Play Shed

Okay...remember when you had one of these little joints? Maybe it was fisher price? Maybe the neighbor kid had one? My sis and I had a custom house....with doors and windows. Some kids got those swanky victorian models, well ours was a white bungalow...not a cute one, but one you'd find in south central LA or watts (no silver spoon stuck in this kid's mouth). Well I think play sheds were really about getting the kids out of mom's hair. Sorta like a temporary sanity check for mom and Dad. Funny, 30 years later I'm building one for myself. Its my own sanity check of sorts. But its very, very cool and I've got so many plans for it right now. This includes, cycling/spin studio, bike storage, ski storage, ski waxing bench, ski hot box...and my latest thinking...a pilates studio with a high end reformer (to get those killer abs). I think I can make it all fit. Here is the latest shot of the progress of my play shed (just this weekend), which is being done with sustainable building materials and products. Cool.

Saturday in Fall

Saturdays are wonderful. I'm shocked that they still feel like the day of rest for me despite not having any weekly work attachments. For some reason I thought each day would feel similar when I have no direct responsibilities to my week. I guess Saturdays feel wonderful because there is just a different energy to people and our lives are filled with interactions. I also think that the notion of a Sabbath, our day of rest, still penetrates our very core and soul.

My Sabbath started with a 3 hour ride in the fog to Woodinville, a charming, hilly area just north east of Lake Washington. I rushed home for my Pilates session (posture is so improving), then tootled to a fabulous winery out in Woodinville...only to join some amazing people for a 4 HOUR dinner experience at Elemental back in Seattle near Gasworks Park. Although the food was not immaculate in its presentation and complexity, the wine pairings and palate explosions from the combinations were nothing short of brilliant. This little venue (only 5 tables) provided for an evening of pure whimsy and joy with some amazing good friends that have quickly become my great friends. Gosh I love Saturdays.

Life is Wonderful

It takes a crane to build a crane
It takes two floors to make a story
It takes an egg to make a hen
It takes a hen to make an egg
There is no end to what I'm saying

It takes a thought to make a word
And it takes some words to make an action
And it takes some work to make it work
It takes some good to make it hurt
It takes some bad for satisfaction

Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la la life goes full circle
Ah la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la

It takes a night to make it dawn
And it takes a day to make you yawn brother
And it takes some old to make you young
It takes some cold to know the sun
It takes the one to have the other

And it takes no time to fall in love
But it takes you years to know what love is
And it takes some fears to make you trust
It takes those tears to make it rust
It takes the dust to have it polished

Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la la life goes full circle
Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la

It is so...

It takes some silence to make sound
And it takes a loss before you found it
And it takes a road to go nowhere
It takes a toll to make you care
It takes a hole to make a mountain

Ah la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la life goes full circle
Ah la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la life is meaningful
Ah la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la

It is so...wonderful...
It is so meaningful...

-lyrics by Jason Mraz (get this song is rocks!)

Wednesday

Yesterday I plopped some cash down on some private Pilates sessions (5 to be exact), scored my Yoga Tree membership and I am now on a regular routine to get my breathing and body (head & heart) back together. Wow I feel great! I'm down to 141 lbs (my fighting weight) and I've been eating raw foods, which has caused my skin and appearance to just radiate (must be the freedom too). I'm now sleeping 8 to 9 hours a night. So healing... OOPS....gotta run to Pilates.

British Invasion

Friday night was a evening of spontaneous fun. I met my buds at Black Bottle in downtown Seattle (cool little black turtleneck hang - a gastro tavern). Suddenly my friend Simone flies in with excitement about the eight (8) tixs she scored from her pal DJ on the mountain for the 22 year-old one man British invasion named Jamie Cullum. I don't know if you've heard this chap's music...better yet if you've seen in him concert...AMAZING. Probably the best concert I've seen in 10 years. This guy is an amazing performer...kinda like a Harry Connick Jr., mixed with some acid punk (leaping off the piano). The art production and video background was nothing short of brilliant. Well...down-load this guys music...his version of Radio Head's song "High & Dry" that broke out into a brazillian mambo...well, I'm a loss for words. Other great tunes..."London Skies", "All at Sea."

Research is Conclusive

Saw this and had to share it...
I think I saw this on Al Gore's movie about the planet. Kidding.

Unemployed?

Okay... I never thought unemployment could be so busy. Gosh...I had to wake up at 5am to drive my car to the Audi dealer, then bike to the post office, then home (aggressively), then get my house ready for the arrival of the moving truck. Unpacking was sparsely filled with meeting my Landscape Architect, my contractor (who is currently making a cool SOHO style loft in my backyard - pictures to follow), talk to my attorney, finish my LLC formation, bike back to get my car, eat then....whew! Today I'm headed out to Woodenville to bike about 60 miles with my teammates. Looks like it might just be a wet one!

Progress

So my contractor has been working, ever so slowly on my very trick bathroom and guest suite downstairs. Its nearly done...and will be fitted out tomorrow (notice my cool euro shower and rainhead - yes!). Today...they commenced the work on my master play shed outside (aka garage). Yes, this will house my bikes, fitness gear, skis, waxing bench, spin bikes, etc, etc (what every good pacific Northwesterner cherishes). Basically we are poping up a clear story with south facing light (three windows from restore at $50 bucks each). The picture below shows the first signs of something happening (framing for the clearstory)! Also, it was a gorgeous day here in Seattle at 60 degrees and sunny. A perfect fall day in every way.

Late October

Carefully
The leaves of autumn
Sprinkle down the tinny
Sounds of little dyings

And Skies sated of ruddy sunsets
of roseate dawns
Roil ceaselessly in cobweb grays
And turn to black
For comfort

Only lovers
See the fall
As a signal end to endings
A gruffish gesture alerting
Those who will not be alarmed
That we begin to stop

In order simply
To begin
Again.

- maya angelou -

Craigin'

I was in major sell mode today. I took my digital camera around my house, taking pictures of all the things I've had hangin' around. After I completed this photo collection I craiglisted it. Wammo...within minutes people were calling, coming over, giving me cash and taking all the unused stuff (aka crap) away. Today I collected around $250. Wow, what a purge, plus cash (which is always good when you are unemployed). I then took $50 bucks of my new cash and purchased two tickets to Bodies the Exhibition (click here to see). I go on October 27th. You've got to check it out. If you are not doing anything on October 27th...come on out to Seattle and join me.

Bad Ass Trail

Devil's Gulch is the most tasty mountain bike trail you can find, ANYWHERE. Pure buff trail some challenging uphills and a whipy rollercoaster ride for nearly 4 hours! Bill and I headed out today at 8am for the eastside of the mountains (where it was Sunny and 70 degrees all day). The fall color was peaking and aspens were glowing. WOW. We bombed out about 15 miles and several thousand feet of gain. YES!!! I love biking the eastern side in the fall. We raced home and I had, yet ANOTHER birthday celebration at my dear friend Simone's house. Life is Good!

Bday

Today its my sister's birthday. She is kewl. She is also a twin. Wait, its my birthday too yeah!

Me Bitniss

Yellow Hummin

Okay...I found this hilarious little cartoon (click to see the humor)...and had to share it given it's what I think each time a see the infamous "assault vehicle" on our modest American streets - da Hummer.
A little tidbit: I just learned that Dr. Carmona (former S General of the US and now "big wig" and new LEADER at "the Ranch") drives a very LARGE Hummer (bright yellow mind you). I hope it was just a gift from the current administration...for his sake.

Sunny and 68

My first day at home in Seattle. Hmmmm. I ate dinner at Carmelita last night with two amazing friends; Carmelita is a cool, hip high-end veg joint on Phinney Ridge (yes just a 5 minute WALK from my house in Greenlake)...then we all walked to my house to share stories and laugh. At 9:30pm I walked to PCC (cooperative organic market) to get some groceries for my house. Wow, a store that is open until 10pm within walking distance with FRESH, organic foods. Yum. I woke this morning to the sun hitting my window and the Seattle traffic report on the radio. Got some green tea, geeked out on my computer then scootered (on my fine Aprilla Italian Scooter) to my dentist. It was pleasant (believe it or not). I came home and talked to my contractor who is finishing my cool bathroom (pictures to follow). I talked to the attorney for my new company formation. I scootered downtown to Etta's for a business lunch (where they have the BEST Salmon in the land - YES). I'm now home...taking pictures with Mac's Photo Booth, playing with them in Photoshop then posting them for all my friends to see the bliss in my face (and my cool shirt that reads - Breath!).
The past two years have been great...BUT, I learned we should never stray too far from where we want or NEED to be. For me...its time to be present with those I love...and live as I always intended; with love and gratitude...Oh, and JOY! Cheers!

HOME!

I got up this morning in Tucson. Took a ride with Kris at 6am. Ate some food. Loaded my Audi on the transport vehicle at 8am. Headed to the airport at 10:30am for my noon flight with a ONE-WAY ticket to Seattle. Staring out the window of my seat in 10A, I gazed at the desert...the wispy clouds overhead, the amazing people that I continue to find...and the journey that lies ahead. Oddly, I knew exactly when the plane crossed the land border between Arizona and Utah (wow, its over....I thought). I knew exactly when the plane passed into Washington just above the grand Columbia River and Yakima (yes, I'm almost home...I gushed). There...just before we landed, in all her splendor...Mt. Rainier was beaming at me, welcoming me home. When I got off the plane, I thought to myself the following:

1. I can unpack my suitcase and put it away.
2. I don't need to live in airports and be nameless to so many;
3. I can get a regular schedule of yoga, cycling, companionship and life balance;
4. I can drink the wine that is sitting in my cellar (ok basement);
5. I need to sit still and enjoy the stillness;
6. I need to enjoy the moment and don't be busy (at least for a little);
7. Wait I'm crying in the damn SeaTac airport!

Now I get to crash in my wonderful bed! Goodnight.

so long Tucson...

I'm sitting here in my nearly vacant house. I met the new home owners. I packed my bike stuff. Gave away the neednots to charity (and a few notneeds). I have spent the last few days saying so long to great friends; no amazing friends. Each conversation recapping the amazing aspects of our relationships (tears, joy, meals, adventures, laughter, etc).

It hurts. But I take great joy that space is being created for more profound relationships and growth. I took these pictures from my isight this evening...

Awakening

I'm in Patagonia right now. No, not Chile...but in Arizona, however, this place is just as magical. I'm at this awakening and rejuvenation resort that is absolutely amazing. It is about detoxing the mind, body and soul to recieve incredible nourishment (mostly spiritual). Our day begins with Yoga and I start with some green tea after going to the sprout hut to grind my shot of wheatgrass (its invigorating). Yoga is a positive flowing class to bring about prana (energy, spirit, etc). After yoga we walk up the hill to a raw foods cafe with the most amazing food you've every tasted and none of it was cooked. I had chocolate pudding (made with cacoa, avocados, carob and love), and the most amazing salad with cilantro cucumber dressing. Its all very cleasning. The day is filled with classes or individual time to meditate or journal (I've done both). Lunch is another amazing meal, followed by a nap. After dinner there is a sunset mediation and temple....where all spiritual afliations find a reason to feel their prana, qi, divine energy AND the holy spirit. Amazing. The walk through the labrynth was so profound that I cannot put it to words.

Birds

Friday I woke up (about 7am) to a bird rhythmically crashing into my window. Apparently the bird sees itself and continues to crash its head in fear that this intruder may go for its nest.

Its a metaphor; we are our own greatest enemy.

Tomorrow is my first day of gainful unemployment. This is really the first time in my life that I'm without a cord; floating, flying really. I'm free of chasing shadows or others who insist I do.

So...
I have 10 days left of Arizona.
This is what I plan...
bike most days.
hike other days.
climb Kitt Peak
hike Grand Canyon.
meditate
yoga
take care of me.

Wow, unemployment is good.