6 posts from desember 2006

On Christmas Eve we were having lunch in Barcelona's Cathedral Square (Basque tapas, or pinxos, as they are called -- mini sandwiches with hot sausage, peppers filled with tuna mousse, pickled anchovies -- a meal to remember). That's when I met an angel. No, really! I met an angel and it was a magical moment. Here's what happened:

I was strolling around the square watching happy families, a juggling artist, the ever present South Americans with Pan flutes. That's when I saw him. He was one of those people who make some extra money pretending to be a statue, only he was tired and had climbed dowh from his box to have a moment's rest.

He was very beautiful and not at all aware of being watched. I took his picture, but still couldn't make myself move on. Finally, he raised his head and met my gaze and it was one of those moments...

This little story of the angel and me even has its own heavenly sound track, with its own story: I was in Barcelona this summer, during a heat wave. We were walking the wonderful, narrow streets of the historic quarter behind the Cathedral when we heard an etheric kind of music. Around the corner, we found a young man playing an instrument we had never seen or heard before.

We didn't stop to listen because the sn was beating down on us and we wanted to get inside. But the memory of the stragge and lovely music stayed with me. When we returned to Barcelona 5 months later, there he was, on the same corner, playing the prefect music to go with my angelic enclunter. The instrument is called a hang and it is a kind of steel drum. Even though it has an exotic sound, it was designed in Europe.

I spent this Christmas in Barcelona. Our hotel was close to the old town, the Barri Gotic. This fascinating part of town is all narrow streets with crooked Medieval buildings that are home to tiny, dark pubs, exotix restaurants, and tapas bars where you can nibble at delicate traditional Spanish "fast good" all through the night.

Most of the stores in this area close off their door and window with metal blinds. These always get covered in graffiti. Some store owners avoid unplesant graffiti by inviting graffiti artists to decorate their blinds.

The result is that the streets of the Barri Gotic are riddled with colorful, intense street art tableaus like the ones pictured here.  Visit Barcelona if you can  --  it's a cool city. And make sure to spend some time in the Barri Gotic.

In October I visited Kripalu, a yoga center in the Berkshires north of Boston, Massachusetts. I had an absolutely wonderful time practicing yoga, hiking in the woods, dancing, chanting, meditating, exercising, relaxing, eating great healthy food and meeting some very interesting people. Before I left, I had a private consultation with one of the yoga teachers, Jennifer Reis, who set up this gentle yoga flow for me to practice at home. It is a flexible flow which can take between 15 and 45 minutes. The postures marked with a star (*) are essential, the others are optional.

Sankalpa *
Set your intention for practice
Definition
Sankalpa advice

Pranayama *
Minimum 2 minutes of Dirga/3 part breath with Ujjai/Ocean Breath

Sun Breaths
Minimum 5 repetitions

Swinging Twists *
With Hara Breath

Utkatasana *
Standing squats, minimum 5 repetitions
Short description
Detailed article

Viribhadrasana
Warrior 1 [remember dhristi -- look straight ahead]
Video
Article

Trikonasana *
Triangle pose
Introductory article
Kripalu Trikonasana
Video

Vrkshasana *
Tree balancing pose

Navasana *
Boat pose [interlace fingers]

Adho Mukha Svanasana *
Downward facing dog [anyone know a good cat pose, please let me know ;)]
Description
Video

Ardha Matsyandrasana *
Knee down twist

Wall hamstring stretch *
My hamstrings are really tight, so this supported pose is very helpful

Ardha Sarvangasana *
1/2 shoulder stand

Matsyasana
Fish pose

Savasana/Yoga Nidra *
At this stage one of my cats usually curls up next to me to help me relax. Sometimes I put on my iPod and listen to a guided relaxation.
Description
Article: Find Serenity
Article: Just Be

If you are an Apple fan, you'll love this. Even it you're not, it's great fun (perhaps unless you work for Microsoft ;)

My friend Thore Engen will release a new record soon from his band Lucifer Was. The band, which plays classic heavy rock, has been around for over 30 years. The new record, The Divine Tree, is their fourth record.

I have heard demo versions of all the songs on The Divine Three and I can't wait for the release! In the mean time, here is a sneak peek: Listen to a 'mix in progress' of the title track.

I have known Thore for five years and in that time I have worked with him on some projects:  When the  previous Lucifer Was record, Blues from Hellah, was  in the making,  I designed the cover and the booklet.

The cover image on the new CD is designed by Bjørn Egil Eide. I am working on the booklet and I hope you will all like the result.

While you are all holding your breath in anticipation, take a look at Lucifer Was' other classic rock milestones, In Anadi's Bower and Underground And Beyond. Rock on!

 

Timian og Basilikum er katter, eller rettere sagt kattunger -- de er syv måneder gamle og selv om de er ganske utvokste, er de lekne og tøysete. Dette får blant annet konsekvenser for årets juledekroasjoner: De satte tennene i en hyasint-løk tidlig i desember og alt som glitrer og/eller dingler er fritt vilt, nesten uansett hvor vi plasserer det.

Vi er glade for at de er vitale. De kom til oss fra Omplasseringen for dyr. Noen hadde sattdem ut i skogen og de var utsultede og syke da de kom til Omplasseringen. Da de kom til oss var de spretne, men magre, og det viste seg at de hadde bendelorm. Det er heldigvis enkelt å kurere.

Timian og Basilikum er uvanlig sosiale og kjælne og er vikige familiemedlemmer, som deltar i matlaging, rydding, kos og hvile med stort engasjement.