Dogster: Kinda Kathmandu
Jan 20th, 2010, 08:01 AM
#81
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,121
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
‘We're on a road to nowhere
Come on inside…’
Take a very big lotus. Stick it in the middle of a circle. Squash it flat. Take a very big champagne glass and up-end it. Bung it on the lotus. Paint the glass white. Turn that lotus into concrete, make the wine glass solid brick. Break off the upended base. Take a square children’s building block – jam it down the stem till it meets the bowl. Cover with gold. Paint two huge eyes on every side. Take a golden stepped pyramid, stretch it and jam it down on top of the block - then leave your stupa to settle for, let’s say, five hundred years.
Now comes the best part. Get one hundred long strings of prayer flags, tie ‘em at the tip of the stem – then arrange them right around the circle, so they touch the edge of your lotus leaves.
Around your stupa, at the base, place a million prayer wheels. Watch as the faithful circle your creation, sunrise, sunset, every day, every month, every year. Round and round, for ever - round and round, the great wind of pilgrimage, round and round - you, me, it; we’re nothing, just atoms drawn around this gold and white thing in the circle, this monumental finger, pointing at the sky.
‘We’re on a road to nowhere...’ David Byrne once sang.
That Nihilist turn of phrase always appealed to me – but, in my Western way, I’d assumed that all roads led somewhere. Sixty years of life has proved otherwise. There are a lot of dead ends.
But we travel because we must, stumble forward through the gloom. Why waste time getting anywhere? Best to wander round and round hoping for a blessing, round and round, always circling, hoping for a glimpse, round and round, round and round, looking for the way in.
Never gonna find it. Never gonna get there.
Keep circling, Dog.
Come on inside…’
Take a very big lotus. Stick it in the middle of a circle. Squash it flat. Take a very big champagne glass and up-end it. Bung it on the lotus. Paint the glass white. Turn that lotus into concrete, make the wine glass solid brick. Break off the upended base. Take a square children’s building block – jam it down the stem till it meets the bowl. Cover with gold. Paint two huge eyes on every side. Take a golden stepped pyramid, stretch it and jam it down on top of the block - then leave your stupa to settle for, let’s say, five hundred years.
Now comes the best part. Get one hundred long strings of prayer flags, tie ‘em at the tip of the stem – then arrange them right around the circle, so they touch the edge of your lotus leaves.
Around your stupa, at the base, place a million prayer wheels. Watch as the faithful circle your creation, sunrise, sunset, every day, every month, every year. Round and round, for ever - round and round, the great wind of pilgrimage, round and round - you, me, it; we’re nothing, just atoms drawn around this gold and white thing in the circle, this monumental finger, pointing at the sky.
‘We’re on a road to nowhere...’ David Byrne once sang.
That Nihilist turn of phrase always appealed to me – but, in my Western way, I’d assumed that all roads led somewhere. Sixty years of life has proved otherwise. There are a lot of dead ends.
But we travel because we must, stumble forward through the gloom. Why waste time getting anywhere? Best to wander round and round hoping for a blessing, round and round, always circling, hoping for a glimpse, round and round, round and round, looking for the way in.
Never gonna find it. Never gonna get there.
Keep circling, Dog.
Jan 21st, 2010, 03:29 AM
#88
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,121
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Catch-up.
As you've probably noticed, when I'm transmitting, I tend not to receive, so forgive me if I've ignored all your really nice words.
'...Can you try writing a bit more colorfully?...'
I'm assuming this is an ironic comment, LA. lol. The piece is little more than colour and movement - with a hearty dollop of self-indulgence thrown in.
As for the rest of what you're talking about - I have no idea what you mean. What 'rhymes with clever'? Not very many things. Don't blow my cover, LA. It's called 'moving on'.
I think I'll have to get the post in question removed. But, on second thoughts, that goes against the grain. All's fair in Fodor's.
travelaw has just left for 'cyber-purdah' [indianapearl's great description, not mine] but she alone knows the truth about the Dogster. heh.
'I have it from a reliable source that dogster is eccentric and lovable.'
Absolutely true, trav.
Carol [simpsonc510] is one of the few Fodorites that has actually met the Dog, although I was in a number of disguises. She had to go immediately to Vegas to rid her mind of the experience. Only repeated attendance at the Donny and Marie Osmond show at the Flamingo has revived her.
thursday: the Dog will never 'out himself' - although I get the distinct feeling that the Fodor's grapevine has worked it all out. I prefer it when sleeping dogs are let lie.
I particularly love it when somebody comes in from the cold and notices the Dogster's ramblings. Thanks, KERRYAJS1 for your great words: '...sampling something strange...' How perceptive of you. lol.
Marija - lol, stop stirring. Bruno is a terrible gossip, but a Great Dane only tells the truth. It is the way of all dogs, even this one. I have formed a new organisation called 'The Reality Construction Company' and, as CEO, have my own permission to select the appropriate slice of 'real' to fit my needs. Yes, there may be other simultaneous truths going on - but a blind Dog can only see what what he can feel.
Kathie: our trips to KTM were rather different, weren't they? Had I not been there half-a-dozen times before, my focus would have been far more like yours. Now, KTM is a good place for R'n R. I go back to my favorite places. I tried to find some new ones this time - but was hijacked by the Courtyard, my own weak will and a Jimmy or two. 'Plus sa change...'
Amy: words rule. In Australia a disease like logophilia is treated on arrival at the airport. Nobody that can pronounce more than three consecutive syllables is allowed in.
Now, I'll reflect on the impossibility of answering merkxxx's rather interesting, if cerebral question: '...so, what is real?'
As he/she has promoted me from stumble-bum fool to cosmic 'All Knowing' master of the universe, I feel that such a reply should be in my grasp. I'll just walk around Boudhanath another three million times and maybe I'll come up with it.
Om-m-m-m-m-m.
As you've probably noticed, when I'm transmitting, I tend not to receive, so forgive me if I've ignored all your really nice words.
'...Can you try writing a bit more colorfully?...'
I'm assuming this is an ironic comment, LA. lol. The piece is little more than colour and movement - with a hearty dollop of self-indulgence thrown in.
As for the rest of what you're talking about - I have no idea what you mean. What 'rhymes with clever'? Not very many things. Don't blow my cover, LA. It's called 'moving on'.
I think I'll have to get the post in question removed. But, on second thoughts, that goes against the grain. All's fair in Fodor's.
travelaw has just left for 'cyber-purdah' [indianapearl's great description, not mine] but she alone knows the truth about the Dogster. heh.
'I have it from a reliable source that dogster is eccentric and lovable.'
Absolutely true, trav.
Carol [simpsonc510] is one of the few Fodorites that has actually met the Dog, although I was in a number of disguises. She had to go immediately to Vegas to rid her mind of the experience. Only repeated attendance at the Donny and Marie Osmond show at the Flamingo has revived her.
thursday: the Dog will never 'out himself' - although I get the distinct feeling that the Fodor's grapevine has worked it all out. I prefer it when sleeping dogs are let lie.
I particularly love it when somebody comes in from the cold and notices the Dogster's ramblings. Thanks, KERRYAJS1 for your great words: '...sampling something strange...' How perceptive of you. lol.
Marija - lol, stop stirring. Bruno is a terrible gossip, but a Great Dane only tells the truth. It is the way of all dogs, even this one. I have formed a new organisation called 'The Reality Construction Company' and, as CEO, have my own permission to select the appropriate slice of 'real' to fit my needs. Yes, there may be other simultaneous truths going on - but a blind Dog can only see what what he can feel.
Kathie: our trips to KTM were rather different, weren't they? Had I not been there half-a-dozen times before, my focus would have been far more like yours. Now, KTM is a good place for R'n R. I go back to my favorite places. I tried to find some new ones this time - but was hijacked by the Courtyard, my own weak will and a Jimmy or two. 'Plus sa change...'
Amy: words rule. In Australia a disease like logophilia is treated on arrival at the airport. Nobody that can pronounce more than three consecutive syllables is allowed in.
Now, I'll reflect on the impossibility of answering merkxxx's rather interesting, if cerebral question: '...so, what is real?'
As he/she has promoted me from stumble-bum fool to cosmic 'All Knowing' master of the universe, I feel that such a reply should be in my grasp. I'll just walk around Boudhanath another three million times and maybe I'll come up with it.
Om-m-m-m-m-m.
Jan 21st, 2010, 04:21 AM
#89
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dog, I saw that big Donny and Marie sign, but did not partake. I saw Bette Midler instead. What a show! Now my mind is most definitely cleared of anything I once "knew" about the dog and our chance meeting.. teehee
So how's Bangkok. You didn't say. Where is your home away from home this time? Is it the Arnoma now?
Carol
So how's Bangkok. You didn't say. Where is your home away from home this time? Is it the Arnoma now?
Carol
Jan 21st, 2010, 05:41 AM
#90
dogster - consider the "d" in my name to stand for discretion. My branch of the grapevine exists in splendid isolation - although LA and I may have independently reached the same conclusion ("clever"??).
Jan 21st, 2010, 02:24 PM
#92
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I LOVE cats . . . keep on the trail, Dogster. I'm not quite sure where you are at the moment, but then, perhaps you don't know either.
On another note, Boss and I had dinner last week in Austin with our old friend, bonnieheather. She and her DH are well. We'll be back in late April when our granddaughter is born and will get together again.
On another note, Boss and I had dinner last week in Austin with our old friend, bonnieheather. She and her DH are well. We'll be back in late April when our granddaughter is born and will get together again.
Jan 21st, 2010, 03:40 PM
#94
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,147
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dogster, was it irony or sarcasm? No one is more colorful than you. I won't blow yours if you won't blow mine (oh, that sounds a bit naughty).
I am not part of any grapevine, other than the one that produces fermented liquid you drink. Just good at nosing around. Any half-baked journalist knows how to root things out on his life's mission: "Comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable." [H.L. Mencken]
But I too have moved on.
I am not part of any grapevine, other than the one that produces fermented liquid you drink. Just good at nosing around. Any half-baked journalist knows how to root things out on his life's mission: "Comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable." [H.L. Mencken]
But I too have moved on.
Jan 22nd, 2010, 12:52 AM
#98
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,121
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
lol Mary; LA is my literary advisor and Sherlock Holmes to my Watson. She can say anything she likes. She can threaten, cajole and be downright rude and all I do is smile.
It occurs to me that I don't actually know if LA is a 'she' lol. Dunno why I assumed that.
Actually, LA doesn't know it, but a comment she made in the Tamil Nadu thread I had deleted was the single thing that made me go 'Wha...? Dog is going mad. Hmmmm - could it be the cough medicine...? Perhaps if I stop taking that....?'
So, LA rescued me from insanity, Tamil Nadu and certain death. I owe her.
She also reads my words in a different way. A smart dog would send her everything in advance for editing before bunging it in here. But, I'm not a smart dog.
On matters mysterious: all Detective LA needed was a single clean clue. I love sleuthing too. I particularly love hoisting people up and jamming them down on their own petard. Which is why I liked merkxxx's comment above. What's good for the goose...
How's the roo-buster, Mary? Give him my regards.
It occurs to me that I don't actually know if LA is a 'she' lol. Dunno why I assumed that.
Actually, LA doesn't know it, but a comment she made in the Tamil Nadu thread I had deleted was the single thing that made me go 'Wha...? Dog is going mad. Hmmmm - could it be the cough medicine...? Perhaps if I stop taking that....?'
So, LA rescued me from insanity, Tamil Nadu and certain death. I owe her.
She also reads my words in a different way. A smart dog would send her everything in advance for editing before bunging it in here. But, I'm not a smart dog.
On matters mysterious: all Detective LA needed was a single clean clue. I love sleuthing too. I particularly love hoisting people up and jamming them down on their own petard. Which is why I liked merkxxx's comment above. What's good for the goose...
How's the roo-buster, Mary? Give him my regards.
Jan 22nd, 2010, 03:12 AM
#100
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,121
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No surprise Craig. The 24th January has been a date to conjure with for weeks now... I'm glad I got there - AND out before the big lock-down.
I'll have to call the Hyatt and cancel the band. I had garlands, gurkhas and ganja, all prepared and waiting for you... damn.
IT's crazy stuff. Everybody suffers, nobody gains. So, I guess Plan B is firming up, eh?
I'd be avoiding Darjeeling, too.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/i...ow/5435603.cms
I'll have to call the Hyatt and cancel the band. I had garlands, gurkhas and ganja, all prepared and waiting for you... damn.
IT's crazy stuff. Everybody suffers, nobody gains. So, I guess Plan B is firming up, eh?
I'd be avoiding Darjeeling, too.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/i...ow/5435603.cms
