I burn myself, Folks
I don’t know when I will know in my heart that I no longer have restaurant hands. When you work on a line at a restaurant you don’t think twice about handling the hot stuff. It’s second nature. You’re numb to it. If it isn’t glowing hot you don’t get burning. I guess it’s not unlike the discipline and focus of mind it requires to walk on hot coals. You’re just doing it.
Now, I burn myself. My focus of mind is there but my soul knows I don’t work at a restaurant. Though you couldn’t tell by the amount I cook. I cook for the week then challenge myself to eat everything I’ve cooked or purchased. If I don’t, I’m very disappointed in myself, like I’ve failed at my job.
It’s part of my rituals that keep me sane. I now do about 10-15 minutes of Yoga in the morning. Then another 15 minutes of meditations. Then I do about an hour on Instagram live to engage with people. I do my talks for my podcast. I cook.
Nothing gets you more in the present than burning your hand. Maybe I should start my meditations with that.
I’m not even sure I want to continue meditating. It’s making my brain soft. I like it on fire.
Also, I think I’m done with cabbage. It happens. You hit a wall with things.
I finished the new Adam Curtis documentary series I Can’t Get You Out of My Mind. I had to watch the two-hour finale twice. That’s a lot to wrap one’s head around. My mind has been expanded and rerouted a bit. I do have some issues with the clutter of the end. Adam seems to kind of contradict himself around the ideas of psychic manipulations, the self being defined by the stories we tell ourselves, the possibility of the human having more than one self, data mining and algorithms being used to sideline and perhaps destroy consciousness. You get it, right?
Today I talk to Melissa Leo. She is one of the most powerful actors working. I’ve always loved her work. The film she is currently in is called Body Brokers. It's about the dark racket of some drug rehab facilities and the many evil insurance hustles. Corrupt caregivers running money through hopeless addicts. Powerful and real. On Thursday I talk to Michael K. Williams who is also in the film and was also Omar on The Wire. Great talks. Great week.
Enjoy!
Boomer, Monkey and LaFonda live!
Love,
Maron