Birth Announcement: Mama's got a new desk

I finally bought a new desk on the weekend.

With any luck, it will be delivered and assembled (thank you, baby Jesus) in two to three weeks.

I love that I don't need to learn how to read Swedish hierogylphics in order to assemble it myself.

I haven't had a proper desk since moving into my place. In fact, I've been working on an awkward and fairly awful semi-circular table while sitting on a chair that's pretty much a magnet for lumbar damage.

The Bliss is Back

The hardest part of a silent meditation retreat is easily the day it ends. Re-entry is tough. After a week of relatively little stimulation in a scent free environment, it's like the whole world is one particularly loud Lush store.

So I breathe in and out.

One of the lingering effects of my mindfulness retreat is this: I haven't had a cup of coffee or any kind of caffeinated beverage for over a week and a half.

Surprisingly, I didn't have any headaches coming down off the stuff and, while I really do love the taste of coffee, my body feels a lot calmer without it.

I'm not sure I'll keep off it. Coffee is such a pleasure...and frankly, it's pretty much a necessity in the business I work in. How else am I going to pull the late hours on numerous deadlines?

But for now, I'm enjoying being caffeine free. Like that new Coke.

Happy Birthday to Me

Tomorrow is my birthday, but I fear I won't be able to post. You see, I have 3 client meetings, a vacay download, and a lunch to fit in to an 8+ hour day.

That's okay. Because you know that vacay feeling? It can carry you through pretty much anything.

I was thinking earlier about what, if anything, I wanted for my birthday and I really couldn't think of a thing. Okay, I lie: maybe the Glee soundtrack. But other than that, I have everything I need -- physically and spiritually.

It feels like a good birthday, this year.

I'm happier, more contented and more "me" then I've ever been.

If this is what aging means, I'll take it.

Okay, who came up with the idea of multi-tasking anyway

This morning I was nearly run over by someone who was walking and reading a book.

How can that be possible? Or even desirable?

Reading seems to be something that happens in a sitting position or maybe even a standing position while holding on to a transit pole. But walking? How could that be any fun? And how much would you actually retain.

It reminds me of the guy I saw biking and texting this summer. Both activities individually have their merit. But together? It really seems to invite some kind of accident involving a double back handspring over a car hood.

It has me thinking about how we (yes, me too) don't ever seem to be satisfied with doing a single thing at one time. We need MORE things at one time to feel like we're actually accomplishing something.

Like eating and watching TV. Or talking to someone and checking my Blackberry at the same time. Or going for a stroll while listening to music through my headphones.

But the trouble is, when you do more things at one time, you actually don't give anything thing your full attention.

So if you're reading and walking, you might get where you're going, but you have no recollection of the journey.

The Zen masters said it best.

When you sit, sit. When you eat, eat.

Pet Peeves

The topic today is Pet Peeves.
Overcoming them, not basking in them.

So go ahead. Why don't you:

Eat with your mouth full.
Talk during the movie.
Smack your gum.
Tap you finger on the desk.
Move back and forth on the squeaky chair.
Not return my call.
Return my call at an inopportune time.
Squeeze that.
Pick at that.
Arrive late.
Clear your throat.
Not use a tissue.
Make more noise.
Eat off my plate.
Make me late.
Arrive while I'm still getting dressed.
Not invite me.
Cancel plans.

Because even if you stop doing these things, I'll just find other things to get irritated about.

Tyrone

The guy at the front of the line at Cabbagetown's Tim Horton's was big. But his friend was even bigger.

They were both wearing bomber jackets that said SECURITY in big red letters across the back. They were easily 6' 6".

His friend looked like he could have bench-pressed me without breaking a sweat. His bald head glistened. I might have crossed to the other side of the street if we'd met after dark.

Yet when front of the line guy turned to his buddy and said, "What can I get for you, Tyrone?", Tyrone said, "Peppermint Tea."

"Anything else?" his friend asked.

"A bran muffin," Tyrone replied.

I thought my heart was going to burst out of my body.