What a long time it's been and with so little to say lately....
I am blessed that my life is good. It isn't mind-blowingly great lately, but all in all it's pretty darned good. Today it sleeted/hailed in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles. I had been downtown for breakfast, taken an hour or two drive around the area south and a little east of downtown, made it back to the place I got a new car alarm, had them make an adjustment and traversed back through downtown on my way home. The entire trip of 3 hours-ish was filled with cool crisp air and loads of sunshine. Plenty of clouds, some looking like they were rain-ladened but all in all, a beautiful day. As I crossed the pass from Hollywood back to the SFV, I noticed the streets were wet. It had rained and rained quite a lot in the Valley. I stopped by a store that is relocating and having a SALE (say it ain't so) and stopped in. While there I looked out the expansive front windows and saw it start to sleet and then to hail. In a matter of minutes the sidewalks and grassy areas (those 10 inch by 13 inch patches we have here called a yard) were beginning to glisten in icy white. Such an unusual thing. The sleet/hail mixture continued for about 10 or 15 minutes and as I bundled up my purchase and headed home it was turning more to rain. But for a brief moment, it wasn't LA but some other foreign city. And then I thought of Magnolia and looked up to see if Frogs were next. Fortunately, that was left to the movies. :)
More soon. I promise myself!
XO
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
Today
WOW, it's been such a long time since I posted anything. And if you know me, and I assume you do, you know I haven't been quiet, just not vocally with my typing.
What a weekend of .... I drove up to Lake Hughes on Saturday morning (a new destination to me) and then around to Lancaster/Palmdale and back home. It was one of my famous "get outta town" drives. It took a little over 1 hour to get there, and truthfully there ain't much there, but the phone-less drive was worth it. I was able to drive up through the mountains with no reception and to just be quiet and I loved it. For you who might not know, this is something I do several times a year. It allows me to simply wonder and explore. I am a traveller by nature and I don't ever remember a time of being afraid of where I was going or when and how I'd get back home. I rarely ever take a map. I simply have an idea of where I'm going and then I simply roam.
Someone mentioned Lake Hughes at dinner on Wednesday. I had not heard of it. They told me its approximate location, Mapquest told me how to get there and so off I went. At Lake Hughes there was a small art gallery, but it wasn't opened as I was there too early. Oh well, gives me a reason to return.
I did Yoga on Saturday afternoon and as told before, it was so refreshing and renewing. Ruthie is a goddess in so many ways. And I'm thankful she's a part of my life.
I met friends on Saturday evening and was entertained and charmed. And as happens on a rare occasion, I was simply Dan.
Sunday was another day to be alone and I took advantage of it. I had several things planned and chucked all of them. I watched the King's Speech, which I thought was brilliant, watched the Super Bowl (and my point spread prediction was exact but backwards) and then I watched endless mindless other TV shows.
At the end of the day, I was lulled into a catatonic state of nothingness, slightly disappointed that I didn't conquer the world, and at peace knowing I didn't have to conquer anything.
Here's wishing you and ME a blessed week full of peace and harmony!
XOXO
What a weekend of .... I drove up to Lake Hughes on Saturday morning (a new destination to me) and then around to Lancaster/Palmdale and back home. It was one of my famous "get outta town" drives. It took a little over 1 hour to get there, and truthfully there ain't much there, but the phone-less drive was worth it. I was able to drive up through the mountains with no reception and to just be quiet and I loved it. For you who might not know, this is something I do several times a year. It allows me to simply wonder and explore. I am a traveller by nature and I don't ever remember a time of being afraid of where I was going or when and how I'd get back home. I rarely ever take a map. I simply have an idea of where I'm going and then I simply roam.
Someone mentioned Lake Hughes at dinner on Wednesday. I had not heard of it. They told me its approximate location, Mapquest told me how to get there and so off I went. At Lake Hughes there was a small art gallery, but it wasn't opened as I was there too early. Oh well, gives me a reason to return.
I did Yoga on Saturday afternoon and as told before, it was so refreshing and renewing. Ruthie is a goddess in so many ways. And I'm thankful she's a part of my life.
I met friends on Saturday evening and was entertained and charmed. And as happens on a rare occasion, I was simply Dan.
Sunday was another day to be alone and I took advantage of it. I had several things planned and chucked all of them. I watched the King's Speech, which I thought was brilliant, watched the Super Bowl (and my point spread prediction was exact but backwards) and then I watched endless mindless other TV shows.
At the end of the day, I was lulled into a catatonic state of nothingness, slightly disappointed that I didn't conquer the world, and at peace knowing I didn't have to conquer anything.
Here's wishing you and ME a blessed week full of peace and harmony!
XOXO
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Oh that's where I left you....
My goodness, I have been so blown away by the gorgeous weather that I left my friend BLOG behind. I spent two glorious days doing little or nothing over the weekend. Or at least nothing that MADE me money. I invested a little money in my wardrobe, but that won't net me too much of a gain, except pleasant looks. :) And I like those.
Yesterday, I had a GREAT photo shoot with my chum Sara Corwin. It was way past time to get updated head shots. Mine are so old they are in black and white and crumbled and frayed at the edges. LOL Being the predictable Pisces that I am, I took a trunk load of clothing options. I paid to have three changes of outfit, so I had a double layered pink/brown, an electric lime green and a blue/white herringbone array of shirts. I LOVE to be photographed so it was two plus hours of pure bliss. Darling Sara had recently broken here leg or ankle and she was in a cast but such a trouper. I was the first client with her being in a cast and since I'm easy (in so many ways) we had a blast. Tara did my makeup and Laura helped out too. All in all, it was a great time. I will update with a photo once I get the proofs. Trust me when I say digital was and is and will be so much easier.
Now comes the fun part. I am such a social creature, but only when I want to be. That's not only the Pisces in me but the ONLY child syndrome too. And yet another thing: I DO know what makes me happy. I am asked to go to work related things and I really don't like to. I am a "separationist" type of fellow. I like to keep work and home separate. (I like for church and state to be separate too, just in case you wanted to know that.) I am so very lucky that the people with whom I work are very good to me, just as I am to them. But I like my evenings to myself and my personal time to myself. I can say with truth that I've been burned a number of times when work and personal collided (or were combined). That isn't the only thing. To a small percent I am a class believer. (While I detest others to say someone should know their place, I feel free saying I know my place and I keep it with respect. I believe that I can know my place but never yours. So I like to keep my place.) And I don't want to say or do anything that "I" feel is inappropriate. I respect others. And by the same token, I want and desire the same thing.
So now we will see if I sit here on my Rusty Dusty and surf the net - or - if I "make nice" and go to this birthday dinner.
Heavy hearted and conflicted. We shall see and I will probably confess all at a later time.
Peace (I'm a-lookin' for it)
Yesterday, I had a GREAT photo shoot with my chum Sara Corwin. It was way past time to get updated head shots. Mine are so old they are in black and white and crumbled and frayed at the edges. LOL Being the predictable Pisces that I am, I took a trunk load of clothing options. I paid to have three changes of outfit, so I had a double layered pink/brown, an electric lime green and a blue/white herringbone array of shirts. I LOVE to be photographed so it was two plus hours of pure bliss. Darling Sara had recently broken here leg or ankle and she was in a cast but such a trouper. I was the first client with her being in a cast and since I'm easy (in so many ways) we had a blast. Tara did my makeup and Laura helped out too. All in all, it was a great time. I will update with a photo once I get the proofs. Trust me when I say digital was and is and will be so much easier.
Now comes the fun part. I am such a social creature, but only when I want to be. That's not only the Pisces in me but the ONLY child syndrome too. And yet another thing: I DO know what makes me happy. I am asked to go to work related things and I really don't like to. I am a "separationist" type of fellow. I like to keep work and home separate. (I like for church and state to be separate too, just in case you wanted to know that.) I am so very lucky that the people with whom I work are very good to me, just as I am to them. But I like my evenings to myself and my personal time to myself. I can say with truth that I've been burned a number of times when work and personal collided (or were combined). That isn't the only thing. To a small percent I am a class believer. (While I detest others to say someone should know their place, I feel free saying I know my place and I keep it with respect. I believe that I can know my place but never yours. So I like to keep my place.) And I don't want to say or do anything that "I" feel is inappropriate. I respect others. And by the same token, I want and desire the same thing.
So now we will see if I sit here on my Rusty Dusty and surf the net - or - if I "make nice" and go to this birthday dinner.
Heavy hearted and conflicted. We shall see and I will probably confess all at a later time.
Peace (I'm a-lookin' for it)
Saturday, January 15, 2011
New Challenge
So this week I hooked up with a friend of mine online and we have committed to doing the Blue Ridge Marathon in Roanoke, VA. It's billed as one of the hardest marathons in the country. But I've kicked asphalt before, and this nearly 1300 foot incline will be a walk in the park. No seriously, it IS a walk in the park.
Before I go to VA to do the Blue Ridge, I will be in Palm Springs on February 13th to do Half Marathon #10. It is billed as mostly flat and since I've been out in the desert many times, I do know that there are mountains there, but more flat land, so I assume it will be quite easy to accomplish. But training has begun.
Today, I started my first hill work. I did .5 miles of a steady incline to about 300 feet. It was a steady incline without a release. Once I made it to the top, I did a round-about on some up and downs and then I headed back down. Not a very long distance, but a good one. My assent took only 8 minutes which is far faster than I usually cruise along, so the old (I mean nearing middle age) ticker was a-tickin' fast and hard. I realized that I was totally alive. ha ha Tomorrow I intend to kick up a little dust working the Baxter stairs, those fun 230 stairs up the side of a mountain in Echo Park, stairs.
And next week we will get 1 to 2 miles in uphill mountain climbing. So there is my next workout challenge.
PEACE
Blue Ridge Marathon
Before I go to VA to do the Blue Ridge, I will be in Palm Springs on February 13th to do Half Marathon #10. It is billed as mostly flat and since I've been out in the desert many times, I do know that there are mountains there, but more flat land, so I assume it will be quite easy to accomplish. But training has begun.
Today, I started my first hill work. I did .5 miles of a steady incline to about 300 feet. It was a steady incline without a release. Once I made it to the top, I did a round-about on some up and downs and then I headed back down. Not a very long distance, but a good one. My assent took only 8 minutes which is far faster than I usually cruise along, so the old (I mean nearing middle age) ticker was a-tickin' fast and hard. I realized that I was totally alive. ha ha Tomorrow I intend to kick up a little dust working the Baxter stairs, those fun 230 stairs up the side of a mountain in Echo Park, stairs.
And next week we will get 1 to 2 miles in uphill mountain climbing. So there is my next workout challenge.
PEACE
Blue Ridge Marathon
Friday, January 14, 2011
Old Friends SAME Feeling
How often SS,DD (Same Shit, Different Day) has been uttered I couldn't even begin to estimate. It seems that this kind of sentiment is all too pervasive. And I will admit that I'm just as guilty of expressing these same sentiments. But today I share a completely different sentiment. Here is part of an email that I received from a woman with whom I worked with over a dozen years ago:
I will be there for you any month, any day,
any time, and now I am so looking forward to
seeing you in March.How perfect you would be for this (a job opening)
- and if you
noticed I had to mention the negatives of our
former CFO - because culture means just the
opposite of what he was about. But I don't
discuss "toxic" any more and refuse to have
it in my world - if possible...., and so we march on ! Love ya, Miriam
I will be there for you any month, any day,
any time, and now I am so looking forward to
seeing you in March.How perfect you would be for this (a job opening)
- and if you
noticed I had to mention the negatives of our
former CFO - because culture means just the
opposite of what he was about. But I don't
discuss "toxic" any more and refuse to have
it in my world - if possible...., and so we march on ! Love ya, Miriam
The red and purple section are from me. Miriam had sent me a job opening notice. It is in NY and truthfully I would love to apply and win the job. It isn't in the cards currently, but....
Miriam is a breast cancer survivor and it left her emboldened and brazen. She is not afraid, she is sure. She knows what she does or does NOT want in her life. I LOVE IT! She and I shared the same boss when we worked together and he took advantage of her at every opportunity. I don't think either of us realized how much until we left. And her cancer experience gave her real balls back to her. God Bless Miriam.
Miriam is a breast cancer survivor and it left her emboldened and brazen. She is not afraid, she is sure. She knows what she does or does NOT want in her life. I LOVE IT! She and I shared the same boss when we worked together and he took advantage of her at every opportunity. I don't think either of us realized how much until we left. And her cancer experience gave her real balls back to her. God Bless Miriam.
The part that I loved the most is And So We March On! How true. Each day on this earthly journey, we do march on. The marching on reminds me so often of scenes from GWTW or other war movies where the soldiers are marching and marching. But here Miriam and I are on the same point. We are marching on, but with our Heads Held High, Proud and Sure. Again God Bless Miriam. I wish all of us a proud march forward in Peace and Prosperity.
Love, D
Love, D
DAN
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Peace and Harmony
Yesterday, I took the bus and the train to work. My clients are downtown on Mondays. I have an annual bus/train/subway pass that I use from time to time. After work, I took the Red Line (subway) to Union Station and hopped on the Gold Line (light rail) and went to South Pasadena. In So Pas is one of my favorite French restaurants (which isn't open on Mondays) but there is another healthy food restaurant that has Quiche, homemade I might add, on their menu. And last night I wanted Quiche. I arrived just at 6 and they were closing. They tired very hard to sell me something to go, but truthfully I wanted to sit and be pampered, not to eat on the park bench. And while I like to eat on the park bench, last night wasn't the night for that.
So I ambled around Mission Street and found a "new to me" Indian restaurant. I love Indian food and now I love this new place. I was well fed AND well pampered at Radhika. The food and the service were superb and my soul was so nourished. (This after a "hung low" day from my buddy Jack in my previous blog.) I left Radhika and just as I was exited I heard my train approaching and I ran along the platform just in time to catch it back to Union Station. Our Union Station in LA is very similar to the other Union Stations out west. It's a low long mission styled building. With train and rail lines out back and subway lines downstairs. Between the Gold and Red lines I sat in the expansive lobby and just WAS. No muss, no fuss. I was so happy to see others simply being as well. I was joyed to see so many either reading or chatting, either on a phone or to another human, and all seeming so peaceful. After my respite, I entered the Red Line train. My journey was from one end of the Red line (Union Station) to the other end (North Hollywood). Then onto the Orange Line (the bus) back to LA Valley college and my car to head home. All the while I was so enchanted to see how calm people were. I love taking public transportation. It's peaceful to me. I usually see many colorful peeps and often lots of loud and rambunctious people, but yesterday we all seemed like tired children coming home from a field trip. Maybe my soul wasn't the only one wanted to get home safely and with ease. Maybe we were all in one accord.
Today dawned brightly after a great night's sleep and the clients today have been 2 very VERY different ones, but neither with much drama. Maybe for this week, drama will only appear on TNT. THEY know drama!
May your week be filled with Peace and Harmony and GREAT LOVE!
Danny
So I ambled around Mission Street and found a "new to me" Indian restaurant. I love Indian food and now I love this new place. I was well fed AND well pampered at Radhika. The food and the service were superb and my soul was so nourished. (This after a "hung low" day from my buddy Jack in my previous blog.) I left Radhika and just as I was exited I heard my train approaching and I ran along the platform just in time to catch it back to Union Station. Our Union Station in LA is very similar to the other Union Stations out west. It's a low long mission styled building. With train and rail lines out back and subway lines downstairs. Between the Gold and Red lines I sat in the expansive lobby and just WAS. No muss, no fuss. I was so happy to see others simply being as well. I was joyed to see so many either reading or chatting, either on a phone or to another human, and all seeming so peaceful. After my respite, I entered the Red Line train. My journey was from one end of the Red line (Union Station) to the other end (North Hollywood). Then onto the Orange Line (the bus) back to LA Valley college and my car to head home. All the while I was so enchanted to see how calm people were. I love taking public transportation. It's peaceful to me. I usually see many colorful peeps and often lots of loud and rambunctious people, but yesterday we all seemed like tired children coming home from a field trip. Maybe my soul wasn't the only one wanted to get home safely and with ease. Maybe we were all in one accord.
Today dawned brightly after a great night's sleep and the clients today have been 2 very VERY different ones, but neither with much drama. Maybe for this week, drama will only appear on TNT. THEY know drama!
May your week be filled with Peace and Harmony and GREAT LOVE!
Danny
Monday, January 10, 2011
OUTTA BALANCE
Or outta whack. That's been my day.
I have strived to find peace and harmony and I've completely missed it. At least for today. In the words of a friend of mine, "I was Over-Served." LOL I enjoyed Jack's company just a wee bit too much yesterday and I have certainly paid the price today. No headache, but I have been as sluggish as an engine with dirty oil.
I am reminded of the song "Have I Stayed Too Long At The Fair" by Billy Barnes. An excerpt is as follows:
I wanted the music to play on forever
Have I stayed too long at the fair?
I wanted the clown to be constantly clever
Have I stayed too long at the fair?
I bought me blue ribbons to tie up my hair,
But I couldn't find anybody to care;
The merry-go-round is beginning to taunt now
The last line is my Favorite. That's how it seems on the next morning. I wanted to be the clever clown and ride and ride but now the merry-go-round IS beginning to taunt me. I love being out and about and imbibing and enjoying, but sometimes I forget that I do have to get off the ride before....
Another great lyric which aptly describes what I perceive as my turn at the party
The circus tent
Was strung with every star in the sky
Above the ring I love so well.
(This from Little Girl Blue by Richard Rogers)
So of course, TODAY, I wanted/needed balance and it was quite hard to achieve it. With my slightly addictive personality, I have great highs and don't want them to end. A great Yoga class, a great Dan-day alone, a great outfit, but then comes the pendulum swinging back the other way.
So in my quest, I am searching and seeking more sustaining highs with a little less Jack and a little more self-created highs. Those wonderful highs that come from our own internal energy. So tonight and tomorrow and all my many tomorrows, I will strive to amp up my own energy. Wish me luck!
Peace
I have strived to find peace and harmony and I've completely missed it. At least for today. In the words of a friend of mine, "I was Over-Served." LOL I enjoyed Jack's company just a wee bit too much yesterday and I have certainly paid the price today. No headache, but I have been as sluggish as an engine with dirty oil.
I am reminded of the song "Have I Stayed Too Long At The Fair" by Billy Barnes. An excerpt is as follows:
I wanted the music to play on forever
Have I stayed too long at the fair?
I wanted the clown to be constantly clever
Have I stayed too long at the fair?
I bought me blue ribbons to tie up my hair,
But I couldn't find anybody to care;
The merry-go-round is beginning to taunt now
The last line is my Favorite. That's how it seems on the next morning. I wanted to be the clever clown and ride and ride but now the merry-go-round IS beginning to taunt me. I love being out and about and imbibing and enjoying, but sometimes I forget that I do have to get off the ride before....
Another great lyric which aptly describes what I perceive as my turn at the party
The circus tent
Was strung with every star in the sky
Above the ring I love so well.
(This from Little Girl Blue by Richard Rogers)
So of course, TODAY, I wanted/needed balance and it was quite hard to achieve it. With my slightly addictive personality, I have great highs and don't want them to end. A great Yoga class, a great Dan-day alone, a great outfit, but then comes the pendulum swinging back the other way.
So in my quest, I am searching and seeking more sustaining highs with a little less Jack and a little more self-created highs. Those wonderful highs that come from our own internal energy. So tonight and tomorrow and all my many tomorrows, I will strive to amp up my own energy. Wish me luck!
Peace
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