THE LONELIEST WHALE

The Loneliest Whale: The Search for 52 (2021) directed by Joshua Zeman. A documentary that is part scientific mystery and part expedition, in an attempt to find the "needle in a haystack" theorized whale behind a 52-hertz song that is in a range not used by either blue whales or fin whales. Be prepared for whale songs, a clarinet, acoustic buoys, noise pollution, nature versus human interference ,and plenty of open sea. It's a fascinating film filled with loss and failure and a glimmer of hope amongst its academia and scientific method. Thar she (or he) blows!

Streaming on Netflix.

SAFFRON HEART

Saffron Heart (2018) directed by Paul McLay. This coming -of-age film follows ten-year-old novice monk Lobsang as he enters the Drepung Gomang Monastery. He is given a map of eight puzzle treasures to solve by his teacher, after he attempts to run away to home multiple times. He is befriended by twenty-year-old monk Tashi who acts as mentor even as he is perhaps an older version of Lobsang. We learn Buddhist teachings alongside Lobsang. Serious moments are often punctuated by moments of illness or death or humor or surprise, just as in real life. This is a sweet, wonderful film filled with color and joy. Highly recommended.

This is the October 2025 selection of the Tricycle Film Club.

SLOW FOOD and SLOW READING

It was a "slow" night. It was a bachelor night.

•

After work, I sat (virtually) with my Zen sangha. We meditated and then discussed a koan ("The Old Woman Steals Zhaozhou's Bamboo Shoots," China, ninth century) and related commentary (by Furyu Nancy Schroeder). I love these Tuesday night conversations because I always learn something, and typically from every other participant. They each notice something that I don't.

•

Then it was off to reading while eating. I ordered my favorite pho—wok-seared beef and egg yolk—both of which add immensely to the flavor profile. I ate and read sections of Suzuki's Becoming Yourself. I ate slowly, savoring both soup and text. It was a wonderful meal.

•

The evening ended with more reading and more reflection at home.

PIERCE

"Pierce." Day Six of Inktober.

This is my favorite piece of Inktober 2025 so far.

A piercing stare. A piercing hand (in shuto).

WEAVE

"Weave." Day Two of Inktober.

I'm just having fun with art markers. I'm playing and trying to not take myself too serious.