My Deeper Side

This post may show a side of me that some of you reading this may be aware of and others may not. Some of the adventures I've had in the outdoors give me a whole lot of great experiences and fulfill my love of exploring. This is a different form of exploring that I did - within myself - and had another experience of that. I just love different experiences!

I spent 4 days on Bowen Island doing what's called an Enlightenment Intensive (EI)with a great guy, Reinier. I don't feel comfortable with that name, but that's what they call it. It involves a lot of contemplation, self-inquiry and learning about yourself and your truth. If you don't want to face yourself, or uncomfortable feelings, this may not be what you are looking for. It's a structured way of experiencing what the mystics have been talking about for years and Rumi and others have written in poetry. I have some clarity now in what they are talking about. Some will gain this clarity from reading a book, others will have their own way and the EI is just one way. Meditation and being forced to sit through uncomfortable feelings has certainly helped me. I'm far from "Enlightened", but have experienced some bliss within myself that came from nothing external. This is invaluable.

As you can tell, I'm feeling fantastic. Better than I have ever been actually. For that, I'm grateful.

George

Yes, George, you are on display for this post because you are presently in my life. For you who have asked for info on George, we met a couple of months ago. He lives in Nanaimo which is on Vancouver Island - a 1 1/2 hour ferry ride over. Slightly long distance, but do-able. He's a slightly younger man, which I was against, but he had lots of other good things, I let that go. He's outdoorsy, but also used to be on search and rescue so my chances of running into trouble, hopefully, will be lessened doing things with him. But maybe not as he loves to adventure as much as I do to places that not many people go to. He's mostly done white-water kayaking and is an instructor. He also is an instructor in Win Chun Kung Fu. Not sure of the different types, but it seemed effective when he demoed it on me. He could hurt me, but I like to think that he could protect me. He also climbs and roams around the mountains like myself. He's currently new to trail and adventure racing which is giving me a new spark back into it although I'm not nearly as competitive as before. It's fun doing some of that stuff again.

Obviously, being a computer geek himself, he has turned me into a computer geek as I now have this blog. Strange things can happen that you would never expect. If I get too geeky, please someone tell me. He also has a little dog and I'm liking her. The first little dog I have liked - also the first little dog that I've been around much. Again, strange things are happening!! There's a glimpse for you.

Friends with Money

Yes, all of my friends with money listen up. Actually, just kidding. I saw the movie Friends with Money last night. A good cast and well acted. It's a subtle drama which started off well and seemed to be going somewhere and then the ending was horrible. Sorry for those who haven't seen it and were going to, but it was the weirdest ending. Oh well. The good messages that I got from it were that $$$ doesn't bring anyone happiness. The person without any $$$ - Jennifer Aniston, which is a little hard to believe - was the one who settled for things that she didn't want, felt sorry for herself and wouldn't stick up for herself. A little self-esteem will help the bank account!!! I say a rental.

Mountain Biking

Well, my first mountain bike of the year was a disaster. Better put, maybe I was saved from a really bad crash. First I forgot my helmet so we had to go on easier trails, much to George's chagrin. Then 10 minutes into it, my chain broke. Says something about my bike maintenance. So we rode back down to the car. Oh well, better luck next time.

Easter Weekend

Well, I've just spend this year's Easter Weekend on Vancouver Island. I'm saying the Island since it feels like I've driven over a lot of it. Saturday, George had his Gutbuster race in Duncan. For those who don't know what this is - it's a hilly, trail run that went up the side of a mountain for this race. Getting an idea of why we are getting along so well??? He did well. I hadn't been feeling well all week so didn't do the race, but did part of it as a hike.

Yesterday, we took a drive over to Long Beach since we were a little tired from Saturday. I hadn't been there in a really long time. There had been a big storm there the night before and the waves were still really big - extreme on the wave rating scale. It was great to just watch them crashing into the rocks. There were a few surfers out there in the lower wave areas. George comes out here a lot to surf on the waves with his whitewater kayak, but was too tired to bother from his race. Would love to see him do it though.

Had lunch at the Wickaninnish Interpretive Centre. It overlooks the water with great views!!! This is down the road from the famous Wickaninnish Inn, which we had to stop in for a drink, just because. Had one of the best hot chocolates ever!!! For the cost, the Interpretive Centre had great ambiance, just a good a view and the food was good. Will come back here and learn how to surf. It's been on my list of things to do.

For now, it's the end of ski season for me. Only a little bit happening up at Whistler still. Time to get my bike out. Going for a mountain bike ride here in Nanaimo as soon as George gets off work. Hope you all had a great Easter!!!

My first website!!!!!!

This is my first ever website!!! I'm so excited. What a change from the lack of computer knowledge that I have. If I can do this, so can you. Thanks to George.