Last night I finished devouring a Sookie Stackhouse mystery. It was called Dead…in Dallas. These books are popcorn reading. Starting at page 1 it took me about four hours to read the entire book.. Sookie Stackhouse stories are soft core porn and almost Harlequin in their very nature. True Blood on HBO is based on these tales. Still a tale of vampires versus shape shifters and the pluck of a frequently naked blond bombshell can be fun. The metaphor focused on today’s political climate using fundamentalists versus the vampires made me chuckle. There is nothing like a nude heroine humping a vampire talking about the politics of the undead to give rise to a good laugh.
Yes I could have been writing a story to post on the blog based on memory, or based on my interactions with my children, but this licentious escape was nice. Sometimes your mind just has to get to a state of emptiness. Giggly emptiness.
Time wise it was January 2nd and a college bowl football game was one; my team versus some other team. But I couldn’t watch it. If I had the Green and White would have lost. It is a superstition I hold most sacred. It can be stated very succinctly. If I care about a team in a sporting event they will lose. This is more that doubly true if I watch the game. With triple overtime involved for a final outcome my eyes on a single play would have doomed them. Better I be immersed in vampire going ons than watch.
Well this brief time before I have to work has elapsed and now to face the proverbial music. I am listening as I am always listening to Gregorian chants as I work. It drowns out the tinnitus. Ah if only I had seen that Iggy Pop, Clash and Who concert. I think that was the one that did it to me.
In the morning I check my non-work e-mail before the clock starts at 8 a.m. This was in my inbox. I liked it so I will share.
The Value of Slowing Down
We can afford to drop our defensiveness and listen to our colleagues; we can afford to be imaginative and open. If we slow down and drop our resistance to work’s unpleasantness, we discover that we are resourceful enough to be daring, free from fear and arrogance. Such confidence enables us to know instinctively which situations need to be confronted, which should be nourished, and which can be disregarded. Mahakala (a Tibetan deity-please use your own source of divinity or spiritual strength here--JTT) reminds us to sharpen up during times of conflict, to be mindful and pay attention. With such alertness we can in fact preserve the sanity of our workplace even during extreme discord.
- Michael Carroll, "Mahakala at Work"
2 comments:
That's why I don't watch the Tigers.......if I do, they lose.
Don't bet your philosophical tidbit came from anyone YOU work with.......
John I often feel guilty that I don't respond to you and Susan and Chris and others who post comments. I do appreciate all of your wit and insightful comments. I miss your presence here at work. I miss other peoples involvment in my life. I will try to stay in touch more as the year goes on.
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