I am late on the blog because I spent last week doing the Mardi Gras thing and now I'm doing the penance thing.  More on penance later.

So, two Sundays ago was my wife's parade and ball.  There have been times that I would not enjoy myself during certain parts of that because I wished I was somewhere else.  Looking back at that person, I just have to laugh.  What an ass I was, how much time was wasted.  Anyway, the wife's parade theme was "Dancing Divas of the Deep"  Her float was Jamacian me Krazy.  Let me tell you, the parade is a fun thing.  People on the float and people on the street are enjoying themselves.  The weather was good, no rain and not too cold.

Then we had the masked ball.  This is an EXCELLENT opportunity for people watching. T.P. was seriously drunk at the start, arguing with her husband about what I have no idea.  I stayed out of it.  The wife and I danced to "Wonderful Tonight".  I say never miss an opportunity to be romantic.  Another thing about dancing.  It's not really my thing, but I would advise all men to take thier ladies dancing when the opportunity exists.  They really dig it.  The like it so much they will dance with each other.  With few exceptions, they don't even care if you are good at it.  So, guys, whenever you can, dance with your lady.  It seems that some of the ladies there took the opportunity to bitch at each other (found out about this later).  Again, what a waste.

So Monday, I spent most of the day doing nothing.  We stayed at the ball until about 1 am, which is beyond late for me.  I was wiped.  Tuesday, I went to my chiropractor for an adjustment, then went to the Mardi Gras store for some supplies, then came home and bagged all the goods for my parade.  Wednesday, I voted and then loaded my float.  Later I took L2  to the doctor to get something checked.  Good news, it's fine, no need for surgery or anything.  That night I bowled.  Somehow, my foot got stuck, and I went a@@ over teaketlle and ended up full body in the lane.  Trying to get up or move yourself off an oiled floor is not the easiest thing to do.  Later, in telling this to D, he asked if I was embarrased.  I thought about it and said no, I was just glad I didn't hurt anything.  He said that meant I've come a long way.  So, I guess there was one lesson life sent that I passed.  Yeah me!

Thursday was the scheduled night of my parade and ball.  I went to decorate in the am.  That is funny, watching a bunch of regular guys turn into Martha Stewart.  But we got it done.  Unfortunately, there was a prediction of storms and lightning for that night.  We went back and forth about whether we were going to parade that night.  In the end, the police said no dice.  We had our ball and were told we had to parade behind another organization the next night.  I had a good time at the ball.  It was more leisurely since we did not parade.  we took pictures, ate and drank, danced some.  MIL said she was impressed with my dancing, but I think she was amazed that I did any at all.  More good people watching.

So Friday I slept till 10, went home, then had to go back for the parade.  Weather was much better.  It was a LOOONG ride.  While we were getting on the float, some people were outside their house and had some music on.  L2 was there to see me off and had me dance with her.  Before the start of the parade, I discovered that the guy next to me is one heck of a negotiatior.  So we got on around 7:30, didn't get off until 10.  I was wiped and ready to go home, but hungry.  We stopped to eat and the waitress was a friend of L2.  L2 said she was getting stiffed that night, so I saw this as an opportunity and tipped her 50% of the bill. 

Saturday was another wiped day.  I didn't do much of anything.  Sunday was the Superbowl, and for the first time in many years, I just wasn't that interested, even in the commercials.  D and I cooked, he did the healthy stuff, and I cooked the unhealthy stuff.  It was nice to have everybody over.  Thanks D for doing car service for M.  Monday I am sure I did something, but mostly I relaxed.  I went to the driving range and hit a few balls.  After a warm up, I decided to visualize a course and play a pretend round.  I apparently visualized very well.  I found myself hitting into the same (imaginary) traps I tend to hit on the course.  If there is any situation that is good practice for letting go and letting God, it's with a golf club in your hand.

Tuesday was THE day, Fat Tuesday.  I was still so tired, I stayed out of the mix.  Watched some golf videos on my computer and got some good ideas.  Letting go is still a good idea, but you still need to make a physical move that sends your ball down the intended target line.

Which brings us to Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.  I decided to forgo all alcohol during Lent.  Turns out I don't really miss it at all, but I had enough the last two weeks to hold me I guess.  It was also the day I returned to work after being out for 11 days (calendar days, not work days).  The longer you are out, the harder it is to go back.  Fortunately, I was not as slammed as I thought, but I was not motivated either.  I bowled that night without any beer.  Like I said, turns out I don't miss it that much.

As for penance, I see it less as a religious duty than as an exercise in mindfulness.  Drinking is something that I do just about every day. (In small amounts, and there is a helath benefit to it, I am told)   When tempted to drink, I now take this time to consider who I am and why I am here instead.  Instead of having a beer when I get home, I can do some walking meditation, or have a conversation, or any of the million things I want to do.  It's voluntary, and I can use this time as a "time out" to re ascess and just BE.

Not much to say for Thursday and today.  I felt poorly Thursday from lack of sleep.  Today is odd.  I am holding down the office because most of our folks are out at an employee's new house.  Why, you ask?  Well, this person got a new house from Extreme Makeover.  That's right not some work, but they tore it down and started over.  They had eight people living in a house about 1000 SF now it's about 2,500 SF

Namaste

So Friday was an interesting day.  L1 and I did some at home marriage counseling, the results are that things are really going well, and we got to addresss some issues before they became big ones.  Later, C decided that she was moving out AGAIN.  I dealt with it much better this time.  I am starting to live the idea - "Your children are not your children, they are life's yearning for itself.  They come through you, but not for you."  I am not saying that I dealt with it perfectly, the ego dies a hard death my friends.  They way other people do things is hard for me sometimes, but I know that it is my reaction, not the act, that causes me pain.  That, and my attachment.

Saturday, L2 played in her soccer game, and I cooked for the team.  I really like seeing her play.  L2 is probably the most Zen person I know, though she doesn't know a dharma from a chakra.  When she plays, she just IS.  It lets me know that being still is possible.

Sunday, D and I hit some golf balls, we refer to it as Zen practice.  It is REALLY easy to get out of the moment.  I am learning to consider the process, and not be married to the results.

Monday, I went to the dermatologist.  He said I have a sebaceous cyst on my finger.  No big deal, but it has to be cut out.  He referred me to a plastic surgeon.  What a strange health care system we have.

Tuesday was an all day meeting.  I was very proud of myself, because I did not spend the time wishing I was somewhere else.  I stayed with it, and listened for the things that I was supposed to hear.

Wednesday, I had one of those types of days where I would normally argue, and defend.  I didn't.  I said what I needed to say, and left it at that.  I also went to the eye doctor, and my prescription hasn't changed.  He did say, though, that I was fast coming upon the age for bifocals.  That night I saw L2 play soccer again.

Thursday - Valentine's Day.  We have never been real big on V day, coming hard on the heels of Mardi Gras like it was.  L1 had to go to a wake, which cut into our time together, but we all went to visit M and had a nice time.  L1 has not been feeling well either, so we went to bed early.  Made me feel better this morning though.

Namaste

My intentions.  I do have a dry sense of humor, sometimes offputting.  Ppl often misunderstand my kidding and actions.  I have often identified with the quote, "Never ascribe to maliciousness that which can be explained by ignorance."

That the only peace comes from living in the moment.  Or as Dr Parent put it, "You should never have the same thought twice unless you enjoy having that thought."

With any luck, I will be living in the moment of 2018, and not concerned with 2008 at all.