urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:lightling Cultivating DeLight Cultivating DeLight 2009-06-27T21:15:48Z urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:lightling:122213 2009-06-27T20:02:53Z 2009-06-27T21:15:48Z Thought I'd post a little update... I was feeling slightly more social :) All the pictures are <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/">here</a>.<br /><br />So to start... exhaustion hit me after arriving in Europe. It had hit before then, but I was too busy to know it. All the packing, the selling, the goodbyes, the organizing... and on top of that, I was working on getting the new Qtask website up in time for an important conference we were attending. At 2am on April 1, the website went live and at 6am, Paul drove me to the airport. I crawled onto the plane, fell asleep, and woke up minutes before descending into Schiphol. And I never sleep on planes... <br /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3554/3665304273_d340966386.jpg?v=0" height="250" width="187.5" /><br /><br />One of the people I met on the US Legendary Pink Dots tour had recently moved to Amsterdam... and she picked me up from the airport when I arrived, helped me carry my bags, and gave me a place to stay for a couple of days. I can't even tell you how much I appreciated her kindness and generosity - especially given my tired state.<br /><br />And while in Amsterdam, I was able to meet one of my Qtask co-workers... who helped me get set up with a phone and internet access.<br /><br /><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2452/3665524335_ee4cf9e58e.jpg?v=0" height="187.5" width="250"> <img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3543/3666329476_7d32c8bac2.jpg?v=0" height="250" width="187.5" /><br /><br />The place I was supposed to live when I got to Nijmegen fell through, and so I was little bit stuck. I called Canadian Dave and convinced him to let me visit for a while... and then... luckily for me, LPD invited me to go on the second half of the European tour with them.<br /><br /><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2593/3664800075_1d15310a90.jpg?v=0" height="250" width="187.5" /> <img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3639/3665602826_fff5d417ed.jpg?v=0" height="250" width="187.5" /><br /><br />It probably wasn't the best idea to go on tour with the Legendary Pink Dots... but let's be real... it's LPD. :) And oh... Lyon, Leipzig, Vienna, Zofingen and everything in-between... it was all magic and amazing, and I still can't even believe how lucky I am to be able to do all of this. But oh, I paid a price for going on the tour... I was more tired than ever when it was over (touring is really hard work). <br /><br /><br /><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2429/3664801601_594c99a715.jpg?v=0" height="250" width="187.5" /> <img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3390/3665605992_07c9534983.jpg?v=0" height="250" width="187.5" /> <img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3298/3664802865_14d72b11a0.jpg?v=0" height="187.5" width="250" /> <img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2458/3664803361_9289141d21.jpg?v=0" height="250" width="187.5" /><br /><br />A day or so after getting back from the tour, a room at the "Rock & Roll Hotel" fell into my lap... and so now, I basically live in a big room in a sort of double apartment - with my own beautiful garden. I share the house with a world class piano rock musician (amazing guy!!) and I'll be here for the next 6 months or so while I rest, reorganize, and start to redirect my life in some new directions.<br /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3327/3666108392_2635350c71.jpg?v=0" height="187.5" width="250" /> <img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3636/3665608096_7670478a85.jpg?v=0" height="187.5" width="250" /> <img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2588/3664806205_ba9b9e3e21.jpg?v=0" height="187.5" width="250" /> <img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3560/3665607646_1f4ed57638.jpg?v=0" height="187.5" width="250" /><br /><br />As I slowed things down a bit, I found that I was really truly worn down. I don't know how to describe it really, except to say that I was really drained... physically and mentally. My body was bruising like crazy, my jaw is in perma-clench, my back is like a rock. I really just felt... broken. <br /><br />I actually scared myself for a while... I kept wondering if I had finally pushed myself too far. In a bit of a panic, I pulled in all the self care stops. I made myself sleep as much as I could, and exercise a lot, and eat well. I really clung to yoga... in the midst of all the incoherence, yoga seemed like a life-line... something to hold on to... like, if I just do what I've always known to be good, I can't go too far astray. <br /><br />And so, I've been spending my days working on Qtask, dealing with the immigration stuff, walking, and riding my bike. I needed the time to myself. I needed time to take care of myself. And I'm still not done needing time for these things.... but I'm starting to feel human again, and more importantly, ... alive again.<br /><br />I have a lot of things to still sort out... and I am really struggling with some things... but for the most part, I have somehow landed in heaven - and there is no question that I made the right decision. What direction to go in next is still revealing itself. But doors keep opening in ways where I am continuously thinking "This can't be for real!" And yet... here I am... in the midst of some magic life. <br /><br /><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2457/3664807595_34be8b975a.jpg?v=0" height="250" width="187.5" /> <br /><br />I wish this for everyone. urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:lightling:121904 2009-05-04T18:51:54Z 2009-05-04T18:51:54Z "My dongle went nuts." urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:lightling:121803 2009-03-29T19:42:34Z 2009-03-29T19:42:34Z <div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3395509191/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3395509191_5a2fbfea3a_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3395509191/">Fwd: Clothespile Beastling</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/72814000@N00/">Lightling</a></span></div>&gt;<br /><br />&gt;<br clear="all" /> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:lightling:121490 2009-03-22T22:07:51Z 2009-03-22T22:07:51Z <div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3377264610/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3425/3377264610_6ce24380c9_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3377264610/">Living like this...</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/72814000@N00/">Lightling</a></span></div><br clear="all" /> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:lightling:121123 2009-03-21T20:36:57Z 2009-03-21T20:36:57Z <div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3373825266/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3433/3373825266_a28a20e520_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3373825266/">Post yoga sisterly snack!</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/72814000@N00/">Lightling</a></span></div><br clear="all" /> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:lightling:120941 2009-03-21T18:50:11Z 2009-03-21T18:50:11Z <div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3372754127/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3627/3372754127_ee920241d6_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3372754127/">Biggest Guns Contest</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/72814000@N00/">Lightling</a></span></div><br clear="all" /> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:lightling:120794 2009-03-20T23:20:47Z 2009-03-20T23:20:47Z <div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3370812027/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3189/3370812027_0e43d526ac_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3370812027/">The Cheese Toast Girls!</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/72814000@N00/">Lightling</a></span></div><br clear="all" /> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:lightling:120503 2009-03-19T18:58:20Z 2009-03-19T18:58:20Z "There's nothing like doing yoga to Pink Floyd while looking at erect cocks." urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:lightling:120255 2009-03-17T19:11:27Z 2009-03-17T19:11:27Z <div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3363652898/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3555/3363652898_100b499453_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3363652898/">Where in the world am I?</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/72814000@N00/">Lightling</a></span></div><br clear="all" /> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:lightling:119986 2009-03-17T00:34:58Z 2009-03-17T00:34:58Z "They don't have weed at the white house!" - MadDesigner<br /><br /><br /><br />"No, but they've got jelly beans!" - Zen Chef urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:lightling:119764 2009-03-16T21:23:05Z 2009-03-16T21:23:05Z <div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3361157112/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3606/3361157112_f9bfb044f4_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3361157112/">Reaching the Pinnacle of Peaks</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/72814000@N00/">Lightling</a></span></div><br clear="all" /> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:lightling:119357 2009-03-15T05:12:02Z 2009-03-15T05:12:02Z <div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3355802566/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3548/3355802566_21cbc113ce_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3355802566/">What is happening here?</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/72814000@N00/">Lightling</a></span></div><br clear="all" /> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:lightling:119192 2009-03-14T00:10:59Z 2009-03-14T00:10:59Z <div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3351911287/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3560/3351911287_480af97b3d_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3351911287/">Someone has started to pre-party...</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/72814000@N00/">Lightling</a></span></div>Next stop - Spain and Tindersticks!<br clear="all" /> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:lightling:119011 2009-03-13T19:27:16Z 2009-03-13T19:27:16Z <div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3351413633/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3633/3351413633_d6695631d2_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3351413633/">What's in the cooler? Hmmmm?</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/72814000@N00/">Lightling</a></span></div><br clear="all" /> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:lightling:118666 2009-03-10T23:36:39Z 2009-03-10T23:36:39Z <div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3344772077/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3640/3344772077_ee91662102_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3344772077/">Spent the afternoon with Maciej and Shannon...</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/72814000@N00/">Lightling</a></span></div>...who's been a good friend since 1992!! Wowee.<br /><br />Hooray for air and rocks. They're everywhere!<br clear="all" /> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:lightling:118358 2009-03-10T20:27:32Z 2009-03-10T20:27:32Z <div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3345182964/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3598/3345182964_d4573708ae_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3345182964/">Oh what a perfect day....</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/72814000@N00/">Lightling</a></span></div>I'm glad to spend it with you!<br clear="all" /> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:lightling:118099 2009-03-05T02:51:07Z 2009-03-05T02:51:07Z <div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3330043236/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3414/3330043236_fb71e2f4eb_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3330043236/">The very talented Mr. Anthony Gamboa</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/72814000@N00/">Lightling</a></span></div>... of <a href="http://www.AnthonyGamboa.com">www.AnthonyGamboa.com</a><br clear="all" /> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:lightling:117974 2009-03-02T18:17:55Z 2009-03-02T18:17:55Z <div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3323485000/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3580/3323485000_54e77a7bdd_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3323485000/">My amazingly wonderful Aunt Sue!</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/72814000@N00/">Lightling</a></span></div><br clear="all" /> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:lightling:117733 2009-03-02T03:46:23Z 2009-03-02T03:46:23Z <div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3320874327/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3619/3320874327_f300ff92bd_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3320874327/">Somebody check...</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/72814000@N00/">Lightling</a></span></div>Did hell freeze over? Are pigs flying?<br clear="all" /> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:lightling:117397 2009-03-02T03:33:44Z 2009-03-02T03:33:44Z <div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3320838697/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3582/3320838697_c92de90545_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3320838697/">My lovely Oma!</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/72814000@N00/">Lightling</a></span></div><br clear="all" /> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:lightling:117123 2009-02-27T17:37:35Z 2009-02-27T17:37:35Z <div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3314520380/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3501/3314520380_b6c5a53239_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3314520380/">Extra supervision while working. :)</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/72814000@N00/">Lightling</a></span></div><br clear="all" /> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:lightling:116847 2009-02-25T17:22:06Z 2009-02-25T17:22:06Z As most of you know, I am moving to the Netherlands on April 1 . Yes, I will stay working for Qtask.... and in fact, it is *because* I am working for Qtask that I am able to move to Europe (so grateful!!!).<br /><br />Because of this exciting and dramatic change, I'm getting rid of everything I own (which isn't much). I've listed everything that I'm selling/giving away <a href="https://www.qtask.com/qwiki.cgi?mode=previewSynd&amp;uuid=PANM9RMMB62S2683J6R1PYN4A3QT"> here</a>.<br /><br />Please take a look and see if there's anything you'd like. urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:lightling:116682 2009-02-24T19:48:55Z 2009-02-24T19:48:55Z <div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3307415476/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3331/3307415476_8a5d7f6495_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3307415476/">Everyone likes cheeseballs...</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/72814000@N00/">Lightling</a></span></div><br clear="all" /> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:lightling:116234 2009-02-22T20:04:18Z 2009-02-22T20:04:18Z <div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3300572701/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3535/3300572701_0d7c451342_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3300572701/">We are seriously hiking!</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/72814000@N00/">Lightling</a></span></div><br clear="all" /> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:lightling:115970 2009-02-22T07:32:19Z 2009-02-22T07:32:19Z <div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3299782514/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3378/3299782514_329d837b65_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72814000@N00/3299782514/">Buns on Sunset</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/72814000@N00/">Lightling</a></span></div><br clear="all" />