Last update for a while

Today I begin a four week retreat called a dathün. They're moving us to a new section of SMC called "Red Feather" and noone is allowed there unless they're also doing the retreat.

Some pictures before I go...



Small group photo at Stupa




The deer walk right up to you here!!




I snuck a picture of this set of Chogyam Trungpa photos in someone's office




This is the "padma west" campground




Oh deer!


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Acharya Adam Lobel Auctions off Calligraphy by Sakyong Mipha

Acharya Adam Lobel auctions offa work of calligraphy by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. Hilarious! Taken during the 2009 Sangha Retreat at the Shambhala Mountain Center in Colorado.

Few days off from retreat

I spent the last week in retreat at the Shambhala Mountain Center with Pema Chodron, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche and Acharya Adam Lobel. What a wonderful week! Now I have a couple of days off before starting a monthlong retreat called "dathün".




8,200 feet high, at Marpa Point







With Pema Chodron




The Great Stupa of Dharmakaya, Which Liberates Upon Seeing




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In Colorado, finally

Yesterdays loooong drive was fairly painless. It's nice when the speed limit is 70mph, as it is in Kansas. Then in Colorado it turned to 75mph!

Here are some pictures from the drive:
Obama air fresheners











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The loooong drive!

If you're reading this today, give me a call and keep me awake! 917 847 1263. I hit the road around 7:30 Central Time Zone, one hour earlier than NYC.





Longest drive of the trip!



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Final pictures to & in KC

Yesterday afternoon I spent more time at a doctors office trying to handle this ear infection. Think it's finally under control. Got a lot more medicine. Tomorrow I begin 5 weeks of retreat, with only a few days where I'm free. So, this thing has to be handled right away.

I can't believe how well everything worked out here on
Lake Lotawana. Cullun and Leanne were wonderful hosts. Entering today's drive with a very clear head.

Ok, so some final pictures. Here are shots from the drive:















KC Royals Stadium:


Fishin'


Cullun & Leanne:



Oklahoma Joe's is a famous ribs joint. #13 on this list:


Mmmm I'm Gene Simmons of rib eating!



Some final KC sunsets;








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BBQ Sauces at Oklahoma Joe's

A visual description of the different kinds of hot sauces. yummm!

Oklahoma Joe's Line

It's a ribs joint. It's a gas station!

Driving and video taping

This is mainly a test of uploading software.

Hitting the road

Chicago to Kansas City. 500 miles! Here we go!



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Owwwey in Chicago

Yesterday we drove back from Green Lake. My right arm is as red as a lobster and now I have an ear infection. Earlier this morning I went to a clinic at the local Walgreen's and had both drops and antibiotics prescribed. They still haven't done much to help the pain yet, dammit.

Listening to the new Avett Brothers ep helps a bit.

Tonight I'm seeing Brüno!

A couple of pictures from the trip:











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Hello from Wisconsin

Yesterday was a treat. An old friend invited me to their parents lakehouse on Green Lake, which is about 3.5 hours north of Chicago.

It was a beautiful drive. So much farmland!



When we finally arrived to town we went to Friday Fish Fry. FFF is a religion in Wisconsin. Everyone does it. The place was packed and we had to wait over 30 minutes just for a table for two. And boy, was my stomach hurting after! Unlimited fish and fries sounded like a good idea at the time...






We were treated to a really beautiful sunset after dinner.









After we arrived at my friends house we drank as much white wine as possible and played Trivia Pursuit. It was really nice to unwind! Hopefully today will be as relaxing as possible, reading my new book (Andy Karr's Contemplating Reality) and playing in the water.

Tomorrow evening we'll return to Chicago. But let's leave tomorrow to tomorrow...


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A little trip down memory lane

Drove around my old neighborhood today...

House I lived in from 4-11:



I used to fish in this pond:



This was my elementary school:



See this driveway? I asked Natasha out on a date here, and Patricia asked to come along...good start! In kindergarden already going out with two beautiful girls at once!



A lake by Auntie Helen's:




Auntie's car:




Nice sky!



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Schaumburg, IL

First time signing on in a few days. I've been helping out my Aunt, who has had an unfortunate year so far: a broken broken and a broken pelvis. I've gone around with her helping her shop and run lots of errands. A lot of patience is involved, and I'm doing the best I can. Tomorrow I'll go North to Wisconsin for a few days. A friend of mine has a lakehouse and I'm going to spend a few days decompressing before I continue my journey across the country.

A snag has come up. I was supposed to stay in Nebraska next Tuesday, but now my friend is going to be out of town for work. Now I've got to find another place to stay! Ultimately I have to be in Colorado by early evening on July 16th, I'm sure everything will be fine...

Fireworks on the Ohio River

In Schaumburg, IL

Staying for a bunch of days with my Aunt Helen, who lives in a close suburb of Chicago.

Chicago!



This year has been a tough year for Auntie...she's broken both her elbow and her pelvis...so it's nice for her to have someone to help her out with shopping, etc...

Tonights the MJ memorial! Plus rioting in Xinjiang, China. Pretty disconnected from everything here.


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From a slice of heaven: Cleveland Heights

Yesterday I left West Virginia...here are a few final pictures:








I drove two hours to visit a friend in Cleveland Heights. There was no traffic and a beautiful sunset:








Today I have a loooong drive, all the way to the Chicago suburb of Schaumburg, where I'll get to say with my Auntie Helen for a bunch of days. Here's the itinerary:



Have a great day!


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