Blog Blog Woof Woof

Desires achieved increase thirst like salt water. Milarepa, " Drinking the Mountain Stream "

It is necessary to cultivate some discipline of mind, for an undisciplined mind always finds excuses to act selfishly and thoughtlessly. When the mind is undisciplined, the body is also undisciplined, and so is speech and action. Anguttara Nikaya

Good luck to Davis-Kidd Booksellers in Nashville. Tomrrow is their grand re-opening! The store looks great and the customers will love it.

Detach from all mental objects, stop all thoughts: do not let either good or bad thoughts enter your thinking, do not keep either Buddhist teachings or worldly phenomena in mind. Huai-t'ang

Now that I have been a bookseller for one month I think it's appropriate for me to include myself in this tradition. The article below showed me that book retail is different from other types of retail. I thought Davis-Kidd was odd in the way it handles customer service but now I see that it is bookselling in general that is different that music retail or the other retail environs I've worked. NOW! If there are any people with library/archive contacts (especially in Nashville) I need a library job! Confessions of a Reformed Bookseller: What Working in a Bookstore Taught Me About Being a Librarian by Jennifer Arnold They say that everyone loves a parade, but it's probably more likely that everyone loves a great bookstore. After all, it is hard to resist, with its overstuffed armchairs, the smell of fresh-roasted coffee, and, of course, the rows and rows of books - just waiting to be read! It's pretty safe to say that librarians tend to enjoy bookstores due to all these

I alone will practice all that is wholesome. Those who are powerless and under the control of karma and delusion are unable to benefit themselves or attain their own purposes. Worldly people are completely unable to make their lives meaningful. Therefore, I shall practice what is wholesome for the benefit of all sentient beings. While others are engaged in inferior and menial tasks in which they encounter many difficulties, how can I sit here at peace and do nothing? I must and shall benefit them, but without ever succumbing to the poison of self-importance. Santideva, "Bodhicaryavatara"

Help a creative force remain so. the Man: Michael Brecker the Disease: Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Rosa Parks died today

Sunset at 7 Acres Campsite Originally uploaded by bmitd67 . Tara and I took LJ & Yhazmyn on a camping trip with Mike and Chad. It ended up being more of a cookout b/c we ALL left before bed. Mike set up his tent but decided not to sleep out... This is a very nice campground near Percy Priest Lake. And is it just me or is there something wrong with campers who have ELECTRIC Jack-o-laterns and strung lights around their campsite?

Drinking the nourishment, the flavor, of seclusion & calm, one is freed from evil, devoid of distress, refreshed with the nourishment of rapture in the Dhamma. Dhammapada, 16, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.

Laura was a high school classmate. We didn't have too many classes together...she was one of the smart, most likely to suceed, student gov't types. I was a non-descript, fair-to-middlin student. She's done really well with her traditionalist, rootsy country; and eventhough she's a Nashvillian, she's a musical outsider and that makes her thing a little cooler. Laura Cantrell's Humming by the Flowered Vine

Remember a couple of days ago I mentioned that a neighborhood kid said his apartment complex was fun if you liked people fighting and shooting. Well now we know what he's talking about. Two men arrested in E. Nashville shooting death

By charity, goodness, restraint, and self-control men and woman alike can store up a well-hidden treasure -- a treasure which cannot be given to others and which robbers cannot steal. A wise person should do good -- that is the treasure which will not leave one. "Khuddhaka Patha"

When do you decide that you have attained such a station in life that you can assume others are inferior? That's not worded well but that is the basic idea of what I'm asking. When do you know that you have the right and true way of doing things or being someone? I've already mentioned that I am working at a bookstore; a very cool, a very liberal bookstore . What I didn't mention - for those who don't live in Nashville - is that this bookstore is in a upper middle-class, upper class part of Nashville. Some of these folks have some serious M-O-N-E-Y. Some of the patrons come in with this attitude. They do things to the cashiers and the rest of the booksellers that you just don't do to people you respect. For example, it's not uncommon for them to grab a Tennessean or a NYT from the doorway and come to the counter, toss (literally) the buck fifty or whatever on the counter, yell out what its for and turn around to go back out the door. Now, I've worked e

Netflix for the socially conscious. Ironweed

Greed, I say, is a great flood; it is a whirlpool sucking one down, a constant yearning, seeking a hold, continually in movement; difficult to cross is the morass of sensual desire. A sage does not deviate from truth, a brahmana stands on firm ground; renouncing all, he is truly called 'calmed.' Sutta Nipata

United vs. Fire Game 1: Friday, 9 p.m. at Chicago Game 2: Sunday, Oct. 30, 4:30 p.m. at Washington Series Tied, 0-0 MetroStars vs. Revolution Game 1: Saturday, 7 p.m. at MetroStars Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 29, 8 p.m. at New England Series Tied, 0-0 FC Dallas vs. Rapids Game 1: Saturday, 9 p.m. at Colorado Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 29, 8:30 p.m. at New England Series Tied, 0-0 Earthquakes vs. Galaxy Game 1: Sunday, 3 p.m. at Los Angeles Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 29, 10 p.m. at San Jose Series Tied, 0-0

Adu Attempts to Clear the Air I can only imagine what this kid is thinking but somebody needs to tell him to slow down. 16 of 25 starts, I don't think that's bad for a 2nd year player. Granted, Freddie is not your avg 2nd year player but I think that's pretty good.

Do these look like the salaries of pro atheletes...some of these guys (Eddie Pope, Tony Sannah) have been in and around the MLS since it began! Landon Donovan Los Angeles 900,000 Eddie Johnson FC Dallas 875,000 Freddy Adu D.C. 300,000 Ramon Ramirez Chivas USA 425,000 Josh Wolff Kansas City 350,000 Clint Mathis Salt Lake City 270,000 Eddie Pope Salt Lake City 314,782 Tony Sanneh Chicago 285,000 Chris Armas Chicago 250,000 Jovan Kirovski Los Angeles 175,000

When tranquility is developed, what purpose does it serve? The mind is developed. And when the mind is developed, what purpose does it serve? Passion is abandoned. When insight is developed, what purpose does it serve? Discernment is developed. And when discernment is developed, what purpose does it serve? Ignorance is abandoned. Anguttara Nikaya

Floss Properly . Today, after 2 months of pretty intense dental cleaning , my dentist has referred me to a periodondist . (How sad) I was never taught how to floss and it was never pressed upon me as a necessity, now as a 38 year old, I have to get some intense treatment. PS: I apparently grind my teeth...

My outlook has decided to freak out on me today. Everything I update causes it to crash.

If we divide into two camps--even into violent and the nonviolent--and stand in one camp while attacking the other, the world will never have peace. We will always blame and condemn those we feel are responsible for wars and social injustice, without recognizing the degree of violence within ourselves. We must work on ourselves and also with those we condemn if we want to have a real impact. Ayya Khema, " Be An Island "

Old Firehall Originally uploaded by bmitd67 . Old School Firehall in my neighbor hood. There is a Wal-Mart "neighborhood" store next to it, I'm surprised they didn't tear this bldg down.

I've been a DAT Taper for a long time and I knew I'd made the big time when I could get a DAP-1...this puppy is definitely the nail in the coffin of that level of sophistication. Tascam HD-P2 High-Def Flash Recorder: DAT's All, Folks - createdigitalmusic.com

From striving comes wisdom; from not, wisdom's end. Knowing these two courses --to development decline-- conduct yourself so that wisdom will grow. Dhammapada, 20, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.

"When such a situation is in a stadium, stop the game, identify the people. You kick them out of the stadium and they never come back. But this is not enough. It is only when you touch a club or a national federation by deducting points. " But Blatter said that couldn't apply at the World Cup because fans might use that punishment as a way of affecting results.

Seven Brazilians make FIFA Player of the Year shortlist Thirty men in contention Men: Adriano Brazil Michael Ballack Germany David Beckham England Gianluigi Buffon Italy Cafú Brazil Ronaldo Cristiano Portugal Deco Portugal Didier Drogba Côte d'Ivoire Michael Essien Ghana Samuel Eto'o Cameroon Steven Gerrard England Thierry Henry France Zlatan Ibrahimovic Sweden Kaká Brazil Frank Lampard England Paolo Maldini Italy Pavel Nedved Czech Republic Alessandro Nesta Italy Jay-Jay Okocha Nigeria Raúl Spain Juan Román Riquelme Argentina Arjen Robben Netherlands Roberto Carlos Brazil Robinho Brazil Ronaldinho

ALA Council passes resolution on connection between Iraq War, libraries. Everybody wants a piece of the pie. Not that this is a bad thing I just think it's a bit off course.

For one who is in the habit of constantly honoring and respecting the elders, four blessings increase—age, beauty, bliss, and strength. Dhammapada 109

"Lost Boys" of Sudan are in the 9 percent of nonwhite students among 1,383 undergraduates on the remote, scenic campus.

I live near an apartment complex ( Section 8 ) and I overheard to 13 year old boys talking, one (Michael) lives in the apartment complex, the other (Justin) lives in a 1930s brick home. Justin asked Michael if it was fun living in these apartments. Michael responded: If you like people fighting and shooting at each other, yeah.

If your mind becomes firm like a rock And no longer shakes In a world where everything is shaking, Your mind will be your greatest friend And suffering will not come your way. Theragatha

Paul "Wine" Jones who liked beer better (but it didn't sound as good) has died . I always liked Paul. This has been a bad Fall for Fat Possum ...a bad Fall for the Blues!

Career Advice Article # Aggressive # Ambitious # Competent # Creative # Detail-oriented # Determined # Efficient # Experienced # Flexible # Goal-oriented # Hard-working # Independent # Innovative # Knowledgeable # Logical # Motivated # Meticulous # People person # Professional # Reliable # Resourceful # Self-motivated # Successful # Team player # Well-organized

Sewanee Fog Originally uploaded by bmitd67 . A Gothic Cathedral smothered by fog in the middle of Tennessee... That would be All Saints' Chapel on the campus of the University of the South ...my alma mater . This is one of a few photos I took while on the Mountain this past weekend for the first "Alumni of Color Reunion".

Everything is as it is. It has no name other than the name we give it. It is we who call it something; we give it a value. We say this thing is good or it's bad, but in itself, the thing is only as it is. It's not absolute; it's just as it is. People are just as they are. Ajahn Sumedho, " The Mind and the Way "

Sewanee may be right but the football team has had problems for a long time. DePauw 34, Sewanee 0 the Winner: DePauw the Loser: Sewanee

If you keep thinking "That man has abused me," holding it as a much-cherished grievance, your anger will never be allayed. If you can put down that fury-inducing thought, your anger will lessen. Fury will never end fury, it will just ricochet on and on. Only putting it down will end such an abysmal state. Sunnata Vagga

Center for Science in the Public Interest

One who wouldn't-- not for his own sake nor that of another-- hanker for wealth, a son, a kingdom, his own fulfillment, by unrighteous means: he is righteous, rich in virtue, discernment. Dhammapada, 6, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.

It's Fall Party Weekend and for the first time since 1990 I am going back to Sewanee for the events. I've always skipped b/c most of my friends from college live far away and don't come back. I am going b/c of the first Alumni of Color events. I am proud to be a Sewanee alumnus and I like to support what I think is important. Sewanee provides an education that is in many ways unique and I hope that more and more minorities will come to realize the benefits of a place like the University of the South Schedule of Events

Riiight...?!?! Crazy Boy Wonder I feel I have matured, on and off the field and hopefully that will continue because I am trying to cut out silly bookings for dissent Rooney told Four Four Two

Because it lacks consciousness, I must admit that a word cannot praise me. Undoubtedly, the cause of my delight is that another is delighted with me. But what does it matter to me whether another's delight is in me or someone else? His alone is the pleasure of that delight. Not even a trifling part of it is mine. Santideva, "Bodhicaryavatara"

EllsworthAmerican.com | No matter your musical taste this is an artist any fan of stories and songs and creative energy should check out.

Video Games...I discovered video games about 3 years ago. I fell in love with RTS ( Real Time Strategy ) games, Age of Empires being my first love; then, soccer games and finally shooters but only a select few... like Brothers in Arms , Far Cry (I haven't finished this b/c it creeps me out!) and Call of Duty . My favorite game other than these is Splinter Cell . The espionage and the fact that you try to make it through the game without killing or being seen, not to mention Sam Fisher's (main character) smart-ass attitude Now is the time for new games...Brothers in Arms v2.0 and FIFA 06 came out this week. We should see Call of Duty 2 by the end of the month, Winning Eleven 9 (great team management stuff) by the end of the year and a new Splinter Cell in the Spring. Oh, and a new Lord of the Rings strategy and a new Age of Empires (I don't really like what I've seen on this one). Time wasters. Each and every one of them, just plain ol time wasters.

Jatukkani asked: Like the sun which controls the world with its heat and light, you, Master, seem to control desire and pleasure. I have only a little understanding. How can I find and know the way to give up this world of birth and aging? The Buddha answered: Lose your greed for pleasure. See how letting go of the world brings deep tranquility. There is nothing you need hold on to and nothing you need push away. Live in the present but do not cling to it and then you can go from place to place in peace. There is a state of greed that enters and dominates the individual. But when that greed has gone, it is like poison leaving a body and death will have no more terror for you.

RIP Paul Pena Paul Pena has died. This is sad. If you've never heard "Gonna Move" you don't know what a good song is. Oh wait, you don't think you know who Paul is well you've heard a little song called "Jet Airliner", a big hit for the Steve Miller , right? Yeah, Paul wrote that. Have you ever heard of Tuvan throat singing? Well, you need to and you need to see this doc Paul did called Ghengis Blues . Paul went to hell: During the past 8 years, Paul's health has been on the decline and his quality of life was greatly diminished by the nearly constant state of pain that he was in. We can take comfort in knowing that he's no longer suffering. ...and now he's surely in Heaven.

Ten Signs of a Conscious Marriage "What are some of the differences when you become conscious? The following list highlights some of the essential differences in attitude and behavior: You realize that your love relationship has a hidden purpose—the healing of childhood wounds. You create a more accurate image of your partner. You take responsibility for communicating your needs and desires to your partner. You become more intentional in your interactions. You learn to value your partner’s needs and wishes as highly as you value your own. You embrace the dark side of your personality. You learn new techniques to satisfy your basic needs and desires. You search within yourself for the strengths and abilities you are lacking. You become more aware of your drive to be loving and whole and united with the universe. You accept the difficulty of creating a good marriage. See also Getting the Love You Want: A Guide For Couples by Harville Hendrix

By renouncing samsara , we renounce our habitual grasping, unhappy minds. And by renouncing samsara, we embrace our potential for enlightenment. Lama Zopa Rinpoche, " Transforming Problems Into Happiness "

"most complete cultural chronicle since Balzac" His plays were big, often sprawling and poetic, dealing primarily with the effects of slavery on succeeding generations of black Americans

I've spent about 20 years in various retail/customer service positions. I delivered pizza, I was an assistant at a vet clinic, I rented paddle boats and, of course, I worked in record and video stores and I have to say that Davis-Kidd has the smartest, oldest and most stable staff I have ever seen. There are about 50 employees. I think I've chatted with a dozen and of those at least half are working on or have a Master's level degree. The GM says the store has a 7% turnover rate, which is insanly low, and I don't think there is a teenager in the bunch. There are at least 3 people who have started a 2nd career with Davis-Kidd (after 20+ years in another field). So far, not a day has gone by that I was not surprised and impressed by one of my coworkers. Aside from all that you are part of a team and within that you have the responsibility and opportunity to affect change. I was appropriately assigned to the Humanities team (the others are Health/Well-being, Fiction, Kids,

Since the library doesn't want to call me back I took a job at Davis-Kidd Booksellers . And I have to tell you, I've spent alot of time in retail and these guys have the most unique and creative approach I have ever witnessed. At the end of my first week...it's a great place to be.

Charlie Hunter