Living Outside Your Bubble

We have been very happy.I have often felt completely alone.There is always in this life something to discover.The days and the years have gone by in some sort of blur.On the whole, I am satisfied.-Alice Munro from her short story,The Albanian VirginWe all become too routine. It is time to remove yourself from your 'bubble'. Go out and get some of that fresh air. Never limit yourself to new discoveries is my 'blog' suggestion for today."Doesn't fresh...

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Bizarre Love Triangle

"You are only young once, but you can stay immature indefinitely."-Ogden NashIt's time for a song. I loved this song when it was introduced by the group NEW ORDER. New Order is an English rock group formed in 1980 by the remaining members of Joy Division following the suicide of singer Ian Curtis. There is a movie I recently added to my NETFLIX list called CONTROL. It is about the death of Ian Curtis. I look forward to watching this story.www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c2_B_cWK_MListen...

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Strategic Thinking

'Don't be like a river.' It just flows and goes the easiest way possible.ESP was always associated with Extra Sensory Perception. As of this week we can match ESP to 'Economic Stimulus Plan'. Who knows if this will work? Something is better than nothing as the global depression continues.A strategy is necessary.A strategy is a long term plan of action designed to achieve a particular goal. Strategy is differentiated from tactics, or immediate actions,...

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Skip the Sugar

'A typical 12 ounce soda contains the equivalent of 10 teaspoons of sugar. Water has no sugar. Replacing one soda daily with water can cut 3,650 teaspoons of sugar a year from your diet. Be healthy.' -as seen on my Arrowhead Mountain Spring water bottle this very morningI happened to have a 'panna cotta' dessert last night. I'll be better the rest of the week.If you want to know more about the Dangers of Sugar then read this list of the '76 Ways...

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What Lies Within Us

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us." -Ralph Waldo EmersonYou may have heard about Steve Jobs, the CEO of Apple Computer, and his pancreatic cancer. When you think about what lies within you (besides the mental intricacies) think about your internal organs. Yoga and/or a 'silence of the mind' will take you deeper. You are your best doctor. Before bedtime place your hand gently below your...

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Bill Gates' Passion

"The poorer you are, the worse the impact is."-Bill GatesHappy Chinese New Year! It is today, January 26, 2009.Today is also the day that Bill Gates published his first annual letter on behalf of his goals and accomplishments for The Gates Foundation.www.gatesfoundation.org/annual-letter/Pages/2009-annual-letter-introduction.aspxBill Gates' twin passions are:1. Health and Development in the poorest nationsand2. Education in AmericaPage 9 of his...

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Run After Me

"Run after me and I will run away, Run away and I will run after you."-Paloma Sanchez Guerra-AlquierI am starting to detect early signs of Springtime here in Southern California. It reminds me of a recent poem that I came across:The grass may wither, but the roots die notand when Spring comes it renews its full life;Only grief, so long as its roots remain,Even without Spring, is of itself reborn.-Ch'en Shan-Min, Sung DynastyTwenty-five years ago...

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Are You A Clan Mother ?

Sherlock Holmes’ advice to Dr. Watson in THE SIGN OF FOUR:“When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, is the TRUTH.”A couple of weeks ago I completed the reading of The Seven Daughters of Eve (The Science that reveals our genetic ancestry) by Bryan Sykes. I would strongly recommend the book for any of you with any interest in reconnecting with the mysteries of our deep past in order to enhance your 'sense of self'....

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A New Life

'A new life was not easily or quickly accomplished when secrets must be kept.-Bette Bao LordI remember now. I cannot recall the exact words but we all have our memories. It was back in January 1984 when my friend, Michael Padazinski, was thinking of becoming a priest. He had just turned twenty-eight years old."What's it all about?" I asked.He hesitated. He smiled. Did he really know?"You have to do what's right for you." I advised. Did I really have...

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Armijo Origins: Nicolas the Great

"Only a life lived for others is worth living." -Albert EinsteinMy father, Joe Nelson Armijo, never knew his grandfather. He only knew his father, Jose Antonio Armijo. I remember my father sharing the story of his fathers' death. In March 1955, my father was 19 years old and had to manage all of the funeral arrangements. He flew from the Bay Area to Santa Fe, New Mexico under his mothers' instructions. His brother was too young (age 15). He...

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Outside the Box of Thinking

"Connecting the Dots...That's what it's all about!"-ZahraI met Zahra at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City about five years ago. She and her husband, Tim, remain great friends. I just received a postcard from Zahra yesterday that included a poem that I wish to document in my blog today.. . .. . .. . .Can you connect all nine dots with four straight lines without lifting your pencil?"Have you ever wondered why some of us are unable to turn...

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Jaded

"Mark this day of remembrance of who we are and how far we have traveled."-Barak Obama, Today, January 20, 2009, during his Inauguration speechJaded (adjective): tired out or lacking enthusiasm after having had too much of something.I was jaded by all of the hoopla by the media over the previous three days in anticipation of the official oath by the 44th President of the USA. I hope and pray he will bring about marked improvements throughout the...

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Erotic Scenes

'In the morning there was no sun, and all day the geese flew south.'-Bette Bao LordI read the above line in my current novel. It made me think of the recent, historic January 2009 story of the new American hero, 'Captain Sully':A US Airways jumbo jet was slowly lifted out of the icy Hudson River late yesterday, three days after the A320 had made a successful "splash landing" that saved all 155 people on board.Television footage from the scene, near...

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Maybe You'll Remember...

Alan and I drove down to Palm Desert on Friday to visit with dear friends. Alan kindly did all of the driving as I read a few articles aloud and my book (Spring Moon by Bette Bao Lord). While we were in the car we heard some music on CDs that we had made a while ago. I heard a song that got me going. I just loved hearing the tune called 'Remember' by The Underdog Project. It's a Spanglish song (with lyrics in English and Spanish). I just love it...

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A Slice of Middle America

"My mother kept reminding us about other 'strays' of the world, "Don't forget, she may be some body's mother.'-Janet Frame, An AutobiographyI received a letter earlier this month dated January 9, 2009 from a postcrossing.com friend in Middle America. www.postcrossing.comI will change the names to protect the innocent and not disclose the State. I simply feel like sharing an excerpt to show a 'sign of the times' and another slice of life in America...

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All Is Full of Love

Ever hear of "Bjork"? I remember she wore that wild n' crazy "Swan" dress for the Acamedy Awards one year. She is currently searching for a new pad in New York City. I know...firsthand. I did a search for one of her music videos and was quite intrigued by the sexy robots here. I'm hooked to the tune. It's a 'must see':http://search.live.com/video/results.aspx?q=bjork+robot&docid=201329475755&FORM=VIVP11#docid=287903842602That video isn't...

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