(bree-ko-LAZH) noun
Something created using a mix of whatever happens to be available.
[From French bricolage (do-it-yourself job), from bricoler (to putter around, to do odd jobs), from bricole (trifle), from Italian briccola.]
I started my blog in 2004, in large part because I needed a place to vent about the election that was taking place at that time. Today, I got the opportunity to watch the inauguration of President Barack Obama, and I can't help but personally feel the hope that his taking office has brought to most of the country. I love that his speech talked about the transformation of America, and about the economic, ecological, and geopolitical mess we have created, and we are now having to clean up. For the first time in eight years, in spite of the circumstances under which he is taking office, I feel optimistic about our country and our president.
My friend Dawn sends me inspiration from time to time, and today she sent me instructions from the Dalai Lama on how to live. They are simple, but maybe simply is the best way to live our lives.
Dalai Lama's Instructions
1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don’t lose the idea.
3. Follow the three R’s:Respect for self Respect for others Responsibility for all your actions
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great relationship.
7. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8. Spend some time alone every day.
9. Open arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It’s a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your success by what you had to five up in order to get it.
19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.
is in and of itself a great challenge, and that it
often holds the key to breaking through a
seeming impasse.
For Today & Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement
Daisaku Ikeda
I am working on my patience lately. It isn't easy (maybe it just isn't easy for me), but I know it will be helpful for me to try to develop patience. The quote is the daily encouragement for today's date, and it is right on time to remind me of a challenge that I need to be mindful of.
I was driving home from work and listening to the radio when I heard Robert Fisk for the first time on KPFT. Mr. Fisk is a journalist who has reported for more than 30 years on war and on the Middle East. I am glad that I could find the video for the talk that I listened to, because I really wanted to share his words and his perspective. He describes the media coverage of the war and how the people of America and in Europe are not being shown the truth of the war, but instead we are being fed a sanitized version, so that the war will be more palatable for us, so that we will continue to tolerate it. He is straight forward in his criticism and I have no doubt the US government is keeping an eye on him (at least through our last administration), but he speaks the truth from his heart and I have to admire his fearlessness in saying what he thinks. Mr. Fisk admits that he does not have optimism for either staying in or exiting the war, because our position is impossible either way, and I tend to agree. We are stuck in a damned if we do and damned if we don't scenario that will keep us from succeeding or withdrawing for a long time to come.
While listening to Mr. Fisk, I stopped at the grocery store and found myself unable to leave my car until he finished speaking. The program was Alternative Radio (alternativeradio.com), and it has made me a fan of Robert Fisk and of AR. Towards the end of this lecture, Mr. Fisk reads from a letter sent by a US marine to his father. Mr. Fisk describes the letter, which tells of the futility of our occupation of Iraq, as eloquent. I have never heard a soldier's perspective stated as clearly and beautifully as this letter was written.
The lecture is about an hour long. If you don't have time to listen to it in one sitting, then save it to your favorites and go back to it. The letter from the soldier is at about 47:00.
Dave and I went to Little Barnaby's tonight for Jay's art opening, titled "Ladies." His paintings will be hanging in the original Barnaby's for the next few weeks.
Lady Curiosity by Jay Marion Hendrix (photo by Finijo)
I liked this painting the most, because of the suspicious look in her eyes and her sassy hat. Jay has a very whimsical artistic style. He says, "I've been told they are COLORFUL!" That would be a very accurate statement.
Lady Elegance by Jay Marion (photo by Finijo)
Jay comes from New Orleans, and I get the feeling from his paintings that he exudes that Mardi Gras spirit all year round! Thank you for the invite, Jay, and congratulations on selling all of your paintings before the opening was even over.
Life is a series of changes, a succession of ups and downs. But those who possess a prime point, a home to which they can return no matter what happens, are strong. To come home to the world of friendship in the SGI, to talk things over and prepare for a fresh departure -- this is the way I hope all of you will live. when you do, you will advance upon a fundamentally unerring path to happiness.
For Today & Tomorrow Daily Encouragement Daisaku Ikeda
Today, I went downtown for a photo shoot with a new photo buddy, Greg. We started at The Aquarium and walked all over downtown Houston looking for shots. This is a shot of the Ferris Wheel at The Aquarium reflected in the Buffalo Bayou at Sesquicentennial Park.
Fountain Falls by Finijo
This fountain is gorgeous. The sound of the fountain falls really drowns out the sounds of downtown Houston as you descend the stairway towards the walk along Buffalo Bayou.
Fountain Splash by Finijo
This fountain was on The Plaza, which has changed a lot since the last time I went to a Party on the Plaza event.
Downtown Industry Mural by Finijo
I don't know the name of this mural, but it is on the side of a building and it resides in a small park with a fountain and benches. I worked in downtown Houston when I was in college and I have to say that it is a much nicer place to visit now than it was when I worked there. I really do love this city.
Storm Sewer Cover by Finijo
I don't know why I love man hole covers so much, but this is one of many that caught my eye. I know it's ridiculous, but they are really beautiful to me.
I spent New Year's Eve with Connor. We had dinner at Barnaby's, talked about life and girls, and watched a movie. It was a quiet evening, and we brought in the new year very peacefully.
Rickety Bridge No More by Finijo
I went to the Community Center New Year's day and it reminded me of how I spent the same day last year. It made me grateful for the year I had and for the friendship I had during that year. After the service at the Community Center, I went to Galveston with a good friend. We checked out the progress since Hurricane Ike hit the island. The picture above is where a wooden footbridge bridge once spanned the dune to the beach. It took me a while to realize that the bladder that looks much like a beached killer whale was the form the dune was based on.
Willie G's at Galveston by FinijoAfter we left the beach, we had a late lunch at Willie G's in Galveston, then had coffee and desert at Starbuck's. I had a really good New Year's Day. I went to Galveston with a trusted friend, I saw a boy that I have missed a lot, and I took photos at the beach. I also worked on my goals for the coming year and feel like I am prepared to face whatever the new year brings my way. I am surprised at how much life is changing for me in the face of another new year.
Inauguration Photo from Yahoo 
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