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Just for fun: the random, useless announcements thread!
The wasps with predominately yellow faces are the Gigolos .... ...
0
JeroenLuminous beings are we, not this crude matterNetherlandsVeteran
They’re quite scary... but then I’ve had a thing for wasps ever since a classmate of mine trod in a wasps nest underground while we were walking in the woods and we had to run to avoid the swarm. He got severely stung.
A friend of mine once fell on an underground wasp nest...He was called out to a property by the owner who wanted the nest destroyed, he went with the owner to see where the nest was located, before going back to get his protective clothing he was wearing shorts and a short sleeve shirt...When leaning out over the embankment to take a look, he slipped and fell down the embankment and directly onto the nest...
personDon't believe everything you thinkThe liminal spaceVeteran
I just wanted to highly recommend Ricky Gervais' new show on Netflix, After Life. It was just 6, 30 minutes episodes, so not a big time investment. It was at turns very funny, assuming you think Ricky's non PC style humor is funny, very human and touching. It's about the story of someone dealing poorly with the grief of his wife and him finding his way through to a better place.
@person said:
I just wanted to highly recommend Ricky Gervais' new show on Netflix, After Life. It was just 6, 30 minutes episodes, so not a big time investment. It was at turns very funny, assuming you think Ricky's non PC style humor is funny, very human and touching. It's about the story of someone dealing poorly with the grief of his wife and him finding his way through to a better place.
I think he peaked with The Office and Extras.
All downhill since.
Including the new series you’ve mentioned above.
Same characters, same jokes.
Yes Ricky, we know your an Athiest (yawn...)
0
federicaSeeker of the clear blue sky...Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubtModerator
Thank goodness he isn't also a vegan...
2
federicaSeeker of the clear blue sky...Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubtModerator
edited March 2019
Fact:
Humans are born with only 2 inherent, ready-made fears: Falling, and loud noises.
Everything else - EVERYTHING else - we are conditioned or influenced to learn and develop.
federicaSeeker of the clear blue sky...Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubtModerator
It's Mothering Sunday in the UK today! The clocks have also moved ahead an hour, effectively depriving us of a lovely lie-in... there's always a way of clawing back privileges...
0
federicaSeeker of the clear blue sky...Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubtModerator
edited March 2019
We've been burgled.
It's hard to evoke Loving Compassion with Wisdom, when there are people who blatantly and deliberately steal your stuff, bought with honestly, hard-earned money.
It's not even as if I can think "I hope they need the items more than I did" because trust me, they don't.
@federica I hope you threw the toothbrushes away ....
0
federicaSeeker of the clear blue sky...Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubtModerator
@Shoshin said: @federica I hope you threw the toothbrushes away ....
Nope, it was in our garage. They stole several items, to the probable value of £350.
The neighbour opposite, who is a self-employed Builder with employees, had his works van broken into and every single tool he had, was also stolen.
It's very difficult to find anything kind to say about the thieves;
Yes it's an horrible feeling having one's personal/private space violated by a stranger....and it's the feelings that need to be look at in times like this..
I have found that by sitting with the feelings, watching them rise and depart can help calm the mind...
Here are some Pema Chödrön quotes you might find helpful...
What Dharma practices have helped you in the past when similar things have happened ?
0
federicaSeeker of the clear blue sky...Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubtModerator
Mala recitation, taking Refuge, focusing on impermanence...
Something I wrote on my Facebook timeline...
"Ah well, it's a lesson learnt: Take nothing for granted, use the locks provided, trust nobody you don't know well, and it's only 'things'.
It takes a day or two to let something like this slide, and a while longer to get over the indignation and resentment.
But: I have something they don't have. I have the genuine love of absolutely real and wonderful friends and family, and I know they are kind, generous and supportive. These low-lives probably have none of that; there's no honour among thieves, and one day, they'll push their luck and go to far. And their supposed loved ones won't be there for them.
Love? They don't know the meaning of the word.
Whereas, I do.
And that? They can't take."
It's only 'things'.
I have read a news account (if I'm honest, more than one,) about someone being robbed and viciously beaten up in the process. Tortured, even. So perhaps we have been lucky that this incident was in all likelihood opportunistic and a 'spur of the moment' impulse on the part of some idiotic petty criminal who wouldn't know kindness, compassion and empathy if they stuck him squarely on the nose with a demolition ball. And we weren't home.
What can happen after a break in, is that your place is broken into again after a few months...after the insurance has paid out and you have bought 'new' replacements of items stolen...
0
federicaSeeker of the clear blue sky...Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubtModerator
Well, rather than go through the agonising minutiae of trying our hardest to convince an Insurance Company that they really should part with our money, we are thinking of investing in a Camera and light system that functions in close connection to our mobile phones and sends an alert when someone enters the boundaries of the property... Very clever stuff; It comes highly recommended by my Boss who also suffered a break-in, in the latter part of last year, and put this system in. Apparently, it's already functioned extremely efficiently... He hasn't had any further problems regarding potential ne'er-do-wells, but it has on 4 separate occasions, alerted him to unexpected and unsolicited callers...
Earlier today I called into the local supermarket and on my way back to the car I stopped to chat with Indian N..........., he's a local character tattered clothes and wears an old rimmed hat often with a feather in it. Sadly he's had an horrendous childhood, survivor of abuse as a child, and in he's adult life now a recovering alcoholic, ... his name Indian N....... came about because as a child he was told that his father was an American Indian (First Nation) who was station in NZ during the second world war...
I often pick him up when he's waiting at the bus stop or when I meet him on the street I stop to chat with him to see how he's getting on and we have had some interesting conversations, lots on spirituality...
Anyhow today he told me of a dream he had last night, in the dream he saw a heart with a figure eight symbol inside it, and to him it represents oneness and he went on to say how it was at times difficult dealing with people whose ego rules their day,he said they are not aware of their ego at play and that he now feels compassion towards them especially when they behave in a negative fashion towards him...He's an amazing colourful character, a deep thinker and very spiritual...
I just thought I'd share one of today's experiences...
Well I'm off to Wellington for the weekend to visit my daughter and her partner (I'm waiting to board the flight )..I haven't been to Wellington for over 20 years..So I guess things will have changed.. It's called the windy city...
@Shoshin said:
Well I'm off to Wellington for the weekend to visit my daughter and her partner (I'm waiting to board the flight )..I haven't been to Wellington for over 20 years..So I guess things will have changed.. It's called the windy city...
Enjoy @shoshin! Are you ok with flying? I used to be a nervous flyer and going in and out of Wellington was not a pleasant experience!
1
federicaSeeker of the clear blue sky...Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubtModerator
@Bunks said: I’ve just been reminded that one shouldn’t pick ones nose after chopping chillies! ??
There is also the small, yet literally delicate matter of needing a wee..... For those afflicted or the afflicted-yet-to-come, honey is an almost instant antidote and relief...
@Shoshin, Americans have their own 'Windy City' (I believe it's Chicago....)
And the entire UK appears to be one, currently...
Hope you don't need wellies in Wellington.... Have a good time...
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JeroenLuminous beings are we, not this crude matterNetherlandsVeteran
@Bunks said: I’ve just been reminded that one shouldn’t pick ones nose after chopping chillies! ??
There is also the small, yet literally delicate matter of needing a wee..... For those afflicted or the afflicted-yet-to-come, honey is an almost instant antidote and relief...
So you are saying in this case we should go and smear honey all over our delicate parts? I don’t know, it doesn’t hold much appeal...
1
federicaSeeker of the clear blue sky...Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubtModerator
@Bunks said: I’ve just been reminded that one shouldn’t pick ones nose after chopping chillies! ??
There is also the small, yet literally delicate matter of needing a wee..... For those afflicted or the afflicted-yet-to-come, honey is an almost instant antidote and relief...
So you are saying in this case we should go and smear honey all over our delicate parts? I don’t know, it doesn’t hold much appeal...
I'll tell you what; you buy a scotch Bonnet chilli, cut it up, touch your delicate parts, then tell me honey holds no appeal...
Trust me, if it happens, you'd do anything to relieve the problem.
It's far more effective than water. In fact, water can make it much worse.
We hit a bit of turbulence just before landing, but wasn't too bad ...But on arrival. waiting for the bus into the city, the wind was chillingly cold..When I left the island it was 21C ... Arriving in Wellington was like stepping into Winter...
If we can get a Buddha under each tree we have solved EVERYTHING! ??
I wanted to get it as my default search engine on my iPad but no luck, you have to install it as an app, and switch to it each time you want to make a search
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federicaSeeker of the clear blue sky...Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubtModerator
If we can get a Buddha under each tree we have solved EVERYTHING! ??
I wanted to get it as my default search engine on my iPad but no luck, you have to install it as an app, and switch to it each time you want to make a search
Yes, currently they're set for easier use mainly on computers and/laptops.
You could contact them to enquire about technical developments....
ETA: If you google Ecosia (ha ha) there is a selection of options, including one for mobile phones....
As said, there's no harm in contacting them and asking.
Caught the bus to the airport around 5pm ish, flight back to Auckland was meant to leave at 6.15 but was delayed, it left at 6.50 and arrived back in Auckland at 8pm ..Caught the airport bus to downtown ferry terminal, missed the 8.45 ferry, by just a few minutes ...so had to wait one and half hours for the next ferry ( the last ferry) back to the. Island 10.15 (so meditated )... I'm on the ferry now. It's been a long day, but worth it...It was great catching up with my daughter and her boyfriend ☺️
Bought a raspberry pi kit (well two actually one as a gift) Plugged into an HDMI TV I now have a virtual ever changing shrine/computer.
Just downloaded some images and used the screenshow option in viewer. Yep you can use your phone, tablet, chromebook, computer as a shrine. Of course you can . . .
I iz Geek Buddhist
1
Fosdickin its eye are mirrored far off mountainsAlaska, USAVeteran
The bears have awakened from sleep, and here is one of them, destroying our bird feeders. Charming little fellow, he left when asked politely to do so. Bad photos, it was almost dark out when I took them.
2
federicaSeeker of the clear blue sky...Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubtModerator
Well the sun is shinning and the weather is sweet (I got winter out of the way with my trip to windy cold and wet Wellington on the weekend...finger's crossed )...So this morning I went to the beach...The water was slightly chilled, but nice and refreshing...
Fosdickin its eye are mirrored far off mountainsAlaska, USAVeteran
@Shoshin - I'm not really conversant with the game laws, but I know black bear hunting is regulated with seasons and bag limits, etc. Not protection exactly, but you can't just go out and shoot one because you feel bloodthirsty and mean that day.
There's a bit of a problem here with people leaving their garbage out where the bears can get at it, and quite a lot of black bears roaming around looking for an easy meal. The dogs are greatly offended when they spot one -they seem to believe that the garbage all belongs to them.
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federicaSeeker of the clear blue sky...Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubtModerator
I was going to say that maybe leaving 'food parcels' out for them might help keep them at bay, but then I further considered harming the balance of their ecology and altering their behaviour, but then I thought again, and pondered that their bravado and hooliganism is a sign that that has already happened....
The most we get are squirrels on our bird feeder. Obviously you have better food ... I feel technically the bear is not a bird but hey ... I am not gonna tell her ... great photos. Thanks for sharing. What a treat. Give them a hug from me ...
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Fosdickin its eye are mirrored far off mountainsAlaska, USAVeteran
The black bears don't really need any encouragement to be pests - like mice or raccoons or cockroaches, it seems to be a lifestyle of choice for them. No problem for me, glad to have them, but I would be happy to trade a couple of bears for some of your birds and insects - and especially some reptiles if you've got 'em.
Comments
No, they also use landmarks, and memorise paths according to ground features. Bloody clever little things they iz.....
The wasps with predominately yellow faces are the Gigolos
.... ...
They’re quite scary... but then I’ve had a thing for wasps ever since a classmate of mine trod in a wasps nest underground while we were walking in the woods and we had to run to avoid the swarm. He got severely stung.
A friend of mine once fell on an underground wasp nest...He was called out to a property by the owner who wanted the nest destroyed, he went with the owner to see where the nest was located, before going back to get his protective clothing he was wearing shorts and a short sleeve shirt...When leaning out over the embankment to take a look, he slipped and fell down the embankment and directly onto the nest...
I am Official Crustacean and Publicity Officer for Puppy Linux
http://puppylinux.com/index.html
New version 'BionicPup' and a video available
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?p=1004969#1004969
Is it suitable for Buddhists?
Yes.
http://puppylinux.org/wikka/BuddhistYAP
I just wanted to highly recommend Ricky Gervais' new show on Netflix, After Life. It was just 6, 30 minutes episodes, so not a big time investment. It was at turns very funny, assuming you think Ricky's non PC style humor is funny, very human and touching. It's about the story of someone dealing poorly with the grief of his wife and him finding his way through to a better place.
I like his warped sense of humour
#me tooHere is some more warping ...
https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a26760633/jerk-bbc-iplayer-review-comedy/
I think he peaked with The Office and Extras.
All downhill since.
Including the new series you’ve mentioned above.
Same characters, same jokes.
Yes Ricky, we know your an Athiest (yawn...)
Thank goodness he isn't also a vegan...
Fact:
Humans are born with only 2 inherent, ready-made fears: Falling, and loud noises.
Everything else - EVERYTHING else - we are conditioned or influenced to learn and develop.
Feather floating across the sky....
Merry Equinox everyone!!
It's Mothering Sunday in the UK today! The clocks have also moved ahead an hour, effectively depriving us of a lovely lie-in... there's always a way of clawing back privileges...
We've been burgled.
It's hard to evoke Loving Compassion with Wisdom, when there are people who blatantly and deliberately steal your stuff, bought with honestly, hard-earned money.
It's not even as if I can think "I hope they need the items more than I did" because trust me, they don't.
Sigh.
Happy Mothering Sunday.
Violation! Not nice!
We had a wonderful time.
@federica I hope you threw the toothbrushes away ....
Nope, it was in our garage. They stole several items, to the probable value of £350.
The neighbour opposite, who is a self-employed Builder with employees, had his works van broken into and every single tool he had, was also stolen.
It's very difficult to find anything kind to say about the thieves;
They're suffering. Hurt people, hurt people.
Nope.
Doesn't help at the moment.
Yes it's an horrible feeling having one's personal/private space violated by a stranger....and it's the feelings that need to be look at in times like this..
I have found that by sitting with the feelings, watching them rise and depart can help calm the mind...
Here are some Pema Chödrön quotes you might find helpful...
What Dharma practices have helped you in the past when similar things have happened ?
Mala recitation, taking Refuge, focusing on impermanence...
Something I wrote on my Facebook timeline...
"Ah well, it's a lesson learnt: Take nothing for granted, use the locks provided, trust nobody you don't know well, and it's only 'things'.
It takes a day or two to let something like this slide, and a while longer to get over the indignation and resentment.
But: I have something they don't have. I have the genuine love of absolutely real and wonderful friends and family, and I know they are kind, generous and supportive. These low-lives probably have none of that; there's no honour among thieves, and one day, they'll push their luck and go to far. And their supposed loved ones won't be there for them.
Love? They don't know the meaning of the word.
Whereas, I do.
And that? They can't take."
It's only 'things'.
I have read a news account (if I'm honest, more than one,) about someone being robbed and viciously beaten up in the process. Tortured, even. So perhaps we have been lucky that this incident was in all likelihood opportunistic and a 'spur of the moment' impulse on the part of some idiotic petty criminal who wouldn't know kindness, compassion and empathy if they stuck him squarely on the nose with a demolition ball. And we weren't home.
This too shall pass.
Bravo @federica
Sending you metta
Of course.
What can happen after a break in, is that your place is broken into again after a few months...after the insurance has paid out and you have bought 'new' replacements of items stolen...
Well, rather than go through the agonising minutiae of trying our hardest to convince an Insurance Company that they really should part with our money, we are thinking of investing in a Camera and light system that functions in close connection to our mobile phones and sends an alert when someone enters the boundaries of the property... Very clever stuff; It comes highly recommended by my Boss who also suffered a break-in, in the latter part of last year, and put this system in. Apparently, it's already functioned extremely efficiently... He hasn't had any further problems regarding potential ne'er-do-wells, but it has on 4 separate occasions, alerted him to unexpected and unsolicited callers...
Sometimes something as simple as a sign can help prevent burglaries
...or better still
Earlier today I called into the local supermarket and on my way back to the car I stopped to chat with Indian N..........., he's a local character tattered clothes and wears an old rimmed hat often with a feather in it. Sadly he's had an horrendous childhood, survivor of abuse as a child, and in he's adult life now a recovering alcoholic, ... his name Indian N....... came about because as a child he was told that his father was an American Indian (First Nation) who was station in NZ during the second world war...
I often pick him up when he's waiting at the bus stop or when I meet him on the street I stop to chat with him to see how he's getting on and we have had some interesting conversations, lots on spirituality...
Anyhow today he told me of a dream he had last night, in the dream he saw a heart with a figure eight symbol inside it, and to him it represents oneness and he went on to say how it was at times difficult dealing with people whose ego rules their day,he said they are not aware of their ego at play and that he now feels compassion towards them especially when they behave in a negative fashion towards him...He's an amazing colourful character, a deep thinker and very spiritual...
I just thought I'd share one of today's experiences...
Take back control @federica
Good plan about smart camera.
Being a total geek, I will be building my own ...
https://medium.com/@Cvrsor/how-to-make-a-diy-home-alarm-system-with-a-raspberry-pi-and-a-webcam-2d5a2d61da3d
Ready made solutions for the non geeks also excellent.
I’ve just been reminded that one shouldn’t pick ones nose after chopping chillies! ??
Tee hee @Bunks
... or wipe ones eyes ... and if real chilli fiends are stir frying, you can not even enter the kitchen without a protective mask.
Well I'm off to Wellington for the weekend to visit my daughter and her partner (I'm waiting to board the flight )..I haven't been to Wellington for over 20 years..So I guess things will have changed.. It's called the windy city...
Enjoy @shoshin! Are you ok with flying? I used to be a nervous flyer and going in and out of Wellington was not a pleasant experience!
There is also the small, yet literally delicate matter of needing a wee..... For those afflicted or the afflicted-yet-to-come, honey is an almost instant antidote and relief...
@Shoshin, Americans have their own 'Windy City' (I believe it's Chicago....)
And the entire UK appears to be one, currently...
Hope you don't need wellies in Wellington.... Have a good time...
So you are saying in this case we should go and smear honey all over our delicate parts? I don’t know, it doesn’t hold much appeal...
I'll tell you what; you buy a scotch Bonnet chilli, cut it up, touch your delicate parts, then tell me honey holds no appeal...
Trust me, if it happens, you'd do anything to relieve the problem.
It's far more effective than water. In fact, water can make it much worse.
We hit a bit of turbulence just before landing, but wasn't too bad ...But on arrival. waiting for the bus into the city, the wind was chillingly cold..When I left the island it was 21C ... Arriving in Wellington was like stepping into Winter...
Rub yourself down with a Scotch Bonnet.
... must learn tummo ... might be more realistic. Stay warm.
Imagine if you used a search engine ... and they used profits to plant trees. [lobster faints]
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecosia
If we can get a Buddha under each tree we have solved EVERYTHING!
??
I wanted to get it as my default search engine on my iPad but no luck, you have to install it as an app, and switch to it each time you want to make a search
Yes, currently they're set for easier use mainly on computers and/laptops.
You could contact them to enquire about technical developments....
ETA: If you google Ecosia (ha ha) there is a selection of options, including one for mobile phones....
As said, there's no harm in contacting them and asking.
Just bookmark the URL
https://www.ecosia.org/
and go to it when you search . . .
I have told the developers that their Ipad app just crashes. I would think, that is how can I put this politely ... apple is sometimes a bad seed ...
Caught the bus to the airport around 5pm ish, flight back to Auckland was meant to leave at 6.15 but was delayed, it left at 6.50 and arrived back in Auckland at 8pm ..Caught the airport bus to downtown ferry terminal, missed the 8.45 ferry, by just a few minutes ...so had to wait one and half hours for the next ferry ( the last ferry) back to the. Island 10.15 (so meditated )... I'm on the ferry now. It's been a long day, but worth it...It was great catching up with my daughter and her boyfriend ☺️
Bought a raspberry pi kit (well two actually one as a gift) Plugged into an HDMI TV I now have a virtual ever changing shrine/computer.
Just downloaded some images and used the screenshow option in viewer. Yep you can use your phone, tablet, chromebook, computer as a shrine. Of course you can . . .
I iz Geek Buddhist
The bears have awakened from sleep, and here is one of them, destroying our bird feeders. Charming little fellow, he left when asked politely to do so. Bad photos, it was almost dark out when I took them.
Hooligan....
Well the sun is shinning and the weather is sweet (I got winter out of the way with my trip to windy cold and wet Wellington on the weekend...finger's crossed
)...So this morning I went to the beach...The water was slightly chilled, but nice and refreshing... 
@Fosdick are bears protected in your state ?
@Shoshin - I'm not really conversant with the game laws, but I know black bear hunting is regulated with seasons and bag limits, etc. Not protection exactly, but you can't just go out and shoot one because you feel bloodthirsty and mean that day.
There's a bit of a problem here with people leaving their garbage out where the bears can get at it, and quite a lot of black bears roaming around looking for an easy meal. The dogs are greatly offended when they spot one -they seem to believe that the garbage all belongs to them.
I was going to say that maybe leaving 'food parcels' out for them might help keep them at bay, but then I further considered harming the balance of their ecology and altering their behaviour, but then I thought again, and pondered that their bravado and hooliganism is a sign that that has already happened....
The damage is already done.
How wonderful @Fosdick
The most we get are squirrels on our bird feeder. Obviously you have better food ... I feel technically the bear is not a bird but hey ... I am not gonna tell her ... great photos. Thanks for sharing. What a treat. Give them a hug from me ...
The black bears don't really need any encouragement to be pests - like mice or raccoons or cockroaches, it seems to be a lifestyle of choice for them. No problem for me, glad to have them, but I would be happy to trade a couple of bears for some of your birds and insects - and especially some reptiles if you've got 'em.
I just couldn't resist