You can be whoever you want to be

By spider | Published: January 24, 2009

Yes You Can

Sometimes it feels like you’re stuck. Corralled by your past, your job, your family, or your nature. The possibilities that light childhood and set adolescence aflame have dimmed. The horizon, so vast and inviting as a college student, has narrowed, the path now treacherous, with steep, ragged cliffs and perilous, dark forests. You have become the person who you will always be. You are carrying too much baggage now to change course or – god forbid – turn back. And so, with a sense of duty, or of powerlessness, you continue, the path ever more narrow, the light of the sun shining more briefly each day.

I suppose, for those who attain a path of self-actualization early in life, that this scenario is unfamiliar. But for everyone else in the world, you have surely, at one time or another, felt the sense of limitation creeping into your world. Where once the confidence to conquer all filled your heart with fire, the realities of unrealized dreams, broken hearts, and the weight of life’s responsibilities conspire to douse the flames of your soul.

But this blackening is not inevitable. The flames of our souls should never go out. Though they may flicker, and life can bring hardship or even just the somberness of routine, that is not the end of the story. The truth is, this world, and each of our lives, is whatever we make it. Read More »

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The battle to stay motivated

By spider | Published: January 22, 2009
the key

the key

Last night I didn’t have much of a rest. I slept a few hours, but not the nice 6-7 hours I really need to feel good for a whole day. And today was a hard day at work, or what passes for hard in my job. So by the end of the day, I was tired! I wanted to come home and chill out. Read the Internets, read a book, play some music. Snuggle with the Miyouch.

But, I also had packed my gym bag this morning, and said to myself, I said “Self, today you WILL go to the gym, no matter what!” (Since I didn’t go yesterday). So, even as I left the office and headed to my car, I was debating whether or not to go. “It’s just one day,” I told myself, “it won’t hurt.”  “You’re in ok shape already. Don’t stress yourself. You need some rest,” et cetera, et cetera. Lots of mealy-mouthed, half-baked, semi-plausible excuses. Read More »

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Proud to be a Mutant

By spider | Published: January 20, 2009
Progress

Progress

Well here it is, after all this time.

A great promise will be fulfilled today when Barack Obama takes the oath of office and is sworn in a as the President of the great nation. And the country is abuzz with the energy of change. Today, we are filled with hope, excitement, anticipation, and gratitude. After so many years of living under the political and media dominance of a group of people who fight tooth and nail for laws and policies which diminish the individual rights and civil liberties for citizens of our nation, as they transfer public treasure into corporate coffers, to see the dawn of this new day fills my heart with joy … and hope!

This day was not inevitable. It has arrived on the backs of the work and sacrifices of countless souls,  from political and spiritual leaders to the unsung volunteers and civil servants, to the parents and grandparents who quietly sacrificed so that their children and grandchildren could have a chance at a better life. Upon their, and our, collective efforts, we have achieved this day: A landmark day in the eternal struggle towards the dream of a world of equal opportunity, of shared sacrifice towards the greater good, and most of all, towards justice.

We are all the beneficiaries of the work and sacrifice of others who’ve led the way here. I can sit here and type some keystrokes into this powerful machine, in the warmth and comfort of my humble abode, only thanks to years of work, discomfort, sacrifice, and the deferred gratification of my elders, and of generations past.

So as I sit here and attempt to grasp the profundity of this day, of the inauguration of Barack Hussein Obama, of the changing of the collective direction of our nation and the world, and look forward to the immense challenges and opportunities that lay ahead, I give my profound thanks and eternal gratitude to my forbears. We all stand upon their shoulders. And, with this debt of gratitude, we owe it to them to continue that spirit of sacrifice for our collective future and for the futures of all who shall follow us in this world.

Fired up, ready to go!

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Things I discovered in 2008

By spider | Published: January 18, 2009
take off, eh.

take off, eh.

Even though life doesn’t exactly adhere to the calendar,  I can honestly say that 2008 did have a unique personality, different than any year I’ve experienced before. Here’s a look back at some of the new discoveries in my life that made a positive difference. Read More »

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Friday Dog Blogging

By spider | Published: January 16, 2009

Morning Moula

Morning Moula

Week two of the oh-nine is done. Status report:

  • The Year without Coffee is proceeding as planned, allowing me to begin my explorations into the world of tea.
  • I hit the gym 4 days last week. 3 days so far this week. The goal is 4 days a week without fail. Maybe later when my discipline and/or stamina, I can do 5 days.
  • No snowboarding yet. Doh! I really, really want/need to get on the mountain. There was a good storm over the New Year’s weekend … when I was in San Diego. And since then, work has been demanding. I’ve got this long weekend starting tonight. Unfortunately, we are in the middle of a bizarre winter heat wave, so I’m afraid the snow will be more like slush. Fail.
  • My blogging was doing great … until about Tuesday.
  • Saw Malcolm Gladwell give a talk last night. I really dig stuff like that. He is really compelling, and hearing him speak about his process, and even deconstruct his books, was brilliant. I need more stuff like that to feed my own noggin.
  • Trying to launch my car design blog. But right now, it is (momentarily only!) in stall mode.
  • Working on laying out travel plans for the year. I need to go to Spain, goddammit!!
  • Also, I need to really buckle down in terms of taking a class or two. Capoiera? Guitar? … any other suggestions? My goal is to make a committment this weekend.
  • Football is winding down, only 3 games left in the season. This is sad for me – I hate it when there’s no football on Sundays. But the upside is that I end up spending lots more time outdoors on the weekend!
  • A friend of mine mentioned this group he is working on putting together – like a collection of smart, motivated people who get together to inspire, motivate, and help eachother. It sounds real cool. We’ll see what comes of it.

That’s just a random take on things. Not far off from a comprehensive list. But I am trying to keep taking stock of where I am. You know how these things can go: First of the year, you are all excited and motivated, then you start to forget all that enthusiasm, and before you know it, it is March and all the things you were planning on accomplishing have been steamrolled by “life”, or laziness, or whatever. …NOT THIS YEAR!!

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This Week in Tea

By spider | Published: January 13, 2009
Zhena's Gypsy Tea: King Chai or Italian Chamomile?

Zhena's Gypsy Tea: King Chai or Italian Chamomile?

This Week, I did not drink any coffee. But, I did drink lotsa tea!

So far, The Year Without Coffee is on track. In fact, to my shock, I really haven’t missed coffee at all. Mainly, that comfort is thanks to these delicious teas I’ve been indulging in. Mainly, I’ve been making Chai tea with breakfast, and then another cup at the office during the day. A couple of nights, I’ve also topped the night off with an herbal tea. Tonight, I’m sipping the Zhena’s chamomile shown in the picture above. Earlier this week I also had some Yogi green tea and some Good Earth original spicy herbal tea.

Drinking tea is different in lots of subtle ways. It is much gentler on the palette, it eases into my body, rather than barging in the way coffee can. And it doesn’t feel quite so heavy inside. Right now, this experiment is on track. And it is giving me a solid excuse to explore some of the more exotic teas out there. For the moment, though, Zhena is my girlfriend.

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If the bus were cool.

By spider | Published: January 12, 2009
Ride the bus.

Ride the bus.

If the bus were cool, more people would ride it.
If the bus were cool, car drivers wouldn’t be frightened
of the “dangers” of sharing their motorized transit
with folks they don’t know – delinquents and vandals.

If the bus were cool, less gas would be wasted
If the bus were cool, admit it, YOU’d take it
You could take it to work or take it to practice
You might even like it, if you tried it.

Sadly, too many see the bus as a joke
Say these serious people and snobberly folk:
“The bus is for others, they’re not for my kind!”
“I am too busy, I am far too refined!”

But the bus, you see, is actually awesome
When people move together, the city soon blossoms
with texture and energy of those with whom you share
your ride as you ride the bus from here to there

Sharing your seat is not always grand
and sometimes, it is true, you may have to stand
Sometimes, though, you can offer a hand
And help someone in need, a mother or elderly man,

And there are times when your ride on the bus has a moment of fright:
someone clipping his nails, or a theft or a fight
and the bus – damned bus!  – doesn’t  always show up on time.
But give yourself cushion, and all will be fine

The bus saves gas, it saves you from searching for parking
It gives you a reason to do a little more walking
You can read a book, or the paper, or look at the sights
Buses are safe, economical, they run day and night

So the bus, you see, is not for the poor and “those fools”
The bus – like the train or the subway – is a wonderful tool
To take you shopping, sightseeing, to work or to school

The bus, it is true, is truly quite cool.

——-

This poem was inspired by Amanda’s post lamenting the total lack of public discourse on the many benefits of public transportation, in particular as  great means to get around when you are out drinking.

[...] buses aren’t being used as much as they should be, but a large part of the reason why is the mental block of growing up in a car culture.  Making it easy on people is only half the battle.  The other half if getting people to realize how easy it is, which sometimes feels like an insurmountable problem.

She posits that part of the problem is our cultural taboo on discussing potential good decision that can be made while engaging in ‘bad’ behavior. All of our drinking and driving discourse simply discourages drinking. But, why not have a parallel campaign that promotes public transportation as a viable alternative? After all, the bus is cool.

Posted in commentary, consumption, culture, endorsement, humor, poetry | 1 Comment

Cambria Vlog 1: Mutant Vlog

By spider | Published: January 10, 2009


Posted in spider, travel, video, xtina | Leave a comment

Friday Dog Blogging

By spider | Published: January 9, 2009
my little sunshine

my little sunshine

Sometimes you look at the calendar and say “wow, it’s already [day/year/month]“.

Sometimes you look at all you’ve done and say “wow, I can’t believe it’s only [time/month/day]“.

I want 2009 to be the second kind of year. So far, so good.

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Spun

By spider | Published: January 7, 2009
spinners

spinners

I spent a lot of time in the gym in 2008. I’d really begun my gym routine back in May 2007, but fell off pretty hard in the 07-08 winter. I think it was March last year before I got my groove back, and lo and behold, I actually stuck to my guns! I was seriously committed, and really saw huge, positive changes in my life: my physique, energy levels, and emotional well being all took a turn for the better.

The holidays, of course, are a tough time to keep gym habits up. A bit of travel and a couple of minor colds, conspired to sabotage most of December. But fret not, fans! I’m already back on the wagon, as focused and determined as ever.

One thing on the agenda this year is to keep some variety in my gym mix. Not that I’ve been in a rut or anything, but I do sometimes feel bored, and if and when I do, those sessions tend to be lackluster. I don’t want any lackluster sessions!

Today, by mere chance, I got curious and poked my head into the spin room at my gym. Turns out, a spin class was about to start, and there were two open bikes left (according to the sign up sheet). So I said “what the heck!” and gave it a shot. Now, mind you, I haven’t even tried a spin class for probably over three years. But there I went.

It was fun. It was a good cardio and leg workout, and it was not too hard. I highly recommend trying a spin class if you haven’t done so lately. Good stuff.

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The Year Without Coffee

By spider | Published: January 5, 2009

Five days it’s been since I last sipped a cup of coffee. Not very long, true. But consider the context: Before January 1, 2009, I’d gone easily six months solid without not having at least one cup of coffee a day. Through cross country flights, work, road trips, all-nighters, and quiet Sundays, never was a morning complete without that cup of coffee.

Yet here I stand, at the dawn of a new year, declaring my abstinence from this old friend. An entire year without a single cup of joe.  Whether it will be a battle between time and force of will, a wonderful and memorable experiment, or possibly a well-intentioned but ultimately doomed enterprise – well, only time will tell. Read More »

Posted in consumption, culture, spider, Year without Coffee | 1 Comment

Every passing minute is another chance to turn it all around

By spider | Published: January 4, 2009

Without fail, each turning of the calendar year brings with it a sense of hope, in the form of (yet) another chance to start fresh, to make the important, profound changes – small and large – that will bring us closer to realizing our true self, no?

The cold January air, the short days, the damp skies. Any of these things, alone, might feel grim or depressing. But in the context of “the holidays” and of course of a New Year, they can instead feel wonderful and renewing: like the first day of Spring or first light after a bitter storm. I suppose inanimate things are always rife for whatever meaning we choose to instill into them, eh?

Here we stand. At the precipice of another opportunity. I have great dreams and hopes that this year – of all years – will bring those things that I’ve hoped for for many years: love, travel abroad, satisfying work, the discipline and focus required to meet my financial, fitness, and creative goals.

I know a lot of people who scoff at the idea of resolutions, and I understand the sentiment. I don’t even really think of my own goals as resolutions, although to a great degree it’s only a matter of semantics. Regardless, I do love the moment. So full of hope, so ripe with potential. As the rubber meets the road, though, it is not about the hopes (or planning), it’s all in the doing.

So here we go again, embarking anew on each of our own quests to wake up earlier, savor life more completely, strengthen our relationships, and on and on. It feels great.

I feel different this year. Rather than the sense of trying to turn around a large ship, I feel more like I have momentum, that the wind is at my back. Of course, there is lots of work to do, but you know what? I’m ready for it!

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