Heaven is all around, translated to sound. ~Micheal Hedges

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. ~Thornton Wilder

These bands are my treasures; moderator of:

♪ Perpetual Groove tribes.tribe.net/pgroove

♪ EOTO tribes.tribe.net/eoto


Lisa Shara MySpace page:
www.myspace.com/dancepanther

Just go up to somebody on the street and say "You're it!" and then run away.
~Ellen DeGeneres

Don't let them tame you. ~Isadora Duncan

"I love deadlines.
I especially like the whooshing sound they make as they go flying by." ~Douglas Adams

Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years.
We grow old by deserting our ideals.
~Samuel Ullman
(1840-1924, German-born American educator, writer, poet)

I guess I've turned the word passion into whatever it is that melts your heart, whatever it is that keeps you soft and keeps you open. That's what you should be following. ~Debra Winger [From the film Searching for Debra Winger]

“When we have done our best, we should wait the result in peace.” ~ J. Lubbock

“When did you stop singing, dancing, telling stories; when did you stop your practice of silence?”
~Indonesian Proverb

"The thing about trains... it doesn't matter where they're going. What matters is deciding to get on." ~ From the movie The Polar Express (2004).


"What this power is I cannot say; all I know is that it exists and it becomes available only when a man is in that state of mind in which he knows exactly what he wants and is fully determined not to quit until he finds it." -- Alexander Graham Bell

“If you are what you eat and you don't know what you're eating, do you know who you are?”

~Claude Fischler (2004)
Sociologist with the French National Center for Scientific Research

*~. Dance & Movement.~*

www.youtube.com/watch
(3:07) Why dancing is important. Directed by Jason Reitman

www.youtube.com/watch
(6:31) Elena Lev's act Hula Hoops in the show Alegría by Cirque du Soleil
Note: the vocals are live.

www.youtube.com/watch
(3:49) The Ross Sisters; 1944

www.youtube.com/watch
(3:19) Shahdana y los Gemelos Lombard "Tap-Derbake"

www.youtube.com/watch
(4:53) cirque du soleil - saltimbancos

www.youtube.com/watch
(5:58) Phillip Chbeeb a.k.a Pacman Watch #3!

www.youtube.com/watch
(5:23) Buterfly Lovers Respect! I can't imagine what it feels like to the guy when she is on pointe on his body.

www.youtube.com/watch
(8:41) Chinese Deaf Dance Team-Thousand Hands of Buddah Performance
Live, full version.
Article about the troup, one stage of the journey: www.chinadaily.com.cn/english...1946.htm

www.youtube.com/watch
(1:38) Cool mini production using inspiring dance quotes.
"Dance to Inspire, Inspire to Dance" Created by Eddie Uehara.
Dance is music made visible...

video.google.com/videoplay
(8:24) "Russion Climbing"

www.youtube.com/watch
(1:25) Tek- " dancin in san jose"
Great moves!

bboyvideos.blogspot.com/
Michelle Dove's BBoy Clips & Videos
Great collection put together with dedication to the art.

www.youtube.com/watch
(3:03) Treadmill Dancers

www.youtube.com/watch
(5:43) Sergio Montana - Stunning 10 year old dancer

www.youtube.com/watch
Urban Tribal at the Luna Gitana Festival Oct 06

www.youtube.com/watch
(3:38) fj's freestyle
Smooth]

www.youtube.com/watch
(2:19) father and son hand balancing act.

www.youtube.com/watch
Pilobolus: Life in Motion II Series of on-the-road videos from Pilobolus Dance Co.!

www.youtube.com/watch
(6:17) Sangre Del Sol Fire Show @ Enchanted Forest; Oct.2004

www.youtube.com/watch
(5:01) Nam popping at tha mall
Love his interactions with the people...

www.youtube.com/watch
(1:02) Pilobolus/ Life Shapes Hyundai ad.

video.google.com/videoplay
(2:49) Frog Brothers Dance
The Boyz are great-- keep it up guys!

www.youtube.com/watch
Tribute to Rachel Brice

video.google.com/videoplay
And this... this does have some possibilities.
(.36) DUO JUMP, ik en yanne , STAMPE, JUMPSTYLE

www.youtube.com/watch
(2:16) Michael Jackson [the boy can dance] Performing Billie Jean

video.google.com/videoplay
(9:12) The Asian American Student Intercollegiate Association (AASIA) holds this annual event every year, and this is the Loyola Asian Student Organization's (LASO) performance. Friday, October 20, 2006 at the University of New Orlean's Human Performance Center. Fun choreography!

www.youtube.com/watch
Nam Hyun Joon - In Germany
(7:22) Can't get enough of this guy.

Wade Robson:
www.youtube.com/watch
(4:45) Wade Robson teaches a solo dance
www.youtube.com/watch
(2:13) Wade Robson Performance
www.youtube.com/watch
(2:07) Wade Robson Michael Jackson Tribute


*~. Music .~*
Charice Pempengco:
www.charicepempengco.com/video...ow.php

Ruben van Rompaey darbuka solo Raqs Britannia Manchester 2006
(3:00) www.youtube.com/watch

March 1978 u2 first ever tv performance
youtube.com/watch

www.youtube.com/watch
(1:42) George Harrison's sitar-lesson with Ravi Shankar

www.youtube.com/watch
(3:47) Part 2
Clips from film: Bill Laswell- Axiom Sound System Musical Freezone (Tabla Beat Science)
Oh yeah!! Some great footage of Bill Laswell w/Zakir Hussain, Ustad Sultan Khan, Karsh Kale, DJ Disk, & Nils Petter Molvaer

www.youtube.com/watch
(3:43) Part 4
Includes Zakir Hussein solo. The man is grooving! DJ Disk rocks it too-- as does everyone in the group!

www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php
Live (audio) India.Arie performance & interview at NPR's Studio 4A July 2006 but timeless perceptions.

video.google.com.au/videoplay
(4:00) Drummer Moshe Yankovsky of Israel playing Jembe. Impressive to jaw-dropping, depending on your life experience.

www.youtube.com/watch
(4:54) Seido's dumbek solo in DC - March '06 - the whole thing

www.youtube.com/watch
(2:38) Bill Withers live doing one of his biggest hits (1972) Ain't No Sunshine. With a few words from Bill re the song's creation.

video.google.com/videoplay
(1:04) Lorin (Bassnectar) @ Sabala's, Portland, 11-17-06

www.youtube.com/watch
(5:10) Sarah McLachlan - World on Fire- "live"
I know Oprah is controversial-- if you don't want to see her at all, here's link to the original purported $15 self-produced World of Fire video: (4:23) www.youtube.com/watch

www.youtube.com/watch
(6:16) Deniz Kaim- Darbuka turkish style 1st section solo; 2nd section duet with his brother


*~. Other .~*

www.youtube.com/watch
(6:40) 1 Giant Leap - Trailer for movie #2

onetheproject.com/index.php
'ONE' 's Theatrical Trailer
(Have you seen this movie? I want to!)

www.ebaumsworld.com/2006/06/...fuel.html
What is possible with water as a fuel source-including vehicles.

www.youtube.com/watch
(3:39) I gotta wonder, has anyone NOT seen this? The infamous & inspiring Free Hugs video.

video.google.nl/videoplay
(6:38) Hundreds of horses were stranded on a small Netherlands Island during Nov. 06. Footage of four women leading 100+ of the horses to dry land. (Vangelis soundtrack)

video.google.ca/videoplay
(20:46) Ptaah (Jani King channeling)

The more I think about it, the more I realize there is nothing more artistic than to love others.

Artists I'm thankful for sharing musical moments with:

Perpetual Groove, Hot Buttered Rum String Band, New Monsoon, Animal Liberation Orchestra (ALO), Kan'nal, On Ensemble, Light Rain, Pollyanna Bush, Ganga Giri, Hamsa Lila, Aphrodesia, John Mazzei, J.P. Cutler, Tea Leaf Green, Signal Path, Umphrey's McGee, John Whoolilurie, Heavyweight Dub Champion

Recently blown away by: Padora.com. Thanks April WW, for the link.

Looking forward to meeting in person: Lorin Ashton, Paula Cole

Artists (musicians) whose music has touched me deeply at one point or another in my life:

Rush, Bob Holroyd, Zap Mama, India.Arie, Dead Can Dance, VAS, Lotus, Jazayer, 40 Fingers, Suru, Umoja, Oceania, Ghostland, Michael Hedges, Venessa Mae, Nada Shakti, Sarah McLachlan, Sheila Chandra, Papa Wemba, Alpha Blondy, Sonic Tribe (1st cd), Monica Ramos, Mary Black, Safri Duo, Lauryn Hill, KRS One, Yoko Kanno/Seatbelts (Cowboy Bebop), Adamski, Fugees, Aria, The Orb, Guru, Emma Shapplin, Uman, Govinda, Nomad, Qkumba Zoo, Moby, The Nylons, Juno Reactor, Paul Oakenfold, Jon Anderson, Puentes Brothers, Joan Osborn, Alanis Morissette, Tracy Chapman, Robin Trower, Richie Blackmore, UFO, Shadowfax, Mike Marshall, David Grisman, Will Ackerman, Tina Turner, Jewel, Heart, Paula Cole, John Barry, Mars Lasar, Angelique Kidjo, Secret Garden, Charlotte Church, Agatsuma, Kodo, Stray Cats, Bally Sagoo, James Asher, Keven Setchko/Crystal Wind, Terence Trent D'Arby, Bryan Ferry, Jim McGrath, Mickey Hart, Bobby McFerrin, Seal, Professor Trance, Bruce Cockburn, Kathy Zavada, Donna DeLory, Steven Halpern, Wayquay, Atman, Brent Lewis, Gabrielle Roth and the Mirrors, Toni Childs, Dr. Didge, Laura Love, Pele Juju, Mahalia Jackson, Vas, Deva Premal, Reinhard Flatischler, Bonnie Raitt, Madonna, Joan Armatrading, Sainkho, Spirit Drummers, Randy Crafton, Enya, Loreena McKennitt, Julian Lennon, Marcome, Glen Velez, Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck, Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Pink Floyd, The Tubes, Lou Reed, Emmerson Lake and Palmer, Marvin Gaye, Patti LaBelle, U2, Led Zepplin, Donnie Osmond, Leftfield, Elton John, The Platters, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Sibeba, Journey, Todd Rundgren, The Carpenters, Afro Celt Soundsystem, Deep Forest, Lagbaja, Bruce Springsteen, Vieux Diop, Manu Dibango, Shamen, Medicine Drum, Wasis Diop, Enigma, Jann Arden, Temple of Sound, Mandalay, Youssou N'dour, Maryam Mursal, Mark Isham, The Shaman, Medicine Drum, Fluke, John Mazzei...

people.tribe.net/faizeh/bl...bce424f537

"Joy is a net of love with which you can catch souls."

God is really only another artist. He invented the giraffe, the elephant, the ant. He has no real style. He just goes on trying other things. ~ Pablo Picasso

~.~ ~.~ ~.~ ~.~ ~.~ ~.~ ~.~.~.~ ~.~ ~.~ ~.~ ~.~ ~.~ ~.~.~.~ ~.~ ~.~

I've love to see this in person-without the cruel shoes-- if it works for comfortable shoes, I'd like to have one at home: rakkudesigns.com/

I feel at home in dugouts and caves-- this home appeals to me, I could love: www.simondale.net/house/index.htm

Eileen’s Caddy's last recorded message from the still small voice she heard within:

“Tell them to be still and turn them within to find that place of peace and stillness, the God within. Then to live and move and have their being from that centre which is God within, and there you will find all the answers.”

Born 1917, Eileen departed Dec 13, 2006. She said:

"When I die I would like everyone to give thanks for my release and wish me happy blessings on my journey........I would like only one spay of flowers, and would prefer a donation towards the 'Findhorn Elders' Fund'. Remember it is only my body being cremated, my spirit has gone on to higher dimensions. I will be with you in Spirit. Bless you all."

Isfahan; movie from Eterea Studio featuring the artwork of Cristobal Vila
tinyurl.com/awytw
www.etereaestudios.com/docs_h...dex.htm
An absolutely beautiful animated movie inspired by Persian architecture. Love this for it's art.

Article: National Funk Congress Deadlocked On Get Up/Get Down Issue
www.theonion.com/content/node/29205
The Onion covers important debate.

www.sfgoth.com/~immanis/r...etter1.html
Rainer Maria Rilke
Letters To A Young Poet
Stephen Mitchell Translation

Article: The Leaf Player of the Zocalo
www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php

Pilobolus Dance Co. Worth visiting just for the pictures.
www.pilobolus.com/

SF Gate article about Anna Halprin.
www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi
I had the pleasure of working breifly with Anna in my younger dance years.

Where's Matt?
www.wherethehellismatt.com/
Matt dances around the world, in his own style. And was recently sponsored for a tour!

Eckhart Tolle
tinyurl.com/yrg98b

Artist for World Peace- The International Peace Belt
www.artistsforworldpeace.org/
Also traveling the globe: dancers, peace keepers, and spiritual leaders from every country that the belt visits are asked to meditate on peace while performing in The International Peace Belt. The International Peace Belt has been caretaken to 7 countries on 3 continents.

Network of people giving things away, make requests for things needed.
www.freecycle.org/
Find a FreeCycle email group in your area.

Mattie Stepanek's website
www.mattieonline.com
Mattie spent the remaining few years of his young life reaching out to people.
Heartening in the way of Morrie (see book and film 'Tuesdays with Morrie' )-- Mattie and Morrie both encourage a life lived fully, with love.

Coop America
www.coopamerica.org/
Economic action for a just planet

The Puentes Brothers by Olly Mitchell
Cosmic Debris Musicians Magazine - Feb, 2001
www.cvnet.net/cosmic/a_puente.html

North State Parent Magazine
www.northstateparent.com/site/index.php
Serving Upper California parents and those who work with children.
I'm the editor... :-)

Web Sudoku
www.websudoku.com/
Spend hours solving Sudoku puzzles...

I guess I've turned the word passion into whatever it is that melts your heart, whatever it is that keeps you soft and keeps you open. That's what you should be following. ~Debra Winger [From the film Searching for Debra Winger]

“When we have done our best, we should wait the result in peace.” ~ J. Lubbock

Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons, and you will find that it is to the soul what the water-bath is to the body. ~Oliver Wendell Holmes

♫ ♪♫ ◊♫♪

Dec 2009: Loreena McKennitt cd: Live in Paris and Toronto

In Vehicle:
Zucchero

A kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they drew. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's artwork. As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was. The girl replied, "I'm drawing God." The teacher paused and said, "but no one knows what God looks like." Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing the girl replied, "They will in a minute."

Aug 23, 2007: In response to Alisa

The pic of your former loved home on fire reminds me of something I've long felt and thought-- that there are times when moving into the next level of creation means saying goodbye to creations we have loved and held dear. Sometimes it is easier to move when present circumstances don't suit us, consciously. But those of us who love life, love all we are involved in. So moving on can be a deep process of release and letting go. I'm there. I'm here-- I feel like I'm moving, literally-- I'm going through every external thing I've been holding on to. Everything I've accepted responsibility for is being touched, is literally being moved (carpet cleaner has been employed). I'm praying for the strength to release-- to let go of things I don't need and don't use. I honor that they are cool things, useful things, interesting things. But I can release them for someone else to hold and love. I need to keep only what sparks life and joy and meaning and depth of feeling within me. I need to keep what touches me, to keep what currently serves me and that I can serve by honoring fully. To keep ONLY what I love.

This is all a metaphor for internal clearing-- for achieving clear vision. it's the same process as burning down the house. The release of what has been loved-- or the things the represent what has been loved-- it's not easy for me. But I'm almost there. I'm seeking that ease. Moving on means the ever-evolving process of lightening my load. Being responsible to the internal first, the external second.

I'm so ready that my focus has been constant, momentum flowing non-stop. Clearing, cleaning, preparing for the next phase. I too, feel the presence of the next level of being. I too have been in process, preparing for it.

Blessings all.
~Lisa Shara

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July 17th, 2007.

I've actually been tired-- I've found myself contemplating: "So THIS Is what it feels like!" I feel like I could turn in early for a month, to catch up with myself sleep-wise. Wonder what's shifted in me-- I mean, this is more normal, really-- to be able to feel tired and respond to that accordingly. Well, in a perfect world. Sleep just simply has not been my experience in a long time. To give an idea, I've pulled all-nighters multiple times a month for several months in a row. I'm looking forward to being "normal" with sleep-- it's like shifting gears. I tend, in my life, to operate in overdrive. Shifting to a lower gear and enjoying the scenery will be a significant change. Letting things come rather than going after them is part of the essence of the shift.

Musing over. ~L


June 17th: More here: blog.myspace.com/dancepanther
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Feb 26, 2007, Monday

Hee Hee. I have a dance and yoga area in my downtown office, and a large exercise ball to drape over. A practice mirror too!

Henry comes with me. Precious comes along sometimes. The Publisher's (Pam)'s dog Metra visits the office also. We are a dog-friendly work environment. In my opinion, that's pretty cool. The dogs have a secondary place to be with their humans. I like the company. We work on commands out in hallway, continuing Henry's training.

So I'm loving dancing to Govinda. In between projects, I go dance for a bit. I can even practice handstands here if I am so moved to!

I have an orange/peach flower in a transparent blue glass bottle, both a gift, sitting here in one of my work areas.

Grounded in recounting the 2006 projects and levels of growth of Rock the Earth. It's that time of year, of looking back and accounting for accomplishments and wrapping up the financials to close out the year-- that's a project I must attend to and complete for Z-Man Productions. Rock the Earth's growth is something to observe and to be a part of. More than doubling membership for the 2nd year running, being recognized through grant awards, an amazing crew of volunteers during every season, filing legal documents sooner than expected for the Colorado River/Grand Canyon river management issue-- RtE accomplished much, and we are grateful for all who have supported us over the past year. Rock the Earth looks forward to a busy and full ongoing schedule.

Business class most interesting. Loving it. Need to focus on Z-Man's mission statement.

Gotta go-- dance and organization are both calling, and I'm responding...
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Feb 13th, 2007

Inspired by Shanna:

re the book, Aphrodites-Daughters: Women's Sexual Stories and the Journey of the Soul, when I was more into working one and one with people it was a book I recommended a lot-- one of those books I had two copies of, a 'loaner' and my personal copy. One time a woman returned the book the day after I'd loaned it to her-- she said she liked it so much that went out and bought her own copy. Another woman stopped me in the street once when our paths crossed and and suggested that I should have warned her about the impact of the book, because it shifted a lot within her.

When I first read it, I read it a chapter at a time, one chapter each night before I went I to bed-- then I wanted to start over again. I love that author Jalaja Bonheim balances her personal input with the stories of the women she interviews for the book (one woman in per chapter). Rather than overly analysing each woman's experience (she could have, she's a therapist), as a writer she instead allows each woman to share her stories and prompts her to share the nuggets of wisdom she's gained through the life experiences they speak of. For that alone I think it's brilliant, i.e., each woman shines.

The book is strong from beginning to end-- never a feeling rehashing what has already been said earlier in the book. Only the intro was a bit of a slow read to me-- yet is vital and brings up important aspects-- this book offers quite a bit to chew in in my opinion.

And here you go, you can't beat some of these prices: product.half.ebay.com/Aphrodi...QtgZinfo

I definitely recommend this book to men as a worthy read also.
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Feb 7th 2007...

Just gotta share-- completed a little project that was on my plate-- just made certificates for 14 special needs teens (mostly emotional needs) that recently completed a Special Arts Materials & Techniques class that a project I work with (mostly volunteer), the Siskiyou Arts Bus, just hosted for these teens. We are also doing a Juvi-Justice class. And Movement & Music classes for infants-Kindergartners. Anyway, the certs are just to say to these young adults that, hey, you ARE a Siskiyou County artist! I think they look good! And NOW I can focus on the March NSP issue!


Inspired by Mountain Feb 3rd:

I'm needing to take a focused look at the reality of what I'd like to be doing within the music industry, and I'm in a good place for that now because I've taken the time I've needed out of that arena, and my freelance writing, editing, promoting and organizing is fully supporting me-- and I'm finally getting to the depth of healing that's needed to enable me fully engage in the industry again.

At any rate, I'm mapping out a business plan and facing the things that have had me in retreat mode-- that's what I'm going to be working on for the next couple months-- looking at both practical and emotion aspects-- doing some legwork and paperwork. I can do this because I have people in my life who are willing to support me with taking a focused look at the business side of things-- this includes some aspects I've avoided looking at because it quickly moves into levels of complexity. That is one aspect about a particular promoter I know that I've never understood-- to me it takes a village to produce a big show, event, or series of events. I know I can't do what I want to do alone-- I wouldn't want to! Overseeing production, yes, I love that-- doing all the aspects-- no way. I've done events alone, and only a control freak has to do it that way, I can assure you-- nothing like experience to help one discover a better way!

Anyway, bottom line, I need to know if I can make way within myself in order to birth the dreams and visions I hold, or if it's wiser for me to leave behind this life-long passion and natural habitat to focus on other aspects of life (what a martyr I sound like!) . It's pretty clear where my heart is at--I'm going to have to be brave about putting it on paper. The reality of what's needed to operate as a business can't be fudged--it needs to be a quality operation and involves a lot of parts and pieces-- and likely phases. And where the industry lacks in integrity, integrity has to be upheld. That's to me the yuk part of the job, the font-line work. Dang integrity! Getting crashed into isn't fun for me. That's why contracts are important. Keeps things clear.
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Inspired by Kerrie Feb 2nd:

I'm thrilled. I just returned to the mag office, and as I walked up the stairs to the office (indoor stairs), I was struck with a feeling and the conception of how I love my job, and how thankful I am to have this-- this live opportunity of living this aspect of my desires. I write, I edit, I create, I work with writers and photographers, and with sales reps who are way cool. Everyone is upbeat, Marc is an amazing graphic artist and is easygoing and super-creative. Pam is terrific-- she trusts me to run her biz while she's out of the country for weeks at a time. I manage my time-- I can pretty much work any hours I like, and can work from home. So I can work in my pjs if I feel like it. I have a great office downtown, and it's on a second floor, looking out over part of Mt. Shasta Blvd. So I can fantasize about working in a city if I want to-- between memories and the scene outside my window, I can see it, feel it.

I can separate home from work whenever I feel the need-- or if I want to be home, I can be there. My home office has jumped some levels of organization in the recent past. I'm enrolled in a biz course called growing your business. I know the woman who is the main facilitator for the course, and I know the woman who teaches the accounting part of the course. Both are great woman-- I've worked with each of them in the past. I'm eligible for assistance in completing and filing my biz taxes through a small business development organization.

I can bring my dog to work. There's a couch in my downtown office, though I discovered that sleeping here isn't tops. I use Macs at work, PCs at home. I'm learning more about InDesign, playing with it more. I'm a bit scared yet of the big bad PhotoShop, though now more than ever I have reasons to be using it. Truth: I hate what feels like a steep learning curve-- optimizing pics and such-- I keep stubbing my toe on the illusion of how difficult that is-- sort of like working a soundboard at a show- daunting in complexity. Something as simple as making a photograph look good on a flier feels frustrating to think about. Laying out the flier and graphically working with the pics in a "fluff' way aren't a problem-- I suppose in essence it's learning to use PhotoShop to 'develop' pics-- like I used to do in a darkroom-- that's the part I barely feel an inkling of knowledge about. At any rate, back on the thankful track, I'm loving that I'm able to use my computer skills most often with an element of creativity, whether on the level of writing and editing, or working with graphics and layout. I'm definitely into organizing and have glory days here with that.

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Inspired by Dale Feb 02, 2007:

D: ~Sorry to bother. I'll just listen some more now... ;-)

L: Silly, no bother here, or is a good bother...

re me, I'm in a mode where being as real as I'm able to be is the requirement. Kinda like loving and honoring self, where it all begins-- communion with source, within. That means for me at times, needing to communicate with people things that I'm not thrilled about needing to vocalize. In part I want to kick and scream rather than do it, but I know, because it's my desire to move forward and remain as conscious as possible, the discomfort I feel of having to speak up is outweighed by the need to be real at this juncture. I have to bother... :-) You say 'Sorry to bother' -- I say your bothering to communicate with heart is a good thing.

Thanks for joining me in reflecting on a level gained though doing what it takes to grow clearer. What I've gone through in the past couple years especially has knocked off the scab of a wound I didn't realize remains tender within me, and has remained because it's never been tended to in a way that's allowed for completion of healing. That I'm needing to clean out an unhealed wound is has become very clear to me-- it's my cat Sira that has been the final messenger reflecting this to me. Sira's taken on my pain and the puss causing it via a physical abscess that's manifested on his body for the second time in a short range of months-- this time in a deeper location and with no point of entry or ability to release the toxins, and so requiring intensive care to heal. I get it now. I need to assume responsibility for clearing out the the gunk of this wound within me on one level so that Sira is relieved of taking this on for me. Beyond that reason, the fact that I've needed to do this began to dawn on my this past summer, when it first started leaking-- toward the end of the summer there was a point where I fully went into releasing tears and emotion, and yet remained clear enough to reach out and attempt to work with what was going on in a way and on a level that I've not been brave enough to work through before. So it began to become clear that I've needed to heal something I ran from earlier in life, and then worked fairly hard to ignore, so that I can be healed from the inside out and continue my journey having been brave enough to face the wounding, and feeling whole within myself-- loving who I am.

Gotta say that having a conversation with you on the level you've joined me in reflecting on-- is not a level that shows itself to be sustained in all cases. What I realize is that some people grab, some move into modes without considering a fuller picture, and some are choosing not be conscious with their minds, words and action, yet are righteous about who they feel themselves to be in comparison to others. Grant it, I know full well that my perceiving in this manner may indicate that those are modes within me, and if that's the case, these are great opportunities to clear the gunk that warps the rays illuminating higher perception. Ego, I suppose, is what Joseph Campbell would say this process is about-- slaying the Medieval dragon (ego).
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Jan 13th, 2007 Response to "Favorite High Sierra Band for 2007?" thread on the High Sierra Music Tribe.
hsmf.tribe.net/thread/247...5bd639a29ad

As far as bands hoped for HSMF 07: I'm in a "surprise me" mood.

I know there will be good acts, and being relaxed in that knowing I'm looking forward to in-visioning what to bring to enhance setting up my brief High Sierra home at camp. Hopefully, with enough planning I'll be able to help create something fun.

HSMF is the most creative fest I know, and I enjoy getting into the creativity of it all.

If HSMF is a "cake" experience, the cake is good, and the icing abundant, with enough of a variety of cakes to offer something for everyone's tastes, whether its a craving for sa-wheeeet glucose-laden, or whole wheat staff-of-life, or wheat-free, or carb-free, or fully-vegan-- or the occasional Betty Crocker mix. Taste 'em all (or as many as you can), or stick with your regular diet-- either way, eat there, at HSMF, and you'll be filled.

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Jan 12, 2007 Section of my response to the Jan 11th post "Mean Girls" in Laura's blog:
people.tribe.net/0d69ffa6-...a1bb4164b2

I dropped out from the dance realm at one juncture because I did not want to deal with the petty levels that occur. Seriously-- I was signing autographs, dancing overseas, playing good shows, getting recognition, working with a great recording band, etc. etc. etc.-- and the competitive level just flat-out sucked in my opinion. Wasn't comfortable with it, and was just not worth it to me-- dance is not about ego-- it's about spirit, it's about being real with life. Sure, I know ego is needed to deal with the stuff we are talking about here-- and musicians also have need, I suppose, for a certain amount of ego-- or is it ego? Maybe it's just self-knowing.

Whatever-- the low-level competitive stuff hurts us collectively, i.e, the dance realm as a whole, the music realm as a whole-- there is a diff. between "healthy competition" and "nasty competition," though I think it's only healthy when it includes an element of fun, and true support of all involved. Supporting everyone to do their best, makes good for all of us-- and in the light a bit of competition keeps us on our toes-- but it's an agreed upon thing-- like, we are in this TOGETHER, playing this industry game-- and more than that-- we are creating and forging new ways of doing it as we progress as a whole. We ought to all be thankful to the indie artists who have gone before us and created new bridges to cross, and we ought to be thankful to the industry folks who have walked out of that loop and who are taking that knowledge and applying it to also create new ways of "doing it." It doesn't ever have to be as it has been, in fact, it can't be-- the old industry (dance/music) just doesn't work as it once did.

For Joan, Missy, Javier, Marie and Margaret

Whether you are surrounded by the singing of a
lamp or the sounds of a storm, by the breathing of
the evening or the sighing of the sea, there is a
vast melody of a thousand voices that never leaves
you and only occasionally leaves room for your
solo. To know when you have to join in, that is
the secret of your solitude, just as it is the art of
true human interaction: to let yourself take leave
of the lofty words to join in with the
one shared melody. ~ Rainer Rilke, 1898

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WHERE IS THE MISSY MEMORIAL?
For anyone driving on I-80 in Nevada, the Missy Memorial is on the east side of the state, about 6 miles east of Wells. Go to mile marker 358 (if you're going East, you can pull up right before the guardrail). The Memorial is on the south side of the highway, ten yards off, up a small embankment among sagebrush, juniper & pinyon pine.
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For Everyone:

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

~Mary Elizabeth Frye (1905-2004)