Writing Projects

I'm still working full-time, but I'm definitely working toward finding a way to work for myself more. One step in that direction is this weekend's "Ultimate Travel Writing" workshop. I figure that I can combine my writing skills with my love of travel to open up a new market for myself. So I'll be starting to pile up bylines in a new type of publication ... no more 10 pound computer books in the future, although there may be more slim volumes of poetry still in me.

Also, I'm helping edit a book called "Smiles" written - dictated - compiled - illustrated by my friend Elan Sunstar. The book is well on the way to being completed, and has the potential to be a huge success. Given Sun's energy and determination, one of my by-lines in the future may be sitting on the best-seller list. Smile.

A Jaw-dropping Experience

This feels almost like old news already. The other night, I fell out of bed and injured myself. It could have been a lot worse.

I have nightmares sometimes, and have become very active in my sleep. I talk out loud, to the point that I sometimes disturb others. On the night in question, I don't remember all the details, but I do remember two alien creatures who looked very much like cannister vacuum cleaners. One of them was outfitted with a large saw blade like those used to saw a log into planks. They decided that the car near me was a threat, so they started moving toward the car. They were not concerned with me, just the car, but they didn't notice me. The one with the saw blade headed straight toward me, and just as the saw started to cut into my body, I rolled out of the way and screamed to get its attention. When I rolled, I smashed my chin on a bedside table, biting through my tongue. I woke up on the floor and thought my jaw may have been broken, it was so numb.

Some comments from friends ... sleep with a mouthguard next time you go flying ... you're supposed to leave your body behind when you fly in your dreams ....

Anyway, my tongue is still somewhat sore, but I can eat most foods, and can talk almost normally. Lesson learned -- it's okay when my dreams disturb others, but when they start threatening me as well, it's definitely time to go to a sleep clinic.

And no more of these "alien abduction" stories, I promise.

Noticed that my pics didn't show up on the post below this one, so here are the folks I hiked with ... friends Allan and Carly, and my wife, Wyn.

Hiking in the wilderness

Spent the day hiking up to Crater Lake, which is nestled just below the Maroon Bells. Gorgeous hot day, so it was good to get up to high altitude (around 10,500 feet). Lots of wildflowers, such as the lupine shown here.

What is it about the wilderness that is so special?

It is ephemeral, the air is charged. Kayyam wished that "Wilderness were Paradise enow." But it never is. There is always the next day, after a tired night's sleep, then back to work with daily life.

And I enjoyed the good company of my wife Wyn as well as friend Carly and Allan.

The world from up here

The summer is hot.

Yesterday, it was in the high 80's. I rode my bike 22 miles down-valley to attend a natural living fair, which had booths on solar electric, sustainable living design, holistic nutrition, etc. It is nearly time to start working on plans for a house, so I'm looking for ideas.

One group there at the fair is a chiropractic group that is establishing a 38,000 square foot alternative and complementary health center in Basalt. I confirmed that they will have a group exercise space large enough that I could host medical qigong workshops there, should I want to, and could even lease space and set up a naturopathic practice. Something to think about for the future.

Friends Carly and Allan are visiting from Denver, and they hiked up to Conundrum hot springs yesterday, an 18 mile hike. Today, they are going up to the Maroon Bells, but may already be too late to beat the 8:30 road closing, after which only a shuttle bus runs up the road. May go along, but don't really feel like a day on the tourist trails. I may instead see what today's concert is at the music festival in Aspen. I have tickets for the rehearsal, or could go sit on the lawn outside and enjoy the music accompanied by the twittering of birds, and the children playing on the lawn once they get bored.

Those who know me know that my blog's title has (at least) two meanings. One is strictly geographical -- I'm living and writing at 8000 feet altitude. The other meaning is metaphysical. I've never been one for the details of daily life, preferring to view the world from a perspective that some would deem as being farther out than left field ... in other words, from somewhere in outer space. Yes, I'm a space cadet, in some peoples' eyes.

From where I sit, I can still see snow on the higher mountains, even though it is mid-July. In the evening, I can sit and watch the deer grazing and sometimes frollicking in the shoulder-deep hay that gives testimony to the recent spate of afternoon rains. Yesterday, I also saw a family of racoons crossing the road. And every day, the bird feeder is emptied by ravens, finches, sparrows, orioles, and even chipmunks who browse on the deck where the birds drop what their greedy beaks cannot hold.

The days are chilly in the morning, hot in the afternoon, and by 9-10 in the evening, the chill starts to set in again. Such is life in the mountains. Lots of stars in the heavens, long vistas in the daylight. And every morning, I cannot resist getting up early enough to watch the sunrise. Too bad I have to break up my time by working. (Guess that last statement would be true no matter where I lived).