The weather here has finally turned cold- This morning was 16 F and everyone was bundled up on their way to school. My body seems to want to fight with me. The urge to go back to bed and sleep the entire day away is frightful.
The high today is going to be 21 F. I am on my way to Wisconsin tomorrow, where it is colder.
Yesterday on the way to the store, I saw three deer crossing the road. Last night I dreamt that there was a all points bulletin from the local authorities that deer were attacking people in broad daylight. In my dream, I took a walk outside and was set upon by two deer who held me down and started to stomp me.
I woke up and checked to see if there were any hoof prints on me. There were none.
I am going to Finland in March- I wonder if this is an omen not to eat the reindeer?
Monday, January 29, 2007
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Passages
Doorways, tunnels and halls.
Walking through one space to another.
From childhood, to teen, to adulthood, to marriage- parenthood and then retirement.
Walking from one space to another.
Fighting change is like cutting off your foot
because you dont want to go anywhere.
Walking through one space to another.
From childhood, to teen, to adulthood, to marriage- parenthood and then retirement.
Walking from one space to another.
Fighting change is like cutting off your foot
because you dont want to go anywhere.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Jogging through mud
Frustrating-
Seemed like every phone call, email, situation was a problem of sorts. Like trying to jog through mud. Thick squishy mud that gets stuck in your toes, then creates a vacuum- creating a backwards farting sound when you try to pull them out.
It was THAT kind of day.
The good news is that it is over- tomorrow HAS to be better-
Seemed like every phone call, email, situation was a problem of sorts. Like trying to jog through mud. Thick squishy mud that gets stuck in your toes, then creates a vacuum- creating a backwards farting sound when you try to pull them out.
It was THAT kind of day.
The good news is that it is over- tomorrow HAS to be better-
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Coaxing the Leaf
When brewing loose leaf tea, the water temperature- the vessel the tea is brewed in and the amount of time you let the tea steep is critical. Any variation of those elements can effect the taste, ever so slightly. Tea is at best a moving target when it comes to taste.
Tea is a testament to change. When first brewed and poured, it tastes different than when let sit in the cup for 10 minutes. The color changes, the bitterness becomes more prevelant.
I am a fan of White Peony Tea, a inexpensive white tea, also called in Chinese Pai Mutan. It has a roasted honey flavored taste- unique and maybe an aquired taste. I really don't know anyone who drinks the stuff (with the exception of my family).
The directions for brewing it from the tea company are nothing but brutal. They tell you to boil the tea to 180 F and then steep it for 5 minutes. I have brewed it that way, and the tea comes out nasty and thick.
Over the years I have played around with it- and this is how I recommend to make a superior cup of tea-at least today, because like everything in the world- its going to change.
1. Boil the water to 180F.
2. Fill a cup with ice and then pour water over it.
3. 1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea into a clay yixing (YEE-SHING) teapot.
4. Pour the hot water over the leaves half of the way filling the teapot. Set the timer for 2 minutes.
5. After two minutes- pour the cold water into the pot, filling it. Set the timer for another two minutes.
6. Pour and serve immediately.
The company I buy my tea from is called Rishi Tea. It is organic, fair trade and falls within the psuedo liberal demographic I am a big target of by psuedo liberal marketers. Below is a link.
http://www.rishitea.com/
Tea is a testament to change. When first brewed and poured, it tastes different than when let sit in the cup for 10 minutes. The color changes, the bitterness becomes more prevelant.
I am a fan of White Peony Tea, a inexpensive white tea, also called in Chinese Pai Mutan. It has a roasted honey flavored taste- unique and maybe an aquired taste. I really don't know anyone who drinks the stuff (with the exception of my family).
The directions for brewing it from the tea company are nothing but brutal. They tell you to boil the tea to 180 F and then steep it for 5 minutes. I have brewed it that way, and the tea comes out nasty and thick.
Over the years I have played around with it- and this is how I recommend to make a superior cup of tea-at least today, because like everything in the world- its going to change.
1. Boil the water to 180F.
2. Fill a cup with ice and then pour water over it.
3. 1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea into a clay yixing (YEE-SHING) teapot.
4. Pour the hot water over the leaves half of the way filling the teapot. Set the timer for 2 minutes.
5. After two minutes- pour the cold water into the pot, filling it. Set the timer for another two minutes.
6. Pour and serve immediately.
The company I buy my tea from is called Rishi Tea. It is organic, fair trade and falls within the psuedo liberal demographic I am a big target of by psuedo liberal marketers. Below is a link.
http://www.rishitea.com/
Saturday, January 20, 2007
The US Climate Action Partnership
In a statement, the 10 U.S.-based companies and four environmental groups called for mandatory reductions of greenhouse gas emissions, including those from power plants, transportation and buildings. Those companies are:
Alcoa
BP America
Caterpillar
DuPont
General Electric
Lehman Brothers
Duke Energy
FPL Group
PG&E
PNM Resources
There must be a reasoned and serious debate about the solutions," the group stated. "But debate cannot substitute for action. We hope that the consensus we have reached through our unique partnership provides further impetus toward the creation of sensible and effective policies to address global climate change."
Wow- This is really big stuff, not a PR campaign- Having seen first hand the warming in Europe this fall and through my travels in the states- this climate change is the real deal- Carbon emmissions have to be capped now.
Some links to check out-
http://www.environmentaldefense.org/home.cfm
http://www.nrdc.org/
http://www.wri.org/
Alcoa
BP America
Caterpillar
DuPont
General Electric
Lehman Brothers
Duke Energy
FPL Group
PG&E
PNM Resources
There must be a reasoned and serious debate about the solutions," the group stated. "But debate cannot substitute for action. We hope that the consensus we have reached through our unique partnership provides further impetus toward the creation of sensible and effective policies to address global climate change."
Wow- This is really big stuff, not a PR campaign- Having seen first hand the warming in Europe this fall and through my travels in the states- this climate change is the real deal- Carbon emmissions have to be capped now.
Some links to check out-
http://www.environmentaldefense.org/home.cfm
http://www.nrdc.org/
http://www.wri.org/
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Sunday Blues
Long week past, long week ahead- Daily chores needed to be done on the Lord's day- No getting around it.
The sky is gray- rainy. Laundry is running in background with the zippers creating a clanging sound in an uneven tempo. Three cups of white peony tea- a light lunch of sun dried tomato hummus and bruchetta on toast- then back to folding and cleaning (with a couple of glimpses at a book inbetween)-
Sore from the contra dance last night and ther personal trainer the day before- muscles that have been sleeping too long are letting me know they are still there. Loudly.
Lists in my head- Packing for next week. Shedules and weather reports- Aiplanes and rental cars.
Sunday.
The sky is gray- rainy. Laundry is running in background with the zippers creating a clanging sound in an uneven tempo. Three cups of white peony tea- a light lunch of sun dried tomato hummus and bruchetta on toast- then back to folding and cleaning (with a couple of glimpses at a book inbetween)-
Sore from the contra dance last night and ther personal trainer the day before- muscles that have been sleeping too long are letting me know they are still there. Loudly.
Lists in my head- Packing for next week. Shedules and weather reports- Aiplanes and rental cars.
Sunday.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Coming Home
Last night I was conflicted. After being on the road for four days- I was driving home. There was a meeting scheduled in Milwaukee today, a very difficult meeting that I am letting my support personnel take over. I was worried about it because, quite honestly I felt this would be over their heads.
I find this constant balancing act between work and business exhausting- Normally- I can tell when I am in the "zone", you know the feeling when you know where you are supposed to be, is the right place at the right time.
I felt out of synch last night.
On the long drive home, it was in the back of my mind- nagging me. I stopped, less than 20 miles from home at a gas station outside of Lawrenceburg, IN.
The cell phone rang.
Minor panic about the meeting today. Then a series of phone calls. I sat at a gas station parking lot trying to manage the problem for about an hour. More and more my anxiety grew- I should have been there for that meeting. What am I doing going home? Should I fly up there tonight? Kick, kick, kick~!
I was in a miserable mood- Colette called and we decided to meet at a restaurant for dinner with her and the boys. When I got there- the 325 miles of driving , the long sleepless nights of strange hotels, all day meetings and late night dinners kicked in-
I got out my car feeling heavy and tired.
Then I saw my youngest boy- He came running to the door of the restaurant to meet me. His eyes full of love and excitement- He ran and leaped into my arms and hugged me.
The world suddenly seemed much brighter- much more alive. I sat next to him during dinner, his hand snuck into my hand several times during the meal. It came to me that this is where I was supposed to be. I felt in synch again.
I came to a small realization, commonplace maybe, but true all the same.
There would always be another business meeting, but only one moment like this with my son.
I find this constant balancing act between work and business exhausting- Normally- I can tell when I am in the "zone", you know the feeling when you know where you are supposed to be, is the right place at the right time.
I felt out of synch last night.
On the long drive home, it was in the back of my mind- nagging me. I stopped, less than 20 miles from home at a gas station outside of Lawrenceburg, IN.
The cell phone rang.
Minor panic about the meeting today. Then a series of phone calls. I sat at a gas station parking lot trying to manage the problem for about an hour. More and more my anxiety grew- I should have been there for that meeting. What am I doing going home? Should I fly up there tonight? Kick, kick, kick~!
I was in a miserable mood- Colette called and we decided to meet at a restaurant for dinner with her and the boys. When I got there- the 325 miles of driving , the long sleepless nights of strange hotels, all day meetings and late night dinners kicked in-
I got out my car feeling heavy and tired.
Then I saw my youngest boy- He came running to the door of the restaurant to meet me. His eyes full of love and excitement- He ran and leaped into my arms and hugged me.
The world suddenly seemed much brighter- much more alive. I sat next to him during dinner, his hand snuck into my hand several times during the meal. It came to me that this is where I was supposed to be. I felt in synch again.
I came to a small realization, commonplace maybe, but true all the same.
There would always be another business meeting, but only one moment like this with my son.
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
Contra in Chicago
There is always a bit of uneasiness when you go to a contra in a new city. "Is this the right door? Is tonight the right night? What am I doing in this place?"
Such was the case at St. Bethany's in Chicago- I was walking around the Church, wondering if I had driven 30 minutes towards the north side of Chicago for no reason, when a woman bundled up in a long coat, hat and scarf with a violin case walked up from the side walk.
"Umm, is there a contra here, tonight?" I asked.
"Gee, I hope so," She said with a slight smile on her face.
As I opened the door to the basketball gym that was attached to the church, I wondered how many teenage boys and girls passed through those doors? How many school assemblies, how many graduations, how many proms? How many hearts broken, how many loves started. The gym was in some disrepair, there were several large holes in the wall above the stage.
It made me sad for a moment, the holes showed disrespect for the space.
There was a class going on with about four people. Then a small group of about six college folk came in, all newbies with the exception of a girl named Ivy. I stepped in, and Ivy and I tried our best to explain the basics. Balance and swing, check. Dosy-doh, check. All the while I was wondering, what the heck was I doing- teaching dance to strangers in a part of town I had never been to.
But that is the beauty of the contra community. It doesn't matter who you are, where you are from, how old, what you do, what you look like- you are there to dance- so you are immediately accepted- which in today's world of constant crisis, fear and loathing- is quite a special thing when you stop to think about it.
The dance started and for the next two and a half hours, Anne, Ivy, Tucker, Andrea guided me around the dance floor- telling me where I should be, and gently guiding to where I should be-
I got "closelined" once- Stepped on one foot- and totally confused at least twice-
Most importantly, I laughed a lot and had a wonderful time.
Thank you Chicago contra people- I had a great evening.
This is what Wikipedia says about Contra Dancing:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contra_dance
Such was the case at St. Bethany's in Chicago- I was walking around the Church, wondering if I had driven 30 minutes towards the north side of Chicago for no reason, when a woman bundled up in a long coat, hat and scarf with a violin case walked up from the side walk.
"Umm, is there a contra here, tonight?" I asked.
"Gee, I hope so," She said with a slight smile on her face.
As I opened the door to the basketball gym that was attached to the church, I wondered how many teenage boys and girls passed through those doors? How many school assemblies, how many graduations, how many proms? How many hearts broken, how many loves started. The gym was in some disrepair, there were several large holes in the wall above the stage.
It made me sad for a moment, the holes showed disrespect for the space.
There was a class going on with about four people. Then a small group of about six college folk came in, all newbies with the exception of a girl named Ivy. I stepped in, and Ivy and I tried our best to explain the basics. Balance and swing, check. Dosy-doh, check. All the while I was wondering, what the heck was I doing- teaching dance to strangers in a part of town I had never been to.
But that is the beauty of the contra community. It doesn't matter who you are, where you are from, how old, what you do, what you look like- you are there to dance- so you are immediately accepted- which in today's world of constant crisis, fear and loathing- is quite a special thing when you stop to think about it.
The dance started and for the next two and a half hours, Anne, Ivy, Tucker, Andrea guided me around the dance floor- telling me where I should be, and gently guiding to where I should be-
I got "closelined" once- Stepped on one foot- and totally confused at least twice-
Most importantly, I laughed a lot and had a wonderful time.
Thank you Chicago contra people- I had a great evening.
This is what Wikipedia says about Contra Dancing:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contra_dance
Sunday, January 7, 2007
Travel
"Transport, motorways and tramlines
Starting and then stopping
Taking off and landing
The emptiest of feelings"- radiohead
Off again tomorrow- for the next two weeks, more or less (will be home next weekend)- Chicago, Milwuakee, Buffalo and Washington DC. The last two weeks have been great- but as with most things, there is a price to pay! The price for being home is being away-
Plan to keep this updated- Some fun stuff planned, alright ONE fun thing planned- A contra dance in Chicago tomorrow night- Will post pics and stuff of it next....
Starting and then stopping
Taking off and landing
The emptiest of feelings"- radiohead
Off again tomorrow- for the next two weeks, more or less (will be home next weekend)- Chicago, Milwuakee, Buffalo and Washington DC. The last two weeks have been great- but as with most things, there is a price to pay! The price for being home is being away-
Plan to keep this updated- Some fun stuff planned, alright ONE fun thing planned- A contra dance in Chicago tomorrow night- Will post pics and stuff of it next....
Friday, January 5, 2007
The Muses
Don't you love it when you find music on your own? I mean the music that you don't find in the bins at Best Buy- Music that some marketing guy in the Record Industry hasn't put a demographic on and spent a gazillion dollars to make sure that you buy this CD.
I am finding that there is a lot of great music lately, special finds- stuff that is eclectic and non-mainstream . For years, my wife and I have bought music from artists directly- at art fairs and at dances. Lately, through Google alerts and now through Blogging I am finding more "unheard music" that is rich, exciting and layered. I found Union of Knives (Glasgow) and Supercar (Japan) through Google alerts. Now I found The Muses through blogging.
The Muses are a acapella group that hails from Asheville NC. I have only heard some samples of their work, and all I can tell you is that these ladies are amazing. I have posted a link to their website. I encourage you to go listen to them. Its a mixture of world, modern, folk, celtic and choral chamber music. It's the lind of the stuff you put on when you have had a long day at work and need to relax and slide into the weekend.
So what are your favorite "found" music groups?
I am finding that there is a lot of great music lately, special finds- stuff that is eclectic and non-mainstream . For years, my wife and I have bought music from artists directly- at art fairs and at dances. Lately, through Google alerts and now through Blogging I am finding more "unheard music" that is rich, exciting and layered. I found Union of Knives (Glasgow) and Supercar (Japan) through Google alerts. Now I found The Muses through blogging.
The Muses are a acapella group that hails from Asheville NC. I have only heard some samples of their work, and all I can tell you is that these ladies are amazing. I have posted a link to their website. I encourage you to go listen to them. Its a mixture of world, modern, folk, celtic and choral chamber music. It's the lind of the stuff you put on when you have had a long day at work and need to relax and slide into the weekend.
So what are your favorite "found" music groups?
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Staying at home
This week has been somewhat of a treat. I have slept in the same bed for almost 2 whole weeks. Amazing!
Staying and working at home has done a lot for my attitude and well being. Enjoying being here when the kids get home from school. Being able to make breakfast and dinner for my family. Pack the lunches for the kids. The simple things are a joy. The opportunity to feed and take care of my family is a wonderful meditation on the true importance of life.
The basics: food, water to nourish the body, love and those beings in your life to nourish the soul- Everything else is an unecessary distraction.
Tonight is the first appointment with the trainer. They are right behind a Graeters Ice Cream parlour. Could there be anything more evil...??
Staying and working at home has done a lot for my attitude and well being. Enjoying being here when the kids get home from school. Being able to make breakfast and dinner for my family. Pack the lunches for the kids. The simple things are a joy. The opportunity to feed and take care of my family is a wonderful meditation on the true importance of life.
The basics: food, water to nourish the body, love and those beings in your life to nourish the soul- Everything else is an unecessary distraction.
Tonight is the first appointment with the trainer. They are right behind a Graeters Ice Cream parlour. Could there be anything more evil...??
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Buddhist Blessing
Just as the soft rains fill the streams,
pour into the rivers and join together in the oceans,
so may the power of every moment of your goodness flow forth
to awaken and heal all beings,
Those here now, those gone before,
those yet to come.
By the power of every moment of your goodness
May your heart's wishes be soon fulfilled as completely shining
as the bright full moon,
as magically as by a wish-fulfilling gem.
By the power of every moment of your goodness
May all dangers be averted and all disease be gone.
May no obstacle come across your way.
May you enjoy fulfillment and long life.
For all in whose heart dwells respect,
who follow the wisdom and compassion, of the Way,
May your life prosper in the four blessings
of old age, beauty, happiness and strength.
pour into the rivers and join together in the oceans,
so may the power of every moment of your goodness flow forth
to awaken and heal all beings,
Those here now, those gone before,
those yet to come.
By the power of every moment of your goodness
May your heart's wishes be soon fulfilled as completely shining
as the bright full moon,
as magically as by a wish-fulfilling gem.
By the power of every moment of your goodness
May all dangers be averted and all disease be gone.
May no obstacle come across your way.
May you enjoy fulfillment and long life.
For all in whose heart dwells respect,
who follow the wisdom and compassion, of the Way,
May your life prosper in the four blessings
of old age, beauty, happiness and strength.
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Tuesday is the new Monday
Huh- Time to go back to work. Tuesday is the new Monday this week.
I was wrong on my last post- Kids don't go back to school til tomorrow. They get to hang around and watch Daddy try to work. I am not traveling this week. Reports, meetings, quotes and presentations to do for next week.
I hate my scale- Looks like I lied when I said I gained 4 pounds (looks like my scale lied to me, the bastid!)- I gained 7 pounds over the holiday. Bleh!
I was wrong on my last post- Kids don't go back to school til tomorrow. They get to hang around and watch Daddy try to work. I am not traveling this week. Reports, meetings, quotes and presentations to do for next week.
I hate my scale- Looks like I lied when I said I gained 4 pounds (looks like my scale lied to me, the bastid!)- I gained 7 pounds over the holiday. Bleh!
Monday, January 1, 2007
50 ways to improve your life
US News and World Report tells me to do 50 things to change my life this month. I do about 10 of them already (inlcuding blogging). The ones I am seriously thinking about adding are-
Working out harder- Seeing a personal trainer next week
Support Local Farmers- Farmers market every Thursday here, always want to go, but never seems to think about it.
Crown Molding- I don't know why, but this is supposed to improve my life-
In between the 50 things, there were advertisements for Viagra, Requip (sleep aid), Neulasta (cancer med), Rozerem (another sleep aid), Enablex (bladder control), Crestor (cholesterol), Ambien CR (sleep).
What I found really interesting was all the small print that went along with the ads. Each ad had one, up to three pages of documentation on each ad of the side effects. It's an advertisement- not the perscription itself. Why all the leagalize? The regulations must be THAT bad.
Anyway, it's 11 am and no one is up yet- Tomorrow at 5:30am (school and work for everyone) is going to be tough....
Working out harder- Seeing a personal trainer next week
Support Local Farmers- Farmers market every Thursday here, always want to go, but never seems to think about it.
Crown Molding- I don't know why, but this is supposed to improve my life-
In between the 50 things, there were advertisements for Viagra, Requip (sleep aid), Neulasta (cancer med), Rozerem (another sleep aid), Enablex (bladder control), Crestor (cholesterol), Ambien CR (sleep).
What I found really interesting was all the small print that went along with the ads. Each ad had one, up to three pages of documentation on each ad of the side effects. It's an advertisement- not the perscription itself. Why all the leagalize? The regulations must be THAT bad.
Anyway, it's 11 am and no one is up yet- Tomorrow at 5:30am (school and work for everyone) is going to be tough....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
