Join me in my meditation and click the music below while reading today's blog.
Exactly what I needed. The best tea, a respite from the marketplace of NFT's. A place to think about things other than the Coronavirus. I'll take a walk through the Japanese gardens. Inhale the crisp earthen fragrances and calm my spirit.
I was alone in this particular garden, and it truly felt like I had fallen back in time. Focusing on my breathing, a deliberate inhale and exhale, the moist grasses bringing me energy, I strolled through the twisting stone paths and corners of vegetation. Over the bridge, I looked down into the koi pond.
I actually own the painting above (Koi Friends 45/250 signed with authenticity paper), but it was easier to get a good image off the internet. The artist is Robert Hooper and, he is local. I live in the desert, and I really miss the lushness of places that get more rain.
After crossing the bridge, I came to a pagoda-style seating spot where I could sit in the stillness enjoy the music of nature. I may have been there an hour before I was visited by a somewhat quirky fellow.
"Pardon me," said Tanooki, "have you seen the pixel frogs yet?"
"The wha--?"
"Most specifically one wearing rain-cap and smoking cigar, it is bestest, and rarest of froggies."
"I, uh, I have..."
"Oh, but every frog in pixel village owes life to Emperor and Shogun. I only think good thoughts of Emperor and Shogun. Sometimes my thoughts of Empress make me blush."
He handed me a cup of Saki. "This is best Saki, from Emperor's jugs. Shhh, do not tell anyone; Tanooki does not want to lose his head."
I thought I might be losing my own head.
"All Kaeru Pixel villager froggies same same. Tanooki Same, Patty Same, all froggies Same. All like Good Sake, Good Tofu. Oh, but Emperor, he is special. He is like rising Sun. Great Emperor rises 364 days a year for benefit of Pixel Villagers. I only think good thoughts about him." He finished his sake and said, "Look..."
I turned and witnessed a frog climb onto a stone, stand erect, and began gesticulating wildly. Tanooki leaned down and responded, "Yes, yes. Great Emperor working with Shogun and Imperial Scholar laying the groundwork for great palace! All must be in accord with the will of heaven. Straight lines in 4 cardinal directions to East, to South, to West, to North. Many glorious gardens and ponds… imperial palace to be on Moon!"
I started to sneak off, out of the pagoda, silently.
Tanooki suddenly turned to me. "Of course, yes, we must hurry to palace and give regards to Emperor. You are so smart. Be sure to follow my lead. Bow before the Emperor and Shogun, offer your life, family, and all of your goods. He may show mercy upon you and the whole frog clan. Maybe not. May get beheaded instead. I am sorry, but life in Pixel Village is at the mercy of the Emperor."
En route to the Emperor, Tanooki stuck a pixel-frog in my wallet. "You cannot show up at the Palace without any villagers. This one will do. He is yours now."
Looking at it now, I realize it was a wizard. Its eyes were red with the magic of Japan's sun. Perhaps that's why the Emperor spared my head.
Perhaps that's why I understood everything he said. I know he was speaking a frog language, but it just translated smoothly for me. When I spoke, I felt I was fluent for him. I didn't question it at the time. Like when you are in a dream, and afterward, things don't make sense, but when inside the dream, you question nothing.
I drank Saki with Tanooki that evening, had noodles with the Ramen Maiden, and was encouraged to rescue a few pixel villagers from the cold cnft.io marketplace.
Tanooki also let me know that tomorrow there would be a mint for Kaeru Warriors and that to save the Kingdom from the Crows who were amassing armies to the East, we may need to merge pixels and warriors together for a bigger 3D Frog Army.... his voice became softer and further away...the descriptions and colors were jumbling in my mind. The vision of the Kaeru Kingdom was hazy and wavy, and I passed out.
Next: Journal 9 Coronavirus & Economy
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