Deep Romantic Boy

Hitting the refresh button

2008-02-18T21:24:00.000-08:00

I am marking a change in my blogging life. I will no longer be posting to Deep Romantic Boy, although I will leave it "up" as an archive.To read my blogging after February 18, 2008, please refer to Aaron Stiner, DRB.Thank you for reading.Best regards,Aaron Stiner, DRB

2008-02-11T19:00:00.000-08:00

its not that i tryto bedramaticand awkwardi was bornthat wayall i wantis what(i was going to say"what everyone wants"but i don't knoweven what i wantmuch lesswhat you want)is for lifeto be easyhappyfreebeautifulthe problem is(because with methere must be a problem)wantingin wantingi forgetwhat those wordshappyfreebeautifuleven mean

5 Things I am thankful for

2008-02-04T13:59:00.000-08:00

Dreams - I love my dreams - they are crazy, fun, scary, beautiful adventures. For me, dreams tell me something about life. Like any part of life it's all up to interpretation. My friend Dale has been helping me interpret some of my dreams. It amazes me how there are patterns in my dreams - and, for me, those patterns change over time and there are themes in my dreams now which are different then

From my favorite author in support of Obama

2008-02-04T08:00:00.000-08:00

Obama vs. the PhobocracyBy Michael Chabonwashingtonpost.com Monday, February 4, 2008; 12:00 AMThere are many reasons not to support Barack Obama's candidacy for president, but every one of them is bad for the same reason.Because I have come out publicly for the senator from Illinois, I am often called upon to listen as people offer up -- with wistfulness and regret, or with a pundit's show of

Ryan finds the most random cool artsy things online

2008-02-01T14:21:00.000-08:00

http://radioactiveisland.blogspot.com/2008/01/muppet-monsters.html

Which one of these is not like the other?

2008-02-01T11:13:00.000-08:00

Thanks to 8 years of Bush Bullshit:Payrolls Drop for First Time Since 2003Construction spending drops by record 2.6%Exxon Mobil Profit Sets Record AgainCredit card, auto debt to spike in 2008 Ugh...time for new leadership - Obama '08, I can hardly wait!

Obama Rally

2008-01-31T13:55:00.000-08:00

I went to the Obama rally in Phoenix last night (scroll down for pictures). According to the Arizona Republic, there were more than 13,000 people in attendance. I got there early and volunteered as an usher.About 15 minutes before he arrived they invited all the volunteers down onto the floor in between the stage you see in the pictures and the raised platform in front of the stage which is not

Obama in Arizona!

2008-01-30T13:44:00.000-08:00

I am blogging by phone from the Obama rally in phoenix! I left work early to come be an usher at the rally. Seating begins in an hour and the rally starts in about three hours!More later!

Something about the long-view

2008-01-29T05:56:00.000-08:00

Beth was frustrated with a work situation and unsure about how to proceed. I asked her if this frustration would have any affect on her team's performance or moral in six months and she replied, "no."I am not sure how it applies to life in general, but it seems it might.As I fell asleep last night, in my usual half-meditative, half conscious, half asleep state, my mind lingered on this thought,

5 Things I am thankful for

2008-01-28T11:35:00.000-08:00

The abundance of friends* - if I listed you each I would surely leave some one out. Suffice it to say, every one of you is magnificent! Max is recovering - he is walking, albeit unsteadily. He is bearing weight on all four legs. Although his right hind leg isn't fully functional he is moving it and bearing some weight on it. We are marveled by his speedy recovery, especially given how frightened

2008-01-22T15:42:00.000-08:00

ryan: not cosmicallymy choice has been madeby the me who has done this an infinite number of times before meAaron: whatever you fuck your mind withryan: whatever has been done beforeis what i shall fuck my mind withwhat has fuckedwill fuck againAaron: my head hurtsryan: mine fuckshahahaha

Max Update

2008-01-20T08:56:00.000-08:00

UPDATED MONDAY 1/21 BELOW...Well, it looks like there is no ruptured disc in Max's spine, so the vet is over 90% confident Max suffered from a Fibro Cartilaginous Emboli (if you click on the link you will go to a story about a woman who's dog had the exact same issue and whose story is identical to ours).Essentially, an FCE is a stroke in the spinal column. For whatever unknown reason a piece of

Max

2008-01-19T10:27:00.000-08:00

After a rollicking trip to the bark park last night Max came home and suddenly, with no warning or prior symptoms, went limp in his back legs, with a lot of accompaning pain. We rushed him to the emergency hospital where he spent the night on high amounts of pain killers while they took xrays and evaluated him. I am writing on my blackberry from the offices of the veterinary surgeon, where we

Okay I lied about posting

2008-01-15T19:38:00.000-08:00

I have been watching the Democratic debate online and I sit here wondering how anyone can question Barack's experience. I know he hasn't had as many years serving, but he has such a depth and breadth of knowledge on all the issues covered.As a salesperson, I can tell you it is so important to be able to articulately explain complex issues in a way which can be understood by someone who doesn't

A DRB blogging breakie break

2008-01-13T17:22:00.000-08:00

This week will be a busy one - we have a work conference Tuesday through Thursday and I begin classes again on Wednesday night. Then, on Saturday I am riding in a 12 hour solo "race" at Papago Park to train for the 24 hour race. So, I think I am going to take a week long break from DRB. While my schedule leaves Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights open to toss something on ye' ole' blog, for

D'OH!

2008-01-09T10:33:00.000-08:00

...Sen. Clinton wins a narrow victory over Sen. Obama in New Hampshire...But, let me point out the VERY tight margin of victory (from washingtonpost.com):Hillary Clinton 112,238 Votes 39%Barack Obama 104,757 Votes 36%John Edwards 48,666 Votes 17%Bill Richardson 13,245 Votes 5%She didn’t win by 18 points, she squeaked by in a state she’d dominated in the polls until just recently. She didn’t win “

From salon.com

2008-01-07T14:10:00.001-08:00

Poll: Clinton's national lead "collapsed"Hillary Clinton's national lead over Barack Obama in a Rasmussen Daily Tracking poll released the morning of the Iowa caucuses: 17 percentage points.Clinton's lead over Obama in the same poll today: 4 percentage points.The poll has a four-point margin of error, meaning, in Rasmussen's words, that Clinton's lead over Obama among Democrats nationwide appears

2008-01-05T20:03:00.000-08:00

To sit with youAnd lock eyesIn passionate exchangeTo toast with youand laughFrom the belly, hearty and loudDim roomsOr well lit cafesPlush couchesOr hard wooden chairsBarsRestaurantsLiving roomsKitchensOnline?Over the phone?I prefer face to faceBut no matterIts the exchange of ideasThe flow of thoughtsListen, be listened toInterested and interestingDeep and richorSpontaneous and short livedI want

Obama Victory Speech in Iowa

2008-01-04T07:47:00.000-08:00

Above is the full 13 minutes of Barack's victory speech in Iowa - phew - very inspiring! Watch the video and you will be convinced! He is energetic and passionate. He knows that his candidacy is about the people and giving hope to people from any walk of life a chance at success - they same chance he has been given.Talking to a friend this morning he said that is has been nearly 10 years since

Awwwwww Yeah!

2008-01-03T20:13:00.000-08:00

In Iowa, Obama Wins, Clinton ConcedesSen. Barack Obama's victory is an affirmation of his message of change and a stinging setback to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. (Photo: Getty)Chris Cillizza 10:12 p.m. ET washingtonpost.com BTW - check out politics DRB - I found some interesting blog comments today about the caucuses.

My brush with fame!

2008-01-03T15:35:00.000-08:00

As many of you know I am a daily obsessed reader of Dan Froomkin's White House Watch on washingtonpost.com. The column is published each day around 11:30AM AZ time and almost every day at work I spend my lunch hour at my computer reading White House Watch. I hate to miss it and I hate when Froomkin takes off a few days for vacations or holidays.Froomkin has a tremendous grasp of White House

Happy Happy New Year

2008-01-01T14:46:00.000-08:00

To all that is good and holy in the worldTo all that is good and holy in each of usI offer my thanksTo all that is anger and fear in usand in the worldI try to understandFor all the blessings we each wishfor each otherand for ourselvesI hold hopeFor the wonder and blessingsthe smiles and laughterand for the happiness this good year will bringI stand in joyFor the sadnessand painwhich will surely

2007 Stiner Holiday Video

2007-12-23T21:01:00.000-08:00

It's here, it's here, what you have all been waiting for!

Got my haircut tonight

2007-12-18T19:17:00.000-08:00

Like a group conversation I am apparently devolving to the least common denominator.

From Politics DRB

2007-12-13T11:26:00.000-08:00

---------------------------------------------------Alright, all you Hillary fans...---------------------------------------------------

Nine weeks to train

2007-12-13T08:22:00.000-08:00

I'm back on the bike - woo hoo! Last night, I went mountain biking for the first time in over six weeks. Greg B and I met at South Mountain and did a quick ride down Desert Classic, around War Paint Trail and back. Probably 45 minutes of riding in all. For those of you who don't know, I have been in physical therapy and been receiving chiropractic care the last six weeks for a pinched nerve in

Spirit yearning

2007-12-04T20:52:00.000-08:00

No leash to hold youyour wings unfurlInto the blue skywith wings of victorySoar ever higheron currents of loveInto the clear airfree, easy, lightSoaring with purposedoubtless and quietFlap your great wingsascend to the sunSweetly returnyou grandly become

Post redux - or rehashing some of the stuff I like - or giving myself an excuse not to post new stuff?

2007-11-30T13:32:00.000-08:00

A poem I wrote about BethI will never have the answers and I will never stop asking the questionsMaybe this is the answerAfter this experience, hawks always remind me of my spirit guideI am a deep romantic boy, after allDreams - dreams - dreams - dreams2007 Holiday video will be coming soon - until then, enjoy 2006Shine Bright!I haven't been out of biking because of my back, but I can't wait to

Congratulations are in order

2007-11-30T13:24:00.000-08:00

Beth just called to say she got the promotion at work. She doesn't know all the details yet, but basically she will be leading a group of 5 - 7 Organizational Development consultants throughout the entire Banner Health health care facility network.She is very excited and has already spent time visioning for how she will lead her new team. I am confident she will be successful. Beth has a

From balance comes insight?

2007-11-27T10:47:00.000-08:00

A wise woman once said, in regards to a young man's vacillation in choosing his breakfast beverage, "You can have whatever experience you want."While true, oh so very true, it is a maxim that leaves some, including this writer, with as much comfort as discomfort.In addition to requiring a load of personal responsibility, and who really likes that, having whatever experience you want requires

Blah, bublah, bublah blah, blah

2007-11-26T11:35:00.000-08:00

Does it ever feel like life is just the same recycled bits of what has come before?I mean, not to be doom or gloom or anything, or a depressed pessimist, because I consider myself none of those, but sometimes it feels like, "what's the point?".We get up, go to work, come home, eat dinner, go to bed, do the same thing tomorrow. Maybe we throw in some vacations, or grad school, or a new job, or a

Positive Vibes Welcomed!

2007-11-19T11:21:00.000-08:00

Beth has interviews today and tomorrow for a work promotion. While she is clearly the best candidate for the position and will sail through the interviews, your positive thoughts are welcome!So, all together now, "Good luck Beth, you are going to do great!"

Something about values

2007-11-14T12:10:00.000-08:00

There has been something brewing in my brain about defining my values.I think it has to due with grad school, in which the question, "why" gets asked a lot. I think it has to do with my frustration with our current political climate. It probably has something to do with being 32 and having too much time to think. (Sometimes I wonder, and please don't laugh, if having a child would take up more

Why does it seem...

2007-11-06T14:20:00.000-08:00

...that for so many people I know, there is so much going on, and none of it seems to have an easy answer, and it is kind of all crazy?I don't get life.It is all very complicated.At least there is enough I like about it to outweigh the things that drive me batty.SNAFU is right!But fear not denizens of the deep romantic!Craziness is isolated to the moment. And, before you know it you are drinking

I have no idea what this is, but I like it!

2007-11-05T12:13:00.000-08:00

What Would Jesus Buy?

2007-11-03T00:34:00.000-07:00

SickIt's 12:33 Arizona time as I begin this post. I cannot sleep. I am very sick.In fact, I am so sick I went to bed wearing a knit cap, knit gloves, a sweater, long johns and socks. I am wearing everything right now except the gloves. I was having chills so extreme I was scared they weren't going to stop. Finally, in all my accouterments, I was able to warm up and fall asleep for a couple

Halloween Pumpkin Float

2007-11-01T13:28:00.000-07:00

We held our not so annual Halloween Pumpkin Float last night. Here are a few pictures. You can follow this link to Flickr if you want to see more.(If you haven't used Flickr before you might find it helpful to know you use the box on the right hand side to navigate through the photos)Anyway, silly us didn't get pictures of our guests, just our pumpkins, so you will have to enjoy those!The key is

Good Article

2007-10-30T12:49:00.001-07:00

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2007/10/30/hope/index.html

Roger Owens: In Memoriam

2007-10-20T18:35:00.000-07:00

On a very sad note, Roger Owens passed away today. He is the husband of Wendy, who I used to work with directly in my program manager position with United Way.I cannot even fathom the heartache and sorrow she must be feeling right now. Roger and Wendy are best friends. Always together - married a long time and very happy. What a wonderful man he is.I am sorry Wendy, so sorry.Let us all send

SATURDAY IS CLOSED

2007-10-20T18:19:00.000-07:00

Off to the Haloween party at Marcelle's, from work. I am wearing my chinese dragon shirt I got for Burning Man. I am wearing it in a couple of photos in Michigan (check back for links tomorrow).I haven't decided if I will wear the skirt or seersuckers.I may spend the night there depending on consumption levels.Either way I will be continuing a weekend of homework tomorrow.I am feeling a little

Dream

2007-10-20T07:04:00.001-07:00

AloneIn a small townA harbor townAn island townThere are people aroundWalking through parksDriving their carsBut I am aloneSometimes I am drawn towards themBut a huge winddrives me awayAnd suddenlyI feel like runningOver a small hillStraight into the windA voice tells meTo go on my ownThrough a brier patchJumping through a pileOf something unknownand a little scaryWhy am I barefootThrough a small

POLITICAL UPDATE! - Chris Dodd puts hold on FISA!

2007-10-16T16:36:00.000-07:00

UPDATE 10/22/07 - From Salon.com War Room: The additional $46 billion the president seeks today (for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan) is about one-and-a-half times as much as the amount Bush says the government can't possibly spend over the next five years on the State Children's Health Insurance Program.UPDATE! Senator Chris Dodd is putting a hold on the FISA wiretapping law in which the Dems

I figured out my problem

2007-10-11T13:50:00.000-07:00

I want……the innocence of a 10 year old…the freedom of a 20 year old…the body of a 25 year old…the potential of a 30 year old…the confidence of a 40 year old…the prestige of a 50 year old…the relaxation of a 60 year old…the wisdom of a 70 year old…right now

Have the Dems actually stood up agains the White House on Survelliance - Let's friggin hope so!

2007-10-10T16:20:00.001-07:00

DEMS MUSCLE THROUGH SURVELLIANCE BILL

Cool commercials

2007-10-06T19:40:00.000-07:00

I have seen some really creative commercials recently and am going to post my favorites here.The first one was a BMW commercial and this is the extended version. What this engineer, designer and artist creates is AMAZING! Check it out:I like this one from HP featuring Gwen Stefani because of the visual beauty of the commercial along with what she has to say about creativity. I really like the

After this I am done for a couple of days

2007-10-04T12:50:00.001-07:00

See the post below about my comments about the Ken Burns' documentary on PBS and how it made me see similarities between what happened with Japanese internment camps in the US and what is happening in our country today. Well, here is further evidence of that linkage.Dan Froomkin writes in his White House Watch column today about the publication of a major New York Times story describing the Bush

My evenings activities

2007-10-03T21:55:00.001-07:00

First, let me say Ken Burns' WWII documentary airing this week on PBS is amazing; I am watching it right now and watched some last night and the night before. I have been transfixed by the story, the gore and the production.Did you realize German U-boats sunk 25 US trade ships in the east-coast Atlantic-seaboard of the US at the same time the US was getting involved in the war? That's what they

My Democratic Primary Support goes to Barack Obama

2007-09-30T09:09:00.000-07:00

Another why I will support BarackWhy I will support Barack Obama Why I will not support Hillary Clinton

Hey Ryan, Broggle this!

2007-09-29T16:57:00.000-07:00

Post a couple of the pictures you took of you and I to your B-rog.Please.

Thoughts upon rising

2007-09-28T07:05:00.000-07:00

I write a lot of poems that dismiss the notion of right or wrong.Truth be told, I think about right or wrong a lot.While I don't think there is a right or wrong for me (or do I and I am just denying it, further introspection needed) and, this one I am pretty confident on, I certainly don't think there is a right or wrong for others, I do think others think there is a right or wrong for me. And, I

beginnings of a song

2007-09-25T17:57:00.000-07:00

beauty beauty beautybeauty everywherewhen I look herewhen I look therebeauty beauty beautybeauty everywhereit flows from the sunand rides on the airtouch it feel itsmell it hear ithold it close to youimagine in your heartall beauty can dosave the worldsave the whalesit's all up to youimagine in your heartall that you can do

blows my mind

2007-09-25T17:35:00.000-07:00

it's all trueevery little bit of iteveryone's conception of realityis absolutely truehow you see the worldhow I see the worldeach persons storyfable, religionidea, conceptfrom nowto the end of timeand back to the beginningit all existsreality holds it allwith thathow can there beany right or wrongany good or badthese conceptionswould makelife easier

Connections in MI

2007-09-24T18:51:00.000-07:00

Wednesday night - up until 11:30PM packing and getting ready - up at 3:30 AM to catch my flightThursday - Metro Airport to Plymouth, 40 minutes - - - Bed #1Jeff and Liz - my cousin and his wife - hoping consistent long distance contact ensues - they read my blog they said - that makes me smile.Naomi - Missy's friend at Missy's wedding rehearsal dinner.Friday - Plymouth to Ann Arbor and back, 20

Hope continues

2007-09-24T14:49:00.000-07:00

From our case worker re: the cancellation of the termination hearing for Omar: However, I encourage you not to get discouraged by this. We see this lot. A change like this happens pretty often. Basically, it is so the family can have a fair chance, but the family's caseworker said that it does not look good for the family. She's knows that you are well prepared and ready to provide care. We are

Random bits of poetry tip-toeing through my brain

2007-09-20T13:30:00.000-07:00

Is it any wonderwhy people believein reincarnationand deja vuwe live on a circlea big spinning circlefloating in a circlearound a big bright circlewith the moonand the planetsall our circular friendsI think the milky wayis a circleis the universe a circle?where do the circles end

2007-09-19T23:10:00.000-07:00

I tell myself what I tell myself in the title of my previous post and it gives me hope.We learned yesterday that the hearing to terminate Omar's parents rights has been canceled. The judge is granting them more time to work their case plan. There will be another hearing in December, but not for termination.For those who didn't know, we were counting on the November hearing, hoping we would have

It's every thing we make of it

2007-09-19T22:43:00.000-07:00

A day full of connectionsCycle classCEO callDonor phone callsLunch with JessicaMeeting with MerlMeeting with GingerFun clothes shoppingJason through the phone Haircut with StephenTalking with BethEven my favorite librarianAnd this post to you

2007-09-17T09:57:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feellike there is something importanteveryone knowsexcept you?And, do you ever feellike the tight rope you walkbetween hope and fearseems much too thin?step carefully

From my brother Ryan.

2007-09-16T15:21:00.000-07:00

Great post from the BROG.this is (creepy) funny

Saturday evening post refined

2007-09-15T20:34:00.000-07:00

I am watching an Inconvenient Truth - wow! Fuck man, what are we doing?It makes me realize what an amazing time we live in. The way one man can communicate to millions in such a powerful way about something which is obviously true and so obviously important.There is so much to learn about this world. Right now I feel like I am doing a lot of learning.It's interesting. While I am taking in a lot

2007-09-07T21:04:00.001-07:00

novice masterteacher studenthe's been them allhe's felt the presence of godin the rising sunin the breath of ohmno questionhe cannot answernothing the seeker does not knownothing originalno new ideathe answer he's seekingis in every man's soul

The KC Rap

2007-09-07T20:34:00.000-07:00

K to the CHe's the Kevin ChristopherOn the way to VegasGonna meet a girlShe's gonna pick 'im upin less than an hourthen his dirty assis gonna take a showerNo more playa dirtNo more playa sweatThat he's gonna score tonightThat's an easy betChristopher KevinChristopher Kevin Christopher Kevin(repeat 2x)

Burning Man impressions - or, Why I like Burning Man - or, It was fun

2007-09-07T19:24:00.000-07:00

What I enjoyed most about Burning Man (BM) is how I felt free to live in the moment the entire time. At BM you can do pretty much anything you want, within very broad limitations. If you want to dance until dawn, dance, there is always music, always dancing. If you want to sleep in your tent or RV the entire day, sleep away my friend. If you want to go get drunk or stoned or high, go for it. You

BURNING MAN PHOTOS!

2007-09-07T16:22:00.000-07:00

Here is the link to our Burning Man pictures - thanks to Lisa and Mary for sharing pictures!Here are a few samples (click on them to see a larger version):Beth's cousin KC on the swing You might also want to check out this collection of videos at Current TV - Burning Man. They will give a you a great feel for the event. Or, go to You Tube and search Burning Man 2007. Check out the videos of

2007-09-06T16:59:00.001-07:00

what is your mind to dowhen a wisp of another youfloats across your viewshould you grab aholdand dream big and boldand let the story unfoldis the dreaming alrightor should you resist and fightthis flight of a fancy mind

UPDATES ON BURNING MAN ON THEIR WAY

2007-09-06T08:47:00.000-07:00

Hopefully tonight. Or, maybe tomorrow night. Or, sometime this weekend.In the meantime, continue to be the love generation.

5 hours until GO time!

2007-08-28T14:10:00.000-07:00

See you all on the flip side.Stay up to date here: http://www.current.tv/burningman/Videos from this year's event!

2007-08-27T09:52:00.001-07:00

Can't sleepCan't focus at workTake me to the playa

BARACK 08

2007-08-23T12:38:00.001-07:00

Article from Washington Post on Barack. More to come from me on this issue.

Yucky in my tummy

2007-08-20T09:03:00.000-07:00

I am feeling queasy today and have been feeling this way since last night. It could be due to the hours of riding I put in on Saturday and Sunday up in Flagstaff. Along with the riding comes the ingestion of Gu's, Power Blocks and Clif Bars; the combination of artificial sugars, high altitudes and hard rides could be the cause for my current belly rolling.Or, it could be because Burning Man is

A post from the playa

2007-08-10T15:20:00.000-07:00

From someone in the middle of the Nevada desert prepping the Burning Man site:In a few hours, the DPW will gather on a playa empty save for marker flags and an octagon marking the man. We will come armed with a breakfast at 5:30 am, 30 lb. post pounders slung over shoulders, and all our compadres ready to pound 9 miles of fence to form BRC. This is one of the hardest, funnest, best and worst days

2007-08-06T20:45:00.001-07:00

I have about two weeks without school. I am unsure what to do with the time. I want to be active, have fun and keep a clean house. I want to read. I want to prep more burning man clothes and maybe work on a burning man art project. I want to not watch TV. OK, maybe a little TV. I want to spend time with friends and spend time alone. I want to have conversations which alter the space time

Ahh, a nice little trip

2007-07-29T14:21:00.000-07:00

I spent last weekend in Western Kentucky with my friend Greg, visiting his family in their hometown of Benton. We stayed with Greg's parents who are two of the sweetest, kindest people I have ever met and who are absolutely wonderful hosts! We spent a lot of time sitting in their house or on the swing in the yard just chatting. They made me feel welcome and very taken care of. In addition to his

burningman.com

2007-07-27T15:38:00.000-07:00

Five weeks until we leavePreparations have begunI have my capeMatching fuzzy hatAnd knee high stripey socksGotta get a cheapy-cheap bikeTroll the thrift shopsAnd fabric storesTo buy or makeMore crazy clothesMaybe I will makeA little bit o' artWhenever I read about itthink about itimagine itI get excitedReally excitedNervous excitedHappy excitedSmiley excitedExcited in my soulAhhh...Just five

2007-07-12T10:15:00.000-07:00

Dance and shimmer sleepy dreamsAs I slumber slumberDance and shimmer sleepy dreamsShimmer as I slumberTake me to sweet places dreamsI know in my foreverKnow in my forever dreamsKnow in my foreverFly me far and wide dream weaverFly me far and wideTake me high dream weaverFly me in the skyTake me to the clouds dream weaverFly me in the skyMingle with my friends and loversDancing through the

2007-07-11T21:01:00.000-07:00

does any of it matterwhen you know you are lovedmore than you ever thought you could be lovedwhen the best thing you feel all day longmaybe the best thing you have ever feltyour entire lifeis hernext to youholding you so tightcloser closerclose as close can besoft skin on soft skinthose momentslate in the nightearly in the morningwhen you feel like onehow your heart swellsuntil it is more

UPDATE - Sok received his funding!

2007-07-05T09:28:00.000-07:00

You'll notice in my previous post that Beth and I were the first people to make a loan to Sok Seng in Cambodia. He needed $800 to buy a new Tuk Tuk motor bike taxi and he has already received 100% of his loan! In less than 24 hours!He can now buy his new motor bike taxi and continue to improve his income and his life! Love it!

Kiva.org - loans that change lives

2007-07-04T21:25:00.000-07:00

Beth and I saw a TV show on PBS about Kiva - they are a non-profit organization that connects willing US lenders to international recipients in second and third world countries through micro-loans. Micro-loans are small loans at low finance rates used to help individuals begin or expand their personal businesses. These loans are often provided at significantly lower interest rates than a small

Not what I had planned

2007-06-28T08:26:00.000-07:00

This isn't what I planned to post.My morning didn't go as planned.It was no excuse for my crabbiness. The details are unimportant. Just know I wanted things to go according to the way I wanted them to go and they didn't. It really started last night when I began "not getting my way."That is when I began getting irritated, annoyed and by this morning I was in full crabby mode. What was amazing

DRB goes political - again!

2007-06-27T16:25:00.001-07:00

Okay, first off, as you now know, I own a hybrid - yay! So, I listened with distinct interest to a report on NPR regarding GM's introduction of a hybrid vehicle. It turns out that their vehicle, while being a 2008 Concept Car, will likely not be available until 2012 at the earliest. The GM executive in dismissing the impact of hybrid vehicles said, "Well, even if every car in America was a

Little Red Corvette...

2007-06-24T20:17:00.001-07:00

...didn't get 50 miles to the gallon!

Random Randoms

2007-06-15T11:22:00.000-07:00

Random #1 Okay first, I have been very OCD lately when it comes to thinking I have forgotten something or forgotten to do something before I leave someplace. I cannot count the number of times over the last several months when I have arrived at the end of my block as I drive to work and been unsure if I actually closed the garage door, leading me to turn my car around, drive back down the street

Oooooooohhh, purdy

2007-06-07T21:34:00.001-07:00

Tuesday night

2007-06-07T21:12:00.000-07:00

I rode the trainer while reading for class, ate dinner and had a glass of wine while reading for class, and suddenly, something told me to look up.

Crabby and tired

2007-05-31T09:39:00.001-07:00

Well, that's it mostly...the title. Just thought I would share. Anything I say will be colored by my mood, so I won't say much. Beth has been sick and was up late coughing until like 1AM last night until I forced her to down two more heaping tablespoons of her prescription cough medicine, which stopped the coughing and put her out. I think she thinks she can get better without taking medicine,

Sound Familiar?

2007-05-24T12:14:00.000-07:00

I have disconnected from NPR and TV for almost two weeks now, but I cannot seem to resist online columns at lunch, including my favorite, Dan Froomkin, White House Watch, washingtonpost.com. Today, I ran across a new one for me, Glenn Greewald's column on Salon.com. He pulled statements from Time magazine made by military officials during the Viet Nam war. It is frightening how the same things

Random lines made up singing in the car

2007-05-21T22:12:00.000-07:00

Be in, whatever you're inright nowThere's no where else to beIt doesn't matter if you loseor if you winWhat matters is in the howBe in, whatever you're inright nowIdon'twantto face, the sins of my pastthey make me so sadand fill me with shameSo, Iwith a smileI will tryto put them behindand go on with this gameAnd youYou will never knowthe emotions belowmy smiling face(More to come...)

Sunday night at 12:55 or so

2007-05-21T16:36:00.001-07:00

It started with a dream. I was in our house, but not quite our house. Beth and I were visiting with an unknown man in our office as he discussed some sort of implant for Max. The man, in his late 30's, had long hair and a worn face. We were comfortable in his presence, even Max seemed completely relaxed around this stranger. We seemed at ease and in agreement with whatever his point was regarding

A first time in Aaron's academic career - we are talking since Kindergarten here folks!

2007-05-16T15:07:00.000-07:00

Course: NLM 598, ST:PHILANTHROPY: THEORY & PRACTICE IN NPGrade: AHonor Points (what are these?): 12.00Course: NLM 501, PROGRAM EVAL & INFORMATION MGTGrade: AHonor Points: 12.00For the first time EVER, I am an ALL A STUDENT!!!!!!!! Woo hoooooooooooooo =)

Cactus House

2007-05-13T21:55:00.000-07:00

As you may recall, our friends Chris and Susan recently moved to Seattle and bequeathed to Beth and I their large collection of potted succulents. Chris has nurtured these plants for several years while in Phoenix and could, unfortunately, not take the plants to their new house. One, he didn't think they would survive the move and two, he didn't think they would survive the climate. So, he asked,

2007-05-02T09:17:00.000-07:00

It's not that I don't have anything to say. It's more that what I would say has all been said.There isn't a lot "new" going on in terms of my personal growth or life activities. I am plugging along, best I can, just like everyone else.Sometimes I am happy, sometimes I am lonely, sometimes I appreciate everything in my life, sometimes I wish I had the freedom to live a whole different life.Same

I should be doing homework

2007-04-22T18:37:00.000-07:00

I have been struggling over the last couple of weeks. I have been caught up in my emotions and looking for something to make me feel "better." This could be more contact with friends, being more fit or any number of wants. My emotions have been all over the place, in part, because I am adjusting to my new life situations of being a part time grad student and being in a new position at work.

My friend Merle

2007-04-22T17:29:00.000-07:00

I love how you meet new people through your friends. I met my friend Merle through Lisa, her daughter. We have known each other a couple of years and met on one of her trips visiting Lisa. She was part of our group of friends who vacationed in San Carlos, Mexico last Christmas and that is when I really got to know her.She is energetic and affectionate, loves to laugh and is a great

Tragedy

2007-04-16T21:18:00.000-07:00

So sad, what happened at Virginia Tech today, lives lost for no reason, such pain shouldn't be allowed in the world. Now, do we have to let the media market the massacre?Can't we just let the families mourn? Let the survivors heal?So sad, so sad, so sad.

2007-04-15T17:46:00.000-07:00

I feelAnd I feelAnd I feelAnd feel some moreWhat to sayAbout what I feelI don't even knowFeeling upFeeling downFeelings rollingAllllll aroundQuietand intensethey roll aroundpersistent and drivingMy feelings aboundHow can I shareWhat I don't even knowWhat is so important to meAnd what I can't controlAnd around they goThey rolland theyrollSwirling...Whirling...Swirling, whirlingSwirling, swirling,

And he is threatening to veto stem cell research - UGH!

2007-04-12T12:36:00.000-07:00

Click on the image to read...

2007-04-11T11:16:00.000-07:00

The last two weeks I have been in a down and depressed cycle and I am reporting today that I feel better and am back on a little happier cycle.Life is plugging along, there are good things, and things I wish could be different, and some things that just are, and things that are boring, and things that are fun, and things that are frustrating. When I am down, I tend to notice more the things I

Adoption (not talking about Omar)

2007-04-05T06:54:00.000-07:00

this is just part one of the collectionThanks Chris and Susan! Good luck in Seattle!

Dichotomy of views

2007-04-02T22:37:00.000-07:00

I give thanksto the allof which I amTo the sun stars galaxies universeIn awewith joyI give thanksto the allof which I amTo the earth, its magna coreThe fire of our lifeThe oceans, clouds, blue skyand all the landOur mighty planet, our homeI give thanks, to the allof which I amTo all the peopleand animalsfish and birds, lizards and bugsand all the furry ones tooTo all

2007-04-01T01:01:00.000-07:00

I am sitting in bed, ready to fall over. I was trying to post two poems side by side, but that is too hard this late. Its 1AM and we got home about an hour and half ago from Chris and Susan's. They are moving to Seattle in April and asked us to take care of their very substantial succulent collection and the stray cat they took in a couple months back.They are going to both turn out to be