All Hallows E’en

So here’s my ever-so-slightly geeky entry for my office pumpkin carving competition tomorrow…

Pumpkin Pi

Self Respect

I came upon this here.

I was using StumbleUpon, my new best friend. (I was no longer sufficiently serving my previous best friends, so they walked away. 🙂 )

It got me thinking… as trivial things often will. On the face of it, it seems sensible enough. Respect yourself enough to avoid harm from others or situations that are belittling to who you are. But then I re-read it a few times. “No longer serve you”. Hm. “… or makes you happy”. Hmm, hmm.

I actually think it goes way beyond suggesting self-respect, and actually encourages self-love.

I know, I know, it’s just some cheap throw-away “daily dose” kind of thing, but it hints at a wider malaise, I think. The more we think of ourselves and our own well-being, the less we think of others. The less we think of others, the greater the distance we place between ourselves and our community. The more isolated we become. In the end there is nobody who CAN respect, or love us, because nobody even knows us! We interact via “social media” rather than by being truly social. We find personal connections via websites rather than conversations.

Does our family serve us? Should we then walk away?

Should we abandon our angst-ridden teenager because they’re most definitely not making us happy right now?

Of course we should respect ourselves, as we should respect others. (I remember that from “The Scout Law” I learned as an 11 year old!) But that falls far short of being self-centred. Sometimes we have the greatest respect for ourselves when we put ourselves out there. Doing things that are personally uncomfortable in order to bring someone else relief, or ease their pain in some way.

Or just smile at a stranger. No reason. Just because they looked like they could use one.

Will Rogers

There are three kinds of men:
The ones that learn by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves.

— Will Rogers (1879-1935)

That’s one very wet road…

It rains a lot in BC. But not THIS much.

OK, so it’s PhotoShop… but don’t under-rate the skill of execution and most importantly THE IDEA in the first place.

Kudos, I say.

Art and Photography.

I will remember … via Redamancy Lit

Yegods – Oh, to be able to write like that!
28 words. A kick in the chest and a long-simmering effect.

Redamancy Lit

I will remember the kisses, our lips raw with love,
and how you gave me everything you had
and how I offered you what was left of me.

– Charles Bukowski

 

damn it, bukowski.

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That time of year again…

Autumn is an odd time of year for me.

The scents can be warm and heady – spices, mulled wine, bonfires, burning leaves, weed (this is BC and there’s a lot of teenager-infested parks around here! 🙂 )

The colours are stunning of course. Back in the UK they were predominantly yellow/brown, but here the large-leafed North American oaks and of course the many maple varieties bring a wider gamut including some astounding reds and peach/orange hues.

I sometimes still feel unaccountably melancholy, and enjoy time alone, walking in the rain, splashing in puddles, and thinking my thoughts without the judgement or influence of others.

Yesterday treated us to steady rain – oh and a Tsunami warning late in the evening (why should the East Coast have all the drama?) I particularly enjoy steady rain. I am well equipped for it, being originally from Yorkshire, and most people are far more sensible and stay indoors. This leaves the entire neighbourhood exclusively to me and my camera. The hood on my waterproof is ample to protect my camera with its 50mm lens, and off we go…

A late bloomer – the rain on the velvety petals was gorgeous

The deep rich green of the rose leaf was in contrast to the more typical waning tree leaves.

This colour scheme was familiar from my UK youth. Yellows and more typically browns. I could feel the influences of bonfire nights of my youth coursing through my veins.

Dead, but not yet limp. This leaf wasn’t going down without a fight.

I love this perfect time. The leaves have left their tree, but not been overcome by molds and fungi and turned back to the soil.

I love a nicely turned set of hips. These roses were far more prepared for autumn than the one by my driveway.

This large-leafed oak had a lovely orange/peach tone. I tried to get the sun shining through its semi-transparency.

The maple reds leave me speechless – no mean feat!

These oak leaves are waiting for just the right moment for their swan dive to the ground.

These ducks obviously thought I came bearing bread. I felt a little guilty at the energy they were expending for no ultimate reward. It’s getting colder, and though our little ponds have much natural food for them, it’s a tough time of year for wildlife. Nature will whittle away the less able.

The underneath of the maples had a slightly more subtle colour scheme

This large leaf had been impaled on the nearby hedge. It almost looked like it had been crucified.

This maple variety had very dark, almost black leaves. Notice though that it is generating seeds in order to start the cycle all over.

This puddle reflected the nearby tower block. Built a few years ago, it offers spectacular views of Semiahmoo Bay… by blocking it from the people that used to have the view!

Japanese maple bring a more fractal design to the basic maple leaf shape. More decorative, but the same familiar red.

I hope my own death is similar. Standing out from the general. A bit different. Ignored by most passers by, but interesting to the more inquisitive.

A uniform carpet of leaves. Their job now complete for the community they were part of, it’s time to let go. They offer themselves as nutrient to the community they were once part of, so that others may take their place in due course, and build on their success.

Each leaf goes at its own pace. the same as its neighbours, but somehow unique too.

The shades and colours make me feel very small. The colours are caused by chemistry and biology. Unlike flowers that are coloured to attract insects and animals, the decay and release of dead leaves serves no attractive purpose for survival… yet is as beautiful in its own way to the human eye.

Another maple, close to the park exit, preparing to shed both seeds, and dead leaves to help nourish and protect them through the coming winter.

Compared to the natural beauty of the autumn trees, the man-made elements of the park are drab and monochrome. The only points of interest are in the reflections in the puddles… caused by nature.

On the way TO the park, I had smiled to kick my way through a deep carpet of leaves. It reminded me of other autumns where even urban leaves can cause smiles. On the way BACK, they were missing! The house owner had cleared them away, leaving only a few small leaves to mark their passing.

The house owner’s flower beds echoes the depth and colour of the pavement leaves I was hoping to photograph on the way back.

This maple was stretching itself and offering a more subtle array of red/oranges than the usual bright red.

Freshly caught. This one had met with an interruption on its way to the ground. Caught in the net of the underlying hedge, it would rest midway between tree and Earth.

The street that intersects our crescent is lined with maples. It is hard to accurately capture the vibrancy of the street when the leaves decide – as if overnight – that it’s time to give their annual show.

Each tree is on fire with small red leaves. Each one representing the human condition. They will fall, offering themselves to a passing eye. Saying “pick me, pick me!” Similar but not quite the same as all the others. Many children and adults will walk past or over them without noticing any at all. A few people may notice, but walk by. One or two may stop, think, select. Just one. A special one. The leaf will smile.

It’s hard to be sad on a wet cold day, when you are shown such amazing things.

Each one is just perfect for someone. But will that someone notice? Will they travel this way today?

It was wet and cold, but freshly fallen leaves seem so much alive with hope still.

Look carefully. One of the leaves is just for you. Perfect in only a way you can see. Because it was chosen just for you.

Soooo cool!

Now this hotel is such a brilliant concept! Next to no maintenance needed, the rooms self-clean, and the guests self-select to not be unduly picky!

The Minimalist Hotel: Spend The Night In A Portaledge : TreeHugger.

Not great if you’re a somnambulist (though it may provide a ahem permanent cure) or have a small bladder.

Waldseilgarten

Options are  TreeHotel in Sweden or Waldseilgarten in Bavaria.

The White Deer

Hong Kong-based artist Peony Yip goes by the name of The White Deer.

I really like this style of using two different techniques in the same image. It echoes the differences between the genders, but the beauty of the whole when a meaningful connection is made.

As Burt once said…

Albert Einstein is remembered for his genius in mathematics and physics. A great thinker by pretty much any measure.

But he also had strong views on religion, love and more human things.

There appear to be no source references, but this site claims quite a diverse range of quotes from Big Al. Collected Quotes from Albert Einstein.

A couple of my own favourites:

• “Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love.”
• “I never think of the future. It comes soon enough.”
• “Sometimes one pays most for the things one gets for nothing.”
• “Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen.”
• “The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education.”
• “I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.”

I can’t help thinking he was “real” and not hung up on his own brilliance. In my own life, I have met maybe 2 or 3 truly brilliant people. Only one – the first – was able to relate effectively with the real world and not need to exist in the rarefied atmosphere that some clever people think they deserve.

Whether it’s through sharing knowledge, perspectives, emotions, a “perfect” greeting card, or even a “special leaf” – there are a handful of people we will interact with in our time on this spinning rock who will truly make a difference to who we are, and how we live our lives. We may not recognise it at the time. We may not be able to keep them close. But the change is made, and the effect is strong and long-lasting.

Someone once told me we are only capable of changing “who we are” a total of 5% in our lifetime. I’m not so sure (I also heard we were 99% the same as chimps and pretty similar to mushrooms, so 5% seems a lot), but I accept that our inner core is pretty unshakable, and that it is non-trivial to change our core behaviours. But it is possible, and it does happen.

What interactions have helped make you who you are today?

• A teacher?
• An author of an amazing book you once read?
• The creator of a great art piece you felt moved by?
• A blender of fine teas?
• A lover?

Oh come on!

Really?!

Really?!

Feeling a bit peckish, the owner of “Mike” the chicken went to convert him into meat, lost his nerve as the axe swung and only chopped off  “most” of his head.

Mike lived 18 months (allegedly!) being fed through the neck by a pipette.

Mike the Headless Chicken | The Green Box. (It’s in French)