On Goal Setting

I've heard contrasting advice. Never post your goals publicly, its a surefire recipe for failure. Or, make your proclamation loud and proud. Hold yourself accountable to your audience.

I'm experimenting with a middle path that speaks to my nature. Discuss, share, explore, and make my goals part of my journey. There is no finish line. (stole that line from my gym's walls this morning) I recently heard a lovely podcast regarding the fear of death, and how it is revealed in the way we conduct our everyday life. I'll find that link, but not now. Right now I am writing. 15 minutes. Stream of thought. Timer on, music blasting. Does music help you write?

PHOTO CREDIT: UNSPLASH.COM

I've always listened to the booty bouncing, high energy, hip-hoppin, mega bass tunes for exercise. Missy Elliott gets me pumped. A friend recently shared that she listened to books on tape for her runs. I tested this out with my beloved Michael Stone podcasts. I had to switch back immediately. Running is all about the rhythm for me. I do need to carve out a space for listening to my podcasts for consistently. Working from home, I love avoiding the commute, but there is something valuable about that in-between space.

I posted a core meditation I practice on my website, and placing it there felt right, as it is a core part of my identity, as a professional, a yogi, a friend. Finding that in-between space in the breath fills my life with so much peace.

I wish for all beings to find peace, truth, and liberation.

Week 3: Dear Baby

My darling girl. We have come such a long way! Amidst daily laundry, constantly running out of diaper wipes, and some chaotic nights, now our rhythms are starting to flow together.

Week 3 is feeling so good. Your bright eyes catch ahold of mine, and your eyebrows knit together into a question my heart leaps to answer. Yes, baby. Yes. Always yes.

You've begun sleeping in 3 hour stretches. I can recall one of our first nights at home, I had this silly excitement to sit in my big plush rocking chair, next to my mama station with water, snacks, candles, and reading material. I listened to Bob Marley remixes and sang to you through your night feeds. Now that I have read a couple parenting books, I have learned to make night feeds quiet, and save the funstuff for the daytime. This has helped both of us get back to sleep. Your daddy doesn't even hear us get up in the night, unless you complain about the diaper change. This makes me a proud mama! Your papa is working so hard to make our lives smooth... putting in hours at the brewery, making us a delicious breakfast every morning, starting the laundry, taking us grocery shopping.

Here is one of my favorite lullabies for you, my sweet Cassidy Sue:

Swimmin

breath owl breathe - swimming //into the woods

Is it summer yet??

I'm Just a Dreamer

Enjoy!

Video killed the Photographer

I love how this video captures the feel of stop animation, which I love dearly, but has a few extended pauses where you see the inimitable Miranda July blink, and sway slightly. So creative. Music by Blonde Redhead.

I haven't been very active on the blogs lately, as my new job with Street Yoga takes up quite a bit of my time! Its a labor of love, as the mission is something I believe strongly in, with all of my soul.

Speaking of soul, have you read Care of the Soul by Thomas Moore? I picked it for my book club, and this month we all met to discuss it. It wasn't quite as fun as I anticipated. But as with any book that asks you to take a deeper look into your personality and interpersonal relationships, including the relationship with God, eternity, or consciousness, its bound to bring up widely differing perspectives. I loved how we all shared something about ourselves, but my intention for the reading was to take the quest for introspection personally, not spend half the time debating the existence of a soul. However, I feel like what we experienced was exactly appropriate, and it has made me a little more sensitive to the fact that everyone's journey with faith and spirituality is completely unique. But I think many of our personal problems in daily life could be solved by "cultivating sacredness in everyday life".

video found here: the prettiest thistles

while you are reading this

My feet are pedaling through the backroads of outer southeast Portland

The sun is shining (perhaps behind a few clouds, keeping the temperatures down, near, oh I  don't know... 65?)

I am on my way to...

Camping, dancing, hammocking, harmonica-ing, drinking brews, hula hooping, brewing tea, chomping on trail mix (with  copious chocolate chips and dried fruit, naturally)







Namaste!

Blue Steel

Pedalpalooza 2010... The one ride I managed to attend exceeded any expectations! Next year I will make a concerted effort to attend as many as possible. Making friends and riding across town with a bike gang is just so cool. The pace is slow and leisurely, tunes are pumping out of the car battery powered stereo, what more can you ask for? Okay, a tutu perhaps,  but that is another ride in itself!





















 Video footage is awaiting editing and compiling... coming soon.
 Click on any of the images for more play by play commentary!


Upon deciding to name my bike Blue Steel, a google search eventually led me to this gem (random):

Ramona Falls

Watch for the Bike City PDX cameo!

Update: I am over the moon with this video, and song. Research has provided the following additional information:

Ramona Falls is named after founder Brent Knopf's childhood hiking trail near Mt. Hood. Now at the top of my summer adventures to-do list! Check out their website, so cute!

Under the Sea

Oh to combine my long held love of frolicking underwater and new fascination with ukuleles! This vintage photograph reminds me of the lovely spring fed waters of Barton Springs Pool down in my homeland of Austin, TX.

A pink ukulele! What-the-what!! I did find a ukulele on craigslist in my price range (not to much for a brand new interest I dreamed up last night, all because of the girl below...)






I love guitars, music, and traveling. But guitars do not like my short, stubby fingers. And guitars are so big & bulky, taking up tons of space.... So here comes a ukulele to the rescue! Yay!

Ps when you started to read the post title, did this song pop in your head??



images via weheartit

Let's Dance

Not many words lately.
Images inspire. Sitting bores.
Its camping season.
But the rains keep coming back.
Ch ch ch chia!

all you've got is this moment

Record Club: INXS "Need You Tonight" from Beck Hansen on Vimeo.

Happy Friday, hope your weekend is summery, and fantastic. My plans include lots of yoga homework, yoga class and... bike riding as usual.


music via heartthrobs and villans

happy place

HOME

I can't help but get all giddy and happy when listening to Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. Watching their live performance confirms the happy goofy vibes I get from this song!

Here is the clear audio track of their song, but with no action.




I am dressed head to toe in rain repellent gear (stylish gear of course!) and fully prepared for a soggy farmer's market lunch. I hear Hood River strawberries are making an appearance.

In other news, Travis worked his first shift at Breakside Brewery last night AND signed up for a bicycle framebuilding class! I am so proud of that dude, he is my hero. xo

pip pip!

*ahem*
Warning, self-congratulations follow soon!

Well, some boyfriend praising, too... this morning Travis and I actually got up (turned on the light) when the first alarm went off. Then the second alarm went off, and we really did hop up! And went for a walk! Huzzah!

Although we bike to work each morning, I feel guilty when tabulating my daily cardio count as 45 minutes of cycling, due to the fact that bike commuting involves alot of coasting, stop and go, and slow rolling. Which is good for not arriving to work a sweaty, red faced hot mess (unlike post-spin class). So I am determined to start working on my Chi Walk/Running (Darth Vader breathing anyone?) one step at a time. We walked, then I sprinted home.

So, here is my reward, a day of Julie Doiron on grooveshark. She is playing tomorrow night at one of my most favorite music venues, Mississippi Studios.

listen

new music round up!

{from top left} 
1.beach house  
2. midlake  
3.justin townes earle
 4. yeasayer 
(free download of their first single... plus i've heard the new album... amazing!)

*Update - video about Yeasayer's new album... featuring their new music!*

http://pitchfork.com/tv/#/episode/2108-yeasayer/1