...Not A Creature Was Stirring

May this night find all men brothers,
And on equal with their sisters.
May the lion lie down with the lamb,
And wake to challenge the day as one.
May love hold sway in the world,
And death be on a holiday.
May we greet the dawn together,
And rejoice being all children of God.
Merry Christmas and Peace to All!

Twas The Night Before...

Christmas is the time that we traditionally celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, but it seems that this holiday is now serving a more secular, but equally important, need in our hectic, chaotic lives. At least for my family, the one aspect of this time of year that we treasure above all else is the closeness of family and being together for just a few precious moments during the year where we focus on nothing else but each other. Yes, I well know the traditional comment about Christmas being "all about the family", but for the majority I believe that this has taken a back seat to the more ritualistic and materialistic aspects of the holiday, at least in recent years. Perhaps it took my failed marriage and new life that physically seperates me from most of my family and, most importantly, my children, to make me realize just how much I took for granted having my family close about me. I could very easily write this whole "phenomenon" off to nostalgia and a resultant melancholic attitude if I did not see and hear of increasing numbers of people expressing the same sentiments. Could it be that we have finally so dis-comboobalated our everyday lives and allowed the more mundane facets of it to so occupy all of our available time that we are now stuck in a self-contrived existance that only allows us the time to pay attention to family and close friends once a year? I will concede that this is taking an extremely pessimistic view on our current reality, but perhaps it is closer than any of us realize, or perhaps it is our being aware of just how close we are to that reality that drives the recent appreciation for the really important things in our lives.

All that I really know is that I happily find myself this holiday with my children close about me and those whom I love, but cannot be with, held even closer in my heart. To those dear and distant, my thoughts and love are with you always, no matter the distance that seperates us or the length of time that we must endure being apart, for it is the love that we share that will endure beyond all else...and you know, it REALLY is a wonderful life, after all!

Merry Christmas and may God bless us, every one!

Three Days and Counting

It is just a little less than three days before Victoria and John are here for Christmas. Perhaps it is because this is Victoria's last Christmas before she becomes an adult and has her own life to live, or maybe it is just that the more that time passes, the more I realize just how precious each passing day is. Regardless, I find myself eagerly anticipating their arrival and am certain that we shall enjoy a most joyous Christmas this year. Gleðileg Jól, y'all!

[Listening to: My Immortal - Evanescence - Fallen (04:24)]

Fur-Free For Life...Now!!!

OMG...watch this ONLY if you have a strong stomach! I have seen hundreds of dead and dying people in my life, and have been literally covered in blood and gore, but this is one of the most shocking things that I have ever seen. My heartfelt thanks to Tegan and Sara (via PETA) for making me aware of these horrific practices. I have never been much of a supporter of the anti-fur movement, until now. May God have mercy on these scumbags' souls...because I have none for them!




Get free stickers at peta2.com

Snjór!!!

I can not imagine time more enjoyably spent than that on a night time walk through a countryside blanketed with the first snow of the season. The lights of the city reflecting off of the white mantle of snow suffuse the hills with a soft, chill glow that lights my way as I wander the peaceful solitude of the night. The world at once seems to take pause, slowing in its hectic pace just a bit, preparing perhaps for its approaching long, cold slumber that will only end with the distant, warmth breath of spring. Indeed, Father Frost is upon the threshold and the fire in the hearth is smoldering low...Yule draws nigh...winter is come.

Another Culinary Gem in Seattle

The Belltown District is fast becoming my favorite area of Seattle. I have discovered a pleasurable past time in wandering the sidewalks of this district in search of a restaurant that appeals to me. My tastes in food are varied and and my nature had proven to be both spontaneous and unpredictable when exposed to the many inviting and eclectic dining opportunities that Belltown has to offer. Tonight I was drawn to Shallot's Asian Bistro, a cozy and inviting corner dining establishment, but admittedly first walked by, only to be enticed back by the delightful aromas emanating from the kitchen as I strolled past. The interior decor was intimate and pleasant with some nondescript and barley audible background music, all-in-all a nice ambiance. The staff's friendliness, excellent service and the delightfully flavorful food was a delightful compliment to the warm atmosphere. I was served by Dustin, a pleasant young man orignally from Sunnyside, on our side of the mountains. He offered some excellent suggestions for an appetizer and entree and readily complied with my off-menu drink selection. I enjoyed an appetizer of light and delicious Vietnamese shrimp and vegetable rolls, followed by a main course of Mongolian Beef with Ginger. This being my mainstay entree in oriental cuisine, I must say that I was pleasantly surprised to find that the addition of ginger to the recipe may have resulted in the best plate of Mongolian Beef that I have ever been served! All of this being accompanied by my now-trademark Margarita, also excellently prepared, I have to say that I am fast becoming a Belltown culinary fanatic. I had been considering changing to a more conveniently located hotel for future meetings at PSESD in Renton, but I now realize that I do so enjoy the opportunity to explore downtown Seattle that I am not yet ready to move, so here I shall stay. Indeed, I look foward with eager anticipation at uncovering many more as-yet-undiscovered culinary gems in the Seattle downtown. Too much fun!

Dashing Through The Snow...Laughing All The Way!

Driving head-long over Snoqualmie pass through a blinding snowstorm in a 4WD with an open sunroof and a CD banging out Bon Jovi at 125 decibels on a dark & stormy night, all the while playing tag with 239 semi’s, 112 SUV’s, 5 snow plows and one very confused and misguided elk…PRICELESS! Jáhúú!!!

...But The Most Wonderful Thing About Tiggers Is I'm The Only One!

It was suggested the other day that perhaps I might be compared to "Tigger" due to my exuberance and high energy level. It is true that I have an almost inexhaustible amount of energy and am thoroughly enjoying my life, and this, combined with my already persistent nature, almost certainly is what led to the posing of this assumedly-rhetorical question. The real revealing question would be what the underlying cause might be, but then no one is asking that. Well, according to Dr. Jennifer James, the cultural anthropologist, there are only two things that create such high levels of energy in human beings; fervently fighting for a just cause, or being in love. Hmm, she might actually be on to something there;-) Need I say any more about which one applies in this case? And how ironic was the source of that comment? Woo Hoo Hoo Hoo!!!

[Listening to: You Were Meant For Me (LP Version) - Jewel - Pieces Of You (04:14)]

A Fall Midnight's Run

Once again I ran through the cold, foggy night to take the final edge off so that sleep might finally find me. Life is just so perfect and the days so full of late that I find it difficult to allow them to end by simply going to sleep. I do not know how long this will last, but I do know that I shall cherish it while it does, and then hold the memories of these times close in my heart when they have past...if they ever do...I suppose that maybe, just maybe, life could just get better and better from here on out...dare I dream? I do, indeed I do..vertu svalur

The Fruits of Conceit

"Those whom the gods would destroy, they first make proud!"

[Listening to: Time Running - Tegan and Sara - If It Was You (02:09)]

The Cold, The Dark, And The Beautiful

I just returned from a run through the hills and orchards here on the south side of town, following a frosty path brilliantly lit by the light of the full moon. Once clear of the haze of the city lights, the full splendor of the winter heavens suffused the cold, clear night sky that surrounded me. In the last hours preceding midnight, the full moon shone directly overhead, closely accompanied by the glowing red planet Mars. Just above the eastern horizon, the mighty hunter Orion had begun his long stalk across the winter firmament in pursuit of his eternally raging nemesis, Taurus the bull. Close at his heel were his faithful hunting dogs, Canis Major and Canis Minor, their presence marked by the blazing splendor of Sirius, brightest of all the stars in the night sky. Just as I crested the hills and began my descent back to civilization my gaze was drawn to the west, where I was treated to a glimpse of the brilliantly luminescent Venus, the goddess of love, before she slipped behind a thin veil of clouds at the skys edge and was lost to the night. Now, as I reluctantly neared the end of my journey, still awe-struck by the stellar magnificence being paraded before me, not wanting the moment to pass, I found comfort in knowing that this was merely the beginning of a series of long, clear, cold, and dark nights that would provide many more such opportunities to revel in the heavenly beauty of the night sky. I invite you to venture out as you are able and join me in seeing first-hand the spectacular display with which nature rewards those who brave the cold and dark of the winter nights...vertu svalur

Denny Crane, Revisited

To quote the inimitable Denny, "You know...it's fun being me!" O já, how I can identify with that! I can only wonder what it would be like to not so thoroughly enjoy being one self, and only hope that I never have to find out. So, until then, c'est moi, c'est moi...Jáhúú!!!

[Listening to: Wake Up - Hilary Duff - Most Wanted (03:40)]

There and Back Again...and Again...And Yet Again

Talk about feeling disconnected! I have spent most of the last three weeks driving back and forth across the state attending meetings. It is not that the work has not been important, at least one of the committees that I am sitting on is one that I caused to come into being, but OMG am I tired of being on the road! It all started with the trip over that I preceded with the Williwakas Glacier climb (see my previous post) and I have not slowed down since. I am sure glad that I made that climb, as it was indeed the last of the season's good-weather days. The snows so absent last year have hit the Cascade Mountains early and in abundance. Most of the ski areas are open by now, so maybe when things slow down a bit I will grab a board and hit the slopes...after all of this, I deserve some fun;-)...cy'all

[Listening to: With or Without You - U2 - The Joshua Tree (04:57)]

Soon To Be Extinct

The last of the glacial ice bridges on the Williwakas Glacier :-(

A Window To The World

Mt. Adams from inside the Williwakas Glacier...actually the ice water dripping down my back was exhilirating;-)

Hmm...en ég líka köttir

YELLOW

Yellows are the most fun-loving, free-spirited, energetic, and childlike personalities in the aura spectrum. Yellows are wonderful, sensitive, optimistic beings, whose life purpose is to bring joy to people, to have fun, and to help heal the planet.

Yellows can either be very shy and sensitive, or they can be the life of the party. These playful characters have a great sense of humor. They love to laugh and to make others laugh. Yellows believe life is to be enjoyed. They like to live life freely and spontaneously. With a perpetual smile on their face, they remind people to not take themselves or their problems too seriously.

Yellows would prefer not to work at all, unless their work was fun, playful, or creative. They love nature, and often have concerns for the survival of wildlife and the environment. Dogs are very drawn to Yellows and often become their best friends.

Hvað ert þú aðallega ?

Coyotes By Moonlight

I went on what is quickly becoming a routine midnight run through the orchards and countryside outside of town. There was a thin veil of clouds partially obscuring an almost-full moon, cool, but without much wind. About halfway into the orchards, suddenly off to my right just beyond the edge of the trees, a coyote broke into a loud mournful howl, almost right on top of me! Then off to my left another replied and I realized that I was in the middle of a pack hunting out of the hills and enjoying the increased mobility afforded them by the canals being drained. I could feel the instincive urge to challenge them begin to fire in my blood, but I managed to control that and ran on through the night. They went on about their way and continued the hunt as I continued on my run, but the whole encounter did leave me with a little feeeling of exhiliration at the brush with my more primal side...interesting indeed!

[Listening to: All About Us/Single Version - t.A.T.u. - All About Us (03:05)]

Hmm, Nú Hver Er Þessi?

"...she runs on 100-proof attitude power"...O, Já!!!

[Listening to: Just The Girl (Album Version) - The Click Five - Just The Girl (03:52)]

Ljós af Líferni Min

Life is measured not by the moments that you breathe, but rather by the moments that take your breath away...and she always leaves me breathless...so my life is measured by how much time I spend with her...*le sigh*

[Listening to: Just The Girl (Album Version) - The Click Five - Just The Girl (03:52)]

Williwakas Jökull...Eintómur

My Ranger friends Barrett and Michelle shared with me a picture and a challenge before they departed to Colorado for the winter season. They had taken the most beautiful pictures of some fragile ice bridges from within the ice caves of the Williwakas Glacier and Barrett encouraged me to visit them quickly, as the weather is deteriorating and these fragile structures may be lost forever after this season. I, of course, am planning on climbing up there as soon as I can. I thought that we would be going this weekend, but that predictably fell apart and now it looks like I shall be going it alone in another week. Of course, I shall not be there alone as the one I hold closest to my heart will be there with me, as she always is...with me there and with me in my dreams...so now to sleep, perchance to dream:-)

[Listening to: Boyfriend - Ashlee Simpson - Boyfriend (03:02)]

A Week To Remember

It was hectic, frantic at times, dismaying, but in the end, it was one hell of a great week! In the past 5 days my emotions swung completely from one end of the spectrum to the other, I gained a new friend, lost my treasured assistant Trish, and regained the interest of my love. I made impassioned pleas, ranted a bit, schemed, and dreamed with my love. Quite frankly, I am emotionally exhausted, but I have not felt so jazzed in a long, long time. Life can not get any better unless my wildest dreams should come true, but then let's kep a firm grasp on reality, shall we? Of course, ya never know;-)...vertu svalur

Like Brilliant Diamonds in the Cold Winter Sky

I know that I wax a bit poetic on the stars every year about this time, and this year will be no exception! With the arrival of the first crisp, cool fall evenings, I cannot wait to go out after midnight, when the night is the darkest and the world slumbers the deepest, to view the heavens in all of their splendor. It is one of my favorite times of year and I can only wait impatiently for the winter to deepen and my nocturnal wanderings with my stellar brethern to become a nightly ritual...I do love it so!

Dreams Last For So Long…

Soon you will see, you were meant for me and I was meant for you…

[Listening to: You Were Meant For Me (LP Version) - Jewel - Pieces Of You (04:14)]

Dans, Dans, Dans...O, Já

It was a dark and stormy night…
And all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even a…aw heck, you know what I mean, it was raining all day and I was BORED!!! So, I talked Jeremy into hooking up the Dance, Dance Revolution dance pads up to the X-Box and we got un-lazy in a hurry. What a great game, even though he absolutely beat me silly for the first half-hour. I did manage to get close towards the end, but by that time both of us had had enough. That’s okay though, I will get him back tomorrow and show him that his “old man” is not so old after all…yubb

OVAM...Steinunn had better watch out, I may even give her a run for her money on the dance floor before it is over with;-)

A Quaint But Delightful Seattle Bistro

I wandered the downtown of Seattle this evening, searching for a restaurant to capture my fancy. After enjoying a beautiful evening stroll into the Belltown district, I was drawn to the Cyclops, a quaint establishment whose stylish, yet unassuming, exterior proved to belie a delightful ambiance and some surprisingly remarkable cuisine. The Cyclops is best decribed as an eclectic cafe with decidedly eastern Mediterranean and spanish influences. The crowd was thin on a Wednesday evening and I made my way over to the bar area of the cafe to better immerse myself in the "feel" of the place. The music was canned, typical of the nouveau chicque Seattle sound, lighter than grunge, but more visceral than folk...an excellent mix that was well suited to casual dining in a Seattle cafe. The waitress was accommodating and I engaged her in assisting me in choosing my meal. She recommended the "special" and it proved to be an excellent choice, though more due to the skill and proficiency of the chef than her ability to discern my tastes in food. The special was a light dish comprised of salmon and halibut cakes covered with a sweet chile sauce, on a bed of baby greens with a wasabi vinegarette dressing. This was sprinkled liberally with shards of crystallized ginger and the flavor combinations played together in a remarkable fashion. Though admittedly rather pedestrian fare, I truly enjoyed the experience and it went well with the margarita that I had chosen to accompany the meal. This most excellent entree, combined with the pleasant, colloquial atmosphere resulted in a dining experience that I will treasure for some time to come. I encouraged the chef to make this a regular offering, but regardless of their response to my request, I will visit the Cyclops again and would recommend it to my friends without reservation. Vertu svalur, muy compadres!

Back To School!!!

After a hiatus of over seven years I think that it is time to return to school.  This time though I am going just for me, not to improve my job skills or to acquire some certification, but purely for my enjoyment in exploring my interest in astrophysics.  My lofty goal is to earn a PhD in that discipline, but one step at a time.  Since the state pays my tuition as an employee, all I have to do is buy the books and dedicate the time.  I must admit that I miss campus life and the intellectual stimulation that comes from pursuing a course of study and networking with your fellow students.  So, sometime in the next week or so I am off to the WSU Tri-Cities campus to do some course of study planning.  I may have to wait until the spring to start, but that gives me to the winter to anticipate it…too cool!!!

A Day In The Sun

Our annual staff golf tournament and barbeque was today and everyone had a good time. The weather was perfect; I golfed acceptably, managed the barbeque grill with my usual flair and even managed to get in some Frisbee between flipping burgers and turning the sausages. In fact, the only thing that kept the day from being perfect was the absence of those who could not be with us. It was a smaller group, what with the leaving of our Safe Schools folks, most of who were the younger, more energetic and out-going crowd...I miss them terribly! Still, it was about as good a day as one could ask for, even if I was a bit subdued at missing...

Back From The Mountains

It was indeed a grand weekend and the weather was beautiful, just a bit cooler as fall settles into the mountains. I spent the time hiking some old favorites one more time for nostalgia sake and talking to my Ranger Barrett about the old architecture of the park that I had observed in my many visits. We talked about wooden water mains, fire plugs and other turn of the century infrastructure. At his suggestion I met and enjoyed a conversation with Ranger Michelle Hart, Barrett's girl friend, and she was as bright and charming as I would have expected for her to be my friend's friend;-) She also possessed a wealth of knowledge about the Paradise-area history and architecture and I enjoyed a long conversation with her, going over many old pictures of the park. That topped off a day where I dashed, literally, up to Panorama Point and back after hitting several lowland hikes. I met some interesting young folks from Europe and Asia along the way and chatted with them a bit about their American experiences and reveled in their different accents and colloquial sayings...what fun! I ended up the day quite exhausted, but pleasantly so, and ready for a cold one by the campfire, looking up at the stars and thinking of loved ones far away, especially the one held the closest to my heart and yet seemingly the farthest away. What a perfectly lovely day, followed by a perfectly melancholy evening!...Life just does not get much better than this...l8r

Back to the Mountains

I am heading over to Seattle for a meeting on Monday, which means that I simply must spend this weekend in the mountains. It promises to be cool and wet, perhaps with snow yet again and I cannot imagine a better place to be. I plan on hiking up on the sub-alpine ridges above Paradise and it should be a magnificent trip. I only wish that I had someone to share the moment with, but then I know that I am never truly alone and that special someone is always in my heart wherever I may go. Life (and love) is truly grand! See y’all when I return:-)

Aldur Eftir Aldur

Nei, að eilífu er ekki svo langur að biða handa það ákveðinn einhver...en eilífð er aldur langt!

Snjór, Snjór, Snjór!!!

I spent a wonderfully exhausting day hiking 15 miles up to the Three Lakes area and back on Friday. I marveled at the old-growth lowland forest and the size of the trees, which rivaled anything outside of the 1000-year giants of the Grove of the Patriarchs, and was truly enchanted by the discovery of a sub-alpine old-growth forest. The day was perfect for hiking, cold and damp, with a promise of more rain to come. Sure enough, I woke up this morning to rain pounding on the tent and a more typical Mt. Rainier day of low clouds and steady rain. On a hunch, I packed up and made my way up to Paradise (5400’) and was overjoyed to end up in the first snowfall of the year! What a perfect day, even though I had to leave and return to the more mundane world of my normal existence. But for a brief moment, I was in heaven, O já!

Bumbershoot Rocks, O Ja!!!

I spent yesterday at the Seattle Folk Arts Festival and it was totally cool. It goes on for 4 days every Labor Day weekend, but I only went for the last day and it could not have been more perfect. The weather was great, the crowds huge (but fun), the mood festive, and the music fantastic. I started with The Seattle Women's Jazz Orchestra, then on to Post Stardom Depression, The Decemberists, Dashboard Confessional, Aqueduct, Earlimart, Streb (a dance troupe), and closing out with Tegan and Sara (wayyy cool;-). Wow, 12 hours of running from one side of Seattle Center to the other, rocking with the bands, 4 hours of driving on each side of that, and having to go to work this morning! I will definitely be back next year, and for all 4 days. But for now I need just a little sleep so that tomorrow I can drive back over to the west side for a meeting Thursday and then spend a couple of days in the mountains. Well, sleep is for the dead, and I am not dead...yet;-)...vertu svalur y'all

Heim Aftur!!!

The retreat was a blast, the mountains beautiful and the comraderie was good, but it is nice to be home. Every night found me walking in the dark solitude of the mountains after midnight, while the rest of humanity slumbered. Have you ever spent an evening looking up at the heavens full of a million bright and beautiful stars and wondering if that special someone was looking up at the same sky, at the same time and thinking of you? I know that it is wistful thinking, but it is nice to dream that it might be possible, it does soothe an aching heart just a little and I found myself doing just that, each and every night. Ahh, the affairs of the heart are indeed those that form the milestones of our lives and the memory of these times shall keep my heart warm for an eternity...vertu svalur, y'all.

Mig Haldur Til Hið Fjöll

It is time for our annual retreat at Wallowa, Oregon with our school Superintendents. It is a long trip and the time away from our work this close to the start of school imposes a bit of a burden, but the fellowship and relationship-building makes it more than worth it for me. I also find it hard to compalin about spending a couple of days in the mountains, the scenery is beautiful, the weather quite a bit cooler and I do enjoy spending the time both with my fellow administrators as well as the administrative staff from our small schools...so, I will miss y'all until I return, but will enjoy the moment that I am in...vertu svalur
[Listening to: Scar - Missy Higgins - The Sound of White (03:32)]

Lance is Number One in His Seventh Win

(picture copywrited by and courtesy of Associated Press)

Jáhúú...Lance Armstrong has won his seventh Tour de France! I think that he is one of the most admirable and prominent people in the world today. His achievements, both as an athlete as well as a person, are nothing short of remarkable. I only hope that he really will retire this time and leave the sport as a true undefeated champion who is universally revered as the best cyclist of all time...vertu svalur, y'all!

Off to the Mountains...Jáhúú!!!

Well, it is time to get out of the heat down here in the flatlands and head for Mt. Rainier for the weekend. It promises to be an absolutley gorgeous weekend and I just might not come back;-)...vertu svalur

Everything that a material girl needs for her first driving lesson;-)

Look, Victoria is finally driving!

A Grand Day On The Mountain

John and I had a fantastic several days hiking and climbing on and around Mt. Rainier. Though it rained almost the entire time, we did manage to take advantage of a half-day window of good weather to climb up into the sunshine on the slopes. When we weren't on the slopes, we hiked the old-growth forests and enjoyed the spectacular scenery. I can not think of a much better way to spend a few days of one's life...vertu svalur, y'all

[Listening to: Soak Up the Sun - Sheryl Crow - The Very Best of Sheryl Crow (04:53)]

On The Way Up to Muir

O já, nei leggja betri að vera á,fallegur dagur!

The Sun Is Always Shining Up Above The Clouds

...og John er á einu máli!
(OVAM, það er Mt. Adams að baki)

The Cookie Monster

On the way back from Mt. Rainier we were listening to some of my son's tunes and I heard Hate Breed for the first time, singing "I Will Be Heard" and I swear that he sounds just like the Cookie Monster! Listen to it and imagine, if you can, the CM singing that song...I know that we had a lot of fun plugging in cookie-words to the song;-) Now I know what Sesame Street characters do in their retirement...lol

[Listening to: 99 Red Balloons - Goldfinger - 99 Red Balloons (03:53)]

Once Again to the Mountain

Well, we are off again to make the first climb of the season up Mt. Rainier, though probably only up to Camp Muir at 10,000 feet. The snowfields look to be great, though the weather might be a bit of a bother. No worries, we shall not let a little cold, wind and rain/snow deter us. Cya back at the bottom.

[Listening to: Number One - Skye Sweetnam - Noise from the Basement (02:44)]

Handtakur hinn Vindur...

...að færa ljós í dimma

Ajá af Botn...

...upp og upp (50 m)!

Söngur af Hugskot Minn

How deep runs the lonesome longing in my heart
Felt for someone barely known and now apart
In a far away land of fire and ice
Upon a warm and beautiful spirit I did happen
A goddess, green-eyed and tan, wrapped only in orange
Willing to share a bit of her life with this wayward voyager
The voice of her people, tempting images of her world
Cold and ruggedly beautiful, inviting and full of life
Strangely familiar, tugging at my soul
Worlds apart, still agonizingly near
A romantic walk along the streets of her home
In the depths of winter did warm my heart
Together in spirit though many leagues apart
O'er the ether her voice did to my ears then come
A lyrical and beckoning song that like spring
Breathed life and sunshine into my world
Touching the very depths of my soul
Then, like the spring, too soon departed
Taking her beauty and brightness
Yet leaving the sunshine and warmth
Of lasting friendship and memories
Comfort in the meeting of kindred spirits
Wonderfully alike, excitingly different
Their destiny written in the stars
Woven into the tapestry of the cosmos
No matter the morrow that the Fates decree
In my heart shall she forever dwell
This she-...

[Listening to: I Will Remember You - Sarah McLachlan - Mirrorball (03:44)]

Þökk að Hjartagóður Íslenzka Vinni Minn

I see where Bobby Fischer has finally arrived in Iceland to be greeted and embraced by his new countrymen. I want to thank my Icelandic friends for their compassionate gesture towards a great and deserving champion. I offer my best wishes to Mr. Fischer for a long, happy and peaceful life in this land of great beauty and warm people. I also hope that we can all put the bitterness and harsh words of the past behind us and perhaps better spend our energies looking more towards a bright and promising future. It is sad that too often we take ourselves so seriously that we deprive ourselves, and others, of the ability to enjoy a life that is all too short as it is. May we all find peace, love, and good health wherever life’s road takes us...vertu svalur

[Listening to: The Scientist - Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head (05:09)]

Where Have All of the Flowers Gone?

What a waste it is,
That which we call work,
Who robs us of our lives,
Deluding us into believing,
That it is our life.
What a shame it is,
That we spend so much time,
Embracing such a thing,
While allowing our lives,
Through our fingers to slip,
Precious moments lost to time,
Never to return.
A curse upon civilized man,
A jealous and seductive mistress,
Green-eyed,
Controlling,
Enchanting,
Til we too late in life wake,
To find that too much is gone,
Too little left.
No peace in our souls,
No love in our hearts,
No flowers in our lives.
Only despair,
Loneliness,
and finally,
Mercifully,
Nothing...

[Listening to: Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway (03:09)]

The State of the State

I find myself in our state's capitol preparing for the first annual user's conference for our student information system. I took advantage of having a free evening by walking around the lake that lies in the middle of the city of Olympia and in the shadow of the Capitol Building. The evening is cool, with the promise of frost by morning and I took note of the other citizens that were walking around the lake. There are the young couples, obviously in love and enjoying the anonymity of darkness and the solitude of the park at this late hour; there are the other fitness fanatics, running or walking in the cool night air, perhaps even taking a moment from their workout to enjoy the stars sparkling in the clear night sky or the inspiring view of the Capitol dome, incadescently lit and glowing in domination of the city skyline; then there are the all too many homeless individuals, carrying their belongings and searching in vain for some warmth in the gathering chill of night. It is this last group that I found the most striking, in that they did not consist of the stereotypical old, withered and socially outcast persons, but instead, young, bright, conversational adults in the prime of their years. I had the occasion to talk with two of them in the darker corners of the park and they were obviously intelligent and amiable individuals, seemingly eager for casual conversation with a passing stranger. I did not risk asking them about their circumstances for fear of dampening their ebullient mood, but I must confess my curiosity as to by what twist of fate or by what design that these promising young men should find themselves adrift from society. I do find it ironic that with all of our concern for the destiny of our youth, there are these young adults who obviously find themselves haven fallen through the cracks of our concern and yet no one is championing their return to society's mainstream...or perhaps they have no desire to rejoin our modern society...and, considering the current state of our society and its mores, can we really blame them? It does make one wonder, perhaps, which are the lost and which are the more fortunate...vertu svalur

Umptanum Canyon

We hiked six miles up Umptanum Canyon and back down on Sunday. It was a perfect day for hiking...cool and cloudy with no wind. The upper half of the canyon had snow on the ground and though it made for slippery footing at times, the snow made the trip a ot more fun. We had intended to hike out of the top and then the long way back along the Skyline trail on the ridge, but ran out of daylight in the short winter day, so we hiked back down the canyon. The hike began with us seeing a bald eagle soaring in the mouth of the canyon and it ended with us watching bighorn sheep grazing on the slopes above us. It was a great day and well worth driving a couple of hours for the hike, though next time it will be to the mountains...vertu svalur

[Listening to: Come on Eileen - Kevin Rowland & Dexys Midnight Runners - Too-Rye-Ay [US Bonus Tracks] (04:48)]

"Catching" Andi Minn...Loksins

Við vinna ég finnast sem eg hafa been að eilífu! En, nú ég ert aftur...ég hugsa;-)

[Listening to: Green Eyes - Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head (03:43)]

What A Heavenly Sight

The seemingly never ending fog of winter has given us a momentary respite from its white shroud and we are enjoying one of those too-rare days of deep, crystal-blue winter skies. The day transitioned to a beautifully calm evening, followed by a clear, dark, moonless night sky, like dark blue velvet sprinkled with a brilliant display of diamonds. Mighty Orion hangs overhead with his shield raised to the rampaging Taurus, his faithful canine companions at his heels, and regal Leo majestically padding along in their wake. O já, on nights such as this I could easily lose myself in the dark, cold depths of the winter heavens and let spring be held eternally in abeyance...vertu svalur

[Listening to: Standing Still - Jewel - This Way (04:31)]

Hún Er Aftur!!!

...eftir 10 ára, Edie Brickell er aftur á tour, jáhúú. 6 april hún er i Seattle og þarna ég vil liggja.

Check út hún tónlist nú

...með margur þökk að vinur min Marianna;-)

Touchdown

The Grand Opening of the Professional Development Center was a smashing success. It all came together at the last minute and with everyone pulling together we managed to put on a first-class show. The technology funtioned flawlessly (of course;-), the whole building sparkled, and the crowd was indeed awed by what they saw. Of course, not many know that we were bolting in camera mounts and wiring the podium microphone right up to the last minute...all they know is that it really was a GRAND opening. Now, if I can get past our All-Staff Day on Monday perhaps I can breathe a bit, o já...vertu svalur, y'all

[Listening to: Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway (03:09)]

Tomorrow Is THE Day

Well, I know that I have been almost totally absent for the past week or so, but I have been coordinating and putting together all of the technology in our new Professional Development Center. After six whirlwind weeks of wrangling this project together on a tight budget and almost impossible timeline, we are at the eve of our Grand Opening...and I think that we might actually pull it off in fine fashion! We spent until midnight tonight finalizing the installation of the projection system and engineering a mounting system for the videoconference system microphones, with a big assist from Trish on that one;-) The full suite of mutli-media audio-visual equipment has been tested and ready to go, including the totally richter 9.1 surround sound system that we completely re-designed and re-spec'd ourselves...and it does ROCK! We even had to glue in the speaker grills to keep them from blowing off!!! Oh, of course the center has complete network, telephone, CATV and satellite provisioning, along with a complete fire and security monitoring system. Not to mention that our wireless network has been designed to provide full coverage for the courtyard area as well as out into the grassy area on the buildings south side, for those sunny spring days when one wants to go sit in the sun and work. On top of all of that I had to get a custom-designed lectern spec'd and built in the last week and a half, and as long as the camera mount arrives in the morning as expected, it will all be finished by lunch! So, no I have not intended to be distant or scarce, there just has been no time for anything but work and sleep. Hopefuly I will have it all successfully behind me by this time tomorrow and back to some semblance of a life;-)...krossleggjafingur...Yfir og út

[Listening to: Hurts So Good - John Mellencamp - American Fool (03:42)]

Hmm...Ég Er 16% Ekki Töff

Denny Crane!

For those of you who turn off the television after "Desperate Housewives", you may just be missing the best show on the air..."Boston Legal". Most of you know that I do not sit around much, and therefore watching television is not exactly at the top of my list of leisure-time activities, but I make an exception for these two shows on Sunday night. Now, I enjoy the first as much as anyone, I mean who could not love watching anything that has Terri Hatcher in it;-), but with each passing week I find myself looking forward more to the second and, I believe, better of the two. And how could anyone not genuinely be cheering William Shatner on in what must be one of the best character performances of his career. I hate to be the one to tell this to the executives at ABC, but they could have saved the money that it must have cost to bring Candace Bergen onto the show for, as fine an actress as she is, they did not need her. The charismatic synergy between the cast and the well-written story lines have served to make "Boston Legal" one of the best shows that I have enjoyed in a long time. Check it out, it is worth the watch...Þokkalega!

[Listening to: Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinéad O'Connor - I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got (05:11)]

Work, Work, Work

What a week it has been...last night I did not even leave the office until midnight! With the grand opening of our Professional Development Center on the 27th, and the high level of technology provisioning, and with only the past few weeks to put it together...hmmm...well, let's just say that there shall be no time for anything else until after this is over...but it will be ready for the big day...and I will be ready...to get away for a while;-) Ya gotta love it...jáhúúú

[Listening to: My Immortal - Evanescence - Fallen (04:24)]

Hvor Eru Eg? Hvað Eru Eg?

Tók Kiersey-test lika Elín og ég eru Idealisti...hmmm...svo tók enneagram-testið með þessi árangur:

Main Type	Overall Self

Take Free Enneagram Personality Test

Enneagram Test Results Type 1 Perfectionism |||||||||||||||||||| 90% Type 2 Helpfulness |||||||||||||||| 70% Type 3 Image Focus |||||||||||| 50% Type 4 Hypersensitivity |||| 18% Type 5 Detachment |||||||||||| 46% Type 6 Anxiety |||||||||||| 50% Type 7 Adventurousness |||||||||||||||| 70% Type 8 Aggressiveness |||||||||||||||||| 74% Type 9 Calmness |||||||||||||||||||| 86% Your main type is 1 Your variant is social

Take Free Enneagram Personality Test

Kannske það er ég þrátt fyrir allt;-)

Hmmm...strange, I do not feel a day over 25;-)

You Are 29 Years Old

29

Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe.

13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world.

20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences.

30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more!

40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

Hvað ert þú gamall/gömul?

Way cool...thanks, Kolla:-)

Working for the Weekend

What a day...spent half a day at the office testing and re-programming our fire and security systems and re-configuring wireless networking equipment...then another few hours working on a doctor's computer network...then off to Laurel's house for an evening of snacks, beer, cards, good music, and even better company with some of the folks from the office! All of this while we received yet another several inches of good powder snow...I know that some of my friends in Iceland take snow for granted, but I am happy to see so much of it again this year. I then topped the day off with a long, late-night walk in the softly-falling snow...days do not come much better than this!
Now, maybe a day on the slopes on a board is in my near future...hmmm...er það hægt? Já, kannske...kannske;-)...vertu svalur

[Listening to: Head over Feet - Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill (04:27)]

Fara Vikings, Fara!!!

I amerískur fótbolti i dag það er hið Vikings móti hið Eagles, svo leyfa allur af okkur cheer on "okkar" Vikings móti hið damn Yanks;-)...Jáhúúúúúú!!!

[Listening to: Love Bites - Def Leppard - Hysteria (04:17)]

Syngja það Willie

...hið líferni nótt, það ain't nei líferni góður, en það er líferni minn...o, já!!!

[Listening to: Green Eyes - Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head (03:43)]

Working on the Work

Just got home after configuring and installing all of the networking electronics in our new building. Of course, since the Media Dept. has already moved in and is operational, I have to wait until after hours to work on the network. Hmmm...all of this week it has been up at 5, run for an hour, get to work by 7, work until after 8, eat, take an evening walk, check e-mail, blog, etc until after midnight, then do it all again the next day. I am beginning to feel like Elín did a little while ago...ya know "I have no fucking life!";-) Hey, at least it is miðvikudagur, only two more days until the weekend...of course I may have to work then also. That's what it is...I do not have TIME for a life...já, þessi er það...Scotty, beam me upp!

Lest We Forget...

I know that everyone who possesses at least a shred of human compassion has been following the continuing saga of our brethern in Asia who have been visited upon by nature's wrath in the form of the recent tsunami. I must say for myself, however, that I find myself continually overwhelmed by intense feelings of emotion when viewing the horrific images of the suffering that the survivors of this event are experiencing. I am a bit ashamed to admit that I find myself praying not only for the salvation of the victims, but also for the continued safety of my loved ones, that they should never have to experience such a tragedy, though perhaps this is only part of being human. I only know that I now hold those that I love a little closer and am more careful to tell them how I feel as often as the occassion affords itself. Let us not forget those that have lost everything and are sufferring and pause to appreciate that which we have and those whom we love.

[Listening to: White Flag - Dido - Life for Rent (04:01)]

Vikings Beat The Packers...Jáhúúú

The first round of the American football playoff's are over and the Minnesota Vikings beat the Green Bay Packers 31-17. Now, to my American "friends" who say that I must be turning into a Icelander because I cheer for the Vikings, and who laughed when we got beat by the Packers the last time we played...*PFFFFTTTT*...take that you damn Yanks!

[Listening to: Green Eyes - Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head (03:43)]

Heim Aftur

I got in at about 7:30 last night...almost! We were late flying into Seattle from Phoenix and then watched as the airports closed one by one with the approaching snowstorm. Fortunately we got in ahead of the weather and then the snow came down! It was a good conference but it is good to be at home and with the weekend to relax before the flurry of activity hits on Monday...vertu svalur og góðan nótt

[Listening to: Dreaming Of You - Selena - Momentos Intimos (05:17)]

Well Worth the Trip

The Schlechty Center's conference for the Standard-Bearer's Network was indeed a worthwhile experience. I must admit that I was not initially too enthusiastic about attending, but after the first day I was totally engaged and excitedly looking forward to day two. I think that all of us engaged in this work need to attend one of these events every so often just to become re-infused with the initial enthusiasm and excitement that we all felt when we started "working on the work". I am eagerly looking forward to getting back to the office and sharing my perspective on what we experienced and to pass along that which we learned...vertu svalur og glaður allan tímann líka

[Listening to: A Thousand Miles - Vanessa Carlton - Be Not Nobody (03:57)]

A Little Taste of Home

You know, I do not think of myself as missing Texas all that much, even though it was my home for most of my life but I definitely found myself waxing a bit nostalgic last night. I had the pleasure of spending a most enjoyable evening in the company of a group of school principals from the Habersham County School District in Georgia. Naturally, being true Southerners, they were gracious and charming, as well as very engaging conversationalists, and we had some very lively and light-hearted discussions about both work and home. Their Southern accent was enough by itself to make me feel like I was back home, but when our discussion turned to good old Southern cooking and the differences between that and Northwestern cuisine, I became down right homesick! Of course, Southern food is Southern food, whether it is Texas-Southern or Georgia-Southern and we had a great time both re-affirming that fact as well as poking good fun at the cuisine of my new colleagues in the Northwest. What a wonderful evening with good company, great conversation, sprinkled liberally with nostalgia and a dash of Southern drawl. Ahhh...what I would not give for a big plate of fried chicken, grits, and fried okra, y'all;-)

[Listening to: White Flag - Dido - Life for Rent/Clean (04:01)]

A View From The Back of A Camel...of a Sort

I just returned from a pre-dawn hike and climb up Camelback Mountain to catch the sunrise. It was a great climb with the reward of a specatacular view from the summit. The skies were almost entirely clear and before sunrise the I was able to watch the procession of Saturn, Jupiter, Mars and Venus around the crescent moon. Below me was spread out the sea of lights that is the Phoenix metropolitan area, stretching out in all directions until shrouded by the morning mists gathering at the base of the mountains, or swallowed up by the darkness of the uninhabited patches of desert at the fringes of civilization. Dawn broke with just enough clouds to be illuminated in the glowing pallet of colors so typical of a desert sunrise. It was truly an awe-inspiring moment and I must admit that I am a bit melancholy knowing that this morning will result in yet more time being deducted from my time spent in heaven;-)

[Listening to: Ást - Ragnheiður Gröndal - Ástarljóð (íslensk) (04:12)]

And Heading South...

I am off to Phoenix, Arizona to a conference for the remainder of the week. It will probably be warm and sunny there...*ack*...Ég vilja snjór!!! Oh well, the conference should be good and I have my colleagues for company at least...and, of course, I will be on-line and one more time zone towards the east;-)...vertu svalur, y'all