Lear

                                 I

The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea
  In a beautiful pea-green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
 Wrapped up in a five-pound note.
The Owl looked up to the stars above,
 And sang to a small guitar,
“O lovely Pussy!   O Pussy, my love,
  What a beautiful Pussy you are,
       You are,
       You are!
What a beautiful Pussy you are!”

                                 II

Pussy said to the Owl,   “You elegant fowl!
  How charmingly sweet you sing!
O let us be married!   Too long we have tarried:
  But what shall we do for a ring?”
They sailed away, for a year and a day,
  To the land where the Bong-tree grows
And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood
  With a ring at the end of his nose,
            His nose,
            His nose,
With a ring at the end of his nose.

                                   III

“Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling
  Your ring?”   said the Piggy,   “I will.”
So they took it away, and were married next day
  By the Turkey who lives on the hill.
They dined on mince, and slices of quince,
  Which they ate with a runcible spoon;
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,
  They danced by the light of the moon,
            The moon,
            The moon,
They danced by the light of the moon.

 

La Belle Dame sans Merci:   A Ballad

John Keats

                             1

O what can ail thee, knight at arms,
  Alone and palely loitering?
The sedge has wither'd from the lake,
            And no birds sing.

                             2

O what can ail thee, knight at arms,
  So haggard and so woe-begone?
The squirrel's granary is full,
            And the harvest's done.

                            3

I see a lily on thy brow
  With anguish moist and fever dew,
And on thy cheeks a fading rose
            Fast withereth too.

                            4

I met a lady in the meads,
  Full beautiful, a fairy's child;
Her hair was long, her foot was light,
            And her eyes were wild.

                            5

I made a garland for her head,
  And bracelets too, and fragrant zone;
She look'd at me as she did love,
            And made sweet moan.

                            6

I set her on my pacing steed,
  And nothing else saw all day long,
For sidelong would she bend, and sing
            A fairy's song.

                            7

She found me roots of relish sweet,
  And honey wild, and manna dew,
And sure in language strange she said—
            I love thee true.

                            8

She took me to her elfin grot,
  And there she wept, and sigh'd full sore,
And there I shut her wild wild eyes
            With kisses four.

                            9

And there she lulled me asleep,
  And there I dream'd—Ah! woe betide!
The latest dream I ever dream'd
            On the cold hill's side.

                            10

I saw pale kings, and princes too,
  Pale warriors, death pale were they all;
They cried—“La belle dame sans merci
            Hath thee in thrall!”

                           11

I saw their starv'd lips in the gloam
  With horrid warning gaped wide,
And I awoke and found me here
            On the cold hill's side.

                            12

And this is why I sojourn here,
  Alone and palely loitering,
Though the sedge is wither'd from the lake,
            And no birds sing.

 

Leda and the Swan

William Butler Yeats

A sudden blow:   the great wings beating still
Above the staggering girl, her thighs caressed
By the dark webs, her nape caught in his bill,
He holds her helpless breast upon his breast.

How can those terrified vague fingers push
The feathered glory from her loosening thighs?
And how can body, laid in that white rush,
But feel the strange heart beating where it lies?

A shudder in the loins engenders there
The broken wall, the burning roof and tower
And Agamemnon dead.

                        Being so caught up,
So mastered by the brute blood of the air,
Did she put on his knowledge with his power
Before the indifferent beak could let her drop?

           

Have a great weekend!   See you on Monday.  

 

Very Simple Very Warm (10/14/04, Vol. 2 No 18)

 

 

            I have a baby brother and like most big sisters I simply adore my baby brother.   However, like all baby brothers mine is wholly accustomed to being babied.   But luckily for me he is simple enough to live incredibly humbly until someone can step in and give him something warm and “pet free” to eat (“pets” being little organisms that thrive on taco carts parked in empty lots…my brother admits that virtually all his nutrition comes from eating burritos from his favorite road-side taco cart…he also admits that, indeed, there was a hit and miss quality regarding said burritos:   around 20% of his burritos did not stick around long enough to be digested properly).

            On one infamous visit, my brother stayed with me for over a month and within that time he underwent a complete bodily transformation as he continually ate fresh, clean home cooked food.   And while it was rough in the beginning (for all of us…including the dog), his body did settle down, and much to his surprise found it not quite as difficult to wake up before three p.m. (although I must confess that no amount of wholesome food could inspire him to arise before noon).

            And so to you dearest baby brother I dedicate these recipes who when asked if hungry you replied,   “JB hungry…eat like storm.”   And furthermore, with that absolute grace and innocence of any baby brother when queried what your favorite food was (by your dearest older sister…in an attempt to make something special for you) you responded with:   Bake.   When asked what specifically “Bake” was you simply answered,   “Dude I don't really know.   But they have it at my college's cafeteria and it's like Bake…it's just sort of a big pan of baked stuff…the other kids hate it, but dude it's wicked.   I totally love it.”  

            So today my dearest Sailors and Patrons—all searching for the Champagne Life—I give you two of my and my bro's favorite “Bakes”.   And while, they are not perhaps high on the “gourmet” ladder, they are high on the baby brother one…and between you and me some nights I have to admit nothing tastes better than a big pan of baked stuff.

Baked Rice

1 cup rice

½ cup onion chopped

½ cup mushroom chopped

½ cup bell pepper chopped

¼ cup celery chopped

¼ cup carrot chopped

1 ¾ cup stock (vegetable or chicken)

1 cup milk

1 cup shredded cheese (whatever you prefer)

2 Tablespoons butter

salt and pepper

greased two-quart casserole

            Pre-heat oven to 375°.   Sauté vegetables in 2 Tablespoons butter (lightly salt and pep