Yoga Weekend Incredible

There were 8 of us, on mats, with a full view of the water on Lopez Island. A friend of a friend's house had bay view windows in the living room, that had a large hardwood floor available to use. The setting was idealistic. (Thanks Sharon!)

My friend Megan needed student hours for her certification as a yoga instructor, so we enjoyed this weekend for free. What luck? Megan's friend, Meg, also is seeking her certification and so we had three full sessions over two days.


Also memorable for the weekend was the food: a friend of friend Alexis, Kate, cooked some great food for us: for dinner on Saturday we had grilled salmon and chicken with mango lime sauce. We enjoyed a nice salad that Meg made, along with some local bakery bread and Lopez Island winery wine. We ate at a long table, with a nice cool breeze coming in from the water. We discussed politics, children and just what great food we were eating.

We walked into town on Saturday, through a large hay field, past a large barn and into the town's Saturday market. I loved their community garden, tasting rubarb raspberry jam and buying lemonade from some local children.

For breakfast on Sunday we enjoyed a fratata (not sure if I am spelling it right) along with fruit. I enjoyed just sitting back and letting others do the cooking. Although I love to cook, for some reason I just felt like veging.

In addition, Alexis, a massage therapist, gave everyone massages. It’s great to have all these connections.

I learned some great new yoga moves and spent time with some great women (it was a womens' weekend) I also met two great women: Meg and Kate, who really contributed well to the group, even though they were meeting the rest of us for the first time.

On the ferry ride back on Sunday I felt very relaxed -- it is amazing how much built up stress you can eliminate from your body through yoga. We’re hoping to make this an annual event.

Cursed Car

It's official: my car is definately cursed. On this blog, I had written a piece on how I wanted someone to hit my car again so I could collect another settlement check. (My car's been hit twice already and I was able to get more than $3,000 for repairs. Once by a taxi cab while my car was parked on the side of the road and another time only months after buying it.)

However, that saying "Be careful what you wish for," has finally taken on some meaning for me.

On Sunday night, while exiting a parking garage at Alderwood Mall, where I was watching a movie with my brother Bob, a woman backed into my car.

I couldn't believe it -- I was stopped, behind her waiting for her to go. She moved forward, then started to back up, apparently changing her mind.

So I'm off today to get an estimate. I just finally moved down to Olympia and my first full day here will be spent getting an estimate.

Luckily there was little damage to the car. It's getting to the point where I am not sure what is new damage or old -- so I am not going to pursue a big settlement check this time because I honestly only know that the light needs replacing, but there is only scuff marks on the body.

So, instead of "Please someone hit my car", it is now "Please don't hit my car!"

It's beginning to be a hassle.

We are Coffee

As I was standing in line at Starbuck’s the other day, I read the description of one of their drip coffees: robust yet complex. It dawned on me how much coffee descriptions (taken to a level once only wine enjoyed) sounded like descriptions of people.

So, after jotting down some more descriptions off the Starbuck’s website, I thought I would write the first kind of person that popped into my head with each description:

Robust yet complex: a football player who reads Nietzsche
Light and Lively: meth addict
Medium body and clean finish: a hotty who just shaved
Elegant with great balance: a trapeze artist
Full bodied and sparkling aftertaste: a weight challenged woman in a sequin dress.

So, who can add to this list?

Art by Rambler

http://sketchthis.blogspot.com for Heather's sketches

Candle Vigil Peaceful

Had Great Eats

Last Night I attended one of the thousands of candle vigils in support of Cindy Sheehan, the mom who lost a son in Iraq and who is camped outside Bush's retreat ranch. About 20 attended.
A few observations:

1. there was a Mountain radio show host there interviewing the host - I met him and it felt cool even though I never listen to that station. One day I can say I met him. I listened to his report this morning and it was cool.

2. It was on a street corner in a quiet suburban neighborhood - a total of two cars drove by and a few people walked their dogs.

3. The positive energy was great nonetheless and after about 20 minutes, we walked down the street and into the host's house for some great snacks.

4. My favorite snacks were: 1. a delicious chocolate chip cookie and one of those french stick things with chocolate and crispy cookie.

5. My mom ate cheese and meat and some cookies.

6. Later that night my hands swelled from an allergic reaction to what I can only guess was some almond in the French cookie.

7. On the way out of the host's house, the host discussed her poster "Elect a Madman and you get madness" with a picture of Bush. I told her my favorite saying: "Prevent Mad Cowboy Disease" which I saw at the democratic caucesses in November.

8. The moon was so full and very beautiful on the way home

Cindy Sheehan Breaks Through Apathy

I applaud mother of fallen soldier, Cindy Sheehan, for her vigil outside Bush’s retreat ranch in Texas. I like how she is not content to sit at home and do nothing about the Iraq war.

Cindy Sheehan is not apathetic. How could she be when she has experienced the heart break of losing a son, who was deployed in Iraq? Cindy Sheehan cannot be apathetic. She wants answers and she is willing to go to great lengths to get them.

The rest of us, as Americans, cannot afford to be apathetic about Iraq as well. We were misled, told there were weapons of mass destruction. There were none.

We should be enraged --- because now the U.S. is in a mess over in Iraq – we’ve fostered insurgency after insurgency. We have begun turmoil in the country and new leader after leader is killed there. When we leave, there will probably be coup after coup, until another dictator rises to power.

We cannot invade countries and attempt to apply U.S. laws and politics onto a completely different country with different history and culture.

So, we should all be speaking out like Cindy Sheehan, in our own way instead of allowing our leaders to invade countries without just cause.

While Bush vacations on his 1,600-acre ranch (and yes, he does like taking vacations) there is a sticky mess in Iraq that he should be discussing exit strategies for instead of golfing or fishing.

Stocks and Terrorism

Have you thought it sad that whenever there is a major terrorist attack in the news, the newscaster will, in his or her next breath, mention how the stock market is effected?

I remember well a 9-11 story, right after it had happened, on television. The newscaster, after detailing the tragic events unfolding, ended his broadcast with how the stocks were effected by the devastating attacks.

Recently, with the British suicide bombings, on the radio the newscaster ended his report with an update on how the stocks were doing in relation to the bombings.

I find it really disturbing that this is what we apparently worry about when tragic events unfold: how are my stocks doing?

I think it speaks very well to what drives the U.S.: money and how we seem to value the almighty dollar more than lives.

Instead of listing how many points the Dow has gone up or down with each new insurgency in Iraq or each new natural disaster, how about first valuing the effect of each of these events on human beings.

Newest Feature: Yummy Recipes

Check Out the new link to the right, if you would like to try some great new recipes: I've created a new link to my favorite recipes -- all of them have been requested by friends.

http://gourmetrecipes.blogspot.com

U.S Nuclear Weapon Threat

While Bush and other leaders frown on Iran for its reported nuclear weapon planning, the U.S. would be well served by doing a self-examination on our own nuclear weapons.

A person may be misled to believe we don't have any nuclear weapons whenever the U.S. and the U.N complain or take action against other countries when they build their own nuclear weapon.

This would be a wrong assumption.

According to many reports, the U.S. has approximately 480 alone in Europe. We have more on our own soil. And, who has dropped the most nuclear bombs historically? Let's not forget Hiroshima.

So, should we begin by getting rid of our own weapons before criticizing other nations for having them? Aren’t we being hypocrites by requiring certain countries that they not build their own while we still have them? Don’t other nations have the same right we do? Apparently not.

We play God with the rest of the world by deeming certain nations as “rogue” and saying they can’t have weapons. Other nations are deemed as able to have them, such as Britain and the U.S.

Any argument that certain nations cannot have nuclear weapons is weakened when we ourselves have them. We should begin to practice what we preach and lead by example.

Personally, I am more afraid the U.S. would drop a nuclear bomb somewhere in the world than Iran. Our nation's history speaks to this threat. And we are more a threat to the world than we believe ourselves to be. We are like a human being shreaking at the sight of a spider: we are more afraid of the spider when the spider should be more afraid of us. Iran supposedly hasn't even made one bomb and we freak out -- yet we possess many.

In addition, Iran claims it is only using nuclear technology for power -- not bombs. How do we know for sure that they are even making a bomb? Should we rely on the same intelligence reports that caused us to invade Iraq, only to find out that -- oops, those reports were false?

The only way that we can be a nation with integrity is to lead by example and get rid of all our nuclear weapons in Europe and all at home.

Intelligent Design Should Stay in Church

President Bush’s recent encouragement of teaching “intelligent design” in the public schools, follows efforts by the Kansas Board of Education to impose intelligent design in the public schools.

These efforts by religious forces have a long string of Supreme Court cases against them, under the concept of separation of church and state.

Any state government’s imposition of creationism in the public schools will have to face the precedent court cases, which would ultimately strike down any attempt to teach creationism in the schools.

The current push by religious conservatives is to require creationism to be taught side by side with evolution.

In 1987, in Edwards V. Aguillard, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that the state of Louisiana was in violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment (separation of church and state) by requiring schools to teach creationism side by side with evolution. The Supreme Court further stated that that State’s act to require creationism be taught if evolution is taught was promoting religion and was in violation of the First Amendment.

The First Amendment state’s: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,” which the Supreme Court has decided in numerous cases means that government, supported by tax payer dollars, cannot espouse religion in government entities, the schools of which are a part of the government.

In 1960, in Epperson v. Arkansas, the Supreme Court for the first time ruled on the evolution issue, in favor of allowing evolution to be taught, saying that to deny it was in support of espousing religion, which was in violation of the constitution.

But the most influential court case dealing with evolution, which set the precedent for future court cases, is the Lemon v. Kurtzman. The Lemon test forces judges, among other criteria, to make sure that laws of states cannot advance religion, which the modern “intelligent design” clearly does.

So, while there is a current resurrection of creationism in “intelligent design” – this wave of religion’s attempt to impose religious belief be taught in public schools will not stand up to the Supreme Court’s final say on the matter.

If Kansas decides to impose intelligent design in its public schools, which I hope it does not for the sake of separation of church and state, then this would be setting a dangerous example.

Let’s hope it doesn’t decide that. But if it does, then hopefully the Supreme Court would interject reason by striking down any imposed creationism in the public schools.

Iraq and Terrorism, but not the same

The molding together of "terrorism" and Iraq has been one of the Bush's administration's greatest PR tricks --- to make American's forget the reason we invaded Iraq in the first place and lead them to mix, mistakenly Iraq and terrorism, a horrible reality that is still fresh in the emotional lives of Americans. But, and we could all use a reminder, 9-11 had nothing to do with Iraq. The terrorism around the world --- how much of it has had anything to do with Iraq?

The real issue here is that Americans, riding the tide of fear and pain from 9-11, were led by Bush's administration to invade Iraq, because they lied that there were weapons of mass destruction. But, having found none, they continue to say the word "terrorism" and "Iraq" in the same speeched, when the two have nothing to do with each other. Unless you believe that the continued American presence in Iraq is fostering new terrorists from other countries, who see the U.S. invasion of Iraq as reason to hate us. But that's not Iraq's fault.

Now that we have the person we love to hate, Saddam, the Bush administration can't afford to no have been justified in invading a sovereign country and its continued attempts to cover up the fact that there were no weapons of mass destruction found. The only way it can do this is by somehow tying the terrorism that is happening in countries such as Britain with Iraq, when, as has always been the case, Iraq has nothing to do with the terrorism in Britain -- the terrorists were all from other countries.

Next the Bush administration will lead Americans to believe that pigs can fly or that cats and dogs can really rain down from the sky ---

Support Critical Thought

Support Critical Thought


I wonder if whom ever invented the well-repeated saying “Support Our Troops” could ever have known how well it would spread across America like a wildfire – on cars, in windows, in articles and in conversation. The beauty of this saying is that it is difficult to argue against.

It gave the war in Iraq a face – individuals, just doing their duty. And we would not want to make the mistake that we did during Vietnam – to shout and curse the veterans coming back, heaping more trauma onto severely traumatized individuals. I’ve met Vietnam vets – some worse than others, but one I remember lived in the woods for I don’t know how long, in Alaska, hiding from society. When I met him he could stop talking for days because he had been deprived of human contact. Or, my father, who experienced nightmares, horrible flashbacks.

So, this saying is difficult to argue against – just like the black and white sayings of the president who sent them into Iraq – “You’re with us or without us,” is the basic underlying mentality fostered by Bush.

But I wonder, how should we support our troops? By giving them therapy when they return and begin to suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? Should the wives and husbands of soldiers coming back help support emotionally the troops when they begin to have nightmares and other post-war experiences?

Should we support the troops when they are disillusioned, suffer low morale while serving in Iraq? While they are forced into situations where they have to fear for their lives for a year, plus? Where they may have to make decisions that will haunt them perhaps for a long time?

And I wonder, can you support the troops in spirit but disagree with your government’s decision to enter a war that is costing a lot of money and that has no clear end-date. That seems to have caused insurgency after insurgency and more and more civilian deaths and troop deaths.

So, when I see the bumper stickers I think of in what ways we should support our troops? Wouldn’t it be better to support thinking through each and every decision we make that affects not only troops but entire countries for years to come? How about supporting waiting before making decisions that are emotionally charged? Not allowing fear and lust for revenge and continuing a never-ending cycle of war to dictate our invasion of countries.

Do we always have to have an enemy to hate? The cold war ends and there’s no more communists, so who should we hate? Saddam? And, how many are growing to hate the U.S. with each decision that seems not well-thought out. Did Saddam kill more people that the U.S. did in Japan during WWII? Neither is ever justified, really. But does this help get us beyond “us” vs. “them” and past the painting of all our actions great and wonderful and those of the “other” terrible and Satan-like.

Should we hate the French because they aren’t “with” us? The French, who suffered through a Nazi occupation – and terrible wars that perhaps began a process that we, as Americans desperately need --- it’s called self-reflection from the experience of being occupied, as a nation. It was captured so well by Sartre. To grasp the meaning of Freedom because one lacks it.

We need this process of reflecting on our past – our suffering, or mistakes - can we afford another mistake that will cost us lives ultimately for little? Does the end justify the means? A deep knowledge that war is brutal and should never ever be entered into lightly. We can’t bury our heads in the sand, as citizens of this nation. We have to begin having critical dialogue – and a lot more of it.

So, to me, the saying “Support Our Troops” has little meaning. What does it mean, exactly? Should we support our troops during each and every war we create in the world? It’s time to come up with a new saying: “Support Thinking before Acting. We would be saving our troops’ lives if we only did that- somehow through a new process --- we need that process very badly. Our troops need it – so that they can stay at home with their families. To me, this is helping support our troops much more than sending them into battle.

Surreal Bus Ride

As I was riding the bus to my house, about six years ago, the bus ride turned weird ---ooooo.

It was a tough bus line --- through a rough part of town.

Teenagers in the back, where I was seated--- began to show each other the jewelry they had stolen from a shop in downtown Seattle.

Then I was harassed by a drunk --- who was in my face about this and that - nothing of which I could understand--- luckily we came to a stop and he tried to get off the bus --- but, he fell down the stairwell in the back and blocked the entrance. He couldn't get up. The bus driver kept trying to shut the door but it kept bumping into this guy. He was too drunk to get himself up. Finally, the bus driver got out, went to the back and drug this guy out into the sidewalk, and the door closed.

As I was sighing a relief that we could continue, the surreal aspect took over: on the floor, in the middle of the walk way a small orange-red crab was walking toward the back. What the heck??!! It came out of no where, just walking along, as if it lived in the bus. The teenagers started pointing and talking loudly --- "it's a crab!" They busted up laughing and the bus driver looked momentarily in his rear view mirror at the commotion, but deciding, it was the least of his concerns, started the bus and we were off.

We were moving forward. The crab continued toward the back of the bus, no one going near it. At the next stop, another drunk got out, but not before stooping down and picking up the crab in his palm and walking outside, into the dark.

Songs Can Get you Fired

After two weeks of listening to the same country western songs for 8 hours a day, as a replacement receptionist in a company, I was going out of my mind -- and asked the technology guys to add some of my cds to the collection.

Well, I had them put in an Eagles cd and even had them keep out one of the songs that I knew had some mention of sex. I was so excited to be able to listen to "Hotel California", one of my all-time favorite songs.

Yesterday, while an important client was sitting in the waiting area, waiting for a meeting with one of the CEO's of the company, the Eagle's song "Get Over It" began to play. I had forgotten something though, but was quickly reminded when the lyrics "I'm gonna take your inner-child and kick its little as#@!....."

I froze, as the woman waiting looked up at the ceiling with a puzzled look on her face. I said, "I'll have to have them take that one out of the mix." She half-smiled, reluctently, hopefully thinking that it was on the radio or something.

Luckily, no one who worked there was at the front to hear it. But, if they had, I know I would have gotten a reprimand. Luckily, I am only there for a few more weeks. They should be thankful though that when I first started, I had the tech guys take out songs that were singing about pot and getting drunk, etc... probably not the image they want to have as a company.

Dream of Dreams

I had a funny dream last night --- about two warring clicks of people from my middle school days. The Stoners and the Preppies used to hate each other. They would meet at a park near our middle school for scheduled fights -- knifes, fists and cops.

So, last night I drempt there was a commemorative Preppy vs. the Stoners fight at Clark Park. The preppies were all grown up -- so tall and dressed in baby blue outfits. One was my friend from childhood, Jennifer -- who used to be so tall, just as a teenager. Another was another friend from middle school, Julie, who also was tall.

The stoner's were there too, dressed all in red --- they lined up officially in rows --- Preppies in rows and columns, almost like civil war formations. And then the dream began to metamorphisis, like dreams do and the fight faded away.

So strange, but it was almost nastolgic, as we used to run to the park when rumors floated around our middle school --- we would run and find a vantage point to watch the fight, then flee when the sirens of police came close. Ahhh ... those were the days.

Please Hit My Car Again

I need the money.

My car has, unfortunately been hit twice since I bought it about 5 years ago. What great shape it was in when I first bought it -- low mileage and great maintenance. Great gas mileage.

But then it was hit about one year after I bought it, while I was turning onto a street. It was "totaled" out by the other driver's insurance company and I received a check for close to $2,000. Most of the damage was exterior, although I did pay $300 to get the frame straightened back out. Why give up a car that gets 50 miles to the gallon on the freeway? I could live with a little body damage. (I also had fun going to REI and buying some sailing/camping gear)

Then, this last November my car was hit, while it was parked on the side of the road. I had just stepped into my favorite coffee shop, when a taxi cab hit my car. When I came back out, my car was half up on the sidewalk and chunks of yellow cab were scattered on the ground, where my car used to be parked.

My settlement? $1,700. I could live with a little yellow paint on the bumber and a duck-taped temporary (for the next two years until I get out of grad school) glass on the rear left light. The bumper hangs off a little. And the trunk doesn't open as well as it used to. But, still I hang on to my little car because it gets great gas mileage and is still in great condition.

Now, I bought the car for only $2,000 so it has paid for itself almost twice!

But, you know I probably could use a little cash now that I am going back to school, so please ... someone hit my car again.

Kyaking

This is a photo taken while camping/kyaking on North Puget Sound, near Mount Vernon. I love the water, especially the wind and salty smell - birds diving headlong into the water to catch fish.

When you grow up near the water, it is difficult to be away from it for very long and when you come back to it -- all your senses are filled with it again -- sounds of birds and water lapping against a boat's hull as it makes its way upwind. The smell of salt and mud and sand on during a low tide. The feel of cool water on a hot day. The taste of the salt after diving off a sailboat.

Then there is also the solitude of being out on the water by yourself, pulling in the lines on your sailboat or letting the swift tide carry you back to your destination after struggling against it during the first half of your trip. This is what really clears your mind, taking away all the stresses of modern life.