Look Up in the Sky...It's a Bird, It's A Plane...Oh Wait...it is A Bird

Happy Monday everyone. As the evening comes to a close, I thought I'd post a few things that were pretty neat. I love birds. I think they are such amazing creatures. Last week I found this web cam feed and thought it was pretty amazing.

Right now is nesting season for many a winged friend. The two most fascinating ones to me were the eagle and the humming bird. The eagle cam is on 24/7 with infrared cameras for viewing at night. It is sponsored by the Raptor Resource Project in Decorah Iowa. The humming bird cam is also on for 24/7 but may be difficult to view during certain times. It is being hosted by a family in Laguna Beach CA. It is viewable on World of Hummingbirds via USTREAM.TV web site. Please note there is a 30 second or less commercial that will play before the feed starts. Today I had the opportunity to watch in real time both the eagle and the humming birds feeding their chicks! It was way cooler know I was watching the magic as it happened. It was surreal and beautiful. (Not the gross animal parts with the eagle tearing the food though). Hope you like it as much as I did.

Happy Bird watching!

Here is the feed to the Eagle Cam:


Free TV Show from Ustream

Here are the humming birds:

Free video chat by Ustream

This Made Me Laugh Out Loud - What a deal!

If any of you really know me, you know that I love to laugh a lot. I have a very comedic mind and things make me go "What in the world?" all the time. I've been avoiding putting those moments here for a while, but now, I will let you in on some of the giggles I've been getting this week. (Yes I know the week has only begun, but I see stuff every day).

I was checking my emails today and I had to chuckle. I get notices each day for daily deals on line that are offered by local vendors/business. So far I've seen some really cool ones, like sailing on the SF Bay with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge. I even got one that I jumped on for two movie tickets from Fandango for $8.00. Who can resist a $4.00 movie ticket?

Today the email read "Manicure+Facial+Foot Reflexology" with an offering price of $30.00 (a 70% savings). I decided to give it a gander. My standard practice is to open the deal, if I like it, then I will check it out the locale on yelp.com (because I don't like special surprises when I get to a place, especial nail places), and then decide it it's worth my bid. I was unable to get past the heading because the deal had an alternate deal if the mani facial footy thing didn't work. You have the choice to have this package:

"Brazilian Wax and Foot Reflexology" for same cost. WHAT THE.......

I can just hear someone now....you know I really don't need a mani and facial, I need some other stuff attended to. Wish they were offering a Brazilian.....REALLY?

Do they do the waxing and then the reflexology or is it the other way around? How does that work? In any case I have decided to pass on the deal all together. I am just saying.

Here is said link:

http://livingsocial.com/deals/30778-manicure-and-facial-or-brazilian-wax?msdc_id=44&ref=OAKDeal032911_44_3972email

Enjoy your day and remember to laugh! It makes us live longer and look so much better.

Don't Listen to the Non-Sense - Make Your Own Journey

In the society we live in, we're bombarded on a daily basis with outside influences that are the "experts" on what is considered real beauty, and the measure of true success and happiness. Most of what we feel we should be aspiring to be has been set or etched in our minds by what we read, hear, and see.

I have found that simple words (i.e. - "should", "could be", "may" or "possible") have bombarded our media and are now considered to be fact. Since when is speculation considered truth or factual? Who are the people who measure and make these statements? Why are they chosen or allowed to speak on behalf of all of society as said experts? Why do we listen to them?

"You should be a certain weight and then you will be perfect and desired." "You could be happy if you purchased this product." " It's possible to be a millionaire if your purchase my book. " I am sure you can find a host of other statements and words to insert here. Don't get me wrong, I am certainly not indicating that one should neglect their health or treat their bodies in an unhealthy manner. I am all for the entrepreneur getting their hustle on. However, I am not okay with statements being pawned off on me as truth.

My $.02 worth is this. Live your life to the fullest and enjoy it. Enjoy the people who are around you in your world and don't take those things for granted. No one is perfect. We all have things that make us different and quirky. We respect those differences and accept them because this is what makes life wonderful. Make your own path to happiness.

Happiness is not found in the things the world presents to us. Most of the time, those things are dangled in front of us like a carrot on a string. Close enough to smell, taste, touch it, but always just out of ones grasp.

What dreams do you have? Who do you love? What did you really want to be when you grew up? What have you always wanted to tell someone you cared about? Or (Insert your own question here).

There are plenty of negative things being pointed out to us and served to us on a daily basis: Sickness, wars, pain, disease, tragedy, crime, hatred, waste and troubles unimagined etc. Don't buy the nonsense any longer. Enjoy your now because you don't get it again. Steer and captain your own vessel and make memories, on the journey life takes you on.

~ Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it. ~Greg Anderson

Till next time,

Tootles

Somethings Are So Over the Top!

Greetings and happy Spring! Spring is a great time of the year for new things. New weather, new outfits, and new ideas or attitudes.

What better time to debut something new than when you are rolling out the newest model automobile. We are a people who love gadgets, perks and accessories. What better way to celebrate than with the newest, coolest upgrades ever.....

10 of the most "gotta have" automobile options ever...if you don't have these....then well...sigh....Shaking my head.

http://tinyurl.com/y7njelq

My personal favorite....the tent.

I am sure when the creators of these brilliant concepts had their eureka moment, they just knew it was going to be the cat's meow. However, good intentions are not always well rewarded.

Your thoughts?

Just Cause I Like It

Hey everyone. We are well into on our way into 2010. I was just thinking about things I like. I don't often put things out there, but one of the things I like is reading. I love suspense novels, especially those that have an unexpected end or message involved.

One of my favorite writers in this genre is Ted Dekker. He is a writer who manages to fill his books with twists, turns, surprises and jaw dropping discoveries. He has a new book coming out in April 2010 called the Bride Collector.

The widget link below has review, excerpts and links to his websites. If you post the widget to twitter, blog or other social networking site, you can enter to win a few of his books in the contest area. (Though posting isn't required to win).

The Bride Collector

Check out a day in the life of Mr Dekker on Facebook at the link below

A Day in the Life of Ted Dekker

Well that's it for now. Just thought I'd share.

Till next time.

Has This Ever Happened to You Before?

Hello all! Have you missed me? I was out of town for a little while and finally getting back on track with my blog. For those of you who missed me.....

Have no fear....Saltandlight is here! Able to crush the blues in a single bound. Able to bring a smile in a nano second. So with out further delay I present to you.....today's blog!!! (And the crowd goes wild!!)

Has this ever happened to you before?

I was randomly searching things on YouTube, as it offers a wealth of information you didn't know you needed to know via video and audio feeds, when I came across this little number.



Well having been thoroughly entertained for a few minutes I decided to seek out a more current video for 2009. Though I found a few, none had the quality and pizazz of this one. I searched high and low and then it happened....this jewel was found. I proverbial work of art. Not what I was looking for or what I expected. Feast your eyes on this:



All I can say is.....nothing. I was speechless~ I could only hold my breath, hang my head and feel an immense need to cry....then it happened......the most bizarre thing! I started laughing hysterically. I felt bad for the man, but I had to laugh because it was so funny. Keep in mind, I'd seen this video before long ago, but had forgotten the impact it had. So, I decided to share it with you!

When you think you are having a bad day....watch the second video two times and call me in the morning!

Ahh...to be Tall Again!

While I was home sick, I took some time to explore a few videos on YouTube. I've grown bored with videos that show someone getting hurt or the same videos always seen. It was kinda like a quest you go on when you have a change of taste and want a "new" something. In the midst of my quest, I found this little jewel. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Please let me know what you think. I encourage your comments.

Enjoy

BOOMCLICK - High Tide

Someone Had to Say It

Over the weekend my husband decided to take the car out for a much needed clean up. We went to a local Shell across town. Keep in mind we chose this one because it would "get us out of the house." Please note, we passed two other fully functional places on the way to this one. It was as if we were going to "town" or something.

Vacuuming at these places is frighting. First you have this huge monstrous looking robot canister poised and ready to partake of your quarters and willing to return to you 15 seconds of suction. Maybe it's just me, but it feels like you've only vacuumed for that long after you maneuver, fight and some how get entangled into the coils of this gray octopus - a mutated over-sized hose with a way too tiny attachment. It is perfect for sucking the coins from your seat but not the dirt you've gone over 18 times.

While there, he decided to check the air pressure in his tires as they seemed a bit low. Firstly, I am sorry to say this, but I don't usually check for low tire pressure until I am on my knees in a posture that seems like I am praying to the lord of tires to re inflate my inappropriately timed flat. I watch him and I am intrigued by the meticulous and precise manner he checks the tires. However outwardly I don't let it show. (Note: my external posturing says "Yeah...I check that all the time.")

In any case, he uses the manual gage and the reading is ridiculously low. His air pressure was equal to riding on gas fumes praying to make it to the gas station. So the proclamation is made that surely the "manual gage has to be wrong because the number was too low." The truth was this he wanted to use.............WAIT FOR IT............WAIT FOR IT

THIS

NO MY FRIENDS: Your eyes are not playing tricks on you. It is indeed a very elaborate parking meter....no wait....it is the master of all air machines. It is a modern marvel and wonder....colorful buttons with multiple options to chose from (none of them marked, so we are left to guess). Who caress...it's so beautiful and new. (Cue any luxury car commercial music and repeat these words in the voice over: Sleek, elegant, updated and so awesome that it's free to use!). I am stoked and excited.....until (Skrunkxx -record being scratched).

Why is this thing $.75 for 40 seconds of air. Who decided it would be that price for that long? Is there some kind of strange anomaly that occurs if used for 20 seconds longer? Of course the time isn't marked and not known until you are running around your car like a wild person to refill your tires before the air stops.

Am I the only one who remembers that in the not too distant past that it was illegal for people to be charged for air? I mean come on now. Are they serious? Maybe there is an air shortage. NOT. As much hot air as people blow out on a daily basis, surely this can be pumped from the atmosphere and go directly into our tires....I am just saying. Ironically the this fabulous invention of modern mechanical wonderment had the exact same reading as the manual tire gauge. To it's credit though it filled your tires to the exact amount of pressure needed to get reading up to the standard. For a split second I was mesmerized by this, but then I remembered, when I manually put air in my tires, it usually slows down as it fills up.

This paying for air opens a whole new set of issues. I mean, are people going to have to be concerned with a huge rash of having the air siphoned from their tires because of the escalating cost of air? Will landfills be piled higher with discarded manual pressure gauges? What about the few remaining fee free machines at some gas stations, what about their safety...will they be overtaken, made over and forced to perform for money? Who will protect their rights?

I don't know about you, but I am outraged and appalled. When we left establishment, I felt cheated. I am on the lookout now. Next thing you know, they will charging me for the air I breath. I am just saying.

Absolutely Perfect

What in the world? How can I say that today? I was pretty much in the house all day today. I've determined that no matter what life throws my way, I will continue to fight. Just like you, there is always something going on in our daily life/schedules. Once in a while, in the middle of living life, we have a moment where we are able to be transformed to another world or place. I had such a moment today.

I was walking to the mailbox to pick up the daily bit of useless stuff when I realized that it was warmer outside than I'd previously thought. Then it happened....just for an instant. The breeze and the feel of the sunshine on my skin...the smell of slight crispness and the light rustle of slightly yellowing leaves gave me the feeling of another place. A place where hayrides and pumpkin patches prevail. You know the place....the place where the crock pot comes into the house again and fills it with the delicious aroma of beef stew or chili. Or when the cinnamon scented pine cones from Michael's or JoAnn's fill the table area of your home......making it smell so delightful. Or the moments when children come home with pictures of hand shaped turkeys decorated with pretty crayon embellishments.....it was one of those moments. At that point in time....life was absolutely perfect!

Find the time to enjoy your perfect moments today. Although they are fleeting and can be over looked or missed by living life, it's vital to capture them and hold on....because they make life worth living.

Absolutely Perfect!

Yippie...It's Monday

Before you start with the groaning and the desire to slap me for such cheerful words on a Monday, I am just here to help keep things in perspective. There is no reason for us to wake up on the wrong side of the bed or fill ourselves with useless dread when we wake up on Monday mornings. IF you are on the wrong side of the bed....sometime before the week is out, move the bed to the other side of the room. This works really well because it will save you from future injury, thus helping you have a greater joy when you arise.

Okay, some of you are saying to themselves right now "but you don't have any idea....I've got the kids, work, school, soccer, deadlines, ministry, momma, responsibilities, bills, stress" and a whole host of other things that can be inserted into this list - which never ends. Oh..don't get it twisted, I can relate. I hated Mondays and every day of the work week. I lived for my weekends. To the point where it caused me to be so stressed out that I was having health issues. I had to make an attitude adjustment. The problem wasn't my circumstances (obviously because those didn't change). The problem was my outlook and attitude. It was easier to look at my own disappointments and inabilities, insecurities and fears and focus on myself, than it was for me to get out of my own way and change my outlook.

Life is so short and fleeting. It is a gift (that's why it's called the present (not my quote). If we forget that it is a gift then we are very likely to take it for granted, complain about it and become dissatisfied with what we have. It's all about perspective. What are you looking at? What is your outlook? What is your focus on? What can you change?

It's a lot easier to point the finger at others and hold them responsible for our bad behavior. The truth is...you can only be responsible for how you respond or not respond. The choice is yours. So once again I say "Yippie....it's Monday."

P.S. Because you were so kind to have stopped by, I've included a little something special for you to check out. http://www.ktla.com/krcw-bizzare-beards-and-mustaches,0,7562154.photogallery

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE!

I don't know about you guys but I am fed up with the lack of encouraging and positive information being passed on to our minds via news feeds, media streams, radio and television. After so many crazy, disturbing things being shown or presented, I needed to find something that made me smile. I had to find something that was fun. So I decided to post these videos.

You are bound to see something that is familiar to you in these dance creations. Hope you enjoy these fun videos by Judson Laipply. For more information about the artist please check out His website at http://www.theevolutionofdance.com/

Evolution of Dance



Evolution of Dance 2


Have a great Friday. Remember to smile and speak life into others. Till next time...peace.

I would love to hear from you so please leave a comment below- Cheers

Lifetime Choices

Each day we are presented with opportunities to make a choice. We decide we will brush our teeth before going to potty in the morning, bagel instead of eggs, coffee instead of juice. Speed or no speed to get to morning job or chores, jeans or shorts, red purse or green backpack, cheese no cheese, smile or no smile....you get the picture. Although these are basic, simple things, most of life consists of these types of choices.

In our lifetime there are choices that come along that we later discover to be monumental moments in which our lives will never be the same again. What choice did you make the last time this came up? Did you make the choice you would have liked or did you make a huge mistake? Did you regret the choice? What would you do differently? Would you change the choice? What about the outcome?

You only have one life to live. Good, bad indifferent, once the choices have been made, the consequences of said choice have been propelled into motion. Today, if you find yourself at the crossroads of choice making, chose the one that works the best. (Please keep in mind this is not an excuse to do things that are legally or morally irresponsible or wrong). YOU may not get it right. It may be imperfect and challenging, but that doesn't mean it was a WRONG choice.

Be true to yourself, be true to your dreams, be true to your choices. No one ever survives in this life looking back into the rear view mirror to drive forward, to do so would cause disastrous results. I encourage you today to make wise, well thought out choices. Whatever you decide to do, be sure to see it to the end, own it, embrace it and hang on for the ride. I've yet to see anything that indicates our lives would be "sunshine and roses", but there are definitely going to be plenty of "rose smelling" opportunities.

If there is regret, forgive - heal and move forward. Don't give up, and remember this choice is not the end all and be all to life. Make wise choices today, seek Godly council (if available), trust the choices and enjoy your life.....because it's too short to fill it with regrets, and "could have, should have, wish I woulda" thoughts.

Be encouraged

BIG PIC: 9-11 in Remembrance

This was such a surreal photo from the space station during 9/11 in NYC. Had to share it.



BIG PIC: 9-11 in Remembrance

Posted using ShareThis

Friends Don't Let Friends Get on Treadmills with Flipflops

This is a kicks and giggles kind of post. I just have a couple of questions:
1. At what point in this persons mind did they decide what they were about to do was a good idea?
2. Why was his friend not being a good friend by just "saying no"
3. At what point to do you scrape up the little bit of dignity and walk away? Is it before or after the chain is removed, or is it after the flip flops and hat fly off?

It was as if the treadmill declared "TAKE THAT MAN, YOU DON'T OWN ME...I OWN YOU!"

Personally, if it were me, I would have just lain there and played dead...but that's just me.

I watched this video to my own shame so many times and laugh at it (yes at the expense of the person involved) until the tears come. Laughter is an excellent medicine and I will get a daily dose of this one if I need to. Hope it makes you smile.

Just as a sidebar...perhaps they were inspired by the video at the bottom of the post. However, they should have made a note about the "Speed" of treadmill in other video.

Which do you prefer?

Getting Powned by the Treadmill:

or Treadmill Mastering:



You decide...the choice is yours....your thoughts?

Till we meet here again...

Tootles

Wii Fail

My brother owns a Wii system. I had the chance to play with the game system and it was a lot of fun. The first time I used it, he had me strap these little wrist straps to my arm so that I didn't accidentally swing and throw the controller into the abyss someplace.
This strap allowed me to have fun and be worry free about where the controller went, as the strap stayed on my wrist and controller in my hand.
So, what happens when someone feels that silly little rules like this don't need to be followed? Serously, it can't be that bad.
This is a sad but true video. This is a simple video to demonstrate the importance of following the rules that sometime seem strange. Just may save the life of your flat screen.

Till next time....Peace 2 ya

Avoidance

Yesterday, I was thinking about avoidance. Why do we avoid things? What is the motivation for the avoidance?

I've been hearing a lot lately about the importance of confronting those things that we are most afraid of. For me, when I hear this it translates to "Run into the burning building and save my car keys." It seems quite dangerous and ridiculously unnecessary. Why can't someone else do it? Like the fireman who is a real expert on such matters.

The truth is, why do I have to wait to move when I have the ability to do it myself?
Perhaps there are things that I find so challenging that I am not willing to be embarrassed, vulnerable or risk possibly failing. Failure however isn't messing up....failure is the avoidance of doing something for fear of failure. If I do nothing...then I certainly will fail.

With that being said....I have realized that I am not afraid of failure, but afraid of success. Which makes no sense to others. Maybe no one else can relate to me. That's okay. I will not ban you from my blog or anything...this is just where I am right now.

Today I attended the 8th Annual Poetry, Prose & Arts Festival in Pleasanton CA http://www.pleasantonarts.org/poetry_prose.html. I was surrounded with people who were so articulate, well versed in art and literature, and just incredible poets and writers. It was at some moment that I realized I was way out of my league. It was a bit overwhelming and kind of intimidating, but I refused to run out of the room. I stayed in the fire and got ideas, made connections and came away encouraged.

Will I be the next Terry McMillan or Emily Dickinson? No...I don't think so, but this event has called me out of the comfort of my own cowardice. It stirs something inside of me to stand up and let my voice be heard....even if it's by an audience of one.

Will I avoid another difficult task in my life? Probably. The issue with avoidance is this....if you don't deal with it now, you will still have to deal with it later. Who knows...perhaps it may work out better than I thought.

Till next time....

Peace

By the way...I avoided writing this post since 8/24/08. Before today, it only consisted of the first line. Now...I am dealing with my issues. LOL.

Ledisi Take Time

Ledisi is a 2 time Grammy nominee with an incredible voice. Her range is rediculous. Hope you like it. I had a chance to see her perform in concert at Yoshi's in Oakland last month and it was worth every penny spent.

Take care and enjoy

This blog is special

This is for my brother...I apologize in advance for the profanity. Take care

In Dream Land....Anything Can Happen

A few months back SNL did a skit on at the time President Elect Obama. I found it humorous because you never see him loose his temper. As a result SNL has made it an ongoing theme in a few of their skits. Enjoy.

I Keep it cool:




On this past Saturday this one was shown on SNL compliments of hulu.com. Hope you enjoy this little skit.

Conjuction Junction

I was on another site today and one of my friends posted this vid on there profile. I loved it so much that I placed it here for you enjoyment. It took me back to Saturday mornings at home. Enjoy!