mermaidcamp
Keeping current in wellness, in and out of the water
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Palomar Hotel San Diego
August 11, 2012
I stayed last Sunday night at the Palomar Hotel downtown San Diego. My stay was scheduled as a birthday celebration for my friend Beth, who lives in Encinitas. After a visit to the farmers’ market we needed a restaurant because this was not the market we had imagined. Fresh citrus juice was a treat, but unlike the many other area markets, this one had few fresh food, or prepared food stands. I would call it more of a craft fair with a little bit of food. Fortunately the area is full of restaurants, so we found one that met our lunch needs, then sent the birthday woman ahead to the Se Spa at the hotel to report for her Thai pedicure. The three kids and I followed at a leisurely pace, and found the room was ready for check in when we reached the hotel. Up we went to the 16th floor to delight in the amazing suite with a balcony from which we could see the pool party deck. I really adore the post modern style of the Palomar as it combines with the historical and modern buildings surrounding it. The suite suited me perfectly. A large kitchen, a wet bar, and a dining room adjoin the spacious bedroom and walk in closet space. We all loved the balcony, with a cozy sitting area and an interesting view. Sleek, modern boutique style evokes something entirely different from home, which is precisely what I want from a hotel.
Post pedicure we went to the pool deck to enjoy some afternoon DJ action, a hip lounge area, and snack service from the Saltbox restaurant. The pool is shallow, very nicely heated, and includes underwater speakers playing the same tunes you hear on the deck. One reason I am such a big fan of the Kimpton Hotel chain is the other guests one finds enjoying the ambience. In each of the 4 Kimptons I have visited I found locals like to hang out at the bars and restaurants. Even in trendy Aspen, CO, the Sky bar is popular apre ski with Aspenites. The Palomar is the first one in which I saw no visiting dogs. The dog guests have been at the happy hours socializing over wine in the other 3 Kimptons I have visited. A friendly and casual atmosphere is created that attracts different age groups and foreign tourists, mostly European. At the pool we were joined by some local friends who stayed for a couple of drinks, then said good bye. As festive days go this one was a complete success. The pedicure was a happy time with lovely results for the birthday toes. The pool deck was the perfect place to receive guests and relax.
After packing in the pool party we moved right downstairs to the Saltbox restaurant for a quick, delicious dinner with the kids. I needed a cappuccino to be able to make it to the next round of activities. In the spacious suite, with the exciting city lights around us, I had one more job to complete. Thanks to the big dining table the sewing lesson was easy to do. We cut out a skirt, threaded the machine, I demonstrated gathering, and whipped up a skirt to be finished at home by the students. Sending the Beth and her family home in their pajamas after a full day of celebration I was tired and content. When I reached the 16th floor again on my own, I was treated to a fireworks display above the buildings, out over the water. For me, it was the perfect ending to the perfect day.
kids like the balcony
Pool deck at Palomar
Archetypes in the Ancestors
July 30, 2012
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Santo Bassano My 12th great grandfather Birth 1440 in Bassano, , Del, Italy Death 1492 in Venice, Venezia, Veneto, Italy
If anyone had asked me 10 years ago to go on a trip to investigate my ancestors I am not sure what my response might have been. I had a typed document composed by my maternal great grandmother with information about my heritage, but had never given much thought to investigating genealogy. My mother died and the stock market crashed, all in short order in early 2008. My inheritance suddenly became a freaky nightmare. As I pondered what in the world these people had left me and why I saw an ad from ancestry.com gifting me with two weeks of free play on the site. Surely this would offer more insight into the nature of my true inheritance, and be a lot more fun than watching the market crash and burn. Indeed it has been.
I have been a strong enthusiast from the first moment I saw those historical documents on line. My membership makes me extremely happy, and gives me insight. Now that I am more proficient with the tools on the site, and now that I am back to the middle ages there is nothing I can imagine more fascinating than knowing about my ancestors. I went straight from gin rummy to ancestry without even playing pac man, so other “computer games” have never appealed to me. Now, however, I am on a quest to know more..and there will always be more. I can also look at my tree now from an overview to see “trends”. Both sides have patterns of repeating occupations. My mother has a whole lot of preachers, and my dad has a long line of teachers. Both, naturally, have a few unsolved mystery peeps and scalawags. My most desired “prize” in the game is portraiture. When you see the image of your ancestor, or even the handwriting, or the gravestone, or the place they were born something within engages with the past like never before. Once you have more knowledge of where you family was and what they did during history your bond to history deepens. It is possible to view your antecedents as part of an epic saga that results in your birth. They are the real players that took the stage to express themselves and create new generations in the world.
The archetypes in my dreams are played by my ancestors, dressed up in their period costuming. When there are written records it is easier to piece together details and locations. When there is a picture, however, I find that they virtually come to life in my imagination (memory?). The only thing we know for sure is that without them we could not exist. We must also assume some human error and downright mendacity exists in the records. Still, more accuracy and data is available all the time. I recently joined a DNA study in its infancy/beta stage. Unlike the traveler I was 10 years ago, my next giant thrill is going to be a trip to Jamestown and Williamsburg. I visited often as a child and always loved it. Now I know both sides of my family are buried all over the place, having played roles in the first settlement on the James River. In the old days I used to research markets and restaurants before a visit. This time it is all about the history, the dead peeps, the reenactment and my connection to it.
William Carpenter My 9th great grandfather Birth 23 May 1605 in Somerset, England Death 7 Feb 1659 in Rehoboth, Bristol, Massachusetts, United States
Elizabeth Plantagenet My 16th great grandmother Birth 1364 in Leicester, Leicestershire, , England Death 24 Nov 1425 in Burford, Shropshire, , England
Archetypes in Dreams
July 29, 2012
I am studying a modern version of Carl Jung’s archetypes for a glimpse into the intuitive world. I have always thought that every person has intuitive gifts of various kinds that could be considered talents. My teacher is Caroline Myss, who works as a medical intuitive. I am fascinated by the subject matter as well as the teaching style of Ms Myss. I assumed that in CMED…the on line and in person institute, we would learn protocol to teach us to interpret the archetype wheels of others as a skill. While this is all true it has been revealed that her belief is that everyone has an equal ability to sharpen intuition and heal others. The difference is practice, study, and a steady, perpetual, spiritual aspiration.
I have needed to change my routine to make this study a priority and a dedicated practice. There is a need to do a lot of written work to make the natures of your own archetypes known to you. I have just started my dream journal, which must be right next to the bed with the mini book light and pen attached so I can write with as little fuss as possible when I awaken. I managed a few words today, but know I will improve. I have studied my own dreams with a dream journal before. A long time ago I even practiced lucid dreaming. These skills drop away like a foreign language not spoken. I know how well one can improve both memory and details of the dream world by intending to do it, and staying steady with a practice.
I have in the past done written explorations and interview exercises with everything from dead professors to my own body parts. I once took an extensive course in “Inner Child” that required the child respond to questions by writing with the non dominant hand. I was very surprised at the accuracy of the answers, if not the handwriting, of my various inner children. Now my task is to recognize the 12 dominant archetypes active in my life, place them in a timeline in my life, then interview them to know more about them. In an effort to disobey the homework assignments I quickly skimmed the materials and did no assignments as I read and listened to the work the teachers have put into the class. I have gone as for as I can as a rebel. Written assignments are the heart of the work, therefore the teacher in my 11th house has to step up now to create an atmosphere of discipline. This is clearly not a matter to leave to my rebel, hedonist, detective, alchemist, shape shifter, or magical child. I am starting to notice this is like strength and flexibility for the soul. Core strength, range of motion, and balance in the mental, emotional, and spiritual realms are skills that can be developed through practice. Even in our dreams we can work toward greater understanding and integration.
Amazon Prime Seduction
July 25, 2012
I had a specific need for a pen with a light at the tip to assist me in dream journaling without waking very much. Since I wanted it right away I took the route of visiting my local Staples store, where this was not available. I do love bricks and mortar shopping less and less, especially when I turn up empty. My natural reaction is to hunt online anyhow, since I love having things delivered to me. Amazon, of course, had a wide selection, so I decided and placed the order. At that time I was offered a free month of Amazon Prime, which would instantly give me free shipping. Why not? I stopped the auto renew at the end of the month and proceeded to buy a book, just because I have free shipping.
The next thing they do, after you become “Prime” is give you one click ordering..to take you to the ultimate instant gratification place. You can order anything ( well almost anything on earth) with one click and it will be delivered for free in two days. The Jetsons themselves could never have imagined this. I quickly fell under the spell and ordered a couple more office things. Then I cruised the free TV shows and movies you can steam as a “Prime”. I decided that it is possible that these people will succeed in making me pay $79 a year and be completely sucked into the concept of “getting my money’s worth” by buying every single thing I buy from them. Since this is only my third day in Prime territory and I already feel the urge to go find out exactly what ALL I can have delivered for free, I say the Amazon strategy is working very well for them. The most seductive of all for me may be the free instant access to kindle books, zapped to my iPad in 60 seconds or less….be still my heart.
I have heard that many people operate in the Prime Amazon zone. I think it is funny in a way because it replicates the Sears or Penny’s catalog shopping that provided merchandise to rural America when I was kid. I believe I will resist the lure to do it, but they have another 27 days to convince me that they are all I will ever need. If they have their way I will be done…. right there at Amazon, forever.
Archetypes
July 17, 2012
I have begun an in-depth study of archetypes with Caroline Myss, a favorite author. She has recorded the lessons and homework for an on line course entitled Sacred Contracts, based on her popular book of the same name. As a home student I have already done a few things out of order, which seems to go along with my choice of the rebel in my core archetype group. I am a teacher, another one of my core archetypes, but this is balanced by the rebel not exactly following any orders ever. It is fascinating and will eventually make me follow all the sequences in order because I really do want to learn to teach this subject.
The process I am learning is based in part on the kind of Jungian analysis that takes years with a therapist to achieve big expensive revelations. The archetypes used by Jung, and also made popular by Joseph Campbell, Bill Moyers, and PBS, are similar to the gods in any pantheon. They are primal forces, and active participants in the journey of the soul. When I was about 40 a friend gave me a book about analysis and archetypes and proclaimed that I am definitely Aphrodite. With this intro, I read the book and agreed with my friend. I don’t remember much about the book, but am sure I was not enough involved with the depth of the subject at that time to be able correlate what I read with my life experience. I just liked the idea that my friend saw me as Aphrodite.
Now as I honestly remember and become familiar with these players on the karmic stage I am struck with how powerful they can be. I am in the very beginning of an understanding that is changing the way I perceive time, space, and matter. I feel that I am expanding my way of looking at phenomena. Usually one needs to look back over time to notice profound change. This one I am doing on purpose. Since the purpose is to discover the purpose of my life, I thought it best to do it on purpose. I have done similar studies and reading before so I feel appropriately warmed up to the task. I love being a student, and this subject matter suits me perfectly.
Intended Consequences
July 16, 2012
When the separate fluid streams in life..your athletic stream, your family stream, your professional stream, your fashion stream, and infinitely tiny streams of all kinds are all running in different directions, you live in the delta of waste. Running from one separate watershed to the next must mean that all the others are ignored to concentrate on a single stream of activity or thought for a period of time. The downstream result of so many running but untended sources is flooding. How does a flash flood of misdirection make itself known? There are warning signs when one becomes unable to tend all the investments that have been made. There may be dramatic messages from others who either blame you or encourage you to continue to loose focus. There is cultural agreement that society is in general unhealthy and overextended which seems to act as an alibi for lack of consciousness. Stress is blamed, nurtured, managed, and released according to one’s ability to coordinate life’s diverse responsibilities.
If you been and ended your days differently, how could you asses your situation with more calmness and effectiveness? The “thesis” of the day can be set like a 500 word paper, outlined with some organizational points, and some focus is added. The end of the day can feature a brief review to notice if and how the theme of the day has been carried out or not. From Leonardo da Vinci to Ben Franklin the creative among us have devised systems to do this kind of intention setting followed by a scientific measurement of success. We can all benefit from a system that allows us to know ourselves and the different roles we play in our own liberation and happiness.
Herbal Bath
July 16, 2012
If your schedule for stress reduction activities will not permit a voyage to a pampering destination, and your budget is one of the reasons you stress, take matters into your own hands. If you own a bathtub you can create a ritual to soothe and treat your mood. Water is the emotional element, and soaking in scented water changes the way you feel quickly. Instead of leaving home to find relaxation, make an herbal bath appointment with yourself.
I have enjoyed studying aromatherapy and using essential oils for years. I even have my own copper still to distill plants, although I have not done that recently. The efficacy of botanical medicine is central to my own self care regime. Herbal bathing can be meditative, medicinal, or just pleasurable. If you have the good fortune to harvest herbs from your own or native aromatic plants, all the better. A time observing the beauty and grace of the plant combined with a formal or informal request for healing from the plant creates the setting for ritual. Roses make a beautiful addition to any bath combo. This practice does not have to be elaborate, but setting time and attention aside for this can have more positive healing results that you might imagine.
For stimulation you may try mint, rosemary and lemon verbena in combination. A restful bath might have chamomile or melissa. Your personal preference is all that really matters when you decide to use herbs in your bath. A few drops of essential oil can be dropped into a bath tub, but I like to use sachets of herbs ( fresh or dried) I mix for the occasion. Using a piece of fabric such as tule in about a 12 inch circle or square, pile the herbs in the center. Fold the edges together and tie with a ribbon or string. Place the sachet in the tub with all hot water for about 20 minutes to brew before you take your bath. When you enter the tub adjust the temperature to your liking, keeping the sachet in the tub with you. Disconnect from all your outside responsibilities. Take 20 minutes completely as a gift to your body. Soak in fresh energetic scents from the sachet while letting go of everything outside the tub. Most importantly decide what qualities or stress producers you want to cleanse from your life. Start with 20 minutes of freedom. Find other simple ways to incorporate physical pleasure and mental relaxation into your everyday life. It is worth the effort.
Your God Particle
July 12, 2012
“Everything is determined, the beginning as well as the end, by forces over which we have no control. It is determined for the insect as well as for the star. Human beings, vegetables, or cosmic dust, we all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible player.” -Albert Einstein
As you dance do you hear your own tune? Entheos, or god within, as conceptualized by the ancient Greeks, is a divine power hidden from a person’s nature that allows or motivates that person to do outstanding deeds. Enthusiasm is derived from this Greek word, indicating a divine origin. The sacred eternal artist in you responds to certain internal ideas or feelings that trigger creativity. The art you create can be as mundane as a sandwich for lunch and as grand as a mosaic all over your back porch. It will be years before the theoretical physicists can interpret the findings made about the God particle. Even then, if we are not fluent in the jargon the findings may mean nothing to us.
What will you do today that will outlast you? What kind of dance would you be doing if you tuned in more to the music? Do you believe that your own personal creativity is a divine gift in which you must have a certain kind of faith? Do you look for mystery or avoid it?
Local Color
July 10, 2012
On Saturday we checked into the Windmill Inn at St. Philip’s Plaza in Tucson for a one night staycation. I have recently made an arrangement to offer exotic aquatic packages, mermaid makeovers, and Floatli training to the guests of the hotel. We will be able to offer guests a very good price to stay at this great location. Since it is impossible to know how well a hotel operates without checking in, we did. I am more than pleased with every aspect of the property. They do allow dogs, & ours loves hotels. She was impressed right from the start when she received a welcome bag of dog treats at check in.
The staff at the hotel is well trained and helpful at every turn . They have a few services we did not try, such as room service delivery of breakfast and a paper at the requested hour. There was also an in room dining menu from a local provider that we did not use, since we decided to try a local hot spot for dinner. Union is the latest cool bar with urban post industrial decor, hip cocktails, and some pretty good food. It is popular with all ages, and gets crowded in the evening. We went at about 4:30 to avoid the rush. The decor and atmosphere was pleasing, food and drinks good, but the service at the table, disappointing. We decided we might return, but will sit at the bar to try for better service next time.
hotel hound does a site inspection
sunflowers bloom in St Philip’s Plaza
trendy cool pub
beer and cocktail
On Sunday morning at St Philips’s Plaza the farmers’ market sets up early. We are happy to have many farmers as well as artisan cheese, bread, salsa, jelly, and butter makers attending the market as vendors each week. There are prepared treats from food trucks like Planet of the Crepes, and organic produce of all kinds available for shoppers. Live music usually serenades the customers, many of who bring dogs to the plaza with them. Everything from prickly pear syrup, to squash blossoms, to herb plants is on sale. For me, this is as close as I get in regular daily life to a European street market. For a foodie in Tucson this market is the best place to discover the tastiest of any season. This week we are savoring some local melons, cucumbers, tomatoes and greens.
local farmers
Fresh eggplant
herb plants for sale
purple asparagus and beans
The reason I am so crazy about the location is not just the farmer’s market. The river walk is right outside the door, and several excellent restaurants surround the property. Right across the street is Trader Joe’s in case you need to pick up some specialty groceries, wine or beer. Body Works Studio offers classes and private lessons in Fletcher Pilates method. I had a great time having my make up air brushed on for our video shoot right across the street at Heat, a new concept for looking good. The high quality, locally owned businesses, the convenience of walking to experience them, and the recreation available by walking, running or riding the river walk make St. Philip’s Plaza Tucson’s best location for discovering local art and culture. Why travel if not to discover?
B B Bunny
July 3, 2012
I want to share some choice content from long ago. This was a segment on The Twit Show, Tucson Arizona public access variety show. I met my good friend Charley Brown when we both were producing public access shows in the 1980s and worked together on a few. My all time favorite public access segment was B B Bunny, who did a couple of appearances with her dog and lady trainer. . I laugh forever at then mention of BB’s name, mostly because BB’s lady is so dead serious. This stuff was recorded on tape, often lost, and who has a VCR to play them now anyhow? I assumed BB was gone as many of the great so bad they were good moments we created. When Charley let me know he had excavated BB in a Christmas special, I ran right over to watch go wild over my favorite talent. You may very well not share my total fanhood of this act, but I do want to give you the chance. Here she is, BB uncut:
I will soon do a shoot with Charley and his adorable almost 4 year old daughter, who will be dressed as a mermaid. Technical things certainly have changed but so many aspects of an outdoor shoot at a pool have not. Many silly in jokes we had about TV production are coming to mind, including a couple of imaginary shows we had, “Narcissism Today”, and “Cooking with Narcisso and Dolores”. We acted out the parts of desperate actors upstaging each other for camera and spotlight. These shows always opened with one of us stepping totally in front of the other, hogging the shot, while saying, “Sorry Narcisso (or Dolores) couldn’t join us today”, while the one in the back struggled into the shot. For some reason, this silly joke, just like BB, always makes me laugh. I look forward to the shoot this weekend..have learned from the past…don’t start the out of control laughing until the shoot is in the can. Then we shall, indeed, laugh.
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