Tao translates to "the way" and from my understanding, which is largely based on "the Tao of Pooh" and some idle discussion in my first year of college, it largely teaches to spend ones energies in positivity. This largely seems to manifest itself in a quiet contemplative demeanour which does not allow minor interruptions to frustrate the spirit.
I have been given a valuable lesson in Tao today. There was a fire on the tracks ahead of my train. Pessimistic announcers and fellow travellers persuaded me to exit the train and worry myself over finding a new route. I say persuaded because somewhere inside I knew that if I stayed they would sort themselves out in due time. I was right. As soon as I got my note for work from the station master the trains got running. I did not learn my lesson then.

I rode the train downtown worrying about being late; though there was nothing to be done for it. Had I stayed at my usual bus stop, according to the bud tracker, I would be very late. So, I fretted. I worked myself into thinking I could chain several short bus rides together and arrive closer to on time. I took the first of three busses and in waiting for the second ended up on the bus I usually take which I could have taken at the usual stop. Now, here I am at work only slightly late and wiry a much better understanding of Tao. Had I not fretted, had I trusted in the inevitability of my arrival and that all would be well I might have arrived earlier. What better lesson could one ask for. Roll with thd punches, take things as they come, follow Tao, however you want to put it the lesson is not to fret or worry but to stay positive and calm.

Here's hoping I learned it.

Things

It has been five months since my last post so let me once again bombard you with prattlings as regard myself. I know it to be bad blog form to write only of oneself and I will endeavor, dear readers, to remedy that as I can. For less egocentricity I suggest my twitter feed where I am more apt to post things of more general interest.

Today I would like to plug a few projects. First in line is Our Fair City, the "Campy, Post Apocalyptic Radio Epic for the Internet" Which I have been helping to write for roughly a year and a half. Season one is well underway with 7 episodes available for you perusal. I am particularly pleased with this season as the tiny subplot I developed early in the project has blossomed into the main through line of this season. Season two in in it's second drafts so I look forward to annoying you about it come this autumn.

Captain Frobisher has made a few strides this year. I have put up a respectable facebook "fan" page. I have been trying to build up visitorship and content and hope to use it to generate bookings/ justify building a standalone page. My total booking schedule so far for the year.

May 14-15, Janesville Renaissance Fair
July 9- September 5, Bristol Renaissance Faire
October 4-5, Stronghold Olde English Faire

I am still keeping my ears open for more opportunities so we shall see what else opens up. The Captain will also be appearing in an episode of Gamer Chick which we will be shooting for in two weeks.

So, that's all I've got. Thank you to everyone who follows my prattling on facebook, twitter and extra bonus points if you actually read this via my blogger page. I hope that I can continue to be amusing even if only in 140 characters or less.

a non retrospective new year post

I thought, just for novelty's sake, I'd try writing a post for the new year without trying to quantify the year I just had. The year was good, don't get me wrong but I think if you're likely to read these words you are also likely to have heard about the notable events of 2010. The question now becomes what does 2011 have in store? Tab and I will be cleaning and overhauling our apartment for the next month once I get back from Winter Wonderland. Once that is done we hope to host more events. Likely either a meeting of our book club or a tea party to kick it all off.

I also hope to successfully apply for full time admission to a library science masters program. With any luck I'll get in for the fall of 2011.

For those who know me as Captain Frobisher I will be returning to the streets of Bristol and Strongholde this year. Frobie may be making an appearance in the upcoming season of Gamer Chick. I am looking for other bookings as well so it should be a good year on the performance side of things.

Most of all I am looking forward to building a life with Tab. For once we will have our the time to make our plans and choices for ourselves alone. Having Heather leave is going to have a toll. It is going to be a trying time for everyone but the time has come for change and I am excited by the promise of it all.

The Golden Falafel cont.

The streets of Istanbul were unlike anything Frobisher had ever been forced to deal with in a long career of exploring even in his rare visits to landlocked cities he had never been in a city so crammed with humanity. The most pressing sense was that of the immensity of activity going on all about. A sussurous of conversations, crafts, animals and seemingly without end; the sizzling of food. This truly was the largest city in all the world. No wonder then that it should be the envy of the continentals. If only they had held this would still be the greatest bastion of Christendom. He was almost tempted to lead his men on an assault from within the city's legendary walls. Surely there was a reason his ship had appeared without any reason or warning in two strange warm lands. Perhaps there might be some clues in this mysterious land as to the enigma or their transportation. More importantly, perhaps there was some profit to be made of this uncanny occurrence.
Frobisher, being somewhat worldly made way easily through the crowded streets of Istanbul here stoppng to admire the quilting of an arming jerkin, there to inspect an ancient sword hilt patinating in the presence of so much material wafting in the afternoon breezes.. Meanwhile, cabin boy followed in his wake nervously making apologies and clumsily returning items to their original places. The music of the city kept all in order. The heartbeat of the people dictated a nervous calm.
From across the din came one small miraculous noise. "Falafel!" came a sweet call. "finest golden falafel!" the world seemed to pause as Frobisher wheeled about reaching for the front of cabin boy's doublet.
"Did you hear that?" he asked with a wild grin. "An English speaking woman who has food." he made a decisive gesture across the face of a bystander who ducked just in time. "land ho!"

If you are still reading, thank you. As my penance for missing the past few days writing I have elected to allow you, my audience, to force phrases upon me. Any single phrase left in the comments of the blog posts at www.twaberry.blogspot.com will be inserted and somehow justified. Thank you to those who have submitted along the way. I try to use as much as I am given.