Gaia Community: Nicole's Blog

Sturgis Rally... Always A Little Extra Excitement

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:35:45 -0000

Last week, Sturgis again hosted the annual motorcycle rally. I was there to partake in most of the activities and enjoyed the KISS concert (the show, not so much the music really), went to a Pat Green concert (who was fantastic by the way), and got to experience being backstage during a Kenny Chesney concert. Being backstage was cool. I was able to get a different perspective of a concert and of course the view was pretty intense as I looked over the endless sea of people (and at KC's backside).  Of all the big name acts (and I DO love Kenny Chesney) my biggest anticipation for Rally was to go to The Loud American Roadhouse to listen/watch a sensational band called Judd Hoos. (To Listen) They are a regional, midwestern band with a huge following and I am one of their fans. SO, when the Rally is in full swing, I can be found at The Loud American, getting a good workout in, jumping around as if I were 21 again and lovin' life. The band has a great energy, playing cover music and their own stuff - which is excellent!

Well, Thursday night was a different experience...

There was the usual pushing and shoving from people dancing at the front of the stage, some rude, young people and hot and sweaty bikers.   As we were loving the scene, a scuffle happened to break out at the bar, left of stage. I didn't take much notice - I was there to listen to the band and thought it was just another bar fight. (Hey, they happen, right?)   However, the scuffle turned into a brawl and a big bang rang out .  My mind didn't really comprehend what was actually happening, so I looked at the band for confirmation of my own reaction and turned again towards the sound of the bang and saw a flash from a gun and heard from what I now know to be a second gunshot.  I was concerned as my friend Jill was in that vicinity but I was staying positive she was out of danger.

Everyone around us shouted, "Get down!" and the people who were pushing and shoving at the front of the stage were now pulling everyone to the ground. Immediately, the bar's atmosphere changed and silence replaced the music. It was amazing how 400-500 loud partiers could instantly shut down.

Looking over to the bar, it seemed like a massive dogpile and you could hear the grunts and scuffling of feet. The police seemed to arrive within minutes and the bar was under lockdown. Within 10 minutes or so, we were instructed to calmly move towards the exits. During this time the events were still cloudy and the occurence didn't seem real until we reached the outdoors where people were ordered under drawn guns to get to the ground and stay there. About 20 minutes later, I spotted Jill squirming her way over to us on her belly. She was a little shaken because she was pretty close to the action but unharmed, thank goodness.

Each of us were released after being interrogated and videotaped.

The news reports state that a member of the Iron Pigs, a Seattle Motorcycle "Club" of retired and active policeman,. shot a member of the Hell's Angels. So, it was an off duty police officer who had a gun in the bar. I can only offer my opinion on firearms carried into a bar. "They have no place in a bar, whether you are an off-duty policeman or a Hell's Angel!" In time I'm sure everything will come to light.

With all that happened and having reflected on the turn of events, I was surprised by a few things that occured.

#1 If it had to happen, I am glad I was there to experience it.

#2 Prior to the occurence of the brawl and shootings, the band was playing and people were pushing and shoving eachother to get closer and closer to the stage.   But....after the shootings, I noticed people did a 180 and became peaceful, caring individuals who were concerned about others' well beings.  I was genuinely moved by the sense of caring and kindness of the crowd. It amazed me. Of course, there were people who ran out of the bar screaming as well.

#3 I did learn that out of my group of friends, who will keep their head about them under pressure and who will need to be taken care of.

However, all in all, the police were prepared and quick in their response. Everyone was concerned about the person who was shot and most of us were calm and patient.

The Sturgis Rally is fairly non-violent. Of course there are times when violence occurs but it is not a place one would feel threatened or unsafe. 99.9% of the people are there to have a good time.


G, Mande, Me, Doreen & Mary                The Judd Hoos Band


Gina and Doreen yucking it up for the camera

Everyone needs a little peace B4 a before a KISS concert

A Poem by Elsie Robinson

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:06:20 -0000

Pain

Why must I be hurt?
Suffering and despair,
Cowardice and cruelty,
Envy and injustice,
All of these hurt.
Grief and terror,
Loneliness and betrayal
And the agony of loss or death-

All these things hurt.
Why? Why must life hurt?
Why must those who love generously,
Live honorably, feel deeply
All that is good-and beautiful
Be so hurt,
While selfish creatures
Go unscathed?
That is why-
Because they can feel.
Hurt is the price to pay for feeling.
Pain is not an accident,
Nor punishment, nor mockery
By some savage God.
Pain is part of growth.
The more we grow
The more we feel-
The more we feel-the more we suffer,
For if we are able to feel beauty,
We must also feel the lack of it-
Those who glimpse heaven
Are bound to sight hell.
To have felt deeply is worth
Anything it cost.
To have felt Love and Honor,
Courage and Ecstasy
Is worth-any price.
And so-since hurt is the price
Of Larger living, I will not
Hate pain, nor try to escape it.
Instead I will try to meet it
Bravely, bear it proudly:
Not as a cross, or a misfortune,
but an Opportunity,
a privilege,
a challenge - to the God that gropes within me.

-Elsie Robinson

The LUNA Chix

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 19:58:34 -0000

There is a group of some very giving individuals (and company) who want the best for us women out there. They are The Luna Chix , sponsored by LUNAbar, a division of CLIFbar.

I have had the pleasure to go on a few mountain bike rides with this group and I want to pass the word along to other women in the U.S. looking for a group to ride with. Unfortunately, they do not have Luna Chix in every big city, but you may be lucky to find one in your area.

Their backgrounds are diverse but their goal unified. It is "to get groups of women together so they can support each other through learning a new sport, developing skills, training and most importantly - have fun!"

Any money raised through bike clinics (most rides are free) go directly to The Breast Cancer Fund. LUNAbar has also joined forces to raise the awareness for the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics . If you go to the website, they have a rating system of most cosmetics and their harmful ingredients. Some companies have a product line containing the least AND the most harmful! Back to the Luna Chix... Some of the mountain bikers are among the best in the country. They offer tips and support during the rides, and the trails range from novice to advanced, sending different groups out with similar riding experience. I encourage anyone who is interested in learning how to mountain bike (or road bike!), to seek out a Luna Chix group near you. The group in Arizona is at http://www.lunachixaz.com. They are very patient and willing to assist you in learning and improving your skills - and never intimidating, although their skills are quite amazing!

Cristoffer and His "One Armed Push Ups"

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 17:15:17 -0000

Ok, I have to share this video because it makes me laugh so hard. With that said, I have to apologize because my laugh is really awful... and loud...

My nephew Cristoffer. He's 7 - and really cute!

A Great Day!

Sat, 05 Jan 2008 21:10:35 -0000

My friend Pam and I went for an awesome mountain bike ride today with the Lunachix in the McDowell Mountain Range in the Fountain Hills area of Phoenix. Yeah, I bit it a couple of times but the scenery was absolutely gorgeous so I thought I would share these pix with you. Learned a lot and met some experienced and wonderful gals to ride with.

Tonight a hockey game. I am grateful I get to enjoy such a fantastic day...

"Go Ducks!"

The Nymph Echo

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 18:49:06 -0000

My grace lies at the Courthouse

Towering over the Bell

God's rock of solace and burden

My path to Heaven and Hell

My heart lives down in the valley

Re-creating life down there

Kissing the fires of desire

And there, beating unaware

My thoughts drift to that valley

Considering not day or night

Never aging, just exploring

Relentless wings take flight

Reaching the top of the mountain

Below I feel you breathe

Beyond the touch of my hand

The invisible bond is weaved

Canyons bring echoes and whispers

The sky again changes hue

Lost in every distal thought

Bleeding inside, you

The moon and your secret

Mine betwixt the stars

Celebrating and elevating you

Among love's beauty and scars

Cherish

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 14:26:01 -0000

Cherish your visions; cherish your ideals; cherish the music that stirs in your heart, the beauty that forms in your mind, the loveliness that drapes your finest thoughts, for out of them will grow all delightful conditions, all heavenly environment; of these, if you remain true to them, your world will at last be built. The vision that you glorify in your mind, the ideal that you enthrone in your heart, this you will build your life by and this you will become.
-James Allen

I love this quote.

Happiness abounds!

A Proud Sister and a Little on Caddying...

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 05:31:05 -0000

            I am bursting at the seams, and I want to share some good news. My brother qualified for the PGA Championship a couple of weeks ago!   He has been playing golf since my dad placed a club in his hands when he was 3. It has been his lifelong dream, and I am so proud of his perserverence and dedication.

     When he qualified, my dad (also a pro) was caddying for him and he was just beaming - so proud of the son he helped become the player he is today. One of Micah's sons ran up to him after his final round in Oregon and excitedly asked, "Daddy, does this mean we get to go see Tiger Woods?!"   Micah replied, "It sure does buddy." and little Cristoffer ran off yelling to his brother and mom, "Mom! Jakob! We get to go see Tiger Woods!!" Too cute.

     Last weekend I caddied for my brother in the Colorado Open. I don't care for Denver much, not because of the city itself, but it brings back memories I would just as well forget. However, on the bright side of things, I didn't pass out from carrying a bag full of clubs 7 miles each day for 4 days in the wretched heat, nor did I cause him any penalty strokes. Sure, I grabbed a club out of the wrong bag once but luckily he noticed. (Needless to say, I am not in high demand for caddying jobs)

     Golf is a sport in which good sportsmanship and respect abound. Everyone plays their own game, assists in finding a ball if needed, they give eachother encouragement, and each respects the time it takes to play your shot.  It shows in the lack of movement and stillness within the group and gallery.

     I found I had to be a servant, totally giving of myself and put him first. (Hard to do when the person happens to be someone who used to pull your hair and try to pass gas on you when you were kids) It isn't just about carrying a person's clubs. You have to be careful where to stand, pull the pin, tend the pin, hand the pin off, where to leave the clubs, being careful where you stand and walk, when you can talk, when you can and can't rake the trap, estimate yardage, find distance markers, making sure his needs are met regarding food and hydration, sunscreen, being prepared for the next shot, keeping score for the other player, keeping up with fast walkers, cleaning clubs, reading greens, familiarizing yourself with the course, etc... I had no idea it was so stressful.

     He had just played in the National Championship the weekend before, so many of his peers came up to congratulate him on qualifying and telling him they watched him on tv. It felt like being with a mini celebrity. :) It was just he and I in Denver so it gave us a great opportunity to bond and we had a lot of fun. He was leading up until the last hole and ended up taking second, which still afforded him a good paycheck but the money isn't the main reason he plays. My dad always taught him to play from the heart, because it is what he loves to do.  There were times over the years when Micah would struggle and I would look over at my dad and he would be pointing at his heart and nodding his head. Micah knew what he meant.

     Our entire family and long time family friends will be in Tulsa in August to support him and to watch his dream unfold. It will be so sweet seeing MIcah take his first swing on the first tee of Southern Hills and looking over at my 68 year old dad - proudly standing there next to Micah's golf bag, readily waiting to haul that thing around in the biggest tournament of their lives. It will be a fulfilling day. We will feel his jitters and love the excitement. I just can't tell you how happy we all are for him.

     Hard work really does pay off and he certainly deserves it, regardless of how he plays. Just getting there is the biggest accomplishment of all.

- A Very Proud Sister

Micah

Will Farrell in "The Landlord"

Sat, 14 Apr 2007 15:49:03 -0000

Check out the link... I guarantee you'll be glad you did. It's sooooo funny!

I couldn't figure out how to embed the video.

The Landlord

I used to be this tough! Ha ha

A Poem From Carl

Thu, 08 Feb 2007 04:45:11 -0000

Living to the end of it all

Makes us soft yet wise

To the enviable prodigal

Conflict and acts of lies.

We sift out those of trust

So that we aren't perplexed

But preparation does little to lust

And in the end we are still vexed.

Undeniably hurt, we cry

Because the wound is deep.

No other remedy would we buy

If it would but put the pain to sleep.

Through the same mistakes

We learn time and time again

That the heart has high stakes

And that gambling is a sin.

-C Chinn

Music

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 02:02:42 -0000

     Have you ever experienced part of a song that strikes a deep chord within you? It doesn't even have to be lyrics, it can be a certain pitch or an instrument that just rips your heart right open, inspires you, or gets your heart rate going.

     I have to be honest, I listen to my music over and over. I very rarely turn the radio on because I'm too impatient and I'll spend the entire drive surfing stations and become irritated. Blue Merle's "Burning in the Sun" will NEVER get old. I love to jog and sing w/ my MP3 player and hear a song come on that just pumps me up. It's amazing how a song can make you run faster or exercise harder. Sometimes it is even a slow song... Some of David Gray's songs and Jeff Buckley's "Hallelujah" really do it for me. However there is also a Cars' song that I remember clearly called, "It's All I Can Do" in which the keyboardist stair steps to a certain note. It puts a big squeeze on my heart.  (That just dated me, didn't it?) It STILL does after all this time.

     So lately I've been taken over by Blue October. They're so powerful and raw with emotion.  Some songs are very tender, and others (most) are just plain rowdy and loaded with anger and pain.   The music that comes from the violinist though just grabs me, in addition to other aspects of their music.  I'm engrossed in their music and lyrics - SO engrossed that I booked a ticket to one of their concerts in another state for goodness sakes.

     Music is a beautiful thing. It can bring people together and evoke such emotion. I love it!

Hot Toddy

Fri, 20 Oct 2006 19:06:57 -0000

Dan Crane and Todd Andrew  - Within a year of this picture being taken, Dan would pass away and a year later Todd would too.

    So, it has been strange lately, and as I try to figure it out, I thought I would write about it. One of my best friends died a few years ago in a kayaking accident on the Potomac.  Todd Andrew and I became more than friends at one point in our relationship and it forged a bond that I can't describe. He was beautiful - pure muscle and heart. He was an adventurist and someone I completely admired. This is why he is listed as a hero of mine on my Profile Page. I wanted to become free and adventurous like him, but my inability to give up my security (which are my insecurities) shows me I am and never will be like him, although it is something I strive for.

     He introduced me to ice and rock climbing after I went through a divorce - when I needed something to give me strength and courage. He encouraged me to get out and enjoy the outdoors and hated that I worked indoors everday. To him, it was against God and nature to be locked up in an office. He wanted me to go to New Zealand with him and travel the world with a backpack. I scrutinized my finances and penciled it all out and couldn't figure out how to make it all work. In reality, it could've worked but my fears held me back.

     He was probably one of the best kayakers in the country. He made many first descents on rivers across the country. This picture of he and Dan Crane is one I took when an article came out in American Whitewater (a kayaking magazine) that he and Dan were featured in.

     SO, Thursday, October 19th was the anniversary of his death.  I don't dwell on this date. I didn't even really think about the date until a friend of mine brought it to my attention.

     Before I go further, I should explain that in the past I have proven to be a very skillfull sleepwalker. When I am stressed out or bothered, I tend to do it every night which gets very tiresome and old. Well, I have not dreamt or walked in my sleep for months. At 3 a.m. on the 19th, Todd came and stood at the foot of my bed and I immediately sat up and opened my arms wide and crawled to the end of my bed. We talked for a moment and then I went to the other room and I knew (I was totally awake) he was still there with me. Yesterday I was looking through some papers and I found notes from a psychic reading I went to about 6 months ago. The notes were very specific and It was obvious the reader was talking to Todd. Even my friends who were there were astonished at the specifics. Today I found a poem I wrote to him while he was alive. He was so grateful and he cherished it, which made me entirely happy. Just now I came across this picture.   Trust me, I have not been searching! It's all just too much of a coincidence, don't you agree? I haven't seen some of these items for months or years.

     We were always there for eachother - we cried and laughed equally together. Todd was a very sincere and emotional person - and it was because he cared so deeply about things. Small things meant so much to him.

     His dad passed away a year before Todd did and Dan as well, his best friend and kayaking partner - lost too in a kayaking accident. It was a lot for him to deal with - a lot for anyone to deal with.

     He was a person who picked fresh wildflowers for you instead of going to a store.   He was a wrestling champion, hiker, climber, son, friend, brother, an entrepeneur, poet, adventurist, mountain biker and most of all had the heart of gold.

--------

Lost at sea, my friend and me
Me in my nightmares, he in his dreams.

He in his kayak, room for one
My vessel aboard comes everyone.

What he needs most, is his best friend
It's what he calls "adrenaline".

While he smiles battling the waves
Another huge swell is coming my way.

I've been on this sea for a time unknown
It feels an eternity I've battled alone.

Chaos erupts, we've summited the wave
Knowing we're headed for a watery grave.

Passengers come to me screaming my name
I cannot hear a one, their voices the same.

I shrink inside at their shrieks of pain
I cover my ears and attempt to stay sane.

All during the while, my friend abroad
Is in the midst of his prayer to God.

You see, my friend who is lost at sea
Has prayers for all, his family and me.

That health we keep, and our love for eachother
And how grateful he is for his brothers and mother.

He lives his dream, day after day
Kayaking, climbing and finding his way.

But he never forgets those close to him
And will go to the ends of the Earth for them.

My nightmare continues, my raft torn apart
Then I see those eyes that melt my heart.

My friend is here, he's found me at sea
He's searched high and low to rescue me.

He's saved me from the wretched abyss
And gives me hope, strength, a kiss.

My friend, my heart, my tender Todd
Grateful for him, my gift from God.

His friend is safe - his worries are gone
It's time to live his dream and move on.

Upon my doorstep he says, "Goodbye"
To give the water another try.

I know he's leaving to fulfill his life
Among the struggles, pain and strife.

He knows he only has one life to lead
Adventure and "no regrets" his creed.

I admire him in so many ways
And I miss him when he goes away.

But when he returns, he brings excitement to me
And fills my glass with fond memories.

So continues this cycle of life
At times to switch places with eachother in strife.

Lost at sea my friend and me
He in his nightmares, me in my dreams.

I Wish You Love

Tue, 17 Oct 2006 00:06:03 -0000

A Beautiful Song

"I Wish You Love"
Rachel Yamagata
------------
I wish you bluebirds
in the Spring,
to give your heart
a song to sing.
And then a kiss,
but more than this,
I wish you love.

And in July,
some lemonade.
To cool you in
Some leafy glade.
I wish you health,
but more than wealth,
I wish you love.
I wish you health.

My breaking heart
and I agree,
that you and I
could never be.
So, with my best,
my very best,
I set you free.

I wish you shelter
from the storm.
A cozy fire
to keep you warm.

But most of all
when snowflakes fall,
I wish you love.
But most all
when snowflakes fall,
I wish you love.

------------

Pre-Teen Confidence

Fri, 15 Sep 2006 23:43:18 -0000

A meek little girl about 8 or 9 years old walks into the tennis courts by herself, shyly looks around and takes her ball to a faraway corner. It's just Roy and I hitting around; no biggie. I walk over to her and ask, "Would you like to hit the ball around with us?" She lifts her eyebrows and replies, "No thanks - I'm pretty good."

:-) I still have the giggles over it.

Looking For a Good Laugh??

Thu, 10 Aug 2006 05:31:59 -0000

If you're looking for a good laugh, may I direct you to my cousin, Mandy's blog? I'm pretty sure you won't be sorry! I'm still laughing...

Natural Foods

Fri, 12 May 2006 04:24:44 -0000

Natural Foods

Whole Foods has taken a strong position in the natural foods industry. When they stated they would no longer purchase their duck products from Grimaud Farms due to their relationship with Sonoma Farms, of course Grimaud's ears perked up. Whole Foods is a huge customer of theirs. Sonoma Farms is one of a few companies in the U.S. that raises moulard ducks, which produces the delicacy called foie gras. Grimaud processed the ducks for Sonoma.

I spoke to Grimaud Farms today and they have cut all ties with Sonoma, and they no longer carry or process any of Sonoma's products. I believe Grimaud is a good quality company and they treat their animals humanely and provide quality animal husbandry.   Their muscovy ducks are not penned up and although they are housed in a barn, the doors are open so the animals receive fresh air and indirect sunlight. I realize this is not the ideal, however, pressure from companies such as Whole Foods will continue to improve the quality of care these animals receive.

More and more chefs around the country are becoming concerned with how animals are being raised. One chef in particular comes to mind. He is Chef Sean Cavanaugh from the Vail Marriott in Vail, Colorado. He requires a background on all of the products he purchases and wants to know how and where the animals were raised and what they were fed.   He is adament about only purchasing products from animals that were free range, antibiotic and hormone free. He truly cares how the animals lived their lives before arriving to him. Ducks raised in a barn are not good enough. He sourced a supplier whose ducks are raised on a pond with a large net covering it.   This allows the ducks to fly, swim and do all of the natural things ducks do in the wild.

The challenge with raising some natural animals is that the human palate is more familiar with grain fed animals. They are fattier and more tender most of the time. Therefore, when some individuals taste a natually fed animal, they perceive it as not as tasty, or it may be a bit tougher. I equate it to growing up on canned corn. Perhaps if you were to try the corn on the cob fresh out of the field it wouldn't taste as good because it isn't what you're used to.

Fine dining or even upscale restaurants sincerely care about your experience at their restaurant. When you're at a restaurant, (even if you have no interest in ordering the "buffalo"), ask questions about it. This will facilitate a number of actions. If the server doesn't know if it was a free range animal or not, he or she will have to find out. This will result in another person becoming aware of the term 'free range' and more conscious of natural foods. Second, the question will most likely be posed to the chef if the server doesn't know. The chef is responsible for the menu planning and purchases and is extremely sensitive to the customers' desires and questions. This will cause the chef to take note and possibly search for natural foods to put on his menu to accomodate his clientele.   So basically, your questions at a dinner table may aid in the movement of natural foods being offered at more restaurants. Don't be afraid to ask! It isn't rude, in fact, it is becoming very acceptable and restaurants are educating their staff so they are prepared for these type of questions. If anything, you will raise the awareness levels of those you encounter and those in the background who make the decisions.

Bon Appétit