A friend of mine gets e-mails from a south pole blogging site...he forwarded this on to me:
It's been a wonder to maintain connnection to those capable of maintaining a positive outlook, when there's nothing to divert them from themselves.
John Bradshaw once said, "You cannot blame an orange for giving you orange juice when you squeeze it, because that's what's inside." The same goes for people. Winter squeezes people, and sometimes shit comes out - well, because that's what's inside.
Hopefully you have learned what's inside, and can decide to accept that or change within yourself - because those are really the only permanent changes we can make. When you get down to it, that stuff inside is what you are made of and it shapes the way you operate in the world, the situations you create around you. It shapes your character. If you live in a world that angers/frustrates you, well, you can't be surprised that a lot of people won't want to get really close to that - only those willing to commiserate.
Continue to find humor in the world without avoiding reality (and without being taken advantage of), and I would say that you go a long way to creating the world you want to live in - rather than have the world mold you into something you don't want to be. This is your inner world, the world you are immersed in every day.
Enjoy, happy trails, and keep in touch (especially with pictures when you are doing things extraordinary).
Weather for South Pole Station
The date is 10-27-2005 at 08:06 AM
Temperature
-49.8 C -57.6 F
Windchill
-70.1 C -94.2 F
Wind
13.9 kts Grid 57
Barometer
683.5 mb (10496 ft)
Friday, October 28, 2005
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
CondoView
I went up to Scott's parents condo on Sunday to enjoy lunch with them. The view was simply amazing.
Weird stuff happening...
...kind of a weird time in my life. I'm 36, I've got a great paying job...but obviously one I can't retire from (it's a short-term contract w/the govt), a great life partner (amazing is probably more appropriate...but I could slew a score of adverbs and adjectives and never truely describe how incredible Scott is to me), and I live near my family. But I feel like I'm missing something. Not missing something physical or emotional, but missing something like what my role in the world is type of thing.
At the same time, I feel I've stretched myself thin. There seems to be too many that need help, support, encouragement, etc. and I'm struggling with keeping my head above water. Perhaps my life seems like a Jimmy Stewart scene where I simply don't realize that I'm making an impact. Surprisingly, I don't feel frustrated, wound-up, angry, or even helpless. I do feel focused, driven, and useful.
It all comes back to seeing the whole puzzle...even though I'm only working on the 300 pieces that consist of the blue sky...where every piece is near identical in color, hue, and saturation, but it only fits in one specific place in the grand scheme of things. Patience, persistence and tenacity are required...but it'd be so much easier if I could do the edges and corner pieces. :)
At the same time, I feel I've stretched myself thin. There seems to be too many that need help, support, encouragement, etc. and I'm struggling with keeping my head above water. Perhaps my life seems like a Jimmy Stewart scene where I simply don't realize that I'm making an impact. Surprisingly, I don't feel frustrated, wound-up, angry, or even helpless. I do feel focused, driven, and useful.
It all comes back to seeing the whole puzzle...even though I'm only working on the 300 pieces that consist of the blue sky...where every piece is near identical in color, hue, and saturation, but it only fits in one specific place in the grand scheme of things. Patience, persistence and tenacity are required...but it'd be so much easier if I could do the edges and corner pieces. :)
Friday, October 21, 2005
Numbers...what a dream...
So, as a mathematics geek, I'm simply amazed by basic math formulas that folks utilize to solve problems. Of course, they don't see them as math, but it is those old geeky algebraic formulas from highschool. :) The series, Numbers, has brought a lot to light recently on how mathematical formulas can be utilized in solving crimes. Granted...it's hollywood...and 33% of all murders go unsolved in this country every year...but still.
So last night, I had this dream that I was in some "think-tank" room going over mathematical probability formulas for a certain scenario. The professor kept formulating and reformulating but wasn't grasping the "relate it to real life" concept that so many cognative-elites fail to do. He kept coming up with a "yellow horse" as the answer over and over and over. But of course..."yellow" horses don't exist. I explained that "yellow" is what someone would likely call a "palamino" if they didn't know the word, "Palamino". Another thinker kept saying his derived formula was coming up with a "leopard" horse...I had to explain that that was likely a "Appaloosa"...
All the mathematics in the world moved those folks into answers that they couldn't relate to real life...for just a simple lack of experience.
Books are part of learning...an integral part...life experience is the other part.
So last night, I had this dream that I was in some "think-tank" room going over mathematical probability formulas for a certain scenario. The professor kept formulating and reformulating but wasn't grasping the "relate it to real life" concept that so many cognative-elites fail to do. He kept coming up with a "yellow horse" as the answer over and over and over. But of course..."yellow" horses don't exist. I explained that "yellow" is what someone would likely call a "palamino" if they didn't know the word, "Palamino". Another thinker kept saying his derived formula was coming up with a "leopard" horse...I had to explain that that was likely a "Appaloosa"...
All the mathematics in the world moved those folks into answers that they couldn't relate to real life...for just a simple lack of experience.
Books are part of learning...an integral part...life experience is the other part.
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Sleep...where art thou?!?!?!
Does anyone else seem to be going through a weird lack of sleep cycle? I've been trying to go to bed at 9:00...I seem to awaken at 1:30...fall back asleep and wake up between 4:00 and 4:30 and then get outta bed. :( I really want to sleep a full eight hours and be less cranky. :)
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Wine and beer and cognac...oh my!
Wine update: King's Estate Pinot Grigio is still my favorite white wine. Sure, it's $14 a bottle, but it is so darn good! Seven Deadly Zins is still my favorite red wine...but I'm looking forward to other reds soon at a wine tasting (this Saturday, Oct. 22).
Beer: So I finally had a Guiness and it's pretty darn good...for a beer. I was reminded of chocolate for some reason when I tasted it...dark chocolate that is. Beer and me just don't seem to mix. About 1/2 way down, I didn't like the flavor any longer.
Cognac: A friend bought me a bottle of vanilla cognac. Wow, that stuff is amazing. It's a definate after dinner, after dessert sipping drink. But it is a very, very nice flavor and definately puts me in the mode of bedtime.
Beer: So I finally had a Guiness and it's pretty darn good...for a beer. I was reminded of chocolate for some reason when I tasted it...dark chocolate that is. Beer and me just don't seem to mix. About 1/2 way down, I didn't like the flavor any longer.
Cognac: A friend bought me a bottle of vanilla cognac. Wow, that stuff is amazing. It's a definate after dinner, after dessert sipping drink. But it is a very, very nice flavor and definately puts me in the mode of bedtime.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
GoG, 17-Oct-05
During a walk in Garden of the Gods with my folks from work. That park is just 10 minutes west of I-25...and truely stunning. What a hidden gem in Colorado Springs.
Sunday, October 16, 2005
OreoCows
There really are Oreo Cows here in Colorado. This was last summer...but I still look at it from time to time and giggle.
AngelsGuardingEggs
Amazing that these angel fish laid eggs in this tank. The tank is just a 55 gallon...with LOTS of other fish! Beautiful to see this though. :)
Friday, October 14, 2005
Medical Mary Jane
So it hits Yahoo news that Melissa Etheridge used medical marijuana while she was undergoing Chemotherapy. Big flippin' woop. Why is this news in the media still? The only thing that should be news is that the state of Calif. said it's ok, and the federal govt. said it's not. But that's not news at all.
Look...if someone is dying of cancer and undergoing treatment, I say give em all the pot they want. If they have no sickness, fine -- keep they hipocrytical attitude that alcohol and tobacco are "legal", but marijuana is not. We get it. Now, move on and let's see if we can evolve as a culture.
Thanks!
Look...if someone is dying of cancer and undergoing treatment, I say give em all the pot they want. If they have no sickness, fine -- keep they hipocrytical attitude that alcohol and tobacco are "legal", but marijuana is not. We get it. Now, move on and let's see if we can evolve as a culture.
Thanks!
Justice for all?
You know, it's kind of weird. When the radical right and republicans in general were in the minority, they constantly reminded folks that the constitution protects even the minority; the majority can't simply dismiss and trod on the rights of the minority. Now that they are the majority (by a whopping 1%!), they've completely forgotten this mantra.
Hey folks, you can't sacrifice minorities in hopes of maintaining the majority. When will the govt. wake up and smell the coffee? The majority, at least the intelligent ones, are supposed to remember that they need to look out for the minority, the weak, the helpless. Has the radical right have no concept of empathy? How about forgiveness? Have they ever seen or heard anything at all about compassion? I'm simply not seeing it.
Sure, go ahead and say that gays are the reason that 9/11 happened, that the Tsunami hit the Far East because Swedes were on vacation there and it was God's way of punishing a country for it's stance on gay rights, or, pray as Pat Robertson did for Renquist to die and for the U.S. to assasinate the leader of a country. But some folks are seeing right through the hypocricy. Why do married folks get special rights? They aren't equal rights...because non-straight couples and single folks don't get to enjoy any of those benefits. That means they are special. The fact that only straight couples enjoy them also means they are discrimitory. That's just the rules...I didn't make them. Go ahead and call yourself pro-family...I'm fairly certain that God and others see right through that deception and give it it's proper name: hatred.
Hey folks, you can't sacrifice minorities in hopes of maintaining the majority. When will the govt. wake up and smell the coffee? The majority, at least the intelligent ones, are supposed to remember that they need to look out for the minority, the weak, the helpless. Has the radical right have no concept of empathy? How about forgiveness? Have they ever seen or heard anything at all about compassion? I'm simply not seeing it.
Sure, go ahead and say that gays are the reason that 9/11 happened, that the Tsunami hit the Far East because Swedes were on vacation there and it was God's way of punishing a country for it's stance on gay rights, or, pray as Pat Robertson did for Renquist to die and for the U.S. to assasinate the leader of a country. But some folks are seeing right through the hypocricy. Why do married folks get special rights? They aren't equal rights...because non-straight couples and single folks don't get to enjoy any of those benefits. That means they are special. The fact that only straight couples enjoy them also means they are discrimitory. That's just the rules...I didn't make them. Go ahead and call yourself pro-family...I'm fairly certain that God and others see right through that deception and give it it's proper name: hatred.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Jim_n_Vigor
Here I am on my mare...the week before the snowstorm.
Ok, Lisa...you were right...this is cool! :D
Ok, Lisa...you were right...this is cool! :D
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Darn it! I wasn't ready!
Saturday was a gorgeous 70 degrees here in Colo Springs...I'm totally digging the fall and everything it brings. Yellow leaves, beautiful sunsets, chilly nights where snuggling is a pleasure as it doesn't get too warm, etc.
But Sunday just had to ruin the mood! Snow...yes, snow...20 inches of it out where I live.
Well, life isn't all bad...I still got to snuggle. ;)
But Sunday just had to ruin the mood! Snow...yes, snow...20 inches of it out where I live.
Well, life isn't all bad...I still got to snuggle. ;)
Friday, October 07, 2005
Spammers are hitting my blog...
... sorry, I had to take away the comments section of the post below. I'll do some research on how to prevent spammers or bots from tagging my site and then I'll allow comments once again. :)
Have a great weekend!
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Communication is the key...
...haven't we all heard that about 32.8 million times? For relationships, especially life partner ones, it really is so very true. For me, things tend to build up. You know...those things that in and of themselves are so inconsequential, that I don't mention them. I don't want to be a nagging partner that complains about every little thing. But taken collectively, they amount to some serious, pent up (is that really the correct phrase and spelling?) frustration.
Nothing bothers me more than realizing I screwed up by not communicating before things have escalated to the point of blowing up. Additionally, once I'm angry, so much time has to pass before I can actually calm my emotions. What's amazing is that I've seen a few married couples go through this...and often times, the blowing up point and the point of no return intersect here.
God (small g), why are relationships so f'in fragile? Perhaps this incredibly strong and wide foundation I thought I had was actually very small square footage with a very tall building on top of it? How could I not feel the wind swaying this building so easily?
All in all, relationships take work, understanding, and compromise. Now if I can just get my emotional side to grasp that. :)
Nothing bothers me more than realizing I screwed up by not communicating before things have escalated to the point of blowing up. Additionally, once I'm angry, so much time has to pass before I can actually calm my emotions. What's amazing is that I've seen a few married couples go through this...and often times, the blowing up point and the point of no return intersect here.
God (small g), why are relationships so f'in fragile? Perhaps this incredibly strong and wide foundation I thought I had was actually very small square footage with a very tall building on top of it? How could I not feel the wind swaying this building so easily?
All in all, relationships take work, understanding, and compromise. Now if I can just get my emotional side to grasp that. :)
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
7-up Plus!
So 7-up is really impressing me lately. Sure, the soda isn't as good as 100% sugar stuff, but it aint bad and it's not near as bad for you as regular soda or aspertame.
The three flavors of 7-up plus (it has 15% of your recommended calcium in it!) are Berry, Cherry, and Tropical Fruit (pineapple mango I believe). They are yummy...but Berry just doesn't do it for me. I totally dig the pineapple mixed one. :)
The three flavors of 7-up plus (it has 15% of your recommended calcium in it!) are Berry, Cherry, and Tropical Fruit (pineapple mango I believe). They are yummy...but Berry just doesn't do it for me. I totally dig the pineapple mixed one. :)
The Patriot Act...
So, after reading numerous articles on the Patriot Act (signed in to law under George W.), I continue to ask myself what's so Patriotic about it? As one law professor stated, calling the unpatriotic bill the "Patriot Act" was marketing genius.
It reminds me a bit of the ICBM missiles that are called "Peacekeepers". Nothing about that missile is peaceful...not a darn thing. It's built to kill thousands or millions of people...not bring peace. Again, marketing genius.
Perhaps the key to the "Patriot Act" is that it's really an act. It's not genuinely patriotic, it simply is playing a part that is extremely distant from it's true character.
It reminds me a bit of the ICBM missiles that are called "Peacekeepers". Nothing about that missile is peaceful...not a darn thing. It's built to kill thousands or millions of people...not bring peace. Again, marketing genius.
Perhaps the key to the "Patriot Act" is that it's really an act. It's not genuinely patriotic, it simply is playing a part that is extremely distant from it's true character.
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