Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Day 120 Raining so Classic Movies in HD



The Birds

Its been raining and overcast for almost two (2 )weeks in Pittsburgh! Like a leaking  faucet  it just keeps drizzling-ah!!   When there is a  patch of sun I run outside and try to soak it up but then a few hours or  minutes later, gray clouds show up emptying participation on my picnic, walk, or bike ride. So this weekend with the perpetual outside grayness I  gave into the suggestion of  Little Golden Books," to just do nothing"  like in Day 17, but this time I watched classic movies in high definition (HD).

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Day 119 Luminari-Inspiring Others




Having a vision and seeing it through are definitely in line with Maslow's theory  of reaching the pinnacle of self development or self-actualization. My friend, Hilda Pang Fu, started a non-profit called Luminari with the idea of making Pittsburgh a better place by fostering “activities that broaden minds, inspire innovation, and promote community engagement.” Wow what a creative altruistic vision, girlfriend!  Today’s new experience, was to witness  the results of one of the  Luminari’s teen camps by attending the closing ceremonies  of  the camp -I want to be an Ambassador.

Refection
I witnessed a vision (Luminari’s vision) giving  birth to a youth camp that produced such inspiring results in teens.  This camp encompassed  an  introduction of different languages and writing systems, foods, religions,

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Day 118 Build a Puzzle with Dad




Today is Father’s Day, a day to let your parents know that you love and appreciate them. My father passed away when I was four (4) but I was lucky enough to have a stepfather at a young age. For Father’s Day, my  son and I brought my dad the "infamous blog  Jell-0 cake (see Day 3) and we built a puzzle.
Refection
Now I do not have the brain for puzzles. I have not tried to build one since my son was very young and back then I only attempted the ones with only 20 or so pieces. This one had 1000 pieces! My dad is naturally intelligent, and I guess my son has the same talent for puzzles because they found five(5) pieces to my  one (1). Some may say that it’s relaxing

Friday, June 19, 2015

Day 117 Spinning Vinyl at The Brew Gentleman Brewery



The Brew Gentleman Beer Company


A friend of mine, who DJs records and  yes I said good old records, was spinning the vinyl sound of the Rolling Stones at a new microbrewery, The Brew Gentleman Beer Company.  The  music was the catalyst for my venture across town to Braddock, an area that I would not normally visit and to a place that I would would not normally  put on my to do list since I am not a  beer drinker or  even a drinker at all. I must admit however,  that this  place was really fun and had  the most unique beer  flavors that I had ever seen or sampled. 

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Day 116 Buyers & Cellar-Pittsburgh Public Theater




Pittsburgh Public Theather (PPT) is a great place to see a play because it feels like you are part of the action with  the audience  on all three sides of the stage.  I have always loved going to musicals as in Day 105- My Fair Lady, but  seeing  a “one man show” is a new experience that I tried with  PPT’s  Buyers & Cellar which runs through June 28th. 

This fictional play was  inspired by Barbra Streisand’s Malibu estate’s basement where supposedly she has rooms set up like shops displaying things that she has collected. She referenced  her  basement  in her book, My Passion for Design which fueled this comedic play (more about the play). The actor is  hilarious as a Barbra Streisand star struck fan  hired to work as a clerk in the  basement  whose only customer is Barbra.  It reminded me of the Hoarders TV show but for  the rich and famous  with really nice stuff  and with Type A personality organization.  I could relate to this concept  because, I hate to throw  anything away. Imagine if you could keep everything  you love and have a place where  you could visit it, but who does that! The concept is stand alone funny. 

Monday, June 15, 2015

Day 115 Cooking with Blue Apron




Everything I Need to Know I Learned From A Little Golden Book, recommends that we “learn to cook.” I am not a confident cook. In fact, every Thanksgiving I am on the phone getting steps from my girlfriend who is  a gourmet cook. Every year she reminds me not to thaw the turkey in warm water or in the microwave both of which I tried to do  my first Thanksgiving!  No worries, no one got salmonella. So when I heard about Blue Apron, a food service where once a week they send you all the food and directions, I thought –“This could me my answer.” Taking a weakness (or a least a perceived  weakness), and making it a strength is definitely  a way to reach  Maslow’s theory of Self Actualization or being the best you can be.

Saturday, June 13, 2015

Day 114 Blue Grass, Pgh Arts Festival




Elephant Revival
In my quest of new adventures, I  thoroughly enjoyed two Blue Grass Bands, Elephant Revival and Railroad  Earth at the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Arts Festival. I am now really expanding my music experiences. As  in Day 113 -Stage AE,  I continue to “make music apart of my life” – a life recommendation  from my blog inspiration, Everything I Learned I Learned From a Little Golden Book.

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Day 113 Stage AE




My Blog inspiration book,  Everything I Need to Know I learned From A Little Golden Book,  says that we should “make music a part of [our] life”. This is something that I have always tried to do as in: Day 56- Banjo Night, Day 15-Change It Up Jazz,  Day 58-Black Keys, and Day 101-Pittsburgh Pops, Chris Botti. However, for this new challenge, I tried tried a new  music venue, Stage AE on the Pittsburgh North Shore.

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Day 112 Tea Time

 I have loved the idea of  having a "tea party" ever since I got my first tea cup at a garage sale for a dollar. Since then I have managed to collect over 20 tea cups.  I am not sure why, but the tea taste better in them. I don't really know much about the etiquette for an English afternoon tea but it  seems like a good excuse to "Just hang out" with friends as my blog inspiration,  Everything I Learned I Learned from a Little Golden Book, recommends. So I dusted off the cups, found some lacy linens, picked some flowers from my yard, searched my boxes for a three tiered dish,  and invited five dear friends to an afternoon tea.

Monday, June 1, 2015

Day 111 Full Circle



(I had a month blogging hiatus in May and reflected )
Blogging started out as way to fill the void left after a sudden empty relationship and an empty home after  my only son ventured to college. Two very  different events colliding simultaneously  resulting in feelings of loss.  
Cactus flower/ sharp yet beautiful

Almost a year ago, in July of 2014, I started to use this  blog   to strive for  self-actualization, fun,  and spiritual growth. Thus turning potential sadness into a positive time of  personal adventure and  I accomplished  110 days of newness!