Interesting day. (Saturday)

I stayed in Monterey again last night and then headed on down the coast. Now I know why I was told I need to make this drive: way more beautiful than the Oregon Coast. Just awesome! I took me 5 hours to drive 37 miles... I had to keep stopping to check out the beautiful views.

I stopped at one of the restaurants for breakfast but it was so expensive that I decided to just get a burrito from the store. Made several balloons but didn't get a good reception. I decided to ride down to where Johnny is staying before trying to find a place to camp.

I thought that I might have to just park beside the road and unroll the sleeping bag. I mentioned that idea to a woman who was working on her motor scooter and she asked if I had a bivysac. I said no and she immediately said, "Here, have mine. It's about 20 years old but should still work." I love the way the Universe works! Turns out that she owns several companies and was carrying the bag on the off chance that she might get stuck someplace without a a hotel. She planned to be home before dark. She had bought the bike in Tuscan and was riding it home; 8 days on the road. No freeways.

I then decided that I would rent a campsite if I could find one that was inexpensive enough. After trying a couple places, I found one for $17.50: I got it for half the price it would normally cost. It was a busy night for the grounds and I had to set up in the dark. Nice place, but I had no food or water. So, off I went to find some.

I rode about a mile down Hwy 1 to the Fernwood Grill. I ate dinner and made a balloon for the waitress. Another woman saw me twist and said that she also twisted. Sure enough, she proved that she could do it. She was there to visit with her friends so we only spoke for a short time. I did enjoy talking with her friend for a while. Thought about "making a play" but it would have violated my vow to refrain from sexual misconduct. Since she had been drinking, she wasn't in a condition to give clear-minded consent. So I slept alone.

Monterey

Hi all,
Don't know if it is the riht thing to do, but I trust: I decided to stay over another night. Thanks to the generousity of my friend, Wendy. Hopefully, I'll be able to replenish my funds from twisting today. I'm also going to try to find a local can provide tent or couch space.

It is amazing how many people I meet who wish they "could do" what I'm doing. Little do they know, obviously, that they CAN do what I'm doing and it is just fear that holds them back. Well, fear, and the conditioning that they must remain separated and independent from each other or society will think one is a "loser". Personally, I feel that the more I am ablle to help my fellow man, regardless of race, sex, creed or financial situation, the more my joy grows.

Just by the shear numbers of people who confide in me about their desire to be able to connect with others, I can see that we are living in a dysfunctional societal model. The smaller the group that must sustain themselves, the more they have to rely on commerce to survive and thrive. So, how best to create consumers than to isolate people a diminish the sense of community and of freely helping one another? After all, generosity can't be taxed, but money in the bank can be. Well, I guess some generousity can be taxed since anything over a certain amount needs to be declared and there is a "gift tax".

But community cannot be taxed as far as I know. If I grow a garden and feed you with the bounty of nature, that will deprive (taxable) income from the big farmer, so it is best to discourage such transactions. Offering a stranger a space to sleep deprives a hotel of taxable income and fosters friendship which means less trade...and less riches and power for the 1%.

Perhaps this sounds paranoid , but it also makes sense...to me, at least. Actually, I feel sorry for the poor 1%, the resst of the country have the ability  to regain the sense of local and world community without too much change to their lifestyle. The same cannot be said of the super-rich. I now understand what is meant by, "It is harder for a rich man to get to heaven...", heaven in this sense is freedom to love everyone. If your livelihood depends on thinking of the rest of the human race as sheeple, then one is so much less likely to see others as brothers and sisters.

Thanksgiving...

It started off quite lovely at my friend's house. Wendy is such an amazing and wonderful woman! Had oatmeal and corn chowder for breakfast. I still hadn't figured out where I was going, so I got on Google Earth and checked out what towns was close to where my friend, John, is staying. Carmel, California, is the closest town.

So, after saying goodbye to Wendy, I hopped on the bike and headed out. It was a long, but pleasant ride. Got to Carmel and found that it is a town of rich people who cater to anyone who wants to spend a lot of money. Lovely place, but no where for one who didn't want to spend $200 a night for a hotel.

I headed back up the road and stopped at a hotel in Monterey. They wanted over $60 for a room but after explaining what I was doing, the woman at the front desk called around and, unable to find a cheap hotel, gave me a room for $50.50. I think it is the nicest room in the hotel! Two big beds, a gas fireplace, clean, first floor, and I was able to park the bike just outside the room.

Well, after settling in, I set off to find some food. I walked throughout town but didn't find any place until late...but had a great fish sandwich! The food made up for the noise in the bar.

I had great fun while riding through town stopping to make balloons for four little boys who were in awe of people on motorcycles. Seeing the faces of the kids while I make the balloons is truly priceless! And I have begun a contest, kinda, to see how many people I can trigger to say, "You've made my day!" It is common very fulfilling to live in such a way as to have "strangers" feel that their lives are enriched for having encountered me. Too cool!

Okay, I still have a lot to do while I have a comfortable place to work on the 'net.

Huh?!

Funny thing, seems I may have suddenly wound up without a place to stay tonight. The place I was going to stay suddenly is occupied by a sick woman and she feels it wouldn't be a good thing for me to come stay there. I stopped to get a bite to eat when I got the call. I've found that it's difficult to find a cheap hotel ($50) around here. I may have to bite the bullet and spend a bit more. I'm too tired to ride south until I run out of city. At least it isn't raining. :-)

So, I'm going to attempt to post a picture of my new tablet. It's pretty cool! And to be able to get it so cheap; only $150! I can put it in my motorcycle coat pocket. It also can run for about 6 or 7 hours. Way better than the laptop...even with the new battery. Those are finger smudges on the screen.

Time to go find a hotel room.

Lots of fun stuff!

I got to meet one of my main teachers today, though he didn't know that I was his student until we met. I went by IMC and met with Gil Fronsdale. It was great, being able to put a face with the voice. The only time I've seen him is just a few not-so-good stills and one older video. It was interesting, seeing him in person.  As many of you may know, I've been listening to his talks on www.podcasts.org for many years now. It was pleasant to see him in person. He is taller than I thought he might be. (I remember once wondering and I guess I still had the impression than he was around my size. He's actually a bit taller.)

He gave a talk about Right Livelihood. I'm happy to say that by his understanding of the term, I'm engaged in right livelihood. :-)

Another lovely eventis that the Universe presented me with a very nice tablet computer with a bluetooth keyboard of Craigslist for only $150. It's worth quite a bit more than that. I'll still need to carry the laptop around for a while to make sure the tablet works for everything I need for the tablet to do.

Bridge

Well, pooh! Just had another little chunk of my busted bridge break off. If this keeps up, I'll have a lopsided smile. ^_^ Guess that might add character. :-)

Now to see if I can get back to sleep.

Mindfulness and guidance...

Last night, Lalena and I hosted a mindfulness dinner. This is a situation where attendees eat in noble silence, paying strict attention to the action, or life, of eating, tasting, smelling, feeling, seeing or thinking about the food and whatever might arise while eating. The silence and attention paid to the act of eating enhances everything about the meal that it often is a transformative experience to novices. "Noble silence" means no communication with others: no touching, meeting eyes, speaking or any other attempt to meet souls with another. One seeks to cultivate a bubble of quiet attention around oneself. This action frees up energy to focus inward on one's own experience.

We had 10 participants in last night's dinner. The food we chose needed to be good warm or cool. Mindful dinners often take a while to finish. We placed the food on a low table in the living-room and sat in a loose circle. One by one, we filled a plate and sat back down. When everyone had gotten food, I gave some instruction about mindful eating and we began. The meal lasted about 40 minutes. Afterward, we shared what our experience was. Five participants admitted that it was the first time they had truly tasted the food they ate. We often are so busy in our minds that we consider eating to be one of those tasks that we can put on automatic pilot.When we slow down and focus our full attention on what we are doing, it is like focusing the sunlight through a magnifying glass. Eating is one of those areas in our lives where this phenomenon is most evident.

DB Two Eagles...and Sally...and Laurie.

I had a delightful visit with a man who has walked a very similar path through life as I: Dale Two Eagles, the Native American Wisdom teacher and his lovely wife, Sally. We went out to eat and then back to their house to visit some more. Many stories were told and much tea drunk. I would tell Dale's story, but it is so interesting that I will let him tell it himself. I suggest that you contact him and ask him to tell you a story. You both will get much out of the telling. Please see Dale's website Here.

There have been times in the past when my meeting of someone was very obviously a mandate from Source.

Another example is when I met my very talented Earth Angel friend, Laurie, it was so obviously guided by God that it still seems very much of a miracle to me and I recite the meeting to others often. Perhaps some reader has not heard of it. I don't think she would mind my sharing this small bit.

I had been in Bellingham for a little over a year when I got a call to twist balloons in Van Zant (yes, there is such a place). I drove out to the country and had a wonderful experience at the party. As I was leaving (in my 5-ton RV van) I spotted a double rainbow that was touching the ground. I could tell because it was changing the colors of the trees.I grabbed my camera and snapped a few shots. As I began to drive down the road, I noticed that it seemed to be going my way, almost like it was leading me. I decided to follow it as far as I was able. However, when it crossed the main road and there was no easy way to continue (the road I was on stopped and restarted a little ways further on after a zigzag) I decided to just go on home. 'Besides,' I reasoned, 'there was no way it could mean anything.'


A few months later, I was in Woodside, a Science of Mind church, when I spotted this stunningly beautiful woman with two adorable little girls. She took my breath away and I wasn't able to take my eyes off her, and trust me, folks, when I say that it wasn't just her physical beauty I was seeing. Laurie SHINES with spirit light! Anyhow, I don't think she noticed me until I offered to make her daughter and her friend a balloon.

We got to talking and somehow the topic of rainbows came up. I told her about the pictures I had of the double rainbows and when she heard where I was when I saw them, she asked to see the pictures. (Please note, my memory is not the best so the sequence of events may be off slightly, but the thread of the story is accurate.) When she saw them, she told me that if I had continued to follow the rainbow, I would've ended up at her house. I wouldn't have been able to miss it: it was the "Under the Rainbow Farm"! A BIG mural of a rainbow on the side of her house with a road climbing into mountains with little red hearts spaced on it. Now, tell me that that is the Universe telling us something! I've been great friends with her, her husband Wes, and her daughter Callie for about 6 or 7 years now.

I'm not sure, but I get the sense that the Universe has more in store for Dale, Sally and I in much the same way It had something in store for me and the Lewis family when it presented me the double rainbow. If you would like to read about either of these amazing people, see Laurie's website Here. 

This shot of the rainbows was taken from the driver's seat of my RV.

This picture of Laurie's rainbow (on the side of her house) is not the one she had there when we met. That one was much bigger. But yes, this is a fairly recent picture of my friend.

Free cookies and coffee in Walnut Creek.

Decided to head down into the town of Walnut Creek. Turns out that there is more here than I thought, though it is yet to be seen if this is a town that likes balloons. I parked at a meter in one of the motorcycle spaces and when I went to see how much they charge, found it was $1 per hour. Well, while I standing there trying to figure out if whatever I might be interested in doing would be worth the extra dollar, a 77 year old fellow came out of the store behind me and began talking about his childhood and after a bit, when he seemed to have reached a point of resolution, he invited me in for cookies. Through this interaction, I found out that there is free parking in the garage across the street.

Early this morning, I was informed by a lovely female friend of mine that she would like to recommend my name to an e-magazine publisher as a possible columnist. What fun! This friend has quite a bit of experience as an editor and says that she feels I'm a pretty good writer. It is true that I am fond of writing, though I'm not sure how interesting the content is to others. My life seems pretty calm to me.

So, after a bit, I decided to get a cup of coffee write. Stepping in a Starbucks, I was confronted by a long line. I've always enjoyed long lines (unless I'm in a hurry) because it gives me an opportunity to freak people out by attempting to connect with them on a soul level. I noticed that this particular Starbucks was offering 2 for 1 on Holiday drinks so I turned to the guy behind and and mentioned it and before I could say, "Would you like a free holiday coffee?" he said, "I'm getting an eggnog latte, if that is a holiday coffee, you can piggyback on my order." I told him that I was going to say that to him and he said that I could pay it forward. We wound up with his asking my counsel regarding his relationship with his girlfriend. This kind of thing happens so often that one would think that I would get used to it, but I still think it is awesome!

The Universe works in awesome ways!

Proverbs 3:5-6

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.^[a]
The Universe is showing It's intelligence today. I stopped in The Original Pancake House in Pleasant Hill, Ca, for breakfast. The lot was full so I parked my bike in an unusual way and left my business card (my spiritual card, the only one I had on me) very visibly stuck in my helmet, just in case a cop took exception. I was about half finished with my meal when a distinguished-looking gentleman came in and asked if that was my bike and asked whether I was local now. After I replied no, he left, only to return a few moments later accompanied by his wife.

They (Dale and Sally) asked if they could join me just as I began to invite them to sit. He is a Native American Wisdom teacher and hypnotherapist. We spoke for about 20 minutes and I invited them to the Mindful Eating class/workshop I'm teaching on Friday and he invited me to a sweat lodge that they are going to this weekend. It was just a couple days ago that I was saying to someone that I would like to meet a Native American shaman and do a sweat or vision quest. Then they picked up my check and donated generously for a balloon I made for Sally. I love the way the Universe works, especially when It works in pleasant ways. ;-)

Everyone who left the restaurant while I was there said something to me. It has been happening a lot over the past few years, but it still surprises me when it happens in such an obvious way.

There is a story about how an angel of God appeared to a king of certain country and announced that God would appear to him in whatever way the king wished. The king, being a vain fellow, said, "Then let him appear before me in all His Glory, as befits a king of my stature and importance." The angel said, "As you wish."

A huge bolt of lightening came from the sky and blinded the king and all who lived in the castle.

The angel then appeared to a simple farmer living in poverty and said that God would appear to him in the way the man wished. The man, who did not know of the king, said, "I am a simple man. God's glory would be overwhelming to me. Please, let God appear to me in the face of everyone I meet, in the land that I work, and in the everyday events of my life." The angel said, "As you wish."

The farmer lived a long a joyous, loving life, seeing God in all things.

I remember watching a movie about H.H. the Dalai Lama. In the movie, there was a confidant/teacher of his who would often say, "I am but a bug, your Holiness."  What a beautiful, freeing thing to be! Without the bug, there would be no food or transformation of dead things, but since no one expects anything of the bug, it is totally free to be itself. There is no striving to be more than what it is and so all things come to it sooner or later. The bird eats the bug and then the bugs eat the bird.

Off to see what else the Universe has to present that is mine to do.

Walnut Creek, Ca

I met with Vivian (Gramma V) for breakfast just before I left Sacramento. We had a wonderful talk about forgiveness and other such topics and I had the opportunity to share a twist or two with her that will help her bring joy to those whose lives she touches. Just before our time was up, I found myself getting quite dizzy for no reason I could fathom. So I walked over to Target and bought some Dramamine. After waiting about 45 minutes, I was able to ride the bike across the bridge to a coffee shop and just hang out for another 45 minutes before I felt comfortable enough to ride.

The bike is seriously loaded with stuff so there's not a whole lot of room for me when I ride. I have quite the cozy nest between my pack and the gas tank bag. This seating situation puts me just on the edge of the saddle, not much cushioning. After being on the road for a bit, I needed to make a stop; between the coffee and the dizzy spell, this part of the trip was NOT a pleasant ride. I stopped and tended to business and then pulled the bike over by the entrance to the freeway, parked it and laid back on the grass, gazing at the sky. Ah, this is the life! Freedom to move or not as the mood strikes. While laying there, I notices lots of tiny black spots floating in my vision, along with longer "chains" of black dots.Trying it now, inside my friend's apartment, I'm able to see the chains, but only if I can find a solid-color background. I think I will look it up on the 'net later.

Once I got close to Walnut Creek, the freeway widened: 16 lanes. I had forgotten just how HUGE the freeways are down here in the city; very confusing if one doesn't know where they're going. I remember living near here in '96 and '97 and it is possible to get used to the hustle and bustle. Not sure I want to stick around long enough to make that effort. Being on the rat trail when one is no longer interested in the rat race doesn't make a whole lot of sense if one can avoid it. I didn't always think this way. I remember actually loving the busyness of it all.

I arrived at the apartment of my friend/student, Lalena and her mother, Marguerite and son, Pundu. Pundu is a awesome little teacher and has a beautiful singing voice. He was born without eyes and they've been told that he is developmentally disabled, though I think the doctors MAY have it wrong. It seems to me, in the short time I've been near him, that he may have awakened kundalini energy running through him. He seems very happy and in almost constant motion. I think I will have to research this some more.

Lalena and Marguerite are very pleasant people. They remind me somewhat of my daughter and her mother, only with a more civil and loving relationship. My bed is the floor in a corner of the living room, quite comfortable thanks to the Thermarest mattress. The new battery and power cord for my computer were waiting for me when I arrived and it seems the battery is going to be be a great benefit, though the cord heated up tremendously, almost hot enough to give blisters, as it charged the new battery. This battery is giving my computer quite a bit more running time between charges.

Today and tomorrow has rain in the forecast. The bike will remain parked, I think. Driving these unfamiliar streets is exciting enough without the slickness of wet roads after a long dry spell. This is fine as it gives me time to research the area and see just what, if anything, I want to do or see while here.

Funny how I have grown so content with just being. At the moment, I feel as though I am a cup, opened to being filled but with no need to hurry the process.

Observations

People are funny, aren't they? I'm in this huge city and yet people have found a way to remain alone in the midst of these huge crowds. I walked around a bit this morning and passed numerous folks out and about. I'm dressed decently, recently shaved, carrying my computer and yet, only 3 out of about 40 people that I passed responded to my cheerful, "Good morning!"  Two were women my age walking along in deep conversation, but they paused in their chat long enough to say hello. The other was an older Asian woman who asked about the Utilikilt.

As I sit here in this Starbucks, I'm observing many types of human behavior. One fellow that looks very much as though he just got out of prison for murder was extremely pleasant to an employee who brought him a cold sandwich that was supposed to be hot. A lovely woman coming in didn't acknowledge the fellow that opened the door for her in any way. A heavily tattooed young woman with neon Magenta hair come in with a 11 year old girl, asking her about her day in school. Every table has at least one person with an open laptop and most, including me, have a cell phone laying on the table. Two days ago, while at a Starbucks in Sacramento, I overheard a fellow interviewing a rising star in the music business. I spoke with him for a few minutes and it turned out that he was a writer for some hip-hop magazine.

As I watch all these folks, it occurs to me again that there is no difference between them and me. It's all just a matter of degree. All have their aches and pains, their joys and heartaches. Each trying to get rid of sadness and invite more joy. Just like me. How can one not feel a sense of camaraderie with the others who are trying to live a happy life: sometime with success and many times failing. When I see an old man, stooped over from pain, I remember myself getting out of bed this morning aching, sore and bent over until the joints warmed up and I can feel compassion for him. If I see a couple arguing, this has happened many times in my past so I have stood in their shoes. Those who dress in outlandish ways, well, I've wanted to be noticed from time to time in my life.

Just had a nice, long conversation with a cab driver who looked like a boxer  about ballroom dance lessons. Turns out that he had some experiences that, through our conversation, enabled him to see in a different light.

Wonderful generosity!

My wonderful adopted sister, Francine, has provided me with the opportunity to spend a week in a resort in Southern California, December 14th-21st. Too cool!

My time in Sac.

Hello all! I've convinced my computer to work for a bit, so I guess we'll see if it lasts long enough to get in a post. My last post was written on my cell phone, thus the reason for its disjointed and primitive tone.

A few days ago, I stopped in a balloon store to restock. How wonderful to be able to walk in and pick up just a few bags instead of having to buy in bulk to get the discount; worth the extra dollar per bag to me! While there, I asked about possibly getting together with some of the local twisters to have a Jam. I was given the contact info of a local twister, Gramma V, who knows everyone. I rode up to the mall she was working at and the next thing I knew, I was put to work. Over the past few days, I've twisted at two restaurants and at the mall, twice and was able to make enough money to be able to do a few things I've been needing to do.

I've not really seen anything of Sacramento other than the mall and the restaurants and the space in between but that's fine with me. The natural area around Sac is flat and is mostly farmed. The city is another city; built by people for the entertainment and upkeep of people, much like every other city. As the fellow who is hosting me here said, it is a small town that continues for a very long distance.

Gotta say, meeting with a bunch of twisters yesterday was awesome! I haven't done that in a decade or so. Great joy! Twistin Tim, Jammin' Judy, Albert, Gramma V,  Eva and couple others who hopefully won't be insulted that I can't remember their names without having their business cards in front of me. Albert showed me a really neat thing to do with a hex nut and an 11" round balloon. The nut can make the balloon scream! Gramma V went in half with me on 5 bags of balloons and gifted me a handful of odd face balloons. Sac has a wonderful twisting community!

I had the opportunity to go dancing a couple times at The Ballroom in southeastern Sac. T'was fun, though I wish I had been able to get there a little earlier. As it happened, I only had a short time to dance each time, though it did result in a too-short, late evening hot chocolate "date" with a beautiful woman. I hope to dance tonight at The Station. I've heard that there is a bunch of high-level West Coast Swing dancers here in town. Should be fun.

I find it very interesting that almost everyone I tell about my present living situation appears to envy me.  It seems to me me that so many people have bought into the "American Dream"...you know, the one that leads to this country being one of the least happy countries in the world. The one in which one's creativity gets stifled by the "almost" life. Almost happy, almost content. Making due with what one is able to glean from a lifetime of working for the weekend.

I have a few people who look on my choice of living with something like disdain or disapproval. I'm not striving to "make something of myself". People tell me many times a day how I've "made" made their day. Sitting here in this Starbucks, I've been asked to stay in town three times thus far.  To me, this means I am living a successful life. I recently read, "One's true worth is what is left when one loses everything." I will be dead soon. My deathday may be 50 years off, but that is less than the blink of an eye when we look at the life of the earth. What I own when I die will not be the measure of my life but rather the number of smiles I've triggered during my short time embodied will be the mark of my success.

If I repeat myself in this blogging experience, forgive me. I know that not everyone will read every blog entry. Thus I'm not even trying to edit for repeating stories. Years ago, someone told me of "The Tombstone Test." Basically, it is a fact that everything we believe, everything we do, all that we love or hate is summed up by the short dash between the birth and death dates on our gravestones. In a hundred or two hundred years, even that will likely be unreadable. Since this is so, if you could leave one short sentence on  your stone that will tell future generations what you stood for in life, what would your line be? For me, "He made everyone one Earth smile for one minute." A totally impossible task. But I can hold every action up to the light of that line and see whether what I'm doing will lead me toward, or away, from that goal. The Abbot of the Great Vow Monastery said that such a line is a "life vow." If my actions will lead me toward the lights of that line, then greater contentment and happiness will grow. If my actions will lead me away, discontent and unhappiness will be the fruit.

"One is wealthy in direct proportion to one's contentment with what one already has. One is in poverty in direct proportion to what one feels one lacks."

By this standard, I am a very wealthy man!! Were I to die today, I will have lived a totally successful life.

Sacramento and huh?

My third day in town. Thus far, I'm not sure why I'm here, but I am remaining present. My new hosts are two extremely nice people! I'm staying in a few 5th wheel camper next to a huge house in a lovely neighborhood. When I opened the door, there was today's newspaper on the steps along with the addresses for two local dance studios.

I have been concerned about a small growth on my temple and have wondered if it might be cancer. John, my host, was an ER doctor for 20 years, took a look and said it was nothing to be concerned about. I love how the Universe works!

My previous hostess was very kind. She reminded me of my sister, Vicki, in several ways, though more like she was a few years ago: kind but no nonsense, always busy to the point of being driven. Quite a bit different from where I am in my life just now. We didn't get much time to visit between her work and her getting ill.

My computer died today. Well, to be honest, the power cord died. I ordered a new one from eBay but need to wait until I get to the San Francisco area to collect it. I also ordered a new battery. The two, combined, cost less than half of what just a power cord alone from Radio Shack costs. This will likely result in my spending less time in coffee shops.

I've found that my biggest expense on this trip is going to restaurants. It is a social outlet for me. I've found that this is true for many one sees in restaurants. Serving staff play a vital role in many lives and most have no clue. They are often the only smiling, happy people some see for days on end.

(Some time has passed since I wrote this. I'll post another one soon. Hard to keep up using the cell.)