Social Media

Social media has changed society as we know it both good and bad. Families and friends are using it to communicate instantly, strengthening relationships. We can instantly let you know that little Johnny has just taken his first step and present you with a video or photos. You can find people you have lost track of and pick up where you left off. But then, companies are having to write policies to deal with it at work and they can and will use it against you if they want to. News is disseminated before we have time to check the facts causing countless more stories about the same subject as it's updated over and over, the facts diluted. Are we deluged with too much instant information? The under thirty crowd seems to think it a right to know everything right now and not a second later. Some think nothing of airing every little bit of their lives publicly. Reputations and relationships are ruined at the thoughtless stroke of the enter key. Political campaigns are won or lost on the internet. Views and arguments aired on blogs for all to see.

The younger generation seems to be putting their life out there without thinking who can see their words or photos for that matter. Are they hardened? Are they just so inundated with instant information they think it's normal to blast another relative or cuss out a person without thinking about who else is looking? Is it becoming normal to say anything you want without thinking first?

For me I think about what I'm putting out there in the cyber world. I want to present my spin on the world and pass on some of my experience to do good in the world. I'm not a fan of negative anything and if I read something inappropriate that ends up in my view on any of my social media links, I may comment on its inappropriateness and I may delete you as "my friend." Life is too short to waste on naysayers. You get to choose who you put in your life and how you present yourself as a human being. Choose wisely.

The Holidays

How will I spend the holidays this year? For some just mentioning “the holidays” can bring a shudder with all the stress, planning, traveling and overspending. But with some thought I think we can alleviate some of the bad vibes that come along with the entire hubbub of the holidays.

My yoga instructor said to try and take the holidays easier this year. Make it simple as part of our practice. Make that your gift to yourself and those around you. The wintertime should be a time to hunker down, stay warm and take care of yourself for the coming spring. There’s a lot to be said in that. I’m taking heed in her advice this year.

We are spreading things out over November and December. While we have a lot of traveling to do we aren’t doing it all in the same couple of weeks. I won’t get out all my decorations, just my favorite ones. I am choosing to do those things I love to do for the holidays. I also plan to create whenever I can fit it in and I will continue with my yoga practice and my exercise regime. That will keep me calm and centered. I will also remember to drink lots of water. Keeping hydrated is important and then you won’t fill up and overeat.

We opted to have Thanksgiving at home with my daughter and her boyfriend with all the trimmings. We will have all of our favorites. Turkey, stuffing, gravy, mash potatoes and pumpkin pie are on my list. I love the smells of Thanksgiving and the warmth of the kitchen while everything is cooking. Then we will celebrate with friends with our “Saturday after Thanksgiving” party. A tradition we have done for the past few years. All of our friends get together from all over and we have another giant feast. People make great effort to get there sometimes. It’s a lovely way to get together before everyone scatters for December. It’s great to carve out time to see our friends and celebrate with them.




I love to go into San Francisco’s Union Square at night when all the Christmas lights are up and people are shopping. There’s a chill in the air and puppies and kittens in the windows at Macy’s. Hot chocolate and window shopping bundled up in my wool coat. I don’t necessarily buy anything, I just like to go observe and breathe in the spirit wherever I can find it, take a few photos and people watch. I love big cities. I find a comfortable place to sit and watch all the people buzzing by. I find calmness and rhythm while sitting in the middle of chaos just observing.




We will be celebrating in early December with my son and his family in the Seattle area. We are bringing my parents and they will be meeting their first great-grandchild. We have rented an apartment at a retro-motel in their town and plan on making it a mini vacation. We will take in all the sites of Seattle and the surrounding area and have a lovely family dinner at my son’s house. Early December allows my daughter-in-law time with her family when they come to visit at Christmas and it allows us to attend my mom’s Christmas Eve celebration in Southern California. Hence, I get to do all my favorite things. Hug my new grandbaby, visit a big city, connect with family, continue and start traditions.

I’m thinking a fun New’s Years Eve party at our house with our friends might be fun. But I’m leaving that up in the air right now. Whatever happens, happens. Go with the flow.

I want to thank Cynthia Morris for her post that inspired me and reminded me of how to enjoy the holiday season.

Journey Down the Block

We are remodeling our offices at work. At the present moment we have no restroom. The whole remodel has been a challenge to work in. We've had to deal with hammering, sawing, jackhammers, dust, dirt. I thought the bathroom being gone was going to be the biggest problem, but maybe not. As I've written about before, everyone deals with the construction and change in a different way.





We have several choices at this point for using a restroom. We can use the porta-potty with the construction workers, go across the street to Mac Dutra Park where the day laborers hang out or take a walk about a block away to a restroom in a small shopping center, you could also take a quick drive home if you live close enough or drive over to Starbucks or McDonalds. I have chosen to walk the block away.

So you're probably asking why I'm blogging about walking to the restroom everyday. I thought I would take the opportunity to make it a positive experience. I brought my camera and decided to look through my lens on my way there every day and see what I come up with. I walk by the familiar every day, but people come to this town as a destination. I thought I would record some of the details and find the beauty and uniqueness of downtown Half Moon Bay on my journey down the block to the restroom.

I hoping to post several times a week with what I find on my walks.