Saturday, September 29, 2018
Hot Air Balloon - 10 - I think it's done.
I still need to outfit the "action figure" with some accessories, and put her back in the gondola, but I think the balloon itself is done.
Thursday, September 27, 2018
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
Hot Air Balloon - 8 - Steampunk Flier Crash - Metaphor
The metaphors are almost endless in projects like Gailtown.
Okay, some struggles in life are unavoidable and absolutely necessary... repairing a roof... taking an ill pet to the vet... getting the kids vaccinated...
But some are ABSOLUTELY ditch-able. A party that you don't really want to give... a household project that has lost its appeal... a garden project that has become more trouble to weed than it's worth...
Fly it into the derrick, metaphorically! Have a good laugh. Enjoy the crash.
There is more time for the critical stuff!
Okay, some struggles in life are unavoidable and absolutely necessary... repairing a roof... taking an ill pet to the vet... getting the kids vaccinated...
But some are ABSOLUTELY ditch-able. A party that you don't really want to give... a household project that has lost its appeal... a garden project that has become more trouble to weed than it's worth...
Fly it into the derrick, metaphorically! Have a good laugh. Enjoy the crash.
There is more time for the critical stuff!
Monday, September 24, 2018
Hot Air Balloon - 7 - Steampunk Ditch!
Okay, still working on the balloon, but meanwhile...
Remember that Steampunk Flying Bicycle thingie?
I decided it was too raggedy to share the skies of Gailtown with the cool balloon. Plus I just couldn't get it balanced correctly in the air. Plus everything I tried in order to make things better just made things worse.
So...
I flew it into the oil derrick. Because I could. It looks much better there.
Remember that Steampunk Flying Bicycle thingie?
I decided it was too raggedy to share the skies of Gailtown with the cool balloon. Plus I just couldn't get it balanced correctly in the air. Plus everything I tried in order to make things better just made things worse.
So...
I flew it into the oil derrick. Because I could. It looks much better there.
Saturday, September 22, 2018
Hot Air Balloon - 6 - Basics Done!
The basics are assembled... globe, braces, gondola.
The passenger is the same figure from earlier. She can ride or be removed.
Not sure what's next... signage... flags... more accessories?
Friday, September 21, 2018
Hot Air Balloon - 4 - Mindfulness
I began my last post by reflecting on what a great VEHICLE (pun intended and admitted) a balloon can be for mood management, and how it had great metaphorical (and mindfulness) potential. I mentioned that one of my favorite novels (The House of Mirth, 1905, by the great Edith Wharton) describes the heroine's personal seal... a flying airship, with the word "Beyond!" beneath it. That little passage really set some powerful undercurrents, I thought, of perseverence and transcendence, and the power of love.
Let me take an extended look at those three elements, as they relate to my journey (and maybe yours).
Perseverence...
It can be so hard, to keep going, in the face of adversity, loneliness, pain, confusion, all of that real life stuff. I have always loved affirmations... little statements, pledges to oneself. Some say they're a bit childlike... sure, why not... I think we can tackle our biggest grown-up challenges by appealing to the child within. Yeah, I believe in that. So I sometimes tell myself things like...
*One more step, then I'll rest
*One day at a time (yeah, I know, an oldie but a goodie)
*I belong here
*I am a part of Eternity
Transcendence...
When dealing with difficult people, the best revenge (in addition to the RIGHT THING TO DO) is to transcend, forgive, set aside, walk around...
Nothing is so enfuriating (or growth-inducing) to an obnoxious person than being transcended. My favorite phrase?"Thanks for sharing". Then I go about my way, doing what I know is right. No, it's not easy or instant, but it's a plan for a journey.
Love...
What do you love, big or little!? God? Family? Pets? Nature? Yourself? Art? Music? Cooking? Travel? Games? Movies? All these things, and more, have a wonderful place in the Human experience. There is Humanity in them, and therefore, they are worthy of Love.
Love is a great treasure, to embrace and uplift.
And as for my balloon? I enjoyed a great visual imagery experience today, during a long car trip. I was nervous about the trip, the destination, and the reverberations, but I settled down and imagined a balloon trip in Gailtown.
Lifting/transcending above worldly problems... the pure sunshine, the lovely absence of wind... you don't feel the wind, because you are ON the wind... you're part of Nature and Eternity.
The dropping of ballast (metaphorical baggage)… I enjoyed watching it plummet to the ground, as the heavy earthen sand-bags they are, obeying gravity, returning to Earth, as I rise higher.
As I said last time... letting the wind carry me (accepting what cannot be changed down there on terra firma) is so free-ing. Where am I headed? No place, every place, any place, every place. Doesn't matter. I'm in my mind. In Gailtown, in my case. Plenty of time to walk on the ground. Later.
When you change the way you think, you change your world. I've heard that attributed to many, but... I love it.
Beyond!
Let me take an extended look at those three elements, as they relate to my journey (and maybe yours).
Perseverence...
It can be so hard, to keep going, in the face of adversity, loneliness, pain, confusion, all of that real life stuff. I have always loved affirmations... little statements, pledges to oneself. Some say they're a bit childlike... sure, why not... I think we can tackle our biggest grown-up challenges by appealing to the child within. Yeah, I believe in that. So I sometimes tell myself things like...
*One more step, then I'll rest
*One day at a time (yeah, I know, an oldie but a goodie)
*I belong here
*I am a part of Eternity
Transcendence...
When dealing with difficult people, the best revenge (in addition to the RIGHT THING TO DO) is to transcend, forgive, set aside, walk around...
Nothing is so enfuriating (or growth-inducing) to an obnoxious person than being transcended. My favorite phrase?"Thanks for sharing". Then I go about my way, doing what I know is right. No, it's not easy or instant, but it's a plan for a journey.
Love...
What do you love, big or little!? God? Family? Pets? Nature? Yourself? Art? Music? Cooking? Travel? Games? Movies? All these things, and more, have a wonderful place in the Human experience. There is Humanity in them, and therefore, they are worthy of Love.
Love is a great treasure, to embrace and uplift.
And as for my balloon? I enjoyed a great visual imagery experience today, during a long car trip. I was nervous about the trip, the destination, and the reverberations, but I settled down and imagined a balloon trip in Gailtown.
Lifting/transcending above worldly problems... the pure sunshine, the lovely absence of wind... you don't feel the wind, because you are ON the wind... you're part of Nature and Eternity.
The dropping of ballast (metaphorical baggage)… I enjoyed watching it plummet to the ground, as the heavy earthen sand-bags they are, obeying gravity, returning to Earth, as I rise higher.
As I said last time... letting the wind carry me (accepting what cannot be changed down there on terra firma) is so free-ing. Where am I headed? No place, every place, any place, every place. Doesn't matter. I'm in my mind. In Gailtown, in my case. Plenty of time to walk on the ground. Later.
When you change the way you think, you change your world. I've heard that attributed to many, but... I love it.
Beyond!
Thursday, September 20, 2018
Hot Air Balloon - 3 - Speaking of Mindfulness...
Speaking of Mindfulness...
It has been on my mind, since I started the balloon, that this is a great VEHICLE (pun fully intended) for mood management. It has all the elements... lifting/transcending above worldly problems... dropping of ballast (metaphorical baggage)… letting the wind carry you (accepting what cannot be changed).
I will pull something a little more specific together, and develop some affirmations... maybe some other tactics.
One of my favorite novels (The House of Mirth, by Edith Wharton) describes the heroine's personal seal... a flying airship, with the word "Beyond!" beneath it. I have always loved that idea.
Next time!
It has been on my mind, since I started the balloon, that this is a great VEHICLE (pun fully intended) for mood management. It has all the elements... lifting/transcending above worldly problems... dropping of ballast (metaphorical baggage)… letting the wind carry you (accepting what cannot be changed).
I will pull something a little more specific together, and develop some affirmations... maybe some other tactics.
One of my favorite novels (The House of Mirth, by Edith Wharton) describes the heroine's personal seal... a flying airship, with the word "Beyond!" beneath it. I have always loved that idea.
Next time!
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
Saturday, September 15, 2018
Hot Air Balloon - 1
With no more room on the ground, I guess I'll make something to join th Steampunk Bicycle Thingie in the sky. Like a Hot Air Balloon.
Here's a plan...
Here's a plan...
Here's a start...balloon, and top and bottom...
The beginnings of a globe, crown burner housing and gondola...
And a passenger!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)