life moves on...

"Life moves on, whether we act as cowards or heroes. Life has no other discipline to impose, if we would but realize it,than to accept life unquestioningly. Everything we shut our eyes to, everything we run away from, everything we deny, denigrate or despise, serves to defeat us in the end. What seems nasty, painful, evil, can become a source of beauty, joy, and strength, if faced with an open mind. Every moment is a golden one for him who has the vision to recognize it as such." ~Henry Miller

pete's pond

Check this out. It's a live camera at a pond in Africa ... all kinds of animals to watch. Fun knowing that it's half way around the world from me and I can view live video from the pond 24/7. The animals come and go, some make annoying noises for a long period of time, but it's a site to see. : )

debunking a myth ... of sorts

A less than inspiring photo of the view from the window where I'm sitting @ the library. Proof that Seattle is not always gray skies. ; )

have courage

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion
to one's courage." -- Anais Nin

encourage someone today

I'm at the library. (The WIFI here makes it a really nice place for a mobile office.) Just finished up some editing so, I'm surfing the internet for a few minutes. There are a few sites I go to on a regular basis. One of them is goodthink.com, this guy throws himself out there. Encourages others to take risks. Empowers others by showing his own vulnerabilities. I admit I've pulled strength from his words many times. Today, once again, he wrote in his notes about something that I've being dealing with on several levels lately. Waiting. He says, "The waiting is the hardest part. It leaves you straddling a chasm of success or rejection". Who among us can't relate to this? Yeah, it's not a new idea. Just one that struck me today. Check out the whole post at his site if you have a minute.

stellar show

David Sanborn & Company @ Jazz Alley -- Seattle, WA -- 091805

Went out to Dimitriou's Jazz Alley last night to catch the David Sanborn show. Which was great! The show rocked! Or jazzed? Anyway, a good time was had. However, the point & shoot camera I own coupled with the low lighting in the house made for less than stellar images, but this one gives you an idea of the flavor of the evening.

sailing

Sailboats on Puget Sound -- Seattle, WA -- 091805

point & shoot

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Right Lone? : ) I guess the meter read for the grass here. 'Cause my feet look way washed out and almost freakish. Then again, I suppose it makes the image a bit more interesting. Maybe.

Lookin' for lunch.

Rain or shine?

look, a foot!

My good friend & his wife are having a son. : ) This photo arrived unexpected, along with a handful of others, in my email box today ... this one is my favorite of the bunch. I love this photo ... I am amazed by it. Entranced almost. His arrival is predicted for early February.

Look, a foot! A baby boy foot. : ) photo credit for this amazing work belongs to my friends doctor.

something to keep in mind ...

Thoughts are escaping me at the moment. As I feared they would. Something I wanted to remember to document. The wheels are turning, thinking back now ... I was driving home from work. Oh yeah, I was thinking about something that happened as I was leaving work today. And how I was frustrated again by the same thing that always gets me. And how hard I've worked to overcome this type of frustration only to realize ... like everything else, it's a work in progress. Reminding myself that I only have control over my own work ethic. Reminding myself to not give up ... chanting, "you can overcome this crap!" When the chanting didn't work ... I turned up the music and drove on. As the steel string guitar sang to me and the sounds created by Acoustic Alchemy soothed my mood. I set my mind to something outside of work. Something out of the ordinary ... at least for me. Barefoot hiking! : ) Thanks to Lone Primate for putting these thoughts into my head!

"And forget not that the Earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair." ~Kahlil Gibran

explore. dream. discover.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." ~ Mark Twain

change is good

Inspired by change ... at the moment. Playing with different templates, so the blog may acquire a different appearance this evening.

Update: Okay, so I was tired of the simple white template, but couldn't find one that really moved me in any big way. I like this one the best, for now. I can see I'm going to have to learn to write some code. : ) Though, really (the more I stare at it) this new template is kind of growing on me.

we have not forgotten

Though I usually steer away from news related events in this blog -- or have thus far, today I feel the need.
It was suggested to me this morning that we have forgotten the events of four years ago. This statement was based on the fact that 3 major news outlets chose to put hurricane Katrina coverage as top news in their publications. It is ludicrous to think that we could ever forget. We must be honest and recognize that the efforts being made in Louisiana and Mississippi currently ARE important. That the wounds of Katrina are still fresh and in need of care and will be for a long time. It is important that the public is informed of those efforts. This does not mean that we have forgotten September, 11 2001. We remember. Images have been burned deep into our minds forever. Firefighters in New Orleans halted recovery efforts to remember 9/11. People all over the world remember. No possible way we could ever forget.

UPDATE: This photo was taken today at the Statue of Liberty replica at Alki Beach in Seattle ... throughout the day, so far, people have streamed in and out stopping for a moment to remember.

sounds of the city ...

Windows open ... streets below are busy with people. Talking and laughing. A car driving past -- honk, honk "get a room!" Then giggling in response. The manner and tone seemed friendly, like they knew each other. A seemingly good-natured ribbing that was fun to overhear.

my first kayaking adventure

So, I finally went kayaking today. After months of mulling the idea over and over. This was my first time in a kayak ... and I had an excellent time paddling out in the Puget Sound. Amazing views. Crossed paths with various wildlife, rode some waves and made some new friends along the way. Greg of Alki Kayak Tours (see photo) was our guide. Check out their website! Alki Kayak Tours Overall the experience was fantastic! I may become a kayaker on a regular basis. I knew I'd love it ... and of course, I did.

quoting for inspiration

"It's more important to click with the people than to click the shutter." ~Alfred Eisenstaedt

"If you don't take risks, you'll have a wasted soul." ~Drew Barrymore

"Do your work with your whole heart, and you will succeed — there’s so little competition." ~Elbert Hubbard

"If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is compromise." ~Robert Fritz

“There is one way for you to know whether you have fulfilled your mission on Earth: if you’re still alive it’s because you haven’t fulfilled it yet.” ~Source Unknown

amazed in my own backyard

So, the fact is that I am spending my vacation in my own backyard ... and loving every minute! Thus far: I've been catching up on things around the house, I had a blast at a concert, I spent one day reading ALL DAY, I finally got around to applying for a passport so I can get on with my real travel life! I went to the movie in the middle of the afternoon, in the middle of the week while everyone else is at work. (BTW, go see My Date with Drew ... it's well worth your time & hard earned money!)

My point is, that it's so nice to be at home and not have to go anywhere. Yes, I love to travel ... but that didn't work out this time. And so far, I've had an amazing vacation! Just hanging out and doing whatever I want. Actually waking up early ... ready to go find something to do.

On Wednesday morning, while on my way to get a massage (which is a luxury in life we should all have), I was stopped waiting at a traffic light. An old woman was crossing the street in front of my car ... limping. She turned and asked me if I was going her way. I was ... so she asked for a ride to the grocery store. So, sure I gave her a ride. It's only a block or two and it's on my way. She was the sweetest woman! Barbara. She was headed to the pharmacy to get some cream for a problem with her foot (which is why she was limping). Anyway, I may have helped her by giving her a ride, but she was a complete blessing for my entire day! I can't really explain why, but she made my day.

Every day of my vacation (so far) has had some form of adventure. Not exactly the kind of adventure I was expecting, but wonderful just the same.

adventure in the making

A few weeks ago I decided I couldn't take much more of the work-related day to day and opted to set up some time off as soon as possible. That time is next week. Technically, only 3 more days of work and then no work for 9 whole days! Yes, I realize for some people that's a short time ... but in my world it's a pretty good break from the daily grind.

Plans for this time off have been tentative, at best. Now I'm thinking up a last minute 9-day adventure. Fun things to go do. That I wouldn't normally take time to explore. Most of this time I'll be on my own (which I'm so looking forward to). Some of those things will be local, or close to local ... some out of town. None set in stone as of yet.

Anyway, the point is ... well, to remind myself it's all an adventure!

a very nice day

Great day today! Generally Sunday is a keep it slow kind of day. Not so much today. Had a freelance gig this AM -- 150 mile round trip. Then I went to my first-ever Mariners game this afternoon. The Cleveland Indians won 9-7. But it was still a fun time! My energy is pretty much zapped ... but in a good way.

Being in that atmosphere (Mariners/Safeco Field/Diamond Club Seats) brought thought to the forefront often today. Thoughts about what propels people to the top of their game, for lack of a better phrase. In whatever they are doing ... is it relaxing and letting things flow in and out? Just seems people perform better when they are relaxed. We sat in seats directly behind homeplate ... three rows back. THE best seats -- in the sun most of the game. Although a bit more shade time might have improved the experience a tad. The tickets were a gift. And the experience was a treat beyond treats! Up close and personal. Sitting among other people that are lucky in life. Right place, right time brought those tickets to my hands. It was a great time! And it started a positive line of thinking ... which always improves the experience.

time flies

Geez, it's been almost a month since I was here last. Doesn't seem like a month. But one look at the calendar and ... yep, 25 days have passed by and not a word from me here. What have I been doing with my time? Reading ... tons of reading. Traveling ... went to visit the family and watch my dear boy cousin (okay, he's a man ... but a boy to me) get married. I've met tons of interesting people too. Most everywhere I've been it seems there was someone very interesting. Keep a look out, they are everywhere!