I knit.

I think I've mentioned before that last October, I took a knitting class at the community college with a friend. Since then, I've made 5 dishcloths, 7 scarves, and 2 hats. The hats suck. I'm not remarkably good at this new hobby, but I like it. It teaches patience. Even using chunky yarn (often with titles like "Thick and Quick!"), it takes a while for things to form. Instant gratification is not part of the process.

In a way, knitting is kind of like driving. It takes some focus, so a certain percentage of your brain is engaged with your task. But for the most part, it's free time upstairs, an open house for random thoughts. While I can listen to music or watch TV while I knit, I can also choose to sit quietly and let the thoughts roam. It's meditative. Since I don't forsee myself sitting on a mat chanting "Om" any time soon, working meditation into my life is a positive and soothing step in my quest for inner peace. Chopping vegetables is the same thing.

I have a zen cookbook somewhere, but I can't remember the name of it right now. I've never made a recipe from the book, but I loved reading it. The author talks about cooking as an all-consuming task: when you are washing the rice, wash the rice. In other words, try to focus on the task at hand: the feeling of the rice, the running water, textures, smells, sounds. Be IN the moment, not looking ahead. Focus, be mindful.

Hmm. It's interesting, but I'm so not there yet. I don't know that I ever will be, but it seems worth striving for. My issues with religions and afterlives stem from the fact that I don't CARE if there is an afterlife. I'm not living for that. I'm living THIS life right now. Shouldn't I learn how to do it right? Should I learn how to deal with the things that come up, without delaying my joy in life for some nebulous, unknown "future?" Shouldn't I learn how to treat people with respect and care? Shouldn't I learn to treat myself that way? I guess I could do it all just to "get into heaven," but really, how do I know that "heaven" is all that much better than what I have here? If there is an all-powerful supreme being that did create all that exists, and if existence is good (because it comes from the supreme power), then should I not enjoy this existence? If I throw away or ignore the gifts of life in this plane, am I not rejecting what the supreme power gives me? If you believe in sin, wouldn't that be it?

Yeah, but what's up with Lost? JJ Abrams is losing his strong female-character thing. I mean, he was supposed to kill off Jack and let Kate be the main character. Instead, Jack's become the central figure. Claire's been killed or at least disappeared. The crazy lady who thinks her husband's still alive has always been a minor player. Too bad, but Shannon's still around. Creepy incest story line. I don't know. I still like the show, but I guess I'm tired of seeing female characters marginalized.

I had another thought, but it's escaped me. It's Saturday afternoon. I've got little for ya, today.

Okay, so it was nearly -40 today (that does include windchill) and I have no desire to EVER go back outside.

I'm happy to report that, three hours into the new season of Alias, things are going okay. There's been another major shift/reorganization, so the real plot line is a little slow, taking a backseat to some better action sequence plots. Not a problem for me. But here's my thought on Jack Bristow: the man is a misogynistic idiot. Point one: he works with women who regularly kick ass and get themselves into and out of scrapes. Such includes: (ex)wife. daughter. other operatives. In fact, he trained his daughter at a very young age. So he understands, on some level, that the women he works with are smart and capable. And yet, how many story lines have we had where 1. Jack does something either dumb or questionable. 2. He tries to hide it, usually from Sydney. 3. She suspects him. 4. She finds out the truth. Invariably, more than half of these story lines involve her hating his guts for a while -- either before she finds out what really happened or after. He ALWAYS gets caught. Duh.

Okay. I just spent all day working on an article, and then spent two hours setting up my new online class sections. Bah. My brain is mostly dead. I think it's TV time, ladies and gentlemen.

Um, you went from grooming quality to equipment quality. Two very different things, really. I shan't address the latter. On the former, however, I would say that you probably have two schools of thought -- the au natural, do nothing school, and the care in grooming school. Being of the latter and knowing that you are, your standards are probably fine. More attention might be paid because of the near certainty of oral sex -- you're probably talking greater than 90% versus about 35% for a date with a man.

As for DATING a woman, the logistics would be much the same, I'd assume, even if the vibe is different. You still don't want to rush into anything too quickly. I don't think having a one-night stand makes any more sense in this context than in a heterosexual scheme of things -- but it all depends on the context and your comfort level and your choices. Think about the sex all you want, but this is still another person whose feelings get wrapped up in the situation, not just a hot woman with lickable curves. Also, the safe sex issue is even more intrusive. Personally, I'd rather wait to get into sex than have to use the types of protection available. Hey, want me to send the chica those pictures? Hee hee.

It's still monkey-butt cold here. But on the girly plus side, I think I've finally found the magic combination of hair styling products that keeps the static away.

And hey, MP, we do NOT need your help to get into the gutter. You know that. But we welcome the company.

Wow. I tell you one thing, Susan, you won't have to listen to any preaching from me on *that* subject, cuz I know absolutely nothing about it. I hope you get what you want from the experience(s), and I mean that sincerely. Anyway, I'm mostly here because I have just to say that...

now, ive never been in a relationship with a woman and ive never dated women,
but i have always been curious about trying it. ive basically just been a pussy
about it i guess.

...is possibly the funniest thing I've seen in years. I know that's a joke in terrible taste, but I can't help it.

Man... maybe you guys were better off without me ;)