A perfect balance

It was a weekend full of inspiration for me. I wish I could just take off work tomorrow to dive into an ocean of creativity and ride the waves...One thing that definitely made me feel this way, was a first hand look at rock balancing (also called rock stacking). Biking along Lakeshore West yesterday, we passed by almost twenty or so, in the near distance. We just had to stop to take a look! On a what seemed to be a natural foundation of boulders by the lake, almost looking like a platform or stage, we the stacks of rocks. Each formation different and beautiful in its own way. Taking a closer look, to my surprise, these rocks were not glued to one another or wired together. They were balancing upon one another naturally. It was all gravity and it was amazing. There were quite a few other people walking amongst these works of art. It was surprising to see how careful most people were while walking between the rocks and trying not to knock anything down. Everyone was respectful of these masterpieces. We soon saw a man working on balancing a piece of driftwood on some already stacked rocks. He was trying to find the sweet spot. It was really interesting to see him do this. I believe he was also the same man who did all the other stacks. I had in mind to go over and talk to him but for some reason, I didn't. Next time, if I see him and who seemed to be his wife, I will certainly let him know of my appreciation for what he does. It was so inspiring, that my friend and I decided to also give it a try. Some stacks had obviously fallen down, so we decided to try to build them up again. With enthusiasm, creativity, patience and teamwork, we did it! And then went on to create a couple more on our own. It was so much fun. It was a balance of art and science. While we were working on our own stacks, not too far away, the lady who had been previously assisting the man in making another stack (the one, who I think created all this artwork), observed how we were creating our own works of art. She was smiling. I think she was thrilled to see how the artist's (her husband, I think) creativity, inspired us to be creative also. There was a connection. Them to the rocks, the rocks to us. It may seem wild, but it just felt so good being there. Positive vibes all around. Maybe there is some mystical power that rock stacking holds...I am so going back there to take some photos and make some more rock stacks of my own!

If only I could do this.....

Yves Rossy - first man to fly with his own set of wings.....Something I have only dreamed about....
Playing to a mesmerized audience, Swiss pilot and adventurer (some might say nutcase) Yves Rossy has soared above the Alps with homemade jet-powered wings strapped to his back.
Rossy, an extreme sports guy who has spent years assembling his wings, casually stepped out of an airplane at 7,500 feet, unfolded the wings and quickly passed from free fall to mellow glide. He then fired up the wings' engines and accelerated to more than 180 mph.
As if that weren't cool enough, Rossy showed off a bit, making a few dives, some figure eights and a 360-degree barrel roll before landing at an airfield near Lake Geneva.
"That was to impress the girls," he said after the five-minute flight.
It's not your average DIY project, but then again Rossy doesn't seem to be your average guy. One look at the video proves that.
Fusionman, as the 47-year-old adventurer calls himself, is intimately familiar with flight. As a military pilot he spent years flying Hunter, Tiger F-5 and Mirage III jets, and he flies airliners for Swiss International Airlines.
He's spent several years developing the carbon fiber wing, which is eight feet long and features four German jet engines that provide 200 pounds of thrust. Rossy and his sponsors, which include the Swiss watch company Hublot, have spent $190,000 on the project, and with no plans to bring the wing to market, there's no guarantee they'll get a return on their investment.
The flight above the Alps was a big test for Fusionman and his wings, and it went off without a hitch. His mother wasn't even worried, explaining to the Associated Press, "He knows what he's doing."
But it hasn't always been smooth sailing -- er, flying -- for Rossy. Damage to a set of test wings in 2007 forced him to build another prototype, and he lost control during a jump three years ago and didn't deploy his chute until he was a mere 1,500 feet above the ground.
Soaring above the Alps is only the start. Rossy is planning to cross the English Channel -- a flight of about 23 miles -- by the end of the year. But his dream is to fly over the Grand Canyon.

Source: wired.com
Link: http://www.jet-man.com

thoughts....

Friday night special. Sushi and Sake. The best combination on earth.....well at least for tonight it is. lol. This is just a random thought blog. My day was alright. This has been my first week in my new job, my promotion. It has been a crazy week. There is a lot I don't know especially since my boss up'd and left suddenly. Trying to figure out what is in the works, what hasn't been done yet etc. I'll go in tomorrow to sort out his desk and organize. I think I'll go in my shitiest clothes so that I'll be sure no one asks me for any help while I'm in. I need the quiet time to figure things out. Oops! Just spilled some Hakutsuru on the floor....aww well. It's Friday and I need to unwind. Watched YouTube episode on Gordon Ramsey on The Hour. He IS handsome. An intellectual chef with an edge. I like. Got a bike helmet to go with my new bike. I won't look like a martian now like I did when I wore my buddy's old helmet. Not that I have anything against martians. I believe :) But at least now I match! Had a terrific bike ride yesterday evening down by the lake. It was actually euphoric. I couldn't help but smile. It felt good to exercise and work my body. It was great to see the sunset and the reflection it gave on Toronto's skyline. The sound of the birds at dusk. The freedom. Totally awesome. I'm stoked for the next ride. Sure beats running. I do like running, but it does kill my legs. Shin splints and all. I'll continue to run - no doubt, but using biking as cross training is "two thumbs up"! What else? Hmmm..I guess Myanmar has been on my mind a lot. Burmese General bastards. They should be tried for genocide cause that is exactly what they are doing. What are they getting out of it? To let their country people die. Not accepting aid. Giving false information about the cyclone. It's uber unbelieveable. I so want to donate - but I don't trust these rulers. I doubt the aid will go to where it should - and if it does, it will probably be "too little, too late". I hate to be pessimistic. But that is the truth. I'm flying solo this weekend. It's all good as I have things I need to get done and start doing! Lots of checklists in my brain which I need to get through. Dad was in emerg last night. Lots of bleeding from his stoma. I didn't know till mom called me at around 11pm. I had tried calling (I call every evening) and no one answered which I thought was weird. But then she called and told me that they were at the hospital. It was strange as my dad had just called me at work around 6pm. Odd because since his illness, my dad doesn't talk that much, let alone call. He just wanted to check up on me and see how I was. Unusual, since he knew I'd call later on. But I gather, he was scared about his bleeding and mom wasn't home from work yet, so he called just to hear a familiar voice. Maybe he thought it was the end. I don't know.
But luckily he was released today - this afternoon from the hospital. No confirmation as to what the cause of bleeding was. I tell ya, doctors are so different now compared to when I was a little kid. Nowadays, it seems you are lucky if you can actually get a diagnosis. Usually, it seems they are unsure and it can be a "number of things". Time to sign off now. I need to chill. Maybe I'll watch a movie. Have a good long weekend y'all!

Tough Decision for a Gourmande

It's a tough one....I thought to myself the other day...which do I prefer? Sushi or Cheese? I am a huge fan of sushi. Unagi probably being my favourite, with Butterfish a close second. But I'm also in adoration of cheese. Always have been. If I had to give up one of these favourites? To the surprise of some of my friends, I would probably choose cheese over sushi. *gobsmack*.
I know it is more fattening and less healthy...BUT....the history that cheese and I have goes way back to my childhood. The varieties, compositions, shapes, aromas...mmmmmmm. And what can really go better with good wine then some fabulous fromage? Sorry dynamite roll...bring on le vacherin mont d'or!

Some GREAT advice!

You CAN do it!