We went to one of the world's largest train sets yesterday. I think this is something like 'the 8th wonder of the world.' I have been to sooo many '8th wonders' in so many countries I lost track years ago. According to the website this is 'the world's biggest.' But then the one in Hamburg claims the same- and probably countless others as well. In any case, it was big and the girls were totally into it. They happen to have an Opa who is obsessed with trains. Growing up in our house Christmas was as much about my dad revealing the newest version of his train set than the presents under the tree. We had a set as big as the entire garage. It was on huge chains so it could be lowered when needed and raised back up to the ceiling for regular garage usage. So I couldn't really pass up visiting the world's alleged biggest, now could I?
Our trip begins at our local train station that practically looks fake.
This place was in a huge mall- not my favorite place to go. It is a huge modern ugly building but at least they let in the surrounding view!
Just a quick note on the rucksack- My spending and shopping addiction continues here- I can't help myself! But if I bought it at an Oxfam thrift store it's really like giving to charity, right? So I ought to say my tithing continues? I am so in love with this thing I can hardly stand it.
A store window on the way to the train set. Hmm... interesting I really don't get this shirt at all since this is a Levi's store, which I believe is still an American company. I mean I get that our dollar is dead and uncle Sam is a relic, but does Levi's sell this shirt in the US as well I'm wondering? Would it be an outrage to sell it in the US but popular here because much of the world is cheering as we are in economic failure right now? I mean, I get political satire in t-shirts, but I don't get a major clothing corporation that is ultimately about sales and share holders and all of that putting out a shirt like this. Maybe the majority of shareholders are foreign? It seems like in the US that everything even remotely offensive is not 'endorsed' and therefor drops out of the market immediately. So a shirt like this would only be found from a small independent company that specialized in offensive material. But this is a completely mainstream store in a mall. It confuses me! Maybe some of you can shed some light on this or have some insight I'm completely missing here??
Here's the view of one side of it. All photos taken by the girls- I was busy filming.
This cracked me up. Look closely at the woman sunbathing on her back- yup, authentically topless.
There goes the witch! On my way home I was thinking about Hansel and Gretel. A popular interpretation of the tale is about the kids leaving home (their spiritual home) and going out into the world and getting distracted by all of the temptations out there (cookies and candies). Of course these temptations house dark forces (the witch) which then try to take over. Those forces must be stopped consciously (by shoving in the oven and closing the door) so they may once again return to their home wiser for their experiences yet connected again back with Spirit/God/Universal Truth.
So I was thinking about my life right now and one of my temptations that has taken hold of me. I am living with my brother and family so it's very different than living alone with my children where I am 'in charge' of all of our living circumstances and rhythms. Here, we are in their home so their lifestyle sort of dominates. That being said, I still have choices to make that I haven't been exactly pleased with. Under normal circumstances I work at night after my girls are in bed. That's when I edit video and do all of that. But here the computer I use for work is the computer that is needed for watching American DVDs. My brother and wife's habit is to watch American TV on DVD at night when the kids are in bed. I don't typically watch TV at home and when I do it is usually the Food Network or The Travel Channel. The last time I watched a TV drama was Northern Exposure in college.
But nearly every night since arriving here I have spent my nights watching some show called Mr. Monk. He is a homicide detective with OCD. There is nothing about a show like this that would typically tempt me. I'm very particular about what I allow in to my consciousness and what I give my attention to. I do not watch movies about murder or violence and haven't for over 20 years. Until now! I sit and watch this show because I can't work. But what about reading??? I'm always desperate for more time to read when at home. I brought books with me I've been wanting to finish. And yet this temptation looms. It's entertaining. We eat chocolate while we watch TV. How can this be me?? What about snacking on goji berries while reading something uplifting? That's me.
A few nights of something like this would be fine as a complete break from my own life to participate in the lives of another family. But we are on the 6th season!! Let me repeat- we have completed 5 seasons so far! I didn't even know TV shows came on seasons for purchase. At this point it is a full blown nightly habit. I know it will disappear once I'm home again but indulging in something like this does not come without opening to door to 'dark' forces. That darkness to me is about using murder as a form of entertainment. I have found my thoughts drifting during the day back to some of those episodes how some of those actors were 'killed.' It is in my awareness and consciousness. I don't like it there yet keep eating those cookies. Will my own good sense stop me from doing something I know is not beneficial or will I need to be grabbed by the witch with something dramatic to get my attention to stop my behavior before I change it. It is something seemingly small and insignificant, but I think particularly as a parent who believes in living that which I'd like to impart in my children a nightly habit of murder-driven entertainment is not who I want to be. It does not uplift me. It simply entertains me. The writing is witty and his neurotic behavior turned to comedy. But the problem here is none of those things are really funny. I think back to my yoga teacher telling me I have a weak will. This is when strong will forces are particularly important. If anyone has some to spare, can you please airmail them to me immediately? PLEASE.
What are some of your cookies on the witches house? What are some of your vices? I always think by publicly airing our laundry and letting others know what our real life demons are -it empowers us to change them rather than hiding them and pretending they don't exist. So, please do share!
