S4EP3: A Little of This, A Lot of That

Hey, gang! Welcome to my life – where anything is possible and nothing is as it seems. I’m Freedom and I’ll be your host, coming at you from within the depths of Geistopia.

DOC: Velcum To My Life ees a prochect, un experiment in Life unt ART. A living storyboard, if you will. Its premise ees zat life ees experiential, unt zat you can, unt do, experience ze life you choose. It ees based on Ze Veel of Life unt Ze ARTs for Ze New Millennium as life building tools. Ja, it’s true!

WALT: Welcome to my Life is an I T.V. Studios/Geist…House Players Production, in association with the Center for Creative Inspirationalism. JustUs Productions, the parent company, would like to give a ‘Shout-Out’ to the following for their ongoing, and oft-times unknowing, inspiration and support:

Princess Cuddlebug

Princess Sunshine

Company

The Shaman

The Pillar

F’n Bob

The Entire Putt-Putt-Putter Clan

The Warden

FaeriePrincess

Professor Siggy Chong

Sparky Wentz-eclaus

The VanMan and General Ralph Glossop, and Craze (may they R.I.P.)

The Messengers of The Galactic Federation

Looch

The Bassett Hound

Bert-On

The Baker of the Cornbread

Andy Pandy

The Mudder

Zason

St. Diane & You (3)

Brother John

Spooky Queen

Boom-Boom Snuffbox

The Nameless One

Tim-Bo

The Cousins

The Rox

PDT

Sir Richard Slouch

The Wix-ians

The Socialite

The Village of Idiots

Piz-Niffer

Dancing Queen

Downtown Encyclopedia Brown

Chicken Witch

Dick Pointer

Soup, the Son

The Legendary Pink Elephants

Baby-Mama Rabbit

Wisconsin Belle

The Babes

Aaaand, of course, a very generous sponsor who (not-so-much) wishes to remain anonymous.

It is…Sunday, April 3, Two-Thousand and Twenty-New. Time...Holding

Theme – Life is Simply Perfect

In my mind this can seem a stretch but I get it. Things happen. Things go wrong. Likewise, though, things go right. You Always Have What You Need and You are Never Given More Than You can Handle. If you just slow down, take your time and appreciate things there is perfection in every moment.

Lesson – That is Then and Then is not Now

I have taken many trips into the past this past week or so – revisitng old experiences and hurts. The past is the past. It is full of regrets and remorse and mistakes. Looking back on it often leads to many unanswered, “What ifs…” But, now is chock full of knowledge and wisdom and experience. It matters not what you have done in the past. It only matters that you draw on the experience to do the best you can today. [Right Thought, Right Word, Right Action.]

Observation – We are Always Where We Need to Be

I talk about this a lot. I take notice to it a lot. I still insist the whole accident happened because I was right where I needed to be. The example I have written down is the girls at work last Saturday. It all worked out so that they could be there and it was good that they were because we had higher counts than we could really handle and there were problems with the dishwasher. Another fine example of this though is The Professor’s visit this week. It just happened to happen on a day when he could give me a ride to and from The College, and I could do an errand or two for him along the way. It was the perfect situation for both of us.

The Post

Right this moment it seems the perfect morning. Coffee is made. Pink Floyd is playing in the background. There are candles and incense burning. I can hear the birds outside. I have absolutely no distractions from the task at hand – which is doing this entry. Not even The Princesses are here this weekend.

So, it’s just you and me, Fellow Travelers.

Considering I had no vehicle, I had an intense, incredible and inspiring week. I really wasn’t sure how this week was going to go or what to expect from it. I didn’t know how I would be feeling when it was all through.

I started the week with quite the list of things to-do. It was an all over the place, across the board kind of list. I had stuff to get done around The Nest, spiritual exercises and routines to focus on, and, what seemed like, a whole life to fix. No vehicle. No current job. I didn’t know what to do, except to take it one day at a time.

Monday was a big focus on me. I had to wrap up all final things and return The Shuttle and I needed to get myself grounded and recover from my weekend with The Princesses. Especially Sunday.

It was a different weekend with the girls and it made me glad that we were able to have the weekend we did last week. Cuddlebug had to do training at her new job on Friday night, so the girls didn’t come until Saturday. I got them Saturday morning and we only had a few hours before we all had to be to work at The Theatre. I was glad they worked that night. First, it gave me extra time to spend with them and watch them in action. They are very good workers. I am pleased. But, also, there were issues and the dishwasher stopped working during the first show. So, I had to wash a 70 guest dinner service by hand. Everything. All the plates and cookware for appetizers, soup, salad, dinner and dessert. I even had to do some of the glasses and silverware before the second show. So, it was nice to have the extra hands to help clear the dishes away. [The dishwasher did start working again before the end of the night.]

I’m thinking about it and I’m not sure what we did for food on Sunday. Nonetheless…because they didn’t come until Saturday, the girls were going to stay just a little later on Sunday. We didn’t have anything in particular planned – just spending time together. However, they knew they were getting roped into helping me crush and prepare cans for the scrap yard. They weren’t thrilled about this but I did get them to accept it.

It was just about can time when there was a moment – some drama. We were trying to figure out how the rest of our day was going to go, when they needed to be home and such. I don’t know exactly what happened but suddenly Sunshine just unleashed. She didn’t like totally flip or go crazy but she did speak up and be heard. It was all directed at her sister.

I had to let it happen. I had to let it escalate a bit before I chimed in. Sunshine has problems. We all know this. We all know I worry about her. We are getting her some help and guidance. But, the simple fact of the matter is, none of us really know what the problems are. She doesn’t want to discuss them with us. So, I knew I needed to let this moment of expression take place.

She said her piece. Cuddlebug said hers. It got heated. Just as I started to open my mouth to speak, Sunshine got up in a huff and was going to storm off to her room. I did not let that happen. I made her turn around and sit back down. Then, I spoke. I told them what I witnessed and heard. I told them how I felt about it all and what my thoughts were. I addressed the bigger issues. I cried a little. They cried a little. By the end, one went to her room and the other to the bathroom. I eventually went to each of them, had individual discussions, then brought us all back together to round it out. It was all very emotional and very draining. But, I believe, it was also very healing.

When it was all over, we set about the task at hand – the cans. I’ve had them here for some time. I’ve been wanting to get them crushed but I knew it was going to be an involved project. So, it hasn’t been a top priority for me. However, I wanted to get them crushed now and take them to the yard before I didn’t have a vehicle with which to do so. I roped them into helping because, in the past, my one friend would give me cans but every 6th one would still have the plastic rings on them. The plan was to sort through them [there were 8 bags full] let them pull the plastic off and I would crush the cans by walking over them in my boots several times. It turns out we only found one bag with a few plastic things. So, basically, we dumped cans, I crushed them and they put them in the bags.

We listened to music the whole time and when we were done, Sunshine says to Cuddlebug, “Stay out here with me and do your homework.” This is significant because Sunshine is always the one to run away to her room as soon as she can. But, this time, she wanted to stay out in the common area and do things. And, she did. Except for when they had to pack things up they both stayed out here for the afternoon. It was the best Sunday afternoon we have had here so far.

We ran a quick [but not quite] little errand and then on the way home I stopped and treated them to some Rita’s Italian Ice. I know they like it. I know their mother won’t really go out of her way to get it for them. And, I don’t know when I will actually have a vehicle again to take them myself. So, I figured while I could I would.

I got them home, returned to The Nest, and pretty much passed out.

Monday, I got up with the intention of working a little and making a last bit of income. That didn’t go the way I had planned. None of Monday went how I planned. First, I couldn’t quite get moving in the morning and ended up getting out of The Nest later than I had originally intended. I could see it happening but I continued on my way – doing what I would normally do and trying to get out the door. I could even hear Spirit snickering at my futile efforts. My day was going to be different. I knew it before I left The Nest. However, I didn’t really accept it until I returned.

My task was to take the cans to the yard. However, Sunday night I had to park out on one of the streets so I had to bring the Shuttle around to load it. When I reached the Shuttle, I found a parking ticket. It was street cleaning day on that road. Because I was getting out late, I was still parked there when the restriction kicked in. I shrugged and moved on.

As I was coming around the corner to The Nest there was a box truck turning into the alley from the other end. The Nest is part of a building complex owned by a plumbing company so below me is their workshop and storage. Apparently, they were getting a delivery or shipping something out. I scooted around them and snagged an open parking space in the lot. When I came down with my first batch of cans [I had to make 4 trips] I found that they had parked the truck directly in front of my door. I had to twist and squeeze around it. I could do it and it didn’t suck. It was just a bit aggravating.

I got The Shuttle loaded and headed to the yard – which is only about 10 blocks away. This task delayed my day so much. There was some sort of problem with the equipment they use to weigh the cans. The first guy couldn’t get it to turn on. This was after he already had me dump over a bag into the bin. He fiddled around and then went and got a second guy. Eventually, the second guy would show up, fiddle around and call for the supervisor. The supervisor finally appeared, fiddled around, and eventually got it working. However, in the mean time, we had emptied all of my cans into a separate bin for weighing, even scooping out the ones we put in the first bin. Now, we had to dump them all back in the first bin.

The woman made an entry error and almost gave me 10x what she should have. She entered 440 lbs. and it was only 44 lbs. I didn’t make much but it was enough in light of current circumstances.

Next, I had to get some final pieces from The Cave. The more I brought and sorted last week, the more I realized I could potentially do in this this time of The Shutdown. So, I wanted to grab a few more things for projects and such. I knew there were things I needed to look and search for, and I knew The Shuttle had to get back by a certain time. I wanted to get this out of the way so I wasn’t stressing and rushing through it later.

Once I was loaded up, I had two more tasks I wanted to attend to – I wanted to wash and clean The Shuttle before I returned it and I wanted to pick up some lingering groceries. [Oh and fuel up The Shuttle.]

Groceries first. I definitely spent more than I had been hoping to, but after seeing how my week went, I am satisfied with what I bought. Besides, what I did buy gave me enough points to save 10 cents per gallon on gas…and that was next.

Then it was the car wash.

By this time, it was way too late in the day to make anything of delivery driving. I headed back to The Nest, unloaded, and prepared myself mentally [and, emotionally] to be without a vehicle – to face this new [hopefully temporary] life of mine. When it was time, I returned The Shuttle and got a ride back to The Nest. I really didn’t know how to feel about, or what to expect from, the week ahead.

I had two plans for Monday night and only two. Everything else was secondary. First, I wanted to take a Ritual Bath. I thought it would be a good way to transition into all of this. It would help relax my body and also cleanse my spirit and give me some meditation time. The second thing I wanted to do was play some Xbox. It has been so very long since I could just sit and devote some time and space to a good gaming session. And, thanks to my recent scavenging of The Cave, I now had my favorite game to play with me. I thought it, too, would make a good start to the experience. No worries or concerns or fears. Just sit, relax, play, and put the world away until Tuesday.

Tuesday did eventually come and it was a different day. All week long, I have been working off of lists. [I do so love my lists.] Everyday I made a new list of my daily routines, things that absolutely had to get done to keep the flow moving, and random miscellaneous thoughts and things to do.

Some of my things to do were administrative – dealing with paperwork and arrangements and schedules and what not. Some were of the home – cleaning and organizing. Some were spiritual, certain rituals, meditations, and practices. I even gathered and organized some crafty things. Every day was a little of this and a little of that.

What I found each day [even yesterday when I wasn’t supposed to really have a to-do list, but did] was that I had the bulk of my list completed by about noon. I stayed focused all morning doing what I needed to and could and found that by my noon devotion I was fairly accomplished. I may have had something that was a larger project to focus on later, or maybe something that was time sensitive and couldn’t actually be done until later, but by and large I would have my ‘day’ in.

To be fair, my lists were a little on the short side, but they were diverse. I tried to touch on some part of every aspect of my current existence each day. However, my primary focus, especially in those first three days [Tuesday – Thursday,] was to establish my routines. I have never in my life been able to just be and do. I’ve done things. I’ve made them work this way or that or at this time or another. I’ve done bits and pieces here and there.

Even in the beginning, when I had time to focus on things, I did not really have the space to do so. Never in my life have I had the flexibility and freedom that I now found myself with. I have everything I need at my fingertips – all under one roof. Things are not scattered here and there, in this corner or that. I have Just Enough of who I am to do and explore all right here.

I have the space to work. There is plenty of space before me and I use it all frequently for one purpose or another. I have the space to myself. There is no one else I need to concern myself with or bend myself around.

Forget the insanity that was life in Olde Geistopia. Forget that I have [technically] been homeless for three years – bouncing around here and there. I spent an entire year, living in and working from The Vantasm. My entire existence was basically in a box [with wheels.] I didn’t move. I didn’t do.

I have absolutely no clue who I am or how I function anymore. But, the plan was to find out.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were the first 3 days of The Shutdown and they were all about The Self. Tuesday more so than the other two. Priority number one was taking care of myself and once again finding my way. [Thanks, Belle!] So, I focused on routines – spiritual ones, administrative ones, such as email and finances. I even focused on routine meals. I ate three actual meals on Tuesday.

Along the way, I took care of whatever business was relevant to the moment – phone calls, arrangements, emails, mail, finances, etc. I even managed a tarot reading in there somewhere. Still, I found that I had very free afternoons. I would use this time to piddle away at other things.

I told you that I love lists. One of my tasks coming into The Shutdown was to make a list – for each area of my life – of focuses and things to do. I have a work-oriented list and one for personal things. I have a list of things to study. I have a list of WTML tasks. I even have a crafting list. So, each afternoon I would work my way through those lists – slowly, but the best I could. I tweaked things into place making everything more ready for action.

Friday would bring the New Moon, and with it a series of Ritual Baths – one Thursday, One Friday and one last night. Each one brought something just a little different.

Yesterday was devoted to ‘Saturday’ things. I piddled around with this or that throughout the day. In the morning I baked banana bread. At night I made (well heated) hot chocolate. I inventoried and organized my crafty things. I scribbled away at my lists. I played a bit of game. I wrapped my pendant piece. I even made myself a good dinner – breaded pork chop with a homemade cheese sauce, homemade mashed potatoes, and a vegetable bag.

Today…well, today is all about The Blog.

Once upon a time, this is how The Blog happened. I would get up on a Sunday and there would be no other real focus except The Blog. I would do other things off and on just to give my legs [and my mind] a stretch, but it was all about The Blog. I’ve noticed in doing my recent posts just how challenging it can be to work at them off and on as I can. Rarely do I have the right kind of time to just sit and type away without having to stop to do something else. It makes it very difficult to keep the energy [and words] flowing.

So, today I just want to blog until I am done.

It was a good and productive week all around. Like I said, I took care of whatever impending business was on my plate. I managed a tarot reading. I, tentatively, scheduled some work for the next two days. [The days were confirmed-ish, but no times set.] I went over to The College and arranged for some work over there – including stuff I wasn’t expecting. So, there’s more work. I even picked up a decent lead for a possible vehicle along the way.

I organized and set up crafting projects. I cleaned The Nest. I made meals [and cleaned up] and worked on some video stuff. I even managed in there to learn a little something about the bus system in The Valley. I bought myself 10 ride passes. I mapped out some places I could or may need to go. When the time comes, I’m ready.

It’s always so interesting to me how things can come together all on their own – the way life gathers itself in a time of crisis. Some things were planned, such as groceries and clothing. Some were planned small but grew on their own.

Crafts are a good example of this. I basically started with nothing. I had nothing here except some tools. I had no paints, no projects, no anything. During my recent runs to The Cave I started looking for things – more tools that didn’t make it here yet, something I could work on while I have all of this time, etc.

My first thought was a staff that I started painting when I was at Hoagie’s. It is one of the many that The Putter started and decided he didn’t like. So, I claimed it. I know how I want to paint it but I just haven’t had the space to do so since Hoagie’s. [And not even then.] So, I grabbed that and my one container of paints, which I was certain was already set-up for this project. Then I found a staff that is almost complete and ready for painting. [Another Putter hand-off.] All I needed to do was grab some pieces of sand paper and maybe my chisels. I found a stick that is ready for carving and design. I grabbed it, even though I wasn’t sure I had the tools for it. Likewise, I decided to complete the set and grab a stick that hasn’t been touched yet. It will need the bark taken off first, but I have plenty of utility knives and blades for that. I also decided that perhaps I should grab the rest of my paints and some stain and wax.

While I was sorting and digging through things in The Cave, I found my screw gun, which I had the power pack for but didn’t know where the actual unit was, and I also found a small handheld saw.

I realized that I have a collection of nails that would be perfect for making some pipe picks. I also have a collection of wood that I had pulled aside years ago for just such projects. The saw comes in handy because my sticks are much longer than they need to be and though I do have a coping saw I was willing to use I’m not sure how good the blade actually is on it. The gun will allow me to drill the holes for the nails.

While I was sorting through my tools one last time I came across a couple of glass bits for the gun. I used them for making wine bottle incense burners years ago. It just so happens that I collected two bottle from The Theatre recently. They were odd and unique and I can never let bottles like that slip through my fingers. [Even if I don’t know what I am going to do with them.] Well, now I can try my hand at making them into incense burners. I haven’t tried to drill the holes with my gun yet. I have always used a corded drill or a drill press. So, I’m not sure how that is going to go but I’ll take a stab at it. Cuddlebug has already claimed the one bottle so I will most likely make the other one for Sunshine.

While organizing my hemp I came across a collection of cross necklaces that I had started at some point and was unable to finish. They are something I could finish and even try to sell for a few bucks each. I can also try to sell some pipe picks.

I now found myself with all of these projects and most of the tools. A rotary tool, I thought, would make everything so much easier. My rotary tool stopped working while I was at Hoagie’s. It was old and beaten to begin with and then between the two of us we used the hell out of it. However, I stumbled upon a mini one that I picked up somewhere in my journeys. I grabbed it and the whole kit it was with and brought it back to The Nest. It does work. My most important bits fit in it. I can now do a lot with what I have.

As long as I had all of the tools and the paints, I decided to grab a stick or two and try my hand and wand-crafting.

Though I couldn’t go out and work this week I did take care of business. I made arrangements with The College. I followed up on this work for The Bassett Hound. I even got someone on the hook for some future odd job work. [It’s interesting to me that so much of what is happening right now is setting up a future I’m not even sure I will be able to manage.]

I worked at some WTML video. I have been trying to capture The Shutdown Experience. However, I broke out the old camera. I have video and software on my phone but I have found it difficult to work through that way. But something else has happened over this process that allows me to return to ‘the old way’ of doing things.

At some point or another in the last two years my laptop stopped functioning. I knew my battery was kind of shot but all of a sudden I wasn’t even able to get it to charge. I would even leave it plugged in at The Cave between runs to try to charge it good and I got nothing.

Eventually, Cuddlebug would gift me her old laptop. She said she didn’t need it anymore with her phone and tablet. I got it all set up with programs and profiles and such. Then, one day, I found myself living hard and fast in The Vantasm. I not only didn’t have a good system for charging or powering the laptop [I could. It just wasn’t ideal.] I also didn’t have regular access to wifi or hotspot. So it would inevitably end up in The Cave with the other laptops.

When I came to The Nest, I brought all three laptops with me – mine, Cuddlebug’s, and a really old one that had been Sunshine’s for playing on [and had been Big ‘D’s before that.] I figured I could try to get everything working and figure out what I had going on. I don’t think I ever made much of the old one. I still wasn’t able to get mine to charge. I resorted to using Cuddlebug’s. I knew I worked and it was loaded with everything I needed.

However, there is an issue with her laptop. Some loose connection or another where the adapter plugs in. [Another reason I stopped dragging it with me in The Vantasm.] Everything has to be right or it just won’t work. Shortly after I moved into The Nest I bought a new universal adapter because I was frustrated with the jiggling I had to do every time I wanted to work. The adapter worked…mostly. There were still occasional issues but not as frequently.

Randomly, last week, I decided to try the adapter on my laptop and it worked. I have now transitioned back to my laptop and am working from there. I had to update certain things like getting my Quicken files here from there, as well as getting my Microsoft Office account active on this laptop.

My laptop being active again has shifted so much about my life already. First and foremost, I have access to my music once again. This Journey is very much about soul searching and spirit activation. One thing I have learned for certain is that my music experience is very important to me. There is music for any occasion…and I love to use it all. Music sets the mood. I like my Sirius and my Spotify but something was missing.

Over the years, I have always kept quite a music collection. Back before I let many of them go in order to take the first and second trips, I was pushing 500 CDs in my collection and I had a 200 disc changer that I changed every 3-4 months. I had all sorts of artists and genres – from country to death metal to Broadway and classic rock. I had independent artists and labels and things I picked up from people on the street.

At one point in time, years later, I would start transferring what was left of my CD collection onto this laptop. Almost all of it is on here now. At least all of the important stuff, like recordings of dad and compilations I put together for myself. I have had a very different musical journey this week. I am hearing things that I have not heard in so very long but would listen to over and over way back then. I have better control over my music – when, what and how I listen.

There is also a host of old files on here that I must sort through. Things I know I need but forgot they were here. There is also access to work on this computer [that I may or may not be able to make some use of.]

But, there is one other thing this laptop gives me access to that I did not have for so very long – my old studio software. I can edit the way I used to edit. That is part of the reason for getting the old camera out. The other reason is because editing on the phone has presented many challenges that I am working through. I wanted to document this Journey as best I could, but I did not want to make the mess on my phone any worse than it already is.

As I sit here looking back at the week that was, I feel content and satisfied. It was productive and abundant in its own ways. It was everything I needed it to be And Then Some. I took care of business. I made a little bit of money, even more than what I had already projected, I arranged for my future. But more importantly, I got to see who I really am and how I really function.

This past week was a week like no other in my life. It was the first time ever that all the influencing factors of things were controllable. I had time and energy and resources and space to do things. I have always had one or two of those things but never all four at once. But, also, for the first time ever all of the pieces of my life are on the table at once. They are here and accessible and working together. I am getting to see the ‘whole’ of me in action.

For instance, something that gets drug with me from time to time is a file box. I do not know when I packed it up or what I was thinking when I did. Currently, inside it are old tax records, ministry documents and ceremonies, crafting ideas and a whole lot of writings. In and amongst all of that was a version of working with the tools of WTML – The Wheel of life and The Arts for the New Millennium – titled “The Game.’

There were pages of instructions and definitions on how to play The Game. So, on video, I have begun to play The Game. I am working through it step by step and doing the exercises as I know them to be. I figure I can put my own work and philosophies to the test.

Another thing I rediscovered this week was my passion for all things kitchen. I love to cook or to bake. Even making my homemade cleaners is a thrill to my soul. I think it relates to the Alchemist in me. It’s very similar to mixing up incenses or mixtures for some magickal purpose or another.

This week I made all sorts of things. I made breakfast a couple of days, including fresh diced potatoes that I fried up. One night I made a chicken parm dinner with the only chicken bits I could find at the sore when I went. I breaded it myself with a mixture of crumbs and seasoning. I had fettucine left from when I bought fettucine to use up the leftover alfredo sauce. I bought some sauce. And I topped it with an Italian cheese mixture leftover from when the girls and I made our English muffin pizzas and some freshly grated parmesan left from when we made the alfredo. [Sliced it off the block myself.]

Last night, I made pork. I had two chops but knew I would only eat one. So I made on with a soul food seasoning that I will eat later. Last night I had one that was breaded and seasoned. I made mashed potatoes – peeled them, diced them and all. I even tried my hand at making a cheese sauce.

One night, I wanted to make the rest of my chicken bits but didn’t know what I wanted to do with them. I ended up letting them soak for a bit in some balsamic vinaigrette that was left from some past tenant or another. Then I seasoned it and baked it, balsamic and all. When it was done I coated it in cilantro. I made a boxed butter and garlic rice to go with it as well as a can of honey baked beans – to which I added some barbeque seasoning.

As I said, I made banana bread [for the first time] yesterday morning. And one night this week I made up a brew of hot chocolate. There were leftover supplies from when the girls and I made it the last time and I wanted to try to perfect the mixture. I do think I have it down now. I need to make a small tweak and also figure out how to portion the newest ingredient. The other part of that experiment was to see how it holds over and reheats. I reheated it last night while I was working on my hemp piece. It holds and reheats well. Next project – new flavors [like peanut butter.]

I did finish my hemp piece and it is the official pendant for this Journey. I even wore it some this morning.

All in all, I would have to say that it was the perfect week. It was the whole of my life – active and charged.

It was The Life I’ve Never Lived.

Looking ahead…I don’t know. I’m not even trying to know at this point. On the short term – I do have plans for the week. Some of them may change. Some of them already have. I’m waiting for Bassett Hound to solidify plans on this work for him. If not that, then something else will fill that time. I am planning at least one day at The College just to get that started. I have three days/four shows at The Theatre this weekend. And, some time before the end of Sunday I will be moving some furniture around in The Nest. [The Lil Boss is bringing new dressers.]

I have some homework and a phone call [email] to make in regards to a vehicle.

I have my lists by which I can gauge myself.

Some bills will come due this week. Some income should be received sometime this week.

That is what I know of my week – of my life – at the moment. Everything else will just kind of happens as it happens.

Long term – all I know is that I have until the end of April to know what I am doing next…and I haven’t got a clue at the moment.

If you’re not already there, go to the Welcome to my Life Facebook page – WTML. Or the YouTube channel – WelcomeToMyLife08. You can also find me on Facebook under Rev. Matt.

Wherever you are and whenever you are – Like, Comment, and Share – we’re on a Journey and it takes you to get there.

So, without hesitation, for now and for always, from here in Geistopia, this is your beloved Rev…

WALT: And Walt…

DOC: Unt Doc…

JOHNNY: Aaaaand Johnny…

And those guys, saying, “Stay Tuned-In, Fellow Travelers,” and wishing you Peace, Love, Light…

WALT: And Freakishness, Baby.

The Totems & Archetypes

**from Ted Andrews’ Animal Speak**

Cat – Mystery, Magic, and Independence

Goddess Bast, Goddess Freyja, Goddess Shasthi. Study Mouse and Dog as well.

Mouse - Attention to Detail.

It is either time to pay attention to details, or an indication that you cannot see the forest for the trees. You may be getting so locked into details that you forget the big picture. Are you taking care of the trivial, yet necessary, things of life? Are you getting so lost in big dreams that you are neglecting other aspects of your life? Are you becoming so focused on one or two activities that you are neglecting other opportunities? Are you missing what is right in front of you? Is there something obvious that you are missing or need to focus on? Are you trying to do too many things at once and therefore scattering your energies? Mouse can show how to pay attention to detail; how to attain the big things by working on the little things. Lessons associated with attention.

Robin – Spread of New Growth

You can expect new growth to occur in a variety of areas of your life – not just one. Connected to the Kundalini. Reflects its activation in a manner that will stimulate new growth in all areas of your life. Fights over territory are usually in song. Physical confrontations are more symbolic without injury. Reflects a need to sing your own song forth if you wish new growth. Any confrontations or hindrances are more show than actual threats, so go forward. Powder-blue egg. A color that is often used to open the throat chakra in humans. Reflects the innate ability of those with this totem to assert the will force to create new growth in his/her life. Help you in this process. May reflect you have been doing so inappropriately or ineffectually. Robin will show you how to do it successfully.

Ant - Industriousness, Order, and Discipline

Symbol of work and industry. Wisdom and intellect in their endeavors is often acclaimed. Social. Community activity. Gathering, hunting, growing. May find that the cycle of industriousness and building of goals may increase over a period of twelve years. Cycle of twelve - days, months, years - will be of significance. Teacher of how to build, how to be the architect of your own life. Show you how to construct our dreams into a reality. Greatest success occurs with persistence. Examine your own industriousness. Are you disciplining yourself enough to accomplish the tasks at hand? Are you or those around you looking for the quick and easy way? Are you neglecting important activities? Are you laying a good foundation? Are you adding new structures to your life with each passing year in some fashion - education, jobs, hobbies, etc? Are you being patient with your efforts? Are you being patient with yourself? With others? Are you making things greater and more difficult than they need to be? Are you missing the opportunity to initiate new creativity and endeavors? Can teach how to harness your own power to design and recreate your life. Can show you how best to work with others for the good of everyone. Regardless of circumstances, if the effort is true, the rewards will follow - in the most beneficial time and manner. The promise of success through effort.

Spider – Creativity and the Weaving of Fate

Maya, the weaver of illusion. Grandmother, link to the past and the future. Mysticism of the geometric form of the figure 8. Symbol of infinity. The Wheel of Life. Teaches you to maintain a balance – between past and future, physical and spiritual, male and female. Everything that you do now is weaving what you will encounter in the future. Rhythms. Creative sensibilities. The past always subtly influences the present and future. Spiral shape, the traditional form of creativity and development. We are the center of our own world. “Know thyself and you shall know the Universe.” Keepers and writers of our own destiny, weaving by our thoughts, feelings, and actions. The magic and energy of creation. Assertiveness of that creative force. , keeping the feminine energies of creation alive and strong. Links with the past and future. Are you moving toward a central goal or are you scattered and going in multiple directions? Is everything staying focused? Are you becoming too involved and/or self-absorbed? Are you focusing on others’ accomplishments and not your own? Are you developing resentment because of it – towards yourself or them? The teacher of language and the magic of writing. Death and rebirth. A lunar symbol. Maintain balance and polarity in all aspects of life. Through polarity and balance creativity is stimulated. A combination of gentleness and strength. Walk the threads between life and death – waking and sleeping – between the physical and the spiritual. How to express the creative energies. Don’t be afraid to employ it in seemingly inaccessible corners. Weave your creative threads in the dark and then, when the sun hits them, they will glisten with intricate beauty. Are you not weaving your dreams and imaginings into reality? Are you not using your creative opportunities? Are you feeling closed in or stuck as if in a web? Do you need to pay attention to your balance and where you are walking in life? Are others out of balance around you? Do you need to write? Are you inspired to write or draw and not following through? Remember that Spider is the keeper of the primordial alphabet. Teach how to use the written language with power and creativity so that your words weave a web around those who would read them.