Chronosynclastic Infundibulum

Having returned from the Bay Area, I had to make time today to go over to my friends Tim & Dallas' house. We sat around and I relayed to them my adventures in San Francisco. Explaining the idea that my friend wanted to experience the acceptance of alternative lifestyles found in the Castro District, the conversation brought forth one of Tim's favorite words:

chronosynclasticinfunvibulum

Fun one, yes? Tim said it was from some book, but he couldn't remember the title or author. He thought it broke-down to basically mean things happening at the same time, and Latin for funnel shape (infunvibulum). Well, I had to google this, not only for the fun of it, but to find out from what book it was.

So, he gave me the above spelling of it and I took it back to my trusty computer. Google first corrected me with a no-results page:

Okay... actually a two word phrase, but trusty Google still provides:

The first result was where I usually get my first source of information, Wikipedia, which provides an entry for Infundibulum. It is defined as Tim said: Latin for a funnel-shape cavity or organ. The seventh item listed provided pay dirt:

From the science fiction novel The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut the phenomenon chronosynclastic infundibulum is defined as "those places ... where all the different kinds of truths fit together".

So Tim's memory is still good. Thank you, Mr. Vonnegut, for such a wonderful concept! Obviously a different way to express acceptance of various perspectives, I can see where this concept is manifesting itself in today's world... President-Elect Barack Obama being the most obvious example.

This was your thing to learn today.

"Tim-isms"

I want to introduce one of my drumming buddies: Tim Vance. I am quite proud to say Tim and his wife, Dallas, are dear friends of mine. Beyond and beyond being just plain fun, they are the quintisential "good people" you always hear about. They don't have a lot, but they share what they do have, opening their home to all ("Check your attitude at the door!"), and offering "peace & freedom" to anyone in need.

Thus the tag line for this blog. Throughout the rough times I've been going through lately, Tim has provided me with insights he has collected over the years. I've come to refer to these as "Tim-isms". While most are recounted from various sources (self-help books, etc.), some are unique to Tim. Sometimes, it's just the fact that it came from Tim, or when/where he interjects the statement, that makes it special.

Many of these phrases reside on their refrigerator. Covered in mutil-colored Post-It® Notes, one can find insights and mantras for any occasion or situation. Some examples:

• You don't become anything, you already are everything.
• Accept miracles (expect them daily!)
• Everything is perfect (you just don't know it yet).
• It will resolve itself.
• Get over it!

Some I personally try to keep with me at every moment:

• [Be] Flexible to the point of liquidity.
• [I am] Ecstatic passionate exuberance personified!

Included in conversation as well-rounded advice, or simply exclaimed for reinforcement sake, these statements lend support and encouragement to anyone willing to listen.

So I offer them now to you, and I will continue to do so as they pop-up; and they will, because I always try to expect miracles daily.