Author

Subject: Apache Chiefs and Raw Beef

Favonius

13:09 14/05/2000 

I found myself "jonesing" for my beloved synchronicity discussions the past bit. My naive interjection of the Horse eyes brought a wonderful cascade of unfoldings and thus, while these next two seemed almost comic in their irrelevance I yearned for reaction and action from Jane's family.

Initially they seemed unrelated but something told me they were indeed connected. Further thought did reveal a small connection. Right then. (I am for some reason feeling unworthy of posting among you. Not sure why. Perhaps it is the pro writers on board?)

I was walking down the street and was stopped in my tracks by a Vittorio Carpaccio art book in the window of a shop. I have never seen any of his art but was familiar with the name, as Angela mentioned, due to the dish named after him..."Carpaccio of Beef". A wonderful dish of thin sliced raw beef tenderloin, olive oil, perhaps cheese, maybe rocket leaves, definitely fresh ground pepper, ideally some Balsamico. Digressing again, ha, sorry. I in fact did NOT stop to look at the book but felt that I ought have. Within the hour I was talking to a friend who had just been working in Italy. He instantly began bragging about this inspiring Ristorante he had spent two weeks at. It was called "Carpaccio". Hmmm I thought, there is something to this. I continued to feel I should look inside the art book and even found myself inside the shop looking at the book. I could not look inside!

Perhaps five days later I was at work and was spouting about Apache Indians and how I believed they were among the worlds Great Civilizations. When I arrived home that night I turned on the television and the film, "Geronimo", was playing. Geronimo was the last in a line of Great and Noble Chiefs of the Apaches. He belived himself blessed by their one god and that he would never be killed in battle. He led his people by following visions...dreams (see, it gets interesting)A powerful white horse galloping across the desert was the image that led him to declare war upon the United States Army. I remembered during the film that the leader before Geronimo was named Victorio. Very similar to Vittorio,no? Or am I hyperassociating?

The cinnamon bun(s) were delicious. Cheers, Liam

Angela

15:18 14/05/2000 

Liam, hi again!

Okay. I don't really know where to start here. But there is the strangest thing connecting you to me. Sd and I have connected in the same way through our books and dreams. So, I know that it happens. And I also know that it does not seem to stop. Like a recurring dream, I think.

I, too, am in the food industry. I am a teeny-weeny partner in a small Italian style restaurant in Calgary called Divino. My business partner, who is THE Calgary celebrity as far as restaurants go (Ah! And I just remembered that his closest rival's name is 'Victor'!) owns another restaurant called Mescalero with an attached night club called Crazy Horse. (I believe Cheryl mentioned Crazy Horse on the members forum -- a month ago?) After responding to your Vittorio/Geronimo quest, I realized that Geronimo was indeed the very inspiration behind the Mescalero restaurant. There is, I think, even a picture of him on the wall. So, for me, Divino and Mescalero (Italian and Native Indian) have connected for the past 5 years -- through feasting, shall we say! I am compelled to also mention that I lived with the Exec. Chef of both properties, for a time, a fair ways back and he is a die-hard Umberto Eco fan. So, I know your shipwreck quote to Jane and that 'Favonious' was also referred to at least once in his work... Why am I saying this? It just seems to connect, I guess.

Vittorio, as I mentioned before, is the main character of one of Nino Ricci's novels. He is a very highly admired author contact of mine and hopefully the one to help me launch my novel -- I cross my fingers and pray! And it hardly needs mentioning that Nino is Italian.

The Geronimo/Indian thing has me suddenly quaking. Indian?! Jane?! Ummm, wow. This is forced back up, isn't it? I shall explain: A few months ago I dreamt of India. I woke myself up with yelling about India. That afternoon, one of my closest friends, who had been trekking through India returned a couple weeks before she had planned. Then, the very night of my recent break-up, I dreamt I was driving over roller coaster hills of sand in a car full of Indians. I also had a 'vision dream' that night, where I ran to the window (I physically did this) and saw a pathfinder vehicle on the street that I was certain contained explosives aimed at me. In the morning the street, not a block from my house, was police-taped off because there had been an explosion in the building that housed mostly natives -- INDIANS!

At this point, it occurred to me that Indian (in whatever form it came) was a sign for me to follow... Ironically, one week ago I attended a wine and cheese for the Writer-in-Residence at the University. I was terrified to go -- alone. It was at the Dean of the Arts' house. Although I fretted and fussed and was an hour late, I forced myself to go. Of course, I had a fabulous time. One of the highlights was meeting a relatively high-profile Calgary poet -- Canadian, but of Indian nationality... We discussed the possibility of running a reading series out of Divino. Again the Indian/Italian collide.

Well! Did I not just go on and on and on!! I'm dying to see the connection 'for' you Liam. But I continue to be completely stricken with my connection 'to' you -- that west blowing wind I have not known before... Or have I?

Sweet, sweet dreams to you. Ah, but you have those already Mr. Crème Caramel!

Angela

ps. And I know you're on here the same time as me -- Figures!

Favonius

23:08 14/05/2000 

Angela,You poor thing! You lived with a Chef! How dreadful! Ha.

I am dying too to see the connection for me. The white horses seemed not to unfold for myself but happily more so for others.Maybe my tie is here with these links.

Umberto Eco? No sync here. We Chefs are a wee bit drawn to the overly decorate and pompous,no?

I will return in the evening o tumble more on Geronimo, Victorio, Crazy Horse, Sittting Bull, Cochise and Carpaccio...maybe Buffalo Carpaccio

I am away to the call of many mothers feasting. Everbody call yours.

Liam

Favonius

23:13 14/05/2000 

Quick thought. What we are doing here on the dream/sync forum is much the same as many of the native American mystics. They read their dreams, followed signs given to them by nature and shared it all in ceremonial fashion. Just a thought!

Liam

Angela

04:24 15/05/2000 

Good morning...

Yes. Yes. And yes! I think that is exactly what is happening here Liam. This is one incredible world full of answers and directions. Because we are beings with our thoughts based mostly on the logical, bridging the gap into the symbollic dream and synchronistic world seems a gargantuan task. But once one or two of the symbols begin to make themselves clear or a series (cluster) of synchs. begins to happen, how could we not embrace this most powerful way of seeing things?

I do wonder that we are here to unlearn sometimes... There has been so much conditioning to blind rather than to see clearly.

Your trail from the Carpaccio book to the bragging 'Carpaccio' Chef, then on to Geronimo and Victorio really do seem to connect, Liam. This is perhaps a bit weak because I don't know that much about you, but if I were to look at this like a dream, I might see that there is a lure in you towards leadership and creativity. 'Inspired ones' are leaving those nigglings of feelings behind. How did you feel when you watched 'Geronimo'? Have you ever felt the way that he did -- blessed with a particular talent or ability? I'm going to guess that you are.

Perhaps you are one of the great Noble Chefs! Insert the 'I' in the middle and you get 'Chiefs'! And when one inserts the 'I' or 'myself' into the picture, that is when the meaning comes... I feel that the creme caramel frustration is part of this now too. I absolutely understand the frustration of doing much of the work and not getting any of the credit -- a nice bottle of wine doesn't quite cut it, I know... So, I'm curious of Carpaccio's story now. Was he an unappreciated artist in his time? Or maybe he was pumped up and pompus?

Very cute comment on the living with a Chef. But I have to say that it was quite pleasant for the most part. He was probably one of the few good men in my life. He was one of those under-respected, tremendously hard-working Chefs, who also remained creditless and eventually moved on. I have been one to stick around for the punishment and the head-banging... (*note the past tensing there!)

And I could swear that shipwreck quote you made on the synch. forum was from Umberto Eco. Wasn't it? There is a reference in Eco to 'Favonious' though. What gave you the idea for the name?

I look forward to talking much further into this.

Angela.

Angela

04:28 15/05/2000 

Oh yes, and Happy Mother's Day Jane. Yes. It seems appropriate. You are supportive, interested and interactive in the births and progress of your dream site children. It is such a nice experience. I would have loved you to be my mother.

Angela.

sd

05:26 15/05/2000 

Liam- your disappearance has only made your reappearance sweeter.. these threads with you and Angela make me so hungry. sd

Jane Anderson

11:43 15/05/2000 

Hello All,

Great thread again - I'm watching and enjoying it.

Angela: I think you're on the right track regarding the chIef.

You're also so right when you say:

"I do wonder that we are here to unlearn sometimes... There has been so much conditioning to blind rather than to see clearly."

Yes, sharing the mystical, Liam, must be part of the process.

Thank you for the mother's day wishes and symbolism! If I am the mother here, then I must confide that mothers learn far more from their children than children learn from their mothers. The children go on, in turn, to learn from their children ... and together, in this way, we all unlearn through the great mystery towards the unblinded light.

Jane Anderson.

With aftertaste of rockmelon drenched in passion fruit.)

Favonius

12:53 15/05/2000 

I am smiling ear to elbow as I watch this thread take life. And indeed all the sweeter as there selfishly seems to be stuff in it for myself too!

I am finding this "unlearning" you speak of Angela to be almost a... "relaxing of the brain and squinting at the same time"(my own quote) If I try to hard nothing happens and if I try not at all nothing happens but if I relax enough for my thoughts and emotions to join gracefully together then magic ensues.Although I feel new and clumsy at it I believe that if I continue this dance I will become more fluid."The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new landscapes but in having new eyes."

With regards to how the Geronimo story makes me feel...I much admire his fierce and unwavering faith and confidence in the face of raining "bullets".He ended up a prisoner of war in a Florida compound yet always retained his dignity, nobility and 'rightness'. Is that not true greatness? I am honoured by the idea of putting the "I" into Chef and excited by the feeling that what Angela and Jane have said rings loud. I have often tried to look for a higher contribution above the slopping of foodstuffs within my profession and this discussion shines light on that direction. Thank you.

Angela, I am glad you understood my living with a Chef remark as a lark. We are an eccentric but mostly kind hearted bunch. And I did indeed say that I had quoted Eco and that I was not suprised he would be a favourite of another Chef. The shipwreck quote seemed perfect for Jane and "Favonius" I adopted because the nature of Eco's writing is much like my own mannerisms (mine with worse grammar I am sure)He appears pompous and like a blowhard(thus Favonius)but intends his style to be self depricating rather than showoffish. I like to spout about Apache and Creme Caramel etc but never take myself very seriously. I will let others evaluate me. Always a better estimation anyway! And I think Eco is just clever and witty too so I often quote him."Favonius blows, the earth opens, the nightengale weep, the leaf crowned trees swagger and you discover the wonderous genius of the field in the variety of...blah blah.." Anybody who takes that seriously is without sense of humour.

Jane, thank you for humouring me on the food or beverage detail. I truly can sense you better with the added picture of sticky melon keyboards and passionfruit perfume wafting from beneath your fingernails. Ha. Happy Mothers Day indeed!

(Chocolate soya milk straight from the carton - one of the joys of being single)

Good night all, Liam

Favonius

13:15 15/05/2000 

Angela, this is for you. Copied from a website about Carpaccio. Feel free to hyperassociate.

Carpaccio drew his inspiration for the cycle from the Lives of the Saints (Legenda Aurea) published in Venice in an Italian translation in 1475.

In painting the nine canvases, today in the Accademia in Venice, Carpaccio was not able to follow the chronological order of the story, he was forced to paint the scenes in the order that the wallspace was available for him.

Bye, Liam

Favonius

13:27 15/05/2000 

http://www.kfki.hu/~arthp/html/c/carpacci/ 1ursula/2/50dream.html

Jane, this painting might interest you. An interesting perspective on our discussions perhaps. Or maybe that hyper... thing again? I do not know? Geo?

Liam

Angela

14:22 15/05/2000 

NO WAY! YES WAY! But of course... What am I flipping out about?! WELL, that author who keeps coming up in this thread for me -- Nino Ricci -- his first book in a trilogy is titled 'Lives of the Saints'... Can you believe that?

Oh, maybe you knew that when you wrote that Liam. Did you? No matter, it's still amazing.

Weeeeee... I feel like I'm on a great big swing.

Jane, I cracked up at your saying that we shall all unlearn towards the unblinded light. Very funny.

Liam, ah, I read you wrong on the Eco thing the first time. I thought it was a negative on the 'no synch. there' comment rather than an affirmation. I see now.

So, about that bullet dodging... Is this occuring for you in some symbolic way? Are you having to stand your ground while the 'shit' flies around you?

I know of that sometimes depairing feeling one can get wondering if your life's meaning is really to be about a caesar salad -- and someone elses' at that! I guess that's why writing has become so important for me. But I'm also coming from the other side of the restaurant line... and being creative with a bunch of grouchy customers really has its limit. There can be joy on your side without fakely trying to impress your salmon fillet so that it doesn't stiff you. Though souffles do fall, the veggies can burn and the dough doesn't always rise... In anycase, I've seen this joy and creativity. It can be a truly high art form. One that certainly can be an outlet for expression. And we all need this in our lives.

Good for you on the soya milk. You are taking affirmative action in preventing breast cancer! (God, I wish I could grin on a computer.)

Angela.

Favonius

14:48 15/05/2000 

I did remember Ricci coming up in the coffee dream and before as well so that is why I sent it. In fact I had to stop my reading immediately to send it to you. I was curious if the second paragraph held any meaning for you. Carpaccio's inablity to paint the cycle in chronological order but rather having to use the wall spaces made available to him to decide which scene to paint next. Is it just me or is that not a great metaphor?!

As for the bullets there are two meanings for me. There is shit flying but also I have only recently become...dare I say noble...enough to stand up as advocate for others in harsh situations(which this industry is full of.Yes Angela?)

I apreciate your empathy for a cooks creative needs as well! Cheers.

This site is great Jane!

Liam

Angela

16:12 15/05/2000 

Alright, now you have me Carpaccio obsessed. I actually had to stop my posting to go and read and look!

The second paragraph was stumbling around in my head. It has a lot of meaning for me in fact.

Firstly, it reflects the 'unlearning' we are presently in the process of -- liked your quote by the way! I could feel the relaxing and squinting brain. We seem only able to receive in that relaxed with sun-in-the-eyes state.

Secondly, I had a little cluster of synchs. awhile back all related to my novel, another author and painting walls in cream corn. The 'painting walls' reference was a bit of a trigger back to that.

And thirdly, this has been a very present issue for me in my writing. I was going along chronologically, when all of a sudden I had no where to go. I had to jump years in advance. Then back. I got so lost amidst my own character's lives. But I do think that this is the way of the mind -- it is not a chronological process. I guess that goes back to the linear/nonlinear thing. And this synchronistic and dream thinking is definitely nonlinear! Even in just this conversation alone, we have to go back and forth in life to pin down and present ourselves in the present.

That nobility seems to be ringing quite clear for you, Liam. And yes, oh, do I ever know of harsh situations in this industry! It pains and angers me to this day thinking of those ignoramouses pushing their loyal subjects around with their egos. I can get firey mad about this. I've spent all the time I could handle in big company politics. Thus, I do find myself embroilled in the little company ones from time to time. But it's different. There is respect for everyone.

What a great thing to have reached! You must feel so strong and right in yourself. It is terribly difficult to stand 'up' and for someone in the face of adversity. It is easier to let others suffer their own pains.

Geronimo is a damn fine idol! Good choice!

Though I am truly enjoying these midnight ramblings, I really must go to bed.

Angela.

Jane Anderson

11:07 16/05/2000 

I checked out the Carpaccio painting Liam suggested at: http://www.kfki.hu/~arthp/html/c/carpacci/ 1ursula/2/50dream.html .

Yes - the shadows revealed by the light. With the light of understanding comes the revelation of the shadows. The visiting angel (in the painting) brings light in the form of a dream which reveals the aspects of ourselves which stand in the shadows. The angel's shadow is sharply pointed - as are our dreams once we understand them. The 'point' of the light it to see the shadows ...

Jane Anderson

Favonius

12:52 16/05/2000 

Nice

Angela.

15:32 16/05/2000 

You know, it is the lighting that draws me into the pintings (good slip eh? 'pin things' or 'pints'... don't think it matters much at this point.)

ANYway, there is a feeling that I want to curl up in the glow and watch as the shadows crawl across the wall. Like moonlight through an elm tree -- one of my favourite childhood memories.

Something is concerning me. Liam, do you really not take yourself seriously? I'm all for a sense of humour. I hope that's clear. But, I'm remembering your postings with comments on wondering if you are full of fluff. Now you say Favonious is full of wind. You're not. You're very not. (For lack of a better drunk term -- very not.) Just want you to know that and how much I've appreciated and enjoyed this.

Angela.

Favonius

22:08 16/05/2000 

Not to be concerned Angela. It is more a battle not to take myself TOO seriously than any lack of self worth. That is why the Favonius thing stikes me. Eco obviously has something to say but simultaneously mocks himself as a sort of "check and balance".

I am glad you both liked the painting

Must get coffee! Liam

WHAT IS
SYNCHRONICITY?

Jane Teresa's Explanation

Jane Teresa Anderson

WHAT IS SYNCHRONICITY?

________

Synchronicity occurs when you experience a coincidence, or several coincidences, that seem so bizarre that you feel they must be meaningful in some way.

Some people believe that synchronicities are signs to follow, to lead you to where you are 'meant' to be. My understanding, however, is that not all synchronicities are to be followed, because ...

Synchronicities are SYMBOLS of where you're at, not signs to follow.

Synchronicities speak the same symbolic language as dreams.

When you experience a synchronicity, you are witnessing a change within yourself, an insight, a birth of something that has been unconscious bubbling up into consciousness.

At such times of change we see, all around us, symbols that reflect our shift in perception and self-understanding. This is synchronicity.

To understand this fully, and to see why it is not always appropriate to follow synchronicity, you can read my book, THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME. This way you can also discover how to read the synchronicities in your life and how to act on them in positive, life-enhancing ways.

Reality may never feel the same again!

______

P.S.

In Jungian terms all synchronicities begin with a dream.

The dream comes first, then the symbol from the dream appears in waking life in ways that seem incredibly meaningful - though, classically, it is hard to understand, consciously, what that meaning is.

This is because the dream is painted by your unconscious mind in advance of your conscious mind 'catching up'. When the insight (unconscious shift) is big, synchronicities follow.

What happens is that your incredibly powerful unconscious mind (far more powerful than your conscious mind) manifests its insight physically into your waking life. (You have changed - the world, as you experience it, changes in accordance.)

It usually takes up to a couple of weeks before your conscious mind understands the symbolic dream manifesting in your waking life as synchronicity.

Being human, as we all are, we often forget the original dream but still experience the synchronicities.

There are many excellent reference sources on Jungian synchronicity.

My approach is largely Jungian, but slightly shifted.

Again, if you are seriously in-depth interested, I suggest you read my book "THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME" to understand where I am coming from.

Quite simply, synchronicity is a waking dream and interpreting it as such is immensely enriching.

Jane Teresa Anderson