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September 27, 2005
Just watch
"Nourish: a healer's retreat" is coming up... like, oh, this weekend. THIS WEEKEND! How am I going to get involved, plan and teach a workshop, even just get up there, all by Thursday or Friday?
You don't have to.
What?
You don't have to do all that. Exactly the right things will happen. And yes, you should probably go.
Uhh, thanks.
No problem.
Posted by Josh A. at 12:18 AM | Comments (0)
September 24, 2005
Love Parade
It was a beautiful day for a Love Parade.
On the way out, we saw a fellow we know in the MUNI station. He looked at me, shirtless and glittery and said, "You're covered in drag shrapnel!" Obviously he was on to me, so I just told the truth: "A drag queen exploded in our bathroom." This, he pointed out, classifies today's look as "drag-gore". Hmm.
Desmond was the most striking, with green hair, silver horns, and a silver & gray striped shirt. Quite a few folks had their pictures taken with him.
Had lunch with friends first... I had an italian sandwich, coffee, and slice of apple tart. We sat out in Union Square in the sun. Verizon, having taken over the whole square (audibly, at least) was doing a ridiculous promotion involving 20-year-old music and a sparse group of onlookers dancing.
We were more than happy to head toward some good music, but only caught the tail end of the parade. We followed it to Civic Center, where it all turns into a stationary dance party, and wandered searching for good music. I finally found mine at the DnB float.
All day, I got to practice my new way of letting go of judgment. I tried to write it out to post yesterday, and it was not happening. So I went upstairs to explain it to Ste3ve instead.
"So basically, if I see something I don't like out there I can at least be happy that it's not MINE. And it's probably being very well enjoyed over there by someone(s) else. And, because I learned that the things folks like the most about us tend to be the things we hate, if I judge something as good (and feel want for it), I can be glad it's over there because if I had it I wouldn't get to enjoy it—I would probably hate it."
"Mmm... I guess that makes sense intellectually," Steve said cautiously, "but I'm not sure I get the specifics."
Easy. "Well, what do you think of this sweater?" I was wearing my warm & fuzzy black cashmere sweater. He looked... paused... made a face and said, "Ok, I get it."
See? That sweater is perfect for me... and all wrong for Steve. That's why I have it and he doesn't.
It works on things like Mid-western states, Red States, people your friends are sleeping with that you don't find attractive, folks you find so attractive only because you wish you were them, and more. "Wow, I'm so glad Kansas is over there and not here." "Wow, I'm so glad he slept with him so I wouldn't have to." Et cetera.
It doesn't seem to work on George Bush.
Posted by Josh A. at 07:12 PM | Comments (0)
September 23, 2005
Conversation With God
That Life Mission Statement you spent a whole year crafting? It's spot on.
The marketing niche you identified that scares the crap out of you? It's for you.
Yes, it will support you in your mission beautifully.
The past career that you're still hanging onto? You can let go of that, and make choices with clarity.
What's the essential piece you've been looking for and not seeing? Simply this:
You are used to be afraid of life.
Affirmation: I am courageously and joyfully living life.
PS: The things you dislike most about your body are often exactly the things other people like about you.
PPS: Yes, that points the way to letting go of judging anything, not just yourself.
Posted by Josh A. at 10:16 PM | Comments (0)
September 21, 2005
Take action to safeguard organic standards
According to http://www.organicconsumers.org/sos.cfm:
...large corporations such as Kraft, Wal-Mart, & Dean Foods... are moving to lower organic standards by allowing Bush appointees in the USDA National Organic Program to create a broad list of synthetic ingredients [read: pesticides, hormones, GMOs] that would be allowed in organic production.
You know, think what you will of pesticides, hormones, GMOs, and such... but don't allow Certified Organic to become meaningless by subverting its requirements.
Take action at: http://www.democracyinaction.org/oca/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=1242 — it's quick, easy, and you'll feel good about yourself afterward.
Step 2, list steps 1 & 2 on your blog :-)
Posted by Josh A. at 05:33 PM | Comments (0)
September 20, 2005
Greening the bathroom
I want to support folks in using Eco-Dent floss because it rocks. It comes in a cardboard dispenser... no plastic! And it was cheaper than the plastic-encased flosses.
Their cool toothbrushes have found their way into my medicine cabinet as well, since the heads are the only thing that gets disposed... no need to throw away the handle. Now if only that part were made from sustainably grown wood.
Posted by Josh A. at 12:56 AM | Comments (0)
September 12, 2005
Some quotes
I've been flipping through Ecstasy: Dance, trance, and transformation by Nicholas Saunders with Rick Doblin, and got to the Psychotherapy section:
In general, the authors conclude that "the single best use of MDMA is to facilitate more direct communication between people involved in a significant emotional relationship." – pg 124
One therapist has estimated that in 5 hours of an MDMA session, clients could activate and process psychic material that would normally require 5 months of weekly therapy sessions. – pg 125
Is MDMA treatment suitable for everyone?
It is not suitable for people who are defensive and do not believe in themselves. For them, it is safer to remain defended—opening up feels alien to them, and is hard to accept. They may even forget or deny the experience as a way of avoiding the threat of being undefended. – pg 126
I wonder what my grandma would be like on E.
Posted by Josh A. at 01:04 AM | Comments (3)
September 10, 2005
Katrina
This is a tad tardy, but my heart does go out to Katrina victims and their friends & family. My outrage goes to Bush & Co.
Some folks have asked how I can worry about things like gay marriage at a time like this... all I can say is that everything that's important post-Katrina was important before, we just required a Category 4 (or 5) hurricane to show us (again).
Bush has quite the pattern started:
"Who could have imagined that terrorists would use planes as weapons? ...oh... uhh... you told me that before?"
"Who could have imagined that the levees would fail? ...oh... uhh... that scientist guy briefed us on that?"
At the same time, everything that was important before Katrina is still important, and that includes demanding my right to be treated as an equal citizen under the law. We can't allow tragic injustice in one part of the country to enable further injustice in another.
Posted by Josh A. at 07:20 AM | Comments (0)
September 08, 2005
Plan B
Step 1: Post these Plan B steps on your blog, email them to relevant lists you're on.
In the event of a veto:
Step 2: If Arnold doesn't change his mind and sign the gender-neutral marriage bill, the next day call in sick/don't show up/walk out of work. We, you, me, our str8 allies, contribute our fair share to the economy of CA, why should we receive less as queer citizens?
Posted by Josh A. at 06:01 PM | Comments (0)
September 07, 2005
Act quick to support same-sex marriage
So the California Legislature passed a gay marriage bill! But Schwarzenegger said tonight that he will veto it. It's not too late, though!
Please call the California Governor's office to support same-sex marriage!
Call 916-445-2841
Press 5 to voice your opinion on a current hot issue
then Press 2 for gender-neutral marriage
Then press the corresponding button to Support—I think it's 1, but listen to make sure
Now, put this on your blog!
If you want, you can email the Gov at http://www.govmail.ca.gov/
Posted by Josh A. at 09:41 PM | Comments (0)
Hot damn
The California Legislature has voted to approve same-sex marriage! (Article at Washington Post).
All eyes on Da Gov... honestly, it is not this difficult. I have to say, there is not one straight friend of mine who would retain such standing if they were in his position and vetoed. Arnold has talked about having gay friends; I hope not a one ever speaks to him again unless he signs.
Posted by Josh A. at 12:01 AM | Comments (0)