In about 1 weeks’ time, we will be packing up and leaving…

Leaving a place that for the last (almost) 5 years we have called home!

In this place, we grew to know each other – our likes, dislikes, arguments, and partnered adulation's. We have both gone through emotional and physical struggles in our personal lives, and experienced life as we had both hoped to live before we had found each other. Since finding each other, living together, marrying each other …. I have found that life couldn't be any better, nor could have been shared with anyone more capable of encapsulating the word beautiful.

We have added our personal touch to a place that was an abode for everything that we held true to our-selves in an attempt to strengthen our friendship and build a familial structure – I believe we have been successful!

Sometimes we argue, sometimes we laugh, sometimes we love, sometimes we cry – we are human to the core, but have remained true to each other every step of the way.

As we will have ties and memories of our first place, (really the only dwelling we have known since the beginning), fresh memories will begin to unfold as our new domicile begins to take shape – you had asked me two questions when I found this place:

1) Can you see us having children here?, and 2) Can you see us growing old together here?

I believe the answer to both of those is an exciting and prodigious YES!

The Third of Which: Love

Love. I know, sappy. Especially if you know me, this seems to be true!

There is no way around it! It’s a feeling that supersedes lust. It is more common to have lust at first sight, than love at first sight. It is a rare thing indeed to find someone at the first look and just know this person is the one – it’s love, and it’s just a feeling - you know what I’m talking about and can only explain it if you ever felt it.

I believe animals feel this sense of love, too. You can see it in their eyes and actions of happiness, loyalty, and trust. Rescuing a pet from a shelter or otherwise unwanted environment and letting them know love is the greatest gift they can receive, no matter how short or long may be their time with us.

Sometimes all it takes is a short time to realize what love is; to reaffirm what loving unconditionally means, even in the face of a traumatic event – it’s knowing individually what love is and personally means that draws us closer to this aspect of human conditioning.

A sense of belonging, and closeness.

A notion of butterflies when you go on Date #1 or Date #1000.

The heartbreaking pang of loneliness when a person that you love is not near or no longer here.

Love is as great a thing as it is heartbreaking – and it’s awesome.

Respect is taken, when respect is given…

Namaste and Slainte
~BG~

The Second Installment...

The Second of which is: Family

What is family? What makes a good family structure?

For me it’s the bond that is shared between groups of people that no matter what, you are there for each other. It’s a love that can only be explained by having roots that form deep in the soul and a sense of belonging in long standing traditions from generations of history.

Family hardens the personal morals and ethics that keep us grounded, and we pass these down to whomever we meet, and to the family we might eventually create.

What if you don’t have a family directly? You don’t know where you came from? Displaced?

Your best of friends are often the best family. It’s still the camaraderie between like-minded individuals; striving toward the ultimate goal of sharing life with the people that make it bearable to live.

It’s the soothing notion that when you drive across town or country that open arms will be waiting for you; the notion that when you pick up the phone and make a call it will be like no time passed at all.

Extended Family gives an all new meaning to the term family. It encompasses a whole new life that is shared with a loved one. The extended family is like a family you never knew existed, yet always knew were there. 

They are the newest edition to life that makes sharing a life with a loved one so worthwhile.

A lot of time has passed since the writing of my first part almost two years ago…

…Including marrying that girl I told you about - 09/13/12

Respect is taken, when respect is given…

Namaste and Slainte

~BG~

New Year Anew

Full of so many new wondrous endeavors complete with many new and exciting people!

How awesome is it that technology can help people re-connect, as I have with several people from my past, or connect with brand new ones? That’s why I’m in the technology field!

Hear hear to the Johnny Snows! What an awesomely good group of people!

My two best friends are still in my life, for which I am eternally grateful...

So many life altering events have taken place this past year! But one I feel compelled to write about more than most…

When I was 10 or so, I had a vision of the number 32. The next couple of years I had a couple more visions relating to this number, with scenes I would equate to having to do with my age. Some were very dark, and for a long time those dark scenes were all I could remember. These visions translated that something life-altering would come about during this age in my life. I now know that it was for the positive, as I have met the woman of my dreams-that I in fact had a vision of at a very young age. If not for technology and Facebook, I would never have found her. The fates, once again, steered me onto this path with her almost a year and a half ago, and I’m so glad that we started dating over the summer!

Moving in with her, thusly sharing my life with her, is the biggest life-altering experience I could have hoped for…moral of this story is to never give up, even when life seems darkest. Thinking positively only brings you the very brightest of stars and dreams come true…

Here’s to a great 2010, with many more brilliant endeavors and fantastic people with awesomely great times ahead!

Respect is taken, when respect is given...

Namaste and Slainte!
~BG~

Memory From A Movie

I’ve always stated that I love watching films and movies, because it gives us a glimpse into what another might be thinking; and as it turns out, they sometimes are thinking of the same things we are. Imagine that!

Watching a movie today brought back a memory of my grandparents, my grandma in particular. The basic phrase was, “Passing things on to our grandchildren, assures us that we’ll live on after we’re gone.”

And that’s how you know you love someone – watching a film, made through someone else’s eyes, that brings a tear to the eye, because of a shared memory.

Yes, I did happen to think of my own grandma, whom passed 2 years ago. But, then I got to thinking, in movies it’s usually based on something material, a possession that’s passed through a multi-generational facet of something tangible. For me, it was ideals and notions, of ethics and morality, instilled in me that will stay a lifetime that I, too, hope to one day pass on …

It’s the little things in life that seem to mean so much … slow things down, or you might just miss out on something grand …

Respect is taken, when respect is given …

Namaste and Slainte
~BG~

Respectful Rewards

"As long as you're trying to be somebody else, the best you can ever hope for is second best. If you're genuine and consistent even those that disagree with you will be respectful of you." ~ Paul Harvey

And that's why Paul Harvey will be missed. His story telling ability was spot on each and every time, able to spin a yarn into something believable and unbiased. But, unfortunately, this isn't about Paul Harvey. This is almost in continuation of the Assistive Rewards post.

The world is full of questions, and the answers are rarely sought out. Politicians are exceptional at spinning a question into another question, as if that is itself the answer. So we are left questioning, and second-guessing our choices all the time. We ask "what if" too much, and not accept things as they are, in my opinion.

Can you really argue that trying to be like someone else, or what someone else wants you to be is beneficial to anyone? Sounds more like superficial.

Isn’t being genuine a sure fire way of grabbing someone’s attention? Everyone has what others will perceive as faults, that’s a given, and usually only on the outside and upfront. But isn’t that what can grow a healthy discussion, is taking those faults, accepting them, and maybe realizing that there is always more than one way to look at something?

There should always be some modicum of leaving some subjects alone, because you know that you will agree to disagree to which you leave it be, and that’s where civility comes into play. In the end, I’ve garnered respect for folk that have been able to logically convey their thoughts and feelings toward a particular subject, than haphazardly throwing something out there just because the feeling that that is the end all of everything.

The back-story leads into the whole story – if only what’s on top is taken, and nothing underneath is perused through, then you’ll never know … the rest of the story.

I always end my blogs and posts in one simple line:

Respect is taken, when respect is given …

Namaste and Slainte
~BG~

The Dr.'s Last Stand

Every once in a while a group of people come along that leave an impression. These impressions have a lasting effect usually from people that are not high profile, or constantly in the lime-light, but ordinary people just living their lives the best they know how. Never allowing the chance of growing stale or becoming has-beens from a vaunted high-profile endeavor, they are a consistent reminder that there are genuine down-to-earth people making a difference in some people’s lives in the smallest of ways.

Wishdoctor is such a group. Since their inception in the early nineties, this band has given the Colorado community a means to bang their heads and live a little on the wild side of good, hard, and loud rock & roll. They consistently give their all every weekend to a packed house, or on a slow night with a handful of people – they maintain their rock & roll dignity by always performing to one hundred percent of their eclectic abilities. Friendships have been forged, and families have been made.

Through their many line-up changes, Wishdoctor has retained a sound all too familiar to the fans in the know. If you are a fan of Wishdoctor, then you know their signature sound! If you’re looking for pop rock dance songs that make you roll your eyes instead of rock your brain, look elsewhere. Wishdoctor has stayed true to the core belief that if arranged properly, hard rock can be melodic and soothing to those wanting to vent out frustration on a week’s end.

As they play their final show on New Year’s Eve, the fans of Wishdoctor, (and this one in particular), will end up knowing that ‘something’ good was accomplished in the Colorado community. And that ‘something’ leaves a lasting, lifelong impression.

Greg Wohler
(originally submitted to The Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News Dec. 27th, 2008)

Respect is taken, when respect is given …

Namaste and Slainte
~BG~

Yin and Yang

(Originally written: September 28, 2006)

So, just when I thought there were no more sane people left in the world, (except of course for the people reading this blog ;-), four things happened today that put thing into perspective.

Being a practictioner of eastern philosphy and faith, there is a belief that everything that happens is counter-balanced by something good/evil, or right/wrong, or bad/good, or dark/light.

Today, I took my grandmother out for some errands. We first went to get our hair cuts. On the way, we were rudely ousted of a handi-cap parking space by some high school punk getting his lunch - which then turned into having a few choice words with me about the way I drive like a handicap. I wanted to slap that kid ... but, I digress ... Circling around to the other side, we find a space that in essence would be just as close as the other one would have been.

As I was struggling to get my grandma out of the car, (she was having sort of a tough day), a couple were returning from Subway with their meals. I told them that I would be a while and that they should go ahead. I was taken aback when the heavily tattooed scary looking man told me, "No, man. You have the right of way. Take all the time you need ... do you need some help ..." I finally got my grandma out of the car, and as we were walking by the man, I said, "Sorry for the delay," to which he replied. "You didn't delay us at all. You two have a great day." That made my day right there.

We made our way to Wal-Mart next. It's difficult pushing a wheelchair, and pulling a big cart at the same time, so what we usually do is go around the store and she tells me what to get. I leave her in the wheel chair parked by the front registers while I go and get the stuff. It sounds mean, but she likes watching all the people come and go and has a good time, so she says. So, I come back with a cart full of stuff, go and wheel her back to the register. The gal checking us out says, "You know, me and the other clerks have been keeping an eye on your grandma. We've gone over to chat with her, just to keep her company, until you came back." I almost cried right there (coupled with the incident earlier with the burly tattooed man). Anyone who knows me, knows that loyalty is my number one - especially to my family.

Done with Wal-Mart we decide to go to Quizno's for lunch. We used to go to Quizno's once a week, when she was able. We hadn't been there for a while, so it sounded like a good plan. We order our sandwiches, and my grandma wanted to use her card, so I hand the card to the manager and proceed to sign for it. She stops me of course, stating the card doesn't belong to me and that I can't sign. I tell her that it's my grandma's card and that she can't sign for it. The clerk gets mad and says "I don't care, you can't sign it ... blah, blah, blah. ..." I finally get a tad ticked and tell her that I have power of attourney and that I'd be glad to call my lawyer so that I can pay for my $14 meal. I told her that there was no way in hell that she was going to get my blind and deaf grandma with palsey to sign for the meal! The clerk finally let it go ...

Moral of the story: Two good acts, Two bad acts. They cancel each other out to bring balance. For every good act, there is a bad one to counter it - and vice versa. Pay attention next time something good or bad happens, because there will always be the opposite to cancel it out and bring a balance.

I love my grandma. And I love this world with all the yin and yang ...

Respect is taken, when respect is given ...

Namaste and Slainte
~BG~

Mother's Day Meal

Nothing was too good on Mother's Day this year...

I decided to pull out some stops on an old classic and give it a little extra kick.

Egg's Benedict. But, seriously, it was a little more than that!

Fresh Crab, Egg's Benedict in a Black Truffle Sauce

1/2 cup Rosemary Cabra Romero
1/2 cup Caciotta Al Tarfino w/ Black Truffles
3 slices of a small round artisan bread
1/8 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 tblsp butter
2 tblsp flour
1 cup milk
1 cup claw crab meat
2 medium potatoes
1 orange bell pepper
1/4 cup onion1 clove garlic
3 eggs
fresh: chives, dill, lemongrass
paprika, salt

Sauté potatoes (however you want them cut, bite size pieces work best for plating) with 1/8 cup olive oil, 1 tablespoon butter, pinch of salt, dill and lemongrass for about 10 minutes. Cube the bell pepper and add along with the onion and garlic. Continue sauté until onion becomes slightly translucent. Let simmer on low until ready to plate. Add salt to taste. (Could also replace potato with sweet potato.)

Bechamel Sauce: Heat 2 tblsp butter until a little bubbly. Add flour in increments until blended. (Note: Beginning stage will look clumpy, but whisk vigourously until rue sauce is completed - you DO NOT want pockets of flour in a sauce.) Slowly add milk, and whisk until creamy. (Requires a lot of whisking power.) Add all cheese and leave on low heat to melt. Add more milk for thinner sauce, or less milk for thicker sauce. (Can also add some heavy cream to make a more rich sauce, but not recommended replacing milk with cream.)

Prepare 3 sunny side up eggs in a pan with remaining butter. No need to salt or spice eggs.
Toast the bread in the oven until toasted to desired texture. (Note: The more toasted the bread, the harder it is to cut.) Place the bread in the center of the plate. Take some of the crab and place it on top of the slice of bread. (The more crab, the more better.) Next, place the egg on top of the crab meat. Take your potato mixture and place around bread and egg (outside of plate).

Now it's time to add the sauce - start from the center and work your way out and around the plate. Finish with a light dusting of paprika and garnish with the chives.

Serves 3, with a cook and prepare time of about 45 minutes.

All ingredients found at Whole Foods. Upgraded take on a classic protein and starch dish. And the best thing about it is that all ingredients can be replaced with something else of desired taste and texture. (With the exception of the flour. I don't know another way to make rue without flour...) Bread can be replaced with freshly made rice cakes, or potato pancakes. Happy Eating and Yummy Yummy!

Respect is taken, when respect is given...

Namaste and Slainte