progressive realization

hello strangers. a long time been.

so things to motivate, lives to lead, people and paths to enjoy and explore. a complicated litany of living. and I am finally progressing back into the realm of progressive bliss and enjoyment: quite good. happiness in ones self and facilitating sunch enjoyment with and in others: a lofty goal.

summers of julia child, hemmingway, culinary creations and enjoyment. stoies, books & films to demonstrate the varieties of paths and routes available. communicate, enjoy & commit.

until a time of next.

motivation

so more posting. perhaps differentiation and focus. or just comprehensive musings on biking, cooking, food exploring, farmers' market adventuring, cocktail sampling, music menageries, pool listings...

contemplation and thinking on

today...

less trying and thinking, more doing and enjoying.

ahhh...

ah - nothing quite like a country road lunch excursion on a bike. verdant roadsides lined with fragrant spring flowers, scampering small animals, foraging horses, and singing birds, trees, and grasses.

something about spring and cycling that just frees the mind and allows for happiness in being.

now back to office work.

hey stranger

whistling... whistling. why hello there...

[stretching and leaning back against support beam, running heel a couple feet up the post and resting]

yes, it has been a while hasn't it? well, the foundation is good and there's a lot to be done. guess I should get out the old notebook and rustle up a pencil...

so spring seems to have wandered back around and is again an amiable host. excitement permeates the air and waves of warm green breezes accentuate busy schedules.

to catch up these are the ideals of days:
morning: natural awakening, spring briskness, & a choice of Zhi
days: flowingly productive and focused mixed with constant observation and digestion of surroundings.
evenings: creative relaxing with adventure.

stay tuned for fun.

2009 Gardner-Betts Art Austin - May 13th

A happy brisk and finally wet day,

Thank you in advance for taking the time to read the following letter concerning the Gardner-Betts Project Bridge Program annual art auction that takes place on May 13th. A slide show of the art can be found here.

Although the people in our lives are many and diverse, we tend to most often interact with those whose backgrounds and experiences are similar to our own: as a result of our routines, interests, and hobbies. However, many of us donate time, material, money, and expertise to those who have a different and perhaps more challenging life path. The impact of our subtle actions and donations can have a measurable and real impact on others in our community.

The Gardner-Betts program is a subset of the Travis County Juvenile Probation Department, addressing both the needs of the children who have committed offenses as well as the families and victims of these occurrences. The arts portion of the program encourages the dual positive impact of personal exploration and creation for the probate participants, along with community involvement thus providing a path towards rehabilitation through community support.

The Gardner-Betts’ Project Bridge Program was founded in 1996 and focuses on art and music education, immersion, and creation for high-risk juveniles. The Art Auction, an annual event occurring on May 13^th, 2009 showcases selected work of incarcerated children. The first purpose is to silently auction the artists’ work for the purpose of raising funds for the coming year’s program. Possibly more important than the first, the second purpose is to provide a forum in which the artists can observe and interact with the patrons and community. Positive communication, interaction, and feedback (for those artists present as well as those who are unable to attend) with the community are essential parts of the program.

The Real Estate Council of Austin Gardner-Betts committee and I encourage you to look at your charitable budgeting for the year and find an acceptable level of monetary support (any amount truly does help). Possible levels of sponsorship are attached, encompassing both donation amounts and different ways your group, self, organization, or memorial can be recognized or associated with the program and its marketing campaign. Even if you are not able to fiscally contribute to this event, I implore you to find time to stop by the show on the 13^th of May, or to visit the exhibition space during the week leading up to the event to see the art displayed and make bids if so moved. Further details will be disseminated as the event date grows closer; but please take a look at your charitable options, mark your calendars for the 13^th of May, and pass this along to your friends and colleagues.

Feel free to call with any questions or if you would like to learn more about the program or this particular event.

Thank you for your time and participation.

Sincerely,

Jeff

Jeff Scott P.E.
PBS&J
(512) 342-3481 Direct
(512) 327-2453 FAX
LEED-AP, C.F.M., & MBA
jrscott@pbsj.com

Art Link: http://vt.realtour.biz/?P=44436&T=NOTIDX

Event: Art Show and Auction

Wednesday, 13.May.2009 – Event Day: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, 7 May – Event Day: lobby hours (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.) Art Viewing and silent Auction.

Art Show and Auction Location: 98 San Jacinto Center Lobby

epiphany

It's not that I was in love with her; it was that I was euphorically in love of what I could again experience, communicate, & have become. Finally realizing that you are happy with yourself & the fact that you are happy and able to communicate: such revelations are immensely freeing. For once not having to worry, yet not worry, about other peoples' feelings; because they cannot help but participate / share in bliss & happiness. If she cannot realize or accept; then that is not my fault. It seems that I have finally reached a point where I understand and accept myself unabashedly. For I did nothing to impress other than to be myself and with that I was euphoric. But the canvas is not the art. It is critical; but art must be created dually. 

such a moment and setting is to strive for. 

thoughts in winter

Why should I be sad, dour, and depressed; because I have happy memories? Should not past happiness be remembered fondly with an appreciation of one’s own mortality along with the satisfaction that one chapter in life’s book was magical above others? It indeed would seem that one variable in that equation changed, then sadness would be the outcome; but how dependent upon a single variable is a situation and happiness in and of itself? If anything, past happiness and satisfaction should illustrate that life is indeed magical and full of variables, situations, and forces that we can never plan for nor appreciate any more fully than in the present time. We can digest, analyze, and attempt to plan moments; but for what purpose?

            Life is a mystery and the beautiful thing about it is that multitudes of souls have gone before us and had almost identical experiences; relationships; and situations. However, no person or situation is or will be identical or repeatable; and to attempt to manipulate or recreate is folly. Our minds and our existences are that which drive us to be who we are and how we interact.

            Depending on your view: fortune and fate do not create all mentalities or approaches equal. This is likely a good thing; but can confuse in the relating and valuation of various peoples’ worth. One tenant I still struggle with is that no matter who the entity is, each of us has something to offer and some point or experience that is unique. Generalizations and rationalizations are necessary to maintain sanity and order; but life entails more than can be understood.

            How one attempts to understand, digest, and interact with life and its ultimate end is the question that begs. An open view has advantages along with the burden of accepting the weight of life’s inputs while the closed view creates sheltered comfort at the expense of potential life-beautifying experiences and contacts.

            In the continued ingestion, interaction, and investment with my surroundings, I will continue to struggle with perspective, balance, and meaning. My only hope is that I am able to contribute to others experiences and living moments as much as I take from those with whom I directly or indirectly interact.