If this picture doesn’t make you smile, you’re probably the devil.
Obama’s Ipod

I’ve been slacking on meditating and not really feeling like I have a good grasp on this whole Buddha thing so I started an intro to Buddha class. I was meditating at a Zen temple/dojo and I’m taking the class at a Pure Land temple.

I’ve talked a little about the difference between Zen and Pure Land but the best comparison I’ve heard so far is that you can walk or take a boat, you’re still going to get to the same place. (That’s not the direct quote but the idea is there.)

That doesn’t mean I am giving up on meditation. I liked meditation especially at the temple. The little bit of ritual helps me focus.

The first class was about the different sects of Buddhism and where they came from. I started thinking about how long Buddhism has been around when the teacher pointed out that certain terms are Sanskrit. One person in class said his family has been part of the temple all of his life but he has never learned the basics. No Sunday school as a kid for him. Buddhism goes much deeper than reading scripture and sticking a Jesus fish on your car. It’s like gender. Society and family teach you what it means to be a girl but they don’t give you a book or make you take lessons on how to be a girl. Some people see Buddhism as more of a culture or philosophy than a religion. Older members of the temple pride themselves on not having studied Buddhism, they say it’s not necessary when you live it.

I like the teacher for this class. He’s an old white guy, retired teacher, a forgetful professor type. He became interested in Buddhism about 30 years ago but I think he comes from a Jewish family. I googled him and found a site with his poetry. Some of his poems are dirty! I am well aware that seniors like to get it on but it’s always surprising to see evidence of it.

The nice weather has put me into a good mood. Pink jelly shoes also put me in a good mood. I had a hard time finding jelly shoes last year but Target has a bunch this year. They’re not comfy or practical but they scream summer nostalgia.
I walked around a lot yesterday. I stopped at Starfruit along the way. They have Kefir frozen yogurt. It’s a little bitter at first but the more I got into my cup of cherry, the more I liked it. And according their noisy, boingy site, it’s all low fat.

How can I not like boxing? Look how cool I look with my hands wrapped.

I started boxing boot camp today. So I’m not actually boxing, I’m learning techniques necessary to punch people in the face. My class is small and all women and our instructor is very supportive. My drill partner cheered me on as I tried to put my whole body into uppercuts and hooks. I’m sure I looked ridiculous. I don’t care. This is the most fun I’ve ever had in a gym

And I’m exhausted.

I checked out the drag kings on Friday. I can do what they’re doing. It’s mostly just lip syncing and a little acting to explain what the song means to them. The show was pride month themed so it was heavy on the angst.

I don’t know how well I would fit in the group. Most of the kings look younger than me and have their cute little queer friends cheering them on. And they look very convincing. I’m guessing they look very convincing off stage as well. The MC referred to some of the kings as trans men. And I’m nowhere near trans. I just want to put a little bend in my gender. I know I wil go back and forth and make up a ton of excuses to do it and not do it before the show. Good thing it’s a month away and I have time for all of this.

I saw a friend from high school, too(at a bar, not the show). It’s nice reconnecting with people. I’m always all blah blah stability so maybe having a little of my past around will help and it will remind me that my entire past was not scary. There was a lot of good that unfortunately doesn’t stick like the trauma does.

Saturday I went to a friend’s wedding reception. There were over 500 guests, 3 dress changes, tons of awesome food, singers and MC’s. I didn’t see the bride and groom sit down for more than 5 minutes at a time. But the most impressive thing was the couple. They’ve been together since junior high. Now they’re in grad school, finally getting married. That’s some make you believe in true love stuff right there.