Stalker Danger Fire Boy…

I recently blogged about Oregon and included a link to Powell’s Books. Their main store is an entire city block. It’s not a New York City block, but it’s still a 
B-I-G deal. Would you agree?

I look forward to visiting them when I’m out in Oregon. However, it looks like they beat me to the punch. The day I posted about Powell’s and included a link to their site, someone from Powell’s visited my blog.

How do I know this? I use Site Meter and get some blog stats from WordPress. I found it kinda spooky that Powell’s is stalking me, but I guess I started it.

I visited their site today and saw this book:

 

It looks awesome for boys of all ages, including those a wee bit past boyhood. (Yes, Dec 18th)

There’s also a book for girls (I did not review this one):

 

They could be great Christmas, Hannukah, Festivus or whatever gifts.

Finally, I sat by the fire tonight. It was GLORIOUS! I love it and it’s been a while. I love fires in my backyard. The fire pit isn’t done yet in New England. Yes, that’s the moon behind the fire.

If I don’t talk to you until December, have a great rest of the month

Paz y amor,
Gregorio

What we need…

I borrowed the book Nonviolent Communication over the weekend. In the back of the book is a list of “Some basic needs we all have.” I love this list and I’m sharing it with you.

What struck me most bluntly is this - there are all these needs and many, many more. How much time am I spending to get fulfillment in a few of these areas exclusively?

Are there others that the list does not include?? Chime in with your two cents.

Autonomy
+ Choosing dreams/values/goals
+ Choosing plans for fulfilling dreams/values/goals

Celebration
+ Celebrate the creation of life and dreams fulfilled
+ Celebrate losses: loved ones, dreams, etc. (mourning)

Integrity
+ Authenticity      + Creativity
+ Meaning      + Self-worth

Interdependence
+ Acceptance      + Appreciation
+ Closeness      + Community
+ Consideration
+ Contribute to the enrichment of life
+ Emotional safety      + Empathy
+ Honesty (the empowering honesty that enables us to learn
  from our limitations)
+ Love      + Reassurance
+ Respect      + Support
+ Trust      + Understanding

Physical Nurturance
+ Air      + Food
+ Movement, exercise
+ Protection from life-threatening forms of life:
  viruses, bacteria, insects, predatory animals
+ Rest      + Sexual expression
+ Shelter      + Touch      + Water

Play
+ Fun      + Laughter

Spiritual Communion
+ Beauty      + Harmony
+ Inspiration      + Order      + Peace

Enjoy this day!
Greg

Survey angst…

First, let me say that I hate surveys. I’m not talking about real-world statistical surveys or market research. Those can be annoying, but that’s another post. I’m talking about MySpace surveys and the like. Not a fan.

Why are they called surveys, anyway? They are questionnaires, if that. “Survey” seems to imply statistics and quantifiable information. These are definitely not scientific. I know. They’re not meant to be.

Other people like them. Some people really like them. Alot. Squared. There can be some good info scooped from a survey. They can be fun. Questions can get people thinking. Yes, that’s good.

Had I not ventured off into MySpace some two years ago, I wouldn’t be typing this. I would probably think surveys are fun. MySpace, however, has helped to create my survey disgust.

In an effort to release this acrimony, I thought I would create one myself. How do those others get created anyway? Does someone start writing down questions? Like this…

Morning Rituals Questionnaire

(This is somewhat slanted towards working peeps. Non-workers can make up your own questions.)

1. What time do you generally wake up?

2. Do you wake by alarm or other method? If other, what method?

3. What are three things you usually do upon waking (other than bodily functions)?

4. Do you eat breakfast?

5. Do you shower or bathe at home?

6. If you shower, do you enter from the front (shower head side) or back (non-shower head side)?

7. Do you tend to face the water stream head on or do you face the wall or the shower curtain/door?

8. Do you wash certain parts first every time (no need for details)?

9. Do you use a wash cloth or poofy scrubby thing or something else?

10. Do you ever turn the water off?

11. Do you have a robe? Do you use it?

12. Do you have a work wardrobe?

13. How many outfits make up this work wardrobe?

14. Is your office/workplace formal, biz casual, casual or other?

15. Do you pack a lunch/meal?

16. Do you go to work the same way every day?

17. Do you see some of the same people on the way some days?

18. If you commute, how long is your commute?

19. Do you park in the same place every day?

20. Do you have a ritual when you arrive at work?

21. What are three things you do when you arrive at work (other than bodily functions)?

22. Is there anything else we should know about your mornings?

Thanks for playing (or not). Your call. I’m not even sure if I’m going to answer these questions. The creating was fun. The acrimony is still there

If I were to do it over again, I would ask more random questions. I liked the theme for my first pass.

Be well,
Greg

Poems (and a PSA)…

I wrote a poem today. I wrote most of it while driving to and from Boston. I don’t believe the poem is for public consumption right now. It is (I am) too raw. I’m not ready to publish.

Thanks to EvilKate for showing me the power of poems. This is the second-ish poem I’ve written as an adult. It’s liberating. It’s inspiring. It’s powerful.

It’s amazing how careful word choice brings poignancy to the few words that are there. Usually, I throw up all over the blog page.  As readers of said blog, you already know this

Another shout out to EvilKate for letting me know it’s OK to hold on to a work for myself. She didn’t tell me this directly, but I’ve read about this in her blogs.

Had I not known this, I would have published the poem today. Our little secret…I did publish it on my Misc page, but pulled it back. I didn’t like it being out there.

————————————–

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: This just in…from the desk of a former co-worker…CHIPOTLE HITS NEW ENGLAND!! I love Chipotle. Love, love, love it.

Chipotle makes the best burritos in the land, people. I know you have your favorites. This is mine.

There are four locations in New England already. How did I not know this? A fifth location is coming to Portsmouth (Newington).

Get some Chipotle in your belly. Es delicioso.

————————————–

I think I was done with the poem post anyway. Write a poem today. You won’t regret it, my friends.

Peace, love and burritos,
Gregorio

Oregon Oohs and Aahs…

I borrowed the Moon Handbooks travel guide to Oregon over the weekend. I had a chance to read some of the introduction on the plane ride home from Ohio. Consider all bullet points to be quotes.

Did you know the following about Oregon?

+ State motto - “She flies with her own wings”

+ There are 370 miles of beaches, dunes and headlands along its Pacific Ocean coast

+ There are a few major mountain systems, the largest of which is the Cascade Range - for all intents and purposes, this seperates the east from the west within the state

+ It has a history of volcanic activity - five of the dormant volcanoes are over 10,000 feet above sea level

+ Portland’s average annual rainfall is 43.4 inches - this is usually less than totals recorded in New York, Miami and Chicago

+ If there is one constant in western Oregon, it is cloudiness. Portland and the Willamette Valley receive only 45 percent of maximum potential sunshine; more than 200 days of the year are cloudy and rain falls an average of 150 days.

+ With 4,400 known species and varieties, Oregon ranks fourth among US states for plant diversity

+ Beavers, North America’s largest rodents, are widespread throughout the state - the beaver has long been Oregon’s state mascot

+ Black bears proliferate in remote mountain forests - 14,000-19,000 black bears roam in the western Cascades and the Coast Range

+ In Oregon, there are now nine federally recognized tribes (of native peoples) and six reservations: Warm Springs, Umatilla, Burns Pauite, Siletz and Grand Ronde. …Most of the 40,000 native people of the region feel they can never regain their birthright. In an attempt to repay this irredeemable debt, Native American gaming came into Oregon in the mid-1990’s, and Native Oregonians now operate eight lucrative casinos in the state.

+ Tens of thousands of workers are still employed in logging sawmills and paper production - Oregon is still the leading supplier of wood products in the nation, providing one-fifth of the country’s softwood lumber

+ Oregon’s…agricultural sector leads the nation in the production of such varied agricultural commodities as filberts, peppermint, blackberries, loganberries, rhubarb…and Christmas trees.

+ In Portland, avenues run north-south, while streets run east-west

+ Powell’s Books is not only a Portland institution, it is the largest independent bookstore in the world

That’s as far as I got in the book. Good stuff and more to come!

Happy trails!

Baggage…

I’ve been waiting 20+ minutes at the Skybus ticket counter for someone to show up. That’s one problem with Skybus. They are short staffed. Thank you to Verizon and Al Gore for the interweb on my cell phone.

The bag I checked was damaged in transit from Columbus to Portsmouth. Looks like it was run over by something. It’s unusable going forward. Wrecked.

Someone finally showed, so we’ll see how it goes from here. She’s helpful. I’m curious how the airline will respond. I took some pictures. Their forms look pretty weak

Should be interesting…

Update since the ticket counter: Flat tire on the Camry. I’m experiencing a few challenges on the re-integration…

2nd Update: Upon my return home, I now realize I ran out of heating oil (again). 47 degrees in here. Crikey! Rough start…

Final updates on this post: The oil company truck was five minutes away. My boiler is already restarted. I contacted Skybus via email to get the process (of getting compensated for a trashed piece of luggage) started. Meyer out.

I was wr - wr - wrong…

Did you ever watch Happy Days on television? Do you remember when Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli was forced to admit he was wrong? He could never fess up to being wrong without stumbling over the word “wrong” in the process.

I was wrong. I’ve been wrong many times in my life. For this one, however, I owe Cincinnati an apology. I’ve been saying that Cincinnati is so smog-ridden and cloud-covered that I could never see moon shadows here.

I’m looking at them right now, people. I was wrong. What was the issue? My ignorance. I probably never looked before. That’s more likely to be the case than moon shadows never happening here. I never looked.

I apologize, Cincy. How can I make it up to you? I’ve dragged your reputation through the mud over an issue as small (but glorious) as seeing a shadow on the ground due to the moon shining so brightly.

I’m grateful that this happens here. I’m happy for all those people who didn’t and don’t have their heads so far up their own asses that they can realize this beauty from within your boundaries.

In penance, I will sample all of your most popular wares tomorrow - Skyline Chili, Graeter’s Ice Cream, Dewey’s Pizza and goetta. If I can make it to Montgomery Inn as well, I will feel forgiven.

I wish I had my sleeping bag tonight. I would sleep on the deck of my friend’s condo. There’s also a beautiful view of the Ohio River from here. I’m typing my blog out here now. It’s a chilly one, but the bag would keep me warm.

Find beauty where you are able, my friends. It’s all around us.

Much love,
Gregory

Need a vacation from my vacation…

While having drinks with a friend last night, she said, “You need a vacation from your vacation.” I’ve heard this before, but she’s right. When I return to Cincinnati, I pack in a ton of activities and visits. It’s what I do.

I do it with my blog, too. I’ve posted every day this month except the days I was at the MKP training. Even while missing those three days, my number of blogs for November is greater than the number of days for the month.

In honor of this sage advice, I’m giving myself a day off from the blog.

I love you all!
Gregory

WWGD…

A fellow blogger posted some questions the other day. They went like this – How far would you go to help another person? Would you risk your life to save theirs? Does it depend on the person? Does it depend on your situation?

Unbeknownst to me, these questions stuck with me. They hit me yesterday as I was driving between Thanksgiving visits. I was listening to some music and driving when the questions and my answer surfaced.

What Would Gregory Do? The words that came –  I would walk throught the gates of hell for someone I love. I would give everything I have, including my life. Period. End of sentence.

I’m not sure what kind of perfect storm was happening inside of me, but the feelings were intense and authentic. They seemingly came out of nowhere, but something must be brewing.

I don’t believe in hell. Apparently, that doesn’t matter. My reaction was visceral. I have strong feelings of wanting to kick some ass for a loved one.

It was the kind of feeling I get when I know I’m in the right place at the right time doing exactly the right thing. It feels like there is nothing else I should be doing and nowhere else I should be. 

It was the feeling I get when I give myself away in service. I don’t lose myself, but find the inner strength that allows me to give from my strength and my gifts. It’s centered and very real.

What am I going to do with all of this? I have no idea. Honestly, I hope no one I know ever needs me in this way. I’m happy to give, but I don’t wish an extreme experience on anyone.

My brain just shifted to a place of — maybe I can find a way to give to my loved ones from this place and it doesn’t require someone to be in an extreme experience. Hmmmmm.

Thanks for bearing with me as I think out loud. Another blogger provoked some thoughts around blogging versus journaling. This seems like more of a journal entry. I’m OK with that.

Take care of yourself and your loved ones!

With fierce love,
Gregory

Thankful…

Happy Thanksgiving, campers!

If you’re checking my blog today, I appreciate it and I’m grateful for your loyalty. I’m guessing there won’t be much traffic today, so I’ll keep it brief. (We’ll see about that, huh?)

I’m in a sweet place of gratitude this morning. I just got home from volunteering at a soup kitchen in downtown Cincinnati. I served people food and coffee and helped to give them a Thanksgiving experience. If I do nothing else today, my day has been a fabulous one.  I am full.

I do have more plans today. They include visits with two different family groups - my nuclear family and my birth family. I’m pretty sure that I’ve “outed” the fact that I was adopted. I have a solid relationship with my birth family. You know this? Right?

Regardless, I’m visiting with both. I’m grateful to have an abundance of family here in my home town. I’m soooo looking forward to seeing my neices and nephew. Playing with them will be a blast!

One last thing before signing off. On the way home from the soup kitchen, I drove by the first house that I owned. It’s in downtown Cincinnati and I loved this place. It’s a brownstone with a view of the city.

I might be back tonight with more gratitude. I really had a big hit on gratitude last Sunday at church. That’s one of the reasons I was crying at church — I’m so grateful.

With gratitude and love,
Gregory