Viewing From Above.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvgZkm1xWPE
(Viva La Vida - Coldplay)

After years of conversation, I found an equal. Someone searching for answers. I can turn to for questions. I'm not sure how I found this person. A name... What one chooses to be recognized with or as. Experiences in growing, finding. Enlightenment of self. It is always a pleasure. To share. To learn.

Findings On The Seven Seas...

For Sinbad:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgrRRNwj7mU
(We Used To Be Friends - The Dandy Warhols)

Its ok to feel lost, uncertain. All the "what ifs" in life prevent one from living, and cause confusion. All the "obstacles"/things in life are for living. Each one should be marked as a goal. Then once through them, they become achievements. The past was not meant to be dwelt on, only to learn from. To recapture that one moment is futile. It will never be as good, or as perfect, and the hope of trying to get to that same place again is only a fallacy. Remember it how it was and cherish it. Moving on and forward to create new moments and new beginnings is the future. And the future is not worth waisting our short time here wrapped up in the past. Uncertainties, "what ifs", and previous things are like religion, ineffectual. The truths about life are in living it. The point is no matter what happens, where you are, or what life deals you, or where you will be going - you must always find a way to rediscover you. And maybe, just maybe, that is the intended purpose.

Just Watch And See!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeRxvcj0Lss
(Video - Krapooy0)

Memoirs Of My Sweets...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU3KBI5qyEY
(Sweetness - Jimmy Eat World)

Jimmy Eat World or damn, what was the name of that group? I couldn't decide between the two cds. I stuck with Jimmy. Gosh, I can't believe I forget the name of that group. I had secretly wished for the cds to be reversed at a time... but then came to appreciate Jimmy Eat World alot more than the other.

A past time of friends, family, death, happiness, possibly what one could describe as a love (if one knew what love was). Maybe a different kind of love, a love of appreciation. Oysters and cellos. Even your cat and I had conversations over the phone. I have been way out of touch. I miss our intellectual conversations, late hours, meeting in passing.

For your thoughts, excerpts from the real authentic paper journal over the years:

Friday morning New Jersey - meeting face to face. An overstayed breakfast. Departing, spent the rest of day with family. That night I drove to south Philly. Watched Oceans 11 at the theatre. Thereafter went to a dive for some conversation and a little food. 4 am. Brief apartment visit, sitting on the balcony. Sandals, I always wear sandals... it's freezing! I hate being deathly allergic to cats. I wouldn't be outside in the moment in a courtyarded apartment complex balcony... overlooking the surrounding sunlight. Day breaks. Then I was returned to my suv. Said goodbyes and I headed back to Jersey. Do you remember the shooting star from our lookout on the balcony? Morning rush hour on a Saturday. Bumper to bumper, I called you while traffic persisted to a dead halt. The sunrise over the Philly skyline from the bridge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9AG0ltjkA0
(For Nancy - Pete Yorn)

Two hours of sleep, up to an interview by 07:45, from there to Orlando. The call.... It was you of course, informing me that you were still stuck in Atlanta! Oooo goody, I have time to dilly dally. Downtown Disney here I come. I checked the movie times, listened to music in Virgin, window shopped the left side of Pleasure Island - all the while talking intermittently on the cell, keeping me company, keeping me posted. Bumped again and again... the flight. Now that the battery is dead the calls are timed. Tampa, maybe? Sure, I drove home.

After arriving home, Melbourne! Packed an overnight bag and caught an hour of sleep. Confirmed 20:00-21:00 in Melbourne. 21:45: "I'm on the plane!" I'm still driving towards Melbourne International. Arrival. Standing there looking as tired as I. I thought the anticipation of wait was more than enough, but you were here now, finally. We headed to the infamous beach, to wade in the East Coast's monster waves. I was so hoping to share my favorite marine life... the shinys. Trying to find a way to show you, I did not pay attention to the giant wave which crashed over my head and soaked me to the bone. No shinys. We laughed and pretty much said screw it.... one set of clothes, drenched, after midnight... time to enjoy. The undertow was a bit aggressive, so no swimming too far. Instead we directed our attention to the sky and pointed out known constellations. Talk of coastal dream houses with open bedrooms to the crash of majestic yet calming waves. Back to the suv, changed into dryer apparel... and your first glimpse of painted art. One thing about living here, an overnight bag always included a beach towel big enough to use as a sarong wrap just for these occasions. The luggage was in Orlando. A hotel was a great idea, but their system was down. And that clerk - what an asshole! I'm good to drive home, the ocean refreshes you know, you on the other hand slept. On arrival home Sir B. B. didn't like the luggage, but a treat changed his attitude. Bull was fascinated with your beard, hehe. Sign posted, "Got home at 05:30 am! Don't wake!". Falling asleep.

I heard the next song on the radio today, and a splash of random memories came to stare me in the mind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRtYNPRXkYU
(How Soon Is Now - The Smiths)

I will always feel the same way I did then, even when I think of those past times, even when I hear your voice. I shouldn't of let it go so long... I should have made contact sooner. I regret not calling often. We have only spoken once since I left, plus a couple instances of phone tag.

Alaskan snow crabs. The Endorphin Rush Challenge. Pub hopping. Debs and the Zen Garden! The fountain where they practice Tai Chi. Encountering Rocky the flying squirrel. Two deaths - a cousin, a grandmother. In a way we celebrated the life of the death. Cheers. Those who have lost wrote a song and sang it for everyone. Tears. Followed by good laughs. Sunrise.

The beach bar and ocean horizon. Flavored coffees. Sunset. It was cold out on the water, so we retreated to the warmth. The Mothman Prophecies. It seems we spend all day and night talking.

A couple more hours to spare in this beautiful state. The floating dock at the pier. The graveyard. I love the boxers. Waiting for transport. Midnight, finally on the road. You sleep while driving, you weren't kidding. I drove straight though. It was taking it's toll on me 14 hours - no stops, just a few more hours. Check in. Sleep well. REM. The dream woke me, I sat straight up in bed. I do not dare to discuss the afterglow. The viewing. The stars here are vast and bright, and greatly abundant.

The service. The river. The battlefield. The Rabbi. Hahaha, oh how that still makes me laugh. They still talk about you, you know. You were deemed intelligent. On the road again... to your neck of the woods. Before sunset vehicle problems arose. The teepee on the mountain. Your revelation. The relationship. Snow? 10 years, I hadn't seen snow. It was exhilarating! I felt like I was a little kid again. That peg game. Early morning of the next day.

Maybe I will call today.... or next week. What makes us loose touch? Embarrassed. Possibly somewhere deep down I am ashamed I didn't keep the connection of just fiber cables. I wonder if its the feeling of being lost, or of fear of loosing something you once had and wonder if it will be the same. Fear of people you care for changing. Even if telephone conversations from a far.

Nasty cold and sleet. We are really low on gas. Every exit is closed due to construction. No shoulders to pull off onto, construction left its mark in a one way barricaded highway. Creeping slowly to a 15 mph drag. Panic attack is an understatement, what happens if a semi-truck comes barreling through in this bad weather and we are blocking the way with no gas. Whoever the idiots were at the DOT should of been shot! Exit 3, coasted right off the up ramp where there was a shoulder. Thank god. No signs, no sign of a station. But there were lights. Bundled up completely, all but my feet - still wearing sandals. Your jacket, what was it Russian? A gas station in the cruddy weather awaited at the top of nearly a mile hike. It was cold. The lady at the station gave us free cappuccinos before we had to walk back. The gas can has a leak! Filled up, getting warm, and back on the road again. This part of the drive you were awake and there was conversation! I was destination sleep dubbed. You showed me your home sites, through my toothpicked eyes. 06:00. Ah, a heated waterbed to meet drifting and falling.

Homemade stew. The arcade/bowling alley. Apple chimichangas. Tina & John's. Family. Retreated once again to talking until 05:00. We do have a way with times, hehe. I think we are all secretly vampires, mwuaoohaha.

The V-4 Rocket.The delicately designed cigarette holder with the dragonfly. I still have this and use it as a wallet. It is cherished. And of course the gaming stuff. An excellent movie, Brotherhood of the Wolf. Story numbers. #53. I was not let down with the fork story of course. And what trip wouldn't be complete without the use of the Waffle House. A group of friends, religion and philosophy. Tomorrow you were getting a trim. Ok, ok... the sun is rising.

Story #142 and 5 questions answered correctly. Your filmed while trimming - Momentous. The club playing the song above... How soon is Now. Kind of dancing. The waffle house proves a dive as a hang out in a small town. All those who joined us. 04:00.

Dinner at a mighty fine restaurant. The airport shop - oh my! White chocolate, orange peels, cappuccino... heaven. What a treat. Goodbyes turn into chatting about "Csaba" until way late, as expected.

Glasses. Ahah! The name of the other group - The Strokes, the cd you kept. 01:00 - on the road again. The scenic route, eh? Did you see that? The white wolf. Too tired to continue... must sleep.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tuvX_X7Rlw
(Last Nite - The Strokes)

The world's fastest checkout - oversleeping. Driving. Good Tunes, Good Conversation, Good Times. Goodbyes on the rooftop with sunset and fireworks even! Thanks for everything, truly.

A random visitation at The Zen Garden and Debs. A good night. You met my best friend Tink. I played the bongos. I was dating someone then (what a loser, btw). I thought I was on top of the world and had things figured out. But I realized then what I know now... you will always be.

A part of me, my twin, my friend.

You treated me to my first Philly Cheese Steak. OMG, cheez whiz! I had booked my last flight to the north before I even knew I was leaving for overseas. In a diner chatting... I had forgotten how your eyes were so stunning. So very blue, behind the glasses. You were. I was finally on my two feet. I was finally me. I was. You drove me to my destination.

Telephone conversations lingered at night. You offered up Serenity on the wings of a Firefly.

You sang a song to me on the tele before I left... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ_9xLl97_Q
(Leaving On A Jet Plane)

This word has us stumped, but one day we shall remember, "FLOWER".

These instances seem a lifetime. I don't know why it is so important to write them. I still like the Smiths. I still have Jimmy Eat World. Every time I hear Leaving On a Jet Plane I think of you. And I still see you at times.

The Dan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRYpd3_roHg
(Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want - The Smiths)

Teaism.

"When you hear the splash of the water drops that fall into the stone bowl

You will feel that all the dust of your mind is washed away."
- Sen-Rikyu

Estonian Waters.

And I am not referring to the seas that lie on the coasts. Ahah- then it must be the rum! Vana Tallinn - the water of Tallinn, yum. Such a new flavor unlike anything before, I couldn't help myself. Also their vodka Viru Valge, was so clean, u could drink it by itself and truly enjoy it. I would definitely recommend both those to anyone for sipping. Plus the vodka was the best I've ever tasted in my life! I imagined myself walking the cold streets back in the occupation, sipping on a fifth of the stuff periodically to keep warm. Yet I was on holiday and it was freaking cold and the stuff warmed your insides! So... As expected, my ships liquor stocks were filled on this port. Couldn't pass up the opportunity.

Speaking of water you must try Estonian water yourself... take a carafe of regular ice cold water. Add some sliced orange (2 slices). Then slice up (long ways) about half a good sized cucumber and add to water. Let sit for a bit, then enjoy. The water should taste more like cucumber than orange, so do it to taste as well. If you drain the water and just put the carafe with the orange and cucumber in the fridge, and only refill it when using it, you get more life out of your veggies. But man o man, that's some good water. I've been drinking it ever since, yummm.

Wow. That is really all I have to say. To think I could actually sail back in time to the Renaissance, sail to the Port of Tallin.


Aside from being pampered and enjoying complete relaxation, I had a terrific time out on foot in the preserved historic city, the capital of Estonia. No lie it was total reversion back in time to the medieval ages. Every building, house, etc. on every block was connected and preserved or restored to its original status. Every street was cobblestones and winding alleys leading around in circles and back to the main town square. The city was actually so big I didn't cover but a little over half on foot during the stay. Even in winter there were markets, street corner merchants, and a street full of outside flower shops - aaaa, the smell. Speaking of smell... the famous Olde Hansa house/ restaurant was near the town square and they sold as an outdoor merchant wagon candied almonds (1 of my favs). But the coolest part was the hotel was in the historic district (and the restaurant was not even a minute walking from the hotel), so every time you stepped out the front doors it smelled of sweet almonds. Castles and fort walls built in stone are around the entire city. Churches on every corner (kinda like pharmacies & fast food in the U.S., hehe). Most persons in the town played the full time part of the history in costume, if u will... there it still remains the dress more often than not. I truly appreciated the art of the era in architecture.

The food... had some bad picks... don't ever eat Estonian Chinese or Indian. Yeah right? Why those places of all to eat? Well, at sea you don't have the option to eat such delights. I enjoy authentic food, so why not? There was a ton of cafes to choose from, one chain I found to be the best was Reval. But the traditional food and the Hansa food was delicious! I tried so many different meals, it was truly an experience in itself. The best food was at the Olde Hansa: between Baltic pepper steak and a fillet mignon and boar mix over sauerkraut with berries and a cherry wine sauce, it was absolutely the best different meal I've had in a long time. For starters I recommend dried elk meat, which came in the form of salted beef jerky, and a fired cheese plate with juniper herbs, which closely resembled Greek halomi cheese when cooked (I love cheese, cheese is good food). Aside from tasting drinks in the fashion, amongst liquored coffees (which came with treats, and if I didn't know better it was a style of fruitcake). Dessert was rose pudding. Funny thing is they didn't serve any soda or "magik drinks" as they called them, hehe. They only had what was available from the appropriate era.

The hotel was a totally classy 5 star, in the historic district as mentioned before. The carpet in the halls were cool because it had old love letters and telegraphs in it. Anyway breakfast came with the room, and aside from a tremendous buffet, you could order special made stuff. So I actually looked forward to getting up early every day for breakfast - haha - believe it or not. Who wouldn't when your getting super good eggs benedict right!?! The eggs were made very different to any other type of poached I had tried before, they were light and fluffy, and they came over a little round crisp. But the hollandaise sauce was the best I have ever tasted in my life. Oh yeah and their pancakes... little silver ones, I don't know what they are called in English anymore, but they were so different and tasty, mmmm the pancakes. Also, the music throughout the hotel in the morning and during the day was all classical and Louis Armstrong (one of my favs). Then in the evenings they played the same with some jazz and trip hop, and for dinner time in the restaurant they had a harpist playing. I didn't get a chance to eat dinner there because of all the other places to try, but I did catch a dessert late one evening. It was ok, but nothing comparable to breakfast. The spa area (did I mention it was a spa hotel - cha ching) had the 2 therapy areas, a pool with roman waterfalls, a jacuzzi, eucalyptus steam bath, and sauna. The pool was a bit small, but it wasn't like i was there training, i was there to relax.

I visited 2 museums while there (which is a hobby of mine in travels). That was pretty cool to read the history of Estonia and how it was back then. I did walk around town alot. On the hunt for buying bottled alcohol (a must when on land to bring back to the ships stock), I ventured outside the old city gates and into the huge booming sky scraper city that has been built around the historic part. You wouldn't know it was there since the historic part is so big and built like a fortress. And you think malls are big in the U. S. - Hah! The one found there was 4 stories tall and gigantic. Got the alcohol - if you are ever in Europe the grocery/liquor stores are always found on the bottom floor or in the basement of these type malls (fyi). I also tried some ice cream, that's a must.. try other places ice cream. Its funny, people eat more of the stuff when its freezing and cold than in the summer, hah. I still like Norsk ice cream better, its creamier :-D .

But to sum it up, this port of call getaway was absolutely enchanting!

(February 2008)

What They Didn't Tell You...

Another letter from the editor... me! of course ;-) . t-hehe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kX2DzmmGYhg

(Propaganda - Briskeby)

All the big hype about global warming, did anyone really think about what is going on in our universe, instead of going on another money making notion of politicians and big business?

Let me just state, that back when the weather was bad about 10 years ago, everything was "oooo ahhhhh, El Nino". Did anyone even bother to look into El Nino? Any earth science minor/major knows that El Nino comes every year. It's a cycle. Just like El Nina. Does anyone remember it snowing in Florida in 1989? What about snow in Greece mid summer just a few years back? Sure these are things in time and history that are quite interesting. But not something to go overboard with.

So let me explain the current cycle today in our universe. The sun has an 11 year solar cycle. The last cycle being May 1996 to January 2008. Ok, then so the last few years have been the low of solar activity. This year January 2008 - ongoing (average of 11.1 years duration) is the beginning of the new cycle, and when the sun is at its low. Thus creating shorter winters, and delayed weather times... such as late winters, long falls, and massive amounts of storms and wind. Lets see, I think the "El Nino incident" was roughly 10-11 years ago, when the cycle was at its low once again.

Now this year is special because it is a leap year, where we try to maintain the solar calendar. Unfortunately, there are many calendars and ways to interpret leap years, but they all come back to the same principle concept. In the 1800's there was never a leap year involved in the solar cycle beginning. They were always a year apart and pretty consistent. In 1870's they were 2 years apart, returning to 1 year in the early 1900s. Finally 1944 (severe weather reported from December into January 1945/June 1944 severe weather holding military efforts) - the first leap year coinciding with solar cycle low. Then a 2 year gap. Then 1964 was another, wow that was impressive... 2 within a decade! Then 1964 (record snowfalls in TN) & 1976 (gale storms, severe droughts, crazy weather). Hmmmm... any strange occurrences in weather on these years? Then a 2 year gap again, and another coinciding date of 1996 (extreme weather even in Japan) and now 2008. I bet you the planet's next cycle won't fall on a leap year and will have a 2 year gap (at least)... what do you think? ;-) . In my research, just leap years in general seem to have an array of strange and unpredictable weather patterns. Also most endings and beginnings of solar cycles is a 2 to 3 year invasion of odd strange super fluctuating weather changes, then the years in between even out as what you would call normal variances. Normal years within a solar cycle and without leap years were just not as fascinating to report on, just mundane weather. The leap year itself is based on 293 year cycle. Where is the documentation 293 years ago when a leap year was at the solar cycle low? Since the little ice age ended in 1800's, and began roughly 300 to 500 years before, is it possible that we are only on another 293 year cycle, and this being the low? I believe so, therefore, surely there is a true scientific correlation in this study, if one were to undertake it.

Just a fact in 1916, which was just a leap year (no beginning of solar cycle). High temperatures that were record breaking and not less than a couple degrees than the high breakers we have now were reported. That was nearly 100 years ago! No shock then, it was natural to have strange weather phenomenon in all history.

"Global warming" / (greenhouse effect) is nothing more than a cycle. I shouldn't even like to call it that, but thats the term they are using and people understand. It's a cycle of the earth repairing itself, for lack of better description. If we enter into another ice age, at least we can prepare for it. If we enter into scorching hot dry periods, we can prepare for that too. Yes we should utilize our resources for this and any other thinkable catastrophes. But the world is and will ever be changing, and we as humans can't stop it from its natural cycle. It has all been done before, and surely this wont be the last time.

With the media the way they pound mainly false info into our brains, its no wonder people get hysteric and panicked. What the media doesn't offer is the same effects happening 100 years ago, like in 1916. All we have is computer generated hypothesis' based on stars and current weather/wind patterns (unless somewhere someone was fortunate enough to get there hands on written tables). And the media doesn't offer you the real facts behind the science. So just remember 100, 1000 years ago there were big storms, floods, cold periods, hot drought periods. And the news about these instances weren't wide spread, just noted. It was normal for the earth to take care of itself. It is completely normal to have them now as well.

And after writing all this I found a great case study as well:
"We missed what was right in front of our eyes," says Prof. Russell. It's not ice melt but rather wind circulation that drives ocean currents northward from the tropics. Climate models until now have not properly accounted for the wind's effects on ocean circulation, so researchers have compensated by over-emphasizing the role of manmade warming on polar ice melt. But when Profs. Toggweiler and Russell rejigged their model to include the 40-year cycle of winds away from the equator (then back towards it again), the role of ocean currents bringing warm southern waters to the north was obvious in the current Arctic warming. Last month, Oleg Sorokhtin, a fellow of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, shrugged off manmade climate change as "a drop in the bucket." Showing that solar activity has entered an inactive phase, Prof. Sorokhtin advised people to "stock up on fur coats."He is not alone. Kenneth Tapping of our own National Research Council, who oversees a giant radio telescope focused on the sun, is convinced we are in for a long period of severely cold weather if sunspot activity does not pick up soon.The last time the sun was this inactive, Earth suffered the Little Ice Age that lasted about five centuries and ended in 1850. Crops failed through killer frosts and drought. Famine, plague and war were widespread. Harbours froze, so did rivers, and trade ceased. It's way too early to claim the same is about to happen again, but then it's way too early for the hysteria of the global warmers, too." - L. Gunter.

And let's not forget magnetic north! The Earth being a giant compass, and just like a hand held version, the original point of location for the axis changes in variance of about 4 degrees. So this ever constant change most certainly effects our climate and temperature differences. Currently, we are sitting at 23.5 degrees. That is a bit far from Magnetic North. The high point that the Earth reaches is 24.4, and that brings us the furthest away from true North, and unfortunately this cycle has us heading to the high point.... Since everything is based on magnetism, it's no wonder the Earth is in turmoil physically, along with a rise and incline of disease for persons living on it. Our magnetism, for a lack of better word, is off! The last time the Earth met its maximum axis direction, was 40,000 years ago. Which in turn was a time of drought and dramatic climate changes leading into the ice age that killed off the Neanderthals.

But in relation to the paragraph above, the sun is at its solar low now. And just reported today by NASA is becoming active again, as it always is, ever changing, never predictable, and always in a cycle. Also, the wind patterns that L. Gunter speaks of flow up and then back down, another ever onward cycle. These cycles aren't "day after tomorrow" occurrences, they fluctuate in time to degrees of slow and fast variants.

So before everyone runs off the edge with "global warming" amongst other outreaching causes, don't just go with the flow. Study, learn, and see. The real facts have always been there and you will be amazed at what you find!


Yes, we pollute and destruction is our nature. But so is building a better future, and striving to become greater than we are. I am a firm believer in saving water, recycling, less power usage, etc, etc, blablabla. It will benefit us in the long run and is without a doubt more Earth friendly. So never stop our efforts to live in harmony with the ONLY planet we have.