The Barrie Lindahl Fan Club

Martin Luther King Day

2010-01-18T22:33:00.000-08:00

For the sake of the holiday I happen to come across the video of the speech by Dr. King and it inspired me to drop down a couple thoughts that I was feeling at the time. I know that you the reader have been wanting me to write about my journey's but you need to be patient with me, I am pedant, I like to have all the pictures done as well as most of the text done. I'm not promising anything special but I do plan on updating this blog with the last couple of months. But for the time being my deep thoughts on todays holiday is what you get. You don't like it then move on I did start this for me, anyways...

I have a dream. Through out the past, people have had dreams of making something of themselves, as well as helping those who they care most about. Dr. King understood that men were supposed to be created equal. The Declaration of Independence told us all that we were all endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, those being Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Even in 1776, men understood that the melting pot of America was in need of molding its people into one assembly. Dr. King had a dream to make freedom ring in every neighborhood, for every race, and nation’s ear. Famous dreamers in our time have understood that the corner stone of America must be the goodness of its people. One such dreamer by the name of Cesar Chavez, was once quoted saying: “He who loses his life shall find life.” I feel that Cesar Chavez as well as Dr. King had a similar determination. Losing their lives for the sake of a righteous cause was better then living a life full of lies. They both had a dream of a better life, waking up and knowing that this day would not be a day of trials driven by the hatred of man, but freedom. Dr. King had a true and endless love for not only the African American race but for all man kind.

He took the principles that he was taught as well as those religious principles he adhered to as a preacher into his everyday actions and life. The words of Christ were in his every word, they were his actions, and were his example in how to live his life as a free black American man. His dream as he quoted in Isaiah was that “one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together." I feel the dreams of our everyday existence can and will influence the people around us as we live the example that is set out by these American heroes. Then losing our lives literally, for a just cause to better the lives of the next generation of Americans, is not really losing it, but finding it more worthwhile. Serving others in a non-violent way was the great example of Dr. King. Accepting neighbors and friends around us, black or white, was his greatest goal. Certainly his dream should be in all of our hearts. Remember you're free, we'll kindof if our government doesn't screw us anymore.

The Canteen

2009-11-13T17:26:00.001-08:00

For all those who are interested and wanting to know more about the restaurant venture that I am working on with my one of my best friends and business partner Jimmy Murray, check out the first glimpse of what is going on. This was launched today! Enjoy...

http://www.noshsandwich.com/

A peek for you...

2009-11-09T22:34:00.000-08:00

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." -Helen Keller

A quick apprise for all those who happen to meander across my blog, and wonder what I'm doing with my invigorating life...lets get real we all know its third-rate. In the past couple weeks, I've have had a couple people notice and comment on my other blog "Barrie's Poetry Corner." Yes, it is blocked from the public eye. I have certain things I enjoy writing about and enjoy keeping to myself. I have had journals throughout my life, and this is just another journal more or less a compiling of poem's and entries I have written and are still writing. I love to write and I have no problem sharing my feelings with the world, but for some reason I am very self-conscious of my words when it comes to poetry or music. But for the sake of those who read this I promised a few people that I would share one short poem with you. I delight in the different types of poetry and even more love writing in all the different styles. Some of my words rhyme some tell a story. Some explain my feelings, some you won't understand a word I'm saying and some will make you laugh, even more make you cry. That is the special thing, I love the influence of words and the art of writing. This one I wrote about a week ago, so with out further adieu:

Hope

The moon returns

After I'd given up hope.

Where had it been?

Mottled and browbeaten, like a chew-toy

Straight out of the mouth and claws.

"It was dark where I was."

Oh, I believe you.

Where did you go?

"Into the ocean deep and low.

I thought the STARFISH were stars,

But I could not explain

The pressure in my ears."

I was getting lonely

And scared of the dark.

I am so glad you came back.

"That is nice of you to say,

and if it was up to me, I would stay."

"You are the only one who understands me.

Only your arms come close to surrounding me."

Please NO censure or criticism. In most of my writing there is a deeper meaning to most things, a hidden meaning. Well enough about that.

I would like to give a break down of the next couple months so you have something to look forward too. My journey's are going to find me in Utah for thanksgiving for the autumn holiday. A wonderful time to be grateful for my friends and the time I have to share with them. I have been running the ideas with a very close friend of mine in Boston his name is Jimmy Murray. We have been working on a restaurant venture, I'm trying to find myself there the first week of December for meetings with the Food Network. It sounds big time yes, but I'm not the one to look at. Jimmy is the star and has had many restaurants in the past years on the Food Network and Travel Channel countless times. I met Jimmy about 6 years ago at one of his restaurants in Harvard Square in Boston, and we have grown into amazing friends and our weekly conversations have turned into "idea bouncer conversation." We live completely different but both very interesting lives. I love to hear where he is in the world and he does the same. Jimmy has had countless restaurants all around the world and all have been very successful. He has had this new concept, I won't go into detail. Something to look forward too, you all will be blown away with the food that Jimmy creates and I have been lucky enough to tag along for the adventure and take care of the business side of things for him on this job. He says he's getting old (he doesn't look his age, he doesn't look a day over 25) and needs new legs. So moving on, Boston will be the first week of December.

This is Jimmy and I in Chicago meeting with some restaurant companies. This is us at the famous Chicago Fountain, you might remember it from the beginning of the famous T.V. show "Married With Children." I won't tell you his age, he'd get super angry at me. But notice how young he looks. Ladies he's single, and a very successful in his 40's. Drives a brand new pimped out Black Mercedes E550 and will cook you the most amazing meal you've ever eaten.

Moving on, after the trip to Boston I will be ending my year out with a bang and I will be spending the holiday's, Christmas/New Years in Central America. I will be flying into Costa Rica and wandering through Central America. After taking a break from traveling I'll be taking a cruise in the Caribbean to start out the year the first week of February. That will be enough for now and will give me some ideas to create some good blog post, even better take and share some amazing pictures with you guys. Remember one thing, that is to be yourself, because everyone else is taken!

This was taken about a week ago from my car early in the morning on my way to show a house, I'm slowly finding Arizona's beauty. Nothing compares to the tranquility of my Utah. Just makes me feel very grateful for TIME and the time I have that I can stop and take these pictures. The things that people take for granted every morning. I see this every morning with out a question. Think of how many people will see this picture and think how beautiful it is, when all they have to do is get off there cell phone and look to the left or right of them and enjoy the view. The remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere they can be quiet(in the car on your way to work like I was for this picture) alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. BUENOS DIAS!

Is this really a path...Pura Vida

2009-11-05T23:20:00.000-08:00

I’m very uncertain even more not sure the feelings one feels when he or she finds something that they feel can change there heart A sense of anxiety in every word a sense of vulnerability. What an amazing feeling, the heart that is, or in other words the symbolism of giving ones heart to someone. Never understanding the out come or that fact never understanding your own feelings. I try to think back to a time when I could say that I would be willing in a sense of giving everything I own, to put my guard completely down and then in that state, from the very first breathe doubt your triumph. I have lived a life of a solace heart, never giving never sharing. But having so much to a give and never having a tempered heart to share it with. Walking along the cold lone road I feel has its sense of accomplishment of adventure, but does that road lead to anywhere one would want to go, should that adventure be shared. Should growth be between two searchers. Should the goal to have one heart between two souls. We live a life to think to learn to understand for ourselves, and then in all of a moment we are suppose to transform those forming thoughts in to the same independent thought he or she was also trying so hard to create. To bind, to merge, to fuse, to yoke, to unit, how does ones self fight to create a perfect thought between the two stands. Perfection more or less the word perfect,, “having a perfect life” is an inadequate word. It brings a sense of hope that cannot be found, a goal that cannot be achieved. But still two searchers find themselves at a cross road, but the fight, the longing for acceptance with in yourself to give everything that one has to another. And yet here I am at my own crossroad separating myself even more. PURA VIDA! Its my new saying for life...

South America e.g. Chile, Argentina, Brazil

2009-11-01T20:45:00.000-08:00

My experience in different parts of South America were amazing, the diversity I saw. The people I "tried" to talk with, hanging out with my parents, kindling old friendships, and most importantly making new friends along the way, to last a life time. I visited places saw things and with no reservations enjoyed the time I had there. The pictures I have in my head and conversations are what I keep for myself, but I will give you a brief break down and share with you a bit of what I saw and the thoughts I had along the way...enjoy!

On top off the highest hill in Mendoza, you will find a salute to those who fought and the revolution that was won. This picture does no justice to the size and decor of the detail and beauty that this monument represents to the people.

The Road Getting There

On the road to Chile from Mendoza you will find this... a beautiful desolate land that doesn't change for a good 100 miles.

The Condor, if I remember right I believe, is the largest Bird in the Americas. It was almost extinct in the United States but if you are lucky you might find them flying about the Grand Canyon and some parts of California. There is some useless knowledge for you. I sat on the side of the road for about an hour and watched about 20 of these things soar up and down the steep Patagonia Mountains. Purely amazing creatures.

A couple more facts that will do you NO good. A time ago in the great country of Argentina they thought it would be a great idea to sell off the railroad to an independent company, Needless to say they went bankrupt and now no railroads run. You will cruise the country side for days and see these amazing bridges that are no longer needed.

A little delay I encountered along the VERY WINDY path through the Andes. This guy was probably glad he didn't get pushed any more cause the fall wasn't very pleasant over the side rail.

What I loved about the many tunnels is the support they made, there was about 5 feet of concrete and the rest was just chipped away rock. At any moment the rocks could come loose and cause a bit of damage. And we stand now where two roads diverge. But unlike the roads in Robert Frost's familiar poem, they are not equally fair. The road we have long been traveling is deceptively easy, a smooth superhighway on which we progress with great speed, but at its end lies disaster. The other fork of the road, "the one less traveled by" offers our last, our only chance to reach a destination that assures the preservation, a journey of a life time.

Take a trail ride on a sketch rail road to Brazil and you will find yourself on the edge of the Devil's Throat.

Aconcagua

This is one of the main reasons why I came to the Andes in the first place, to see the famous mountain peaks of the Torres Del Paine, Aconcagua a giant in a land of giants. How many times I've seen these magnificent creations in pictures, and yet now as I was standing there it was a feeling greater than reality. I walked alone, eyes glazed over with pure emotion for what I was looking at. (I'm the type of person that won't cry for anything but if I ski perfect powder I will think about what I just did and a tear might shed, I guess nature does it to me.) Purely astonishing, staggering with beauty. I often felt like I was in a dream, in a quintessential natural environment, where everything is alluring, beautiful and peaceful, but also so different that I became so uncanny and peculiar. Only the pain from my freezing ear lops after 30 minutes in the 20 degree weather that brought me back to reality but at night while I was sleeping the dream came back and the sound of the wind, crack of ice and the feeling of chapped lips. Just knowing what an amazing feeling it would be to be on top of the andes, the peaks. Sleeping in my tent, covered and feeling the anxious heart beat off tune, it doesn't break the dream but only amplifies.

A memorial for those lost on the Giant. A true respect for those with a dream and lost in a blink of an eye. Truly inspiring...

I thought my trip of a life time was ruined when I drove up the beast that I had only dreamt of was covered and the face of a dream was no where to be seen... 2 days later as I was flying to Chile I had another view that many will never see, and my imagination was no longer a image but a reality.

One lift, one ride and you decide your destiny after that. No out of bounds, no rules just one ride to the top and good luck finding your way down. LOVE IT! This is summer time there, I believe the bottom of the lift elevation was probably 12000 ft. that's about 2000 ft higher than Timpanogos in Utah County.

An old church that sat all alone next to the start of the trail of Aconcagua.

An old Hotel that has been shut down, something about being over taken by whatever mineral it was.

My dream come true, I was smiles from ear to ear. As we flew by I probably took a thousand shots of the giant. A goal that will be completed, a dream that will be conquered. Only but a speed bump in this life. This is my challenge... Oh sorry this is Aconcagua the highest peak in the Americas and highest mountain in the world out side of Asia.

Iguazu Falls

As the clouds subsides and rain begins to take a break, the sun breaks through another perfect sunset in the Brazil Rainforest.

A beautiful path to one of the Wonders Of The World.

You can see her breathing in the back. She speaks to you...

"Put your hand in her...and feel the mother..."

Devils Mouth

Nothing needs to be said, an amazing experience. I've never seen so much water. If you've seen Niagra Falls you might understand a little bit of what I'm saying.

Not the safest bridge in the world but it doesn't even cross your mind because of the view you get.

Soaking wet just from the mist.

The Hotel

I loved the rich colors, they are what makes South America a picture paradise.

The pool was freezing but refreshing enough because of the heat. I thought this flower was gorgeous, the picture turned out ok.

You love it...I don't, but its funny, not sure what face or what I was thinking. Please no G.Q. comments.

From the room. 5 stars baby...ok maybe not.

The Ride Of A Life Time

Taking an old school flat bed to a boat that is supposedly taking me on a better view of the falls that I hadn't seen so far.

The ride was bumpy but the scenery made it worth it. Minus it rained very very very hard.

I love when I read about tourist dying because they didn't think things through, remember: Barrie your not in the United States, No disclaimer was signed, no insurance policy to fall back on, why would you need it nothing is keeping you in the boat except for a small railing you hold onto. Lightning... No problem it only makes the boat ride that more enjoyable. Good thing my life vest was made in 1920. -Oh I don't have to wear a life vest... this is one of those moments where I think I might put one on... Hold on one second... did we just hit a rock, -don't worry about it, it did no damage to the boat, were not sinking so were not worried. A ride of a life time, I think that was understatement. Darting past jagged rocks, the motorboat plays chicken with the wildest waterfall in the world. I hold my breath as the driver veers straight toward the enormous cascade tumbling down from the cliff overhead. As we rapidly approach the Iguazu Falls, I think to myself we're getting to close. Too LATE. The motorboat with its load of holes and patches is hurtling straight toward the towering curtain of mist. I'm very certain we're going to crash right through the falls and smash into the rocks behind. Then, at the last second, the driver throttles back the engine and the boat spins away. Im getting anxiety from typing this...

I can count on my hand how many times I've been nervous in my life time, playing concert piano infront of hundreds, jumping off my first large cliff on skies, jumping out of an airplane for the first time and riding in a boat in Iguazu.

Already wet from the crazy thunderstorm but going in the devils mouth was a bit more freshing, or was it terrifying I don't really remember. He was nice enough to stop and take a picture.

Enjoying the wet journey with my new friend.

The Main Falls

Rainbows everywhere

Miles of waterfalls

"Hey you guys...." -Name that movie?

Not much holding this guy, but he still continues to stand tall.

Trying to be artistic

No thesaurus can come up with words to describe the wonder they call Iguazu

Exploring

A light house that looks over nothing...hmm not sure what they were thinking.

Finding old homes in the middle of the jungle is always fun

This is another one of my favorites. I'm sure the locals probably thought I was crazy. I laid in the middle of the street in the dirt as I tried to captured a good picture. The brightness of the color these things were putting off was amazing.

This kid was a local in the town, passing the time by playing with the butterflies. They were everywhere.

This picture took a little patients, this little girl stood there for 5 minutes or so not making a move and I sat there focused on her hand. Creepy I know, but all for the sake of a good blog.

These were also everywhere, I'm guessing some kindof dragon...

The colors
An old bridge I tried to cross that has since been washed away.

Squirrels of Iguazu, they were so accustomed to tourist they would just come up and try to rip your bag open. These things are raccoons on steroids. They had nasty claws and even worse teeth, I think i'll take our cute little rabie infested squirrels.

Bodega Salentein

Probably my favorite picture of the trip. Click it, make it bigger. Make it your screensaver. Enjoy it. The Salentein was an amazing journey, a must see spot in Argentina. Go to there website for information, you'll get a better picture of what this place has to offer its, www.salentein.com.

From inside the restaurant, I tried to make the picture work better but it just didn't come out the way I wanted it to. There website has what I was trying for.

Lunch at the Salentein

Down stairs in the tasting rooms.

The 3 different types of wines they make.

More and more wine barrels. This was just one line of hundreds in this place.

Close up..

Holding of the bottles, i'm not exaggerating when I say: Imagine walking into Costco and in there was nothing but aisle after aisle of this. Then you begin to understand how much wine this place was holding. It was all in the dark. Thats why the pictures aren't really turning out.

Each barrel was made from a certain wood you could only find in certain parts of europe. They costed 150k us dollar. There were 15 or so of them. Oh I forget to include they only use them for 3 years and then they get new ones... all for the sake of making the wine taste better. hmmm

Holding of the wine while it ferments to perfection

Testing the wine...

A view of the place where the magic happens. The producing factory of some of the finest Wines in the world. This place was done up to a T. Every aspect. Not a soul was to be found. It was tranquil.

A Christus was built to bless the valley so the Grape would grow.

The sunsets over the hundreds of thousands of acres of vineyards. A beautiful sunset to set a magnificent day.

Mendoza With The Parents

Mendoza from atop a hill.

Sad to say but my only picture with my parents in the past 2 years. Sorry, I LOVE YOU GUYS!

Just a road we traveled down, nothing significant just a good pic of the city.

Dinner was good, they say that the best steak in the world is made in Mendoza. I had steak 4 nights in a row. Pretty good for a retired vegetarian.

Nothing much to this picture, Minus the fact that I watched this guy go around in circles around this round about, Walking his 2 greyhounds. It really doesn't get much lazier than this. Ok that is rude on my part, at least he is taking them ON a walk.

If you spend time getting ready to be perfect and do not start out to accomplish your dreams, you will find out later that you could have accomplished your dream if you had just acted. Words of inspiration, life the spirit, they boost morale and nudge you in the direction you want to go. No two people are inspired quite the same way, and what inspires is as unique as the sound of your laughter. One person's inspiration may come from reading a book, traveling or someones words from a blog. Another may be inspired by music, the sound of children's laughter or silence that encourages reflective thinking. If you feel uninspired and long to rekindle the glowing coals of your life into a roaring fire, try getting out of your comfort zone. Enter a unfamiliar place and look for what makes you tick. Figure yourself out and collect the things that make your heart burn. Let a few words of inspiration sink in as you ponder the possibilities of living an inspired life.

Just remember its never to late to be what you might have been...

Just For Your Entertainment

2009-10-30T22:59:00.000-07:00

A VERY BORING FRIDAY NIGHT!

A quick story, its Friday night about midnight and I'm finding myself restless. I started to scrummage through my Photo Booth pictures and I had the idea to put all the pictures from the last year that I just happen to take a picture of and make a small 1:30 second video. Push the pause button on my music that is playing and push the play button on the video. Enjoy...

P.S.- Watch the hair growth. They are in chronological order my curls seemed to get tighter as time went so it might look like I got a hair cut, PEACE!

Sunlight

2009-10-27T22:48:00.000-07:00

"If we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered to us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is mean by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased." C.S. Lewis

Arizona has its own kind of beauty, this is just another sunset I seem to find every night.

Somedays come and somedays go, where do they get off walking out on me? We can't breakup, can't break up with ourselves. I wish it were so simple. Underneath the colors of our skins we are all the same, we all begin when everything was little. We want more than we can get. Isn't that the way we all like to live, without reservation? Sunlight is falling again, but it never touches us because we cover our eyes and cover our fragile skin, and we are comfortable with this. Elevate the product of our sins. We are the soul of modern trends. We can't forget what we came here with and what we'll have left when we leave. Here we stand with our key in hand. The ones who stood the closest slowly falling out of focus. How can we hide ourselves like this? It doesn't seem like we all know where we belong.

Sunday Night Nothings

2009-10-25T21:25:00.000-07:00

So its Sunday night and I'm so extremely board out of my mind, I took a 3 hour nap after a little Iglesia, I'm finding myself restless beyond belief, I just got done finishing this book called "The Tipping Point" that's an interesting story in itself. While I was flying up to Utah this past weekend I sat down next to this guy named Malcolm Gladwell, I had no idea who he was. He had a good story to tell he told me a little about life and how he was an author of this book and come to figure out others. He was probably laughing at the mere fact that I had no idea who he was. Probably a breathe of fresh air that I didn't bombard him with a million question on how to change my life. I was later told by a friend who he was and how stupid I was to not know who he was. So moving on, finished that thing today it was a good book I really don't want to go into it cause I have a feeling people will stop reading this blog, cause I'm gonna need a good 4 hour session with my therapist after reading the thing. hahaha

So I stumbled across this website named www.howstuffworks.com. It has a broad arrangements of things to read and look at but I tripped over something interesting. A blog post with the date May 14, which is my birthday so I was certainly intrigued and I'll just copy and paste what it had to say. Its one of those horoscope things. I usually never read these things cause it usually caters to everyone's personality but this one in particular it hit me pretty right on the button so instead of trying to understand me, read this and you will know me, HAVE A GLANCE:

Tauruses born on May 14 have extraordinary artistic vision and can do great things if left to their own devices. These complicated individuals are torn between the intellectual life they are drawn to and the active life they want to pursue. They don't know the meaning of the word "compromise."

May 14 individuals seek out friends who provide emotional and intellectual support. In love, they have a restless nature that requires stimulation.

Due to their highly competitive nature, May 14 individuals owe a great deal of their success to their family background. They may have had parents who fostered a sense of competition. As parents, they dislike being an authority figure because it puts pressure on them to adopt a serious persona. They usually have better relationships with their children when the kids grow up.

Happily, people born on May 14 are busy and active, so they don't have to worry about keeping off the pounds. It is important that they get plenty of sleep. Tapes of music played over ocean sounds create a peaceful atmosphere for sleep.

May 14 natives have many talents and can pick from several interests including communications, media, and the arts. The financial ups and downs of these individuals are often caused because they delegate these matters to people who are either less knowledgeable or less scrupulous than they should be.

May 14 individuals value their own assessment of personal achievement and the approval of respected colleagues. They are self-critical and may not be able to appreciate their achievements. Until they learn that external validation is not the true measure of their success, they may feel unsatisfied by their efforts

You should embrace: the ability to apologize, happy thoughts, starting over

You should avoid: Rage, confusion, lack of imagination

Kindof Right ON...

A rescript for those who read this Blog and don't know me.

2009-10-23T21:53:00.000-07:00

"If I discover within myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probably explanation is that I was made for another world." C.S. Lewis

I never intended for a soul to read this but as the year has passed I have run into randoms that have had their utterances. Let me illustrate one particular comment that I acquired as of the past blog entry entitled "Words that might bring..." They asked if I was depressed, or if I was OK? I'M PERFECTLY FINE...on certain occasions I enjoy writing a few things that are on the old mind. I can be a bit more into my words or thoughts than others but that’s what makes locutions, words, thoughts so amazing. Cause the diversity in peoples assesment and if we open up and if we would only try to understand each other we will gain so much more. Little do people ponder on a daily basis as they awake from yet another fairy tale dream that maybe this day will be a day that might influence them for the rest of there lives. Not only there life but the people that they most cherish and love will be affected by the circumstances that you will encounter.

The most important things are the hardest things to say. They are the things you get ashamed of, because words diminish them. Words shrink things that seemed limitless when they were in your head to no more than living size when they're brought out. But its more than that, isn't it? The most important things lie too close to wherever your secret heart is buried, like landmarks to a treasure your enemies would love to steal away. And you make revelations that cost you dearly only to have people look at you in a funny way, not understanding what you've said at all, or why you thought it was so important that you almost cried while you were saying it. Thats the worst, I think. When the secret stays lock within not for a want of a teller but for the want of an understanding ear.

I will be updating my trip to South America, I'm just waiting on some pictures that were taken with another camera. So that will be taking place in the next week or so. But for now a couple of request for a picture of my dread days so here they are.

My dreads were clean, and done by my friend Jess Measom at her and her sisters Spa in Pleasant Grove Utah, A quick shout out it's called Azalea Day Spa and Salon CALL THEM, (801)785-7779.

Home...a trip to Sundance

2009-10-21T20:21:00.000-07:00

Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.

I really don't have much to say tonight, but I do want to post a couple pictures I took over a month ago while I was up in Utah visiting old friends, meeting new acquaintances. I miss Utah and all its glory, most of all I miss my close friends that I have had most of my life the one's that are loyal, the one's that are always there no matter what. Arizona has been an amazing experience, but I do miss the daily sit downs with Jake or whomever, and listen to some good music and just talking about nothing for days...

This is Jake...Not much needs to be said, A true gentleman and scholar by any standers!

More of some close friends...Kevin, myself, Devon at the base of Sundance.

I feel that most of one's life, one would never find a place where he would really fit in. My sanctuary, my haven, refuge, harbor, retreat, hideaway, oasis, is Sundance. There is nowhere I feel more safe more comfortable more excepted more influenced, I feel you're getting my point. Sundance is my real home. But the Winters suck so go ski somewhere else. haha, I love the picture above that I took of myself, I don't want to get to complicated with my feelings for what I feel when I look at this. I feel I just fit, no one seems to notice that I am taking the picture and I just fit. OK OK moving on.

So, Jake, Kevin and I decided to invite some new and old friends up to Sundance for a day trip to show them around and give them a good preview of what Utah has to offer. So the next couple pictures are of the day that we experienced cause it was an experience. So lay off!

One thing I do realize about Sundance and my life is that the grand essentials of happiness are, something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. Sundance gives me all those its my greatest possession because it costs nothing, its known as Love!

I've lived on the east coast in the fall and it is amazing, words can't really relate one's expression of what you see when you drive the Berkshires in the middle of October, But this day in dry ol' Utah we somewhat achieved an amazing day of color. This is the cabin side up at Sundance. Click on the pictures to make them bigger, this one needs to be viewed on a grander scale.

While on the lift up to the top you can get a quick glance of what the colors where trying to say that day. It reminds me of a smaller time when I was kid, 12 or so I remember driving in my Grandpa Lindahl's car and I had made him this C.d. full of Nat King Cole and other old school singers, He wrote this song called Autumn Leaves it goes something like:

The falling leaves drift by the window,

The autumn leaves of Red and Gold

I see your lips, the summer kisses

The sun burned hands I used to hold

Since you went away the days grow long

And soon I'll hear old winters song

But I miss you most of all my darling

When the autumn leaves start to fall

I love the simplicity of the old school musicians, simply awe-inspiring, simply extraordinary!

Me taking a gander at the camera...

I'm not going to say anything about this picture, but I will say that Jake is one of my favorite people and I met Whitney this day and she became one of my favorite people. I think my favorite people should be together...that's all I'm going to say, nothing more. This was there first date, if you would call it a date cause we seemed to tag along for there day trip together.

This is Kevin and Lexi's first date as well. I'm no cupid but I will take a little bow for this picture. I'm sure they didn't think anyone was looking but I seemed to catch a good side to the both of them. I wish you could see Kevin's mustache cause it is purely amazing. A true ladies man has a mustache cause the ladies can't resist them. Maybe I should grow a mustache... well if I could I probably would. Take a lesson from Kevin my friends! Mustache=Good Lovin

I was privileged to accompany Mitzi along with all of her great friends on a beautiful fall day nothing could have interrupted such an amazing time. There are certain people who you can instantly connect with and have more than just "the norm" conversation. She had a sense of good endearment toward everyone, and we created an amazing foundation to rekindle a lasting friendship. She's one of those people, that is just easy to be around. It reminds me of the Wizard of Oz when the lion had come to the wizard and he asked him for a heart, he replied: "A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." It felt a little like that, when your riding hand and hand on a ski lift in the dead of fall, perfect colors, perfect weather, perfect atmosphere, perfect accompanying. In all I can't complain, the one's close to me know how to treat me when I'm in provo. Thanks...

My should have been little brother...Little Nick and I hanging out on top. If you are ever privileged to meet him you will know what I'm talking about. The most mature 18 year old you'll ever meet. A ladies man, a heartbreaker, a true stallion.

Burts BeezWax... Yep, it makes you feel that good!

Questioning my move to Arizona...Knowing I'll miss the only thing that makes me feel free from the world...SKIING!

As Paul McCartney puts it best: "couple of day trippers."

Nick, Myself, Kevin, Jake enjoying the time we had.

This picture reminds me of a comment I heard once, it goes something to the extend of:

"Why did God create friends...to make up for family." P.S. I have an amazing family, just a quote. LOVE YOU MOM!

Every once and while i'll enjoy a picture that is taken of me...This is one.

I really like this picture, not because everyone has taken this picture or something similar too it. I took it, it has meaning...enough said.

I seem to have gone crazy with my camera that day, I took hundreds of pictures but I put a couple up for your viewing pleasure. I hope you enjoy...

Well this is the point in the blog where I come up with something inspiring to say but tonight nothing wants to come so enjoy:

Well I have been searching all of my days

All of my days

Many a road, you know

I've been walking on

All my days

An I've been trying to find

Whats been in my mind

As the days keep turning into night

And even breathing feels all right

Yes, even breathing feels all right

Words that might bring...

2009-10-19T21:11:00.000-07:00

I sat down tonight to start on my update of my trip to South America, but the words that I was feeling weren't words of travel, a deep night finds itself in deep words. I never know what my mind wants to say. We are two separate beings at times, I think one way and seem to act another at times. Understanding yourself is the hardest thing in the world to do. Trying to better that so called new being when you finally understand what you need to do is even harder. When you finally think that your life is in a situation were you wanted it and your worries your dreams and aspirations are all in order. For the first time in your life you feel that you are apart of something and you are giving back because you had taken for so long, and guess what you do, you sell your soul to the devil again, and again, and again. You fight with everything in your heart and mind to do what you feel is right and in the whole scheme of things and you seek, you seek after your goal or what you had so called planned to do. And then you fall and fail again. You sell yourself again to ways that you were taught your whole life were wrong and find yourself in the same situation. We the world have signed a pact with the devil, we had to. It is a covenant to which every thing, even every hydrogen atom, is bound. The terms are clear, if you want to live, you have to die. You cannot have mountains and creeks without space, and it is a beauty married to a blind man. The blind man is Freedom or Time, and he does not go anywhere without his great dog Death. I have always said there is nothing better then rock bottom because you can go nowhere but up. The bottom of the barrel is a good feeling because you understand yourself and you give yourself that boost or latter you need to climb your busted ass out of that pit of despair, or whatever you want to call it. Having life handed to you easily and not really having to struggle through the simple things is a wonderful thing but then seeing yourself not use its full potential is the thing that kills your inner self.

It was Bob Marley who once said, “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, no one but ourselves can free our minds…” No one can free ourselves from the bitter pit. Having your life, your destiny in your own hands can be a scary thing. But the question you take in part is what can you do with it. My experience has taught me one thing that is to enjoy or focus on the task that is at hand and contemplate what it will do or how it will influence your life in whole. Take that simple time that you have and run with it, enjoy the small things that you take for granted. Be thankful everyday not when you have to be thankful. But focus on what you have been sorely blessed with and I use the word sorely because the blessings you have are what bring the sore travail’s in life.

I'm not a big preacher in the least sense, but for a moment I want to relate my studies in the Old Testament as I feel they relate to the feelings I am feeling. Solomon the preacher the king the son of David, his words are what ring true in my ears as I run my fingers through its pages such description of life and of such a story that needs to be told, that molds one’s destiny out and plays it on the screen of life. Solomon's “Sore Travail” was to find happiness, “And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things… and to know madness and folly.” and to find it fast. He was given the ability to befriend others his success was in the present that he had anything of his desire. Money came easy to him, for he was the son of the king. But his certain fate was soon found that: “For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.” I feel that his greatness, of this quotes that increasing your destiny with the things that do not matter, those are the things that will bring you down in the long run. Solomon's trials or his mind of thought brought him to think that money was the source of his certain and most happy destiny, that he could find that source by himself that undertaking those things that he loved and having nothing to do with others was the answer. He bought all kinds of women, he sought out pleasure, he bought homes, he designed gardens, he had servants, he did anything and had everything. But nothing brought him this “Wisdom” that he sought after. He came to his conclusion that his humbleness would bring him what he was so sore fully looking for.

We as humans don’t understand the full extent of undertaking ones destiny on full hand. Nor myself, do I understand the full extent of all things. But the travails, that Solomon talks about those are the things that make life worth living. Undertaking yourself and finding yourself. I would like to learn, or remember, how to live. I come to life's Pond not so much to learn how to live as, frankly, to forget about it. That is, I don't think I can learn from a wild animal how to live in particular...but I might learn something of mindlessness, something of the purity of living in the physical senses and the dignity of living without bias or motive. I can’t truly comprehend what is found when you find yourself, maybe the answers that you need to motivate to find that humbleness. But I do understand what I need to take in order to start that path, because failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough. I heard once that "true happiness is of a retired nature, and an enemy to pomp and noise, it arises, in the first place, from the enjoyment of one's self."

Destiny it is what stands in our path and it is what consumes our very being. What we do with the next ten seconds is what determines the next hour of our lives. I’m not the man I should be, but I’m a lot better person than I was. Thanks for listening to me vent... Look forward to 2 blogs in the next week. "South America i.e. Argentina, Brazil, Chile." & "Fall in Utah...to be or not to be."

THE HAVASUPAI

2009-08-23T13:32:00.000-07:00

Well its been an interesting past couple of months, tons to relate and stories to tell. More places visited and people met. The big news around these parts is a huge change in my life is about to take place...oh you all think I've met someone? Hmmm nice thought but lets get real too much to do to much to see. I've sold all my FedEx branches and Spencer my elder brother has invited me to come play business man with him in Arizona. I'll update you more on that adventure but I really need to get my July trip to Havasupai on this blog or my mother is going get on my case about not sharing my experiences with the world. OK here we go... HAVASUPAI 2009!

I'll give you a little Wikipedia on Havasupai really quick for all those who are unfamiliar with the area. Imagine for a moment turquoise melting in your hand, its vibrant blue becoming liquid and you will have in mind the stunning beauty waiting for you at Havasu Falls. Havasupai is a Native American tribe in the middle of Northern Arizona in the midst of the Grand Canyon. Its a 12 hours trip from Provo and well worth the drive. A little random fact its holds the title of being one of the only places left in America whose mail is still delivered by mule. But there main claim to fame is the richly colored waters and its awe inspiring waterfalls.

If you feel you've seen beauty and tranquility then you've seen Havasupai and all the amazing waterfalls that lay in one of the most vast communities in the world. Before you die you must take a trip down there. It is most certainly a bucket list item for sure. Moving on to the trip before you decide to click over to Melinda's Blog.

We had a very large group planned to go but last minute we had about 15 people cancel so this trip was filled with die hard's who don't let work, family, money, get in there way of having a life changing experience. Our group in the above picture is as follow from the left. Heather Nicholls, Devon Lewis, myself, Jake Christensen, Nick Forrest, Shannon Bird, Dallin Bird, Ian Feinaur taking the picture. Not in the picture. Karl Tucker, Sean Tucker, and Rio. A small but a variety that was great to travel with. This is us at a stop about 3 hours from the Grand Canyon.
We stopped along the way, cause an adventure is the path you take to get to your destination. We mad a pit stop in Kingman Arizona and this place had so much color it was a photographers dream. This is of Heather watching Nick and Jake trying to smash some pennies as the train cars passed.
Taking a seat.
Hanging out at an old Harley Davidson shop that had been shut down.
Asking one of the locals for directions to a eating joint. He had a story to tell and wasn't going to let me go with out telling it. As you can see him and his close friend has lived an interesting life. We made our trek to the top of the canyon we geared up for a good 12 mile hike into the Indian village. We got to the parking lot at about midnight, it is best hiked in the middle of the night especially when its July and its 120 degrees in the middle of a desert. We all started out on the hike but I put my headphones on started to trance out, This was my 4th time to Havasupia so I decided to jog my way to the village. There is nothing like being alone in the middle of the Grand Canyon 300 ft walls on both sides of you, pitch black night with nothing to guide you but the full moon which just happened to be going on the night we hiked in. I made it a couple hours before the rest of the group and wasn't sure where everyone else wanted to camp so I found a camping bench and took a nap. They found me and took this picture of me passed out.

Taking a power nap after my 12 mile jog.
What we all have been look for.
When you get to the Village you get your pass and you take another 2 mile hike to the first set of falls and campgrounds. The first fall is called Havasu Falls, its about a 120 ft water fall that will take your breathe away.

Part of the group as we made our way down to the campground. Notice Havasu falls in the back ground. Beautiful...

Day one we got camp all together and hung out at Havasu falls before we ventured off to the other amazing sites this place had to offer. This is another of the group hanging out trying to escape the heat.

This is me doing a little front flip off one of the sides of Havasu Falls. The wind from the waterfall was so intense. The water was a perfect temp and nothing could have made the feeling better. Pure bliss.

I found this little water hole that was absolutely amazing. But we weren't sure about the depth on the water so of course I was the one to go up on the rock and take a jump to see if it was safe for everyone else to jump off of.
Trying to duck and bend my knees so I didn't hit rock, luckily the water was a good 10 ft deep and it made for an interesting afternoon. Here are a couple more pics of a bunch of us jumping off this little 25 ft rock.
This jump I call the "Turn slap my butt and moon my friends jump."
Nick Forrest doing a little Rodeo Flip.
Devon Lewis trying his superman skills.

An above shot of Jake as he leaps into the air.
Right down from our little waterhole we found this perfect water slide so we thought. I checked the currents to see if there were any undercurrents that could suck you in. So Karl's friend Rio wanted to be the first to try it out.

To his demise the water shot him right into a hidden log that was logged under the water. A little scare, but what a story to tell. I can see it now him telling his girlfriend: "I was washed over this 200 ft waterfall and I came out alive with nothing but a couple scratches," minus a nipple. Oh ya his nipple got ripped off. Ya..... probably the worst wound to get in the middle of the grand canyon. Thanks for the thrill Rio.

We ended our first night with a little dance party. What is camping in the middle of the Grand Canyon with out your Portable Boise Speakers that put off the loudest sound that rumbled throughout the canyon walls. Jake, Nick and I put on a little light show for everyone else.
With the flash on.

Its so amazing the bright colors that come up when you leave your lens open on the camera. We ended day one with a blast and were stoked for the morning to come as another hike and another adventure was upon us. Day one a success a few bruises a couple blisters but an all around good experience. Living life yet again with no regrets!

Day 2: MOONEY FALLS & BEAVER FALLS

Mooney falls the highest and most majestic, Mooney is a roaring thunderous falls that drops over 200 feet. Access is only possible by climbing down these narrow ledges and through little caves. The trail is super slippery from the water fall spray, what a climb. All you can hear is this mother of a waterfall and your view from wholes in the rock take your eyes from the trail and on to the scenery. Watch your step when you enter this Eden.
Karl Tucker about to enter the first section down to the falls.
A quick sneak that awaits you as your climbing down the ledges. Probably one of my favorite pictures from the trip. The richness in color.
Its creation that needs thanking. A good thanks too God for this one!

Breath Taking views.

Jake watching the others as they make there descent.

A good picture to last a life time. The bottom is worth the risk of climbing down. We only stay for a couple minutes as our goal was to find Beaver falls. The hike from camp to here was another mile or so.

The real treat was another 5 mile hike to Beaver falls where you can jump off cliffs and play in the water. Just so you get a glimps of what the floor is like in the Grand Canyon it reminds me alot of Jurassic Park. This is a good picture of the group at there own pace as the cruise through the canyon.
Taking a little rest from the hike. From left to right: Myself (Looking sexy if I might add), Ian, Dallin, Shannon, Heather. If you just take a minute and just look in the back ground the amazing views that we had to walk through. It was simply astonishing.

Another pic of the rich vegetation.

Our destination was welcomed again with no crowd no people no lines no traffic no humans no problems no issues no hurry no wait not a single problem. Us, mother earth and time to spend! Beaver falls is the last waterfall before the water drops into the Colorado. The cool thing about Beaver Falls is the different secrets that it brings. If you go under the water a couple feet there is hole you can swim to a room called the green room that is about 3x3, there is enough air for 2 for a couple minutes but don't find your self stuck in there or it might be your last trip down the Grand. There are certain parts of Beaver falls that you can sit in a couple feet and just watch the water pass over you. Simply amazing simply a creation worth seeing in a life time. We spent the rest of the afternoon swimming playing and jumping off the little waterfall.
Ian, Heather and I taking a nice pic.

OK here is my masterpiece! The main reason I went to Havasupai is for this little pic. Just take a really close look at how small the people are at the bottom are. Now I promised my Mom I wasn't going to jump but I just couldn't resist... Sorry mom! I live for the thrill I live for the experience to feel alive. I wanted Devon to stand in the place where most people would jump which is about 70 feet. I climbed up another 20 feet and decided to jump over him. Its an amazing feeling flying through the air. I've bungee jumped off of bridges and jumped out of airplanes countless times, but the feeling of having nothing holding you up is undiscribable.

We ended our long day hiking back to camp and crashed. We ended most our nights by hiking up to Havasu Falls and relaxing, taking in the experience, and talking as friends. Enjoying the same passions with people you care about makes the trips so much more influencial, as you can talk about how these places make you feel a certain way. This pic is of me taking a quick nap in the hammock and heather thought she would come join me. Didn't mind the company.
I found this gatorade bottle that had been covered in the minerals the water puts off. I thought this was such an interesting picture.
Ok not my greatest moment in life but on our way out the next day, a couple of us decided that they wanted to take helicopters out. I have never seen the Grand Canyon from helicopter but I do recommend it. I wasn't against hiking out the 12 miles with my pack in 110 degree weather but the 10 minute air conditioned ride seemed too tempting.
Some of the crew in the back of the helicopter. Nick, Heather, and Devon

THE END...If you will call your troubles experiences and remember that every experience develops some latent force within you, you will grow vigorous and happy, however adverse your circumstances may seem to be. Life is filled with so many exciting twists and turns. Hop off the straight and narrow whenever you can and take the winding paths. Experience the exhilaration of the view from the edge. Because the moments spent there, that take your breath away are what make you feel truly alive. Havasupai is one to remember and if I can for a moment get on my soap box, Fill your life with as many moments and experiences of joy and passion as you humanly can, Start with one experience and build on it! BUENOS DIAS!

THE PAYETTE

2009-07-22T22:55:00.000-07:00

Another journey through life and another tale to tell. I've lived through many experience but nothing like being pulled under a whirlpool and gasping for air as it pulls on your harder and harder. Praying that the current will have mercy on your ragged body. Helpless is a feeling I would say I really don't enjoy but a feeling that makes you feel alive. Makes you feel that there are grander things to life, more then point A to point B. Its about the feelings you feel that you never felt you could experience, pushing your body to limits it doesn't enjoy going. Well enough about the feelings. That would put a total grasp on my river experience on the Payette in N.W. Idaho.

As I have always thought and I continue to feel that there is more to life than sitting on your living room couch eating Jalapeno Cheddar Cheetos (hmmmm that sounds good right about now) So this past year I have taken up Kayaking. I'm a beginner to say the least but when have I ever let that stop me from pushing my self to a limit that most of the time I should never be. A circumstance I shouldn't be in...etc. But for the most part I felt comfortable on a kayak learning to roll in a pool and running small sections of my beloved Provo river. I felt confident enough...that was until I was invited to run the Payette at high water. Thank fully I had amazing friends to show me the path. And for your entertainment I give you the Payette.

Over a year ago I was down in the Grand Canyon and I came across a river guide there, his name was Ian and we keep in touch and have grown an amazing friendship over this past year taking small trips and learning from each other. This is a picture I took of him chillen on the hammock after a long day on the river.

Our camp was amazingly beautiful right on a 40 ft cliff into the Payette. There was around 15 running the river with us. 6 kayakers 3 duckies and the rest on river rafts. It was rainy all 3 days we ran the river but it seemed to clear up every night as we ate and laid down to get some shut eye.

Our first day we ran a couple high class 3 rivers and tested our equipment and got our blood flowing for the 2 days of hell that we were going to expecting. This is a picture of me on the third day watching people run a section called the Staircase High Class 4 river. We would go and walk the sections that were a bit intense to look out for holes and unnoticed rocks. Basically anything that would cause you to end a trip.

As we watch before we began our own decent we watched a very large river raft flip and toss 3 people in the tormenting water. The raft got stuck in a whole and hailed for 10 minutes before the river released it free, not after it had bent and ruined anything that was attached to the raft.

I looked at Ian walked down to the river we had just watched these people almost die and pointed and asked yet again this is the river we are going to be running today. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this would be our journey for the next couple hours. Another adventure...

The launch the Decent

Preparing myself, as I entered the Staircase. I would like to thank an old lady that was on the shore taking pictures of me as I ran through this section.

Why am I here

I guess I'm here

My hands are up as I was amazed that I was still attached to the boat and still breathing above water. I made it all 3 days down the Payette small scraps and bruises a couple close calls but alive none the less. Triumphed from another experience I will always remember.

When you run a river with 2 therapist you begin to take life, on a different tone and this is what my new friends gave to me. Myself in the blue boat Ian in turquoise, Micky Knapton in the yellow.

The Payette brought on an experience I will never forget. The people that influenced me and the feeling of flying through intense water running on nothing feeling empty helpless, but as I took it all in as I laid there my last night I thought deep to myself of life, that we don't talk about it enough life that is, but our discontentment with life shows! We grumble, get angry at small things, eat too much, drink too much, drive too fast... We can blame ourselves or we can blame others. It really doesn't matter, it doesn't change anything. We want things to be better, we may even want ourselves to be better, but we can't seem to make it happen. We have conflicting desires within ourselves, so that we don't do the things we want to do, much less the things we think we should do. We mess up our relationships, even though that's not our intention. We find God irrelevant to our lives, but something in us wants to believe anyways. Running on empty explores the roots of our discontentment with our lives, with other people, and with ourselves. It considers the possibility that there can be more to life, more meaning, more freedom, more joy. Running on empty provides a web of ideas to explore rather than a single path to follow because each person's way of thinking is unique. Running on empty is personal because understanding has to come from the heart as well as the head. The Payette its from the heart, Bumper sticker it.

Electric Daisy Carnival

2009-07-21T22:44:00.000-07:00

E.D.C 2009

I'll make this a short post. As my best friend says every time we go to a rave or concert: "I've been to Hell and Back...!" The first week of June came, you've been to my blog you've heard my music and my great love for Trance Music. Every year they have a music festival in L.A. called the Electric Daisy Carnival. Let me give you a quick brief break down of this momentous occasion. Its 48 hours, 200 Trance/Techno/Progressive/Dance D.J.'s 6 Stages, Half a Million People. One Word INSANE! Well I can think of alot of words but mostly amazing! We flew down for the weekend, Jake, Nick and I. We only went for about 10 hours of some epic music, but a good 10 hours well worth.

As we showed up it only took 4 hours to park and and hour to walk to the venue. We got closer you could hear and feel the music it ran through your blood. Getting closer to the gate we came and around the corner and too our surprise there was about 500 people running at us. At first we really didn't know what was going on, But later realized that they were trying to riot through the gates and into the show. They closed down the entrance and we sat and waited for another hour as the police came and tried to clean up an unwanted mess. We finally entered the venue after 3 security checks. I can not explain to you the feelings I felt as I walked through this place. I am the first to point out that it isn't a good environment but I go for the music not the atmosphere. But if I could explain how I felt. If any of you have seen Pinocchio where he goes to the Island with all the other kids and they all turn into donkeys and can't get away. It was hilarious how confused people are. So as I made my way to the stages you could cut the energy with a knife it was so crazy! I instantly lost Jake and Nick in the mess and went straight for the front of the main stage. It took me around an hour to mozy my way through half a million people to the front, and as I neared the front 3 guys were right in front of me, and they turned around and asked me if I wanted the front. EPIC! I thought to myself. So for the next 9 hours I never left my post and Tranced out DJ after DJ of the sickest Trance music.

If you've never been to a Rave you need to go. It's a life changing experience...

I apoligize for the pictures, they were all taken with my phone.

This first pic is a view of how close I was to each DJ, this is of Markus Schulz one of my favorites.

This is from inside the coliseum, this only one stage. Remind you there were 6 stages

The sound was so intense, the lights would make you close your eyes and the people would make you think twice.

This pic is from another stage, in the venue they had crazy carnival rides everywhere.

Random Post

2009-06-13T18:52:00.000-07:00

This past week has been full of achievements, regret, downs, even more the ups. Trying to take that positive look at things, like my great father has always done. Well nothing really new, nothing to exciting. I had a dream this past week that I died. Not really sure what thats suppose to mean, but I have had this crazy urge to get my life as a whole more organized. So I went through all my closets, file cabinets, garage etc. and really really, I'm talking Colette Lindahl organization. Now getting back to the dream where I kicked the bucket, so it dawned on me as I was driving home from the warehouse, that the reason that I have had this crazy urge to organize my life is because I'm going to die soon and I didn't want my mom to go through my house after I was gone and see that she wasted 25 years of teaching me how to be clean. Cause I've let her down in other ways. I really would like her to remember me as organized person. Wow, this is getting creepy. But if I do die...I CALLED IT!

Moving on with the week, well things with the economy have been straining more and more on my business as this economy gets worse, my residential side of things is amazing we are up more and more every day but my business districts are lacking huge in numbers. This past wednesday was a blessing to that, we've been working with Die Cuts With a View, a very large scrap booking company for a the past couple month. We finalized everything and are now the proud shipper of all your scrapping booking needs. So this week drinks are on me....thanks for all of your prayers. Things are on the up and up!

Well, when I look at this blog, for some reason I imagine these amazingly written artistic epistles that inspire people to look for my words of wisdom...maybe in another life. But I feel the basis for writing this blog today is I recently re-watched for the 100th time Motorcycle Diaries. The story of Che Guevara the revolutionist from Cuba. If you haven't seen it, its a must see. Its all in spanish. The true story movie about his life and his search for meaning, happiness whatever you want to call it. Its too bad the way it all turned out in the end of his life, his views into warfare and killing of thousands of people. But his bases of beliefs are people are good and good should come to them. At least thats the way I took it. I started reading his autobiography, and there are so many inspiring stories that make you want to treat people with so much more love and respect. A quick quote from the book:

"I fall on my knees, trying to find a solution, a truth, a motive. To think that I was born to love, that I wasn't born to sit permanently in front of a desk asking myself whether man is good, because I know man is good, since I have rubbed elbows with him in the county, in the factory, in the logging camp, in the mill, in the city. To think that he is physically healthy, that he has a spirit of cooperation, that he is young and vigorous like a bully goat but he sees himself excluded from the panorama: that is anguish... To make a sterile sacrifice that does nothing to raise up a new life: that is anguish."

If people actually read this blog, I would really like to get your view on this quote. What goes through your head, does a sense of freedom and desire to be out there with the people learning, teaching, helping etc. Comment on the bottom. I have so many things to say I really get alot from this quote. I don't know, maybe I feel like I can relate for some odd reason. I won't bore you with my thoughts, but if you want to call me we'll brain storm together on the topic of love and living your life to the fullest.

Well I started todays entry with so much more to say but the words really aren't coming out like I wanted them to, I just feel my life is taking a better turn. I smile optimistically more i'm breathing in the air that is around me, and everyday getting closer to freeing myself from the constraints of society, but also understanding that education is the capacity to confront the situations posed by life...

Everyday is a new educating experience, everyday is a new journey. BUENOS DIAS!

Here is a couple picture I took this week from up on the provo bench. ENJOY

The Bucket List

2009-05-31T09:58:00.000-07:00

Being my mothers child, I would say that my mom and I are very free spirited people. In different ways but we are free thinkers, always wanting to keep things on the up and up. One of the many conversations I have with my mom is the things that we want to do (The Bucket List) and we try to come up with something new on a weekly basis. I feel I have been very blessed to do things that people haven't done, but I have the urge to do so many more things. Live life on the so called edge. So here is my Bucket List so far, I hope you enjoy and can join me in the many adventures that I take. They are in no particular order.

Dive with great white sharks in South Africa
Visit Dubai
Base Jump off of Preikestolen in Norway
Run with the Bulls in Spain
Climb Aconcagua in Chile
Dive the great Barrier Reef in Australia
Get a Tattoo
Rock Climb in Ko Samui Thailand
Visit Christ Tomb in Israel
Visit the great pyramids in Egypt
Find and marry the perfect girl
Camp in Machu Picchu Peru
Really back pack through Europe
Drink Snakes Blood
Wake up with a clear mind
Do a double front flip on skies
Hitch hike from California to Panama
Survive in the wild for a month with nothing
Surf a perfect wave
Kiss a girl who doesn't speak any english
Go to Ibiza Spain for my honeymoon
Drive through every state, Starting in California ending in Maine in one trip
Heli-Ski in the Swiss alps
Drive a formula race car
Get married in an uncommon LDS Temple
Ride a camel in the Sahara desert
Go on a Safari in Africa
Buy a stranger a drink on every continent
Watch the sunrise in Florida and set in California in the same day
Bungee jump from a hot air ballon. (I've already bungee jumped but not this way.)
Help someone out of a bad situation
Attend an intense European Soccer Game where I fear for my life
Attend and go to every LDS Temple on earth
Not be a 30 yr old Virgin aka Get Some, haha
Start a Charity Organization
Be on the cover of Utah Valley Magazine

The Last 3 or So Months

2009-05-25T22:13:00.001-07:00

I'm a slacker! I've received many request in the past month to when I would be doing a update on my life as they put it, meaning my blog. The last 3 months if I think about have been interesting. I'll be blunt with you, not sure when I haven't in my life, but here is the break down.

March: Last time we spoke I was getting off an epic vacation in Hawaii, well that week I came home I broke up with the girl that I was dating. (Don't worry it was a good thing, she's getting married now, I don't mean to be straight forward about it. But lets get real people in my family/friends, I won't say names, say I live a mysterious life, I don't tell them enough. So what a perfect way then to tell you everything...enjoy.) Ok moving on... Well Utah finished out an
amazing ski season, I feel I pushed myself harder this year then most years. Probably due to the fact that I started skiing with one of my best friends Jake Christensen who is a professional Motocross rider and absolutely insane on skies. Jake shattered his shoulder skiing half way through the season so I was on my own for the second half. This is a picture of us up at Park City. April: April was a good month full of exciting activities, We started the month off with a bang Cameron, Jake and I went to the Festival of Colors at the Hare Krishna Temple i'll let the pictures do the talking:I guess I better give a brief explanation of what is the Festival of Colors also known' as "Holi"
it's a celebration of the end of winter and spring is here. I guess its kindof like ground hog day on drugs. People get together sing and dance and throw colorful chalk at each other. As you can see in the back ground spring was on its way the funny thing is it snowed 3 feet that night. Gotta love Utah Weather, moving on:Before the festival began.After...
If you really wanna see more pictures just ask, I just didn't want to take the energy and load them up.
Moving on in April, mid way through the month we made a 24 hour trip to California for a Kayak that I bought on Craigslist. We left 6pm Friday night picked up the kayak in San Diego made a quick pitstop in San Clemente for some Breakfast and a dip in the brisk ocean, and home Saturday night. My only picture from the trip was a classic that all lindahls should recognize if not I don't think you should be baring the name.The second half of the month was a wonderful experience as my AMAZING mother came to town to visit and check to see how things were running in the United States. Oh and not to mention my sister (Tara) and sister in law (Misty) each had another kid, breeders is what you would call them, Just Kidding. My oldest brother Ryan has 4 kids now My sister Tara has 4 kids now and my other brother Spencer has 3. ME I have none.

Having my mom in town was a fun experience I had missed her. Thankfully I am able to speak with her on a weekly basis. We had dinner a bunch of times and talked/discussed the usual, why I have the best looking hair in family, how I am her favorite child, you get the bulk of our conversations. It was sad to see her go. LOVE YOU MOM!

Spring's last-born darling, clear-eyed, sweet,
Pauses a moment, with white twinkling feet,
And golden red locks in breezy play,
Half teasing and half tender, to repeat Her song of "May."

My Month the month of my birth, the month we celebrate my wonderful entrance in to this world. I try every year to do a good dedication not only one day but a good 31 day celebration.

We started the month out right by taking a trip down to Moab with some of my close friends for some hiking, slick rock riding, etc. We all piled in Jakes Motor home thursday day and started our adventure, about 2 hours into the trip we blew a tire and found out that we had no jack, we had no tools, and no cell phone reception, it was adventure needless to say. Here's a couple pics from the trip.
This was a narrow road where the trailer and motor home just squeezed through, Ty Jasperson, Nate Fleming, Kevin Tucker, Cameron Cox, and myself. Jake was taking the picture.
Our Campsite for the week. If you know me this pictures doesn't fit me, I'm more of the sleep in the dirt and eat the plants kind of camper but when push comes to shove I do what my friends want to do. (This is the part where you feel bad for me. haha)Jake and I in a narrow canyon I forget the name, something gulch.

Me giving the OK on the bat crap I was sitting in , but didn't notice until I stode up! It was an amazing little spot we had found.A sunset in Moab, I thought this old church needed its picture taken.

I love to find the little things that people usually just pass by on. I found this little plant coming right out the red rock, I thought the picture turned out just perfect, in the back is the entrance into canyon.

Cameron and Kevin trying to keep cool after the heat wave that hit that week. It was 103 degrees in the first of may. I little warm for my liking.
Moab speaks for its self. Its a different kind of beauty but it is beautiful none the less.

Second Week of May we had the main celebration on the 14th my birthday of course and had a wonderful party up at Sundance. For my birthday Spencer and I went down to Escape Motor Sports and we both purchased Yamaha 110's. They are small little motorcycles that you can basically go anywhere on. They are enjoyable and safe.

Third Week of May we took a small trip on the new Yamaha 110 up Hobble Creek Canyon and all over the Cascade mountains. Ricky Forsman, Jake and I. I think you'll enjoy the pictures.
Taking a quick lunch break on a log.
A quick photo shoot to pass the time.
Jake and I in all our glory can't help but smile when your with your best friends listening to your favorite music and standing on one of the most beauty mountains in the world.

Ricky showing us how strong he really is, by splitting a tree in half with is "bear hands."
A field full of flowers we stumbled across, I enjoy taking closeups of a single rather than getting the whole field in. Its more beautiful to me.

This one is cool as you look in the back Jake and Ricky are just about to take a afternoon nap in a field next to the river.

This one I got a little wet taking but well worth it. At the top of one of the peaks we were at I found these greens growing through the ice. It was really cool, the picture does not give it justice. I couldn't get the focus right but it still turned out pretty cool. Its the sprouting of new life.

Me trying to be artistic.

Not sure

Me ruining ricky's planned shot that he was so stoked for. I think it turned out even better.

ON TOP OF THE WORLD, YET AGAIN!

As May is coming to a close too quickly I can't really think back to when I had a better birthmonth. I laughed alot, I listened to some good music, I was with people that I care for and care about me. I saw more and more of the world that people don't get to see. I would say I'm pretty blessed.
As I think back in my life, I can pinpoint different situations or conversations I had with my father while I was in the wilderness, whether we were horse back riding or camping. Where he taught me to love and respect the outdoors. How grateful I am for the kindness my dad showed to me. To take the time and teach me to love something that would bring me Joy. I find myself more and more climbing in the mountains and hiking behind my house and capturing the wilderness in its beauty. I wanna leave you with just a couple of my favorite pictures i've taken in the past week or so while i've been hiking around.

After a rain storm last week I found this one up on Squaw Peak. It is an amazing plant, there was probably hundreds of them. I drank the water right out of there leaves it was cool.
This one I took the same day as the other one above. Rain just about to drip from the flower that quite hasn't bloomed yet. AMAZING probably my favorite.

Last summer right above my house there was a huge fire that took most the hill out. I wish this picture would have come out better, the light was horrible. But it is interesting to me how the Oak Brush knows exactly where to re-grow. It stays in the exact spot as the old trees. I love the contrast between the blackness of the burnt trees and new birth that is coming up on them. Provo city is in back ground.A close up on a tree some of the brunt trees.

A close up on a leaf.
My city.

Again, I apologize for my lack of responsibility with this blog, but my habit is sooner or later going to turn for the better, I guess I better give you all an update on my personal life minus the travels and adventures. I am a single 25 year old: A Nuisance to Society as they so eloquently put it. My business is going really well, the economy has played a small roll but lets get real as long as you guys keep ordering stuff of the internet my blog can only get better and better, i've brought on a new partner on that hastaken alot of the stress off my shoulders. Im planning on returning to school after this summer is over and my forever remodel on my house is coming to a close. The landscape is all the done the electrical is all done, Painting and floors and then we'll see what happens from there. I love all of you and wish you best in what ever endeavor you are facing. Much love from me, don't be a stranger. PEACE PLAYERS!

HAWAII JOURNEY

2009-02-07T10:05:00.000-08:00

"All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those that wander are lost."
-Tolkien

This past winter as been a stressful winter with work and other things, so I decided to spoil myself and planned a 2 week trip to Maui, Hawaii by myself. I can't explain what an amazing experience I had while I was there. The food I ate the people I meet, the places I stayed and saw. The whole journey was life changing. These are just a few pictures that I took, I purchased a new Nikon d60 camera before I left and I took hundreds of pictures, I was a true tourist walking around with that thing around my neck! The first 3 days I was there I stayed in a hostel called the Banana Bungalow, it housed probably 90 people, people from all over the world traveling doing the same thing I was. But this is a picture of the house that I rented the rest of the time I was there. It was 50 yards from the beach and it had perfect amazing views to watch the sunset. My first day there, I rented a scooter and started cruising around the island looking for a place to stay, I came across this small town called Paia, the people were just like me. Walking around all I saw were little coffee shops everywhere, no hotels no motels just mom and pop hippie shops, locals walking around living there lives in paradise. This is a picture of Paia.While I was at the hostel I ran into this group of people, they were from all around the world. Most of them were full time travelers, all of them were 18-24 no older just wondering around the world alone. They had the most amazing story's to tell from the places they had been and what I enjoyed most is the love that they had for one another, strangers being brought together by some wild traveling bond. They all spoke 4 or 5 languages, I was very jealous, It was so interesting to talk and to hangout with them. I knew them for 2 weeks and became life long friends. I spent most of the time with 2 people this kid is from Copenhagen Denmark, his name is Tobais Muller. We probably bonded because of the red hair, people would call us gingers for some reason he was crazy.The other person I kick it with was Laura Hovat from Austria, She was traveling alone only 19 and had been everywhere in the world. She had to have been the nicest person I have ever met, If you know Marilou Myers she reminded me of her.

Every Sunday a huge group of the people from the hostel would go to this beach called little beach, it was the craziest thing I had ever seen. It was a small community, hundreds of travelers mostly hippies playing huge drums and dancing around. One of the girls that we hung out with her name was Ariel Hill from north Canada she was the most amazing painter and she would go around painting the craziest things on peoples bodies. The last picture is of Ariel and I.
Seeing that most of my travels, I was all alone I had to improvise with my camera so most of the shots were on a timer, and I had to run and get in the picture. It was fun.
This is me on top of the Haleakala Crater, it was an old volcano site, it was a fun drive you start on sea level and your drive on this crazy road up to 10,005 ft., it was a little chilly up top, but some of the shots I got were amazing.

I wish you could be here for this picture, It was the most beautiful view I had ever seen, I've been on alot of high peaks and this one was different, but right over this little hill was a 10,000 ft cliff down to the ocean, it was amazing.This is me again on top of the world.
About a week into my trip I ran into these girls Agustina Zarate and Graciela Aguilar they were from Mendoza, Argentina. That's the same place were my parents are serving there mission, They loved my hair for some reason and wanted to take pictures so this is one of the many sunsets that I watched from the beach. I love how my camera captured her hair, and the sunset in the back.

These are some pic's they took. I thought they were funny.Every night at 6:05 I would walk out my doors and walk town to the beach and sit, listen, and watch. I was so lucky while I was there. It was perfect weather a few clouds here and there but mostly 85 and a warm breeze.
One of the days I found the most recent volcano that had erupted and went and checked out the scenery. This is me walking through the forest that had lava run off boulders. It was the most interesting walk to see the type of plants that would grow from the lava rock. Also again me walking around the island, this is me jumping through the lava run off.
My 5th day there I rented a Jeep and cruised on the road to Hana. It was the most beautiful scenery. Its a must do, its long but gorgeous. This is an old house that over looks a huge cliff. Nothing spectacular but I thought was really beautiful.Next to the house I was renting was a really old cemetery, and I found this grave. I know its really creepy of me but I thought the dates were really interesting. The Husband lived to be 95 and the wife lived to be 104. Talk about a long marriage and a long life.
One of the days I found some random trail and went stomping through the forest. The trail went for about 2 or 3 miles and I found these man made canals that went to these amazing waterfalls. I thought I was alone but when I made it to the waterfalls there was 5 other kids jumping off them.

This is just another set of waterfalls that I found off in the middle of nowhere in Hana. I thought a yoga pose was appropriate.
I found this little guy next to my front door I almost walked into him. But I love how my camera takes these pictures with such clarity. Just learning how to use the thing, its difficult but a fun hobby.
The colors were so amazing in Maui, these are just a few things I captured with the camera. This huge set of tree's blew me away, there colors were so amazing, they almost look painted and fake.Mastering the art of travel is not accomplished with practice or talent, no school will give you a degree and not getting shot while hitch hiking through the hills of Hawaii or avoiding Montezuma's revenge on your trek through Mexico. Its a way of life, unknown to the majority it is almost impossible to convey to your friends back home over the course of a single conversation. Its more of a feeling, its the excitement I experience the night before a trip. The high that comes with booking a one way train ticket to a place I've never heard of. It's the little things that so often go unnoticed. I used to think back to when things weren't as good as they are today and I wonder how did I get here, why me and I remember all that I've seen and done, the friends I've made, the countries I've been. I think back to all of it, all my journeys and then I ask myself a deeper question, why not me, why should I be immune to the lessons life has to offer. I think life is all about how you let the bad days change you, and what you take out of the experiences. Maybe its not the secret to life, but it works for me. I wish I could say this came to me in a moment of clarity on top of a mountain somewhere, unfortunitly I stumbled upon it from the people I met along the way.

Its funny how the most prolific moments of a mans life can come from the places he'd least expect, and in the small windows of time when he stopped looking for them. I look forward to the next lesson to learn and to the next journey to be taken.

A New Year

2009-01-04T00:49:00.001-08:00

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day. I heard a quote that goes something to the extent of "Many people look forward to the new year for a new start on old habits." I hope thats not true as it has in the past with this blog. It's a New Year and a fresh start. I have decided as one of my many goals this year is to try to keep up this blog. And here we go...

Today was a wonderful day my friend and I (Kyle Homolik) decided to snowshoe the back side of Provo peak. It was an amazing day, cool but beautiful. We hiked a little over 4 hours, it was a refreshing experience. I thought it would be a good time to reflect on my past year and focus on this New year of 2009 that we are all facing. It seems when I am free from the world in the mountains, I begin to realize the amount of blessings I have in my life. I am away from the stresses of life, of business, of money, of dating. (hahaha) And I begin to focus on the amount of extreme blessings I have been given this year. I am extremely grateful for God, and the way he has blessed my life. My growing business that has done so well this year, and especially for the health and safety of my wonderful family and friends. As I gazed over the countless cornice ridged tops, I couldn't help but be so thankful for where I lived. I think that crosses my mind at least once a day weather I'm skiing, drive up to Sundance for work, or just looking out my front door. What a wonderful place Utah is, and if you question that call me I'll take you out for a week and show you what your missing. Enough about that. This past year as been a great year, the many places I have gone and especially all the new and fascinating people I have come in contact with, that have either influenced or changed my life for the better. I hope in this next year that I can continue to meet, experience, influence through out my many travels. These are a couple pictures that I took. The first is of Kyle and I, next is of a small community up South Fork Canyon (Pres. Monson has a house up there for all you stalkers) and the third is a East side view of Timpanogos Mtn. from Provo Peak.

One Year Of Growth

2009-01-03T13:58:00.000-08:00

I n 2008 a bet was placed along with a bunch of friends and employees that I would try to grow out my hair for 3 years. So I shaved my head and began the journey. It has almost been 1 year and I thought I would post a couple pictures to document how it has gone this past year.

Intro

2008-11-13T20:47:00.000-08:00

I guess a good start to a blog would be to introduce myself, and explain who I am and why when you get on your computer your first instinct is to check out The Barrie Lindahl Fan Club.blogspot.com I know its my first thought when I get up in the morning. Well lets get this thing started. Hi, I'm Barrie and yes I voted for Barack Obama. Well if you know who I am there is no need for an introduction, but for those who have been directed here by my older sister Tara to check me out. I'm 6'2" 175lbs and I'm a college drop out. Just kidding mom, I'll go back i promise. Well there's not much to say other than I'm ME. I enjoy being a free spirit and the things that god has molded out of his hands. Such as this picture its from my last adventure, my friend Dallin Bird and I road biked 80 miles into Zions and hiked our carcases through the famous Subway Canyons. (Stay tuned for more pictures from that trip)

I am the youngest of 4 kids, my parents are serving an LDS mission and are living in Argentina my eldest brother Ryan lives in Pleasant Grove with his wife and soon to be 4 kids. Next Tara my favorite sister lives in Draper with her husband and soon to be 4 kids. Spencer and his wife live in Provo with there 3 kids. I, myself live in the blessed land of Provo. I purchased a small condo at the mouth of Provo canyon about 2 years ago, so I'm away from the busy traffic of the BYU zoobies and only 8 minutes away from my second home Sundance. Not sure what else to say. The Lindahl family is a good family, we are all different in so many aspects but we are an amazing family that have always stuck together. If you were wondering about the picture, I already know what your going to say. Yes, I'm the Red Headed step child, and No I don't have any affiliation with the Bowen Family other than my siblings married a bunch of them.

Never Thought I Would Join

2008-11-13T20:34:00.000-08:00

Well to my surprise, I have joined the Bloggers! I never thought myself to be a blogger but to the pressures of my Mother who is 6,000 miles away, I have formed myself a Blog. I personally feel its more trickery on her part to keep an even closer eye on her ONLY UNMARRIED son. I hope this experience is good for all aspects of people and that my journeys and entry's are to your liking, and I do apologize beforehand that I have not been in school for the past 2 years and my so called grammar is not up to par. Enjoy...