Tampa Pipet

That means without a straw. That's how I order any drink that might come with a straw. If it's an upscale place I'll say without a plastic straw because some places are using paper or organic tube plant straws or glass. About four out of five times they forget and bring a plastic straw and I gently lecture them on how they don't decompose and often end up in streams and the ocean. There is a movement to get restaurants to stop using them. We're all still doomed but it seems like a good effort to make.

Busted

Nyoman who takes care of blind Brit Philip next door mainly by drinking with him, just spent the night in jail for drunk driving. Didn't know that was possible - I think he thought it wasn't. Philip apologized for their conduct the other night. I said it's nothing unusual, like we lived next to a frat house. Meanwhile on the other side the apartment is being used more and more by people in recovery, like just off of a heavy Oxycontin habit and so forth. Our best friend Alice and her mate my best man Danu are overseeing that. Alices little dog ran up on Philip's porch and he told her the stinking dog needs a bath and she does too. Katrinka gently told him she'd appreciate it if he didn't speak to our friends or any people that way around here. Didn't show his face the next day. Landlord is concerned. His house would make a nice addition to the recovery program. I'd miss him and Nyoman. Nyoman's like my private tutor. - dc

Purnama Kedasa - The 10th Full Moon

Wondered why there were so many closed stalls at the market this morning. Then someone explained. Found the following with the title above on this page date March 23 but heard it goes on for a month.

Location: major temples island-wide [photo of Besakish mother temple grounds]

This special full moon is considered highly significant amongst Balinese Hindus. Known as 'Purnama Kedasa' in the local tongue, the day coincides with many major temples celebrating in festive rituals, attended by thousands of devotees. The famous mother temple, Besakih, holds a special ceremony known as 'Betara Turun Kabeh' on this special day, inviting the gods and deified ancestors for their blessings. A 'melasti' or purification pilgrimage usually takes place on the preceding Sunday, with processions carrying helrilooms and temple objects to sanctified water sources.

It's called Holis in India. - thanks Gregory

Nothing New

Carbon emission release rate ‘unprecedented’ in past 66m years - Just another boring report to be ignored by we humans charging ahead into the wonder of modern life.

Mental Health Care in Indonesia

Not the best case for sure.

Climate Changed more last month

Welcome to the climate emergency: you’re about 20 years late -Guardian

These heat records have been variously described as “terrifying”, “jawdropping” and “shocking”.


It’s Official: February Was The Warmest Month On Record - Huff Post

Another Brian Victoria article

A Buddhist View of War: D. T. Suzuki; This essay by Suzuki seems to support the idea of 'holy war'. Written during the Russo-Japanese War (8 February 1904 – 5 September 1905), Suzuki promotes Zen Buddhism as a legitimate path to being a warrior. from The Light of Dharma, July, 1904, Vol. 4. No. 2 pp. 179-182 - from the Zen Site

That article is and many more from Brian and others are linked to from the Zen Site's Critiques of Zen page 

Brian Victoria cuke page