Euphrosene Labon

Not being able to really write about things without upsetting anyone close may have created some confusion about the downer I mentioned yesterday. I suppose I could say there has been a long-running saga since Dad´s death in 2002 which has simmered and occasionally erupted especially since Ma died in 2009. Almost a year now.

I can honestly understand everyone´s point of view. Truly. I recognise all our failings too and, like the others, I dread the emails. I feel I cannot say or do what I really feel for fear of making things worse. Hence those downers.

But it is not an `infinite´ issue and no doubt will find resolution in time.

Nice link to a dreadful Horizon programme on infinity.

With the exception of one or two, the mathematicians seemed to revel in making the subject as incomprehensible as possible - like the hairy hobgoblin talking about infinite hotel rooms. The way he attempted to describe it, as well as the analogy of the empty hotel room, made absolutely no sense to me.

The bits I liked best, naturally, paralleled some of my spiritual metaphysical ideas. Like parallel worlds and infinite universes and infinite copies of each of us. Except I think the latter are creations stemming from our thoughts. Every thought creates its own personal universe. More on this another time.

And… cyber-stalking. I got an email this morning from Simon Singh (a generalised mailing - not to me personally, since you ask) wanting more signatories.

On another forum I belong to, the cartoonists were exercising their right to free speech. Specifically about an erstwhile member who, with the best will in the world, seemed to me to have a knack for saying things, or posting self-promo images, which were bound to eventually create comment. Something to do with teaching your granny to suck eggs.

Then when the person started blogging about them, possibly to make their case or for other reasons, it started a rush of creativity.

I admit to feeling a little sorry for the departed member, especially following a post about cyber-stalking. However, I still felt it important to indicate that it was a classic case of cause and effect. Obviously not in those words. In fact the words I used are shown below as they have now been removed from their site. And I understand the police have been informed. Obviously not about me. I hope.

"L - I really wish you well with your new forum and your determined marketing efforts.
In the matter mentioned in this post, perhaps you should think about your own part as well?
You have been posting various comments about that other forum (to which I belong), sometimes changing the posts as well.
Surely it would be fairer to stop your own posts as well, which could also be seen as bordering on the stalking?
PS I added your blog to my Google Reader. I can assure you I am not stalking you :*)"

I got a response via my contact form - which I will not, in fairness, post, although it was supposed to appear on my blog - and replied with this:

"Just a brief note, L. Your comment was sent via the contact form not on the blog. Please do feel free to re-comment with the blog’s comment facility.
My thread was about potential legal implications in general and not about you. I got an email from Simon Singh this morning re more signatories to change the law. So it seemed relevant.
You were not singled out.
Over the time I have belonged, others (including me!) have been lobbed at - and have lobbed back (including me!).
Cartoonists and writers do pick up things to inform their creativity and, with all the best will in the world, you did give them plenty of ammo whether you realised it or not.
On the plus side, at least it has given you plenty to be creative about yourself!
All the best."

As the lads on the forum were still enjoying their `effect´ - mostly as responses, the departed member must have felt threatened, and has now `initiated legal proceedings´.

It is a master number day, so strong energetic fluxes are always likely to happen but this is a storm that was long overdue.

Meanwhile, I hope any issues closer to home are resolved more amicably.

Euphrosene Labon Mind Body Spirit Artist Author Writer

Euphrosene´s Gallery of Contemporary Spiritual Art & Cartoons

Dad, Ma, Horizon, infinity, metaphysical ideas, parallel worlds, cyber-stalking, Simon Singh, cartoonists, cause and effect

I must be getting old as I was quite happy being alone (apart from the hundreds of others at the RA´s Van Gogh exhibition) for my birthday yesterday. I wonder if taking Aldous Huxley´s The Perennial Philosophy had anything to do with it? It certainly kept my mind on a different level for most of the day.

Exceptions: the suited older bloke with a massive hooter, reading The Times, who sniffed noisily for a good forty minutes. I kept trying to `not hear it´. But when a younger guy came and sat next to me, polite though he was, picking up my handbag, I had to move. Said younger man had the most appalling body odour and I couldn´t handle extra pongs as well as volcanic sniffing.

Actually, I kept thinking of my odd notion of birthday scenes replaying - and was resigned to more of the same, albeit for small moments in time. The next seat, two carriages ahead, was much nicer, with far more pleasing company. A lesson there? Trust your decisions. And don´t wait so long.

Oddly for me, or perhaps again because of the reading material, I barely spoke to anyone. Normally, various strangers chat to me or I to them, though I didn´t keep totally schtum. The photo of Cherie Blair in the Russian restaurant provoked a comment - to move. Didn´t fancy eating with her Cruella face looking at me. Except the same photo was in every booth!

Lots of lovely Facebook wishes as well as emails, including from people I haven´t heard from in ages. All very thoughtful and much appreciated. Twitter messages too, earlier and also hugely valued.

On the other hand, some, who in the past I would have expected to hear from, seem to consistently avoid sending good wishes, even when I have naughtily hinted. Yet, if memory serves me right, one in particular, invariably mentions theirs - which comes after mine. Not exactly sauce for the goose? But then, as time goes by, I understand people less and less.

Sleep came quickly after a slight fright with my left hand (the one with the broken fingers). As my hand rested on the pillow, I could feel an electrical current just above the wrist, and under the relevant fingers. It´s still happening today although it´s not painful, doesn´t twitch or surge. When I touch the back of my hand, I can feel the electrical impulse, like the after effects of being scratched with barbed wire.

Back to Huxley. He mentioned the similarity of status of those who experience real divine interchange: being `poor in spirit´. I found that hard to accept and this morning had a surf to see what others felt. Seems to be the same as me - submission and humility and non-attachment to materiality. Sounds about right in relation to my own experience.

On a more human note, I have been trying not to be bothered by (hopefully!) joking comments about my age - and H will love this - about Nefertari.

One followed through on a previous post of a mummified, rather decrepit Nefertari with a happy birthday on a landmark 33,000 years. So far, so okay.

Then I got a tweet that the `new age suits you!´ …adding `Love the wickedness of that idea. But will not be mean´.

Except I am now wondering if I do look old and decrepit, despite my wonderful niece telling me I looked lovely.

This photo was taken last night.

Euphrosene Labon Mind Body Spirit Artist Author Writer

Euphrosene´s Gallery of Contemporary Spiritual Art & Cartoons

Cards and merchandise here

The Perennial Philosophy, birthday, Cherie Blair, Russian restaurant, Nefertari

There´s always a price to pay is not such a bad maxim, especially where NHS funds are concerned. Free IVF, breast reduction, gastric bands and so forth - I don´t doubt they cause emotional torment, but should everyone else be made to pay? Mental issues, like coping with infertility, are more difficult to address, but shouldn´t people take responsibility for their own physical health?

That does not mean I think IVF should be paid for from the public purse. There aren´t endless funds to pay for every issue, and would someone who cannot emotionally handle childlessness be a good mother anyway?

Responsibility for others crops up again. A photo in the newspaper (yesterday) of some British women utterly inappropriately dressed for this freezing weather - and, as usual, drunk as skunks. Comments were more compassionate than usual though, hoping that the photographer called an ambulance for the blueing female. Not quite on a par with the photo of the starving child and vulture.

Despite feeling extremely tired for much of yesterday, I applied for an entry form for the RA Summer Exhibition. £25 for the privilege!

The theme is `raw´. I do have an idea, also within my mind body spirit niche, but not the medium or size as yet. I also did a lot more drawing, as well as a bit more of the images of Turkey illustration. Still unfinished. However, the concerns about making a decent living remain loud undercurrents and it needs a small action each day to feel I am at least moving in the right direction.

Euphrosene Labon Mind Body Spirit Artist Author Writer

Euphrosene´s Gallery of Contemporary Spiritual Art & Cartoons

NHS funds, IVF