The Hermit Thrush - C. W. Wolf

The Hermit Thrush - C. W. Wolf
My latest addition to my upcoming album. Check it out at audiofarm.org
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Logistics of Manifestation.

What, after all do we really need in life other than water, food, shelter and companionship? It would be a wonderful place if this were the case, unfortunately life is not so kind in this modern world. Simplicity has all but vanished, replaced by a system of checks and balances that constrict and confine our thoughts. It is designed to make us believe that we need it, that we cannot live without this system. The problem arrives when we succumb to the demands of society and become complacent. It is then that we can no longer survive without it.

Opportunity arrives before us each day, usually unnoticed. There is always a dream awaiting manifestation and because of out finely tuned schooling and disbelief in miracles, we cannot see these gifts. We manifest nearly every wish we set our minds to, yet when the manifestation appears before us we are too busy with our pre-programed lives to take notice. On the rare occasion when we find ourselves staring at the very thing we have created, we over look it, telling ourselves it does not fit into our lives, rather than embracing the beauty and simplicity of the gift. We are often too busy with more important things to notice at all and the manifestation gets pushed aside, then later overlooked until it may no longer be presenting itself.

Sometimes it is the exact dream we have dreamed a thousand times, and we choose to ignore it because it is one dream and logistics tell us that there is something that does not fit. Other times we reason it away, telling ourselves that it cannot fit into the life we have become comfortable with, a life that if taken apart would be far to complex to understand. So what do we do when the door opens and the offer is gifted to us, sitting there with a sign saying "I am yours, Come take me now?" We tell ourselves that we are not worthy, or that it will hurt someone else, or we make a thousand other excuses to justify the life we have made for ourselves already.

The next time you see even a glimpse of what may be an object of manifestation, Stop! Take a look around you, then sit quietly and look inside. We forget that decisions can be made with more than our logical brain, in fact it is so seldom that we allow our true feelings to get involved that we are losing touch with them. What we feel is reality, not what we conceive with our logical minds. When opportunity knocks, do not treat it as a stranger, but rather a long lost friend. Invite it in and catch up on old times, hear it out and listen with your heart. Give it the time it asks for and then, only after you you can truly tell yourself that it is not what you want, give it a second thought.

Ask opportunity for more time if you truly need it but do not be greedy about it. The world that manifestation lives in does not know time, it only knows your heart. Choose carefully between the two because the next offer will not be the same. When we refuse the things we manifest, we refuse our dreams. You see, it works both ways, because we control our own destiny and if we cannot accept the very things we create for ourselves, we are doomed to follow the ways set forth for us by others.

 C.W.Wolf 2009

The Fork Conspiracy

Yeah, I know what you are saying. What the heck is this guy thinking? Before you jump to any conclusions, please hear me out. This could be the single most important discovery of the decade and possibly the new Millennium. A conspiracy so involved that only the most cautious of masterminds could have conceived it and carried it out. This is a truly horrifying plan, a plan that is potentially as sinister as World Domination.... But I digress.

I have had several confirmations recently which seem to confirm my suspicions about this spreading phenomenon and the ripple effect it has begun to cause in the average American household. Worse than this, it has become apparent that it has been sited in several other countries and continents. Although several of these are still lacking enough supportive documentation, the mounting evidence suggests that we need to act quickly in order to slow this conspiracy. Left to it's own devices, The Fork Conspiracy could rapidly become unstoppable.

It started out nearly unnoticed just a couple years ago, in fact it was usually taken for granted. First it would be only one, and then there would be a carefully calculated measure of time before the next would fall victim. The plot had to be well thought out so no one would expect foul play. By timing the occurrences and gradually advancing the time table to a shorter period, it would become almost commonplace. One would hardly take note when the next one disappeared. I had my suspicions for a long time, it was not until I started really keeping track that I uncovered the truth.

I will spare you the gory details of dates and numbers, locations and descriptions. Instead I will concentrate on the issue at hand and this simple fact. Worldwide, every day when it is least expected, forks are disappearing. That's right, and you don't even have to take my word for it. It can be proven with this simple test.

Place a medium size towel on your counter. A table top or other flat surface will do if your counter is unavailable. You can also use a standard dish towel but this will limit the visual impact of the experiment. It is imperative that you understand the severity of this so please follow the directions as closely as possible to ensure an accurate accounting.

Look in your dishwasher, sink, silverware drawer and dish drainer and gather every item that you call tableware, flatware, silverware or eating utensils. These include but are not limited to the following.

Soup spoons, tablespoons, teaspoons, grapefruit spoons, demitasse spoons, iced tea spoons, table knives, steak knives, butter knives and finally dinner forks , salad forks and desert forks. Place the items on the cloth according to the type of item. Place the spoons together, the knives together and the forks together all in their own spot.

Please be forewarned, you are not going to like the results of this experiment and if you believe the final results may be too disturbing, do not continue. This is not for the weak of heart and I ask you to do this only if you are certain that the results will in no way cause you harm or mental anguish. I will not be responsible for the effects and you must take into account the risks involved in this experiment. If you are sure that you can handle this without causing duress you may continue at your own risk. I can tell you from personal experience that this can be very disruptive to your everyday life if you allow the results to inhibit your thinking.

I became obsessed with this project after I began to realize what was happening, in fact it actually caused irrefutable differences between myself and several family members. This can cause other issues which will be discussed later in the full disclosure statement. The following is not to be taken lightly. If I had not taken matters into my own hands when I saw what was happening, I may well have not made a full recovery. Consider yourselves warned and do not read on unless you are fully prepared.

Count the spoons. You will find they are all there except for a couple teaspoons. I am sure if you give it enough thought at this point, you will know where the missing spoons have gone. Each one has a history and most will eventually be found. Count the knives. Again there are a minimal number missing, or more correctly, misplaced. These too can be easily accounted for and justified. I bet you even know who used that missing steak knife and didn't return it.

Now for the horror. Count the forks. That's right! There are so many missing it is not at all logical... That is unless you examine the Fork Conspiracy carefully. Where do they all go? How come there are so many missing? The answer is obvious, they are forks. Forks are the only tool that man makes that can do what they do. In these troubled times they are disappearing even faster than in years past, and why you ask? I cannot tell you for fear of my life. I have already been threatened several times in this year and have vowed not to speak of the reason. I can however tell you that the answer is right under your nose.

Tread carefully
~Cloud

Rites of passage at 50.

An Amazing Sweat.

The invitation was not all that unusual, at least not for the friends I know. It was an invitation to a 50th birthday for my good friend Emery who lives and works at Spirit Hollow. The celebration of his first 50 years would consist of a Sweatlodge and a feast. I was asked to fire-tend with several friends which I was more than happy to do. I was even prepared to stay with the fires and forgo the lodge to make certain that all were well attended to. I was not to worry however since the plans included everyone.

I was excited to finally get a chance to meet Robert I had heard so much about. Everyone has always spoken so highly of him and I now know why. I guess my first impression of him was a gentle giant, a good size man with a quiet and loving voice. This however was just the beginning though as I soon learned about his plans for the celebration. I am afraid that all I could do was stand with my hands together and a large smile, listening and taking it in. His visions were detailed in both purpose and spiritually.

It would begin with everyone but Emery and 28 large stones entering the lodge. A buffalo robe was spread just outside the door as Emery sang his death song once from each direction. Robert had been told by spirit that before Emery was to enter the lodge he must be dismembered. This was done ritualistically at the entrance, upon the robe as 28 people listened to the song that Robert sang and caught an occasional glimpse of the dismemberment. When this was finished, Robert proceeded to re-assemble Emery and bring him into the lodge with another song and prayer.

During the first round, each person was given a chance to speak of the moment they first knew they loved Emery. It was a beautiful and touching time. The lodge was intensely hot and several folks had to leave as Robert poured Sage Tea with a Cedar branch to mark the beginning of the second round. This round was filled with remembrances. Spiritually this was the most intense round for me. Some of the memories felt as if they could have been my own. When the door was opened at the end of the second round, nearly everyone who did not leave was flat against the Earth Mother.

I remember less about the third round, as is often the case for me in lodge. It is the time when I seem to be elsewhere in my journeys and although I am there physically, I often wander away to other places. I remember a moving song before the round ended though and then the water splashing upon the stones again and the scant of sage and cedar. The fourth round was very special as Emery prepared to be reborn. Each of us in turn set out wishes and intentions for Emery for his next 50 years. The connectedness of everyone during the last round made it feel almost as if it had been rehearsed. When this circle was complete, we all left the lodge, except for Emery.

The Buffalo robe was placed just inside the door of the lodge and we gathered around the entrance. On his back, and assisted by several male midwives, Emery was birthed into his new life. He later described the moment as he looked up at the faces above him, loving and nurturing as he was born from the womb of the lodge. His descriptions were eloquent in their simplicity as to the feeling of the birth and the excitement he felt as he entered the world again. He was no sooner outside than many hands were laid upon him with welcoming words of love.

In one of the most beautiful ceremonies I have experienced, traditional and new came together, leaving me with a sense that there is room for both to coexist in true harmony. It is something I will remember fondly, a true inspiration and a gift to all who were a part of it.

Mitakuye Oyasin
C.W.Wolf

What's in a word?

From my website cwwolf.com where you can always find something new.

What is in a word?

Well "what" is in several words like whatsoever, but that is beside the point. If you are like myself, you sometimes agonize over finding just the right word to convey what you really want to say. Well I have some good news! Wordlist.com has a fast and user friendly thesaurus that makes finding the perfect word a breeze. I use it along with my built in applications like Dict when I just need that little extra to get my point across.

What is in a word?

Actually, "what" is in multiple words akin whatsoever, this however is immaterial. If you, like myself occasionally struggle to conceptualize the correct word needed to communicate your exact intent, I hold wonderful tidings. Wordlist.com has a speedy and sociable thesaurus that makes discovering the quintessential word uncomplicated. I utilize this in conjunction with the pre-installed applications like Dict whenever I require some additional pizazz in order to annunciate my true meaning.

~See, you can get too much of a good thing!

Still waiting on Egg Saver

Beware of Egg Saver Shipping
Just a word of warning for my computer repair friends.

I am a huge fan of Newegg.com and have been a loyal customer for many years. I have always been more than pleased with their customer service and the speed at which I receive my purchases. Only on 2 occasions have I felt the need to rush an order and use a faster shipping method. Most often I chose the default option and always had my packages in several days.

Although this is not to do with Newegg directly, I thought I would share this experience so you do not make the same mistake I did. The bold is directly from the tracking report.


1/2/2009 9:19 AM ET ORDER PLACED WITH NEWEGG
MEMORY CARD AND READER, $X.XX, $3.99 Egg Saver (3-7 Days)

1/7/2009 7:00 AM CT MEMPHIS, TN, US PICK UP

1/8/2009 11:23 AM ET HEBRON, KY, US ARRIVAL ORIGIN DHL GLOBAL MAIL FACILITY

1/8/2009 3:31 PM ET HEBRON, KY, US PROCESSED

1/9/2009 7:03 AM ET HEBRON, KY, US DEPARTURE ORIGIN DHL GLOBAL MAIL FACILITY

1/12/2009 12:34 AM ET WALPOLE, MA, US ARRIVAL DESTINATION DHL GLOBAL MAIL FACILITY

1/12/2009 4:57 AM ET WALPOLE, MA, US TENDERED TO USPS

1/12/2009 6:45 AM ET KILLINGTON VT, EMAIL RECIEVED FROM NEWEGG
An item from your sales order #xxxxxxxx has been nominated for a Newegg Customer Choice Award

1/15/2009 2:01 PM ET KILINGTON VT, US STILL WAITING

1/15/2009 4:34 PM ET KILLINGTON VT, CLIENT CALLS AND CANCELS

1/15/2009 4:42 PM ET KILLINGTON VT, RETURN TO SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS

Now to be fair, I contacted Newegg Customer Service via email and received a timely response and an offer for $5 off my next order. It was my mistake for not noticing the basic shipping method had changed. I will also say however that I have received things from Hong Kong and Alaska in much less time via the USPS. I think the thing that bothers me most is that someone was counting on my word that it usually only takes a couple days.

Update: I have since been contacted again and told I will receive a refund and a credit on my next purchase, time will tell.