Sushi, Painting and a Temple...

Saturday night I attempted the Wine & Painting event again.  I promised my friends I would not get pissy and hate my painting this time.  I succeeded.  

This particular company isn’t at a restaurant so we opted to meet for dinner beforehand.  Lucille’s BBQ was the requested spot.  I have never been but heard people rave about this place.  I’m not a huge BBQ person but it was pretty tasty for sure!  My favorite was the free biscuits you get.  Homemade yumminess!  We chatted, laughed and ate.

We arrived at Pinots Palette early and decided to split a bottle of wine between the three of us.  I chose an Oregon Pinot Noir and was actually a bit disappointed but it was decent enough.  Our painting for the night was called “A Little Tipsy” and this is what is looked like:

This place pretty much just had the tables where you paint and a bar.  I preferred this to the last one we did in a restaurant because trying to eat and paint doesn’t work as well.  The gal had our spots set up like this with our name in chalk.  Love it.

It wasn’t a full night so only 2 tables were full but it was a pretty cool group.  We did have what my friends kept referring to as the Housewives of Irvine across from us that were slightly annoying but otherwise most people were chill. 

The gal who led it was very spunky, snarky and fun which I appreciated.  The other difference between here and the other spot is that she pretty much let you do what you want.  If you went rogue she didn’t mind.  The other guy really wanted you to stick to what we were painting.  We got some nice shots of us before and after:

I also took my fun in motion shot:

All in all it was a really fun night!  I’d like to do a couple more of these if they offer Groupons again.  I don’t think I would want to pay full price but it’s defiantly a fun night out!

My finished project:

Amber decided to turn hers into Jameson bottles:

And Jill completely went with her own version:

I changed mine up a bit from the original but was probably the closest to it.  I was actually pleased with my painting!  A good night indeed!

The next day my co-worker/friend and I had made plans to hit up the Hsi Lai Temple.  We weren’t sure what to expect so we went planning on maybe doing a meditation class or Buddhism class.  We did neither.

It was much closer than we originally thought which was rad.  It’s just up in Hacienda Heights.  So she met at my place bout 8am and we headed out.  The place was gorgeous!!!!  And huge!

At 1^st we just wandered around taking in the beautiful sights and snapping photos.  You weren’t allowed to take pictures inside anywhere which makes sense but I did get a few of the gardens and out side:

When the information center opened we asked about the meditation class but apparently the website was incorrect and there was something about it being the last Sunday or something but there basically was no class.  So we opted for the audio tour.  Funny thing about this – the docents hadn’t yet used the new MP3 player thingies that you use for the Audio Tour.  We all (3 docents, Anna, myself and some other random folk) tried to figure them out.  I was the winner finally apparently pushing the right combination of buttons and proceeded to show everyone how to use it. 

Anna and I timed our tours so we were doing the same one at the same time and went on our merry ways.  It was very informative.  When I return I for sure will read all of the little signs next to the zillion Buddha’s.  Did you know there are a kazillion of them!  So rad.

The tour wasn’t too long and when we were finished we noticed a 10:30 chanting service.  Now on the tour a part of went into the main shrine and it looked like you could sit in the back away from the main area and observe.  We had a bit of time so we went into the Art Gallery.  It was full of beautiful pieces and intricately hand carved brilliant things.  The docent there was a nice man who joined us every so often giving us tid bits on the art or the temple.  We asked him at the end if the chanting service would be ok to watch.  He said oh yes, just tell them your visitors.

We headed into the main area and already were stopped and told we were going in the wrong door.  Crap, I’m already disrespecting someone.  They handed us the English translation and sat us down in the back.  Anna crossed her legs and apparently that’s also a no no. Lord.  No one was mean but it was just a bit uncomfortable not knowing what the hell we were doing. 

We shortly realized we weren’t observing we were participating.  It was super interesting at 1^st, watching all of the people in the middle chanting and the monks up at the front looking so poised and calm chanting away.  Anna and I were having a hell of a time following along because even the English Translation is not how you think words will be pronounced and I kept getting lost.  So I would just start reading the little book until a (I’m not sure what they are called – they had monk like robes but didn’t seem to be full on monks) would take our book and smiling at us point to where we are.  “Repeat three times!” she’d say smiling.  I’d try to follow along again.  This happened a few times.

I started to realize this service was long.  I mean loooooooooooooong.  Then it changed gears.  The book said something about Right (West) Left (East) and they started in.  Now at this portion one side would bow.  This meant all the folks in the middle were down on their knees faces into the ground and those of us on the benches bowed forward while standing.  Then the right.  Then the left.  Then the right.  This went on for what seemed like eternity and I swore we were not getting any farther in the little book.  I also realized there was still a lot to go and I was getting very dizzy and hot because I hadn’t eaten and hadn’t planned on being stuck in something like this.  I noticed that people did once in a while sneak out.  Anna and I were the only white folks in the whole thing and I knew us leaving wouldn’t go un noticed.  But I HAD TO EAT.  So, I leaned back and whispered to Anna I had to go.  She could stay if she wanted but she was right with me.  So I waited for the other side to bow then I pretty much ran out, handed the monk in training my stuff, bowing and whispering thank you, and shot out the door to the nearest water station.  Anna was right on my tail.

We laughed at our misunderstanding of what we got ourselves into and headed straight for the buffet.  Now – the service was really interesting at 1^st but then it honestly started to feel like a catholic mass.  I guess church is church. 

We hit the buffet which was all vegetarian and I was worried I wouldn’t find enough I like but wow – so good!  Lots of noodles and things I’m not sure what they were but damn were they good!  I wolfed down my plate and felt 100% better.  We hit the gift shop on our way out and I purchased a few little knick knacks for myself and for Anna and we headed out.

We donated $1 to get our “Dharma Words” and mine said:

Patience and tranquility bring positive conditions; Modesty brings good affinity.

I don’t know about the modesty but I certainly agree with the 1^st line.

We chatted about coming back in the afternoon someday because there is an actual beginners mediation at 2pm and it sounded very cool.  I also want to come back and read more of the signs and just act a bit more like a tourist.  I have a friend who attends once in a while and would love to have her fill me in lots of things. 

Before we left – selfie of course:

It was a very lovely morning. I enjoyed getting to know Anna better and even though we didn’t meditate I took a little of it home with me.  Left feeling calm and happy and so fascinated as I always am about Buddhism.  This gorgeous place is tucked away right under our noses!  I love discoveries like this. 

I also wanted to mention the weekend started out with me introducing Shane to Shunka for his birthday.  I dropped a chuck of change that was worth every penny!  He loved it!

This was a damn good weekend! 

Technology is freaking me out...

Does this worry anyone?

I was in the lobby of AAA the other day waiting to chat with someone to get me maps and a Trip Tix for my upcoming Napa trip and I noticed something that we’ve all seen a million times.  Every single person in the waiting area was looking at their phone or an iPad as in the case of a mom and son.  Some of the kids never even looked up from their phone when they got up, sat down, followed the parent to wherever.  How do they not fall down?  What is so engaging that you can’t look up?  Even once!

I can’t tell you how many people almost crash into me when I’m walking down the sidewalk because their nose is in their phone.  It stuns me when I go to restaurants and see every single person at the table in their phone and not talking to each other.  I mean there are memes like this:

Is it scary to anyone else?  

Now if your sharing pictures or something that's different.  I mean it just replaces the days we would arrive with a little photo album and flip through the pictures right?

Social interaction is becoming obsolete and it freaks me out.  I was starting to get really down on myself thinking something was wrong with me as I sit here 9 years after my divorce with only 1 relationship in the midst there to speak of and having HORRIBLE luck in the dating world and it hit me – I’m just horrible at technology.

I mean it’s the norm now.  People text they don’t call.  They email.  Online dating is normal now.  There are “apps” where people can just hook up with each other.  Hell there’s an “app” for every fucking thing.  I’m so bad at it!  I have barely any apps on my phone, and the ones I do have I forget I have and never use.  I’ve had multiple people tell me to ditch Facebook and start a Twitter account.  I’ve now had multiple people tell me to ditch blogspot and start a Tumblr.  WTF is a Tumblr?  I just recently realized a “Vine” is a thing.  I’m also positive there a 18 zillion other things the kids use now a days.  It’s overwhelming!  I can’t keep up at all!

Don’t get me wrong, there are rad things about technology and social media.  I’m so easily entertained.  I love funny lists and funny memes and silly gifs.  I do!  They make me laugh and brighten my day a bit.   I love that I can keep in touch with so many people via Facebook and see their families and their travel pictures and keep up with events.  But it’s not my whole life.

Kids now adays and adults seem so dependent on their contraptions.  What scares me is it’s going to completely replace social interaction soon.  I’m terrible at dating because I don’t text well and online dating freaks me out.  I also seem to have lost my own social skills because I seem to turn into a blubbering moron when I try to flirt.  Although – I’ve always had the problem of talking too much so this isn’t really news.

I don’t know.  Am I alone in this?  I’m just the old fuddy duddy who doesn’t understand what’s so great about never looking up from your phone?  I felt the need to get this out.  It just bums me out now how common it is to see no one look up from their phone.  I mean ever.  It’s weird.  And seriously – how do they not run into shit!