And I haven't managed all the items on my "to do" list, but did deal with many of them. And I accepted an additional responsibility - the Friday night service on New Year's Day. My sermon is pretty much together, but I'm having trouble persuading my newish printer to print it. First it was the wrong kind of paper - too glossy. Then it was the absence of the printer driver, and the inability to download it again through a firewall. Now I've got it reinstalled on this computer and managed to print a sample page.
However, now the problem is that the sermon is written in Word, which I don't have on this computer, and Microsoft Works, for all that it comes from the same company, appears to be incompatible with it. Guess I'll have to break down and buy it for this computer.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
We Got Our Wings!
So, this time the adventure was my idea. I saw an ad for IFly Bay Area, an indoor skydiving facility that fits people into jumpsuits, goggles, earplugs, and helmets, and sticks them inside a wind tunnel with an instructor, and allows them to float on the air and do whatever maneuvers they are capable of. The ad said that anyone from 3 to 93 could safely do it, and I certainly qualify in that regard. And I'd seen actors doing it on an episode of House, m.d., so it seemed doable.
Jan and I went to the facility in Union City last night, driving at least partway in pouring rain. I was early and waited reading mind candy on my Kindle to distract me from my growing anxiety. I had images of me landing on my nose, or simply falling to the springy floor of the tunnel. But the ad said they could handle people who weighed considerably more than I do, so what the hey, I told myself; it could be fun, and then it would be over.
We went to flight school for 15 minutes, where we learned and practiced the position for belly flying. The upper body is in a variant of the cobra pose and the legs in a sort of locust pose - in yogic terms. These are among my weakest positions, but at least I knew what I was trying for.
My jumpsuit was red and black, with a cool embroidered design on the front band. Wearing my glasses along with the goggles was a bit of a problem - my glasses got fogged up - but I would have been really uncomfortable trying something new without my glasses, being so near-sighted that I'm legally blind without them.
The actual flying sessions - we got two, each lasting about 90 seconds - were challenging and fun. I got into the Superman (Mighty Mouse?) pose, and did my best to hold my position with minimal help from the instructor. The very fast wind coming at my face made me feel a bit like being in a swimming pool with the water coming up my nose. I was a hair light-headed at the conclusion of each flight.
On the second round, the instructor joined up with me and spun us around while ascending and descending in the tunnel. When I banked a little to make the turn, my right shoulder complained a bit, so I spread my fingers apart to try to ease the strain.
We were so proud of ourselves, and other people there of our vintage - who came to watch their progeny fly - were quite complimentary.
The next day, however, some muscles have joined my shoulder's heightened complaint. Don't think I need to repeat the experience without some prior physical conditioning.
But we did it, we flew like little birdies!
Jan and I went to the facility in Union City last night, driving at least partway in pouring rain. I was early and waited reading mind candy on my Kindle to distract me from my growing anxiety. I had images of me landing on my nose, or simply falling to the springy floor of the tunnel. But the ad said they could handle people who weighed considerably more than I do, so what the hey, I told myself; it could be fun, and then it would be over.
We went to flight school for 15 minutes, where we learned and practiced the position for belly flying. The upper body is in a variant of the cobra pose and the legs in a sort of locust pose - in yogic terms. These are among my weakest positions, but at least I knew what I was trying for.
My jumpsuit was red and black, with a cool embroidered design on the front band. Wearing my glasses along with the goggles was a bit of a problem - my glasses got fogged up - but I would have been really uncomfortable trying something new without my glasses, being so near-sighted that I'm legally blind without them.
The actual flying sessions - we got two, each lasting about 90 seconds - were challenging and fun. I got into the Superman (Mighty Mouse?) pose, and did my best to hold my position with minimal help from the instructor. The very fast wind coming at my face made me feel a bit like being in a swimming pool with the water coming up my nose. I was a hair light-headed at the conclusion of each flight.
On the second round, the instructor joined up with me and spun us around while ascending and descending in the tunnel. When I banked a little to make the turn, my right shoulder complained a bit, so I spread my fingers apart to try to ease the strain.
We were so proud of ourselves, and other people there of our vintage - who came to watch their progeny fly - were quite complimentary.
The next day, however, some muscles have joined my shoulder's heightened complaint. Don't think I need to repeat the experience without some prior physical conditioning.
But we did it, we flew like little birdies!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Vacation Marches On
I'm on day three now, and have been keeping up fairly well with my to do list. Exercising, getting out of the house, making telephone calls to friends, moving stuff into the recycling bin, scheduling outings, spa treatments, and an indoor flying session (in a wind tunnel; stay tuned for a report), and ordering a replacement for the broken dispenser pump on my handmade soap jar.
The unsettling news on the house front is that something witth big, sharp claws (raccoon would be my guess) is digging holes in the boards of my back deck. If it's going for insects, I have two different pest problems. Oh joy.
It's a lovely, sunny day in the village, and I've a date for lunch and a movie.
Happy Holidays!
The unsettling news on the house front is that something witth big, sharp claws (raccoon would be my guess) is digging holes in the boards of my back deck. If it's going for insects, I have two different pest problems. Oh joy.
It's a lovely, sunny day in the village, and I've a date for lunch and a movie.
Happy Holidays!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Office Clutter and Long Vacation
It's a good thing that I've been warming up by starting to clear out my home, because I just had to de-clutter and pack up the office in which I've been working for some 14 years. The company is abandoning that part of the floor and moving us into other offices.
My office was plenty cluttered. I filled four bins with paper to be recycled, and removed an assortment of other items in hopes that they'll find a good home elsewhere. I'll be moving to a nicer office with beautiful furniture and a much better view, and it should be lovely - once I unpack the eight bins and four carton boxes it took to accommodate all my books, papers, office supplies, and assorted stuff.
Today is the first of the thirteen consecutive days of vacation I'm enjoying at the end of this year. I have followed my usual custom of making a to do list of various chores, activities, and pleasures to make the most of the time. I'm also hoping to get a little flavor of what my hopefully imminent retirement will be like.
Merry Whatever!
My office was plenty cluttered. I filled four bins with paper to be recycled, and removed an assortment of other items in hopes that they'll find a good home elsewhere. I'll be moving to a nicer office with beautiful furniture and a much better view, and it should be lovely - once I unpack the eight bins and four carton boxes it took to accommodate all my books, papers, office supplies, and assorted stuff.
Today is the first of the thirteen consecutive days of vacation I'm enjoying at the end of this year. I have followed my usual custom of making a to do list of various chores, activities, and pleasures to make the most of the time. I'm also hoping to get a little flavor of what my hopefully imminent retirement will be like.
Merry Whatever!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Time to De-Clutter
So I'm planning to move downstairs sometime soon (after living here for 26 years), and I've hired an organizer to help me make decisions, release stuff I don't need, and organize what's left in the new space.
We started with the low-hanging fruit -- two places where I've piled stuff for departure and the attic. That took two hours and gave me a tummy ache. And the next few days my legs were pretty unhappy about getting down to and up from the floor, climbing up and down the ladder to the attic, and bending down to pick stuff up. Additional motivation for stretching and exercise, one hopes.
This process is also having its pleasures: I moved out a batch of stuff with some emotional charge but no real utility; I'm expecting thumping tax deductions for my charitable donations; and I made some very pleasant discoveries, e.g., more dishware to replace pieces I've broken over the years, and sheet music that I found or arranged for the synagogue choir that I used to conduct and have spent hours looking for.
We've hardly scratched the surface, though. Much more unburdening ahead, and probably some more pleasant surprises, too.
We started with the low-hanging fruit -- two places where I've piled stuff for departure and the attic. That took two hours and gave me a tummy ache. And the next few days my legs were pretty unhappy about getting down to and up from the floor, climbing up and down the ladder to the attic, and bending down to pick stuff up. Additional motivation for stretching and exercise, one hopes.
This process is also having its pleasures: I moved out a batch of stuff with some emotional charge but no real utility; I'm expecting thumping tax deductions for my charitable donations; and I made some very pleasant discoveries, e.g., more dishware to replace pieces I've broken over the years, and sheet music that I found or arranged for the synagogue choir that I used to conduct and have spent hours looking for.
We've hardly scratched the surface, though. Much more unburdening ahead, and probably some more pleasant surprises, too.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Phantom Cat
I've recently acquired a foster cat, belonging to my former tenant, whom I'm caring for until she acquires a new home that can accommodate him.
He mostly lives in the back yard, but I let him in when I'm home. He usually sleeps on my bed until 3:30 am, and then gets active and leaves when I open the back door for him.
This morning, though, I seemed to feel his presence after I put him out. Maybe I was already back asleep, but I felt little shifts in weight on the bed and even put out an arm once or twice to check for the presence of a furry body causing them. None was there, of course.
Truly weird.
He mostly lives in the back yard, but I let him in when I'm home. He usually sleeps on my bed until 3:30 am, and then gets active and leaves when I open the back door for him.
This morning, though, I seemed to feel his presence after I put him out. Maybe I was already back asleep, but I felt little shifts in weight on the bed and even put out an arm once or twice to check for the presence of a furry body causing them. None was there, of course.
Truly weird.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Segway and Me
So Jan wanted to take the Segway tour of Angel Island. I had been curious about the device and was game to give it a try. We got instructions, were guided aboard our devices, and were told to tool around this paved area to get used to them for a bit.
They are electrically powered, and you get them to go forward, stop, or go backward by shifting your body weight from your toes to your heels. You need fairly decent balance to get off and on and navigate turns, especially on slopes. But I was doing OK, and even having some fun until my feet started to ache.
I have extremely flat feet, and have worn heavy-duty custom orthotics for years. But they (feet and orthotics) weren't up to the challenge of standing fixed in one position and shifting my weight as required. My pain steadily increased, and toward the top of a steep incline I began to wonder if spending the next hour and a half in that kind of pain might cause me medical problems of some sort. And, bingo, a panic attack. Fortunately fairly mild, but the tingling in my face suggested that hyperventilation and light-headedness were not far off.
So I dismounted and sat down, and the nice guide told us that this would be a good place to leave the Segways with him, before we reached narrow trails where my discomfort could create real safety problems, and he would try to get our money back.
I was very disappointed and hard put to avoid beating myself up, thinking I would have had less pain if I were in better shape, and that I could have avoided triggering the panic attack. But we went on afoot, and had a picnic lunch on a bench overlooking Tiburon, Belvedere, and Mount Tamalpais, and made it partway around the island to a vista point with a great view of the City, the Bay Bridge, and fog advancing upon us through the Golden Gate.
Our curiousity about the Segways and Angel Island was appeased, and we had a fairly decent time. And my first goal on reaching the City was a pedicure and a lengthy foot massage.
They are electrically powered, and you get them to go forward, stop, or go backward by shifting your body weight from your toes to your heels. You need fairly decent balance to get off and on and navigate turns, especially on slopes. But I was doing OK, and even having some fun until my feet started to ache.
I have extremely flat feet, and have worn heavy-duty custom orthotics for years. But they (feet and orthotics) weren't up to the challenge of standing fixed in one position and shifting my weight as required. My pain steadily increased, and toward the top of a steep incline I began to wonder if spending the next hour and a half in that kind of pain might cause me medical problems of some sort. And, bingo, a panic attack. Fortunately fairly mild, but the tingling in my face suggested that hyperventilation and light-headedness were not far off.
So I dismounted and sat down, and the nice guide told us that this would be a good place to leave the Segways with him, before we reached narrow trails where my discomfort could create real safety problems, and he would try to get our money back.
I was very disappointed and hard put to avoid beating myself up, thinking I would have had less pain if I were in better shape, and that I could have avoided triggering the panic attack. But we went on afoot, and had a picnic lunch on a bench overlooking Tiburon, Belvedere, and Mount Tamalpais, and made it partway around the island to a vista point with a great view of the City, the Bay Bridge, and fog advancing upon us through the Golden Gate.
Our curiousity about the Segways and Angel Island was appeased, and we had a fairly decent time. And my first goal on reaching the City was a pedicure and a lengthy foot massage.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Chocolate Meditation
I was working on my High Holy Day music with the Cantor the other day, and she told me about 'chocolate meditation' that her three-year-old son was doing in school. They put a piece of chocolate in their mouths and pay attention while it melted. I've been asked to do similar things at meditation retreats and writing workshops.
Later, she suggested that I create a phrase to consider before launching into each chant during the service, one that reflects the mood of the piece or that prepares me to chant it musically and mindfully. She has found that the phrase 'peanut butter' somehow prepares her vocal apparatus to function at its best. 'Chocolate' makes me feel safe and happy; I think I'll give it a try.
Later, she suggested that I create a phrase to consider before launching into each chant during the service, one that reflects the mood of the piece or that prepares me to chant it musically and mindfully. She has found that the phrase 'peanut butter' somehow prepares her vocal apparatus to function at its best. 'Chocolate' makes me feel safe and happy; I think I'll give it a try.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Finally the New Siddur
After about two years' effort, Siddur Sha'ar Zahav finally rolled off the printing press and into our hands last week. It was formally inaugurated on Pride Shabbat 2009, but its actual first congregational use was the day before, when I used it to lead ma'ariv before the Ritual Committee meeting.
It's a beautiful book, and it was brought into being by the labors of a cast of dozens. Most especially Jo Ellen Green Kaiser, Michael Tyler, Leslie Kane, and Andrew Ramer, and Rabbi Camille Angel.
Now that my humble contributions to it are in print, I feel particularly humble about them. They don't seem to be good enough. Here's where I'm grateful that I wasn't responsible for choosing to include them. Two different editorial committees thought they added something that the book needed. So they must be good enough.
It's a beautiful book, and it was brought into being by the labors of a cast of dozens. Most especially Jo Ellen Green Kaiser, Michael Tyler, Leslie Kane, and Andrew Ramer, and Rabbi Camille Angel.
Now that my humble contributions to it are in print, I feel particularly humble about them. They don't seem to be good enough. Here's where I'm grateful that I wasn't responsible for choosing to include them. Two different editorial committees thought they added something that the book needed. So they must be good enough.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
I've Been Remiss
When I'm not playing recorders, hanging with my sweetie, attending a meeting, or conducting worship, I'm sucking my thumb and watching TV and/or reading. So I haven't been writing lately. My bad.
Here's a recent piece of Buddhist wisdom:
Seeing ourselves plainly, we can change, and as we do so, it brings a feeling of great relief, as if we had dropped a heavy load.
Ayya Khema, "Who is My Self?
This reminds me of the somewhat paradoxical idea that we can't change anything about ourselves until we first accept ourselves as we are. The connection between these ideas is that we can't accept ourselves unless we first have seen ourselves plainly.
However, it's not easy to take an objective view of myself. I have an inner critic who can be scathing. So I may over-correct and decide that I'm the greatestt thing since sliced bread. Neither extreme is very helpful. Maybe it's time to reread "I'm OK; You're OK."
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Curiosity and Kindness
So I was talking with a new friend about the ravages of old age, and my inner crone suggested that we may find them less trying if we view them with curiosity and kindness. If we look at the changes in our bodies and minds with simple curiosity instead of dread or anger. If we treat ourselves gently and be kind to ourselves about these changes.
Hey, let's be kind out there.
Hey, let's be kind out there.
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