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
Monday, July 23, 2007
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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