2018.06.10 - Day 88

Yes, you’re right Storm. I don’t think Americans would understand, that, although many people just enjoy the spectacle, there is an underlying anti-Catholic animosity there that often causes outbreaks of violence. I sometimes think and hope that Orangeism, or at least the sectarian bitterness associated with it, will die out, but it still seems to be easy to pass on to new generations who seem only too ready and willing to adopt it.
There is so much power in cultural traditions. But at least there hasn’t been so much violence lately. Of course, bands like these were used to lift the spirits of men going into battle, so hardly surprising to find aggressiveness there. Don’t know if this is interesting, but there is a type of big drum called a Lambeg drum that seems peculiar to Ulster and they have drumming contests using them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp0d_1D7CJI edited 10:08, 10 Jun 2018

Sounds like rapid fire (the drum).

Full day. Grandfather visit. Highs and lows, but not too many of either so, all okay. Have been thinking about the way, when there is an injury, the trigger is not usually right where the injury seems to be. A pilates teacher once had the group focus on fingers and toes, taking us through various exercises which at first felt very silly to be doing, but the next day, there seemed to be hundreds of muscles in my back affected. Sometimes this is what it is like with he and I, something small brought up will touch something way somewhere else.

Now I really need some isolation! Feel both overstimulatedand drained.

Also, I think I'm finished with this focus for now. It may take a while to see changes from the time, if there are, but I feel content to have noticed some important things and tried out a few new possibilities. edited 22:22, 10 Jun 2018

Looking at the left margin with a little pang. Just 11 days left?! I've loved so much of what others have written here, things I often admire and aspire to. And to think it will draw to a close soon. :(

I identified that I want to write more. And better. Realistically, I know I'm a writer manqué. I want to see if that label is irreversible. But what have I done about it?

* I'm writing pretty much every day - mostly short stuff - and some of it's marginally publish-worthy (unlike most of what I used to post on twitter!).
* As mentioned before, I joined a couple of Mastodon instances to do with writing, one definitely more quirky than the other and where I'm posing as a wire-frame alien (which seems to go well with the general quirkiness there).
* Following Zen's suggestion, I ordered Linda Anderson's Creative Writing OU book, which should help with technique, discipline etc. That should be here on Wednesday.

On another day, I'd like to write more about how good I've found Mastodon. It's taken me by surprise! It's certainly become my social medium of choice. And perhaps I can suggest how to go about dabbling if you're interested.

I've been in a bit of a slump the last weeks. This may or may not be related to my not being able to attend my RL sangha meetings a few times. I went again yesterday and was inspired by the people and the meditation format.

This little mental act of appreciation seems so small, but it does matter. So, starting anew. Bowed to my coffee first thing in the morning. Not opening a new carton of food for breakfast when there are still leftovers in the fridge. Appreciate, allow gratefulness to arise.