Moving Puerto Viejo? Costa Rica? Why?

First and fore most, like most of you, my perfect day involves sand, surf, and sun. I have an instinctual drive to be close to the water. That said, life in Costa Rica is more difficult, so don't fool yourself. It's no bed of roses, chocolate and fast food can be scarce at times. There are no Walmarts. Paved roads are a luxury. Petty theft is rampant. But there is something magical and healing about the life there. It's a simpler way of life. A life where personal relationships are more important than material things. A life where like minded people are there to relax and enjoy the passing moments of everyday. A life full of travelers, artists, and free thinkers. A life for me. I'm stoked to be headed back down that way. I hope that oil doesn't wash up there.

Under Pressure: Mercury/Bowie

WOW! Such a nice recording of when 2 aliens cross paths! AMEN!

Music and new beginnings.

I am having fun, all the time, working on the EP with TDoug. It was well worth the journey back. I am optimistic about a continued growth in this music thang. That said, I try to stick to my guns and do what I say. I came here to make an EP and a few videos with TDoug. 6 months later we're almost at our 6 songs... maybe more? 1 video in the works. 1 starting. That's cool. I like accomplishing goals.

Last time I went to Costa Rica, I was in a bad place. I'm in a really good place now. I know what I want and what I'm willing to do for what I want. I know that doesn't include a commute on a freeway to a beige cubical. I've know for a while, but I didn't know how I was gonna make it work. I got a good plan this time. A plan... just like the music... a plan that will lead me closer to joy and joyous people. Amen!

Hello Blog.

I missed you. That FaceBook whore didn't mean anything to me. I was just messing around with something new. I neglected you for over a year. I'm sorry baby. It won't happen twice. Woot! woot!

Moving to Puerto Viejo August 1st

So, of all the places I've been, I feel most relaxed and at home in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica. I have decided to move there as soon as my lease is up at the end of June. I will do my usual family visit to ATL and perhaps NOLA before heading South. I am starting to do an increasing of amount of freelance and web design work. This work can be done remotely. In addition to that endeavor, I have been making plans to open a New Orleans style Daiquiri shop. I am really looking forward to being back in the Jungle and on the beach. I will be renting a nice 2 or 3 bedroom place within walking distance to the beach with WiFi and cable TV... plus a few hammocks. I will post my contact information, as soon as I get settled, for those that may want to visit.

Goodbye FaceBook

After my last melt down. I have decided that FaceBook takes too much of my time. I'm too opinionated, vocal and loud to be on there. I have found I'm much more productive since turning it off. I'm going back to this blog and old fashioned email. Later. It's was amusing.

-chris

Oh Adobe.. Oh Adobe

Oh Adobe... Oh Adobe... you will be in my life forever... won't you. The first program I used on the MAC 7600 was photoshop 2.0 in 1993?.

Using PhotoShop lead me into graphics where I became an expert level PhotoShop and Illustrator user.

That in turn bought me into designing web pages using Dreamweaver and Flash. Designing web pages paved the way for programming. Programming lead me to Adobe.

At Adobe I spent 7 years working on mostly on installer technology for Creative Suites and Point Products.

NOW! I am installing CS3 and CS4 on 150 MACS as my main project. Essentially, I will be configuring, testing and reverse engineering the hell out of years of my own work in some cases. THAT'S JUST WEIRD! LOL!

Following Adobe was following my heart as an artist and free thinker. Adobe is why I use a MAC. I was able to take 2+ years OFF and travel the world after working for them. They afforded me the opportunity to buy an airplane and nice cars. Nothing but good has come out of it. I am honored to have been part of such a KICK ASS company! At such a magical time!

So for all my friends still working there THANKS. It is a really great place to work. The people there are what make it great. I met some of the most interesting people in my life at that company. I will always be a fan of the work you do for me! Rock On!

After much thought

I have decided to go back to blogging in lieu of FaceBook. I can write a more in depth article, and not be tempted to write everything I "don't think".

Salvador DALI was a douche bag! Thank God he could paint!

Music Music Everywhere!

I have found a whole new appreciation for this music thing. Wow! So much to learn. So much fun. The act of creation is like magic coming forth from the unknown. Where does it come from? What makes it so amazing is how it comes forth as music. Music is a strange thing. What makes it sound good and what makes it not sound good. It is quite a magical art form. I love the recording aspect to it how it can capture a moment in it almost like a photograph. It's a special thing and is why obviously it is the most popular art form. I am glad I discovered it's magic on my journey through life.

I have been visiting more and more live music venues as well on this journey. Paragon right down the street is where I sit at this moment has some really terrific music. I am listening to the Blues. And admiring the beautiful bartender Jackie. Hot tea tonight because I have voice lessons tomorrow with Kaycee Cole.

Facebook has overtaken my blog!

So with the advent of Facebook I find it kind of mundane to keep up my blog. Although my blog has historical context which I don't think Facebook does. So I can go back several years and recall just what I was thinking.

So for now it is cold and rainy. Not sure I can handle it too much longer. I've been checking flights to Thailand/Amsterdam/Sydney and although Amsterdam isn't warm either.

Arrived in Seattle.

Had my little blowout! Now it's to to get my shit straight and rock the joint. Got a place to stay with Johnnie Walker. Got a 30 day plan with TDoug. Getting a haircut. Hanging up my drinking glass. And looking for a fitness outlet! The next will unfold as it unfolds. Currently learning to sing some old classics. Due by end of week.

Salt Lake City(nixed)... onto MOAB

So after Grand Junction.... I stopped to take a picture. A young guy on a road trip asks me if I want him to take a picture of me on the bike. I say no I've got a tripod. He asks where I am headed. I tell him Salt Lake City. He then informs me that I should got to MOAB instead. Says maybe he'll see me. Well I did detour to MOAB and ended up following his car. First photo op we stopped at the same time. I asked if he was alone and camping. Maybe he could use some company. He said he was and kept admiring the bike. So I followed him someways to a camp site. We decided to put all my stuff in his car and take the bike to Arches National Park. He'd already been there... and every time I screamed WOW! He told me "Just wait until the next turn." And he was absolutely right. He also knew his geology and explained what we were seeing. I enjoyed his commentary. We watched the sun go down then headed back to camp. "He said he'd been waiting his whole life to come here... he said it was the best day of his life!" I was honored to have shared in what some one considered the best day of their life. On the way back we talked bikes. He was an avid cyclist and the conversation turned to motorcycles. He'd never ridden one. I told him I'd let him but it was a big bike... not for the beginner. Then we stopped for fuel. I noticed he was tall. He told me he was 6'6". Well this is just a kids bike for him. And although you'd think I'd have learned a lesson from a broken bike in Costa Rica at the hands of my dear friend Conrad. I can't help but share the joys I have in this world with those who don't. So I stayed up until sunrise listening to music as a vampire does. He woke up and asked what I was still doing up. I went to the tent and told him the sun was coming up and it was time for his ride because traffic was light. I made him squeeze into all my riding gear. 2 sizes too small... but it's armor. I gave him a few lessons and set him on his way. Told him I'd come looking in 2 hours if he did not return. Apparently he rode it through Arches National Park successfully as the sun rose. He woke me up and said he had to go. Thank me for the experience and said he needed to get going because he was inspired to see more. Or something to that effect. He packed up his shit. Exchange contact information. And off he went. It was really a nice experience. I hope my journey has inspired him. And I think I did.

Onto Aspen, Colorado

WOW! Spectacular ride across Independence Pass. The continental divide. Absolutely Amazing. I said WOW so many times... I was hoarse. I also kept looking around and nearly killed myself around some of the bends. It was the most amazing ride I ever had on a bike. Truly awe inspiring. Then to Aspen. What a beautiful little town. I stayed at a hostel and roomed with an aspiring pianist. He was cool... although I think I freaked him out when I came in drunk high on Tequila and talked like I was on blow. Tequila does that to me. It's like speed. But he was very genuine... and I'm always impressed with some one follow their muse. I was really amazed at the fact there is no music scene in Aspen. I ended up going to the only place with live music in Aspen. I saw Thievery Corporation in a 300 or so seat club. It was a great show. I got a fist shake from the guitar player for my enthusiasm for his playing. He was really awesome... I screamed "Make me hear colors" and he did. That's when he gave the fist of approval. After that I journeyed around town until late. Played in a sprinkler and had a shot of Patron from a closed bar. The next day I left town. On the way out of town I noticed the little airport was absolutely full of private jets. Like 40 or so. Too many to count as I drove by. I was thinking wow no music scene. All these influential people... WTF? Good place to be "discovered" by some famous person... I think. Anyhow onto Salt Lake City.

Onto... Denver, Colorado

I had a really great time in Denver. I was impressed mostly by the cleanliness of the city. I also noticed the city planning was superb, good transit system, and it seemed like all the buildings were coordinated. They all seemed to go together. It gave a very pleasant feel to the city. I was fortunate enough to meet a young fellow that had just ride-shared from Northern California. He was kind enough to remind me of how great the weed is in Denver. A joint really had me high for several hours. He shared his story with me and had apparently been in some trouble and lost his license for 5 YEARS! That's a long time! He said he had trouble finding work because of transportation issues... he was only 23. That is a big chunk at of life at 23. Everyone I met was pretty nice from Denver. Only thing is they all seemed sad. Maybe it's the fact that they are used to so much snow and on this day it was 97 degrees. Not sure... but everyone seemed sad that I met. Curious! Onto Aspen!