Red Tree Scribblings II

I.
(5.14.09) It's almost 9am. It's going to be hot today. I've heard it's going to rain. This interesting man passed by today, walking his dog; or may be he's paid to do that, I don't know. What's odd is that he was holding a thick walking stick, and each time they stopped he tapped it on the ground rhythmically until I turned and looked; he was looking at me, strange but I guess wanting to be noticed? So I did. Then he stopped and pointed his stick at me and said "boom" or something close to that. Then he walked away only to stop couple of more times to do the same thing. :S Perhaps he's training the dog? I liked it.

It's a beautiful morning, I'm covered with sweat -and not because I trained hard, but because it's ridiculously humid-yet I can feel the healing. I want to read more on "the mind"; eager to be close to understanding. I want to find that book on Wittgenstein.

So many new things to learn; so many things to remember and practice, or repeat everyday to keep them fresh, like speaking. And it cannot be a boring repetition for it never repeats itself. All repeats, or counterparts may feel alike but each time they are capable of opening up to new things. Every return, to a thing, to someone, to a place is actually stepping forward to a new thing with hopefully a sense of excitement and exploration, as well as a sweet familiarity and coziness. So little time though; and I'm thankful that I have my beautiful family, friends who are equally generous and curious, and adventurous to a certain degree. Life cannot be boring when it provides me with so many new perspectives even when I think unconsciously, pretentiously that I now know fully, it sends me a rasteira with an impish smile. :) Knowing and learning are not concrete, they're not substantive and that's what's so exciting about them: things move, they evolve and so do you, if you allow it. My mind shall be in harmony with them, or at least try to, again like in capoeira. Challenge, struggle, malicia but always in harmony, balanced and attentive. It's not about avoiding and not repeating the mistakes, but simply enjoying the knowledge, to evolve until the end. I pray I never stop.

II.
5.15.09
I was in my usual routine. They came and took pictures of the tree, with me and my bike under it. I'll be in strangers' pictures. A group of junior high kids are working on a school project (I assume) with their teacher guiding them under another tree in the park. Good teacher.

III.
5.17.09
Today two photographers came to take pictures, of the tree as usual. They asked me if they could have me in them. Funny the others didn't ask and I couldn't have cared less. So the first one told me not to look at him, just mind my own business. I wasn't inclined anyway. The one that came an hour later said she wanted me and my bike in the picture, that she's a painter and I would to be in her painting. :S

Lovely, orange caterpillars were crawling all over my bag today. I would have love to imitate their graceful motions. They observe, feel and make sure where to land before stepping forward (or curling up and down), so beautifully. I envy the flexibility, and slowly but surely I'm getting closer to a full macaco (it's some kind of a back flip). I need to eliminate the fear of breaking my neck.. I know I can do it, but for some reason can't seem to trust myself to place my second arm on the floor on time and jump backwards. I broke down the movement. I need to feel confident with each move. So now I'm working on ponte (the bridge) to have a better back flexibility, which is also good for my shoulders. They need to be stronger and more flexible. My handstand is getting better and better, I can hold it at least 4 seconds now, and I'm able to walk on my hands, couple of steps though, for now. Walk over is still stiff, but will improve with my ponte exercises. I believe if I can get macaco, I'll be able to do a lot of stuff. I'm also working on some moves that includes queda de rins (That's something like falling on the kidneys by resting your body on one of your elbow). They're also good for my arms, they need to be stronger. However lately I've been having shoulder pain, nothing serious though, just sore I think.