Euphrosene Labon

Odd sort of day, yesterday. On Sunday, I had watched March of the Penguins and felt distinctly underwhelmed at the dreadful cyclic similarity to human existence. Though, in their case, the penguins put up with staggeringly bad conditions without appearing to seek ways to make things easier.

I suppose that is what differentiates higher humans (and not all of us either) from lesser sentients - the desire to have an easier ride.

Whatever the reasons, the gloom I felt carried over into Monday, despite the bright sunshine. A new month, a new year rushing by, and still the same issues.

As always, colour lifted my spirits. Spraying a frame for another in the multiverse series; fine-tuning another painting; finally finishing the 30 cartoons in the SRDD range. (From now on there will only be 12 per topic. Make it easier to create calendars and a collection of 12 is manageable. There can always be a secondary linked topic with a further 12.)

A slight misunderstanding with times meant I thought K had forgotten, by which time I was in the back garden spraying and never heard the front door. Not entirely sure why I felt the need to tell her half my life story when we finally did meet up. Perhaps to provide a backdrop to the paintings she had come to see?

Anyway, today seemed more directed. Planning does help to focus the mind. Less enthused about some costs and will have to figure out alternative means.

Meanwhile the same issues seem no further towards resolution. Obviously obsession plays a part. A perception of need, possibly also greed. Who knows? There is certainly no love and it´s very dispiriting.

PS Pondering the nature of karma (again): how the actions of others can create a karmic imbalance which then impacts on one´s own karma.

Euphrosene Labon Mind Body Spirit Artist Author Writer

Euphrosene´s Gallery of Contemporary Spiritual Art & Cartoons

human existence, multiverse, cartoons

Wanting to get one´s own way to the point of obsession and über-agression may be understandable but it is also a kind of bullying. I have had bosses whose micro-management `skills´ were very close to bullying. I left to avoid the aggro and distress - although they all eventually got their comeuppance.

I was wondering last night whether it might be a kind of mental illness. It is certainly a sign of a mind ill at ease with others, but I suppose it is whether that aggression/obsession spills over into non-empathetic behaviour. Though Brown, ex-bosses et al might not see it in quite that way.

Gloriously sunny and, because I have been feeling a little trapped, I popped out to pick up the Michael Jackson DVD. Got back to a letter saying I had defaulted on a credit card payment.

As I hadn´t received the statement - and am usually excellent at paying on time - I got the money refunded. Thanks NatWest.

But that, and a couple of other things, meant I did not even start work till later in the afternoon.

Then I discovered I had an unwelcome backdrop to all the cartoons, meaning I had to re-scan them all. And work out how I had previously done wallet prints and … more tech issues. As at time of typing, all is back to square one, with mountains of work still to do. Make that re-do.

Meanwhile, in our increasingly strange world: the Anglican Church, founded on divorce and sexual wilfulness rather than adherence to spiritual principles, continues in the same vein with marriage for homosexuals in church. What Bible do they actually subscribe to?

And the European Union wants maternity leave to be extended and paid for. So who actually will do the work at all those businesses - especially SMEs? Why should the taxpayer fund maternity leave?

Oh yes, that old chestnut about new lives funding our pensions. What pensions? People are living longer and working longer. Some of us have to work because we have no pensions worth more than a cup of coffee.

This constant sense of entitlement - with `someone else´ picking up the tab, will eventually call time on `human rights´ - even those which genuinely are worth fighting for.

Euphrosene Labon Mind Body Spirit Artist Author Writer

Euphrosene´s Gallery of Contemporary Spiritual Art & Cartoons

bullying, mental illness, Michael Jackson, cartoons

Are you of value? One of life´s assets? En route to the SoA meeting yesterday, I stopped for a coffee at a garden centre near Turners Hill and read a local community magazine. It intrigued twice over.

Firstly, it mentioned a B who I knew years ago (through her husband, who I worked with at Rank Xerox). And it also had a quote from John Henry Newman.

"God has created me to do some definite service; he has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another. I have my mission - I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next."

"I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good, I shall do his work; I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it, if I do but keep his commandments and serve him in my calling."

Obviously not all of that is relevant to me, but some elements did seem like a pat on the shoulder to keep going.

And I rang and left a message for B.

Meanwhile: It´s extremely rare for me to be in jimjams after 9am. At 10am I was still in my dressing gown when a delivery man called.

Hugely embarrassed, justifying that actually I was working. He asked how I pronounced my first name, then said I could `go back to bed now´.

Note to self: wash and change before responding to emails, drawing, researching et al.

Allergic reaction to something again after two day break. Sneezing and itching a lot. Sigh. But from what? Definitely suffering badly - just when I have yet more inking to complete. And more drawing.

PS It was my ex-Xerox colleague. Hope to meet up soon.

PPS Got charming letter from someone who saw me at the SoA meeting yesterday. Not entirely sure how to answer it, given the flattering comments.

Euphrosene Labon Mind Body Spirit Artist Author Writer

Euphrosene´s Gallery of Contemporary Spiritual Art & Cartoons

Rank Xerox, John Henry Newman, Allergic reaction