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boston legal, the show

Boston Legal with its cast of outrageous, hilarious characters is a show I’m going to miss a lot once it’s off the air. The show slips in nuggets of wisdom from one-line sentences, or from trial summations, frequently providing food for thought. The writers of the show are brilliant, the producer and writer, David E. Kelley, is brilliant, and the actors are perfectly cast. Oh, yes, I like the show. Please tell me that there won’t be another dreadful dumb reality show replacing it.

Speaking of reality shows, an old episode had Catherine (Betty White) beautifully playing a mentally-disturbed nuisance. She was fired and returns of her own accord. She manages to set things up so that without her business as usual is difficult until Shirley returns. She’s scheming all the time to stay. Finally something she says makes sense to one of the lawyers – Catherine is bored and wants quality tv for those over 50. They go to trial to sue some tv networks for the dumb shows that cater to a certain age. Catherine’s lawyer explains to judge and jury that the dumb reality shows are necessary because the generations brought up techie-style can’t simply sit and enjoy a show; they have other things in hand, e.g., iPod, laptop, small DVD allowing them to watch a movie while viewing a tv program, etc. This being the case some networks see no reason to put quality first. Unfair. They won – ha ha – it was funny. Hmm! But is it true?

That was on a lighter side. Some of Boston Legal’s shows get to the nitty gritty of politics and all that that word encompasses, heavy issues of daily life, and everything in between.

Don’t go www.boston-legal.org

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illicit, moises naim

When I watched the PBS documentary called ILLICIT I became increasingly saddened. And I wondered why so many people are using all kinds of methods to fill their pockets with millions and millions, at times billions, of dollars at the expense of human beings and our planet? I watched an hour’s worth of talk on money laundering, copied goods transported around the world (including medicines), killings for profit, people used as slaves with no apparent means of freeing themselves, And I thought “the truth hurts” can be applied here. Then I got really antsy as I saw all the confiscated stuff being destroyed, and began wondering about the earth with all the destroyed confiscated stuff being thrown at it. So much was going on in this PBS documentary that it started to become difficult to watch.

The documentary was based on Moises Naim’s book ILLICIT which was named “One of the Best Books of 2005” by the Washington Post. www.moisesnaim.com .

It’s been said many times that the BIG rule of life is to not violate ourselves or others. And though some think that lining their pockets with money gotten by illicit means is okay, it would seem that the Intelligence of the Universe will one day catch up with them. It’s amazing that some think the whole purpose of life is to satisfy their needs with ludicrous amounts of consumption. If they were to look around and see the earth and its beauty, and the way the Energy that created and guides it does so in harmony, tranquility, peace, joy, and if they were to go off by themselves for a time, and recapture the other part of themselves, maybe they’d understand that “conspicuous consumption” is a substandard way of living, and one day they just might have to pay the piper.

The simple truth is that more and more is not the answer. If our hearts are empty, and we don’t allow the beauty of the world, and its people to enter, then no amount of stuff will help.

It’s true that, on a small scale, many of us are guilty of using, or purchasing, copied goods. We think it’s only a small offense, or, it’s so easy, we don’t think about it at all. But . . . “One illicit . . . transaction always leads to another.” -Burke

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a whirling dervish

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I’ve always been fascinated by pictures of whirling dervishes. In the winter of 2007 I went to Kripalu Yoga for a weekend. www.kripalu.org It was a stormy, snowy, cold few days, and a weekend with many fallen trees and places without water and electricity. Even so, Kripalu was bustling with activity. Carolyn Myss was there for a weekend seminar, and although there was no power or water where she stayed, she was a good sport. And I’ve got to say this about her, she’s a fiesty one. www.myss.com

About the whirling dervish: There were planned and unplanned activities on Saturday evening at Kripalu, and one of them was listening to HuDost. www.HuDost.com Their music and singing – their songs, were perfect for that evening. And as we listened and enjoyed, a whirling dervish came out from a side door twirling in front of us and the musicians. Oh, yes! I couldn’t believe my eyes. Beauty, ease and grace was what the whirling was all about with hands and arms appearing to float in the air. The whirling continued as songs were sung and music played. I was mesmerized; it was enchanting.

Then the whirling dervish exited, and was no where to be seen. HuDost continued playing, and suddenly the whirling dervish appeared again. If HuDost and the whirling dervish could have played until sunrise, I would easily have stayed. And when it was over, I didn’t have the presence of mind to inquire about HuDost and the whirling dervish. I bought HuDost’s CD and when I listen to it I imagine the whirling dervish with the tall hat, flowing white skirt, twirling aound and around with beauty, ease and grace, maybe not even touching the floor.

I’ve always thought that one day I’d have to travel to Persia (Persia is a beautiful name and I’m not letting it go) to glimpse a whirling dervish. Thank you, Kirpalu. The weekend was magical. Perhaps I’ll have to travel to Persia to sit for many hours simply watching. I will put that on my list of things to do.

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those ny yankees

I still don’t understand what’s happening with the Yankees. What I do understand is that things get complicated when there’s money, power and egos at stake. Joe Torre was making 7.5 million a year for managing a baseball team – the Yankees. Fine, if that’s what they want to pay him. Then last Thursday, because the Yankees haven’t won the World Series in 7 years he got a decrease in salary, and “was offered a one-year $5 million contract with $3 million in incentives, including an $8 million vesting option in 2009 if the Yankees reached the World Series.” and “. . . he still would be baseball’s highest-paid manager. . . .” – USA Today

And someone said Joe Torre was “too passive,” and “even pros like the Yankees need an occasional pat on the back or kick in the butt,” wrote Al Neuharth. And some friends of his “pleaded” for him to be able to continue on with the Yankees. Hmm! Two things about this: What’s the problem, dear Joe Torre? You’d still be making mucho moola. And isn’t the $207 million the Yankees are collectively making the “pat on the back or kick in the butt”? I know at this time in our society being able to discipline oneself, to prove you’re worth the big bucks being earned, might be asking for a lot, But, hey, Yankees, give it a try, you’re playing in the big leagues, put on your big boy pants and get thee to the World Series.

Michael’s not going to like this post. He’s been a die-hard fan since the age of 5! Still, maybe he’s become a little disenchanted. Maybe he’s not the only one. www.yankees.com

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a baby’s way

Have you had a chance to spend time with a baby lately? Babies can teach us a lot. You’re saying, what can a baby possibly teach? I have a little list. Recently I spent time with Sebastian, my grandchild. One thing babies have is enthusiasm. Every time someone enters Sebastian’s room to get him in the mornings or after his naps, his little body gets so excited. He struggles to stand up to meet the one coming, he smiles broadly, even though he’s teething and drooling, he raises his arms in delightful anticipation – eyes twinkling. There’s no doubt in his mind that the person coming is coming for him. Relationships would change overnight if all greetings were as trusting as a baby’s.

Speaking of trust, babies in their innocence embody this. Anything they try to do requires great trust. They don’t analyze whether they can or can’t, they just do whatever they’re struggling to do. I have a sneaking suspicion that, once upon a time, we human adults were like this until we began mistrusting our feelings and our abilities. Babies can show us again how, when we learn to trust ourselves, we can accomplish what we want. The word struggle comes to my mind when watching Sebastian, but I’m sure Sebastian doesn’t see it that way. What looks like struggle to us when watching a baby is simply them in a state of doing, of learning, of accomplishing. So perhaps we also have to eliminate words that have a negative tone and simply do. Babies fall and hurt themselves. But they pick themselves up, and without the ability to question, it never occurs to them to not try again. Again and again they do whatever it is they’re concentrating on until finally they’ve got it. They don’t ask is this something I can do? What a state they’d be in if they had the ability to second-guess themselves as we adults do.

What else can babies teach us? Well, watch a baby and you’ll see unconditional love in its purest form. There are no judgments on a baby’s face about the way you look, only happiness at seeing you. Spend time with a baby and you’ll see.

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the river

Have you ever lived in a place overlooking a river? At the moment I’m looking at a river on the fifth floor of an apartment in NH. It’s very still and everything reflects clearly and calmly in it. It’s a beautiful sight. If you happen to be anxious about anything, it all goes away when looking at the river. It has a way of quieting the mind. There are times when the river rages pass as though it can’t pick up enough speed. Then you witness the power of water. It’s awesome. All the changes of the river say something different to someone watching it. You feel compelled to stop and listen. Not seeing the river because of being too busy is a loss in the course of the day.

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hospitals

I read that in Greece, once upon a time, hospitals were true healing centers. Music played throughout the grounds, carefully chosen colors lent beauty to the eyes of patients; flowers, plants and herbs were everywhere. In other words, there existed a beautiful center for true healing to take place. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to know that this would be waiting for us should we require the services of a healing place?

Hospitals, for the most part, cause great stress and anxiety to anyone having to be there as a patient. Even when visiting a patient, one can pick up the disquieting energy there. While visiting friends in hospitals, on different occasions, some nurses said they’d been working two days straight, because the hospital was understaffed. Who wants a nurse dispensing meds when she’s not slept for two days? That’s only one of many anxiety ridden problems. How is it that so many hospitals are screaming that they’re understaffed? What’s going on at the helm? Are you overcome by a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach when you hear the word hospital? It should be the complete opposite. When we need to be in a hospital, we should think pleasant experience so that we can heal beautifullly.

In the July/August 2006 issue of Odemagazine, there’s an article, Healing by Design, by Kim Ridley. It’s a big breath of fresh air. The article mentions a book, THE ARCHITECTURE OF HOSPITALS, and explains that it is “an international collection of ground breaking studies, essays and hospital designs published this summer by the Netherlands Architecture Institute.” Right now changes are being implemented. The “radical rethinking” that is responsible for this transformation is underway. Finally, people with the ability, understanding, compassion and power to change existing conditions are doing just that. www.odemagazine.com

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our ‘dead” equipment

Is it true that computers are made to last only a year? That’s what a friend of mine was told when she called about her computer that suddenly stopped working. No help at that number. She kept calling, kept asking. Finally someone to her rescue. Your IBM computer will reload when you press F11. She did and it did. Simple bit of information. Important bit of information.

But could it be true? Computers are made to last only a year? In the Yoga+ November, December issue, page 34, did you see the picture of the sea of dead cell phones? The picture was called, “Cell Phones #2, Atlanta 2005: From Intolerable Beauty, by Chris Jordan” What a photo! What a sight! Elizabeth Royte’s article on page 32, You and Your Garbage (And Me and Mine), gives us suggestions on ways to discard things we no longer want, how to get our names off junk mailings, etc. What’s happening?

www.chrisjordan.com www.chrisjordanphotography.com

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the new haven line

Everything is different outside of Manhattan. But you know that. I wanted to go to Harrison, Rye, Hartsdale White Plains and other towns along the way to check out possibilities, sort of a quest to find the right place. I took the New Haven Line at Grand Central. A friend of a friend met me at the Harrison train station. We drove around Harrison and Rye and had lunch at her lovely home in White Plains. Over Jarlsberg and smoked mozzarella, turkey, tuna, cucumbers, and tomatoes, and a good cup of coffee, we discussed the possibilities of the walking towns. After lunch we took off and drove up and down streets, to the downtown areas, checking out the feel of these places, always slipping easily into the next town. The towns were charming, clean, but I didn’t see any fruit and vegetable markets with all the produce hanging onto the sidewalks. Every town had lots and lots of restaurants. Where are the wonderful markets I’ve become so used to? I asked myself

We went to White Plains www.whiteplainsny.com . I’d never been there. Nice place with a very alive feeling. Lots of development going on. It’s a good size city and offers Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and many other fine shops. There’s a residential building by Trump and many rentals and co-op buildings all within walking distance of the train station. And, of course, there are lots and lots of restaurants. We drove through rather quickly since time was limited; I’ll return to walk in the near future since White Plains is definitely a walking city. The towns, they were clean and had all the right things for good living. It’s the feel of a place; the connection, that I’m looking for, and that’s different for everyone. So, when someone asks, “Well, how was it?” it’s difficult to say because when you’ve found it, you know, it’s that simple and cannot be explained so easily.

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at the airport

I like airports. There’s an aliveness, an expectation at airports. What a long list it would be if all the reasons were counted for people to be at an airport at any given time. There are many emotions at airports. The list of that count would also be very long.

For the most part, my airport experiences have been really good. Of course, I’ve had the usual possessions taken from me at security. It took me awhile to realize that no amount of pleading and bargaining would allow me to keep the scissors I insist on buying again and again and tucking away in a carry-on bag, forgetting they’re there until I’m once again facing a security guard. The last time this occurred I made a mental note to give it up. Stop pleading and arguing and just hand the item over.

I think there are a lot of people who like airports, although some won’t admit it. Is it that when you’re a saavy traveler you don’t admit this? I’ve observed quite a few people people-watching at airports. People watching at airports is a great pastime. You can read any time, but having so many groups of people pass by in different stages of travel is quite entertaining. Unless you have five minutes to catch a connecting flight, or have arrived at the airport 15 minutes before your flight is to take-off, stop and imagine you’re at a show. Get something to eat if you’re hungry, find a comfortable spot, sit back and enjoy. You won’t be disappointed; it’s a delightful show.