THE CELESTINE PROPHECY

Approximately ten years ago, I remember noticing that everyone seemed to be reading a book entitled "The Celestine Prophecy". At the time, I had no interest in reading it - actually, I had no idea what it was even about. Since that time, I have read the book - and this weekend, I watched the DVD.

First of all, I am heartened by the fact that the book was first self-published. It is another one of those success stories that gives writers everywhere hope!

When I read the book, I was not impressed with the writing. But, the ideas were interesting - not earth-shattering, but interesting. I think that it attracted attention because it was a new way of saying things that we all know to be true: things happen for a reason, pay attention to coincidences; we are all connected to each other; and there is a universal intelligence that creates and guides all living things.

I was interested to see the movie, because I wanted to know how they would do the special effects that were described in the book - particularly the visual display of energy.

The lead character was played by the guy who plays Superman in Smallville. That was appropriate. I am sad to say, however, that the special effects were nothing spectacular - just some version of a white glow around everything. Sigh. Not sure why I expected more. I suppose the film was created on a shoe-string budget, similar to a lot of the Christian films I have seen. The problem was that they seemed to make the movie while watching the "Da Vinci Code." (Another book-to-movie endeavor that I found disappointing!) They tried to create tension and drama with a race to find the truth before the bad guys destroyed it. It didn't work. It just came across kind of lame.

Still, I enjoyed it. I liked the reminder to be aware of the world around me - to be in the moment - and to focus on the things that all humans have in common instead of the things that make us feel separate and different.

Perhaps that is enough to make this film worth watching. It was positive and hopeful and uplifting. You needn't fall completely under the New Age mysticism to appreciate it. Again - it was a great reminder that all humans have the same hopes, dreams, needs, and desires. We all want to belong.

The thing is - we already do belong to one another. We just let all the petty stuff blind us to that fact.

Is the Celestine Prophecy really prophetic? Hardly. Just another version of "love makes the world go 'round."

That is nice and refreshing these days.

GUESS WHAT KIND OF DOG THIS IS!

"Please tell me why you shaved off all my hair?"

Okay. This is my pomeranian, Bizy. Really. It IS a pomeranian. I know, I know....they are supposed to have lots of hair. Everyone knows that - everyone except my groomer. sigh.

The thing is - I keep asking the groomer to give her a "puppy cut" - which is about 2 inches all over. She hates to be brushed - and she needs a "poo-poo trail" (I know - too much information!), so the puppy cut works best. But, so far, we have not been successful in conveying exactly what we want to this particular groomer. I've decided that hair stylists and groomers suffer from the same syndrome - the "nod your head and act like you understand, and then cut hair just like you want to cut hair" syndrome.

For more years than I care to admit, my sister and I went to a high-end salon. We tried every way we knew how (including bringing visual aids) to convey to our stylist exactly what we wanted. AND every time, we left the salon wishing we had the proverbial bag to put over our heads. Seriously. We never entered the hair salon remotely resembling the way we looked when we left. I'm not sure why the stylist thought we wanted to look like alien life forms, but for whatever reason - she was quite proficient in helping us make that transformation. I half-expected to find a spaceship waiting in the parking lot for us, ready to transport us to another planet. The sad thing is that we stuck with her - always believing that we would one day stumble upon the right words that would let her know how we wanted our hair cut.

Now we go to a different salon - and all is well. So, there is hope.

Back to the dog. She is freezing - and when we put a sweater on her, she just sits still, like she is in a straight-jacket. The cat keeps sniffing her - even licking her - which, by the way, does not go over well. Bizy tends to get a "little bit ugly" when the cat licks her. I suppose it is embarassing and perhaps condescending. Even though she is a little dog - she thinks she is a BIG dog - so kitty kisses are not welcome.

I know Bizy's hair will grow out - I know this is not truly a disaster - but I feel sorry for her. She looks like a little fat sausage. A shivering little fat sausage with legs.

A new groomer is called for...and until then, I guess we will just have to turn up the heat!

SO MANY BOOKS.....

I love books - and they are everywhere: stacked on the floor, piled three-deep on all the bookcases, in boxes in my closet, teetering precariously on the shelves of my desk, and even hidden beneath the pillows on my bed. I read every one of them. And, I must admit, that even in the face of this shameless abundance, I would gladly hop in the car right this minute and go to the bookstore to browse for more books!

I love the way they feel in my hands - the way they smell - the way the pages sound when they are turned - and I love the promise of learning something new that waits for me on every page. Books make me happy - and I know it. You may come to my house and think that I am in desperate need of a yard sale!

Francois, Duc de La Rochefoucauld, (WHO???) the writer and moralist wrote, "Happiness does not consist in things themselves but in the relish we have of them; and a man has attained it (happiness, that is) when he enjoys what he loves and desires himself and not what other people think lovely and desirable."

I read a story recently about a famous Polish rabbi named Hafez Hayyim. One day an important and learned man traveled a long distance to visit the rabbi. On entering the rabbi's small home, the traveler is surprised to find that while it is filled with thousands of books, it only has a small table and a chair as furniture. The traveler feels compelled to ask, "Rabbi, where's your furniture?" The rabbi responds, "Where's your furniture?" The visitor, taken aback, responds, "But Rabbi, I am only a visitor here." To which the rabbi answers, "So am I."

From the sparse furnishing of the Rabbi's home, this might seem to be a lesson on living in simplicity - but the thousands of books are a contradiction. Instead, it is a lesson in knowing what you want. Time is precious in this lifetime. The rabbi was not looking out his window coveting the neighbor's new couch - or their fancy riding lawnmower. He was not waiting in line for days for the newest video game system. He was not swayed by the "must have items" that bombard our senses constantly in the media. He wasn't hooked by the frantic countdown on HSN, rushing to dial the phone and order the last few remaining items at the all-time lowest price ever!

He knew what made him happy. I think that is an important thing to know - it goes a long way towards knowing who you really are. If we are continually chasing the newest fad without ever really asking ourselves what do we want - then we don't even recognize Joy when it comes to the door. We are continually searching for it.

I love books. But - I probably do need to have a yard sale soon, so I can get rid of some of this furniture! It's in the way!

THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

Tonight's the night. As a nation, we will sit around our TV sets waiting breathlessly for our president to tell us just how things are going in our neck of the woods. Or not. I have never really understood the concept of this annual event. With continuous news coverage piping in through every available orafice in our homes, there is not much that can be a surprise. The American people are well informed - and are most likely settled comfortably in their own opinion of how things are going. So this formality seems pointless and redundant to me - as well as aggravating since my favorite TV shows, like Boston Legal and Law and Order, SVU, are pre-empted!

However, I like the concept of adopting a personal "state of the union". By that I mean periodically stopping the frantic activity of our lives and taking an honest look at how things are going. What's working for us - and what isn't - and what can we do to make things better. I suppose this appeals to me because it is something that I actually have some control over. After all - apart from treking to the voting booth every now and then - running the nation is pretty much out of my hands.

The state of MY union is currently disorganized! January is nearly over - and I still feel like I am recovering from the holidays. Actually, some of the furniture we move every year to make room for the tree is still sitting in my bedroom. Sigh. My office desk has just enough clear space for me to sign a check or two - but not much else. Books are piled everywhere - and the garage is filled to overflowing with empty boxes and Christmas crap that needs to go to the storage shed or in the attic. (Does anyone ever REALLY park their car in a garage anymore?)

Every day I start out telling myself that I will accomplish something from my "to do" list - and every day, something else comes up that seems more urgent - or appealing. So, my list is ignored, and the clutter continues.

I find it amusing that there are people who make their living organizing other people's stuff. I want to know if they choose to do that kind of work so they don't have to deal with their own. Maybe their garages are filled with empty boxes, too.

Anyway, the difference between my personal state of the union and the one that we will hear about tonight on TV is that I will tell you up front that my house needs work. Tonight, we will hear that everything is great - you know, the old "stay the course", "win the war" etc. rhetoric. Then we will hear the rebuttal - which will be some form of "Liar, liar, pants on fire." A waste of time.

And during the evening, all I will be thinking about is that I am missing "Boston Legal" for this.

Okay. Now I will go clean my room.

AMERICAN IDOL

Okay. I admit that I really enjoy American Idol. I like the idea of watching dreams come true. And, for the most part, there have been some great singers discovered on this show - even if they aren't voted the "American Idol". Jennifer Hudson, Clay Aiken, Chris Daughtry, and even cute little Kelly Pickler - they are now household names in the world of entertainment. But lately, there has been a lot of talk about the process - about the growing "mean-ness" of the show - particularly in the early weeks of auditions.

Usually, I do not watch the first few weeks. After seeing one or two humiliations, I begin to feel uncomfortable - so I choose to wait until the serious competition begins. I did see the two episodes this week, and I have to agree with the growing consensus that it has become too mean to watch. I suppose there is a curiousity factor - similar to that instinct we all have that makes us slow up in traffic to gawk at a car wreck. But this season has gone even beyond that, and I think it is time that we ask ourselves what kind of stuff are we willingly accepting as entertainment.

The majority of auditions that we actually see on Idol are by people who obviously are mentally disturbed - and is it morally right to make fun of them and publically humiliate them in the name of entertainment? The argument is that each of them has signed a release form - but if they are mentally disturbed, then should it count? Are we perpetuating the myth that fame and fortune bring happiness? And if so, then isn't it sad to what degree people will sell themselves to achieve it?

This applies not only to the contestants who are mocked - but also to the judges who are willing to give free rein to their own mean-spirited nature - and to the network that banks on the mean-spiritedness of the audience. I read that this season is already boasting record numbers of viewers. What does that mean? Are we becoming less compassionate - and less discriminating as human beings? Are we subconsciously validating ourselves and pumping up our own sagging self-esteem by putting others down? Makes you think.

Since each of the contestants has to pass an audition in front of a panel of judges BEFORE they audition for Randy, Paula, and Simon - then it is obvious that the first episodes of the show are not meant to showcase the positive - but clearly to poke fun at the "pitiful" (for that is what they are.) I even heard a radio talk show host say that the blame lies with the contestant's family and friends for ALLOWING them to audition in the first place. But, aren't we supposed to be "our brother's keeper" and look out for those who are putting themselves in harm's way instead of orchestrating an entire television phenomenon around becoming a humanity composed of school yard bullies?

I wonder how these contestants feel when the show is aired and the whole world is laughing at them? How would I feel? How would you feel?

I don't want to give up on the show - because I like it when the serious contenders compete. But, I will not - I will NOT - watch anymore of these demeaning auditions. If everyone made that decision - then the show would be forced to elevate itself to a level worthy to be called entertainment.

So there.

I'M ALL EARS!

These days I have been thinking alot about how we listen - and, consequently, how we hear. There have been several news items lately that have focused my attention to this matter - and I cannot help but notice there is often a huge difference in what is actually said - and what is heard.

Most recent example is the hoopla over Barbara Boxer's statements to Condi Rice. Let me preface this by saying that I have no preconcieved opinions about Barbara Boxer - so when I heard the "teaser" on the news that her comments to Rice set the cause of feminism back 100 years, I was curious and tuned in to get the scoop. What I heard her say was that she (Boxer) wouldn't pay a personal price in Iraq since her children were too old to serve, and her grandchildren were too young. Then, she added that from what she understood, Rice would also not pay a personal price. Okay. Obvious comparison since Rice does not have children who would be effected EITHER. BUT - by the time this short verbage made its way through the political spin machine - Boxer was saying that Rice was less of a woman because she was single with no children. WHAT?!!! Check the actual statement on UTUBE and see for yourself exactly what was said.

Another example happened that afternoon when I was in the car and flicked on the radio (something I am loathe to do, since it is dominated by rabid talk show hosts) and the first voice I heard was the infamous Rush Limbaugh saying that Madonna had called Rosie a horse. Hmmmm....so I continued listening through the commercial until he resumed his report. When Madonna was asked about the Rosie/Trump feud, she said that she called Rosie immediately to find out exactly what happened. She said that she wanted to hear it "from the horse's mouth." EVERYONE knows that is simply an expression - everyone, that is, except Rush Limbaugh, who was literally giggling with glee that he could add "horse" to the other mean-spirited comments Trump had used.

I know that when we hear, we filter the words through all kinds of screens that make our interpretation unique. We factor in age, religion, life experiences, social status, economic and educational levels - and probably a zillion more including just what kind of mood we are in. So, I can see how things can be misinterpreted occasionally. But, now I think that we hear what we WANT to hear. Especially politically. I am beginning to doubt that true bipartisanship is even possible. There is such a hate-filled divide between Republicans and Democrats that I think is has effected our hearing - and I don't know how we change that. Or even if we can.

Maybe we should look every controversial exchange up on UTUBE first - and then decide for ourselves how to interpret it. Maybe we have given too much power to the media - we let them filter news for us, and then we blindly line up on whatever side we are the most inclined to believe and never exercise our option of free -will and the use of our own individual intelligence to reach a conclusion.

I don't think the problem is with our hearing - it is with our thinking! We don't want to put the effort into staying informed and keeping up with current events - being willing to dig a little deeper than the "headline news" version to find out the whole story and we don't want to risk disagreeing with our party of choice. Belonging to a group has evolved from being simply a comfort - to becoming a necessity that we cling to even if it means we are complacent and ill-informed. At least we are not alone.

America is a country that prides itself on democracy and rugged individualism - but maybe we are becoming more and more like two distinct herds of sheep. We too easily accept and apply labels like conservative and liberal - and even worse - good and bad. We reliquish our rights to think for ourselves - and we let other people think for us.

Prick up your ears - really listen and be sure that you are the one who interprets what you hear. When we give up the right to hear the truth - then we give up our voices, too. And - then there is not much that seperates us from the countries where there is not even a pretense of democracy. That's a scary thought.

CRAZY

Some things drive me crazy! Okay - a LOT of things drive me crazy, but there is one thing that is a guaranteed button-pushing-hair-pulling experience for me - and that is trying to do ANYTHING technical with the computer! Last week I wrestled for nearly 2 hours just trying to put a counter on this blog. The instructions sound so simple - but believe me, it is NOT easy for me! I am immediately lost in this sea of HTML code and templates, etc. I'm still not sure how the counter ended up on the blog - but I will not mess with success.

For the last hour, I have been attempting to add links to this space - and am absolutely CLUELESS how to do that! I have read, and re-read the instructions. I have copy/pasted codes in various places - and there is NOTHING to show for it. The codes have been lost somewhere in cyberspace and I am now giving up. If any of you readers can help me - PLEASE DO! But, remember I need instructions that are simple enough that a pre-schooler could follow them - or maybe I just neeed a preschooler to come do it for me. sigh.

Speaking of crazy - I went to see "Notes on a Scandal" yesterday. Hmmmm.....scary. Actually, the movie was freaky and wierd on so many levels - and I suppose that Judi Dench did an outstanding job because she certainly scared the bejesus out of me! Crazy people scare me, it is that simple. And, this "film" was scarier than any horror movie out there. I am still suffering from "ick factor" heebee-jeebees this morning. All that said, I still would recommend it because it certainly is thought-provoking and fodder for great conversation. I think Dench is nominated for a Golden Globe.

Okay - off to finish "de-Christmasing" my house. I know - I know - better late than never. Have a good weekend!

READ ME A STORY, MR. PRESIDENT

I felt sorry for the President last night. He looked scared to death - and I think it was obvious that he was well aware he is heading down a lonely road. I do not doubt his sincerity, nor do I doubt his conviction that he is making the best choice by wanting to send more troops and spend more money in Iraq.

I just don't understand him, or agree with him. Not that it makes any difference.

The speech reminded me of the little engine that could. You know, "I think I can. I think I can. I think I can." And while determination and persistance are wonderful qualities - they seem foolish in this situation. The war in Iraq is not a children's story - and there is so much to lose.

The plan Bush shared with the nation seems to require a level of commitment from the Iraqi government that borders on nothing short of a miraculous transformation. It is not clear to me what has suddenly transpired that gives the President even the most meager level of confidence in the Iraqi's ability to rise to the challenges he has given them. Still, he stared earnestly into the TV camera and recited his speech with all the earmarkings of sincerity he could muster. And, he is our Commander and Chief - so he is supposed to know what he is talking about.

But, I wonder if this is all more like another children's story - The Emperor's New Clothes. Perhaps we are supposed to smile and go along with the fantasy because we are patriotic. That's the spin, anyway.

It will be interesting to see what happens in the next few weeks - as the Presidential team heads out to sell this thing to us. I am not looking forward to the "rah-rah" soundbites that will sing over the airwaves and into our living rooms via the news media - along with the argumentative debates and political posturing. I wonder what it all sounds like from the front line. What does that lonely soldier standing at a checkpoint near Baghdad think of all of this? Maybe the soldiers are the ones who should make these decisions - after all, they have a personal investment and a clear view. Maybe instead of trying to sell us on his plan, Bush should spend a few lonely nights with those soldiers in Baghdad. If he could convince them the plan would work and that it would all be worth it, then who would I be to disagree?

Seems like that would put this mess in perspective.

DIZZY

In 1969 Vic Reeves and the Wonder Stuff had a number one hit entitled: DIZZY. I don't remember all the words, but lately I have found myself humming it. "Dizzy, my head is spinning. Like a whirlpool, it never ends."

Okay - unless you have been under a rock, you know that the President is going to speak tonight. And, you know that he is going to call for 20,000+ additional troops to be sent to Irag AND nearly 7 billion dollars on top of the billions we are spending monthly on this war. I don't get it.

I often hear the complaints that the news media is biased - that it is liberal, blah, blah, blah...but I'm not sure. See, I think the news spends most of its resources covering earth shattering stories such as the celebrity feud between Rosie and the Comb-Over (which reminds me of middle school), the art teacher who painted with his butt (and other natural accessories), the lastest shocker on YouTube, and the riveting question of whether or not Britney is wearing underwear today. I haven't heard a lot about the actual cost of the war - and the fact that we are borrowing money from China and Saudi Arabia (WHAT?). Suppose they decided to call the loan? I would think these facts would be running along the bottom of the screen 24/7 - highlighted like that little "terror alert" logo that we have learned to ignore. How about the fact that NO ONE wants this war. I mean - for the most part. Congress doesn't believe in it - the House doesn't believe in it - Democrats don't, a growing number of Republicans don't - the generals in Irag don't (oh, I forgot - they've been replaced....hmmmmm.) The voters obviously don't since we had a big shake-up in November. So - who is left? Oh yes....the President.

I would never want to be president. I don't envy the guy. I know he has it tough - and he has a lot of people breathing down his neck all the time. But still - I just don't get it. And - what in the world does "win" mean??? Win what? The middle eastern people have been fighting since the beginning of time - so do we really think that if we throw more money and more lives in the middle of the mess that we will "win"? And, I can't help but think of the situation in New Orleans - and how all this money and man power could have been used to rebuild this devastation in our own country. I know - my logic is probably too simple. That's why I'm not president. All I know is that I am weary of the fighting - not just in Irag - but among Americans. I'm tired of the political posturing to be king of the mountain. I just wish someone in power, with a little common sense, would say "Enough!"

And, until then, I will just remain "dizzy" - there is not much else I can do. We are told that our votes count - but do they? I'm not convinced that they do. I know that it is not easy to admit we've made a mistake. But, to continue to do something that is not working and expect a different result is not just lunacy - it is stupid.

ONE GOOD LEG

"People who deliberate fully before they take a step will spend their lives on one leg." Anthony de Mello

I fell in love with this quote - and when I stumbled across this picture, I knew I just had to include it here! I did not take this photo - but it certainly reminded me of our little raccoons who continue to visit us regularly, peeking in the window, wanting "treats".

Anthony De Mello's wisdom is extremely applicable to me! I have been procrastinating finishing my third book - thinking of all the roadblocks to publication and publicity that I have encountered in marketing my FIRST book. When I participated in an author's panel discussion a couple of months ago, there was one person in the audience whose questions stumped me. He asked me how I justified writing about crime and violence and how did I think my writing contributed anything postivie to our society. Hmmmm.....he was quite passionate (translated: nasty) and while I was able to give an articulate response, the incident caused me to second-guess myself. I began to think how much easier it would be to promote another genre of book - anything other than a thriller!

Those of you who know me "personally' realize that a huge part of my personality is my sense of humor. It is difficult to be humorous when talking about crime! Yet, crime novels are incredibly popular! Crime ENTERTAINMENT is popular. And, CRIME seems to be what naturally flows from my fingers/mind. In speaking with potential readers - particularly women - I have been amazed by how many have gasped and proclaimed that they could NEVER read a book like mine. The backdrop of child prostituion and pornography is shocking to their senses - even though those subjects are just that: the backdrop. I have been very careful to NOT be overly descriptive of this dark underworld. The book is about the relationship between a mother and a daughter - and the age-old conflict between good and evil. It is about getting the proverbial "bad-guy" and the courage that is required in refusing to be a helpless victim in any situation. I am happy that the sales have been okay - but the book has certainly not been lighting a fire in the literary world - and I confess that since that experience on the panel, I have become less aggressive in promotion efforts.

So - back to my THIRD book. It is a sequel to my second book, which I have not published yet, and it deals with a serial killer. Again - not a humorous subject! So, because of my internal debate, I have not been working on it - nor have I been writing anything else. I have been just like the little raccoon - just standing around on one leg accomplishing nothing!

I have decided that I have to finish what I have started. It is that simple. How foolish to worry about promoting something that doesn't even exist yet! So, it is back to work for me. I will let you know how I am doing.

And, maybe one day, I WILL write something lighter - or maybe not. The important thing is that I will be writing! This day is all I have control over anyway. I keep forgetting that!

So, I have both feet on the ground now - but I will let my fingers do the walking! (Groan. Sorry, I couldn't resist!)