Cockroaches freak me out.  They are not only gross and full of disease, but the best way to combat them is to maintain an OCD level of cleanliness that is difficult for me to sustain.  I am using other precautions (repellants, etc), but keeping a clean kitchen is the most difficult for me.

Then again, this might be what I need right now.  A little patch of space to focus my awareness on.  Something to pay attention to and be present with.

By the way, if you’re into comics or Zen (or both), I would recommend this podcast interview with John Porcellino.  It’s good stuff.

I find myself in a lot of conversations where someone is trying to sell me on a concept, and it isn’t working.  The “ketchup” could be real estate, publishing, stereo configuration, etc.  What’s frustrating is that the person starting the conversation has no real stake in selling the concept and seems to genuinely want to help.  I try to hear them out, but like I said, it isn’t working.  Then I obsess over whether or not they’re right, but it never seems to go anywhere.  It’s maddening.

Other phrases associated with ketchup conversations are:

• You should see if you can afford ketchup.
• You shouldn’t be afraid to use ketchup.
• Don’t worry.  You’re good enough to use ketchup.
• Now is the time to buy ketchup.
• I would buy ketchup if I was you, but I have kids, etc.
• Here’s the best way to put ketchup on your hot dogs.

I could go on.

I had been searching for a quote I had once heard about children of alcoholics when I came to the above quote.  It’s from the Adult Children of Alcoholics website.  I don’t know if I qualify since my dad stopped drinking at a very early age, but some of the stuff hit home.  Then again, the writing feels very vague, like I’m reading a horoscope.  I’m guessing it applies to more people that ACoA’s.

One thing you hear from seasoned meditaters is that meditation is useless.  Generally they mean that meditation can help you learn more about yourself and your thought process, but there is no guarentee that it will achieve any results.  I may not make you calmer.  It probably won’t improve your memory.  It may not even make you perform better at work.  It not a thing you do to make yourself better.

I always thought this concept would make for a good Abbot and Costello routine.  I might even be able to make a mini-comic out of this.

Hope to see you on Saturday!

Also, here is the status on the Weekends With Carl giveaway:

This is why I don’t watch many movies.

I haven’t seen Scott Pilgrim yet, but I’ve already listened to a podcast interview with the director (I wish I still had the link).  I will be seeing the film this Thursday at the Scott Pilgrim Precious Film Festival, which you should go to if you’re in the Twin Cities Area.  It’s all a prelude for the Minneapolis Indie Expo, which is this Saturday.

So yeah, fun times!