At the Met :: Max Ernst – Gala Éluard

I saw her eyes, and then I read the plaque next to this 1924 oil on canvas:

The Russian Gala Éluard (born Helena Dmitriovna Diakonova; 1894-1982) was closely affiliated with Surrealist movement for most of her adult life.  She served as a muse for two husbands, first the poet Paul Éluard (1895-1952), then the artist Salvador Dali (1904-1989).  When Max Ernst moved to Paris in 1922, he lived with the Éluard in a ménage à trois until 1924.  At the end of his affair with Gala, Ernst evoked the eyes of his former mistress in this painting, which is based on a photograph by Man Ray taken before 1924.

TOE goes places so you don’t have to.

Mercury Contamination of Aquatic Ecosystems & [Perhaps] Your Body

Well, this doesn’t make me feel very safe. According to the EPA mercury calculator, one can of tuna a week is too much for me.

It’s the biomagnification that should worry you…   WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGE!

Sunday Humor :: Secret to Long Life

John Steinbeck Smoking Cigarettes

Giving Peace to the Deceased and Ourselves

SUB PAE SAT THA
To all mankind who are friends at bad times,
at birth, at sickness and at death,
which will someday be happening to all of us

A VA RA HOON TU
We wish you to be in peace
Let us have no revenge to each other

AB PA YA PAJ CHA HOON TU
We wish you to be in peace
Let us not take advantage of each other

A NEE KA HOON TU
We wish you to be in peace
Let you have no pain in your body and heart

SU KEE AT TA NUNG PA RI HA RUN TU
We wish you to have comfort to your body
And hapiness to your hearts.
Take care of yourselves to be safe from all danger.

Dalai Lama Teaches How to Develop Forgiveness

When we think of a person who creates a lot of suffering in our own land, frustrations, anger, and hatred usually come.

So here, it is very useful to make a distinction: action vs. actor.

Although we totally oppose their action and their activities, we can always keep compassion to not develop hatred toward that person.

On that basis, to develop forgiveness.

Biscayne Medical Plaza Police Car

Why is this unmarked police car attached to the Biscayne Medical Plaza in Miami?  Is there something meaningful behind this installation, or is it meant to be completely random and ponderous?