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Keeping current in wellness, in and out of the water
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Avengers Square Off on the Digital Battlefield, #OpParis
November 18, 2015
— 1 Comment
Strange alliances are being formed after the Paris attacks. An interesting turn of events is the war declared on twitter by Anonymous.
https://twitter.com/OpIceISIS/status/666407791708368898
Three days later Anonymous is teaching people how to hack ISIS and has published guides on how to do it. This is a new phase in avenging strategy. Not too long ago wars were declared by heads of state and fought by nations. ISIS initiated war in order to create a nation, and recognizes no borders or boundaries in their avenging. The avenger archetype has always existed in history. I sometimes feel a bit of avenger at work in my personality because I am highly sensitive to injustice. I do indulge in both self righteousness and indignant feelings on behalf of all mistreated sentient beings.
The new world of avenging made available through hacking, retweeting, and blogging has opened up many healthy avenging options that do not involve violence or terrorism. Now it is possible to use hashtags like #OpParis to openly attack enemies. Digital trash talk and taunting will continue. I wonder how much effect this digital line of attack will cause. Since social media has been used so well to radicalize new fighters it makes a lot of sense to me to work to shut down those propaganda opportunities. Since both groups are avengers without borders they are well pitted against each other. It is a heavyweight fight. I plan to hide, watch and retweet for the side of justice because I am more of a poet than an avenger. Perhaps I will dedicate some poetry to #OpParis to show my support. How do you view this new style of warfare, gentle reader? It has the feel of a video game, but it is completely real.
https://twitter.com/OpIceISIS/status/667044942271746048
#Anonymous vs #ISIS: the ongoing skirmishes of #OpISIS
November 17, 2015
— 3 Comments
Cyber war on twitter and beyond
Anonymous OpISIS via @lexinerus on Twitter
In the realm of social media wars, some are more fraught than others. There are the inevitable, tiresome third-glass-of-Malbec Friday night spats, and then there are the ones where lives, and possibly immortal souls, are at stake.
Anonymous is expert in both.
For months now, Anonymous has been doing what it does best. Not hacking. Not DDoSing to take websites offline. Nope. What they do best is hunt people, find those people, and taking them out, whatever it takes. And now they are after ISIS.
ISIS has done much of their recruiting work through social media channels: Facebook and Twitter, as well as more esoteric platforms. They use social media, particularly Twitter, as a propaganda tool and on this front they are considerably in advance of NATO and other Western forces, who tend to view such use as more of a risk than an advantage…
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The Health Bank
November 16, 2015
— 3 Comments
sunflowers
Health and vitality are valuable assets and worthy investments of time and money. In order to preserve our good feelings and ease into our senior years we need to budget wisely. This budget is less about money and more about effort and habits. I consider the transactions such as good diet and sound sleep to be deposits into the account and less healthy choices like overeating or loosing emotional composure as withdrawals. Nobody can be perfect all the time, but if we balance the deposits with the withdrawals we will be more likely to maintain our health. Bouncing a well being check might have some disastrous consequences.
What kind of assets make up the wellness investment portfolio?
- strength and flexibility
- good balance
- healthy tools to manage stress
- healthy eating
- regular exercise
- clean uncluttered environment
- good relationships with friends and family
- satisfying hobbies or activities
- sound sleep
What kind of practices diminish the value of the well being portfolio?
- insomnia
- worry and stress
- poor nutrition
- lack of movement, including too much sitting
- all work and no play, or all play and no work
- financial mismanagement
- lack of pleasurable social contact
- addiction and over indulgence
You will have to balance the budget each week to stay in line with the goal of staying in good health. The first step to proper management is honesty. Once the balance has fallen below zero sincere action is needed to restore good health. It is easier to maintain than it is to recover once it has been lost. I wish you health and happiness this winter, gentle reader.
Tucson Village Farm Harvest Festival
November 15, 2015
— 1 Comment
Today we enjoyed the beautiful weather for family fun at the Tucson Village Farm Harvest Festival. This wonderful working and teaching farm regularly hosts kids on field trips and in special camps. Kids as young as toddlers come with parents to learn about gardening through educational programs designed for them. Food to eat from the site is always included and is often a hands on part of the kids’ experience. I have been to the garden when kids were in a class. The reaction of the students was unanimously delighted. The environment is perfectly created to make the educational impact young students need to improve diets and maybe even the health practices of the entire family. Today many families came out to be part of the festivities which were delightfully focused on farming fun.
University of Arizona students on the farm staff were on hand today selling produce, directing traffic, and being helpful and informative. They were clearly enjoying this day of celebration with the public. The ratio of very young children to adults was high, and the youngsters were all having a real blast. Special activities such as popcorn shucking were ongoing during the day to give families a chance to do some farming/playing with the kids. I believe the farm always does a good job of fulfilling the important educational mission they undertake. This party went above and beyond the everyday excellence. Staff and volunteers did an excellent job of planning and executing a wonderful public event.
entrance
pomegranate
queen’s wreath
teaching garden
rose with bee
student volunteer
garden
student volunteers
student farmers
garden
student farmer
popcorn
garden activities
Transformation Time, New Moon
November 11, 2015
— 1 Comment
Tucson Racquet Club
Today there is a new moon. When the moon is obscured each month the heavens create a new canvass on which to paint, a new field in which to plant. I like to notice and honor each new moon because it allows me to recommit to goals on which I have slacked and create new ones. Now I am working on a new routine for my fitness and creative life. I am going to classes at my health club in order to develop a habit for the future. I have found enough excellent classes taught by highly competent teachers to keep me busy, but have to manage to create a new schedule for myself. Although I am a big fan of the classes I am also a bigger fan of a liberated life. There is a little struggle going on between the sensible analysis that clearly appreciates and supports the value of movement classes and the free spirit who is challenged by any organized regime. This is not my inner child per se putting up objections, but my inner slacker. I am reminded of a phrase one of my favorite yoga teachers always used. He says, “Practice is the root of transformation.” I have been freewheeling for years, moving when and where I felt like doing it. I mix weights, yoga, Pilates, walking, dancing, and water work as my heart desires. It is a fine way to be, but now I will shape a new pattern and make it my continuous practice.
Looking back on skills I have learned I see it does take practice to work talents into strengths. I also notice I am drawn to creative and unseen projects and people. Invisible is my favorite way to exist. I like to maintain a certain woman of mystery status. This new moon falls in the sign of Scorpio, a ruler of transformation as well as mystery. I went to postural fitness class this morning and met a new teacher I think is grand. The time of day suits me and her personality is exactly what I like. I plan to harness this intention this month to get completely into the practice of taking at least 4 classes a week in different disciplines. There is no demerit for failure, but I plan to succeed in this effort. Everything is working in my favor, so I need to apply some attention.
Between now and the next new moon I dedicate my concentration to:
- Patience- there is no rush
- Gratitude- it is fortunate to have so many excellent choices
- Beginner’s Mind- I may be jaded from having spent too much time in spa universe
This new habit will serve me well for years to come, and is worth the investment to establish it. Do you have any transformational plans for this special month, gentle reader? It is a most propitious time to go for something new. By the time January rolls around I plan to be firmly established in my new routine.
K-9 Cuties of the Tucson Police Department
November 9, 2015
— 2 Comments
not real dogs
At the Cops and Rodders Car Show citizens have the chance to meet the police force. At the top of the popularity list are the canine cops. They attract everyone’s attention, from small children to senior citizens. I met Officer Evo last year and discovered that K-9 cops can have very sweet and social personalities. I am sure he would prefer to be riding in his car on the way to a case because he loves to do his regular job. But when his work includes posing for the camera or generally charming the crowd he fulfills his duty with personality and style.
strike a pose with Evo
strike a pose with Evo
strike a pose with Evo
center of attention
Officer Evo himself
charming the crowd
Officer Evo himself
Officer Evo Charms the Crowd
A new dog was making her first appearance at the car show this year. Officer Cookie is a Labrador Retriever who is a specialist working for the bomb squad. She is in training to learn many thousands of different explosive components by scent. She is only two years old, so she exhibits puppy enthusiasm al the time. She had some trouble containing herself during the national anthem to everyone’s delight. Since bomb dogs work in crowds her friendly attitude is essential to her job performance. She has less general and more specific training as a cop. She will not learn to do many of the things Evo does because she is all about explosives.
Officer Cookie makes friends
Officer Cookie makes friends
While Officer Evo handled his adoring fans I had a chance to talk to Officer Rumsley, his trainer and partner, about the work they do. Evo is a Belgian Malinois, also sometimes called a Belgian Shepard. He was born in Czech Republic where the breed is raised for sport. He was trained by Officer Rumsley and goes home at night to live at the Rumsley home. He does not play with other dogs out in the world but he has a canine friend at home. When they go searching together they look for drugs or people, one at a time. When Evo gets as close as he can get to the source of the scent he scratches in the case of drugs or barks when he finds people. He does communicate clearly, but Officer Rumsley always initiates everything they do. Evo does not, like Lassie, ever say to Officer Rumsley “Timmy has fallen in the well. Come quickly!” They work as a team with Officer Rumsley making all the decisions. This seems like the best format because underneath his extensive discipline and training he is still a dog. It is always a treat to get to see him.
Officer Rumsley
Souped Up Law Enforcement Vehicles, 2015
November 8, 2015
— 2 Comments
Maximum Migramobile
The Tucson Police Foundation holds a giant car show every November that is very popular with the public. I enjoy seeing all the well cared for vehicles as well as the cops of various kinds on display. The Border Patrol was on hand with a truly amazing vehicle they souped up as a hyper dune buggy. It has a Corvette engine and looks like Road Warrior. I am sure it scares those it chases. I am scared by the latest intelligence the Border Patrol agent laid on me. The farmers in Sonora are all switching to growing poppies because the weed market is no longer profitable. This is terrible news for the US, now trending heavily into heroin as our current drug darling. He said only two thirds of the drugs that enter the US travel through here. When I asked how he knew that without busting them all he replied that they have their ways of knowing. This is all pretty creepy, but the vehicle is impressive. Tempe Police Department entered for the first time this year with a confiscated very hot car they took form a drug dealer who used it for work. This special police car in use for “crime prevention”. This makes me laugh. Tempe police are saying we will drive your car after we bust you. I bet it does do some crime prevention.
Tempe’s crime prevention car
Tempe’s crime prevention car
It is fun to talk to the helicopter pilots who hover over our neighborhood so often in the night. They land the helicopter at the park so they can show it off to the citizens all day. There are many great examples of antique law enforcement vehicles every year too. The show brings together love for cars and history creating a time the public interact with the cops in an informal (not enforcement) atmosphere. It is my favorite thing the cops do in my city. My favorite cop in the city, canine Officer Evo was present, hamming it up for the cameras and winning hearts and minds.
antique cop car
TPD helicopter
The next post here will be devoted to Officer Evo and a new canine officer on the scene this year, Officer Cookie of the bomb squad, a lab who loves to party. The canine cops both fascinate and thrill me. They are very professional, but underneath it all they are dogs. Stay tuned to learn more about dogs in law enforcement and the cops who love them.
Officer Evo, TPD
Nuts for November
November 6, 2015
— 2 Comments
I had a fire in the wood stove last night, officially welcoming the winter to our house. This week we welcomed the nutcracker and some mixed nuts to the kitchen. I am not sure why I feel so much satisfaction in nut cracking, but I do. It slows down the process and makes me appreciate the taste of my nutty prize when I manage to crack the shell and extract it. This time of year we start to eat nuts more often because they are featured in seasonal fall dishes as part of a healthy harvest. Arizona grows wonderful pecans and pistachios, two of my favorite crops. Both are healthy and add rich flavor to all kinds of dishes.
We are big fans of cheese and pear combinations, so this month I will make us a pear pecan roquefort cheesecake. That has to be a winner with those ingredients. Brussels sprouts have arrived on the stalk as a favorite vegetable, so we will try the pistachio cranberry sprouts as a savory treat as well. Nuts always make appearances in cookies and sweets, but this year I want to try the extravagant pumpkin pecan cobbler. This will be right up our alley for dessert, and a new way to use both November favorites, pumpkin and pecans.
This weekend we have a neighborhood potluck party. I plan to take some soup, but this pineapple cream cheese spread covered with pecans is so cute I think I will make one of those for the party too. It is simple, but looks really festive.
Trader Joe’s brings out small cans of exotic nut oils this time of year which I enjoy using to add rich flavor to all kinds of dishes. Using walnut or pistachio oils for roasting vegetables delivers fabulous punch. Gravy based in nut oil is lovely and mysteriously rich. I still like butter, but like to variations that nut oils can bring to the fall table. Evidence keeps piling in about the benefits of including nuts in the diet. While I do believe the research I am nuts for nuts because they taste so great. Do you have a favorite nut, gentle reader?
fall harvest
Tucson’s Japanese Garden
November 4, 2015
— 1 Comment
family crests
family crests
lotus and koi
architectural accent
lotus and koi
Yume Japanese Gardens
architectural accent
water garden
gravel
gravel
Yume Japanese Gardens
gravel
gravel
tea house
architectural accents
lotus and koi
koi
color
bamboo
I recently joined Yume Japanese Garden in my neighborhood. This choice little private garden space provides peaceful surroundings and privacy in the center of the city. When I visit I enjoy sitting for meditative times in the little tea house shelter. I plan to bring tea and art supplies with me in the future because the space is energetically serene and beautiful. The artful surroundings invite creativity. I think it would be a great setting for composition of poetry or drawing. I plan to make it my picnic spot/ art studio this winter.
There is a gift shop, an art gallery, and a small display for education in Japanese culture. Currently the museum space is showing examples of Japanese versions of coats of arms. The tightly packed show informs and enlightens the viewer about families and history. Special events are planned to share cultural experiences. I plan to attend the tea ceremony this month, and am very excited about the big flower show over Thanksgiving weekend. Classes in Japanese language and flower arranging are offered as well. I am curious about the flower arranging, which sounds like fun.
I have been a member of Tucson Botanical Garden for many years, but my new membership is an different and welcome way to enjoy gardens. Yume is located just south of Tucson Botanical Gardens, in the same block. I had been curious in the past, but was inspired to join when the TBG thew out the members for 3 months. I am really savoring this opportunity to continue my garden visits with a new twist. There are sometimes concerts of Japanese music held in the evenings. I am both learning and feeling lucky to have this great opportunity so close to my home. If you live in Tucson or visit I highly recommend spending time at Yume Japanese Gardens.
Thankful This November
November 3, 2015
— 3 Comments
apples and pumpkin
The month of November is a gateway to winter and festivities. In Tucson we have had a very mild warm fall season with generous amounts of rain. It is predicted to be an El Nino winter which will bring additional rain to the dessert. Our desert is green and lush right now and the weather has been superb for a string of lovely outdoor parties and events. We look forward to a neighborhood pot luck gathering this weekend to savor the place and the people where we live. This is the season to be jolly outside in Arizona. It is perfect for bike riding grilling or hiking.
At this time of year we switch wardrobes and perhaps change our activities. I began a tradition of cleaning and clearing for the holiday season last year. The big purge of wardrobe items was by far the best gift I gave myself because it keeps on giving in the form of a happy closet. This year I have fewer things to discard, but am taking a look at using and appreciating absolutely everything I own. There is no reason to store and care for stuff that no longer is useful. I also need to be aware of all the memberships and subscriptions I have that need to be rationalized. I need to evaluate to be sure I am not over cluttering my membership reality. Like clothing in the closet, if subscriptions are crammed in and too crowded they will not be noticed or appreciated.
This Thanksgiving I want to feel grateful for my extreme good fortune without creating too much waste. I want to prepare highly gourmet cuisine for the whole month that thrills, satisfies, and does not end up in the compost bin. I have improved my food prep skills to avoid waste but can still step up my game. I still need to cut down on portion size for the two of us. I believe that pulling off a month of healthy tasty meals we both enjoy will be a better use of my talents than making one big meal with too many leftovers. We like to go to Govinda’s vegetarian buffet for the Thanksgiving meal because it is good and you can usually have a photo shoot with a live turkey on the patio. That sets me free to find ways to make the rest of the month delicious. If you have any seasonal recipes you want to share, please send them this way. I will be cooking up a storm, just not an excess. Stay grateful, gentle reader.
blood oranges
squash and tomatoes
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