Blank Canvas

I took a free version of a test which scores the Big Five personality traits which actually has some scientific basis.

Here are my results: O53-C64-E12-A17-N5.

I’ll take the test about a year from now and start my own longitudinal study. (The following chart won’t make sense until I have more data.)

I thought it would be nice to share my latest work desktop (≈500 kB) this morning. Think warm thoughts!

I just learned about DJ Drez, a yogi who spins world music with hip-hop beats. Take Jatha Beat—The Progression for example. Downtempo with exotic Eastern sounds to get my creative juices flowing. I like.

Mouse’s Tank: The Legend Retold by Mike Donahue

Mouse’s Tank is a fictionalized retelling of the story of Mouse, a renegade Southern Paiute who steals from the white Mormons of St. Thomas who have stolen the homeland of his people, the People, where they had lived for a thousand years. Mouse is immortalized in the name of Mouse’s Tank, a natural catch basin in the of the Valley of Fire where he hid out.

I picked up this local publication because I had visited Mouse’s Tank and heard the story about the Indian who defied white man’s law and because I’m fascinated by the lifeways of the people of the Mojave. Being a native Las Vegan, I feel a deep connection to the desert spaces of my childhood and like to hear stories about its people.

The writing is rather florid; the author romanticizes the Paiute, falling into the Noble Savage meme; and the book could have used some more proofreading, but it was a quick, enjoyable read. I could tell the author shares my love of the subtle beauties of the Mojave. The desert landscape could easily be confused for the protagonist because of how much attention its sight, sounds, and scents receive.

Despite its flaws, I enjoyed it. Perhaps that’s because I’m a native son.

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I am grateful for…

1. … Lacey who cleans up my early morning messes when I’m rushing to get to work.
2. … the growing understanding that I don’t need to be perfect to enjoy life. Good is good enough.
3. … the realization that worrying about being happy is one of the best ways to feel miserable.
4. … healthy children.
5. … a warm greeting when I come home from work.

The Buddha said:

Rely not on the teacher, but on the teaching. Rely not on the words of the teaching, but on the spirit of the words. Rely not on theory, but on experience. Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. Do not believe anything because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything because it is written in your scripture. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and the benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.
 (Kalama Sutta, a free interpretation thereof)

I am grateful for…

1. … feeling a bit more organized. A big part of my procrastination is not knowing where to start.
2. … having a family.
3. … my chance to be alive.
4. … books.
5. … a short list of things to accomplish today.

I feel grateful for…

• … my health.
• … forewarning about possible future illnesses so I can plan and possibly forestall symptoms.
• … a sexy, loving wife.
• … children who share my love of learning.
• … the slight chill in the air that comes as a welcome relief from summertime intensity.

I’m feeling lucky for…

1. … being kind to myself.
2. … being less afraid to think.
3. … children playing outside.
4. … a change in the weather.
5. … the color brown.

1. Thank you to Lacey for sharing your life with me. I’m much better off when I’m by your side.
2. Thank you to my daughters for being so awesome.
3. Thank you to everyone who cares enough to do what they think is right.
4. I am grateful for the favorable circumstances and times that I was born into.
5. Thank you to everyone who has protected my freedom to read what I choose.