tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59489705392833665562024-03-18T19:29:30.763-08:00gypsy apologueChronicles of a Girl in AlaskaSpin Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941343721056115758noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5948970539283366556.post-50542205109539980932011-07-30T12:38:00.000-08:002011-07-30T12:38:39.115-08:00Blog NeglectSo, I noticed that I hadn't blog in a month today. There has been a lot going on with me lately, good and bad. Work has kept me busy and exhausted, while personal problems have left me vegging out on the couch, drowning my sorrows with frozen yogurt and coconut milk ice cream.<br />
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I hope to be fixing some things in my life that I feel are not supporting and nurturing my growth, ultimately making my life happier and more fulfilling. There are going to be a lot of changes, hardships, tough times, and new opportunities coming in the next month, possibly leaving less time than I have even had lately for blogging.<br />
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So for now, I plan to take a slight temporary hiatus from blogging, picking it back up when I have adventures and loveliness to share with you. Please send me all of your amazing, positive energies, because, well, I need all that I can get. I apologize, dear readers, for neglecting you the past month. I promise if you stick with me, it WILL be worth it. <br />
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Until then, peace, love, and happiness to you all.Spin Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941343721056115758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5948970539283366556.post-12673965618180179822011-06-30T12:16:00.001-08:002011-06-30T12:19:14.025-08:00Solstice in TalkeetnaBlogger sometimes deletes my posts, so here is just the pictures from last week...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talkeetna Downtown</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peace Love Hoops</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relaxing on the river, sitting on a piece of driftwood</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainbow Moose</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vera with a dirty nose, after hiding her leopard</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where's the leopard?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There he is!!</td></tr>
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Hooping on the shore, barefoot, toes in the sand, moving to the beautiful melodies of the moment.</div>Spin Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941343721056115758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5948970539283366556.post-32356406181740827192011-06-16T22:32:00.000-08:002011-06-16T22:32:29.595-08:00Full Day All on My Terms<br />
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Yep, that's right; I had the day totally off (usually I work one job or the other) and boyfriend isn't here, so I had the *WHOLE* day completely to myself. And, well, the pup, too.<br />
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It all started wonderfully with a slight sleeping in, but waking early enough to have a cup of coffee ready to listen to today's <a href="http://inspiredlivingsecrets.com/teleseminar">Inspired Living Secrets</a> lecture by Laura Hollick. I love her. She has this aura and vibe about her that just blows my mind; a total inspiration. I really like the series so far, even if I can't afford any of the $100 special offers, even though they are 75-90% off. The free stuff is where it is at, I tell you.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wish in the Wind- Laura Hollick</td></tr>
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I spent the rest of the morning enjoying blowing my time on Facebook (or Crackbook as a friend properly called it). I jumped on the Facebook bandwagon purely to have a way to promote <a href="http://centrichoops.com/">Centric Hoops</a> and my <a href="http://spingypsyshoppe.etsy.com/">Etsy Shoppe</a>. But, it is pretty interesting watching all these little buttons light up when other are wasting their valuable lives on Facebook, too. Hey, at least I am not FBin' it at work...<br />
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Then, after some pigging out on green smoothies and trail mix, I finally had the time to do some yoga: YAY!! It was an amazing sequence on <a href="http://yogaglow.com/">YogaGlo</a> that featured Chandra Namaskara (aka Moon Salutations) complimenting yesterday's <a href="http://www.centrichoops.com/2011/06/full-moon-in-sagittarius.html">Full Moon</a>. Which, BTW, was also a Lunar Eclipse if you happened to live on the other side of the planet.<br />
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Even though the day started off cloudy and a bit rainy, it quickly turned around and ended up being quite the lovely day. I spent the afternoon lounging on the back deck with the pup and making some hoops. I only had enough tubing to make three, so a few orders will have to wait (sorry). Tuesday when I found out I am going to teach some drop-in classes at this bellydancing studio here in Wasilla, the girl also told me that I could sell hoops on consignment. That is where two of the three hoops I made are going and the third to a lovely lady going to Hawaii in a month. She gets the collapsible *smile*.<br />
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The day wasn't complete without cooking the best damn <a href="http://www.healthontherun.net/hotr-eats/lazy-girls-lentil-burgers/">lentil burger</a> I have ever had and vegging out while watching Spice World. Ha... gotta love Netflix. And yes, the Spice Girls were an old guilty pleasure and I love the movie, what can I say.<br />
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Now I am going to end the night with the tried and true ritual of watching a few hours of Medium before bed since boyfriend's gone (he hates the show for some reason). I should have a bunch of pics up after this weekend. We are heading out to Chickaloon for a Solstice party. I am so excited, I am going to fire hoop for the first time. And what better time to do my virgin burn than Solstice weekend. It is like honoring the Sun and the ending of the light half of the year while finally getting my burn on!!<br />
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Have a great weekend!!Spin Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941343721056115758noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5948970539283366556.post-43569081998055441372011-06-13T23:19:00.001-08:002011-06-13T23:20:19.454-08:00Inspired Living SecretsI have been extremely busy lately getting life together, trying to figure out where I am going, and pretty much being lazy whenever I get the chance. Unfortunately, blogging has been on the back burner. I hope to get more spare time soon so I can share all the crazy awesome stuff going on.<br />
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I wanted to take a few minutes and share this amazing webinar series that I have been listening to for the past week. If you are looking for inspirational people to help you create ways to build your dreams, I recommend you go check out Inspired Living Secrets. Every Tuesday and Thursday morning, there is a live one hour teleseminar that takes place. A new speaker every day talks about what they have to offer, their experiences, how they got to where they are, and priceless words of wisdom. It is excellent so far.<br />
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I have somehow gotten last Tuesday and Thursday off, and luckily I also have them off this week, so I get to enjoy listening to these awesome speakers again. I can't wait to listen to the speaker tomorrow. The series is so good, that on my day off I will get up before 8am just so I can tune in live.<br />
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For more information and to sign-up to receive access to the series click the banner below:<br />
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Oh, PS, you can now *like* <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Centric-Hoops/191016964281714">Centric Hoops</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/SpinGypsyShoppe/215535221813212#!/pages/SpinGypsyShoppe/215535221813212?sk=wall">Spin Gypsy Shoppe</a> on Facebook!! Spread the word of hoop love!! </div>
<br />Spin Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941343721056115758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5948970539283366556.post-74838704802777863592011-06-07T12:17:00.002-08:002011-06-07T12:55:39.687-08:00Good Things Will ComeBetween working two jobs almost everyday and my laptop pretty much dying, I hadn't had the chance to blog. My apologies, dear readers. So here is the much anticipated story about how I got the chance to LED hoop for The Crystal Method, the experience, and mucho pics and vids. Enjoy!!<br />
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It all started when about a month ago, I <a href="http://gypsyapologue.blogspot.com/2011/05/crystal-method-in-anchorage.html">found out</a> that my favorite dj duo, The Crystal Method, were coming to play a few shows in Alaska. I went to a lot of raves and EDM parties when I lived in Virginia, and I was a bit blown away when I got to Alaska and figured out the scene here consisted of minors and heady (aka egotistical) promoters. So, you can understand, when I found out some internationally know djs, like TCM, were coming here, I was *stoked*. More like ecstatic, but we won't go there. Ok, I ran around my house like a crazy woman when I found out screaming "The Crystal Method's coming. The Crystal Method's coming..."<br />
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Come to find out, they were playing both of their Anchorage shows on the same weekend as Trapper Creek Bluegrass, which is a huge festival-slash-camping party-slash-hoop massive. All of our friends go and we actually took part in setting up the festival grounds this year; my boyfriend helped build the fire stage and I, along with some other fine festival ladies, painted signs (like "Leave no trace, clean your space" and "Pick up your trash, please.") and also did some trash pick-up from stragglers that had been using the property since the last festival.<br />
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Anywho, so it was pretty much impossible for me to pick going to TCBG on both Friday and Saturday night and NOT go to TCM. I mean, I couldn't miss TCM's debut in Alaska; it just wouldn't be right. I also got a bit flustered because, well, the show was three weeks away and I had *just* found out about it? I mean, where were the promoters? I hadn't heard one radio announcement (though, I don't really ever listen to the radio, but boyfriend does), nor had I seen one flyer for the event here in the Valley. I figured, with it being Trapper Creek weekend and pretty much limited promoting, how was the turn-out going to be? Lots of people had to come to show their support or the guys would never come back to Alaska. To me, all of this meant, not a good turnout=no good djs EVER coming back up here. And I couldn't possibly let that happen!!<br />
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Meanwhile, I had this stupendous idea to email the road manager for TCM and just nonchalantly mention that I was an LED hooper and that I would love the chance to hoop onstage for their first Anchorage show. I thought "what the heck? why not try?" So everyday for the first few days after sending the email, I checked my email on my phone like 10 times a day. I know, I know; a bit excessive, but come on... I was excited!! Then, after I figured that maybe I wasn't going to get a response (I know they are busy!!), the lovely Jen emailed me back!! YES!! And then, the opportunity of a life time manifested. She got me in contact with Janine, Ken's wife, who is also a hooper. Janine is usually the one who provides the awesome hoopness for their shows, but she was willing to share the stage with me, letting me LED hoop with them.<br />
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I was forever grateful. I felt like it was really nice for her to allow me to hoop onstage. I mean, she could have been pretty exclusive about it and just said no. I know there would have been some people out there like that, but she is an amazing lady and was super nice to me. We kept in contact until the show, color coordinating our outfits and talking about the game plan.<br />
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The weekend before the show, I went down to Anchorage to the MTS Gallery Goodbye Bash to watch my friends' band play, <a href="http://churchoffunk.net/">The Church of Flaming Funk</a>, and decided to go to Chilkoot Charlie's where the TCM show was going to be and scope out the location. I had never been there, as I hardly ever go to Anchorage and usually, if I do, I am going to the Airport. I wanted to see what the stage was going to be like, and pretty much prepare myself for how much, or lack of, stage I was going to have. It seemed pretty decent, but I couldn't really tell as there was a band set-up- ie drums, guitar stands, microphones, ect.- already on the stage. Since I was there, I thought I would talk to the promoter of the show and see if I could get some flyers to post around the Valley since I literally had seen zero out there. He was on his way to work, so I decided to be naughty and have nice, greasy, bar food veggie Philly while I was waiting. Haha... it was reeeeally good by the way. He never showed up and I bugged the poor girl at the ID booth so much that she got the GM to come down and talk to me. He brought me a HUGE stack of flyers and postcards. For whatever reason, he seemed impressed that I wanted to post flyers for free. I told him that truthfully, I wanted to see an over 21 EDM scene flourish here and the only way that was going to happen would be to have big name djs like The Crystal Method come up here and that I was willing to do pretty much anything to help make that happen. I told him I would be willing to post flyers here in the Valley for any upcoming EDM shows since he didn't have anyone out here promoting. So, with flyers in hand, I went off to the Art Show to practice my LED hoop.<br />
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The next week was composed of practicing, finishing constructing my costume, and spreading flyers wherever I happened to be going that day. Even though the show was within the week, I figured even if only one person saw a flyer I posted and went to the show who otherwise wouldn't have known about it, I did my part. Plus, it wasn't that hard to post some flyers. I even recruited a guy at my work to post some flyers out in Knik where he lives and I never make it out to. <br />
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Finally, the weekend that I had been waiting for arrived. I had Friday off, so I had the whole day to mentally and physically prepare myself. I found out the night before that Janine's plane was going to be coming in late, so I was going to be hooping solo for a majority of the show. That was cool and all, but I was really excited that I was going to get to hoop with her. Butterflies swarmed in my stomach as the day passed by. I couldn't figure out a darn thing to do with my hair. My friend has given me some feather extensions a few days before and I was trying to find a way to accent them and not hide them. I wanted someone to french braid my hair, but couldn't find anyone that wasn't busy to do it and I didn't want to pay a salon to do it. So, I taught myself how to french braid in a little over an hour. I always wanted to learn; god bless YouTube haha. <br />
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I unveiled my outfit to my boyfriend as a first time previewer and he said that he liked it. I was a bit nervous because I literally based my whole outfit on a pair of legwarmers I purchased online that I had never actually seen before. But it all came together nicely and I was proud of myself for constructing it all out of some ordinary clothes making it into some awesome raver worthy gear.<br />
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Filled with anticipation, we arrived at the club with our VIP status (ie, double wrist bands haha) and headed into the bar to wait for the arrival of The Crystal Method. The promo said he was going to go pick them up around 11 and then he would come find us. In the meantime, we drank a beer and listened to the opening dj, DJ Luxor who was, ironically, also from Vegas. After looking at the current stage set-up, I got a little nervous as there was hardly any room to really hoop onstage. There was literally about four square feet of space at both sides of the dj booth and the ceiling height was about 7 feet. So much for any off the body stuff.<br />
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We kept seeing them bring all kinds of "dj worthy" goodies into a room and knew that they had to be going there. Which, later, I would find out consisted of organic fruits, veggies, vodka, and juices then a mixture of meatless cheeses and "meats." All of a sudden I saw Ken walking around, heading our way. I went up to him and said hello and somehow, he knew that I must have been the hooper girl (was it my unfashionably Alaskan raver wear?). He motioned us to follow him and ended up in the "VIP Room" formerly known as Koot's office. We- myself, boyfriend, and Ken- joked around about how that small office room was the Alaskan style VIP. The room was literally like 10x15. Probably the size of some of the bathrooms of the VIP rooms I am sure they have graced before. But it was all in good humor as we had a good laugh about it. <br />
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Scott and their roadie manager Josh, showed up not too long after and we all proceeded to discuss such things as Alaska, what to do, good food, and the like. During our chat, here rolls in the promo and saw us hanging out with the guys. He said he had looked all over for us and here we were. Guess I could go VIP by myself. Anyways, we also talked about how we used to go see them when we lived in Virginia, and we brought up some old memories for them of some pretty crazy times. The first place we saw them was at Nation Nightclub (RIP) in DC during the closing parties. They spun one hell of a set, I'll tell you, and ultimately got me hooked on their music ever since. Ken told us about how the first time the played there was back in '96- 10 years before that night we saw them in June/July of 2006. It was kind of, no *really* awesome, to just hear some of their stories and how Ken said that Nation was one of the craziest places they had ever played. That was something coming from guys that had played all over the world. <br />
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Before they went on, we talked about where they wanted me and what time I was to go on: after the first hour of their set, I was to hit the stage. Ahh... talk about anticipation. Ken also confirmed that Janine's flight wasn't suppose to come in until around 1:30am so that she would probably miss most of the show.<br />
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After an hour of jamming out to some pounding beats (and boy does Koots have a surprisingly bumping bass system), I grabbed my hoop out of coat check and made my way to the front. I took a deep breath and heading across the stage, turning on my LED as I got to my designated hoop corner. Looking out at the crowd, I let the music take me away and rocked out, an ear to ear grin overtaking my face. People up front found out quickly that they couldn't come too close, accidentally knocking a drink out of one guy's hand. I felt bad at first, but that quickly changed when he gave me a double thumbs up. <br />
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It was a complete rush to feel the energy of the crowd, the bass pumping through me as the hoop twirled around me with swirling colors. Unfortunately, hitting the wall and surrounding lights informed me of the certain lineup of tricks that would only be able to be used. <br />
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<a href="http://vimeo.com/24483220">Hooping It Up Onstage with TCM!!</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user5049404">Spin Gypsy</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div>
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Pretty quickly, space awareness was installed and I hit things around me less and less. Every once in a while I would be really into the music, falling into a sort of trance, forgetting how little space I had, and the hoop ending up smashing into something or someone. Everyone was pretty chill about it though.<br />
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<a href="http://vimeo.com/24482819">Spin Gypsy Performance with The Crystal Method</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user5049404">Spin Gypsy</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div>
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By the time Janine got their, it was the last hour of their set. I started off on the left side of the stage, but moved to the right side, so that she could have a little bit more room. The crowd really started to go wild when we both got up there and the guys put down some serious jams. It was definitely a spirit lifter, being able to be dance to some good, live EDM. That was something that I definitely missed since moving to Alaska.<br />
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<a href="http://vimeo.com/24483881">LED Hooping with The Crystal Method</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user5049404">Spin Gypsy</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div>
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At the end of the set, Ken led me and Janine off the stage towards the "VIP Room" and on the way, a guy stopped Janine and I, asking for our autographs. Now, I had never had anyone asked me for my autograph, but without even a small pause, I took his pen and signed away. Dare I say, I felt like a famous person or something. Back at the room, the guys and us talked again for quite some time. We found out they are making a new album which should come out by the end of the year. They have some songs that are going to be featured in a new movie, which they could not release any information about. We got some pics with them and Ken and Scott autographed a poster for me. In addition, they told us they would for sure be coming back to Alaska- and hopefully soon!!<br />
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All in all, looking back, it is almost like I was watching someone else's life during this whole experience. Like, I was present and all, but it was just so unbelievable and almost fantasy like, that to this day it seems unreal; like it didn't even happen or was all some part of a lucid dream. I will, however, *never* forget that night. NEVER. The energies and the pictures will always be an everlasting memory. I hope to keep in touch with Janine and maybe we will meet again sometime in the future. I can't wait for Ken and Scott to come back to Alaska. Hopefully it just won't be Trapper Creek weekend, again, and I can attend all the shows.<br />
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Here are a link to my pictures on <a href="http://s1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb427/SpinGypsy/?start=all">photobucket</a>. I uploaded all of them, good and bad. Unfortunately, we don't have a great camera, but I think boyfriend did a miraculous job working with what he had. Most of my videos are up on <a href="http://vimeo.com/user5049404/videos">vimeo</a> and <a href="http://youtube.com/spinXgypsy">youtube</a>. Check them out and let me know what you think!!<br />
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I want to leave you with a bit of a moral here. Ever since I was a child, I always felt like no matter what, I could never exceed expectations. It wasn't purposeful, as in my family never meant to impose this on me, it was definitely accidental. But, I always felt like I needed to be better, do better, do more, ect. to get the love and attention that I needed/wanted. Why this manifested in me when the actions of those people were genuinely not in that direction, I do not know. There are a lot of things about myself, internal mysteries, that I have yet to uncover the story behind. The point here is my yoga and my hoop practices have brought so much growth, opportunities, and positivity to my life, that it makes me even more eager to share what I have experienced. Everyone should have the opportunity to live their dreams and participate in their most desired experiences. The fact that the hoop and even yoga mat can become catalysts in exploring and ultimately manifesting these dreams, well, that is just amazing and what soul fulfilling activities are all about.<br />
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So believe in yourself, believe in your dreams. The Universe will eventually provide, it just comes when you are ready. I know that, even if my performances with TCM and my friends of The Church of Funk do not lead to anything, in the future these experiences will benefit me, somehow. I just know it. It will help me feel comfortable and confident in all that I do, and maybe, lead me to other performance opportunities. If nothing else, I have some amazing memories to hold on to. And *that* is what is important.<br />
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Today, a pretty funny thing almost happened to me. One of those things that it was like "well, that's what I get for having this really great situation happen..." Almost a "rain on my parade" kind of thing. But, luckily I just literally sat in my car and laughed at the irony. It seems a lot of times in my life when things get really good, something messes it up. What I realized, however, was what can you really do? You can't change certain things, certain people, certain energies, but instead you can give that energy a 180 and just take a different outlook. <br />
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What I have learned in yoga, reading spiritually based books, and just doing a lot of self-study is that I can literally make or break a situation with what I make out of it. The more I associate with a problem, the more negativity I feed into it, making it worse than it is. But, today I saw it change before my eyes. Something that, when it came about, really freaked me out and sort of pissed me off, I brushed off and thought about the good side. And, what happened? It all worked out... That's right. There really was no problem. Ah... and the sound of relief.<br />
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With so much going on, sometimes we forget to just separate ourselves from a situation and look at the big picture. We focus on the small little bits and pieces that just make up a small portion of what it all is about. I mean <em>really</em> about. It's not about a light getting broken on a car, breaking up with your boyfriend, having skin problems, losing something in the mail; none of that is truly important. It's about who you are, what you are doing, and, ultimately, where you are heading. Those minor details are just a part of the ride; details that entertain us along the way, kind of like those license plate games you played as a kid: sometimes you get them, sometimes you don't.<br />
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Today I decided, that I am going to appreciate those minor bumps and bruises sprinkled in with the deliciousness of life. It seems right that I start writing in my journal again five things I appreciate everyday. You can never be too busy to appreciate and see things, especially those that are so often taken advantage of or over looked.<br />
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I am <strong>*sooooooooo*</strong> stoked about tomorrow night. I have my outfit finished and practiced in it some today with my LED. I refashioned a skirt and long sleeve t-shirt and I took a before picture so that I could post it with the after picture. I am pretty happy with it. Good especially considering I wasn't exactly sure how it was going to turn out, going into with out really any idea of what I wanted. I just kept thinking "tribal rave faerie" and it seems to have come out like that. My friend also put some awesome feather extensions in my hair on Tuesday. She gave me one with UV pink feathers, black iridescent feathers, and blacklight white sparkly strands and another with just the black feathers. It's pretty awesome.<br />
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I also got off work early today (yeah!!) and so I came home, sat on my back porch, and painted a painting I have been contemplating on doing for a while. At one point, I was watching the videos on Laura Hollick's site <a href="http://soulartstudio.com/">Soul Art Studio</a>, and stopped at video 3 until I did my project. So, finally, I took the time and messed around with it. It came out great considering it had been a while since I have painted. It is not quite done yet, but when it is, I will post it and give a little background information. I recommend if you haven't been to Laura's site, that you do!! She is an amazing, inspirational lady. <br />
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<a href="http://www.parkettart.com/editions/68_ackermann/greetingcard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://www.parkettart.com/editions/68_ackermann/greetingcard.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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On another note of art, the amazing pictures on this post are paintings from Franz Ackerman, an extremely talented German artist. His fabulous trippy subway was featured on the homepage of Bing today. I love Bing. The fact that everyday they show you something super awesome, is just freaking cool. Check out more of his stuff <a href="http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artists/franz_ackermann.htm">here</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mimoa.eu/images/11612_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.mimoa.eu/images/11612_l.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div>Spin Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941343721056115758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5948970539283366556.post-16757194005608419212011-05-19T20:17:00.001-08:002011-05-19T20:18:56.630-08:00Happiness, Mystical Creatures, and Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.parenting.com/sites/parenting.com/files/imagecache/gallery_image/parenting_port/20/2010Cake_P_UnicornFull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" j8="true" src="http://www.parenting.com/sites/parenting.com/files/imagecache/gallery_image/parenting_port/20/2010Cake_P_UnicornFull.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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So, the next time I am depressed, I am going to make this Unicorn Cake!! I mean, really? What could be better than a freaking unicorn cake? A *VEGAN* Unicorn Cake!! Yep, that's right; this cake is vegan friendly.</div>
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The only problem I have with this recipe is you don't use a portion of the called for square cake. Somewhere I would need to find a use for some random pieces of cake. Or, maybe, I could just eat them. **Looks around** What leftover cake pieces? -smile-</div>
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Find the recipe <a href="http://girliegirlarmy.com/blog/20110517/recipe-unicorn-cake/">here</a>.</div>
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Tonight, I am practicing with my LED hoop for my performance. I actually have part of the day off tomorrow (yay!!), so I plan on dedicating a large part of my afternoon to trying to complete my costume for the performance. It will officially be the first ever complete outfit I designed. **Stoked** Pics to come soon!!</div>
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Hopefully I can record some of my practice tonight so I can post a new hoop video. I have been so damn busy lately, I haven't posted a vid in months. I suspect, however, that I will have a little bit more time after next week because I am training someone to do my job most days of the week at one job, and at the other, we have hired a few new people so I can only dream that I end up getting a few days off on the regular. Really need some time to dedicate to developing my hoop class curriculum and also just spending some time doing some internalized investigation. Hey, atleast I get to go to my yoga class tomorrow!!</div>Spin Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941343721056115758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5948970539283366556.post-57138744764917805392011-05-12T09:18:00.000-08:002011-05-13T12:24:56.186-08:00EDM. Hooping. Yoga. Art.Any questions? These four things, with the exception of hooping, have been an extremely important and influencial part of my being for a large amount of the recent years. When I started listening to dance music, it was purely for partying. But, then, it was as if a veil was lifted and I began to see the coincidences in my life, corresponding with the rhythm of the music. Techno, as many refer it, became a part of my everyday living; the soundtrack to my life. All of my favorite memories stem from listening to or attending an EDM (electronic dance music, for those who may not know) event.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.eso-garden.com/images/uploads_bilder/visionary_art_of_luke_brown_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="396" j8="true" src="http://www.eso-garden.com/images/uploads_bilder/visionary_art_of_luke_brown_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke Brown</td></tr>
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Even the early stages of my yoga practice were scored by various dj setlists. It seemed automatic, authentic and natural that my life should be accompanied by dance music. I was drawn to multitudes of EDM related limbs, eventually leading to visionary artistry, astral body, chakras, and the astounding impact that music can have on the spiritual body. This, ultimately led to my favorite genre, psytrance. It is funny how one interest can lead to others, then, in an almost impossible way, make it self back around. You see, it all really is connected.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n1/youmakelovinfun/visionary_art_of_luke_brown_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" j8="true" src="http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n1/youmakelovinfun/visionary_art_of_luke_brown_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke Brown</td></tr>
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Hooping accented this journey through expansion by EDM, by giving me a creative outlet to explore my soul with movement to music that has opened my mind since the first day it pounded through my ears. I didn't even realize that a majority of the hooping community were ravers or were drawn to hooping at raves. It seeme like a funny coincidence, for sure. The hoop was literally making circles in my tree, leading back to the roots of my spiritual existance; EDM. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.designsbywillow.com/site/Images/tree_of_life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" j8="true" src="http://www.designsbywillow.com/site/Images/tree_of_life.jpg" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Willow Arlenea</td></tr>
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Ah, if only I could get the high that going to a rave, dancing with a room full of strangers, feeling the bass thump through my core, and creating that almost inner connection I get with the dj when they drop the track that takes my breath away, in every day situations. Yes, I can have spiritual experiences not at raves, but most seem to correspond with listening to music. Yesterday, while hooping to some Crystal Method, I found myself frozen to the ground, watching the newly sprouted grass blades dancing along, carried by the wind to the beat of my music. It was a purely nonchalant situation that gave me an intense feeling of interconnectiveness. Spurred, in my belief, from the musical influence the rhythms and energies of the music created. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://rlv.zcache.com/dj_seahorse_speckcase-p176292553040943341vu98a_325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" j8="true" src="http://rlv.zcache.com/dj_seahorse_speckcase-p176292553040943341vu98a_325.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael Pukac</td></tr>
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Within all this babbling, there is a motive. I have the complete pleasure of informing you, my dear readers, that I have been given an opportunity of a life time; I will be performing on stage with one of the biggest musical influences in my life: The Crystal Method. The guys will be spinning at Chilkoot Charlies on May 27th. It truly will be a soul-lifting experience that I will for ever be grateful for.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blogs.laweekly.com/westcoastsound/the-crystal-method-secret-show-echoplex.4081223.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" j8="true" src="http://blogs.laweekly.com/westcoastsound/the-crystal-method-secret-show-echoplex.4081223.56.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From LA Weekly</td></tr>
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I pour out the gratitude that I have inside to all of you hoopers, performers, fans, whoever, that *anything* is possible. If you believe and you give yourself permission to explore, amazing things will come to you. I also have the sacred circle to thank. If it wasn't for hooping, I may have not gotten this chance. Beautiful and inspiring things come when you allow yourself to be open to receiving. Even through all the muck, nastiness, unfairness, and dissapointment that life can throw at you, believe that there will always be that gorgeous, hopeful lotus growing magnificantly in the mud. You just have to get through the ugliness to experience the inner light.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.designsbywillow.com/site/Images/awakening.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="307" j8="true" src="http://www.designsbywillow.com/site/Images/awakening.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Willow Arlenea</td></tr>
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TCM has been there through many hardships and good times in the last 10+ years of my life. I have seen them many times when I lived on the east coast. They put on a damn good show if I may say so myself. Now, in this moment of what I believed was a sort of low point, I get the chance to combine all my past times together to complete that circle of my passions. Hooping, art, yoga, and EDM, now uniform. It should be a life changing situation to be able to express myself within the hoop to the beats of my favorite djs.<br />
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Here I leave you with some videos footage of the shows that I attended that TCM played at.<br />
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First time I saw TCM at one of the hottest clubs in DC- Nation Nightclub (RIP)<br />
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Saw this show with my boyfriend and our friends Mike and Heather.<br />
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I had to include this video from Virgin Music Festival in Bmore because, well, can you blame me?<br />
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This was an amazing day let me tell you. Here is another amazing video from this day not related to TCM<br />
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Another favorite, Infected Mushroom with Matisyahu!! Amazing!! Ok back to TCM<br />
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Well, I have to say I was going to end this with a video from their show in Norfolk (my hometown) that I missed after I moved up to AK, but there is no video posted!! I mean, really? No one there even did one video? Aaaahhhh!! If I was there, I would have taken a video for sure!!<br />
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Oh well. Anyways, more updates on hooping and this performance coming soon!! Peace, love, light, and of course, hoops.<br />
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And I will be there for sure. Bought my tickets tonight. Can. Not. Wait. First real DJs I have seen since I have been in Alaska. I have been on a serious life high all day today over this. Bubbly, giggly, and just plain ecstatic. Ah... I LOVE YOU SCOTT AND KEN <3 <3 <3.Spin Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941343721056115758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5948970539283366556.post-75338181804736717992011-04-28T11:09:00.001-08:002011-04-28T11:15:19.541-08:00Tides of Emotion**Warning: Personal, emotional, deep, somewhat whiny, pictureless and possibly TMI post coming your way.**<br />
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There has been a lot going on in my life lately. A LOT. Maybe even too much. I have been doing some internal investigation and digging in my emotional life. For a majority of my childhood, I had emotional problems. I am not sure why; I had a loving family, great opportunities, friends, and everything a little girl could want (and more). To start, insomnia ran in the family and I had a lot of sleepless nights as an elementary and middle schooler. It is hard and draining for a young child to lay in bed all night for hours, thinking about things little children shouldn't (like death, family, love). It took a toll somewhat, but I got past it. <br />
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Then came the time when boy drama started to enter my life. Being the stick figure, undeveloped girl I was in my early teens, lets just say I didn't get much attention from the boys, if any at all. And if I did, it was definitely short lived. My heart was broken several times by misguidance, unloving treatment, and down right meanness. I became picky in who I even became interested in, avoiding most in fear of becoming hurt and broken again. <br />
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In high school, I pretty much just had girl friends and the guys that I had grew up with as friends, trying to just maintain a circle of friendships. Many times, both sexes of friends hurt me in countless ways. Maybe I was being a wimp. Or maybe I was just investing too much time, energy, and love into relationships I wasn't receiving anything from. Either way, I eventually shied away from a lot of people and became somewhat of a loner. <br />
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I got into a relationship with someone who I was emotionally and mentally involved with before we even became a couple. That was my first mistake. Take my advice: NEVER allow yourself to fall in love from a distance. You will literally be blinded by love, your own ego, and a made-up world of what-ifs. I took a lot of emotional beating in that relationship. Not to say that the whole relationship was negative; we had our good times and fun. I also learned a lot about myself, what I could/would tolerate, the things that I was looking for from a mate, and actually how low my self-esteem and confidence was really.<br />
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Never had I ever thought I wasn't a good person. I was an amazing student (graduated with honors and received the Dean's List in college), a hard worker (I had a job and have maintained one since I was 15), a great daughter (only getting in minor-teenage like trouble), a loving family member (spent a lot of my time with family even though friends were doing more fun things), a loyal friend (sticking by my word, doing anything and everything for my friends), and a deep, compassionate lover (giving my all and more to a relationship). But, those are just who I am. <br />
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Now, in this very moment, looking at the above descriptions, I realize I have left out possibly the most important aspect of myself: a self-caregiver. One personality that I have left neglected, pushed aside, and held down deep. I care about myself. If I didn't, I wouldn't pursue dreams, exercise, eat right, and look more things that make me happy. It just seems it is harder for my mothering-self to be expressive and to sometimes (at least) take the wheel. <br />
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It is funny that sometimes you find friends and guidence in places that you never thought you would; in an extracurricular class in college, inside a club bathroom, walking down a big city street after a rave, a random-come across link, a last minute state fair performance. Life and opportunities are everywhere. You just have to be present to find them.<br />
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In the past few years I have gone through a lot; debt, family crisis, truth findings, let downs, self-realizations, and created some emotional blockages. I had my great times too, though, creating an amazing group of friends from a not-so-coincidental meet-up in front of a closing down club in DC. That time period of my life is possibly one of the most spectacular. Some of the best and closest relationships were cultivated during that phase. As of recently, I have gone through huge changes. I have helped grow a long lasting relationship with someone I love deeply; moved 4,000 miles away from all the family and friends I had; changed careers/jobs; found new, influential hobbies; and ultimately have somewhat discovered the key and guidance to where I want to take my life and where, and especially who, I want to be. The most difficult part of all of this is finding the confidence and self-love to actually pursue and not let fear deter me from creating a life that I love and that I would be proud of; an adventure, crazy, fabulous-fueled life.<br />
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Too often we allow self-pity, depression, expectation, jealousy, and bitterness keep us from realizing our true self and inner purpose. Lately, I have been pretty depressed. Probably from numerous things; hormones, cabin fever, loneliness, and maybe even emotions/karma/the universe mentally preparing me and cleansing me in preparation for a life change. As I mentioned in a <a href="http://gypsyapologue.blogspot.com/2011/03/what-do-you-want-to-be-when-you-grow-up.html">previous post</a>, I have been reading a lot and taking resources from numerous life coaches online. The one that resonates with me the most is Tara of <a href="http://theorganicsister.com/">The Organic Sister</a>. Her posts sometimes resonates so deeply in me, that I literally get chills. I have been led to her site and her guidance for a reason; I just <em>know</em> it. In a lot of the posts on her site, it talks about changes. She discusses how life can throw all kinds of nonsense, darkness, ugliness, and otherwise unwelcomed situations and energies your way in preparation of something spectacularly life changing.<br />
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It is just hard to undergo extreme changes when you don't have a circle of friends to back you up. I love my boyfriend with all of my heart and I know he cares and loves me, too. But every woman needs a group of girl friends she can depend upon and connect with for support. I think that has been the hardest part of moving here and going through this wave of emotion. I love Alaska. I love every part of it; the beauty, the scenery, the outside opportunities. Just living in a place where it is difficult to make friends and where there is not much opportunity to get together with people, is just hard for me. I have always been somewhat of a social butterfly, wanting to meet and talk to people everywhere I go, inspired and interested in their uniqueness and their life. I think it is enlightening and detrimental in our development to have different social views and wisdom to help nurture our own beliefs. Sort of like receiving a well-round point of view of life.<br />
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There have been plenty of times I have been extremely happy lately, though. Like when I got <a href="http://gypsyapologue.blogspot.com/2011/03/my-new-love.html">Vera</a>, I was ecstatic. She is an amazing little soul and has taught me so many life lessons in the short time we have spent together. Or when I started to do hoop jams and people actually came. It gave me such a high on life that I hadn't felt in quite some time. It gave me that feeling that I was filled with whenever I was on the way to a rave, after dancing all night, and being "hung-over" with my boyfriend. That hunger of life and being full of happiness that I get from things like hooping, yoga, dancing, listening to soul-lifting music, art, and feeling connected with my partner. I realize that I have been very distant, depressed, and possibly even a little bitchy lately, and it hurts me. I want to love life. I want to love myself. I want to know that I am being the best lover that I can be. The need and want is there, just the steps to regain those positions is dwindling. The fire of life needs to be rekindled.<br />
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And with that, here I am. Feeling raw, lost, unsure, and anxious. There are so many goals and opportunities that I want to act upon, I just don't know where to start. Or even if I can. I know deep in my heart that my true purpose, my<em> soul </em>purpose in life is in conjunction with art/self-expression and it's connection to deepening spirituality and aiding in the search for our true selves. These "ideas" are so close to me that I can literally sometimes taste them; I see them in dreams, feel connections or "coincidences," have "ah-ha" moments, and even finding relativity in things that I otherwise wouldn't have associations to. So, I guess I just have to have faith that something <em>is</em> coming. Hopefully something seriously uplifting, spectacular, and life-changing. And if it isn't, oh well. I guess it just wasn't the time.<br />
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I know the opportunity for me to share what I have, find those who will assist and join me in life, and to ultimately create what I want so dearly will come. There is just the fact that you have to wait. Life <em>will</em> give you what you need in order to be happy; you just have to be willing and present to accept it all to unfold.<br />
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Thank you all who read this blog, who connect with my from distances that are unbelievable, and those who I have yet to connect with. The Universe weaves this crazy web of ups and downs called life. We just sometimes have to sit back and view the beautiful tapestry with out trying to attach to who is creating it.Spin Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941343721056115758noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5948970539283366556.post-50039855950028332892011-04-21T08:20:00.002-08:002011-04-21T08:30:30.961-08:00THE Coolest Stuffed AnimalsOK, so I LOVE stuffed animals. I used to collect them when I was a kid- I always chose the screwed up ones, thinking no one else would buy them and they would never have a home. For some reason, these furry little fluff-filled animals continue to pull on my heart strings. Maybe it is the associations I have with them and my childhood, or maybe I am just weak for cute furry things. I don't know. But, I still keep three stuffed animals on my bed to this day (would be more, but boyfriend draws the line currently at three). There had been no time for me to go through my suggested stores on Etsy lately, and as I was doing so yesterday, I found the coolest shop EVER.<br />
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Welcome to <a href="http://tanglewoodthicket.etsy.com/">Tangle Wood Thicket</a>:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLl9G3B6LNvpIe59FkyhPQdoIsi5qOBegWuAFxCHeZeBevvIgh90QA41069F8ei_Dda9dpXmVoGGC3CET1Gb9KGXCOcCtS3ZzMqrwKksGF8wIrxaOAGNCLzVyDf7KmraaWGiIWatodHGvw/s1600/baby+dragons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="395px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLl9G3B6LNvpIe59FkyhPQdoIsi5qOBegWuAFxCHeZeBevvIgh90QA41069F8ei_Dda9dpXmVoGGC3CET1Gb9KGXCOcCtS3ZzMqrwKksGF8wIrxaOAGNCLzVyDf7KmraaWGiIWatodHGvw/s400/baby+dragons.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dragon Pups</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcOU_czD7TeXtw-pSkkTb6KRyRFw9cSaBWGWeMXiCI069_Ezar5ylWJugcF8TdriWmd7qh5_Ii6LDj9H2pZ1FLgDJBnY9UDmEr2ifSViuBGXTUs3HYeBk6ErPEqxzJlRCbsVQm6rB7i45/s1600/baby+goblin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcOU_czD7TeXtw-pSkkTb6KRyRFw9cSaBWGWeMXiCI069_Ezar5ylWJugcF8TdriWmd7qh5_Ii6LDj9H2pZ1FLgDJBnY9UDmEr2ifSViuBGXTUs3HYeBk6ErPEqxzJlRCbsVQm6rB7i45/s640/baby+goblin.jpg" width="489px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Goblin</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbRudfFzkrXX4tyfswRd6_abh0jisaqDJaOEj9pYqd1dd3cZeAG52n25LiKvDx75IsmpAauIzwiD-NsFc896ghwEUcBX9rdKL8sVZt2I-qG1jijQ9IQBJ66jRLG2ECdltswCmQXuhdcbW/s1600/creature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbRudfFzkrXX4tyfswRd6_abh0jisaqDJaOEj9pYqd1dd3cZeAG52n25LiKvDx75IsmpAauIzwiD-NsFc896ghwEUcBX9rdKL8sVZt2I-qG1jijQ9IQBJ66jRLG2ECdltswCmQXuhdcbW/s640/creature.jpg" width="478px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creature</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjjt2fUzPATCTNq2eHRVMTuhV6PIlv28r-iQVS3XMK5FEwjUZLQdqFQbdsqjJfsSliX1NdaqSmNW1yU9y4LTjjVGTavZp6NPqVQXhKwBFgi1uGvJxj-QnccrcR9qIPLJmeYwHoZAt0P99/s1600/dragon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjjt2fUzPATCTNq2eHRVMTuhV6PIlv28r-iQVS3XMK5FEwjUZLQdqFQbdsqjJfsSliX1NdaqSmNW1yU9y4LTjjVGTavZp6NPqVQXhKwBFgi1uGvJxj-QnccrcR9qIPLJmeYwHoZAt0P99/s400/dragon.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dragon</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3FzD-eM8Emyi5TN3qt8-my0bUNXQ1kqUrpDXBSndsyY5XToc-2QrpHractED77E5LwwU4wiJ2UEzFLT6S-h3gEgJwBJ_Ay9nchvzy-I6VY-3P5d5CPoe794Q5sDKpvr4pq-9gbnI4vhH/s1600/dragon+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3FzD-eM8Emyi5TN3qt8-my0bUNXQ1kqUrpDXBSndsyY5XToc-2QrpHractED77E5LwwU4wiJ2UEzFLT6S-h3gEgJwBJ_Ay9nchvzy-I6VY-3P5d5CPoe794Q5sDKpvr4pq-9gbnI4vhH/s400/dragon+2.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dragon- My Favorite!! <3 Him</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncjyx47F6jsMtk5cl5NzOO2ebB1Ce_VHjF4656XXGSeVuXjo8hi9lhL4h8fBib0wG3ImyGy79jGoldLQgSTu8bXyl6tks92S8NRds6gIfAdu9mLhyphenhyphenGV7zqBmLeTp6ITYjvIRJYECuY1O6/s1600/goblin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncjyx47F6jsMtk5cl5NzOO2ebB1Ce_VHjF4656XXGSeVuXjo8hi9lhL4h8fBib0wG3ImyGy79jGoldLQgSTu8bXyl6tks92S8NRds6gIfAdu9mLhyphenhyphenGV7zqBmLeTp6ITYjvIRJYECuY1O6/s400/goblin.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goblin</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfHsUdZu0dkkDoITxyOrn6FfplRl0e3kcmdiFNM7jjdi7jC9qqN0MzJ0IhDhI5WWlDk1TDfS32wniZ2WtRT-H6t-eujbNotoDJd1sLLC9GngCzf3mJGycB1FSKCKGyQ0lIAPASxCHOjtS/s1600/goblin+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfHsUdZu0dkkDoITxyOrn6FfplRl0e3kcmdiFNM7jjdi7jC9qqN0MzJ0IhDhI5WWlDk1TDfS32wniZ2WtRT-H6t-eujbNotoDJd1sLLC9GngCzf3mJGycB1FSKCKGyQ0lIAPASxCHOjtS/s640/goblin+2.jpg" width="478px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goblin- This one reminds me of My Little Ponies for some reason.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEpmdUt7_TOGFooMurDKY_UAhJfPScMVQw4gRREweTAY5DwJJUMlOR6SNxZwg_NnfRparCdtXLdom76OSq34Dlg5tfkOImCTwkdJh8TGTYUOwoCAM722wUb_snjPXrNW7N2W_UmrGBPYk/s1600/winged+lion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEpmdUt7_TOGFooMurDKY_UAhJfPScMVQw4gRREweTAY5DwJJUMlOR6SNxZwg_NnfRparCdtXLdom76OSq34Dlg5tfkOImCTwkdJh8TGTYUOwoCAM722wUb_snjPXrNW7N2W_UmrGBPYk/s400/winged+lion.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winged Lion</td></tr>
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I posted all of the pictures larger so that you can see the exquisite detail that these creations entail. Under her descriptions, she says that all of her wool is dyed with koolaid or acid dyes. She needle felts these outrageous little creatures at her home in Canada. Check out her store. It is amazing. I would love to have one of these guys to royally take up my bed. How awesome would it be to wake up with a little dragon pup peering out at you from behind your pillow. Also note, that these are beautiful pieces of art and are intended for adults or mature children. That means no giving them to your slobbery toddler or stuffing them as the last-thing-on- top into your carry-on for a snuggly companion (as my poor rabbit has been so many times). **cheese**<br />
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Doesn't this post just make you all smiley and giggly? How could you not have a fabulous day after eyeing one of these ridiculously rad creatures?<br />
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(All photos and postings were taken with acknowledgement and permission from the artist- Thank you, Kasey.)Spin Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941343721056115758noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5948970539283366556.post-85980072711370182312011-04-19T19:37:00.000-08:002011-04-19T19:37:52.763-08:00Three Signs Spring is Here to Alaska1. More planes are flying around. A lot of people own small planes here. Mostly because some places you can only get to by boat or plane, and also because it is easy to travel when you have a plane!! I guess there is a lot more land here, too and people have places to build hangars and such. <br />
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2. Hearing your first goose. Seagulls have been out over top of the house, squawking like seagulls do. There are some birds that stick around during the winter, but not many. We set out a bird feeder and some chickadees decided to show up.<br />
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3. You swat your first mosquito. And these suckers are huge. Amen for homemade repellent and candles!!<br />
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<3Spin Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941343721056115758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5948970539283366556.post-12633265101968266082011-04-13T22:33:00.000-08:002011-04-13T22:33:49.039-08:00Morning Slokas to Assist in My Anti-Morningness<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am sorry- I do not know the origin of this picture and therefore cannot give credit to the artist</td></tr>
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I am NOT a morning person, let me tell you. For years my morning consisted of getting up just in time to barely get ready and make it to where I was headed. Part of this is due to the fact insomnia runs in the family. I had it really bad when I was in elementary and middle school. It got better when I found a miracle herb the summer before I started high school. However, my need to extend sleep hours and wake-up times after 12pm, prevailed. <br />
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Then, I met my boyfriend. In short, him being the manly, macho construction worker that he is, his wake-up times consisted of pre-dawn in order to get to the job site by daylight. At first it wasn't that big of a deal, but eventually it got old sitting up by myself, wasting brain cells on late-night, non-cable tv at three in the morning. So, I started to train my brain and my body to go to sleep earlier. This entailed pretty much waking up ridiculously early whether I went to bed at 10 or 2, ultimately leading me to be extremely tired for the first few weeks. My body, being the lesser of the two evils, gave into the struggle and talked my head into just going to sleep at a decent time.<br />
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Enter, yoga. Yes, my life enhancing, life saving companion. I was doing 1 1/2 hours of yoga three times a week for college and boy, could I tell a difference in my sleep patterns. My mind actually quieted down when I went to bed instead of racing in a million different directions. I have still had my ups and downs with insomnia, but with the combo of herb and yoga, most nights are full of deep sleep. (*Which, as a side note, I never really realized how even though I have suffered with insomnia and lack of sleep all my life, I have experienced dreaming deeper than most people who get regular sleep.*) <br />
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But, after all that, my mind still prefers to be a non-morning person. It literally takes me an hour to fully wake up and be functional. And I MUST have my coffee. And my blanket. I just cannot adjust to the coldness and unsnuggly atmosphere of non-bed. I need my blanket. Plus, the fact that my boyfriend got me this crazy awesome blanket for Christmas, I now live in that thing. So, I fell through a rabbit hole that eventually led me to The <a href="http://goddessguidebook.com/">Goddess Guidebook's</a> Morning Ritual <a href="http://goddessguidebook.com/morning/">e-book</a>. Somehow I always stumble upon things that lead me to other things, that then lead me to things I need in my life. Some of these rituals inspired me to create my own morning rituals.<br />
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Hence, (finally, ha!) the relation of this jabber to the blog post. I have been trying to incorporate more chanting into, not only my yoga practice, but my life. At one time I came across a poem that I enjoyed and finally found it again. It is a part of the Prata Smarana Sloka:<br />
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Samudravasane Devi Parvatastanamandale,<br />Vishhnupatni Namastubhyam Paadasparsham Kshamasva Me<br />
Translation: Oh Mother Earth, who has ocean as her clothing, mountains as her breats, and forests as her body, please forgive me as I touch my feet upon you.<br />
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Most of the translations I found are very loose, but I liked this one. Here is a link to the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jexgUYU0tQc">pronunciation</a>. This part of the chant starts around 1:52 and lasts about 30 seconds. This was one of the only audios of this chant that I could find.<br />
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I have also found myself taking my time in waking up, feeling my different body parts and taking a few deep breaths before I rise out of bed. I have also been going out on my back deck and taking in the morning while Pup does her AM business. I feel more in tune with the day and the energies it presents when I do this versus dragging my feet to my coffee pot and focusing on getting my dose of everyday caffeine. <br />
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So, what is your morning ritual?Spin Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941343721056115758noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5948970539283366556.post-61582859851824428762011-04-12T13:09:00.002-08:002011-04-12T13:32:06.469-08:00CSA Friday (Though it's not Friday)I got my first produce box from a <a href="http://www.localharvest.org/csa/">CSA</a> on Friday. Unfortunately, our <a href="http://www.arcticorganics.com/">CSAs here in AK</a> don't pick up until June and run relatively short to September. So to supplement my neediness for fresh and organic produce, I picked up a subscription to Full Circle Farms which is out of Washington state. Yeah, I know; Washington is pretty far away, BUT and this is a BIG BUT, when you live in Alaska... most of the produce, especially during the winter, is from the lower 48 and out of country. That is what happens when the ground freezes upwards of a few feet. Not too much can grow in there... hence the reasoning behind our short produce season. Washington, is however, the closest state, so I figured it is better getting organic foods from Washington than getting my apples and tomatoes from Mexico in an unsustainable way.<br />
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Being so super stoked, I could hardly sustain myself from digging into my box the second I got to work (which also happens to be the pick-up site). I had to wait an excruciating 5 hours before I could loving toss it into my truck and rip it open at home. The best part about it all was that I had a coupon that the awesome Full Circle peeps dropped off at Turkey Red for $15 off my first purchase. That really was the push that I needed to just go ahead and put in an order, something that I had been wanting to do for quite some time, but just never got around to it.<br />
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The deliciousness that was my box included: Klamath Pearl potatoes, red onions, Braeburn apples, Cara Cara oranges, a mango, snow peas, a tomato, a bunch of green kale, a bunch or arugula, a romaine lettuce head, a pack of baby spinach, and four juicy kiwis.<br />
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Another thing that is great about Fill Circle's subscription versus the other CSAs that deliver year-round here in AK is that Full Circle is customizable, meaning you have a list of exemptions that they won't ever include in your box and you can also specify items for that week that you don't want or want more of. AND... you can look at their list of green grocers that you can add items to like organic cheeses, butters, jellies, and meats.<br />
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I have made a few awesome goodies with the yums that I had in my box. Here is one delish greens recipe that I made the night that I got my box. Boyfriend is a somewhat picky eater and he loved them.<br />
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Sauteed Kale: 2 servings<br />
Ingredients<br />
3/4 lb Kale leaves and stems coarsely chopped<br />
1 tbs Olive oil<br />
A garlic clove minced or garlic powder to taste<br />
1/4 cup veggie stock (look for future post of how to make your own) or water<br />
Seasonings to taste<br />
Apple Cider Vinegar<br />
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Heat your oil up in a pan on med heat. Add your cloves of garlic (if using) and warm until nice and fragrant. Turn up to high heat adding the kale and your stock. Use a wooden spatula and coat the greens in the liquid. Watch out, it does splatter a little. This is the time to add your garlic powder if you aren't using a clove. Cover and cook on high for about 5 minutes. I uncovered and stirred a few times to make sure nothing was sticking so you can do so if you like. After the long awaited and smell-good wafting 5 minutes, uncover and stir until all the liquid have cooked off. Take off heat element and add your seasonings and vinegar right to the pan and toss to coat. I was raised in the south in which greens are usually smothered in vinegar so you can add as much as you like, if any at all. I added about 1 1/2 tbs, which isn't very much. You can also use red wine or balsamic vinegar if you don't like the pungent flavor of ACV. Serve with a meal loving cooked at home.<br />
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I also made some sinfully delicious baked apples:<br />
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Baked Apples: serves 2 (sorry no pics, they were eaten waaaaay to quickly)<br />
Guided lovingly by this Vegetarian Times <a href="http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/11279?utm_source=LowFat&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=LowFat">recipe</a><br />
Ingredients<br />
2 apples<br />
brown sugar<br />
cinnamon<br />
honey<br />
1 tbs corn starch<br />
walnuts<br />
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Cut your apples in half and scoop out the <a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Druids-Apple">star</a> in the middle with a big spoon. Add enough water in a baking dish so that the bottom is covered, then sprinkle some of your brown sugar in the bottom and the corn starch, mixing until the starch isn't clumpy. Add your apples, cut side face up. Sprinkle the rest of the brown sugar over and in the apples. Dust the apples with cinnamon. Squirt the honey on your apples a few times, making sure to add some in the water mixture. Cover and bake for 10 minutes in an oven set at 400. Then, uncover and bake another 15 minutes. I know, this part is really hard because the apples are smelling so freaking yummy that you want to gobble them down Right.Then. Take the apples out after the 15 minutes and place them in your bowls. Turn off the oven, but put the dish with the juices back in for about 5 minutes. This will thicken the sauce up like caramel. Drizzle the sauce over the apples and add the crumbled walnuts. The above ingredients list has no amounts because you have the choice to make this as healthy or as indulgent as you want. Add as much as your taste is calling. If you look at the recipe, it will give you some guidelines. You will also notice that I used honey instead of maple syrup- I didn't have any not realizing I had used it all in a cookie recipe before it was too late. I also didn't feel the need to use the lemon or the salt and I didn't feel like getting another pan dirty to cook the sauce on the stove. That is why I added the corn starch, to get the sauce thick like caramel without cooking more.<br />
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Hope you enjoy!!<br />
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And here is to some ridiculous cuteness to leave you with. My pup sporting her long, <a href="http://tungdog.com/">Brandy-like tongue</a>. See the resemblance?</div>
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Much <3 LOVE <3</div>Spin Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941343721056115758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5948970539283366556.post-3350317350381062932011-03-31T22:05:00.001-08:002011-03-31T22:13:27.304-08:00What Do You Want to be When You Grow Up?Within the past year or so, I have been thinking more and more about who I am as a person, a spirit, and a purposeful being on this planet. Most likely this has been from a deep study of yoga (physical and scriptural), growing interest in alternative living, and my hoop practice. Of course, I think one of the main theological questions among us is why am I here? It is normal to wonder where you are going in life.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edvard Munch "The Scream" depicting existential angst.</td></tr>
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The thoughts were really sparked when I happen to have a conversation with my Dad about some things last summer and he commented something like: "when are you going to get a real job (I was working as a doggie daycare sitter and office assistant at the time- now I still do the office there but I work as a waitress, too)? You are going to need a real job to buy a house and raise a family." You see, I don't want a "family." I love my boyfriend and after almost five years of being with him, if I was ever going to marry someone, it would no doubt be him. But, kids? Really? Nah. Not me. I'm not part of that middle class, two story, 2.3 kids statistic. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_La1Td-y1i7qzZIkVwVUZJ0Dzclf0wDAyiV-aYKfX1ssOsLtYvo_FZMIqaDTVwjD7-phCjuhJhR5TTc5WlhqttPmA1f8NMygMg0ofPnuK4ufOJKehqezt-gdDKy8h2hy85nHrdEKI91H/s1600/a5fatherknowsbestcast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="307" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_La1Td-y1i7qzZIkVwVUZJ0Dzclf0wDAyiV-aYKfX1ssOsLtYvo_FZMIqaDTVwjD7-phCjuhJhR5TTc5WlhqttPmA1f8NMygMg0ofPnuK4ufOJKehqezt-gdDKy8h2hy85nHrdEKI91H/s400/a5fatherknowsbestcast.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Father Knows Best</td></tr>
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Just got a dog a few weeks ago and that is pretty much like having a kid. Only your kid doesn't bark all day so the neighbors hear her or rip your trim off the door by some heroic feat. Ha... She is awesome, though.<br />
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But back on track here. I have thought about different "careers" since I was in college. I have a degree in Interior Design, unfortunately it is hard to get into the field unless you have experience and which if you are trying to get the job for experience, it obviously doesn't work.<br />
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So what do I want to be when I grow up? Well, my "dream" career, one that is not completely impossible, but probably isn't feasible- to own/create/run a wellness center with 2-3 studio rooms for classes (yoga, hooping, and others); a cafe/bakery with healthy, all natural, and organic foods and beverages; retail shop with candles, herbs, crystals, handmade or eco clothing, and upcycled/restored furniture along with other items; health consultants; and a general gathering room where people can meet, eat, surf the net, and have an overall place to establish community. My intention for real means of living would be to make clothes/accessories and then supplement my profits by teaching yoga and hoopdance classes. And maybe doing some painting and drawing, too. Pretty much just being an artist.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtg87DUOsxOCJeYfMRHhxPzEsBWweMxwyXZK8LkD-qGVXOdFMbyfKVBVvycZQSNDlWyoIf5MZ7RJPoXCc7YRVsgNjUf97BazUu194prQezSdiehSxvyv4JUZYgMYupf-JIbPqv4sLmg97/s1600/kkclass_0148_sm-200x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtg87DUOsxOCJeYfMRHhxPzEsBWweMxwyXZK8LkD-qGVXOdFMbyfKVBVvycZQSNDlWyoIf5MZ7RJPoXCc7YRVsgNjUf97BazUu194prQezSdiehSxvyv4JUZYgMYupf-JIbPqv4sLmg97/s400/kkclass_0148_sm-200x300.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KK Ledford, my yoga and spiritual inspiration.</td></tr>
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A lot of resources for "finding myself" have been popping up lately. I have been reading a lot from <a href="http://theorganicsister.com/">The Organic Sister</a>. She is an awesome chick who has a wise and unconventional way of living and helping others. Her posts are not only beneficial, they are also deep, though-provoking, and inspiring. Her recent posts have been really hitting close to home and it seems like a sort of <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=LKDCYN7FOfgC&printsec=frontcover&dq=river+and+joyce+higginbotham+paganism&hl=en&ei=sFSVTYPaMpTksQOt5aXZBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=page&f=false">page from the universe</a>. In addition to Tara's website, I have been watching videos from <a href="http://soulartstudio.com/">soul art studio</a>. Laura's story is amazing and she has a spectacular way of also helping people is a different way. I encourage you to <a href="http://www.soulartstudio.com/soul-art-secrets/">watch these videos</a> and really follow along with what she is saying. I just finished video 3 and want to do the <a href="http://www.soulartstudio.com/gallery-bodymapping.php">body mapping</a> project before I move on. It is almost impossible to ignore the words that these ladies are speaking straight to my spirit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWE0pAxmZV4Ay7M625cIufePjCsagBqxPFSFfULVrf9q3mlu08OQV4FTDOUusUrLwZgc3KQhek0WT1rNWKuPpxiZf3tPJP8D918lNJT4z1Qu-E1F1WJbT3kD1l3R5B9hI-lJqNY8h5UeB/s1600/unicornandpinkdragon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWE0pAxmZV4Ay7M625cIufePjCsagBqxPFSFfULVrf9q3mlu08OQV4FTDOUusUrLwZgc3KQhek0WT1rNWKuPpxiZf3tPJP8D918lNJT4z1Qu-E1F1WJbT3kD1l3R5B9hI-lJqNY8h5UeB/s400/unicornandpinkdragon.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Unicorn and the Pink Dragon- Laura from Soul Art Studio.</td></tr>
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I have had a lot of things going on in the last few weeks. Some positive, some not; even some life changing things. In addition to that, my boyfriend has been working out of town and it has given me more time to sit by myself and think a lot. Which could be good and bad. It helps I have a <a href="http://gypsyapologue.blogspot.com/2011/03/my-new-love.html">partner-in-crime now</a>, though.<br />
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It's funny because I have always felt I was self-expressive and true to myself, but the more I grow up and the more I explore internally, I realize I really have been nothing but the outside layers of my spirit; layers that have cloaked my true-self by my parents and those with whom I grew up around. I read Don Miguel Ruiz's book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mastery-Love-Practical-Relationship-Toltec/dp/1878424424/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b">The Mastery of Love</a> and he really explained in simple terms why most of us are the way we are. The book is really interesting and I recommend reading it.<br />
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In the coming months I plan on tweeking and experimenting with things in my life in hopes of becoming a more happy, fulfilled person. I am going to try to hoop more, do yoga everyday, enjoy one dessert a day, read, not work so hard, and stop dwelling on things I cannot change or do anything about in that moment. I will also <em>breathe</em> a lot more; in every stressful situation, before I go to bed, and anytime I want to just let out a sigh. Not only that, but I will paint or craft when I have the time. These things I want to do more of will not be all done at once, but instead be supplemented in and enjoyed when it is available. What's the point of stressing that I should craft more or practice hoop more if I am so mentally and physically exhausted and I don't feel like it, then beat myself up for it? Ah... just restating that intention and seeing it in words gives me such a release.<br />
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\My goals for doing a hoop class soon is still in the works. I am trying to find solidity and frequency in my practice before I am dedicating my hooping to others. I feel as if it would be more authentic and real. The <a href="http://www.centrichoops.com/p/events_09.html">hoop jams</a> are still definitely going on. I also talked to a regular at work today that I am very friendly with. He's an older guy, in his fifties, but he is trying to get back into photography. He started talking about how he wanted to broaden and fill his portfolio. I mentioned that if he needed some work that I would be willing to pay him a little if he came out and took some cool hoop pics for my website when the snow melts away. He said he would definitely be interested!! I gave him my website link and also told him to take a look at <a href="http://hoopcity.ca/">Hoop City</a> to get a good idea and possibly some inspiration from the photo gallery there; and to also get a real feel about what I meant when I said I was a hoopdancer...<br />
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So, lots going on. I am going to try to keep posting as much as I can. I really want to designate Sundays as recipe day so that I can post some of these yummy recipes I have been trying out lately!! New moon on Sunday. Perfect day to really set my intentions for the coming months. I think I might do a New Moon hoop meditation to charge it up a bit. Look for the post on the <a href="http://www.centrichoops.com/">website</a> as usual for hooping and the moon phases.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7d_5UiPyl4u01ajHpJklFudTu0K5u4mnojzUSI6vGKdc_vknUWdrUGo_Rrnq1IrdMu9fHlmZMW13UfqFQIg0Qc1iFZDqEsZt4DMntRp8jJ7e-HB8bZDTqROGWoxL1ZPFzh9XsDFa1mlK/s1600/medit.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7d_5UiPyl4u01ajHpJklFudTu0K5u4mnojzUSI6vGKdc_vknUWdrUGo_Rrnq1IrdMu9fHlmZMW13UfqFQIg0Qc1iFZDqEsZt4DMntRp8jJ7e-HB8bZDTqROGWoxL1ZPFzh9XsDFa1mlK/s320/medit.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>Spin Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941343721056115758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5948970539283366556.post-49817796611775554272011-03-25T20:51:00.002-08:002011-03-31T20:54:38.907-08:00Oh, it's a Dog's LifePics from taking my girl out on my day off.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjceilQCPRx89uPNNxusTchnj-8xZhFIFHHJiUt_pgEKaxPt6EwISjTpkKpnDUm6SnhAly4veG0lMx-KbewxykZG9JBOWgVnPIqwY0XfeG24AebdXTyVqbqeqvsfDM6b3wgzOblbzd95D0P/s1600/Vera+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjceilQCPRx89uPNNxusTchnj-8xZhFIFHHJiUt_pgEKaxPt6EwISjTpkKpnDUm6SnhAly4veG0lMx-KbewxykZG9JBOWgVnPIqwY0XfeG24AebdXTyVqbqeqvsfDM6b3wgzOblbzd95D0P/s400/Vera+013.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where we goin', Mom?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnSEfWjjRYYBbX0MUhKPODe5smYKoggQgBevItWCaP6p6vNKpyw7-J5Im19jhps6t29i00L_Iu_vZa7mAU8pre2MdyR2558qIqb-LhnkPTXNz2TFHs1Ldjj7Lz9tZduSzV1u62p3taEsc/s1600/Vera+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnSEfWjjRYYBbX0MUhKPODe5smYKoggQgBevItWCaP6p6vNKpyw7-J5Im19jhps6t29i00L_Iu_vZa7mAU8pre2MdyR2558qIqb-LhnkPTXNz2TFHs1Ldjj7Lz9tZduSzV1u62p3taEsc/s400/Vera+014.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay, we're going on a walk!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijSm0hpURB5ZfUPTu0Y3OwnusuKXu8WPX3VcoWXVX9nKkVdy-LFxA4eM_DHUNkWIbGxizbggeBeV9IalWUfK1cX77Sfy7dLM_b6pJH73Lf5bbK2sdN0B06ZZa7u39goDx-8NSw4TZ5TjM_/s1600/Vera+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijSm0hpURB5ZfUPTu0Y3OwnusuKXu8WPX3VcoWXVX9nKkVdy-LFxA4eM_DHUNkWIbGxizbggeBeV9IalWUfK1cX77Sfy7dLM_b6pJH73Lf5bbK2sdN0B06ZZa7u39goDx-8NSw4TZ5TjM_/s400/Vera+010.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the pagoda at the Iditapark</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpf0LJMOlG14g6cB_DDKzWfXLu30Enuhxmxfjt3M8kdX2ZhTaMcOV-HdTRLh7gjAQecFJfbZVn1KpQiIL3VEqsQ5qnUE4z3aYZeAOa-GaGDMVKnyQSG8oehyphenhyphenRzC2it-ztgeT2P9G9FHMo/s1600/Vera+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpf0LJMOlG14g6cB_DDKzWfXLu30Enuhxmxfjt3M8kdX2ZhTaMcOV-HdTRLh7gjAQecFJfbZVn1KpQiIL3VEqsQ5qnUE4z3aYZeAOa-GaGDMVKnyQSG8oehyphenhyphenRzC2it-ztgeT2P9G9FHMo/s400/Vera+011.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every day thing, how we hang how we hang...</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyC_y8TSsKjDSmig6VBUK9uFGdOF-6ckWGBkDduWMnSFVv3DGKedfkecfh8TZJJCV9KqEr7Uj-1ByFm0adiQuAUEd9sKbW_Q4K2GOzb5x5US_bknAzZE4ZGRdydAMnK6YKTFRt9npsCMtW/s1600/Vera+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyC_y8TSsKjDSmig6VBUK9uFGdOF-6ckWGBkDduWMnSFVv3DGKedfkecfh8TZJJCV9KqEr7Uj-1ByFm0adiQuAUEd9sKbW_Q4K2GOzb5x5US_bknAzZE4ZGRdydAMnK6YKTFRt9npsCMtW/s320/Vera+016.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not posing; I'm watchin' the guy play hacky-sack at the skate park.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBIVKOONJu577AKrg7ReXWonr4fcQzPRFNGjT174TFb5Ugv6hcCD-5u4O4IF33mb18b4D88ph2xGTZQ1uBhXDNgTuIYHu4cpJqKKEsSpqGl8PxPVl2IFjmvnQCW5e1zwQgs5mKkhXr-mC/s1600/Vera+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBIVKOONJu577AKrg7ReXWonr4fcQzPRFNGjT174TFb5Ugv6hcCD-5u4O4IF33mb18b4D88ph2xGTZQ1uBhXDNgTuIYHu4cpJqKKEsSpqGl8PxPVl2IFjmvnQCW5e1zwQgs5mKkhXr-mC/s400/Vera+012.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I still wanted to find the time to get inside my hoop...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6eB8RTbhrZCcbVWv3bty5BD6lZ5PamcrB8WkyUvjQSthrVW6HlfvI4hiwfhkAUr4V36-IdPa29R81gHbhdi76c8UvD5w4_Z_8X_guPPoASWRCrCMCpwaWmryVsb1Hjh5cyTxkgHgfjhIp/s1600/Vera+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6eB8RTbhrZCcbVWv3bty5BD6lZ5PamcrB8WkyUvjQSthrVW6HlfvI4hiwfhkAUr4V36-IdPa29R81gHbhdi76c8UvD5w4_Z_8X_guPPoASWRCrCMCpwaWmryVsb1Hjh5cyTxkgHgfjhIp/s400/Vera+017.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And eat some caribou dog in my kong.</td></tr>
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Spin Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941343721056115758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5948970539283366556.post-68094432675210080452011-03-15T09:37:00.001-08:002011-03-15T09:38:24.979-08:00My New LoveI haven't been online much lately, because I got a new doggie!! She came up on my boss's email (she is on a bunch of different email lists) for needing a new home and my boss said she would be the perfect dog.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfLXY8rtlMQbY2GtCEt0Ymia4wD957qB6B3HIiltfat9WtQMuBtuDStswrybF142YXK1a0a-8GHxWpk3uxGAStW3xqm372GE8cNAQVbAkg-tSVdVT2wbEAaHiqm2EAnyoyZTbvLUJCdvQ/s1600/Vera+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfLXY8rtlMQbY2GtCEt0Ymia4wD957qB6B3HIiltfat9WtQMuBtuDStswrybF142YXK1a0a-8GHxWpk3uxGAStW3xqm372GE8cNAQVbAkg-tSVdVT2wbEAaHiqm2EAnyoyZTbvLUJCdvQ/s400/Vera+002.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Her name is Vera; she is an Eurasier American Eskimo mix. She has been through a lot in her few years, but she has an amazing potential to be the best dog. It took her a little while to warm up to the both of us, especially Bill being so big and hunkering. She listens to us, knows tricks, plays well with our neighbor dogs, and can even be off leash in our backyard and not run away.<br />
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Today is day four and will be her ultimate test. I am going to work for about 6 hours and daddy won't be coming home a lunch to make sure she isn't getting into anything. Sunday we left her alone for a test run for a couple hours and she jumped up on our counter (how? I have no idea) and ate a 1/4 stick of butter. Luckily, that was all she ate considering some of the most toxic items were up there, too: grapes, potatoes, garlic, onions, and two chocolate chip cookies. <br />
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Yesterday she did better, only biting a little hole in the bread bag. We don't really want to have to put her in a kennel all day and would much rather let her roam the house while we are gone. That is what all the pets I have ever had did, though kennel training can be very beneficial. <br />
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Bill is going out of town today, again on Friday, and then all next week. Hopefully she will miss him and not be timid again around him when he gets home. She loves him though and I told him the more he did with her, the more she would love him. He has been taking her out for play dates, car rides, and play wrestling with her.<br />
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In the summer I am hoping to do some agility with her considering the amount of energy she has and how athletic she is (hello- 3 foot high counter top). More to update soon; time to go love on my girl before I get ready for work....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDppg2xZRWupXIK_JNXhS1y26aUDczcRmRrwirTpxWTNHfV4E_Ps_NiusHmNlgU0n2jzAS1edLVMlZeQbKbq4n-24-u3rLJJjBhg3bmovqjRM4p7VEkgk_bRCkuF8Bcy9gSOQKv4jw06fW/s1600/Vera+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDppg2xZRWupXIK_JNXhS1y26aUDczcRmRrwirTpxWTNHfV4E_Ps_NiusHmNlgU0n2jzAS1edLVMlZeQbKbq4n-24-u3rLJJjBhg3bmovqjRM4p7VEkgk_bRCkuF8Bcy9gSOQKv4jw06fW/s400/Vera+006.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Spin Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941343721056115758noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5948970539283366556.post-66155966472205446712011-03-10T12:52:00.003-09:002011-03-10T13:02:48.425-09:00Iditarod Update<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3x2N5LvELyElMiQ8bfLtGeQMT3WkAx4ttkFPNyXC8gjoO91wAPs_ha6giWrZ40Od9RLk0Riq98vkn5hVt1tNBFq6UkLyksN5GZSW215W4LNKQSpzDP-hIWs1-rP55y8eWtGrQSuBc6YbW/s1600/01_cov07_july20_02_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3x2N5LvELyElMiQ8bfLtGeQMT3WkAx4ttkFPNyXC8gjoO91wAPs_ha6giWrZ40Od9RLk0Riq98vkn5hVt1tNBFq6UkLyksN5GZSW215W4LNKQSpzDP-hIWs1-rP55y8eWtGrQSuBc6YbW/s1600/01_cov07_july20_02_01.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken from iditarodblogs.com.</td></tr>
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Found out this morning that my musher has scratched. Zoya Denure scratched from the race late last night due to one of her dogs collapsing. You can read the article <a href="http://www.adn.com/2011/03/09/1746672/musher-scratches-after-resuscitating.html#">here</a> in detail. I am sad to see her discontinuing, but I think she has a heart of gold. The fact that, even though she could continue the race and just leave the dog at the checkpoint, her concern and willingness to give up all the hard work her and the dogs have done to prepare for the race to watch over her sick dog is what mushing is all about.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABiXL2J-Z9qdzypSLOILLeIykW85amgJgvXsr6ji4gzKYGloodER6Ixut4FOgAZXHR1g1zo4ql-LBZBCD6UXny4bByJvWrlhzBoh7cVPiYDsGJjtxAPx_WNdsMW6Mt8ijIrw3BhDdQFKR/s1600/hunter-zoya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABiXL2J-Z9qdzypSLOILLeIykW85amgJgvXsr6ji4gzKYGloodER6Ixut4FOgAZXHR1g1zo4ql-LBZBCD6UXny4bByJvWrlhzBoh7cVPiYDsGJjtxAPx_WNdsMW6Mt8ijIrw3BhDdQFKR/s1600/hunter-zoya.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken from iditarodblogs.com</td></tr>
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Zoya is my favorite musher because she and her husband run a kennel for retired/given-up/rehomed dogs. I loved the fact that her teams consisted of shelter dogs and rescues. Yay for rescued puppies!! It says in the article that she is thinking about just running the shorter, couple hundred miles races instead of the Iditarod. I am on her side either way, but I would love to see her come back in a few years and place in the top ten or something.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7S4rdSI5J2fr36H4OHzpIq2hDMnjDu8V3PWUzuSOYMKidjSQ3KeIwwOelBY5LGO-Nhm7HSax_n4zZJ5bZPsdGWNaIiK6Tmg7lYr2gw2LubHBpNwfXbWqOuMMcjgjCRD5FodlgE-XDqKc/s1600/4426444828_443a6a0f89_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7S4rdSI5J2fr36H4OHzpIq2hDMnjDu8V3PWUzuSOYMKidjSQ3KeIwwOelBY5LGO-Nhm7HSax_n4zZJ5bZPsdGWNaIiK6Tmg7lYr2gw2LubHBpNwfXbWqOuMMcjgjCRD5FodlgE-XDqKc/s320/4426444828_443a6a0f89_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken from flickr- GipsyGold</td></tr>
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In other news, it seems that the Bordetella, aka canine cough, epidemic has reached the sled dog teams. Multiple mushers have scratched due to their dogs showing symptoms. It could be catastrophic if it spread down the trail, resulting in hundreds of dogs being infected. Bordetella has been rampant here for the last month, moving slowly up from Anchorage. Bordetella is a highly contagious sickness that is comparable to the human flu. Dogs get vaccinated for it just like we take flu shots, though his strand that is infecting the dogs is a new, stronger strand that the vaccine doesn't even touch.<br />
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As of last night, Trent Herbst is in first, but he has not taken his 24 hour layover (nor Kelley Griffin- my boss' good friend who is running with our mushing gear) unlike most of the other mushers in the top ten. It has been said that they are being very aware of their dogs health with this rumor of Bordetella and the conditions of the trail up ahead. They are taking their long layovers early, focusing on feeding, massaging, and loving on their dogs to keep spirits, and health, high.<br />
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So lets all keep the dogs and the mushers in our thoughts and send them all positive, healing energy to get them back home safe.<br />
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More on the Iditarod and other Kellyness to come later.<br />
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Oh, oh; I almost forgot. Have a <a href="http://www.hoopcity.ca/video/que-sera">new vid on Hoop City</a>. Check it out if you are interested. Nothing fancy, just some fun.Spin Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941343721056115758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5948970539283366556.post-80675227750062362802011-03-08T11:37:00.001-09:002011-03-08T11:47:22.071-09:00Iditarod- The Last Great Race on Earth<br />
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This past Sunday, Bill and I went out to Willow to see the restart of the Iditarod. Every year during Fur Rondy, the ceremonial start of the Iditarod takes place. I had to work on Saturday so I missed it, but I was glad I got to go up to Willow. I am going to tell you a little about the Iditarod, some misconceptions, and share some pics and vids that I took at the race. Note the dogs' reactions when pulling up to the start line, during the count down, and mushing away.<br />
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It all started in 1925 when the bush village of Nome was stricken with an epidemic of Diphtheria. With Nome being accessible only by plane and trail, it was up to the relentless dog mushers to carry the serum. Part of that same trail the original musher took is still a part of the Iditarod trail today. During the ceremonial start in Anchorage, the number one bib musher still symbolizes that fearless dog sled team who saved Nome.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jamaican Newton Marshall showing his lead dog some love. Something that I saw every musher do- run up and down their lines at the start, giving love to their team.</td></tr>
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Now, the race takes place every year with mushers who still have that same fearlessness. Teams from all over the world (Alaska, some states down in the lower 48, and seven international teams- Jamaica, New Zealand, Norway, and Canada) compete in the 1150 mile race across western Alaska. The race is a long adventure lasting over a week, with the fastest race time being 8 days 22 hours held by Martin Buser in 2002. These sled dog teams cross over some of the toughest terrain in the world; through deep forests, frozen rivers, freezing tundra, and over wicked mountains. There are checkpoints along the way that mushers check-in with and take breaks. There are also required layovers, one for 8 hours and one for 24 hours.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Musher handlers help keep the dogs from pulling so hard at the start.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lance Mackey, four time consecutive winner of the Iditarod.</td></tr>
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Woman have and still do race in this amazing feat: Mary Shields being the first woman to finish in 1974, Libby Riddles the first woman to win in 1985, and Susan Butcher winning the race four times (the record in 5 wins and 4 consecutive wins). This year 13 women are racing. <em>Now that is awesome. </em><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More sled dog love.</td></tr>
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A lot has been in debate over sled dogs and mushing over the last few decades. Abuse, neglect, horrible living conditions, and belief of "making the dogs" pull sleds are a few very misunderstood associations with dog mushing. Yes, you have your, excuse the word<em>, jackasses</em>, who do not understand how to run a kennel in the correct way like <a href="http://www.adn.com/2011/01/14/1648943/mat-su-dog-breeder-had-long-history.html#">this idiot</a> (as a side note here, for those that do not know, there is a LONG list of requirements, permits, and regulations that go with running a kennel. Here in Alaska they are trying to enforce these rules, sometimes not always as strict as they would like due to limited resources and man power. I do not agree with how the borough handles some situations like with that musher a few years ago. I do not stand by their decision to not only allow him to maintain his kennel, but to help him "down-size" is pretty much outrageous. This is just one of the very few extreme circumstances where people with little to no experience are building kennels for the wrong reason- for money and not for love). But, people who are truly into mushing for the right reasons take better care of their sled dogs than most people take of their pet dogs. For a dog team to be fit and able to run any distance, whether that be for racing, sport, or for fun, they must be in the<em> best</em> condition and health that they can be. It is very expensive to not only start a kennel, but to maintain one.<em> </em>The initial cost of even building a kennel can cost around $35,000 with monthly estimates being as high as $10,000. Now, for someone to spend that kind of money on dogs really have to love mushing and sled dogs.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dallas Seavey giving his team some last minute pets.</td></tr>
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Not only are sled dogs health closely monitored during the year, but at every check point dogs are looked over by highly skilled volunteer veterinarians who makes sure that all dogs stay in the highest of health. There has been dogs die during the race in it's history, but none of these to my knowledge were from neglect. I have a book by the famous musher Jeff King, who writes in his bibliography the devastation and sadness that came over him when he lost one of his dogs on the trail (if you are interested in reading a fascinating story about dog mushing and the Iditarod, check out his book: Cold Hands, Warm Heart). It does happen as in any sport that sometimes the athletes get hurt. Yes, sled dogs do die on the trail yearly, with the exclusion of last year's race where no dogs died. This, of course, is a field day for animal rights groups who, from the lower 48 mind you, want to pitch a fit about the race being full of abuse, neglect, and such. They obviously have never seen the race, nor stepped foot in a kennel (which I have been in numerous). These dogs are breed to live in the conditions they do, to run as far and as fast as they can, and to love every second of it. However, many mushers quit the race each year when they know that their dogs' health is in danger. Most likely causes for these deaths are the musher inexperience or freak accidents (as with what happened to King). The Iditarod committee has made the entries more intense, helping reduce the number of inexperienced mushers. </div>
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To make it very clear, sled dogs LOVE to run. These dogs were bread to run and have racing in their genes. If it wasn't for these great races such as the Iditarod and the Yukon Quest, these bloodlines would have been lost. If it isn't a dead giveaway watching these videos of the dogs lining up at the start line that running is their passion, I don't know how to break it down any simpler. My boss has three sled dogs and I am in an immediate position to tell you, there is nothing more that these dogs love doing than running (ok, well, they may love getting petted and a good belly scratch). And if it isn't evident how much these racers love their dogs, then I guess you haven't look deep enough at the photos. My words are words, but the emotion and pure energy that these photos display speak more words than I could ever write in this post.<br />
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If you would like more information on the Iditarod, check out the <a href="http://www.iditarod.com/">webpage</a>. Also, if you would like to follow along with the standings, meet the mushers, and see history and other great information, do some browsing on the site. Peace out.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random picture of me in the parking lot in front of a snow wall. The snow was piled up like this around the whole perimeter of the parking lot and also down the middle.</td></tr>
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<br />Spin Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941343721056115758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5948970539283366556.post-39537202046265244912011-03-03T09:30:00.000-09:002011-03-03T09:30:51.297-09:00New, New, NewI have been getting comfortable in my new job as a server and yesterday I had some of my own tables while training!! I think I did a pretty awesome job considering that it was only my third day. Friday will be the first "non-training" day and I will actually be able to make tips. I do, however, work this Saturday so I won't be attending Rondy, but at least I have off on Sunday and get to go out to the Iditorod start (yay!!). I am definitely going to take some pics and I plan on writing on a somewhat tough and confusing subject: dog mushing. If you do not live in an area where dog mushing/dog kennels are predominant, then a lot can be misunderstood. So I want to bring about some clarification.<br />
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Sunday's hoop jam was a pretty good success in my opinion. My neighbors came out and hooped for a while and some friends attended, too. I got my neighbors really excited about hooping and I think they are now more willing to recruit their friends to jams, classes, and workshops now that they have a taste of how truly awesome hoopdance is. I plan to extend the invitation to the public for the hoop jam at the end of this month, in hopes to gain some interest in classes. I am very excited. Check out my <a href="http://www.hoopcity.ca/photo/albums/february-hoop-jam">photo album</a> on Hoop City for the pics I took.<br />
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On another note, I have been working ridiculously hard on <a href="http://www.centrichoops.com/">my website</a>. I think I have found a layout and design that I am happy with. I am going to start doing posts and announcements so that people can become more involved on the site versus it just being static pages. I plan to add a little more oomph to it, but I am satisfied with what has become of it as of now. If you are a website designer or even html/code friendly and would like to give me any tips or tricks, I would sincerely appreciate it. I am not at all computer illiterate, but when it comes to coding, I am pretty lost. Thank god for google.<br />
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I wanted to share some pics and things from the Iron Dog that I went to a few weekends ago. I got so busy, but it is an amazing thing. It is a snowmachine race that starts out in Big Lake, paves the way for the Iditorod to Nome, then over to end in Fairbanks. All in all, the races covers over 2000 miles. And what is the craziest part? It takes about a week, the riders are required to takes a minimum of 50hours in breaks (spaced through out the race at specific check points), and their average speed in 90 mph. Yes, it is pretty insane. You can check out the website for the <a href="http://www.irondograce.org/">Iron Dog</a> to get a better view of the extent of the race, see the map (go 5o "for race fans" and click on map and checkpoints), and even check out the racers. Bill wants to do the trail team (which is a group of riders that just takes the trail to Nome and isn't in the competing group) next year. If I had more experience on snowmachines, I would, but it is pretty hardcore going out there this time of year.<br />
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So here are some pics I took that I never got a chance to post.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill and I <br />
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And here is a random pic of me on the snowmachine when we were out at the cabin last weekend. It was cold and blustery, so I am all geared up to the point I feel like Ralphie's brother in A Christmas Story haha.<br />
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And as a side note, the boots I am wearing are waaaaay too big. I know they look like clown boots, but they are good for -60 degrees and when it is freezing and your riding on a snowmachine, you DON'T want your feet to be cold, so I borrowed Bill's bunny boots. Interesting thing about bunny boots: they are a huge accessory up here in AK for the winter months, especially for things like dog mushing, snowmachining, and any outdoor work during the winter. They were originally made for US soldiers to use when dropping out of air planes. For more info check out the wiki page for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunny_boots">bunny boots</a>. There, a short history lesson of AK :).<br />Spin Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941343721056115758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5948970539283366556.post-69616318303259044282011-02-27T09:46:00.001-09:002011-02-27T09:50:36.718-09:00Off the GridOver the weekend we went out to our friend's cabin for a few day get-away. I had been up there before, but this was the first time I was to actually stay at the cabin. Ahh... it was GREAT.<br />
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It is pretty much as "middle-of-nowhere" as you can get without driving a long way, north two hours by car and west an hour by snowmachine. I LOVE riding on the snowmachine and haven't been able to go out much this winter. We haven't had a good amount of snowfall around here until recently. Up north, they have quite a few feet of snow, though a lot of it has been compacted from the warmer temps and wind.<br />
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We left early on Friday to go out, gathering all of our stuff to load into the snowmachine sled, and off we went. It is a beautiful drive, normally, but grey skies filled our driving view. Clear skies were in the forecast, so it was only slightly disappointing that we didn't get a good view of the mountain.<br />
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Halfway down the off-road, the sky became crystal clear. It was amazing how within just a few miles, the sky could go from the dreary "ruin my good weekend" to "hello blue skies." We, then, even got a small peak of the top of Denali (Mt. McKinley).<br />
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The ride in was not bad, as we both had on enough gear to probably sustain us at about 30 below. Even with temps in the positive, if we happen to run into wind, with the wind chill it could drop the temps to 5 or 10 below, which is cold riding on the back of a snowmachine!!<br />
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Our friend's cabin sits on a nice lake about 50 miles off the main highway that runs north to south here in AK. It is a nice little two room cabin about 40x40 with a loft, kitchen, and a nice large hoopable living room (look for the cabin hooping clip in my up-and-coming 1 year Hoopiversary vid). Being so far off from the main highway, the cabin is completely off the grid and self sustainable, no running water or electricity. And yes, that means so toilet or shower. Hell-o outhouse :). When you go out there to stay, you tote enough water in jugs that will last for the length of stay. The cabin is heated with a wood stove that keeps the place nice and toasty; way warmer than even our heating system at home (and cheaper!!). It is, however, furnished with a generator for if you want to watch the TV and propane for the stove and non-powered lights.<br />
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It was great to go out and not have to worry about anything, just the two of us. There is only two other cabins out on the lake, so we weren't expecting any company. The guy who has a house across the lake is also a friend, but he wasn't there. He actually lives out there in a real house and not a cabin. He is also completely sustained on a wind turbine that generates his electricity and charges up these huge batteries that turn on the generator if he is using more power than the wind turbine is creating. His place is AMAZING. He has a complete view of the Alaska Range out of his living room window. Since this lake is out in the middle of nowhere and only accessible by snowmachine or four-wheeler, he owns a plane in which he flies back and forth into town when he wants. He invented this thing called Mr. Funnel which extracts water from gas in air crafts and has become a multi-millionaire off of it, hence how you has all of this stuff.<br />
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We came back pretty early because the temperatures were supposed to be in the negatives and we wanted to make sure our old truck was going to start up. Anytime a temp is in the negatives, it takes a lot more energy to start anything, including the snowmachine, and with my hoop jam going on today, we didn't want to get stuck being there is no cell service out there.</div>
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With this new job I just got, I thought this may have been the last weekend we could do anything if they started putting me on the weekend. My BF might be having some out-of-town jobs which would keep him away during the week and only home on the weekends. Hey, at least the new job is closed on Sundays, so I will always have that day I can spend with him. He enjoys working in remote locations, so as long as he is happy, I am happy.<br />
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The days are starting to get longer (it is actually light when I get up <em>and</em> when I get off work!!) and I can just taste the spring coming. I. cannot. wait. There is much to do this summer and I can't wait to get started.<br />
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So the Hoop jam is today and I am so excited. Hopefully I will have a good turn-out. I also have pics from the Iron Dog I am going to post. Next weekend is the start of the Iditorod and I will definitely have some pics and good information on dog mushing. Have a great week everyone!!Spin Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941343721056115758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5948970539283366556.post-51363344891439234232011-02-17T11:01:00.000-09:002011-02-17T11:01:24.020-09:00Updates in KellyLandI am finally getting settled into our new place, finding our some-how accumulated crap a home. It was definately a chore to get everything situated. It is completely amazing how much you can aquire over a year. The place is nice, though we have had a few problems here and there (living without water for three days sucks!!). <br />
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Over the weekend, my boyfriend made us a big table to put in our craft room. That means I can now start to work on those projects that I have been dying to resume on my sewing machine!! I also have some goodies I am working on for my <a href="http://spingypsyshoppe.etsy.com/">shoppe</a>, which include some awesome gypsy hair accessories. Yay. I wil post a pic of the ones I am making for myself soon.<br />
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I am still in the works of trying to get some stuff started with hooping. I have been dealing with some personal issues lately and have thus made me somewhat slacking on doing anything. The hoop jam is still on, though no one has really gotten back to me. I only invited friends out for this one and am in the planning stages of creating a nice flyer to disperse for the upcoming jam in March. It is kind of hard living in such a small place and not having very many friends (a result of a small town where there is nothing to do, meaning it is VERY hard to meet people and make friends). This was one reason I wanted to get something started with hooping, in the hopes I could not only give myself a place and opportunity to meet people, but also present the same for others. I am keeping my fingers crossed for it all to fall into place.<br />
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Tomorrow (or well late, late tonight for us Alaskans) is a Full Moon. This February Full Moon's focus is for advancements and personal achievements; sounds like exactly what I need. Not only is the Full Moon pulling my way in this aspect, but opening in Leo, this gives it extra oomph for the ushering in of new desires and adventures. With all this Lunar alignment, our sun entering into Pisces (a time of release and guidence), and the start of the Celtic Ash month (time to for action and manifesting change), it seems like a perfect night to do a dedicated hoop Moon practice. I really need all this positive energy the Universe is feeding out to all of us tonight/early tomorrow. It is literally FREEZING outside (single digits), but supposed to be clear, so I have to woman up and go outside tonight for a sesh under the Full beautiful Luna, atleast for the beginning. I am going to infuse my practice with this intention of changing my life to start creating one I am blissfully happy in (which I am very close to, mind you). <br />
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Another "happy-go-lucky-insert-personal-name-for-fate-here" act has landed me a second job!! After the move to the new shindig, I had been looking for a supplement job to give me some extra spending cash (hello vacation and yoga teacher training fund) and to also help pay more into our doubled bills. I have been sending out resumes to all of the locally owned restaurants around town (no big business for me; sorry Chili's and Red Robin) and no one is hiring. I understand, it's freaking winter. So anyways, I wanted to go to this awesome restaurant I had heard about for my birthday that have a lot of local, organic, seasonal, and made-from-scratch food. With the move, extra expenses to buy needed stuff, and the like, I didn't feel right on spending a quite bit of money on dinner instead of buying things we needed for the house (like baking supplies, hell-oo). So we skipped out.<br />
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Well Bill asked me last week if I wanted to go to this place for Vday, which we usually don't do anything for to go against the brain washing of the country during this time (oh, if you love her, you'll spend your entire pay check on some diamonds some poor 8 year old kid dug out of a crummy and dangerous mine somewhere). But, I couldn't resist going to this place so I agreed. Well, funny thing, his mom sent us a gift card to this fancy smancy place down in Anchorage that has the best food and we thought "what the hay- let's cancel our reservation and try to go to this place." I called gift-card restaurant and they were full. So we went with going out to the original place.<br />
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So we get there and lo and behold a much needed sign from the Universe was staring myself in the face at the door: "Server Position Available." Well, I be damned. The whole time during our Vday dinner, I am talking about trying to get a job at this place. I am sure Bill was annoyed (well, I know he was when he told me to stop talking about it LOL). Anyway, to make a short story long, I turned in a resume that night (had extras in my car from all the job searching), made the follow-up call the next day, had an interview yesterday, and got the job!! I was so happy, considering the place is right in line with my values being an environmentally aware establishment and all. I am meeting with the scheduler sometime in the next few days to figure out my training. Hopefully, this will work out. It is only part time for the current until business picks up in the spring, which is PERFECT because I still get to keep my doggies at the daycare (which BTW I have an awesomely cute video I am going to share in an upcoming post to show everyone a few minutes of what it is like at my job). So send me those much neede postive vibes out there.<br />
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This weekend, along with much needed stuff I am avoiding (taxes, PFDs, cleaning), Iron Dog is going on up in Big Lake and we are planning on making an appearence for. It's supposedly a big thing, so hopefully it will be fun. I am taking the hoop in hopes of running into some other hoopers, though I am sure it is going to be freezing, therefore making it somewhat hard to do anything in a million layers of clothing. I am taking the camera, so maybe I will have some pics to post next week if I don't bum out (which is possible haha).<br />
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Well happy Full Moon to you all and until next time...Spin Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941343721056115758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5948970539283366556.post-47732595233879854012011-02-03T09:27:00.000-09:002011-02-03T09:27:03.375-09:00How to Keep a Dream JournalI have been studying my dreams since I was a little girl. Dreamwork has been something that is very interesting to me. A very sure way to help you in your dreamwork is to keep a dream journal. Recording, reading, and analyzing your dreams can aid in the advancement of dreamwork. The beauty of becoming conscious in your dreams is that once you are lucid, you can begin to work with fears, addictions, problems, etc. within your subconscious. This then can overflow into your waking life. So, I wanted to share here how to keep a dream journal. Though there are numerous sites to aid in keeping an organized dream journal, such as <a href="http://dreamjournal.net/">dreamjournal.net</a>, I highly advise to use a paper journal, then entering it into a web-based one. Memory is deepened by writing; they say that the brain is more cognitive when not only are your hands processing the thought, but your eyes and ultimately your mind are then also assisting in this process.<br />
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<u>Key Components of a Dream Journal:</u><br />
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-a book, notebook, or journal that is small enough to fit on a bedside table, on the floor, or under your pillow. It could even have a dream or sleeping theme to it like my Hello Kitty dream journal.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpcpcCD8fAEP7Uf576EQuhlfqnRo5jTJymTU3gx3BcCfyndjYgcPhhG9ZNzepqjNm3bLWHFNoSSBXi2F6Mzrhzpg9el2c34E4rXhtYN5eBFpOnO8G-LnjddQNJ2ZnnKL7uw-coGqasFhjl/s1600/dream+journal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpcpcCD8fAEP7Uf576EQuhlfqnRo5jTJymTU3gx3BcCfyndjYgcPhhG9ZNzepqjNm3bLWHFNoSSBXi2F6Mzrhzpg9el2c34E4rXhtYN5eBFpOnO8G-LnjddQNJ2ZnnKL7uw-coGqasFhjl/s400/dream+journal.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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-a book light. Even if you have a night stand light, I highly recommend a book light. The reasoning behind this is because a bright light can not only interfere with recollection, it can also hinder your ability to go back to sleep.</div>
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- a pen, of course, to record (duh haha). Make sure that you have a good working pen. It really stinks sometimes if you are trying to write down details of a dream and your pen won't work, causing you to loose important information.</div>
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<u>The Entry:</u></div>
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-first thing in a journal entry is write the date. I usually use a format like 2/2 pm (which would be last night) or 2/3 am (which would be this morning). If you are unsure whether you dreamt a dream last night or this morning, it doesn't really matter. This is just the way that I have always kept my entries. You can always begin writing and then come back to this step. It's up to you.</div>
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- next begin to tell the dream as far at the beginning as possible. You don't need to write in sentences like a story, sometimes it will come to you like a stream of consciousness. If it doesn't make sense, that is fine. After writing the entry, we can go back and try to make sense of it all. Be sure to include ALL details, no matter how minuscule or unimportant they may seem; these can be the ones that really mean something. Also, if something seems odd in your dream, like you are eating dinner and you are sitting at the left side of the table and then, in the next sequence, you are sitting on the opposite side, write it.</div>
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-describe your feelings. Begin with your feelings inside the dream. Were you scared, aroused, confused? Try to best describe them. Then, write your feelings when you woke up. Many times these feelings are different, even opposite. If you have no remembrance of strong feelings, make a note.</div>
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-go back, re-read the entry, and make as much sense out of it as possible. Sometimes when you go back and read an entry (even in the future!!) you will recall something else. I have even had flashbacks of a dream later in the day that I didn't remember upon waking. Record that if at all possible. It doesn't hurt to have some journal to record things in your life everyday, in this you can record any dream recalls you may have during the day. The mini sketch books that you can get work wonderful for this.</div>
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-organize or re-record your entries. If desired, you can also go past this point and then record in a large three ring binder or in an online journal. That way it will look neater and you can even sometimes find specific dreams, if you organize them in that way. I know when I record my dreams sometimes, it can be very illegible. Re-recording can not only help this, but also building up recollection by yet again writing the thoughts.</div>
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<u>Ways to increase Lucidity:</u></div>
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Lucid dreaming is realizing within a dream that you are actually dreaming. This is also called dream waking. Practicing lucid dreaming can sometimes become frustrating, as it can be hard to achieve lucidity, especially if you are overwhelmed, stressed, or depressed. Here are some ways that will help you recognize and achieve lucidity (this is taken from an entry on lucid dreaming I wrote on hoop city).</div>
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-be conscious of everything around you in your everyday life: look at things more closely; remember the placement of furniture, items, pictures<br />
-flip light switches on-off a few times (light switches usually do not work in dreams)<br />
-study your hands (this is a big one- a lot of times your hands look monstrous. I remember the first time I trained myself to look at my hands in a dream- crazy!!)<br />
-repeat to yourself a lucid dreaming mantra before bed. A few are "I will be conscious in my dreamstate," "I ask to be aware within my dreams," "please allow me to recognize my lucidity tonight," etc.<br />
-the best times for lucid dreaming are a) times when you are usually awake but continue to sleep and b) right after briefly waking up.<br />
-take the time to research dreams if this is something you are interested in.<br />
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On a side note, these are only <em>suggestions</em>. In no way is this entry supposed to be taken in literal sense. This is just my way of journaling. Please take from this what appeals to you. If you have other suggestions or ways of recording dreams, comment!! I would love to hear about it. <br />
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Here, I leave you with some interesting words in the book from Ram Dass I am reading (and, wow, does he touch on a lot of subjects that are occurring in my life right now).<br />
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<em>Another way to understand the space you approach through meditation is to consider dreams. Perhaps you never experience awakening from a dream within a dream. But when you awaken every morning, you awaken from a dream into what? Reality? Or perhaps another dream? The word "dream" suggests unreality. A more sophisticated way of saying it is that you awaken from one relative reality into another.</em><br />
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<em>We grow up with one plane of existence we call real. We identify totally with that reality of absolute , and we discount experiences that are inconsistent with it as being dreams, hallucinations, insanity, or fantasy. What Einstein demonstrated in physics is equally true of all other aspects of the cosmos: all reality is relative. Each reality is is true only within given limits. It is only one possible version of the way things are. There are always multiple versions of reality. To awaken from any single reality is to recognize its relative nature. Meditation is a device to do just that. - Ram Dass Journey of Awakening</em><br />Spin Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941343721056115758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5948970539283366556.post-42416276461991741312011-01-25T22:11:00.002-09:002011-01-27T10:54:23.350-09:00Living Psychedelically<span name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">Some of you may be questioning my judgement on writing a post titled as such, but I would like to change the negative association that the word <em>psychedelic </em>has tagged along side of it. I am practicing living in an almost constant state of psychedelia or "mind expansion" as I will also refer to it as. Ever since I have been enhancing my life with the wonderful arts of yoga, meditation, and hoopdance, I have ultimately expanded my senses, or sensory enlightenment, if you will. These three major parts of my life have loving guided me to change the way I perceive the beautiful world around me. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSXtpjJMnuahyphenhyphen7VqzbpK-5pTknIz27p9tXBUMwhRDrjM6POQTrGUx2wZCyvTqkt6A-Gldw7920s7Tgq8MYDvZLTkTG-7e6v97VmHsirK-Tbpm_tkzeTT0BCE5rv6On2VWMbJ6L4PhEmII/s1600/tree-leaf-fractals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="323" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSXtpjJMnuahyphenhyphen7VqzbpK-5pTknIz27p9tXBUMwhRDrjM6POQTrGUx2wZCyvTqkt6A-Gldw7920s7Tgq8MYDvZLTkTG-7e6v97VmHsirK-Tbpm_tkzeTT0BCE5rv6On2VWMbJ6L4PhEmII/s400/tree-leaf-fractals.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree fractals from <a href="http://webecoist.com/2008/09/07/17-amazing-examples-of-fractals-in-nature/#">WebEcoist</a>. Check out the article of nature's fractals</td></tr>
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<span name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">I began early on in my yoga practice to just "see" things differently. When I look up in the sky, I don't just <em>see </em>clouds, I <em>feel </em>them, I get lost in them (which is one reason why I cannot sky gaze while driving). I notice their colors, their texture; to me they are like little nature souls dancing lazily through the atmosophere. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZIXgk5bd8lYuSDUFTojB5fq8Ht2RhLCPk4ywS328w-qt77O0LCi37HJIyB7bGDXJmlJNGuyYc3lzyebqnUKcnW2DM2eB802cGEt5jJyo11eP7Ajx2HfZsAAV1vH5OoC7UBBXeWP2IWNf/s1600/blog+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZIXgk5bd8lYuSDUFTojB5fq8Ht2RhLCPk4ywS328w-qt77O0LCi37HJIyB7bGDXJmlJNGuyYc3lzyebqnUKcnW2DM2eB802cGEt5jJyo11eP7Ajx2HfZsAAV1vH5OoC7UBBXeWP2IWNf/s400/blog+011.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Over the Hay Flats 2011</td></tr>
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<br />
<span name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">Now, this is just some random example, but I try to view every passing moment (in which I am aware- which unfortunately is unrealistic to take place in <em>every</em> moment) with the utmost sensory perception. I recognize certain events or actions as a gracious gift from the Divine or the cosmos and take that moment to just relish in the beauty that is <em>life</em>. I feel special, even honored to have experienced whatever it may be.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuc33N2N4rad5ne1dvFDMHeV58PoANQDa2nZ_NGaeyxQvHWpOCp5Bu1r5xvjt615TPH1zeKzp8od1HUu2f4RhrlDzDTfmSqPp9DgGhesmKQGMoKh_mgk1W8XZlsu_6GfXMURcwwFJfb4H/s1600/gaia+alex+grey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuc33N2N4rad5ne1dvFDMHeV58PoANQDa2nZ_NGaeyxQvHWpOCp5Bu1r5xvjt615TPH1zeKzp8od1HUu2f4RhrlDzDTfmSqPp9DgGhesmKQGMoKh_mgk1W8XZlsu_6GfXMURcwwFJfb4H/s400/gaia+alex+grey.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gaia by Alex Grey</td></tr>
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<br />
<span name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">You see, this is a wonderful way of living. Not only does it help you not to take things for granted, it pushes you to be present and to be thankful for all that you have, no matter how big or how small. You begin to feel a constant divine presence wherever you go; like everything is given only and directly to you. The tiniest little thing like a rain shower that spreads irridescent little globes across your windshield or the dry snow that leaves perfectly formed miniature snow flakes on your jacket; these things would normally just be brushed off, but why would you brush them off? They have been given to <em>you</em>. Everything has a reason and a purpose. Why not take in with the amusement of perhaps that perfect snowflake was made exactly for you; a divine gift, so to speak. A way to feel the ultimate connect with you and your universe.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AKLDpOiMZ62WzaS7v9vwBmLFDqp3d3jow7Yzav9nY__rzl_ic6EUZD0njeK5uwSdmDCUFNxhIXngjEBrxuQTQ81GAOKseyPXeLDb04yT0dV9phlykMHdjHI__i9TMCobASQND_rXBFl3/s1600/book-of-books+vladimir+kush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AKLDpOiMZ62WzaS7v9vwBmLFDqp3d3jow7Yzav9nY__rzl_ic6EUZD0njeK5uwSdmDCUFNxhIXngjEBrxuQTQ81GAOKseyPXeLDb04yT0dV9phlykMHdjHI__i9TMCobASQND_rXBFl3/s400/book-of-books+vladimir+kush.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Books of Books by Vladimir Kush</td></tr>
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<br />
<span name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">We are constantly using terms like "man, that was trippy" or "wow, that outfit is intense" or "dude, you just tripped me out with that," when we are referring to these experiences as being enhanced, distorted, or euphoric. These can all be misunderstandedly taken as a connection to drugs, but that is really NOT the reference. Yes, people experience a lot of things during or after having done drugs, specifically hallucinogens, but that is not what <em>living psychedelically</em> has to do with at all, as you may very well understand.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQtlLq3mXIFFoBhkBpYPRIapz1oxjAqZOY8zbEAtL5jrF0qzThQQ7GEzzd5WC8Jav_vcv6bN_IUJOI9FNE_PEWYe1R6d4zdYHERj6nngVL2xalpKjH8KipLt1vWPi23GEm22iV5qs9QkB/s1600/opart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQtlLq3mXIFFoBhkBpYPRIapz1oxjAqZOY8zbEAtL5jrF0qzThQQ7GEzzd5WC8Jav_vcv6bN_IUJOI9FNE_PEWYe1R6d4zdYHERj6nngVL2xalpKjH8KipLt1vWPi23GEm22iV5qs9QkB/s400/opart.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Op-Art</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">So my challenge to you is to try to be more sensorially aware in your life. Begin to notice things; start with the minute, most irrelevent things or situations in your life and see if you can actually <em>sense </em>them. What I mean by this is actually try to perceive things, not only with your eyes, but with your <em>mind</em>. Really <em>see </em>things and associate things with your <em>soul</em>.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxuULZJ70cI9foled0Tkc_yggfiGhUsV3mTcYS9I5HiaILcVY5X2ZHpUwX5ZtlHFDfv12Ey-ImuQTt7jQCXbIaGolVF25Z4kAO-kqxjIQLYN2pjn94U8pLJjDIIlPnHd5xwCgK58Pj3cc/s1600/vladimir+kush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxuULZJ70cI9foled0Tkc_yggfiGhUsV3mTcYS9I5HiaILcVY5X2ZHpUwX5ZtlHFDfv12Ey-ImuQTt7jQCXbIaGolVF25Z4kAO-kqxjIQLYN2pjn94U8pLJjDIIlPnHd5xwCgK58Pj3cc/s400/vladimir+kush.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Departure of the Winged Ship by Vladimir Kush</td></tr>
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<br />
<span name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">I love that a definition of <em>psychedelic </em>is "soul manifesting," because, well, living life in awareness is allowing your soul to manifest through experiences. The next time that you hear someone refer to something as being "trippy" or "psychedelic" ask yourself this question: is this a moment in mine or this person's life that is allowing me to truly let my soul <em>manifest</em>?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2m_ZI2kTwZJLNHNkymXV5OcyFHjMo4mzMbdn_pP-THc96L-ueOZRQZTHm6HmvhcfZke6oiebvHjv0zm5AkAGcFukL5qx92rLDQNUpSUuFXuytXcXhX88c2DyUlD03Uj70lQogwW1GCRA/s1600/The_Persistence_of_Memory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2m_ZI2kTwZJLNHNkymXV5OcyFHjMo4mzMbdn_pP-THc96L-ueOZRQZTHm6HmvhcfZke6oiebvHjv0zm5AkAGcFukL5qx92rLDQNUpSUuFXuytXcXhX88c2DyUlD03Uj70lQogwW1GCRA/s400/The_Persistence_of_Memory.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Time is never of the essence. </em>The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali</td></tr>
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<br />
<span name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">Think about that. Remember that <em>true </em>psychedelia has nothing to do with drugs. <em>You</em> and <em>you</em> alone have the power and opportunity to grace your life with psychedelic experiences. I think our souls may be trying to tell us something...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMA9LGd7RG1azb6A1w-A4couhFUvZ0CAshhAsh2M7OlTekxA2s5Pv6wyD-FdXqwGz2LXXny0yhBlermg8UshQuWTg1oK9zkrHGyXmKSAZZBb6prIQCeJMBn6BLEaCSq-VO5Fz1BEawwvfr/s1600/dali-swans-reflecting-elephants1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMA9LGd7RG1azb6A1w-A4couhFUvZ0CAshhAsh2M7OlTekxA2s5Pv6wyD-FdXqwGz2LXXny0yhBlermg8UshQuWTg1oK9zkrHGyXmKSAZZBb6prIQCeJMBn6BLEaCSq-VO5Fz1BEawwvfr/s400/dali-swans-reflecting-elephants1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>But, what do <strong>you</strong> see? </em>Swans Reflecting Elephants by Salvador Dali</td></tr>
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<br />
<span name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">And speaking of psychedelics, check out this <a href="http://www.grainsofearth.com/12-exciting-pancake-ideas/">post</a> of a truly psychedelic breakfast. Stephanie, who is one of the contributors to the site, was awesome enough to mention my <a href="http://spingypsyshoppe.etsy.com/">shoppe</a> in one of her <a href="http://www.grainsofearth.com/made-in-alaska-7-alaskan-designers/">posts</a>. So go on over to <a href="http://grainsofearth.com/">Grains of Earth</a> and check them out. </span><br />
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<span name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">May you be inspired by all things in your life to live not only <em>fully </em>but soul-<em>fully</em>. <3</span>Spin Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941343721056115758noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5948970539283366556.post-59300704320072753352011-01-23T22:05:00.001-09:002011-01-27T10:49:56.516-09:00Three-Legged Mule Makes My DayThe boys (mine and a visiting friend) went up north to work for the week, so an impromptu hoop sesh was brewing after they left. This evening I was feeling a little frisky, probably from all the lazying that made up most of the morning, so I decided to go all Alaskan gypsy on ya. Video quality is not good because it was recorded off my phone. But, I had fun just twirling and acting crazy and it made me smile, so maybe it will for you, too. <br />
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More vids to come soon. Haven't been dedicating as much time as I would like because things have been crazy, but I am itching to dance everyday so hopefully it will stop being ridiculous outside and decide on what kind of weather we are going to have- haha.<br />
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Anyways, off to go veg out and watch the first season of Medium. I am starting my mourning process of the ending of the finale season by going back and watching all seven seasons. I didn't have cable and never got the channel that it was on, but I did watch <a href="http://www.cbs.com/primetime/medium/video/?pid=9zLjhKTbyie8M6ZwifhDlaQ91qw_4aJp#%7B%22id%22%3A0%2C%22sc%22%3A%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fxd_receiver_v0.4.php%22%2C%22sf%22%3A%22loginStatus%22%2C%22sr%22%3A2%2C%22h%22%3A%22loginServer%22%2C%22sid%22%3A%220.015%22%2C%22t%22%3A0%7D%5B0%2C%22loginStatus%22%2C%22InitLogin%22%2C%7B%22baseDomain%22%3A%22%22%2C%22connectState%22%3A2%2C%22perms%22%3Anull%2C%22publicSessionData%22%3Anull%2C%22session%22%3Anull%2C%22settings%22%3A%7B%22inFacebook%22%3Afalse%2C%22locale%22%3A%22en_US%22%7D%2C%22https%22%3Afalse%7D%2Cfalse%5D">the final show</a> that was played Friday night online. (**side note**- I have major mixed feelings on the final episode and am still trying to mentally process it all. I don't have the time to really go into that. THAT in itself may be a post of it's own...) Man, TV is already pretty much reality shows, gore, and sex; might as well cancel the shows that don't have that the "good stuff"....Spin Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941343721056115758noreply@blogger.com3