. A thing done well, with love and devotion, is its own reward. - Sri Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi

I went to see Hide today. (This has nothing to do with the about quote). Although Ramana Maharshi has some very similar ways that are parallel to our own Master. The principle is which comes in the form of the Guru. Anyways- Yes, we were delayed one hour. Those guys at the shop are some funny characters. The two fellas who are apprentice are very cool , laid back young SF tattoo artist guys. Well, that being said... A different world than Little Tokyo in LA. That was the most chill parlor. Jiro is a very cool brother[though he is not Black, he fits quite well into the LA - whichever particular type he adopts unbeknownst to me] and a very passionate artist from what I gather, or a work alcoholic, yes thats right, 'yhes' - addicted , or maybe just socially morbid. But his shop is cool, the man is chill , and the guys who were work with are most chill. Thats the word I would use. And Taka works out of there, well know I am not sure if our relationship soured or not. The road goes forward . The waters wade to its place. So, I enjoyed hanging out with them, and learning culture, and interesting tidbids from Frank; who was always a good laugh. Guess, its a different story up North since I don't know them like that, or as well; and I lived in Little Tokyo for more than five years. We finished up the rooster. Looks like it should. Was a long day, made longer by the delay, and then on top of it what a surprise, and then yes, empty, out to the train station, and then again, its the Giants fans, packed into the caltrain on the 10:40 pm, me on the bike car; two lesbian girls vivaciously defending whatever sports episode - I am not sure, I neither follow sports or listen too much to people. I hear, but dont respond. I've learned over the years to become very still inside a busy place. Like a train full of people loud, some drunk, obviously, or were and gloating in the game- I think the Giants won, and they played the Twins; judging from the fat white woman's jersey and the comment struck on her from a young, pretty girl, though loud and quite vociferous. All these people, many couples, and bikers, - most of the people seem to be well bred stock in SF; not like NY where some guy might shank or a group might pound upon you (should you be any tan color of toast beyond white inside the heart of America as they call it, or the death for us darker folks) wherever burrough you end up riding the A train through. No, here its all verbal games, mild amusements, workers enjoying their sports and getting ready to go home, guys like me tired from a day of work ( and hours of tebori and delays and riding the bike up Pacific to Van-Ness and nearly getting the cramps, oh wait I did, and it hurt, but yes..) I was able to remember myself in the Train, avoid talking though the two lesbians were in ear shot and made for a painful ride. I was not talked to, not let alone really looked at ; but I wasn't hostile, just smiled, and kept eyes low; focused on my beads. There is peace, when you hit the break of the wave; for a moment you glide; like so, after a brief period of sadhana, you build a current of thoughts toward That, and though you may not be paddling, or seem like it, the current is taking you; you are always going to ride, it; until you wish to go slower. But the mother nature of it all, will bring you back and She will hurl you in; and you will start up again. The great being inside your heart awakens from the mantra. A great goddess residing on your tonuge sets fire to your person. The taste of the tongue goes. Pure souls immediately feel a vibrancy without progressing through the orthodox states. I have done the latter. And though initially I had insanely grotesque thoughts, and random random random feelings of life; it has come low; diminishing as the years go on; me unaware I a m climbing this great hill, always, toward Her. Whatever that comes of life is her Grace.