Philip Enos, Get Your Act Together!

As tragic as it is, Typhoon Washi kills at least 400 in the Philippines.  That is Gods way of telling you to take care of your shit or I will start eliminating you on a grander scale.  Really, what makes you think that God doens't know that your people are kidnapping children?!?! Duh!

My absenence is due to the creation of an Anti-Zombie posse!

Sure, I'll admit that I can be a slacker.  Why do you care? 

I've been busy reading up on the law and how to indite the criminally insane (or just the stupid).  If you fall into this category, watch out because I am coming after you.  Or at least my Anti-Zombie posse will get you.  YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

The Anti-Zombie posse is classically trained ninjas that will hunt you down and attack when you least expect it.  Are you ready for battle?

Two for Tuesday

While my intent was different, it seems my reality is that I have had a very busy week.  (Quick reflection....is over!)

So let me just get started with my 2 for 2day!

1)  While all the great minds constantly suggest that "one must forgive" and "forgiving someone else is that YOU are the one who is set free" ... the fact is that forgiveness can be REALLY HARD TO DO!  #justsayin

It is really easy to go to that place of negativity and darkness, but the reality is that this darkness permeates grittiness and harbors toxic energy.  Seriously!  I welcome these positive affirmations as daily reminders to KEEP ON TRACT and to have POSITIVE ARTICULATION.  If we think love and positivity, we speak it!

On an entire random tangent....

2)  Today is also called Taco Tuesday!  Yup, time for tacos...the good kind.  You'll never catch me in a TacoBell, that place is for the rats!  I'm talking about yummy and FRESH ingredients.  I'll take authentic and I'll also take gourmet style.  It's all good and I am ready for my tacos please! :o)

Again...I'm #justsayin....

Do you know a spiritual narcissist?

You may wonder what the heck is a spiritual narcissist?  Let me first explain how I came about this bazaar question....

I was reading an article in the Huffington Post called, The Allure of Narcissistic Spirituality, written by Rabbi Alan Lurie, and he writes:

Spiritual narcissism creates the pretense of holiness as an ego strategy to mask insecurity, receive approval, or avoid struggle and growth. "I'm a spiritual person" it proclaims proudly. "I travel to alternate realities, see auras, heal chakras, predict the future, talk to spirits, commune with angels, manipulate energies, meditate for three hours a day, harness the powers of the Universe to attract success. ... The truth is that I'm more evolved than you!"

Does this sound like you or anyone you know?  Because it sure sounded like the exact description of a person I once called a friend.  As I continued to the end of the article, the Rabbi had me thinking and questioning my own role in this ill-fated friendship.

The Rabbi continues:

Narcissistic sensitivity, however, is focused solely on the subtle nuances one's own internality, and resists looking at hard, uncomfortable truths that may upset the self image. One who is narcissistically sensitive is easily offended by the "coarseness" of others, seeks to make his environment change to align with the contours of his needs, and gets angry or offended when this does not happen.

As I began to reflect more, I realize that the dramatic emotions is actually the persons feelings that is being projected at me.  This, I realize, is not my problem but hers.  The article further mentions that "the desire to control others in order to create a "perfect" environment that nurtures our sensitivities is a calling card of spiritual narcissism."  I just had my a-ha moment!

True spirituality takes place in the holy messiness of the world, in open-hearted relationship with others, and in a kind smile to one who accidentally stepped on your foot. In that moment of connection, one can clearly see that the annoyances and upsets are actually wake up calls pulling us out of our self-involvement and in to relationship...

...and into REALITY!  So, back to the initial question: Do you know a spiritual narcissist?  If yes, don't hate them, speak negatively of them, or chastise them.  Forgive and move on.  Why let their opinions affect you?  "Kill `em with kindness."

as I continue my year (be it only 10 days in), I intend to speak my truth, act with kindness, react with love and humility, and continue my life adventures.  I will no longer allow others' destructive opinions and jealous words affect me.  Woohoo....as I do a mini jig-of-joy!

Forgive and forget.  I will not allow that which is not great into my life.  I put my foot down to the madness and allow only love into it. 

So you think I'm sounding like a nut?  So what!  Your judgements will no longer phase me.

My year in review...the final episode.

While today brings new opportunities, I am glad that mercury is no longer in retrograde and the day begins with 1.1.11.  This is already an awesome thing.  I awake with this conscious notion and begin living life.  Thank you!

As promised, I finished my year in review list.  Poignant?  Nope.  I'm just saying....so here it goes!

My Favorite Things of 2010

1) My new laptop - although it is not a feather-weight Mac, I still love my PC because it has brought me comfort, convenience, and the flexibility to get to gettin'


2) Smartphone - no more dumb ones allowed! My DroidX provides me the comfort and convenience of so much joy, like:

a) Receiving important email updates away from laptop;

b) Obtaining awesome coupons and discounts that can be used right from my phone, printing not necessary! See, I am doing a small part to help save my planet;

c) Scrabble games with distant family members. I’m staying connected to distant loved ones;

d) AngryBirds, nuff said;

e) Using Twitter as a form of getting instant traffic and weather updates while in my car. I’m not saying that I’m texting in my car while driving, not me??? And YES, I did give in to this bazaar social interaction. OK, I’ll admit it, I drunk the “juice” and I am hooked!

f) I can also make and receive a phone call….duh!?

3) Twitter - the crap that people put out there is hella funny. As Kathy Griffen says, I will be "twatting" more in the new year.

4) Reality TV - The Real Housewives, Top Chef, The Sing Off, Ghost Hunters, and the Cooking Channel

5) My Nook – my beloved e-reader. I can also use my smartphone to read the same books and they will ALL be in sync…….LOVE IT!

6) Haircuts – must keep up and get regular trims because it is paramount to do small things that just make feel good.

7) Internet shopping and earning airline miles at the same time, woot-woot! I am earning my way to a free airline ticket without doing anything extra. Now how awesome is this!?

8) Self-deprecating humor. To laugh at someone else, one must first be able to laugh at themselves. I do find my dorky-self in bazaar situations to drop the façade and dance in the streets.

9) Finishing my classes with A's and ending the year with a 3.98 GPA (the last time this was ever done was back in the 80's)

10) More high thread count, Egyptian cotton bed linens. It is so cozy and just the thought of it, makes me want to jump back in my bed and get comfy.



What I've learned in 2010

1) The ability to assess the probability of the likely failures or successes of random crap! Seriously! I can actually apply the statistical-nonsense I learned, oye.

2) Adults still lie to protect their own arses.

3) It is all right to end a friendship, really! No…..really!

4) Personal acceptance of my self-love....this is not an egotistical practice.

5) Laughter is the cure to sadness.

6) A multitude of organizations that focus on the health and conscious living.

7) Blogging IS a form of writing AND expressing my thoughts.

8) Where to find tasty tamales on Oahu, I’m just saying.

 
So now....it is time to get a gettin' and enjoying the beautiful first day of this 11 year!  Thank you, thank you, thank you for everything.

Back on my spiritual path...

I have recently experienced some unruly scenarios that had me thinking negatively and I fell into the hole of quasi-darkness.  If it wasn't for some insightful and sound people, I would not be able to say this now:  I am detached from the negative stuff and return to my positive and happy self.  Yup, I am officially detached from the bullshit!

So with that being said, I do admit that I did begin reacting negatively.  I can now say that I have truly learned from this experience.  My insightful oracle has reminded me that I have no control over the behaviors and actions of others; I only can control my own actions and reactions.  A-HA!  Thanks for the reminder...I don't know where I would end up if you didn't come.  Thank you.

In the midst of this "experience," I did encounter some amazing people who have been living a pure and positive life.  As of today, I will do my best to begin living this positive life.  I fell off track at some point, but today, I am back on board.  I am aware, I will detach, I will accept all that is. 

Thank you.

No cardio...

Still no cardio at the end of day 2.  I have been doing some weight training and eating better.  My mantra will be "eat more...more calories."  So nice :o)

Distractions are coming and I wonder how I will integrate my exercise, health, and eating habits. 

I will try again...(A New Journey - week 2)

A New Journey - Week 2

Week 1 was fracking tough; it kicked my a**!  The lame part is that the first class did it.  In my attempts to continue some sort of exercise, I continued to do some stretches and weights.  Okay, not so bad.  I focused on my arms and it felt better.  Avoiding all lower body worked was imperative.

So what the hell kicked my a**?  After much contemplation, was it the cardio?  Maybe the added lunges on top of the cardio?  The lame part is that the cardio only consisted of 1 lap of jogging.  So sure, I was out of breath, but the following leg worked began the pain.  In the end, I strained my quads.  It was beyond the burn!

Now, I must modify this regime some how.  How?  I am not sure.  With all the splendid ideas, my fear can sometimes over power the actual "do."  Agh!  In the process, I also am watching the food I eat.  Have I indulged, not really.  The nice thing is that I apparently need to take in more calories.  Nice!  Eat more and exercise more!

Today is ab/core work day.  Hmmm?  I am not sure what to do and I have about 6 hours to decide....

A New Journey - week 1, part 2

Gung-ho, I'm ready to go!  A pre-walk to get things going.  My bootcamp partner wants to stretch before class starts.  The class today is about working our booty.  Nice. 

We sit.  We stretch.  We talk story.

People arrive, as well as our instructor.  Nice bunch of ladies; all ages and all sizes. 

Stretching wasn't as long as I thought.  We start with a jog.  I start of at a good pace.  (This is the first time I jogged in years!)  I was surprised I lasted as long as I did.  My highschool knowledge kicks in and reminds me how to maintain my breathing.  The 1-lap is over and I'm out of breath!  Yikes!

Next, 20 yards of walking lunges, gorilla walks, high jumps, and skips.  Repeat.  It's beginning to hurt and burn.  My muscles are getting weak.

I push through.  More lunges and squats.  In my last lunge, I over extend and FALL OVER!  (Man, do I feel lame!  No shame cuz I'm okay).  Ground work is next and I can actually do this.

The rest is a blur.  More runs, lunges, squats, etc.  I feel my quads more than my glutes, and more than my abs. 

The night progresses and I begin to move slower.  I toss in my sleep but still aware of the pain that is building.  I awake AND double-yikes.  I have a hard time standing out of bed.  I waddle to the bathroom and discover that it is even harder to sit on the toilet.  MY QUADS HURT AND I CAN BARELY WALK.

So I move slow throughout the day and decide that I can't go to class tonight, I can barely move.  Bending over is difficult.  Walking down my three stairs is difficult.  Walking up the stairs is just as hard.  Sitting IS HARD.  Standing IS HARD.  IT IS ALL HARD!

Day 2 - STILL HARD.  STILL feeling imobie.  FRACK!

A New Journey - A Healthy ME

I am ready to accept the things that I can do and change!  (Eeek, that sounds a bit like an AA meeting...)  As another month rolls along, along with another year of life, I have chosen to make a conscious effort to live a healthier life.  I will exercise more, eat a healthier diet, and make the conscious switch to get moving.

Today is the first day of the an 8 week Bootcamp.  My goal is to shed some pounds, become stronger, and get more energy.  I also began keeping a food diary and to my amazement, I am fully aware about the foods I consume in the day.  (Another eeek moment.)

Found a great app on my droid, which scans barcodes and syncs all my information.  Diet and exercise tracker will keep me fully aware of my bad habits.  Forcing me to recognize and own up to my lameness.  Fine!  I'm giving in and won't put up the fight anymore!

Since my last 'official' exercise regime occured a few months ago, I am nervous about my stamina in this bootcamp.  I do have goals and hope to create more at the end of the 8 weeks.  So far, I have maintained my goal of keeping track of my caloric intake.  Yay for me!  Next....is get moving!

WTF Wednesday: Why won't you just leave a message!

What The Frack Wednesday:

The invention of caller-id was not necessary, but very useful when random callers repeatedly call.  It's great to ignore those pesky sales calls that come while you're in the midst of doing something.  If you call me and I don't recognize the phone number, I have the choice to not answer.  LEAVE A MESSAGE.

An hour later, the same number is identified, and yet again, straight to voicemail. 

If it's an emergency, why won't you just leave a message!?

Day 2 and more calls and still NO MESSAGE!   I begin thinking, "who the hell is this?"  My curiosity is beginning to encourage me to actually answer the next time they call.

The call comes while I'm eating lunch.  Ignore.  Voicemail.....and OMG, they leave a message!

I decide to wait and finish my lunch before checking the message.  I *ring*....really!?

Agh!!!!  It's a frickin WRONG NUMBER.  Some kid looking or EXPECTING his girlfriend to answer the phone.   Really?!  OM-FRACKIN-G!!!!!

An hour later, the call again.  Hah, I'll answer you now:

"Listen, I don't know who you are but you got the wrong number."

"Who dis?"

"You got the wrong number.  Whome ever you are looking for, this isn't her number.  Stop calling."

Click.

I think to myself, "good job."

Uh, idiot boy calls two minutes later.  AND I ANSWER:

"STOP CALLING!  YOU HAVE THE WRONG NUMBER!"

Click.

This better be it.........*sigh* I really think it is.

Please bring me comfort.

The yummy goodness that brownies are have recently brought me comfort. After buying a new silicone 1x1 pan, I finally begin to try it out.

Waiting in anticipation, I realize I begin this type of "brownie-jig."  These brownies, nothing super special, just from the box.  No special additives (wink) in this one....

After cooling, I dumped them out.   Oh man...yummy goodness!  Ok, so I actually ate all 24 pieces in a matter of 36 hours.  Yikes!  But wait a minute, they are tiny.  This equates to maybe a few adult-size pieces.

Attempting to justify my bad eating indulgence is simple ridiculous, but oh well,  I felt happy. 

Cynical or Thoughtful?

While I have been a bit pre-occupied with living a life without the desire of sharing it to the world, I have found myself back at my grinding machinery (aka: my laptop). I have expereinced many WTF and REALLY moments that today, I was on the verge of becoming a manic cynic. It is just to easy to start "damning" everhting.

So I *pause*

I choose to remain thoughtful and keep my energy in a positive state. *sigh* So much better.

Good vibes to all and have an awesome day.

Is it really necessary to urinate on the curb?

I guess this may be the only option for the homeless woman who wheels around Chinatown. Looking dirty and smelling really bad, she rolled pass me. What's the rush? Well, she had to pee!

Unfortunately, she decided to stop along a very busy roadway, get out of her chair, and squat off the curbside! Agh! When I looked down the road, cars had to change lanes just to avoid hitting her. The people standing at the bus stop accross the steet stared in disgust. Walking pass, "agh, the smell!" Really lady?

At the very least, go squat behind the bush! But no, you decide to showcase your lady parts, to everyone.

I am thankful I wasn't standing across from her, I may have just lost my yummy dim sum lunch.

Just because....

Thanks Kohler for creating an ad that allowed me to laugh about consumerism! I think I'll install this shower set-up......NOT!

Complaints & Gripes

WHERE'S THE BREAD?

When dining at a restaurant that has consistently served quasi-descent food, I am not surprised that I was given this bread roll to eat along with my buttery escargot:

"Um...helllerrrrr, how am I suppose to soak-up the butter with just crust?"

Another problem that occurs is hot soup served cold. Uh, duh....how can this be? So in an attempt to fix this problem and resending the bowl back to the kitchen, maybe we order the soup extra hot; like ordering an extra hot latte from Scarbucks. Uh....still not hot! WTF!? C'mon folks, how hard can this really be! Even though this occurs a lot, one may say, "don't order it." But, the fact is: the lobster bisque is so frackin good....when HOT!

TASTY DIM SUM BUT TERRIBLE SERVICE

Yes...in order to have some of the most tastiest dim sum east of China and west of San Francisco, one must endure the servers that pretend to not speak english in an english speaking state and to forget part of your order and now one must double check the bill. It is what it is; and we endure it for great food.

The Lost Table and the Strange Smells

How can one actually lose a dining room table? Well...I sort of did. I really just "misplaced" it (or others may say I simply FORGOT where I left it). In my search for furniture, I thought about this old table. Painting it white or black will take finding it, sanding, and painting it. But of course, I must find the lost table first. Ooh..a project in the making!

A-ha, I remember where it is! Yikes! Under all this mess...a-ha, this is where that smell is coming from! Eeek! What could it be? I just really hope it's not a dead vermon or something....aaagggghhhh!

Ok, so this isn't as bad as it looks. I locate the smell and to my relief, no dead animal. Actually, just old dog treats that began to disintegrate. Yup, I said it, disintegrate! Now one can only imagine how long this mess has been here. Uh-huh, no need to judge folks, it is what it is. I know that most of us has those random piles of junk that just sort of collect randomness...well, this was mine.

I'm glad I thought about covering the top to help protect it, some what. By the looks of the picutre, one may still be wondering, "Uh, where the hell is the table? I still don't see it!" It was initially used as space to store "stuff" but it ended up becoming a place to collect junk. Those "maybe I will use it later-type" of items. But the table is under there, I am absolutely sure of this.

As the prep work begins (such as a replacement shelving unit & massive clean-up), I realize that about 80% of the junk is really just junk, and I proceed to just trash it all.

And it is amazing at how quick it took to purge the junk and determine what was actually good. Some old slippers and shoes, dog stuff, misc. tools, and just plain miscellaneous items. This place became a catch-all of random items. My new attempt is to have a home for the random-keepers.

Man...it feels good to purge the stuff.
AND it feels great to find the lost table and eliminate the strange smells! See folks, the table really does exist!

I finally found some yummy Escargot

So many problems from a restaurant with so much potential. Formaggio's...sounds like a great place right? Well yes and no. Too many inconsistencies and problems with their menu. Of the countless times I ventured there, I keep returning after bad experiences. Since there is a lack of decent places to eat near me, I still find myself returning to this place.

One of the few things going for them is that they never close between lunch and dinner and therefore, one can always get a cocktail between 2p and 5p. After my last fiasco, I was hesitant, but was craving some fried calamari. Assuming they probably have them, I took my mom, ordered the calamari, truffle french fries, and we shared a warm spinach salad. I did discover that the salad was awesome. The fries could use an extra squirt of truffle oil, and the calamari is o.k.

The next time, I had the salad and then I also discovered that they have escargot. To my delight, I was waiting in anticipation to try this item. Although I was apprehensive because of bad experiences (hot lobster bisque served cold, prosciutto wrapped shrimp served over cooked and with no taste, Greek salad served without lettuce and chunks of raw red onion and green bell pepper, etc...) I thought that I just had to try it. If the escargot is served as a tasty and delicious appetizer, Formaggio will become my favorite place. Yes, I said it. Why? Well, there is just no other place withing 15 miles of me that serve yummy buttery escargot. I finally scored!

I did appreciate that every bad plate was removed from the bill. And just to mention another great item, the rib eye steak, and their pizzas. So now, I don't think I'll try anything new; I have come to a final conclusion and can now enjoy this place. Knowing what to get and what to stay away from. The lobster bisque is still so good (when served hot), I just need to ensure an "extra-hot" order the next time around.

Sake...yummy!

The 10th annual sake tasting arrived in town last night. With 300 different blends from Japan and around the world, my friends and I were fortunate to sample various sake that is not even available outside of Japan.

It seemed like a great idea to attempt to drink every one....IMPOSSIBLE! What the hell was I even thinking about. While each type was judged, I had the overall winners in the differing categories...at the very least. Yummy goodness.

Along with the sake, some of my favorite restaurants offered tapa-like pupus. Hamachi, pork belly, shrimp ceviche....so frackin good! Then...while waiting in the longest line for:



....we thought, it better be awesome! Uh, it wasn't. So disappointing I can't even mention where it came from.


So the after effects: I awoke to a sake headache! Oh well, c`est la vie!

Cleanse...everything is good.

After the intial first week, my cleanse is still going good. With a few 'slip up' days, I'm back on track and things are fine. I lost some weight and my jeans are a bit loose. Yippee!

I think I'll continue my cleanse until I run out of supplies.