tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27133722.post7437121645487584578..comments2023-10-10T05:32:51.897-07:00Comments on the world according to b: But... I Have Built-In Bookshelves!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27133722.post-40910988103540396792008-06-09T20:42:00.000-07:002008-06-09T20:42:00.000-07:00You surely can write. I wish i had that kind of ta...You surely can write. I wish i had that kind of talent. You're a natural! :-) <BR/><BR/>Hey, don't worry. You're making all the right decision! Burn all those bookshelves!! hehe. It feels good to be homeless sometimes, the best memories of my life were when i didn't have a roof over my head. That kind of feeling is priceless.<BR/><BR/>Now, since you are an expert. Do you think throwing a cookbook at my wall will stop my neighbors from fornicating at 3 am? :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27133722.post-53553076720059659672008-06-05T16:52:00.000-07:002008-06-05T16:52:00.000-07:00i heart fashion,I feel sad for my neighbor as well...i heart fashion,<BR/><BR/>I feel sad for my neighbor as well and as I mentioned above in another response comment, I so don't want to sound as though I am ridiculing her. I appreciate her situation and her fear. I just don't want that for myself. I know that it doesn't have to be that way but it does take faith and courage to embark on such a journey. <BR/><BR/>Thank you for the kind wishes. I am certain that Paris will be wonderful and yes, I do see built-in bookshelves in my future! :)Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01482104257045322117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27133722.post-19741376622995740732008-06-05T16:49:00.000-07:002008-06-05T16:49:00.000-07:00Cavalock,So good to "see" you again! Thank you for...Cavalock,<BR/><BR/>So good to "see" you again! Thank you for this gracious comment! I love that blogging allows us to connect with people all over the world. <BR/><BR/>Being "homeless" is scary and security is very important to people. I completely understand that. l know I will have security again, when I choose it, and that brings me much comfort and courage to embrace this temporary homelessness. :)<BR/><BR/>Change is both exhilarating and frightening, isn't it?Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01482104257045322117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27133722.post-49218349040708909252008-06-05T16:43:00.000-07:002008-06-05T16:43:00.000-07:00Je ne regrette rien,Yes, those armchairs! Oh, I so...Je ne regrette rien,<BR/><BR/>Yes, those armchairs! Oh, I so understand the connection to things. I know that connection is not necessarily shallow or materialistic. There is absolutely nothing wrong with treasures, comfortable chairs, etc. I just know that sometimes I expect too much out of purchases and that what I really need to spend money and effort on is experience right now. And I find it sad that I might be able to let this travel opportunity pass me by because I don't want to lose my bookshelves? <BR/><BR/>Really, we both know it isn't the things themselves that hold us back but that those very things can be a reason not to experience life. i.e., "I would go to Paris for a month if I didn't have to pay off these armchairs." Okay, I'm the one who is all over the place with this comment!<BR/><BR/>I too lean toward small, cozy spaces! :) And yes, bloggers unite in Cannon Beach!! Hooray!Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01482104257045322117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27133722.post-80295781881168134172008-06-05T16:37:00.000-07:002008-06-05T16:37:00.000-07:00Richard,Haha. You're funny. Yes, I can cut and pas...Richard,<BR/><BR/>Haha. You're funny. Yes, I can cut and paste and print. I may have to do that with all the quotes I am compiling for inspiration while on the road. I do like to handwrite things on slips of paper here and there, as you mention. They seem more special that way.Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01482104257045322117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27133722.post-27394048436887794142008-06-05T14:59:00.000-07:002008-06-05T14:59:00.000-07:00I felt sad for your neighbor reading this post, bu...I felt sad for your neighbor reading this post, but happy for you for recognizing the value of travel, experience and freedom over stuff. What a wonderful time you'll have in Paris! And who knows, there may even be built-in bookshelves in your future...The Spicershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08667011381331956751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27133722.post-69644576304658722722008-06-05T01:27:00.000-07:002008-06-05T01:27:00.000-07:00Your views/posts are always so refreshing and new ...Your views/posts are always so refreshing and new to someone like who lives across the world from you. I welcome it and it really makes me think. I can tell you that here in Singapore no one would ever think being ‘homeless’ or leaving our ‘safe’ environment. I admit I am very afraid of change too but I know change is inevitable in life. Slowing but I think I’m getting there.Cavalockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14180674877360799676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27133722.post-77775886393272246642008-06-03T21:42:00.000-07:002008-06-03T21:42:00.000-07:00b-a couple of reactions to your post. First, I ki...b-a couple of reactions to your post. First, I kind of was imagining just how far those 2 armchairs could have taken your neighbor. hmmm. also. I'm a bit of a 'thing' person. yes, I've battled being overtaken by them, but at the same time I refuse to believe that there is something wrong with treasures. not based on $ amount. Also, I love having a home. but a meaningful, weighty home. that is what I envision in France. I lean toward small to tiny spaces. cozy. with my mark. there is a book called the book of tiny houses. one is a hippy type built on the back of a truck. but OH the comfort. the ingenuity small spaces require. the necessity of recognizing the true treasures. so you have 3 books. instead of 300. on a tiny bookshelf! you get where I'm going with all of this? good, because I'll be damned if I do! <BR/><BR/>PS-what's this I hear about the opportunity of a lifetime to meet scintillating blog authors in Cannon Beach? va-va-VOOM!Non Je Ne Regrette Rienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02973542459591839879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27133722.post-49614726887059976422008-06-03T19:09:00.000-07:002008-06-03T19:09:00.000-07:00You are welcome, but you don't actually have to wr...You are welcome, but you don't actually have to write them down, just cut, paste, and print. That is what I do (of coursee, I really should print and hang - on the other hand, discovering some inspirational gem tucked away in a sheaf of papers is is also nice.)Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08466885792177930052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27133722.post-21201185807823616142008-06-03T15:24:00.000-07:002008-06-03T15:24:00.000-07:00Richard,I too am attached to my books and fortunat...Richard,<BR/><BR/>I too am attached to my books and fortunately I will not have to relinquish them. They will be safely kept at my parents' house. But yes, I'll miss having them around me. I will of course take some with me. <BR/><BR/>Personal space is wonderful and I've always loved establishing and nestling in my own personal space. But that urge is upon me and I really need to heed to it this time. The substitute experiences can no longer sustain me, even briefly. Of course, I want it all. I would love to establish a wonderful personal space and be able to travel often. But as I say this I realize that relinquishing that kind of security is essential to really living this upcoming journey. It is simultaneously exhilarating and frightening. <BR/><BR/>Yes, the key is to truly put faith in the personal space within ourselves. I think the ability to do so will provide a lasting peace. As far as moving forward, progress is so subjective. For me, I can rather easily detect a stagnant soul, even if I've only just met them. Even if they've got the promotions, the family, etc., there is a sadness I feel so acutely. I want everyone to feel alive, to realize their soul's yearning. Such stagnation makes me deeply sad for these people.<BR/><BR/>I battle these questions all the time regarding stability, comfort, familiarity, growth, etc. I think that is an essential human struggle. Somehow, we must find a way to satisfy both/all. I think it is possible but it is challenging... embracing struggle always leads to deeper struggle. But my hope is that by embracing such struggle, we come to a peace with ourselves and life. Here's hoping! For me, it doesn't feel like a choice. Confronting that struggle is something I must do. Exhausting!<BR/><BR/>Thank you for these very kind words. I truly know that I will thrive through wandering. I love this Old Irish blessing and the Mark Twain quote. Both hugely inspiring and comforting. I am writing both down to turn to in those more acute moments of struggle. <BR/><BR/>Very Gratefully,<BR/>bBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01482104257045322117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27133722.post-73948924767477344132008-06-03T11:08:00.000-07:002008-06-03T11:08:00.000-07:00Being able to let go is a good thing. Unfortunatel...Being able to let go is a good thing. Unfortunately, I am very attached to my books. They are easily the single largest and heaviest thing in any move (even more so than the piano). Of course, it is not the books per se that I am attached to, but to the world I can retreat to in those books. They are an extension of my personal space. You might imagine a library or a bookstore would be sufficient, but they are not. Those are very clearly public spaces and the books and space are not mine.<BR/><BR/>The trick is to have your personal space within you, so you are free to travel. That was the great innovation of the Jewish people over their neighbours - a personal God who lived within them and not in a statue or a rock or a tree. It is also the ideal of the Stoics, to have within that inner sanctum of peace. <BR/><BR/>While I might be more spaced out than most, I still need a real and physical personal space.<BR/><BR/>It is very romantic of you to <I> roam Paris and the States for an undetermined amount of time</I>. I wish you well. The trick is to journey forward. <BR/><BR/>I find a lot of people don't journey forward, they get stuck in temporal bubbles and want things to remain the same forever (big problem with immigrants). It was one of my biggest disappointments to discover my friends in Montreal had not really moved forward in the years I had been gone. Oh, there are the definite superficial changes: marriages, children, homes, tenure at McGill, thinning hair, etc ... But when I get together with them, it is like being transported back 20-25 years and reliving the same life. On the one hand, the comfort of familiarity is wonderful. On the other hand, the stagnation is cloying. <BR/><BR/>I want stability, I want comfort, I want familiarity, but I also want to grow. I don't want to be potted. On the other hand, where am I? Who am I to complain? I am still in pretty much the same place I was 5-6 years ago (mind you, in a much better frame of mind) - though, I hope I have been inching forward.<BR/><BR/>I definitely think you will thrive as you wander. And, as the old Irish blessing goes: <I>May the road rise up to meet you / May the wind always be at your back / May the sun shine warm upon your face / and rains fall soft upon your fields</I><BR/><BR/>---<BR/><BR/>It's lovely to live on a raft. We had the sky up there, all speckled with stars, and we used to lay on our backs and look up at them, and discuss about whether they was made or only just happened. - Mark Twain, <I>The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn</I>Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08466885792177930052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27133722.post-47470219944294853932008-06-03T10:33:00.000-07:002008-06-03T10:33:00.000-07:00F.O.T., Haha... yes, that nutty Belette! :) I'm gl...F.O.T., <BR/><BR/>Haha... yes, that nutty Belette! :) I'm glad I've got y'all to keep the nerd love flowing!Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01482104257045322117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27133722.post-76712511546683913432008-06-03T10:31:00.000-07:002008-06-03T10:31:00.000-07:00La Belette,What synchronicity! I'm going to read t...La Belette,<BR/><BR/>What synchronicity! I'm going to read this poem now! And I'll look forward to your post on it!<BR/><BR/>Yes, home is where the Jack is! Ahh.... sweet companion of mine! :) No doubt, there will be a bottle of Jack traveling with me at all times! And perhaps even Homer will come along as well!Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01482104257045322117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27133722.post-2924591759948303252008-06-03T10:29:00.000-07:002008-06-03T10:29:00.000-07:00Randal,You're absolutely right. I am bringing thes...Randal,<BR/><BR/>You're absolutely right. I am bringing these spaces with me. Haha.... yes, I've read most of the books on my bookshelves. However, there are quite a few I have yet to read. I have this thing with bookstores. If I step foot in a bookstore, two books must come home with me! And I'm such an "in the moment" kind of reader, I need to have at least several books waiting for me to choose from, depending on which might be "calling" me at a given time.<BR/><BR/>Well, I'm not really a hat wearing kind of girl, but maybe as Belette suggests, home is where I tip the Jack back? :)Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01482104257045322117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27133722.post-92039181387934821622008-06-03T10:26:00.000-07:002008-06-03T10:26:00.000-07:00It's El,Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I ...It's El,<BR/><BR/>Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I am so looking forward to reading Oliver's "The Journey" and will look it up right now. I so appreciate when others pass along their inspiration!Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01482104257045322117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27133722.post-41382760548024991132008-06-03T10:25:00.000-07:002008-06-03T10:25:00.000-07:00Susan,You know, I actually do the walking prayer a...Susan,<BR/><BR/>You know, I actually do the walking prayer all the time! Nature so easily induces it for me now, as well as humanity. Oh, and dogs of course! :)<BR/><BR/>Religion and spirituality are very subjective terms, especially spirituality. I feel very connected with life and believe in God/a magnificent energy that transcends science. I understand the appeal of identifying with religion. Individual spirituality can be tricky, trying to navigate spiritual development. However, for me, it is a rewarding challenge and the ambiguity does not frighten me.Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01482104257045322117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27133722.post-80882413535180263352008-06-03T10:20:00.000-07:002008-06-03T10:20:00.000-07:00F.O.T.,Yes, the longing is always there. When we a...F.O.T.,<BR/><BR/>Yes, the longing is always there. When we are in a fixed place, we long to go and when we are on the go, we long to stay. I think for us, we need to be able to move between those two... fixed and roaming... freely. And that is really more feasible than it seems, I believe.Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01482104257045322117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27133722.post-23630713602201770392008-06-03T10:18:00.000-07:002008-06-03T10:18:00.000-07:00Our Juicy Life,They are just things and I do not h...Our Juicy Life,<BR/><BR/>They are just things and I do not have to relinquish them completely. The books will be boxed and taken care of at my parents' house, some will be left out for the journey. The bookshelves are just dust collecting things, really. :)<BR/><BR/>I always feel a bit sorry when I talk about my cat neighbor or bring up the Paris Je t'aime short about the woman who finally goes to Paris but the experience is limited because she is living but a half-life. I know that their pain must be great and my mention is never to elevate myself or assert superiority. I truly know the potential to become such and have to remind myself constantly that I cannot be that. <BR/><BR/>Thank you.... I too love my new, open, free, uncertain, and ever-changing backyard. The view is always spectacular and surprising. I know this journey will forever change me and it will allow me to break through that barrier of existence. No doubt, your journey will do the same for you!Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01482104257045322117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27133722.post-53819158285517076562008-06-03T10:11:00.000-07:002008-06-03T10:11:00.000-07:00La Framéricaine,No apologies necessary. I had prev...La Framéricaine,<BR/><BR/>No apologies necessary. I had previously initiated a new blog, Towards Paris, and was doing the same thing when I was leaving comments. It confused me more than anyone, I believe!<BR/><BR/>I started the Towards Paris blog for the very reasons that you built your 3 "blog universes." There is so much to moving... the technicalities and physical moving, the spiritual moving, the growth, the philosophical nature of moving, the Hero's Journey, etc. etc. etc. I too have struggled with giving each ample space on my blog. I love the idea of all three of your blogs! <BR/><BR/>Thank you again for your insightful and inspiring comments!<BR/><BR/>Sincerely,<BR/>bBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01482104257045322117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27133722.post-10447911368017389932008-06-03T09:02:00.000-07:002008-06-03T09:02:00.000-07:00"home is where you keep your homer"LOL..."Classic"..."home is where you keep your homer"<BR/><BR/>LOL...<BR/><BR/>"Classic" <BR/><BR/>bah dum chi! I'm here all week folks. Tip your servers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27133722.post-75721318993591945112008-06-03T08:57:00.000-07:002008-06-03T08:57:00.000-07:00El: So funny you should mention that poem. I just ...El: So funny you should mention that poem. I just started a post about that poem. A friend of mine who is going on a vision quest was using that poem was given that poem as a means of anchoring his adventure. <BR/>I love Mary Oliver!<BR/><BR/>And, Randal and B: Home is not where you keep your Homer--but where you keep your Jack Daniel's!;-)La Belette Rougehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05686717070120116918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27133722.post-79339960782993671952008-06-03T08:48:00.000-07:002008-06-03T08:48:00.000-07:00You're bringing those spaces with you. Whatever yo...You're bringing those spaces with you. Whatever you've gleaned from those books are with you as you travel. Unless you didn't read any of them. ;-)<BR/><BR/>Home is where you hang your hat.Randal Graveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08728992897551848531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27133722.post-3610402119140564342008-06-02T22:17:00.000-07:002008-06-02T22:17:00.000-07:00I don't know if you're familiar with Mary Oliver's...I don't know if you're familiar with Mary Oliver's poem "The Journey," but I had to share it with you - I find so much peace and comfort every time I read it. Enjoy your Paris journey! (I'm el by the way; I just stumbled across your blog via LBR's.)it's elhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15748229067944095432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27133722.post-15053747039966586802008-06-02T19:38:00.000-07:002008-06-02T19:38:00.000-07:00One quick extra thought for you. I pretty much unc...One quick extra thought for you. I pretty much unconsiously started practicing walking prayer many years ago. It can be simple like 'thank you' (for showing me this or that) or any prayer, mantra or recitation that appeals to you which can be kept going in the background. <BR/><BR/>Religion ususally indicates following a certain prescribed format. Spirituality involves a direct experience of Reality. Neither one appeals to everyone but it's good for a seeker to have a clue about direction.susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16747450215034568033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27133722.post-28254917641946336652008-06-02T09:27:00.000-07:002008-06-02T09:27:00.000-07:00Susan, Thank you for this incredible comment. You ...Susan, <BR/><BR/>Thank you for this incredible comment. You have inspired my next blog post and so much awareness with your insight. <BR/><BR/>I so agree that as humans we both embrace and fear change. It is a constant struggle and thus, I somehow understand why many people resist change so fiercely. Yet, I cannot resist it... it is far too essential to my sense of being alive. <BR/><BR/>We really do try to grasp at something permanent. Despite knowing that the beauty of a moment will not last forever, we somehow want it to and occasionally expect it to. And I am always trying to find peace with those moments, a lasting peace. <BR/><BR/>I want to embrace the memories without aching for them. I do believe you are absolutely right about prayer and meditation in this regard. I am not a religious person whatsoever but I do consider myself spiritual. A few months ago I was diligently reading from the Tao daily and other meditations. This brought about such peace and acceptance. But then, I stopped. I'll go into this more in my next blog post but really, I think that prayer/meditation is very different than introspection and philosophy. It transcends such and brings about a tremendous sense of peace and harmony. <BR/><BR/>Thank you again for this enlightening comment as well as your kind wishes! <BR/><BR/>Very gratefully,<BR/>bBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01482104257045322117noreply@blogger.com