Exploration Vs. Exploitation

I hear tell it's Columbus Day. Which begs the question-- How do you look at the man, the myth, and the legend? There are so many different perspectives to choose from...

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:


I love how history often tells us more about the historian than the subject of the story.

Not Giving An Ounce Of Fuck

Bukowski said, "There's a bluebird in my heart that wants to get out, but I'm too tough for him. I say, 'Stay in there. I'm not going to let anybody see you.' There's a bluebird in my heart that wants to get out, but I'm too clever. I only let him out at night sometimes when everybody's asleep. I say, 'I know that you're there, so don't be sad.' Then I put him back, but he's singing a little in there. I haven't quite let him die and we sleep together like that with our secret pact and it's nice enough to make a man weep. But I don't weep, do you?"

I do.

Nin said, "The day comes when the risk to remain tight in a bud is greater than the risk it takes to bloom."

All of which would be greatly helped (the risk taking and the suffering alike) by adopting the following attitude when it comes to fear...

A Newly Frugal Gal Struggles With Opulent Thoughts

Ingredients in the room of my childhood dreams...

Hand-painted wallpaper scenes of exotic locales.

A weathered old four-poster bed.

Sheets embroidered with Mongol poppies, birds of paradise and such.

A gilt sunburst. Of course.

Two of these wing chairs covered in a rich burgundy, aubergine or royal purple.


A trunk full of dress up clothes and other assorted treasures.


And adventure luggage, if only for trips down the hall or out into the yard.

It Takes A Village

This is what my heart feels like right now-- all multicolored, delicate and aflutter.

Big mistakes require big help and I made and received both recently. I am truly grateful for that. Holy hell, though! The knowledge that I am so loved by so many so well despite my faults leaves me profoundly humbled.

I hope to prove worthy of my family's support, forgiveness and esteem. Learning to extend those same gifts to myself when I stumble is also on the to-do list.

Creative Juices

You couldn't squeeze even a little creativity out of me right now-- I'm struggling just to keep my eyes open!



These two men, however, are awash in the stuff.

And thank god for that.

Negotiating The Friendly Skies

The world of airline reservations quickly becomes a byzantine nightmare (in my humble opinion) if any changes need to be made to an existing ticket. Hence the depths of my gratitude to Becky Detimore at Inspired Journeys for guiding me through the darkness and out into the light with grace, good humor and mad expertise! She not only weathers, but DOMINATES Indian call centers, inane rules and inconsistent regulations. It's downright awe-inspiring!

A São Paulo Notebook

I love the concept:

Artist Fernanda Guedes draws strangers who catch her eye and then invents identities for them.