Thursday, June 26, 2008

My liittle corner of the world....

Come along with me to my little corner of the world
Dream a little dream in my little corner of the world
You'll soon forget that there's any other place
Tonight, my love, we'll share a sweet embrace


















There's this saying, i'm sure you've all heard it at one time or another..
Ignorance is Bliss! Not knowing something is often more comfortable than knowing it! Huh?

Sophocles said, 'For ignorance provides the happiest life'. But what is the meaning of 'happiest'? Is it going about your day-to-day life not knowing why things are the way they are? Are you happy because you feel what you see is what you get, and you feel no urge to delve into it more? If you are ignorant, does the world seem a better place because you just don't know of the pressing global issues threatening society? Is it merely a simpler life you lead… without so many complications?

Funny, I don't profess to know everything. In fact, in reality, i know nothing. A lot of nothing, but still nothing. My world is very small. I live in a corner of it most of the time.

















When i am depressed, the very first place i need to be is up on my beloved boardwalk. The depression lifts almost immediately. I say almost because sometimes it doesn't. I walk. I think. I observe what is going on around me. Life is being lived. And still i know nothing. I am ignorant. I say this without being harsh about myself. It's just the truth.

When i am happy, the very first place i need to be is up on my beloved boardwalk. The happiness stays with me. It lifts me up. I still walk, i still think and i still observe. I still know absolutely nothing. Am i blissfull? Nope! Not quite.

My boardwalk has provided me with years of, shall i say entertainment. It's my little corner of my world. I walked hand in hand with a boy! I did. Yet, i knew nothing. I talked and talked to the most interesting of people, met the most interesting of people, yet i know nothing. I ran some of my best times up on the boards. I even have the trophies to prove it! I knew nothing.

I had silly accidents up on those boards. I fell, on my face!!! Tooth through lip, 10 stitches later, i knew nothing. Ignorant bliss is the way i saw it. I ran in snow, wind, rain, sleet, bright sunshine, humidity, ice and yet i knew nothing.



















So, where am i now? What DO i know??? Here are some of the things I think i know:

1) I know how to be a friend
2) I know how to count to 10
3) I know that life is not as tidy as i'd like it to be and thats OK!
4) I know (now) not to let things get to me! Go with the flow! Chill!!
5) I know i am a good runner! Not great, but very good!
6) I know that i do not need things the way i thought i did!
7) I know that family is #1
8)I know that ignorance is certainly not bliss!!

It's actually kind of funny! This blog was originally supposed to be all about Raw Cool! Thats it! Raw stuff, maybe some recipes, my observations about raw...its that but so much more! I love Raw, i do, but i am not quite where i want to be with it. I admit i am not 100%. I know nothing. Raw is sooo much bigger than i am. Not complicated, just big! And getting bigger! Which is so Raw Cool!

My point is, that my blog is now complicated. Its big! To me, at least it is. Most of the time i am real serious here. I have to be. I bare my heart and soul. I don't want to hide behind some invisible blog shield. I want to be open and honest! I know nothing. I am ignorant.

But, folks what i do know is how to love. I know how to express (slowly) my feelings and thoughts. My emotions. My very being. I live in such a small corner, i wonder what will happen when i turn the corner, out into the open! Do i even want to do that?? Sure!

Big world, little person...me! Gotta get out there, experience it all. Not be so afraid.


















The other doors, are the doors i always want to go through! I think we all do, thats why we eat raw. Why go through the same old doors day after day? Eat Raw!!















I have to tell you, those yodels look mighty fine to me right about now!

But, for now i am a:







Will keep you updated as things happen, or when i think i know something! Anything really!!!

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Must have done something right..... and Tatts...

I am fine! Here is an after photo of me:












I kind of wish the surgery could have taken care of my absolute dorkiness, but somehow that wasn't part of the procedure!

Seriously, it went better than i expected. There is a lot to be said for heavy duty sedatives coursing through your veins. I don't even remember falling asleep or waking up. It just was! I just was!

What i do remember:
My doc wearing funky purple scrubs, including cool hat!
Putting on horrible hospital gown and some sort of underware!
Asking my doc how many of these procedure's she has done.
Being put onto the operating table
Scooting my behind into position
Being jabbed with IV
The anesthesiologist saying "OK, its going in"

Thats pretty much it, before!

After:
Laying on gurney in recovery room
Asking nurse what time it was
Asking nurse if i could sit up
Sitting up
Walking to chair and drinking hot cocoa
Going to the bathroom
Getting dressed
Leaving

Thats pretty much it, after!

Easy!!!! Too easy actually. What can i say, i'm one brave dork!!!??













So, the plan was to get another tattoo! My 4th actually! I knew i wanted a butterfly! Why? Because, to me butterflys represent a free spirit, A butterfly is a symbol of transformation or change, love and joy.

To me, it represents beauty, changes, taking flight, simplicity and peace. At first, its an ugly catepillar and no one will give it a second look. but with time and dedication, it becomes something marvelous to the human eye. Its a natural wonder. So, with my life, after getting through some tough times, a butterfly just reminded me of myself actually. I had to take time and appreciate what I had and what I hope to be in the future.

I just got my butterfly tattoo last night. It was exhilarating, it is beautiful and calm it is colorful and vibrant...everything I want to continue to be! ~ Happy.

It was a great experience. Getting my tattoo! I have three others, but this one by far is my very favorite! It's awesome. Everytime i pass a mirror i have to take a peek! I just love it so much. Who knows, i may go for number five tatt in the future! I now realize that getting a tattoo that represents something is the way to go!

I will share my others with you when i have the perfect photos of them.

I feel happy today! When things fall into place, the place in my head responds. Life can be so much better than i even thought. There's just so much to grasp and hold on to.

Thanks for all your prayers!

Yeah thats what i'm talking about!!!

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Keep the party going!!! OK???


I Wanna Be Sedated












So, tomorrow is the day. Well, it's only just a day isn't it? As a friend said, it's an adventure! It's an adventure that only i can have huh? I will be sedated and in the words of my good friend Ilene "you won't give a shit"!

The procedure, i'm told will take about 30 minutes. Thats a very long time, but no time. I will be unaware of what is happening, i hope! I won't get into the exact position i will be in, but lets just say its not too comfy.

I fully intend to pig out afterwards, as i am not allowed to eat or drink after midnight tonight. My dream is a tremendous bagel with a fried egg and some form of cheese dripping down. My reality will probably be something much less interesting. A smoothie perhaps?

The Philips Ambulatory Care Center is where i will be. Here is one of their rules:

What to Bring – Escort Requirement for Ambulatory Surgery
If you are scheduled for Ambulatory Surgery (in other words, your physician has told you that you will return home following your procedure), you MUST have a responsible escort over 18 years of age take you home. If you are unable to arrange for an escort, you should discuss this with your physician before the date of surgery. Should an escort not be available on the day of surgery, your surgery will be cancelled.



Whats really cool is that it's near Whole Foods, Trader Joes and get this...One Lucky Duck. I am not anticipating any problems or a long recuperation.

In fact, i am most probably going to get my 4th tattoo on saturday! I won't tell you what it is yet, photos will be forthcoming though!

So, i guess if you feel so inclined, maybe a prayer or two for me would be nice! Just ask God dude to get me the heck out of there as fast as possible so i can get on with my life.

There are a couple of really cool recipes for green popcorn and crusty califlower that i came across. I am excited to try these! This weekend, perhaps!

So, you see life goes on! GOD dude is protecting me! How friggin cool is green popcorn? How friggin cool is crusty califlower? It's cool, believe me!

Here's a funny:
In the middle of an international gynecology conference, an English and a French gynecologist are discussing various cases they've recently treated.

French Gynecologist : "Only last week, zer was a woman ooh came to see me, and 'er cleetoris - eet was like a melon."

English Gynecologist : "Don't be absurd, it couldn't have been that big, my good man, she couldn't have been able to walk if it was."

French Gynecologist : "Aaah, you eenglish, zare you go again, always talkeeng about ze size... I was talkeeng about ze flavor..."
















Here i am in a before photo! Nope, the surgery is not for my smelly armpits!!!

Sunday, June 15, 2008

WORD....













Love is patient,
Love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast,
It is not proud. It is not rude,
it is not self-seeking,
It is not easily angered,
It keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
But rejoices in truth.
It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes,
always perseveres, Love never fails.

So, today my post will be about words. First...the word WORD!

Word Up

1. A greeting.

2. Another way to say, Yeah! or Damn Right!

YES, so this is cool huh? You use the word, word to express something. Something positive and hopeful.

But then there are the real words. The words you hear everyday that may or may not be so positive and hopeful. And thats OK! Thats the beauty of the written and spoken word!

Unfortunately, i'm one of those people who takes words way too literally! If something is said to me, in good faith, i tend to believe. I do, so shoot me! 2PM means 2PM, not 3.30PM. Of course, i know and realize that things happen in life that may hinder the word. Thats ok and i can accept that. What i cannot accept is when words are used in a hurtful manner. I don't like that at all.

It becomes sad when you have to pick and choose the words that you use. Wouldn't it be cool if, when the words come to you, you can say them and not hurt another living being??? Say only the good words. Don't use words like hate, kill, die, loathe, inconvenience, hostility, obnoxious, loathing, detest, evil, wicked, nasty, vindictive, cruel, mean or malicious!

These words exsist and yes they are used. But, they are not used by me and probably never will be. I know how hurtful they can be to others so i stay away.

There are many ways to say things to others. Hey dude, i love you! I use this term freely. I love freely. Love, as stated above, is kind. It rejoices in truth, it protects and never fails. WORD UP!!!

This weekend, among other things...i learned about the power of WORDS. I feel enlighted and so full of hope. I feel very happy. I've come to certain conclusions and will live my life accordingly. This is a very good thing. Trust me! I've had long talks and got to know the people most important to me. I discovered some scriptures and proverbs that totally ROCK!!! WORD UP!

Here are some i'd like to share:

A friend loves at all times. Proverbs 17:17
Walk by faith, not by sight-- 2 Corinthians 5:7
Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer. Psalm 18:2

Its all good believe me! This post is so positive and i feel so strongly that things in my life will take a turn for the best! The best is yet to come, i say. WORD UP!

So, tell me folks what words do you use in your life that has meaning to you? The word that has the most meaning to me right now is:
Trust! WORD UP!!!

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

COLD...friggin....PLAY!!!!

I'm seeing, feeling, learning through life that it all starts with the spirit. Your spirit. When your spirit is in a good place then your thoughts will be good, and then your actions will be positive. I guess that just makes sense. But it is easy to forget in the whirlwind of life. If I can check in with myself and make sure my heart is in the right place in regards to any situation in life that feels like it needs attention, that seems to be a good way for me to get myself straight. Everything else just follows naturally.
The Daily Raw Inspiration - 6/11/08 spirit first


Coldplay - Viva La Vida Live

Coldplay - Fix You

My friend Sam over at yardsnacker did a great post about my most favorite band. COLDPLAY! I am so excited and looking forward to June 17th when their new CD Viva La Vida drops to the world. So far i've heard 2 songs off the CD and they are both great IMHO.

When music can excite me, i know its special. I've been a huge Coldplay fan for years now. Let's face it, Chris Martin is not too hard on the eyes.

Here's a bit of what Chris has to say:
Chris Martin has described this album as a new direction for Coldplay: a change from their past three albums, which they have referred to as a 'trilogy' Martin has also revealed that this album features much less of his falsetto, and he has allowed his voice's lower register to take precedence. Some songs on Viva la Vida, such as "Violet Hill", contain distorted guitar riffs and bluesy undertones.

Pretty cool huh?

The second song i included here is Fix You! Gosh i love that song. Sometimes, i listen to it over and over again. The words, the singing just resonates with me.

There is nothing like cranking up my ipod and going for a run to some amazing music. I think Coldplay has hit paydirt with this new CD coming out. Some say Coldplay has changed. Isn't change good? It is!!!

So, June 17th run, don't walk over to itunes, amazon or wherever you purchase your music and let me know what you think!

As Sam says:
These guys go dig deep into the love and what a treasure they’ve dredged up! I cannot wait to play this baby on my setup!

As Michelle says:
These guys go dig deep into the love and what a treasure they've dredged up! I cannot wait to play this baby on my setup! Hmmm, one question Sam...what is a setup???


Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

Friday, June 6, 2008

The Good - The Bad.....

“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”- Ephesians 3:17-19

















GOOD:

Excellent running all week long! No pain! But much gain!

Meeting Anthony for lunch at Quintessence! Good food, good company!

Seeing my mom (slowly) healing from shingles! She would tell you different though!

Getting cleared for surgery! HUH? This is good? It is, trust me.

Thinking about my next tattoo. YES! This will be #4 and probably my last (maybe)

Making zucchini pasta with my spiralizer. Good upper body workout!

Learning never, ever, never to keep an ipod on your lap while getting a pedicure. trust me on this one!

Discovering lots and lots of new great music. Learning lots of new raw recipes!



BAD:

Well, guess what??? THERE IS NO BAD THIS WEEK! NOTHING, ZILCH, NADA!!!!

How can this be? Don't really know but it is! My heart feels happy this week. Sure, there are some dark moments, but you get through them. There is so much good in life, you just have to search for it and hold on tight once you find it. If you let it go, thats ok. It comes back all by itself. I promise you this. If you learn to be honest with your feelings, then others respond positively. They appreciate your candor and everything falls into place.

I try to be there for the important people in my life. I think its appreciated. Even if its just to hold the door for my 85 year old neighbor. When i see the little hint of a smile on his face, i know i touched him in some way. It's the little things.

GOD dude, i thank you every single day. He definitely has my back and pulls me through. I see this in every day little mundane things. The ordinary things that happen in life. GOD dude is there watching. I give thanks for every sunny, rainy, cloudy, yucky, beautiful, cold, hot, windy day. Life!

So, there are no bad things to talk about. I am happy today! I'd like to talk a little bit about the Jewish holiday Shavuot is coming Sunday night at sundown.

Shavuot is about the giving of the Commandments at Sinai (which happened on or very near Shavuot). It is also about the giving of the Spirit, which came upon the followers of Yeshua in Acts 2. There are parallels between Mt. Sinai and Acts 2:

-God chose Israel as his people at Sinai. Likewise, God chose the followers of Yeshua to be an extension of his people in Acts 2.
-Mt. Sinai was accompanied by signs of thunder and fire on the mountain. The Acts 2 event was accompanied by a great wind and fire on the heads of Yeshua’s followers.
-The Commandments were given to Israel as a sign of God’s covenant with his people. The Spirit was given to Yeshua’s followers as a sign, a seal, and an empowerment.

The giving of the Spirit is a sign of God’s choosing the followers of Yeshua to join his people. The giving of the Spirit is a seal, attesting to God’s ownership of each follower of Yeshua. The giving of the Spirit is an empowerment, changing our desires without removing our free will. Finally, the giving of the Spirit is a potential empowerment for more, as God can at any time use any of Yeshua’s followers in a miraculous way.

Shavuot is the Torah and the Spirit. As Paul said, God chose the followers of Yeshua “in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” (Rom. 8:4).

This holiday really means a lot due to the followers of Yeshua being the "chosen" people by God! At least, thats what i think. Being a Messianic Jew brings these thoughts to the surface and once again, i thank God dude for all he has bestowed upon me!

So, there are no bad things to talk about. I am happy today!!!