Currently on a walkabout ... will report back to the hive when we return on Saturday. It was a wonderful time. The walkabout turned out to be primarily along the coast from home base to San Luis and back, temps in the 70s and away from the near triple-digits inland.
In Cambria we met Jim the surfer dude turned father and husband turned chiropractor turned world traveler turned innkeeper. He entertained us with great stories of traveling in Turkey for rugs and of his oldest son who bought a round-the-world ticket after he graduated from UC Santa Barbara and met the girl of his dreams in Australia and settled there with a computer engineering firm. We lived in a room in this 19th century inn overlooking a little street of shops and restaurants and had a Cinderella Lladro on a sitting room table. We dined at the Sea Chest, in a dark and business-card-stapled low ceiling of a restaurant just steps from the beach that was bursting with locals and fresh catch items on the menu.
Aug 31, 2010
Aug 26, 2010
The Tube
Today is about movies, after seeing EPL (Eat Pray Love) again yesterday with a friend. It was even better the second time probably because I'm reading the book, and also for the subtleties you pick up the second time around. I've never understood why people criticize movies made from books, saying it's not like the book, but is it ever? There's no way to transcend the depth and richness of hundreds of pages into a 2.5 hour movie.
But I think EPL came close. It came close the way The Secret Life of Bees came close and Jurassic Park came close, which is to say not close at all but close enough to hit the highlights so the audience experiences the idea of it, the moral of the story. I usually read the book and watch the movie. It nourishes my imagination and fills the gaps in the movie when necessary.
But I think EPL came close. It came close the way The Secret Life of Bees came close and Jurassic Park came close, which is to say not close at all but close enough to hit the highlights so the audience experiences the idea of it, the moral of the story. I usually read the book and watch the movie. It nourishes my imagination and fills the gaps in the movie when necessary.
Aug 25, 2010
Breaking the Record
When I started writing the blog in 2007, that first year there were eighty-six entries. And today marks the eighty-seventh entry for 2010 and it's only August. Here! Here!
It's been healing and good to have a way to express the things that typically don't come up in normal conversation, thoughts and ideas swirling around inside that need somewhere to seep out and root. And although it would have served the same purpose to keep the blog private, there are some who check it out regularly and topics do spring to life from time to time in the form of debates that are lively and fun. I love when that happens.
It's been healing and good to have a way to express the things that typically don't come up in normal conversation, thoughts and ideas swirling around inside that need somewhere to seep out and root. And although it would have served the same purpose to keep the blog private, there are some who check it out regularly and topics do spring to life from time to time in the form of debates that are lively and fun. I love when that happens.
Aug 24, 2010
Turning In, Turning Out
An interesting idea emerged from recent readings, and there is nothing better than a conversation with an author coming to mind as you move through your day doing other things. This author put forth the idea of using one word to name a place or an experience.
At first I thought she meant something similar to naming a child but realized that isn't a good comparison because when you name a child you do it for personal reasons and it doesn't initially mean anything more than a label. A child has to become its name, like Aiyana did for instance, a beautiful little person who blossomed into such sweetness that it made our lives more beautiful. Aiyana's nature was in perfect harmony with her name.
At first I thought she meant something similar to naming a child but realized that isn't a good comparison because when you name a child you do it for personal reasons and it doesn't initially mean anything more than a label. A child has to become its name, like Aiyana did for instance, a beautiful little person who blossomed into such sweetness that it made our lives more beautiful. Aiyana's nature was in perfect harmony with her name.
Aug 23, 2010
Atlantis, Italian Style
I spent yesterday thinking about Venice, most likely because I'm on page 120 of EPL (Eat Pray Love) and the author's experience there was anything but the one we had. She detested the city, pulled from it what she called its sinking melancholy and asserted she wouldn't have gotten off antidepressants as soon if she had decided to live there rather than Rome. 
Well, nuts to that. What she saw as ugly 'peeling and fading facades' we saw as an unbelieveably beautiful and evolving patina of life that has flourished here for centuries. What was scoffed at in its 'tested endurance of this 14th century science experiment' to us was magnificence of seeing an Atlantis that survived.Were there no magical moments for her at the Bridge of Sighs and the joyful casting off of all hope of doing anything but wandering down narrow, deep, impossibly disorganized streets that went deeper into the city than the canals?
Did she not lay in bed with the windows flung open and cool air fluttering the drapes and listen to the sounds of clothes flapping in the wind and the city coming alive? We hopped up on aching calves from hours of walking up and down all the steps and bridges, celebrating in another day of the same. I mourned having to leave Venice.I loved looking into the eyes of the people and seeing no secret truth they keep for themselves when the last light is turned off for the night. Venice is what it is and it makes no claim otherwise. We found that to be incredible.
Aug 20, 2010
the debate
PERSONAL OPINION
ground zero and the cultural center
this is a complicated issue.
it is important to acknowledge that many regard the space on and around ground zero as a cemetery and place of worship for the American people. the crater stands as a testament to the American spirit.
freedom of religion is an important right. but is that what we are really talking about?
ground zero and the cultural center
this is a complicated issue.
it is important to acknowledge that many regard the space on and around ground zero as a cemetery and place of worship for the American people. the crater stands as a testament to the American spirit.
freedom of religion is an important right. but is that what we are really talking about?
The Time Out Chair
PERSONAL OPINION
Americans are hungry and anxious to know what is going on. They want to understand what all of it means and how to participate in the healing process. And it is obvious even more now than ever, that unbiased and accurate news is hard to find.
Why is it the battles in congress aren't televised where we can see how some of our representatives stand up and pound their fists on the podium in protest for spending money we don't have? It would be good for us to know who toils endlessly on our behalf, to push for forced restrictions on the rogue wall street and banking industries.
Maybe we would be better voters. Maybe with better outcomes. Maybe not need those signs on our lawns that say 'Nov 2010: Throw The Bums Out.'
Americans are hungry and anxious to know what is going on. They want to understand what all of it means and how to participate in the healing process. And it is obvious even more now than ever, that unbiased and accurate news is hard to find.
Why is it the battles in congress aren't televised where we can see how some of our representatives stand up and pound their fists on the podium in protest for spending money we don't have? It would be good for us to know who toils endlessly on our behalf, to push for forced restrictions on the rogue wall street and banking industries.
Maybe we would be better voters. Maybe with better outcomes. Maybe not need those signs on our lawns that say 'Nov 2010: Throw The Bums Out.'
Aug 18, 2010
Sense of Direction
We saw Eat Pray Love at the first showing on the first day. It was refreshing to leave the theatre not having been killed by something, assaulted by bad language, or exhaused from sex. Even Rman liked it, and for a chick-genre movie, that's a good report. I picked up the book at Costco and am on page 38. Holy cow, this is my kind of movie.
It's interesting when a movie resonates with how people think and the limits they put on themselves. I can't refer to everybody obviously because I only know a few thousand well enough to understand who is on the same wave length and when they struggle with intimacy and fulfillment. Am I crazy here to think that men typically don't live in that space in their head that holds them back from risks and dreaming big in every direction?
It's interesting when a movie resonates with how people think and the limits they put on themselves. I can't refer to everybody obviously because I only know a few thousand well enough to understand who is on the same wave length and when they struggle with intimacy and fulfillment. Am I crazy here to think that men typically don't live in that space in their head that holds them back from risks and dreaming big in every direction?
Aug 5, 2010
Portion Control
I've been learning how to cook. I know! It's exciting for me, too.
I have known for a long time that more wholesome, natural foods are better in countless ways but lacked the discipline to follow through. But recently I've picked up some books on nutrition and all the benefits of staying away from refined and processed foods, and I am a convert. It's time to take action to improve our health and well being, and to feel younger and stronger. Friends are having serious health issues and the healthy lifestyle is no longer an option.
So we are onto healthy and leaner, better quality food that deserves to be prepared well. Giana and Ina and the Neelys spend afternoons with me at the gym. Menus are explained and techniques are modeled as they prepare all sorts of dishes that help me focus away from the treadmill and onto menu ideas. It's ironic, but it works.
It is very cool that they explain why the ingredients blend together and how marinades and seasonings should be paired. There are all sorts of shortcuts and tips, like cutting raw bacon with a kitchen shears, or why a gazpacho is better when it is not completely pureed, or the best way to extract the flavor from herbs.
Recipes are right on the web for things like the best St. Louis ribs this side of ... St. Louis, and heavenly mac and cheese. There is feedback, too, from the you-n-me's who have tried the recipes, made substitutions and recommendations. Sometimes the recipes tank but you hear about that, too.
You know I really thought if you have a couple of signature dishes you do well, and a great dessert, you're good to go (kind of like having a little black dress for any occasion). But learning how to cook a lot of different things well, with a great variety, helps the time on the treadmill whiz by and now the boys come home with a curiosity about what's for dinner.
All that's left to nail down is portion control. God help me.
I have known for a long time that more wholesome, natural foods are better in countless ways but lacked the discipline to follow through. But recently I've picked up some books on nutrition and all the benefits of staying away from refined and processed foods, and I am a convert. It's time to take action to improve our health and well being, and to feel younger and stronger. Friends are having serious health issues and the healthy lifestyle is no longer an option.
So we are onto healthy and leaner, better quality food that deserves to be prepared well. Giana and Ina and the Neelys spend afternoons with me at the gym. Menus are explained and techniques are modeled as they prepare all sorts of dishes that help me focus away from the treadmill and onto menu ideas. It's ironic, but it works.
It is very cool that they explain why the ingredients blend together and how marinades and seasonings should be paired. There are all sorts of shortcuts and tips, like cutting raw bacon with a kitchen shears, or why a gazpacho is better when it is not completely pureed, or the best way to extract the flavor from herbs.
Recipes are right on the web for things like the best St. Louis ribs this side of ... St. Louis, and heavenly mac and cheese. There is feedback, too, from the you-n-me's who have tried the recipes, made substitutions and recommendations. Sometimes the recipes tank but you hear about that, too.
You know I really thought if you have a couple of signature dishes you do well, and a great dessert, you're good to go (kind of like having a little black dress for any occasion). But learning how to cook a lot of different things well, with a great variety, helps the time on the treadmill whiz by and now the boys come home with a curiosity about what's for dinner.
All that's left to nail down is portion control. God help me.
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