The dream

Base of the Grand Wall amongst the boulders, Squamish, B.C.

Travel light

Live light

Spread the light

Be the light

*****************

I don't know much about "Swine Flu" nor do I know much about "Spring Fever." I think I have caught the latter. All I can think about is everything I want to do and everything else that I have no interest in being a part of. I am actually at peace with it for the first time in a while. I am okay with this uncertainty and indecisiveness.

It comes down to making sure I am living the life I want to live and ,y partner is doing the same. Am I being the light I want to spread. Right now it is questionable. I feel that because of "this economic situation" I am constrained to current situation. I am blessed to have a job and a house, but now that I have these things I start to question if this is what I really want. Yes this might be Spring Fever creeping under my skin, telling us to pack up our belongings at get the heck out of town, I don't think that this is a fleeting moment. I know there is more to life than this job, I know there is more to life than this American Dream. I am not going to swallow the little pill that is labeled consumerism, idleness, and compliance. I know there is more and I know I can live on less.

There is change coming in our lives. We are going to create it. It is only a matter of time and timing.

I want to be the positive light and I want to live the dream. The dream is not the American Dream that is for sure!

A piece of Paradise

I have found it, my little slice of heaven right in my back yard. I hate to just come right out and advertise the best place in the Pacific Northwest but I have found it nestled away on the Canadian coast.


I have been traveling the 2 hour drive north for over 5 years now and loving it more and more even tough it is becoming more crowded, more houses, a Wal-Mart, and traffic. The parks department (BC Parks?) has done an incredible job planning and accommodating the increased traffic and hoards of people amassing on Squamish. New trails, more camp sites, cleaning out old crags, and implementing a strict dog policy. Kudos to Squamish and all the parties involved who are going to keep Squamish beautiful for the years to come. The area seems to be getting "better" with time.


This last weekend John, Bryan, Jess and myself ventured to the play land in celebration of Bryan's 34Th birthday and the promise of good weather.

We hiked to the top of the Chief, breaking a sweat, letting the sun warm up the air, and for the sake of doing something new. It ended up being a great little adventure!

I don't know how John can make this move. He has the campasing moves stored in his back pocket at all times. It is called "Cutting Edge" (rightfully so), a beautiful and proud boulder. We have been frequenting this patch of boulders as I insist on being in the sun and not going into the forest to the Grand Wall Boulders.

"A bad day outside beats a good day in the office." I am sure John will have this problem the next couple of goes.

Saturday night, with a few hours of day light left we harnessed up and hit the Malamute. What a perfect day!

Index

Oh please don't let it be true! PLEASE! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!

It really couldn't happen,

Ozomatli!

The Nightlight Lounge has came back from the depths of financial ruin and being the victim of the city of subdued excitement. It is back in the form of a "cash only" bar, trying to make a go of it a second time. I guess if they can keep the money out of their nose they really can make a go of it here in Bellingham. They have the ability to bring in some bigger acts and generate a crowd and keep in business, and their 80's night draws a line out the door and around the corner. So please, all you Hamsters, get your booty out there and support the venue, I need music!

Last night Ozomatli rolled through town and put of a fun show. Their energy is hard to match and even challenging to keep up with. Their pr essence filled the stage and sprayed into the crowd. The Nightlight was of course hotter than Bikram Yoga and packed to the gills with sweaty inebriated bodies but we got by. Horns, drums, great lyrics and big smiles made the night worth the while. If they roll through your town, don't sit this one out, they are sure to please!

Squamish or bust

"I can't wait to see what happens next!"
This was scribbled on a shop chalkboard the other day. I love it, I think it sums up my feelings toward my life right now, or at least the feeling I strive for these days. The possibilities are endless. I think I might be intoxicated from the first glimpse of sun and a bit of warmth that the Pacific Northwest experienced for the first time. I think the city of subdued excitement is coming out of hibernation. People are out on the streets again, I am not the only one on the trails, there is smell of cut grass, there is color to the tress, flowers are popping out of the ground..... We made it through another dark, cold, stormy winter... we made it, now comes the fun part, the part that makes us stay here through those dark months....


This last weekend we packed the van for the first time in months, we gathered Natasha, our bikes, shoes and a crash pad to boulder and drove north to Squamish. We tested the mountain bike trails for the first time, was it ever worth it! The trails (once we found them) were incredible. We only rode in a couple of different places, we ran into snow, ice, confusion, tired legs, all the usual.... but left with smiles on our faces. What a relief, camping, biking, bouldering, friends, Squamish... spring is here (or at least peeking its head in every couple of days) and I am ready to play outside!

I have always threatened to move to Squamish, the climbing is just that good. Being there this weekend confirmed my love for this town, nestled in the mountains, perched near the bay, filled with endless recreation opportunities. We rode great trail and then on the way out stopped at the "Clean Boulders" and bouldered for two hours on some of the best boulders around (really, world class!). I cannot imagine the endless possibilities that would be a stone throw from our house, ** oh** the possibilities! I feel so fortunate to live just an hour and a half drive away. Moving north wouldn't do a single thing for this winter blah that plagues us.....

Beating the blah

I finally figured out the only reason to be alive is to enjoy it.
- Rita Mae Brown

**Sam and I a couple of years ago exploring the boulders in Squamish. (Saggy butt jeans and all)**

John and are headed out for the weekend. **thank god** I haven't been able to get in the groove and get motivated to do all the activities that I usually love. We are going to hit Squamish for the short weekend. The weather is suposed to be nice so we decided to break the routine and meet some friends up north. We were going to head east to Vantage for some sun and a bit warmer/drier climate, but Squamish is just that much closer, the rock is that much better and there will be friends.

The thought of getting out gets me excited, this office nonsence is just not that stimulating nor remotley rewarding. There is nothing like a little adrelane and fear pumping through my veins to bring my mood back and desire for physical activity around.