Hot Springs Eternal

I spent Saturday evening and Sunday at a quite magical place. 2 1/2 hours drive from Tucson is a dilapidated hotel which used to be at different times: a health resort, a hippy commune and rumour has it a hang out of the Rolling Stones. The hotel was built next to a set of ancient hot springs some of which have been piped into pools and waterfalls. I have to say that it was probably the most relaxed I have ever been in my life. Sitting in a hot spring pool under the cold clear desert sky. It took a couple of hours for the effect to kick in, but once it had, I was just in a happy daze for the rest of our time there. When I awoke on Sunday it was as if I never really woke up. I spent the day in pleasant semi-trance, slowly walking from pool to pool, exchanging happy quiet greetings with whomsoever I came across. I have found a place in the world where even I am quiet. The site called 'Eden' is incredibly bizarre. The hotel is no longer a hotel, just a big run down house with lots of empty rooms. You bring your own bedding, your own food and drink. There were about 15 people there, mostly wandering around in bath robes. The link is for a much more organised retreat unlike the very relaxed affair which we attended. Unfortunately although tired when I got home the delightful carefree feeling had departed before I got to bed last night. I guess I'll just have to go back.

http://www.dancingbutterfly.net/retreats/arizona_hotSprings_eden.html

Almost there

Today I (finally) officially became enrolled as a non-degree seeking student at the U of A. That meant that I could get the keys for the Grad rooms in the Philosophy department. I therefore now have a desk and off the back of that was invited to join a Metaphysics and Epistemology (Nature of things and theory of knowledge) reading group earlier this afternoon. It was nice to get into a seminar situation and have some back and forth with some well trained philosophers. They are a bright bunch here, sharp and engaged.

I have overdone things already at yoga. Strained my knee yesterday and I'm suffering today. Typical me. Find something positive to do physically and then overdo it straight away.

Having wrestled for a week with the bank out here, my payment to Apple finally went through and my laptop should arrive on Friday, so pictures should soon be up.

On the more exciting news front, the band with whom I have been playing have been confirmed to appear in an animated film which is in pre-production. The film currently entitled 'Mindville' is about consciousness and consciousness studies and the band will be appearing as their animated alter-egos 'The Brains'. We've been working on three songs for the film, one of which I wrote the music to the other day. We may have a cut-across live action/animation music video produced before I come home. We should also be paid to go into a professional recording studio to lay the tracks down. Very exciting!

Getting bendy

Having a bad back and wanting to train hard in Aikido is not a good combination. I have decided therefore to do something else for a while in the hope of strengthening my back. To that end I have joined a Yoga group here in Tucson. http://www.yogaoasis.com/ They really are friendly people. It's almost as if all that stuff that they say about yoga relaxing you and making you a more compassionate, happy and open person is true... well I could certainly use a push in that direction. They have very good teachers (which is really the most important thing.) And bizarrely I have felt that my posture is straighter after just two sessions.

Settling in and getting started

It's been a rather full couple of weeks. I've been playing piano with my new best friends 'The Theory' http://www.myspace.com/theorythe and am on the verge of being part of the band. I have now moved into my new apartment, have a decent bed and my back is recovering from the trials of the one that was there when I moved in. In the process of decorating and making it more homely (pictures will follow just as soon as I buy a laptop and can download them from my camera.)

I have been working on my paper for the big conference here in April. Lots of constructive criticism from my sponsor Professor Hameroff which is very useful.

Be well all