Currently Reading:
A Sourcebook in Asian Philosophy
by John M. Koller, and Patricia Koller



Lesson from an Improvisational Actor:
According to actor/comedian Mike Meyers (Austin Powers, Wayne's World), the "secret" to being a great improvisational actor is to say "yes" to everything that comes at you. Don't resist anything, don't fight anything, don't struggle with anything. There is nothing you can do about what comes, except what you do with it once it comes to you. Do you say "yes" and harmonize with it, or do you say "no" and struggle with it? What good comes from that struggle? Could that energy have been more constructively spent? How will you answer the next thing life brings to you?


Cheers,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha

Currently Reading:
A Sourcebook in Asian Philosophy
by John M. Koller, and Patricia Koller



Masculine Women's Studies:
On top of my promotion at work, which has me busier then ever, I also started school again last week. The journal entries have suffered a bit, but I'm still here.

One of the classes I'm taking is a women's studies class, and oddly enough it's called "Men and Masculinity".


Attack of the Feminists:
OK I admit it, the femi-nazis got me! They converted me, and now I hate men . . . not really. ;-)

Going in, I thought I was a pretty gender balanced person, and I still believe I am. Some may not buy it, but just in case you didn't get the punchline, here it is: Sometimes I use sexist jargon and sarcastic tones of feigning sexism in order to poke fun at its absurdity. Believe it or not, I am a feminist, in that I have this crazy idea that women should be valued equally to men.

What I didn't expect is the little things that I've discovered I do that perpetuate patriarchy. I've discovered that if a woman is talking, I'm more likely to interrupt or change the subject. The good news is, once I've noticed that I do that, I can actively take steps to avoid doing it in the future. :-D


Cheers,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha

Currently Reading:
Zen Buddhism: A History, India and China
by Heinrich Dumoulin



The Price of Being Excellent:
I've been gathering "ammunition" for my annual review, which I was supposed to have in mid-December. I had gather irrefutable evidence that I was worthy of both a raise and a promotion. I am overly qualified for my job, and I had done excellent work on a consistent basis.

It seemed like THE DAY I finished assembling my data to take to my department head, the CEO walks up to me.

Him: Hey, do you wanna work on a project?
Me: Sure!
Him: OK, I'll get back to you later.

The next day, he walks into my office and says, "When you're ready, meet me in my office."

I went to his office, and he got to talking about a project he wanted me to work on. He showed me the tools he expects me to utilize (which are almost completely new to web building).

Him: Are you up to it?
Me: Absolutely!
Him: Great! What do you need from me?
Me: *blank look*
Him: *waits*
Me: I need to be free from distractions.
Him: I'm going to have you in your own office in about . . . 120 seconds. What else do you need?
Me: We need to talk about compensation.
Him: What you will be learning will increase your value to the market. You can expect to be able to make 40, 50, 60K a year with these skills. As your value improves to me, so will your pay.
Me: Let's get started!


Cheers,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha

Currently Reading:
The Way of Zen
by Taisen Deshimaru



New Book:
So I finished the last book, and had 2 more in the wings. So what do I get? 2 MORE BOOKS! I swear, I must be a masochist or something. These things are piling up on my desk faster then I can read them . . . that's entirely my fault though.


Like Your Hair's on Fire:
The first sentence of this new book is as follows, "You must concentrate upon and consecrate yourself wholly to each day, as though a fire were raging in your hair." Incidentally, this is also how I drive.

The author goes on to describe this Bushido (way of the warrior, or "Samurai Code") phrase. He says that you should live each moment fully, as though it may be your last. Leave no room for regret, hesitation, or fear.

This is synchronous with a thought I was already carrying, though it goes a bit further then mine. The thought I was already carrying was simply, "If we're lucky, we get a mere 28,000 days on this little blue marble." This had already forced me to consider what it is that I have time for on a day to day basis, and what I don't have time for. I quickly discovered that I have no time for holding grudges, anger, hatred, jealousy, etc. The only thing I do have time for is love and compassion.

These first few words in my study of Bushido already reaffirm that sentiment, and actually carry it to the next step. I MIGHT have 28,000 days, then again I may only have this one. Of course, this is no excuse to blow everything I have on a quick wild ride, because I may be around for many years still. I should simply act in every moment as though it may be my last.


Cheers,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha