Breaking Bad Hysteria

My second home in the desert has always been without television.  Ironic, perhaps, given my profession, but something I never contemplated installing.  I favor evenings spent around the dinner table or fire pit, interacting instead of watching.  If alone I'm just as happy with a book, the endless entertainment online, or a movie at the local theater.  In nine years, I've never missed it, until tonight.  I knew I'd have no access to the much anticipated Breaking Bad finale when I needed to stay overnight, but I thought I could handle the suspense for another 24 hours.  However, as the countdown neared, and the collective excitement heated up online, I desperately wanted to partake.

 Friends on fb recommended various sites to download, and so my quest began.   Some sites were questionable, others had unapproved Apple applications.  I figured out how to open them, but then hit other unexplainable road blocks.  At midnight the download was available at AMC.com, so I waited up, but without cable affiliation in my current zip code I couldn't open it. At 1am it popped up on itunes, BUT my very SLOW internet connection the download wouldn't be complete for another five hours.  I admit it, I screamed.  I seriously contemplated driving to a Starbucks or hotel lobby in search of a fast connection.  Put the computer down.  I did, rationalizing I could wake up at 6am, refreshed,  and watch Walter White's demise.  It took an hour for my mind to settle, let go of the frustration, and drift off.  My subconscious did not fully participate, Walt and Jesse populated my dreams.  At daylight, I awoke as if I had been in battle, but excited nonetheless.  Yet somehow, in the middle of the night, with 78 minutes to go, the download paused.    My Breaking Bad odyssey wasn't over, but I needed a break from my obsession.  I continued the download, went to a yoga class, and returned, clear-headed, to watch Felina.

Wow.  Even watching on my laptop on a glorious sunny morning I was transported, and easily  absorbed in the unraveling of this story, and the criminal actions of Walter White.  I was surprised by the emotion, and respected the calm in which so many scenes were executed.  For the most part, the fighting and violence were in the past.  The lies certainly were.  This episode was finally about the truth, and righting wrongs.

PS in Black and White

After the sun slid behind the mountains, I strolled around my neighborhood, camera in hand. 

Inspiration

I've been trying to train myself to sleep on my back.  For years, I've slept on my stomach and a severely tweaked neck is the result.  Trying to break this habit has not been easy.  I resort to positions on my side, tossing and turning between my left and right.  Most nights I can find comfort, yet I know it would be even more beneficial if I could sleep on my back.  Perhaps Harry Rosen is just the inspiration I need.

Amber Light

I go through cycles of waking up early, pre-dawn, night sky outside my window.   I could roll over and go back to sleep, but I don't since it's one of my favorite times to read -- the book by my side, the script on my ipad, The New York Times, my favorite blogs -- absorb the silence, and watch the inky sky turn various shades of blue.  In early fall, the light on the hills glows, especially after a strong windy day.  The canyon has been cleansed, and the ocean  stretches across my view.  I am in temporary possession of this view.  My house has stood on this site for 86 years, and I've only inhabited it for the past 16.  I wonder whose eyes rested on this vista before me, and who will stir in the morning hours when I'm gone.

Full Moon Festival

I made good on my intention this summer to partake in the many outdoor activities happening in Los Angeles.  This past Saturday, I took the red line, to the gold line to the Full Moon Festival in Chinatown.  Bands, a DJ, food carts, galleries, and excellent people watching.  Technically, no longer summer.  The first evening of autumn had a chill in the air. Ushering in a new season, aware of time's persistent march.

Early Morning Hike

A hot August resulted in more yoga sessions than hikes in the hills.  The cool air and gray clouds motivated me to visit one of my favorite trails.  A beautiful, calming way to start the day and anchor the weekend.

Still Life

Surrender

“TRIPPING OVER JOY

What is the difference
Between your experience of Existence
And that of a saint?

The saint knows
That the spiritual path
Is a sublime chess game with God

And that the Beloved
Has just made such a Fantastic Move

That the saint is now continually
Tripping over Joy
And bursting out in Laughter
And saying, “I Surrender!”

Whereas, my dear,
I am afraid you still think
You have a thousand serious moves.”
― Hafiz

Desert Morning

Recently Read

By the time I was in 4th grade I was already spending hours in my room, or on a beach towel reading.  I loved getting lost in a good book --  Harriet the Spy, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, The Little House series.  Undoubtedly, my passion for story telling led me to my job, which ironically consumed so many hours reading scripts that books were relegated to the Christmas holiday, and June vacation. I'm grateful for the wonderful life shift I've experienced over the last few years, and having time to read for pleasure again is certainly one of them. 

PS

PS.  Oh, how I've missed you.  Even in the sweltering heat, I'm glad to be back among your mountainous peaks and palm trees.  Months without you resulted in a long to-do list.  I tackled a lot today, most importantly, getting the AC up and running again.  106 outside and 95 on the couch made for several sweaty conference calls, but I endured, and look forward to a restful night between cool sheets.

What If

What if,

rather than looking at everything

as either good news or bad news,

you decided to view everything you face

as an adventure?

Just like a child.

No blessings and no curses.

A grand journey full of possibility,

amazement, and many beautiful views.

~ C. C.

The Universe

When we try to pick out anything by itself,

we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.

John Muir

Sunset, Sunrise, Sunset

The Playa

Gray Malin's series of stunning beach scenes from a doorless helicopter.

Heatwave

Sun setting on another HOT day.

September Sky

And the calendar marches on with subtle changes in the light and sky.  There are fine traces of the season being left behind and the new one approaching.

September

For at least some stretch of each day, may you let your story - your own inner gripes and worries and melodramas - melt away completely. May you rest back and breathe, and relinquish your tight hold on who you think you are.

Is it possible that you are just a simple creature, moving and watching and shining and breathing? Just a little bubble of life floating beautifully through the cosmos? One small but shining fragment of this great play of life?

~ C. C.