The Bucks

Today I went to Starbucks to do some business research/calculations. Figured out a pretty solid plan on how much it'll cost me to get tshirts printed. Anyway...the point of this post has nothing to do with CMD really. 

My point is that while sipping some fine iced Chai, I was pleasantly distracted by a couple of good folks who were interested in what I was doing. We got to talking about business and they offered excellent advice to me on how to get started. Than we kind of drifted into other conversation. Life, work, travel. Got a little background story on their lives. I love doing that. I love meeting new people, no matter who they are, and get to know them a little bit. What they have seen in their lives, where they were, where they are now, where they're going, what they're goals are. I find it very refreshing. I always walk away with a smile on my face after meeting a complete stranger. I forget where this quote is from, and I'm too lazy to look it up on the web, but it goes something like "There are no strangers, just friends you haven't met yet." 

Power to the People

What if John Lennon were still alive today. I think h'ed be absolutely flipping his lid if he were to see what's happening with this country right now. I'm sure he's turning over in his grave. Imagine* what he'd be saying. "I already told you people to love eachother!! Why didn't you listen the first time!!!" Here's a little tribute to the greatest songwriter/activist.

Love

-Evan

Couch Surfing USA

My friend had told me about this project called Couch Surfing a while ago. And recently I've been wanting to try it out. Probably over the summer.

Couch Surfing is a website that connects people who love to travel with other people who love to travel and want to swap places to stay. So if you live in New Jersey and say you want to visit...Seattle, and you don't want to pay for a hotel room...you log onto Couchsurfing.com and find someone who's willing to lend you a couch in their home for the night. or a couple nights. When they travel to New Jersey, or New York, they can be sure that they have a place to stay. It's an incredibly easy trade off. And you can meet brand new friends you never knew you had.

I have a list of places I'm dying to see...I better get started.

Connect My Dots!

I got super motivated this weekend and decided to really attack this small business idea I've been wanting to do. It started last summer and I haven't really had a chance or the motivation to get a move on it. And I thought...this is what will make me completely happy. If I start this thing, this beast, these tee shirts, this idea, I will be obsessed with it. I will wake up happy knowing that I have something of my own out there. 

For now though...I have a new member of my team, an amazing friend of mine, who is willing to help me out when I get overwhelmed. I want her to add a lot to the cause, not to just be there for back up. Which is a great start, because I honestly don't have all the time in the world to dedicate to this. Though I really really wish I did. 

Anyway...the business blog is at Connectmydots.blogspot.com

I'll keep 'er updated with every new occurrence that happens. Pinky swear

Happy Resurrection

I always wondered what the Easter Bunny was about. It makes sense now, but he doesn't have anything to do with Easter. Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, I get that. But I guess it also celebrates new beginnings and spring. Spring cleaning comes to mind. Maybe the bunny can do my spring cleaning laundry. Hmm...egg-celent idea. 

So yea...what's also pretty interesting is what I read on wikipedia...

"Easter is linked to the Jewish Passover not only for much of its symbolism but also for its position in the calendar. The Last Supper shared by Jesus and his disciples before his 

crucifixion is generally thought of as a Passover meal, based on the chronology in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 26:17; Mark 14:12; Luke 22:7). The Gospel of John, however, speaks of the Jewish elders not wanting to enter the hall of Pilate in order "that they might eat the Passover", implying that the Passover meal had not yet occurred (John 18:28; John 19:14).[2] Thus, John places Christ's death at the time of the slaughter of the Passover lamb, which would put the Last Supper slightly before Passover, on 14 Nisan of the Bible's 

Hebrew calendar.[3] According to The Catholic Encyclopedia, "In fact, the Jewish feast was taken over into the Christian Easter celebration."

I think it's weird to think that both religions, judaism and christianity, are two competing religions, as we think it anyway, and christianity grew out of judaism. So why all this fuss over who's better? 

Contemplate. Discuss

Peace

-Ev

Getting old is over rated

Happy Spring!!! Happy Easter! Happy Passover!!! Happy I have off tomorrow! Make the best of your spring days. Go outside, go run, go play, go ride your old bike, go drive with your windows down, go on an adventure, go bbq, go fly a kite (i mean that in a nice way), go cloud watching, just go.

Smile

"You're in our talons now and we're never letting go."

So duh, I've been into the Bowerbirds a lot lately. And I've listened to the entire cd all the way through. Time for review:

I heard this band for the first time a couple weeks ago on Hype Machine. I thought the couple songs I heard were golden, and they were, but the album as a whole somewhat lacks in the gold department. I'd say more of a silvery bronze. It actually kind of depends whats mood you're in while listening to it. If you're in a positive, go-outside-and-play-in-the-grass mood...I don't highly recommend it. It's better if you're reading a book in a candlelit room. Or maybe if you get home from a stressful day and you want to rest. Than I'd say get down with your bad self.

Ok ok...a better comparison. Umm...if you're a fan of Owen, which I am, and you love his soft whispering voice and whirling guitar with interesting vocal patterns...Bbirds have a good sense of that.

The Bbirds consist of 3 fantastic people, so I'd assume, who play accordian, guitar, tamborines, bass drums, pedal keyboard, violin, and all sing. Most of the lyrics are sung by a Mr. Phil Moore. Well done Mr. Moore. I do really enjoy the lady known as Beth Tacular and her spectacular voice (was the a little much?..sorry. I had to. I'm sure you understand)

But yes...if I'd had to give it a rating?...I'd say 8/10. I'd really say 7.5/10....but I don't believe in fractions for a rating. Again...if you enjoy Owen, give this a couple whirls.

Outie 500

Hymns For a Dark Horse

Bowerbirds new album is now available on iTunes!!

Check it!!

Geese are funny

Hit up the Manasquan Reservoir today to go biking. Preeettyyy amazing. It's a happening place for joggers, bikers, fishers, mom's, bird watchers. Anything really. I kind of just biked around to figure out the place. Stopped at the deserted visitor's center. Not much going on there obviously. I picked up some brochures for the Monmouth County Park System. There was nothing about bike trails. Bummer.

I stumbled upon a few sweet bench spots. One spot was gorgeous. It was a bench dedicated to a Gladys Rodenik. I can see how Gladys could love that spot. It overlooked the entire Reservoir through this nice tree canopy. And there was this cute little duck just sittin, chillin out. And there was no noise except for the wind, trees and pesky little squirrels. Of course I took a much needed power nap. Drank some water and continued my bike ride.

I urge anyone to visit any local national park. For New Jersians, there is Thompson Park in Lincroft (Right near Brookdale CC), Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold, Mt. Mitchell Scenic Overlook, Monmouth Battlefield State Park, and many others.

Wish I took some pictures for my peepers to look at. Next time...

Enjoy today

electric roses

A shout out is at hand for my buddy, Emily, at Electric Roses! Check out her and her friends fun, inspirational and introspective blog. Do it!

Sierra Nevada

I know the title doesn't make much sense. But it's the first thing that popped into my head, my titles are usually just that. Anyway, I joined the Sierra Club today. I'm part of the New Jersey Chapter, naturally. I think it'll be a good change of pace. I can meet new folk, volunteer for clean up, enjoy the outdoors, and most importantly, help whatever nature that we have left survive.

If anyone feels compelled to join, visit Sierraclub.com and peak around. You might like what you see. =0)

On another note: I want to wish a Happy Bday to Shaquille O'neil. Hope you're doing well my celeb birthday-sharee.

Tree Branch Coat Rack//Fitness Rant

Made this coat rack out of a tree branch and some logs. It functions quite well. A winter coat is a little too heavy for it. But it holds my hoodies and hats very nicely.

In other news, you know what really "grinds my gears?" Watching people destroy themselves at the gym. It's kind of funny at first, but than it gets irritating. Watching the egotistical jock meat head lift 150 lbs once or twice and than drop it cos they think they're tough shit. Complete with tough guy walk around-make-sure-everyone-sees them. Or when people are just there to hang out and chat. You spend all this money to sit down on some weight benches for a couple hours? Maybe do a couple reps? I go because I want to better myself. I push myself doing the correct workouts, working up a good sweat, getting fit and stimulating my mind. I feel so much better after words, especially if I had a bad day. Which is quite frequent at this moment in time. But that's a whole 'nother story I refuse to get into.

Anyyywayyy...That's my rant for the night.

Got my tea-a-brewing and my book waiting patiently. Adios amigos!