tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10986774624816359202024-02-20T14:45:02.781-06:00loon calling...hales02http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685121351083748026noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1098677462481635920.post-6278783887429759122009-04-27T14:49:00.006-06:002009-04-27T15:03:39.970-06:00Food, Inc. - the movie<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCC12w8SGnbbSWMKDsZRWwU5DfdEwE8Z75Os5G5xEuuyGLqFsOTRU2n253H1Zqcx7IMeHVXuZxAiL4x_8Dgz4mUQZ420p3apfKi5DWfGPFeOf16y9hgK3aA3Dtw7ZdlvI-thmSXWGgNdz/s1600-h/food+inc.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329478653584449266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 62px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCC12w8SGnbbSWMKDsZRWwU5DfdEwE8Z75Os5G5xEuuyGLqFsOTRU2n253H1Zqcx7IMeHVXuZxAiL4x_8Dgz4mUQZ420p3apfKi5DWfGPFeOf16y9hgK3aA3Dtw7ZdlvI-thmSXWGgNdz/s320/food+inc.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Please see the movie "Food, Inc." It places an unpalatable plate of facts in front of you that you will have a hard time stomaching the next time you wheel through a supermarket. </span></div><ul><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">It's time we learn about the way our food is grown, processed, and distributed. </span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">It's time we take a long hard look at the food we consume and buy for our families. </span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">It's time to change the way we look at the "food industry" and demand something different - for our bodies, for our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">environment</span>, and for our food producers. </span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">As Josh always tells me, "vote with your dollar. That is the best way to be heard." What great advice. :)<br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.takepart.com/foodinc/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>http://www.takepart.com/foodinc/</strong></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><em>Taken from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">TakePart</span> website:</em><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><em><strong>About the Film</strong></em><br /><em>How much do we really know about the food we buy at our local supermarkets and serve to our families?</em> </span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><div><br />In Food, Inc., filmmaker Robert <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Kenner</span> lifts the veil on our nation's food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that's been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government's regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA. Our nation's food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment. We have bigger-breasted chickens, the perfect pork chop, insecticide-resistant soybean seeds, even tomatoes that won't go bad, but we also have new strains of e <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">coli</span>--the harmful bacteria that causes illness for an estimated 73,000 Americans annually. We are riddled with widespread obesity, particularly among children, and an epidemic level of diabetes among adults.<br /></div><div>Featuring interviews with such experts as Eric <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Schlosser</span> (Fast Food Nation), Michael <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Pollan</span> (The Omnivore's Dilemma) along with forward thinking social entrepreneurs like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Stonyfield</span> Farm's Gary <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Hirshberg</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Polyface</span> Farms' Joel <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Salatin</span>, Food, Inc. reveals surprising -- and often shocking truths -- about what we eat, how it's produced, who we have become as a nation and where we are going from here.<br /><br />__________________<br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em>I couldn't have said it better myself. Another great local resource for local, sustainable food:</em><br /></span><a href="http://www.slowfoodmn.org/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">http://www.slowfoodmn.org/</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></div></span></div>hales02http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685121351083748026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1098677462481635920.post-61769839270631557842008-11-27T11:25:00.004-06:002008-11-27T11:53:29.068-06:00Amy Taylor: a lesson on mindful gratitude<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5i6jkfIZv-V7Rk-FpQeDrw78fWoLNU_hDoyYw1tnEaqY07uUZb091sxNCr4Prjwcb7_KHgop_31pa5yLm3ZINQ41ymMz0chQxu6hc3t5j4sae6U1iWkmCtTmb6LKAU7w21haq-_IP3x60/s1600-h/amyarbor.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273396610134558882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5i6jkfIZv-V7Rk-FpQeDrw78fWoLNU_hDoyYw1tnEaqY07uUZb091sxNCr4Prjwcb7_KHgop_31pa5yLm3ZINQ41ymMz0chQxu6hc3t5j4sae6U1iWkmCtTmb6LKAU7w21haq-_IP3x60/s400/amyarbor.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><em><strong>"Why am I thankful to be alive?... ... ...Let me ask that again, </strong></em></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><em><strong>because its not an easy question to answer... ...Why am I THANKFUL to be A-L-I-V-E?"</strong></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size:85%;">This is the question that was posed my </span><a href="http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/amytaylor"><span style="font-size:85%;">Amy Taylor</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> to a group at the Taylor Family Benefit J, K, and I attended on Saturday. This question has been resonating in my mind ever since that night. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;">A question that Amy, a beautiful woman about my age, asks herself everyday. You see, Amy lives her life with passion and mindfulness. She taught us all a lesson on living "love", having endless patience for those you love, and just "being" in the moment. And being reverant to the miracle that we are here.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;">Living a life of gratitude and living a life of mindfulness are things that I believe every human aspires to do. Amy truly lives this way - and it is magical to <a href="http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=519872">watch</a>. And she calls others to come awake, and live this way also. Can you imagine what the world would be like if we reminded ourselves to think everyday about what we are greatful for?</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;">Amy, you have given me a gift by watching how you live. Thank you.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Today, on Thanksgiving, I honor you, Amy. I honor your beautiful heart and spirit. I honor your husband Warren, who loves you to no end and in ever present as your knight. I honor your children, Arbor and Bella, and the beautiful and free hearts you have taught them to love with.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;">Happy THANKSGIVING to you all! I'm thankful for each and everyone of you. Much love!</span> </div>hales02http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685121351083748026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1098677462481635920.post-25151861090414088062008-10-16T16:49:00.006-06:002008-10-16T17:07:16.542-06:00myPeaceCity<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5RNg1bnHToE4LIJhvwTXF-Qs-MruvaJuoQbWA616XXPv0RhLqDgjBnC-mH4ftM9l544xfzmQ4z5bgnvPUHfI3e4IMLJf1U9Pc8Ca0bm02JwvY08nzcbVO3N1ZAeYwsLL7ODuAi9qdLCk/s1600-h/peace_01.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257892126169966946" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5RNg1bnHToE4LIJhvwTXF-Qs-MruvaJuoQbWA616XXPv0RhLqDgjBnC-mH4ftM9l544xfzmQ4z5bgnvPUHfI3e4IMLJf1U9Pc8Ca0bm02JwvY08nzcbVO3N1ZAeYwsLL7ODuAi9qdLCk/s400/peace_01.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXPU2ccOnK10NquySr2cGLEDwSbpYpoku2fTGuuWx9QdsMwnmVSTB52ioM3sjECOrUVmoTHEeMSw2SNGdxRu_vzJctccFzRzDdIHjAT4S2Vx8LJrPf8YtGBA7hCLrlszHvhOGmZ0UV2s7/s1600-h/peace_01.jpg"></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">I stumbled upon a really cool </span><a href="http://www.mypeacecity.com/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">site</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"> that is about the "call for a paradigm shift in the way we think about the world and human relationships. We believe that a nonviolent world is possible and we strive to provide a forum for envisioning the world in this way."</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div></div><div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">I love that mission statement. How cool that some people take enough time and thoughtfulness to promote something they feel passionate about so selflessly, in hopes of sharing an idea - making a difference. What better cause than promoting a Peace-filled existence. </span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">I am a peace lover, and a peace advocate. Though, when I really stop to think about it, I am a pretty passive advocate of peace. I don't knock on doors, put signs in my yard or bumper stickers on my car, or really put myself in a socially uncomfortable situation to promote what I believe in. Why are we so afraid to talk about potentially socially uncomfortable things? </span><br /></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">I've often thought of getting involved in promoting peace as a sustainable world view in a more active way. Maybe that will be my next personal goal... Have any ideas for me? </span><br /></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><em><strong>“Be the change you want to see in the world.”</strong></em> Mahatma Gandhi</span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"></span></div></div>hales02http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685121351083748026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1098677462481635920.post-32955510644821547342008-08-04T16:03:00.002-06:002008-08-04T16:10:19.940-06:00Naturally Sweet<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">My newest favorite site where <em>"green"</em> & <em>"organic"</em> meets<em><strong> "sweets".</strong></em> Debra, honey - you are speaking my language!</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In my quest to live as organic as possible, with careful thought to sustainability...I am now discovering a way to bake away to my hearts content with no remorse. I will never give up sweets, only make them with more care and more of Mother Nature.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Coming out of the oven tonight - Chocolate Orange <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Zucchini</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bundt</span> (Sweetened with evaporated cane sugar)...<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ummmmm</span> naturally <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">delish</span>!</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><a href="http://www.sweetsavvy.com/"><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">http://www.sweetsavvy.com/</span></strong></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span>hales02http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685121351083748026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1098677462481635920.post-63471880232600197702008-03-18T15:48:00.003-06:002008-03-18T16:26:51.874-06:00donate life...donate love<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">I watched a staggering documentary on organ donation, organ trade and the ethics and issues surrounding the statistics on transplant lists in the US. Here are some facts:</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">About 95,000 American's are on the list, waiting for an organ.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Fewer than 1/2 of the 95,000 will receive the organ they so desperately need to live.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Everyday, 18 people die waiting from lack of available organs for transplant.</span> </span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">This off-balance supply and demand relationship has created a dark and seriously unethical "body part" trade on the black market in less developed nations. There are stories all over the world...</span></p><p><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">A woman in rural India, sold one of her kidneys in a move to hinder the crippling poverty she and her son live in. She was then betrayed by the body parts broker, and only collected less than 20% of the money promised to her. Her young son, now is suffering from jaundice and kidney failure. She doesn't have a kidney to spare.</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">China, the worlds leader in executions, recently admitted to harvesting organs for sale or trade or recently executed prisoners. Without consent of the prisoner or their family. Who is profiting off of this? Hmmmmmm...</span></em></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">American's are flying abroad to receive transplants in 2nd or 3rd world nations, because there aren't enough organs donated stateside. This impacts the unethical trade and harvesting demand abroad; while certainly affecting the availability of transplant to natives in need in those countries.</span></p><a href="http://www.donatelife.net/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Click here</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"> for more information on organ donation or find out what it takes to become a donor. I have always had "donor" listed on my license, but found out that I should also have my name on the donor registry for the state of MN. I urge you to look into it, put some thought into it...</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;">Stories of hope for people who have received donations <a href="http://www.donatelife.net/StoriesOfHope/">here.</a></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Give life. Give love. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><em>P.S. For the record, when I die, please take all that you can use, and cremate the rest. Peace out!</em></span>hales02http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685121351083748026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1098677462481635920.post-11771286475265713622008-03-10T14:33:00.005-06:002008-03-10T15:01:46.367-06:00manifesto<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I feel like doors are opening themselves to me. 2008 is going to be a good year, a year of surprises, and manifestation of "me". For years, I've struggled with considering of all the possibilities of life, and how to allow life to unfold and reveal itself to me. I'm starting to feel like I've hit my stride on this new path. A path where all of the possibilities are exciting, and I truly believe that anything can happen. The beginning of a mind shift - to see things in a new light that impact my spirituality, career path, relationships, and the way I live, think, and create daily. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><em>I create what I see.</em></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><em></em></span></strong> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">The world around me is a reflection of self.</span></strong> </span></em></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It might sound crazy, but its true. Words of wisdom for all the ages that I have been reading and hearing about, albeit now - living these words.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><em>A short writing on Manifestation:</em></strong></span></span><br /><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">The art of manifestation involves visualization, adaptation and persistence. It also requires the participation of others. To take something from a mere thought to an existing entity requires many steps. Along the way there may be roadblocks or challenges to overcome. Others may place barriers in your way, or you may sabotage yourself. As thoughts become words become actions, opportunities to give up or change direction will surface. To truly manifest you must continually add to your creation until it is done. Otherwise it will not get done.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">There are many reasons that my vision may fail. There are just as many reasons that my vision can succeed. As we follow the path of manifestation, we must recognize new input and adjust accordingly. With good intention and persistent activity, a mere thought can become reality. </span></em><br /><div align="right"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:78%;">Copyright 2008 Glenn Stewart Coles </span></div><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></em><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A dear friend, let's just call her "Lovikins", challenged me on a hike early this winter to put myself in the place I want to be. A friendly kick in the pants, if you will. Thank you, Lovikins. 11-08-08, baby!</span>hales02http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685121351083748026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1098677462481635920.post-53910028810441683942008-03-04T12:06:00.006-06:002008-03-04T12:50:48.349-06:00Meditation class<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFCKj1DD2j9RUurirCxKQKs7VWWq6CsVYTnWM4NDW-DOVnHmtAe1I_7ivtpx-dtgz7U8cblU_DLkSpOTSVqHZlqeYS8R_-7Tf3OWRViGxUZIw_XgLvOdfPsysSFNC6BdDB9fwcuw6mmSl/s1600-h/budda.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173960812384048546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFCKj1DD2j9RUurirCxKQKs7VWWq6CsVYTnWM4NDW-DOVnHmtAe1I_7ivtpx-dtgz7U8cblU_DLkSpOTSVqHZlqeYS8R_-7Tf3OWRViGxUZIw_XgLvOdfPsysSFNC6BdDB9fwcuw6mmSl/s320/budda.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I went to an introductory class on embodied meditation last night. Meditation is always something that I have been curious about, and have tried in different forms for many years. The practice of meditation exists in unison with mindfulness, or living mindfully.<br /><br />And those who know me best, know that my mind is NEVER silent - commonly referred to as the <strong>"monkey mind".</strong> My goal in meditation is to find <em>calm, balance,</em> and to learn to call my mind back to <em>the present moment.<br /></em><br />Meditation isn't about thinking of nothing - it is about staying with the breath and staying in the present. Acknowledging, accepting, and noticing what is around you and in you. And it is hard to do.<br /><br />My meditation guide, James, kept insisting that "you need to give the mind something to do." Last night, James had us students try and "stay with your breath" for 3 whole breaths. James says, if you can do that, you are doing really well. I made it for 1.5 before I heard the guys stomach gurgling next to me and a creak in the building and I was off wondering about those noises, completely removed from my concentration on feeling my breath move through me, hearing it, being it. I'm a novice, I'll take the 1.5 breath concentration as "I'm doing alright."<br /><br />We also practiced body scanning, which is a really great way to relax your muscles. Try this:<br /><br /><em>Right now, tell yourself to tune into your hands - feel your hands. Can you do it? Can you feel every buzz, sensation, temperature, pressure, vibration?</em><br /><br />I was happy to learn that I am pretty darn good at body scanning. I am able to tune into different parts of my body quite quick and deeply. This is something that I attribute to my yoga practice as well the many years that my sister & I would listen to </span><a href="http://www.spinozabear.com/education.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Spinoza Bear</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> cassette tapes as were falling asleep. <span style="color:#6633ff;">Thanks, mom!</span> <em>(For you parents out there, these are great for kids.)</em><br /><em></em><br />James is a big believer in Tai Chi in his practice; something I've been intrigued in but always thought looked silly, to be perfectly honest. He calmly led us through a very simple Tai Chi movement. I was amazed at the peace I felt - so much so that I'm going to try and find a Tai Chi class to really try it out. James believes that meditative practices that are using movement are easier to start with then "sitting", because...it gives the mind something to do.<br /><br />What I have been missing is actually making meditation and mindfulness a practice in my life and part of my wellness lifestyle. I am planning to head to the </span><a href="http://mnzencenter.org/"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">MN Zen Center</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> this month to check out a beginners session, and get myself on the road to practicing mindfulness in my everyday life.</span> </span>hales02http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685121351083748026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1098677462481635920.post-29167468363142057142008-02-26T12:21:00.002-06:002008-02-26T12:42:03.497-06:00Tiggity TuesdayAnyone need a good laugh on this lovely Tuesday?<br /><br />Check out this blog. I love this kind of humor... I might write the guy fan mail.<br /><br /><a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com/</a>hales02http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685121351083748026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1098677462481635920.post-25049878628355730422008-02-12T09:16:00.000-06:002008-02-12T09:38:54.980-06:00Barack the vote!<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjy6A0LcDuLXgXwl9VtxjvKOPWMiL5f5DStpJHtRZ-rJ7dzYkJkzgC80RH5X1YJsxcJjpmdPE6qsLyM4rdLQkidWnXR2Yzs9o74A1Z-adzsvjaSGFRRsHDKnk1yQLhCqLUqFXcvCDYbaY_/s1600-h/20080202_obamastanding_2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166114585649542898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjy6A0LcDuLXgXwl9VtxjvKOPWMiL5f5DStpJHtRZ-rJ7dzYkJkzgC80RH5X1YJsxcJjpmdPE6qsLyM4rdLQkidWnXR2Yzs9o74A1Z-adzsvjaSGFRRsHDKnk1yQLhCqLUqFXcvCDYbaY_/s320/20080202_obamastanding_2.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Feb 2, BARACK RALLY, Minneapolis, MN - Target Center</span></span></div><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">I attended the Barack Obama rally with my fellow polictico buddies, Jill, Crow-bird, and Em. We waited 2.5 hours in the blustery MN winter with 22k other optomistic, curious and enthusiastic Minnesotans ready to feel hope again.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">I was touched by the sheer number of Barack supporters, all just waiting to hear this message of "change" and "hope", which has been attacked as being "idealistic". When did we become so jaded as a country to think that idealistic individuals who dare to believe that present circumstances could be drastically different...are crazy or childish?</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Lets not forget the reasons that this country was founded and that a great group of idealistic individuals fought for our freedom from the Brits. Our country was born of such ideals, and maybe its a time for a rebirth?<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">This year, I am simply excited. I look around and see people getting involved, talking about their thoughts, debating issues and the best way to solve the problems our country faces today. I see people caring, grass roots efforts all around me. So, no matter your views, continue to care, to read, listen - get involved.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Not sure where you stand? </span><a href="http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/issues/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">CNN Politics</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"> has a great tool (the best I've seen so far) to compare and contrast candidates and issues. Check it out, get excited!</span></p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">At the Barack rally, even from so far away (see below), I got excited enough to jump out of my seat a couple times. Hearing a message for hope, peace and change...</span><br /></span><p></p><br /><p align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166116380945872642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZw-TMjaqOMWwcrUAQpktr43AVb9ESFN5WxG4bHfagKTjYpQGPYLMrqUT6R4KHE130N4eW_tMEtLNITlQXmQSmQLzLuzP8EQLetcSgdHfMJVJOpewrk8QoVu3ZjrMkei9SXL933-MhnksV/s320/DSC02811.jpg" border="0" /></p>hales02http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685121351083748026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1098677462481635920.post-33253464239487814842008-01-31T18:53:00.000-06:002008-01-31T19:23:14.143-06:00pick your pork carefully<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I get frustrated trying to explain to people why J & I try and buy organic, local, sustainable...green. Because I can't pick just one reason <span style="font-style: italic;">why</span> unless I boiled it down to:<br /></span></span><ol style="font-weight: bold;"><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It's just the right thing to do.</span></span></li></ol><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It is a simple answer lined with complexities that I will continue on with another day...</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Industrial-produced meat is the topic fresh on my mind after reading an article from the Rolling Stone (see below for link). My interest took hold in an Animal Rights symposium in college. Now, I don't consider myself to be a lefty-whacko; I try and maintain balance in my views (I'm biased - I know.) But once I began to study and did eventually witness the <span style="font-style: italic;">"business"</span> of meat production in modern America, I could no longer ignore the implications of buying <span style="font-style: italic;">cheap meat. <span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/12840743/porks_dirty_secret_the_nations_top_hog_producer_is_also_one_of_americas_worst_polluters">Click here</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> to read an edgy Rolling Stone article on the Nation's largest pork producer, Smithfield Farms.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span>hales02http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685121351083748026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1098677462481635920.post-83507935415419732372007-10-10T20:09:00.000-06:002007-10-10T20:27:58.018-06:00this place i'm in<span style="font-size:85%;">I've spoken to many friends at this age who feel the same way I'm feeling. <br /><br />Swirling in my brain...<br />Where am I in my life?<br />Am I where I'm supposed to be?<br />I have no idea where my life is going. I'm doing well. I'm doing shitty. I'm good at what I'm doing. I'm bored with what I'm doing. <br />What am I doing to grow myself? My mind? My spirituality? My relationships? My career?<br /><br />Not much in this world is meant to be thought of in black and white, I believe. A lot of gray. I'm okay with gray (except the one hair I </span><span style="font-size:85%;">recently </span><span style="font-size:85%;">found in my hairline that is reminiscent of some shade of gray - still in denial on that...) <br /><br />Sometimes I'm excited and curious about the gray. Other times I'm scared of the uncertainty that comes it. And I think living in the gray is harder...no absolutes. But learning to embrace and to grow with that realization...<br /><br />Out of change and adversity comes growth. I feel myself growing. Into what, though? What direction am I carving out for my life? Embracing, again.<br /><br />Maybe it's this third life crisis that plagues many of us that have minds that question, wonder and wander. I feel different after turning 28. I feel more reflective and more aware that I am actively creating my life. Looking at moving into the 30's made me reflect on my last decade of being. And, oh how different I feel that my 30's will be. Becoming more...well, "me" I suppose. <br /><br />I like that. The last year has been a year of challenges and growth. Ebb & flow. <br /><br />Here's to all the experiences that are "me" so far, and what is yet to come. I love all of you, as you are pieces of me.<br /><br /><br /></span>hales02http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685121351083748026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1098677462481635920.post-20605629097973613952007-10-10T19:59:00.000-06:002007-10-10T20:08:35.996-06:00wanderlustI have always had this thing in me...pulling at my being. To go. To move. To try life somewhere else...<br /><br />I wonder - how many people can identify with me on this reoccurring, nagging feeling of w a n d e r l u s t. I love to see, to feel, to explore... Every time I travel, my soul feels fed. I wonder if I do take the risk, follow my heart, will this feeling ever subside? Will the need ever be fed? What if I start to wonder...and never return?<br /><br />I have always said I'll end up back in good ol' MN when I'm settled. Will I ever be "settled"? Maybe being settled feeds someone's soul like traveling to new places feeds mine. I wonder which is the blessing, and which is the curse. Embrace, instead of wonder.<br /><br />I'm excited to experience China this month. And maybe someday, I'll wander...hales02http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685121351083748026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1098677462481635920.post-30386129597678912842007-08-15T19:01:00.000-06:002007-08-15T21:45:51.046-06:00the City by the Bay<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgViH3AO0TeUr8jn4ZqbUUiyqclsEQxuBYts7fJ1NspxQAyB65z9YwxvlqqPPGxFMT4uLtWuXQ8WJd2OP3Od3GPbiwaNrRAZH69TwsZVg9ceKAkBdHINhjZeFqkt7uQ6Plo2U0y-OzpYjlC/s1600-h/100_1107.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgViH3AO0TeUr8jn4ZqbUUiyqclsEQxuBYts7fJ1NspxQAyB65z9YwxvlqqPPGxFMT4uLtWuXQ8WJd2OP3Od3GPbiwaNrRAZH69TwsZVg9ceKAkBdHINhjZeFqkt7uQ6Plo2U0y-OzpYjlC/s320/100_1107.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099099127965965026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Upon being sent to San Francisco</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> for a work conference, I tacked on a few days on the front end of my trip to tak</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">e in the city. </span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Lucky me.</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Welcome to the City by the</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> Bay.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The neatest thing</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> about my experience, was that I was traveling alone. To some, t</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">his is no big deal</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">. To others, the thought of being alone causes trepidation. To me, it was an exciting challenge, all be it just a few days, exciting nonetheless.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Dia Uno</span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Upon arrival, I </span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">took the BART to the Palace Hotel downtown (not too shabby a place). Feeling energized and alive, I took to the sidewalks and walked to the waterfro</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">nt. I walked past an artists market closing down for the day, and to the ferry building. As I continued down towards Pier 39, I began to notice ho</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">w insanely international the city truly is. The people in San Francisco were of many tongues and many faces. I began to love it, picking up my pace. Awesome culture.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiA47CnCtzajhtSQemikfR-zwacrUlCiIrTENwqaF5SGoIQBVoT8Aj5LuFQTkJ3jUuM6j6o9z6nTB_gB2OfRXbHGMP6NkhWALsbrSMpMtIvR5JnVyefsQ194LYcBO6k0GNTOvqSMw8H_y_/s1600-h/100_1081.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiA47CnCtzajhtSQemikfR-zwacrUlCiIrTENwqaF5SGoIQBVoT8Aj5LuFQTkJ3jUuM6j6o9z6nTB_gB2OfRXbHGMP6NkhWALsbrSMpMtIvR5JnVyefsQ194LYcBO6k0GNTOvqSMw8H_y_/s200/100_1081.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099114237660912530" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitybFWLxInUE3mWX0SCuO0s9R6pdMQ5yP0QvVKvZblfu6VSShECCt8rAf4iDy2JA9Z9iwe1k2W0eJH8_E-XuHS1ExchcgX3aHMntOUm4aAE1d_rrXlesUHJYa5Q9HfBty_plVR7hL6tMGt/s1600-h/100_1082.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitybFWLxInUE3mWX0SCuO0s9R6pdMQ5yP0QvVKvZblfu6VSShECCt8rAf4iDy2JA9Z9iwe1k2W0eJH8_E-XuHS1ExchcgX3aHMntOUm4aAE1d_rrXlesUHJYa5Q9HfBty_plVR7hL6tMGt/s200/100_1082.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099113520401374082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The bustle heightened as I got the the</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> touristy area of Pier 39. Hungry, I o</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">rdered a healthy meal of a fresh crab cake and deep fried vegetables. (Breaded in what else, but SF's pride and joy,</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> sourdough)</span></span><br /></div><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" ><br />yum...</span><br /><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Dia Dos</span></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" ><br />I walked through the Ferry's Farmers Market which featured many growers of local and organic foods. I couldn't pass up a local and organic ba</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >kery, and settled on a "seasonal fruit crisp" and organic fair </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >trade full city roast for breakfast. I was loving this GREEN city.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAbU1b7C_d6NADH1e_UzAsNwRgFH0VNRb9WYlR3YvHUfjpAjdYOZhtrFs9bB3uLQ9JApx04o4eQBkfA7BR0FAIWGOb4Tjr6lqy6wAfBpGmMUOoKuXpcIlWtpBEmGsl8flyeO5pJcBIR-93/s1600-h/100_1093.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAbU1b7C_d6NADH1e_UzAsNwRgFH0VNRb9WYlR3YvHUfjpAjdYOZhtrFs9bB3uLQ9JApx04o4eQBkfA7BR0FAIWGOb4Tjr6lqy6wAfBpGmMUOoKuXpcIlWtpBEmGsl8flyeO5pJcBIR-93/s200/100_1093.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099116879065799586" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Back to the culture piece of this amazing city, I loved this random guy making an honest buck making people smile on a gorgeous Saturday morning outside the farmers market. (rocking out to your left)</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">LIFE is GOOD</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" ><br />FEEL the BEAT</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" ><br />SHARE the LOVE</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I like it.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />The most random part of my trip occurred as I was walking near Fisherman's W</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">harf. A retired fisherman (Darryl, below giving the thumbs up) driving a really beat up "restored" fishing boat, was offering unofficial bay tours for $11. </span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFct9Y4Zlo4rWItUkMg9f8yTjsAMwKsx_TbC5-Al4DqPn3roFlroPmKBmZIWqu7fFpuaDxcGCFdE8ssYPHbesdqxnboEPCfKWOlCokAFHhHV2HTsEtxIwNZMiiCunQo7sxgGHqwBKJxn9/s1600-h/100_1115.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFct9Y4Zlo4rWItUkMg9f8yTjsAMwKsx_TbC5-Al4DqPn3roFlroPmKBmZIWqu7fFpuaDxcGCFdE8ssYPHbesdqxnboEPCfKWOlCokAFHhHV2HTsEtxIwNZMiiCunQo7sxgGHqwBKJxn9/s320/100_1115.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099119361556896706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">But he could only take 6 guests at a time, th</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">e tour lasted 80 minutes, and because he was busy, the price just went up to $12. I figured what the hell, and boarded Darryl's boat.<br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Sitting up front (where the view is), I </span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">met 2 of my mates on this voyage into the bay. </span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">P</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">eter and his wife (I couldn't</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> spell nor pronounce her name - some Polak I am!)</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">from Warsaw, Poland, and they were traveling Chicago, NYC, and SF for 2 weeks on holiday.</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br />Peter turned out oddly enough to be my age, and </span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">what else but a Polish Congressman! We chatted about</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> American culture and politics, and</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> contrasted to what they told me about Polish culture and politics. Per Peter, I need to come visit their beautiful country.<br />I think I will someday.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5m7KzqWaAu0VXY6GO7M08lcapv2LCIpHLLIeZKaJTnnnwpn1DL37QReyMtos2aq6aEXoNND4nS49QlmYCoXdl39c8MkPyU_v6lWQhAXWLS42OUem9x-4VXD9QwfgMbNhsUUsRUt1_Y-p/s1600-h/100_1089.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5m7KzqWaAu0VXY6GO7M08lcapv2LCIpHLLIeZKaJTnnnwpn1DL37QReyMtos2aq6aEXoNND4nS49QlmYCoXdl39c8MkPyU_v6lWQhAXWLS42OUem9x-4VXD9QwfgMbNhsUUsRUt1_Y-p/s320/100_1089.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099122823300537314" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Dining on a delicious Ghirardelli banana dark chocolate hot fudge sundae followed by a hot slice of cheese pizza, I decided to wrap up my day.<br /><br />Not so healthy, but what the heck? I figured I walked about 100 blocks that day.</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> My quads and calves were feelin' the burn from the mileage and incli</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">ne (a good feeling</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">, reminding me they were still there).</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I was loving that I was back in a </span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">"pedestrian city". </span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />A lovely day.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I walked back through Chinatown, taking in the sights, </span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">sounds, smells, and storefronts.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">A little more San Fran...</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbDlFxZCa2JG53Gs-v_5f7vgQUv5_arjZGjiSV4xDuRQ_4bsTP_HVE74JvAIsgkJwv-XZ2iw-2UXxXRsAlcS1Mn5u60rD4rzGq60FSdiJeMaEtV8TWv-uhcAlNgghP45UxCHKLsIRKFEt/s1600-h/100_1132.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbDlFxZCa2JG53Gs-v_5f7vgQUv5_arjZGjiSV4xDuRQ_4bsTP_HVE74JvAIsgkJwv-XZ2iw-2UXxXRsAlcS1Mn5u60rD4rzGq60FSdiJeMaEtV8TWv-uhcAlNgghP45UxCHKLsIRKFEt/s200/100_1132.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099127599304170514" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-onFo59Hb82Y9yMSB66LUKJQelVCT6qi3ZVEVAeaDe2d-RhjN_KiamMPYwCQgOfYfsXXl8zFzZXZbnrRqrEgJY5wuRWfZ3Vlywpmzwss8cQwDtaFtmDgO7kBop3rxCRSINiuXlFnHukIX/s1600-h/100_1130.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-onFo59Hb82Y9yMSB66LUKJQelVCT6qi3ZVEVAeaDe2d-RhjN_KiamMPYwCQgOfYfsXXl8zFzZXZbnrRqrEgJY5wuRWfZ3Vlywpmzwss8cQwDtaFtmDgO7kBop3rxCRSINiuXlFnHukIX/s200/100_1130.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099127105382931458" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Walking to Little Italy, I found a perfectly charming I</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">tailan Cucina cal</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">l</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">ed <span style="font-style: italic;">Pellegrini</span> where th</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">e st</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">aff all still spoke Italian.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I cozied up to the quaint bar, and enjoyed a glass of pinot noir, and a perfectly fresh and </span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">wonderful al dente plate of Pollo Parmisano con penne.</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br />My server was so charming, I had to order dessert, too. Vanilla bean gellato </span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">with espresso and toasted hazelnuts.<br /><br />Bon appitito. Simple pleasures, baby.</span></span><br /><br />___________________________<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Back to the thought of traveling alone, the most intimidating thing to me was sitting down to dinner at a restaurant, surrounded by couples, families, groups of friends. Asking for a table for 1. Just me. (One hostess at B44 in the French Quarter tried to direct me to the bar, passing prime patio seats. I was politely told her no, I'd like to sit right out front on the charming, bustling patio.)</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I realized </span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">how you can choose to feel conscious or unconscious of the fact that you are "alone", and choose to relish it if you wish. Being present in the experience. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />I enjoyed the fresh, crisp air of the patio at B44 in the French Quarter, the neon ambiance of a Thai restaurant in the Castro neighborhood, the intoxicating smells of an Indian restaurant in the financial district, and of course the lovely, perfect meal at Pellegrini in Little Italy.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A few more pictures...</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">A wonderful we</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">ek in a lovely ci</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">ty. Signing off. Ciao.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiQY08IK6QjGwerRtMZ7OqDWPNw7p5IYj0Kx7vFy4qkvSB4Vq5zUxjDgFo_I8lO5PyZKrRypSbPVF4y7Tyhq1Q-2BlFaqSMif3US93bu9BeIr2OMOZTNqMAC0H_rhT3VbucqN3s3Z8ycY/s1600-h/100_1134.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiQY08IK6QjGwerRtMZ7OqDWPNw7p5IYj0Kx7vFy4qkvSB4Vq5zUxjDgFo_I8lO5PyZKrRypSbPVF4y7Tyhq1Q-2BlFaqSMif3US93bu9BeIr2OMOZTNqMAC0H_rhT3VbucqN3s3Z8ycY/s200/100_1134.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099132508451789906" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNX8JBHiFKOhmZu3veFGv_ucXSGTYWaBT6PfY0D0jkV9L53OpGwMZbzy9Lmu7pOw8eeYvTXK1-RgKdISKarDx08A34DQjAu9g79-UB0vIY4embOKtHh15FtqfJzy5tKBdx3WMFpsYlkXD/s1600-h/100_1123.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNX8JBHiFKOhmZu3veFGv_ucXSGTYWaBT6PfY0D0jkV9L53OpGwMZbzy9Lmu7pOw8eeYvTXK1-RgKdISKarDx08A34DQjAu9g79-UB0vIY4embOKtHh15FtqfJzy5tKBdx3WMFpsYlkXD/s200/100_1123.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099132504156822594" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedzioBBbsNCPKGCsUwv0B5lTQfNmk2Zv5VuJW-4-zDTCEIle5FG_sDbQuuTkVfxik1wQF2YerxnuqOsWEzX6ccJsADrrk8E1M2QCTzTnOZgygZzJlNEH8QmaUFNdaoNW9jEsdEPuzYdJu/s1600-h/100_1087.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedzioBBbsNCPKGCsUwv0B5lTQfNmk2Zv5VuJW-4-zDTCEIle5FG_sDbQuuTkVfxik1wQF2YerxnuqOsWEzX6ccJsADrrk8E1M2QCTzTnOZgygZzJlNEH8QmaUFNdaoNW9jEsdEPuzYdJu/s200/100_1087.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099132499861855282" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span>hales02http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685121351083748026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1098677462481635920.post-75672021428172490092007-06-03T18:12:00.001-06:002007-06-03T18:55:39.102-06:00Simple pleasures.<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I am following through on a promise to myself - I have started a blog. I thought only a bit about a name, and "loon calling" came to mind. To me, hearing a loon call and its echo over a lake is one of the most marvelous sounds I believe I will ever hear. It brings peace, amazement, music, simplicity, complexity and mystery to my mind....kinda like life.<br /><br />Part of the reason I wanted to create my blog is to remind myself to </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">take pause, listen, breathe, and reflect.</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />I believe in taking simple pleasures in life...delighting in the small things around you. This blog my tribute to simple beauty, discovery and enjoyment, in whatever form that may come for you. To live life mindfully.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Simple pleasures of mine:</span><br /></span></span><ul><li style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">putting on a clean pair of cotton socks</span></span></li><li style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">snuggling with a dog</span></span></li><li style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">a perfect cup of java</span></span></li><li style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">a wonderful meal<br /></span></span></li><li style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">wearing flip flops, comfy jeans, and a cotton tee<br /></span></span></li><li style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">walking though a marketplace taking in sights, colors, smells, sounds<br /></span></span></li><li style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">gardening, playing in the dirt<br /></span></span></li><li style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">holding a child</span></span></li><li style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">holding hands</span></span></li><li style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">laying in a hammock<br /></span></span></li><li style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">reading a good book<br /></span></span></li><li style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">giving & receiving hugs</span></span></li><li style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">sending cards & love in the form of snail mail</span></span></li><li style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">hearing laughter & seeing smiles<br /></span></span></li><li style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">sitting near a body of water</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-style: italic;">being a bystander witnessing </span>another's<span style="font-style: italic;"> expression of peace or love</span><br /></span></span></li></ul><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I'd love to hear some of yours. Feel free to share...<br /><br />Peace & love to you today. </span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">-h</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span>hales02http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685121351083748026noreply@blogger.com1