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The awakened mind is free flowing, natural, and well rounded. It's like Teflon - nothing sticks. On the other hand, the unawakened, ordinary mind is rigid, limited and sticky like flypaper; the ordinary mind has corners and sharp jagged edges on which ideas get caught, hanging us up...
...the unawakened mind tries to grasp and hold on to emotions and things, which by their very nature are fleeting; it's like trying to grasp water between your hands. If we understand that the cause of suffering and dissatisfaction is attachment, then it's obvious that the remedy is simply letting go. Awakening The Buddha Within - Lama Surya Das
My mind is so ordinary. The past few months have shown me just how commonplace my mind is. I've struggled to understand how to let go, how to let emotions happen, and then leave them lie, to turn my back on them when I've experienced them. To "let go". It sounds easy, but how many of us can truly let things be exactly the way they are?
I'm being challenged these days, being shaken out of the complacency I unwittingly found myself in for years. It's always easier to stay where you were, to stay within a self-made world that is safe and secure, but it's not very rewarding and it can be a lonely place.
The lessons of Buddhism aren't really all that complicated to understand; it's the practice that's the bitch...growth and understanding of yourself and the world is your reward.
The intersection of Grand and N. 20th street intrigues me. Looking past the fact that one of the city's remaining 3 water towers stands right in the middle of the intersection, take a look at the gentle curve of the street. I bet before everything was demolished, the buildings that once stood there hugged and respected that slight curve. What a detail that would've been to see! Red brick buildings forming a slightly curved street wall. I'm sure turrets and corner store fronts would have been the norm as well.
It feels like we've lost so much...and that we're still losing. It feels like every blog I visit has a new post about another building being demolished. This isn't progress.
It feels like we've lost so much...and that we're still losing. It feels like every blog I visit has a new post about another building being demolished. This isn't progress.
With spring springing and seasons changing, it felt right to go ahead and update the look of my blog. I know there are some minor formatting issues to take care of, and the archives have lost all their styling, but I ran out of time tonight so not everything got done for a bug free launch. I'll slowly clean up what needs cleaning over the next few weeks.
This afternoon I was driving down 170 and noticed a billboard for an IFC Caged Combat event at the "Family" Arena in St. Charles. Not only can you see a good ole fashioned rodeo in the great city of St. Charles, but you can now watch two grown men try and beat the shit out of each other.
I find it strange that an inane & violent event like "caged combat" is being held at a venue that is moronically named the Family Arena. God, I love family values.
I find it strange that an inane & violent event like "caged combat" is being held at a venue that is moronically named the Family Arena. God, I love family values.
A continuation of yesterday's post, KMOV has a story on their website titled "Tickets, revenue plunging at red light cameras". So, with revenues dropping (there are those who seem to be up in arms that the City is making money off of these lights) and people actually paying attention to traffic signals, what's the problem?
Red light cameras have popped up all over the City this year. I just noticed last month that cameras had been installed at the intersections of Jamieson & Chippewa and Hampton & Gravois. I heard and read the arguments against the cameras, which range from constitutional rights being infringed upon to the cameras are just revenue generators for the City (uh, duh!) to big brother is watching us (as if he wasn't already).
I have to admit, I don't really have a problem with the cameras. I don't run red lights, so why should I care if others who do have to pay up? In the past, I've seen cars barrel through the busy Hampton/Chippewa intersection on a red light that had been that way for a few seconds. Super dangerous. That sight is rare these days. I guess my only argument against the camera is that you can get fined even though you can't see who's driving the car...but unless the car is stolen, I don't see how it matters much. It's your car, you should be responsible for it even if you lend it to someone. And if it bothers you that much, go downtown and contest the ticket. I have a feeling most people know they're guilty of the offense.
So, if the City wants to make a few extra bucks off people who don't feel the need to obey the rules, fine. It'd be nice if those same cameras could be installed at the stop signs people run while I'm walking the dog around the neighborhood (or just take the damn signs out altogether!).
I have to admit, I don't really have a problem with the cameras. I don't run red lights, so why should I care if others who do have to pay up? In the past, I've seen cars barrel through the busy Hampton/Chippewa intersection on a red light that had been that way for a few seconds. Super dangerous. That sight is rare these days. I guess my only argument against the camera is that you can get fined even though you can't see who's driving the car...but unless the car is stolen, I don't see how it matters much. It's your car, you should be responsible for it even if you lend it to someone. And if it bothers you that much, go downtown and contest the ticket. I have a feeling most people know they're guilty of the offense.
So, if the City wants to make a few extra bucks off people who don't feel the need to obey the rules, fine. It'd be nice if those same cameras could be installed at the stop signs people run while I'm walking the dog around the neighborhood (or just take the damn signs out altogether!).