Ahhh, summertime. The smells of sweet......hey! Wait a minute! Summer heat SUCKS! Especially the humidity!
Ahh, but the swimming pools, the outdoor activities, camping, fishing, swimming, hiking, swimming (did I mention swimming?)
I am looking forward to Summer Solstice in Summerland this year. I always look forward to it every year, but this year seems a bit more important to me. It seems more personal for some reason. Maybe it's because old feelings for certain people seem to re-surface a bit. You know? The ones that have been in your life and slowly exited out of it? I mean, I understand that people will change no matter what we wish or hope for, but, when you find that one person that you fit with so perfectly and for one reason or another, things don't seem to work out in the moment....Causes regret. That's what I can say at the moment. I mean, you find one person that you seem to fit with in all respects, energy wise, personality, attitude etc. Then because you feel responsible for another person (in this case, married) you drift away from the person you are really right for. Then, later on down the road, you remember why you liked being with that person. Even though the relationship could and would cause issues for those around you. SIGH....
Oh well, I guess that's why life sucks at times.
I guess I should be thankful for the blessings I have and not regret the things I cannot change. At least I will get to see those that I am friends with at Summerland this year.
I cannot wait! I am so excited to get to camp out again!
Well, guess that wraps up my rant for the time being.
More later.
Peace fellow humans.
About Me
- Toby
- I am 35, divorced, 1 son 7 years old. I live with my family. I lead a spiritual life within a Native American Medicine and Shamanism realm. I am an active solo musician as well as a part of "The Baghdad String Benders". I currently live and work in Baghdad, Iraq as a civilian contractor. I am versed in Middle Eastern, West African and Native American rhythms etc. I am also a "Trance Dancer" Perhaps also referred to as Totem Dancing, (not affiliated with Traditional Pow Wow dancing.) I also love the outdoors, camping, hiking, chasing storms (not for profit, more for personal pleasure). I am a diverse character to be sure.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Friday, June 08, 2007
So, we went to the OKC Zoo yesterday. What a fascinating visit we had!! It took us all day but, I think we visited all the animals they have there. LOL! That zoo is HUGE! 110 acres. We were there from 11AM until 6PM. We must have walked around that place 4 times at least. Boy were we tired when we got home last night, to be sure. I crashed out around 9 and slept until this morning at 7. Whew! Tiring, but fun.
So, I saw a very moving video shot this morning. It's on www.youtube.com
It's about the vanishing bees in our eco system. Very moving....I didn't ever think this way until recently, but, without our plants and pollination, even with science, we cannot survive more than a few years at best. The honeybees are VERY important to our survival. It also makes reference to being vegan......hmmmm.......if everyone went vegan, our dependance on vegetables and plants would become more so, I think the population of bees would be over taxed at that point. Isn't that a bit much? To rely on vegetation in the possibility that all of it will be gone without bees? Personally, I don't eat much red meat anymore. I eat alot of chicken, fish and veggies. I rarely eat beef at all. Even pork stands to be rejected by my body, ESPECIALLY in the summer months. I think it's because so much heat causes my discomfort in my digestion anyways, that, I naturally lean towards the higher energy foods. Besides, the length of time it takes the beef to digest can cause way too many issues in the colon etc. You all have heard that I'm sure.
The video also approaches several topic starters.....Ecological disaster, over population, self destruction etc. This is stuff I have ranted about on here before now. I wonder when our "Civilization" will come to realize the truth about ourselves? When will it become important enough to start to do something to help our planet? When is too late?
Folks, we ARE destroying our planet!! How much more proof do we need? Global warming is NOT a concept! It IS a reality!! Eco systems around the globe are suffering at the hands of our leaders, our fellow human beings, our corporations, all in search of the almighty dollar. I think if we were to really search for another place to call home, we would find a "temporary" living place, but we would soon destroy that as well. We don't need to move to another planet, we need to restore this one. It was given to us to maintain, to care for, not destroy! Look at how we've mangaed, or mis-managed, our gifts....It saddens me to realize that my son's generation, heck, not even that close, my generation will live through some very trying times coming soon. We will likely see the end of the oceanic life, the end of the honey bees, then the eventual end of our lives. I cannot even put into wos the sadness this causes me. And yet, I still have peace. It's unfair that I can remain this peaceful despite the eventual consequences.
Peace.
So, I saw a very moving video shot this morning. It's on www.youtube.com
It's about the vanishing bees in our eco system. Very moving....I didn't ever think this way until recently, but, without our plants and pollination, even with science, we cannot survive more than a few years at best. The honeybees are VERY important to our survival. It also makes reference to being vegan......hmmmm.......if everyone went vegan, our dependance on vegetables and plants would become more so, I think the population of bees would be over taxed at that point. Isn't that a bit much? To rely on vegetation in the possibility that all of it will be gone without bees? Personally, I don't eat much red meat anymore. I eat alot of chicken, fish and veggies. I rarely eat beef at all. Even pork stands to be rejected by my body, ESPECIALLY in the summer months. I think it's because so much heat causes my discomfort in my digestion anyways, that, I naturally lean towards the higher energy foods. Besides, the length of time it takes the beef to digest can cause way too many issues in the colon etc. You all have heard that I'm sure.
The video also approaches several topic starters.....Ecological disaster, over population, self destruction etc. This is stuff I have ranted about on here before now. I wonder when our "Civilization" will come to realize the truth about ourselves? When will it become important enough to start to do something to help our planet? When is too late?
Folks, we ARE destroying our planet!! How much more proof do we need? Global warming is NOT a concept! It IS a reality!! Eco systems around the globe are suffering at the hands of our leaders, our fellow human beings, our corporations, all in search of the almighty dollar. I think if we were to really search for another place to call home, we would find a "temporary" living place, but we would soon destroy that as well. We don't need to move to another planet, we need to restore this one. It was given to us to maintain, to care for, not destroy! Look at how we've mangaed, or mis-managed, our gifts....It saddens me to realize that my son's generation, heck, not even that close, my generation will live through some very trying times coming soon. We will likely see the end of the oceanic life, the end of the honey bees, then the eventual end of our lives. I cannot even put into wos the sadness this causes me. And yet, I still have peace. It's unfair that I can remain this peaceful despite the eventual consequences.
Peace.
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Hello world!!
I am doing well in Oklahoma for the 2nd month I've been here. I am enjoying the solitude and serenity that the country offers. I work a part time job, take care of my grandmother's lawn, household needs etc and most of my free time I spend either visiting friends, relatives or just playing music to soothe my inner need.
I went and picked up my son on the 1st of June, for summer break. We enjoyed our first weekend thus far. We went to "Red Earth" celebration on Saturday morning. We got to walk around and see art exhibits of Native American artists, crafts from different tribes. We also got to watch the Grand Entry (for those unsure of what this is, you can see a re-broadcast on www.powwows.com) The grand entry is when all the tribes that will be in attendance come into the main arena. They dance around while the different drum groups drum and sing the host of dancers around, until all dancers and participants are in the main area. You want to see something like this for your first time, I assure you! Talk about an emotional invoking experience!! Being able to see all the colors, hear all the sounds, bells jingling, rattles shaking, voices singing to the rhythms..... Man! I only wish we would have stayed all day. We missed the dance competitions :( Sadly enough. BUT, my son and I got to go visit with our extended family at a birthday party. After that, we all went as a family to celebrate my birthday at a very authentic German restaurant in Choctaw Oklahoma. (my compliments to the chef!)
(semi post script note: May was a blue moon month, so, my birthday fell on a full moon. How cool is that?)
After that, we all came home, chilled out, got baths and what not (mostly the boy), got ready for bed, (again the boy). After lights out, I traversed to Shawnee to visit and hang out with my cousin and his room mate. We met at this nice pub called, "Knuckles Pub". Very authentic Irish pub feel. We sat up in the pool table area talking and drinking on a few beverages (nice selection of dark and high alcohol beers) and then went to their place and continued talking until almost 1:30AM. I then came home to my bed and slept until this morning around, 9:30. Nice! I like the simple things, like sleeping in occasionally. :)
Well, I'm not much for ranting or raving lately, but, if I had to rave about anything at all....It would be the incessant rain we seem to be getting lately. Not just us in Oklahoma either. But, all across the mid-west. Now, if I were to say that the east coast could use some of this rain, that would be very correct. I know that Florida, Georgia, Alabama and several other states could very well use some of the excess water we seem to be harboring. I have jokingly stated that I feel as though I am living in a rain forest, due to the almost daily rains we have been receiving. I also know that in the summer months to come, we will be glad of the moisture we have gotten to this point. It should prove to be quite a hot summer for most of this area.
Well, Mid-Summer is approaching fast. June 21st will be the summer equinox, the date that the sun is in it's strongest position. The day of longest light. after that day, the light will start to fade into the oncoming fall season. Days will begin to get shorter a little at a time. I hope that we all have adequately prepared ourselves for this time in the calendar year. It is a time to watch closely. Anything in nature that you can look at, watch closely. Pay attention to your environment. Our eco system can fortell the coming weather quite accurately. I for one am lucky to be able to watch closely in my suroundings. I know that city dwellers have a hard time getting to see the signs as approaching weather changes so fast and often without warning, but, the warnings should be heeded. We are very near to completing another seasonal cycle of change. After this, it will seem harder on us as humans to deal with such scorching heat in the mid-west. After all, this area has been in drought for several years. Now the rains have brought some desired relief. Next on the agenda is dry conditions again. I hope we can persevere.
Well, I guess those are my thoughts for the moment.
Be at peace in all your works and bring peace to those around you.
I am doing well in Oklahoma for the 2nd month I've been here. I am enjoying the solitude and serenity that the country offers. I work a part time job, take care of my grandmother's lawn, household needs etc and most of my free time I spend either visiting friends, relatives or just playing music to soothe my inner need.
I went and picked up my son on the 1st of June, for summer break. We enjoyed our first weekend thus far. We went to "Red Earth" celebration on Saturday morning. We got to walk around and see art exhibits of Native American artists, crafts from different tribes. We also got to watch the Grand Entry (for those unsure of what this is, you can see a re-broadcast on www.powwows.com) The grand entry is when all the tribes that will be in attendance come into the main arena. They dance around while the different drum groups drum and sing the host of dancers around, until all dancers and participants are in the main area. You want to see something like this for your first time, I assure you! Talk about an emotional invoking experience!! Being able to see all the colors, hear all the sounds, bells jingling, rattles shaking, voices singing to the rhythms..... Man! I only wish we would have stayed all day. We missed the dance competitions :( Sadly enough. BUT, my son and I got to go visit with our extended family at a birthday party. After that, we all went as a family to celebrate my birthday at a very authentic German restaurant in Choctaw Oklahoma. (my compliments to the chef!)
(semi post script note: May was a blue moon month, so, my birthday fell on a full moon. How cool is that?)
After that, we all came home, chilled out, got baths and what not (mostly the boy), got ready for bed, (again the boy). After lights out, I traversed to Shawnee to visit and hang out with my cousin and his room mate. We met at this nice pub called, "Knuckles Pub". Very authentic Irish pub feel. We sat up in the pool table area talking and drinking on a few beverages (nice selection of dark and high alcohol beers) and then went to their place and continued talking until almost 1:30AM. I then came home to my bed and slept until this morning around, 9:30. Nice! I like the simple things, like sleeping in occasionally. :)
Well, I'm not much for ranting or raving lately, but, if I had to rave about anything at all....It would be the incessant rain we seem to be getting lately. Not just us in Oklahoma either. But, all across the mid-west. Now, if I were to say that the east coast could use some of this rain, that would be very correct. I know that Florida, Georgia, Alabama and several other states could very well use some of the excess water we seem to be harboring. I have jokingly stated that I feel as though I am living in a rain forest, due to the almost daily rains we have been receiving. I also know that in the summer months to come, we will be glad of the moisture we have gotten to this point. It should prove to be quite a hot summer for most of this area.
Well, Mid-Summer is approaching fast. June 21st will be the summer equinox, the date that the sun is in it's strongest position. The day of longest light. after that day, the light will start to fade into the oncoming fall season. Days will begin to get shorter a little at a time. I hope that we all have adequately prepared ourselves for this time in the calendar year. It is a time to watch closely. Anything in nature that you can look at, watch closely. Pay attention to your environment. Our eco system can fortell the coming weather quite accurately. I for one am lucky to be able to watch closely in my suroundings. I know that city dwellers have a hard time getting to see the signs as approaching weather changes so fast and often without warning, but, the warnings should be heeded. We are very near to completing another seasonal cycle of change. After this, it will seem harder on us as humans to deal with such scorching heat in the mid-west. After all, this area has been in drought for several years. Now the rains have brought some desired relief. Next on the agenda is dry conditions again. I hope we can persevere.
Well, I guess those are my thoughts for the moment.
Be at peace in all your works and bring peace to those around you.
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