Bistro Bijou

[unpredictablebijou]

Homie and Anschul are pretty good sharers, I've noticed. In fact, Homie is almost as brave as the girls are about sharing here. Lol. I'm not sure how he'll feel about that but I did mean it as a compliment.

He's smart enough to know a compliment when he sees one, I betcha.

This all makes me think of This Thing I Think About A Lot. It's a long long diatribe but I'll try to just hit the high points:

I've been studying the Dakinis for a long while now. These are the ancient female Tantric "teachers" that appear in a lot of the old literature. They're sorta half-human, half-divine 'sex goddesses', as it were, and sometimes when I watch a gathering of women of a Certain Sort I'm reminded of the legends of the Dakinis.

Young yogis are generally told that for the most part, their enlightenment process will involve general celibacy. But at a certain point, in one life or another, one has to interact with women, (poor things - the yogis, I mean, not the women) or the process will not be complete.

At that point, one thing they're told is that sometime they may be in the woods or an isolated place and come upon a gathering of women partying like women tend to do when they're alone. They may not look like goddesses as such, the yogi is told. Perhaps they're older, or strange-looking, or seemingly drunk and obnoxious. Dakinis in human form fall into lots of categories (the Tibetans loved breaking things into categories) and some are described as "fierce in countenance" and stubborn, and argumentative, "refusing to be dominated," "haughty and proud," and so on. Not that approachable.

But if the yogi approaches with the proper respect and offers the correct signs and obeisances, he will find that he is a guest at a Dakini gathering. If he's very lucky, they will allow him to join in, and he will learn a Lot. A Whole Lot. And usually somewhere in the story he notices that he's actually surrounded by some extremely hot goddess-women, not at all as they appeared at first glance.

Just my little parable for the pajama party.

bj

 

[Sara Crewe]

He's smart enough to know a compliment when he sees one, I betcha.

This all makes me think of This Thing I Think About A Lot. It's a long long diatribe but I'll try to just hit the high points:

I've been studying the Dakinis for a long while now. These are the ancient female Tantric "teachers" that appear in a lot of the old literature. They're sorta half-human, half-divine 'sex goddesses', as it were, and sometimes when I watch a gathering of women of a Certain Sort I'm reminded of the legends of the Dakinis.

Young yogis are generally told that for the most part, their enlightenment process will involve general celibacy. But at a certain point, in one life or another, one has to interact with women, (poor things - the yogis, I mean, not the women) or the process will not be complete.

At that point, one thing they're told is that sometime they may be in the woods or an isolated place and come upon a gathering of women partying like women tend to do when they're alone. They may not look like goddesses as such, the yogi is told. Perhaps they're older, or strange-looking, or seemingly drunk and obnoxious. Dakinis in human form fall into lots of categories (the Tibetans loved breaking things into categories) and some are described as "fierce in countenance" and stubborn, and argumentative, "refusing to be dominated," "haughty and proud," and so on. Not that approachable.

But if the yogi approaches with the proper respect and offers the correct signs and obeisances, he will find that he is a guest at a Dakini gathering. If he's very lucky, they will allow him to join in, and he will learn a Lot. A Whole Lot. And usually somewhere in the story he notices that he's actually surrounded by some extremely hot goddess-women, not at all as they appeared at first glance.

Just my little parable for the pajama party.

bj

That made smile. Big. So true.


We are definitely twins on some dimension.

However, I will admit to wanting my yogi to be the one who slipped a little on his celibacy vow. I really have no interest in teaching when it come to certain things.

 

[unpredictablebijou]

That made smile. Big. So true.


We are definitely twins on some dimension.

However, I will admit to wanting my yogi to be the one who slipped a little on his celibacy vow. I really have no interest in teaching when it come to certain things.

Oh no, it's assumed he's spent a number of lifetimes dealing with the basics already. Only a certain level of yogi is even given the opportunity to meet them.

Here's a favorite Dakini story:

Tantric Dakinis are usually disguised as regular women in regular, often lower-level, jobs. Some of the most legendary ones are just referred to as "the Arrow-Maker" or "the Wine-Maker".

One rather famous teacher stayed low-key, running a restaurant in a small village. Very few recognized who she actually was. One day, a famous yogi came through town, travelling around and teaching. He was pretty evolved; very close to enlightenment in many ways, but not quite there yet.

The Dakini recognized this, and recognized him, but he did not notice her. He went to her restaurant that day and ordered some food, rather peremptorily because she was lower-caste and he was a Big Famous Yogi Teacher Guy.

She brought a bowl full of garbage and set it carefully down in front of him, which caused him to lose his temper in a very unenlightened, un-yogi-like way. "How can I eat this garbage?" he shouted, and threw the bowl out into the street.

"How can an epicure reach enlightenment?" she retorted, and at that moment he realized Who he was talking to. He immediately bowed, offered apologies and respect, and asked her to teach him.

She invited him to come back in the kitchen and "help her cook", which he did for the next few years, very happily. Shortly thereafter, he became a Bodhisattva.

Hm, dragging someone off into the kitchen. Now who does that sound like?

bj

 

[Sara Crewe]

Oh no, it's assumed he's spent a number of lifetimes dealing with the basics already. Only a certain level of yogi is even given the opportunity to meet them.

Here's a favorite Dakini story:

Tantric Dakinis are usually disguised as regular women in regular, often lower-level, jobs. Some of the most legendary ones are just referred to as "the Arrow-Maker" or "the Wine-Maker".

One rather famous teacher stayed low-key, running a restaurant in a small village. Very few recognized who she actually was. One day, a famous yogi came through town, travelling around and teaching. He was pretty evolved; very close to enlightenment in many ways, but not quite there yet.

The Dakini recognized this, and recognized him, but he did not notice her. He went to her restaurant that day and ordered some food, rather peremptorily because she was lower-caste and he was a Big Famous Yogi Teacher Guy.

She brought a bowl full of garbage and set it carefully down in front of him, which caused him to lose his temper in a very unenlightened, un-yogi-like way. "How can I eat this garbage?" he shouted, and threw the bowl out into the street.

"How can an epicure reach enlightenment?" she retorted, and at that moment he realized Who he was talking to. He immediately bowed, offered apologies and respect, and asked her to teach him.

She invited him to come back in the kitchen and "help her cook", which he did for the next few years, very happily. Shortly thereafter, he became a Bodhisattva.

Hm, dragging someone off into the kitchen. Now who does that sound like?

bj

Oh, okay. I'm all for seducing the guy who's inches away from the enlightenment finish line but has been playing the game for centuries.

Hmm, I seem to recall someone dragging someone else earlier...

I am not so much of a dragger kinda person. I just want people to come.

 

[Angeline]

Sadly, this is the only Yogi I much know.

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/3/39/Yogi-portrait.jpg

But I know what you mean. Women are wise. Men are...uh...strong.

 

[unpredictablebijou]

Oh, okay. I'm all for seducing the guy who's inches away from the enlightenment finish line but has been playing the game for centuries.

Hmm, I seem to recall someone dragging someone else earlier...

I am not so much of a dragger kinda person. I just want people to come.

I think we all agree on that last part.

I can only drag the willing and cooperative. I'm just not all that strong, really.

But Leon's a smart man, letting UYS drag him off regularly. He'll be a bodhisattva in no time.

Wait. Maybe he already is.

bj

 

[unpredictablebijou]

Sadly, this is the only Yogi I much know.

But I know what you mean. Women are wise. Men are...uh...strong.

*snicker*

Well, as to Yogis, there's him too.

But I think there are a bunch around here, of one sort or another. Who else would hang out with batshit crazy emotionally driven poet chicks?

bj

 

[loststar]

ahhhhhh I missed all the fun oh well I just want to say all you bat shit crazy emotionaly driven poet chicks are way too much fun, and I know I'm probobly not cool enough to be a sister, but I am definitly in the family tree, perhaps as a cousin, or niece?

 

[Sara Crewe]

I think we all agree on that last part.

I can only drag the willing and cooperative. I'm just not all that strong, really.

But Leon's a smart man, letting UYS drag him off regularly. He'll be a bodhisattva in no time.

Wait. Maybe he already is.

bj

I think it's because I see myself as more of a wanna be magic genie type who can make you come with her but without laying a finger on you...you just find yourself following.

 

[Sara Crewe]

ahhhhhh I missed all the fun oh well I just want to say all you bat shit crazy emotionaly driven poet chicks are way too much fun, and I know I'm probobly not cool enough to be a sister, but I am definitly in the family tree, perhaps as a cousin, or niece?

Batshit huh? I think Bijou is obsessed with shit tonight.


Being sisters has nothing to do with cool and everything to do with wanting to be in the tree with us. You're in, Babe.

 

[Angeline]

*snicker*

Well, as to Yogis, there's him too.

But I think there are a bunch around here, of one sort or another. Who else would hang out with batshit crazy emotionally driven poet chicks?

bj

Oh I forgot about him. I like him even more than the pic-a-nic guy. Also this dude, but frankly the only good thing to come of him, imho, was George Harrison's sitar music.

ahhhhhh I missed all the fun oh well I just want to say all you bat shit crazy emotionaly driven poet chicks are way too much fun, and I know I'm probobly not cool enough to be a sister, but I am definitly in the family tree, perhaps as a cousin, or niece?

What the Bijmeister said. You're were in long before you even posted that.

 

[Homburg]

I know sweety. It's a double-edged sword, this dignity and reputation thing. Personally I think my children have already destroyed any dignity I developed before I had them, but like I said, I like to pretend.

I've given up all pretense of dignity in these parts.

----

We could do each others nails and practice French-kissing. You'd like that (and so would that pervy little Sarah, I know--and I think UYS is extremely pervy). And then all the men would show up, drawn like moths to our flame.

I have been known to support this activity. Quietly. From the sidelines.

Without expectation of any quid pro quo even.

I'm an enabler.

----

Truth question: What were your opinions of sex after the very first time you tried it?

bj

"Hmm, that was pretty good, but the ending should be, erm, messier. I need to try harder next time."

No, I did not come the first time I had sex.

----

Just a nerdy historical note to bring down the heat levels here: Tartan kilts are not authentically Scottish highland wear — it is all b.s. They were invented by a 19th Century English (London) tailor and then adopted by Scottish nationalists in the 20th Century (mostly Americans with a Mac in their name!) as a symbol of "authentic" Scottish dress.

Here is an article discussing that particular myth.

----

Homie and Anschul are pretty good sharers, I've noticed. In fact, Homie is almost as brave as the girls are about sharing here. Lol. I'm not sure how he'll feel about that but I did mean it as a compliment.

Thank you for the compliment. I do tend to share.

 

[LeBroz]

.
.

Venturing into the Bistro on a day like today is like wandering onto the stage of The View. It seems like verbal chaos to all but women — proof of different brain construction.

Except on The View the ladies don't go dragging the male guest into the back nor engage in leg humping.

.
.

 

[RhymeSmith]

Trying to catch up with the melee here makes me feel like I stepped Through the Looking Glass. Running just as hard as I can doesnt't even keep me from falling further behind.

Haiku was fun to do but if you write it I'm sure the pure hell is editing it to catch the true spirit of the haiku form.

So Leon... I've only tried a couple of times to write haiku, and I don't do Japanese. Furthermore, I'm not yet sure I really understand the form as accepted in English verse. When writing in English, do you count syllables or on?

 

[LeBroz]

So Leon... I've only tried a couple of times to write haiku, and I don't do Japanese. Furthermore, I'm not yet sure I really understand the form as accepted in English verse. When writing in English, do you count syllables or on?

Before I give a simple answer, go back over the Archival Review thread where there are 8 posts on haiku or take a look at a spin off, the Archival Review: Haiku thread. These have several links to jthserra's "What Is ..." articles on the form.

Speaking as a simple layman without an English degree or advanced study in the form, here's my take on the form:

I view the convention of 17 syllables in three lines of 5-7-5 syllables as sort of training wheels to get started in writing haiku. It instills a certain discipline that's part of writing haiku. I view the key element of haiku as the very strictest form of show, don't tell, as Liar mentions in one of his posts about the form.

So, do you count syllables? No - you strive for absolute minimal construction {and I'm sure some purists might cringe at my take on this}, such as in the following example:

flowers open
petals shine
tiny drops of dew

You could even drop the tiny. Still, when you read that, you, the reader create in your own mind the image. The poet might be writing that to show how Gaia's eyes are damp with the pain she's suffering or perhaps it's an image of the start of a summer day that is filled with great promise.

Even the haiku form has evolved into three sub-types:

the haiku itself which is about nature
the senryu which is about human nature (usually humorous)
the zappai which covers just about anything the doesn't fit as haiku or senryu.

Remember that this is just my subjective take on the matter.

Now, I've got to get out of here before the ladies show up and one of them off and drags me into the back room.

Again.

.
.

 

[UnderYourSpell]

Nearly noon here and just managing to drag self into the Bistro walking in a strange crabwise/just got off my horse fashion... sit down gingerly on the softest seat and hopes this is not a no smoking establishment as I need all the bolstering I can get. Orders coffee I like it how I like my men (or women!!) hot strong and not too sugary

 

[UnderYourSpell]

Before I give a simple answer, go back over the Archival Review thread where there are 8 posts on haiku or take a look at a spin off, the Archival Review: Haiku thread. These have several links to jthserra's "What Is ..." articles on the form.

Speaking as a simple layman without an English degree or advanced study in the form, here's my take on the form:

I view the convention of 17 syllables in three lines of 5-7-5 syllables as sort of training wheels to get started in writing haiku. It instills a certain discipline that's part of writing haiku. I view the key element of haiku as the very strictest form of show, don't tell, as Liar mentions in one of his posts about the form.

So, do you count syllables? No - you strive for absolute minimal construction {and I'm sure some purists might cringe at my take on this}, such as in the following example:

flowers open
petals shine
tiny drops of dew

You could even drop the tiny. Still, when you read that, you, the reader create in your own mind the image. The poet might be writing that to show how Gaia's eyes are damp with the pain she's suffering or perhaps it's an image of the start of a summer day that is filled with great promise.

Even the haiku form has evolved into three sub-types:

the haiku itself which is about nature
the senryu which is about human nature (usually humorous)
the zappai which covers just about anything the doesn't fit as haiku or senryu.

Remember that this is just my subjective take on the matter.

Now, I've got to get out of here before the ladies show up and one of them off and drags me into the back room.

Again.

.
.

Annie smiles
door slams
Leon scarpers

 

[Anschul]

First off, Ange, thanks for the compliment...I do like to share, it gives me pleasure, and anything that gives me pleasure is a good thing...

And second, I just got finished reading the minutes from yesterday's Grrls' Club meeting, and I would like to add that considering that despite only an occasional appearance by Leon and El, there was an awful lot of testosterone being bandied about in its own way...

Wish I'd been there...

 

[Etainne]

Still just doin' what I'm told...

Hooray!

What's "your song" with your beloved?
And as a companion, what song can you just not listen to anymore cause it was "Your Song" with someone you'd now prefer to see buried in eels?

bijou

Ok so one of my instructions from Bijou was to answer some survey questions -- soooooo

"Unchained Melody" is The Big Trout and my song... it MUST be Righteous Brothers -- everyone else is just a cheap imitation even though they weren't the first... that song brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it (to BT's too... if he hears it on the radio he calls me so we can listen to it together ... sweet huh?)

Buried in eels would not be good enough for the former Mr Etainne with whom I shared "I'm On Fire" by Springsteen ... I will listen to Slim Whitman singing Indian Love Call before I suffer through more than a second or two of that song... yeech.

Too bad about Metheny Bijou, I really like those guys --- especially the American Garage CD -- makes me feel like I'm on a perfect driving vacation even when I am just driving to the grocery store...

love you later,
E

 

[Homburg]

What's "your song" with your beloved?

I can't recall if I answered this one.

I sing "Long Black Veil" a la The Chieftains for MIS at bedtime, and "Still in Love with You" a la Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is the song that viv loves to hear me sing.

I am also a big fan of "The Promise" by Chris Murray, though I STRONGLY suggest the original 4-track version where is is on guitar and unnaccompanied. The more polished remake he did on his studio was not as heartfelt. It is a beautiful, soft roots ska song, and I really do suggest it. If anyone likes roots ska and wants a copy, I have it as a Winamp media file.

 

[unpredictablebijou]

Batshit huh? I think Bijou is obsessed with shit tonight.
.

It's a local colloquialism. 'n' shit' is the way we say 'etcetera.'

What the Bijmeister said. You're were in long before you even posted that.

She's kinda like a daughter to me. Okay, stepdaughter; that way I can give her more straightforward feedback about boys and stuff.
And yes, hon, of course you're 'in', whatever that means. Though I don't know that you're old enough to qualify as 'pervy' just yet.

Here is an article discussing that particular myth.
.

Well, y'know, here's the thing about the Kilt thing.
I'm not into them because of their historical value, or their authenticity, or even the clans they purport to represent.

It's a lot less left-brain than that. That's why Eluard didn't disturb me with the True Facts thing; even if they'd been invented last week I'd still have a major fetish.

you got a kilt, hat-boy? *reckless pervy eyebrows*

Venturing into the Bistro on a day like today is like wandering onto the stage of The View. It seems like verbal chaos to all but women — proof of different brain construction.

Except on The View the ladies don't go dragging the male guest into the back nor engage in leg humping.
.

That's why we're way way better than the View.
But seriously, if men read through that thread carefully enough, they'll find that there is quite a bit of rational method to what appears as cacaphony.

It's not that women are so hard to understand or so foreign. It's that we tend to allow men to tune out the stuff that might make them run away. So they get out of the habit of listening.

Hence the Dakini legends.

Trying to catch up with the melee here makes me feel like I stepped Through the Looking Glass. Running just as hard as I can doesnt't even keep me from falling further behind.

There's a bottle over on the table in the corner for you. It says "DRINK ME."
Do so. It'll help.

And well, yesterday was a lovely exception to how quiet it's been in here lately. I don't get a chance to hang out with grrrls as often in "real" life. Especially batshit crazy (also a local colloquialism) poet chix, my favorite kind of grrrl.

Nearly noon here and just managing to drag self into the Bistro walking in a strange crabwise/just got off my horse fashion... sit down gingerly on the softest seat and hopes this is not a no smoking establishment as I need all the bolstering I can get. Orders coffee I like it how I like my men (or women!!) hot strong and not too sugary

...and black?

Round here we would say you'd been "rode hard and put away wet." *evil grin*

First off, Ange, thanks for the compliment...I do like to share, it gives me pleasure, and anything that gives me pleasure is a good thing...

And second, I just got finished reading the minutes from yesterday's Grrls' Club meeting, and I would like to add that considering that despite only an occasional appearance by Leon and El, there was an awful lot of testosterone being bandied about in its own way...

Wish I'd been there...

Well, heart o mine, you're here now. That's what really matters.

If the testosterone referred to had anything to do with me, well yeah. I had that Kilt Thing and then UYS kept encouraging me to get all toppy... I'm a sucker for grrls who like to get their hair pulled.

whew. Now I'm caught up. The shop's been a madhouse - and all crazy grrls! Maybe we created a vibe in here yesterday.

*notices unintentional pun, decides to leave it there*

bj

 

[champagne1982]

*spies the carefully displayed vibe* ... You don't mind if I -- *scampers* ... bibibakson

 

[unpredictablebijou]

*spies the carefully displayed vibe* ... You don't mind if I -- *scampers* ... bibibakson

Lemme know if we need to rewire it with a pull-starter.

.

 

[Homburg]

Well, y'know, here's the thing about the Kilt thing.
I'm not into them because of their historical value, or their authenticity, or even the clans they purport to represent.

It's a lot less left-brain than that. That's why Eluard didn't disturb me with the True Facts thing; even if they'd been invented last week I'd still have a major fetish.

you got a kilt, hat-boy? *reckless pervy eyebrows*

bj

Old photo, almost eight years ago, and still back in me Fat Bastard days.

ETA: Well, fatTER. I'm still not exactly svelte...

 

[Angeline]

Lemme know if we need to rewire it with a pull-starter.

.

Does it wack weeds, too? I like a multitasker.