An Eighth Shot of Espresso: Coffee and Creativity on Mum's Third Shift

Who says that death  must lead to nothingness?  No one who stays dead  returns to tell us otherwise  Religion and science  offer some explanation  But the truth is that  no one can say for sure  Those who claim they know  really have no idea It is a reassurance against their fear of the unknown

Take comfort in the little things they like to say Repetitive tasks is an opportunity for meditation on life, the universe and everything. When you need  to focus on survival and the daily grind week after week the priority is not on philosophical musings. Time is a commodity If you have the luxury to contemplate on the wonders of the universe and the nature of man perhaps do not judge the ones who work for it.

Fire, Wood, Water Metal and Earth Wu Xing, Five Elements Each one affects the other For good or for ill. Too much of one upsets the balance and all must be in harmony. Process and change nothing ever stays the same it is the essence of the elements a stick is just a stick a rock is just a rock Wood is the essence of life Earth the stable foundation. Where is air? Fire, Earth, Air, Water, Metal Air surrounds us It need not be said The essence of being in all living things is not limited to just one physical form! All five plus the one encompassing the Spirit, the Soul It will still be there when all is long to dust that spark of existence will carry us on that drive to live will carry us through.

Bend like the willow but do not break no matter how the wind rages it cannot destroy you. Plant your roots down deep let your resolve nourish you Look up to the sun let it guide your purpose. In every life, rain must fall to make the roses bloom even with its thorns silken petals bring joy. Soft and sweet melodies listen to the silence that linger between the notes they prolong the harmony. Do not mistake calm for passivity flexibility for indecision Other pursue the ephemeral but you will outlast and endure.

Two become One Two sides of the same coin Why do you have to choose one over the other? Why is one so much better than the other? Nothing is static nothing lasts forever What comes up must come down. What lies low rises to new heights. Either you're good or you're bad you're a hero or a villain but a villain is a hero according to their own story. Rules are too narrow definitions are too brief History is set by the victors Truth can be set by the outlaws.

How can someone be guilty when it doesn't take much to overturn it and make them innocent again? Money in indulgences confessing your sins you have a brand new and unsullied soul. If the verdict can be overturned what use is it? A moral victory one for the books A bright spot of hope for Justice for a little while but it doesn't last It doesn't stick there are no repercussions you can brush it off dust off the inconvenience and go back to doing what you were doing all along. And no one can stop you their protests are ineffectual. You know they cannot touch you you are golden. They say that karma will come round and catch up but it doesn't help anyone else in the time they wait for karma to finally get here And those who are destroyed could have been saved if not for a weak and indecisive and ineffectual enforcer. You smirk because this is true and you  know it.

I stare into the Light Nothing stares back. I can't see should I have faith in what should be there even if my vision is clouded? Do I trust blindly in fate or destiny or in higher powers beyond my understanding? Or should I only depend on what I can see or hear or touch or feel or perceive and just in the tangible? I cannot see past the blinding glare therefore nothing is there? Are they mutually exclusive or can there be a compromise? Do I have the time to contemplate all of the possibilities and ramifications if one or the either or both are the truth?

  Lawful Good: "Cool motive, still murder." Neutral Good: "It's murder, but he was a bad person." Chaotic Good: "He was a bad person, why is murder a bad thing if it's morally right?" The champion of ethics. Lawful Neutral: "Murder is against the rules. I don't care what your reasoning." True Neutral: "I don't really care, keep me out of it." Chaotic Neutral: "I should be free to do what I want, including murder." Middle ground of self serving. Lawful Evil: "As long as it's within our law and order, murder can be justified." Neutral Evil: "I can sell you information for the next murder, pay my price." Chaotic Evil: "I murder to watch the world burn." The dark side of 'freedom'.