BEEF

Beef season two (2026) created by Lee Sung Jin. This season is less crazy than I remember season one being, but it definitely holds its own. The cynical world of this season revolves around those who work at a posh country club. Are these people really any better than those elite rich they serve each day? No. Performances are strong, especially those of the four principals, but I'm not sure any of these characters are likable. Relatable? Perhaps. It depends on how much you embrace your own sinfulness. This is a set of tales of loneliness, betrayal, corruption, incompetence, feigned love, and faux friendship. Capitalism is held up as the natural next step in evolution, a true social Darwinism. I actually liked it, although I'm not sure I recommend it.

Streamed on Netflix.

•

Ants crawl across the scenes, here and there, as though freed from the fine art title cards—reminders of our mundane and mortal lives. Buzz buzz.

•

Remember the notion of always keeping custody of your drinks? Bring on the paranoia after multiple breaches of social norms regarding beverages. 

NO SELF, NO PROBLEM

"Perhaps the reason Buddhism and other spiritual traditions use metaphors so frequently is because they sidestep the gatekeeping functions of the interpretive mind."

•

No Self, No Problem: How Neurobiology Is Catching Up to Buddhism (2019) by Chris Niebauer. Peek behind the Matrix of your own mind by reading this book. The short take: your left brain "interpreter" is lying to you about almost everything, as it spins story after story and keeps your non-verbal right brain enslaved. Each chapter ends with a way or two to explore and/or experience the concepts it presents. This was a fascinating and brisk read. I highly recommend it.

Checked out from the Puyallup Public Library.

•

"Compassion is all about the big picture, at which the right brain excels. I would add that true compassion only occurs when we can imagine ourselves in the position of another."

•

"Maybe you meditate, practice mindfulness, and feel very spiritually grounded when you do, and later the ego comes back online and is frustrated to find out that you've run out of coffee."

WHITE RIVER DGC

I played at White River Disc Golf Course this morning. It was a morning of MANY tree shots, balanced out with THREE pole hits on the second throw (holes 10, 12, and 13).

•

My two champion discs of the day...

Gateway Apache Driver (purple disc). It allowed me to make some nice straight drives in tight spaces. It also stands out against green vegetation better than translucent yellow! Plus, it was owned by my friend Derek prior to his death; so he's out on the course with me, too.

Latitude 64° Mirus Midrange. This is my go to disc for forehand throws and bending around obstacles. (I'm primarily a backhand thrower.) I also used it as a "hammer" to go over a few trees.

•

The weather was beautiful! Sunny and sunny and sunny in the woods.

DANCING with UNCERTAINTY

"Dancing with Uncertainty: Buddhist Pathways to Climate Resilience" with Dr. Stephanie Kaza was an excellent presentation, hosted by Pacific Lutheran University's Religion and Environmental Studies departments for Earth Day.

It was a "slow presentation," in the spirit of the "slow food" movement—something to be savored in the company of the like-minded. Contemplative slides allowed the audience (and presenter) moments to pause between sets of ideas and concepts. And The Child pointed out that none of the images of nature were "alarmist"—no photos of strip mines or clear cuts—but rather celebratory in some sense. Perhaps images of nature on its own terms, which I found intriguing and hopeful.

This is going to stick with me for some time.

ONE-DAY SIT

Now sit steadfastly and think not-thinking. How do you think not-thinking? Beyond thinking.

—from "Fukanzazengi" by Dōgen

 

My spot of "focus" for the day, although not really "seen" for most of that time, except indistinctly.

 

I'm exhausted but in a good way, even though I mostly sat staring at a wall.

SEALED IN

I'm all sealed in. My allergies are off the charts, so I'm taking precautions to avoid a hospital visit when I'm working in the yard.

(Success! The yard is mowed.)

WORDLESS PROCLAMATION

Zazen is wordless proclamation.

—Nyoze Kwong, Abbot of Sonoma Mountain Zen Center

PLU MEADOWS DGC

It's been a hot minute since I've played, but I made it out to PLU Meadows this morning. I was going to play this nine-hole course twice, but on hole nine I had my best drive of the day and scored a birdie on this par 4 hole, so I called it quits.

Hole 1 / par 3 - 2
Hole 2 / par 3 - 4
Hole 3 / par 4 - 4
Hole 4 / par 3 - 4
Hole 5 / par 3 - 4
Hole 6 / par 4 - 4
Hole 7 / par 3 - 3
Hole 8 / par 4 - 4
Hole 9 / par 4 - 3
Front nine / par 31 - 32 (+1)

I played my favorite yellow discs. They're some of my favorite discs and just happen to be yellow: Innova Champion Valkyrie driver, Discraft Buzzz midrange, and Latitude 64º Sinus putter.

 

RENTAL FAMILY

Rental Family (2025) directed by Hiraki. Brendan Fraser stars as a struggling actor living in Japan who finds employment with a company that rents out actors to clients. The clients use these actors to "solve" personal problems in their lives. Fraser's Philip fills a niche as the "white guy." At times the movie is a bit too cloying, especially in the final few minutes, but ultimately it works because of Philip's tender heart. It's an exploration of the fictions that we play in our personal and professional relationships. What is real? What is truth? What would we rather lie to ourselves about? Who are we?

The film also examines loss, longing, and loneliness. As one character states, "All relationships have to end." It may be a truism, but that doesn't mean it comes without pain and mourning.

Streamed on Disney+.

SITTING

fading temple bell
the fragrance of flowers strikes
at evening

—Bashō



Tonight's sit with South Sound Zen sangha was a good one. The weather was nice yet people still showed up. Sunset is later so there was still some light in our room, even at the end of sitting. I was asked to serve as doan: ringing bells, keeping time, and leading one chant. We chanted the Sandokai, which was new to me. I discovered the poetry of Korean poet Ko Un. My body felt good throughout the sit, and I left feeling calm.