Tuesday, October 30, 2007

An Interesting Eight Months

16 'Ilm 164 B.E. - Tuesday, October 30, 2007 about 9:58 PM PDT

It's been an interesting eight months. Alright, maybe interesting isn't the right word here. Stressful might be a better choice. My mother did her first load of laundry today since March. It actually wasn't a full load. It was two sheets, a pair of purple leg warmers, a pair of purple slacks and the bottoms to two pairs of shorty PJs. She put the cloths in the washer, then in the dryer and then folded them. She's well on her way to recovery.

I on the other hand feel as if I'm in labor. Of course, that's what the process of transformation is ... labor. It's giving birth to a new phase of life. That's how I feel, I suspect I'm on the verge of a new phase of my life. I'm excited and a bit nervous because I don't know exactly what to expect.

On November 12/13 it will be exactly nine months since I took Mom to the hospital. On November 19 it will be exactly nine months since her bowl resection. My life has changed drastically in may ways. I'm more aware of the world around me. I'm more aware of how my reactions and emotions effect other people. I'm more aware of a lot of things. Yes, it's been an interesting and stressful eight months.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

A New Week Begins

13 'Ilm 164 B.E. - Sunday, October 28, 2007 about 8:17 AM PDT

A new week begins and it looks like a week with a lot of ideas to blog about. October 31 is Halloween and Nevada Day. This is the last week of day light savings time for the year. November 1 NaNoWriMo begins and I have to finish planning this years' novel before that day. It should be too difficult though because all I have to do is put the events of each chapter in.

NaNoWriMo

I think one subject I'll use is writing a NaNoWriMo novel since I have 30 days to write 50,000 words that usually a transforming event. A person learns a lot about themselves attempting to write about 2,000 words a do, do laundry and house work. Not to mention going out all over town to get things done.

One thing I'm going to avoid doing during my novel writing time is laundry. My washer isn't level so if it's overloaded it moves (dances) all over the floor. In the spin cycles I have to stand next to it otherwise I have wrestle it back into position.

Feast of Qudrat

The Feast of Qudrat will occur on Saturday, November 3, I think that's another topic I'll blog about this week. Feast is always a transforming and spiritual experience. Other than the subjects I've mentioned I don't know what else I'll write about. I'm attempting to blog everyday so the more topics I come up with the better off I'll be.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Take The Internet Back

11 'Ilm 164 B.E. - Thursday, October 25, 2007 about 6:13 PM PDT

I added a new link to the sidebar and though I would write a little about it. I join Take The Internet Back because I liked their policy. Through this website I can read advertisements that are specifically directed to me. I don't get anything that I don't want.

I Enjoy Reading Ads now

I actually enjoy reading ads now because they are for products and services I'm interested in rather than stuff I don't want. It's nice to log into the website and read the e-mails. They also come to my intermind box so I can save those I want to take a second look at. I may not buy everything that is sent me, but I enjoy reading everything get from Take the Internet Back.

Free Downloads for Members

There are also free downloads for members. I've already downloaded one e-book about blogs. I'm reading through it slowly and learning a great deal about creating and publishing a blog.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Checking my links

9 'Ilm 164 B.E. - Wednesday, October 24, 2007 about 11:47 AM PDT

I'm going to check all the links I've posted and adding a few new ones. I'm not sure what some of the links have to do with transformation, but I'm going to figure it out. I'll post my thoughts on that with an explanation of each link and why I included it in this blog.

Links on the sidebar

Since I posted the theme to this blog, I've thought about the links I included on the sidebar. I'm speculating what they have to do with transformation. I'm not sure I'll remove any just yet, but I'll write what I think their association with transformation is. The reason for checking them is simple, my muse wants a vacation. She isn't coming up with entries the way she should. So I figure if I check the links and add some new ones, maybe she will get back to work.

My Muse Transforms

My muse is a shape changer. She transforms periodically into something else. I know that sounds rather odd, but it's true. I never know what guise my muse is going to use from one time to the other. That forces me to look at everything I see to find something to write about.

Sometimes my muse doesn't want to stick to the theme of the blog, which could be the problem this time. I'm not sure so I'm going to look at everything. I'll try some writing exercises that relate to transformation or spirituality.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Life is a Ditzy Internet Connection

8 'Ilm 164 B.E. - Tuesday, October 23, 2007 about 10:04 AM PDT

It's windy in Las Vegas and my phone connection to my Internet provider is acting up more than usual. I realized this morning that's how life is sometimes. There are moments in my life when I'm suddenly disconnected the the Source of faith and inspiration. In those moments my life falls apart.

Connecting to the Source

When I'm disconnected from the Source, the fault is mine. In times of disconnection I find that I allow material details to come between myself and God. In those time I need to reconnect and reconnect immediately with God. How do I reconnect? Through prayer and meditation.

The prayers and scriptures revealed by Baha'u'llah and the Bab are excellent reconnectors. I can sit down, read or recite a prayer and feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. I like to meditate and use the prayers of the Bab and Baha'u'llah during those times of disconnection. The reason is that I've found them the quickest way to become reconnect with the Source.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Transformation the Theme of this Blog

2 'Ilm 164 B.E. - Tuesday, October 16, 2007 about 10:35 PM PDT

'Ilm, a new month has begun, a new nineteen day period to achieve the writing goals, the financial goals and the spiritual goals I've set for myself. That brought to mind the theme of this blog transformation and the butterfly. The butterfly is the symbol of both the soul and transformation.

The Butterfly and Transformation

The butterfly emerges from its cocoon a completely different creature from the larva that entered the pupa case. The larva was a creature of the earth, eating leaves and other plants to survive. The butterfly is a creature of the air, eating nectar. In the pupa case the larva goes through the transformation that creates the butterfly. This process isn't easy for the larva, it's stressful and difficult, but it's necessary for the larva to become a butterfly.

It's the same way with the human soul. The soul is a creation of God. It has the ability to reflect the attributes of God, but it can't do this without going through test and difficulties that bring out those attributes and let the soul fly.

Mashiyyat Stressful

Mashiyyat was a stressful month. Whether it was more stressful than any month since Baha begin 164 B.E. I'm not sure. It could be that the accumulation of stress finally got to me and I broke out in stress (literally). Anyway I decided that I'm going to do something about it and get the major problems solved that are causing the biggest stresses.

One thing I'm doing is setting aside specific times morning, afternoon and evening for prayer and meditation. I thought back to the period before all this stress started and realized that I no longer had specific time periods for prayer. I've usually gotten the obligatory prayer said, but I usually had to work it in my daily life instead of living my daily life so that I didn't have to "work it in". I've set A, B, and C priorities. The A priorities are spiritual and the other important goals are B priorities.

Monday, October 15, 2007

A World Citizen and the Environment

19 Mashiyyat 164 B.E. - Monday, October 15, 2007 about 4:35 PM PDT

I consider myself a world citizen and as a citizen of Earth, I have a duty toward the planet of my birth. As a world citizen I ask myself "What can I do to help the environment?" The answer isn't an easy one especially since my financial resources are limited and there for limit my options in making my home environmentally friendly. There are some things that I can do immediately such as recycling. I'm not just talking about taking the recyclable containers out to the curb every other Saturday for the trash trucks to pick up. There are other things I can do to help the environment.

  1. I can carry a trash bag in my car and put any trash I have in it, instead of throwing it into the street. This helps the environment by preventing the storm drains from becoming clogged and causing the street to flood when it rains.
  2. I can pick up any aluminum cans I see on the street and put them in my trunk. This helps in two ways (1) by getting the trash off the street and (2) I can put the aluminum can with others and sell it for gas money or money to donate to charity.
  3. I can join groups like FreeCycle and offer stuff I don't use, but is still good to others who can use it.
  4. Instead of throwing worn cloths away immediately, I can use them as cleaning rags. This not only saves me money, but it gives more then one use to the item of clothing. I remember my grandmother taking worn out underwear, washing it and then using it to clean the toilet stool and shower before throwing it out (after she let it dry of course).
  5. I can either ask for paper when I go to the grocery store or I can recycle the plastic grocery bags by giving them to churches and charities that collect and give food to seniors on fixed incomes or the homeless.
  6. I can clean out my cupboards and donate any dishes that I don't use, but are still in good condition to charities that fix hot meals to the homeless.
  7. I can make my landscape fit the ecosystem I live in. Las Vegas is a desert so I can use desert landscaping in my yard.
  8. I can make sure that the technological equipment I buy is environmentally friendly because it uses less electricity.
  9. I can dispose of any technological equipment that no longer works by taking it someplace that recycles or disposes of the parts safely. At this point the only piece of technological equipment I have that doesn't work is my mouse. My computer mouse finally died and now I have to find a way of disposing of it in a way that's safe for the environment.

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Solved the Mouse Problem

I've solved the mouse problem, at least temperarly. I think I'm going to have to either get a new mouse or move the one I have to a coffee stand so that the cord doesn't get tangled. I think that's the problem with the mouse, the cord gets tangled and the signals don't go through. Of course, moving the mouse, so that the cord remains straight, is only a temporary fix. I think I'll eventually have to get a new mouse.

Right now though I can use the mousekeys to move the pointer, click and drop and drag (I haven't tried this yet). Moving the mouse pointer with the key on the key pad isn't too bad. It's slow and I can't use the keys for numbers without extra key strokes. I'll use the number on the top of the regular keyboard. I usually use those number anyway so it isn't a big change. I've printed out all the instructions for using the keypad so their in front of me (just in case my short term memory decides to take a vacation on this).

Using the numbered keypad may be a good exercise in patience. It's great to solve a problem without help. I feel like I could solve any problem that confronts me. This was an interesting test, even if it was caused by a technological component rather than a spiritual component. I still haven't decided whether to remove the pass word from my log in and just let the computer start up without it. I don't suppose that's a good idea. I'll have to see how things go in the next few day before I know for sure.

It's not like there is anyone in the house I can't trust. The only other person here is Mom. I'm was going to set her up with a password to this machine so that she could use it to check her bank account. Her compute has the software to connect to the Internet it just doesn't have a long enough telephone cord.

Friday, October 12, 2007

Having a Few Mouse Problems

17 Mashiyyat 164 B.E. - Friday, October 12, 2007 about 9:02 PM PDT

I'm having a few mouse problems, not with the four legged type but with the computer mouse. It beeps and quits working. Which is a problem because I have to reboot the entire system after I figure out what the problem. The thing is I don't know why the mouse freezes up and won't work.

I've set the mouse keys so that I can use them when the numlock is off. That may fix the problem or part of it anyway. I don't know. I do know this is getting to be a pain. I never know when the mouse is going to freeze and the only warning I get is the beep. I turn the system off, I straighten the mouse cord out, I unplug the mouse and plug it back into the computer and hope it works. If it doesn't then I can't get back into the computer until the mouse works. I have my log in set to a password. If this keeps up I may have to discontinue the password until I get the problem solved or a new mouse.

I suppose now I'm going to have to start pricing mice as well as keyboards. Some of the keys stick periodically. I never know which key is going to stick until I find a letter missing in a word. That isn't a problem most of the time, still it could get irritating and the mouse situation isn't going to help. Maybe I'll go for a wireless mouse, I think my system will handle that. I'll have to check and see.

Oh well, that life one little thing after another. If you let them bother you then you're stressed. I guess the next the next piece of technology I get is a new mouse. I'll see if the mouse key solve part of the problem. My only question with the mouse keys is when I'm using them how do I high light and click onto item? That escapes me for the moment. I suppose the answer will come eventually and with a little research. Tonight however I'm going to do something else and worry about solving this problem tomorrow.

I know this whole situation with the mouse is a test. Tests assist in transformation and building faith. I just can't see how I can apply anything I learn solving the my mouse problems.

Monday, October 08, 2007

Blogging the Environment

13 Mashiyyat 164 B.E. - Monday, October 8, 2007 about 9:07 PM PDT

Bloggers Unite - Blog Action Day

October 15, 2007 is Blog Action Day devoted to blogging about the environment. Write about it from a personal perspective or relate it to the subject of your blog. United action at the grass roots level will change the world. The individual blogger is at the grass root level of civilization and society.

I'm not sure just yet of the specific title of my entry on that day. It depends on the quote that I include in the post. I've blogged on several different topic most related to either my religion, spirituality, transformation or writing. My post will relate the environment to one of those topics. I'm going to make an entry in all four of my blogs that day concerning the environment. The entries will cover various topics from writing to spirituality and perhaps other subjects.

I'm looking forward to seeing what other bloggers have to say on the subject. I'm also looking forward to the results this will have on the world at large. This is an interesting experiment in action at the grass roots level a multitude of blogs covering the same subject.

6 Days left until Blog Action Day

Sunday, October 07, 2007

Work Schedule

12 Mashiyyat 164 B.E. - Saturday, October 7, 2007 about 8:28 PM PDT

I'm going to have to set up specific time for Internet, writing and other work. I've tried getting everything in without a schedule and it isn't working. I can't seem to get everything in, I'm not worrying about getting everything done. If I just "keep plugging away" I'll eventually get the important stuff accomplished. It's not that I have a social life anyway. My social life lately has consisted in taking my mother to doctors appointments and Feasts. We (Mom and I) did go out to eat on Monday, but that's the first time we've been to a "sit down" restaurant in a long time.

This month my social life improves a bit. The Interfaith Forums 2007 starts on the evening of October 14, then on the evening of the 15th I'll go to feast. There is a holy day celebration on the evening of the 19th or is it the 20th, I don't have a calendar near me right now. The 20th is the Birth of the Bab, so I think the celebration is on the evening of the 19th. What else is going on in October?

On October 31 I celebrate joining writing.com, also that is Nevada Day and Halloween. I'm not sure that I'm going to be home that night. I usually don't stay home for "Tricker Treaters" because we never have a lot of them and I usually have candy left over. The last thing I need is more candy in this house. I've still got a box of candy in the refrigerator that I received back in April or was it May. Maybe we ought to finish that candy off in the next few day. I think I will get some Candy Corn, I always like those and Halloween is the only time I can find them.

November is NaNoWriMo, I'm planning the novel this month. I don't have a lot more to go only the scenes in the chapters. I have the main characters planned and the conflict figured out. I have to write one sentence about the scenes I want to put in, the first chapter scenes are figured out. I can't actually start writing the novel until November 1. The idea is to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. The daily word count goal is 1,667 beginning the first of November.

As for the work schedule, I think I'll keep early morning and late evening for writing and surfing. The daylight hours for other chores and going out of the house; of course, there will be times when I can't write or surf at night because of commitments such as Feast, etc. This should work fairly well, especially if I expected interruptions and down time. As long as I keep a mental list of other things to do or a prayer book handy during the down time there won't be a big problem.

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Autumn Inspirations

6 Mashiyyt 164 B.E. - Tuesday, October 2, 2007 about 8:57 AM PDT

Autumn and October bring a lot of memories for me. I grew up in Oklahoma where the change in season is spectacular. The leaves change color right after the first freeze and eventually begin to fall off the trees. This time of year generates poems and memories, but this year I don't have to worry about memories generating poems or stories.

In October the Interfaith Forums 2007 begin. I've written poems about them before, very long poems concerning the talks. This year I think I'll take a different approach and blog about the Forums. I think the best things about these panel discussion is the education they afford those who attend. The panelist present the beliefs of their own religions without belittling the religions of the other panelist or attendees.

Baha'u'llah in his writings encourages us to "associate with the followers of all religions" with an attitude of respect and love. That's why I like attending the forum discussions, because everyone there shows respect for the chosen faiths of others.

Baha'u'llah and the Baha'i scriptures are another source of inspiration. I've written several poems based on the history of the Baha'i faith and on the scriptures revealed by Baha'u'llah and the Bab. I've also written some poems based on the writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha. In fact, I'm working on a group of poems inspired by either the history or the writings. On October 20 is the anniversary of the Birth of the Bab.

There are other things occurring this month that inspire. On October 31 is the anniversary of my joining writing.com. I joined that writers' website in 2002, I find inspiration whenever I log onto their server. One of the intriguing things is the way they change the look of their page every year. This is October so the theme on the web page is Halloween, I don't think I've written a Halloween poem in a while. This is one of those holidays that brings back a lot of memories of Trick'r'Treating, Halloween Parties, and grade school events.

October is also sign-up month for NaNoWriMo. National Novel Writing Month is in November it last the entire month and the goal is to write a 50,000-word novel during the month. This month I'm outlining the novel I'm writing in November. The idea isn't whether you win or lose, but that you make a daily attempt. It is a good idea to set a daily word count goal because it's easier to make the 50,000 words if you know how much you have to write in a day. A person can go over the word count goal, of course, but if you set it and keep working you have a chance of completing the novel by the end of November.