Twice the storage at half the price

Google announced on the 10th of the month that because the cost of hard drive storage has gone down, they are reducing their pricing on storage.  If you are like me, and utilize the online storage for photos and music, this is fantastic.

I primarily use it for Picasa but since they increased my amount by 20% from 40 to 200gigs for just $50 a year.  That is less than a caramel machiato a  month at starbucks.

Plans are as follows

20 gigs-$5.00 per year
80 gigs-$20.00 per year
200 gigs-$50.00 per year
400 gigs-$100.00 per year
1TB-$256.00 per year

There are larger storage options if you are a mega movie maker or take huge picture taker.  They offer 16TB which if you are wondering, is enough to keep 8 million full size pictures.

I have enclosed the link for your convenience should you want to check it out.  Also, make sure to check out Picasa.  Its a great way to share your photos as well as a pretty simple photo editor.

Until next time...

finding the meaning

We wake in the morning hoping for some semblance of meaning in our lives.  The day begins as any other and much like days before.  Since this day is so like others, we assume that there can be no other frame of reference and that the monotony of our life will continue each day as we seek out some form of recognition in this world.  We seek in this life someone to comfort us and tell us its all going to be okay.

We come back to familiar places and things in hopes of finding that happy place once again.  The ones we knew as children when fairy tales were as true as the person that told them to you.  The images blur as we grow older and the lines are not as distinguished as we once knew.  We hold on to the memory of a lost love in hopes that that memory will comfort us until that next one comes along.  We lose the things that matter and keep the things that destruct our mental fiber.

Wake up zealous again with a new song in your heart.  Wipe the sleep from your eyes and embrace the most gentle of delicate days that lays before you.  What is your passion and what new gifts will the universe bring to you on this day?  Will you tuck that gift under your pillow or disregard it as you have done in the past so many times before?  With your body and mind, its good to see this new day once more, for i know not where or what this gift I have been given will give to me.  I see the trees differently on this day and hear the birds sing a new song and the sun is shining just a bit brighter on this day.

Your life is what you make it.  Your demons are the ones you have chosen to hold on to and keep you from those childhood memories.  Keep your faith  in whatever it is you believe in.  Love the beauty of who you are and keep giving a damn about the things that matter.  Make sure that the life you leave behind, leaves a mark on those who come behind you.  Inspire all those around you and most of all be happy because you are beautiful.

I am...

I am a freelance business, coffee drinking, have fun with my friends, loves to travel, doesn't eat brussel sprouts and likes riding bikes more than running.  I don't have possessions and don't own anything of significant value.  I treasure the friendships I have and will always make time for the people I like in my life.

I don't have retirement fund, savings doesn't exist and i live day to day.  I don't have medical insurance or an annuity from family members.  I don't have much, but i give alot and money will never have an emotional place in my heart.  I love animals and dislike fighting.  I will never own an SUV even if I won the lottery or came into money.  I  am practical and recycle when i can.

I won't kill a spider or an insect of any sort for they have as much right to be here as me.  I enjoy the pain i get from riding long distances on my bike, but I will never be Lance Armstrong.  I am fit but not ripped.  I don't like junk food and prefer fresh food. I don't cook for myself near enough.  I like a clean desk and a clean room and realize its okay to leave my bed un-made some days.  I like doing laundry and dishes, i dislike lazy people

I hate routine and love spontaneity.  I am an explorer, not a builder.  Security nest is a place for me to sleep at night.  I don't own a home and I have a car note.  I am not fragile and learn about my emotions on a daily basis.  I love sunrises and sunsets.  I sleep 5-6 hours a night and feel that more than that is a waste of my day.  I don't dream.

I love Vegas, Miami and CSI.  I watch house regularly and like Nip/Tuck.  Cereal is my favorite food and a good salad is cleansing.  I see beauty in everything.  I don't use drugs but I have tried the lot of em.  I look forward to now. I am the new generation, I am...you?

Stuck in a rut...

I don't really write too much about being bogged down in life. I like to keep things upbeat and focused on all the greatness that the world has to offer. Every so often you come across a story from someone close to you or that you have met, that makes you step back and say "Wow, If they can do it, so can I," I recently had one of those wow moments.

I was in Dallas in the end of August working a program there. I met a girl the first night off of work in the lobby bar while settling in and ordering some food and grabbing a night cap. Her name was Cathryn and she was a very beautiful blonde. It started off with the usual smiles, throw in a few jokes here and there and before long we were having a real life conversation, not a text chat or email correspondence, but a real conversation. (I know very shocking in this digital age)

We ended up seeing each other in the lobby 2 nights and having some really in depth conversations about life, love and the universe. Part of the reason I love my life so much is because of these types of interactions. I love hearing other peoples stories and sharing some of my own as well. The conversation the second night was definitely one of the better ones I have had in this lifetime.

I could see she was married, but I sensed a bit of discontent because if it in our conversations. It seemed that her mood was blase to say the least, when we discussed her marriage. She just didn't seem happy. I have a good sense about those sort of things :-). We discussed my marriage and her marriage at large. We came to the conclusion that sometimes society (family, friends) dictate the way we see our lives playing out and that marriage is an institution which people associate our character based on if we are married or not married.

I asked her if she could do anything, what would it be, She said, "Move to San Francisco and start over". I asked her if she could see that happening. She said "Yes, but, she had no way of knowing how that would happen". I replied, "You don't have to know how, just plant the seed with the universe, and the rest will put itself into place". I also shared with her that we have only one purpose in this life, "happiness". I shared with her that for the most part I have had 3 years (minus a few days here and there) of sheer happiness and that every day seems to get better based on how i view the world. Its about unlearning lots of old bad habits and allowing good ones to replace them

Needless to say, our last conversation stretched to 2am and I had to be up at 6, but it was worth it. Very enlightening and enjoyable. I really enjoyed talking to her and felt a strong connection. I ask the universe every day, "What amazing person or event will I experience on this day" and on this day, it brought me Catherine.

Fast forward to today, I spoke with Cathryn this week and she started out by telling me that lots had happened since our conversation. I pried as i always do asking for more details. She advised me that she had gotten divorced, found her own cute little place and that her job was on the up and up. She confided that she wasn't in San Francisco, but we both know that will happen in due time.

Here is some of our conversation (with her permission of course)

Me: "How long were you married?"

C: "We were married for 3 1/2 years and together for 8. I was feeling "stuck" for the last 5 years. I felt that getting married would help all the issues and clearly it didn't. In many instances it made things worse and my husband became more complacent. I knew for the last 6 months that I was going to leave, just didn't know when."

Me: "Who or what was your biggest inspiration throughout the process?"

C:" 2 people come to mind. The first was a great friend, Sean. At 29 years old, he died in a horrible, freak mountain bike accident. I learned from the experience that life is way too short to not do, see and experience all there is to offer. This was 8 years ago, but it took me this long to put it into action. My friend Sean lived his life to the fullest. I am sure that he lived his life without any regrets. He experienced more in his life than most of us ever will. I just want to live my life like Sean

The second person, as cheesy as it may sound, was you Chad. Meeting in Dallas and having just a handful of conversations made me take a step back and really examine my life. I knew what I wanted, just didn't know how to make it happen. You helped me to realize that I just had to let things happen the way they were supposed to. And I did, and the universe put things into motion the way they should be.

Also the dissolution of my parents 31 year marriage played a part in it also. I was so scared of living my life unhappily and finally gaining the courage too late to make a decision.

The other event that made me realize what I needed to do, was my trip to San Francisco. It was the most eye-opening, self-realizing 2 days I have ever spent. Being there, by myself, being confident in myself (my job, my looks, my intelligence), made me realize that I had to make some major changes, but more importantly, it made me understand that i could make these changes and be okay. I've never had more confidence in myself than at this very minute. I know I can do anything right now, Anything that I WANT to do that is."

Me: What was the reaction of family and friends?

C: "Everyone said they saw it coming. They said that my husband and I were two different people and that we had grown way apart. He is the same person he was 8 years ago, and I have changed. My friends have been absolutely amazing since all this happened. They are all extremely supportive and I had no idea how much they cared about me and I love it!"

I asked Cathryn if i could publish this and she said absolutely. This story really struck me because most of the time, people go with the status quo. I think of "Bridges of Madison County", where Francesca had so much passion for Robert, but the history and her kids made her stay. I have always wondered, "what if she had gone with Robert?" "What would her story have looked like?".

Cathryn proved to me, that all you really have to do is put the intention out there, and be willing to accept the answers and the universe will send you in the right direction. In this constantly changing and evolving world, we, ourselves change and evolve and Cathryn has shown how you can change and allow yourself to be pulled out of that rut.

Don't live your life in that rut. Find your passion and you will go there.

Until Next time...

Rio De Janeiro, Latin Women and Joe Merchant

So Rio has been nothing like I expected. We arrived here on Sunday afternoon to perfect skies without a cloud in the sky. We checked in to our hotel and decided to don some shorts and minimalize our necessities. The Hotel Agrense is only about 2 blocks from the famous Copacobana beach. It was very hot on this glorious day. The temperature reading on the board said 30c and UV 11.

The walk was amazing seeing all of the brazilians out and about as we walked down the beach. The brazilians are very comfortable with their bodies. It doesn´t matter what shape or size, the women all wore thongs, and a majority of the men wear speedos. They play futvolley here instead of volleyball. They basically use the same rules and volleyball but you have to use your feet, head, knees, chest or even shoulders. I became enraptured in a game and watched for 20 minutes as the two teams never scored and kept going back and forth. Two of the guys on opposing sides got into a verbal squabble about the score and finally they accepted the score and moved on.

After a stroll on copacabana, we walked around to ipanema, which seemed to have more people. The women seemed to be alot more confident as I was immediately greeted by 3 very beautiful women as they passed, welcoming me to their beaches. I smiled and replied,`Obrigada,´ and walked on. The women are beautiful here, however, I am biased, as those of you that know me, know I love Latin women :). They range in skin and eye color from olive complexion and green eyes, to dark chocolate with jet black eyes. Needless to say, I was in seventh heaven.

Noah and I walked almost to the end of Ipanema and decided, as the sun set high behind Corcovado, that it was probably time to make our way back to the hotel. We had to get ready for dinner. We decided to go to a restaurant called Monchie, which was a Churrasco or barbecue where they serve all you can eat meat for 22.50 Reals or 13.50 US. Add to that the unbelievably strong and cheap caipirinhas 4,00 Reals or $2.35 US and you have yourself the best meal in town. Noah ended up eating the most out of the group, even our prize fighter Dylan, from Australia, was surprised as Noah took the crown.

At 11pm we were driven to a favela party that lasted until 4 in the morning. It started slow, but as the night progressed the women and men began to flock in. I could feel the stares from the women all around the club. I also noticed that the women are very forward here, which i like. 1 hour after being in the club, I had been groped by at least 20 women as they walked past me and smiled. I had one admirer that would not be distracted. She had her sights on me and before I knew it, she and I were dancing until the wee hours of the morning. She insisted on me taking my shirt off, so i obliged. After 2 hours of dancing, she asked me to kiss her, again I obliged. As the night wound down, i found my group, exchanged facebook information with this beautiful girl and by 4 am we were on our way back to our hotel. We arrived at 5 am and I couldn´t sleep past 7:30 am. Although the women are beautiful, I have not partaken in any of the local culture. Some reason, i think i am just an Orwelian observer. I sit back from afar and admire the women and the beauty of this land, but i don´t take anything from its beautiful shores.

I am thoroughly impressed with Rio and all its beauty. I could make this my second home in a minute. The people here are simple, beautiful and have a fantastic language. As I woke up this morning, I enjoyed a minimalist breakfast of a roll, some ham and cheese, slice of pineapple and some great coffee. I decided to finish reading `Where is Joe Merchant´, and only had about 60 pages left. I sat outside the hotel and finished it and realized that Frank Bama, the main character share so much in our lives. Jimmy Buffett helped me, with his book, realize one of the main objectives of this trip, which was to find emotion again in my life. The combination of my fathers advice to see Rio, imagining my father climbing the steps at Corcovado, as I did yesterday, and Jimmy´s advice of trying to find ´happily ever after, every now and then´and finding someone to love in this life, I found what I was looking for, as i broke down and cried after reading some of the last pages.

Our life really is a journey and dependent on how we view it. For all those I may have hurt along the journey, I hope you can one day forgive me. For those of you that have enlightened and inspired me, Thank you.

I leave you with the lyrics to the song that is on my iPhone now...

`I've been a stand-in, a stunt man I've takin' some falls Troubles... I've had my share But one has to learn how to run before walkin' 'Round breathin' that million air

Take it from me cuz I found If you leave it then somebody else is bound To find that treasure, that moment of pleasure When yours, it could have been

Some people never find it Some... only pretend, but me: I just want to live happily ever after every now and then

I've been in vans and in bands On and through stages One thing I can conclude One has to learn havin' fun is just smilin' through Those Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes Take it from me cuz I've found If you leave it then somebody else is bound To find that treasure, that moment of pleasure When yours, it could have been

Some people never find it Some... only pretend, but me: I just want to live happily ever after every now and then

Some people never find it Some... only pretend, but me, hell: I just want to live happily ever after every now and then ´

Until next time..

Day 14-Paraty to Ihla Grande

Today we woke up at 8 after staying out late.  I had a great time admiring the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of Paraty.  We loaded our gear in taxis and walked to the bus station.  I kept mine on my back as the walk to the station was very close.  We loaded as many of our packs under the bus and the rest we placed on the back seat behind the bus station attendant.

It was a beautiful 2 hour and 15 minute ride from Paraty to the boat docks.  We ended up going through rain storms and beautiful mountainous countryside.  I admired the scenery and took it all in.  On several occasions, i stuck my head out of the bus to smell the air and feel the rain on my skin.

We stopped the whole way down to mandara picking people up and dropping them off since we were in a public bus.  At one stop in particular, we picked up one of  Brazil's future models.  She was approximately 16 with the most mesmerizing smile, dark brown flowing hair, satin soft skin and completely heart stopping.  My friend Matt and Noah both made comments about how pretty she was.

When we arrived at port, we ate quickly, due to the fact that we had less time than we thought before the boat left.   We headed to this very old looking sailboat and as we boarded, the crew put our luggage down below.  I carried mine with me and left it right next to me.

The ride to Ihla Grande was approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.  I had Bebel Gilberto playing the entire ride on my iphone and really was able to identify with her music as we made our journey across the ocean to this amazing destination.  I saw breath taking beauty with every mile traveled

We arrived to a little bit of rain and the local porters were anxious to get their hands on our bags to take them to the resort.  We stayed at the Mata Nativa.  It is a very quaint resort with focus on the surroundings.  It really blended in to the mountainside in which it rested.

A group of us unloaded our bags and went on a quick hike to see the old prison and the old aquaduct.  We took tons of photos and really enveloped ourselves into our natural surroundings.  Noah took some really cool shots of the old prison.  The hike back was about 30 minutes at which time we cleaned up, rested and finally left at 8pm for dinner.  I shared the Moqueca with Jeff and Hope.  Moqueca is a traditional Brazilian staple that has been around for 300+ years.  The basic ingredients are fish,onions, garlic, tomatoes, cilantro, chili pepper and additional ingredients. It is cooked slowly, with no water added.  Martin had the same dish without fish and ordered it with shrimp.  I sampled both and, they were incredibly delicious.

After dinner we headed back to our resort and decided to call it a night.  We were exhausted from traveling from Paraty to Ihla and we also knew that tomorrow would be a busy day exploring the island.  I think our entire camp was asleep by 10:30 at the latest.


More tomorrow.

Day 13-Paraty

Today, a group of eight of us, went to a beach called Trinidade.  It was a beautiful beach at the bottom of this very steep hill.  The hill was so step that until it was paved, you really couldn't take a car on it.  The drive down was impressive and reminded me a bit of the blue mountains in Jamaica.

Noah surfed for a bit on the beach, but the waves closed out too quickly.  After swimming and body surfing for an hour, Carlos, our guide walked us to a Piscina Natural or Natural Pool.  it was really pretty, but a little murky.  We snorkeled for a bit and paid 7 reis each to get back to the main beach.  Carlos walked back and met up with us.

We played soccer for a bit and then the group decided to eat lunch.  A very quick squall passed through and the location we were having lunch had to batten down the hatches per se.  I took some photos of the waves crashing against the rock, but in the end, It was Carlos, when using my camera, snapped the best shot.

After lunch we headed back into town at about 2:30.  We stopped just off the beaten path at a set of falls where many of the group decided to jump off a cliff.  It was about 20 feet high and had a relatively shallow bottom.  Noah ended up grazing his foot on a rock when he landed.

There was another set of falls where you could slide down the rock into a giant pool at the end.  The entire group went about 3 times and finally ended up with Jake getting naked in front of our group and sliding down the falls.  Noah, was hesitant, but i convinced him that you will only do it once in your life, so he decided to go down in his birthday suit as well, however, he forgot to hold up his tender bits and got chaffed on the way down.  All in all it was funny to watch each person go down the slide.

We then went to an Artesanal Cachaceria, where they make the liquor from fermented sugar cane. Cachaça is the product of the distillation of fermented sugarcane juice and its alcohol strength anywhere from 38% to 80% by volume. When it is homemade it can be as strong as the distiller wants. Up to six grams per liter of sugar may be added.  Needless to say this isn't a good drink if you are on the atkins or south beach diet.  We sampled a few of each of the flavors and then we headed out.  

We arrived back at 5pm to our hotel.  I went to the local money exchange place and exchanged the last of my currency to reais.  I got gipped because I should have changed it all in Iguassu.  The exchange there was 1.83 reis to 1 USD, here it was 1.70 reis to 1 USD.  I walked back to the hotel, running into Noah on the way back.  he was out to scout out some cool photos and then we would go get some food.


As we walked down the street, we ran into a new restaurant that had just opened up in Paraty called Best Burger.  We ordered our food and the manager spoke very good english.  Our order came out wrong so he gave us a free order of fries and promised us our food would be up shortly.  The service was great and so Noah and I were in no hurry.  The burgers were pretty good, however, the fries could have been cooked a bit longer.


It ended up being a late night with Noah and Matthew as we walked the streets of Paraty in search of the best hotspot.  We stared at club che, trying to find our guide, who said he would be there and then moving on to the streets and enjoying this great little place with tons of people sitting out and enjoying the superb evening.  I ended up drinking pineapple caipirinha's and by 2 am it was time to hit the hay.  All in all a fantastic day and I enjoyed the sights, smells and tastes of this wonderful little beach community


Until next time.