An anniversary

It's funny how sometimes we know something before we consciously recognize it. Earlier this evening I got the hankering to listen to The xx. I love them but I haven't actively played them in a few months so wasn't sure where the random need to play the album came from but who am I to argue w/the desire for some good tunes? I put them on and quickly melted into their hypnotic voices, smooth melodies.

It reminded me of my friend Tera, the one who introduced me to them. This in turn brought back a rush of memories of exactly when I first heard them...at the rental house we had on the oceanfront of Encinitas, CA where we were for a week for work. Descending the stairs to their hypnotic voices, smooth melodies with the sound of waves in the background and smell of coffee brewing in the kitchen. I can literally sense the cool tiles against my feet, the salty air and mist from the early morning sky.

I decided to give her a little shout out on FaceBook about this reminiscing and then it struck me. What is today's date? When was I in Jackson Hole last year? Valentine's Day. Count backwards...hold the phone, Encinitas was almost exactly one year ago. Had my mind known that and therefore triggered this desire to hear The xx, to be transported back there? I really think so. I think our minds have a stronger bank of recognition then we give it credit for...a greater ability to recognize the importance or significance of certain dates, times, places, smells.

The other day I was at yoga and I actually thought about this trip, particularly this one night, sitting on the beach after snowboarding at a secret spot all day. A cool air, a beach fire, a bottle of wine, a guitar and 3 great new friends. I went to this place during yoga as a place of peace, of feeling centered, feeling warmth.

I've traveled a lot and had many random happenings, interesting meetings, intense memories, but I must say that trip is one that will forever give me a smile, be a place of peace and balance in my mind, a sense of warmth and wholeness.

Happy Anniversary TD, DL and BB. All my love and happiness for our fortuitous weekend, sealing our lifelong friendships.

"When I find myself by the sea, in another's company by the sea. When I go out to the pier, gonna dive and have no fear." - The xx, VCR

La Dolce Far Niente

After a long week running an event in the suburbs, I was in major need of a recharge. I dove in, head first, to 3 days of solitude and recharge. I kicked it off by watching "Eat, Pray, Love". I have to admit, I like the movie significantly better than the book, a sentiment I rarely feel. Having this movie start off my recharge weekend was perfect too, particularly because of a scene while she's in Italy. They discuss an Italian term, "la dolce far niente", which translates to the art of doing nothing. They discuss how Americans take time to do nothing and feel guilty whereas they and many other countries, do it because they want to and don't feel the need to justify or self-loathe after.

I embodies La Dolce Far Niente this weekend and don't have an ounce or regret or guilt. I slept, I watched movies, I got a massage, I meditated, I did yoga, I took a long candlelit bath, I had a beer while grocery shopping, I cooked a fabulous meal and enjoyed every last bite, I sat and read by the fire. I literally left my house 3 times...once for the massage, once for groceries and once for a movie marathon at a friends. I can't describe how great it felt to escape, hide, quiet my mind, not leave my apartment.

I am a generally outgoing sociable person but to recharge I need solitude. The escape from people, conversation, small talk was like a face lift...renewing. I recommend a day or 3 of la dolce far niente to all and I plan to have more at least moments, evenings of it.

Relax...because you want to.


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Top 10's

Hmm so a friend of mine posted a Top 10 list of songs for 2010 on his Facebook page and it got me thinking that I'd like to post a few Top 10 of 2010 posts before ringing in the New Year. Here are the categories I'm thinking:

Top 10 Memories

Top 10 Songs

Top 10 Movie/TV Show Quotes

Top 10 Places (specific vs broad)

What else, what else....not sure what I'll start with but perhaps tomorrow morning will be the first.

Quelle Surprise

Yeah...so much for my posting about Hawaii shortly after my one picture. Alas, it will come....probably on a bitter cold day when I need to take some time to think back to the warmth and wonder of Hawaii.

So, for now, a holiday post of sorts. I had a few moments of slight sadness/nostalgia coming into the holiday season thinking about Church St. and the lights and music pipping through the street, lights outlining each tree, kids playing in the snow, Leunigs with it's warm glow and cozy bar. It's been almost 6 months exactly since I called it home there. But the memories are so fond I look back on them and enjoy that slight pain of sadness, it means I did it right.

Holidays. Family. Too much food. It's always nice to be back with my family. There are always surprises, some bigger than others. We found this old book that my mom used to write in that had sections for various notes about each holiday. There were only a few years, starting with my first Christmas and about 6 or 7 years. It was really neat to read...it said what we did the night before, what we ate, watched, read, who came over, what was happening in the world, what was happening in our city, what we all got, what christmas day was like and other notes. There were some funny quips about me, just further solidifying the fact that I was clearly a kid with a lot going on, including a lot of energy and pizzazz. There were notes that reminded us all how thankful we were to have each other.

Now we are approaching a new year. Can you believe it? How is is almost 2011? I was just emailing a friend that I made exactly a year ago early December and couldn't believe it had already been 365 days since being in Colorado for work and staying in this crazy huge house, watching a Toyota truck get tipped after a crazy party, having some amazing runs on the hill and making memories with a new friend. A year. Another year. So much has transpired in 2010. I will need to devote some time to thinking about it, really digesting the past year. Maybe I'll do a post about 2010 memories, learnings, experiences. Those things that I will take w/me moving into 2011 and beyond.

I hope everyone had a great holiday and remembered to love the ones you're with. It's all about love and family and friends. We mustn't forget that. To all my VT family, miss and love you always. Have a French 75 at Leunigs for me after a nice stroll up Church on a snowy evening.