Living Lisbon

K I'm back and thoroughly convinced that I should be living in Lisbon for at least 2 years. I said it here first. 

The School of Life conference was absolutely outstanding, and with the expert advice from the Trudeau's, our Lisboa sojourn was delightful. 

Every morning would start off with pulling back the tall windows. The covers fold and tuck into the side wall, specifically designed for that purpose. Long term thinking! 

good god. why doesn't every house have these? 

breakfast is included - word. 

Fundaçao Champalimaud. Smart architecture for the win. 

The trip gave me a brand new perspective on things that I knew, and things I never thought about. Really worth it. Some important things happened there, which can only be repeated from my mouth. 

You know what really sucked though, was feeling the direct comparison (I know, comparing is bad luck but) between the overwhelmingly progressive and intellectual culture of Europe/Lisbon, and the fat saturated fear mongering attitude of the Homeland. Just a simple seat swap turned into a passive aggressive personal attack. Seething for 7 hours of a tired, overnight flight. 

Another incident included the wheelchair hog at the JFK airport, where the duty dudes denied access to the freewheeling wheelchair going in the same direction. All because of the fear of being held accountable for rational thinking. 

More the reason to expand my horizons. Within and without. 

Temporary escapes

Transferring to another world in a few days, just for a moment. 

Also on a side note, does anybody else ponder the shape of smoke? 

This was from our beloved Captain's wake. 
The sun was so bright and the lighting was surreal. The Tibetan incense enveloped the atmosphere and from where I was sitting, it was as if Captain was swirling in the smoke. 

I had a very clear vision of where he would be once he passed onto the next world. It would be a place of crisp, warm, early autumn woods. 

I miss the guy. 

postponing procrastination.

haven't meditated in over a week.
must start again. 
tomorrow. 

So long summer for now.

Wore a jacket today, finally. 

It's funny how the change of seasons evoke a certain type of emotion - for me in particular it's lots of nostalgia mixed with pangs. 

The carefree days of summer are blending into cool.

But I'll willfully take in a basket of nostalgia in return for a tablespoon of coziness, any day. In a heartbeat. 

bye bye summer. 

Providence Prevails

Upon returning from a 10 year separation I was delighted to find that Providence kept its peculiar charm. 

Wickenden underwater mural

"We come in peace."

still elegantly, Carr Haus. 

Sleepover

Lovely lady Nicky stayed at my place for a few nights. 
Her journey is both incredible and inspiring. 

Like a clam shell gradually opening up to reveal a smooth pearl displayed on its silky tongue, she is a gleam of shine in an otherwise bleak concrete fortress. 

New Friends Made

To walk together in this life.  

Four Years Later

In the eternally ethereal years that have passed, I turn to look inside myself through the eroded patina lens.