Friday marked a first for me. My first new home. Okay, it is only a duplex, but to me, it's home. I no longer live in NJ, FL, or Mountain Air for that matter. Boone, NC is my new home for the next two years and I like it.
If you haven't traveled to Boone you are truly missing out. The mountains, the biking, the pseudo hippie lifestyle, it's just great.
At the current moment I still do not feel like writing a long post, but I will ask you this.
For people who believe that everything in life is predetermined, why do you look both ways before crossing the street?
- An observation from Stephen Hawkings.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
Awakening
I have been absent for more than a year. Wow, has it really been that long? So much has happened. Life has taken over, as life normally does. This will be a quick post. I will leave with the ending quote of WANTED which struck me. A call to arms from apathy if you will. For those of you who sit in Apathy stadium I ask,
"What the fuck have you done lately?"
Now go make a difference.
Carpe Diem,
Mark
"What the fuck have you done lately?"
Now go make a difference.
Carpe Diem,
Mark
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Pushing yourself higher
Most of us are ambitious people. We have so much potential and are always looking to climb higher in the corporate ladder, run faster on our next 10k, or just be a better person. As a person who constantly pushes himself to the limit I have begun to realize that I can break through my plateaus when training with other people. Basically the take home messsage is that by surrounding yourself with people who are better then you, you have no choice to either adapt or be left eating their dust. I don't completely understand why this is the way it is, but in some way, I guess it doesn't matter.
In the corporate setting and you make it big they refer to it as playing with the "big boys" or whatever. Whatever they call it, try and learn from the good and bad leaders. Going to Senior Military College I have seen lots of good and bad leadership. When I see bad leadership I swear to myself to not replicate the same mistakes. When observing good/great leadership I try to remember why people followed that leader. In the end you are still doing the same job, but when in the prescence of good leadership you want to do that job bettter.
In training for a sport, team or individual, having a coach or a training partner is a great and effective way of improving performance. To me it boils down to not wanting to let that person down or look weak in front of that particular person. When training with myself I fall into a rut of complacency. I accept that I am training as hard as I can and that I can go no harder. Don't allow yourself to fall into similiar holes. Go out there, find someone who pushes you in your job, sport, and life. The results will be amazing. Until next time. Carpe Diem
-Mark
In the corporate setting and you make it big they refer to it as playing with the "big boys" or whatever. Whatever they call it, try and learn from the good and bad leaders. Going to Senior Military College I have seen lots of good and bad leadership. When I see bad leadership I swear to myself to not replicate the same mistakes. When observing good/great leadership I try to remember why people followed that leader. In the end you are still doing the same job, but when in the prescence of good leadership you want to do that job bettter.
In training for a sport, team or individual, having a coach or a training partner is a great and effective way of improving performance. To me it boils down to not wanting to let that person down or look weak in front of that particular person. When training with myself I fall into a rut of complacency. I accept that I am training as hard as I can and that I can go no harder. Don't allow yourself to fall into similiar holes. Go out there, find someone who pushes you in your job, sport, and life. The results will be amazing. Until next time. Carpe Diem
-Mark
Thursday, August 9, 2007
When I look at the Stars
Do people even look at the stars? In a world where everything is me, me, me and gimme, gimme, gimme, I started to wonder if people ever just look up at the stars anymore in amazement. When I look at the stars the first thing that I think is wow, I am so small, and insignificant in this world. The second is that, no matter how far away I am from the people or girl I love, I know that they can look up and see the same stars that I see. Its a way of connecting with people that email or text messaging cannot match.
So maybe, just maybe, if you took sometime to look around, instead of looking at yourself, you would see the stars, and you would know what I am talking about. Until I gaze upon them again, Carpe Diem.
So maybe, just maybe, if you took sometime to look around, instead of looking at yourself, you would see the stars, and you would know what I am talking about. Until I gaze upon them again, Carpe Diem.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Just like Heaven
Just like heaven. No, I am not talking about the Cure song, I am talking about Mountain Air, in Burnsville, NC, where my my mom and step-dad live.
With one month left to go in summer, I will be living here in heaven for about a week. Traveling the US as extensively as I have this year, I have realized how beautiful and diverse a country the US is. But back to Mountain Air.
When you come to mountain Air you pass the gate and immediately begin a 3 mile climb to the top of the mountain. As I have climbed the top half of the mountain with my bike I am starting to believe that the Mountains in Europe are different than the ones in the states. I believe the US mountains to be much steeper than the winding switchbacks of Europe.
Besides the differences in the mountains, the house that my parents live in is modest, compared to the other houses on this mountain, but the view that we have is breath-taking, looking down on the 17th green with a beautiful backdrop of the Smokey mountain.
But enough with houses or mountains. Mountain Air, is a community unlike an other. The people that live on this mountain are some of the nicest people I have met. There kindness is genuine and sincere.
Mountain Air for me is an escape from the stresses of the life and the world. It is a place to reflect, to gather you thoughts, to have some YOU time. As a person who genuinely puts the concerns of others in front of my own, it is nice to enjoy Mountain Air for myself.
"Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."
-JFK
With one month left to go in summer, I will be living here in heaven for about a week. Traveling the US as extensively as I have this year, I have realized how beautiful and diverse a country the US is. But back to Mountain Air.
When you come to mountain Air you pass the gate and immediately begin a 3 mile climb to the top of the mountain. As I have climbed the top half of the mountain with my bike I am starting to believe that the Mountains in Europe are different than the ones in the states. I believe the US mountains to be much steeper than the winding switchbacks of Europe.
Besides the differences in the mountains, the house that my parents live in is modest, compared to the other houses on this mountain, but the view that we have is breath-taking, looking down on the 17th green with a beautiful backdrop of the Smokey mountain.
But enough with houses or mountains. Mountain Air, is a community unlike an other. The people that live on this mountain are some of the nicest people I have met. There kindness is genuine and sincere.
Mountain Air for me is an escape from the stresses of the life and the world. It is a place to reflect, to gather you thoughts, to have some YOU time. As a person who genuinely puts the concerns of others in front of my own, it is nice to enjoy Mountain Air for myself.
"Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."
-JFK
Sunday, July 8, 2007
San Diego, CA
Well it has been a week since my last post, so for everyone out there who has not read or even heard of my post, I apologize. (that was joke).
For the Past week I have been in San Diego, CA, specifically the Del Mar area. After arriving monday night, I spent tuesday in the ocean reliving childhood memories of bogey boarding. It was great. At night Herm's son, Michael, and I went to the Del Mar fair to see the GREATEST BAND IN THE WORLD. Of course I am talking about switchfoot. We arrived two hours early only to find a line of 200 people in front of us. The die hard fan that I was went out scouting the line of 200 and found an awesome guy who let Michael and I jump in line with him. At around 6:30 p.m. the gates opened up and we got practically front row center stage. After an hour and a half wait, Switchfoot came out opening up with "Oh gravity". The show was ABSOLUTELY amazing!!! I don't know what my favorite song was, they were all great.
After the concert I bought a t-shirt ( i think my 4th or 5th T-shirt), and also a Poster. While purchasing the merchandise I asked the woman if the band was going to play an coffee shops after the show. Switchfoot is know for playing a concert and then going to a local coffee shop that they spotted in town to play an acoustic set of some classics. While she told me they would not be doing this, she did mention that they would be out later to sign.
After waiting for an hour and a half, one by one the band members finally arrived. First came Jerome, then Chad, Jon, and finally Tim. Because I was with a friend who had been more than patient, I did not wait around for Drew, the back-up guitar player. All four members were extremely nice and talked with me for a few minutes.
After such an amazing concert the rest of the week could have bombed and I still would have had a smile on my face. But sure enough the next morning I set a PR in the 10K running 38 min flat and finishing 7th in the 18-24 age division. Herm did great too running a little over 44 min. and shaving off 4 minutes from last year.
The rest of the week was spent running, biking, and surfing. Although I did not get to see an outrageously gorgeous California girl like the beach boys had promised, I did see a fair amount of beautiful women. All in all, it was a great trip.
Until next time. Carpe Diem
For the Past week I have been in San Diego, CA, specifically the Del Mar area. After arriving monday night, I spent tuesday in the ocean reliving childhood memories of bogey boarding. It was great. At night Herm's son, Michael, and I went to the Del Mar fair to see the GREATEST BAND IN THE WORLD. Of course I am talking about switchfoot. We arrived two hours early only to find a line of 200 people in front of us. The die hard fan that I was went out scouting the line of 200 and found an awesome guy who let Michael and I jump in line with him. At around 6:30 p.m. the gates opened up and we got practically front row center stage. After an hour and a half wait, Switchfoot came out opening up with "Oh gravity". The show was ABSOLUTELY amazing!!! I don't know what my favorite song was, they were all great.
After the concert I bought a t-shirt ( i think my 4th or 5th T-shirt), and also a Poster. While purchasing the merchandise I asked the woman if the band was going to play an coffee shops after the show. Switchfoot is know for playing a concert and then going to a local coffee shop that they spotted in town to play an acoustic set of some classics. While she told me they would not be doing this, she did mention that they would be out later to sign.
After waiting for an hour and a half, one by one the band members finally arrived. First came Jerome, then Chad, Jon, and finally Tim. Because I was with a friend who had been more than patient, I did not wait around for Drew, the back-up guitar player. All four members were extremely nice and talked with me for a few minutes.
After such an amazing concert the rest of the week could have bombed and I still would have had a smile on my face. But sure enough the next morning I set a PR in the 10K running 38 min flat and finishing 7th in the 18-24 age division. Herm did great too running a little over 44 min. and shaving off 4 minutes from last year.
The rest of the week was spent running, biking, and surfing. Although I did not get to see an outrageously gorgeous California girl like the beach boys had promised, I did see a fair amount of beautiful women. All in all, it was a great trip.
Until next time. Carpe Diem
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Connecting through music
Great bands come and go. The beatles, Hendrix, Led Zeppelin; these are just a few bands who no longer perform, but my question to you is, does it really matter? One great song can change your life. To some that may seems a little crazy, but I believe it. For those of you who know me, know that I love Switchfoot. And as sad as it may be, I know that they will one day be no more. They will stop performing, stop creating new music, stop being a band. Yet again I ask, does it really matter? Although I have never met switchfoot ( the members- Jon, Tim, Chad, Jerome, and drew) there music has had an everlasting effect on my life.
I could list quote after quote of lyrics that hold such powerful meanings to me, but I will not. Except to the one song that forever changed me. "Meant to live" With rocking guitars and soulful lyrics, this song is without a doubt had the most profound effect on my life. It has opened my eyes and guided me to where I am today.
You see, you may think your polo shirts, and gucci sunglasses have meaning or define you. While I must admit I love polo clothes, they do not define me. The size of my house ( the one which I currently don't have) doesn't matter. How many triathlons or races I win matters not. Life is none of these things. Life is about love. Life is about the people in the our lives, the relationships we have. It is about the constant stuggle we face daily, yet, we still see hope at the end of the tunnel. "We were meant to live for so much more. Have we lost ourselves?" Such a strong statement of passion. Money, success, ambition, I do not devalue there place in society. But remember, at the end of the day you are the one who looks into the mirror. Are you happy with what you see? Are you proud of who you become? Don't get caught up in the material only to lose sight of the intangible.
Carpe Diem, Always.
L.A.F
I could list quote after quote of lyrics that hold such powerful meanings to me, but I will not. Except to the one song that forever changed me. "Meant to live" With rocking guitars and soulful lyrics, this song is without a doubt had the most profound effect on my life. It has opened my eyes and guided me to where I am today.
You see, you may think your polo shirts, and gucci sunglasses have meaning or define you. While I must admit I love polo clothes, they do not define me. The size of my house ( the one which I currently don't have) doesn't matter. How many triathlons or races I win matters not. Life is none of these things. Life is about love. Life is about the people in the our lives, the relationships we have. It is about the constant stuggle we face daily, yet, we still see hope at the end of the tunnel. "We were meant to live for so much more. Have we lost ourselves?" Such a strong statement of passion. Money, success, ambition, I do not devalue there place in society. But remember, at the end of the day you are the one who looks into the mirror. Are you happy with what you see? Are you proud of who you become? Don't get caught up in the material only to lose sight of the intangible.
Carpe Diem, Always.
L.A.F
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