The new site is HERE. This is strictly an archive site until Wordpress can import these due to the 'New' blogger format.
That said however... Enjoy...
The New Site
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Bear with us...
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Please bear with us. I am initiating the blogger to wordpress conversion. I have no idea what will happen. I have never tried this conversion. Here are the scenarios...
- we will proceed fresh with no archives.
- we will scrap the conversion and stay with blogger.
- it will work.
Wish us luck.... LOL.
Travel Section.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Are you sitting at home in front of your computer, searching ebay for obscure bargains? Is that you shovelling the driveway you just shovelled twenty minutes ago?
Do those cold, rainy Southeast Alaska/Northwestern US/North Atlantic winters have you down? Were you actually writing a list of the people who'd miss you if you were gone?
If you answered yes to any of these or other questions then consider sunny Taiwan! The winters are comfortably warm, the cities are noisy and hectic in a way that your social life never has been, the locals are just as weird as the foreigners and generally friendlier too.
The living is cheap, the food is good and each day is a new adventure in nonverbal communication. Happiness is only a 16 to 20 hour plane ride away!
Do those cold, rainy Southeast Alaska/Northwestern US/North Atlantic winters have you down? Were you actually writing a list of the people who'd miss you if you were gone?
If you answered yes to any of these or other questions then consider sunny Taiwan! The winters are comfortably warm, the cities are noisy and hectic in a way that your social life never has been, the locals are just as weird as the foreigners and generally friendlier too.
The living is cheap, the food is good and each day is a new adventure in nonverbal communication. Happiness is only a 16 to 20 hour plane ride away!
Topic areas.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Some mornings I wake up already thinking. It's funny because my taijiquan practice is usually crap on those mornings but I'm full of thoughts and questions.
I'd like to pull some of our potential topics from my thoughts on these mornings. A very common thought is how to develop financial intelligence and financial independence. At different times in my life friends and family have shared with me their idea that life is essentially work. They believe or seem to believe that our lot is to spend our lives working (and not getting either rich or free). Fuck that!
I'll own my Protestant work ethic as much as anyone because I do enjoy getting things done and learning how to do a job well but I have zero interest in working all of my life for money. I have far more interest in learning how to make money work for me. Learning how to invest and to live well and cheaply are big priorities of mine. So I'd like to have a continuing discussion of financial intelligence and financial independence.
Going hand in hand with this line of thinking is my desire to reduce my impact on the environment. Living in Taiwan I breath heavily polluted air, have to buy bottled water, see locals throw garbage everywhere without a second thought and watch people eat up fish that's loaded with toxins. I know that the problems of the environment are deep and that no one person or group of people is going to cure them but just as I believe in leaving a campsite cleaner than I found it I'd like to live in a way that's more beneficial for the environment.
What that means and how it's done depends on the individual and their situation but there's a lot to discuss there and ways we can all do better.
Also on a technical note we're probably going away from blogger to a different kind of program. This is Phil's call since he knows what he's doing far more than I. He says it's easier so I'm excited to see what can be done.
I'd like to pull some of our potential topics from my thoughts on these mornings. A very common thought is how to develop financial intelligence and financial independence. At different times in my life friends and family have shared with me their idea that life is essentially work. They believe or seem to believe that our lot is to spend our lives working (and not getting either rich or free). Fuck that!
I'll own my Protestant work ethic as much as anyone because I do enjoy getting things done and learning how to do a job well but I have zero interest in working all of my life for money. I have far more interest in learning how to make money work for me. Learning how to invest and to live well and cheaply are big priorities of mine. So I'd like to have a continuing discussion of financial intelligence and financial independence.
Going hand in hand with this line of thinking is my desire to reduce my impact on the environment. Living in Taiwan I breath heavily polluted air, have to buy bottled water, see locals throw garbage everywhere without a second thought and watch people eat up fish that's loaded with toxins. I know that the problems of the environment are deep and that no one person or group of people is going to cure them but just as I believe in leaving a campsite cleaner than I found it I'd like to live in a way that's more beneficial for the environment.
What that means and how it's done depends on the individual and their situation but there's a lot to discuss there and ways we can all do better.
Also on a technical note we're probably going away from blogger to a different kind of program. This is Phil's call since he knows what he's doing far more than I. He says it's easier so I'm excited to see what can be done.
taiji notes.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
I'm no longer the only taiji player in the park. The calligraphy teacher from the school down the street has started coming out every morning with two to three students. I really like this guy because he's always been friendly to me and and even though he can speak English he speaks Chinese with me. He was one of the first people I could understand because he speaks slowly and uses simple words so that I can understand.
We were talking about taiji practice the other day and how important it is to practice everyday. He said, "some people only practice twice a week, it's not good."
I said, "Yes, but you're here everyday."
He said, "Because I saw you here. I decided I should also do it."
That was a humbling moment.
We were talking about taiji practice the other day and how important it is to practice everyday. He said, "some people only practice twice a week, it's not good."
I said, "Yes, but you're here everyday."
He said, "Because I saw you here. I decided I should also do it."
That was a humbling moment.
Standing in your purpose. 2
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
I don't even know how many people are with me though the two who have I've conversed with like the idea (in theory). But I'm going to keep going to see what we can do.
The basic goal is for this to become more than just my online journal. I'd like it to be more our online journal because we are multinational (Taiwan, USA, Scotland, Canada, Turkey, Senegal) being multinational makes us interesting. It gives us a variety of experiences each day just in terms of simple matters like what we're eating and the weather we're having.
From a white out in Haines, Alaska to beautiful, comfortable winter weather here in Taiwan there's a big, big range to cover. So I want this "place" to be like a window that looks out on Lynn, MA and Portland, OR as much as it looks out on Taichung, TW. That will bring us together.
I also want to talk about the stuff of life, Craig and I are constantly eating and eating well! I want to share that and I want to know what y'all are eating. We're also biking and adventuring around the island we all have cool little things going on that are better shared than kept to ourselves.
The other element is world news and events, we're thinking and we have opinions. It can be fun to share them. I'm not talking about boring stuff (like the Pistons current nosedive) I'm talking about things like Hilary Clinton potentially running for the Presidency. That's interesting to me! Can she do it? Will you vote for her?
Or Phil dropped this gem on me in an email; he's taking up Buddhist principles as a way to try to guide his life in a direction that he's happy with. I answered right back that Being Peace by Thich Naht Hanh is a book that I've found useful in helping me. These are interesting things to think about!
How we live, what we'd like to change or not change. Ways to enjoy life or listen better. All of this is vital, interesting and worth discussing. I'm not trying to be Oprah Winfrey here but talking or writing about this kind of thing has value.
More to come.
The basic goal is for this to become more than just my online journal. I'd like it to be more our online journal because we are multinational (Taiwan, USA, Scotland, Canada, Turkey, Senegal) being multinational makes us interesting. It gives us a variety of experiences each day just in terms of simple matters like what we're eating and the weather we're having.
From a white out in Haines, Alaska to beautiful, comfortable winter weather here in Taiwan there's a big, big range to cover. So I want this "place" to be like a window that looks out on Lynn, MA and Portland, OR as much as it looks out on Taichung, TW. That will bring us together.
I also want to talk about the stuff of life, Craig and I are constantly eating and eating well! I want to share that and I want to know what y'all are eating. We're also biking and adventuring around the island we all have cool little things going on that are better shared than kept to ourselves.
The other element is world news and events, we're thinking and we have opinions. It can be fun to share them. I'm not talking about boring stuff (like the Pistons current nosedive) I'm talking about things like Hilary Clinton potentially running for the Presidency. That's interesting to me! Can she do it? Will you vote for her?
Or Phil dropped this gem on me in an email; he's taking up Buddhist principles as a way to try to guide his life in a direction that he's happy with. I answered right back that Being Peace by Thich Naht Hanh is a book that I've found useful in helping me. These are interesting things to think about!
How we live, what we'd like to change or not change. Ways to enjoy life or listen better. All of this is vital, interesting and worth discussing. I'm not trying to be Oprah Winfrey here but talking or writing about this kind of thing has value.
More to come.
Standing in your purpose.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
I've been thinking for some time now that I want this blog to be about MORE than me. I even went so far as to brainstorm a name and format for a whole new blog that was from it's start designed to be communal. For various reasons related to time, my continuing inability to read Chinese characters and a general lack of knowledge about how to make it happen I'm not going to launch the new site YET.
I am going to share a little bit of my vision with you all about what I'd like to do together. But to understand we need to take a trip back in time. From I don't know when I've been a talker. I talked with my Mom and my Aunt, with my Dad and my Grandma, with my friend Tom, with Jonathan, John and Joana, with Mr. Henry, Mr. Sharnbroich and Mr. Bruce.
In addition to talking I was a speaker, travelling with the Forensics team making people laugh and trying to make them think. I loved doing that, really, really loved. Love it now and wish I had done a better job of thanking the folks who gave me the chance. I was also on the radio, talking less and sharing music more, broadcasting the occasional ball game and basically living a dream. (Credit for that goes directly to Dad).
Time kept on and so did I, going to UAS where I watched ball games, wrote and ate with Mike Sica and Lori and Elle. Jonathan and I hung out between fishing trips and we'd get together to play pool or basketball.
Then at Humboldt I was back on the road, speaking and debating. Over the years the cast included Ponce (Where are you this time man?), Jon (RIP), Minnesota, Mad Dog and Crazy Tony on the dormfront and Mike, Paul, Steve, Matt, Dana, Daerielle, Greg, Big Yusef, Keenton, Alisha... we ate pizza, watched Kung-Fu movies, played basketball, "studied" Praying Mantis Kung-Fu.
There were talks in Portland with Phil and Ben and Tyler, Kathy and Virginia, Jake. I pushed with Sifu, Scott and David. I pushed with Jaime in the park and lectured Carol and Patty in class. I ate and with Mamadou and Samori (sp).
I came to Taiwan and lived with Mieca and Patrick, we argued talked and occasionally went to work. I'm still here riding bikes with Craig, teaching with Nathan and talking. But I've come to realize that it isn't just talking. Not in any way is it just anything.
When we talk we shape our world and our lives. What we say becomes who we are and how we feel. When we smile and laugh and play ball we're happy and healthy like Stephanie (currently holding court in Turkey).
Through speech we share ourselves, our worries and hopes, our jokes and thoughts. You all have been my community and even though we're really divided right now we're also united if we choose to be, if we choose to use this wonderful tool to be something more than one man's type written mumblings.
What I'd like to do is to make this site a place to converse. You all ready know the topics we've all discussed them before. The story is ours. Our continuing growth and confusion, what we're listening to when we get up or fade off to sleep, what we're hoping to do or hoping not to do, the games we're playing.
The way that this can work is if people will register to make comments and then make the comments (or email them to me). It can't be just me it needs to be us. Together we can make a place where we can share jokes, daily amusements as well as talking about bigger things like Lt. Ehren Watada's refusal to serve in Iraq.
It isn't the same as being physically together we can't play pushing hands or steal food off each others plates I can't stand on the wing and call for the ball but we can be together by uniting our minds.
If you're reading email me or comment let me know if this thing has legs.
judson.ryan@gmail.com
I am going to share a little bit of my vision with you all about what I'd like to do together. But to understand we need to take a trip back in time. From I don't know when I've been a talker. I talked with my Mom and my Aunt, with my Dad and my Grandma, with my friend Tom, with Jonathan, John and Joana, with Mr. Henry, Mr. Sharnbroich and Mr. Bruce.
In addition to talking I was a speaker, travelling with the Forensics team making people laugh and trying to make them think. I loved doing that, really, really loved. Love it now and wish I had done a better job of thanking the folks who gave me the chance. I was also on the radio, talking less and sharing music more, broadcasting the occasional ball game and basically living a dream. (Credit for that goes directly to Dad).
Time kept on and so did I, going to UAS where I watched ball games, wrote and ate with Mike Sica and Lori and Elle. Jonathan and I hung out between fishing trips and we'd get together to play pool or basketball.
Then at Humboldt I was back on the road, speaking and debating. Over the years the cast included Ponce (Where are you this time man?), Jon (RIP), Minnesota, Mad Dog and Crazy Tony on the dormfront and Mike, Paul, Steve, Matt, Dana, Daerielle, Greg, Big Yusef, Keenton, Alisha... we ate pizza, watched Kung-Fu movies, played basketball, "studied" Praying Mantis Kung-Fu.
There were talks in Portland with Phil and Ben and Tyler, Kathy and Virginia, Jake. I pushed with Sifu, Scott and David. I pushed with Jaime in the park and lectured Carol and Patty in class. I ate and with Mamadou and Samori (sp).
I came to Taiwan and lived with Mieca and Patrick, we argued talked and occasionally went to work. I'm still here riding bikes with Craig, teaching with Nathan and talking. But I've come to realize that it isn't just talking. Not in any way is it just anything.
When we talk we shape our world and our lives. What we say becomes who we are and how we feel. When we smile and laugh and play ball we're happy and healthy like Stephanie (currently holding court in Turkey).
Through speech we share ourselves, our worries and hopes, our jokes and thoughts. You all have been my community and even though we're really divided right now we're also united if we choose to be, if we choose to use this wonderful tool to be something more than one man's type written mumblings.
What I'd like to do is to make this site a place to converse. You all ready know the topics we've all discussed them before. The story is ours. Our continuing growth and confusion, what we're listening to when we get up or fade off to sleep, what we're hoping to do or hoping not to do, the games we're playing.
The way that this can work is if people will register to make comments and then make the comments (or email them to me). It can't be just me it needs to be us. Together we can make a place where we can share jokes, daily amusements as well as talking about bigger things like Lt. Ehren Watada's refusal to serve in Iraq.
It isn't the same as being physically together we can't play pushing hands or steal food off each others plates I can't stand on the wing and call for the ball but we can be together by uniting our minds.
If you're reading email me or comment let me know if this thing has legs.
judson.ryan@gmail.com
New Year? It's a whole new day!
I'm changing jobs, websites maybe even tires on the bike!
First I want to thank Phil for the new look which I really enjoy. Second I want to get back to posting.
I've been sick with this damn cough for about three weeks now and the chalk at work wasn't helping. It all came to a head last night when I spent about an hour coughing and couldn't sleep most of the night. I ended up calling in sick.
I'm always of two minds regarding calling in sick. One part of me thinks, "You're tired and sick why don't you just stay home sleep and get well." The other side says, "Oh dear Nancy you've got a little cough, shall I call the Priest then? Or would you like a nice hot glass of tea? Get your ass up and go to work!"
I think both views have their valid points, but today I didn't go in. So earlier I was off trying to find the doctor. One thing I love about Taichung is its ability to surprise and confuse me on a daily basis. Because even though I'd been to this doctor before and new the general area I ended up going off the wrong way.
Riding a bicycle (sick) affords one a certain slow pace and looking for a clinic (listed in Chinese) gives the mind plenty of reason to be observant. So I rode around here and there trying to find the place, looking at the buildings, people, parks, alleys... our best efforts at building are really just poor imitations of nature trees, hills, valleys, clearings and animals. I look at concrete and see wildlife.
Any way I finally found the place only to discover that they were closed. I'm going back later hoping their open. Wish me luck.
First I want to thank Phil for the new look which I really enjoy. Second I want to get back to posting.
I've been sick with this damn cough for about three weeks now and the chalk at work wasn't helping. It all came to a head last night when I spent about an hour coughing and couldn't sleep most of the night. I ended up calling in sick.
I'm always of two minds regarding calling in sick. One part of me thinks, "You're tired and sick why don't you just stay home sleep and get well." The other side says, "Oh dear Nancy you've got a little cough, shall I call the Priest then? Or would you like a nice hot glass of tea? Get your ass up and go to work!"
I think both views have their valid points, but today I didn't go in. So earlier I was off trying to find the doctor. One thing I love about Taichung is its ability to surprise and confuse me on a daily basis. Because even though I'd been to this doctor before and new the general area I ended up going off the wrong way.
Riding a bicycle (sick) affords one a certain slow pace and looking for a clinic (listed in Chinese) gives the mind plenty of reason to be observant. So I rode around here and there trying to find the place, looking at the buildings, people, parks, alleys... our best efforts at building are really just poor imitations of nature trees, hills, valleys, clearings and animals. I look at concrete and see wildlife.
Any way I finally found the place only to discover that they were closed. I'm going back later hoping their open. Wish me luck.
Welcome to the new site!
Hey all.
Welcome to the site redesign. The old one is way outdated. My hope is that you all enjoy it but if not, it can change. I would be interested to hear your comments and suggestions. I also have an alternate design in the works that the user can choose. That however is down the road a bit.
New features...
Ryan, It appears that I can no longer email you I have sent you 3. Please email me from another address and we will set you up with a new one if need be, also let me know what you think...
Let me know!
Welcome to the site redesign. The old one is way outdated. My hope is that you all enjoy it but if not, it can change. I would be interested to hear your comments and suggestions. I also have an alternate design in the works that the user can choose. That however is down the road a bit.
New features...
- Comments pop up in a new window so they dont clutter the screen.
- The design resizes with the browser so there is more room for the text.
- I tried to incorporate the title and that imagrey into the design
Ryan, It appears that I can no longer email you I have sent you 3. Please email me from another address and we will set you up with a new one if need be, also let me know what you think...
Let me know!