just BEING centered

Chuck posted recently about living in the moment, or at least his difficulty with living in the moment and the tendancy to look ahead to X Y Z. check it out.

As we look forward to centering in the Peg there is certainly a temptation to think that the outward change will bring about inward change, but in the words of "The Flaming Lips" song...

all we have is NOW
all we ever had is NOW
you and me were never meant to be part of the future.

Changing outward circumstances, the environment, people, vibe, even the government (I was always more NDP than Torie) can have an effect on one's way of being if it's the right place and the right time.

Manitoba's new image is "spirited energy" Hey I like it! there is a different kind of energy there. a more organic feel. When one can line themselves up with (align) with energies that are more condusive to spiritual growth it does make a difference. I think we also have stuff to offer as people, artists etc. that can make a difference in the vibration. We are taking the whole family there for Christmas so it will be very interesting to see what kind of "spirited energy" will be released! Still it comes down to centeredness. resisting the temptation to place "real life" or "important significant people" out there somewhere and just be fully available in the moment. Accept our place in the universe and BE all we can BE.

Spread the Love Vibration...uh huh

Ah memories of the Festival de Voyageur! I was too young for the beer gardens but what a magical time it was. Bon fires, great food, ice sculptures. I look forward to 2008

I don't know exactly what it is about Coronation Park that entrigues me so much but as I was drifting off to sleep a few nights ago it was like I was drifting over a park that I remember from many a dream as a youth. Though it didn't look exactly like it (cause no doubt it's an amalgamation of several memories) there was something about it that triggered some recognition.

Anyways, I still am captivatied by the Metis Symbol, infinity and X88

Metis Flag and infinity

I was driving up 124th Street yesterday and this symbol caught my eye. It was at a Metis Dance place. I went in and found out more. This was the 1st Canadian Flag which pre-dates the Maple Leaf by 150 years!




The guy I spoke to said it represents the mixing of blood but also relates to the infinity symbol.

This all leads me further to believe that the X-88 is very much something I have stumbled upon rather than "invented" and that there is a deep connection with the universe. The similarity IS striking.

I have a great deal of respect for the Metis and am reminded once again of my interest in St. Boniface, what with Festival de Voyageur just around the corner. More on this over at From The Center

Emo Barn, God's Children and parcs francophone

This is a painting by my Grandma, Lydia Penner, of Ducharme's Barn just outside of Emo. I think it was done in 1973 during one of her visits. Mark reminded me that on that day we all painted a version of the barn. This is by far the most memorable as it hung in our house for years. The barn was abandoned but a favorite hang out for Emo kids.




These are a few items I brought home from Lydia's apartment. 2 very old match books one from the Flin Flon Hotel, one of Wes Penner's paintings and a beautiful saying which graced the top right hand side of her fridge. Interestingly when I removed this from her fridge after her death, I learned that it had been placed there to cover up a dark blue sticker of some sort (which was presumably from the previous owner of the fridge). Just like Lydia to use her creativity to make something beautiful. Wise words from a wise woman.

"God knows no creed or color, they are all his children"



This is the South East entrance to Coronation Park in Old St. Boniface (actually Norwood). This is very near the area of Winnipeg where I'd like to settle. An easy walk to "The Forks".

From the Center - out and back again

I just posted back at radiance creative about x 88, and I could have continued on the observation that it works from the center outwards and back again. finding balance, knowing where the center is...even when the center changes. Especially in JAZZ!

I suppose this space here is now somewhat focused on my return to the center geographically and what that means socially, spiritually and artistically. Though I'd hate to sound like I am compartimentalizing those things.

I blogged some time ago on the Northwest Trajectory that my Dad set for my life. I mused on the significance of all that, wondering if my destiny lay in moving up to Prince Rupert BC and then just falling off the edge of the world. Well I think some of Debbie's family have that covered with Paul and Lisa living way up there in Terrace. Our latest move here in Edmonton was Northeast. When I look at the pattern that creates its a little like when a horse's head is drawn back when one is trying to get it to go back to where it came from. I've practically circled around Edmonton twice perhaps building momentum for a leap back to the land of my ancestors, at least on my Mom's side. We will of course be much closer to Eastern Canada where Dad's family is from, and Debbie's sister Ruth is now located, of course that's where Joy and Kent, and Felicia also reside.

I know the news may be difficult for some here in Edmonton and for Debbie's folks who are now in Quesnell BC. who unless they happen to be reading this still do not know. we're "trying" to find the right time to tell individuals.

Changing centers.... It will take some getting used to.

"Home is where the heart is
Home is where you learn to love"

Not complicating something so beautiful

when you find what you need
isn't it beautiful?
you can give and receive
a whole lot of love

when you finally see what it wants to be
when you find what you need
isn't it beautiful?



A few less questions like "why is this important?" or resignations like "that's confusing" or "I don't get it" and a lot more playfullness and adventurousness are required to find the beauty and simplicity of X 88. As the saying goes "this is not rocket science". It's more like smelling flowers than repairing small engines.

See the completness of eight. It's balanced. left to right, right to left. Most music we enjoy in the western world anyways is based on the 7 note "diatonic" system. 8 completes the path. returns you to home. You've heard of the octave right? Octave like Octagon or Octapus? Yes music involves some math but we ain't talking trigonometry here. Can you count to 12? Can you count to 7? Can you count to 3? can you count to 4? can you do all that in reverse? And finally can you see an eight pattern? Can you trace it in the air with your finger? can you make your feet walk in a figure eight? Can you reverse the direction of all the things we just talked about?

don't try to "comprehend it" or "analyse it to death" just play around with it and I promise you will find the music, or maybe better put the music will find you.

when you find what you need, isn't it beautiful?

Going Public in the Center

So I suppose I can go public now. We are planning to move to Winnipeg! I was just there on the weekend for my mom's 70th Birthday. Since there is no doubt a limited number of people reading this blog I'm going to go for it.

I let everyone in the family know on the weekend. Of course the details will take some time to sort out but we intend to be moved out there before Sept (school year) 2007. I'm going to use this space to unpack some of the things which have led up to our decision.

Down in Red Deer 3 weeks ago now (as I mention in my other blog) I ran into so many kindred spirits from Manitoba that served as confirmation to the desire to make such a move. It was Debbie who initialized the conversation which is pretty amazing I think (since she has never lived there). Well actually she did move there for a short period of time before we were married but we remained here after the wedding. That goes back to a time when Mark and Carol were are Trinity Baptist. So much has happened since then it would be foolish of me to attempt recap.

Kinda funny my last post over at radiance is entitled "Music Biz". Music is a big reason behind moving to Winnipeg. Next to the Family connection of course. After sooo many years out here in Edmonton we are no further ahead career wise in music, it's been a very difficult journey. We are grateful for the many experiences and the many people who have shaped out music but Winnipeg has such a different feel which I believe will suit our musical pursuits much more.


I know that Mark didn't really take interest in adding to this blog (which was initially a "gift" to him, It's OK Mark I forgive you) but I think it's interesting that I entitled it "From the Center". Winnipeg really is central and we look forward to not only centering geographically but centering artisically and spiritually as well. Some of you have shown concern over many of my changing ideas and perspectives which in truth have been just as much a surprise to me as anyone. Many aspects of my consciousness are coming full circle as I learn to make peace with myself.

Centering, however, does not just mean "going back to the way I was" or somehow ignoring the many relationships and experiences which have lead to this my present state and adopting "the conventional". After being in Winnipeg for the weekend I suppose this is one of my biggest concerns: that I would begin to define myself based on others perceptions and conceptions of me rather than be true to myself. While I don't wish to be arrogant but rather live in a state of loving kindness, i also have no desire to nod and say "yes" when inside I have entirely different views. It's like what my friend Ben says about the differend between "being nice" and real "loving kindness". There is a real danger in returning to a place where i once lived to fall into conformity or perhaps the strain of particular expectations placed on me from others.

I picked up a book today at Concordia College entitled "Vital Lies and Simple Truth" all about "Self Deception". I think it's by an author that Stu has quoted (wrote "Emotional Intelligence")

I will return

Another Mystified Mystic

FROM THE CENTER

Another Mystified Mystic

No shortage of regret for moments lost forever
the portage has been so hard and yet
there's still some hope to capture
to have lived so long so far from home,
disaster after disaster
what kind of ears will hear the groan?

just another mystified mystic

Many will say you ask for what you get
you get too old? - It's over
don't go chasing some childhood dream
there's plenty of 3 leaf clovers
But still a heart pounds in my chest
the feedback keeps me spinning
so impossible to rest, what's the game? what's winning?

just another mystified mystic

Visions known but never seen
so the same old views prevailing
prophets owned have always been
a thing of our own making
still there's a scrambled signal hanging in the air
and perhaps a few are listening
loose my tongue and I will dare
the light of love still glistening

just another mystified mystic