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Dance

Podcasts

I know I am assuming that you have an iPod here, sorry. I have found out why people have taken to these little gadgets. I have had one for about a year or so. Sure, it is nice to have a boat load of music in one smaller-than-thinkable device. But, I actually have a different reason for being hooked on this thing. Ever since I have owned it, I have been downloading "Podcasts" If you haven't heard of a Podcast, let me give a brief explanation. They are either audio or video segments that different people and companies put out for your enjoyment. Most of the time they are free. ( I have never paid for one) I have downloaded some of the coolest and most enlightning things along with some that are pure entertainment. For instance, I have one called "The Weekend Puzzle" from NPR. If you listen to NPR on Sunday mornings, you know the show. They Podcast the entire program for you to listen to when you can. I have never listened on Sunday mornings, never. Yet I have listened to pretty much every show for the last 8-10 months. That is NPR broadening its audience. Also, I download a Podcast from Comedy Central that is a 30-90 second portion of a comedian's stand up routine. More often than not, they are histerical. You can find music to work out to, I reccomend, Cadence Revolution. I even subscribe to a Podcast that shows how to cook a healthy "real" meal in 5 minutes. Anyway, if you don't have access to Podcasts, sorry. This is a whole new genre of media that is extending some brands of entertainment. I really enjoy it, I hope you do also. If you'd like to, I bet you could download iTunes and just listen on your computer. Toodles

Bipedality

Running, why running? Why not lifting weights more, or juno... maybe yoga? Why running? There is something so enjoyable about hitting the trail for a solid run. 

Part of it is the exercise, of course. Getting your heart beating, the labored breathing and various parts of your body abused knowing that this will only make you stronger. 

I think the other part, the larger part is the mental part of running. Outside of having to look for traffic, running on the safe side of the road and jumping over curbs you really don't have to think.  In fact, you can let your mind wander off to some very creative, productive and even self-reflective places.  I routinely run at night, something too about the night, the silence.  The Norman Rockwell scenes in the picture windows.  

I digress.  

Running allows your mind to do things that otherwise you don't do.  Just think.  Or maybe better said, think about everything.  I have remembered things I needed to do, forgot to do and thought of things I should do.  I have thought about my life, my family, strangers, friends, collegues and just about whatever pops into this uninhabited skull of mine.  Debriefing from the day.  I have heard others call it a stress relief outlet.  I don't know about that, I rarely notice a difference in my stress level after compared to before a good hearty run.  Moreso, you can't be unhinged by things like a TV, computer or phone calls.  I think this is why I have never joined a running club or done much runnig with others.  I look at them and think, then I'd have to engage in conversation... while I'm running?  

That is the whole point, to get away!  

Do not misunderstand, not necessarily away from people, just away.  I enjoy going for a run the most during those moments when I am already alone. 

'tis my point!  

Running gives me something more than just being alone, it is my "vehicle" to productive thought.  I should point this out, this may be the most profound part of it.  It is almost impossible to be negative while going for a run.  Think about it, you just got off your buttootski to go do something that is good for you, how can negative thoughts creep into that energy. 

They can't!

What is it for you?  Do you have something that does for you what running does for me?

Green causes

Maybe because I am getting older, maybe because of the media I ingest and books I read, lastly, maybe because it's true. Whatever the reason, I have noticed myself becoming more and more aware of environmental waste. You know, the little things that we can do every day to do our part in the greater good of saving the world! (purposely over-dramatic) That being said, the more you pay attention to it the more you start to think some people have just plain lost their mind. I started watching a program on T.V. called "Invention Nation". I great show if you get the Science channel. The ideas behind the show are to highlight backyard inventors that are coming up with ideas that may never get mass appeal, for whatever reason. But, the ideas are all incredible! Making a refrigerator that works on sound waves, or a dairy that uses the cow dung to power its entire outfit, how about using outside air to cool freezers in cold climates. Seriously, here in ND, do we really need to power a freezer unit 6 months out of the year? Probably not, just blow in the outside air. Duh? It has really sparked some intriguing ideas within my teeny tiny grey matter. Then I start to do some checking, on the Internet mostly. I am looking for "green" ideas and ways to do my small part. I believe, with very few sacrifices, one could become totally energy self-sufficient. Wind power, solar power, even hydro-power. You know really going the distance to do your part.

Then you notice these knuckle heads in your community or those ranting on the Internet about the "evil consumers". You know the ones that roll their eyes at your water bottle, non-hybrid vehicle or, heaven forbid, SUV.

I tend to be on the side of Green. It disturbs me some to see entire shores of our lakes rid of trees to throw up these weekend get-aways. In communities, I do wish we could utilize existing buildings rather than raze them to build parking garages.

But it's when you go from Green living to Green Snob. That is when you've gone too far. I say, live your life, love your life. This is the new social "nose up-turn", the "I'm an environmentalist" and you suck because you aren't.
Live and let live people. You do your part, forget about those who either choose not to, or are may a little to ignorant to know better. If you have a better idea, get involved in the process. Don't save your ideas for the "blog-o-sphere" and boutique organic coffee shops.

Photo courtesy Flickr: Batram