Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche, day 2

Sunday: Up at 6:30. No explicit requests to change my sleeping posture last night, but the bed did vibrate mysteriously at one point. Shower, then headed up to my tent for some morning practices. Down for breakfast at 8:15. Sat inside, and ate a decadent donut, while getting a report on what it was doing to my intestines from Mk. Talked to a fellow named Bl about who might take over the job of 'A/V dude' since Bb was only staying through Wednesday. We found our man, and I gave him a rundown of the equipment, and what needed to be returned to KKC (and me).

9 AM, and the days first teaching block. We were deep into a complex topic, that I enjoy thinking about, so I had a lot less trouble staying awake. Prsla had some interesting questions. She asked me for help in navigating the logical snares laid out for her. I had my hand up a few times but didn't get to ask any questions. Interesting new terminology introduced. (General and particular I)

There wasn't a whole lot of time between the end of class and lunch. I did some packing and tidying. More instructions for the A/V fellow. Sat with Wnd and Sn at lunch, talking about perception, the sense of smell, and so on. (Salad, bean soup, pasta with pesto). The very lovely woman running the kitchen offered us some Tibetan soup, but it was not vegetarian.

Got involved with a couple more conversations about the A/V situation, and ran out of time to complete my practices before the next teaching block. Packed up my tent and put the last few things in my car.

The next block continued on the same material as the previous. I think I got to the bottom (relatively) of some long standing questions I've had. I asked a question, and the answer was less helpful than the confirmation that the question made sense. I would have liked to stay until the very end, but, my circle needed me, so I slipped out the back of the large tent where the teachings were being held just after 4 PM, and got on the road.

Quite another stunningly beautiful day. Drove with the top down, applying sunscreen while driving, then having to wipe it off my sunglasses. Stopped to get gas, use the facilities, get an energy drink, and make sure I was on the right track... all of which were accomplished. I noticed an injured wasp on my windshield, but couldn't think what to do for it. Hit a little traffic near the Massachusetts boarder, and beyond, but still made it back to Somerville by about 7:10 PM. Stopped and got a fast food veggie burger and so on. Back home, fed the cats, unloaded the car, ate my food, checked email... which reminded me that circle was at Victor's tonight.

Back on the road, and down to Victor's house by 8:25 (10 minutes late). Terry, Martin, Victor and myself in attendance, supplemented by Alex L (who will be known from now on at the Big Lahoski, or simply "the Dude" from now on) later in the evening. Bdg was lying on the floor when I arrived, listening to Martin sing a song. We played 3rd Relation for him, and then he went off to bed. We worked amplified: Bicycling, EotN, Growing Circle, Asturias, Lark's Thrak, Moving Force, Calliope, Hope, Circulation (same pattern as last week, but with 5 of us rather than 7), "Embroidery." When Alex arrived and was getting tuned up and amplified, I helped Jn move their bed so she could get at the dust bunnies. Terrible intonation issues. Before Alex showed up, I was the only Ovation in the circle. I wonder if, as circles become more diverse in terms of the makes of guitars represented, intonation problems will also increase. Some talk about the possible NST Weekend and the venue that Martin looked at. Headed home around 11:30.

When I got in around midnight, MB had left a message saying she was going to bed (She's staying with my mom while she takes a belly dance workshop in NYC). I unpacked, shuffled cars around, and so on. Now, the bulk of my duties for the day are complete, but some daily practice remains, so, I will now attend to that, and then go to bed.