Contentment vs. New Shoes

"That's why mental happiness is more important than physical comfort. Physical comfort comes from the material. But material facilities cannot provide you with peace of mind. … When you are discontent, you always want more, more, more. Your desire can never be satisfied. But when you practice contentment, you can say to yourself, 'Oh yes—I already have everything that I really need."

— The Dalai Lama

This is hard for me. I love the feel, smell, etc. of new shoes, a new shirt, a cool thing, a new handbag. Why does buying things = discontentment? I know in the end none of it makes any difference. A new pair of shoes isn't going to give you peace of mind. Let's just take today as an example... I have a presentation this evening. I bought a new pair of slacks and a sweater to wear. I look good which makes me feel good. Will this help my presentation? Maybe. If I feel more confident, I will exude confidence. Right? See... this is a tough one for me.

I bought us tickets to see the Dali Lama at Radio City Music Hall. Maybe he'll clear some things up in that presentation.

Crazy People and the Heat

One thing I keep saying about New York is that it makes me laugh. There are so many people, events, outfits, etc. that happen on a daily basis that you just can't help but laugh. I cracked up a few weeks ago at the woman who lost it on the train at this poor little guy who bumped into her. I want ask these people who get crazed by people bumping into them, "Do you know where you are? Do you know where you live? You know, Kansas isn’t has populated as New York. You might want to try living there for a while.”

Then there are the crazy folks. Yesterday I was sitting across from this woman who apparently was talking to a cat, although there was no cat in sight. If you watch The Simpsons then you know the crazy cat lady - bathrobe, hair all crazy, one eye squinted shut - this woman had an uncanny resemblance to the cat lady on The Simpsons sans the bathrobe. Picture her with this high pitched voice, “oh little kitty, you’re so cute.” She was also mumbling this baby talk in this small voice. The last thing I heard her say before she exited the train was, “I hate all people.” Nice!



I’ve also had a guy screaming on the train, “Get off me! Get the f&*k off me!,” a guy who walked down the train telling all the women not to show their figures, and another guy who shuffled through the train opening up all the windows mumbling to himself.

John says that there was a study done some time ago about the heat and how it makes people crazy and/or angry. The study showed that murder rates go up when the temperature reaches 92 degrees. With the humidity in this city, it feels like 92 degrees a lot! Thank God fall is almost here. 

Dead Pearl Society, 2007

My great-grandfather was married to a woman named Pearl and she died in the early 1900's. He then met and married my great-grandmother named Agnes. We honor Pearl each year because it is because of her death, that we all exist. We drink martinis, share stories, and enjoy one anothers company. www.deadpearlsociety.org

Here are photos from the party!