Current Reading: The World in Six Songs by Daniel Levitin
Current Music: Devils & Dust by Bruce Springsteen
Mood: Perturbed
Smells: Oatmeal
Sounds: Humming
Temperature: 70 degrees
Thoughts: Wisdom is bliss, ignorance is suffering
10.15.2008
10.14.2008
Music, Mind & Mosquito Food
Sat outside today at lunch reading a book about how music and the mind work. It is most likely the last time this year that I will get to sit outside and read. I love Indian Summer in Pittsburgh. This is probably the tenth book I have read about music and mind connection. It’s a topic that I wonder why I even read about? Music is a beautiful mystery within itself. Why pursue the answer? The world has already lost enough mystery.
Why do humans create art? Because we cannot stop it from happening. This is what separates us from the rest of earth’s inhabitants. All life can do what we do, which is to survive. Gary Snyder wrote something to the extent that said, “humans were created to entertain the rest of nature”. Speaking solely as mosquito food: that seems to make sense.
Why do humans create art? Because we cannot stop it from happening. This is what separates us from the rest of earth’s inhabitants. All life can do what we do, which is to survive. Gary Snyder wrote something to the extent that said, “humans were created to entertain the rest of nature”. Speaking solely as mosquito food: that seems to make sense.
10.13.2008
Photo of the Week
Camera: Nikon D200
Exposure: 3 sec (3)
Aperture: f/25
Focal Length: 40 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
10.09.2008
Classical photography of autumn
Autumn for photographers is akin to playoffs in football. The energy level is high and expectations are immense. Fly fishing is a truer analogy; the process can be much more rewarding than the catch of the day.
For the past couple of years I have not placed much effort into autumn photography. I have an enthusiasm for nature photography but haven’t placed focus into it because it has been typical/traditional photography that I have been purposely shying away from.
Ambient and city night photography have fulfilled my project catalog for the last two years. This autumn I am going back to basics; classical photography of autumn. The hurdle is time, October is booked up. Hopefully I will get my butt out of bed early a couple of mornings and make my way into the wilderness. In November time frees up and I am thinking about doing some deep forest photography of autumn.
Inevitably, you find a stream or mountaintop combined with colorful tree tops and shoot. My perspective is going to be “deep forest stillness within the light”. That will be the working title going into this new project.
Ebb and flow, maybe I’ll shoot in black and white? That’s classical.
For the past couple of years I have not placed much effort into autumn photography. I have an enthusiasm for nature photography but haven’t placed focus into it because it has been typical/traditional photography that I have been purposely shying away from.
Ambient and city night photography have fulfilled my project catalog for the last two years. This autumn I am going back to basics; classical photography of autumn. The hurdle is time, October is booked up. Hopefully I will get my butt out of bed early a couple of mornings and make my way into the wilderness. In November time frees up and I am thinking about doing some deep forest photography of autumn.
Inevitably, you find a stream or mountaintop combined with colorful tree tops and shoot. My perspective is going to be “deep forest stillness within the light”. That will be the working title going into this new project.
Ebb and flow, maybe I’ll shoot in black and white? That’s classical.
10.08.2008
Moment
Current Reading: Letter to My Daughter by Maya Angelou (****)
Current Music: Welcome to My Party by Rusted Root
Mood: Foggy
Smells: Apples
Sounds: Rain, background conversation and sneezing
Temperature: 57 degrees with light rain
Thoughts: I need to read more books by Maya Angelou
Current Music: Welcome to My Party by Rusted Root
Mood: Foggy
Smells: Apples
Sounds: Rain, background conversation and sneezing
Temperature: 57 degrees with light rain
Thoughts: I need to read more books by Maya Angelou
10.07.2008
Peak Conditioning Project – Week 7
Starting Weight 171 lbs.
Current Weight 165 lbs.
Height 5’9
Day 51 of my 90 days of peak conditioning project. This is what I learned.
Maintaining goal weight of 165lbs, feel good about that. Starting to develop lean muscle mass. Feel really good about that. My wife has even been throwing around the nickname “Adonis the Greek God”; spelling the word Adonis is hard. I had to spell it then re-spell it about fifteen different ways before Google spell checker figured it out for me. Ok, truth-be-told I never even came close to spelling it vaguely correct. I had to call my wife for the spelling. She laughed at me. Come to think about it, she can never say the word Adonis without laughing? This is probably not good for me. Nonetheless my ego is huge and my waist is down to thirty inches and my belt is three notches to the negative.
What I have learned (so far): Journaling my diet along with my general state of health is the best appetite control. Taking one day a week to eat whatever I want is delicious. Protein shakes for dinner: 2 hard boiled egg whites, 1 apple, 1 banana, and a handful of chopped dandelion greens and 5 oz of soy milk. This concoction is fulfilling.
Workout guru infomercial her I come: Combining strength training (resistance bands) with subtle whole body exercise (yoga) works.
This is how I envision my guru/infomercial: First it will only been televised at four a.m. as this is when dedicated, slightly schizophrenic people are up. They are trying to write their memoirs or grazing through their kitchen for food they shouldn’t be eating. That’s my audience. Second, it will only be seen in black and white. I feel that is more hypnotic, sort of subliminal visual encoding.
Hopefully it will be scandalous!!!
For more information see: Peak Conditioning Project (be sure to check out the sidebar links)
Current Weight 165 lbs.
Height 5’9
Day 51 of my 90 days of peak conditioning project. This is what I learned.
Maintaining goal weight of 165lbs, feel good about that. Starting to develop lean muscle mass. Feel really good about that. My wife has even been throwing around the nickname “Adonis the Greek God”; spelling the word Adonis is hard. I had to spell it then re-spell it about fifteen different ways before Google spell checker figured it out for me. Ok, truth-be-told I never even came close to spelling it vaguely correct. I had to call my wife for the spelling. She laughed at me. Come to think about it, she can never say the word Adonis without laughing? This is probably not good for me. Nonetheless my ego is huge and my waist is down to thirty inches and my belt is three notches to the negative.
What I have learned (so far): Journaling my diet along with my general state of health is the best appetite control. Taking one day a week to eat whatever I want is delicious. Protein shakes for dinner: 2 hard boiled egg whites, 1 apple, 1 banana, and a handful of chopped dandelion greens and 5 oz of soy milk. This concoction is fulfilling.
Workout guru infomercial her I come: Combining strength training (resistance bands) with subtle whole body exercise (yoga) works.
This is how I envision my guru/infomercial: First it will only been televised at four a.m. as this is when dedicated, slightly schizophrenic people are up. They are trying to write their memoirs or grazing through their kitchen for food they shouldn’t be eating. That’s my audience. Second, it will only be seen in black and white. I feel that is more hypnotic, sort of subliminal visual encoding.
Hopefully it will be scandalous!!!
For more information see: Peak Conditioning Project (be sure to check out the sidebar links)
Photo of the Week
Camera: Nikon D200
Exposure: 0.167 sec (1/6)
Aperture: f/29
Focal Length: 52 mm
ISO Speed: 320
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
10.06.2008
Palinism Rant
Sarah Palin has ruined this election campaign for me, as I suspect for others as well. I have been following and trying to educate myself on politics for the last eight years. Not an easy thing to do, cultivating yourself on politics? Politics appears to be more of religion vs. secularism than the civics of our nation.
Then inject the marketing scheme of “Palinism”. If it works, brilliant, and if it fails what a waste of time. You can read my wife’s rants on Palin (here) for an examination of her. For me, this election is only about the marketing of “fear vs. hope” with the right hook of a beauty pageant, PTA, hockey mom and spokes model for the Republican Party (a.k.a. George Bush with girl parts).
For me the gold at the end of rainbow is Tina Fey. God Bless you Tina…you have made all my efforts in this past eight years worth it.
If you want to read a really straightforward (and comical) point of view regarding Palin from a very talented writer, click (here.)
Then inject the marketing scheme of “Palinism”. If it works, brilliant, and if it fails what a waste of time. You can read my wife’s rants on Palin (here) for an examination of her. For me, this election is only about the marketing of “fear vs. hope” with the right hook of a beauty pageant, PTA, hockey mom and spokes model for the Republican Party (a.k.a. George Bush with girl parts).
For me the gold at the end of rainbow is Tina Fey. God Bless you Tina…you have made all my efforts in this past eight years worth it.
If you want to read a really straightforward (and comical) point of view regarding Palin from a very talented writer, click (here.)
10.02.2008
Moment
Current Reading: Hot, Flat, and Crowded: by Thomas Friedman
Current Music: Accelerate by R.E.M.
Mood: Vigorous
Smells: Green Tea
Sounds: Too much noise…
Temperature: 54 degrees & cloudy
Thoughts: May my consciousness and behaviors be of service to all
Current Music: Accelerate by R.E.M.
Mood: Vigorous
Smells: Green Tea
Sounds: Too much noise…
Temperature: 54 degrees & cloudy
Thoughts: May my consciousness and behaviors be of service to all
10.01.2008
The Maverick Retort (guest posting by my wife)
So...it appears I have been sportingly challenged on the previous statements I have made regarding Sarah Palin (I truly dig a good debate). In an effort to clear a few things up I decided to justify 10 of the 11 statements I listed, and partially concede to one. I was challenged here as you can read in the "comments" section of my original posting.
I'll break down each one, one by one. I will be referring to the list of facts I wrote at the end of my original post.
Sorry this has taken me so long to reply to. A business, a house, a husband, a 2 and half year old…you get it.
1. "YES, she did vote YES for the “bridge to nowhere”. I was wrong that she didn't "vote" for the bridge to nowhere, as the Governor she can't. However, I was correct that she did in fact support the Bridge to Nowhere, until it became a kind-of laughing stock issue (which at the time McCain himself called out as pork-barrel spending), at which point Palin pulled her support as it became increasingly obvious that to continue her support would just be embarrassing. As a matter of fact, in the web page of facts from the individual that contested my statements, his claim states in number 59 that "yes, she did finally turn down the money for the bridge to nowhere". In fact, she did not turn down the money at all. She simply re-allocated all of it to other transportation projects in Alaska.
And folks, truly it is not that she changed her mind. We all have the right to do that. It is the blatant disregard for our intelligence as Americans that she had the nerve to make the statement "I told Congress "thanks but no, thanks" for that bridge to nowhere". I stand by my statement.
2. "The Right finds that Obama not wearing a flag pin is more of an issue than Palin’s association with the far right Alaskan Independence Party, which has been known to support succession from the US." I never said she was a member. I simply said she was associated with this organization. She did in fact speak in front of this party in 2006 as a candidate for governor and furthermore, I think it is safe to say that given that her husband was a member for 7 years allows us to use the word "association" when discussing Palin and the Alaskan Independence Party. For the record, I never said she was a member, which was in fact a misconception widely printed and stated in the media. I stand by my statement.
3. "Palin, like her running mate, does not support funding for teen pregnancy programs." This is a tricky one. Here's where semantics can be a real pain in the ass. Although, as stated in the list of facts given by the individual contesting my claims, it seems the Alaskan government does appropriate a portion of its budget to help support programs for "troubled youths", I still can't seem to find where there was an "increase" in support. And mind you, these are programs that support all troubled youth. These are not "teen pregnancy programs". However, with that being said, there is no direct facts that I can find stating that Sarah does not support those either. I can't find that she does, and I can find that she doesn't. I will partially concede my statement.
4. "She has vehemently refused to support sex education in schools, other than abstinence." In answer to this question from the Eagle Forum Alaska Questionnaire:
"Will you support funding for abstinence-until-marriage education instead of for explicit sex-education programs, school-based clinics, and the distribution of contraceptives in schools?" Palin's answer was: "Yes, the explicit sex-ed programs will not find my support." So, yes she does support abstinence-only education. And even her own supposed supporters have stated that her comments on abstinence-only education and lessons on contraception didn't sound clear and seemed disjointed. I stand by my statement.
5. "Palin does not support pro-choice abortion rights. So, while applauding her daughter for CHOOSING (interesting selection for a word, don’t you think?) to have her baby, she has made it a point to try and take away choice from other women." Palin has stated many many many many many many times that she is pro-life. She has stated she thinks a woman should not have an abortion for any reason other than the mother's life being in danger. She has stated that she believes it should not be a federal decision, but a state decision. Now, I know everyone will tell me "this is her personal opinion", but what are we to judge her future decision-making on if not her "personal opinion". And I will also give you my personal opinion that the reason this has remained a federal decision is because it is the only way to fully protect this right for women. Should it become a state decision I believe you will find many women taking many drastic measures, including ones that put the mother's life in danger. AND during an interview with Newsmax.com, she answered “And your stand on abortion” with this: “I'm pro-life. I'll do all I can to see every baby is created with a future and potential. The legislature should do all it can to protect human life.” I think that’s clear. I stand by my statement.
6. "She claims to want to put the smackdown on earmark spending, yet applied for over $200 million in earmark requests this year before being asked to accept the VP nomination. She also applied for and received thousands and millions in earmarks over the years during her stint as mayor of Wasilla. And a few of these earmarks were actually criticized at the time by McCain himself." I fully stand by this statement. You can show me how she actually decreased earmark spending during her time in Alaska but the fact still remains that "Alaska has consistently topped the pork per capita ratings drawn up by Citizens Against Government Waste since 2000. According to the latest 2008 ranking, every Alaskan received $555 in pork over the last year, compared to $25 for every inhabitant of Illinois and $15 for every Arizonan."
AND "While she has cut back on earmark requests, records cited by the Associated Press show that she has requested $750 million in federal subsidies during her two years as governor, the largest per-capita request in the nation."
AND "McCain has also weighed in on the Gravina Island Bridge. In advertisements, McCain labeled the bridge as wasteful spending. [40] and in an August 2007 townhall speech recorded on video[41] and quoted again on April 30, 2008,[42] he blamed the tragedy of the Minneapolis I-35 bridge collapse on the Bridge to Nowhere. His advertising and comments which before September 21, 2006 contradicted Governor Sarah Palin's support of the bridge drew the attention of the media,[43] when he chose Palin as his running mate." (all citations left in this quote are backed up on the wikipedia page as linked above). I stand by my statement.
7. “She is in the middle of an investigation that is accusing her of abusing her powers surrounding the termination of her public safety commissioner. Apparently an attempt to get back at her ex-brother-in-law for violent (and unforgivable, if true) acts against her sister and her nephew, she pressured the public safety commissioner to fire her ex-brother-in-law. When he refused, she fired him.” I could link a whole bunch of articles stating this fact but I really don’t think I have to. It is common knowledge that Palin is in the middle of this investigation. She is, in fact, accused of the above. I stand by my statement.
8. “She tried to have books banned in the local library in Wasilla, Alaska during her time as mayor because “some voters thought they had inappropriate language in them”. This is a case of “you say potato, I say potato”. In my statement I claim she tried to have books banned. In the statement given by the person contesting my claims, he says “…she did ask the librarian if some books could be withdrawn because of being offensive…” So, here we are. I don’t support Palin, so I say “banned”. You do support Palin, so you say “withdrawn”. Potato/potato. I stand by my statement.
9. “She opposes same-sex marriage.” “Ms. Palin said she supported Alaska’s decision to amend its Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. But she used her first veto as governor to block a bill that would have prohibited the state from granting health benefits to same-sex partners of public employees. Ms. Palin said she vetoed the bill because it was unconstitutional, but raised the possibility of amending the state Constitution so the ban could pass muster.”
So she supported amending the state’s constitution to ban it, then vetoed a bill trying to prohibit health benefits for same-sex partners, but went on to discuss amending the state’s constitution AGAIN to support the ban. You be the judge. I stand by my statement.
10. “She opposes embryonic stem-cell research.”
It is widely known that McCain supports embryonic stem cell research and his running mate does not. I stand by my statement.
11. “She opposes the decriminalization of marijuana for people with painful illnesses.”
Palin has stated several times she does not support the decriminalization of marijuana. I stand my statement.
I'll break down each one, one by one. I will be referring to the list of facts I wrote at the end of my original post.
Sorry this has taken me so long to reply to. A business, a house, a husband, a 2 and half year old…you get it.
1. "YES, she did vote YES for the “bridge to nowhere”. I was wrong that she didn't "vote" for the bridge to nowhere, as the Governor she can't. However, I was correct that she did in fact support the Bridge to Nowhere, until it became a kind-of laughing stock issue (which at the time McCain himself called out as pork-barrel spending), at which point Palin pulled her support as it became increasingly obvious that to continue her support would just be embarrassing. As a matter of fact, in the web page of facts from the individual that contested my statements, his claim states in number 59 that "yes, she did finally turn down the money for the bridge to nowhere". In fact, she did not turn down the money at all. She simply re-allocated all of it to other transportation projects in Alaska.
And folks, truly it is not that she changed her mind. We all have the right to do that. It is the blatant disregard for our intelligence as Americans that she had the nerve to make the statement "I told Congress "thanks but no, thanks" for that bridge to nowhere". I stand by my statement.
2. "The Right finds that Obama not wearing a flag pin is more of an issue than Palin’s association with the far right Alaskan Independence Party, which has been known to support succession from the US." I never said she was a member. I simply said she was associated with this organization. She did in fact speak in front of this party in 2006 as a candidate for governor and furthermore, I think it is safe to say that given that her husband was a member for 7 years allows us to use the word "association" when discussing Palin and the Alaskan Independence Party. For the record, I never said she was a member, which was in fact a misconception widely printed and stated in the media. I stand by my statement.
3. "Palin, like her running mate, does not support funding for teen pregnancy programs." This is a tricky one. Here's where semantics can be a real pain in the ass. Although, as stated in the list of facts given by the individual contesting my claims, it seems the Alaskan government does appropriate a portion of its budget to help support programs for "troubled youths", I still can't seem to find where there was an "increase" in support. And mind you, these are programs that support all troubled youth. These are not "teen pregnancy programs". However, with that being said, there is no direct facts that I can find stating that Sarah does not support those either. I can't find that she does, and I can find that she doesn't. I will partially concede my statement.
4. "She has vehemently refused to support sex education in schools, other than abstinence." In answer to this question from the Eagle Forum Alaska Questionnaire:
"Will you support funding for abstinence-until-marriage education instead of for explicit sex-education programs, school-based clinics, and the distribution of contraceptives in schools?" Palin's answer was: "Yes, the explicit sex-ed programs will not find my support." So, yes she does support abstinence-only education. And even her own supposed supporters have stated that her comments on abstinence-only education and lessons on contraception didn't sound clear and seemed disjointed. I stand by my statement.
5. "Palin does not support pro-choice abortion rights. So, while applauding her daughter for CHOOSING (interesting selection for a word, don’t you think?) to have her baby, she has made it a point to try and take away choice from other women." Palin has stated many many many many many many times that she is pro-life. She has stated she thinks a woman should not have an abortion for any reason other than the mother's life being in danger. She has stated that she believes it should not be a federal decision, but a state decision. Now, I know everyone will tell me "this is her personal opinion", but what are we to judge her future decision-making on if not her "personal opinion". And I will also give you my personal opinion that the reason this has remained a federal decision is because it is the only way to fully protect this right for women. Should it become a state decision I believe you will find many women taking many drastic measures, including ones that put the mother's life in danger. AND during an interview with Newsmax.com, she answered “And your stand on abortion” with this: “I'm pro-life. I'll do all I can to see every baby is created with a future and potential. The legislature should do all it can to protect human life.” I think that’s clear. I stand by my statement.
6. "She claims to want to put the smackdown on earmark spending, yet applied for over $200 million in earmark requests this year before being asked to accept the VP nomination. She also applied for and received thousands and millions in earmarks over the years during her stint as mayor of Wasilla. And a few of these earmarks were actually criticized at the time by McCain himself." I fully stand by this statement. You can show me how she actually decreased earmark spending during her time in Alaska but the fact still remains that "Alaska has consistently topped the pork per capita ratings drawn up by Citizens Against Government Waste since 2000. According to the latest 2008 ranking, every Alaskan received $555 in pork over the last year, compared to $25 for every inhabitant of Illinois and $15 for every Arizonan."
AND "While she has cut back on earmark requests, records cited by the Associated Press show that she has requested $750 million in federal subsidies during her two years as governor, the largest per-capita request in the nation."
AND "McCain has also weighed in on the Gravina Island Bridge. In advertisements, McCain labeled the bridge as wasteful spending. [40] and in an August 2007 townhall speech recorded on video[41] and quoted again on April 30, 2008,[42] he blamed the tragedy of the Minneapolis I-35 bridge collapse on the Bridge to Nowhere. His advertising and comments which before September 21, 2006 contradicted Governor Sarah Palin's support of the bridge drew the attention of the media,[43] when he chose Palin as his running mate." (all citations left in this quote are backed up on the wikipedia page as linked above). I stand by my statement.
7. “She is in the middle of an investigation that is accusing her of abusing her powers surrounding the termination of her public safety commissioner. Apparently an attempt to get back at her ex-brother-in-law for violent (and unforgivable, if true) acts against her sister and her nephew, she pressured the public safety commissioner to fire her ex-brother-in-law. When he refused, she fired him.” I could link a whole bunch of articles stating this fact but I really don’t think I have to. It is common knowledge that Palin is in the middle of this investigation. She is, in fact, accused of the above. I stand by my statement.
8. “She tried to have books banned in the local library in Wasilla, Alaska during her time as mayor because “some voters thought they had inappropriate language in them”. This is a case of “you say potato, I say potato”. In my statement I claim she tried to have books banned. In the statement given by the person contesting my claims, he says “…she did ask the librarian if some books could be withdrawn because of being offensive…” So, here we are. I don’t support Palin, so I say “banned”. You do support Palin, so you say “withdrawn”. Potato/potato. I stand by my statement.
9. “She opposes same-sex marriage.” “Ms. Palin said she supported Alaska’s decision to amend its Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. But she used her first veto as governor to block a bill that would have prohibited the state from granting health benefits to same-sex partners of public employees. Ms. Palin said she vetoed the bill because it was unconstitutional, but raised the possibility of amending the state Constitution so the ban could pass muster.”
So she supported amending the state’s constitution to ban it, then vetoed a bill trying to prohibit health benefits for same-sex partners, but went on to discuss amending the state’s constitution AGAIN to support the ban. You be the judge. I stand by my statement.
10. “She opposes embryonic stem-cell research.”
It is widely known that McCain supports embryonic stem cell research and his running mate does not. I stand by my statement.
11. “She opposes the decriminalization of marijuana for people with painful illnesses.”
Palin has stated several times she does not support the decriminalization of marijuana. I stand my statement.
Photo of the Week
Camera: Nikon D70s
Exposure: 0.625 sec (5/8)
Aperture: f/29
Focal Length: 70 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
9.26.2008
9.24.2008
Peak Conditioning Project - week 5
Starting Weight 171 lbs.
Current Weight 165 lbs.
Height 5’9
Day 37 of my 90 days of peak conditioning project. This is what I learned.
Egg white, tomato and fresh basil sandwich for breakfast this morning. A blend of protein, carbs and vegetables, filling, tasty and satisfying this sandwich is a must try. I had an organic pale ale beer last night, little bitter but enjoyable. I slept well.
The strong focus that I am placing on whole foods are yielding less cravings for...well, anything. Conscious food preparations, correct portions and mindful eating are becoming a passion. Don’t get me wrong, while typing this I just had a fantasy about my favorite pizza. This weekend my wife will throw a family picnic. Mindfully I will do my best to enjoy the day.
Last week I wrote about my new workout that I titled “just-a-little-over-effort” workout. After two weeks of this new routine I have to say that an infomercial may be in my future. Combining strength training (resistant bands) with subtle whole body exercise (yoga) works. The first indication of lean sculpted muscle is starting to appear on my arms, shoulders and chest. Stomach still has no hint of ever becoming cut, washboard, six-pack or other dream like phrases that people call their core. Nonetheless my soft problem area is getting smaller.
For more on:Peak Condition Project (be sure to check out the side bar links)
Current Weight 165 lbs.
Height 5’9
Day 37 of my 90 days of peak conditioning project. This is what I learned.
Egg white, tomato and fresh basil sandwich for breakfast this morning. A blend of protein, carbs and vegetables, filling, tasty and satisfying this sandwich is a must try. I had an organic pale ale beer last night, little bitter but enjoyable. I slept well.
The strong focus that I am placing on whole foods are yielding less cravings for...well, anything. Conscious food preparations, correct portions and mindful eating are becoming a passion. Don’t get me wrong, while typing this I just had a fantasy about my favorite pizza. This weekend my wife will throw a family picnic. Mindfully I will do my best to enjoy the day.
Last week I wrote about my new workout that I titled “just-a-little-over-effort” workout. After two weeks of this new routine I have to say that an infomercial may be in my future. Combining strength training (resistant bands) with subtle whole body exercise (yoga) works. The first indication of lean sculpted muscle is starting to appear on my arms, shoulders and chest. Stomach still has no hint of ever becoming cut, washboard, six-pack or other dream like phrases that people call their core. Nonetheless my soft problem area is getting smaller.
For more on:Peak Condition Project (be sure to check out the side bar links)
9.23.2008
Poem (of sorts)
Life and culture needs more Africa
Life and culture needs more Bach
Tribal grooves, living within the hands of nature
Icing of harmony that swings on top of the beats
Economy and the environment knock us off our feet, we deserve it
Our ethics looked right then left then crossed the street.
Focus, foundation, foothold; that is our future.
Individuals, creative, innovators can re-seed our Garden of Eden
We need more Africa
We need more Bach
Today we became France, let us drink the wine and eat the cheese
We’re a nationalized nation, let us cheer
An empire has fallen and a republic stands
Gossip is philosophy – FOX news has become the pulpit on which America rests
May our consciousness forgive our behavior
We refused to acknowledge it, in spite of the evidence
Anything that can evolve will, and it will be beautiful
Look to Africa
Look to Bach
Life and culture needs more Bach
Tribal grooves, living within the hands of nature
Icing of harmony that swings on top of the beats
Economy and the environment knock us off our feet, we deserve it
Our ethics looked right then left then crossed the street.
Focus, foundation, foothold; that is our future.
Individuals, creative, innovators can re-seed our Garden of Eden
We need more Africa
We need more Bach
Today we became France, let us drink the wine and eat the cheese
We’re a nationalized nation, let us cheer
An empire has fallen and a republic stands
Gossip is philosophy – FOX news has become the pulpit on which America rests
May our consciousness forgive our behavior
We refused to acknowledge it, in spite of the evidence
Anything that can evolve will, and it will be beautiful
Look to Africa
Look to Bach
9.22.2008
9.18.2008
ON GOD AND FINE ART
Check out the podcast over at POLYSEMY
Dan Allison and Matthew Dallman discuss how “God” relates to making works of art.
Here is my perspective:
That is easy to answer. It gave me a place to steal a whole bunch of ideas from, plus no copyright infringements to worry about. The only quandary I had was in breaking commandment number eight; thou shalt not steal, but is pilfering ideas from sacred text really stealing?
The book of Genesis and the book of Revelations from the King James Bible are single handily the two most influential works I have ever read, re-read, and contemplated some more. The importance of their teachings and morals were lost on me for the most part in my youth. These two books were akin to Star Wars and the Beatles for inspiration. I recognized how current cultures (movies, TV, music) were right out of these books. These books are the pillars of western composition.
The study of God is the study of the ancient and the future at the same time. The artist in me needs these works for purpose in what I am doing.
The book of Genesis and the book of Revelations from the King James Bible are single handily the two most influential works I have ever read, re-read, and contemplated some more. The importance of their teachings and morals were lost on me for the most part in my youth. These two books were akin to Star Wars and the Beatles for inspiration. I recognized how current cultures (movies, TV, music) were right out of these books. These books are the pillars of western composition.
The study of God is the study of the ancient and the future at the same time. The artist in me needs these works for purpose in what I am doing.
9.17.2008
Coffee to Insourcing
Coffee, I love coffee, I love coffee shops and I love the cultures of the coffee shop. Coffee shops represent the art of learning how to slow down while waiting for the caffeine to kick in. Life happens when coffee percolates and permeates into the clientele, in coffee shops the patrons are lovingly referred to as the “regulars”. Coffee shops are conscious of the importance of their ambiance. Wall color, lighting scheme, music, furniture all encompasses the flow and function of how the customer’s time in the coffee shop will be spent. Oh the smell, the aroma of aesthetics that coffee symbolizes.
My personal favorite coffee shop has a minimalist feel to it which is set in a large retail space. Coffee shops are typically smaller establishments, giving the patron the feel of comfort. This coffee shop places chalkboards on the walls so the customers, the “regulars”, can have impromptu meetings. The coffee shop owner has probably just come up with some marketing genius move of in-sourcing your in-crowd.
My personal favorite coffee shop has a minimalist feel to it which is set in a large retail space. Coffee shops are typically smaller establishments, giving the patron the feel of comfort. This coffee shop places chalkboards on the walls so the customers, the “regulars”, can have impromptu meetings. The coffee shop owner has probably just come up with some marketing genius move of in-sourcing your in-crowd.
9.16.2008
Photo of the Week
Camera: Nikon D70
Exposure: 30 sec (30)
Aperture: f/22
Focal Length: 22 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
9.12.2008
Germ to Germ
Nine o’clock am downtown Pittsburgh smells of diesel fuel, coffee and stale air. I sit outside a skyscraper waiting to attend an appointment. Grande coffee sits to the right of me, journal in hand, seated on a cold cement bench, I wait. Surrounded by a flower garden with no fragrance and trees that are growing out of concert sidewalks, this has to be proof of purgatory or reincarnation. Plants need light and air to be in this world. Could you imagine the hell it must be to be foliage in the city. No direct sunlight, living in a world diffused by buildings while breathing polluted air filled with car fumes and sewer gases.
Young businessmen in classy suits with expensive hair products placed in their short, quaffed cuts walk by. Pudgy women wrapped in tight black sweaters with large shoulder bags and even larger sunglasses perched upon their faces walk by in a cluster.
Here I sit. Staring at the masses “germ to germ”, I think to myself. What must nature think of us?
Young businessmen in classy suits with expensive hair products placed in their short, quaffed cuts walk by. Pudgy women wrapped in tight black sweaters with large shoulder bags and even larger sunglasses perched upon their faces walk by in a cluster.
Here I sit. Staring at the masses “germ to germ”, I think to myself. What must nature think of us?
9.11.2008
Peak Conditioning Project – week 4
Starting Weight 171 lbs.
Current Weight 167 lbs.
Height 5’9
Day 25 of my 90 days of peak conditioning project. This is what I learned.
Energy is back, imagination is back, attitude towards all life is positive. Creating a new workout for myself; jumping rope was not working out for me. Now I mix yoga within resistance band training to get my heart pumping while doing deep stretches. There won’t be an infomercial in my future for this “just-a-little-over-effort” workout that I have coined, but it’ll do for me.
Four pounds off the body, feel good about that. The weight is dropping slowly I feel that it will be a permanent loss. Goodbye soft belly, hello, well…still soft belly but smaller.
Appetite hasn’t been much of an issue, surprised about that. Saturdays seem to be the hungriest day for me, but it is also the day I expel the most amount of energy. Saturdays I eat. For dinner this past week I have been having a protein shake: 3 hard boiled egg whites, 1 apple, 1 banana and 5 oz of soy milk. This concoction is fulfilling.
For more on:Peak Condition Project (be sure to check out the side bar links)
Current Weight 167 lbs.
Height 5’9
Day 25 of my 90 days of peak conditioning project. This is what I learned.
Energy is back, imagination is back, attitude towards all life is positive. Creating a new workout for myself; jumping rope was not working out for me. Now I mix yoga within resistance band training to get my heart pumping while doing deep stretches. There won’t be an infomercial in my future for this “just-a-little-over-effort” workout that I have coined, but it’ll do for me.
Four pounds off the body, feel good about that. The weight is dropping slowly I feel that it will be a permanent loss. Goodbye soft belly, hello, well…still soft belly but smaller.
Appetite hasn’t been much of an issue, surprised about that. Saturdays seem to be the hungriest day for me, but it is also the day I expel the most amount of energy. Saturdays I eat. For dinner this past week I have been having a protein shake: 3 hard boiled egg whites, 1 apple, 1 banana and 5 oz of soy milk. This concoction is fulfilling.
For more on:Peak Condition Project (be sure to check out the side bar links)
9.09.2008
Moment
Current Reading: Hocus Pocus by Kurt Vonnegut
Current Music: Bach: The 6 Unaccompanied Cello Suites
Mood: Happy
Smells: Coffee & Clementine’s
Sounds: Strange hum????
Temperature: 63 degrees and rain
Thoughts: "Disco and lemon-aide" (this could become my new catch phrase for all things silly)
Current Music: Bach: The 6 Unaccompanied Cello Suites
Mood: Happy
Smells: Coffee & Clementine’s
Sounds: Strange hum????
Temperature: 63 degrees and rain
Thoughts: "Disco and lemon-aide" (this could become my new catch phrase for all things silly)
9.08.2008
Photo of the Week
Camera: Nikon D70
Exposure: 0.033 sec (1/30)
Aperture: f/25
Focal Length: 34 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
9.04.2008
The Maverick (Guest Posting from My Wife)
So my husband has asked me to “guest write” a blog entry today regarding my views on Sarah Palin. Where to begin…where to begin. There is so much to say I fear we could be hear all day, dear readers. Therefore, I will keep my lengthy list of issues regarding her life and views to just three for your benefit. However, I will include a small list of things I would love for you to keep in mind if you’re still on the fence about her.
(1) She has very little experience. I won’t say much here as every writer on the globe has said it so much better than me and has said it so many times, really…need I say more? But I will say this: THE FRIGGIN’ PTA DOES NOT COUNT AS EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE WHEN RUNNING FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITIED STATES. If I have to hear this one more time from some white-haired, suited up, old man with a red tie on I’m going to scream.
(2) Right from my feminist mouth: Palin needs to be home tending to her children. Yep, I said it. Now let me explain. Man or woman, mom or dad, the title makes no difference. As a PARENT it is very disappointing to me that it is more obvious to me that her family needs her right now more than it is obvious to her. She has a 17-year old pregnant daughter with photos strewn all over the internet posing with various forms of alcoholic beverages with captions like, “not only is she a whore, but an alkie too!” That’s enough right there, wouldn’t you agree? Her daughter is going thru a pretty rough time right now. She’s dealing with pregnancy, an impending marriage, and dropping out of high school. Any one of those things is enough to send me screaming for my mommy and she has to deal with them all at once AND in the media spotlight. While her daughter will be learning how to be a teen mom for the first, and hopefully the last, time her own mother could possibly be practically a nation away from her. But, you know, what the heck…she’s a “feminist” you know. She’s “furthering women-kind”. She’s “making history”. All I have to say is, you have just witnessed a feminist doing one of the most anti-feminist acts: walking away from her own child during a time of need. How sad.
(3) How am I supposed to believe that Palin is smart enough to help run this country but not smart enough to know that she was throwing her daughter to the wolves by accepting this nomination? This kid has been called every name in the book on every gossip site imaginable. Yep, that’s exactly who I want helping to run this country: a woman who sold out her pregnant daughter. We live in a country that does not value motherhood and most decisions on what to do about an unplanned pregnancy are based on fear (just take a look at those abortion statistics—do you really think they’re so high because young women just couldn’t be bothered??). So not only does her daughter have to deal with the “shame” of her situation, but she gets to do it in front of the whole world.
Now, in light of the fact that my rant against Sarah Palin has little to do with actual politics, I have included a short list of facts below that highlight her current and past involvements and decisions.
• YES, she did vote YES for the “bridge to nowhere”.
• The Right finds that Obama not wearing a flag pin is more of an issue than Palin’s association with the far right Alaskan Independence Party, which has been known to support succession from the US.
• Palin, like her running mate, does not support funding for teen pregnancy programs.
• She has vehemently refused to support sex education in schools, other than abstinence. Do I really need to discuss how ironic these last 2 statements are??
• Palin does not support pro-choice abortion rights. So, while applauding her daughter for CHOOSING (interesting selection for a word, don’t you think?) to have her baby, she has made it a point to try and take away choice from other women.
• She claims to want to put the smackdown on earmark spending, yet applied for over $200 million in earmark requests this year before being asked to accept the VP nomination. She also applied for and received thousands and millions in earmarks over the years during her stint as mayor of Wasilla. And a few of these earmarks were actually criticized at the time by McCain himself.
• She is in the middle of an investigation that is accusing her of abusing her powers surrounding the termination of her public safety commissioner. Apparently an attempt to get back at her ex-brother-in-law for violent (and unforgivable, if true) acts against her sister and her nephew, she pressured the public safety commissioner to fire her ex-brother-in-law. When he refused, she fired him.
• She tried to have books banned in the local library in Wasilla, Alaska during her time as mayor because “some voters thought they had inappropriate language in them”.
• She opposes same-sex marriage.
• She opposes embryonic stem-cell research.
• She opposes the decriminalization of marijuana for people with painful illnesses.
If this isn’t enough to make a firm decision on Sarah Palin, have no worries. She’ll sink herself soon enough. After all, she’s a “maverick” don’t cha know?? She needs no help from me.
(1) She has very little experience. I won’t say much here as every writer on the globe has said it so much better than me and has said it so many times, really…need I say more? But I will say this: THE FRIGGIN’ PTA DOES NOT COUNT AS EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE WHEN RUNNING FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITIED STATES. If I have to hear this one more time from some white-haired, suited up, old man with a red tie on I’m going to scream.
(2) Right from my feminist mouth: Palin needs to be home tending to her children. Yep, I said it. Now let me explain. Man or woman, mom or dad, the title makes no difference. As a PARENT it is very disappointing to me that it is more obvious to me that her family needs her right now more than it is obvious to her. She has a 17-year old pregnant daughter with photos strewn all over the internet posing with various forms of alcoholic beverages with captions like, “not only is she a whore, but an alkie too!” That’s enough right there, wouldn’t you agree? Her daughter is going thru a pretty rough time right now. She’s dealing with pregnancy, an impending marriage, and dropping out of high school. Any one of those things is enough to send me screaming for my mommy and she has to deal with them all at once AND in the media spotlight. While her daughter will be learning how to be a teen mom for the first, and hopefully the last, time her own mother could possibly be practically a nation away from her. But, you know, what the heck…she’s a “feminist” you know. She’s “furthering women-kind”. She’s “making history”. All I have to say is, you have just witnessed a feminist doing one of the most anti-feminist acts: walking away from her own child during a time of need. How sad.
(3) How am I supposed to believe that Palin is smart enough to help run this country but not smart enough to know that she was throwing her daughter to the wolves by accepting this nomination? This kid has been called every name in the book on every gossip site imaginable. Yep, that’s exactly who I want helping to run this country: a woman who sold out her pregnant daughter. We live in a country that does not value motherhood and most decisions on what to do about an unplanned pregnancy are based on fear (just take a look at those abortion statistics—do you really think they’re so high because young women just couldn’t be bothered??). So not only does her daughter have to deal with the “shame” of her situation, but she gets to do it in front of the whole world.
Now, in light of the fact that my rant against Sarah Palin has little to do with actual politics, I have included a short list of facts below that highlight her current and past involvements and decisions.
• YES, she did vote YES for the “bridge to nowhere”.
• The Right finds that Obama not wearing a flag pin is more of an issue than Palin’s association with the far right Alaskan Independence Party, which has been known to support succession from the US.
• Palin, like her running mate, does not support funding for teen pregnancy programs.
• She has vehemently refused to support sex education in schools, other than abstinence. Do I really need to discuss how ironic these last 2 statements are??
• Palin does not support pro-choice abortion rights. So, while applauding her daughter for CHOOSING (interesting selection for a word, don’t you think?) to have her baby, she has made it a point to try and take away choice from other women.
• She claims to want to put the smackdown on earmark spending, yet applied for over $200 million in earmark requests this year before being asked to accept the VP nomination. She also applied for and received thousands and millions in earmarks over the years during her stint as mayor of Wasilla. And a few of these earmarks were actually criticized at the time by McCain himself.
• She is in the middle of an investigation that is accusing her of abusing her powers surrounding the termination of her public safety commissioner. Apparently an attempt to get back at her ex-brother-in-law for violent (and unforgivable, if true) acts against her sister and her nephew, she pressured the public safety commissioner to fire her ex-brother-in-law. When he refused, she fired him.
• She tried to have books banned in the local library in Wasilla, Alaska during her time as mayor because “some voters thought they had inappropriate language in them”.
• She opposes same-sex marriage.
• She opposes embryonic stem-cell research.
• She opposes the decriminalization of marijuana for people with painful illnesses.
If this isn’t enough to make a firm decision on Sarah Palin, have no worries. She’ll sink herself soon enough. After all, she’s a “maverick” don’t cha know?? She needs no help from me.
Political Rant...(I just had to)
Fear or hope: a story of Obama living the American dream and a story of McCain living an American nightmare. This is where we are at as a country. We need to choose.
For the last two weeks at 10 pm EST I turn on the TV and watch. The Olympics of speechwriters, this is how I see the conventions. The artist in me gets pumped up for all the writers out there being inspired to spin a new phrase. Politicians, preachers, prophets, pundits, pirates all make their way to the podium to spew their rhetoric to the masses. I love it, the super bowl with spellchecker, grammar pro and limited commercials.
I have to vote democratic, it’s mandatory if I wish to keep my acoustics guitars. I do. It’s true when you purchase an acoustic guitar they actually make you sign a form stating you will be a life-long democrat and mock all republicans with songs entitled “three chords and the truth”. On the flip side I am told when you purchase a gun you have to also sign a life-long republican voter form stating you will oppose all big government interference as long as the big government still enforces pro-gun, anti-choice, and anti-global thinking.
The debates next month should be pay-per-view events: In this corner HOPE weighing in at 175 lbs with 10 knock-outs and two best sellers to his name. In the other corner FEAR weighing in at 155 lbs being knocked down 15 times but getting up from all of them with the patented thumbs up to the crowd.
Enjoy the show…
For the last two weeks at 10 pm EST I turn on the TV and watch. The Olympics of speechwriters, this is how I see the conventions. The artist in me gets pumped up for all the writers out there being inspired to spin a new phrase. Politicians, preachers, prophets, pundits, pirates all make their way to the podium to spew their rhetoric to the masses. I love it, the super bowl with spellchecker, grammar pro and limited commercials.
I have to vote democratic, it’s mandatory if I wish to keep my acoustics guitars. I do. It’s true when you purchase an acoustic guitar they actually make you sign a form stating you will be a life-long democrat and mock all republicans with songs entitled “three chords and the truth”. On the flip side I am told when you purchase a gun you have to also sign a life-long republican voter form stating you will oppose all big government interference as long as the big government still enforces pro-gun, anti-choice, and anti-global thinking.
The debates next month should be pay-per-view events: In this corner HOPE weighing in at 175 lbs with 10 knock-outs and two best sellers to his name. In the other corner FEAR weighing in at 155 lbs being knocked down 15 times but getting up from all of them with the patented thumbs up to the crowd.
Enjoy the show…
9.03.2008
Peak Conditioning Project – week 3
Day 17 of my 90 days of peak conditioning project. This is what I learned.
Starting Weight 171 lbs.
Current Weight 169 lbs.
First, my ability to spell and write legibly is completely gone. The few pounds that I have lost must have been in the part of my brain that holds the key to penmanship and spelling. Second, I lost many, many, many waking hours of my life. I just can’t seem to get enough sleep. Third, creativity is gone. Other PCPs write about clarity, inspiration and vision. Not me. Focus is only happening in my life with the aide of auto-focus on the camera.
The good things that I have learned is that: yoga and resistance bands are a good combination-workout for me. I could be a vegetarian with no problem at all, as long as I don’t go to my parent’s home and pepperoni stays a mystery as to how it is made (at least to me). Finally, if there was more time in the day, or actually less stuff for me to do in a day, I could/would be at my peak condition for sitting on a sofa with a remote control in one hand and a slice of pepperoni pizza in the other hand.
(*Update on how I am doing*)
90 days of peak conditioning workout is:
Strength: Resistance bands, push-ups and jumping rope (cardio)
* Hate jumping rope, I am ok at it and it does get my heart rate up, quickly, nonetheless I am not a jumper. Resistance bands, push-ups are going well.*
Fitness: Hatha yoga * good*
Meditation: 20 minutes of zazen *good*
Diet: Correct portions, conscious preparation, eating quality whole foods and journaling what I eat and how I feel.
*fairly to very good – Monday through Friday I am doing excellent, weekends I am just doing ok. On weekends I eat whatever is put in front of me and only eat about half of my normal portions.*
Starting Weight 171 lbs.
Current Weight 169 lbs.
First, my ability to spell and write legibly is completely gone. The few pounds that I have lost must have been in the part of my brain that holds the key to penmanship and spelling. Second, I lost many, many, many waking hours of my life. I just can’t seem to get enough sleep. Third, creativity is gone. Other PCPs write about clarity, inspiration and vision. Not me. Focus is only happening in my life with the aide of auto-focus on the camera.
The good things that I have learned is that: yoga and resistance bands are a good combination-workout for me. I could be a vegetarian with no problem at all, as long as I don’t go to my parent’s home and pepperoni stays a mystery as to how it is made (at least to me). Finally, if there was more time in the day, or actually less stuff for me to do in a day, I could/would be at my peak condition for sitting on a sofa with a remote control in one hand and a slice of pepperoni pizza in the other hand.
(*Update on how I am doing*)
90 days of peak conditioning workout is:
Strength: Resistance bands, push-ups and jumping rope (cardio)
* Hate jumping rope, I am ok at it and it does get my heart rate up, quickly, nonetheless I am not a jumper. Resistance bands, push-ups are going well.*
Fitness: Hatha yoga * good*
Meditation: 20 minutes of zazen *good*
Diet: Correct portions, conscious preparation, eating quality whole foods and journaling what I eat and how I feel.
*fairly to very good – Monday through Friday I am doing excellent, weekends I am just doing ok. On weekends I eat whatever is put in front of me and only eat about half of my normal portions.*
9.02.2008
8.28.2008
Language of Art (-ease)
Last night’s conversation was focused around the language of art. Sitting in a well-laid out office with a pair of web/graphic designers I was able to speak fluently in art-ease. It was nice. Often artists have to speak in parables, examples and metaphors to be understood. It’s not that the language of art is complicated, but rather it is a language of “feeling”, which can be problematic. The syntax of art-academics is easily understood, but the culture of communicating a “feeling” is hard to express to someone who is not involved in a compositional practice.The polysemous nature of descriptive terms for fine aesthetics are un-definable, specific and dualistic in significance. Slow art, resonate, vibe, groove, pulse, moment, pocket, timing, imagination, color, texture, renewal, flow, classical education, and aesthetic philosophy is the definition of "polysemy" itself; "something having multiple meanings".
Mathew Dallman, publisher and Editor-In-Chief of POLYSEMY.com does a great job of bringing these quandaries to a conversational level. Read “The Nature of Aesthetic Study” by Dallman for a deeper syntax, etymology and real life purpose for talking about fine art.
For me last night was a moment of flow, form and function. All I needed was Chianti Classico and Bach cello suites playing in the background to complete the bliss.
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