As The World Turns

posted by Russ | February 23 | Add a Comment

The world is a crazy place.

Right now North Africa and parts of the Middle East seem poised to explode. Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain, Morocco, Libya, Saudi Arabia — all undergoing revolutions where the people are calling for change. For many people in these areas there are no luxuries, they are fighting for their freedoms.

Further south on the continent of Africa, crisis seems to be the norm. Civil wars seem to be waging in one country or another fairly regularly, and once in a while the Western media cares enough to show something about it. Recently on my mind are blood diamonds and child soldiers, though from what I have come to understand the “blood diamond” issue in Sierra Leone has been handled to an extent. As I understand it, the mining continues, but the miners are paid wages, meager though they are likely to be. I am not certain of […]

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Personal development and positive energy

posted by Russ | January 14 | Add a Comment

A few months back I mentioned that I was taking salsa classes. I did finish my 7 week course, and learned a few things, though I still far from being a good dancer. I was a little overwhelmed and frustrated with the course, so I didn’t continue, but I do expect to try it again in the future.

That doesn’t mean I’ve given up on trying new things though. Last night I had my first art class in over ten years. I enrolled for a basic drawing course at the Art Academy of San Diego. I actually had a really good time, the class had a laid back vibe, and it seems that it will be fun and I will learn a lot. I really hope to continue developing my creative skills, and hope this is something that is positive for me.

Also interesting is that I’ve had another potential business contact […]

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New Year’s Resolutions

posted by Russ | January 1 | Add a Comment

I am not usually big on New Year’s resolutions, but there are and have been a few changes I’ve been wanting to make, so what better time than at the start of a new year? I want to focus on my own personal development while getting myself to a place where I am happier, healthier, and more in control of my life and my future.

So without any further ado, here are some resolutions:

Personal life

Embrace spontaneity and be open to new opportunities
Become more confident with both myself and my decisions
Focus on positive actions and solutions instead of dwelling on negative ones
Stop wasting time on useless things, make better use of my free time
Continue to travel and see more of the world (hopefully Hawaii, Key West, Costa Rica and Cambodia/Vietnam this year; New Year’s in Palm Desert, and the following weekend in Santa Barbara … great start!)

Health

Improve my yoga by taking formal […] Read More…
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New Year’s Eve Full Moon Party, Koh Phangan

posted by Russ | December 24 | 3 Comments

As New Year’s 2010 approaches, I’m finally getting around to posting about New Year’s 2009 on Koh Phangan for the Full Moon Party!

Entry #4 from Thailand Trip (see entries #1, #2, #3, #5 and #6)

Ao Chalok Lam bay, Koh Phangan

Ao Chalok Lam bay, Koh Phangan

We finally made it to Koh Phangan after a night of traveling from Bangkok. Then, after wading through the chaos at the ferry port we found our ride and eventually made it to the Haad Tian Beach Resort on the North West part of the island. By songthaew (truck that a bunch of people sit in the back of) it was about about a 25 minute drive, part of which was spent picking up a bunch of other people who were heading the same way, and the last portion of which was quite bumpy coming down a windy […]

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Posted in: thailand, travel

The Struggle of Modern Life

posted by Russ | November 15 | Add a Comment

From The Caliph’s House by Tahir Shah:

At the end of May, I flew to London for three days, for the launch of a film I had made. It was one of those dull trips filled with forced conversation and solitude. Every moment I was there, I missed the children, Rachana, and the Caliph’s House. I met an old school pal who was still trapped in the cycle of zombie commuting and pseudo-friends. We laughed about English life, the terrible blight of flat-packed furniture and of information overload. He seemed impressed that I had moved to Casablanca. We had always conspired to break free together, but something had held him back. As I left I joked that he would put up with the chicken tikka sandwiches and the dreary weather until the end. His expression faltered.

“It’s all I know,” he said.

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Feeling stagnant and lacking direction

posted by Russ | November 8 | 2 Comments

There have been times during the years of keeping this blog that I have been literally bursting with ideas for things to write about. Sadly, this is not one of those times. At the moment I have an excuse, which is that I’ve been slammed with work since I’m back in an office and my company has had, in simple terms, a change in management. But prior to this, I didn’t have a whole lot going on, and was still at a loss for new ideas. Except for brief moments where great thoughts pop into my head (which typically fade into oblivion before I can get them out), I feel rather stagnant lately.

I suppose I feel like I am at a personal crossroads these days. Though I’ve said it before, and I’m not sure why it seems to be lasting so long. Something inside of me just seems to be […]

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Plastic water filters and BPA

posted by Russ | October 29 | Add a Comment

When it comes to drinking water, my first choice would always be to drink clean, fresh water straight from the ground like I was able to growing up in Connecticut. But unfortnuately that option doesn’t exist in most cities, nor is it an option here in San Diego.

Being that I try to minimize my use of plastics and use local resources when I can, I’ve always believed that local tap water is the next best option, as opposed to bottled water from who knows where. I’ve also had this belief validated when I read the articles that address the fact that the bottled water industry is largely unregulated. But of course it’s also pretty well known that tap water quality in most municipalities is loaded with traces of chemicals and pollutants, even pharmaceuticals.

So where does that leave me? Well, I’ve used a Pur water filter for about the past […]

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Posted in: health & diet

Conquering my fear of dancing

posted by Russ | October 4 | 3 Comments
Salsa Dancing - Dance All Night

Salsa Dance – “Dance All Night” photo by ted.sali

Something I have never liked doing, nor been any good at, is dancing. Any time I go anywhere where there is dancing, whether it’s a wedding or a nightclub, I always get a little pit in my stomach, wondering if I will inevitably get dragged onto the dance floor. I have other irrational fears like this, but finally I am working on overcoming this one.

Yes, just this past week I started my first lesson of salsa dance classes. It was hard for me to make the decision to sign up, but I finally did it. I have actually considered it several times over the past few years, but fear always got the best of me. Finally this time I just decided to make it happen.

Interestingly, it wasn’t all my […]

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