Memorial Day Weekend

First Post in the "Cafe"

Well, first RECENT post, anyway.  Getting ALL MY BLOGS activated with posts.  

The "Cafe" seems appropriate to use today, this glorious Saturday spring day, a nice chill in the air (coupled with thick mosquito action most of the day), and birds all singing their mating calls.

Listening to Insane Productivity by Darren Hardy for the 3rd time through, doing the 'rinse & repeat' method, which I will be doing the rest of my life.  I'm on the 3rd of 12 modules and it IS an ass kicker to fill out the digital addiction form HONESTLY (from module 2) and decide which 3 addictions I'm going to start omitting for an entire week (and see if I still actually LIVE) - the good news is,

I will probably actually START LIVING REAL LIFE when I do omit this kryptonite in my life.

First thing, as you may have noticed - I'm off Facebook mostly - some of you may notice I've not LIKED your daily contributions or watched all the videos you've posted.  It's not that I didn't love them or lost interest in you and your life or think your posts aren't cool, because they are....but rather than WATCH YOUR LIFE, I've decided to CREATE MINE FULLY.  

Yahoo News is another kryptonite.  I admit, I love that shit.  And it IS shit.  Fills my consciousness with grisly murders and when the perp gets caught and what happens to the family and the perp, etc.  Then...there's the commentary following - - - OMG, it used to be entertaining, on some of the news stories, but the haters come out in force and participating in this, I have immersed myself in the bottom of the barrel of humanity - which initially was, well, interesting to note, but then scary to realize, and even worse, it took a toll on my positive outlook, my personal empowerment and a host of other life and light robbing stuff.  I don't watch CNN or other news so it blasts my face (don't have TV or cable or any of that) - but reading this stuff is just as bad.

So- it's OVER.  I've got a lot of work to do and it's going to take a boatload of energy to actually WORK OUT EVERY DAY.  Why?  Because I am lazy and still look good with clothes on.  The grace period I had of long, grueling hikes and really pushing myself is over - I'm still flexible and don't eat junk food.....but core strength is something I must regain, and doing my 5 squats (barely) each day is hardly a work out.

So this is my own accountability form right here in the form of writing this blog.  Whether anyone reads it or not is not the point, because the dopamine hit we all get from LIKES on our FB posts isn't as big a deal for me as some people - it is a little deal, but not THAT big. Being it IS a 'little deal' go on ahead and read the blog and hit LIKE and make a comment on my page where I post this.  (wink/grin)

So I'm going to #betheexception and forge on with forgiveness for having been living sort of #thesluglife.

ALIGNING THE FREQUENCY TO CREATE CHANGE

THE FIRST STEPS FOR ALL COMRADES OF LIVINGRY

During my morning meditation with Oprah/Deepak's 21 DAY MEDITATION, which this segment is FREE with no obligations to buy (I know, I've done several)......it came to me that a strong foundation between any persons that wish to instigate change needs to be in place first and foremost, and active pursuit of this is in order, especially when it involves more than our own lives, as in this case, we want our technology applied to LIVING through "LIVINGRY" (a Buckminster Fuller term for his observation) rather than for killing through application of this technology for weaponry.

To stronger align the energies/frequencies/intent of those of us that wish to partake in this change, my first order of direction (not as in 'orders' given from an officer to troops in his army of soldiers) is for us to all align through this tool of this 21 day meditation.  It's DAY 3 of it, but not too late to join.  Day 1 closes after the 5th day and we're on Day 3.

I cannot provide a link herein, as it goes right to my own account with them, but type into Google the Deepak Chopra Meditation Center and it will take you to it.

The power of these meditations I have experienced myself doing other series that they have offered free of charge in the past.  It is during their Desire & Destiny that I received a flash of inspiration to create the Mantra Music series, which now has 4 tracks out in the world and the fifth in creation mode in the studio.  This is inspired music that transports the listener....a gift to the world.  During my meditation this morning with this new series, it came to me that for any of us to move forward with solidarity of intent, doing this new mediation is key.  You are free to take this key and participate.  Please let me know in the comment section below if indeed you will participate.  This is not a cult or a sales line to sell you anything.  It is the new age of self empowerment to create lives of joy, not struggle, and to assist others with the same.  Some will be ready, some will not, we allow ourselves to move forward and allow those who wish to stay with the old ways do so also.  We are all on our own timeline of evolution.  This is for those of you who LIKED and applauded and showed interest in my desire to spearhead this vision of Mr. Fuller.
 
Here's the written message from these first 3 days - the spoken message is even more potent:

Day 1 - The Nature of Desire

“You are what your deep, driving desire is. As your desire is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed.” ― Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

Welcome to our 21-Day Meditation Experience, Energy of Attraction – Manifesting Your Best Life. We are delighted to have you with us. Together we will explore and experience the forces of attraction to create a balanced life – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. 
Human desire is the essential energy of attraction. Our hopes, dreams, wishes, and intentions are the forces that impel our growth and forward motion in life. We will learn that desire is not only basic to everyday life, it is essential to our spiritual evolution as well. It is through desire that we create more love, joy, and vitality. In our meditations together we will experience the source of desire – our true inner self – and begin to desire from that silent awareness. This is the key to manifesting the life you want.

 

Day 2 - The Spirit of Desire

“It is an awesome thing to comprehend that what a human being dreams and imagines can be realized.” ― Vanna Bonta

Today we will look at desire as the primal creative energy within us, and at the heart of creation. Desire is the feeling force of life itself. As we tap into this powerful life force, we want to make sure that what we manifest is not only positive and life-supporting in our lives, but for everyone else as well. To do that, we need to create from the level of intelligence of Nature that already upholds and harmoniously integrates all the diversity of the cosmos. 
This isn’t just the easiest way to manifest desires that are beneficial for everyone – it’s really the only way to create in a way that that is in accord with all the other forces of evolution. Our silent awareness is aligned with the infinite intelligence of Nature, and our small ego mind isn’t. Today in meditation we will contact that source of desire – the source of thought, deep within awareness. Then as desire sprouts from that silence, it will attract all the nourishment and guidance it needs to manifest.

 

Day 3 - The Source and Goal of Desire

“Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” ― George Bernard Shaw

Your true self is not only the beginning of desire, it is also the end, or fulfillment, of desire. This infinite potential, energy, and intelligence of unbounded consciousness is the real energy of attraction. Today we will discover that we don’t need to do anything, or go anywhere to access the energy of attraction. It is our own true self.
In today’s meditation, we will awaken this energy of attraction within, and harness its power to bring our desires to fulfillment. This activation of desire at its source sets the direction for our thoughts and actions to lead it toward its actualization. Attaining the goal of our desires brings an inner fulfillment and contentment that returns us again to our silent source of awareness.

 

A strong foundation of love and empowerment within each of the light workers that wish to play with us in promoting this noble vision of Buckminster Fuller is the first step.  We don't have to have a full plan of what the strategy is, that is the old way of doing things, the way the armed forces of all nations work, their governments, etc......we are the leading edge thinkers and are not here to challenge anything presently by resistance, by fighting it, by hating it, by wishing it were different.  WE ARE THE DIFFERENCE and TO BE THE DIFFERENCE, our unified foundation of self empowerment is THE FIRST STEP.  So any who wish to be part of making this first step, we will all participate in these beautiful, brief and potent meditations.  And do click on the link below and learn just who this amazing Buckminster Fuller is who's vision has sparked the inspiration for this movement.

Ave Guevara, over 'n out!

 

http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Buckminster_Fuller

 

 



 

I'm BACK ! ! !

NEW THINGS ARE HAPPENING!

Love to type in large print for all my fans that don't want to wear their glasses....as annoying as glasses can be, or rather, the inability to see without them, I have great appreciation for the invention of said spectacles.  I mean, what did they do in the old days?

I also love writing in color, there are so many plain looking blogs out there that although they may be packed with humor, information we want to know, or rants we can relate to, well, it's just another shade of grey without pizzazz.  I for one, LOVE pizzazz.  And hey, it's MY BLOG, so I'm pizzazzing it up folks - all for my entertainment as I write, and your entertainment as you read.

So who all in my reading fan-base, of which I know is up to the thousands by now, is a grandmother?  Who, of you grandmothers was a single-mom?  Who of you single moms did it ALL ALONE with NO SUPPORT of any kind from the father(s) of your child(ren)?  I'd like to hear from you.  How did you survive?  What did you tell your kid(s) when asked where dad is and why does he not choose to be part of the family or take them for ice cream?

I'd like to hear from you.  I'd like to give you a platform to tell your story.  How many of you would like to be part of a book that would include YOUR STORY as a single parent and how you did it?  I'm taking a poll here, and your comments will be appreciated and I will reply to each & every one.

What dreams did you harbor as you scurried between jobs and driving your kid(s) to school and juggle all that was involved in the upbringing of your child(ren)?  Did you allow yourself to dream?  Did you spend anytime at all working on or playing with that dream?
Did you teach your children that to dream was a great thing and did you encourage them to dream and expand outside the box and use their imagination?  Did you use your imagination?

And last but not least, how did your kid(s) turn out?  Was your effort rewarded with cool kids or are you dealing with regrets and burdens from thinking you didn't 'do it right'?  Do your grandkids adore you?  Are you overwhelmed with babysitting them all the time and still don't get to pursue your dream-life?  How did YOU turn out?  Are you happy with who you are now that the kid(s) are grown and parenthood is not any longer a demanding role?

I truly want to hear from you.....put it in comments below.....include a picture if you'd like.  Let's turn you from a fan to a friend and if I hear from enough of you, we could put a book together that will inspire those of us that either survived, barely survived or didn't think we even DID survive the long road of single parenting!  My hat's off to you, no matter HOW YOU TURNED OUT!  If you're reading this, then you're pulling it off.      

Homeless at the Hilton

It's 5 A.M and the warmth of my laptop is providing the only comfort in this chilly, refrigerated lobby of the DoubleTree Hilton here in San Jose.

My 2 month anticipation of the seminar I am to attend, THE RECONNECTION with Dr. Eric Pearl,  and a calendar with all the daily squares filled in with train departure schedule planning, had me fail to see the little arrow pointing to Thursday as my actual departure date, so I left for the seminar on Wednesday.

MAJOR OOPS!......as my "room at the inn" was booked beginning on Thursday, it was a full-house ( I don't mean a card game, folks!) and all hotels in the area were also full.  It was a fun train ride, but I had no where to sleep.

So, what's a girl to do?  Good fortune in my favor,  I have nice luggage (NOT Gucci or Louis), top quality cosmetics and wore my best jewelry.  Even better, my beloved stylist daughter freshened my almost platinum locks with color and a smart new cut, so throughout this evening's shenanigans, I was not treated like the role of the vagabond I had just assumed.  It was mid afternoon, just about check-in time when I learned there was no room for me until the next day.  I was in such delightful anticipation of spending a free day in a glorious room before the seminar began, I didn't realize I was two days early, and even when the check-in director kindly dealt me the blunt honesty with a smile and a shoulder shrug, I did not let the unreality of my situation diminish my joyful state of mind.  I simply told her with that sweet sense of humor I've been known to have kick in at a twisted time such as this, "well, you'll be wanting to hire me next week, because by tomorrow I'll know every nook and cranny of your fine hotel."  

In my wanderings I made friends with Raphael, the security guard who's shift ended at 11 and let him know he'd be seeing me around and found a nice spot on the atrium roof with two chairs and an ashtray.

To keep this story a blog & not turn it into an actual novel, I'll get to the point that during my wanderings, I found the housekeeping department on the same floor that I discovered an unlocked conference room.  Doing that equation yourself, you can conclude that indeed, I absconded with a pillow, a sheet & two comforters, and by 8 p.m. was nestled on the floor of "The Riesling" room which was a former guest room revamped for conferencing.  Ahhh, it was as quiet as stepping in to a nice private room!  

I kept my stuff organized and in one neat place, laptop charging.  As there was no actual lock on the door, it was kept shut by just that little hardware that all rooms have as an extra security in case some wayward happens to open the door.  So, after a bit of sleep, I heard some wayward try to open the door.  After it happened again, thinking it was maybe some partying firemen from their massive convention occupying the entire hotel I put a barrier of two chairs like you see in the movies when the bad guys are trying to break the door down.....(yes, there were hundreds of really good looking FIREMEN everywhere!) - if I were in that feisty way of my younger day, I'd probably not have the problem of not having a room!   Firemen used to always be that fantasy since I was 18.....and now they were absolutely EVERYWHERE!!!!  Ah the irony!


The wayward intruders turned out to be my security friend and a maintenance man trying to figure out why the door had that fastener on it from the inside.  I moved the chairs, called, "one minute!"~ then answered the door clad in a stark white sheet, tousled blonde hair and a friendly, sleepy smile.  They were quite surprised but friendly at this sight, and told me the banquet manager was going to be here in 10 minutes to prepare the room. As they were going to return the bedding down the hall, I talked them into letting me keep the pillow.  I made my way to a ladies lounge nestled in a more remote area, put two little armless chairs together and continued my attempt at sleep.  It got cold, so I put on more layers and covered up with the hoodie I brought.  

I got enough sleep to have dreams about hotel bathrooms and then the disturbance began with someone using the restroom, followed by a big security officer popping his head in, no doubt following up on a report from the previous intruder.  Telling him my room will be ready in the morning, he kindly said he was going to forget he saw me.  Shortly after this, at just after 4 a.m., I decided to get up, freshen up and start the day.  I brushed the ivories (as daddy used to call our teeth), applied my new cosmetics to a freshly splashed face, stuffed my pillow in my black tote and here I am!  Their cafe opens in 1 minute, and I will be the first one there with my own thermal mug ready for their freshly brewed STARBUCKS!!!!!  This has been more fun than a barrel of firemen, er, monkeys!

Everybody Selling Something

Ah the simple life of days gone by!  The days when the Fuller Brush man came to the door, I remember him well, his name was Buddy and he played jazz guitar and became a friend of the family.

As a small child, the egg man came to the door & sold fresh eggs, the bread man came and sold fresh bread, and yes, the infamous milk man, accused jokingly of fathering many children came to the door also.  None of these salesmen caused questions of paternity, but I do remember fondly these good ol' days.

These days, ones head can spin at all the self help stuff people are selling, enticing the public with how their wares can change our lives in five days or five minutes.  Their sales line includes how much they care about our personal growth, but they over-charge for any of their tidbits of wisdom they might offer for the good of humanity.

Of course we all have to pay for shelter, other basics, and these days the all-coveted luxuries that the media has instilled within all the blinding desire to have.  The media has attempted to program into everyone that life is not worth living if you are not a celebrity of some sort, a high-paid public speaking expert on any subject, especially those subjects that ensure wealth and fame and huge sales of your books and other products that spawn from such expertise.

If we are not some success as defined by society by the time we are in our 50's, then we are considered failures.  The societal, media-definition of success is anything but.  I personally have never fit into societal boxes that bring about acceptance or respect or a pension or financial portfolio that will support me should I live to old age.  I'm here to cultivate within me that which I can take with me when I depart this earthly plane.  But that cultivation does not bring acclaim or financial wealth, unless of course I start selling the wisdom of my experience.  Do I start blogging about it?  Jumping on the bandwagon of selling my life in print or video, hoping to become, of all things, "VIRAL" on You Tube?

The very essence of the artiste does not necessarily include the desire 'to market' my art.  I would have to hire someone to make me into a product that sells well.  Isn't that sort of like prostitution or is this an age-old belief system that is keeping me from enjoying the financial fruits that is my birthright?  There's plenty of people out there that want to sell me the solution to this perceived 'problem'.  My head spins as I open the inbox of my email and see the listing for all the products that will enhance my spiritual progress, from "quantum jumping" to utilizing the "Laws of the Universe".....pretty funny that the very Laws of the Universe have become a product to sell the masses.  Sort of like charging admission to take a walk on the beach or the forest.  They've packaged everything and it's usually for the low price of $97.  This seems to be a popular price tag, except of course unless you want to buy a workbook from Brendan Burchard for $10,000.  No kidding, he brags that his workbook cost less than $20 to make, but the information in it is worth $10,000!!!!

I'm glad Buddha's descendants don't charge for the wisdom he discovered in his time.  Gandhi's wisdom is still free, thankfully.  I can chant the holy mantras and not pay a user fee, but then of course I get the comments from people 'out there' that have viewed it judging me to be something other than what they view as devotional.  I have utilized the internet to express my artistic nature and it's just plain fun to do.  I am amused by some of the commentary that judges me for my self-expression.  The judgments of others is not a concern, for in the words of W.C. - "what other people think of me is none of my business" - using that quote is still, thankfully at a no-charge.

I imagine that someday there will be a breath-ometer, charging people for the very air that they breath.  I just wonder if one will have to pay extra for clean air, or for say, L.A. quality air is a two-for-one-inhale breathing charge. 

 

MORAL TO THE STORY:  maintain a sense of humor, it's not only free, but one can't afford NOT to.

~ A PAPARAZZI FREE LIFE ~

HEAR YE HEAR YE! Friends, Royals, celebrities, public at large: I am not now or never have been a paparazzi photographer, nor will I ever photograph a celebrity, a person of royal status or anyone related to famous persons without having been commissioned to do so.

During my visit to Venice, clad in my black trench coat with both my Canon 5D and my video camera around my neck, lost in a remote and non-tourist zone from taking the wrong water taxi, someone mistook me for a member of the paparazzi force. I must admit I looked rather like one of these intrusive vultures, but I was in fact just a spirit on a sojourn, an adventurer on a quest for self expansion. I just happen to love viewing aspects of the world around me through the lens. In my GALLERIES on my website, you will see Venice as I have seen it. Had I not had my Canon with me, I'd not have gotten to share with you that amazing boat fire! Photographing that scene was most exhilarating!

SOUND SILLY? Maybe it does. But I'm making an official statement. Photographers get a bad rap thanks to those invasive bastards who work for the media that have interest only in making money, cultivating not a sense of integrity about themselves or their 'work'.

I boycott the purchase of any paparazzi based publications. People that have offered their gifts for the public's demand to be entertained should not have their private lives invaded. The public, hungry for satisfaction of their voyeuristic nature and the complying media moguls who have made millions on this deviant appetite, have gone over any boundary of respect as they wish to peer into every detail of their favorite public figure's life, inventing far flung untruths to go with a photo they stole of their victim in an awkward moment of let's say, right after a sneeze.

If the public figure has personal life issues, the paparazzi will distort photos or publish photos stolen in a moment where they can match a false headline to perpetuate a drama, say, if the sun is in the 'victim's' eyes and they are frowning. That frown will be on the front pages with words touting their unhappiness with their cheating spouse when the sun was merely in their eyes and their spouse isn't cheating at all. The public eats this shit like an entree as if they were starving. Their soul is actually starving, and they think this is the food they need: "entertainment by distraction at another person's expense" ~ but the hunger they have is for expansion of their own soul, and the nourishment for that is never at the expense of another. Has anyone considered the effect on the children of these celebrities having swarms of paparazzi round them wherever they go since they are born? Although materially wealthy, these children are starving to just get to be kids walking around with their parents (who happen to be celebrities). The paparazzi has proven they will kill their subject with their invasive habits to 'get the shot'....and we all know who I'm talking about.

I am a fine arts photographer, and sometimes my photos include people. As an artist first, born with 'the eye' - what I see every day is art, with or without my camera. This is a gift that I can market and make money with, but mostly I choose to just enjoy it privately. As I paint, draw, write, design gardens, create songs, play music, and assist in the raising of children (now grandchildren are my little works in progress) - every aspect of my life is an art form in one way or another. Oh, did I leave out the training of my dawg? Living with and training & grooming a standard poodle (or any breed) is TRULY an art form!

I get to live with the enjoyment of this gift of seeing, even when my life is presented with dramatic and/or uncomfortable life events (for what life is without these?) - My emotions and how I navigate through these phases and events is the art of "life in action". My existence contains myriad canvases, and upon them are many colors, shapes, textures and vibrations, and they depict a beautiful life, hanging in the gallery of my experience.

I am also blessed to have in the gallery of my life the art form of "TEXT", as I have kept journals chronicling my entire life.....and have two self published books, as you know, one being from the compilation of several journals that documented an experience that would have been impossible to recall from memory with the intent to write it. I had no intention to make public this private, multidimensional experience and be judged by family, friends & people I'll never meet, as CRAZY. How folks love to throw that word around to label something that is outside their box of limited understanding and beliefs.

I delight in having my life be lived outside the boxes that represent conformity and attempts to fit in and be accepted by mainstream society. I have withstood many crucifixions from living this experience fully. I have also experienced as many resurrections, and all of them have been glorious.

That said, my life today is extraordinary, colorful and amazing, and the development of my next two books are in progress.....it's like growing twins in the womb, they both must be developed at the same time as their fertilization moment has sparked simultaneously. I take delight and share my delight with whoever wishes to peek into my life through the website I have created with my genius webmaster friend, Sir Robert Spencer. We have not worked together in a while, and are embarking on projects in his studio this week....we shall see what golden nuggets emerge from our collective energies of creativity. Stay tuned......

FRIENDS, WELCOME TO MY WORLD OUTSIDE OF FB

KIDS, it's time for a change! Time to get OFF that Facebook network and get you all to visit my website, blogs & videos.

I will not have the once friendly network take my every click and make money off of me and use me to add spam to my friends' lives and have my friends' clicks, likes & dislikes add spam and marketing bullshit to my life.

We must take a stand, and this is my way of doing it. Besides, friends, my website is MUCH MORE FUN to look at, it's so perty! You can view my galleries like taking a stroll through an art gallery. You can subscribe to my videos which will I'll be creating a whole new version of starting next week.

ave NUES will be the new video series. It's a pun using the abc NEWS logo, only we're gonna revamp it a bit so I don't get slapped with a lawsuit, and rather than NEWS it'll be NUES - we all know it's pronounced the same, but Ave's "NUES" will be so much more fun to read. We will not add to the fear base already with a stronghold on the planet, we will add to humor, guide you to a better way so you may enjoy your life. You will be encouraged to be a bright speck on the planet rather than be filled with bad news that adds to the collective doom and gloom mentality which bestows hopelessness and despair.

Remember, the powers that be are intent on taking us all down: divide and conquer. Feeding us terrorized animals raised on chemicals and treated with cruelty and disregard for their feelings and lives, and vegetables and fruits sprayed with poisons that contain no nutrients and they will have us where they want us....and they are succeeding with the masses.

WE MUST TAKE A STAND by what we feed ourselves and our children. It takes more time to read labels and it costs more money to buy organically grown foods, and it takes a lot more discipline to wean away from the diet of flesh that we were mostly all raised with, BUT IT CAN BE DONE.

All that said, you may ask any question in the comments section and I will address it to my best ability. Who knows, my blogs may turn into a column to assist with individual re-empowerment. My life is to continue the service that I raised my children with, teaching them about Spirit, their own empowerment and nutrition, REAL NUTRITION. I didn't feed them any packaged foods when they were young, and yes, that will be a challenge to transition into if you are currently too busy to cut up apples for your youngster than flip that pop tart into the toaster. I WILL HELP YOU. I will make you laugh.

WARNING: I have a dry and sarcastic sense of humor that sometimes may be mistaken to be ranting negativity - but with this knowledge, you can LAUGH when this comes up, rather than think I'm being negative. I'm making puns on negativity itself. THAT SAID, let the fun begin!