Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: Free Man In Paris, v3.01

[Share Long]

turq, in spite of being pronounced such and in spite of certain experiences, I 
don't think of myself as enlightened, nor do I worry about it for now or the 
future, nor do I lack experiences of deep delight in life as it is and 
welcoming that for others and if possible, helping other have that.  But at a 
certain point one realizes that life is just going on all by itself, one only 
needs to ride the waves.  Or watch the waves or walk in the breaking surf or 
whatever.  It's a life rife with paradox IMHO.  Except when it isn't (-:  





 From: turquoiseb 
To: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Saturday, May 25, 2013 11:47 AM
Subject: [FairfieldLife] Re: Free Man In Paris, v3.01
 


  
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Share Long  wrote:
>
> turq, I often encounter devoted and long term TMers who 
> even currently enjoy spending time with their children 
> and grandchildren. As regards living for enlightenment, 
> many of the sidhas I know are living for the sake of 
> living itself, the richness of it, just riding those 
> waves of life. Yes, they engage in a particular activity 
> to develop themselves more, but isn't that part of being 
> human? 

Only for those who believe that life is not fulfilled
in every moment, and that there is something "more" to
achieve. 

> For example, don't you yourself engage in activities to 
> develop as a writer? 

Other than writing itself? Never. 

> Anyway, you sound angry in your last paragraph. Were you? 

The only reason I'm replying is that you are the fourth
person to have gotten their buttons pushed by two little
words, "Fuck enlightenment." When I saw the reactions
in Message View, I honestly had to go back to reread
the original piece to figure out what they were talking
about. There was not a *microgram* of anger in me as
I wrote that. It is simply how I feel about enlight-
enment. It, the reverence for it, and the desire to
attain or realize it simply have no place in my life.
I felt no emotion whatsoever writing those words, 
because the concept of enlightenment holds no interest
for me whatsoever. It was as meaningless an aside as
if I'd said, "Fuck ketchup." 

> If yes, why? 

Irrelevant. Someday you should learn that the fact that
someone does not necessarily have to feel the same way
about things as you do. Enlightenment, schmitenment.
I've never seen -- or experienced -- any evidence that
it does anything for anyone other than the person who
is experiencing it. It's a *completely* subjective 
experience, of no benefit to any other human being. 
Living in hope of "attaining" or "realizing" that? 
What a waste of life. But living in hope of doing 
something nice for someone else? Now that's something 
worth living for. 

Given a choice between spending a little quality time 
with Maya or being enlightened, and I'd go for Mayatime 
anytime. Given a choice of spending time with any 
supposedly enlightened being in history -- including 
the original Buddha -- and I'd go for Mayatime anytime. 

In all honesty, if you had ever had long flashes or 
periods of enlightenment, you might feel differently
about it. I have. I prefer Mayatime, and here-and-
now-time, anytime. 

> 
>  From: turquoiseb 
> To: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com 
> Sent: Saturday, May 25, 2013 4:59 AM
> Subject: [FairfieldLife] Free Man In Paris, v3.01
> 
> I was having dinner with a friend from work last night in a small
> restaurant on the Ile St. Louis, and it turned into an interesting
> opportunity to teach, and to learn. My friend is someone I work with --
> another American ex-pat, a former jazz pianist turned tech writer,
> originally from San Francisco but living and working here in Europe for
> the last dozen years, so we have a lot in common and lots to talk about.
> But we wound up talking about none of those things because two people
> came in and sat at the small table next to us.
> 
> They were an older woman (but younger than either of us) and a young
> girl (who we learned was 12). The girl heard us talking in English and
> started a conversation, and I'm glad she did. It turns out she is from
> Atlanta, brought here by her grandmother for her first trip to Europe.
> The grandmother is doing this because the young girl is an aspiring
> artist, and she wanted her granddaughter to have the experience of
> seeing this place and its art close up, in person.
> 
> And they both turned out to be charming. Both were so open to
> suggestions as to what to see and where to go while in Paris, and my
> friend and I both benefited from hearing them talk about the things
> they'd seen so far. It was like being able to experience them for the
> first time ourselves -- all the e

[FairfieldLife] Re: Free Man In Paris, v3.01

[turquoiseb]

--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Share Long  wrote:
>
> turq, I often encounter devoted and long term TMers who 
> even currently enjoy spending time with their children 
> and grandchildren. As regards living for enlightenment, 
> many of the sidhas I know are living for the sake of 
> living itself, the richness of it, just riding those 
> waves of life. Yes, they engage in a particular activity 
> to develop themselves more, but isn't that part of being 
> human? 

Only for those who believe that life is not fulfilled
in every moment, and that there is something "more" to
achieve. 

> For example, don't you yourself engage in activities to 
> develop as a writer? 

Other than writing itself? Never. 

> Anyway, you sound angry in your last paragraph. Were you? 

The only reason I'm replying is that you are the fourth
person to have gotten their buttons pushed by two little
words, "Fuck enlightenment." When I saw the reactions
in Message View, I honestly had to go back to reread
the original piece to figure out what they were talking
about. There was not a *microgram* of anger in me as
I wrote that. It is simply how I feel about enlight-
enment. It, the reverence for it, and the desire to
attain or realize it simply have no place in my life.
I felt no emotion whatsoever writing those words, 
because the concept of enlightenment holds no interest
for me whatsoever. It was as meaningless an aside as
if I'd said, "Fuck ketchup." 

> If yes, why? 

Irrelevant. Someday you should learn that the fact that
someone does not necessarily have to feel the same way
about things as you do. Enlightenment, schmitenment.
I've never seen -- or experienced -- any evidence that
it does anything for anyone other than the person who
is experiencing it. It's a *completely* subjective 
experience, of no benefit to any other human being. 
Living in hope of "attaining" or "realizing" that? 
What a waste of life. But living in hope of doing 
something nice for someone else? Now that's something 
worth living for. 

Given a choice between spending a little quality time 
with Maya or being enlightened, and I'd go for Mayatime 
anytime. Given a choice of spending time with any 
supposedly enlightened being in history -- including 
the original Buddha -- and I'd go for Mayatime anytime. 

In all honesty, if you had ever had long flashes or 
periods of enlightenment, you might feel differently
about it. I have. I prefer Mayatime, and here-and-
now-time, anytime. 

> 
>  From: turquoiseb 
> To: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com 
> Sent: Saturday, May 25, 2013 4:59 AM
> Subject: [FairfieldLife] Free Man In Paris, v3.01
>  
> I was having dinner with a friend from work last night in a small
> restaurant on the Ile St. Louis, and it turned into an interesting
> opportunity to teach, and to learn. My friend is someone I work with --
> another American ex-pat, a former jazz pianist turned tech writer,
> originally from San Francisco but living and working here in Europe for
> the last dozen years, so we have a lot in common and lots to talk about.
> But we wound up talking about none of those things because two people
> came in and sat at the small table next to us.
> 
> They were an older woman (but younger than either of us) and a young
> girl (who we learned was 12). The girl heard us talking in English and
> started a conversation, and I'm glad she did. It turns out she is from
> Atlanta, brought here by her grandmother for her first trip to Europe.
> The grandmother is doing this because the young girl is an aspiring
> artist, and she wanted her granddaughter to have the experience of
> seeing this place and its art close up, in person.
> 
> And they both turned out to be charming. Both were so open to
> suggestions as to what to see and where to go while in Paris, and my
> friend and I both benefited from hearing them talk about the things
> they'd seen so far. It was like being able to experience them for the
> first time ourselves -- all the excitement, all the wonder.
> 
> It was a charming evening, and I hope that we were able to steer both of
> them to some sights and experiences they will enjoy and cherish, and
> that will inspire them as they inspired us. My biggest "take away" from
> the evening, however, was seeing the joy in the young girl's eyes, and
> in her grandmother's at having been able to help put it there, and
> looking forward to being able to do the same thing some day for Maya.
> 
> Fuck enlightenment, or realization, or any of the things that people
> here seem to "live for." If there is anything that'll inspire me to keep
> on keepin' on for another few years, it's the idea of being able to show
> Paris and other cool places to Maya for the first time...
>

[FairfieldLife] Re: Free Man In Paris, v3.01

[doctordumbass]

I've always seen that behavior in Barry as a defense mechanism, sort of, "you 
can't fire me, I quit!", or , "you do not want to go out with me, do you?". 
Pre-emptive strike at an imagined enemy.

We are so used to seeing other "adults" express themselves as the children they 
are emotionally, that we have grown blind to it. There is nothing more to Barry 
acting out, than that; emotional immaturity. It is a common illness.

He says, fuck enlightenment (being established in silence), only because this 
is a spiritual forum. If this were a fire station, he'd say, fuck fire trucks.

--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, "Ann"  wrote:
>
> 
> 
> --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, turquoiseb  wrote:
> >
> > I was having dinner with a friend from work last night in a small
> > restaurant on the Ile St. Louis, and it turned into an interesting
> > opportunity to teach, and to learn. My friend is someone I work with --
> > another American ex-pat, a former jazz pianist turned tech writer,
> > originally from San Francisco but living and working here in Europe for
> > the last dozen years, so we have a lot in common and lots to talk about.
> > But we wound up talking about none of those things because two people
> > came in and sat at the small table next to us.
> > 
> > They were an older woman (but younger than either of us) and a young
> > girl (who we learned was 12). The girl heard us talking in English and
> > started a conversation, and I'm glad she did. It turns out she is from
> > Atlanta, brought here by her grandmother for her first trip to Europe.
> > The grandmother is doing this because the young girl is an aspiring
> > artist, and she wanted her granddaughter to have the experience of
> > seeing this place and its art close up, in person.
> > 
> > And they both turned out to be charming. Both were so open to
> > suggestions as to what to see and where to go while in Paris, and my
> > friend and I both benefited from hearing them talk about the things
> > they'd seen so far. It was like being able to experience them for the
> > first time ourselves -- all the excitement, all the wonder.
> > 
> > It was a charming evening, and I hope that we were able to steer both of
> > them to some sights and experiences they will enjoy and cherish, and
> > that will inspire them as they inspired us. My biggest "take away" from
> > the evening, however, was seeing the joy in the young girl's eyes, and
> > in her grandmother's at having been able to help put it there, and
> > looking forward to being able to do the same thing some day for Maya.
> > 
> > Fuck enlightenment, or realization, or any of the things that people
> > here seem to "live for." If there is anything that'll inspire me to keep
> > on keepin' on for another few years, it's the idea of being able to show
> > Paris and other cool places to Maya for the first time...
> 
> Nice little puff piece until the last paragraph. What is it about you that 
> compels you to always kick out at the last minute? It is as if you are 
> obsessed with what you imagine others believe and you just HAVE to show them 
> you disagree. Most of what you project on others here is distorted or just 
> downright wrong and so you lash out with some weird assertion like the one 
> above just to somehow prove you are this renegade independent thinker when 
> all along you have created these self delusions of weak or stupid people who 
> populate the world around you. Give it up, let it go, move along and drop 
> your compulsion to put others down at every turn. There are two people inside 
> you Barry and the one who wrote the last paragraph (or at least the first 
> sentence of the last paragraph) is seriously out to lunch.
> >
>

[FairfieldLife] Re: Free Man In Paris, v3.01

[Richard J. Williams]

feste37:
> Of course he's angry. All his stories
> have only one purpose: to puff himself
> up and lash out at people on FFL, either
> as individuals or simply the group as a
> whole. The story he tells is just the
> setup. He is as predictable as a robot.
>
Barry was much more interesting when
he was 'Uncle Tantra' and ragging on
Delia.

These days he doesn't even seem to be
able to even get a date  for dinner. LoL!

You need to understand that expats get
very lonely sometimes and need to talk
to their own people. Expats get angry
when they don't have anyone to talk to,
because they think they're important
and people should listen. Go figure.

Uncle Tantra's RoadTripMind
 


> > I was having dinner with a friend from work last night in a small
> > restaurant on the Ile St. Louis, and it turned into an interesting
> > opportunity to teach, and to learn. My friend is someone I work with
--
> > another American ex-pat, a former jazz pianist turned tech writer,
> > originally from San Francisco but living and working here in Europe
for
> > the last dozen years, so we have a lot in common and lots to talk
about.
> > But we wound up talking about none of those things because two
people
> > came in and sat at the small table next to us.
> >
> > They were an older woman (but younger than either of us) and a young
> > girl (who we learned was 12). The girl heard us talking in English
and
> > started a conversation, and I'm glad she did. It turns out she is
from
> > Atlanta, brought here by her grandmother for her first trip to
Europe.
> > The grandmother is doing this because the young girl is an aspiring
> > artist, and she wanted her granddaughter to have the experience of
> > seeing this place and its art close up, in person.
> >
> > And they both turned out to be charming. Both were so open to
> > suggestions as to what to see and where to go while in Paris, and my
> > friend and I both benefited from hearing them talk about the things
> > they'd seen so far. It was like being able to experience them for
the
> > first time ourselves -- all the excitement, all the wonder.
> >
> > It was a charming evening, and I hope that we were able to steer
both of
> > them to some sights and experiences they will enjoy and cherish, and
> > that will inspire them as they inspired us. My biggest "take away"
from
> > the evening, however, was seeing the joy in the young girl's eyes,
and
> > in her grandmother's at having been able to help put it there, and
> > looking forward to being able to do the same thing some day for
Maya.
> >
> > Fuck enlightenment, or realization, or any of the things that people
> > here seem to "live for." If there is anything that'll inspire me to
keep
> > on keepin' on for another few years, it's the idea of being able to
show
> > Paris and other cool places to Maya for the first time...
> >
>

[FairfieldLife] Re: Free Man In Paris, v3.01

[feste37]

Of course he's angry. All his stories have only one purpose: to puff himself up 
and lash out at people on FFL, either as individuals or simply the group as a 
whole. The story he tells is just the setup. He is as predictable as a robot. 

--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Share Long  wrote:
>
> turq, I often encounter devoted and long term TMers who even currently enjoy 
> spending time with their children and grandchildren.  As regards living for 
> enlightenment, many of the sidhas I know are living for the sake of living 
> itself, the richness of it, just riding those waves of life.  Yes, they 
> engage in a particular activity to develop themselves more, but isn't that 
> part of being human?  For example, don't you yourself engage in activities 
> to develop as a writer?  Anyway, you sound angry in your last paragraph.  
> Were you?  If yes, why?        
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>  From: turquoiseb 
> To: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com 
> Sent: Saturday, May 25, 2013 4:59 AM
> Subject: [FairfieldLife] Free Man In Paris, v3.01
>  
> 
> 
>   
> I was having dinner with a friend from work last night in a small
> restaurant on the Ile St. Louis, and it turned into an interesting
> opportunity to teach, and to learn. My friend is someone I work with --
> another American ex-pat, a former jazz pianist turned tech writer,
> originally from San Francisco but living and working here in Europe for
> the last dozen years, so we have a lot in common and lots to talk about.
> But we wound up talking about none of those things because two people
> came in and sat at the small table next to us.
> 
> They were an older woman (but younger than either of us) and a young
> girl (who we learned was 12). The girl heard us talking in English and
> started a conversation, and I'm glad she did. It turns out she is from
> Atlanta, brought here by her grandmother for her first trip to Europe.
> The grandmother is doing this because the young girl is an aspiring
> artist, and she wanted her granddaughter to have the experience of
> seeing this place and its art close up, in person.
> 
> And they both turned out to be charming. Both were so open to
> suggestions as to what to see and where to go while in Paris, and my
> friend and I both benefited from hearing them talk about the things
> they'd seen so far. It was like being able to experience them for the
> first time ourselves -- all the excitement, all the wonder.
> 
> It was a charming evening, and I hope that we were able to steer both of
> them to some sights and experiences they will enjoy and cherish, and
> that will inspire them as they inspired us. My biggest "take away" from
> the evening, however, was seeing the joy in the young girl's eyes, and
> in her grandmother's at having been able to help put it there, and
> looking forward to being able to do the same thing some day for Maya.
> 
> Fuck enlightenment, or realization, or any of the things that people
> here seem to "live for." If there is anything that'll inspire me to keep
> on keepin' on for another few years, it's the idea of being able to show
> Paris and other cool places to Maya for the first time...
>

[FairfieldLife] Re: Free Man In Paris, v3.01

[Richard J. Williams]

> > I was having dinner with a friend from 
> > work last night
> >
Ann:
> Nice little puff piece until the last 
> paragraph... 
>
It's a coping mechanism, obviously. Barry 
doesn't want to talk about what's really
going on over there. If he concentrates
on his writing at the café and doesn't read
the newspaper, he can avoid facing reality.

I'd be willing to wager that Barry keeps his
U.S. Passport. LoL!

"Youth gang riots in the Swedish capital 
Stockholm have entered fifth straight night. 
Hundreds of mostly immigrant teenagers tore 
through the suburbs, smashing windows and 
burning cars in the country's worst outbreak 
of violence in years."

'Fifth night of youth rioting rocks Stockholm'
http://tinyurl.com/nv59zcu

[FairfieldLife] Re: Free Man In Paris, v3.01

[raunchydog]

--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, turquoiseb  wrote:
>
> I was having dinner with a friend from work last night in a small
> restaurant on the Ile St. Louis, and it turned into an interesting
> opportunity to teach, and to learn. My friend is someone I work with --
> another American ex-pat, a former jazz pianist turned tech writer,
> originally from San Francisco but living and working here in Europe for
> the last dozen years, so we have a lot in common and lots to talk about.
> But we wound up talking about none of those things because two people
> came in and sat at the small table next to us.
> 
> They were an older woman (but younger than either of us) and a young
> girl (who we learned was 12). The girl heard us talking in English and
> started a conversation, and I'm glad she did. It turns out she is from
> Atlanta, brought here by her grandmother for her first trip to Europe.
> The grandmother is doing this because the young girl is an aspiring
> artist, and she wanted her granddaughter to have the experience of
> seeing this place and its art close up, in person.
> 
> And they both turned out to be charming. Both were so open to
> suggestions as to what to see and where to go while in Paris, and my
> friend and I both benefited from hearing them talk about the things
> they'd seen so far. It was like being able to experience them for the
> first time ourselves -- all the excitement, all the wonder.
> 
> It was a charming evening, and I hope that we were able to steer both of
> them to some sights and experiences they will enjoy and cherish, and
> that will inspire them as they inspired us. My biggest "take away" from
> the evening, however, was seeing the joy in the young girl's eyes, and
> in her grandmother's at having been able to help put it there, and
> looking forward to being able to do the same thing some day for Maya.
> 
> Fuck enlightenment, or realization, or any of the things that people
> here seem to "live for." If there is anything that'll inspire me to keep
> on keepin' on for another few years, it's the idea of being able to show
> Paris and other cool places to Maya for the first time...
>

A sweet story with a bitter ending smacks of sour grapes.

[FairfieldLife] Re: Free Man In Paris, v3.01

[Ann]

--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, turquoiseb  wrote:
>
> I was having dinner with a friend from work last night in a small
> restaurant on the Ile St. Louis, and it turned into an interesting
> opportunity to teach, and to learn. My friend is someone I work with --
> another American ex-pat, a former jazz pianist turned tech writer,
> originally from San Francisco but living and working here in Europe for
> the last dozen years, so we have a lot in common and lots to talk about.
> But we wound up talking about none of those things because two people
> came in and sat at the small table next to us.
> 
> They were an older woman (but younger than either of us) and a young
> girl (who we learned was 12). The girl heard us talking in English and
> started a conversation, and I'm glad she did. It turns out she is from
> Atlanta, brought here by her grandmother for her first trip to Europe.
> The grandmother is doing this because the young girl is an aspiring
> artist, and she wanted her granddaughter to have the experience of
> seeing this place and its art close up, in person.
> 
> And they both turned out to be charming. Both were so open to
> suggestions as to what to see and where to go while in Paris, and my
> friend and I both benefited from hearing them talk about the things
> they'd seen so far. It was like being able to experience them for the
> first time ourselves -- all the excitement, all the wonder.
> 
> It was a charming evening, and I hope that we were able to steer both of
> them to some sights and experiences they will enjoy and cherish, and
> that will inspire them as they inspired us. My biggest "take away" from
> the evening, however, was seeing the joy in the young girl's eyes, and
> in her grandmother's at having been able to help put it there, and
> looking forward to being able to do the same thing some day for Maya.
> 
> Fuck enlightenment, or realization, or any of the things that people
> here seem to "live for." If there is anything that'll inspire me to keep
> on keepin' on for another few years, it's the idea of being able to show
> Paris and other cool places to Maya for the first time...

Nice little puff piece until the last paragraph. What is it about you that 
compels you to always kick out at the last minute? It is as if you are obsessed 
with what you imagine others believe and you just HAVE to show them you 
disagree. Most of what you project on others here is distorted or just 
downright wrong and so you lash out with some weird assertion like the one 
above just to somehow prove you are this renegade independent thinker when all 
along you have created these self delusions of weak or stupid people who 
populate the world around you. Give it up, let it go, move along and drop your 
compulsion to put others down at every turn. There are two people inside you 
Barry and the one who wrote the last paragraph (or at least the first sentence 
of the last paragraph) is seriously out to lunch.
>

[FairfieldLife] Re: Free Man In Paris, v3.01

[doctordumbass]

See, Barry, before the mind has been conditioned to uphold deep silence at all 
times (no matter what the rest of the mind is doing, even sleeping), the only 
choices are to follow the small self, the obvious identity, or, keep reaching, 
surrendering and questioning. Doing good works. This, then, is at least a 
compensation for the immature state of the mind. Before it has gained its 
freedom in eternal silence, better to concentrate on doing good. Good karma, 
and a chance for liberation. 

Otherwise, by continuing to give in to that which is most unnatural, the small 
self, rather than using the personality as a convenience and wonderful tool to 
make every dream in life come true, it becomes a shield, an inhibitor, 
increasing duality, instead of the possibility of oneness. 

But if we culture humility, openness, friendliness, and curiosity about 
ourselves, inside and out, the duality has a chance of being eliminated, 
allowing us to join the rest of the universe, that simply waits for us to see 
it.

--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, doctordumbass@...  wrote:
>
> I always enjoy seeing you post normal posts, trying to express your humanity. 
> The only thing that was a little weird was your fantasy at the end, about 
> showing your roomies' daughter, Paris, as if you are related to her. Just 
> seemed a bit like the dream of a lonely old guy. 
> 
> Otherwise, yes, it actually warms the heart to assist strangers. For some 
> reason I always look like I know where I am, and am often asked for 
> directions, in whatever city I am in. I have had some great conversations 
> that way!
>  
> If you were a nicer person overall, you wouldn't have to make a big show of 
> it, by describing every time that you are nice to someone. It really should 
> be the reverse, that those times you are feeling hostile and insecure, be in 
> the minority, instead of running your life.
> 
> Glad to see you are working on it, though.:-)
> 
> --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, turquoiseb  wrote:
> >
> > I was having dinner with a friend from work last night in a small
> > restaurant on the Ile St. Louis, and it turned into an interesting
> > opportunity to teach, and to learn. My friend is someone I work with --
> > another American ex-pat, a former jazz pianist turned tech writer,
> > originally from San Francisco but living and working here in Europe for
> > the last dozen years, so we have a lot in common and lots to talk about.
> > But we wound up talking about none of those things because two people
> > came in and sat at the small table next to us.
> > 
> > They were an older woman (but younger than either of us) and a young
> > girl (who we learned was 12). The girl heard us talking in English and
> > started a conversation, and I'm glad she did. It turns out she is from
> > Atlanta, brought here by her grandmother for her first trip to Europe.
> > The grandmother is doing this because the young girl is an aspiring
> > artist, and she wanted her granddaughter to have the experience of
> > seeing this place and its art close up, in person.
> > 
> > And they both turned out to be charming. Both were so open to
> > suggestions as to what to see and where to go while in Paris, and my
> > friend and I both benefited from hearing them talk about the things
> > they'd seen so far. It was like being able to experience them for the
> > first time ourselves -- all the excitement, all the wonder.
> > 
> > It was a charming evening, and I hope that we were able to steer both of
> > them to some sights and experiences they will enjoy and cherish, and
> > that will inspire them as they inspired us. My biggest "take away" from
> > the evening, however, was seeing the joy in the young girl's eyes, and
> > in her grandmother's at having been able to help put it there, and
> > looking forward to being able to do the same thing some day for Maya.
> > 
> > Fuck enlightenment, or realization, or any of the things that people
> > here seem to "live for." If there is anything that'll inspire me to keep
> > on keepin' on for another few years, it's the idea of being able to show
> > Paris and other cool places to Maya for the first time...
> >
>

[FairfieldLife] Re: Free Man In Paris, v3.01

[doctordumbass]

I always enjoy seeing you post normal posts, trying to express your humanity. 
The only thing that was a little weird was your fantasy at the end, about 
showing your roomies' daughter, Paris, as if you are related to her. Just 
seemed a bit like the dream of a lonely old guy. 

Otherwise, yes, it actually warms the heart to assist strangers. For some 
reason I always look like I know where I am, and am often asked for directions, 
in whatever city I am in. I have had some great conversations that way!
 
If you were a nicer person overall, you wouldn't have to make a big show of it, 
by describing every time that you are nice to someone. It really should be the 
reverse, that those times you are feeling hostile and insecure, be in the 
minority, instead of running your life.

Glad to see you are working on it, though.:-)

--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, turquoiseb  wrote:
>
> I was having dinner with a friend from work last night in a small
> restaurant on the Ile St. Louis, and it turned into an interesting
> opportunity to teach, and to learn. My friend is someone I work with --
> another American ex-pat, a former jazz pianist turned tech writer,
> originally from San Francisco but living and working here in Europe for
> the last dozen years, so we have a lot in common and lots to talk about.
> But we wound up talking about none of those things because two people
> came in and sat at the small table next to us.
> 
> They were an older woman (but younger than either of us) and a young
> girl (who we learned was 12). The girl heard us talking in English and
> started a conversation, and I'm glad she did. It turns out she is from
> Atlanta, brought here by her grandmother for her first trip to Europe.
> The grandmother is doing this because the young girl is an aspiring
> artist, and she wanted her granddaughter to have the experience of
> seeing this place and its art close up, in person.
> 
> And they both turned out to be charming. Both were so open to
> suggestions as to what to see and where to go while in Paris, and my
> friend and I both benefited from hearing them talk about the things
> they'd seen so far. It was like being able to experience them for the
> first time ourselves -- all the excitement, all the wonder.
> 
> It was a charming evening, and I hope that we were able to steer both of
> them to some sights and experiences they will enjoy and cherish, and
> that will inspire them as they inspired us. My biggest "take away" from
> the evening, however, was seeing the joy in the young girl's eyes, and
> in her grandmother's at having been able to help put it there, and
> looking forward to being able to do the same thing some day for Maya.
> 
> Fuck enlightenment, or realization, or any of the things that people
> here seem to "live for." If there is anything that'll inspire me to keep
> on keepin' on for another few years, it's the idea of being able to show
> Paris and other cool places to Maya for the first time...
>