Remember when I was all did you know they come in electric?

That wasn't an electric.

This, my friends is an electric.^{1 2}











And btw, so is this:








---

¹ Not a stock photo because this is the only one. This baby has been customized for maximum awesome.

² Now I get to learn to play with a pick. Those be steel strings.

I was just writing out this exercise in an email for a friend who is making what I think is a bad decision. She's confused about what to do. I thought, maybe instead of giving her my opinion, which she isn't in a state to listen to right now, rather I should show her how to fish.

And then I thought, lots of people on my LJ list would love this exercise too. <3


Paraphrased from Happy For No Reason by Shimoff and Kline

How to use your inner guidance system to make decisions

Everything in the universe is composed of energy. When it is something good for you, your energy expands, and you experience greater happiness; when it isn't good for you, it contracts, and you experience less happiness.


These are 2 exercises to know what each state feels like:

1. Sit up straight right now. Throw back your shoulders, open your arms wide, take a deep breath, and smile. Close your eyes and notice how you feel.
   
   You'd probably describe your experience something like: free, open, joyful, there's a feeling of lightness and peace--that's expansion.
   
   Think of someone you love, admire, and enjoy being around. How does your body feel when you think of them?
   
   
2. Now hunch your shoulders, make fists, take short, quick breaths, and put a frown on your face. Notice how you feel.
   
   Anxious, tight, agitated, there's a feeling of heaviness--that's contraction.
   
   Think of someone you fear or are angry at. What do you feel? That same heavy, contracted energy?

I have used this, this expansion/contraction check-in with myself, to make decisions ever since learning it. It has never lead me astray.

Double-checking how to take transit to meet my folks at the airport tomorrow, I found these on our translink website. I have to admit, they're pretty cute. And for the people who don't know how our...

...system works...




...nor THE RULES...




...they're pretty informative.

I'm the very short thing to "Russel"'s left (on the right from audience's vantage) who is nodding a lot.

"God only knows four words and keeps repeating them saying 'Come dance with me'. ~Hafiz

"When you think about words, you can make beautiful expressions from very humble parts." ~Erin McKean, Ted Talk

"Serendipity is when you find things you weren't looking for because finding what you are looking for is so damned difficult." ~Erin McKean, Ted Talk

"Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it." ~Andre Gide

"The critic has to educate the public; the artist has to educate the critic." ~Oscar Wilde

Are you voting STV? http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/05/07/a-vote-that-really-counts/

Thoughts?

http://www.citizensassembly.bc.ca/flash/bc-stv-full
(~ 4 min video)

Also, Finals night is this Monday. If you miss it, you'll cry. Esp in that the feature is Shane f'ing Koyczan.

$11 in advance online
BUT ONLY UNTIL MIDNIGHT TONIGHT
http://vancouverpoetryhouse.com/vanslam/153

$15 at the door


Monday, April 20, 2009
The Rio Theatre
Doors open at 7:00PM
Show starts promptly at 8:00 PM

The perfect 7 minute answer to the question: What's slam poetry?

Also an excellent answer to: What's the Van Slam scene like?

Good ukuleleing, a message you know I love, and perfect visuals.

.



My neighbourhood never ceases to surprise and delight me.