Baby Boomer Generation texting

Thank goodness for modern technology. On second thought, scratch that. Replace with the thought " Thank goodness older people are learning how to use modern technology to keep their children in the loop about their health".

If you aren't a person who has an aging baby boomer parent, consider yourself lucky. but if you are ( like I am), I am glad that I get picture text messages from my Mum letting me know that all went went at the Doctor's, with a little note updating me on the procedure and her current condition.

It might sound lame, but knowing they can do this gives me comfort that they can still communicate quickly with us. ( emergency or non-emergency, like bring a salad for Sunday dinner...)

Which is a big relief and one less worry to have.

Thanks for the picture text Mum.

Black Swan

Do you know what a ballerina puts their body through to perform at a high level?

Can you imagine the pain, the focus, the pressure?

Are you comfortable with your own sexuality? One wonders what that even means.....identity, exploration, love....orgasms.....

A life pursuit of perfection can lead to a split in consciousness. If you don't know what that means, look in the mirror to see the dichotomy of your own self. Accept what you see, don't be afraid. Embrace what you are, or at least what your mind hopes for your body to be.

You reach your climax, your goal you set for yourself in life, only to find that upon reaching your expectation your soul dies, is the pursuit worth the effort?

Winter sunsets

A friend reaches out to me today

just to see how I am.

The thoughtfulness warms me

and I realize, again, the power of kindness.

At the market, I smile at the Salvation Army volunteer

as my coins drop in the familiar red bucket.

We exchange pleasantries.

An old man drops some items outside,

and a women stops to help him gather what was lost.

He is so grateful.

The winter sunsets here are magical,

as is the wonder of this time of year.

the dolphin slaughter continues....

When I first heard about what was happening in Taiji, I was appalled. I spread the word about seeing The Cove, and told anyone who would listen about things they could do to help prevent this horrible animal slaughter.

One of those things people could do was boycott going to Sea World and similiar animal parks. Under the guise of studying these creatures, the parks are supporting slaughters such as the one in Taiji.

But my ranting and raving fell on deaf ears. My own family just recently returned from a trip to San Diego, which included going to Sea World.

I tried a new approach, a silent protest. I did not go with them, did not tell my niece and nephew about my feelings about Sea World. No preaching came from me. When I saw them after they returned, I politely asked them how it was, but with a melancholy heart.

I write this now as Ric Barry has a new post up on his blog about how the killing has returned to Taiji. I hope that with constant attention to this from people such as Ric and little bloggers as myself, we can make a difference.

Marcel the Shell

"Do you know what I use for a pen?....a pen, but it takes the whole family"

This could very well be some of the best one liners from a seashell ever.

Agree?

or maybe not.....

Ethiopian Chicken Stew...eventually

I wish that people would remember, really truly remember, what the fifth of November is all about.

Sadly they won't. They only see the most immediate of problems, and want only the most immediate of solutions.

Right or Wrong.

All of America is voting today. But for what? not the greater good.

but that is up to interpretation.

As is this vignette, and all of life, I suppose.

Harsh thoughts are preventing me from moving, cancelled a show I had tickets to last night.

Sat in a corner staring and waiting for answers.

maybe Sufjan would have been better....

or maybe not.

I made Doro Wat and thought of you

I wish you were here to share this with me.

Big Think

 All one can do is continue to articulate, read books, and write blogs expressing your point of view.
 

Joel Burns

The last few weeks having been very hard for me. The hatred stemming from the Westboro Baptist church, Christine O'Donnell's insanity, and finally, Mormon speaker Boyd Packer's talk to his members about how being gay is a person's choice and him telling people that they can change if they want to.

I'm all about equality for all people, and when such insidiousness gets vocalized from the above groups and gets blasted across our news media, it makes me so angry. How unfair to say that gay people in the armed forces deserve to get killed by the Taliban because God hates homosexuals. And for Mr. Packer to state that "being gay" is a choice just shows how obtuse he is, and for that matter, anymore that listens to him.

But when I first heard Forth Worth councilman Joel Burns, all that anger washed away. Not because I came to terms with people's irrationality and prejudiced fears, but because I know that anger is not the solution. Understanding is. Please watch, listen, and help to end this prejudice. People are dying.

Satire

 So what do you think of this bit of satire on our US economy situation?
 

Silents you can hear

I've never seen any production of Phantom of the Opera. Not the play, or movie, or book. Not that I haven't wanted to, just that opportunity hadn't presented itself. But that all changed last night when I decided to do something different on a Friday night and purchased a ticket to see Vox Lumiere - Phantom of the Opera.

The idea of this new production company is to combine artistic elements to create something new, and in that sense, they succeeded. The classic silent film plays on screen at the back of the stage, with images so profound and shocking you find yourself mesmerized.

The production though mixes in a Rock Opera atmosphere by having dancers choreograph modern scenes to try and relate Gaston Leroux's classic novel onto a modern stage. from beautiful musical scores depicting love lost, to speed metal music which sounded like Metallica, it all rocked.


This show kicks ass. The images and scenes from the silent film haunt me. Seeing Lon Chaney on film portraying the Phantom took my breath away. This show may not be for everyone, as was evident by the chairs that were empty as intermission ended, but those that left early missed a classic display of new art. Too bad losers.

I wrote Scarface. Go f@#!k yourself.

 My late night entertainment hero, David Letterman, comes through again. Classic.

 

Garden fresh

Planted in the earth months ago by human hands, now ripe and ready.

At the pinnacle of life, plucked, washed, and ready to be enjoyed.

Nature's bounty does not go unappreciated.

artist Thomas Kuntz

Artist Thomas Kuntz is my inspiration this weekend. Check out a couple of his projects here :

It's a Mall World

The Alchemysts Clocktower

Quinoa

So in an ever growing quest to try new things, Dopey introduced me to Quinoa on her blog post about the best dinner ever that she made.

I'm not thinking about going full on vegetarian, but I am always looking for healthier alternatives to my current diet. So I thought I'd try this quinoa stuff out last night.....

I used spaghetti squash for my experimental dinner, along with a baked salmon. I put in a yam, green and red peppers, garden fresh garlic and onion, and a zucchini in a roasting pan with a vegetable broth.

And Dopey wasn't kidding, this stuff is good! Quinoa will be a new routine staple for me. Cheers!

Do you know...do you care?

As someone who enjoys a good photo, I was impressed by these. For me, they speak volumes. But I wonder, do you know who they are?

Hint : taxidriver

Hint: some like it hot

Hint : are you kidding me, you need a hint?

Hello, Absurd World

 I don't know how long I have been following Hannah's blog, My Soul is a Butterfly , but I've been entranced with her stark realism, unflinchingly real poetry, and naked truths that she reveals. I'm very excited about her new upcoming poetry book she is trying to publish, and can't wait to get my hands on a copy.

 

Hello, Absurd World from LBO Productions on Vimeo.

bad, bad animals!

bad, bad animals!

Have a nice holiday weekend!

I Heart Whales

This month the IWC (International Whaling Commission) will reverse its ban on commercial whaling ending 3 decades of progress to save the whales.

Please visit this site : SAVE THE WHALES

You can count your vote to save the whales, and join the Facebook cause with others to help keep the ban on whaling in force.

just another reason to love Betty

Hustle

  Stop your everyday rush to get things done, take a number, and relax with this.

 
Tunng - Hustle from Thrill Jockey Records on Vimeo.

Ballgirl, will you be mine?

With this weekend being Mother's Day, I want to give shout out's to the amazing women in my life. I would also like to recognize amazing women not in my life ( at least not at the present). How many of you could do this?

my little pony?

If you enjoy making fun of Molly Ringwald ( who doesn't), little, teeny tiny ponies, and Ryan Seacrest jokes, then try to resist clicking play. try......

the Guillotine

Before lethal injection, the firing squad, and all the other forms of Capital Punishment, there was the Guillotine. I bring this up since my home state of Utah is once again at the front of the captial punishment debate.

Ronnie Lee Gardner is scheduled to be put to death in June 2010 by our state's fair citizens. His choice was to die by firing squad.

Utah has had it's share of "infamous" executions in the past, and so when news of this came to this reader, I was not surprised.

But are you?

*Mr. Eller strongly encourages you to avoid Cola...it's bad for you.*

I have always loved the banjo. It's a classic Americana instrument. I now also love the musical stylings of Mr. Curtis Eller and his American Circus. hope you do as well.

2010. Earth has the power.

01/12/2010 - Haiti earthquake
02/27/2010 - Chili earthquake
4/13/2010 - China earthquake
4/14/2010 - Iceland volcano

With all of this activity happening so closely together thus far in 2010, when Utah had their own little 4.9 earthquake on 4/15/2010 at 6:01 PM MST, it was more than a little unnerving. I was sitting on my couch, reading, when the house started to sway, my water in my glass tilted, and a general sense of uneasiness crept across my skin.
Of course, all of my childhood earthquake preparedness classes failed me, as I didn't get to a safe place.
All was well this time, but emergency preparedness is now a priority.

Nature springs forth

 I sometimes find myself waiting all winter for the first hint of a new season. Looking out my window into the backyard, searching for Spring to show itself in beautiful colors.

 Flowers are so simple yet fascinatingly complex.....

 Nature's divine way of being unique.

 and wonderful...

 Winter sheds its grip on the land,

 and so the world turns to bring in the new, and cradle old leaves back to the earth.

Under Great White Northern Lights

The concept was to play a tour in Canada, but in towns that usually do not get acts like the White Stripes. Towns such as Yellowknife,Whitehorse ( which was cool since I've been there), and little Inuit village I've never heard of , etc...
They also play some amazing day gigs. But the intuitive chemistry on stage between Jack and Meg is what hooks you. That, and their unabashed originality.
Try something new, and check it out....

Log Toss

Just in case you are one of the few who hasn't seen this yet ( I was until a few minutes ago) enjoy!
P.S. This is something I totally would have done at their age.....and probably did many similiar things to my friends, and had done to me. Good Times!

remembering Abbey Road

Do you have an album/CD that you know every single lyric from start to finish? I have only one, and that would be The Beatles 1969 masterpiece, Abbey Road.

I first heard this album through my hippie friend Natalie, who was all things 60's (peace, love, drugs, and rock n roll). One of my fondest memories was a summer evening after college, when Natalie, her crazy BF Paul, and one of my room mates Colby, got together for drinks, food, and music.

We decided to play Abbey Road, and sing along as a quartet. Only Nat and I successfully made it to the end of the album.

If you've never listened, you should. If you have an album/CD that you know by heart, share.....

อีสเตอร์ ( I love Thai)

On this day, I relax with my cup of tea

Content in a day where people enjoy religious guidance & inspiration, I tend to the kitchen, preparing with my hands inspiration of my own.

น่ารับประทาน 

สันติสุข

He's coming to a reality near you

in the footsteps of Marco Polo

Two men had a dream. They wanted to follow ( as closely as they could) the same route that Marco Polo claimed to have taken in the 13th century. They wanted to see if they would be able to find areas that have remained relatively unchanged from the time the infamous explorer came upon them.

 To view their amazing 25,000 mile round about journey from Italy, across the Middle East/Asia, China, India, and back, check out :

In the Footsteps of Marco Polo

dream a little dream of me......

Mother Nature

Mother Nature is a wondrously cruel beast, I think. Today is the last day of March 2010. Yesterday Spring was in the air, the smell of new life everywhere. Today that new life struggles to survive.

Snow has not yet left the valley, so it seems. Winter does not yet want to let go, and gives Spring the best it has...

But as with each passing year, the testament of time to prevail and move forward continues. Nature's ultimate will. To survive.

and you thought W stood for....

Would you like to know the rest? Click on the BAD ASS ALPHABET to learn more......

Optimism at its finest!

Now I wonder where she got this, or if it was homemade....

Sam Harris - Philosopher

Sam Harris is the author of " The End of Faith" of which I have a copy. I'm sure most people will get their panties in a bunch just at the notion of what he is talking about. But if you can just take a deep breath, and think out what he is really trying to say, you might, just might, come away with an alternative view.

Flax me

All I remember from Great Uncle Tom's funeral was how he was a believer in flax seed. I added it to the list of thing's I didn't know about him.

But he was someone to whom I was intrigued by. His hard work ethic, honesty, and affection was admirable. I remember thinking, maybe it was the flax.....

That was 10 years ago. I've been a flax subscriber since.  This week my syrupygoodness arrived. I found some flax seed waffles, and the stage was set for a weekend breaky.

Topped with marionberries, an organic banana, and the best Vermont has to offer ( syrup wise).

And wash it down with pureed blueberries. Thanks great uncle Tom.

Wounded Knee Interview - Radio From Hell X96 Sundance 09

Creamy Tomato Parmesan Bisque

March

Yesterday I awake to heavy, wet snow blanketing the earth, but today the sun is out and the blanket is all but a memory.

As the seasons are about to change, I find myself wanting a childhood staple,

with the comfort of grilled cheese

As I sit and enjoy the quiet stillness and my snack, I read the label on the soup, and this catches my eye...

"HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP" ( 2nd ingredient!)

and I am now on the hunt for tomato soup that is free of this nastiness!

Anyone?

N.inny B.roadcast C.lowns

So I have my own little rant about NBC, and their broadcast of the Olympics.

Most people are already upset about them not broadcasting events live ( com'n numbnuts, Vancouver is still in Pacific coast timezone....)

But to make matters worse, the NBC nightly news, which airs before their own Olympic coverage, is broadcasting the results!!!

WTF

starting down the road.....

The door knocks.

Anticipation runs thru my veins as I turn the handle...

As I accept the goods from the stranger, I notice his glances to my interior

and the strange twisted looks emerging on his face...

as quickly as he arrives, he leaves

but my mind is puzzled over what he saw that caused his distress

and then I saw the christmas decorations still strewn about the house..

is this the start of my descent into dementia, or mid life crisis laziness? 

Why to watch Caprica

Ok, I admit it, i'm slow. When BSG came out almost five years ago, i'd never even heard of it. But I just started watching, and i'm totally hooked!

So when I heard about the new spin off show CAPRICA from Radio from Hell DJ Kerry Jackson ( who is all knowing about everything geek) I thought I'd give it a go....

So, if you like :

Interesting characters

good acting

subplots involving ideaologies about monotheism vs. worshipping mulitple God's

witty humor

sweet drama

blah, blah. blah - I would recommend checking it out. You will not be wasting your time.

But if you do feel like you did waste your time, please let me know.

Yeah....it's my dinner

So last night was a stay at home and chill in the kitchen night. With the snow falling lightly outside, and me listening to the new music I found ( Jerry Garcia's "The Pizza Tapes"), the setting was ideal for me to make

Chicken Tortilla Soup with a garlic loaf.

and it was so good.

The Force was with me

When the powerful forces of this universe conspire to look out for me, I like to share the experience.

On Friday, Jan 16th, I started to get the familiar onset feelings of the Flu. I usually can beat the worst of any illness in a couple of days. Knowing I had the weekend to recover, I didn't stress it. Besides, I had too many other things on my mind, such as a very crazy work trip planning starting Sunday night. I was heading to Arizona to complete a travel itinerary of over 1,000 miles, ending with me flying out of Phoenix's airport that Thursday evening. It was of the utmost importance for me to get everything work related done and have my butt in my seat on Thursday night, as I was flying out of SLC at 5am the next morning to Rome. That's right, my year long planned trip of self discovery to the enchanted land of Italy.

But as the weekend progressed, I got worse instead of better. I was not pleased. How could I not ever, EVER get sick until a week before this?

On Sunday evening I dragged my sorry sick ass to the airport, dreading this work trip in my current condition. As I was waiting for them to board my plane, a vicious wave of nausea hit me, and luckily enough a trash can was right next me, which I promptly vomited into. After assuring people around me I was OK, I made a decision to bag my work trip, and turned around and walked out of the airport, into my car, and back home straight to bed....

I did go into work the next day, and although I recieved some raised eyebrows about me cancelling my trip, I KNEW that I had to get somewhat better, and my trip to Italy was much more important to me than work will ever be...

I made it Italy, and when I came home, found a message from the airlines. The weather on that fateful Thursday in Phoenix was so bad that not only did my flight get cancelled, but the ENTIRE airport shutdown.

If I would have went to Arizona, I never would have made it home to SLC, and thus never made it to Rome.

Life is funny.

The 'Devil' Writes Pat Robertson A Letter

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune published a letter from Satan to evangelist Pat Robertson, responding to his comment that Haiti's persistent troubles, including the earthquake, are due to a pact the nation made with Mephistopheles.


Actually, it wasn't Satan who wrote the letter but Lilly Coyle of Minneapolis writing in the persona of the hellish one.

I think she got it down pretty well. What say you? ( my 2nd post bashing of this bastard, I'm so proud of myself!)

Dear Pat Robertson,


I know that you know that all press is good press, so I appreciate the shout-out. And you make God look like a big mean bully who kicks people when they are down, so I'm all over that action.


But when you say that Haiti has made a pact with me, it is totally humiliating. I may be evil incarnate, but I'm no welcher. The way you put it, making a deal with me leaves folks desperate and impoverished.


Sure, in the afterlife, but when I strike bargains with people, they first get something here on earth -- glamour, beauty, talent, wealth, fame, glory, a golden fiddle. Those Haitians have nothing, and I mean nothing. And that was before the earthquake. Haven't you seen "Crossroads"? Or "Damn Yankees"?


If I had a thing going with Haiti, there'd be lots of banks, skyscrapers, SUVs, exclusive night clubs, Botox -- that kind of thing. An 80 percent poverty rate is so not my style. Nothing against it -- I'm just saying: Not how I roll.


You're doing great work, Pat, and I don't want to clip your wings -- just, come on, you're making me look bad. And not the good kind of bad. Keep blaming God. That's working. But leave me out of it, please. Or we may need to renegotiate your own contract.


Best, Satan

500 days of summer

So, first of all, I want to start by saying that romantic movies, whether in the comedy or drama genre, are without a doubt my least favourite type of film. But as I was watching The Geek Show last night, they were spewing off their top 10 films of 2009, and surprisingly, this movie was on most of their lists.

So I thought to myself late last night, can so many awesome Geeks be wrong? So I watched it....

And, to my pleasant surprise, I really, really liked it. Funny, original, great acting performances ( especially by the guy that I can only remember from that alien show on TV in the 90's....alright Zooey was good as well)

The best part, for me, was how cleverly they get your attention from the opening credits...

"This film is fiction. That is what i consider Jenny Fleckman. Bitch."

( or something like that, I didn't buy it so i can't remember verbatim, but it was hilarious, and a perfect premise to the movie. And besides, who hasn't had a Jenny Fleckman?)

Garfunkel and Oates

I first found out about these guys from my FB friend Allie Mckay. This particular video song is in response to a Pat Robertson quote that legalizing gay marriage would lead to legalizing sex with ducks.




To see all of these ladies awesome songs, videos, etc... please check 'em out at  GARFUNKEL & OATES

The Insecure Male

I get it. I think most people do eventually. Not all of us humans get along. Some of us are just built to think/act differently. I actually relish this fact, and can not imagine life were everyone gets along with everyone else.

What I can not understand.... people that are so insecure with themselves that they will actually HATE people that do not like them. Seriously?

This past week, I learned that someone feels this way about me. I've suspected it for some time (7 years) but finally had it confirmed. And it all stems from the fact that I do not like ( but respect, tolerate, acknowledge) this person's personality. Selfishness, arrogance, immaturity, childishness, adult tantrums, incoherent babbling etc..just aren't character traits I associate or relate with on a continual basis. I also think there may be mental illness involved.

But I've decided to be the bigger person ( I mean, mental illness really is no laughing matter...) and I will make a more concerted effort with this person. So whenever I see them, I smile extra wide (although it makes me feel dirty) and make small talk ( which goes against every fiber in my being). I know it will make no difference, and my efforts are more than likely transparent, but what else can I do?

P.S. I do have a top secret plan to resolve this whole issue I currently face, but for the moment it must remain hidden in my medulla oblongta. But wish me well......