Game Plan

The Etching of the day-Color Scheme

The Etching of the day-Let The Sun Shine

Etching of the night-Night Sky

Etching of the day-Saving the Salmon

Here is an article out of today's San Francisco Chronicle, efforts to save the salmon may hurt farmers. But help restore the salmon population.

Water pressure: By Kelly Zito :CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER

More than a half century after a colossal federal dam built outside Fresno transformed 64 miles of the San Joaquin River into a dusty trench and annihilated native salmon populations, engineers will open the floodgates to begin a new era for California’s second-longest river.

Beginning today, operators will release small pulses of water from Friant Dam with an eye toward “rewetting” the parched riverbed and ultimately reintroducing salmon species beginning next year.

Sizable, year-round flows will not push water through the entire length of the 150-mile stretch of the river between the dam and its union with the Merced River until 2014.

Changes in the dam’s operations are the first visible signs of a historic river restoration settlement between environmentalist and fishing groups, the federal government and agricultural interests.

But the initial flows also highlight the contradictory pressures facing dams in modern California.

While this week brought a tentative agreement to remove four dams along the Klamath River in far northern California and southern Oregon to revive key salmon runs, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has made it clear that a pending overhaul of the state’s deteriorating water system will gain his signature only if it includes major new dam and reservoir projects.

Many involved in the protracted fight to restore the San Joaquin River say today’s action represents a rare instance of sacrifice, cooperation and success.

“This is truly momentous,” said Monty Schmitt, senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council.

“When you look at the backdrop of water resource conflicts happening throughout the West, there are very few examples of problems being solved. No one got exactly what they wanted in this, b ut we’ve settled this and we’re getting water in the river. That’s huge.”

The legal battle to revive the San Joaquin River, which carves a crescent-shaped, south-north route from the foothills east of Fresno to the sprawling Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta east of the Bay Area, dates back to 1988.

That year, the Natural Resources Defense Council and environmental groups sued the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and other federal agencies to prevent them from renewing long-term water contracts with Friant-area irrigation districts that would have continued to siphon virtually all of the water from San Joaquin.

When Friant Dam was built in the 1940s to provide water to about 1 million acres of farmland, it slashed flows to a seasonal trickle and some experts came to describe the river as little more than an agricultural drainage ditch. Once-plentiful salmon runs — old timers told of scooping fish from the rivers to use as hog feed — disappeared by the early 1950s.

Nearly two decades after the legal wrangling began, in 2006, a federal judge sided with the environmental and fishing groups, ordering the reinstatement of flows and salmon. This past March, Congress gave the project a financial boost by approving $400 million for the river as part of a landmark wilderness bill. An additional $200 million will come from previously approved California bonds.

Funds will pay for studying water flows and temperatures, fixing damaged canals, deepening of too-shallow channels and adding fish ladders.

As it stands, the San Joaquin flows for 38 miles past Friant Dam, where it is gradually funneled into cropland by those with rights to pull water directly from the river. At that point, however, the riverbed turns into a sandy furrow for 24 miles. It flows again near the Mendota Pool, where it meets up with the federally constructed canal that moves water from the delta to the Central Valley. Past Sack Dam a short way downriver, the San Joaquin again runs dry for about 40 miles until it converges with the Merced River and its tributaries.

Wildlife biologists who lament the loss of a robust river system teeming with fish and waterfowl welcome the effort to re-establish one, continuous river flow to the Pacific Ocean.

For the 15,000 farmers served by the river and Millerton Lake behind Friant Dam, however, the 18 percent or so reduction in their water supplies couldn’t come at a worse time. Drought, environmental restrictions on water exports from the delta and a floundering economy have forced many Central Valley farmers to fallow acreage or pump water from underground. Pumping too much water from wells carries significant risks: It can push water levels below the reach of wells and cause land subsidence.

“This isn’t going to be catastrophic, but farmers are going to pump, pump, pump groundwater,” said Randy McFarland, spokesman for the Friant Water Users Authority, which represents the region’s farmers. “In a sense, that’s going to defeat the purpose of the project because the dam was built originally because farmers were depleting groundwater in the 1920s.”

E-mail Kelly Zito at kzito@sfchronicle.com.

The Etching of the day-Water

[Water.org] Co-founded by Matt Damon and Gary White, Water.org is a nonprofit organization that has transformed hundreds of communities in Africa, South Asia, and Central America by providing access to safe water and sanitation.

Water.org Vision: the day when everyone in the world can take a safe drink of water.

Read more about the mission Matt Damon is on, to ensure that everyone in the world can take a safe drink of water, in the October 2009 issue of Esquire Magazine. The article,

Matt Damon: The Celebrity Shall Save You, written by By Luke Dittrich, is posted at Esquire.com

Also, learn more at http://water.org/

The Etching of the day-Our Values

"These are not ordinary times", I read this in an article a couple of days ago and it has stuck with me. The spokesperson said, "ordinarily we would not do this (whatever it was), however these are not ordinary times." How true! How liberating. Indeed these are not ordinary times. If there was ever a time to step up and take chances, this period of time in our world qualifies.

I set up this blog for many reasons, but partly because it is not an ordinary time for me. I have been on a path of study, research and looking for a new job. I have watched California's unemployment rate go up and down, but like a failed diet, more up than down. As of this writing the unemployment rate sits at 12.2%.

As I research jobs and companies, I look for the companies VISION, MISSION, VALUES statement. I've been inspired by that process and it nurtures, sometimes, my own vision, mission and values. This is a recent statement I copied and pasted,

VISION, MISSION, VALUES
Our Vision: Our vision is to enable free-flowing communications between people, inclusive of differences in abilities, languages, or locations.
Our Mission: Our mission is to enable communications that positively impact our deaf, deaf blind, hard of hearing, and hearing customers every day. We enable these communications through intimate customer knowledge, high-quality professional services, advanced technology, and the passion and commitment of our employees.
Our Values: Own It. Take the initiative. Create and seize opportunities. Lead. Be accountable.

:)

The etching of the day-The Sky is the Limit

California’s Unemployment Rate Increases To 12.2 Percent

Note: EDD’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) telephone lines are open Saturdays
from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for claim filing and assistance. For convenience, select
EDD Workforce Services offices also are open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
to provide access to computers and phones for claim filing and assistance.
Check EDD’s Web site (www.edd.ca.gov) for a list of these offices.

California’s Unemployment Rate Increases To 12.2 Percent

SACRAMENTO – California’s unemployment rate was 12.2 percent in
August, and nonfarm payroll jobs declined by 12,300 during the month,
according to data released today by the California Employment Development
Department (EDD) from two separate surveys.
The U.S. unemployment rate also increased in August, rising to 9.7 percent.
In July, the state’s unemployment rate was 11.9 percent, and in August 2008, the
unemployment rate was 7.6 percent. The unemployment rate is derived from a
federal survey of 5,500 California households

The power to begin again, to retool, to re-invent ourselves.

To whom it may concern: I wanted to share this article with you on this Sunday afternoon. Since I won't make it to church today, I was looking around online for a glimpse of inspiration and spiritual nourishment, and I found it in this article written by Dr. Penny Nixon the former senior pastor at MCCSF in San Francisco where I attend church. Dr Nixon wrote this letter for Easter, however the message is just as relevant for today as it is for tomorrow and will be forever. I hope as you read it you feel as connected to it's truths as I did when I read it for the first time.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

In case you hadn't seen it yet, here's a piece I wrote about resurrection that was published in the San Mateo County Times:
Resurrection for All of Us


Last year’s resurrection won’t work for this year’s Easter. I’m not sure when the expiration date was, but all I know is that it lost its potency somewhere along the way. Today it is all too easy to look around us and lose sight of the Easter message of hope and renewal.

The “first” Easter didn’t happen in a historical vacuum. It wasn’t some Hallmark moment in a manicured garden with birds singing and rabbits cocking their heads. It happened in the midst of sorrow, despair and loss. The women who came to visit the tomb were not enveloped in a beatific glow. They came with swollen eyes and tired bodies, a visage of grief. The crosses were still casting their shadows in the background. Good Friday was a mere 36 hours behind them.

Today it still feels like a Good Friday world, where goodness is often crucified, and where violence has become our default solution. Many in our own community feel unsure about the future. Others worry endlessly whether they will be able to put food on the table and whether their rent or mortgage check will bounce. Still others wake up every day wondering whether they will be handed a pink slip. And many, particularly the uninsured and under-insured, live in anxiety that the next illness in their family will plunge them into unrelenting debt.

As people living in this nation, our economic security and sense of identity have been shaken profoundly. This is not news to anyone reading this. But the enduring message of Easter is that there is life beyond Good Friday.

So why has last year’s resurrection date expired? Because I have lost my faith? No. I do not doubt the power of resurrection that many Christians believed happened 2000 years ago. I am simply suggesting that if resurrection—that ability to rise from the ashes and live again—is not happening in our own life and community, then it is not yet real. The nature of resurrection is that it doesn’t just happen once, but again and again.

And do we ever need it this year.

The power to begin again, to retool, to re-invent ourselves. Resurrection is the greatest stimulus package imaginable. The power to become not who we were, but more than who we were. The ability to rise from the ashes and leave behind those aspects of ourselves that put us in disharmony with one another and with our brothers and sisters across the world.

How does it happen? We imagine it together. It happens in communities, all kinds of them. We stop thinking of ourselves first and concentrate on our interdependence. We break through the shackles of race, class and gender by intentionally crossing boundaries and working together to truly help each other. We practice acts of kindness and are the first to give the other the benefit of the doubt. We stop blaming and get to work. We are honest enough to admit that the old system just doesn’t work anymore, and we are brave enough to embrace new possibilities of a way forward. We refuse the easy out of cynicism and become champions of hope even when things look bleak. We believe that even the smallest act can make a difference.

Remember, resurrection happened in the dark of night, and then the dawn came. And, the new resurrection happening this year—it is for everyone. It doesn’t matter what tradition you’re from. Every faith tradition celebrates some concept of resurrection. It doesn’t matter what you call it. Call it spring. Call it renewal. Just be part of the new life, the new way trying to spring up like grass through the cement of our past. If we can imagine it, we can create it. So this Easter I am imagining resurrection—for all of us.


Rev. Dr. G. Penny Nixon
Senior Minister, Congregational Church of San Mateo

BART has reached a tentative agreement

Go to this link for the details BART - Regular BART service tomorrow / tentative agreement reached.

Lemonade Movie Trailer

We've all heard the truism, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."
[*Per Webster:
tru·ism [tr ìzzəm]
(plural tru·isms)
n
obvious statement: a statement that is so obviously true and so often repeated that people find it trite or meaningless]

However, there is nothing trite or meaningless about 'Lemonade' the movie. Out of this tough economic time, laid off ad man 37 year-old copywriter Erik Proulx turned to movie making. Now he has a movie showcasing the transformed lives of former ad executives, all laid off from their high paying jobs, and coming out the other end of the experience with fuller and richer lives than before.

Check out Erik's website http://www.pleasefeedtheanimals.com/

*Thank you Erik for the refreshing drink of 'Lemonade The Movie' on a hot summer day*

I could manage without smell for a year

Smell, on the plus side it would make cleaning the cat box a lot easier.

Social Media, Rumors, and My Observations

It was a case of 'the rumor of my death was greatly exaggerated'.regarding the reports that Jeff Goldblum died last night. (I wanted to share my observations with you.)

I volunteered at a concert last night. Some of the concert goers were talking about how shocked they were to learn the news about Michael Jackson's death' yesterday.

Then someone came in saying they had just heard that actor, Jeff Goldblum had died in an accident. The response was interesting. Here is what I observed:

*Some took out their pda's and began to search for the true story.
*Some accepted the news as fact.
*Some immediately said this is a rumor, and dismissed it.
*Some said these things happen in three's, but they thought that Ed McMahon was the first, Farrah Fawcett 2nd, and Michael Jackson 3rd.

In recent days, social media was a source of news information in Iran, sharing videos from the protests. But in this case, the rumor mill went into overload. There will always be the need for legitimate news organizations, to filter through the debris, and deliver the facts of a story.

Here's what a search for 'Jeff Goldblum fall' revealed:

1. NZ police deny rumours of actor Goldblum death‎ - 10 hours ago WELLINGTON (AFP) — New Zealand police have denied rumours which spread via social websites that actor Jeff Goldblum had died in a fall while making a film ... AFP - 186 related articles »

2. Top Stories - Global Associated News

   Actor - Jeff Goldblum Falls To His Death In New Zealand. THIS STORY IS STILL DEVELOPING... Actor Jeff Goldblum died while filming a movie in New Zealand ...
   jeff.goldblum.mediafetcher.com/.../actor_new_zealand.php - 18 hours ago - Similar -

3. Jeff Goldblum Has Died, Falls to Death on Set!? - MoviesOnline

   Today is a dismal day for bad news. There is NO online confirmation but New Zealand Police are reporting that Jeff Goldblum has fallen to his death on...
   www.moviesonline.ca/movienews_16932.html - Similar -

4. Jeff Goldblum Too? Another Rumored Death | Manolith

   ... reports from a New Zealand newspaper - and lots of action on Twitter - actor Jeff Goldblum died early this morning after a fatal fall.
   www.manolith.com/.../jeff-goldblum-too-another-rumored-death/ - 17 hours ago - Similar -

5. Actor - Jeff Goldblum Falls To His Death In New Zealand (JEEZE, IT ...

   Jun 25, 2009 ... KEYWORDS: actor; enoughalready; fake; falls; false; fraud; goldblum; hoax; hoaxhoaxhoax; hollywood; jeff; lol; nottrue; oldbutfake ...
   www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2279610/posts - Similar -

6. Twitter / pam perry: Actor - Jeff Goldblum Fall ...

   Actor - Jeff Goldblum Falls To His Death / Top Stories - Global Associated News http://ff.im/4rVZC.
   twitter.com/pamperry/status/2338894900 - 5 hours ago - Similar -

7. Newsvine - Actor - Jeff Goldblum Falls To His Death In New Zealand ...

   Jun 25, 2009 ... Actor Jeff Goldblum died while filming a movie in New Zealand early this morning - June 25, 2009.
   ravenwing5910.newsvine.com/_.../2970068-actor-jeff-goldblum-falls-to-his-death-in-new-zealand-this-is-apparently-a-hoax - Similar -

8. Tom Cruise to Jeff Goldblum, Kauri Cliffs NZ Celebrity Death Hoax ...

   Jun 25, 2009 ... A quick search of "Jeff Goldblum dies," "Jeff GoldblumJeff Goldblum falls" from legitimate news sites yielded nothing, ...
   www.nowpublic.com/.../tom-cruise-jeff-goldblum-kauri-cliffs-nz-celebrity-death-hoax - Similar - dead" and "

9. snopes.com: 'Actor Killed in Fall from Cliff' Death Hoax

   Nov 16, 2006 ... A star actor was killed in a fall from a cliff while filming in ... "Jeff Goldblum, Harrison Ford Dead? Fake News Stories Make Dire Claims. ...
   www.snopes.com/inboxer/hoaxes/tomhanks.asp - Similar -

10. *HOAX* Jeff Goldblum Falls To His Death In New Zealand - Purse Forum

    15 posts - 11 authors - Last post: 15 hours ago

    it has NOT been confirmed but police reports from new zealand are saying he fell to his death while filming a movie.
    forum.purseblog.com/.../hoax-jeff-goldblum-falls-his-death-new-zealand-477665.html - 15 hours ago - Similar -

11. Another DEATH! Jeff Goldblum Has Died, Falls to Death on Set ...

    40 posts - 16 authors - Last post: 16 hours ago

    Jeff Goldblum Has Died, Falls to Death on Set! General Discussion. ... A story circulating that actor Jeff Goldblum has died falling off a cliff at Kauri ...
    goldismoney.info/forums/showthread.php?t=386220 - 16 hours ago - Similar -

BREAKING NEWS-Michael Jackson dies

It's being reported that Michael Jackson suffered cardiac arrest today, and died. CBS reported the news on the air at 3:33pm pacific time. At the same time CNN had still not confirmed the news of his death, and instead was reporting he was in a coma. However, the L.A. Times is also reporting that Jackson died.

Farrah Fawcett dead at 62

Farrah Fawcett 62, died Thursday, after a long battle with cancer.

I grew up watching 'Charlies Angels' when the show started. I liked Farrah Fawcett's haircut so much, that I ended up getting the layered cut, and adding some blond highlights to my hair.

We're a society on the move, and very busy, with little time to watch whole newscasts, all of the way through. So we're much more driven to get tidbits of news, through headlines, and blurbs. Lately the headlines about Farrah, had been revolving around Ryan O'Neal planning to marry the actress. (When she could say 'I do', which tragically did not happen.)

I took time to read some of the articles posted today about Farrah Fawcett's life, and her battle with cancer. The documentary "Farrah's Story", an unvarnished look at Farrah Fawcett's struggle to overcome cancer is suppose to re-air on NBC tomorrow night. NBC.COM has posted this information:
NBC is going to re-air Farrah's Story tomorrow evening, June 26, from 9-11. Dateline NBC will have a special show about Farrah on tonight as well.

Here is a link to Anderson Cooper's 360 blog, which includes a clip from Farrah's Story.

California's Unemployment Rate is like Kirsti Alley's diet woes

Just like a failed diet, encouraged to see some weight loss, but then yikes, not only were those pounds gained back, but some extra pounds were added on as well.

Well, California had good news in April when unemployment rates came back down to 11% from 11.2%. Indications of recovery after stimulus efforts were made. There were warnings however, that the pending problems with car manufacturers, would represent yet another wave of layoffs.

Unemployment reports now, late in June, reveal a sharp increase up to 11.5%. 11.5%, it's now reported that California will probably see an increase in the unemployment rate up to 12%.

With all the yo yo, month to month reports. I'm hearing positive reports also. Some folks in my circle of life have gone back, or are going back to work. So don't give up is my message, keep on keeping on, believe, seek, and you will find. Here's to pride week. vlb

"Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy."

Thich Nhat Hanh

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved."

Helen Keller

An Attitude of Gratitude

It seems like only yesterday, that I worked with the folks in the picture above. Yes, I'm in this picture too. However, at the same time, it seems like a lifetime ago, that I worked with these folks. Everyone shown has moved on. The station we worked for, stopped doing news many moons ago.

In this current economy there have been many cutbacks, and workers laid off from their jobs in numerous industries. Others, like me, have accepted voluntary buyouts from their companies, to take this opportunity to move forward, and change careers.

The process for me, has had it ups and downs. But, I have an attitude of gratitude. I'm grateful for my partner, who has stood by me, and believed in me. I'm grateful for my friend Kevin, who, with a passion for his craft, tutored me in my studies. I'm grateful for The Bay Area Video Coalition, for giving me the tools and instruction to learn new technologies!

I've been inspired by the process of pushing forward. I am eternally grateful to the those people I have met along this path. As the man in the bookstore prayed for me, so many moons ago, I'll never forget what he said, "God, keep her reminded, that you are going before her, preparing the way for her."

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. John Quincy Adams (1767-1848)

Alaska, The Last Frontier

In this tough economy, you have to find time to smell the roses, take time to recharge your batteries, it works in ways you can't imagine.

I was reminded on my recent visit to Alaska, just how precious, and short life is. I was dinning with my partner when we started talking with the family sitting next to us at dinner one night. It was a father, mother, and daughter in her mid twenties vacationing together.

I found an immediate connection with the father. We had both worked in our previous industries for over twenty years, and we both had done very well in our careers, but at the same we were ready, and currently entering new career paths. We stayed an additional hour at this restaurant visiting with this family, and enjoying their company.

Life is short, I'm thankful for my trip to Alaska, the endless, and beautiful scenery, and the wonderful people I met. I'm thankful that I'm not alone, in forging a new career path. (*forging per Webster:

2.	vt establish something with effort: to establish and strive to develop something with great effort.)

In this economy making a career change does take 'great effort'. Alaska's last frontier renewed my energy for the continued work ahead. vlb

5/5/2009 It's My Birthday:)

It's my birthday today. So far, I'm off to a great start, the love of my life gave me a one year membership to 24 hour fitness. Oh. happy day:)

My horoscope in the SF Chronicle today says:
TAURUS-(April 19-May 19) What use to come easy doesn't any more. This is good because it pushes you in a new and more creative direction.

Well, this is true. I started working when I was in senior high school, and I have not been without a job since that time. But, I was ready to move forward in a new and more creative direction. My last job had become stifling. After layoffs at the company, my schedule change to nights. Now my commute, built around shuttles and BART was compromised. There are no shuttle buses to my neck of the woods after midnight.

So, leaving all of that behind me, I am pressing forward to high calling of a new career path. It's hard work, but, I'm a skilled at hard work. Above is a picture I painted with the paint program on my computer. It's practice. But, it's representative of my life. Roots firmly planted in the ground, supporting my life, as I go through the process of branching out. vlb

In Development

My Life in Development

Today, I started the journey
Yesterday, I followed the path
Last week, I kept the faith
Last month, I prayed
Last year, I looked forward to the future
Many moons ago, I grew up
Tomorrow, is my birthday

by vlb, May 5, it's my day, it's the celebration of the beginning, of what was to become me, and there is no period at the end of the sentence, just the knowledge, that as before, my life is in development

May 1st 2009 & May Showers on Labor Day

May lived up to it's reputation today and brought in the showers.

It's also Labor Day. I so wish May had brought in a shower of jobs. But, maybe it will.

In my own job search, I had a welcome phone interview yesterday. Next week, I'll have phone interview#2. Will the week after bring the in person interview? and perhaps soon, a job?

Well, whatever happens, May is my month. I was born on May 5th, and my lucky number (if you believe in lucky numbers, hey, I'll take any advantage I can get.) is lucky number 5.

Summer resorts are hiring per the Associated Press-Here's the link:

Summer resorts hiring heavily among US unemployed

But, lets get real. Here's hoping that those of us out there looking for a job, will find one, soon, a job, that after this summer, will still be ours! vlb

Unemployment-It's up again in California

(04-17) 12:06 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- The state unemployment rate soared to 11.2 percent in March, the highest since before World War II, leaving a record 2.1 million Californians out of work, according to a report issued Friday. (San Francisco Chronicle)

It's up again, the unemployment figures continue to rise. One person out of every nine in California is unemployed. It's hard to believe.

The good news, some companies are hiring in spite of other companies having to still layoff staff.

To check out the top 200 companies in the bay area, check out this link to the SF Chronicles CHRON200.

And here's to all of us out there looking for work in 2009. vlb

Jobless claims top 6M; housing starts plummet

"

WASHINGTON — The number of people receiving jobless benefits exceeded 6 million for the first time, the government reported Thursday, and housing construction unexpectedly plunged to its second-lowest level on record — fresh evidence that the recession is far from over.

Analysts expect the labor market to remain weak for the most of this year with companies reluctant to hire new workers until an economic recovery is well under way. And the latest housing data show the slump in that market, a major factor in triggering the recession, has yet to hit bottom." (from Comcast.net news and information)

Well, this was the first bit of news I read this morning as I logged on to work on school projects, and do my job search research. Finding a job in 2009 is going to be tough. So here's to the unemployed out there, stay steadfast, because in spite of this news, Craigslist, Monster.com, Ladders, and a host of other sites out there continue to post tons of positions, and although they may not yield what your looking for, these sites do give way to new directions of possibility for work, that maybe you have not yet thought of. Be creative!:) vlb

Never Give Up

Whatever it is you're dealing with today, don't give up, never give up. The path may be steep, maybe you can't see an end to the path. But hindsight is 20/20. Sometimes it helps to look back, as you move forward.

In my ongoing job search I'm learning many lessons, sharpening many skills, and learning to be present and grateful, not just for where I've been, but for where I'm going to be. vlb

Magnitude 4.3 Earthquake this morning in the South Bay

This is Pacifica, California and this is where I live, Pacifica is 20 minutes south of San Francisco. This morning I was working at my desk at home when the house sounded like it was settling into the ground. A couple of minutes later the house shook, and the chair I was sitting in swayed and shimmied left to right a few times. There was no doubt that an earthquake had just hit the bay area.

Fyi, no reports of damage or injuries, Bit it definitely felt like a strong quake. vlb

Friday Already:) Oh, Yeah

This beach is located about 40 minutes south of San Francisco, and only 5 minutes south of Devil's Slide, Devil's Slide is well known in the bay area because about every other year it closes down hwy 1 to through traffic, after winter storms cause weak areas in the rock to slide into the highway, shutting it down for several days, while the cleanup and repairs are made. But, a major highway project underway will make those closures a thing of the past.

Yesterday as I took a walk along this beach, and took in the beauty of God's creation, and took time to breathe in the fresh air, and had time to play with dogs, and spend time out in nature with the love of my life, I found renewed strength, and began again to count my many blessings, and name them one by one.

My life will always be in development, there will always be new things to learn, and new places to go and explore, this period of career change is showing me these things more than ever. A stranger once prayed for me this wonderful prayer of encouragement, and part of the prayer went like this, "God keep her reminded, that you are always going before her, preparing the way for her." Hindsight has shown me how this prayer is being fulfilled day by day, as I look forward I hope to begin to see it as well, with more conviction and assurance, while at times there may just be one set of footprints in the sand. (get it?) vlb

Monday came quick!

It was a very cold and windy weekend. But today the sun is warm, the wind has calmed down somewhat, and the search for a job continues.

I take a daily walk for exercise and fresh air. I noticed last week for the first time on my walk, that more cars are parked along the street than ever before, more people are staying home. The headline on this Saturday's SF Chronicle showed unemployment in California was now at 10.5%. I can certainly see the impact where I live with more neighbors staying home these days. Back when I was first home from leaving my job, this area was a ghost town during the week.

So with renewed effort, here's to the week ahead, the job search continues. So send positive job energy this way! The sun is high in the sky, there is a cold breeze blowing, you can hear the distant sound of lawnmowers running as the wheels of industry are turning. So here's to hard work, play, and taking the time to smell the roses. Happy Monday! vlb

sunset in pacifica california, weds and thurs night

The fog returns to Pacifica

The fog is rolling in thick today.

Just like in life, sometimes the fog comes in thick. But, all of the beauty, all of the blue skies, all of the hope, and promise, and direction, and potential are still there. Even when it's not as apparent as when the skies are clear. vlb

Monday

At the end of the day this Monday, while I did a ton of research, and found some interesting positions to apply for, and finally had my telephone interview with EDD to go over questions regarding my unemployment benefits, it felt like a wasted day, unfortunately.

But, during this period of searching for a new job, going back to school, and changing my career path, I'm guessing that's just the way it's going to be. I've had some incredible days that felt successful and I could see that I made some major steps forward. This was not one of those days.

What was missing? Well, I never took my walk today, I never picked up my book to read, I had lunch at my desk, I didn't do my stretches.. My lesson? To remember the exhaustion that comes from not doing those things that recharge and renew my brain cells and battery. It's just as vital to take time to smell the flowers, as it is to plant the seeds, as I grow into that new job that I'm looking for. vlb

Pacifica, California this week end

"The Daily Show" w/Jon Stewart

http://www.thedailyshow.com/

Take time to Breathe Deeply

The sf chronicle had a story in the datebook section today on rock climber 'Katie Brown'. Only 28, Katie Brown is author of 'Girl on the Rocks': A Woman's Guide to Climbing with Strength, Grace, and Courage' Falcon Guides, 2009. The title alone describes my job search journey, as I climb onward and upward, I’m relying on strength, grace, and courage.
When I lived in Florida, I worked for a start up television station that during the construction period of the new building, the station launched a 20 minute show out of an old strip mall turned office complex. In the complex, next door to the temporary station, was an indoor rock climbing gym going in. Working for a start up station was exciting, but just as exciting was watching the progress of the rock climbing gym going on.
Later, after moving to California, I finally made my way to an indoor rock climbing gym in San Rafael, California. I joined the gym, took lessons in rock climbing and weight lifting. Before starting up the wall, you would say on-belay, that indicated to your belay-er, that you were tied in and ready to climb. I was in the best shape ever when I climbed. Reading the chronicle story about climbing and author Katie Brown this morning brought back many memories of those days.
I have had the good fortune of taking part in in-door and outdoor rock climbing, parachuting, scuba diving, and snorkeling out in the ocean over huge sea turtles and reefs. Each of these activities brought me a very similar feeling, of being out in nature, and really letting go of all the stuff, the baggage, the dust, the cob webs, you truly, in those type of moments, live in the present moment, as you focus on safety and survival, and you breathe in the air, and take in the beauty of what’s around you.
Here's a quote from Katie's book, "You're a little intimidated by the challenge of the climb, and the exposure, so you breathe deeply, tell yourself you can do it, and continue to move upward on the rock."
Whatever you do, remember to take a moment to breathe deeply, tell yourself you can do it, and continue to climb upward! vlb

breathe in the fresh salty air and fill your lungs