LAX

Always gotta hit Venice Beach. The first night I was here, Tina and I went to a dive bar for a burger and got to see four cops try wrestle a guy. We left when the pepper spray started coming out. Always somethin' going on down there.

Hot Springs

A trip to the Pagosa hot springs which included checking out different temps in each pool. I was able to get into all the really hot ones very easily thanks to my delicate Key West temperment. In between the hot, I got to try to force my body into the cold river water which actually felt nice once you committed to getting in. I miss being in water so much it wasn't that hard - there was a lot of screaming for the restaurant porch guests sitting at "Tequila's" across the river though.

The whole staff seemed to be enjoying a day off in town and that included chowing down on burgers and beers. The lama's nephew just got picked up in Durango and he joined us at the restaurant. As some of the girls were chatting about their upcoming tattoos tomorrow, the nephew simply said, "Let me get this straight. On your days off, you drink beer, eat burgers and get tattoos?"

On the Search for Hot Meat

OMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmm MOO.

Holy crap this was good.

(Lis realizing she's just another brick in the wall.)

Had a really nice day yesterday. In between painting, Lis and I went to town for supplies and a burger. She was desperately low on cigarettes and I was desperately low on chocolate. Such a good reason to go to town for a break and some MEAT! On the search for some hot meat and beer! Yum.

The drive into town is really pretty. Got to see cows, sheep and one big ass llama (the animal kind). I forgot how many good beers Colorado has. Enjoyed a nice wheat ale with my cheeseburger which was divine.

Got back to the temple post meat and beer heaven to paint a bit more. Took that pic of Lis sitting outside the temple doors while she was watching the rain and rainbows listening to Pink Floyd's the Wall. A very chill day, indeed.

Temple Time

So after arriving at the Durango airport, I had no clue who was picking me up. Just as I was reaching towards the ATM to grab some cash a girl named Lis said "Are you Penny?". She jumped up and down when I said yes and we rolled out to her car.

When I saw the Illinois plates I asked her where she was from. Chicago it seemed and she ended up out here after leaving the city for a road trip in search of a new home. Hmm, that sounds familiar.

As we got to talking I found out she worked for the Modern Contemporary Art museum in Chicago. This was a place I desperately tried to get a job from while I was there. As I thought about it, her name and voice sounded really familiar. I'm pretty sure I talked to her sometime in the job search process. I loved this one photography exhibit I saw there that summer and found out that she hung it and got to know the artist well. She told me if I ever wanted a job she could help get me one but now I'm just happy right where I am.

So we drive on and stop at the Pagosa Springs Safeway for some supplies. In this case, meat. Lis is craving it and says at a point tells me the veggie diet doesn't totally cut it. Oh Thank God! I find out that many of the residents at Tara Mandala go into town for burgers, beers and occasionally a trip to the hot springs where Tuesday is "local nite".

The lama is out of town right now but will be back on Tuesday. It seems everyone needed a break after this big celebration they had last week. Lis and I will be prepping the altar for the painting design the Lama will put on it. He'll meditate on what it should be and then start drawing.

Already, I'm learning how he does this as Lis describes the stenciling that takes place with powder and how some of the dimensional pieces are done with woodfiller through a contraption that consists of a pencil and rubberband. Today we're making Rabbit Skin glue which is a Tibetan gesso of sorts used for the mineral paints. This Lama has a school in Santa Fe and has been described as really funny. Can't wait to meet him.

The altitude has been affecting my brain or maybe it's the overload of visiting the past. I'm a bit fuzzy the day I arrive but I do note the "Pavement Ends" sign on the way into the region I'm calling home for the next few weeks. It feels in many ways, so true as I close my eyes right as we run out of road.

I'm not sure what to make of this place except the people are really nice. There's a floating mix of people who just decided to come here. There are all different types and most have done some really cool things. Lis found this place while stopping in Pagosa for a meal. She's been here two months now and may open a painting business with the Lama in Santa Fe.

In my haze yesterday, something really cool happened. At the end of our day while we were prepping the altar doors, a couple monks came in and started practicing in the room. The chanting while we worked on things to paint was amazing. Exactly what I wanted and it all finally made sense.