Dance into the night

Ballroom dancing is so amazing.  I work at the Osthoff Resort serving food at banquets and large events.  We get all kinds of people, companies, and organizations coming through our doors.  This weekend, Ballroom dancing was at the center of our focus.  A good number of couples, being mostly in their later years in life, from all over Wisconsin and its surrounding states gathered for dinner and dancing.

            Friday night was the first of the two nights of dancing.  A little more casual, the couples were given the chance to meet everyone and relax in their new surrounding.  Their attire wasn’t completely upscale though very appropriate for the occasion.  Everyone seemed very friendly and all of our servers seemed to feel the same way.  Once dinner was finished, a few drinks polished off, the dancing began. 

Watching these folks moving across the floor was so nice to see.  They truly enjoy life and the company of their lovers.  The style of dancing would switch with each song.  Everything from the Waltz to the Cha Cha was seen across the floor. 

The second night of dancing was more of the finale.  The couples were wearing nice suits and dresses.  It looked like some elegant dancing in a movie from the twenties.  They had a multiple course dinner then, as the night before, began their passionate dancing.  I love to see the older couples that still hold hands as they walk to get coffee or give each other that look of love before kissing.  It was a wonderful evening. 

People Helping People

A very long time ago, I had a History teacher tell me of an organization that allowed people to lend money to entrepreneurs in developing countries.  I briefly thought about this idea; an admirable one I thought.  However, just as easily as I had heard of this organization I forgot it.  At the time I was in high school and so giving out money to people didn’t really appeal to me so much.

            Moving a few years forward to the beginning of 2011, I rediscovered this lending organization.  Searching one night for a way to give back to humanity or at least help I stumbled upon Kiva.  “Loans that change lives” read along with their name.  My old teacher flashed through my head instantly.

           

            Looking further into Kiva, I saw how the organization worked, allowing people like us here in the United States to give citizens of developing countries an opportunity to improve their lives.  The whole process is simple and effective.  A certain amount of credit is bought and stored on your personal account.  Then, you may look through a list of possible borrowers with their information of who they are and their reasons for needing a loan.  The pictures that come with each description really add life to the whole process.  The ability to pick your borrower allows for a personal and intimate connection. 

            The borrower eventually pays you back in a series of payments; a payback percentage model is available to view.  As your credit builds from getting back your money you have the option to relend to other borrowers or transfer it back to your bank.  This really is a wonderful gift to the people of the world.  In so many countries, it’s very difficult to obtain loans.  Kiva has put the ability to give these people, who desire to improve their life, the opportunity to do so. 

           

Be you

Some days really rock you.  I mean, when it comes to being true to who you are, there are always battles.  It should be easy being you but it most definitely is not.  One second you feel like you own the world then the next you come crashing down to the lowest of lows.  The list of challenges are never ending and your faith… not always a constant.  It’s almost like life’s main purpose is to torment you again and again until you break.

There’s no manual on how to go about living.  No one telling you what’s right or wrong and if there is it’s all relative opinions.  When you’re young, there is this false illusion that if you follow certain rules set by the all knowing you’ll be golden.  Then, with age, these all knowing and their creeds slowly start to dissipate from invincible walls to the smallest remains of what you thought would always be.  Watching this all happen right in front you kind of freaks you out.  Takes your feet out from below.

            Expectations and pressure plague your mind.  Friends with drug addictions, lost and parasitic.  Tears trail the length of your face, memories flash in and out thinking of them at their purest and how nothing but a silhouette remains. You believe in them, giving all of your being, but they are someplace else.  In there eyes, your friendship becomes a means to consuming in one-way or another.  Then you have to let go before they suck you dry of your light.  Besides them, you’ve got your own hell of a time resisting this lifestyle.  Seems like you look around and its all you see.  You just want to be clean.  Just want to be.

            Depression and debt cloud your family life.  Moms and dads hating each other.  Tug-o-war and you’re the rope.  You do everything to keep the peace but peace can only last for so long.  Parents ditching out for new lovers.  Little siblings looking to you for answers and you try to cover your cracks of imperfection.  Money flows but how do you manage it.. Save for some other day or treat yourself?  Looking at your love life, trying to find someone who’ll always have your back wondering do they even exist.  Then you do find someone but those oh so great problems are quick to arise.  Fighting, jealousies, sex, trust; I’m sure you can relate.  Even the clothes you decide to wear, your expression.  It’s one of the greatest ways to be you but those looks of disapproval can make you doubt yourself instantly.

            These descriptions are few compared to the many I could write about.  It is crucial, however, that you believe in yourself.  We need individuals that would prefer to create their world and create it with an acceptance and respect for others.  The most important thing is to stand for something.  So many people could care less about the future or anyone else but themselves.  These people would rather go get faded and kick it with their friends.  This paradigm is rapidly spreading to the masses.  Kids just want and they want it now.  It’s always how can you serve them; no one wants to be of service.  Most people don’t even know why they’re at school or what they’re working towards.  The aspiration to make this world a better more loving place is amongst the few.  We have to work to create a united people, united and standing for something good.  And with all that said.. “Remember to always be true, no matter what you do”   -the Guru, R.I.P

                                         

Street

We go up staircases everyday and rarely notice the handrails tracing the edges on each side.  If we do, the thought is brief. They are objects with one purpose, guidance.  Typically, we avoid the use of them knowing the amounts of germs that scale up and down their surfaces.  This is the majority view on handrails.  However, through the eyes of a snowboarder you’d see that these are handrails thriving with life, an opportunity for expression and creativity.

            Snowboarding is usually associated with snow and mountains.  The idea of pine trees, groomed runs, and chairlifts tends to be the general picture.  This is only a small branch in the snowboarding world.  Another direction to take your style of riding, often unheard of, would be to the streets. “Street riding” is a subculture within a subculture.  These riders go into cities, towns, or any place with concrete, buildings, and metal, looking to unveil the life within.  A typical spot for riding could be a railing behind Walmart or a ledge enveloping a loading dock at some company.  It is endless as to what you can ride in a street environment.

            A normal setup for these street sessions would entail having a snowboard, a means for getting snow and momentum, and a shovel.  When a spot is located, the first thing is to make the in-run up to the rail.  An in-run is a trail of snow wide enough for your snowboard to move across and ends with a small jump to place you up onto the rail.  If there is no snow in the vicinity that you are riding then you have to bring it from abroad via truck beds or tarp-lined trunks.  Also, the landing at the bottom of the rail should have adequate amounts of snow giving you time to stop your momentum.  After the setup is constructed then you are free to express your riding.

            Getting enough speed for the rail requires one or two people to pull or push you along the trail of snow.  Another way is to build an incline of some sort in which you ride your snowboard down a steep but short declining ramp which gives necessary speed.  From there it’s all about having fun.  There is some inspiring and addictive feeling that comes with being able to express your skills in an area that wasn’t intended for it.  Once you submerse yourself in this world, you will never look at urban architecture the same again.   

Mmm I smell coffee

Coffee is a wonderful blessing.  Every thing about it adds to our lives.  The taste is robust and soothing.  Rich aroma radiating from freshly ground coffee, even for non-coffee drinkers, lifts spirits and stimulates sensual pleasure.  Who doesn’t enjoy taking a deep inhale when they pass the coffee aisle at the store? The stimulants within this drink make every part of your mind and body present and aware.  Our desire for coffee employs millions all over the world, creating an enormous industry.  Socially, going out to get coffee is a major component, whether it’s for business or just kickin’ it with friends.

            Early in the morning the alarm clock goes off.  My eyes are slow to open having been fastened together by a night’s sleep.  I stumble my way around the kitchen piecing together some fast and flavorless excuse for breakfast.  A little more alert now, I shower up and find my attire for the day.  Finally, after all the tedious and repetitive parts of my morning are completed, I cozy up into the sofa with a freshly brewed cup of coffee.  Black and hot.  I am now at peace.  The first cup goes down so smooth and so right; the second, just as satisfying. 

            Moving beyond the micro viewpoint, the coffee industry is a widespread moneymaking opportunity.  From Africa to South America, low-income families depend on the coffee tree for their bread and butter.  Often, these families are indigenous and don’t even speak their country's official language.  This can be dangerous; for example, some indigenous people in South America speak ancient languages and not Spanish making it impossible to read the warning labels explaining the harmful effects of pesticides.  There are places in Ethiopia where rituals and coffee are combined.  A series of three small cups of strong coffee are drunk before beginning the day’s work.

            Everyday millions of people walk through coffee shop doors accompanied by friends and people of interest.  Business people sit down to go over a new product line all while sipping coffee.  Analyzing chart after chart must strain their mindset so the wonders of coffee complement these tasks very well.  Friends find conversation provoked and brought into raised levels of enthusiasm with a few good cups of java.  After a mind-numbing exam an Americano is the best way to restore mental functionality and dive back into the never-ending student life of studying.