2014.11.05 19:00 - Being me

The Guardian for this meeting was stevenaia Michinaga. The comments are by stevenaia Michinaga.

Aphrodite Macbain, Korel Laloix, druth Vlodovic and Pinzy Resident joined us this evening for an intresting conversation

Korel Laloix: Osiyo Aph
Aphrodite Macbain: Hi!
Aphrodite Macbain: You have a new job! How is it?
Korel Laloix: Stressfull, but learning.
Korel Laloix: And the pay is a bit more.
Korel Laloix: Longer hours and on call... so that sort of sucks.
Aphrodite Macbain: why did you change and how is it different?
Aphrodite Macbain: :/
Aphrodite Macbain: more pay, longer hours
Korel Laloix: I went from being the safety assistant to the actual lab safety officer.
Korel Laloix: Which for my age is quite remarkable.
Aphrodite Macbain: congratulations! so you are in the same office/lab?
Korel Laloix: Same place yes, just tkaing my bosses place.
Korel Laloix: So they are hiring into my old position now.
Aphrodite Macbain: ah- has she left?
Korel Laloix: Sort of.. lol.. still has her stuff all over the office though.
Aphrodite Macbain: you were doing her job even before she left if I remember correctly
Korel Laloix: She wanted to retire a couple of years ago, but they kept asking her to stay on for one more year.
Aphrodite Macbain: new she can retire!
Aphrodite Macbain: now
Korel Laloix: Pretty muhc..so prepared me for this in quite a few ways.
Korel Laloix: But not every way.. frowns
Aphrodite Macbain: I'm not going to claim this session.
Korel Laloix: OK.. and I am about to go anyway..
Aphrodite Macbain: so a steep learning curve?
Korel Laloix: Very early morning.
Aphrodite Macbain: erk
Korel Laloix: Very.. more about the paperwork vs the technical stuff.
Korel Laloix: Have to be there when the doors open at five.
Aphrodite Macbain: oh - kinda boring then- more managerial?
Korel Laloix: Maybe 50/50..
Korel Laloix: If you are the safety lead and you are stuck i yoru office you are not doing it right.
Aphrodite Macbain: nods, so you need to figure out how to use your time best
Korel Laloix: What you been up to Aph?
Aphrodite Macbain: Lots of things...
Korel Laloix: And figure out the how to deal with people part as well.
Korel Laloix: Oh do tell then pelase.
Aphrodite Macbain: taking a course in philosophy, studying italian, painting
stevenaia Michinaga: waves
Korel Laloix: OH y es. you mentioned some of those before.
Aphrodite Macbain: planning my trip to Italy next May :-)
Korel Laloix: What sort of philosophy?
Aphrodite Macbain: Planning to teach on line
Korel Laloix: Osiyo Steve
Korel Laloix: THat sounds great.
Aphrodite Macbain: Hiya stevenaia
stevenaia Michinaga: nice to see friends on a wednesday eve
Aphrodite Macbain: staring a meditation group with a friend
Aphrodite Macbain: starting
Korel Laloix: That sounds like fun.
Korel Laloix: But anyway... I need to get ready for bed.
Aphrodite Macbain: keeps me engaged and happy
Korel Laloix: Take care all.
Aphrodite Macbain: Bye Korel
Korel Laloix: You are engaged?.. smiles
stevenaia Michinaga: bye Korel
stevenaia Michinaga: :)
Aphrodite Macbain: only in life...
Aphrodite Macbain: I see you still have a plate of chocolate cake
Aphrodite Macbain: Hey druth
stevenaia Michinaga: I found a site called "Meet-up" or something that allows groups to post meeting times to reach out to find others. I found it while looking for a Tai Chi group whils on vacation
stevenaia Michinaga: was thinking of using it for a Study Group we have been having for the past 3 years
Aphrodite Macbain: great Idea

--BELL--

stevenaia Michinaga: to get more people involved
Aphrodite Macbain: I was/am a member of a meet-up group here in Vancouver for those who were learning to speak Italian. It meets at cafes. There are about 100 members.
Aphrodite Macbain: tho usually about 20 people attend
stevenaia Michinaga: nice, so it works
stevenaia Michinaga: hi Druth
druth Vlodovic: hi 'naia
Aphrodite Macbain: Yes. It's a great idea
druth Vlodovic: I was a member for ages,been to a number of good discussion groups RL as well as a few bar meetups
stevenaia Michinaga: I saw it was relatively inexpensive to set up a group
Aphrodite Macbain: what was the kind of meet up you went to druth?
Aphrodite Macbain: what were you discussing?
stevenaia Michinaga: ...listens
druth Vlodovic: different ones, one was an "unsermon" sunday mornings as an alternative to church, connected to an athiest group i went to a bunch
Aphrodite Macbain: :-)
Aphrodite Macbain: what did the atheist group discuss?
druth Vlodovic: another was a general discussion group like the philosophy forums in SL
Aphrodite Macbain: around particular subjects?
druth Vlodovic: yes
stevenaia Michinaga: Aph, I cannot detach your cake, I am having dificulties with my image as I still cannot see myself
druth Vlodovic: and a skeptics group,which was interesting
Aphrodite Macbain: that would have been interesting
druth Vlodovic: you look lovely, don't change a thing
druth Vlodovic: it was
druth Vlodovic: guess i should finally rejoin and start going again
Aphrodite Macbain: Cant you go into your inventory and see what ur wearing and del;ete it there?
Aphrodite Macbain: the skeptics druth?
stevenaia Michinaga: yes.. but nothing can be detached
Aphrodite Macbain: weird
stevenaia Michinaga: looking like I have attachement issues :)
Aphrodite Macbain: lol
Aphrodite Macbain: maybe ul have to meditate more
druth Vlodovic: an interesting bunch, basically looking at things people tend to accept
Aphrodite Macbain: and challenging those things in a thoughtful way?
druth Vlodovic: one fellow does a "smoke run"each month,or used to, they would light up big cigars and go jogging, just to make a point
Aphrodite Macbain: The local university has organized a series of "Philosphers Cafes" all over the city- discussing almost anything
stevenaia Michinaga: :)
Aphrodite Macbain: lol
Aphrodite Macbain: kaff kaff
Aphrodite Macbain: I find them hard to participate in- everyone speaks at once
druth Vlodovic: well,anti-smoking has achieved the scope of a minor religion around here, like recycling was for somea few years back
Aphrodite Macbain: Vancouver has a no smking in public places law
stevenaia Michinaga: there is something to be said for typing in SL
druth Vlodovic: oh, maybe you need to find smaller groups, or better yet raise the question to the leader,
Aphrodite Macbain: I remember the philosophers cafe in SL. It was a shouting match
druth Vlodovic: religion is usually started for good reasons but then reason stops, always a good idea to challenge it
stevenaia Michinaga: nods
Aphrodite Macbain: I felt ignored
Aphrodite Macbain: so left it
druth Vlodovic: in text shouting matches work :)
stevenaia Michinaga: although I find I miss much while typing
Aphrodite Macbain: everyone tried to sound smarter than the others
druth Vlodovic: score points :)
stevenaia Michinaga: yes, MY TEXT IS BIGGER
Aphrodite Macbain: it was not really a conversation but a series of 1-liners
Aphrodite Macbain: he he
druth Vlodovic: I spend much of my time reading about ten or so lines behind where everyone is speaking
Aphrodite Macbain: It is hard to facilitate the conversation of many...
Aphrodite Macbain: nods, me too
Aphrodite Macbain: I like Stim's discussions however
druth Vlodovic: t - 3 minutes so I'll hold my next question :)
druth Vlodovic: sim?
Aphrodite Macbain: he actually responds to what people say
Aphrodite Macbain: Stimulat
druth Vlodovic: he is good at it
Aphrodite Macbain: what's it called?
druth Vlodovic: and has (very reluctantly) put his foot down on people in the past
druth Vlodovic: thothica
Aphrodite Macbain: right
Aphrodite Macbain: that's the place
Aphrodite Macbain: every MOnday evening at 6 slt Stevenai8a
stevenaia Michinaga: nods, I met someone from there once
Aphrodite Macbain: smart people seem to come
stevenaia Michinaga: will add their group to get the notifications
Aphrodite Macbain: I still feel stupid but I learn stuff
Aphrodite Macbain: there

--BELL--

Aphrodite Macbain: hands steve the lm
stevenaia Michinaga: thnx, got the group from Druth's profile :)
Aphrodite Macbain: :-)
Aphrodite Macbain: k
druth Vlodovic: sneakly
Aphrodite Macbain: :-) :D
stevenaia Michinaga: hehe, only in SL
druth Vlodovic: what does your study group study?
stevenaia Michinaga: moi/
druth Vlodovic: a whole study group for that? cool
Aphrodite Macbain: ru talking to steve?
druth Vlodovic: oops,yes
Aphrodite Macbain: lol
druth Vlodovic: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/174745
stevenaia Michinaga: it began from a tai chi calls I was taking and a group of us got together to discuss Daoism by taking a chapter of the Dao de Jing each month, reading varous translations and interpritations and discussing them after a bit of Chi Gong and poetry reading, we have been meeting for 3 years w/ 4 lore to go (80+ chapters) then we begin aain
stevenaia Michinaga: *class
Aphrodite Macbain: Sounds like an interesting group.
Aphrodite Macbain: like I-Ching
stevenaia Michinaga: A friend of mine is a retired head of a university religion dept and a daoist scholar and joins us from time to time
Aphrodite Macbain: So you continue to meet?
stevenaia Michinaga: he's also a very funny man, brought a official Wizard from New Zealand over for an event
Aphrodite Macbain: !?
Aphrodite Macbain: an official wizard?
stevenaia Michinaga: yes we meet monthly
Aphrodite Macbain: does he pull rabbits out of hats?
stevenaia Michinaga: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wizard_of_New_Zealand
stevenaia Michinaga: no, not quite
stevenaia Michinaga: but he does ahve a hat
Aphrodite Macbain: wow!
druth Vlodovic: looks like an interesting fellow
Aphrodite Macbain: the gallery thought the Wizard was an authentic living work of art
stevenaia Michinaga: Aph, I think I had to reschedule one of the groups when Pila was having his iChing group online so it wouldn't conflict with my RL strudy group
Aphrodite Macbain: !!
Aphrodite Macbain: I feel badly that the I Ching group had to stop
stevenaia Michinaga: I got much out of it
Aphrodite Macbain: You were so helpful to me...
stevenaia Michinaga: I filled up a book of my readings
druth Vlodovic: OMG,he really is an official wizard!
Aphrodite Macbain: Maybe you can return to them from time to time
Aphrodite Macbain: seems so druth!
stevenaia Michinaga: now working on my chinese Characters as I do my readings
druth Vlodovic: appointed by the university of western australia
stevenaia Michinaga: can;t get more official than that
Aphrodite Macbain: lol
Aphrodite Macbain: I like his ideas and attitudes
Aphrodite Macbain: How often do u see him?
stevenaia Michinaga: who?
Aphrodite Macbain: the wizard

--BELL--

stevenaia Michinaga: Only once when my friend invited him here to help dedicate a pavillon the university built
druth Vlodovic: hi pinzy
stevenaia Michinaga: hi Pinzy
stevenaia Michinaga: pls join us
Pinzy Resident: Thank you
stevenaia Michinaga: we record what is typed here and post it on the group's wiki, can we include your comments?
Pinzy Resident: what group?
stevenaia Michinaga: we are called Play as Being
Aphrodite Macbain: sounds interesting...
stevenaia Michinaga: and we are exploring the Nature of Reality
stevenaia Michinaga: for the past 5 years ehre
stevenaia Michinaga: here
stevenaia Michinaga: I think I ahve a notecard somewhere
Pinzy Resident: thanks
Pinzy Resident: please dont let me interrupt
druth Vlodovic: we were discussing Iching and an Australian wizard
stevenaia Michinaga: our schedule isn;t as rigorous as it once was (every 6 hours) but the latest schedule of our meetings is on the wiki site so feel free to drop by anytime
Pinzy Resident: thank you. What do you talk about?
stevenaia Michinaga: just about anything, but we try to reflact on our thought by taking a 90 second 'break" every 15 minutes to see what thoughts aroise and sometimes discuss those
Pinzy Resident: Ok- I think I understand
stevenaia Michinaga: sometimes the process of "not thinking" and just listening brings up many interesting things
stevenaia Michinaga: watching the spaces between thoughts
Pinzy Resident: Hmmm. Why do you have a plate attached to your hand?
Pinzy Resident: I guess I have nothing of significance to say
stevenaia Michinaga: smiles, it used to have cake on it, and my avatar is defective and I can;t get rid of it
druth Vlodovic: welcome to SL, it does many odd things :)
druth Vlodovic: nothing can be called defective if it results in cake!
Pinzy Resident laughs. May I just sit here for a while?.
stevenaia Michinaga: I can drop my thoughts but I can't drop my cake plate
druth Vlodovic: please do
Pinzy Resident: laughs again
Pinzy Resident: thanks
stevenaia Michinaga: good point Druth
Aphrodite Macbain: especially if it's chocolate cake
stevenaia Michinaga: there is much humor in this investigation, hence the Play aspect of exploring Being
stevenaia Michinaga: one facilitates the other
Pinzy Resident: :-)
Pinzy Resident: I am not sure if I have to "be" something...
Pinzy Resident: but if it's playful I'll try not to worry
druth Vlodovic: the alternative is a bit dire
stevenaia Michinaga: smiles
Pinzy Resident: not being?
druth Vlodovic: though i suppose nobody "has to" be anything in particular
Aphrodite Macbain: dire?
Pinzy Resident: I try and be myself...I guess
Pinzy Resident: whoever that is
stevenaia Michinaga: yes, the ever changing self
druth Vlodovic: now we ding and experience "being ourselves" for a minute and a half
druth Vlodovic: or soon anyway
Pinzy Resident: ding?

--BELL--

Aphrodite Macbain raises one eyebrow
stevenaia Michinaga: yes, out 90 second break every 15 minutes
stevenaia Michinaga: *ou
stevenaia Michinaga: rour
Aphrodite Macbain: !
stevenaia Michinaga: *our
stevenaia Michinaga: :)
Aphrodite Macbain: I thought you were roaring Stevenaia
stevenaia Michinaga: my usual bad typing
druth Vlodovic: stevenaia has been doing it too long, "our" has become a complex issue and difficult to summarize in a single syllable
Aphrodite Macbain: giggles
stevenaia Michinaga: or with three simple letters
Pinzy Resident: rou?
druth Vlodovic: although i was pondering how "being myself" alone (even in silence for a moment) is quite different than "being myself" in active company
Aphrodite Macbain: How do you change druth?
druth Vlodovic: I feel a different fish in different water
druth Vlodovic: an old discovery which i repeat from time to time
Aphrodite Macbain listens in fascination
druth Vlodovic: one old topic is edges and limits to a particular person or object
Pinzy Resident: I guess we all change depending on our environment
druth Vlodovic: your projection and my interpretation of it becomes a part of my being for a time
Aphrodite Macbain: my preojection?
Aphrodite Macbain: is in my mind
Aphrodite Macbain: Can you know what I project on you?
Aphrodite Macbain: Or do you imagine what I think of you and act accordingly?
Pinzy Resident: Listens with interest
druth Vlodovic: I see what is presented, with my own eyes,of course,not necessarily what was intended
stevenaia Michinaga: there is much to be gained by listening to that others see about you
Aphrodite Macbain: How is what you see presented? You mean what you look like in SL?
stevenaia Michinaga: I tend to have a slightly bias view of myself
Aphrodite Macbain smiles
Aphrodite Macbain: is it positive or negative
Aphrodite Macbain: ?
stevenaia Michinaga: luckily I'm pritty satisfied with what I see, so it can only be improved by other's perspectives
druth Vlodovic: :)
Aphrodite Macbain: what a positive outlook!
stevenaia Michinaga: (should I choose to incorporate those perspectives) :)
Aphrodite Macbain: I tend to assume that I am seen more negatively
Aphrodite Macbain: being with friends is sort of different
stevenaia Michinaga: I view seeing negativeily as a lot or work, I'm to lazy for that
stevenaia Michinaga: *of work
stevenaia Michinaga: acceptance tends to be the least path of resistance to me
Aphrodite Macbain: Interesting. I dont seem to work on my attitude, it's just there
druth Vlodovic: I am fascinated by this,and can't stop looking at it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wizard_of_New_Zealand
Pinzy Resident: Wizard of New Zealand?
druth Vlodovic: amazing what a man can be when internal positive projection overcomes other things
Aphrodite Macbain: yes. I wish I had what he has!

--BELL--

Pinzy Resident: Bye
Pinzy Resident: and thank you
druth Vlodovic: attitudes are like many other things we believe are instinct or inherent, they can be retrained by will and persistence
stevenaia Michinaga: bye Pinzy, stop by again sometime
druth Vlodovic: have fun pinzy
Pinzy Resident: maybe I will!
druth Vlodovic: I hope to see you again
Aphrodite Macbain: I think you may be right druth
Aphrodite Macbain: persistence maybe
Aphrodite Macbain: I'm not sure if I can will myself to be a certain type of person
stevenaia Michinaga: true, but we all can choose
Aphrodite Macbain: BE NICE, BE NICE, BE NICE
druth Vlodovic: oddly willpower is one of these things, how does one train an attitude using itself?
Aphrodite Macbain: :-)
Aphrodite Macbain: exactly- it's very slippery!
stevenaia Michinaga: can you jsut avoid the things you don;t like (about yourself) and do the other things more (persistance)
Aphrodite Macbain: maybe
druth Vlodovic: is that a good idea?
Aphrodite Macbain: buit sometimes it's not about DOING things
druth Vlodovic: negativity tends to breed in the dark
Aphrodite Macbain: it's about being a certain weay
Aphrodite Macbain: way
Aphrodite Macbain: feeling
Aphrodite Macbain: thinking
stevenaia Michinaga: seeing the dark is the first step to avoiding it
stevenaia Michinaga: yin and yang
Aphrodite Macbain: I rathr like the dark!
stevenaia Michinaga: no dark w/o the light
Aphrodite Macbain: nods
Aphrodite Macbain: unless it was before the big bang
stevenaia Michinaga: one can only wonder
Aphrodite Macbain: yup
Aphrodite Macbain: I do that a lot
druth Vlodovic: on second thought, finding and doing what you like sounds much more fun than brooding on the darkness
Aphrodite Macbain: I wonder what Pinzy thought of us...
druth Vlodovic: unless darkness is what you like :)
Aphrodite Macbain: I agree.
Aphrodite Macbain: Find your passion...
stevenaia Michinaga: nods
stevenaia Michinaga: avoid the baggage
stevenaia Michinaga: well I;m off to bed, take care
Aphrodite Macbain: Oh OK Stevenaia
druth Vlodovic: I try not to concern myself overmuch with what people think of me, it makes me artificial to do so
Aphrodite Macbain: thank you!
druth Vlodovic: 'night stevenaia
stevenaia Michinaga: night, thank you
druth Vlodovic: have fun
Aphrodite Macbain: :-)
druth Vlodovic: shall we off?
Aphrodite Macbain: yes
Aphrodite Macbain: where to?
druth Vlodovic: ttfn fountain
Aphrodite Macbain: byeee fountain