Senses working overtime #520

1 Experiencing: The second week in California

Jade, Chris and Asher joined us for the second week and we have had lashings of ripper adventures at places like Universal Studios and Disneyland. We have certainly seen some sights - including Jesus and Spiderman teaming up to (I think) entertain tourists on Hollywood Boulevard.

2 Universal Studios and Disneyland

Farewell to Universal Studios

Y'all come back now ya hear!

Hello from the happiest place on Earth!

3 Browsing: Record shops

I've been cruising into record stores along the way. Amoeba Music (on Hollywood Boulevard) is the star turn but the ambience in this store in San Luis Obispo was superb.

4 Dining: Saddle Ranch Chop House on Sunset Boulevard

A great experience, even if we couldn't persuade Chris to ride the mechanical bull. We did indulge in toasted marshmallow and chocolate sandwiches though.

5 Dining: Mel's Drive-in diner in Santa Monica

Framed poster in Mel's.

If it's good enough for Lana Del Rey, it's good enough for me!

Overtime: Watching and listening: Whales and seals at Big Sur

I looooove the Big Sur coastline so much. This shot includes two whales frolicking around with some noisy seals providing the soundtrack on the shoreline. The slaps by the whales echoed all around us.

Senses working overtime #350

1 Tongan volcano

This amazing once-in-a-lifetime event has dominated our news in NZ this week.

2 Nubya Garcia

I've been listening to this a lot this week.

3 Letting go as a concept simplified by Nietzsche

Amor fati explained in an entertaining way!

4 Lana Del Rey - Violet Bent Backwards Over The Grass

I have been enjoying her readings of her poetry - here is an example - LA who am I to love you

5 Poetry corner

from Time Pieces How briefly a day lasts, unravelling so fast you can't keep pace. You are at the morning bus stop, wondering if you definitely locked the hall door when, what seems like seconds later, sunset struts by in all its sky-draped finery, its evening wear, and you are unlocking the hall door. Dennis O'Driscoll (2002)

Overtime: 

Flow (and progress) - Seth Godin

A flow state is priceless. It happens when we lose ourselves in the work, simply connecting with the task, without commentary or doubt. When we’re in flow, time slows down, satisfaction rises and we feel fully engaged.

An easy way to end a flow state is to see how well you’re doing. Are you ahead of the other runners? Are you progressing according to the milestones? Do you have more social metrics now?

The irony, of course, is that the best way to make progress is to find flow. But if you’re using progress as a yardstick, it won’t last long.

Senses working overtime #143

1 Lana Del Rey vs Radiohead

This is plain weird, but The New Yorker does a good job giving the big picture to this copyright conundrum.

2 Performances that save or ruin a film
I don't disagree (shock horror). How 'bout you? Check out the list here.

3 Hue and cry
Twelve cool words that are survivors by dint of embedding themselves in phrases.

4 Luke

Interesting views on the changed Luke Skywalker in The Last Jedi by Joseph Gordon-Levitt (yes, that J G-L - the actor).

5 Nu Orlns!!!!!

OMG - what an end to a play-off game. The New Orleans Saints, with 14 seconds to go, looked like winning it, easily. Then they blew it. Big time. Here's the NY times on the whole sorry mess.

Overtime Benjamin Franklin

You could do a lot worse than following old Ben Kenobi's advice. Seriously dude - check it out!