what is ugly?

Not a new topic - but something I read in this month's Ecologist, sparked a few thoughts from my end...
So what is ugly? Many things - too many from my point of view. But then again, they always point towards the very opposite, which is beautiful - without ugliness, nothing would appear to us as beautiful and we desperately need a bit of both to fully appreciate life.
First ugly things which spring to my mind would be:
Dead public spaces - gardens, parks and streets where all sense of life, nature or humanity has been removed, or perhaps never existed. Tree-less streets, concrete blocks, paved up front drives, yards and gardens left for abandon - all these pockets of valuable space, which could be used to enhance life and urban nature, all forgotten in the midst of urban living.
Rubbish laden streets. A disrespect for public space, for others and ultimately, for oneself.
The commercial takeover of shops, old boutiques, old fashioned areas etc by corporates, branded coffee shops and other standardized outlets. New 'urban villages' spring up all over our cities, pretending to be authentic community living; they are merely imposters in a virtual, globalised environment.
Overpriced gourmet food - another commercial take on what should be simply local, fresh, seasonal produce. The system is so warped that we now have to pay more for what essentially costs less. Carrots flown in from israel are cheaper than those from a farm in Kent.
Production and consumption as lifelong aims. Surely there is more to life than being a simple bee in a hive,which never gets to taste the honey - the very nectar it helps to produce. In a simpler way, the obsession with work and success and the limited enjoyment of anything outside it.

And there are many more 'uglies'. Time to focus on the beauties in life....

bikes

I loved reading this
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/our_experts/article2581828.ece

According to Dr Stuttaford, the Times' expert doctor, cyclists in London give people a bad impression of cycling:
"Cycling in London and other large British cities, but not in mainland European towns, has been cornered by the nerdy cyclists who, wearing their distinctive uniform, weave in and out of traffic, ignore the lights, trespass on pavements and shout abuse at cars that impede their progress."

So according to him, we're all nerdy cyclists who shout abuse to cars and pedestrians! Oh and the typical Times reader would "cycle in his everyday clothes, doesn’t squeeze himself into Lycra and has impeccable road manners. The public road is not a private gym."
haha, typical....

yoga'd up

A friend of mine has just set off for a yoga teacher training intensive this week - a big step and a hugely exciting one, but it has also led me to reflect on my own decision. I'll be following her steps in a few months' time and I'm quite apprehensive to see how she gets on. My own experience will be somewhat different (my course is in Goa, India, over 2 months, the schedule's slightly less harsh with 7 am starts rather than 5.30 am, a smaller teaching group with foreign teachers) and my circumstances aren't quite the same. I'll be apart from long term boyfriend - leaving Europe for Taiwan to do his army for 2 years, which will set my back both emotionally and physically - and I hate to admit it, also financially (no more sharing bills, cosy flat, food, and being treated out for dinner is something I'll have to do without for a while). To top that up, I'm planning on a few months' break from work, London and possible all the other things I have been used to so far. Scary.
I'm both excited and extremely daunted by the prospect of trading my comfortable routine for a new, unknown environment. Change can only be good but god knows what will happen to me in a few months' time....

This is what I'll be doing next year: http://shaktispirit.com/training.htm