tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74325858810130523472024-03-14T12:27:04.037-05:00Haver WisdomLife is a trip, so enjoy the ride...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272015598849551350noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432585881013052347.post-34250796288717719022017-04-30T13:26:00.000-05:002017-04-30T13:26:00.375-05:00Time is not the same for everyoneHey all,<br />
<br />
So up front I'm an idiot and know nothing about physics,but this frees me not unlike herr Einstein to have an open mind and question things and think about what if. I love the idea of time travel and would love to visit the past as well as a take peek into the future. I have read that time is not what we accept it to be, such as we measure it by minutes, days years etc. The past,present and future just are, all we can really know is the now. <br />
<br />
My little day dreaming focused on how I hear other folks describing time, just a few things we hear in the course of a day:<br />
<br />
Time flies when you are having fun .<br />
this day is dragging on.<br />
where did the day go?<br />
<br />
People wish it was already 5pm or how can it be 6 am already, we cannot wait until it's Friday only to have the weekend fly by so fast.<br />
<br />
I never get bored, I'm so curious all the time my mind is always asking questions and looking around my office, home and city I notice how people who react to time different. We know people who are always late or show up right on time. We point out the early birds because they seem to be on a different schedule... I think they are and this goes for the late people. In any given 24 hours if you speak with different folks you will hear so many versions of all the things they accomplish or how little time they had to do and nothing got done and now they are out of time.<br />
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I think of Morley's ghost and the spirits he sent to Scrooge for a bit of time travel and they referred to the people of the past as shadows. I have been to several historical sites and stood where famous people once stood for a battle or a famous landmark. I always think about what shadows or impressions have been left there, or always were there in time. I imagine in my mind that if we had a pair of magic glasses we could see the different stages of our own lives , so we walk past our childhood school and put on the glasses and we see a seven year old version of ourself on a swingset.<br />
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Lots of rambling I know , but I woke up this morning and I needed to jot it down, seemed very profound at the moment or maybe I'm just killing time.<br />
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Peace and love<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272015598849551350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432585881013052347.post-23515982881153707342017-02-23T20:55:00.001-06:002017-02-23T20:55:13.329-06:00The Floating ScotsmanHey all,<br />
<br />
So ever since I saw the film "Altered States" with William Hurt I was curious about these deprivation tanks and never thought I would get the chance to experience it. A few years ago I heard they had made their way to St. Louis. The price at this time $67.00 for a 90 minute "float".<br />
<br />
The company is called Float STL and has two St. Louis locations and one was just 10 mins from my office. I put it on my bucket list but it was a bit much I felt to spend on myself after just getting a new car. My dilemma was solved when a group of co-workers handed me 90 minute session! I gotta say I was stoked and it was all I thought about for a week until I booked my session. I spent the prior time reading and watching youtube videos about what other folks have experienced.<br />
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Some people had visions, other folks solved problems while their body healed in the strange world of floating.<br />
<br />
So I was fully prepped with what to expect so I walk into this nice open space room with incense and new age music. I meet Jake who looks like exactly the guy you would want to work at a place like this. Everyone has a whisper sort of gentle speak and warm smiles, as I was asked to remove my shoes and socks and enjoy a cup of herbal tea. I arrived a little early so I sipped on the tea and glanced a note book for guests to record their visits. One struck me was from a man who was over 6'2" and weighed 400lbs and felt he was free from his body for the very first time! Lots of folks saying that could remember old memories and they were crystal clear. I was really getting pumped for my session.<br />
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Jake walks me down a quiet dark hall that reminded me of a 19 century whorehouse with lots of closed doors and candle lights. I had a "room" for my visit but he wanted to show me a "Pod" a sorta white bean shaped coffin.<br />
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At last I went into my room, a small dark space with a chair against the wall ,a towel and a shower at the other end. I stripped down and had a shower and opened the door to my tank.<br />
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It was and all white room with a tub for a floor and was dimly lit by a blue light that made everything look very 2001 a Space Odyssey . I had been instructed to press a button on the wall after I layed down. Soon music filled the room and layed down into salt filled water. I was floating about 3 inches off the bottom and I could stretch out like the Da Vinci's Vitruvian man only shorter and fatter with no hair but naked none the less.<br />
<br />
The feeling was so cool and the music along with my heart beating was very cool and I looked about the room knowing very soon it would be complete darkness..very soon...still not dark..what the hell? I started to think something must have gone wrong when I than was aware that the music had stopped. Now I was floating in the blue light and just sort of breathing.. now the first thing to hit me was not knowing how much time has passed. I knew my session would last 90 mins but did it start when I took a shower or when the lights go off? Which by the way the lights were still on and I really started to freak out a bit. So at long last I hit the button on the wall and darkness took over.<br />
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My neck hurt a little so I tried to move about and found with my arms over my head I floated better. The water is set at body temperature which I found to be sorta lukewarm. What does your mind do in the dark as it loses the sense of its body??? Well I thought about how I would describe it to you and the closest thing I can come up with is laying on a raft in a pool and not being afraid of someone coming up from behind and knocking you off.<br />
<br />
So I drifted and relaxed my breathing and floated...I did manage to lose my sense of was I laying down or standing and that was very cool. The thing I could let go of was time, how much had passed. I never fell a sleep and found hard to hold onto a thought for some reason. Then lots of little ideas popped into my head like everyone has gone home and they forgot about me. How much time has passed?<br />
I decided to sort of swim about and I noticed that some spots of the tank were warmer. Fresh air was fed in somewhere near where your head should be and that always felt great when I passed that. How much longer I started to wonder and now I felt I had laid down enough and felt the need to get up.<br />
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The air in the room seemed warm and swamping and suddenly I wanted fresh air. I will say right now there is no way I could handle a "Pod". My thoughts started to turn into a Poe novel and I was trapped in a watery cell in catacombs of a castle. How much time is left?<br />
I don't want to open the door and find out I only had 29 seconds to go..I took a deep breath and relaxed my breathing and floated... The air seemed thicker now, I slowly sat up and rested against the wall and I could the loud sound of water dripping from my hands to the pool.<br />
<br />
Just then the blue light turned on along with music and my session was over.<br />
I made my way to the door and the instant cooler air felt so fresh. I showered the salt from my body slipped on clothes walked barefoot over to bench to retrieve my shoes. The room was now filled with other guests waiting to take their first dip in the dark. The man next to me had a suit on and looked out of place except for his barefeet. He was looking at my face to see if I had anything to share and I gave him a smile shook hands with the host and stepped out into the noise and smells air of the world.<br />
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So what did I find out, for me I like to move when I want to move. Perhaps the reason I never get bored is I keep looking over the next hill. I would never just sit on the beach all day or spend my day off on the couch. I loved the darkness and the stillness , my issue is the need to move. All in all it was an amazing experience and I learned some more about how my mind works. It is a very personal trip to take and I really want my wife to try. My son asked if I would try it again and I think its to early to say, right now I feel different and out of sorts . My body is rested now my mind just needs to catch up!<br />
Peace and LoveAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272015598849551350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432585881013052347.post-92222011217976893792016-07-09T19:11:00.001-05:002016-07-09T19:11:14.777-05:00Gotta Catch em all--fit by numbersHey all,<br />
<br />
It's July the heat is on and I am feeling awesome..why you ask?? let me tell yah I made a few right moves and the universe opened up a path for me.<br />
<br />
1. I returned to Paleo, limited carbs, heavy on good fats and lots of protein and no processed food to the best of my ability.<br />
<br />
2. My wife set up some apps on my phone for tracking my work outs along with everything I put in "Ma belly"! I wear a fitbit and insist on hitting at least my 10,000 steps a day (about five miles).<br />
<br />
3. I met with Ethan Brandt of https://www.facebook.com/psychostrength/!! <br />
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<br />
Ethan is trainer and a walking inspiration of positive thinking and smart working out. I told him I'm not a gym guy but went out to meet him and he has a very impressive gym. Still I stuck to my guns and said thanks but not for me, Ethan sends me a note asking what my goals are and a week later sends me a basic start plan to bust some fat and raise my heart rate. This man is killing me, I find myself waking up at 5am to try some of the moves he sent. I feel the pain two days later and feel I should spend my days trying to find a way to hurt him back.. but I also note I'm feeling stronger day by day.<br />
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I started this on the last week of June, and something is changing inside of me along with the outside.<br />
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<br />
I am not competitive !<br />
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<br />
<br />
OK so now I'm a man on the move walking here and there putting a hobbit to shame, when I get invited via Fitbit to compare my "steps" with friends of mine.. What the hell?? Mary F just passed me by, I don't think so. Off I go for another walk!<br />
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The universe is not done with me yet..Pokemon on the Go is ..well you can look it up but it is taking over and nerdy folks are dare I say it...WALKING OUTDOORS IN THE FRESH AIR!!!! My kids have never even been in my back yard unless you count a Google Earth fly by. Now they have discovered my beloved walking paths and near by parks. Groups of pale over weight teens have been seen moving about here and there. I saw the wonder in one lads face when it started to rain and he was so confused.<br />
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I tell you its wonderful and creepy all at once. Now let step up and show my cards here, I don't play any video games and know next to nothing about these Poky creatures,but I do know people are moving about and that is a good thing!<br />
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I an not competitive!<br />
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My wife I should point out is deep into the cult of catching these video imps as well and no one was more shocked then me when she said lets walk a little further!!! WOW<br />
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On my nerd side I'm looking at the same time as people are chasing little blue and yellow cartoons at the number of steps other Fit bit players are getting. I have different competitions going on and one is can you get in more steps in your work week than the other guy. I think I can, and then my new Fitbit dies and as I decide what to do my numbers stop while I get lapped by Jim C. and Mary F ( I 'm not sure who they are but they are ahead of me) this will not do at all. I am still not competitive.<br />
<br />
On Tuesday night I get a new FitBit but I'm way behind...I start waking two miles at my office, and slowly I catch up..Now its Friday the last day and I'm in third place. I have walked 10,000 steps and I'm still in third. I drive home and think not bad considering I was out for a day, I get home its a nice night and I think if I walk to point A and back that is a five mile walk a second 10,000 steps now we all know by now I am not competitive, I walk the extra five miles and BOOM I am in the lead!!!<br />
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I sit back watch a movie and enjoy my victory, my film is coming to an end and I am enjoying a glass of wine when my phone alerts me that Mary F. has just passed me by with 17 minutes to go!! Its almost midnight I am a 52 year old man and I look at my wife and sa y "pause the film I need to walk for 17 minutes, you wanna go find some Pokmon?!! Off we go and at Midnight Mary F receives a note saying Mark C (whoever that is she thinks) just slipped past you to victory!<br />
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Now I am not competitive, but that is the reason I was walking two blocks from my house at midnight in my Led Zeppelin PJ's . Side note my wife also went up a level.<br />
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<br />
You may ask yourself what does this have to do with fitness and health, well I'm not sure except my family is moving and laughing and I feel great. There's lots of ways to lose weight and Ethan and kettlebells, walking , eating the right calories are part of my plan and now its looks like I have some company on the trail to health ; a bunch of pale folks sweating away chasing monsters that will help them get stronger. I'm cool with that. Peace and Love<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272015598849551350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432585881013052347.post-37149879326765315432016-05-22T08:21:00.000-05:002016-05-22T08:21:59.406-05:00Paleo I'm back 90%Hey all,<br />
<br />
So I have dabbled with a few different styles of eating since I took on my Century (100 miles) bike ride last September and I discovered that I was wrong..imagine that. I kept my weight off for three or more years with little effort and then boom my weight shot back up to nearly 245 lbs over the winter and I have not been able to drop a pound in spite of all of my efforts.<br />
<br />
Two days ago I pulled up all of my notes and realized I was fighting a losing battle and I needed to return to my paleo ways and quick!<br />
<br />
Now the problem was I chose carbs so I could ride 100 miles , I did pull that off but I also damaged my Achilles tendons and sent my body back into a carb craving machine that was not able to ride. I had committed myself to a fifty mile ride this weekend and I have not had the energy to ride much at all with my extra 20lbs. In short this made for a lackluster ride of 43 miles before my body just gave up and my legs turned into cement.<br />
<br />
On the ride I chose to leave music behind and think about what had go wrong in diet. I had made what was easy very complex and it was showing in my health.<br />
<br />
Calories in/ out are important and can not be ignored. You can look up some sites on the web and with a little math get a good idea of how many calories your body burns at rest.<br />
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Chose an activity you love that burns calories, walking , hiking, and biking and some kettlebell works are my plan for a t least one hour out of my day.<br />
<br />
Figure out a goal that you want to reach, a great one if you're over weight is 10% weight loss.<br />
<br />
In my case this morning I weighed 236 lbs , that's a pound lighter after my four hour bike ride which gives you and idea that this is a long slow process unless you intend to workout four hours every day.<br />
<br />
I want to get below 200lbs this year as my goal, so I have a full seven months to lose the weight, and I expect too see it go some like this. Down 10lbs the first month and then the maybe six pounds over the next two months and then a plateau where my weight loss stalls for several weeks. When your weight has stalled that's the time to recalculate your numbers and start over, because you're eating too much again.<br />
<br />
Stick with the basic rules, eat clean and lean, easy on the carbs, move often,play in the sunshine and sleep good at night.<br />
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Already this morning a fog is leaving my mind and I feel back on track.<br />
<br />
Peace and love<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272015598849551350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432585881013052347.post-6806694831834593592016-04-30T11:40:00.001-05:002016-04-30T11:40:15.480-05:00Simple Weight loss and Workout<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Hey all,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This is my fourth year or so of living as clean as I can, I have made a ton of mistakes and learned a lot as well. This is what I'm doing now and what I intend to continue to do until some magic comes my way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I'm keeping track of the amount of calories I eat compared to the amount of calories I burn! Pretty radical thinking I know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">You can find all sorts of apps and web site calculators online to help you find your number. My plan was instead of looking to how to lose weight I chose to see what I would have to do to maintain my ideal weight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I went to a site entered my height /sex/age and then chose the weight I want to be at! Now to me this is thinking outside of the box but in a good way. The first few weeks might get tough but already it has made me very aware of the extra calories that sneak in there in the course of my day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">If you were to start out at your current weight in time you will have to cut back, I would rather get to where I need to be eating all the time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As for working out, I think that depends on your personal goal. I'm in my early 50's and I want to be fit and pain free to do all the activities I enjoy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My workout is based on short intense focused bursts of power. I use my kettle bell and do 40 swings at least every other day as soon as I get up. I repeat this in the evening as well. I bike a 16 mile course at least twice a week and in between that I have hill days where I bike up a steep hill.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">So these are simple workouts , brief no gym but they add muscle and tone along with burning a few calories.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Now I still try and make the calories I eat as clean and healthy as can be, if I have a night out and go a little over board than I know this will be at best a maintain night and not a weight loss night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Here's to keeping it simple, life can be hard enough.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Peace and Love</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272015598849551350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432585881013052347.post-42941566053021573432016-03-27T09:54:00.000-05:002016-03-27T09:54:39.847-05:00Aldi's EtiquetteHey all,<br />
<br />
Since my blog is about all aspects of life, here's a recent story that might amuse you.<br />
<br />
I stop off at Aldi's grocery store Saturday afternoon and they have this policy of all the shopping carts are chained together and you need a quarter to unchain them, thus for the price of a quarter you save the store by returning your cart for your quarter the store saves money and passes discounts on to you win win for all involved.<br />
<br />
On this Saturday in question I pull in and like a good healthy person I park further away from the door to get in a few extra steps. I keep the prized quarter in a tray in my car so it is always handy for shopping day. Now every time I approach the line of carts several options start to pop up as follows:<br />
<br />
1. No one there and you walk up plug in your coin take your cart!<br />
<br />
2. As you're about to pick out your cart someone else has just finished and says here take my cart and you inturn hand them said quarter, end of transaction.<br />
<br />
3. Awkward in between time of people almost finished with their cart and they do not want the long walk back and give you the look of "hey if you could just stand here for two minutes I will be ever so glad to give you my cart for your quarter thus saving me that god damn trek to the line, and I will also require your quarter"!<br />
<br />
4. Rare but has happened someone really needs a cart but has no change and offers you a one dollar bill..so of course you say "just take my cart, its cool" well its cool until the next time you pull into Aldi's and find out you have no quarter.<br />
<br />
5. The pass it on, in this scenario your fellow shopper says : here take my cart ,someone else handed it too me no charge so pass it on!<br />
<br />
The pass it on is where my epic tale begins!<br />
<br />
I'm walking up to the line of carts and this woman says"here take my cart, some guy gave it me so pass it on!" I thought that was very nice and at the same time I thought oh great now I have the task of finding someone to pass it on too or have an extra quarter rattling around my dashboard tray. I go on with my shopping and by the way Aldi's really rocks!! Great store, anyway I check out and as Im putting the bags in the trunk of my car, a woman pulls up and shouts from the window "Hey I want your cart, I will give you a quarter!!" I was very happy that she new the Aldis rule #2 I listed. I close my trunk and notice that she is the one person to have found a further spot to park than me. So now I have the choice of waiting for her to walk over to me or I walk my now empty cart to the far side of the parking lot to her and claim my quarter.<br />
<br />
I then remember Aldi rule #5 and think hey I will walk over and and say "here you go , pass it on!" and that will be that.<br />
<br />
I push my empty cart pass several other shoppers who are now holding out quarters in their hands thinking this guy has no idea about Aldi's etiquette and must be a Dierberg's shopper who got lost.<br />
<br />
I ignore these people walk up to the lady in my best Sir Galahad and say "here you go, pass it on" well she heard non of that and is digging through her purse for a fucking quarter and at last I say it again and leave the cart next to her car.<br />
<br />
As I am walking back passed the same people I had just ignored she yells from her car " Hey your a good soul!!" So I get to strut pass them with my new accolades of being a "good soul".<br />
<br />
My wife hates any form of interaction between a stranger and this would have put her in a clinic for shots.<br />
<br />
I chalked it up to another adventure in Markie world and drove away very happy with my single quarter waiting for my next shopping cart drama...<br />
<br />
Peace and Love<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272015598849551350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432585881013052347.post-28812031737362346112016-03-25T19:21:00.000-05:002016-03-25T19:21:46.330-05:00Having fun yet?<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">Hey all,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">Just asking out loud along with all this
eating clean, working out, hiking, biking etc..are you having a good time? If
not, your doing it wrong. Life is painfully short, and I for one am doing my
best not to waste time on drama and bullshit like self pity or worrying for a
moment what people think of me. I consider myself to be very fortunate in the
fact that I’m an ugly guy. Made all the difference in my life. If I was born
with a handsome face and athletic body my path would have been much different. I
knew who was popular very quick in school and I noticed with all of my flaws one
thing I did not have was that sense of desperation the hip kids all shared. I
never felt jealous of these groups because they never seemed to very interesting
people once you met them. Now all the social misfits were well read, paid close
attention to films, had lots of free time to learn an instrument or become
artists. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">I always felt like a bit of an outsider and
found strength in my solitude. Now as an adult looking back I had a great
childhood and my teenage years even though I was alone a lot I never felt
lonely. The day I met my wife I walked up to her without a second thought and
asked her out. I had no thought of how cool I was or not, I was confident in
myself and 25 years later we still hold hands when we walk.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">My rambling has a point, laugh it up while
you can. No one has a free ride, enjoy being yourself, shoot for the best
version of you by all means but have room to laugh at yourself. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">I just found out that my daughters
friends after seeing me wolf down a large bag of banana chips came up with a
name for me years ago…”Mutton!!” I thought it was hilarious, I’m sure there's
been all kinds of Mutton jokes about over the years.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">Having fun is very serious thing, make sure
you take time to laugh at yourself as well. We can try and be perfect but we all
know we are not, still going to try and I will still fuck up. That’s Ok laugh it
off and keep going.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">Peace and Love</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272015598849551350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432585881013052347.post-68320470932504948852016-02-20T13:14:00.004-06:002016-02-20T13:14:58.940-06:00Fake it until its real<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Hey all,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Its been awhile since I posted anything except for my Facebook page (please
like it if your interested) so today the sun is out and its got me feeling
good. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So Spring is not far off and the Winter can be tough if you slip up, which I
did. So on a day like today when it’s the middle of Winter and bam its 77
degrees out!!! I grabbed my bike and hit my favorite path and was sucking air
in no time…but so what, I knew I was not going to go much more than five miles
so I decided to hot dog it and pass as many people as I could. I’m in bad shape
and have zero stamina at this point …so I faked it. I just pumped hard and
toughed it out. Downed a ton of water here and there and kept up my hustle. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The result was a short but very hard workout for my body and I had fun in the
sun. I know in a few months I will be riding 16 –20 miles day but in the mean
time I’m going to ride like a badass on these little trips. Each ride I feel
myself getting closer to where I want to be. When I work out or ride I don’t see
myself as I am , I vision who I want to be. I fake it, and think what do I need
to now to maintain this level.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I choose to see myself as a fit person and act like one, eat clean, sleep
eight hours, work out on a regular schedule …these little fake outs soon become
second nature and in no time there is nothing false about it. You’re a fit
person!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Peace and Love !</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272015598849551350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432585881013052347.post-38654340924450344592016-01-06T21:53:00.000-06:002016-01-06T21:53:09.854-06:00How I learned to meditateHey all,<br />
<br />
So I always wanted to learn how to meditate and reach that sense of calm that monks reach, right before they start kicking ass! ...OK I watch a lot of movies, but I still wanted to know what was going on and how do you reach that state.<br />
<br />
So I did a little research here and there about the Beatles and how they went to India to study with the Maharishi Yogi near the Ganges river at the foot of the Himalayas. The Yogi would give them a phrase to repeat all day while they sat in the sun and try to get there mind to stop wondering.<br />
<br />
So how did they do in this mystic land with a real life Obi-wan?? Ringo left after ten days and the rest of the guys were gone a few months later. They did write some good songs including "Dear Prudence" The problem they had was it was boring and they had other things to think about like the fact they were the damn Beatles.<br />
<br />
I tried it myself and I would repeat a phrase and then my mind would wander off to think about getting a glass of wine or did the Beatles minds wander and think about a glass of wine and maybe I should try and record "Dear Prudence" well shit my mind wandered off again!!<br />
<br />
Then I recalled a book I had come across about how to hypnotize yourself and others. The book started with its not what you think it is and first you need to be calm. In order to reach the calm state you create a safe place.<br />
<br />
This is how I now meditate, I have created two separate stories I tell myself every night before I go to sleep. The results are I have a very deep sleep and my dreams are very intense and detailed. I switch the stories as I feel like and more and more after two years I have become stress free.<br />
<br />
Story one:<br />
<br />
The brief version, I take an elevator to a secret room where no one can reach me, it is my sanctum sanctorum or my Fortress of Solitude if your a Superman fan.<br />
<br />
When I tell myself the story the details have become crystal clear to me, I know how the room smells,the feel of the carpet every little detail.<br />
<br />
Story two:<br />
<br />
I'm alone in the woods walking through a blizzard and I must find shelter. Once again the details are very important, gathering wood for a fire, making a shelter from old branches etc..<br />
<br />
Now your story will be up to you, and I have been repeating my tales for two years or so to the point I can think of my "safe room" during my work day and calm myself down and release any pressure.<br />
<br />
I do not know what a teacher of mediation would say about my habits or how I am going about it all wrong. I do know that I have a place I can tap into at any time and feel calm.<br />
<br />
Peace and Love<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272015598849551350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432585881013052347.post-7039315820973859002015-12-29T20:34:00.000-06:002015-12-29T20:34:44.460-06:00You say you want a resolution 2015<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Hey All,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Looking back on 2015 I must say I was over all pleased with the year, I
stayed busy,never once found time to feel bored and I made some new friends. Too
many funerals this year and its taken its toll . I had the honor of being a
witness for my friends wedding (any excuse to wear my kilt and drink in a pub) I
rode my bike 100 miles ,hiked the Chubb trail with friends and walked all of
Grant’s trail on my own.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The lesson I learned this year was not to over do it, sometimes I push too
hard and this year I loss ground regaining my strength.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So as far the new year what are my resolutions?? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I’m keeping it simple and I am following the four agreements as my compass
for the new year.</span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“The Four Agreements<br />1. Be impeccable with your word.<br />2. Don’t take
anything personally.<br />3. Don’t make assumptions.<br />4. Always do your best.
”<br />― <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4402.Miguel_Ruiz">Miguel
Ruiz</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/376130">The Four
Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom</a>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> I actually right these down every morning at work as wait for my computer to
boot up, just that simple.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I wish everyone a happy new year and I hope it’s a year that you believe in
yourself and act on your dreams.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Peace and Love</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272015598849551350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432585881013052347.post-17534353528973503832015-10-27T18:30:00.001-05:002015-10-27T18:30:05.335-05:00Welcome to the Casbah: A Beatles ghost story<p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Hey all,</p> <p> </p> <p>If we can agree that ghosts are shadows of the past, then I have what I feel is a ghost story to share..</p> <p>My wife and I decided to makeover our basement from sunny yellow to dark red walls with a black floor,give it the feeling when you walked down the stairs you were walking into a night club or an old movie theater. I spent the next few long days getting up at dawn and working after everyone had gone to bed. In between breaks I had finished reading a very detailed book on the early days of the Beatles and in particular the Casbah club.</p> <p>In the summer of 1959 Mona Best , the mother of soon to be trivia answer Pete Best opened up her cellar to the young people of Liverpool as a coffee house and a place to hear bands play. When Pete’s pals failed to show up his young friend George Harrison invited his pals Paul McCartney, John Lennon and Stuart Sutcliffe to play. The boys became regulars there jamming all the time and at Mona’s request they pitched in and painted the place. The room still stands today as Beatle landmark of their early days before they kicked Pete out for their pal Richie and moved to the Cavern, but that’s another story. </p> <p>Around that time the Beatles managed to put out a recording called “Cry for a Shadow” an instrumental that was a poke at the popular band The Shadows..</p> <p>So all this is going through my mind as I paint away, and its getting late so I put down my brush for a cup of coffee and sit back to take in my work. I picked up a near by electric guitar unplugged and started to work out how to play “Cry for a shadow”. Now the song is not much of a challenge but Johns part did not sound right and I know that the other guys use to laugh at his chord fingering because he would make broken ukulele/banjo chords his mother Julia taught him. I tried some simple variations and came up with “the Lennon Chord” ..no sooner than I found out it I started to feel odd. Now its 2am the house is quiet and I’m feeling something like stage fright all alone in my basement. </p> <p>The room appeared to be getting darker and crowded with people milling about, I saw all of these people looking at me waiting for me to do something, my room was gone and I was in The Casbah. I was overwhelmed with how much I did not belong here and that I was trespassing through someone else’s memory. </p> <p>I could smell sweat and dampness of a much older basement and when I released the chord the room was filled with thick shadows. I slowly got up and headed down the back hall to my studio and put the guitar away. I was filled with dread at the notion I now had to turn back up the hall to the stairs.</p> <p>My hallway felt claustrophobic, thick with shadows and just the feeling of being watched, as I climbed the steps. I was so scared I would hear a “scouse accent “ come from a voice behind me. </p> <p>Once up stairs again I poured myself a coffee and refused to be frightened in my own home, so to prove to at least myself I went down the stairs again and left the lights off and sat in the dark and tried to make sense out of what I had just gone through. Nothing happened, just an empty basement. I turned the lights back on and started painting again. Cry for a shadow was thumping in my head and I started to feel that I was being watched again, It got so bad I said “enough!” out loud and the room was once again still.</p> <p>Its been several years and nothing more had happened, my daughter received a ukulele from her great uncle and along with it a chord book. I flipped through the pages and there was Lennon’s chord shape just as I had figured out.</p> <p>I have no explanation for what I went through, tired, paint fumes, head full of stories all a good recipe to mix together and make a haunting. I do know that for as much as I treasure the Beatles work I do not listen or play “Cry for a shadow” anymore..that feels too much like trespassing to me.</p> <p>Peace and Love</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272015598849551350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432585881013052347.post-7217465249340396312015-10-21T17:52:00.001-05:002015-10-21T17:52:36.792-05:00Self pity is bullshit<p> </p> <p>Hey all,</p> <p> </p> <p>There’s so many ways we mess with ourselves, but none come to mine that due more damage than self pity. What we need from time to time is someone to hold up a mirror to us so we can (to quote Bob Dylan) “ see what a drag it is to see you coming”! </p> <p>When I was lonely teenager on my road to becoming a lonely adult, I spent so much time self loathing everything about me that I did not notice what an amazing ass I was becoming. My main sport of choice was to spread some more gloom. The truth can hurt and be painful,but self pity is just a lie we make up and tell ourselves until we make it true. The cool dark people I read about in books or saw in films were most likely a real kill joy to spend any time with. Yes they do look cool in a photo looking out the window with a fucking scarf on in the middle of summer but in real life..wankers!</p> <p>The moment I quit feeling sorry for myself and took action, my life got better..not easier but I started to enjoy it more. Life is not fair, good the odds just got a little better I decided.</p> <p>Someone once said tell a Zebra on the brown plains of the Serengeti where everything else is brown and your decked out in black and white stripes..about feeling sorry for yourself. </p> <p>I gained some weight back this summer in spite of all my efforts to be fit, I spent about 5 seconds feeling sorry for myself until I snapped out of it and got my head out of my ass and moved off the couch. My fault, get back to work! </p> <p>There is always someone who has it tougher than you, a lot more and the best of them never show it. The triumph over the pain, the poverty etc..</p> <p>I don’t regret much in my life because I try and learn from my past,but if I was going to change one thing it would be all that self pity that made me pass on so many chances because I just felt that I did not deserve to be as happy as everyone else and that my friends is bullshit!</p> <p> </p> <p>Peace and Love </p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272015598849551350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432585881013052347.post-80897687670298585022015-10-13T20:39:00.001-05:002015-10-13T20:39:27.344-05:00A haunting we will go,the Mcpike Mansion<p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Hey All,</p> <p>So what better way to start off the Fall season then a trip to a real haunted house, in this case the Mcpike mansion in historic Alton, Ill.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_PB_zyxjDgI/Vh2yLGrAUEI/AAAAAAAAAsw/BZNFoPImx_8/s1600-h/McPike%252520Mansion-0110-9%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="McPike Mansion-0110-9" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="McPike Mansion-0110-9" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LBvFZcttJOU/Vh2yLk8XukI/AAAAAAAAAs0/7wRg4XaVAN0/McPike%252520Mansion-0110-9_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p><br>The mansion must have been something else in its prime, built in 1869 with 16 different rooms and a lower level basement wine cellar. Even today the building is impressive and the latest in a long line of owners Sharyn and George Luedke are doing their very best to restore it to its former glory. One thought Sharyn had was to make it a bed and breakfast not unlike St. Louis’s Lemp mansion (also reported to be haunted).</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_5V-25D0L3c/Vh2yL382NYI/AAAAAAAAAs8/q6e5mW31KSY/s1600-h/IMG_2074%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2074" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2074" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RYX4y0qvA-0/Vh2yMXiSd9I/AAAAAAAAAtE/6wgHtrV6DAs/IMG_2074_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a><br><br>The mansion boasts no less than 4 or 5 spirits that have been known to roam the empty rooms and halls of this fading building on Alby street. One spirit is thought to be that of Sarah Wells who when she makes an appearance one can smell lilac’s perfuming the air. Faces have shown up in photographs peering out of windows and footsteps have been heard from the floor above the wine cellar while investigators were the only people in the house.<br>So with that in mind my wife and I along with our 16 year old daughter drove over to Alton on a pleasant Sunday evening to join a group of 50 photographers and see if we just might catch something on film. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xNSzug7px0k/Vh2yMrULqjI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/AxIBwrpKAbM/s1600-h/McPike%252520Mansion-0127-7%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="McPike Mansion-0127-7" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="McPike Mansion-0127-7" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V0Ukt25jxRg/Vh2yNGkm4KI/AAAAAAAAAtU/3nv4aD_qERY/McPike%252520Mansion-0127-7_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><br>It was warm all day in the low 80’s but it being October I took a jacket with me, we parked across the street and walked over for our first up close look at the Mcpike mansion. A small group of photographers were already there milling about with tripods and cameras strapped over their shoulders. I noticed as well a few folks with ghost hunting gadgets you would see the guys use on TV (my only gadget was a small pink flashlight I bought on sight there from a nice lady who was selling tee shirts and sweatshirts, my daughter picked out a white fluffy sweatshirt and claimed the evening a success right then and there). I was just approaching the house when I felt an icy cold spot on my back, I slipped on my jacket but it would not go away, a few seconds later I was warm again and had to carry my jacket, not saying supernatural just a moment I noted. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ennPjvj7MI8/Vh2yNSOJZnI/AAAAAAAAAtc/3nCgBKE20bs/s1600-h/McPike%252520Mansion-1973-6%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="McPike Mansion-1973-6" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="McPike Mansion-1973-6" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YwP4kx9aCs8/Vh2yOHK5kUI/AAAAAAAAAto/KUj5TXauXh8/McPike%252520Mansion-1973-6_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="163"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OJsl010xT6w/Vh2yOuy3HuI/AAAAAAAAAts/Q6lSh-VghVw/s1600-h/McPike%252520Mansion-0214-1%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="McPike Mansion-0214-1" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="McPike Mansion-0214-1" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TEAtk9NgW4A/Vh2yO_B2iQI/AAAAAAAAAt0/qG5JnCAfXac/McPike%252520Mansion-0214-1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a></p> <p><br>The house is eerie up close, on one of the side walls twisted metal sheets covered in rust were blocking a window and were bent in such a manner that it looked like a great force was trying to escape. We found a foot path in the back that led to a small section where two slabs stuck from the ground and we were told they were grave markers thought to be of children. <br>We were allowed to walk into the front door and take a few pictures of open rooms and a stair case, the house is not considered safe to have folks stroll about so we had to content ourselves with this brief glimpse. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Teg1ZD0vecQ/Vh2yPUN6USI/AAAAAAAAAuA/dbm4wlZkwFI/s1600-h/McPike%252520Mansion-0179-5%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="McPike Mansion-0179-5" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="McPike Mansion-0179-5" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e_6pzCP_n_A/Vh2yPzXv-JI/AAAAAAAAAuE/XRtovsfdkhc/McPike%252520Mansion-0179-5_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M_ZcoQuqiz8/Vh2yQPPFSFI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/6vK9qgR0ut4/s1600-h/McPike%252520Mansion-0101-10%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="McPike Mansion-0101-10" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="McPike Mansion-0101-10" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-324O4ulYcQ4/Vh2yQnvvFPI/AAAAAAAAAuU/RWemOb0fjI8/McPike%252520Mansion-0101-10_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> Later on after everyone had their sneak peek inside of the house Sharyn set up some display boards and shared some history and even had an actor come out dressed as Henry McPike give us a quick background on the man, all very entertaining. A lady was introduce to the crowd as a medium ( I also noted she was the lady selling tee-shirts) and gave out some friendly advice of what to expect out of the spirits, things like cold spots or maybe someone tugging at your hair or playing with your earrings (I felt safe on both counts). The medium gave a demonstration on dowsing rods and handed out sets to anyone interested. My wife was handed a set of the dowsing rods ,so we were all prepped and invited to go the basement wine cellar!<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bsHmZfBl-QE/Vh2yQ9deRnI/AAAAAAAAAuc/zdxTlYTZPw0/s1600-h/McPike%252520Mansion-1982-3%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="McPike Mansion-1982-3" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="McPike Mansion-1982-3" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XYc8CfMM7lY/Vh2yRdT4JfI/AAAAAAAAAuk/kSNoQ1GXUMY/McPike%252520Mansion-1982-3_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="163"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K_HQwWdKahE/Vh2yRtudIyI/AAAAAAAAAus/5qBiNzurU28/s1600-h/McPike%252520Mansion-0192-4%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="McPike Mansion-0192-4" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="McPike Mansion-0192-4" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r0vTEdRYKNE/Vh2yRym2zvI/AAAAAAAAAu0/c-Dl5fJqC14/McPike%252520Mansion-0192-4_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We were led to the back of the house and through a cellar door, the basement was cool and we took a quick turn and down a few steps to the wine cellar which had a large rusted metal door.<br>Once inside the wine cellar we all took a seat and the medium said to prepare yourself and we will shut off all the lights. </p> <p>It was a very strange feeling to be in such absolute darkness. The room was cramped and filled with people yet with the cool air and the darkness I felt like I could have been in a field.<br>Some people started to see flashes here and there, the medium would announce things like Henry has joined us “say hello Henry” and so on. I was busy being a skeptic, so I tried things like closing my eyes and then open them to see if it caused any flashes etc.. My wife claimed she saw some blue flashes on the ceiling and my daughter who was now holding the dowsing rods felt that someone was trying to pull one of them out of her left hand at one point.<br>I did see a dull glow move along the left side of me, but it turned out to be a women’s glow in the dark watch face.</p> <p><br>I was enjoying the darkness and trying my best to notice anything when a very strong smell of candy like perfume filled the air. No one said anything but it got so strong I spoke up and the lady next to me said she smelled it as well, but no else seemed too. The scent just as quick as it appeared went away, was this this Sarah Wells and her lilac perfume?? </p> <p><br>A lot of people said things like Henry just walked past me, or I think someone touched my hand. We all got a jolt when a man nearby us had his cell phone light up and we were told they like to turn things on as well as drain the batteries of things. <br>They turned the lights back on and said feel free to take pictures, soon they were crazy flashes going everywhere and my wife noted that one of her two cameras had drained all its battery life. I took a selfie of the three of us and one two shots of the frenzy of camera flashes.<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xUVlEEzK5T0/Vh2ySVOKgRI/AAAAAAAAAvA/CouGPaLdxHU/s1600-h/McPike%252520Mansion-0199-2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="McPike Mansion-0199-2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="McPike Mansion-0199-2" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hfCrJZxy74c/Vh2yS3ZekBI/AAAAAAAAAvE/BFIMSsXkCEE/McPike%252520Mansion-0199-2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>We walked outside and people were telling me they had caught orbs and mists etc.. from the sessions.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VKiN8IsJ9ns/Vh2yTEkia-I/AAAAAAAAAvI/Ys1z9kVpsX4/s1600-h/McPike%252520Mansion-0100-11%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="McPike Mansion-0100-11" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="McPike Mansion-0100-11" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lm008Eias8Q/Vh2yTkuFSoI/AAAAAAAAAvU/E0TkAuVcTH8/McPike%252520Mansion-0100-11_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p><br>I reviewed all the pictures and nothing jumped out at me, the cold chill I felt at the start I shrugged off, the smell of perfume from the wine cellar was odd. Perhaps the oddest thing to happen to me was I left the house feeling sad, which filtered into my dreams that night just extreme sadness. <br>I love a good ghost story, but the haunting here to me was that of a bygone era. The people who lived and died at the Mcpike mansion may have left some traces of themselves behind,what will you find when you visit there? A relic, a couples dream of a B&B or maybe you might find one side your body very cold as Henry Mcpike stands next you in what was once his front yard looking up at his home. </p> <p>Peace and Love all</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272015598849551350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432585881013052347.post-30550189026030062852015-10-08T19:25:00.001-05:002015-10-08T20:54:03.287-05:00When you gain weight back<p> </p> <p><font size="3" face="Constantia">Hey All,</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Constantia">I want to share this with you and I hope it helps someone out there. I have had a good year with my fitness and topping it off with completing a century bike ride in September. I have been taking it easy since the ride and giving my Achilles' tendon time to heal. So for three weeks I did nothing, no walking or bike riding,kettle bell etc.. nothing.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Constantia">Well I did start working on my mother’s recipe of short bread, I got pretty good at that.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3B4rHhyXYBU/VhcJgqlDamI/AAAAAAAAAr8/fhIfApae_8A/s1600-h/12039732_10204792043303494_8183157728898804981_n%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Constantia"><img title="12039732_10204792043303494_8183157728898804981_n" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="12039732_10204792043303494_8183157728898804981_n" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y758aRVemQ0/VhcJhKHwtGI/AAAAAAAAAsA/sz0GTpjTL98/12039732_10204792043303494_8183157728898804981_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="3" face="Constantia">I also drank a lot of beer and wine and told myself I am doing just fine for a 52 year old guy.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Constantia">My wife picked out a shirt for me and it was form fitting and showed off my recent rewards for all that shortbread and doing nothing! I had gained 13lbs of fat (almost a stone in the UK) in the past two months.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Constantia"> </font><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nCTWE9Itd5c/VhcJhsBZACI/AAAAAAAAAsM/rSgCN1fkkGs/s1600-h/INBOX72937d5fe16b1e99e7fa708fb7159e2b09906%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Constantia"><img title="INBOX72937d5fe16b1e99e7fa708fb7159e2b09906" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="INBOX72937d5fe16b1e99e7fa708fb7159e2b09906" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QK-qvsBk5cA/VhcJiFWYduI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/tuRewKpoNzQ/INBOX72937d5fe16b1e99e7fa708fb7159e2b09906_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Constantia">So what do you do? You forgive your self and move forward. I know what I did wrong and I let it get out of control. I started walking again this week,this has always been my go to workout. I’m going back to basics and intend to be wearing this shirt instead of taking it back to get a larger size. So today is October 8 2015 lets see how long it takes for me to get back on my path. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Constantia">We all make errors and fall off the wagon, I was due a misstep but now I’m back on path. Thanks to everyone who reads my posts and I will keep you posted .</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Constantia"></font> </p> <p><font size="3" face="Constantia">Peace and love all!</font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272015598849551350noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432585881013052347.post-85590031975949114492015-09-25T07:47:00.001-05:002015-09-25T07:47:04.169-05:00Here be Trolls<p> </p> <p><font size="2" face="Bodoni MT">Hello all,</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Bodoni MT">I have written about “energy vampires” in some earlier posts a more insidious version of these creatures live on the internet and go by the common name of Trolls, because Fuck Face has been over used.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Bodoni MT">I tend to post things on social network that are inspirational or funny, a grand day arrives when I can find an quote that does both. I have been dealing with a few trolls of late and its funny because I put them down to being misinformed or just having bad taste because I was too naive to think someone could gain pleasure by poking at someone in a cowardly fashion from the comfort of their mothers basement.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Bodoni MT">A simple example on the ever crowed Facebook someone says name your favorite book, film or song. You write down your favs and a troll would then say “ I tried to read that book but I started to vomit or that film put me to sleep and I demanded my money back. Trolls don’t actually do a lot of reading so that is normally a dead give away. You also will not find trolls watching films with sub-titles (again reading) and most of their taste in music requires a marching tempo not unlike Europe in the 1930’s.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Bodoni MT">I have been told the best way to handle these Gollum like types is to just ignore them, which might do in some cases. I prefer to lift the rock they hide under and shine the light of facts upon them and watch them scatter back into ignorance and hateful depths from which they dwell. </font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Bodoni MT">A particular funny side note, these trolls tend to look the same, crazed eyes with an expression that shouts “ I never meant anything by that , I was just joking” A troll would not recognize a joke if it went to their door and went Knock Knock..(that was joke just now in case any trolls or having this read to them).</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Bodoni MT">Trolls count victories in odd ways compared to lets say people. A troll victory can anywhere from being blocked or removed from Face Book, to stealing a parking space that someone else was waiting for. </font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Bodoni MT">Nothing is off limits for a troll except for you proving them wrong and like a bug they go away for awhile but like said insect they scurry back and once again make your skin crawl.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Bodoni MT">Trolls believe in a world that never really was they refer to as “the good old days”. In this world it was OK to look down on people and treat them with disgust because of anything that did not fit into the narrow mind that guides the troll.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Bodoni MT">As a child I dealt with bullies and then I thought well they will grow out of it sooner or later. I did not at the age of seven have the foresight to see that would not be the case. Trolls. bullies or fuck faces if your prefer will not be going away anytime soon. So you can choose your form of pesticide and good luck in dealing with them. </font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Bodoni MT">Trolls here’s a list of things I personally believe in and hold in high regard, feel free to jab away, I have a life to enjoy.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Bodoni MT">Family, Friends, Dogs, The films of Wes Anderson, the Music of Django Reinhardt,The Beatles and Led Zeppelin, People of all races just want respect, Love does not care about sexuality , Truth over authority , hard work, laughing at yourself, being kind, firm handshakes and welcome hugs, the writing of John Irving, Bike riding, hiking, playing guitar, cooking, crying when I say goodbye to someone I love, being alone in the woods, standing in a crowded bar with friends,binge watching Netflix with my wife,educating myself to lift my self higher,and shortbread cookies!</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Bodoni MT"></font> </p> <p><font size="2" face="Bodoni MT">Is there more to life than this? sure there is, go out and enjoy it and when the trolls stick their pointy heads out of a hole, give em a smack it will not stop them, but Its something fun you can add to my list.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Bodoni MT">Peace and love</font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272015598849551350noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432585881013052347.post-32131117766856958812015-09-18T01:36:00.001-05:002015-09-18T01:36:32.750-05:00My first Century ride<p> </p> <p><font size="3" face="Constantia">Hello all,</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Constantia">I love the 1962 film Lawrence of Arabia, its perhaps visual the most beautiful film I have ever seen,but what has stayed with me since I first saw the film was this odd character of T. E. Lawrence who seemed to have something inside of himself that those around him did not possess.</font></p> <p>[Lawrence has just extinguished a match between his thumb and forefinger. William Potter surreptitiously attempts the same] <p><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0288714/?ref_=tt_trv_qu">William Potter</a>: Ooh! It damn well 'urts! <p><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000564/?ref_=tt_trv_qu">T.E. Lawrence</a>: Certainly it hurts. <p>Officer: What's the trick then? <p><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000564/?ref_=tt_trv_qu">T.E. Lawrence</a>: The trick, William Potter, is not minding that it hurts. <p><font size="3" face="Constantia">So a few hours before sunrise on 9/12/15 my wife drove me to Alton Ill to meet up with my fellow riders on what was to be my adventure.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Constantia"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_3GfXqnczV8/Vfuwg8F4k0I/AAAAAAAAAlo/X4ILl7mt0b4/s1600-h/BikeMS%2525202015-25%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="BikeMS 2015" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="BikeMS 2015" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mT6oyeNVGEw/Vfuwjx31-lI/AAAAAAAAAlw/Fm1w87mmuBk/BikeMS%2525202015-25_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Constantia">My co –worker Jeff had been bike riding with his friends and was really getting into it, he convinced me to sign up for the Bike MS 150 to help raise funds to fight MS. I asked my boss Mike to join and Jeff brought 3 of his pals Lamar, Terrell and Gerald. We even had a well seasoned rider Peter from our Denver branch fly out with his bike to join our team. I had roughly two months to train on my new Trek hybrid bike and I was invited to ride with Jeff’s pals on a 52 mile ride the week prior which was a great lesson in riding with a group.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Constantia">A century in the bicycling world is a 100 mile ride in one day, I could not help think of Lawrence again as he was told he was being sent to the desert.</font></p> <p><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001647/?ref_=tt_trv_qu">Mr. Dryden</a>: Lawrence, only two kinds of creature get fun in the desert: Bedouins and gods, and you're neither. Take it from me, for ordinary men, it's a burning, fiery furnace. <p><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000564/?ref_=tt_trv_qu">T.E. Lawrence</a>: No, Dryden, it's going to be fun. <p><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001647/?ref_=tt_trv_qu">Mr. Dryden</a>: It is recognized that you have a funny sense of fun. <p> <p><font size="2" face="Constantia">To me this was going to be fun!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ue8SThb7Qb4/VfuwkYk72lI/AAAAAAAAAl0/KYHmZeaOKiI/s1600-h/BikeMS%2525202015-21%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="BikeMS 2015" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="BikeMS 2015" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dPt96rEdhIc/Vfuwk-igC2I/AAAAAAAAAl8/qsX8ZwLWeC0/BikeMS%2525202015-21_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="175"></a></p> <p><font size="2" face="Constantia">It was a cool morning and we all shared a pancake and sausage breakfast together , I kissed my wife goodbye and rode up to the starting line where the sound system was blasting out Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love..a very good sign.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rWZfOtzg4DY/VfuwqDjJ1sI/AAAAAAAAAmI/qO0f863cADc/s1600-h/BikeMS%2525202015-26%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="BikeMS 2015-26" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="BikeMS 2015-26" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hDedd9HME84/Vfuwqp9KC9I/AAAAAAAAAmM/GjnTlLChcZE/BikeMS%2525202015-26_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p><font size="2" face="Constantia">At 7:30 we took off and I was riding side by side with Mike and we were all smiles,people were cheering us and I was reminded of the people we were riding for . <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uPkRnxPiN6k/Vfuwq3-olfI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/wP6soPqOsU4/s1600-h/BikeMS%2525202015-13%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="BikeMS 2015" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="BikeMS 2015" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ux3KZQJOxOM/VfuwrVPB7OI/AAAAAAAAAmY/qddJmKeRamg/BikeMS%2525202015-13_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="175"></a></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Constantia">I had been training by riding a lot of hills which I thought might help keep me up with the pace of all these road bikes around me, and I just about blew it on the very first hill I was caught not paying attention and a lady stopped in front of me and I was forced to get off my bike and walk up a hill. Wow I was embarrassed and pissed off at once, but I climbed back on and raced to catch up with my team. We saw a rider by the side of the road and found out he had been hit by a car, a brutal reminder that this was no place for headphones and we would to stay focused.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Constantia">Every 10 miles or so we would break to drink and eat and take selfies..<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jx1YfT8PL44/Vfuwr8OQIVI/AAAAAAAAAmk/weDCOFpqQoY/s1600-h/selfie%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="BikeMS 2015" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="BikeMS 2015" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--oTXOpAVLzQ/Vfuwsbc-3oI/AAAAAAAAAms/wzCb1hFouB0/selfie_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Constantia">10, 20,30 the miles flew by and sometimes I would ride in a group or just Jeff and I passing through little towns, corn fields or open highway roads that never seemed to end. Somewhere around the 35 mile mark I started to feel severe cramps in my calf muscles. This was a very scary point for me, I stood up in my pedals and coasted as riders passed by me. The pain drifted off a bit so I continued on.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cChpeT72wHU/Vfuws8n2nJI/AAAAAAAAAm0/-eVVacMaRvA/s1600-h/BikeMS%2525202015-30%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="BikeMS 2015-30" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="BikeMS 2015-30" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4B5HOZCuCxw/VfuwtR9SHoI/AAAAAAAAAm8/xblehx8JyMA/BikeMS%2525202015-30_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p><font size="2" face="Constantia">The stops were welcomed and it was great to see so many cool bikes and we would talk about gear and chat with the different riders, I did not meet one soul that day that was not having the time of their life. All good people.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BFm2R1evw10/Vfuwt1QHxYI/AAAAAAAAAnE/k1adI4GHk4Q/s1600-h/BikeMS%2525202015-28%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="BikeMS 2015-28" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="BikeMS 2015-28" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HdkUkDQPeHk/VfuwuSD7rzI/AAAAAAAAAnI/BWJUAz3gw9k/BikeMS%2525202015-28_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p><font size="2" face="Constantia">We had passed the 50 mile mark and one stop was loaded with homemade cookies and fresh fruit, just amazing.</font></p> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nJH23WxNzhg/Vfuwu2C8s5I/AAAAAAAAAnQ/ZdSij6qZo-A/s1600-h/BikeMS%2525202015-1%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="BikeMS 2015" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="BikeMS 2015" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dIMf2frLzC4/Vfuwvesy5vI/AAAAAAAAAnc/wNleYYfxMkE/BikeMS%2525202015-1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <p><font size="2" face="Constantia">Somewhere close to the 60 mile mark the wind started to kick up, and that was brutal. Then a hill and more wind and a long bit of highway where I found myself riding alone for what seemed like an hour. I spent some time riding behind Terrell and Lamar and was able to drift for a bit while they lead through that fucking wind, and no sign of a stop. The selfies ended and we pedaled through until long last we broke for lunch.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Constantia">I developed a brand new pain that day my Achilles tendon in both legs were on fire. After I ate my lunch I took a few pain pills and was told we would in order to get our 100 miles in repeat the last loop we just finished! Now I’m far to poor a writer to explain how upsetting this was too me. Go back to that fucking wind and those two hills seemed beyond cruel,but that’s just what we did.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Constantia">I felt broken, I started to miss my wife who was at this point sitting in the parking lot waiting for me. I felt so alone it was really strange, I reached deep and thought of every give em hell speech I could muster. I spoke to my Dad who I lost when I was 17 and just really needed this to be over. The wind was winning and I had enough. Terrell told not to think any more about the pain but the fact we only have 19 miles left, I laughed and said I find it rather difficult at this moment to think of anything else but the pain. It helped and we rode on.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Constantia">On the last leg we had eight miles to go and we could see the Clark bridge in Alton. That last eight miles was nothing but hills and wind and more wind.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Constantia">I followed Lamar and Terrell into Alton and Gerald rode with Jeff. We made a right turn on to State street and I looked up at this hill that belonged in San Francisco . I groaned and started climbing for about half a block and had to once again get off my bike and start walking up this dreadful hill. There were vans waiting for riders who needed a ride back, people were sitting down and I just had to get over this fucking hill so I could finish this thing. Long last I was back on my bike and riding through the back streets of old Alton, I saw on my bike as I passed the 100 mile mark and I pumped my fist in the air.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Constantia">I had no idea where the rest of the guys were I thought they might have found another route , but I saw the arrows painted on the road and stayed on the path.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Constantia">My heart sunk again when I passed a sign saying keep going only 3 more miles!!! 3 more miles and damn if they were filled with hills!</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Constantia">Well long last I was on the last road and I cruised in with hands over my head under the finish line. I got off my bike and a crowd was cheering and I headed over to the beer stand where I drank the best Bud Light in the history of AB. I called my wife and told her I will be there in a minute.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ey3YsFYZ8XM/VfuwvlwQJBI/AAAAAAAAAnk/Qr_gZQa4EyM/s1600-h/104%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="BikeMS 2015" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="BikeMS 2015" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4Gi6U7bKgyE/VfuwwUD470I/AAAAAAAAAns/TTAyJMyfyck/104_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="2" face="Constantia">The rest of the guys had waited at the bottom of that hill in Alton and rode in right behind me and that was when all the smiles returned.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nucEF5HZcXk/Vfuww2czytI/AAAAAAAAAn0/Ft0i4Y0k_vg/s1600-h/BikeMS%2525202015-11%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="BikeMS 2015" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="BikeMS 2015" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-obT7YIn7slk/VfuwxtIO9RI/AAAAAAAAAn8/01wojhX50gU/BikeMS%2525202015-11_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PMlE1MjK_qo/VfuwyDRUZHI/AAAAAAAAAoI/j42cR7f11lQ/s1600-h/BikeMS%2525202015-7%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="BikeMS 2015" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="BikeMS 2015" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NYcPIo68qn8/Vfuwyx4FUmI/AAAAAAAAAoM/U9M60TAtJcc/BikeMS%2525202015-7_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n6TYiK7UHio/VfuwzaMQ9hI/AAAAAAAAAoU/ZHdL1Qs2UPM/s1600-h/BikeMS%2525202015-6%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="BikeMS 2015" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="BikeMS 2015" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U8b-Nl9uZvM/Vfuw0PDQawI/AAAAAAAAAoc/ee0C6roahMc/BikeMS%2525202015-6_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font size="2" face="Constantia">My fellow riders:</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Constantia">Mike <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8K4DhWbRa1M/Vfuw0RVOKEI/AAAAAAAAAog/ZYKE575d53A/s1600-h/BikeMS%2525202015-17%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="BikeMS 2015" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="BikeMS 2015" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MpYZTSafpQ8/Vfuw0wOrwxI/AAAAAAAAAos/xiUGjOEtbEk/BikeMS%2525202015-17_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="175" height="244"></a> Peter <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yri5Ky25hmo/Vfuw1X43kJI/AAAAAAAAAo0/Hb4N_d7rlLE/s1600-h/BikeMS%2525202015-18%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="BikeMS 2015" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="BikeMS 2015" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1W5vmQE75yc/Vfuw2DgQ6GI/AAAAAAAAAo8/Kq2dITrOBW8/BikeMS%2525202015-18_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="175" height="244"></a> </font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Constantia">Jeff <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fna9SmytXQo/Vfuw2tScVhI/AAAAAAAAApE/97b3AyqjtXI/s1600-h/BikeMS%2525202015-20%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="BikeMS 2015" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="BikeMS 2015" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3F7EFtUkMUI/Vfuw31OEMFI/AAAAAAAAApM/d-PGkd5CFxs/BikeMS%2525202015-20_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="175" height="244"></a> Gerald <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c8HAmXgetyU/Vfuw4R90p5I/AAAAAAAAApU/BBsY3Z_p-iU/s1600-h/BikeMS%2525202015-16%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="BikeMS 2015" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="BikeMS 2015" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-khR0XuEyYUk/Vfuw43wnUoI/AAAAAAAAApc/uizTFUJZQyQ/BikeMS%2525202015-16_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="175" height="244"></a></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Constantia"></font> </p> <p><font size="2" face="Constantia"></font> </p> <p><font size="2" face="Constantia"></font> </p> <p><font size="2" face="Constantia">Lamar <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ru04ilmhTrw/Vfuw5Dq9dmI/AAAAAAAAApg/ugTDDRzPiFM/s1600-h/BikeMS%2525202015-14%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="BikeMS 2015" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="BikeMS 2015" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6fcIvjs7QqE/Vfuw59FS42I/AAAAAAAAAps/FpD54l_u1WU/BikeMS%2525202015-14_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="175" height="244"></a> Terrell <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0AcbwmR75-w/Vfuw6aEpdsI/AAAAAAAAAp0/usWUU1uhPFA/s1600-h/BikeMS%2525202015-15%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="BikeMS 2015" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="BikeMS 2015" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PGWxnj_4kkU/Vfuw60YYWHI/AAAAAAAAAp8/1zOEMOOdPr0/BikeMS%2525202015-15_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="175" height="244"></a></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Constantia"></font> </p> <p><font size="2" face="Constantia">Peter would return the next day and ride another 100, Mike who had less than a month to train rode 50 both days, just amazing grit.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Constantia">I will never forget this day and I want to thank my pal Jeff for convincing me to take part in this. <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P51mDZN7LW0/Vfuw7SUm30I/AAAAAAAAAqE/hVEorD9R5iI/s1600-h/BikeMS%2525202015-9%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="BikeMS 2015" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="BikeMS 2015" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IwR5hruMPA0/Vfuw7wGfEhI/AAAAAAAAAqM/qplaeSpf51g/BikeMS%2525202015-9_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Constantia">To go back once more to T.E. Lawrence when he was told by so many people that the task he had at hand could not be done for it was written! His reply after proving them wrong “Nothing is written until I write it!”</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Constantia">Peace and Love All</font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272015598849551350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432585881013052347.post-6519014406649160112015-08-16T08:42:00.001-05:002015-08-16T08:42:15.540-05:0050 mile bike ride! and what I learned<p> </p> <p>Hello All,</p> <p>Happy Sunday morning, yesterday I decided to ride 50 miles on my bike as soon as the sun came up. In less than 29 days I will be joining some co-workers and hundreds of others on my first 100 mile (Century) bike ride so I needed to do some prep work.</p> <p>I have been riding on average about 15 miles a day after work and maybe 20 miles on weekends. I have been reading a lot and watching youtube videos just to gather as much info as I can.</p> <p>Talk around my office from guys who have done the Century to those of us that are novices started to have my head spinning with all the things that could go wrong. I needed some first hand experience so I chose to get up Saturday morning early and take off when the sun came up.</p> <p>Breakfast: scrambled eggs and a bowl of Markie porridge (see earlier post for recipe) and two cups of coffee.</p> <p>I knew right away that I did not prepare anything to take with me outside of water but I gambled my big breakfast would get me through. ( I know, I know)</p> <p>I took off and it was cool and dark with mist floating off the grass on my much beloved Grant’s trail (see post I wrote about this wonderful trail). </p> <p>A few words about my choice of bike: I ride a Trek 7.0 fitness hybrid which is somewhere between the toughness of a mountain bike and the speed of a road bike. This bike is on the low end price wise of Trek bikes but is well made and fits my budget. You can easily spend a small fortune on your ride and to me your the biggest factor on how well your ride will go.</p> <p>So back to the actual ride, my bike computer flashes my speed, miles and average speed as well as top speed. This becomes your constant companion and keeps you honest.</p> <p>I brought along an MP3 player and decided to turn it on after the 25 mile mark to see if it made a difference.</p> <p>The trail I ride is 8 miles long and I know every bit of it very well, heading in one direction is a slow climb (nearest my home) and the return trip starts off with a very happy down hill run.</p> <p>The trail was all but empty with the exception of a few serious runners and hardcore road bike riders who would dart pass me like I was standing still. The miles start to click pass and I worked out little mental plans such as at the 5 mile mark I was now only on a 45 mile ride, now only 33 miles etc..The trail soon started to come to life with folks walking dogs, power walkers, tons of runners and fellow bike riders. People of every age where out there and lots of head nods and smiles from people along the way.</p> <p>I reached the 25 mile mark and turned on my tunes, the next 10 miles flew by without much notice as I enjoyed my music (and I was on the return trip heading downhill) as I was heading back and the slow climb returned I found my first problem. My legs started to cramp and I knew I was sweating out my electrolytes and had nothing other than water to replace them. I managed to keep my pace over 13 mph but I was pumping my legs on just muscle memory. </p> <p>On the start of the return trip I would stop for a bathroom break or to stretch my legs and dump water over my head. The temperature along with the Sun were also starting to add to my problems. </p> <p>So now I only have about 15 miles to go and I have to go up hill and then return and at this point I would beg for a banana or an energy bar. I screwed up and my body was letting me know in a very big way.</p> <p>The worst section of the hill reminded me of the desert scene in Lawrence of Arabia, and I really wanted to just quit. I was pissed off at myself for knowing better and not doing the basic right thing. I passed a man who was walking his dog and like a good dog owner he was holding a plastic bag with proof that he cleaned up after his pet. The site of it suddenly turned my stomach and I could not shake the image.</p> <p>I looked at my pace and I riding 15 mph hour but I thought I was standing still, this blew me away I was riding on cruise control . I took the last of my water and took a gulp and then poured the rest over myself and headed home. I new I was in trouble so I rode past my exit just long enough so I would hit the 50 mile mark and turn around .</p> <p>I got home snapped a picture of my bike computer and posted it to FaceBook, grabbed a quick shower and a smoothie with blueberries and then my bed to stretch out! <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UR1lN6iBK94/VdCTNGYH3hI/AAAAAAAAAlE/YzoNC9M4OUg/s1600-h/11755516_10204564387372238_2258904454620782465_n%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="11755516_10204564387372238_2258904454620782465_n" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="11755516_10204564387372238_2258904454620782465_n" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WFKOn3LMzuY/VdCTNhJozvI/AAAAAAAAAlI/enF5KQuOOOY/11755516_10204564387372238_2258904454620782465_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> </p> <p>So now its Sunday morning and what did I learn?</p> <p>Pack for your ride: tools, spare tube.</p> <p>Bring some type of fuel for your energy</p> <p>The best thing was in spite of my poor decision to not take some fuel with me, I really had a great time, my body this morning feels amazing. I have the joy of accomplishment along with the knowledge of what I will do with the Century ride coming up in a few weeks.</p> <p>Peace and Love </p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272015598849551350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432585881013052347.post-4115331561144203472015-07-25T07:37:00.000-05:002015-07-25T07:37:13.514-05:00Doing Solitary -taking a swim in lake meHello All,<br />
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When I first chose to become healthy I was so overwhelmed by information I decided to start with going for a walk, so I grabbed my mp3 player and took off. I'm very happy to say within days of my little walks the first smart thing I did was to leave the tunes at home.<br />
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I soon discovered my mind was filled with all the conversations and bits of news of the day, a real cluster fuck of information pounding away at my mind. A funny thing happened though as I continued my walks, I found the sounds of nature to be very calming, and for the first time in a long time I started to hear my own thoughts..no TV pundits telling me what to think.<br />
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This was all very new to me and I was approaching the early stages of meditation and was aware it was having a very profound effect on me.<br />
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My early walks were very structured, I would walk out 20 minutes from my door and turn around there by getting in 30 minutes of walking plus ten minutes of fat burning. I was and continue to be a guinea pig trying new experiments every month. My walks now have no agenda other than quiet time to ponder and be as far away as I can from my desk at work.<br />
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I have also become a big fan of bike riding, I try and get in at least 10 miles a day and much more on the weekends. Bike riding has opened many doors to my peace of mind. My body is being pushed and my spirit as well. Each hill I climb is a question of do I have what it takes to make it and when I do succeed it carries me on to the next challenge.<br />
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A good example of this for me as I was riding an overcame some bastard hill and I was sucking air but still feeling proud of my achievement , I thought how close I was to giving up and yet dug deep and made it through. So I soon started to apply this thinking to every difficult problem.<br />
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All you really need is a quiet spot to sit,I prefer to be on the move but whatever works for you. The main thing is to unplug from all the bombardment of information and give your self time to think and reflect. We live in a world of 24 hour news and every jackass feels the desire to spin every story to aid their cause or destroy anothers.<br />
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These results I cherish came about by finding some time to be alone with my thoughts. Its a wonderful feeling to not give a damn about what other people think of you, or what people would say if you were to try this project or that idea.<br />
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Be true to yourself, take a step away from work,family,friends and listen to your own beliefs and act on them.<br />
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I feel like a better man to my family and friends as well as my work because I have found doing a little solitary can be fine company.<br />
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Peace and Love<br />
<span id="goog_1990487790"></span><span id="goog_1990487791"></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272015598849551350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432585881013052347.post-83086798425167963532015-06-18T19:09:00.000-05:002015-06-18T19:09:32.720-05:00I am an EmpathHey all,<br />
<br />
Always on the path to understanding why we do what we do I stumbled across (as I always do in my clumsy manner) the term Empath, that is to say someone who has empathy for others. So let me get out of my lotus pose and stop hugging my tree for a few minutes and fill you in on what I discovered about Empaths.<br />
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If this sounds like something out of Star Trek than your not wrong, there was episode back in the 60's with Kirk and the boys about this empath stuff. Very strange Penny Lane but here's what I already knew about myself.<br />
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1. Everything is intense with my feelings.<br />
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2. I can tell when someone is lying.<br />
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3. I feel joy at the thought of some people just walking into a room and equally repulsion of other people.<br />
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4. I worry about other people being OK more than myself.<br />
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5. I need to be alone to recharge myself after being in crowd for too long or with negative people.<br />
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6. I laugh and cry very easily.<br />
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7. Music, film , books are all very powerful and stay with me for a long time.<br />
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8. I have people in my life I love with all I have no matter how long I have known them.<br />
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9. I want to help solve everyone's problems.<br />
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10. I see all life as important and with a reason for being.<br />
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The list goes on and on and I just never had a name for it.<br />
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I write this blog to not only share my insights but to figure myself out as well. So what have I learned in the past 50 years or so? I have learned that all along I knew I was different from a lot of people around me and I also now look at it as good thing. I may hurt more (airport goodbyes are like death for me) but the day to day joys are so over the top I can't complain. The loss of a dog will stay with me my entire life,but so will the joy it brought.<br />
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I can't help thinking of that moment in Highlander when Connor feels the "Quickening" and is aware of everything. I no longer hide my emotions although I do try and curb them and not hug everyone I see, (no one needs that guy around). <br />
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My favorite complement I get is "your different"! I know there are a lot of you out there that will understand this right away and guess what, my hunch is your an empath, the folks that shake their heads or don't care please skip down to my basement gypsy video of Kubla Khan and I hope you enjoy the tune.<br />
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I am a very happy person who feels connected with everything around me, if you know me a little I'm thinking I know you a lot. Its just how it is with me..<br />
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Peace and Love<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272015598849551350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432585881013052347.post-67200346956233611892015-06-17T17:37:00.000-05:002015-06-17T17:37:22.231-05:00The gift<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hello All,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
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There is a wonderful story that I have heard told several different ways ,but the basic story is at a small school in Africa the children are bringing in gifts for their teacher.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> One at a time a child would walk up in front of the class with a wrapped present and the teacher would thank them and kids would clap as each gift was unwrapped and the nicer gifts got more claps.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> One boy walked up with a shell and handed it to the teacher and said he picked it special from the far end of their village.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> The teacher knew of the area and was aware of the dangerous cliffs the boy would have had to climb to reach the path to that side of the beach.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> She looked at the boy and asked why would you go so far and risk hurting yourself when there's plenty of beautiful shells right here on our beach? </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The kids laughed and the little boy hung his head as he said "Teacher, the trip was my gift for you!"</span><br />
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The world is hard and cruel and filled with selfish people, but it is also filled with beauty and wonder and kindness like this child that thought up this wonderful gift.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Peace and Love</span><br />
<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272015598849551350noreply@blogger.com0United States36.315125147480508 -92.10937510.793090647480508 -133.417969 61.837159647480505 -50.800781tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432585881013052347.post-44886720610362811492015-06-13T01:10:00.000-05:002015-06-13T01:10:55.422-05:00Wear what you dig!Hello all,<br />
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Happiness,( just like everything else worthwhile) has some work involved.<br />
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Some basic things I do to stay on my path!<br />
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1. I set goals all the time.<br />
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2. I allow for things to not work out and quickly adapt to a back up idea.<br />
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3. I quit wasting my time on anything that does not add value to my happiness.<br />
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4. I no longer try to plan out fun, or recreate a moment. I live in the now!<br />
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5. I don't concern myself with what other people think, its none of my business.<br />
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6. I no longer deal in "what ifs" I deal with "what is" I will leave all the fear mongers to the media.<br />
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7. I don't hate on myself.<br />
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8. As much as I can talk, I try and listen as well.<br />
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9. Energy Vampires are not allowed in my circus!<br />
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10. I always have something else to look forward too.<br />
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My own mind is my best friend and worst enemy, so I do what I can to not let the weak, jealous and lazy side rise up and ruin what should be a good day.<br />
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Make the choice to be bold and brave, be happy and to help others. Don't hate, Don't blame.<br />
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Peace and Love all<br />
<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272015598849551350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432585881013052347.post-20120002124041212792015-06-02T20:22:00.000-05:002015-06-03T07:28:47.013-05:00A year of challenge!<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hello All,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
So it looks like this is a year of challenges for your humble narrator. I have been trying to find little things along the way to challenge myself like drink more water or park as far away as I can from my office,but now I have gone full throttle!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
My year now looks something like this: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
August: a midnight ramble 25 mile bike ride through St. Louis at night.</span><br />
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September: a 100 mile bike ride to support MS in Illinois.</span><br />
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October: I will enter my first Tough Mudder competition 12 miles of mud and obstacles to challenge your physical and mental state.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
So all I have to do now is get myself as prepared as I can for these different challenges, and I have a plan!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I quickly noticed that I'm not a runner or jogger , ok I walk a lot but at my own pace and that will have to step up (pun ).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So this week I started walk/jogging my goal being about 2-3 miles, I can not think of reason why I would need to jog any further than that at any given time. This is what I have discovered so far.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. I need to learn how to breath when I jog</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. I have muscles in my thighs that I was unaware of until this morning when I awoke.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. there is nothing graceful about me when I jog..yet</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also know that anything is possible if you stick with it, how many people quit playing guitar because of the F chord?!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This might be my mid life crisis or maybe turning 50 woke me up to the fact that there is more to life than working and sleeping. I don't mind muscle aches from working out, I do mind aches and pains from not using my body.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I will post more as I go along at this time I can jog for about 1 minute maybe two...I am just starting and like a friend recently said to me "your a man who makes things happen". I like that thought that I am the one in charge of what I do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Peace and Love all</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272015598849551350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432585881013052347.post-81325066255652573352015-05-22T10:03:00.001-05:002015-05-22T10:03:05.265-05:00Choosing Alpha!<p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT"></font> </p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT"></font> </p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT">Hello All,</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT"></font> </p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT">On reflection I’ve wasted a lot of my life in a Beta mode of being quiet and not wanting to speak up at the risk of offending someone or disappointing someone else. The result being I became the nice guy with low self esteem who over ate too find some type of reward and watched my health decline at an absurd rate. It is very easy to get into this safe way of living, no one can hurt you. Soon you find you feel nothing at all and you become like a robot following a set of orders. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT">If you have read any of my previous posts I’m very proud of the fact I chose to change, too become the person I want to be for myself. If this comes off as bragging than fair enough I’m bragging, I pulled myself out of a fucking nose dive! Here’s the thing so can you.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT">Speak your mind</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT">Follow your heart</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT">Form a vision of just who you want to be</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT">Be brave, if your not feeling brave than fake it, no one can tell the difference</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT">Understand that you do matter and have value</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT">If you see something that is wrong than do what you can to correct it</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT">If you see something positive than reward it and share with others</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT">Being Alpha is not to be a rude jerk, it is though to be the best version of you</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT">Bullies are not alpha they are weak jackals that speak only with a pack behind them</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT">Ignore the people who try to stop you on your path and they will be plenty of them</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT">Toss open the door to fear and step over the threshold and you will find what the bold knew all along…nothing is what you thought it would be</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT">Never feel sorry for yourself, fix your problems that you can and learn to deal with the issues that can not be resolved and keep moving</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT">Life is not fair and so what</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT">Take action</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT">Work hard, play hard</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT">Today, right now is all you have, no promise of tomorrow and yesterday is not coming back</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT">Challenge yourself</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT">This is all we have folks, make the most of your life, embrace the people you love, share kindness and understanding and know that the other half of the balance is to be bold.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT">Peace & Love</font></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT"></font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272015598849551350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432585881013052347.post-6769607754591154652015-05-15T10:01:00.001-05:002015-05-15T10:01:46.478-05:00Results of drinking water 30 day challenge<p> </p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT">Hello all, its not been a full 30 days yet but so what, why wait to tell you good news?!!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT">Well I’m sold on the idea that I was not drinking enough water. I’m down 8 pounds or so and I’ve lost almost 2 inches off my belly.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT">The thing that really made an impression on me was a glass or two of water took away my cravings for a snack after my 8pm cut off of solid foods. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT">If your drinking water throughout your day then good for you, I personally was not so it has made a good difference for me. In just a few weeks water has become a staple for me ( took long enough for me to understand that).</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT">So if your not drinking water as you go about your day I would give it try and see if you get similar results as I did.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT">I don’t have an exact number of how many ounces I drink, I just make sure I have some water near by and drink over the course of my day.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT">So drink it up its the stuff we are made of!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT">Peace and Love</font></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT"></font> </p> <p><font size="3" face="Bodoni MT"></font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272015598849551350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432585881013052347.post-18209026878188753202015-04-27T20:28:00.001-05:002015-05-04T12:10:39.819-05:0030 day challenge-drink a gallon of water a day<br />
<span style="font-family: Bodoni MT; font-size: small;">Hello All,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bodoni MT; font-size: small;">Time for me to experiment with another health tip that's been around forever but I never tried. Drinking a gallon of water a day!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Bodoni MT; font-size: small;">On Average the human body is made up anywhere from 55% to 78% of water and that alone is of interest to me if I am not getting enough water daily.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bodoni MT; font-size: small;">A quick search on the internet will bring up loads of information on why we need to have water as a staple from boosting our metabolism to flushing out fat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bodoni MT; font-size: small;">My interest is the amount in question, in the past when I would read statements like you need to drink 8 glasses a day, well that sounds a good deal like the marketing dept for companies that sell bottle water. Myself I have been drinking for the most part coffee,almond milk, homemade smoothies and wine for the past few years.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bodoni MT; font-size: small;">Not so much on the plain old H2O.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bodoni MT; font-size: small;">I figure with the veggies I eat I’m getting my water etc..but I also have taken note my body has not improved much the past year, my weight has stayed off, I am working out on a regular basis so lets see if extra water helps out!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bodoni MT; font-size: small;">So a few days ago I started drinking a big glass of water through out the day, I started out by exchanging a cup of coffee for a tall glass of water. I’ve read that all kinds of wonderful things happen if you add some fresh lemon slices to your water, I will try that as well at some point.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bodoni MT; font-size: small;">So I wanted to share what’s happened in just the first few days..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bodoni MT; font-size: small;">My energy is up, perhaps all that running to the bathroom.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bodoni MT; font-size: small;">I’m eating a bit less, I always drink a large glass of water before a meal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bodoni MT; font-size: small;">The best thing so far and this may be the important thing for anyone with late night cravings..The other night my wife and I came home from an early date night and I’m sitting around thinking a snack in front of the TV sounds real good,but I try and not eat after 8pm. The craving was really strong so first thing I did was drink some more water, went in the other room looking for something and after a few minutes I found that the craving had passed!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bodoni MT; font-size: small;">Now to me that alone is a big deal, so for now on when I feel the need to snack out comes the water bottle.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bodoni MT; font-size: small;">I checked my waist measurement as well as my weight and I will report back in a month and let you know how it turns out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bodoni MT; font-size: small;">Drink up!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bodoni MT; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bodoni MT; font-size: small;">Peace and Love all</span><br />
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