2014.07.17 13:00 - Summer sallies

The Guardian for this meeting was Aphrodite Macbain. The comments are by Aphrodite Macbain.

Zon Kwan: hi Aph
Aphrodite Macbain: Hey Zon
Zon Kwan: how are you?
Aphrodite Macbain: enjoying the summer
Aphrodite Macbain: you?
Zon Kwan: i can see
Aphrodite Macbain: lol
Zon Kwan: same
Zon Kwan: nice and warm
Aphrodite Macbain: It has taken ages to get this tan
Aphrodite Macbain: What have you been up to?
Zon Kwan: suits well with blond hair
Aphrodite Macbain: thanks!
Zon Kwan: ive been on holidays
Zon Kwan: this week at work
Aphrodite Macbain: cool. where did you go? anywhere?
Zon Kwan: lakeside in last 3 weeks

Zon Kwan: anything interesting in Pab?

Aphrodite Macbain: lovely. it's been ages since I've gone to a cottage by a lake
Zon Kwan: nature is nice, relaxes
Aphrodite Macbain: I live next to the ocean
Aphrodite Macbain: which isn't as amenable to swimming
Zon Kwan: is it too cold?
 

Job stress

Aphrodite Macbain: do you have a stressful job?
Zon Kwan: well one might say so
Zon Kwan: but i have learned to take it more less stressy way
Aphrodite Macbain: good for you!
Zon Kwan: its good exercise
Zon Kwan: to maintain balance
Aphrodite Macbain: you mean you exercise to relieve stress?
Zon Kwan: to face it
Zon Kwan: and stop
Aphrodite Macbain: I think I understand
Zon Kwan: and slow down
Aphrodite Macbain: Are you able to?
Zon Kwan: well i think I'm improving
Aphrodite Macbain: slow down, when the pressure is on you to speed up?
Aphrodite Macbain: Perhaps stopping for 90 seconds would help
Zon Kwan: when one slows down
Zon Kwan: priorities rise
Aphrodite Macbain: nods
Zon Kwan: and all things are not important
Aphrodite Macbain: things become clearer when you stop and see what's happening?
Zon Kwan: nods
Aphrodite Macbain: Yes
Zon Kwan: and you know what to do
Aphrodite Macbain: It sounds like you are very balanced
Aphrodite Macbain: I often get carried away with things
Zon Kwan: sometimes, i hope
Zon Kwan: smiles
Aphrodite Macbain: either because I am very interested in what I'm doing and forget about my body's need to take a break
Zon Kwan: nods
Zon Kwan: happens to me too
Aphrodite Macbain: or I get angry or anxious and work to alleviate it
Zon Kwan: smiles
Aphrodite Macbain: I suppose it helps if you work in a supportive place
Aphrodite Macbain: and have a boss who understands and is open
Zon Kwan: good boss is important
Aphrodite Macbain: yes
Aphrodite Macbain: I no longer work full time and am, by and large, my own boss when I work on contract then one is only dependent on the values and guidelines of the job
Zon Kwan: then you have good boss
Aphrodite Macbain: Do you have a good boss?
Zon Kwan: or she might be sometimes too hard on you
Zon Kwan: yes
Aphrodite Macbain: Actually I have a hard time being told what to do. *grins sheepishly*
 

90 second breaks

Zon Kwan: i wonder, do people meditate during these 90 seconds or just wait?
Aphrodite Macbain: It depends
Zon Kwan: does it still serve its purpose?
Aphrodite Macbain: on whether they are given a task to do
Zon Kwan: or is it just a routine
Aphrodite Macbain: I find it impossible to meditate for 90 seconds
Zon Kwan: i dont even try
Aphrodite Macbain: I need at least 20 minutes to get where I want to be
Aphrodite Macbain: I take photographs or think about the conversation
Zon Kwan: yes
 

Aphrodite Macbain: I haven't been coming to the PaB sessions recently
Aphrodite Macbain: I am preparing for another performance instead
Zon Kwan: a play?
Aphrodite Macbain: going to rehearsals
Aphrodite Macbain: yes
Aphrodite Macbain: A Commedia dell' Arte play
Zon Kwan: what's it about?
Aphrodite Macbain: We are performing at the Royal Opera House this Sunday
Aphrodite Macbain: If you are interested, I can send you the information
Zon Kwan: i'm a member of opera
Aphrodite Macbain: oh? in RL?
Zon Kwan: i get the notices
Zon Kwan: no, here
Aphrodite Macbain: oh- then you know about the performance
Aphrodite Macbain: "A Bird in the Hand"
Aphrodite Macbain: Are you an opera fan in RL?
Zon Kwan: not a fan
Zon Kwan: but i do watch
Aphrodite Macbain: ?
Aphrodite Macbain: not a fan?
Zon Kwan: not a professional fan
Zon Kwan: just enjoyer
Aphrodite Macbain: lol
Aphrodite Macbain: well- please come to the performance this Sunday - it is definitely not opera but it will be fun
Zon Kwan: easy things like Verdi
Aphrodite Macbain: my fave is Puccini
Zon Kwan: yes easy too
Zon Kwan: Wagner a bit too heavy
Aphrodite Macbain: It gets easier the more you listen and become familiar with it
Zon Kwan: yes it does
Aphrodite Macbain: Hmm. I like Wagner- very rousing but very long
Zon Kwan: one needs to study it
Aphrodite Macbain: I often watch the "Live at the Met" broadcasts at the local movie theatre - comfortable seats help a lot!
Zon Kwan: that would be interesting
Aphrodite Macbain: You can probably get them too where you live: Cineplex Odeon theatres show them
 

Zon Kwan: rl calls, have a nice evening
Aphrodite Macbain: byee Zon
Zon Kwan: bye
Aphrodite Macbain: take care
Aphrodite Macbain: be well

Aphrodite Macbain: Hey Qt
Qt Core: Hi Aph
Aphrodite Macbain: come and join me
Aphrodite Macbain: we are in the middle of a drop
Qt Core: (i seem to come here mostly during drops)
Aphrodite Macbain: :-)
Aphrodite Macbain: How are you? Come vai?
Aphrodite Macbain: Have you taken a vacation yet?
Qt Core: almost good, having some fun session with my dentist in my agenda...
Aphrodite Macbain: erk
Aphrodite Macbain: nothing serious I hope
Qt Core: no, no plan on going anywhere even if will not work for all august
Aphrodite Macbain: ah yes
Aphrodite Macbain: fer' d'augusto?
Qt Core: maybe i'll do a couple days in Milan like last year, i called it "in milan like a tourist" (i can be in Milan center in 40/50 minutes with public transportation
Aphrodite Macbain: I thought all Italians head to the beach in August
Qt Core: ferragosto

Aphrodite Macbain: right, thanks
Aphrodite Macbain: you can see il ultima cena!(The last supper painting by Leonardo) and line up with all the tourists

Qt Core: now it is probably too late to book a visit for august
Aphrodite Macbain:
Aphrodite Macbain: what would you go and see in Milano?
Qt Core: don't know yet, will check which exhibit are there (usually free in august too)
Aphrodite Macbain: It must be very hot then!
Qt Core: today we finally have real summer temps, at about 30 C (86F)
Aphrodite Macbain: looks at the photos Qt sent
Aphrodite Macbain: these are great Qt and you have labeled them all in English!

Qt Core: well, while i love Italian on the web you limit yourself with it
Aphrodite Macbain: The Sforza palace is amazing - like a fortress!
Qt Core: it is, well it was
Aphrodite Macbain: Obviously a military family- the Sforzas
Qt Core: many liked the idea of owning Milan
Aphrodite Macbain: but they commissioned many portraits so obviously respected artists
Qt Core: wondering if it was a sign of wealth, like a Ferrari or an Armani suit nowadays
Aphrodite Macbain: laughs
Aphrodite Macbain: probably a status symbol to have you and your family painted by a famous artist
Aphrodite Macbain: but they had no cameras then so it was the only way of recording the family's likeness for posterity
Qt Core: or to send picture of arranged husband and wife to be ?

Aphrodite Macbain: Then of course there is La Scala and the Cathedral...
Aphrodite Macbain: You have a museum of Egyptology!
Aphrodite Macbain: some beautiful pieces in marble
Qt Core: yes, inside the Sforza Castle (as the music instrument museum is) those are permanent collections
Aphrodite Macbain: I see- so the castle is now a museum
Qt Core: yes, mostly, and the open spaces are used for movie nights and concert too in the summer
Aphrodite Macbain: I am so envious that you live so near to such beautiful events and artworks
Qt Core: we have too much of them and become desensitized
Aphrodite Macbain: Too much artwork and events?
Qt Core: artworks and history, mostly
Aphrodite Macbain: Is there ever too much art?
Qt Core: :-)
Aphrodite Macbain: If you think of architecture as art...you are surrounded with beautiful things even in the heart of the city
Aphrodite Macbain: Although when it reaches 30C it's time to head inside near a pool!
Qt Core: and ancient things, go on whichever city center in Italy and most of the buildings are more than a couple hundred years old
Qt Core: or an ancient buildings with one meter (3 feet) thick walls...
Aphrodite Macbain: yes, I know....magnificent.
Aphrodite Macbain: Something to be proud of
Aphrodite Macbain: I suppose you get used to it...
Aphrodite Macbain: and stop seeing them as anything but ordinary

Qt Core: but i still get a thrill when i come out from the subway in Duomo square and the first thing i see is the cathedral

Aphrodite Macbain: the cathedral is truly magnificent!
Qt Core: don't think camera are allowed there
Aphrodite Macbain: and its black and white paving stones
Aphrodite Macbain: marble
Aphrodite Macbain: sighs

Aphrodite Macbain: One day you will have to send me your photo of the last supper :-)

Aphrodite Macbain: I have to go now- I'm meeting a friend at the art gallery in 30 minutes.
Qt Core: bye, have fun
Aphrodite Macbain: ciao Qt
Aphrodite Macbain: buona sera.