Morning Is Humbling, Rumbling...

It is so quite cool.
Whiteflash reminds us who is boss....

The last two evenings,  I have so enjoyed the warm air here in Southern California...
Starry skies at night....
Clear moon-rise on the Eastern rim...
Sitting under the universe canopy...late at night...relaxing, looking up...

I honestly thought the nights like this would continue....

Strangely, at 430 am...still dark...sleeping....I woke to flashes of light...
Back to sleep...into the normal morning...
Expecting to see the blazing sun....again....so welcome....here...
...in the paradise of Southern California....mornings golden, then warm...

No!  This morning was cool, dark....clouds....by the time I was in the car to work...rain!
Rain all day...thunder, lightening...rainbows...double rainbows...

Tonight, 11pm, out there is clear again...stars clear...starry night...
Just shows one more time, like clockwork, who is boss.
It is not us....we cannot go to sleep ever expecting to see the sun....

But, when we do.....when we see the starry night, like the lightening,
...like the rumbling thunder, like the humbling thunder....
We know...
We see...
We feel the air....
...and we are reminded what we are...
.....a miraculous point of light in the vast darkness...
.......through everything, we awake to new mornings...
.........even here in sun-blazing California!!!

Tomorrow I Fly

Tomorrow I fly...
...into the night...
...all faith forward...
...into the light....

The tea will be warm...
...when I land...
...wherever that may be...
...here is my hand...

Clouds, winds...
...from here to there...
...you are with me...
...every minute, every square...

The Chances of Landing...

Today I was lucky.  I was interviewed  for the global radio show "Into the Night Radio" with Chris Wakefield.  It was extraordinary.  Chris has a great global radio show, a bit modeled after George Nory's "Coast to Coast"....depth...

It was a big fun interview that lasted about an hour...stay tuned for when it will be available thru syndicated radio networks and on the web...

Chris and I talked about the origins of human curiosity, search and discovery.  We touched on the miracle that happens thousands of times a day....planes take off into the night, fly incredible distances, and land on a patch of square feet or inches....even through ferrocious climates and weather....

Just like humans seek each other and eventualy find each other...students and teachers...(remember...when the student is ready, the teacher will appear...)....lovers...friends...strangers....find each other...down to the touch...

We find each other through our human navigation.  Our curiosity...eventually, our creativity.

It can be a long journey, over water, into the night....but we all must hope for safe landings....
....safe landings....not always perfect, but safe....we live to another morning...
....with the bright, blazing sun, and, of course, the smell of fresh coffee...

How Many Nights?

How many nights could be this incredible?
I just at midnight, walked outside.....needed a fresh air moment...
This night....76 degrees, moderate humidity....light breeze....
This one even for Southern California is spectacular...
In January, this will be but a memory...
But right now it is late September...
Golden season....

Sat down, just for a minute....can't wait too long....
Sky so clear....
Jupiter just looming up there straight up, so clear bright...
The friendly moon....just lighting up the light clouds, the very few puffs up there
All the unierse is there....right there....
Just for a minute though....can't wait too long...
The California sun is coming in several more hours,
....and the smell of fresh coffee....it will always be there again...

Just for a minute....another minute, I'll enjoy this universe...
....Can't wait too long....
How many nights could be like this....

What Keeps Us Going...Into the Night

When you consider the odds...
Of ever finding each other in this big world...
Of ever reuniting...
Of ever finding the dream...

Of ever finding the touch....the hug....the embrace
Of true friendship....of love...

The odds are so long against us....
There is so much distance....
There are so many competing forces...

But a deeper force is at work....
A creative force within us and each other...
That lessens the odds....that makes it more likely...
That somehow, in this unmistakeably vast universe...
....we will touch again...

Our minds....
Our spoken words...
Our faces...
Our hearts....

We must go somehow bravely...
....into the night....
....out there, if we can believe, is the light....

Blue Flash Fact or Fiction?

Some really great things to know about Blueflash:

1.  Some see it when the conditions are perfect...others on the same beach do not....why?
2.  It does happen very, very fast, less than a second
3.  Some say it is the light through the green ocean water....others say it is simply a prism effect
4.  The upper end of the green flash in the light prism is the Blueflash (the Cerenkov Radiation effect)
5.  Blueflash is hardly even seen by the naked eye....the green flash is hard enough to see...
6.  Some question whether the Greenflash is even a real phenomenon or a purely perceptual or imaginary one.

If we use the metaphors here, some may choose to see the golden moment of nature, some may not at all.  If you seek it, it may be yours....

If you seek it so hard, and the conditions are marginal, might it be illusory?

When you take a walk in the forrest, are you ready to see a surprise?  If you do not, are you still OK?

Can you go into life expecting to find a Blueflash?  Who gets to do that?  Why those people?

All we know, is that some report they have seen these marvelous things and been blessed, even gifted.
It seems the more one wants to find them, the harder it may be....

Relaxed acceptance, passive, peaceful passion may make it possible....

It is something we cannot will to happen....there is some other element operating out there....

The Smell of Fresh Coffee...Eastern Sunrise...

So many friends have written about how I often sign off...
After a quite serious blog essay....usually written at night...into the night...

I speak of the warm greeting of the California sun....
Waking me, greeting me from the eastern horizon...

The fresh coffee smell in the air...
The crisp newspaper...

These moments are crisp...
...with freshness....

I chose to finish my two paintings in these morning moments.
Creative moments....
These moments are just mine....they are long treasured, still moments
When I can paint...just a few moments....all alone...with the morning sun...

It is great to wake, feel new, look East....see, and feel the morning sun....
California...wherever you and I are.....it is still the same...
We are alive with our senses and our creativity....these moments guarded, ours,
We greet the morning, a new day....and it nods its friendly greeting...
We feel it to our bones.....
....somewhere in the world....we want that we could share this moment with others...
.......this very crisp moment of a new day...
..........everything starts from here....welcome home!

Signals...

All we know and have is today...what is real today...
Our dreams and wishes are paradise...
People, places, chances....
But today, we have what is real, who we are with and who we love and loves us...

It is great to be here and in this place...
And to also be in our dreams...

But how are we supposed to dream, if we cannot even reach out...?

The truth is that we are supposed to dream...
We are meant to reach for the best...

When we send signals out there for our dreams, it is one thing....
When we receive signals....it is altogether another...

Dreams are created, but they also come to us without our asking...
No accidents, just ....dreams are alive within us and pull our spirit...
Toward light...

Another beautiful California morning is on the Eastern horizon...
....the smell of fresh coffee is in the air...

Who Are the Game Changers?

Received an amazing response from folks out there on "Game Changers".
Some asked me who they are?
Here's who they are....

They are the folks who stand up....when others sit down...
They are the people who speak...when others are afraid...

They fight tough...against all odds...
When the goin' gets rough...
When all bets are off...
When it's all on the line...

They are the defenders...
They take down the offenders..
They can be either side...
...of the game, without shame....they do not hide...

Every Sunday, every match...
It is some brave few...
Who score in the final minute....
...or prevent the score and preserve the victory...

Game changers rise up.....on either side...
They greet the dawn....
They rush the tide....
They do not know how to hide...

In every sport, in every group
These few make the difference...
They never ask for anything....
They do what they know how to do...
They change games....
They go by many names....

They are the ones standing....in the end...

Game Changers

This is a tribute to all those who are in the Fourth Quarter
...of the game  (NFL fans will know...)
...the score is tied...
...anything can happen
...to change the game.

This is for those who change the game...
...and for those who stand and defend...
...against game changers...

The game-changing moments...
Are where time stands still...
When you might not notice...
That you have had your fill...

When dark meets light...
When up meets down...
When love meets hate...
When smile meets frown...

The game-changing people...
Are where you may not see...
From the side they come...
... hit you like a roaring sea...

But the game-changing changers...
Are those who stand tall...
When hit with a ton of bricks...
... never, ever fall...

Thus, were I to pick my team...
From the vast choices there...
I would pick you, yes, you...
When the odds were not fair...

Thus, be on my team, be there in the end...
When the seconds are gone...
And there is no time to spend...
The whole game just changed...

Because you stayed ...
...with me...there!

The Art Within

When we think of art,we think of visual "art"...things of creation we can see that are beautiful or striking.  Let me play with words for a minute....

That is the art from the outside....but it came from within...from inside the heart and soul of the artist...the one who created it....who created that artist...where is the source of that art within...?

The California International Business University (CIBU) is about to announce its first annual "Arts Initiative", with the theme "the Art Within".  It is about our own university's exploration of its own artistic talent in painting and visual art, creative writing, photojournalism and new media.  Next year we will have a new theme to reach beyond this year's.  A specialized international university like CIBU should and will exhibit extraordinary creativity among its students, alumni, staff and faculty and friends.  Dr. Jorge Reinoza will be our Innagural Artist with an exhibit of his paintings at CIBU from October 20, 2010 through December 31, 2010. 

The art that will flow from this year came from inside all these artists hearts and minds and souls.  It is that artistic creation that expands beyond our common world of international business.  It is the "business within" that may be part of the creative process individually and collectively.  We will see individual art and collective art expression. 

Art is not the opposite of business.  It is its great comlement, like lyrics are to music, like ying and yang, like wind and water.

The ultimate source of art is not forced.  It flows like water.  It yearns to be set free.

This year, after burying myself in business and only enjoying others' art for almost 20 years, I decided to try my hand at painting again.  Voila!  A painting was born.  A second is yearning to be set free.  I know that urge again after so long and it feels good, just like it feels so good to paint with words as I write...

I walked by the brush stand I bought recently and just picked up several in my hand, I feel the tips of the painting knives I bought for my work on canvas.  As I walked there and stopped for a few seconds, to enjoy the anticipation, it felt like I was greeting an old friend.  It felt good again.  It felt good from within.  From somewhere deep within, there is art again...an old friend....a very good old friend.

Was There Ever a Doubt

Why did you take the huge loss?
Why did you take the huge love?

He will always pick you up at the airport.

Was there ever a doubt?

There Should Be This Place...

People want to connect....but cannot....
They cannot make a direct connection...
Even an indirect one...

Their hearts want one....
Their lover's spirit wants to be alone together...

But they cannot....life gets in the way...
Face is huge..."we cannot speak because we have face"...

We cannot speak because our father would not approve....

We cannot speak because we are so many years apart...
...age or just we have not spoken...

I once saw a fax hotel.

It was a safe place faxes could rest until the receiver could receive safely...
Wow....

Can I check into that hotel...
....for just about thirty seconds to see if any messages have been left....

Better yet...here goes....
...Fax Hotel...take this one from me...."............

9/11 is Here Again...Here's to the Ship of Friends...Again....

One year ago tonight I woke at 3am and needed to write.  It was 9/11 again, and I wrote about the idea that we are at times lucky enough to be thrown together by life's circumstances to be close to people...who are or become our deep friends....so deep that we think of ourselves on a mystical, magical sailing ship with them...on a forever cruise...on a wonderful plane of friendship, deep friendship, like brother-sister, like lovers, like best friends, like battle buddies...we would do anything to save their life...they would save ours...

That night one year ago, I remembered Captain Mark Hoog, our CIBU honorary doctoral honoree, who was bonded for lifetime friendship with UAL Captain Jason Dahl, the Captain of United 93...that friendship stands forever in time.  It honors all of us.

That night one year ago, I was sharing my 'Ship of Friends" with a precious few....some alums of CIBU who understood deeply...some dear new friends who poured over every word of what was written.  Hearts were opened forever on these moments.  These moments were so opened to love and respect, they can never be closed.  They stand forever in time.

So, where are we?  One year later.  We still stand forever in time....on the Ship of Friends.  These bonds cannot be broken.  No vows were taken.  No pledges were spoken.  Only sacred memory traces deeply honor our lost heroes.  That is all we have, after all.  What is written fades.  What is painted erodes.  We have what is the life within our hearts...and it is up to us....as long as we can...as long as we live...as long as we believe...that life will go on.

Ship of Friends.  Welcome Again!!!

9/11 is here again, its almost morning....the smell of fresh coffee awaits me...the morning sun arises in the East...we are together again.

Being Real in the City

You opened your heart...
Only to part.

Tea at the marketplace was so nice...its brew warmed me...
My name was there...and I stood back, walking on...with you...

The City.
City was long and lines were broad and thin
The art was within

Cold...the city again...
It kept me there...
...outside in

City so cold, far away...
Warm tea...
....here today

...except you...

Mornings so bright
...brings out the night...

City...heart of justice...
...open heart for more...

The place we met...
...the open door...

...except you...

...were waiting for more...

...and, I, am still...
       ...on this shore.

The warmth of that tea....well.

...you could say, it comforted me..

This Is the Shore...These Are the People

We approach a day...
When we can say...

We stand together...
Now and forever...

For these sands...
Grains in our hands...

In these plains and trees
Forever to feel the breese..

Our family, our friends...
Harmonic, and discordant blends...

One wind, one sky...
We are born and die...

But forever we sing...
Forever, we fly...on our wing...

Blue sky, dark night...
That we together ever might...

Mid-Pacific

Somewhere out there...
Off shore....
Way far, way far....away...
Is the one flying....

Is she a bird...
Lost from her nest...
Is she a seal...
Swimming her best...

Out there...
Between here and there....
She is there...
Oh My, I don't know where....

Bring her to you...
Mother Earth, see her through...
All the way...
Past, tomorrow,
But, most important...
Today...  
            ....for me and you.

Labor Day!....Generally Forgotten, but Enjoyed

Labor Day was meant to honor those who work.  All kinds, from physical labor to "management" labor.  The tougher the labor, the more honor.  That is what was meant to be...

So what of the new breed of government workers who pull down big paychecks, I mean huge paychecks, and astronomical pensions at our expense?  What of those who game the system?  Honor them?  Lately, newspapers and TV stations in California are publishing their names for all to see.  Public information, after all.  Maybe even your neighbor, whoops!

People are sick of people who game the system. 

Labor Day has been lost in the shuffle of the gamed system we all live in.

All we can do is wish a happy day to the actual folks who do seem to work hard, honest work.
We all know who these folks are.  You know them when you see them.
Everybody loves a day off.  Everybody loves a hero.  Nobody appreciates a worker who is making higher than usual money and is protected by big powerful unions.  A retired person buys a GM car.  He learns that $2400 of what he paid goes to the medcal plan for the retired workers who built the car.  He, the guy who bought the car has no medical plan.  Happy Labor Day!
He drives the car to a car wash.  The guys who wash the car have no medical plan.  Happy Labor Day!
He is pulled over by a State Trooper for a moving violation, the Trooper has lots of benefits and a big pension awaiting his retirement.  Happy Labor Day.

The man goes to a university art museum.  An art student is painting.  He sees a good future.  He is not afraid of his future.  He is an artist for life.  Happy Labor Day.

A Day off just to rest, to appreciate summer, its few moments left, a day to remember those who really work hard.  Stay with its pure mission, its historical purpose....enjoy the day.....don't fret about the millions who have been taught how to game their lives...theirs is a calling that has no real hero's welcome.  Theirs is a day lost and forgotten.

Hearts Touch...Last Year...This Year...Next Year...

It happened again.  An international student appeared...back here...after he should have gone home....blew me away with hs sincerity...he actually returned here, on his own, after a toughly earned internship in a third country, laid out his plans (he convinced me after doing this for six months) for study at our partner school in Asia, has a plan...worked it out...
I asked, "So why did you come here, and why to Asia....?"  He leaned back in the chair, like an executive older than himself, and smiled, and said..."because it is my dream....to be global...to learn cultures, languages"....and he smiled again.  He convinced me.  I could be wrong, have been wrong before, always hope I am not wrong....but I need to judge, every minute, because I must make a decision, and if I am right, it is great, and if I am wrong....I just put my faith too far, that's all....

So he asked me, "why do you think I will be on the right path?  Do you see the future, Dr. Mike, I think so."

"No way", I said, "Look here, my friend, I cannot see the future, anyone else who tells you so, beware, but I can see some things...I can have feelings..."  And I have them about him.  Come back in twenty, thirty years and we will celebrate.  I am sure of that.

These people are just amazing.  They surprise us, each day.  They are the pioneers.  They are the explorers.  They are the joiners of the Ship of Friends.

Wherever we are, wherever we go, we are never so far away.  Last year at this time, we just said hello.  Today, we know.  Tomorrow, we dream.