Long Days and Pleasant Nights Roland Deschain

I have finally completed the epic seven book Dark Tower series by Stephen King. I am always sad when I complete a series like this as I feel like I am saying goodbye to friends I have come to know. Since Ka (sort of the Karma of things in this series) is a wheel, King left me in a position to easily pick up the first book and revisit my friends in the future (or is that the past?).

The book isn’t what I would think of as typical Stephen King. Although there are a few elements of horror, the book is really an adventure story, much like Lord of the Rings. Roland Deschain, the Gunslinger is the main character and the story is set in an incredibly unique world(s) with elements of Old West and Post Apocalyptic influences. I mention worlds, because travel between different realities adds a very interesting twist to Roland’s quest to fulfill his destiny and reach the Dark Tower.

I was warned that I might get frustrated with where the series eventually ends up leading, but I have to say I enjoyed the path and can’t say I would want it to end any other way. If you are looking for a way to eat up the time it takes to read seven books, I’d say give the Dark Tower series a go!

Peace Out

Bill

Yummy Quick Meal - Thai Fish Curry

Threw together a quick fish curry meal that really tickled my tongue, so I thought I would share the recipe.

• 1/2 lb of White fish (I used Perch)
• Jar of Trader Joe’s Thai Green Curry Sauce
• Can of Coconut Milk
• 1/2 Bulb of Fennel
• 1/2 Onion
• 1 Red Pepper
• 2 Cloves of Garlic
• Pepper
• Curry Powder
• Mint
• Basil
• Lemon Grass
• Olive Oil

In about 2 tbs of Olive Oil, lightly saute the Fennel, Red Pepper, Onion and Garlic over medium heat until the onion gets a little translucent (about 5 minutes). Season with Pepper. Add the herbs, spices and fish. Cook for about 5 minutes then add curry sauce and coconut milk. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Can eat like a soup/stew or serve over rice. You can add some cayenne or other ground pepper to add heat. The above recipe had lots of flavor but was pretty mild on the heat index. This recipe produces roughly 4 servings.

Peace Out

Bill

The Secret is Out!

Hi my name is Bill and I am a big Hannah Montana fan!

My peers at work welcomed me back to the office by tapping into my inner teenage girl. Here are pics of my cubicle.

   

I have to admit it was pretty well done!

Bill

What I Did on my Summer Vacation

Today marks the last day of my fourth sabbatical. Just like the previous three, I have been unable to figure out how to make enjoying sabbaticals my job, although I did take a more serious look at the Rule of 75! I am now faced with going back to The Grind, but I go back into battle with my armor all polished up and armed with new found sense of understanding of myself. Below are some random thoughts, learnings and observations from my experiences.

I am blessed with great children. My sister is pretty darn cool. I am who I am based on the love of my mom and my dad. I have great friends, who for no other reason then the fact they care, have been there for me. I love nature and in particular the ocean, I am a facsimile of me without it! I can do things I didn’t think I could. Dive for the disc, you just never know. Things happen for a reason. If everyone around you is weird, you might be too. Leopards can’t change their spots. Dangling your feet in the delta whilst drinking a Red Stripe is a good way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon, mon! BBQ-d Strawberries! If the finale isn’t what it was cracked up to be, you may not have seen it yet. Be patient. No one should have a lonely pew. Good safety habits saved my life.

Life is not a right, it is a gift. Our job is not what we do during the work week, but rather to make sure the we squeeze every last bit of life out of our gift. Plan for tomorrow, but only if your plans allow you to maximize each day. Don’t live for tomorrow at the expense of today. Listen to your soul. It won’t steer you wrong. Do what feels right!

Peace Out

Bill

G, That was a Good Movie

I have a distinct childhood memory of looking at the movie section with my mom growing up in our house in Fremont. I remember she was looking for a good “G” rated family film and was frustrated because there were none. “All of the good movies are rated R and all of the G movies are just for kids,” I remember her saying. That was back in the late 60s and I recall similar problems while looking for entertainment value for my children as well.

I bring this memory up because yesterday I enjoyed the perfect family G rated film, WALL-E. WALL-E is another PIXAR classic to be  with all of the requisite eye candy computer animation. But what really makes WALL-E work is its heart. WALL-E hits you from two angles. First and foremost, it is a love story, the story of WALL-E and Eve. Wrapped in this very charming love story is some biting social commentary on the damage we are doing to our planet and ultimately ourselves on our current course of action.

If you want to entertain and educate your family, I would put a trip to see WALL-E at the top of your family entertainment list!

Peace Out

Bill

You Have Got to be Joking

While on the last leg of my sabbatical travels I caught the new Batman flick, the Dark Knight. I enjoyed the movie although I think it was a bit long, but Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker was worth the price of admission all by itself. 

Due to the sentimental factor, I am sure he will at least be nominated for an Oscar which in my opinion, regardless of whether he is living or dead, the performance certainly rates it! I was wondering how anyone could top Nicholson’s campy Joker in one of the earlier Batman movies, but Ledger takes the character in a whole other and incredibly creepy direction.

Nicholson’s Joker was campy and almost cartoon-ish. Dancing and prancing around in a bozo the clown kind of way. Ledger is dark, dreary and creepy in his portrayal. It is such a shame that we won’t see more performances out of Ledger of this quality.

Peace Out

Bill

V Squared - The Beauty of British Columbia

I finally took my maiden voyage across our northern border and entered into the land of Maple Leafs and Canucks. I have really let myself be guided by “what feels right” and again, just like my time spent in the Seattle area, I found myself on the outskirts of the big city enjoying the incredible nature this part of the world exhibits.

This is the view of the little harbor in the quaint little village of Deep Cove that I stayed at in North Vancouver.

I could have spent my entire nine weeks of my sabbatical in this little village, but alas I only allotted a day as I had other sights to see. I ventured into downtown Vancouver and enjoyed walking around the city and stopped in at a classical Chinese Garden and let the good vibes of tranquility and peace course through my veins. While at the Chinese Garden I ran across this rather odd marketing approach.

Later that day I was back on a Ferry to shuttle over to Vancouver Island and make my way to Victoria. Vancouver was cool, very metropolitan. Victoria has much more of a historical and European feel to it. The Empress Hotel dominates the downtown/harbor area and is an incredible sight.

Yesterday I made my way to Buchart Gardens. WOW! Talk about the exact opposite of desert landscaping. This place was simply amazing. Here is a pic of the Sunken Garden part of the grounds.

I have really enjoyed my visit to the two Vs and hope I will be able to make it back here again. Along with the natural beauty of this incredible corner of the universe, I have been blessed with a feeling of Peace while I have been here. It is a feeling that warms the soul.

Peace Out

Bill

Nature, Shoeboxes and Pizza

Today I made it to the little town of Seabeck, Washington on the shores of the Hood Canal. The roads from the cabin to Seabeck reminded me a lot of the back roads of the Santa Cruz area. I could have easily have been driving back in the hills above De Laveaga on Granite Creek road.

While in Seabeck picked up a little pizza at the local family run joint and then saw this beautiful “Shoebox” pull in. This is one of the coolest flame jobs I have ever seen!

 

Heading up to Canada on Monday for four days.

Peace Out

Bill

Cabin Fever

Decided to head back to my little slice of heaven at the cabin, on the lake, in the midst of the rain forest. Little nicer weather this time around, sunny, mid 70s. Intend to head to Vancouver on Sunday and spend a few days there and in Victoria for my maiden journey into the land of the Canucks.  

I am just floored by the beauty here!

Peace Out

Bill

Waiting for Signs

Waiting for Signs - Brian Andreas

I used to wait for a sign, she said, before I did anything. Then one night I had a dream & an angel in black tights came to me & said, You can start any time now & then I said is this a sign? & the angel started laughing and I woke up.

Now, I think the whole world is filled with signs, but if there is no laughter, I know they are not for me.