Pope’s Popularity
I realize I’m a few days late in riding the Pope Frenzy generated by his recent trip to the USA accompanied by wall to wall coverage on CNN (International version at least). But… Continue reading
Category Archive: observation
1 Comment
Les Misérables of Ferguson
I can no longer be silent on the events in Ferguson, Michael Brown and the fate of other young men of color in my home country. I thank my friend, Tarani Joy who… Continue reading
Cultivating a Garden for the Elusive Extraordinary
I recently dropped by someone’s house where I encountered something very special. From the exterior, the house was typical for the area: fresh paint, nice lawn. On the inside all was in order,… Continue reading
The Land Art of Andy Goldsworthy
I really, really enjoy the “land art” of Andy Goldsworthy. He has a way of looking at nature differently and rearranging it in subtle but fascinating ways. It’s natural. It’s temporal. It’s simple.… Continue reading
The Cry of Body and Soul
from day one in this world we eat we poop we sleep we cry there are no lessons involved no training needed we just do it as adults we have learned to harness… Continue reading
Happiness
Allow me to suggest a BBC podcast on HAPPINESS: What makes us smile? The radio programme “The Forum” brings together 3 “happiness researchers” from 3 countries: American positive psychologist Todd Kashdan believes that… Continue reading
art jam session
At this moment….I’m witnessing the birth of art….the ephemeral creative process…the sacred rite that humans do in imitating their Creator. I’m in an art studio…. an atelier. It’s messy and chaotic. A pianist… Continue reading
Smoke and Mirrors
Last night at the Nuit Blanche I saw an intriguing work of art on display within the Hôtel de Ville. It was amazingly simple and profoundly spiritual. I actually missed it the first… Continue reading
Dancing in the Dark
Yesterday I had the rather unique experience of attending a dance class for the seeing-impaired. My sculptor/painter friend, Zoé is to blame for inviting me deeper into her blurry world. Allow me to… Continue reading
dangerous spirituality
A few days ago I was sipping my morning coffee in the shade of pink bougainvillea while gazing into the enormous crater of a water-filled volcano. The night before I had seen a spectacular… Continue reading
a parable
And then the wise teacher said When thou taggest tag not as some hath tagged defacing the dignified mangling the majestic selfishly scrawling cowardly concealing ambiguous aberrations of one’s own name Instead When… Continue reading
a personal spiritual story
Back in 1986, I moved to Brazil with my wife and kids. I remember the first year as this crazy, exciting, frustrating, whirlwind of Portuguese learning, culture adapting, food tasting, furniture buying, music… Continue reading
wow or un-wow
Paris le Grand Palais definitely a grand palace in Paris definitely a grand place in Paris even its name is grand and palatial to see it from the outside…it is grand the sculptures… Continue reading
love is all around
Give a listen to this beautiful tune by Dave Matthews while you read the following blog post. What I love in The Christmas Song is the chorus that repeats….love, love, love….love is all… Continue reading
Walking the Labyrinth at Chartres
The mother of all labyrinths is in the Chartres Cathedral about an hour SW of Paris. Sanan and I, along with our favorite Dutch friend, Willemijn, made the trip last Friday. (FYI, the… Continue reading
Emotional Weather
Our friend from London, Kate (not William’s Kate – this Kate is devoted to another Prince) came to visit us over the Easter weekend. During our many profound conversations over croissants in the… Continue reading
A night at the opera
I’ve just returned from a performance of Paul Hindemith’s “Mathis der Maler” (I think it would be Mathias the Painter,” in English). Wow! What an amazing event. About half way through I asked… Continue reading
Our Elevator
Several months ago a sign went up on our little two person elevator in our flat saying that for the month of September it would go through a process of “modernization”. Personally I… Continue reading
Dreams
(upfront disclaimer : this is not about what you have during the night, but what you have during a lifetime.) This morning I took some time to daydream about my dreams. I slowly… Continue reading
Düsseldorf and other city names
Driving to Düsseldorf, Germany for the first time this weekend, I already had in my mind a slight smile every time I said the name “Düsseldorf” or saw it on the map…..you have… Continue reading
Practicing Imagination
I enjoy modern art…but I’m not an expert….I just like to see it…to hear it… to experience it. I’m not sure why…I think I’m on a journey to figure that out. There is… Continue reading
Restos du Coeurs
For a few weeks now Sanan and I have been participating on a team that every Tuesday night provides a pretty good hot meal for about 100 people. The meal usually includes bread,… Continue reading
Baaaaaaaaa
This afternoon I was minding my own business, while walking down a narrow but busy street, when all of a sudden I heard the loud baaaaaaing of a goat. I quickly looked around,… Continue reading