29th December 2008
Tychy, Poland
06.00 - Rise after three hours sleep. But actually I feel better than on any other day here. Walk to meet with M.
07.00 - AAD Sitting for SW.
Hourly snapshots:
08.00 - having coffee at M's place.
09.00 - at the dentist's waitingroom.
10.00 - sitting on the dentist's chair.
11.00 - standing at the cash machine.
12.00 - walking to do one errand.
13.00 - walking back from the shop.
14.00 - -------- (where was I ?)
15.00 - sitting at the table with friend Agnieszka and my parents.
16.00 - in the anteroom, getting ready to go out.
17.00 - reading recent ECP reports
18.00 - walking for the guitar meeting.
On each hour I give attention to the feet and contact with the floor.
At 18.30 meet with Marcin at his place, preparing the space... The ECP meeting formally begins at 19 o'clock, but in fact it has already begun, the process is already in motion. We gather together at 18.55
EXTENDED CIRCLE MEETING:
There are 15 participants with Marcin as a guest.
We take time to enter the ECP space. Relax the body, let go on the out breath. Give attention to the feet and the contact with the floor and accept the support it offers. We acknowledge the Extended Circle , those who are participating tonight, and those who are not, but are part of the project. Jacek speak out their names and locations. We visualize the group as a whole, working together despite the distance limitation between us.
We pause every half an hour: 19.00, 19.30, 20.00, 20.30 & 21.00. When pausing we come back to our feet and give attention to the contact with the floor. We also acknowledge the Extended Circle.
We begin with the Practice of Doing Nothing.
19.30 pause.
Tuning. It takes time.
Before we play the first intentional note of this meeting, we give attention to certain body points and see if we can observe any unnecessary tensions and let go of them. For example the contact of the thumb/first finger with the pick, muscles of the face or our back etc. How much is necessary?
2nd Primary on the A string. Whole notes.
20.00 Pause. See if we can directly experience our feet without thinking about them, or having emotional reaction to them.
The Division of Attention exercise:
Picking one string.
Feet tap Left Right Right etc.
Count 3 bars of 4
All these in quarter notes.
We direct attention to individual parts.
Then we keep it all going and double the picking speed (8th notes) Observe if there are any changes in the body.
Picking 8th notes.
Keep going with L R R feet tap.
Now we count 3 bars of 5.
We also alternate between LRR & RLL every 3 bars of 5.
What is necessary? What indeed...
19.30 break
Left hand work. Observe what pressure is sufficient to press the string. Work on each finger individually
We play EC-AAD 28 bars (aka Tremolo) for SW.
Acknowledge the completion of the Extended Circle Project, which has ran for 3 months. Tonight was the 12th meeting.
The key words of tonight: directing the attention, observing unnecessary tensions - effortlessness, division of attention.
It was our 4th meeting with Marcin so far and the strongest one in my experience.
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
Saturday, 27 December 2008
Meeting with guitars
26 December 2008
Tychy, Poland
GUITAR MEETING NOTES:
Present: Marcin & Jacek
We meet in Marcin's room. Begin few minutes after 15 o'clock with the Practice of Doing Nothing.
Tuning.
PRIMARIES:
The metronome is set at 75 BPM. Right hand work:
Whole notes.
Half notes, also played with the 'up-stroke'.
Quarter notes. We play 4 'downstroke' notes on the downbeat followed by 4 'upstroke' notes on the upbeat. There are 8 notes, and 4th and 8th are eighth notes which gives 7 bars in total. We work on discharging this while counting 4 bars of 7. Then we count in 3. A challenging exercise in the Division of Attention indeed.
Half note triplets, 8th notes, 8th notes triplets & 16th notes.
We alternate playing 4 bars of this and 4 bars when leaving out the fourth note in the bar. Count of 4.
Then we leave out every 6th note, which with counting with metronome (4 bars of 3) results in another DoA exercise - 3 against 2. Some notes are added, and the challenge increases, but it also develops into something more musical.
After this we work on the preparatory Third Relation exercise for the right hand. At one point we aim to play it more gently, doing only what is necessary, and the tone/sound noticeably improves. It would be good to have the guitar instructor here to check our hands out! (i.e.release...) While this is unavailable we just have to keep going and observing. 8th notes are gradually extended to 16th notes. We add the chord and practice them together, also with the mirrors.
This is gradully approaching the introduction of the TR, but at one point there's some misunderstanding, and thinking 'kicks in'. Too much talking, something is gone, let go of it.
20 minutes break.
REPERTOIRE:
ASTURIAS
Work on the main arpeggio. Half speed, normal speed.
THE EYE OF THE NEEDLE
After playing the piece through we focus on the last 3 bars of 5 and approach it as a Quality Exercise.
28 BARS (aka TREMOLO)
We review the form, practice the piece twice with the metronome. Then we play it.
At the end there's a spontaneous call to pause & send the best wishes to those who most need it.
Completion at 18.35. A good session. We worked hard, but also had some laugh.
Tychy, Poland
GUITAR MEETING NOTES:
Present: Marcin & Jacek
We meet in Marcin's room. Begin few minutes after 15 o'clock with the Practice of Doing Nothing.
Tuning.
PRIMARIES:
The metronome is set at 75 BPM. Right hand work:
Whole notes.
Half notes, also played with the 'up-stroke'.
Quarter notes. We play 4 'downstroke' notes on the downbeat followed by 4 'upstroke' notes on the upbeat. There are 8 notes, and 4th and 8th are eighth notes which gives 7 bars in total. We work on discharging this while counting 4 bars of 7. Then we count in 3. A challenging exercise in the Division of Attention indeed.
Half note triplets, 8th notes, 8th notes triplets & 16th notes.
We alternate playing 4 bars of this and 4 bars when leaving out the fourth note in the bar. Count of 4.
Then we leave out every 6th note, which with counting with metronome (4 bars of 3) results in another DoA exercise - 3 against 2. Some notes are added, and the challenge increases, but it also develops into something more musical.
After this we work on the preparatory Third Relation exercise for the right hand. At one point we aim to play it more gently, doing only what is necessary, and the tone/sound noticeably improves. It would be good to have the guitar instructor here to check our hands out! (i.e.release...) While this is unavailable we just have to keep going and observing. 8th notes are gradually extended to 16th notes. We add the chord and practice them together, also with the mirrors.
This is gradully approaching the introduction of the TR, but at one point there's some misunderstanding, and thinking 'kicks in'. Too much talking, something is gone, let go of it.
20 minutes break.
REPERTOIRE:
ASTURIAS
Work on the main arpeggio. Half speed, normal speed.
THE EYE OF THE NEEDLE
After playing the piece through we focus on the last 3 bars of 5 and approach it as a Quality Exercise.
28 BARS (aka TREMOLO)
We review the form, practice the piece twice with the metronome. Then we play it.
At the end there's a spontaneous call to pause & send the best wishes to those who most need it.
Completion at 18.35. A good session. We worked hard, but also had some laugh.
Monday, 22 December 2008
Looks familiar
Carp boys waiting to become the main dish of Wigilia:
It's a common thing to buy them alive and keep at home, for example in this bath!
It's a common thing to buy them alive and keep at home, for example in this bath!
Travel
Unusual travel home this time. It's Saturday morning. A big hug to Marek before I leave, Belen is still asleep. First I catch the 8.30 am bus to Leeds Bradford airport. There was a change of schedule and now we leave from Manchester, but the buses are provided, so it's fine. There are 3 of them. On the bus I pick one of the two last places, and sit next to the guy (Kamil) that happens to be from Poland, traveling home to Wroclaw. Great! Immediately something clicks between us, the travel goes faster... At the check-out it turns out I have to pay extra for the guitar - £22.5. How wonderful, of course the price wasn't mentioned when I booked the ticket, another dissapointment and dodgy move by Jet2. The plane scheduled at 10.50 eventually leaves before 16 o'clock, but I take it as it goes, can't be bothered. Sleep through all the flight which is great (and without whisky!) I was planning to catch the night train from Prague, but arrange going by car to Wrocław with Kamil and his family, so it turns out to be quite a zigzag of a travel. I'm given the lift to the train station and say goodbye to Kamil and his family. We exchanged contacts in England and plan to meet in Leeds some time in January. Anyway, in Wrocław I have 3 hours before the train leaves. I hang around in McDonald having coffee and reading the weekly until 1.am until it closes, then stay in the main hall. Spontaneously I grab the guitar, tune it and play several pieces of Bach, Nueve Dias & Hope. The policeman looks suspiciously at my first, but I nod him and he nods back, fine. Wrocław train station - quite a peculiar place to be. The train to Katowice is due at 1.55 and it leaves on time. I can't really fall asleep, it must be that coffee. The travel drags. At one point I do a little DoA exercise. From there there's only one more train to Tychy. There's a new line running between the cities now, some of the stations are in use for the public again, for example one that is very close to my place 'Tychy Zachodnie'. I'm very happy to see this development, the travel is very comfortable, and the brand new train is nice and clean. It's dark and quiet in the streets, it must be Sunday! Exactly on 6 a.m. I knock on the door, my father opens. A toast and to bed.
Friday, 19 December 2008
last one
Last day at work in 2008. I manage to get up after nearly 4 hours sleep, and I'm not even that grumpy.
The day at work is ahead, 12 hours. And it goes by so quickly. In the meantime Ania visits in her new car, acquired yesterday. She gives me a short lift - I like it!
One of the jobs I have to see to is assisting one resident at the hospital. The number of different objects and devices packed in the hospital space is mind-boggling. All this is for some purpose here, functional and organized.
One of the worker is leaving job tomorrow, coming back to Australia. Always a shame when a good carer is leaving such a place, but on the other hand it's great to see somebody moving forward when it's time to.
After a shift I stay for a little while and read the excerpt from the Old Text to the new resident. He comments: 'he knew what He was talking about'.
At home: the central to the evening is the JOTD. I also eat, do a bit of packing, emails. Receive a response to the inquiry about the Function with a very useful reference to the Alexander Technique.
While I get the stuff organized the kitchen is boiling. M is on preparing some good stuff to be taken for his parents. Later on we meet in my room and talk until late.
Off to Poland tomorrow. I might post some occasional journal, but for sure I'll come back to daily postings with the first day in 2009...
The day at work is ahead, 12 hours. And it goes by so quickly. In the meantime Ania visits in her new car, acquired yesterday. She gives me a short lift - I like it!
One of the jobs I have to see to is assisting one resident at the hospital. The number of different objects and devices packed in the hospital space is mind-boggling. All this is for some purpose here, functional and organized.
One of the worker is leaving job tomorrow, coming back to Australia. Always a shame when a good carer is leaving such a place, but on the other hand it's great to see somebody moving forward when it's time to.
After a shift I stay for a little while and read the excerpt from the Old Text to the new resident. He comments: 'he knew what He was talking about'.
At home: the central to the evening is the JOTD. I also eat, do a bit of packing, emails. Receive a response to the inquiry about the Function with a very useful reference to the Alexander Technique.
While I get the stuff organized the kitchen is boiling. M is on preparing some good stuff to be taken for his parents. Later on we meet in my room and talk until late.
Off to Poland tomorrow. I might post some occasional journal, but for sure I'll come back to daily postings with the first day in 2009...
catching up
It's 17th December today. Two weeks and we'll be into the New Year! And today is a break before the last day at work this year. Last 3 days were pretty intensive and I was shattered last night. I sleep in as planned this morning, and it turns out to be a long one. Can anybody help me out of this bed please ? I can't move.
Sitting, tuning. After this I have a cup of soup and call dad at home. He sounds good and tells me the story of the turtle (doesn't say if it was Siergiej, or Igor) who ended up on the back of his shell, and was unable to get up. Sounds familiar.
Then I'm off to get more Christmas cards and walk to visit friends and their little boy. He's growing so fast. We have a nice meal together made by G. They got the Christmas tree since the last visit. It's so big, but it fits well into this room.
I then walk to asda to get some socks. Ania is busy and doesn't turned up as planned, so this gives me some time to practice guitar.
Then my sister comes, tired, but very happy as she just acquired a new car! She also shares some plans, sound good! and then she's quickly off to night shift.
Home. Meal with Marek and Belen finished off with ... blueberry cheesecake!
JOTD.
I spend most of the day catching up with emails, reports etc. The amount of these increased in the past few weeks. I'm wondering if it's going to stay like this, or it's just temporary.
And for dinner is salad & soup. M shares some delicious goat cheese with me, mmm.
Also do some supplementary reading from DM about 'Function', 'Will' and 'Being' before moving into the 2nd chapter of 'E'. This made me reflect on the world of function/guitar. Questions arise and I'm very excited to explore these...
Late late night, and please don't ask me how am I going to wake up in the morning.
Sitting, tuning. After this I have a cup of soup and call dad at home. He sounds good and tells me the story of the turtle (doesn't say if it was Siergiej, or Igor) who ended up on the back of his shell, and was unable to get up. Sounds familiar.
Then I'm off to get more Christmas cards and walk to visit friends and their little boy. He's growing so fast. We have a nice meal together made by G. They got the Christmas tree since the last visit. It's so big, but it fits well into this room.
I then walk to asda to get some socks. Ania is busy and doesn't turned up as planned, so this gives me some time to practice guitar.
Then my sister comes, tired, but very happy as she just acquired a new car! She also shares some plans, sound good! and then she's quickly off to night shift.
Home. Meal with Marek and Belen finished off with ... blueberry cheesecake!
JOTD.
I spend most of the day catching up with emails, reports etc. The amount of these increased in the past few weeks. I'm wondering if it's going to stay like this, or it's just temporary.
And for dinner is salad & soup. M shares some delicious goat cheese with me, mmm.
Also do some supplementary reading from DM about 'Function', 'Will' and 'Being' before moving into the 2nd chapter of 'E'. This made me reflect on the world of function/guitar. Questions arise and I'm very excited to explore these...
Late late night, and please don't ask me how am I going to wake up in the morning.
Thursday, 18 December 2008
on the wave
A crisis morning. I'm late, but on time to make it for work at 8. No sitting, unintentionally.
A very busy day at work today. Because of the various trainings going on I work on one unit alone for most of the shift. And a good shift it is, quiet, focused, the sense of humour helps to keep going...
But also notice I can't help being sarcastic about the way the 'care plans' are maintained and approached here. They can be useful, but unfrotunately are not , not here, just seem like the waste of time. What happened to the common sense? I also learn that if you leave an open bag in the kitchen, for example mine, some residents might think it's a rubbish bin and leave something there, for example a used tea bag.
And there's the Extended Circle Meeting between 19 & 21 o'clock. One of the very last ones. This overlaps with the last hour at work.
Shower, email. Then speak with my sister, she does have some bad news, I call my mum, and so she does! It makes me reflect on the job of maintaining the balance within all this. Good news yesterday, bad news today and the challenge of remaining grounded and responsive to them, without being locked in the emotions. Untouched, but not indifferent? hmmm...
I eat, rest, practice guitar.
I'll be home on Sunday morning! Hurray!
And here's the song I recalled on my way back home, I did miss it!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvNV5IxxB4A
A very busy day at work today. Because of the various trainings going on I work on one unit alone for most of the shift. And a good shift it is, quiet, focused, the sense of humour helps to keep going...
But also notice I can't help being sarcastic about the way the 'care plans' are maintained and approached here. They can be useful, but unfrotunately are not , not here, just seem like the waste of time. What happened to the common sense? I also learn that if you leave an open bag in the kitchen, for example mine, some residents might think it's a rubbish bin and leave something there, for example a used tea bag.
And there's the Extended Circle Meeting between 19 & 21 o'clock. One of the very last ones. This overlaps with the last hour at work.
Shower, email. Then speak with my sister, she does have some bad news, I call my mum, and so she does! It makes me reflect on the job of maintaining the balance within all this. Good news yesterday, bad news today and the challenge of remaining grounded and responsive to them, without being locked in the emotions. Untouched, but not indifferent? hmmm...
I eat, rest, practice guitar.
I'll be home on Sunday morning! Hurray!
And here's the song I recalled on my way back home, I did miss it!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvNV5IxxB4A
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
News!
Only four hours of sleep last night. After morning routine I'm off to work for the day shift (8-19 o'clock). One of the things I will hopefully learn after today is never lean over the toilet with your pen is in the upper pocket. The gravity works in the toilet too!
A day at work with few gems. I've learnt that the new resident on the ground floor is a 'retired' Methodist minister, so ask him to say the prayer before the meal and here's what he says:
Thank you for this food we eat.
Thank you for the birds that sing.
Thank you God for everything.
This reminds me of the picture I noticed in other resident's room today. An old man sitting at the table. A book, glasses, a loaf of bread and a bowl of soup are at hand. His hands joined together, he seems to be in the state of prayer. Simple, genuine, touching. I wish I knew more about this picture, who painted it? is the person on the painting a real person? The story of acquiring the picture that the owner gives doesn't actually reveal anything about it. After looking at it later, notice that on the left side of the painting there's a faint light, square shaped, as if shaped by the window. Seems like a subtle, yet significant detail.
And after the lunch a group of about 20 little ones from the nearby school pay the visit to sing the carols. They have so much to give to us, simply by being what they are, without pretense or pretending. Beautiful moments when the voices of these singing sweeties are filling the room.
And my sister calls me with the News: I'm finally qualified to teach maths in England, the documents just arrived to her address. Ania is so happy. My dear sister, more engaged in this long story that myself, more upset then me when things were ridiculously delayed and now more happy then my now, when finally it's sorted. We're both happy and relieved it's out of the way, a big step professionally for me - couldn't think of better Christmas gift!
And I book more day shifts, tomorrow next one, then on Friday. On Saturday I'll be flying home.
Back home, shower, eat. I call my mum to share the news, and she updates on dad, who'll be coming back home.
Then go out to meet Marek and his friends, although I don't feel like it that much. After emptying a glass of delicious tomato juice (a favourite!) two Pringles boys head to asda to stock up on their crisps.
Home. Guitar, JOTD, emails, this journal.
If things go well I'll get ca. 5 hours sleep.
A day at work with few gems. I've learnt that the new resident on the ground floor is a 'retired' Methodist minister, so ask him to say the prayer before the meal and here's what he says:
Thank you for this food we eat.
Thank you for the birds that sing.
Thank you God for everything.
This reminds me of the picture I noticed in other resident's room today. An old man sitting at the table. A book, glasses, a loaf of bread and a bowl of soup are at hand. His hands joined together, he seems to be in the state of prayer. Simple, genuine, touching. I wish I knew more about this picture, who painted it? is the person on the painting a real person? The story of acquiring the picture that the owner gives doesn't actually reveal anything about it. After looking at it later, notice that on the left side of the painting there's a faint light, square shaped, as if shaped by the window. Seems like a subtle, yet significant detail.
And after the lunch a group of about 20 little ones from the nearby school pay the visit to sing the carols. They have so much to give to us, simply by being what they are, without pretense or pretending. Beautiful moments when the voices of these singing sweeties are filling the room.
And my sister calls me with the News: I'm finally qualified to teach maths in England, the documents just arrived to her address. Ania is so happy. My dear sister, more engaged in this long story that myself, more upset then me when things were ridiculously delayed and now more happy then my now, when finally it's sorted. We're both happy and relieved it's out of the way, a big step professionally for me - couldn't think of better Christmas gift!
And I book more day shifts, tomorrow next one, then on Friday. On Saturday I'll be flying home.
Back home, shower, eat. I call my mum to share the news, and she updates on dad, who'll be coming back home.
Then go out to meet Marek and his friends, although I don't feel like it that much. After emptying a glass of delicious tomato juice (a favourite!) two Pringles boys head to asda to stock up on their crisps.
Home. Guitar, JOTD, emails, this journal.
If things go well I'll get ca. 5 hours sleep.
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
unexpected
A call from work wakes me up: "could you possibly do the day shift today?' Sure! I take time to sit, eat the breakfast, iron my uniform etc. and leave to arrive to be ready for 10 o'clock.
And how was the day at work? In short: draining. We were understaffed, and I'm also bit out of the day shift routine, which didn't make things easier.
Back home, shower. There's a lot to do and there seems to be a little time for it. And I'm very tired. Anyway I approach the jobs in front of me resolutely and in a positive manner. But first! ... AT lie-down. Then guitar to wake up after hours of sleep at work. Things seem more do-able after guitar practiced in a specific way. Metronome is at 40. I notice it's most easy to sense the hands when practicing very slow.
JOTD, ECP recording. In the meantime some emails etc. At the end of it I'm surprised how the time passed by and it's all out of the way. I feel I could carry on like this for another 4 hours!
Before bed, a little cup of warm & not-as-spicy-as-usual Ghanian soup from Kofi. It finishes off the day just nicely. Hmm, there's a big poster of Muhammad Ali on our wall in the living room, he looks almost alive to me now, almost as if ready to jump out of it with the right hook on offer. I better go to sleep.
And how was the day at work? In short: draining. We were understaffed, and I'm also bit out of the day shift routine, which didn't make things easier.
Back home, shower. There's a lot to do and there seems to be a little time for it. And I'm very tired. Anyway I approach the jobs in front of me resolutely and in a positive manner. But first! ... AT lie-down. Then guitar to wake up after hours of sleep at work. Things seem more do-able after guitar practiced in a specific way. Metronome is at 40. I notice it's most easy to sense the hands when practicing very slow.
JOTD, ECP recording. In the meantime some emails etc. At the end of it I'm surprised how the time passed by and it's all out of the way. I feel I could carry on like this for another 4 hours!
Before bed, a little cup of warm & not-as-spicy-as-usual Ghanian soup from Kofi. It finishes off the day just nicely. Hmm, there's a big poster of Muhammad Ali on our wall in the living room, he looks almost alive to me now, almost as if ready to jump out of it with the right hook on offer. I better go to sleep.
Monday, 15 December 2008
grounded
New week!
After rise & sitting have breakfast in the living room, where Marek is just having the early morning visitor. We sit down and talk for over an hour. Great!
Then guitar. The Primaries with the aim to ground myself and reconnect with hands/body. It's a good strategy for the start of the week, it works for me.
JOTD.
I also write some Christmas cards. I enjoy picking them individually and giving some attention to the person/people I'm writing to. I also still have to get more addresses.
More guitar action: DV.
After the meal I notice the silence. Where does it come from ? How did it get here ?
More guitar, writing etc. I spent most of the day doing the stuff at home, focused day so far. Also talk on the phone (GCHQ).
Marek has some pizza on offer, working hard on this, and also on some goodies for his parents which I will take to Tychy on Saturday!
More postcards, guitar, a new piece is emerging, record a rough/skeleton version of it.
Soon to bed, I spontaneously invite Marek to join in the Practice of Doing Nothing. We practice together.
A rich day...
After rise & sitting have breakfast in the living room, where Marek is just having the early morning visitor. We sit down and talk for over an hour. Great!
Then guitar. The Primaries with the aim to ground myself and reconnect with hands/body. It's a good strategy for the start of the week, it works for me.
JOTD.
I also write some Christmas cards. I enjoy picking them individually and giving some attention to the person/people I'm writing to. I also still have to get more addresses.
More guitar action: DV.
After the meal I notice the silence. Where does it come from ? How did it get here ?
More guitar, writing etc. I spent most of the day doing the stuff at home, focused day so far. Also talk on the phone (GCHQ).
Marek has some pizza on offer, working hard on this, and also on some goodies for his parents which I will take to Tychy on Saturday!
More postcards, guitar, a new piece is emerging, record a rough/skeleton version of it.
Soon to bed, I spontaneously invite Marek to join in the Practice of Doing Nothing. We practice together.
A rich day...
Saturday, 13 December 2008
13th December
A 'day off' today. I finish reading Grisham's novel and watch Ratatouille with Belen and Marek.
And the book for the next week is Enneagram.
And the book for the next week is Enneagram.
Nueve dias
Up after 11, after healing and restful sleep. 9 hours, perhaps bit too much... Sitting, at the end thank and send best wishes to my & other people's parents.
I skip breakfast today, and catch up with stuff. Also call my mum and dad. He is still in the rehabilitation place, but will be going home for Christmas, I'll be there!
OK, the application form needs completing. After this I go out to get the postcards and ... stamps. Yes, I'm given some that to my eyes have transvestites on them, so ask for different one. The sales person explains these are mime Cinderella sisters, traditionally played by men. That's alright then, and sorry sisters, you may even call me old-fashioned, but I still prefer more traditional stamps, at least on the Christmas cards...
Practice: grounding right hand and record the piece I've been working on. Recording is quite an exposure, so hard to deliver simplicity...
In the meantime, many messages are coming in...
The JOTD.
After delicious meal I have a cup of tea and listen to Mr. B's ITTES talk. I find the pauses between the sentences (some of them quite long) very powerful. The silence speaks.
I write, then out shopping with Marek. After this I give another go to recording and finally choose the third take of the piece which earns Spanish name. There's a MySpace site on my mind to have more exposure and public verification of my work. We'll see...
After seeing to some writing of various sorts and chatting with Marek & Belen, watch some music videos, including this one from Muse!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99I7gpswhQ4
Soon to bed. Tomorrow is 'a day off'.
Good-bye Boss!
I skip breakfast today, and catch up with stuff. Also call my mum and dad. He is still in the rehabilitation place, but will be going home for Christmas, I'll be there!
OK, the application form needs completing. After this I go out to get the postcards and ... stamps. Yes, I'm given some that to my eyes have transvestites on them, so ask for different one. The sales person explains these are mime Cinderella sisters, traditionally played by men. That's alright then, and sorry sisters, you may even call me old-fashioned, but I still prefer more traditional stamps, at least on the Christmas cards...
Practice: grounding right hand and record the piece I've been working on. Recording is quite an exposure, so hard to deliver simplicity...
In the meantime, many messages are coming in...
The JOTD.
After delicious meal I have a cup of tea and listen to Mr. B's ITTES talk. I find the pauses between the sentences (some of them quite long) very powerful. The silence speaks.
I write, then out shopping with Marek. After this I give another go to recording and finally choose the third take of the piece which earns Spanish name. There's a MySpace site on my mind to have more exposure and public verification of my work. We'll see...
After seeing to some writing of various sorts and chatting with Marek & Belen, watch some music videos, including this one from Muse!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99I7gpswhQ4
Soon to bed. Tomorrow is 'a day off'.
Good-bye Boss!
Friday, 12 December 2008
rhythm
Up at 11.12, it took 12 minutes for the alarm clock to wake me up, ha. I had six hours of sleep and I'm grumpy. It takes some virtue-assuming to begin this day clearly & positively. Good Morning! Sitting.
The breakfast is very tasty, bread with cheese, mmmm, I like it. I recently found out that the Spanish expression for 'I like' literally means 'it pleases me'.
Then I fill in the application form, and before I post it have to get in touch with one referee, so wait for the reply first...
I talk with Jan using skype. He passes on some news from Tychy which are not good, but it's good to be up to date, better than not know.
Guitar! One hour of calisthenics. Notice the sky, notice the tremendous tension in the hips which I give attention and permission to go.
After lunch I study Spanish, one of my favourite activities recently. Then my sister pops in for coffee before work. We exchange the goodies, she brings some sauce and mielone and I have cheese for her: Brie & Double Gloucester.
Belen is learning Polish and I try to relieve her suffering a little in learning this awkward language. I don't know why it got so difficult! After this she gives me few new expressions which I write down, and she lends me a grammar book too!...
I pick the guitar up again, the new piece continues to develop and tomorrow I'll give a shot to recording. But first I present the writing progress to Marek, yet again playing for other pair of ears helps to see what needs improving.
JOTD.
I'm tired, these weeks are bit too long for me, but it's hard to get into the regular weekly rhythm when you are bank staff. These days my week is 8-9 , and sometimes more days long, well, that's what it is for now...
Journal, chill out...
Best Wishes are flying to Tychy.
Good night God!
The breakfast is very tasty, bread with cheese, mmmm, I like it. I recently found out that the Spanish expression for 'I like' literally means 'it pleases me'.
Then I fill in the application form, and before I post it have to get in touch with one referee, so wait for the reply first...
I talk with Jan using skype. He passes on some news from Tychy which are not good, but it's good to be up to date, better than not know.
Guitar! One hour of calisthenics. Notice the sky, notice the tremendous tension in the hips which I give attention and permission to go.
After lunch I study Spanish, one of my favourite activities recently. Then my sister pops in for coffee before work. We exchange the goodies, she brings some sauce and mielone and I have cheese for her: Brie & Double Gloucester.
Belen is learning Polish and I try to relieve her suffering a little in learning this awkward language. I don't know why it got so difficult! After this she gives me few new expressions which I write down, and she lends me a grammar book too!...
I pick the guitar up again, the new piece continues to develop and tomorrow I'll give a shot to recording. But first I present the writing progress to Marek, yet again playing for other pair of ears helps to see what needs improving.
JOTD.
I'm tired, these weeks are bit too long for me, but it's hard to get into the regular weekly rhythm when you are bank staff. These days my week is 8-9 , and sometimes more days long, well, that's what it is for now...
Journal, chill out...
Best Wishes are flying to Tychy.
Good night God!
Thursday, 11 December 2008
strange
16.27 Waking up when it's quiet is a luxury, but it is not quiet today. Take time before sitting. The days after night shift have a strange feel about it, and today is no exception...
After a light breakfast I go out shopping. Get some stuff I forgot to buy for some time. Sugar, decaf tea - my body says it's better for me. I come back and eat some crisps ...
JOTD!
After this time for Spanish. I enjoy learning it these days, it's effortless, and Belen is here to talk. It makes it so much easier and natural.
After the meal I spend most of the time with the guitar: practicing, playing, recording... In between I eat more and finish watching Willow in Spanish.
Now it's just after 4 am. Time to slowly wind down... I've been strangely unsettled over the past few days. Something tells me, it's an unresolved issue, and once I make the decision the state will go. I intuitively already feel what is right, but haven't done much about it - what is it that's standing in a way then ?
After a light breakfast I go out shopping. Get some stuff I forgot to buy for some time. Sugar, decaf tea - my body says it's better for me. I come back and eat some crisps ...
JOTD!
After this time for Spanish. I enjoy learning it these days, it's effortless, and Belen is here to talk. It makes it so much easier and natural.
After the meal I spend most of the time with the guitar: practicing, playing, recording... In between I eat more and finish watching Willow in Spanish.
Now it's just after 4 am. Time to slowly wind down... I've been strangely unsettled over the past few days. Something tells me, it's an unresolved issue, and once I make the decision the state will go. I intuitively already feel what is right, but haven't done much about it - what is it that's standing in a way then ?
9th December - one of those days
Late post. I actually had a major part of it written down, but deleted it by mistake. So what I remember from yesterday ? I was up before 9 o'clock. After sitting and breakfast I went to Starbeck to visit the college and inquire about the job. Got the application for and went back home, where after JOTD I had lunch, and studied some Spanish. Then guitar, recording. Another on the spot offer to do the night shift, which I went for. Between 7&9 o'clock (English Time) the Extended Circle Meeting was held, and I participated in it, without the guitar (the work starts at 8 o'clock) The ROTL exercise was main part of this meeting. I found staying awake during the night pretty hard again, and there were many good opportunities for the current Theme work. Went back home pretty much shattered, and after shower and recap I just hit the bed.
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Tuesday, 9 December 2008
oops
Up before noon this morning, hmmm... It gets more interesting that this, as I gradually move from being upset with myself towards being impartial. Anyway, this has to has some repercussions throughout the day. One of them is scarce attention, which can be observed when working with specific long time span exercises that involve attention. Or just now at the start of this day, during sitting.
I check emails. One of them discussing possible short visit to Vienna, between Christmas and a New Year. This would coincide with the final ECP meeting.
After light breakfast I leave to the post office to post the addressed envelope for the application form. The office is crowded, and outside of it? It has been raining, but now it's just slightly cold, the sky is greyish.
After some AAD guitar work, which, I could say, makes me feel alive, I check internet - a new AAD Theme is available. I look for the notes from my previous work with it.
It's 15.38 and just noticed it's already getting dark - what?! It's living in the North of England I don't take for granted that much anymore.
I get going with lunch, my sister calls. She's very pleased and excited about getting a new car soon, she also made some good moves toward getting a better job in Leeds. Great to hear all this and it makes me wonder how much information already the tone of our voice carries... Now food - I get a big serving, too big, I stop when had enough, and leave what is left for later.
I use internet next and spend some time on a very engaging website: www.liminalband.com Great stuff! and the info in Spanish is translated into English so it's also a good material for study.
I keep working on the piece, which I set myself to write this week. It continues to develop in it's own, slow pace... It's simple.
Then we are out with Marek to get some shopping in ASDA. It's already colder now, but as long as there's no evil northern wind it can't be too bad. I notice that shops are generally not the places where I want to be, this one is not the exception.
After this go to the bus station and meet Ania there. She has a Spanish-English dictionary and JGB's book on working the Themes for me. There's yet more of my stuff at her place. She also brings some goodies - pesto and mielone. Then she's off to her night shift.
More guitar, Spanish, dinner. We sit with Marek and Belen, relax and help each other with languages.
Then emails, I present Marek the progress with the piece, more emails. JOTD.
Post the journal, now winding down...
1.17 a.m.
I check emails. One of them discussing possible short visit to Vienna, between Christmas and a New Year. This would coincide with the final ECP meeting.
After light breakfast I leave to the post office to post the addressed envelope for the application form. The office is crowded, and outside of it? It has been raining, but now it's just slightly cold, the sky is greyish.
After some AAD guitar work, which, I could say, makes me feel alive, I check internet - a new AAD Theme is available. I look for the notes from my previous work with it.
It's 15.38 and just noticed it's already getting dark - what?! It's living in the North of England I don't take for granted that much anymore.
I get going with lunch, my sister calls. She's very pleased and excited about getting a new car soon, she also made some good moves toward getting a better job in Leeds. Great to hear all this and it makes me wonder how much information already the tone of our voice carries... Now food - I get a big serving, too big, I stop when had enough, and leave what is left for later.
I use internet next and spend some time on a very engaging website: www.liminalband.com Great stuff! and the info in Spanish is translated into English so it's also a good material for study.
I keep working on the piece, which I set myself to write this week. It continues to develop in it's own, slow pace... It's simple.
Then we are out with Marek to get some shopping in ASDA. It's already colder now, but as long as there's no evil northern wind it can't be too bad. I notice that shops are generally not the places where I want to be, this one is not the exception.
After this go to the bus station and meet Ania there. She has a Spanish-English dictionary and JGB's book on working the Themes for me. There's yet more of my stuff at her place. She also brings some goodies - pesto and mielone. Then she's off to her night shift.
More guitar, Spanish, dinner. We sit with Marek and Belen, relax and help each other with languages.
Then emails, I present Marek the progress with the piece, more emails. JOTD.
Post the journal, now winding down...
1.17 a.m.
Sunday, 7 December 2008
short day, night and another day (one day)
06&07/12/08 - Sunday & Monday
Harrogate
I'm up at 14.14 and doesn't feel like going back to sleep, the alarm was set for 16.00. Good morning to the Day! Get some tea, and speak with Marek in the kitchen for a while. I usually do only necessary before sitting, well, and so it is today. After the sitting go shopping straightaway, so I actually get to see some daylight, which is good and keeps one sane. Then eat.
I call my mother, who is actually having a visitor, so I speak shortly and agree to call tomorrow in the evening.
Guitar time! This tunes and balances me: after some foundation work on the right hand, move to DV & recording. As it happens two At-A-Distance projects (AAD & ECP) I'm engaged in involve recording. And today I give another shot to recording the ECP circulation. How difficult actually it is - just to contribute one note in each bar, and there are 21 of them. Later I found out that there is a strange noise in the recording, where it comes from? don't ask me - I just pluck the strings and do my best to play with the metronome click!
Once it's done, I have some time for a drink and chat with Belen and Marek. We give it a go to Spanish, which has to mean one thing for sure - mistakes!
Then work. Notice that my job is about taking the point of view of the other person. Also see that tonight I am unable to relax. A rather tiring night, but I make friends with one resident, who thinks I comes from ... South Africa and at one point uses this lovely expression: 'it is jolly nice of you!' You don't hear it often.
After job I go back home, take shower and rest. Allow myself to doze into 3 hour nap. Which is just fab, spontaneous recharger at the right time. It is a healing & quality rest. If only my sleep was functioning like this regularly, as it should do, the quality of my life would change a big deal. I slowly unwrap myself, have a cup of tea, chat with friends. This is the space where I feel safe and comfortable, at home, and it hasn't always been like this during my travels.
JOTD. And some music: Arvo Part's Tabula Rasa & Spiegel im Spiegel.
Then we go shopping with Marek, usual Sunday crowds around. After writing few emails I leave to visit Karolina, Grzegorz and their little boy. We made good friends in a short time. Food, drinks, good company - what else can one ask for ?I 'm back home before 20 o'clock. Talk on the phone with Ania (Leeds) & my Mum (Tychy) and get some dinner. I'm actually not that hungry, just the power of habit and inflexibility.
Slowly winding down. Some facebook. Watch another Spanish-dubbed movie - Willow. Actually, the first movie I watched on the VHS, was it just over 20 years ago, or so ? The difference between watching it then and now, is that now I'm watching it with 'filters'. Leave it halfway through to pick up later.
Now post this (23:02) and to the evening exercise...
Good night and thanks for everything!
Harrogate
I'm up at 14.14 and doesn't feel like going back to sleep, the alarm was set for 16.00. Good morning to the Day! Get some tea, and speak with Marek in the kitchen for a while. I usually do only necessary before sitting, well, and so it is today. After the sitting go shopping straightaway, so I actually get to see some daylight, which is good and keeps one sane. Then eat.
I call my mother, who is actually having a visitor, so I speak shortly and agree to call tomorrow in the evening.
Guitar time! This tunes and balances me: after some foundation work on the right hand, move to DV & recording. As it happens two At-A-Distance projects (AAD & ECP) I'm engaged in involve recording. And today I give another shot to recording the ECP circulation. How difficult actually it is - just to contribute one note in each bar, and there are 21 of them. Later I found out that there is a strange noise in the recording, where it comes from? don't ask me - I just pluck the strings and do my best to play with the metronome click!
Once it's done, I have some time for a drink and chat with Belen and Marek. We give it a go to Spanish, which has to mean one thing for sure - mistakes!
Then work. Notice that my job is about taking the point of view of the other person. Also see that tonight I am unable to relax. A rather tiring night, but I make friends with one resident, who thinks I comes from ... South Africa and at one point uses this lovely expression: 'it is jolly nice of you!' You don't hear it often.
After job I go back home, take shower and rest. Allow myself to doze into 3 hour nap. Which is just fab, spontaneous recharger at the right time. It is a healing & quality rest. If only my sleep was functioning like this regularly, as it should do, the quality of my life would change a big deal. I slowly unwrap myself, have a cup of tea, chat with friends. This is the space where I feel safe and comfortable, at home, and it hasn't always been like this during my travels.
JOTD. And some music: Arvo Part's Tabula Rasa & Spiegel im Spiegel.
Then we go shopping with Marek, usual Sunday crowds around. After writing few emails I leave to visit Karolina, Grzegorz and their little boy. We made good friends in a short time. Food, drinks, good company - what else can one ask for ?I 'm back home before 20 o'clock. Talk on the phone with Ania (Leeds) & my Mum (Tychy) and get some dinner. I'm actually not that hungry, just the power of habit and inflexibility.
Slowly winding down. Some facebook. Watch another Spanish-dubbed movie - Willow. Actually, the first movie I watched on the VHS, was it just over 20 years ago, or so ? The difference between watching it then and now, is that now I'm watching it with 'filters'. Leave it halfway through to pick up later.
Now post this (23:02) and to the evening exercise...
Good night and thanks for everything!
Saturday, 6 December 2008
night
5-12-8
Harrogate, England
I get up at 19.50-ish. A long rest, for sure, but it seems so strange to wake up to the night, it's going to be dark for another 11 hours, or so.
Anyway - good day !
I sit still, drink some tea, and allow the dreaming state to go. Then at 20.40 - the Practice of Doing Nothing, and for this ,invite Marek to join in, and he does. We sit for half an hour.
Then I have my first meal plus another cup of tea. While chatting with Belen I don't miss opportunity to boast about 20 new words I've learnt yesterday...
So tonight enjoy other people's company while I can. Soon M&B will be go to sleep and I'm going to stay on my own with the night ahead. Actually, I'm ok with being on my own, you could say it's in my nature, but now I like to keep it balanced, and spend more time with other people.
But instead I spend one hour with guitar - it does wake me up. [During 23.00 o'clock pause notice that the 60 points exercise supports the ROTL).
After writing some emails I give time to JOTD. Eat after this. Yesterday I bought smoked trout (at the discounted price of about one third of the original one!) It was of good quality, and what a treat for me, recently I'm mostly fish eater. Yes, you could say I'm a happy boy.
Then relax and work on Spanish, this also includes ... dubbed Terminator! There are probably better choices for this purpose, as half of the movie consists on shooting and running away from the killing-machine. But I pick some words up and make note of them, i.e.: cada, delicado (in this movie?), & la tormenta. After this I treat myself with some Chi Kung. A good time to pick up the guitar after this, which I do and spend some time on the AAD recording, ECP recording assignment, then play around with some ideas, record some of them... I'm working on the piece for one guitar.
After another meal I read more AAD Theme reports, write few emails and review the day. Marek has just left to work and I'll be soon hitting the bed. I'm quite happy with this 'day' between the nightshifts...
It's 7.36 am
Good-bye God!
Harrogate, England
I get up at 19.50-ish. A long rest, for sure, but it seems so strange to wake up to the night, it's going to be dark for another 11 hours, or so.
Anyway - good day !
I sit still, drink some tea, and allow the dreaming state to go. Then at 20.40 - the Practice of Doing Nothing, and for this ,invite Marek to join in, and he does. We sit for half an hour.
Then I have my first meal plus another cup of tea. While chatting with Belen I don't miss opportunity to boast about 20 new words I've learnt yesterday...
So tonight enjoy other people's company while I can. Soon M&B will be go to sleep and I'm going to stay on my own with the night ahead. Actually, I'm ok with being on my own, you could say it's in my nature, but now I like to keep it balanced, and spend more time with other people.
But instead I spend one hour with guitar - it does wake me up. [During 23.00 o'clock pause notice that the 60 points exercise supports the ROTL).
After writing some emails I give time to JOTD. Eat after this. Yesterday I bought smoked trout (at the discounted price of about one third of the original one!) It was of good quality, and what a treat for me, recently I'm mostly fish eater. Yes, you could say I'm a happy boy.
Then relax and work on Spanish, this also includes ... dubbed Terminator! There are probably better choices for this purpose, as half of the movie consists on shooting and running away from the killing-machine. But I pick some words up and make note of them, i.e.: cada, delicado (in this movie?), & la tormenta. After this I treat myself with some Chi Kung. A good time to pick up the guitar after this, which I do and spend some time on the AAD recording, ECP recording assignment, then play around with some ideas, record some of them... I'm working on the piece for one guitar.
After another meal I read more AAD Theme reports, write few emails and review the day. Marek has just left to work and I'll be soon hitting the bed. I'm quite happy with this 'day' between the nightshifts...
It's 7.36 am
Good-bye God!
Thursday, 4 December 2008
4/12/8
I wake up at 7.30 this morning and go back to sleep to finally get up at 9.43 a.m.
Another day begins - Good Morning!
And a most beautiful morning it is. The town is covered with snow (haven't seen it before here!) I sit down with my dream diary and note what I remember, then an extended morning sitting exercise.
It really feels like winter, finally. After light breakfast I call my mum who just came back from a visit to Węgrzynów, she stayed longer than planned. After some emails, I see to JOTD.
Straight after this get the phone call from somebody who is negative and judgmental about how I deal with something, this happened before. I get tired of this and get irritated, so I draw the line clearly as I see I have to be assertive on this one. It leaves me upset and reflecting on how much of my irritation and anger is directed to other person, and how much to myself ? After all, a lot can be projected to others...
I eat, then leave to the job centre to inquire about the job, as the phone line was constantly busy. Go back home, have tea and short AT lie-down.
Then I chat with Belen - she helps me with some Spanish. Yep, it's too good opportunity to be missed - living with native Spanish speaker. And Belen studies Polish, so I could help too, if needed...
Spend some time on Themes follow-up, then set up the recording device, with Marek's help and using his gear. Great! It works!
And that's more or less when I get the phone call with the proposal to do the night shift. You don't turn it down when you are in my shoes, so change of plans on the spot. I spend 30 minutes with the guitar, playing and recording then get ready to leave: meal, packing and such.
The walk on the snow is laborous and tiring. As always admire the sky when walking through the stray, it has almost became a habit. And the night shift drags, working with 2 stuff who excel in sucking energy from whatever has ears around them.
I go back home very tired. Few things done, and now to the sitting exercise, to ground myself and digest the day's experience.
Goodbye!
9.47am
Another day begins - Good Morning!
And a most beautiful morning it is. The town is covered with snow (haven't seen it before here!) I sit down with my dream diary and note what I remember, then an extended morning sitting exercise.
It really feels like winter, finally. After light breakfast I call my mum who just came back from a visit to Węgrzynów, she stayed longer than planned. After some emails, I see to JOTD.
Straight after this get the phone call from somebody who is negative and judgmental about how I deal with something, this happened before. I get tired of this and get irritated, so I draw the line clearly as I see I have to be assertive on this one. It leaves me upset and reflecting on how much of my irritation and anger is directed to other person, and how much to myself ? After all, a lot can be projected to others...
I eat, then leave to the job centre to inquire about the job, as the phone line was constantly busy. Go back home, have tea and short AT lie-down.
Then I chat with Belen - she helps me with some Spanish. Yep, it's too good opportunity to be missed - living with native Spanish speaker. And Belen studies Polish, so I could help too, if needed...
Spend some time on Themes follow-up, then set up the recording device, with Marek's help and using his gear. Great! It works!
And that's more or less when I get the phone call with the proposal to do the night shift. You don't turn it down when you are in my shoes, so change of plans on the spot. I spend 30 minutes with the guitar, playing and recording then get ready to leave: meal, packing and such.
The walk on the snow is laborous and tiring. As always admire the sky when walking through the stray, it has almost became a habit. And the night shift drags, working with 2 stuff who excel in sucking energy from whatever has ears around them.
I go back home very tired. Few things done, and now to the sitting exercise, to ground myself and digest the day's experience.
Goodbye!
9.47am
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
3rd December '08 is a day off
Currently reading John Grisham's novel: breaking the law, thrill, controversy, excitement, goodies, baddies, and guys even worse than that...
And the Muse at Wembley dvd is a cool one to watch, then, another episode from Trials of Life series.
I just came back from Tychy, but in 17 days I'll be going there again, for Christmas at home!
And the Muse at Wembley dvd is a cool one to watch, then, another episode from Trials of Life series.
I just came back from Tychy, but in 17 days I'll be going there again, for Christmas at home!
Tuesday, 2 December 2008
enough
In the morning: an invitation from M. to join in the Practice of Doing Nothing (10.01 am) and in the evening: ECP meeting.
A long 31,5 hours day, so far.
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