...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)]