The more things change, the more they stay the same…

I was thinking about a wrap up post for 2007 and came to this idea - what has changed and what has remained the same in my life? I wonder if this exercise will be meaningful to anyone else? Maybe there’s another way to frame it.

I believe we release people, things, places, experiences, circumstances and beliefs which no longer serve our greater good. Additionally, we attract people, things, places, experiences, circumstances and beliefs which serve this greater good. BTW, these two statements can be used as affirmations.

Here’s my list. I’m sure there are things I left out. If/when I remember them, I’ll post them in comments to this post. Feel free to post your own list here as a comment. It might be a nice recap and it’s always good to comment

Much love and peace to you in 2008!
Gregory

Things that changed / were added:
New job - PCC
New house - 6 Gary Lane, Exeter, NH
New car - Camry Hybrid
New friends and relationships - not going there
New giving back - ManKind Project New England Council Officer and PowerPoint Team at Unity
New facial hair - changes every couple of months
New experiences - Polar Bear Plunge and 90 days with no booze (to name two)
New travel - Martha’s Vineyard, Nova Scotia and Key West (to name a few)
New blog friends - see Blogroll to the right
New music - Antje Duvekot, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, Eddie Vedder and many more
New clothing - custom made Bengals jersey - WHO DEY!
New stuff - artwork (paintings), living room furniture, fire pit
New gadgets - HP notebook and too many others to list
New potential state of residence - Oregon
UC Football nationally ranked!! - YIPPEE!!
New Uncle-To-Be - Congratulations Ellen and Nick!
New site for the blog - WordPress is pretty darn good (except for posting pictures and mobile blogging)

Things that remained mostly unchanged:
Continued love, health and wellbeing of family and friends - I’m so grateful
Rock solid friendships spanning all distances - priceless
Continued abundance and prosperity - more and more gratitude
Unity on the River - outstanding food for my ever-evolving Spirit
ManKind Project - a safe container for my personal growth
Aryaloka Buddhist Center - richness in thought and practice
The ocean and Route 1A in NH - beautiful beyond measure
The moon and the stars - have I mentioned that I’m in love with the night sky?
Ohio State Buckeyes in the national championship game - bravo!
UC basketball still stinks without Bob Huggins - boo
Bengals are all potential and little pop - changes will be coming
Objective Perspective - one year old and going strong (with some peaks and valleys along the way)

It’s time to sell out…

Web writers cashing in on blogs

16 wins would be HUGE…

As much as I’m not a Patriots fan (not quite a Patriots Hater), I have to give it up to New England for their pursuit of the perfect regular season. A 16-0 season in the NFL is holy ground. Maybe this post will jinx them

I even like Tom Brady. He’s the best QB in the league this year. The Pats are the best team in the league. They have the best coach. I live in New England. What’s not to like? I just can’t do it. Not going to happen.

I’m a Bengals fan. Speaking of Who Dey Nation…even if the Bengals win this Sunday, their win total over the last TWO seasons does not add up to 16. That’s sad. Changes are coming for this Bengals team.

Back to New England. What kind of Bermuda Triangle of sports domination is sweeping through Boston recently? The Red Sox win the World Series. I like me some Sox. The Pats are going for a perfect regular season. Boo. The Celtics are dominating the NBA. I’m  rooting for KG and the boys.

Maybe they heard I was leaving the area and wanted to send me out with a bang. Could be, you know. When I arrived here, the Sox had just won the World Series and the Pats won the Super Bowl.

If all is right in the world, the Jags, Colts, Steelers or Bolts will knock the Pats out of the playoffs. The Pats will get 17 wins and their place next to the Dolphins in history. Pats fans will shush for a while and wait for next year.

A boy can dream.

WHO DEY!
Greg

Shaking it off…

I’m home. I’m healthy. I’m wealthy. I’m wise. OK… 50% ain’t bad The Skybus cancellation was a minor inconvenience and a blip on the radar screen. I’m blessed and grateful to have TWO wonderful friends who made sure I made it to my car in Portsmouth last night. Thanks again to Kate and Michelle!

On to the good stuff. Key West was AMAZING! Though I traveled from Fort Myers to Key West in the dark of night, seeing the stars in the sky and the moon reflect off the ocean while I rode over bridge after bridge after bridge was breathtaking. It grounded me. Anyone can ride through the Keys during the day. Only the true adventurer will travel by night. That’s the story I’m telling myself, anyway.

Key West is most excellent. I highly recommend going at least once. You need to experience this place - sunshine, Duval Street, open air restaurants and bars, seriously fun bars, characters galore, water/boating adventures, southernmost sightseeing and much, much more. I didn’t fish or do a thousand other things one can do. Get down there and have your own experience.

Avalon B&B was one block from the Southernmost Point in the Continental United States marker. It’s funny. you look at this thing and it’s supposed to be THE southermost point. Just on the other side of a fence is more land. Yes, it’s a military base, but it’s still USA, no? What gives?

I suppose it’s like the Four Corners marker where Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado come together. There’s the tourist monument, then there’s the actual spot. Whatever. They’re both cool. I need to get out to Four Corners.

Back to Key West. As is usually the case, I found that I like the local joints (the unique places with…ummm…character) more than the chains. I recommend BO’s Fish Wagon or Caroline’s Cafe over places like Cheeseburger and Hard Rock, etc. Have at least one drink in Captain Tony’s and Key West’s Smallest Bar before going to Sloppy Joes’s and Hog’s Breath. See a sunset from the top of La Concha Hotel before going to Mallory Square’s nightly festival.

Did I mention the parasailing? It was AWESOME! Do this once in your lifetime. Even if you’re scared of heights, you should do this. It’s sooo peaceful up there. Sounds go away. Views are amazing. You float. You float on the wind. How often do you float on the wind? Just do it. Seriously.

I met some cool people along the way - an Irish couple, traveling nurses, vacationers, expatriate New Englanders and more. They helped to make the trip an even greater one.

On my final day, I woke up at 5AM and hit the road by 5:30AM. This afforded me the luxury of watching the sun rise as I rode over bridge after bridge after bridge. The oranges and purples started popping up while I was riding over the Seven Mile Bridge connecting two Keys. It was gorgeous. I pulled over for pics of the sunrise further on up the road. I’m not sure where, but the pics turned out very well.

It was a great trip! If you have any interest in traveling via motorcycle through the Keys, I’m your guy.

Love life!
Greg

Hit by a (Sky)bus…

Skybus lost MAJOR points tonight. They cancelled my flight back to Portsmouth. I’m pissed. They refunded my money for the leg, but I don’t know how much. I guess I’ll find out tomorrow.

I just bought a one way ticket to Manchester that gets in at 11:35 PM. It cost me $225. God bless EvilKate for her willingness to come pick me up from MHT at this ridiculous hour. Love ya, Kater!

It looks the like the cheap airline cost me some bucks this time around. The experience doesn’t instill much faith in the next two flights I have booked with Skybus. They cancelled four flights today and yesterday.

I don’t know much about the circumstances, but I’m guessing I’ll learn more soon. Whatever. I’m still pissed.

That’s for Skybus. Yes, I’ll get over it.

I had every intention of writing a post regaling my lovely Christmas in Cincy. Another time.

Meyer out.

1:48 AM UPDATE - Kater and Fij saved the day! They picked me up in style from Manchester airport. I am now snuggled into the homestead at 6 Gary Lane. THANK YOU, KATE & MICHELLE!

Merry Christmas!!!

Howdy folks!

Here’s a quick post wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas. I’m in Cincinnati where I’ll be seeing my family and friends for a solid two days. I have two gatherings today and three tomorrow. I’m super exicted!

I wish you all joy in connecting with your loved ones!

Peace, love and Christmas cookies,
Gregory

PS - Dec 22nd was the longest night of the year. Did you feel it? The days get longer until late June.
PPS - Dec 23rd was a full moon. Did you see it? AMAZING! The clouds were moving so fast here, it looked like the moon was racing around the sky. Trippy!

Letters of importance and magnitude…

Dear Willie D and the fine people at Harley Davidson,

Thank you for crafting such a beautiful machine in the Electra Glide Classic. I was pleasantly surprised with the ride, the comfort, the handling, the performance and the Harmon Kardon audio system. I’m especially grateful for two things:

(1) The AUX plug on the radio is great. I brought my iPod on the trip, but was only expecting to use it on the plane. I was pleasantly surprised to see it on your radio. After buying an AUX cord at a local Radio Shack, I treated myself to hours and hours of my own selections rather than having to scan for radio stations.

(2) Your thoughtful installation of a reserve gas tank beyond the actual fuel gauge reading is BRILLIANT! There are people in the world who push the edges on many things. I am one of those people, Willie D. I pushed the edge of the gas tank capacity while traveling along “Alligator Alley” in Florida.

Did I mention there are three exits along this 70 mile stretch? F’ing Florida…that’s another letter. Anywho, when the digital odometer on your fine machine went from a mileage reading to a “number of miles left in the reserve tank” reading, I was most pleased. My heart did sink when it went from 10 to “Lo,” but I made it to a gas station.

In summary, you may have won yourself a future customer, H-D. I enjoyed the ride and would do it again. As much as I have tried to avoid becoming a Harley rider in the past, I’m on board now.

Yours in keeping the rubber side down and rolling,
GMan

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Dearest State of Florida,

First, thanks for the great state. What you do with Key West, in particular, is amazing and worthy of more praise than I can offer in one measly letter. Keep up the good work.

Second, thanks to your people of Charlotte County for electing Pat S. as the Chairperson of the Board at the Charlotte County Airport. She orchestrated a merry band of applause-bearing and Santa hat-wearing greeters for the first flight ever to arrive from Portsmouth, NH. Additionally, when confronted with no taxis at her airport and me needing a ride to Fort Myers Harley Davidson, she offered me a ride herself. How’s that for service? Keep her happy.

Third, but no so happily, I have a big gripe with your highway system. Along Alligator Alley, you only have three exits. At the first exit, you post a sign saying “Next exit 26 miles.” I’m here to tell you, Florida, that sign is for crap. It was 40+ miles to the next exit, then seven or eight miles to the nearest gas station. Work on that one, sunshine boy. “In God We Trust.” Apparently. Sheesh.

Yours in all things sunny and non-Disney,
Greg

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Dear Citgo station just off of 829 near the Florida Panther Habitat,

Thanks for being there and thanks for selling gasoline. You were a life saver. Your prices weren’t outrageous. Kudos.

One more thing, Citgo. Your men’s room was among the most disgusting I’ve ever encountered. I know you’re busy with the gasoline portion of the business, but a little attention here could go a long way.

Yours in filling up and cleanliness,
Gregory

——————————–

Dear Brain,

What is it about us that chooses not to acknowledge a fuel gauge until a warning light is on? Why must we produce an adrenaline-pumping dash to a gas station along a remote Florida interstate? When we see a “Next exit 26 miles” sign, why don’t we exit, fill up the tank and have a leisurely ride to our destination? Let me know when you have an answer. I’m curious. I’ll poke you with a Q-Tip if we ever do this again. You knew better. Where were you?

Yours in creating drama,
G

There’s snow place like home…

I’m home. I’m not going to bitch about the snow. I could. I will say this - it’s quite shocking to have been in Key West this morning, then to come home and shovel my way out of 20+ inches of snow (built up from all the time I’ve been gone). The shock factor is nearly undeniable. Agreed? Good. I will post pics of my snow pile tomorrow.

For now, here are two links to TONS of Key West pictures on Flickr - (1) GENERAL PICS and (2) PARASAILING ONLY PICS. A few highlight pics and some of my favorites are shown below.

 

 

It rocked. I have much more to say about Key West, the Harley experience and other topics, but I’m damn tired right now. Why am I still up?

Also, why did I schedule so much travel in a short period of time? Portland to Key West to Cincinnati — back-to-back-to-back. I’m worn smooth ass out.

I’m getting cranky. Time to put this one to bed.

Much love,
G

Finally made it…

I’m blogging from the phone again. This time — from Sloppy Joe’s on Duval Street in Key West. I’m having birthday beers

I made it to KW minutes before midnight. Wow! I grossly underestimated the length of my selected route. It was a long ride with HUGE saddle time.

It’s all good. Very good.

Happy 38th to me!
Gregory

Pacific Northwest to Key West…

Howdy folks!

On the plane ride home from Portland, I realized I’m traveling from the upper left corner of the country to the lower right corner of the country with a weekend in between. I thought it was pretty cool.

On that note, I have a few pics from the Portland trip. The majority are from the Japanese Garden in Washington Park. There are a few from 30 stories up in the Portland City Grill and one of Powell’s Bookstore.

I loved Powell’s. I found some great books and bought a bunch of presents. I got caught up in buying things for people I had no intention of buying for this year.

I leave for Key West in the morning. I’m not ready. I want to be ready. I’m just not there yet. I have a few hours in the morning to get my act together. I’m packing light, so it shouldn’t be a big issue.

I’m excited to ride to the Keys! It may be dark for the last few hours of the ride, heading into Key West. I’m sure I’ll have a blast. As one friend told me, “Maybe this is something you’re supposed to do alone.” I guess so

I’m going to “unplug” as much as possible in the Keys. Things are likely to be sparse around here again. It may be this way until after Christmas. Ugh. I’m a traveling fool until then.

I love you all!!
Gregory