AQUABUS MEMORIES

POST # 248

CYCLE BUS #1

Looking back over previous blog posts on this date, I seem to have fallen into the habit of mentioning Aquabus.  But why?

The reason is very simple.  I always think about Aquabus on yesterday's date, because it was on January 27th, way back in the year 2009, that I completed my final shift doing my favourite job, that of an Aquabus skipper.  With that date fresh in my mind, it's easy to make mention of it today.

I enjoyed working on all the different boats, but the best one without question is pictured above.  Cycle bus #1 is unique because it is the only boat that floats on pontoons, which at first were tricky to handle, but as time wore on, and my skill level increased, Cycle bus #1 was the most fun to operate.

Today marks 8 years plus one day since my last shift, which ended up being just another day at the "office", however the after party at the Arts Club on Granville Island was memorable indeed.

I mentioned to my friend, Talyn the other day that I don't miss working there any longer.  It took a while though.  She was another former Aquabus skipper, and she had come to that realization a long time ago.  I guess I am a slow learner.

Most of the people that I did work with all those years ago have now moved on,  however someone who is an exception to that rule is my friend Congo Bob, who is featured in the photo below.

Just look at the concentration in that face. (He's probably thinking about the beer he's going to have with Ray after his shift is complete).  If you happen to be on Congo's Aquabus, you're in good hands.  The only thing missing in the photo is Congo's cat, Shadow, but I don't imagine that he would like being this close to water.  He is a cat after all.

Even though I don't miss the job, I'm still left with many pleasant memories of my time spent while working there, and for that I am most grateful.

living a life of profound acceptance,

Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer

PS: Piper reminds us that it is very important to clean between our toes, and once that is done,  have a nap.

CHASING A DIFFERENT CARROT

POST # 247

Contrary to what the reader may think, the title of today's blog was not inspired by the above photo.  It is the title of a recently published book by my friend, Mike Sliwa.
https://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Different-Carrot-Manifesto-Predicament-ebook/dp/B01MRZ8O53/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1485022980&sr=1-1&keywords=chasing+a+different+carrot#customerReviews

Here's an overview:

"Chasing a Different Carrot follows a fortunate son as he reclaims his humanity and moves towards the exit of the most destructive living arrangement the planet has ever witnessed. Michael Sliwa left his teaching career behind to speak truth to power and to try and live without making a living. Follow one man through our collective cultural narrative and see how your own life connects to the challenges we all face as the planet enters a period of inevitable change. Can someone use their privilege to move towards the exit of a culture that requires it to function? Chasing a Different Carrot: A Manifesto for the Predicament of Privilege answers this question plus plenty of others on a path towards systemic liberation."

It's a book that helps the reader take a critical look at our current set of living arrangements, and by doing so, it may inspire a few to make some changes in their lives going forward.  I can highly recommend it.

But if my recommendation isn't good enough, and you need to be even more convinced,  then read what my friend Guy Mcpherson writes in the forward to the book.
https://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/youll-never-be-the-same-person-after-you-read-this-book-wcz/


Mike and Karen now live in their Yurt (ger) on a property in New Mexico. 

 MIKE, KAREN and POUNCER BOUNCER IN NEW MEXICO

HANGING OUT IN NEW MEXICO WITH THE YURT IN THE BACKGROUND

In spite of the serious message in the book, Mike has a well developed sense of humour, which shows up from time to time throughout his writing.
  On one of my visits to New Mexico, we were all clowning around, and as a result, we produced the attached video, with Mike and Karen doing a voice over from a cartoon.  I laugh every time I watch it, and it's a great example of Mike's less than serious side.

Do yourself a favour and order the book today.  You may just find it a very worthwhile use of your precious time.

***********************************************************************************************
 Finally, today's blog post wouldn't be complete without giving recognition to the fact that today would be my mom's birthday if she were still alive.  She was the best mom.  She really was.

living a life of profound acceptance,

Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer


 

FURBALL AND BONEHEAD BLISS

POST # 246

FURBALL BLISS

Piper has the right idea.  What better use of time in between eating treats than to have another nap?  He has this down to a fine science.  He is totally unaware of what's really going on in the world, and because of that, bliss seems to be his default state of mind.  Lucky Piper.

What's really going on?  Well here is just one example.  In less than one week, on January 20th, the inauguration of the 45th President of the United States of America is scheduled to take place in Washington D.C.  At least that is the plan, and of course it may go off without a hitch.   That's one point of view.  Another point of view is that the "Establishment" or "the deep state" (read CIA, the military industrial complex, etc.) don't want that to happen and are working overtime to potentially overthrow an elected government either before it takes office, or shortly thereafter.  I for one wouldn't be surprised. They have been doing this "overthrow" business for a very long time in many countries around the world.  Why not on the home front again? After all, plenty of time has past since November 22nd, 1963.  Why wait for the President to be in office for a few years when you can get things started right from day one? In any event, and whatever happens next Friday, it's shaping up to be an interesting week ahead.

  As I mentioned above, Piper is lucky to be oblivious to this news.  But he's not the only one.  The other day I came across this four legged friend who was eager to have me come over and say hello.  How could I resist a face like this?

 BONEHEAD BLISS

He was sitting in front of a pub while his owner was inside probably enjoying a beer or two.  I don't know his name, but that didn't seem to matter.  He just had that "come and say hello" look in those eyes.  I'm grateful that he was there, and we got to spend a few moments together.

I think that about covers things for this week.  Another short blog entry.  But it's enough for today.  The sunshine is beckoning, and now that I've extricated myself from Piper and the couch, I had best get outside and enjoy some exercise before the sun goes down.

living a life of profound acceptance,

Paul

The Thoughtful Wanderer

SEVEN ONE 7-1-1-7 ONE SEVEN

POST #245

A particularly perfect palindrome* is a very propitious way to start off the new year, here at the Thoughtful Wanderer blog.  Perhaps this will be as good as it gets for 2017?   At least as far as palindromes, that will be the case.

Piper the furball doesn't seem to be too worked up about this  particular palindrome as can be seen in the following video.

It's just another day like all of the rest of them.  Sleep, eat, sleep, eat, and groom every once in a while. Particularly perfect palindromes, Paul?  Who cares???

Ahh, the life of a pampered furball.

living a life of profound acceptance,

Paul

The Thoughtful Wanderer

*Of course, for readers in the USA this doesn't work. For them it's 1717 which is still a pretty nifty date.

WONDERFUL LIFE

POST # 244

The title of today's blog is not to be confused with the movie, "It's a Wonderful Life", although it is related.

I recently finished reading a book with this title, by author, Stephen Jay Gould, a paleontologist.
One of the main themes of the book is one of contingency.
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/contingency?s=t

The book explores how humans came to evolve.  It's a fascinating read, as it explains how if the tape of evolution could be replayed, the odds are high that we may never have come into existence at all.  Now that really is something to think about.

In the movie we see how the future changes when the character George Bailey is shown by his guardian angel Clarence, how many things changed in the future as a result of him not being born. Contingency.

In the book, we are shown how a certain fossil* that existed around 570 million years ago, could be our ancestor, and if it wouldn't have existed, we may not even be here.  Contingency.

Reading this book certainly helps to put the trials and tribulations of daily life into perspective.

We exist.  Let's just try to enjoy the ride for as long as we can.

*Pikaia was a primitive creature that lacked a well-defined head and averaged about 1 ¹⁄₂ inches (3.8 cm) in length. It is closely related to the ancestor of all vertebrates; as such, it receives otherwise-inordinate attention among the multitude of animal fossils found in the famous Burgess Shale in the mountains of British Columbia, Canada.



living a life of profound acceptance,

Paul

The Thoughtful Wanderer

THE HUMAN WHISPERER

POST # 243

Look into my eyes, Thoughtful Wanderer(TF) .  I have you "furrmly" in my control. Unbeknown to you, I have been working on controlling your thoughts from the day you arrived here.  Because you are a mere human, and I am a superior furball you really don't stand a chance in this mental chess game.

One of your main weaknesses which is true of all members of your species, is that you lack the ability to stay focused on the present moment.  This lack of focus causes you to be mentally inferior to the rest of the animal kingdom.  My species, and that other species that barks way too much, have really managed to take almost complete control over you.  And the best part as far as I am concerned, is that you are totally oblivious to this fact.  I will add one small caveat. Of all the humans that I have known, you alone do seem to have the occasional moment of clarity, and when that happens, you are then living like I do, in the present moment.  During those moments I realize that you are on equal grounds with me, and I have to work harder to get you back under my control.  I've found that the art of purring seems to solve my problem.  Once I start that, your big brain wanders right off again, and you are mine, all mine.

You like to think that you are the boss.  How well is that working out for you, TF?  Have you even noticed that it is you who follows me around?  It is you who sits down on my couch in order to be close to me.  It is you who has fallen for the idea that I've earned another treat.  You're such a push-over, and there are times when I think that it's almost unfair that I take advantage of you in the way that I do.  But hey, what's a superior species to do, than to take advantage of lesser ones?  The best part as far as I am concerned is that you think that you are the one in control.  Ha, ha, ha!!!!

I plan on continuing with this mind control over you TF, right up to and including the last day of your house sit.  Just watch how fast the treats begin to disappear from the treat jar.  It's all part of my master plan.  My ultimate goal is to have you come back at some point in the future, because in spite of the fact that you do occasionally spend time in the present moment, in my furball opinion, you really have a long way to go to match my mental capacity.

If you need any further proof TF, just take note of the photo below.  You don't stand a chance.

 I am so good at this, that I only need one eye open in order to keep you under my spell.


Purringly yours,

Piper
(The human whisperer)

I AM FURBALL

POST # 242

I EAT

I SLEEP
I PURR

I CONTROL HUMANS

I AM

FURBALL

living a life of profound acceptance, (which includes furballs)

Paul

The Thoughtful Wanderer