The Great Plotnik

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Oshoogatsu at the Asian Art Museum



Today, on the last day of the Old Year, Plot, Duck, The Great PD and two friends, Erik and his daughter Stella, rung in the New Year at the Asian Art Museum. Buddhists believe that over the course of a year everyone picks up 108 bad habits, or is guilty of committing that many not-nice things. By saying a prayer to do better the next year you are cleansed and readied to help make the world a better place to live. You are now a blank canvas -- it's your job to paint beautiful things on it.

It was a beautiful ceremony -- and just about as much religion as Plotnik needs for the year. Incense, chanting in a foreign language, bowing and respecting some kind of idol, and then BOOM you get to ring that gong.

And you do feel better afterwards. It's strange how that happens. And every culture does it.

Belly seemed disinterested, being held in her Daddy's arms while ten people lined up to bring back the clapper and then let it move forward to strike the gong, but when she heard the sound she smiled and perked up, and when Plotnik saw that he smiled and perked up too, which seems to be the whole point, doesn't it?

Much love to all Plotnikkies and their families and friends. We wish you a Merry Oshoogatsu and the most beautiful and creative New Year. Do good things. Be nice to people who have less than you do. Be extra nice to the people you love the most, because they are the ones who sometimes don't get to hear it from you. Just because your friends know you love them doesn't mean your family does. And we never get tired of being told we matter.

You all matter a lot to Plottie. His world is richer because he has people to talk to and gets to hear them talk to him. See you all next year.

5 Comments:

At 7:07 PM, Blogger The Fevered Brain said...

Prospero Año from the hot and humid Mexican tropics.

 
At 9:24 PM, Blogger notthatlucas said...

108 not-nice things in a year? Surely there must be a sliding scale depending on where you are. 108 might cover the average Californian for a week.

Thanks for continuing with this blog and sharing your family with us. I look forward to another year of fun.

 
At 5:11 AM, Blogger mary ann said...

Lovely, thank you dear Plottie! Happy New Year to you and the family...

 
At 11:52 AM, Anonymous Cousin Seattle said...

Happy New Year to you and Aunt B too!

 
At 1:08 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oshoogatsu sounds a bit like Kol Nidre. Pray for forgiveness from the sins you have not yet committed, but will for sure, and hearing the Shofar blow...Tehkiah Gadolo!
Hope you and Duck, and the whole family, have a wonderful and healthy new year!
J and J

 

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