Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Monday, September 29, 2014
Book Review: Unchain the Elephant
Unchain the Elephant is a new release from Simple Truths, a website and company well known for its inspirational books and other products. It is definitely one of my favorite haunts, and no, I am not being paid to say that.
The Unchain the Elephant analogy comes in the form of a story of how elephants in captivity are trained from a very young age that they cannot break free of the chains that bind them. A thick chain is tied to a tree or post, and the young elephant will test it and tug on it and eventually learns that it cannot break free, so it gives up trying. As an adult, it can be "secured" with a mere rope and it will not try to escape.
I found the story heartbreaking, and I can see where it applies to so many people, including myself, who may have long since given up or nearly given up on their dreams because they think they are stuck where they are, chained, if you will, to a job that does not serve them beyond paying the bills and putting food on the table. A part of their soul longs to be free and to be heard on its terms.
The author talks about three key moments where we must respond appropriately if we wish to free ourselves from our shackles and provides examples from his own, personal experience.
- Facing our predators (fear, etc.)
- Embracing our passions
- Rediscovering our packs (tribe)
The author, Erik Wahl, for years had been a corporate cog who followed the dictates of society that mandated getting a degree, getting a good job, following the rules, climbing the corporate ladder, etc., but he eventually realized that something was missing.
After his "secure" dot-com job bubble burst, he rediscovered his passion for art and has since parlayed his love of creating art and his business know-how into a career that he loves and has made him a much sought-after speaker.
The book is a quick 100-page or so read that was easy to digest, thought-provoking and filled with brilliant quotes and stunning photography and art. I do recommend it and hope that you will check it out for yourself.
Friday, June 28, 2013
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Leu Gardens - 2011
Thought I would share some pictures that I took at Leu Gardens in 2011. Will need a few posts for this. ;-)
Friday, December 21, 2012
Christmas Decorations
Just sharing a few photos of my Christmas decorations this year. Enjoy!
Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Larry the Laundry Room and Loo Lizard
Meet Larry, the Laundry Room and Loo Lizard
Larry scooted in my front door one day and made himself at home in my laundry room for a couple of months. Then, just last week he decided to expand his territory to my bathroom. For three days in a row I'd find him in my bathroom sink when I got up to get ready for work. He'd stay in the sink and enjoy the nice bath whenever I had to run the water. Go figure. I can't imagine what he was eating in my apartment to stay alive, but he managed!
Larry has defied capture this whole time, but, finally, last week, I was able to grab him (gently) and put him outside, which was a relief, since he'd started using my sink as his toilet. Lovely (NOT!). And smelly (truly!). :-(
I imagine Larry is reunited now with his friends and family and is telling them of his exploits as my "houseguest" for the past couple of months. Hopefully this will not encourage other lizards to move in.
Another Lizard Exploit
Today me and a friend went out to lunch, and as I was driving, I noticed a lizard near the window on the front driver's side of my car. He hung there for a few minutes and then disappeared around the driver's side of my car as I had to pick up speed.
I thought he was gone, but, lo and behold, I saw him peripherally on my side window, eyes wide and wild and clinging desperately to the car. I could just see the "WTF!" in his eyes.
As it turns out, we ended up taking a route through a residential neighborhood where we had to go fairly slowly as there were speedbumps along the route for about .09 of a mile. The lizard found his footing and eventually disappeared into the driver's side mirror. I suspect he's still there. Wonder if it's Larry?
Monday, August 20, 2012
The Whispering Canyon Cafe
Recently I had the opportunity to enjoy dinner with some friends at the Whispering Canyon Café , located at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
First, a word of warning for those who may be looking for a nice, peaceful, quiet and romantic place for dinner with your loved one: This is NOT the place! Contrary to the name of the restaurant, there was anything but whispering going on. To be fair, the restaurant’s website does warn you that it’s a “rowdy, family-style restaurant right out of the Old West…” Below is a brief synopsis of my experience at this restaurant.
Several gimmicks kept it fun for the patrons, and kids, in particular. The restaurant does not leave ketchup on the tables, so you have to ask for it. Be prepared. If you ask for ketchup, the waiter or waitress will bellow for the attention of all of the patrons, and then you have to join them in asking for the ketchup, pretty much at the top of your lungs, “WE NEED SOME KETCHUP!” Kids LOVED this. An excuse to shout at the dinner table and not get slapped? Sa-weet!
Upon hearing the shout for ketchup, whomever has the ketchup at their table brings it to your table. Now, be aware: you don’t get just one bottle. You get about 25-30 of them, and you have to leave it ALL on your table until someone else bellows for the ketchup, at which time YOU get to carry it all to their table.
One super fun thing they did for the kids was to have a pony stick race around the restaurant. A waiter rolled out a huge barrel full of pony sticks and asked who wanted to race. The kids swarmed him and selected their “steeds.” Then, the music started and they raced around the inside perimeter of the restaurant a couple of times. There was much whooping and hollering from parents and kids alike, and it was pretty fun to watch, too!
The atmosphere is very friendly and “familiar”, meaning that the wait staff may engage you in friendly bantering, such as you may find in a small town local diner where there are regular patrons and the wait staff knows them all.
Food-wise, I can highly recommend the Chicken & Pasta, served with sun-dried tomatoes, and garden fresh vegetables tossed in olive oil, toasted garlic and Parmigiano-Reggiano. :-)
My friends ordered one large Canyon Skillet for their teenaged kids and a smaller version for themselves. Please be warned that the larger version is A LOT of food. It could probably feed at least 3 people, depending on the size of their appetite. The Canyon Skillet comes with smoked pork ribs, pulled pork, oven-roasted chicken, and beef brisket, in addition to herb-crushed potatoes, cowboy beans, corn on the cob, mixed greens salad with apple vinaigrette, and fresh-baked cornbread.
My friends said they did enjoy the skillet very much, but the beef brisket wasn’t quite up to par on that particular evening. Only one of us (not me) had any room left for dessert. I don’t recall what he ate (I think it was the apple-caramel pie), but I am told that it was good.
They do like you to clean your plate at this restaurant, and heaven help you if you don’t eat your vegetables! There were two or three separate instances where someone at a table did not eat their vegetables. The waitperson hollered for everyone’s attention, and then announced that that person did not eat their veggies. Someone else held up a “BOO!” sign, and then the entire restaurant booed those people, so if you go there, please, EAT YOUR VEGETABLES!
Overall we had a very good dining experience at the Whispering Canyon Café. The experience is probably not one I will repeat any time soon, but only because it’s not my preferred kind of dining experience. If you have kids, or even if you don’t and you happen to like a rowdy and boisterous atmosphere, then by all means, check them out the next time you are in Orlando. I think you will have a great time!
I was in no way compensated for this review.
First, a word of warning for those who may be looking for a nice, peaceful, quiet and romantic place for dinner with your loved one: This is NOT the place! Contrary to the name of the restaurant, there was anything but whispering going on. To be fair, the restaurant’s website does warn you that it’s a “rowdy, family-style restaurant right out of the Old West…” Below is a brief synopsis of my experience at this restaurant.
Several gimmicks kept it fun for the patrons, and kids, in particular. The restaurant does not leave ketchup on the tables, so you have to ask for it. Be prepared. If you ask for ketchup, the waiter or waitress will bellow for the attention of all of the patrons, and then you have to join them in asking for the ketchup, pretty much at the top of your lungs, “WE NEED SOME KETCHUP!” Kids LOVED this. An excuse to shout at the dinner table and not get slapped? Sa-weet!
Upon hearing the shout for ketchup, whomever has the ketchup at their table brings it to your table. Now, be aware: you don’t get just one bottle. You get about 25-30 of them, and you have to leave it ALL on your table until someone else bellows for the ketchup, at which time YOU get to carry it all to their table.
One super fun thing they did for the kids was to have a pony stick race around the restaurant. A waiter rolled out a huge barrel full of pony sticks and asked who wanted to race. The kids swarmed him and selected their “steeds.” Then, the music started and they raced around the inside perimeter of the restaurant a couple of times. There was much whooping and hollering from parents and kids alike, and it was pretty fun to watch, too!
The atmosphere is very friendly and “familiar”, meaning that the wait staff may engage you in friendly bantering, such as you may find in a small town local diner where there are regular patrons and the wait staff knows them all.
Food-wise, I can highly recommend the Chicken & Pasta, served with sun-dried tomatoes, and garden fresh vegetables tossed in olive oil, toasted garlic and Parmigiano-Reggiano. :-)
My friends ordered one large Canyon Skillet for their teenaged kids and a smaller version for themselves. Please be warned that the larger version is A LOT of food. It could probably feed at least 3 people, depending on the size of their appetite. The Canyon Skillet comes with smoked pork ribs, pulled pork, oven-roasted chicken, and beef brisket, in addition to herb-crushed potatoes, cowboy beans, corn on the cob, mixed greens salad with apple vinaigrette, and fresh-baked cornbread.
My friends said they did enjoy the skillet very much, but the beef brisket wasn’t quite up to par on that particular evening. Only one of us (not me) had any room left for dessert. I don’t recall what he ate (I think it was the apple-caramel pie), but I am told that it was good.
They do like you to clean your plate at this restaurant, and heaven help you if you don’t eat your vegetables! There were two or three separate instances where someone at a table did not eat their vegetables. The waitperson hollered for everyone’s attention, and then announced that that person did not eat their veggies. Someone else held up a “BOO!” sign, and then the entire restaurant booed those people, so if you go there, please, EAT YOUR VEGETABLES!
Overall we had a very good dining experience at the Whispering Canyon Café. The experience is probably not one I will repeat any time soon, but only because it’s not my preferred kind of dining experience. If you have kids, or even if you don’t and you happen to like a rowdy and boisterous atmosphere, then by all means, check them out the next time you are in Orlando. I think you will have a great time!
I was in no way compensated for this review.
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