I know I've been pretty silent lately, and that's mostly because not much has been going on in my sometimes very routine life. But today I had an experience I had to share.
My work often requires that I be downtown in the early hours of the morning (4:00a). While the work itself takes place in a hotel lobby, between activity I like to walk to the local Starbucks (1 block away) for coffee and fresh air.
This morning during one of my breaks I decided to walk to another Starbucks 2 blocks away (yes, they're THAT close around here). As I approached the shop there was a "crazy" homeless man outside yelling about being 41 years old and having died of hypothermia, but being saved by a cop.
As I walked by him he focused his comments towards me. Happily I was at the shop and took my escape through the doors (or so I thought). As I ordered by Grande Non-fat Latte someone besides me yelled "I need a coffee!" And sure enough, it was "him." The Barista asked if he was with me and when he learned he was not, asked him to leave. The request soon escalated to the Barista threatening to call the cops so the man left.
While he made my coffee, the Barista and I chatted. I told him I usually went to another shop nearby and he said he hoped this experience didn't keep me away in the future. So nice. :)
I got my coffee and left, only to find "him" still outside the door. As I walked by, he fell in-step with me and began chatting, asking my name (he wanted to marry me, his name was Bill), telling me about his dead mother, etc. I did not engage him, but I also didn't feel threatened ... he was just a confused and probably drunk guy. My only fear was that I would trip over him as he staggered along.
When I got back to the hotel I told Bill I was back at work and said "Good-bye." He opened the door for me, then followed me in! Because I work at this particular hotel often, the front desk staff and I are friendly so I just approached the desk and said "You have a visitor you might want to get rid of." But before they could get around from the back of the desk I heard Bill yell "What are you doing here?" I turned around to see the Starbucks Barista walking past him directly up to me. Before I could say a word he asked "Are you where you need to be?" Stunned, I nodded yes. I couldn't believe it! When he saw Bill take off with me down the street he left the Starbucks and followed us to make sure I was safe!
Then, in the pandamonium that broke out trying to get Bill out of the hotel I lost the Barista.
Although I had to leave downtown as soon as my work was over, I will be back tomorrow ... and you can be sure that I will get his name and Starbucks corproate will know about their wonderful employee.
So for today, despite the cold outside, I am warm; my heart filled with the kindness and caring of a stranger. Chivalry is NOT dead ... at least not at Starbucks in Portland, OR.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Life's Little Surprises
I was reminded twice today about the blind pleasure that comes from life's little surprises.
The first reminder started out sad. After 3 years of partnership, my business partner is moving to the East Coast. Bummer. Meeting Michelle was a complete happen-stance. My previous business partner and I had come into more work that either of us could handle ... so a search went out for someone that was reliable and capable to assist us. My business partner's husband's busines partner had a sister that was available ... Michelle.
After the event was over my partner decided she couldn't keep working at that pace and quit. I went completely into panic mode! While I was wallowing in my panic, I was also putting together a running team for the World's Longest Relay ... and wouldn't you know it Michelle and her husband are runners! So I invited them to run on my team and I spent most of my non-running/awake time worrying about what I was going to do for a business partner. At the end of the race, Michelle said she was interested ... and so we began.
I can only say that she was a godsend and we balanced each other perfectly; our kids were close to the same age, our husbands were very much alike (traveling salesmen), we like to be active and generally saw the world very similarly.
So today, as I said "Happy Sabbatical" to her ... because she IS coming back ... I realized how the cogs on the wheel that is life lined up so perfectly for her to join my life. They say everybody comes into your life, whether for a minute or a lifetime, for a reason. I learned things, saw things differently, saw people differently and am better because I know her ... the sister of a friend's husband's business partner.
The second surprise has been in my life for about the same amount of time and it makes me fill with awe when I think about it and my involvement. I'm talking about the Red Dress Party. Some of you may have seen my pictures and brief descriptions of this event, but I don't think I've ever done it true justice.
Just over 3 years ago, I ran into two friends I hadn't seen in years. They had, off-and-on, sent me invitations to a "Red Dress Party," but I didn't understand what it was, why I should buy tickets and I was sure I'd never get Tony into a red dress, so we hadn't attended and I'd lost touch with them. But here they were, face-to-face with me asking me to help them organize a party. "But I don't do parties," I said. "Please," they said. So I agreed.
The first year I was completely overwhelmed and barely raised my head to get the bigger picture. But I helped coordinate logistics, we went, we had a blast, I said I'd do it again.
The next year, they asked me to become a Board Member. I was blown away! I was the first woman and first straight person to serve on the board ... I was thrilled and honored. Now the realization of what was going on really began to sink in.
So now I tell you the story that has touched me so deeply and makes me proud and humbled to be involved in this wonderful event every day.
In 2001, on SuperBowl Sunday, 75 people crowded into the basement of a downtown home to party. The only requirement? Everybody had to wear a Red Dress. The dresses part began because some of the women complained about how they were expected to dress in cocktail dresses in the middle of winter while the guys got to wear pants and long sleeves. Somewhere along the line somebody decided the dresses had to be red.
By 2003, the party size had outgrown the basement, so they moved to a vacant grain silo and charged money for tickets. It cost money to put on the event, but the organizers committed to giving all proceeds to local organizations that were helping people living with or affected by AIDS. There were 325 guests.
Here we are in 2010, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the party. It has become THE party in Portland, each year selling out at 2,000 tickets (frankly, we can't handle a crowd bigger than that) and has donated more than $158,000 to local charities.
The Board has been awarded the Purely For Love award by Portland Monthly magazine because everybody associated with the event is a volunteer. Nobody, with the exception of the entertainment at the party, gets paid for their work. We have literally 1,000s of volunteer hours that go into every party and a volunteer workforce of 100s that help us get it all done.
To pull this off takes not just volunteers, but givers. Our state's liquor laws require that we have 3 hot and 3 cold food items availabe for all attendees all night (that's from 7:00p to 4:00a for those of you that care). Local restaurants, bakeries and caterers give food so the party can go on. Local and National breweries and distilleries give the alcohol, beer and wine that keep the party going. And many of our talent performs for free, or donates their fee back to us.
Often we're asked, why shouldn't I just give my money directly to the beneficiaries? The organizations that receive the money say it means more to them than twice the amount from a grant. Why? Because the Red Dress Party gives with no strings attached. They don't have to earmark our money for a specific program. When they get the money it's for any need. And in these financially trying times, there is a lot of need.
All this is so wonderful ... but here's where it gets really special; this little basement party has grown to a National event. This year Seattle, Las Vegas, Chicago and Hawaii will also host parties. And next year San Diego is going to host their first Red Dress Party. WOW! Every year we have representatives from several cities across the country attend and contact us about starting a party in their area. Double-WOW!
The dedication, focus, foresight, love, passion and enthusiasm for this event overwhelms me. Working with these people (the board, the volunteers, the attendees) I have seen love and acceptance like I never knew existed in a community and my fellow board members are easily listed amongst my best friends.
Attendees include gays, lesbians, bi-sexual, transgenders and straights. When I meet someone I don't care which they are and they don't xare which I am ... because just like being at a nudist camp, everybody's equal. We have a bond, we're Red Dress Partiers! Even Tony.
The first reminder started out sad. After 3 years of partnership, my business partner is moving to the East Coast. Bummer. Meeting Michelle was a complete happen-stance. My previous business partner and I had come into more work that either of us could handle ... so a search went out for someone that was reliable and capable to assist us. My business partner's husband's busines partner had a sister that was available ... Michelle.
After the event was over my partner decided she couldn't keep working at that pace and quit. I went completely into panic mode! While I was wallowing in my panic, I was also putting together a running team for the World's Longest Relay ... and wouldn't you know it Michelle and her husband are runners! So I invited them to run on my team and I spent most of my non-running/awake time worrying about what I was going to do for a business partner. At the end of the race, Michelle said she was interested ... and so we began.
I can only say that she was a godsend and we balanced each other perfectly; our kids were close to the same age, our husbands were very much alike (traveling salesmen), we like to be active and generally saw the world very similarly.
So today, as I said "Happy Sabbatical" to her ... because she IS coming back ... I realized how the cogs on the wheel that is life lined up so perfectly for her to join my life. They say everybody comes into your life, whether for a minute or a lifetime, for a reason. I learned things, saw things differently, saw people differently and am better because I know her ... the sister of a friend's husband's business partner.
The second surprise has been in my life for about the same amount of time and it makes me fill with awe when I think about it and my involvement. I'm talking about the Red Dress Party. Some of you may have seen my pictures and brief descriptions of this event, but I don't think I've ever done it true justice.
Just over 3 years ago, I ran into two friends I hadn't seen in years. They had, off-and-on, sent me invitations to a "Red Dress Party," but I didn't understand what it was, why I should buy tickets and I was sure I'd never get Tony into a red dress, so we hadn't attended and I'd lost touch with them. But here they were, face-to-face with me asking me to help them organize a party. "But I don't do parties," I said. "Please," they said. So I agreed.
The first year I was completely overwhelmed and barely raised my head to get the bigger picture. But I helped coordinate logistics, we went, we had a blast, I said I'd do it again.
The next year, they asked me to become a Board Member. I was blown away! I was the first woman and first straight person to serve on the board ... I was thrilled and honored. Now the realization of what was going on really began to sink in.
So now I tell you the story that has touched me so deeply and makes me proud and humbled to be involved in this wonderful event every day.
In 2001, on SuperBowl Sunday, 75 people crowded into the basement of a downtown home to party. The only requirement? Everybody had to wear a Red Dress. The dresses part began because some of the women complained about how they were expected to dress in cocktail dresses in the middle of winter while the guys got to wear pants and long sleeves. Somewhere along the line somebody decided the dresses had to be red.
By 2003, the party size had outgrown the basement, so they moved to a vacant grain silo and charged money for tickets. It cost money to put on the event, but the organizers committed to giving all proceeds to local organizations that were helping people living with or affected by AIDS. There were 325 guests.
Here we are in 2010, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the party. It has become THE party in Portland, each year selling out at 2,000 tickets (frankly, we can't handle a crowd bigger than that) and has donated more than $158,000 to local charities.
The Board has been awarded the Purely For Love award by Portland Monthly magazine because everybody associated with the event is a volunteer. Nobody, with the exception of the entertainment at the party, gets paid for their work. We have literally 1,000s of volunteer hours that go into every party and a volunteer workforce of 100s that help us get it all done.
To pull this off takes not just volunteers, but givers. Our state's liquor laws require that we have 3 hot and 3 cold food items availabe for all attendees all night (that's from 7:00p to 4:00a for those of you that care). Local restaurants, bakeries and caterers give food so the party can go on. Local and National breweries and distilleries give the alcohol, beer and wine that keep the party going. And many of our talent performs for free, or donates their fee back to us.
Often we're asked, why shouldn't I just give my money directly to the beneficiaries? The organizations that receive the money say it means more to them than twice the amount from a grant. Why? Because the Red Dress Party gives with no strings attached. They don't have to earmark our money for a specific program. When they get the money it's for any need. And in these financially trying times, there is a lot of need.
All this is so wonderful ... but here's where it gets really special; this little basement party has grown to a National event. This year Seattle, Las Vegas, Chicago and Hawaii will also host parties. And next year San Diego is going to host their first Red Dress Party. WOW! Every year we have representatives from several cities across the country attend and contact us about starting a party in their area. Double-WOW!
The dedication, focus, foresight, love, passion and enthusiasm for this event overwhelms me. Working with these people (the board, the volunteers, the attendees) I have seen love and acceptance like I never knew existed in a community and my fellow board members are easily listed amongst my best friends.
Attendees include gays, lesbians, bi-sexual, transgenders and straights. When I meet someone I don't care which they are and they don't xare which I am ... because just like being at a nudist camp, everybody's equal. We have a bond, we're Red Dress Partiers! Even Tony.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
I Love San Francisco!
I guess I'm not always so good at this blogging thing ... LOL! I think about what I'm going to say in my head, then never get it online. UGH!
Well, before I tell you about San Franscico, I must wrap up our last day in Lake Tahoe.
Tony and I returned to our favorite snowshoeing spot only to find it very windy with some snow-laiden clouds looming on the horizon. But that didn't stop us. We "hiked" the 1/2 mile to our favorite rock, shead some clothes (even in the cold snowshoeing makes you hot) and cracked open a bottle of wine.
So there we are, sitting pretty sans clothes, drinking wine and eating cheese and crackers when we hear voices! We turn around to find two guys and their dogs coming up the trail. Luckily the dogs found us first and we were able to get some covering on before the guys got too close. Actually, I hardly think they noticed us as they were on a mission to get to the top of the mountain ... which they did in really good time.
We stayed about 45 minutes longer, until the wind was just getting too brisk. On the way back to the car we pass some really old cabins that have some of the most wonderful views on the lake. We "broke onto" one of the decks, relaxed a bit in the sunshine sheltered from the wind and finished our wine. Then we were off to the car.
On the way back we stopped at Camp Richardson. It had been recommended by a local as having a great restaurant and bar so we thought we'd check it out. Camp Richardson is located right on the lake's edge and has a large marina that is very busy in the summer. Although there were onyl about 10 people in the entire place when we were there, the bartender said in the summer the decks are full and the guests are 5 deep at the bar.
As we sat at the bar, looking out over the beautiful lake I said "I'll jump in." And Tony, knowing me so well said "I know you will." But the bartender, not knowing me so well said "I'll buy a round if you do." I didn't need any more encouragement than that so off we went. Tony brought the blanket from the car and we walked out on the pier until the crystal clear water looked deep enough for me to dive in. And I did!
Much to my surprise it was still only chest deep, and although it was very cold, it didn't take my breath away like I thought it would. Unfortunately, the pier doesn't have a ladder to get out, so with Tony's help I had to climb out of the water ... which is kinda difficult when your muscles are freezing.
I re-dressed and returned to the bar, only to have the bartender say he missed it. Luckily, Tony had taken photos as proof, so we showed him and good to his word he bought us a round of drinks. Within minutes a guy walked into the bar and said "I hear someone just jumped into the lake." Word sure spreads fast in a small community. Oh yeah, before we left, I did it again. Just because.
Thursday night Tony and I went to dinner on our own to the Edgewood Country Club. In past years we've gone to The Chart House, but we have one in Portland and wanted to try something different. Wow! I highly recommend this place. It's right on the lake and if the weather had been clear it would have had a killer sunset. As it was, by the time we got to dinner snow had started falling and everything was covered in clouds. But the food and service was amazing and we're definitely going to return.
Friday we drove the 3 hours to San Francisco, arriving in time to drop off our bags at the hotel and catch a late lunch at the Hard Rock on the pier. Nether of the kids had ever been to San Francisco so we ended up turning them lose for a while while we walked up to Chinatown and Amante's for some excercise and a drink.
When dinner came around we let the kids decide what they wanted ... and it was seafood. We had gone through the hotel book and selected a restaurant, but when we went online to see their menu we decided it was a little expensive. So a quick call to the concierge got us a recommendation and reservation at Pompei's Grotto. It's on the wharf, but on the West end past the tourist places.
We were so glad we made the change. The food was fantastic, the prices were great and it wasn't crowded with tourists.
Saturday we woke to a very sunny and warm day so we took the kids through North Beach to Chinatown to Union Square ... shopping all the way. I ended up having to purchase a tank top as the long-sleeved t-shirt I was wearing was roasting! Tony has a short fuse for shopping and the hills don't do so well with his knees, so we decided to let the kids carry-on while we returned towards North Beach. We found a sidewalk table at the North Beach Restaurant on the corners of Green, Columbus and Stockton ... a great location for people watching. So we spent a couple of hours over appetizers and a bottle (or two) of wine until the kids returned. Then we ventured off to Tonmy's favorite hat shop where everybody was treated to new hats (we probably should have gotten them before spending the day in the sun).
Saturday night we had dinner at Frienze by Night (in North Beach) and while the kids returned to the nightlife on the wharf, Tony and I went to check in on friends at Amante's.
Sunday morning was another beautiful day so we packed up the car and headed to the Golden Gate Bridge on our way out of town. Tony and I have visited San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge many times and have never experienced the kind of weather we had this weekend. I am so thankful for the kids' sake.
I just can't say enough good things about San Francisco. If we could, I would live there in a minute. It's a very ecclectic, walkable city where everybody is friendly. Even our son, who hates going downtown Portland because he doesn't feel safe (it is safe, he just doesn't feel it) felt safe in San Francisco. I'm hoping that we'll get down there more once Ashton's off to college. Tony gets there on work every couple of months so hopefully then I'll be able to "ride along."
The drive home was, well, long. Exactly 10 hours from door to door ... and wouldn't you know it 5 miles across the Oregon border is started raining ... and never stopped!
We've been home for a few days now and the weather has been hit-and-miss. Raining/hailing one minute and sunshine the next. I'm getting very busy with my Red Dress Party (www.reddresspdx.com) party that's April 17th ... I'm on the board and am the operations manager for the event. It's a great cause and I recommend you take a look at the website. Even if you can't attend, it's a great story about how it all started and how it's grown.
I'll try to be better about my postings. :)
Well, before I tell you about San Franscico, I must wrap up our last day in Lake Tahoe.
Tony and I returned to our favorite snowshoeing spot only to find it very windy with some snow-laiden clouds looming on the horizon. But that didn't stop us. We "hiked" the 1/2 mile to our favorite rock, shead some clothes (even in the cold snowshoeing makes you hot) and cracked open a bottle of wine.
So there we are, sitting pretty sans clothes, drinking wine and eating cheese and crackers when we hear voices! We turn around to find two guys and their dogs coming up the trail. Luckily the dogs found us first and we were able to get some covering on before the guys got too close. Actually, I hardly think they noticed us as they were on a mission to get to the top of the mountain ... which they did in really good time.
We stayed about 45 minutes longer, until the wind was just getting too brisk. On the way back to the car we pass some really old cabins that have some of the most wonderful views on the lake. We "broke onto" one of the decks, relaxed a bit in the sunshine sheltered from the wind and finished our wine. Then we were off to the car.
On the way back we stopped at Camp Richardson. It had been recommended by a local as having a great restaurant and bar so we thought we'd check it out. Camp Richardson is located right on the lake's edge and has a large marina that is very busy in the summer. Although there were onyl about 10 people in the entire place when we were there, the bartender said in the summer the decks are full and the guests are 5 deep at the bar.
As we sat at the bar, looking out over the beautiful lake I said "I'll jump in." And Tony, knowing me so well said "I know you will." But the bartender, not knowing me so well said "I'll buy a round if you do." I didn't need any more encouragement than that so off we went. Tony brought the blanket from the car and we walked out on the pier until the crystal clear water looked deep enough for me to dive in. And I did!
Much to my surprise it was still only chest deep, and although it was very cold, it didn't take my breath away like I thought it would. Unfortunately, the pier doesn't have a ladder to get out, so with Tony's help I had to climb out of the water ... which is kinda difficult when your muscles are freezing.
I re-dressed and returned to the bar, only to have the bartender say he missed it. Luckily, Tony had taken photos as proof, so we showed him and good to his word he bought us a round of drinks. Within minutes a guy walked into the bar and said "I hear someone just jumped into the lake." Word sure spreads fast in a small community. Oh yeah, before we left, I did it again. Just because.
Thursday night Tony and I went to dinner on our own to the Edgewood Country Club. In past years we've gone to The Chart House, but we have one in Portland and wanted to try something different. Wow! I highly recommend this place. It's right on the lake and if the weather had been clear it would have had a killer sunset. As it was, by the time we got to dinner snow had started falling and everything was covered in clouds. But the food and service was amazing and we're definitely going to return.
Friday we drove the 3 hours to San Francisco, arriving in time to drop off our bags at the hotel and catch a late lunch at the Hard Rock on the pier. Nether of the kids had ever been to San Francisco so we ended up turning them lose for a while while we walked up to Chinatown and Amante's for some excercise and a drink.
When dinner came around we let the kids decide what they wanted ... and it was seafood. We had gone through the hotel book and selected a restaurant, but when we went online to see their menu we decided it was a little expensive. So a quick call to the concierge got us a recommendation and reservation at Pompei's Grotto. It's on the wharf, but on the West end past the tourist places.
We were so glad we made the change. The food was fantastic, the prices were great and it wasn't crowded with tourists.
Saturday we woke to a very sunny and warm day so we took the kids through North Beach to Chinatown to Union Square ... shopping all the way. I ended up having to purchase a tank top as the long-sleeved t-shirt I was wearing was roasting! Tony has a short fuse for shopping and the hills don't do so well with his knees, so we decided to let the kids carry-on while we returned towards North Beach. We found a sidewalk table at the North Beach Restaurant on the corners of Green, Columbus and Stockton ... a great location for people watching. So we spent a couple of hours over appetizers and a bottle (or two) of wine until the kids returned. Then we ventured off to Tonmy's favorite hat shop where everybody was treated to new hats (we probably should have gotten them before spending the day in the sun).
Saturday night we had dinner at Frienze by Night (in North Beach) and while the kids returned to the nightlife on the wharf, Tony and I went to check in on friends at Amante's.
Sunday morning was another beautiful day so we packed up the car and headed to the Golden Gate Bridge on our way out of town. Tony and I have visited San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge many times and have never experienced the kind of weather we had this weekend. I am so thankful for the kids' sake.
I just can't say enough good things about San Francisco. If we could, I would live there in a minute. It's a very ecclectic, walkable city where everybody is friendly. Even our son, who hates going downtown Portland because he doesn't feel safe (it is safe, he just doesn't feel it) felt safe in San Francisco. I'm hoping that we'll get down there more once Ashton's off to college. Tony gets there on work every couple of months so hopefully then I'll be able to "ride along."
The drive home was, well, long. Exactly 10 hours from door to door ... and wouldn't you know it 5 miles across the Oregon border is started raining ... and never stopped!
We've been home for a few days now and the weather has been hit-and-miss. Raining/hailing one minute and sunshine the next. I'm getting very busy with my Red Dress Party (www.reddresspdx.com) party that's April 17th ... I'm on the board and am the operations manager for the event. It's a great cause and I recommend you take a look at the website. Even if you can't attend, it's a great story about how it all started and how it's grown.
I'll try to be better about my postings. :)
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Spring Break -- A Little of This, A Little of That
This has been a week of doing a little bit of a lot of things.
That is partially because the Heavenly Village is small and after you've walked it once, you've pretty much seen it all.
But that's the great part about being a woman, you can never get enough window shopping!
Tuesday while Tony worked, we (me, our son and his girlfriend) headed out for some shopping. She needed shoes for prom and he wanted (another) t-shirt. It was a good lesson for our son. Once he'd found what he wanted, he was done. But he learned what all men need to know ... when shopping with women bring a book! We landed at a shop with a huge selection of shoes and stayed there for well over 45 minutes ... and ended up not buying a thing! :)
We finished our shopping with a stop at the local candy shop because neither kid had ever had a carmeled apple ... how is that possible??? The shop had a wonderful selection of plain and special apples, so we chose one with mini M&Ms on it. They sliced it for us (so much better) and we all shared it. I'm sure we'll be back to this shop before the week is over!
Tuesday night was dinner at Fire & Ice, the restaurant inside the Marriott Timber Lodge. It's a Mongolian-grill styled restaurant with a wide selection of veggies, seafood and meats, as well as pasta, rice and tortillas. The trick to getting your money's worth is to go hungry and not have any salad. Tony and I did our best, but could only get in two trips to the grill ... but the kids got in three, so we definitely did good.
Wednesday was my day to join the kids for skiing. I hadn't been on skis since I hurt my knee here last year so was a little apprehensive ... but skiing is just like riding a bike, you never forget how.
Spring skiing here is very interesting ... you start the day in icy conditions and basically follow the sun around the hill as it warms the snow. By 2:00p it's very slushy and starts getting slow. On what turned out to be my last run my skis got tangled up and I ended up going down ... face first! Today I am sporting a sore face, but am otherwise am just fine.
Last night we got a wonderful dusting of snow, with more predicted for today and tonight. The winds are up so the gondola is closed, but the resort is running shuttle buses to the California base, so the kids are off to the mountain for their last day of snowboardinmg and Tony and I are going to try to get one more day of snowshoeing in before we have to start packing up.
Tomorrow we're out of here and on our way to San Francisco for two days before heading home. I hope it doesn't snow too much as we didn't bring our chains!
That is partially because the Heavenly Village is small and after you've walked it once, you've pretty much seen it all.
But that's the great part about being a woman, you can never get enough window shopping!
Tuesday while Tony worked, we (me, our son and his girlfriend) headed out for some shopping. She needed shoes for prom and he wanted (another) t-shirt. It was a good lesson for our son. Once he'd found what he wanted, he was done. But he learned what all men need to know ... when shopping with women bring a book! We landed at a shop with a huge selection of shoes and stayed there for well over 45 minutes ... and ended up not buying a thing! :)
We finished our shopping with a stop at the local candy shop because neither kid had ever had a carmeled apple ... how is that possible??? The shop had a wonderful selection of plain and special apples, so we chose one with mini M&Ms on it. They sliced it for us (so much better) and we all shared it. I'm sure we'll be back to this shop before the week is over!
Tuesday night was dinner at Fire & Ice, the restaurant inside the Marriott Timber Lodge. It's a Mongolian-grill styled restaurant with a wide selection of veggies, seafood and meats, as well as pasta, rice and tortillas. The trick to getting your money's worth is to go hungry and not have any salad. Tony and I did our best, but could only get in two trips to the grill ... but the kids got in three, so we definitely did good.
Wednesday was my day to join the kids for skiing. I hadn't been on skis since I hurt my knee here last year so was a little apprehensive ... but skiing is just like riding a bike, you never forget how.
Spring skiing here is very interesting ... you start the day in icy conditions and basically follow the sun around the hill as it warms the snow. By 2:00p it's very slushy and starts getting slow. On what turned out to be my last run my skis got tangled up and I ended up going down ... face first! Today I am sporting a sore face, but am otherwise am just fine.
Last night we got a wonderful dusting of snow, with more predicted for today and tonight. The winds are up so the gondola is closed, but the resort is running shuttle buses to the California base, so the kids are off to the mountain for their last day of snowboardinmg and Tony and I are going to try to get one more day of snowshoeing in before we have to start packing up.
Tomorrow we're out of here and on our way to San Francisco for two days before heading home. I hope it doesn't snow too much as we didn't bring our chains!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Lake Tahoe Is On The Rise Again
Last year, when we were here, things in the South Shore area were looking a big bleak. The economy had hit the area hard wth many shops out of business, going out of business or only open a few hours or days to try to cut costs. As well the streets were empty and "depression" was in the air.
We weren't sure what we would find this year, but things have really changed! All the stores are filled and in speaking with the owners sales are up this year. And there are people milling about everywhere. The fire pits outside the resort are crowded with skiers and boarders after the lifts have closed and there is an energy in the air. Could this be a sign of things turning around for our country?
Our group this week consists of Tony, me, our son and his girlfriend. This is a first for us, taking along the girlfriend, but we told him he could bring anybody and she's who he selected. Luckily, our timeshare is a two bedroom "apartment" with a pull-out sofa bed in the living room.
Saturday was our first full day here. It began with "the kids" heading to the mountain to ski while Tony and I spent the day wandering the shops and getting settled. Several of the art galleries were having "Meet the Artist" shows and we enjoyed seeing new art, learning of new artists and even finding a few pieces that caught our eyes.
Sunday the winds were up and the gondola leading to Heavenly Valley was closed down, so "the kids" decided to take the day off and show themselves around South Lake Tahoe Village. Tony and I decided to take a drive up to Emerald Bay and beyond, then return to do some shopping with "the kids." The drive, as usual was beautiful ... and much busier than in past years. There were cars and tourists at all our favorite spots, so we made very few stops. But on the way back we decided to check out a new place I had found, Eagle Point.
Although there is less snow than in the past, the side roads are still closed and covered with snow. Luckily, our snowshoes and boots were still in the Thule box on the car. Special clothing wasn't needed as it was nearly 60-degrees out, so we strapped into our shoes and took off.
We followed the camp road through campsights for about 2 miles. Along the way we saw what could have been cougar tracks, bear tracks, or a dog following along with a snowshoer. Clearly, we have no tracking skills! LOL
At the end, we found a nice sunny spot where we made snow angels and relaxed. Unfortunately, because this outting wasn't planned, we didn't have any food or drink with us. So what typically would have been an hour's rest was only about 20 minutes before we headed back. We never did see the eagle's nests that are said to be at the end of the point, but we did se a lone eagle flying overhead as we hiked it.
One the way in, Tony kept saying ... turn around, we're going downhill! And he was right, the climb out was definitely at climb, but we found a few short-cuts left by previous snowshoers. In all our little outting took us about 3 hours and was the perfect afternoon.
Unfortunately, it meant we missed shopping with "the kids" so we've promised to go with them on Tuesday, which is supposed to be the worst weather day of the week. I have to say we did find it comical ... when we're with "the kids" they seem all they want to do is be away from us. But while we were gone they called no fewer than 10 times to see what we were up to. Unfortunately, we'd left our phones in the car so we left them wondering ... kinda a role-reversal.
We're trying to save money by being on the "every-other-day" meal plan, which means we're eating in every-other-day. Sunday night was our night out and we selected McP's across the street from the resort.
Although generally the food was good, we were a little disappointed that they a) didn't serve steak, b) didn't have a frier (so no french fries) and c) didn't have very good French Onion soup. On the otherhand, when the waiter noticed that we didn't like the soup he offered a free cup of another one ... so that made points with us.
I don't know if it was all the sunshine and fresh air, the elevation, or the fact that it was the first day of Spring, but I didn't sleep well at all last night. I was going to ski with "the kids" today while Tony worked, but as I'd only had 2 hours of sleep I decided it was better to go another day when I wouldn't either get tired or get hurt, or both.
So while he works, I'm catching up on e-mail, writing my blog and doing laundry (how do we have laundry after only 2 days??).
Today is a beautifully sunny day so once he's done working we'll work out and go outside to soak up some sunshine. Tomorrow we're all going to be "in" so I'm looking for things for us to do to fill our time ... while the village here is nice, it's small enough that you can see it all in a day. Maybe I can talk "the kids" into trying snowshoeing too!
We weren't sure what we would find this year, but things have really changed! All the stores are filled and in speaking with the owners sales are up this year. And there are people milling about everywhere. The fire pits outside the resort are crowded with skiers and boarders after the lifts have closed and there is an energy in the air. Could this be a sign of things turning around for our country?
Our group this week consists of Tony, me, our son and his girlfriend. This is a first for us, taking along the girlfriend, but we told him he could bring anybody and she's who he selected. Luckily, our timeshare is a two bedroom "apartment" with a pull-out sofa bed in the living room.
Saturday was our first full day here. It began with "the kids" heading to the mountain to ski while Tony and I spent the day wandering the shops and getting settled. Several of the art galleries were having "Meet the Artist" shows and we enjoyed seeing new art, learning of new artists and even finding a few pieces that caught our eyes.
Sunday the winds were up and the gondola leading to Heavenly Valley was closed down, so "the kids" decided to take the day off and show themselves around South Lake Tahoe Village. Tony and I decided to take a drive up to Emerald Bay and beyond, then return to do some shopping with "the kids." The drive, as usual was beautiful ... and much busier than in past years. There were cars and tourists at all our favorite spots, so we made very few stops. But on the way back we decided to check out a new place I had found, Eagle Point.
Although there is less snow than in the past, the side roads are still closed and covered with snow. Luckily, our snowshoes and boots were still in the Thule box on the car. Special clothing wasn't needed as it was nearly 60-degrees out, so we strapped into our shoes and took off.
We followed the camp road through campsights for about 2 miles. Along the way we saw what could have been cougar tracks, bear tracks, or a dog following along with a snowshoer. Clearly, we have no tracking skills! LOL
At the end, we found a nice sunny spot where we made snow angels and relaxed. Unfortunately, because this outting wasn't planned, we didn't have any food or drink with us. So what typically would have been an hour's rest was only about 20 minutes before we headed back. We never did see the eagle's nests that are said to be at the end of the point, but we did se a lone eagle flying overhead as we hiked it.
One the way in, Tony kept saying ... turn around, we're going downhill! And he was right, the climb out was definitely at climb, but we found a few short-cuts left by previous snowshoers. In all our little outting took us about 3 hours and was the perfect afternoon.
Unfortunately, it meant we missed shopping with "the kids" so we've promised to go with them on Tuesday, which is supposed to be the worst weather day of the week. I have to say we did find it comical ... when we're with "the kids" they seem all they want to do is be away from us. But while we were gone they called no fewer than 10 times to see what we were up to. Unfortunately, we'd left our phones in the car so we left them wondering ... kinda a role-reversal.
We're trying to save money by being on the "every-other-day" meal plan, which means we're eating in every-other-day. Sunday night was our night out and we selected McP's across the street from the resort.
Although generally the food was good, we were a little disappointed that they a) didn't serve steak, b) didn't have a frier (so no french fries) and c) didn't have very good French Onion soup. On the otherhand, when the waiter noticed that we didn't like the soup he offered a free cup of another one ... so that made points with us.
I don't know if it was all the sunshine and fresh air, the elevation, or the fact that it was the first day of Spring, but I didn't sleep well at all last night. I was going to ski with "the kids" today while Tony worked, but as I'd only had 2 hours of sleep I decided it was better to go another day when I wouldn't either get tired or get hurt, or both.
So while he works, I'm catching up on e-mail, writing my blog and doing laundry (how do we have laundry after only 2 days??).
Today is a beautifully sunny day so once he's done working we'll work out and go outside to soak up some sunshine. Tomorrow we're all going to be "in" so I'm looking for things for us to do to fill our time ... while the village here is nice, it's small enough that you can see it all in a day. Maybe I can talk "the kids" into trying snowshoeing too!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
I'm Back and We're Off
Remember how in my last post I said I thought I might be coming down with a cold? Well, I would have been so lucky.
I know that flying on a plane dries your sinuses and that there should be come wonderful moisturizer in plane air that keeps that from happening, but it doesn't. So when we got home I knew I was in a fragile state. Then my lovely grand daughter same to stay for a few hours and when she was dropped off her Mom announced that she was sick. Great!
What I ended up with was a killer head and chest cold that had me knocked down for almost two weeks. I was able to keep up with what little work I have going on, but any time I wasn't working, I was sleeping, coughing or fighting to breath through the bathtub of fluid in my lungs. Finally this week I got into the doctor and found out my lungs are clearing on their own, but I have a sinus infection. So now I'm on antibiotics and an inhaler in the hopes that 100% health us just around the corner.
The worst part of all of this is it means I haven't worked out since before we left for St. Barth's!
Because of the baggage charge on airlines, the past couple of years we've driven to Lake Tahoe for Spring Break, and this year was the same. 10 hrs. from door-to-door with a couple quick stops for gas and snacks. We took a more scenic route than we have in the past and traveled through Ashton's future college town. I'm sure there will be more on that in the future, but for now I'll just say I've seen the town and college ... finally!
We have arrived safely and I'm hoping to make this the re-start of my fitness routine. I know I have to take it slow, but I have to do something ... I am going to be body painted in less than 4 weeks and this body is not ready for that!
I absolutely love Lake Tahoe. This is our 4th Spring Break here after Ashton announced he doesn't like the warm weather of Palm Springs or St. Martin. The great thing about here is that with the exception of only a couple of days, the sun is always out and the snow is always on the ground. You've seen the photos ... it's beautiful!
This year Tony has brought along some snowshoes too and we're going to get out there at least a couple of days. I'm thinking that will be the extent of my aerobic activity, but I brought my Yoga, Stretch and Abs P90X DVDs along for the other days.
On a side note, I just read that P!nk does the P90X workouts. Funny though, she turns off the volume 'cause Tony Horton drives her crazy. I can see that. :)
Tony's going to work in Sacramento a couple of days and I'll ski while he's gone. The last time I skied was here when I hurt my knee. Fingers crossed for a better outcome this year.
Day 1 Spring Brek 2010 -- Kids are snowbording (Ashton's girlfriend is along), and Tony and I are sitting at our computers. I'm going to sign off and do some yoga before starting the day.
I promise I'll update more now that I'm back amongst the living.
I know that flying on a plane dries your sinuses and that there should be come wonderful moisturizer in plane air that keeps that from happening, but it doesn't. So when we got home I knew I was in a fragile state. Then my lovely grand daughter same to stay for a few hours and when she was dropped off her Mom announced that she was sick. Great!
What I ended up with was a killer head and chest cold that had me knocked down for almost two weeks. I was able to keep up with what little work I have going on, but any time I wasn't working, I was sleeping, coughing or fighting to breath through the bathtub of fluid in my lungs. Finally this week I got into the doctor and found out my lungs are clearing on their own, but I have a sinus infection. So now I'm on antibiotics and an inhaler in the hopes that 100% health us just around the corner.
The worst part of all of this is it means I haven't worked out since before we left for St. Barth's!
Because of the baggage charge on airlines, the past couple of years we've driven to Lake Tahoe for Spring Break, and this year was the same. 10 hrs. from door-to-door with a couple quick stops for gas and snacks. We took a more scenic route than we have in the past and traveled through Ashton's future college town. I'm sure there will be more on that in the future, but for now I'll just say I've seen the town and college ... finally!
We have arrived safely and I'm hoping to make this the re-start of my fitness routine. I know I have to take it slow, but I have to do something ... I am going to be body painted in less than 4 weeks and this body is not ready for that!
I absolutely love Lake Tahoe. This is our 4th Spring Break here after Ashton announced he doesn't like the warm weather of Palm Springs or St. Martin. The great thing about here is that with the exception of only a couple of days, the sun is always out and the snow is always on the ground. You've seen the photos ... it's beautiful!
This year Tony has brought along some snowshoes too and we're going to get out there at least a couple of days. I'm thinking that will be the extent of my aerobic activity, but I brought my Yoga, Stretch and Abs P90X DVDs along for the other days.
On a side note, I just read that P!nk does the P90X workouts. Funny though, she turns off the volume 'cause Tony Horton drives her crazy. I can see that. :)
Tony's going to work in Sacramento a couple of days and I'll ski while he's gone. The last time I skied was here when I hurt my knee. Fingers crossed for a better outcome this year.
Day 1 Spring Brek 2010 -- Kids are snowbording (Ashton's girlfriend is along), and Tony and I are sitting at our computers. I'm going to sign off and do some yoga before starting the day.
I promise I'll update more now that I'm back amongst the living.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
St. Barths 2010
Sorry it’s taken me so long to post this. We returned late and I was back at work EARLY the next morning. I’m not sure if it was the jeg-lag or the fact I feel like I’m coming down with a cold, but I’ve had a real difficult time with “re-entry” after this trip. I wrote most of this on our way home, but justgot it finished and ready for posting …
We’re on our long journey home. I am hoping you understand that I didn’t post everyday because we were busy enjoying our time on this wonderful island. That isn’t to say we didn’t have time each day for checking e-mail, but the villa was so open and light that computer screens are really only readable from the small kitchen island; and I preferred to spend as much time as possible enjoying the view and sunshine.
We had a wonderful time on this vacation and will most definitely be returning.
After we picked up our rental Jimny (think Rav4-like) we took off exploring the island. I have to give kudos to Tony for driving as these have to be some of the scariest roads we’re ever traveled. They were windy, steep and often only 1 ½ cars wide … even on the two-way streets. It was crazy to look out my side of the car down the steep cliffs that dropped unprotected from the side of the road. Occasionally I would see a thin (6”-8”) strip of pavement about 10’ long that had been added to make the road slightly wider. Although I’m sure it should have gave me comfort, I definitely got the feeling it had been added because too many cars had gone off the road in that location. And you’d think that with these road conditions, drivers would be cautious, but no. Most drivers drove as if they were on the Grand Prix circuit!
There was one thing that was a pleasant surprise … it doesn’t have to be as expensive as everybody says. Yes, everything is in Euros (and right now the dollar isn’t too strong), but if you were smart about where you ate and what you ordered, fantastic meals (including a bottle of wine) could run $140 - $160 for two. And if you wanted pizza (which is fantastic at both Le Bistro and Andy’s) it could be nearly half that price.
Staying in a villa is definitely the way to go and there are literally 100s available ranging from 1- to 8-bedrooms. Not all are on the beach, or have a pool, but what a villa offers you is the opportunity to eat in for breakfast, make lunches for the beach and eat in a couple of nights.
The nightlife on the island is amazing, but as we found it can be hit-or-miss. Friday night we went the Le Yacht Club and found a fun party that really only got started around 11:00p. Other friends of ours went to another hotspot, Le Ti, and found it to be completely dead. Saturday night we went to Le Ti and it was definitely hopping. Sunday night we returned to Le Yacht Club and it was completely dead. So you have to be prepared to move-on if a night-life is what you’re looking for. It’s worth noting that the reason things get going so late is because the local restaurant staff are the biggest patrons of the nightclubs. So the attendees early are the young rich and the late partiers are the locals. The later is definitely more fun.
I must take a moment to talk about Le Ti. We had heard about it from friends and I couldn’t wait to give it a try. Technically, it’s a restaurant (and although the food is fine, its not the best on the island) but once all the people have eaten, the waiters clear off the tables and the DJ fires up the music. Because it’s a restaurant, the space is filled with tables … so what do people to do? Dance on the tables!! It was so much fun! Unfortunately, because it’s located in a “neighborhood” they have a noise restriction and have to close at 11:30p.
What we learned early on was that one must on the island is Sunday lunch at Nikki Beach. It’s the place to see and be seen (from what we were told). So reservations were made (also a must on the island). It definitely wasn’t our cheapest day, but how can you put a price on fun? Recently people have taken to bringing the Le Ti experience to Nikki Beach and as the crowd loosens up on wine and the DJ’s music starts pumping the dancing begins. Once again we closed the place down (6:00p) and made some fantastic friends along the way.
Someone at the San Juan airport asked me about people being stuffy. It became clear early on that there are two types of people that come to St. Barths. Those that come to be seen, and those that come to enjoy all the island has to offer. The least social people we ran into were Americans (but definitely not all the Americans we met). Oh, I’m sure the people on the yachts had their own level of stuffy, but we didn’t typically hang out with them (as their role was more to be seen sitting on the decks of their yachts while in the harbor). However, we met so many nice Americans and French that who needs to worry about those that don’t know how to have fun? My #1 observance would be the friendliest Americans were those that have been coming for years, and have made local friends. They’re the ones that come to have a good time … not to be seen.
I think Tony and I both were trying to put off the packing as long as possible and trying to think of ways to stay a few more days. If we hadn’t been on so many airlines (and I didn’t have to get back to work) we probably would have tried to stay a few more days.
In the end I was really surprised by St. Barths … on so many levels. My concerns over the cost of things were mostly unnecessary and if the dollar had been stronger against the Euro the prices would have been like anywhere else. As well, I was pleasantly surprised at how much fun could be had … and in such a variety of ways. I think Lance and Libby were concerned that the island would be to quite for us, but the reality is that we love a nice relaxing day on the beach and a nice quite dinner with friends. So St. Barths offered just the right mix of both.
We’re already talking about how we can get back this summer … so I guess you can say it was perfect.
We’re on our long journey home. I am hoping you understand that I didn’t post everyday because we were busy enjoying our time on this wonderful island. That isn’t to say we didn’t have time each day for checking e-mail, but the villa was so open and light that computer screens are really only readable from the small kitchen island; and I preferred to spend as much time as possible enjoying the view and sunshine.
We had a wonderful time on this vacation and will most definitely be returning.
After we picked up our rental Jimny (think Rav4-like) we took off exploring the island. I have to give kudos to Tony for driving as these have to be some of the scariest roads we’re ever traveled. They were windy, steep and often only 1 ½ cars wide … even on the two-way streets. It was crazy to look out my side of the car down the steep cliffs that dropped unprotected from the side of the road. Occasionally I would see a thin (6”-8”) strip of pavement about 10’ long that had been added to make the road slightly wider. Although I’m sure it should have gave me comfort, I definitely got the feeling it had been added because too many cars had gone off the road in that location. And you’d think that with these road conditions, drivers would be cautious, but no. Most drivers drove as if they were on the Grand Prix circuit!
There was one thing that was a pleasant surprise … it doesn’t have to be as expensive as everybody says. Yes, everything is in Euros (and right now the dollar isn’t too strong), but if you were smart about where you ate and what you ordered, fantastic meals (including a bottle of wine) could run $140 - $160 for two. And if you wanted pizza (which is fantastic at both Le Bistro and Andy’s) it could be nearly half that price.
Staying in a villa is definitely the way to go and there are literally 100s available ranging from 1- to 8-bedrooms. Not all are on the beach, or have a pool, but what a villa offers you is the opportunity to eat in for breakfast, make lunches for the beach and eat in a couple of nights.
The nightlife on the island is amazing, but as we found it can be hit-or-miss. Friday night we went the Le Yacht Club and found a fun party that really only got started around 11:00p. Other friends of ours went to another hotspot, Le Ti, and found it to be completely dead. Saturday night we went to Le Ti and it was definitely hopping. Sunday night we returned to Le Yacht Club and it was completely dead. So you have to be prepared to move-on if a night-life is what you’re looking for. It’s worth noting that the reason things get going so late is because the local restaurant staff are the biggest patrons of the nightclubs. So the attendees early are the young rich and the late partiers are the locals. The later is definitely more fun.
I must take a moment to talk about Le Ti. We had heard about it from friends and I couldn’t wait to give it a try. Technically, it’s a restaurant (and although the food is fine, its not the best on the island) but once all the people have eaten, the waiters clear off the tables and the DJ fires up the music. Because it’s a restaurant, the space is filled with tables … so what do people to do? Dance on the tables!! It was so much fun! Unfortunately, because it’s located in a “neighborhood” they have a noise restriction and have to close at 11:30p.
What we learned early on was that one must on the island is Sunday lunch at Nikki Beach. It’s the place to see and be seen (from what we were told). So reservations were made (also a must on the island). It definitely wasn’t our cheapest day, but how can you put a price on fun? Recently people have taken to bringing the Le Ti experience to Nikki Beach and as the crowd loosens up on wine and the DJ’s music starts pumping the dancing begins. Once again we closed the place down (6:00p) and made some fantastic friends along the way.
Someone at the San Juan airport asked me about people being stuffy. It became clear early on that there are two types of people that come to St. Barths. Those that come to be seen, and those that come to enjoy all the island has to offer. The least social people we ran into were Americans (but definitely not all the Americans we met). Oh, I’m sure the people on the yachts had their own level of stuffy, but we didn’t typically hang out with them (as their role was more to be seen sitting on the decks of their yachts while in the harbor). However, we met so many nice Americans and French that who needs to worry about those that don’t know how to have fun? My #1 observance would be the friendliest Americans were those that have been coming for years, and have made local friends. They’re the ones that come to have a good time … not to be seen.
I think Tony and I both were trying to put off the packing as long as possible and trying to think of ways to stay a few more days. If we hadn’t been on so many airlines (and I didn’t have to get back to work) we probably would have tried to stay a few more days.
In the end I was really surprised by St. Barths … on so many levels. My concerns over the cost of things were mostly unnecessary and if the dollar had been stronger against the Euro the prices would have been like anywhere else. As well, I was pleasantly surprised at how much fun could be had … and in such a variety of ways. I think Lance and Libby were concerned that the island would be to quite for us, but the reality is that we love a nice relaxing day on the beach and a nice quite dinner with friends. So St. Barths offered just the right mix of both.
We’re already talking about how we can get back this summer … so I guess you can say it was perfect.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
The First 48
Our first two days in St. Barths have been filled with beautiful sights, extravigant sights, outlandish sights and lots of surprises.
Our first stop after "checking-in" at our villa was a visit to some friends from Fantasy Fest that were leaving the next day. Admittedly, I was really just looking forward to unwinding when we landed, but seeing their filla and the view was enough to put my travel weary thoughts aside.
Their villa was AMAZING and every bit the type of style we adore. Sleek, white and silver metals adorned the hilltop retreat. The "compound" consisted of two buildings, one on each side of the pillared entrance that lead to the pool overlooking the ocean. We'll post pictures later, but this place was not to be believed!
Our next stop was downtown Gustavia where we took in the sights of the super yachts in town for Carnivale (or just the long weekend). Several of the yachts in port I've seen featured in TV shows, but to see them up-close-and-personal was amazing. The excess cannot be believed!
For dinner we went to a local restaurant downtown. Yes, the prices are high (the exchange rate on the Euro doesn't help), but decent prices can be found. The night ended with a nightcap of local vanilla rhum on the deck of our villa.
Where we're staying isn't one of the "super villas" on the island, but it's absolutely lovely. The only downside is that it doesn't have a pool, but that's what the beach is for, right?
Tuesday morning we woke to a strong breeze and sunshine. The breeze is great because it keeps the mosquitos at bay and keeps the temperature just a bit cooler. After the ritual of coffee downtown and buying bagettes at the local boulangerie we returned to the villa to make lunch and head out to one of a handful of nude beaches on the island.
After only a couple of hours in the sun we had to pack up and get ready for carnivale, in Gustavia. The parade was very entertaining and it seems everybody on the island came out to celebrate. Jimmy Buffet was even sighted in the crowd (although not by us). If I had realized how much fun it was, I would have packed a Fantasy Fest costume ... although I'm not sure I have many that would have been appropriate. :)
One of the surprises on the island is how many kids there are. We have learned that the local kids can stay on the island until they are through Jr. High ... then they have to either return to France or go to St. Martin to finish their education. Of course, some of the locals are wealthy enough to hire tutors, but mostly what you see around town are young kids between 1 and 10.
Our second day we got a bit of a late start (it's a 4 hour difference for us) so the morning ritual was more of an early lunch jaunt downtown for coffee and bread. After our first day in the sun (without proper sunscreen) a break from the beach was in order so we walked around downtown, did some shopping, picked up our rental car and returned to the villa for lunch and a nap. Early evening we went to the local "see and be seen" spot, Nikki's Beach.
Now, with our own car, Tony and I made a couple side-stops on the way back to prepare for dinner. We definitely want to fine a "local" bar where we can have a couple of drinks for less than 40 Euro ... and we found it (I'll have to tell you the name later ... sorry). For the first time since we landed, we found a place for a Mojito and beer only cost 11 euro ... such a steal!
Dinner was at The Wall on the far side of the harbor overlooking the super yachts. Although we rarely do this, we went for the Prix Fix menu ... and boy were we glad! The shredded crab cake and salad was to die for and I'm sure we'll be returning before we leave for a lunch of the same.
Our host and hostess, Lance and Libby, have been wonderful giving us the lay of the land (not hard to get lost as there's really only one road) and showing us the best spots for bread, coffee, etc. But now that we have our own car we're looking forward to taking the next few days to discover the island for ourselves.
Our first stop after "checking-in" at our villa was a visit to some friends from Fantasy Fest that were leaving the next day. Admittedly, I was really just looking forward to unwinding when we landed, but seeing their filla and the view was enough to put my travel weary thoughts aside.
Their villa was AMAZING and every bit the type of style we adore. Sleek, white and silver metals adorned the hilltop retreat. The "compound" consisted of two buildings, one on each side of the pillared entrance that lead to the pool overlooking the ocean. We'll post pictures later, but this place was not to be believed!
Our next stop was downtown Gustavia where we took in the sights of the super yachts in town for Carnivale (or just the long weekend). Several of the yachts in port I've seen featured in TV shows, but to see them up-close-and-personal was amazing. The excess cannot be believed!
For dinner we went to a local restaurant downtown. Yes, the prices are high (the exchange rate on the Euro doesn't help), but decent prices can be found. The night ended with a nightcap of local vanilla rhum on the deck of our villa.
Where we're staying isn't one of the "super villas" on the island, but it's absolutely lovely. The only downside is that it doesn't have a pool, but that's what the beach is for, right?
Tuesday morning we woke to a strong breeze and sunshine. The breeze is great because it keeps the mosquitos at bay and keeps the temperature just a bit cooler. After the ritual of coffee downtown and buying bagettes at the local boulangerie we returned to the villa to make lunch and head out to one of a handful of nude beaches on the island.
After only a couple of hours in the sun we had to pack up and get ready for carnivale, in Gustavia. The parade was very entertaining and it seems everybody on the island came out to celebrate. Jimmy Buffet was even sighted in the crowd (although not by us). If I had realized how much fun it was, I would have packed a Fantasy Fest costume ... although I'm not sure I have many that would have been appropriate. :)
One of the surprises on the island is how many kids there are. We have learned that the local kids can stay on the island until they are through Jr. High ... then they have to either return to France or go to St. Martin to finish their education. Of course, some of the locals are wealthy enough to hire tutors, but mostly what you see around town are young kids between 1 and 10.
Our second day we got a bit of a late start (it's a 4 hour difference for us) so the morning ritual was more of an early lunch jaunt downtown for coffee and bread. After our first day in the sun (without proper sunscreen) a break from the beach was in order so we walked around downtown, did some shopping, picked up our rental car and returned to the villa for lunch and a nap. Early evening we went to the local "see and be seen" spot, Nikki's Beach.
Now, with our own car, Tony and I made a couple side-stops on the way back to prepare for dinner. We definitely want to fine a "local" bar where we can have a couple of drinks for less than 40 Euro ... and we found it (I'll have to tell you the name later ... sorry). For the first time since we landed, we found a place for a Mojito and beer only cost 11 euro ... such a steal!
Dinner was at The Wall on the far side of the harbor overlooking the super yachts. Although we rarely do this, we went for the Prix Fix menu ... and boy were we glad! The shredded crab cake and salad was to die for and I'm sure we'll be returning before we leave for a lunch of the same.
Our host and hostess, Lance and Libby, have been wonderful giving us the lay of the land (not hard to get lost as there's really only one road) and showing us the best spots for bread, coffee, etc. But now that we have our own car we're looking forward to taking the next few days to discover the island for ourselves.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Portland to St. Barths in Three Days
Our Valentine’s Day escape has officially begun, although it’s going to take us a few days to get to our destination.
Originally we were scheduled to San Juan via Washington, DC on the 14th, spend the night and fly into St. Martin and on to St. Barths on the 15th. However, all the snow and bad weather on the East Coast had us a bit concerned, so Tony worked his magic and had us re-routed through Chicago on the 13th.
That caused a little panic because it pushed our departure time forward by 18 hours, but we scrambled around and got everything ready and packed with time to spare. It also caused a packing dilemma. How do you pack/dress to spend one day in sub-freezing weather and the remaining time in 80-degree weather? We decided on layers, which of course is the obvious choice. But what about footwear? I ended up selecting a dress with a sweater … so far so good … but open-toe high-heels on my feet! My body will be warm in Chicago, but my toes are going to be freezing!
We actually had a leisurely start before heading out. I ran a couple last minute errands and Tony finished up work in his office. We had to do a little car shuffling because I was dropping mine off at the shop for some work while we’re gone. So we built in an extra 15 minutes to make the drop off and with Tony following me we were on our way.
Just before we entered the city, there’s a spot on the freeway where traffic always slows down, day or night, weekday or weekend. We came around the corner and sure enough, the traffic was stopped. I stopped and out of habit looked in my rearview mirror at the car behind me (Tony) just in time to see the car behind him lock up his brakes and hit him. Just what we needed! Like a parade all three of us pulled over and I collected insurance information while trying to keep Tony from going too crazy. Luckily the other driver’s car received all the damage (gotta love Land Rovers) and within 5 minutes we were back on our way. How Tony’s body feels later will be another story …
But it must have been crazy driver day. No more than 2 miles later I had a car cut me off from two lanes over and if I hadn’t slammed on my brakes I would have had a new hood ornament. Then as we were pulling into the airport parking lot a guy ignored the “yield” sign and nearly ran into the side of our car!
I’m not sure what this means for the rest of the trip. Hopefully we’ve gotten all our “bad” stuff out of the way and the remaining 9 days are relaxing, peaceful and warm.
We landed in Chicago to the expected snow on the ground and sub-freezing temperatures. Tony booked us into the Renaissance O’Hare so we could just catch their shuttle and be near the airport for our next flight.
I’m going to take a side-bar here. There are two times you can bet Tony and I are going to have an argument … the night before we leave on a vacation (while we’re packing) and trying to navigate from airport to destination. You’d think for all the traveling we do, we’d figure this out and be able to avoid it … but that’s not the case. I’ll admit that a lot of it has to do with the fact that we’re both very independent and used to doing things for ourselves. Neither of us do them the wrong way, but we definitely do things differently. So we both end up trying to control the situation and it just makes for mistakes and head-butting.
Landing in Chicago was no different. Tony wasn’t clear on where to catch the shuttle, but wasn’t really interested in asking either. I went to the transportation kiosk and called the hotel to find out where we should go. “Follow the Bus/Shuttle” signs out of Terminal 2. So out we went and then Tony decided that we should keep walking to the right because we weren’t in the right place. Let’s remember, it’s freezing, I’m in high heels and we’re rolling/carrying our luggage.
After walking at least 200 yards, the only shuttles we had seen were for rental car agencies. Despite we my pleas to “ask someone” we just kept walking. Eventually, we saw the Renaissance shuttle drive by and started following it. Eventually it took us to a Shuttle terminal near the Hilton Hotel. We could see it stopped ahead, but it was still about 100 yards in front of us when the driver started to get in to drive away. So off I went … running down the middle of the road, waving my arm to flag him down. Luckily he saw me and waited for us. We got on board and immediately drove directly to the door we had just ome out of! I can only say that the ride to the hotel was very quiet between us, but we got over it … we always do. :)
The evening at the hotel was nice and peaceful. Despite being directly in the approach pattern for O’Hare Airport, the room was extremely quiet and we both had a wonderful night’s sleep. We love Marriott beds!
We rose early (and early here is extra early for us), sacrificing breakfast for a couple more minutes sleep, and boarded the shuttle for the airport. It always seems when you plan for delays, there aren’t any, and today was no different. From the time we left the hotel until we were through security was less than 30 minutes! Then we checked the board and found out our flight was delayed about 40 minutes. We could have had breakfast, or slept more! Oh well, that’s part of the joys of traveling.
Getting to San Juan was fairly uneventful and we arrived at the Marriott Stellaris within 30 minutes of landing. Last time we were in San Juan we stayed at the Renaissance and a short walk to down the street to its lobby bar had us wondering why we didn’t stay there again (no point nights available was the answer). While the Marriott is a fine hotel, it’s lobby dance floor and attached casino make for a very noisy entry. And because it has a large pool, it’s a favorite of families so there are kids of all ages running around day and night. Whereas the Renaissance is a decidedly more chic hotel that reminds us of South Beach.
Although it was Valentine’s Day, we decided a casual dinner of sushi sounded good. A nearby restaurant, Cherry Blossom, was our choice and after a wonderful meal we settled into our room for a brief night’s sleep before catching yet another plane in the morning.
San Juan airport is not our favorite. No matter what time of day you fly it seems it’s always in chaos. And this morning was not different. Luckily the American Eagle line was fairly short, unluckily everybody in line in front of us was traveling with body-sized bags that were overweight. This meant we stood in line for 20 minutes watching the people in front of us completely unpack their suitcases and re-pack them, trying to stuff shoes and t-shirts into their carry-ons to lower their checked bag weight. I don’t know where they were going, but unless they were moving to a third-world country, they over packed.
It was very strange flying into St. Martin after 18 months of being a way, and it made us feel nostalgic for the days of the Sunset Beach Bar and Orient Beach. We just might have to return in the near future to see our friends.
You can tell it’s winter/a long weekend/carnivale from all the leer jets parked at the St. Martin airport. There were no fewer than two dozen private jets parked on the tarmac and several more large yachts in the harbor. Oh to have that lifestyle for only a day …
The crime and weather in St. Martin may ebb-and-flow, but the one thing that is constant is the poor attitude and service of the staff at the airport. Let’s be clear, there’s a big difference between island time and rude … and these people are just rude.
When we landed and received our transfer boarding passes we were told there was an earlier flight to St. Barths boarding in 5 minutes. So we hustled our way up to the gate to see if we could get on board. We were told the plane had boarded and that we’d have to wait for our scheduled flight an hour later. Okay, but how weird is it that a mini-plane was fully boarded a full 35 minutes before it was scheduled to depart? As we sat there waiting for our plane we saw the earlier flight depart … 45 minutes after we tried to get on-board. Later we found out it landed in St. Barths with exactly one suitcase and no passengers!
While waiting at the airport we decided a little vacation cocktail was in order. There was one guy working the counter and I swear he was so slow making the drinks that the ice melted before he got it poured! After 10 minutes, he had only served two people in front of me … but I was second in line so I was making progress. Then the guy in front of me ordered 5 drinks … okay, that was going to take a while. After all the drinks were served he ordered 3 cheeseburgers, 1 quesadilla and 1 grilled cheese sandwich. I figured the cook in the back would take care of the food while he made my drinks … but NO! He went into the kitchen and started cooking. When it became painfully clear I was going to have to wait for the food to be finished I gave up and walked to the bar at the other end of the airport.
Finally it was time to board our “plane” for St. Barths. First, let me say that of all the people in the boarding area it was pretty plain to see who was going to be on our flight. The impeccably dressed and/or beautiful people were all on board … I’m pretty sure people were a little worried about us.
The plane was a riot! First, there were only about 12 seats and the pilot was our greeter at the stairs. One we were all onboard, he jumped into the cockpit and said his “security announcement” through the opening into the cabin (no door on this plane!). The entire flight is about 20 minutes long (from boarding to off-loading) and is absolutely beautiful. The sight of the yachts and super yachts in Gustavia harbor is amazing. Which is a good distractor to the landing. They actually recently cut into the mountain to make it less-dangerous, but basically you skim the top of the mountain and immediately drop down onto a short runway that slopes down into the ocean! Pilots have to have a special rating to fly into the airport, and only small planes are allowed.
We hopped off the plane, walked up to a window that is akin to a ticket counter (which was their passport control) and out into the warmed and sunshine of St. Barths. Our dear friends Lance and Libby were there to greet us with water and hugs and smiles. We hear they have big plans for us this afternoon and throughout the week … and we can’t wait.
Originally we were scheduled to San Juan via Washington, DC on the 14th, spend the night and fly into St. Martin and on to St. Barths on the 15th. However, all the snow and bad weather on the East Coast had us a bit concerned, so Tony worked his magic and had us re-routed through Chicago on the 13th.
That caused a little panic because it pushed our departure time forward by 18 hours, but we scrambled around and got everything ready and packed with time to spare. It also caused a packing dilemma. How do you pack/dress to spend one day in sub-freezing weather and the remaining time in 80-degree weather? We decided on layers, which of course is the obvious choice. But what about footwear? I ended up selecting a dress with a sweater … so far so good … but open-toe high-heels on my feet! My body will be warm in Chicago, but my toes are going to be freezing!
We actually had a leisurely start before heading out. I ran a couple last minute errands and Tony finished up work in his office. We had to do a little car shuffling because I was dropping mine off at the shop for some work while we’re gone. So we built in an extra 15 minutes to make the drop off and with Tony following me we were on our way.
Just before we entered the city, there’s a spot on the freeway where traffic always slows down, day or night, weekday or weekend. We came around the corner and sure enough, the traffic was stopped. I stopped and out of habit looked in my rearview mirror at the car behind me (Tony) just in time to see the car behind him lock up his brakes and hit him. Just what we needed! Like a parade all three of us pulled over and I collected insurance information while trying to keep Tony from going too crazy. Luckily the other driver’s car received all the damage (gotta love Land Rovers) and within 5 minutes we were back on our way. How Tony’s body feels later will be another story …
But it must have been crazy driver day. No more than 2 miles later I had a car cut me off from two lanes over and if I hadn’t slammed on my brakes I would have had a new hood ornament. Then as we were pulling into the airport parking lot a guy ignored the “yield” sign and nearly ran into the side of our car!
I’m not sure what this means for the rest of the trip. Hopefully we’ve gotten all our “bad” stuff out of the way and the remaining 9 days are relaxing, peaceful and warm.
We landed in Chicago to the expected snow on the ground and sub-freezing temperatures. Tony booked us into the Renaissance O’Hare so we could just catch their shuttle and be near the airport for our next flight.
I’m going to take a side-bar here. There are two times you can bet Tony and I are going to have an argument … the night before we leave on a vacation (while we’re packing) and trying to navigate from airport to destination. You’d think for all the traveling we do, we’d figure this out and be able to avoid it … but that’s not the case. I’ll admit that a lot of it has to do with the fact that we’re both very independent and used to doing things for ourselves. Neither of us do them the wrong way, but we definitely do things differently. So we both end up trying to control the situation and it just makes for mistakes and head-butting.
Landing in Chicago was no different. Tony wasn’t clear on where to catch the shuttle, but wasn’t really interested in asking either. I went to the transportation kiosk and called the hotel to find out where we should go. “Follow the Bus/Shuttle” signs out of Terminal 2. So out we went and then Tony decided that we should keep walking to the right because we weren’t in the right place. Let’s remember, it’s freezing, I’m in high heels and we’re rolling/carrying our luggage.
After walking at least 200 yards, the only shuttles we had seen were for rental car agencies. Despite we my pleas to “ask someone” we just kept walking. Eventually, we saw the Renaissance shuttle drive by and started following it. Eventually it took us to a Shuttle terminal near the Hilton Hotel. We could see it stopped ahead, but it was still about 100 yards in front of us when the driver started to get in to drive away. So off I went … running down the middle of the road, waving my arm to flag him down. Luckily he saw me and waited for us. We got on board and immediately drove directly to the door we had just ome out of! I can only say that the ride to the hotel was very quiet between us, but we got over it … we always do. :)
The evening at the hotel was nice and peaceful. Despite being directly in the approach pattern for O’Hare Airport, the room was extremely quiet and we both had a wonderful night’s sleep. We love Marriott beds!
We rose early (and early here is extra early for us), sacrificing breakfast for a couple more minutes sleep, and boarded the shuttle for the airport. It always seems when you plan for delays, there aren’t any, and today was no different. From the time we left the hotel until we were through security was less than 30 minutes! Then we checked the board and found out our flight was delayed about 40 minutes. We could have had breakfast, or slept more! Oh well, that’s part of the joys of traveling.
Getting to San Juan was fairly uneventful and we arrived at the Marriott Stellaris within 30 minutes of landing. Last time we were in San Juan we stayed at the Renaissance and a short walk to down the street to its lobby bar had us wondering why we didn’t stay there again (no point nights available was the answer). While the Marriott is a fine hotel, it’s lobby dance floor and attached casino make for a very noisy entry. And because it has a large pool, it’s a favorite of families so there are kids of all ages running around day and night. Whereas the Renaissance is a decidedly more chic hotel that reminds us of South Beach.
Although it was Valentine’s Day, we decided a casual dinner of sushi sounded good. A nearby restaurant, Cherry Blossom, was our choice and after a wonderful meal we settled into our room for a brief night’s sleep before catching yet another plane in the morning.
San Juan airport is not our favorite. No matter what time of day you fly it seems it’s always in chaos. And this morning was not different. Luckily the American Eagle line was fairly short, unluckily everybody in line in front of us was traveling with body-sized bags that were overweight. This meant we stood in line for 20 minutes watching the people in front of us completely unpack their suitcases and re-pack them, trying to stuff shoes and t-shirts into their carry-ons to lower their checked bag weight. I don’t know where they were going, but unless they were moving to a third-world country, they over packed.
It was very strange flying into St. Martin after 18 months of being a way, and it made us feel nostalgic for the days of the Sunset Beach Bar and Orient Beach. We just might have to return in the near future to see our friends.
You can tell it’s winter/a long weekend/carnivale from all the leer jets parked at the St. Martin airport. There were no fewer than two dozen private jets parked on the tarmac and several more large yachts in the harbor. Oh to have that lifestyle for only a day …
The crime and weather in St. Martin may ebb-and-flow, but the one thing that is constant is the poor attitude and service of the staff at the airport. Let’s be clear, there’s a big difference between island time and rude … and these people are just rude.
When we landed and received our transfer boarding passes we were told there was an earlier flight to St. Barths boarding in 5 minutes. So we hustled our way up to the gate to see if we could get on board. We were told the plane had boarded and that we’d have to wait for our scheduled flight an hour later. Okay, but how weird is it that a mini-plane was fully boarded a full 35 minutes before it was scheduled to depart? As we sat there waiting for our plane we saw the earlier flight depart … 45 minutes after we tried to get on-board. Later we found out it landed in St. Barths with exactly one suitcase and no passengers!
While waiting at the airport we decided a little vacation cocktail was in order. There was one guy working the counter and I swear he was so slow making the drinks that the ice melted before he got it poured! After 10 minutes, he had only served two people in front of me … but I was second in line so I was making progress. Then the guy in front of me ordered 5 drinks … okay, that was going to take a while. After all the drinks were served he ordered 3 cheeseburgers, 1 quesadilla and 1 grilled cheese sandwich. I figured the cook in the back would take care of the food while he made my drinks … but NO! He went into the kitchen and started cooking. When it became painfully clear I was going to have to wait for the food to be finished I gave up and walked to the bar at the other end of the airport.
Finally it was time to board our “plane” for St. Barths. First, let me say that of all the people in the boarding area it was pretty plain to see who was going to be on our flight. The impeccably dressed and/or beautiful people were all on board … I’m pretty sure people were a little worried about us.
The plane was a riot! First, there were only about 12 seats and the pilot was our greeter at the stairs. One we were all onboard, he jumped into the cockpit and said his “security announcement” through the opening into the cabin (no door on this plane!). The entire flight is about 20 minutes long (from boarding to off-loading) and is absolutely beautiful. The sight of the yachts and super yachts in Gustavia harbor is amazing. Which is a good distractor to the landing. They actually recently cut into the mountain to make it less-dangerous, but basically you skim the top of the mountain and immediately drop down onto a short runway that slopes down into the ocean! Pilots have to have a special rating to fly into the airport, and only small planes are allowed.
We hopped off the plane, walked up to a window that is akin to a ticket counter (which was their passport control) and out into the warmed and sunshine of St. Barths. Our dear friends Lance and Libby were there to greet us with water and hugs and smiles. We hear they have big plans for us this afternoon and throughout the week … and we can’t wait.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
The Art of Bodypainting
I was recently asked about the body painting I have done. I suppose with the latest Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition featuring models with their suits painted on, the artform is going mainstream.
The first time I was body painted was for an art party in Portland called the DaDa Ball in 2001. We met the painter at a local festival called Art in the Pearl and started talking about the upcoming party. She mentioned that she was doing some body painting for some attendees and the though intrigued me. It took me about a week to talk myself into it, but eventually I made the appointment. It was a “full chest” of flames to match a skirt I had. At the party, there were a few others painted, a woman dressed as a starfish and a man dressed as a leopard.
The paint was amazing, but what I liked most was how it made me feel. I was surprised at how uninhibited I felt. I never actually felt like I was “exposed” and I loved that my body was turned into a piece of art.
It wasn’t until two years later that I really saw body painting at its full potential. Our first Fantasy Fest year I had the same flames painted for parade day. But what I saw on other women inspired me. The next year, we decided to create costumes of Medusa and Persius. We didn’t even have a painter lined up when we arrived, but we soon found three guys called the “Three Airmigos” painting on the Sunset Pier. One of those painters was Pashur … and from there, I guess you can say the rest is history.
Pashur is one of the rare, true artist painters. At Fantasy Fest, body painters are a dime a dozen, but finding one that actually can and does make a living painting and teaching the art is very special. He paints at the Playboy Mansion and travels the world painting for corporate and private parties, conventions and advertising campaigns. Yet when he’s painting you, he makes you feel like your body is the best canvas he’s ever painted on. If you let him do what he wants, with just a little theme guidance, you will always get more than you ever thought possible. Even the simplest ideas become works of art.
I’ve always liked the female form; our house is full of art based on it. So to be able to take my body and turn it into a piece of art is breath-taking to me. Many people wrongly assume that because I get body painted I am an exhibitionist, or crave the attention it draws. Neither could be further from the truth. I do enjoy being naked, and I enjoy that being body painted allows me the opportunity to be naked in public. If I got painted and not one person stopped me for pictures or commented on it the only thing that would bother me would be for Pashur … that people weren’t appreciating his talent.
I also enjoy taking the “flat” aspect of body painting and creating something more 2-D with it. The first time I did that was the year Fantasy Fest was postponed due to a hurricane. I had a red teddy painted on and attached fir to my skin to create a trim. Since then I haven’t had a lot of opportunities to go 2-D, but am always looking for ways to bring the painting to life with accessories like with the Geisha.
The act of being painted is monotonous. The longest painting session took 5 hours, but won Pashur 1st Place in the Living Canvas competition so it was worth it. Standing still for that length of time takes a huge toll on your body; by the time he was finished my legs and back ached so bad all I wanted to do was sit or lay down, which of course is next to impossible. Over the years, I have learned how to lie down for a short period of time if I have been painted early in the day and have to “last” into the night.
Full-body paintings come with their own set of challenges. Sitting is extremely difficult unless the art isn’t solid and you can find two small patches of skin on your ass to sit on. Going to the bathroom is also difficult. About 3 years ago the Fantasy Fest police cracked down on total nudity under the painting, so for full-body art you have to wear something called “Stripper’s Tape” which is flesh-colored tape that is placed over the pubic area to “cover” you. It’s completely comfortable, but basically prohibits any bathroom functions. So you learn to not drink much once you’ve been painted.
I’m not sure what type of paint Pashur uses, but I think it’s his own brand (if you’re interested you can reach him at www.canvasalive.com). He applies the paint with both a brush and air-gun, and uses free-hand detailing, glitter and gems to give his art a finishing touch. Whatever the paint is, it is extremely comfortable and you don’t feel it on your skin at all.
All of this comes off very easily in the shower, and by morning, unless I’ve done a bad job in the shower, you can’t even tell I’ve been painted. This year, for the majorette painting, I did have some skin discoloration from the lime green paint, but with a little extra scrubbing it faded away. The down-side of how easily it comes off in the shower, is that it will also easily come off in rain or heat. This past year Pashur used a “sealant” that did a great job on the paint, but did cause a little irritation on my skin and didn’t allow the skin to breath.
The other downside to how easily the paint comes off, is that you have to become a “no-touch” zone. That’s not a bad thing with some of the gropers on the street; condensation from drinks and sweaty shirts bumping into you will cause the paint to smear so I find myself saying “don’t touch” a lot. But it also means that hugging Tony is a big no-no. So he patiently waits for me to shower when we get back to the room before he gets his lovin’.
I have met women at Fantasy Fest that have had their paint on for literally days. One woman was painted as a butterfly the first day and ended having to wear the same costume every day because it wouldn’t come off. She later learned that there are some basic, household cleaners/oils that will remove it; wouldn’t it have been nice if the painter had told her that at the time?
Each year, about now, we begin planning our painting/costumes for the next Fantasy Fest. So far I’m toying with a Marie Antoinette-theme and maybe a ballerina. If you have any ideas, please send them my way. If I pick your idea I’ll send you a glossy 8 x 10 of me all painted up afterwards.
The first time I was body painted was for an art party in Portland called the DaDa Ball in 2001. We met the painter at a local festival called Art in the Pearl and started talking about the upcoming party. She mentioned that she was doing some body painting for some attendees and the though intrigued me. It took me about a week to talk myself into it, but eventually I made the appointment. It was a “full chest” of flames to match a skirt I had. At the party, there were a few others painted, a woman dressed as a starfish and a man dressed as a leopard.
The paint was amazing, but what I liked most was how it made me feel. I was surprised at how uninhibited I felt. I never actually felt like I was “exposed” and I loved that my body was turned into a piece of art.
It wasn’t until two years later that I really saw body painting at its full potential. Our first Fantasy Fest year I had the same flames painted for parade day. But what I saw on other women inspired me. The next year, we decided to create costumes of Medusa and Persius. We didn’t even have a painter lined up when we arrived, but we soon found three guys called the “Three Airmigos” painting on the Sunset Pier. One of those painters was Pashur … and from there, I guess you can say the rest is history.
Pashur is one of the rare, true artist painters. At Fantasy Fest, body painters are a dime a dozen, but finding one that actually can and does make a living painting and teaching the art is very special. He paints at the Playboy Mansion and travels the world painting for corporate and private parties, conventions and advertising campaigns. Yet when he’s painting you, he makes you feel like your body is the best canvas he’s ever painted on. If you let him do what he wants, with just a little theme guidance, you will always get more than you ever thought possible. Even the simplest ideas become works of art.
I’ve always liked the female form; our house is full of art based on it. So to be able to take my body and turn it into a piece of art is breath-taking to me. Many people wrongly assume that because I get body painted I am an exhibitionist, or crave the attention it draws. Neither could be further from the truth. I do enjoy being naked, and I enjoy that being body painted allows me the opportunity to be naked in public. If I got painted and not one person stopped me for pictures or commented on it the only thing that would bother me would be for Pashur … that people weren’t appreciating his talent.
I also enjoy taking the “flat” aspect of body painting and creating something more 2-D with it. The first time I did that was the year Fantasy Fest was postponed due to a hurricane. I had a red teddy painted on and attached fir to my skin to create a trim. Since then I haven’t had a lot of opportunities to go 2-D, but am always looking for ways to bring the painting to life with accessories like with the Geisha.
The act of being painted is monotonous. The longest painting session took 5 hours, but won Pashur 1st Place in the Living Canvas competition so it was worth it. Standing still for that length of time takes a huge toll on your body; by the time he was finished my legs and back ached so bad all I wanted to do was sit or lay down, which of course is next to impossible. Over the years, I have learned how to lie down for a short period of time if I have been painted early in the day and have to “last” into the night.
Full-body paintings come with their own set of challenges. Sitting is extremely difficult unless the art isn’t solid and you can find two small patches of skin on your ass to sit on. Going to the bathroom is also difficult. About 3 years ago the Fantasy Fest police cracked down on total nudity under the painting, so for full-body art you have to wear something called “Stripper’s Tape” which is flesh-colored tape that is placed over the pubic area to “cover” you. It’s completely comfortable, but basically prohibits any bathroom functions. So you learn to not drink much once you’ve been painted.
I’m not sure what type of paint Pashur uses, but I think it’s his own brand (if you’re interested you can reach him at www.canvasalive.com). He applies the paint with both a brush and air-gun, and uses free-hand detailing, glitter and gems to give his art a finishing touch. Whatever the paint is, it is extremely comfortable and you don’t feel it on your skin at all.
All of this comes off very easily in the shower, and by morning, unless I’ve done a bad job in the shower, you can’t even tell I’ve been painted. This year, for the majorette painting, I did have some skin discoloration from the lime green paint, but with a little extra scrubbing it faded away. The down-side of how easily it comes off in the shower, is that it will also easily come off in rain or heat. This past year Pashur used a “sealant” that did a great job on the paint, but did cause a little irritation on my skin and didn’t allow the skin to breath.
The other downside to how easily the paint comes off, is that you have to become a “no-touch” zone. That’s not a bad thing with some of the gropers on the street; condensation from drinks and sweaty shirts bumping into you will cause the paint to smear so I find myself saying “don’t touch” a lot. But it also means that hugging Tony is a big no-no. So he patiently waits for me to shower when we get back to the room before he gets his lovin’.
I have met women at Fantasy Fest that have had their paint on for literally days. One woman was painted as a butterfly the first day and ended having to wear the same costume every day because it wouldn’t come off. She later learned that there are some basic, household cleaners/oils that will remove it; wouldn’t it have been nice if the painter had told her that at the time?
Each year, about now, we begin planning our painting/costumes for the next Fantasy Fest. So far I’m toying with a Marie Antoinette-theme and maybe a ballerina. If you have any ideas, please send them my way. If I pick your idea I’ll send you a glossy 8 x 10 of me all painted up afterwards.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Public Service Announcement
Every once in a while I think ... what good is a blog if it doesn't do good? So today I'm going to provide you with a Public Service Announcement. Please do not have your car's oil changed at Jiffy Lube ... or Jippy Lube as I will now and forever refer to it.
I'm no car mechanic, so for years I have had my oil changed at one of the many "oil stations" around the city. Typically I alternate between Jiffy Lube and Oil Can Henry's ... depending on which one has the oil filter for my car.
I had never put two-and-two together on my experiences with JL until yesterday. I'll let the past issues remain in the past, but I have to share the experience I had yesterday.
I was planning on having my oil changed, so I felt really lucky when I pulled up and saw a "Next Car $10 off" sign being twirled at the entrance. YEA! Chore done ANY money saved.
During the car inspection, I was told that I was low on coolant. I thought that a bit weird because I had just topped it off 4 days before and questioned the attendant. He insisted it was low ... so what could it hurt to have him top it off ... maybe I didn't fill it all the way. Because of the activity under the hood at the time, I could not see the coolant reservoir to check for myself (there is a gauge that rises out of the reservoir when it's full) so I agreed to have him top it off. When he moved to fill the reservoir I could see the gauge sticking up quite a ways so was anxious to see just how low it was.
I watched intently as he pulled over a hose and literally did a 1-second squirt of clear liquid before the reservoir overflowed. It wasn't low at all! And why was the liquid clear? I've never seen clear coolant before. Oh well.
Next was the light inspection. I turned on signals, stepped on the brakes and turned on the high beams. At the end, the attendant tapped my car on the rear passenger's side then proceeded to tell me I had a bulb out, which they would replace for $6.99. First, I have a box of bulbs for my car at home ... which I paid about $1.50 for each set. So there was no way I was going to agree to paying $6.99 for one! But second, my car is a hypochondriac and will use it's on-board computer to tell me if it doesn't like the weather. So to not get a "light out" alarm was suspicious ... or weird at the very least. But I had declined to have it fixed ... so no harm, no foul. Right?
Then came the "you need a new rear wiper blade" announcement (when had he checked that?). Yes, they had them for $23.99. Hm. Because I know I haven't changed them I said "go ahead." However, and luckily, the supervisor informed my attendant that they can't change the rear blades on my car due to the housing ... or some such thing. I thought it weird when the attendant actually said "damn" when he heard that news, and then never told me they couldn't do it (I had just overheard their conversation).
And finally was the "your A/C needs to be charged." Really? Why? How much is that going to cost? I think he said something like $79.99 ... so I said no. It's the middle of the winter! No, I don't need my A/C charged. And if I did, I certainly wouldn't have you do it.
So when the attendant came to get my money I said 'I didn't see you do the rear wiper." It was only then that he told me they hadn't been able to do it and I wouldn't be charged. When the final invoice came I asked if it included my $10 discount for being the "Next Car" ... ooops, he forgot that. So 5 minutes later I had the updated invoice and was on my way.
As luck would have it, I had to swing by my mechanics to have the on-board computer updated. We got to chatting and I told him I had just had the oil changed. He asked what they had charged, which caused me to really look at the final invoice. Much to my surprise they had charged me $8.99 for a quick squirt of "coolant!" I was pissed and called them right away to complain.
Here's where it gets really interesting. I got the manager on the phone and explained what had happened. He asked what bay I was parked in, and when I told him he said "We don't even have a coolant hose in that bay." That would explain the clear color to the "coolant." The attendant put in water and charged me $8.99 for it!
I then learned that they get a kick-back on every up-charge thing they sell ... like wiperblades and lights. We then checked the light that they said needed replacing and it's working fine. But unless I had gotten out of my car at the oil station to check it, I would have never known and they would have made more money.
So what started out as a quick oil change has turned into an additional 15 minute telephone call and another stop-in to get my refund. I am sure they're hoping I don't take the time for $8.99 ... but boy will I ever! These people are trying to rip you off left-and-right!
I have to add my "not everybody is bad" statement and say that maybe not everybody that works there is as deceitful, but I got the feeling when I spoke to the manager that they do refunds a lot, when customers actually take the time to read their receipts.
Yes, they're going to make it right ... but there is no way this was an innocent mistake and it's the principle of the deceit that matters. If you find yourself with no other option but to use Jiffy Lube for your car's oil change ... please, please, please ... be sure to decline their add-on items unless you know for yourself it needs to be replaced. If they say a bulb is out, ask to get out of your car and see it before you agree to fixing it (although bulbs are easy to replace and can be purchased at an auto supply store for cheap).
This has been a Public Service Announcement from Cheri's Blog. Thank you for your attention and have a nice day.
I'm no car mechanic, so for years I have had my oil changed at one of the many "oil stations" around the city. Typically I alternate between Jiffy Lube and Oil Can Henry's ... depending on which one has the oil filter for my car.
I had never put two-and-two together on my experiences with JL until yesterday. I'll let the past issues remain in the past, but I have to share the experience I had yesterday.
I was planning on having my oil changed, so I felt really lucky when I pulled up and saw a "Next Car $10 off" sign being twirled at the entrance. YEA! Chore done ANY money saved.
During the car inspection, I was told that I was low on coolant. I thought that a bit weird because I had just topped it off 4 days before and questioned the attendant. He insisted it was low ... so what could it hurt to have him top it off ... maybe I didn't fill it all the way. Because of the activity under the hood at the time, I could not see the coolant reservoir to check for myself (there is a gauge that rises out of the reservoir when it's full) so I agreed to have him top it off. When he moved to fill the reservoir I could see the gauge sticking up quite a ways so was anxious to see just how low it was.
I watched intently as he pulled over a hose and literally did a 1-second squirt of clear liquid before the reservoir overflowed. It wasn't low at all! And why was the liquid clear? I've never seen clear coolant before. Oh well.
Next was the light inspection. I turned on signals, stepped on the brakes and turned on the high beams. At the end, the attendant tapped my car on the rear passenger's side then proceeded to tell me I had a bulb out, which they would replace for $6.99. First, I have a box of bulbs for my car at home ... which I paid about $1.50 for each set. So there was no way I was going to agree to paying $6.99 for one! But second, my car is a hypochondriac and will use it's on-board computer to tell me if it doesn't like the weather. So to not get a "light out" alarm was suspicious ... or weird at the very least. But I had declined to have it fixed ... so no harm, no foul. Right?
Then came the "you need a new rear wiper blade" announcement (when had he checked that?). Yes, they had them for $23.99. Hm. Because I know I haven't changed them I said "go ahead." However, and luckily, the supervisor informed my attendant that they can't change the rear blades on my car due to the housing ... or some such thing. I thought it weird when the attendant actually said "damn" when he heard that news, and then never told me they couldn't do it (I had just overheard their conversation).
And finally was the "your A/C needs to be charged." Really? Why? How much is that going to cost? I think he said something like $79.99 ... so I said no. It's the middle of the winter! No, I don't need my A/C charged. And if I did, I certainly wouldn't have you do it.
So when the attendant came to get my money I said 'I didn't see you do the rear wiper." It was only then that he told me they hadn't been able to do it and I wouldn't be charged. When the final invoice came I asked if it included my $10 discount for being the "Next Car" ... ooops, he forgot that. So 5 minutes later I had the updated invoice and was on my way.
As luck would have it, I had to swing by my mechanics to have the on-board computer updated. We got to chatting and I told him I had just had the oil changed. He asked what they had charged, which caused me to really look at the final invoice. Much to my surprise they had charged me $8.99 for a quick squirt of "coolant!" I was pissed and called them right away to complain.
Here's where it gets really interesting. I got the manager on the phone and explained what had happened. He asked what bay I was parked in, and when I told him he said "We don't even have a coolant hose in that bay." That would explain the clear color to the "coolant." The attendant put in water and charged me $8.99 for it!
I then learned that they get a kick-back on every up-charge thing they sell ... like wiperblades and lights. We then checked the light that they said needed replacing and it's working fine. But unless I had gotten out of my car at the oil station to check it, I would have never known and they would have made more money.
So what started out as a quick oil change has turned into an additional 15 minute telephone call and another stop-in to get my refund. I am sure they're hoping I don't take the time for $8.99 ... but boy will I ever! These people are trying to rip you off left-and-right!
I have to add my "not everybody is bad" statement and say that maybe not everybody that works there is as deceitful, but I got the feeling when I spoke to the manager that they do refunds a lot, when customers actually take the time to read their receipts.
Yes, they're going to make it right ... but there is no way this was an innocent mistake and it's the principle of the deceit that matters. If you find yourself with no other option but to use Jiffy Lube for your car's oil change ... please, please, please ... be sure to decline their add-on items unless you know for yourself it needs to be replaced. If they say a bulb is out, ask to get out of your car and see it before you agree to fixing it (although bulbs are easy to replace and can be purchased at an auto supply store for cheap).
This has been a Public Service Announcement from Cheri's Blog. Thank you for your attention and have a nice day.
Friday, February 5, 2010
WOW!
Thanks to everybody who voted for my hair cut. I admit I was surprised by the # of votes, the comments and the fact that Short and Spikey ran away with it. I know there are a couple more days of voting left, but there was no way either of the other options was going to get caught up, so I went ahead and had it cut today.
The downside is that I tried a new salon; it's been so long since I had a professional cut my hair I "lost" my previous stylist. I have VERY thick hair so it can take a while for someone to "learn it." That means that right now it's a little short (but it grows fast so that won't be an issue for long) and doesn't have the right amount of spikes for my liking. I'm sure before we take off for St. Barths next week I'll take a pair of thinning shears to it and texture it up a bit more. So if you don't mind, I'm going to hold off posting a photo for a couple of weeks.
The upside is that it's been colored (no more mousy roots) and finally has some shape again. Last night I met up with some former high school classmates that I haven't seen in years and I have to say I was very tempted to wear a baseball cap so they couldn't see the mess my hair had become. But then I figured ... what do I care? I know I don't always wear it like this and that's all that matters.
So again, thank you for taking the time to vote and help me make my decision. I am a little disappointed that Shaved didn't get more votes 'cause I really like it that way. But that's the easy one ... maybe in a year I'll start working towards the Shoulder Length ... just for fun.
Have a great weekend ... Cheri
The downside is that I tried a new salon; it's been so long since I had a professional cut my hair I "lost" my previous stylist. I have VERY thick hair so it can take a while for someone to "learn it." That means that right now it's a little short (but it grows fast so that won't be an issue for long) and doesn't have the right amount of spikes for my liking. I'm sure before we take off for St. Barths next week I'll take a pair of thinning shears to it and texture it up a bit more. So if you don't mind, I'm going to hold off posting a photo for a couple of weeks.
The upside is that it's been colored (no more mousy roots) and finally has some shape again. Last night I met up with some former high school classmates that I haven't seen in years and I have to say I was very tempted to wear a baseball cap so they couldn't see the mess my hair had become. But then I figured ... what do I care? I know I don't always wear it like this and that's all that matters.
So again, thank you for taking the time to vote and help me make my decision. I am a little disappointed that Shaved didn't get more votes 'cause I really like it that way. But that's the easy one ... maybe in a year I'll start working towards the Shoulder Length ... just for fun.
Have a great weekend ... Cheri
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Catching Up On My Workout
So I haven't been great at keeping you up-to-date on my workouts. That's partially because I missed several days, but also because the days I worked out I didn't feel like there was much new to report.
But today I have news (from yesterday's workout). I finally remembered to wear my BodyBugg for the Yoga X workout. My total calorie burn for the hour and a half workout was 215. Not bad for a no-impact workout.
The Yoga X workout really points out your weaknesses. I am flexible and stable, but not flexible and stable at the same time. The standing leg extension pose kills me. I can stand in tree all day ... I can touch my toes (actually, wrap my hands around the bottom of my feet) while sitting on the floor. But ask me to do both at the same time ... NOPE!
And then there are all the moves that I think I'm doing so well until I catch sight of myself ... like Royal Dancer (sort of looks like a an ice skater move) and Wheel. Both involve arching your back and bending as much as possible. Compared to the people on the video I might as well be in a straight body cast. Oh well, it feels good all the same, and that's what counts. And I can definitely feel that I pushed myself hard ... all my muscles are slightly sore and tight.
One final progress report. I kept wearing my BodyBugg all day yesterday and my per minute calorie burn is up to about 1.1 per minute while I'm just hanging around the house. If memory serves me correct, that's up .2 from around the time I started all this ... which mean I must be building some muscle mass. The good news is I don't feel "bulky" like I have when I've been working on weights with my trainer.
We're just over a week away from out next adventure ... so hopefuly my posts will be more "newsy" while we're gone.
Have a great day everybody!
But today I have news (from yesterday's workout). I finally remembered to wear my BodyBugg for the Yoga X workout. My total calorie burn for the hour and a half workout was 215. Not bad for a no-impact workout.
The Yoga X workout really points out your weaknesses. I am flexible and stable, but not flexible and stable at the same time. The standing leg extension pose kills me. I can stand in tree all day ... I can touch my toes (actually, wrap my hands around the bottom of my feet) while sitting on the floor. But ask me to do both at the same time ... NOPE!
And then there are all the moves that I think I'm doing so well until I catch sight of myself ... like Royal Dancer (sort of looks like a an ice skater move) and Wheel. Both involve arching your back and bending as much as possible. Compared to the people on the video I might as well be in a straight body cast. Oh well, it feels good all the same, and that's what counts. And I can definitely feel that I pushed myself hard ... all my muscles are slightly sore and tight.
One final progress report. I kept wearing my BodyBugg all day yesterday and my per minute calorie burn is up to about 1.1 per minute while I'm just hanging around the house. If memory serves me correct, that's up .2 from around the time I started all this ... which mean I must be building some muscle mass. The good news is I don't feel "bulky" like I have when I've been working on weights with my trainer.
We're just over a week away from out next adventure ... so hopefuly my posts will be more "newsy" while we're gone.
Have a great day everybody!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
It might be time for a change.
If you have followed me over the years through our website, you know I rarely keep my hair the same for long. After taking the "drastic" measure of shaving my head last Fall, I can now say I've had nearly ever hair style known; long, shoulder length, layered, short, spikey and shaved. I've also had colored a variety of colors over the years; black, red (various shades) and blonde.
Since shaving it last in October 2009, I have been letting my hair grow. Mostly because the people we are going to St. Barths with don't really like it shaved and they're being so nice to let us come along with them ...
But now it's gotten way too long and something has to change. So I've added a poll to my blog. For the next week I will be seeking your input on what style you think I should wear next (Tony says he doesn't care ... and frankly I don't either).
For reference, I amhave attached 3 photos showing you the options. If there's a style I didn't include that you like, please feel free to e-mail me.
I love having people to give me input like this! So much better than trying to figure it out for myself :)
Since shaving it last in October 2009, I have been letting my hair grow. Mostly because the people we are going to St. Barths with don't really like it shaved and they're being so nice to let us come along with them ...
But now it's gotten way too long and something has to change. So I've added a poll to my blog. For the next week I will be seeking your input on what style you think I should wear next (Tony says he doesn't care ... and frankly I don't either).
The week of Feb. 8th I will be getting it cut prior to our trip. If shaved is what the votes want, then it will have to wait until I returnm, but if something longer is chosen then I'll only get it trimed and "cleaned up" for the trip ... then continue to let it grow.
I love having people to give me input like this! So much better than trying to figure it out for myself :)
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Why buy the cow ...
Ever noticed how our minds can take strange thought paths until we find ourselves in an odd place? (Or does that only happen to me?) Well, today my mind was wandering around while I was cleaning up breakfast, and landed on an old phrase that suddenly struck me.
"Why buy the cow when the milk is free?" Did you ever hear that one? Perhaps your parents said it to you. I'm guessing it's something said to girls/women WAY more than boys/men.
Once I hit on that, my thoughts started scampering all over the place. "So my goal is to be bought and owned?" "I'm a cow?" "Sex is milk?" "What if I don't mind giving away the milk?"
My first reaction was that this was a "no premarital sex" statement. But it's not. It's a blackmail statement. Probably said my 1,000s of moms to their daughters ... moms who wanted their girls to get married. So their best advise? Blackmail him with your body. OMG! Did our parents really teach us that way?
Now remember, I was raised in a conservative, religious home. So maybe I'm the only one that heard this and lived with this type of thinking. And no, I didn't follow that line of thinking. But what message was being sent the girls of my generation (or before)? I am hoping and praying this is a saying that has long gone away and we're not teaching our kids like this anymore.
And then there's the whol premarital sex angle. How do I feel about premarital sex? Hm. That's a tough one. First, I am a realist; I've been there. At the same time, I understand that abstinence is the only 100% reliable form of birth control. So part of me says wait until you are prepared financially and emotionally to handle the outcome should your birth control fail, don't do it. The question I've used with my sone is whether this is a person he wants to be connected to for the rest of his life.
I know sometimes the teenage mind can think "Yes! This is the person I want to be with forever. But whenever he has a break-up with a girlfriend it's an easy teachable moment on this topic.
It's one thing to get married, have children and divorce. At least you should be able to tell yourself that at some point in your life you loved this person. But what if you've just met someone, or have only known them a few weeks. Are you ready to take the chance that this person will be connected to you forever though a child?
And no, you don't have to continue a pregnancy should one occur. But if you've just met someone, you may not know how they feel about that. If your thoughts differ on the options, then it can hurt and haunt you the rest of your life.
And then there's the real message this phrase is sending... that as a woman it should be our goal to be owned by a man and produce for him. Of course it insinuates that as the "owner" the man will care for the woman ... and in return she is to give him sex. OMG! So we just took something wonderful and turned it into a blackmail tool and a duty.
I am going to hope that I heard this message because of the religious values of my family ... and not because it was the thinking of the time. On the other hand, if it was a thinking of the time, then I could be assured that these words are no longer being said to the girls/women of today. But as a religious statement, there is always the possibility that right now someone, somewhere is uttering these words.
No matter what your premaritial sex view are, it's not black and white. Each person's decision has to be their own, and has to be based on a broad view of the risks involved. Unfortunately, our body's hormone levels increase faster than we mature. It's a reality.
I don't care how or when you have "the talk" with your kids ... I'm just begging you to never us the words "Why buy the cow ..." It's such a demeaning statement.
Have a great weekend. We're off to the Q Center (Queer Center) Winter Gala tonight; a little time with friends, a few drinks, some dancing and a room downtown. Who could ask for more?
"Why buy the cow when the milk is free?" Did you ever hear that one? Perhaps your parents said it to you. I'm guessing it's something said to girls/women WAY more than boys/men.
Once I hit on that, my thoughts started scampering all over the place. "So my goal is to be bought and owned?" "I'm a cow?" "Sex is milk?" "What if I don't mind giving away the milk?"
My first reaction was that this was a "no premarital sex" statement. But it's not. It's a blackmail statement. Probably said my 1,000s of moms to their daughters ... moms who wanted their girls to get married. So their best advise? Blackmail him with your body. OMG! Did our parents really teach us that way?
Now remember, I was raised in a conservative, religious home. So maybe I'm the only one that heard this and lived with this type of thinking. And no, I didn't follow that line of thinking. But what message was being sent the girls of my generation (or before)? I am hoping and praying this is a saying that has long gone away and we're not teaching our kids like this anymore.
And then there's the whol premarital sex angle. How do I feel about premarital sex? Hm. That's a tough one. First, I am a realist; I've been there. At the same time, I understand that abstinence is the only 100% reliable form of birth control. So part of me says wait until you are prepared financially and emotionally to handle the outcome should your birth control fail, don't do it. The question I've used with my sone is whether this is a person he wants to be connected to for the rest of his life.
I know sometimes the teenage mind can think "Yes! This is the person I want to be with forever. But whenever he has a break-up with a girlfriend it's an easy teachable moment on this topic.
It's one thing to get married, have children and divorce. At least you should be able to tell yourself that at some point in your life you loved this person. But what if you've just met someone, or have only known them a few weeks. Are you ready to take the chance that this person will be connected to you forever though a child?
And no, you don't have to continue a pregnancy should one occur. But if you've just met someone, you may not know how they feel about that. If your thoughts differ on the options, then it can hurt and haunt you the rest of your life.
And then there's the real message this phrase is sending... that as a woman it should be our goal to be owned by a man and produce for him. Of course it insinuates that as the "owner" the man will care for the woman ... and in return she is to give him sex. OMG! So we just took something wonderful and turned it into a blackmail tool and a duty.
I am going to hope that I heard this message because of the religious values of my family ... and not because it was the thinking of the time. On the other hand, if it was a thinking of the time, then I could be assured that these words are no longer being said to the girls/women of today. But as a religious statement, there is always the possibility that right now someone, somewhere is uttering these words.
No matter what your premaritial sex view are, it's not black and white. Each person's decision has to be their own, and has to be based on a broad view of the risks involved. Unfortunately, our body's hormone levels increase faster than we mature. It's a reality.
I don't care how or when you have "the talk" with your kids ... I'm just begging you to never us the words "Why buy the cow ..." It's such a demeaning statement.
Have a great weekend. We're off to the Q Center (Queer Center) Winter Gala tonight; a little time with friends, a few drinks, some dancing and a room downtown. Who could ask for more?
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Haiti
I feel the need to apologize that I haven't written about Haiti and the disaster there until now.
In my defense I was probably the last person in the world to know about what happened. On January 12th, Tony was traveling and I was home alone. My life when he is gone is much different than when he's here. I rarely read the newspaper or watch the news. I tend to get caught up on DVR'd shows or DVDs. So it was a shock to me when Wednesay night as we talked on the phone he mentioned that they were watching about the "earthquake in Haiti." I had no idea what he was talking about.
I turned on Anderson Cooper 360 and watch over an hour of coverage as I tried to understand and comprehend what had happened. I have to admit, I know very little about Haiti. Just the weekend before the quake we were looking for a new location to visit and the Dominican Republic had been on our short list. But other than knowing where the island was located I knew very little. I can now say I clearly know where the island is ... I just didn't want to learn it this way.
There have been other earthquakes, other disasters that struck remote cities and countries ... but this is different. This is a big city, there are literally millions of people affected by this.
Over the past 10 days, I have tuned in each day to get updates on the situation and participated in the 90999 texting to make a donation. But it really never dawned on me to blog about it until we were watching the telethon last night.
The show had been on only a few minutes when I turned to Tony and said, "If we were younger, would we adopt one of those children?" And the answer was, "Yes." After a few more minutes I realized that if I was alone or single, I would go there, I would do what I could, I wouldn't be able to stop myself.
Tony and I have on occasion discussed the act of putting ourselves in harm's way. And for us, the decision was that we had a child that needed us. So we've traveled to places that are considered "safe," never purposefully putting oursleves in danger. But now that our son is growing and will be soon leaving for college, I'm sure that conversation will become more serious for us.
So there we sat, on our sofa, watching the pictures and listening to stories, knowing we had to do something, but feeling helpless. So we gave. And then we decided to put a request on our website asking that others give too. And that brought me to this ... something more I can do.
The stories are devistating. The Haitian people have not had easy lives to begin with ... and now this. They had very little before the earthquake, and even less now. And yet they are pulling together, supporting each other; trying to make a very uncivilized situation, civilized. There have been fewer stories of looting in Haiti than in US cities like Miami and LA when court decisions do go "our" way, or hurricanes hit. For a group of people that have often been considered "unruly" the Haitian people have shown themselves to be so much more than the world thought them to be. They are so strong; strong of heart, strong of spirit.
Where this ends is still TBD. And I fear it will take not months, but years to help these people and this country get back on their feet.
We all have so much. Many of us pay more for a cup of coffee a day than these people had to live on for a day. And now they have less. So I'm going to ask something of you, my readers. Look at your life, your day. What is the one thing you can do without? Just for a week. Is it your daily "latte," or cocktail or dining out? Maybe you live somewhere that for one week you can ride a bike or walk to work instead of driving. Give it up. Just for a week. Then send the money you saved to one of the many charities set-up for the Haitian people in this time of need. It's would mean so little to each of us, and so much to them.
Oh yeah, and don't forget to tell those around you that you love them. Disaster can strike anyone, anywhere; large or small. Don't take the lives and love around you for granted. This is the perfect example of how those we love can be gone in a moment.
Thank you.
In my defense I was probably the last person in the world to know about what happened. On January 12th, Tony was traveling and I was home alone. My life when he is gone is much different than when he's here. I rarely read the newspaper or watch the news. I tend to get caught up on DVR'd shows or DVDs. So it was a shock to me when Wednesay night as we talked on the phone he mentioned that they were watching about the "earthquake in Haiti." I had no idea what he was talking about.
I turned on Anderson Cooper 360 and watch over an hour of coverage as I tried to understand and comprehend what had happened. I have to admit, I know very little about Haiti. Just the weekend before the quake we were looking for a new location to visit and the Dominican Republic had been on our short list. But other than knowing where the island was located I knew very little. I can now say I clearly know where the island is ... I just didn't want to learn it this way.
There have been other earthquakes, other disasters that struck remote cities and countries ... but this is different. This is a big city, there are literally millions of people affected by this.
Over the past 10 days, I have tuned in each day to get updates on the situation and participated in the 90999 texting to make a donation. But it really never dawned on me to blog about it until we were watching the telethon last night.
The show had been on only a few minutes when I turned to Tony and said, "If we were younger, would we adopt one of those children?" And the answer was, "Yes." After a few more minutes I realized that if I was alone or single, I would go there, I would do what I could, I wouldn't be able to stop myself.
Tony and I have on occasion discussed the act of putting ourselves in harm's way. And for us, the decision was that we had a child that needed us. So we've traveled to places that are considered "safe," never purposefully putting oursleves in danger. But now that our son is growing and will be soon leaving for college, I'm sure that conversation will become more serious for us.
So there we sat, on our sofa, watching the pictures and listening to stories, knowing we had to do something, but feeling helpless. So we gave. And then we decided to put a request on our website asking that others give too. And that brought me to this ... something more I can do.
The stories are devistating. The Haitian people have not had easy lives to begin with ... and now this. They had very little before the earthquake, and even less now. And yet they are pulling together, supporting each other; trying to make a very uncivilized situation, civilized. There have been fewer stories of looting in Haiti than in US cities like Miami and LA when court decisions do go "our" way, or hurricanes hit. For a group of people that have often been considered "unruly" the Haitian people have shown themselves to be so much more than the world thought them to be. They are so strong; strong of heart, strong of spirit.
Where this ends is still TBD. And I fear it will take not months, but years to help these people and this country get back on their feet.
We all have so much. Many of us pay more for a cup of coffee a day than these people had to live on for a day. And now they have less. So I'm going to ask something of you, my readers. Look at your life, your day. What is the one thing you can do without? Just for a week. Is it your daily "latte," or cocktail or dining out? Maybe you live somewhere that for one week you can ride a bike or walk to work instead of driving. Give it up. Just for a week. Then send the money you saved to one of the many charities set-up for the Haitian people in this time of need. It's would mean so little to each of us, and so much to them.
Oh yeah, and don't forget to tell those around you that you love them. Disaster can strike anyone, anywhere; large or small. Don't take the lives and love around you for granted. This is the perfect example of how those we love can be gone in a moment.
Thank you.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Happy Friday -- Plyometrics and Ab Ripper
Ahhhh, the weekend is in sight. After taking a day (or was it two) off from working out (at least from P90X) I was happy to see that Plyometrics was up for today. Despite being hard, hard, hard; I love this workout.
Today was a bit more difficult for me than the last time I did this, but I guess that's just how it goes sometimes. I ended up having to sit-out the Circle Runs (due to exhaustion, LOL) but completed everything else. I am still struggling with the Jump Knee Tuck and the Run Squat 190 Jump Switch (don't ask). I'll admit to skipping the final set of the last set of exercises because I wanted to get in an Ab Ripper workout as well.
These two workouts are not recommended/scheduled to be done together, but I am already feeling a difference in my abs and wanted to at least do some of the exercises; and that's exactly what I did, some. I stuck to my plan of 10 reps each, which worked out well until the Roll-up/V Combo and Leg Climbs. I'm going to let myself think it was because I had done the Pylometrics workout prior, but I know deep down that these are just two exercises I'm going to have to work my way into.
When I was working out with a Pilates instructor I learned that my lower back is very stiff and that my abs are going to have to be extra strong to keep good form on exercises that crunch through that area. I actually did pretty good on the others that required this strength, but by the time I got to these two I was knackered (that's an English term for tired).
Tomrrow is Shoulders and Arms (another one I love) and then Yoga. We have a soccer match in the middle of the day, but if I get an early enough start I might do both in one day ... yeah, right! ;)
These two workouts together took 1 hr. and 15 mins (because I did fewer reps on the Ab Ripper workouts and skipped some exercises in the Plyometrics workout, I fast forwarded through them, thus making the two combined just slightly over the length of one) and burned a total of 222 calories using my BodyBugg. At the peak of this workout I was burning 4.6 cal/min, but during the Ab Ripper portion that dropped to 1.5 cal/min.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
Cheri
Today was a bit more difficult for me than the last time I did this, but I guess that's just how it goes sometimes. I ended up having to sit-out the Circle Runs (due to exhaustion, LOL) but completed everything else. I am still struggling with the Jump Knee Tuck and the Run Squat 190 Jump Switch (don't ask). I'll admit to skipping the final set of the last set of exercises because I wanted to get in an Ab Ripper workout as well.
These two workouts are not recommended/scheduled to be done together, but I am already feeling a difference in my abs and wanted to at least do some of the exercises; and that's exactly what I did, some. I stuck to my plan of 10 reps each, which worked out well until the Roll-up/V Combo and Leg Climbs. I'm going to let myself think it was because I had done the Pylometrics workout prior, but I know deep down that these are just two exercises I'm going to have to work my way into.
When I was working out with a Pilates instructor I learned that my lower back is very stiff and that my abs are going to have to be extra strong to keep good form on exercises that crunch through that area. I actually did pretty good on the others that required this strength, but by the time I got to these two I was knackered (that's an English term for tired).
Tomrrow is Shoulders and Arms (another one I love) and then Yoga. We have a soccer match in the middle of the day, but if I get an early enough start I might do both in one day ... yeah, right! ;)
These two workouts together took 1 hr. and 15 mins (because I did fewer reps on the Ab Ripper workouts and skipped some exercises in the Plyometrics workout, I fast forwarded through them, thus making the two combined just slightly over the length of one) and burned a total of 222 calories using my BodyBugg. At the peak of this workout I was burning 4.6 cal/min, but during the Ab Ripper portion that dropped to 1.5 cal/min.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
Cheri
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Chest & Back and Ab Ripper
I'm beginning the third round of the P90X 1st round workouts. I should be moving on to the "resting" phase next week, but will probably give this one another full week because of all the breaks I've taken :)
I have to say that I thought because of the breaks I wouldn't really be seeing much improvement. But just the other day I was demontrating how I have progressed to using a chair for my pullups (a step up from using the bands) and actually did two full, no-chair-supported pull-ups! I was so proud of myself. Now certainly I couldn't have continued, but it's two more than I could do when I started this.
This round I am really focusing on form vs. quantity. This meant that for the push-ups I only did 8 and for the pull-ups I only did 5. They were slow, but I was fully focused on going low, keeping my elbows in (when appropriate) and getting the most out of each move. Even at that low quantity, I was tired at the end.
I am taking the same focus on the Ab Ripper. This continues to be a struggle for me, but knowing that I was only going to do 10 (to the DVDs 25) was a huge mental help. Again, I concentrated on form. My lower back is very stiff and instead of getting a nice smooth roll-down my spine, I tend to flop the lower 6 inches. While "they" finished their 25 reps, I would make the move much smaller, just working on that last portion and making the move smoother.
I know I'm going to feel this tomorrow, especially in my abs ... but that's a good thing.
I recently saw a t-shirt that said "Marines" on the front and "Pain is just weakness leaving your body." on the back. I LOVE THAT! It is my new mantra for this workout program. Hopefully it will get me through in one piece.
Have a great day!
I have to say that I thought because of the breaks I wouldn't really be seeing much improvement. But just the other day I was demontrating how I have progressed to using a chair for my pullups (a step up from using the bands) and actually did two full, no-chair-supported pull-ups! I was so proud of myself. Now certainly I couldn't have continued, but it's two more than I could do when I started this.
This round I am really focusing on form vs. quantity. This meant that for the push-ups I only did 8 and for the pull-ups I only did 5. They were slow, but I was fully focused on going low, keeping my elbows in (when appropriate) and getting the most out of each move. Even at that low quantity, I was tired at the end.
I am taking the same focus on the Ab Ripper. This continues to be a struggle for me, but knowing that I was only going to do 10 (to the DVDs 25) was a huge mental help. Again, I concentrated on form. My lower back is very stiff and instead of getting a nice smooth roll-down my spine, I tend to flop the lower 6 inches. While "they" finished their 25 reps, I would make the move much smaller, just working on that last portion and making the move smoother.
I know I'm going to feel this tomorrow, especially in my abs ... but that's a good thing.
I recently saw a t-shirt that said "Marines" on the front and "Pain is just weakness leaving your body." on the back. I LOVE THAT! It is my new mantra for this workout program. Hopefully it will get me through in one piece.
Have a great day!
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