Awaken Your Sleeping Cat: Nature Photographer?

All of National Geographic's staff photographers have college degrees, all have taken classes in photography.

Freelancers have 5-10 years experience with other publications prior to joining National Geographic. Some are photojournalists for newspapers and magazines, others specialize in wildlife, underwater, or aerial.

STORY: The Way of the Cherry (Lotus?) Blossom

This story is dedicated to all my friends and family and to those whom have yet to touch my heart. Thank you to Bob Mips for continuing to ask "What is this thing called balance?" and bringing forth to my vision the story of the cherry blossom.

Last year when Bob again asked me what is this thing called balance I could tell he didn't know what or where it was, but that he was smart enough to know he would soon find it. Myself, having only as much wisdom as I could at the time, assumed it had something to do with moderation.

I don't believe in moderation.

That is, you can have a "bad" thing in moderation without doing irrepreable harm. The body accepts a certain amount of punishment, but eventually ones character becomes there destiny. Was it Jimmy Stuart that said that in It's a Wonderful Life?

I believe that moderation is merely a set of points on a line that relate to the stages of a cherry blossom opening. Can you see that? Rather that it being the way, it is a point in time whenyou are better than you were and not as developed as you may sometime become. Some people get lost they said to me when I went to Boulder. Those of us who think are more than likely to keep going. I, at least, intend to!
more to come...

Leos Forecast: Map the Steps

This isn't my own forecast, but it has some good ideas!

"...This month, you will begin to think about what you want next, and to map out the steps you will need to take to make those dreams possible. Because Mercury goes retrograde the same day that Mars begins its work in this house, it's best not to act on your plans in this month. Instead, invest some time in prioritizing and concrete thinking. Aim to make more tangible progress toward those dreams in January..."

Cancer Career Forecast

Patience and Preparation Cancer Birthdays:

"The reason for this wonderful turn of events is the impending move of Mars, the "I-mean-business" planet, into enterprising Aries, set to stay there from December 16 to February 7. During that period you will have your very best opportunities of the year to increase your professional status. Be ready, dear Cancer. You haven't seen career opportunities this powerful in two years, and you won't again for another two. It's time to make tracks. "

Timing and Distancing: The Right Place at the Right Time

Dear Virgo, with Jupiter, the planet of happiness, luck and good fortune, now in Virgo for the first time in 12 years, you will be the celestial favorite in the New Year, a title you will have to yourself until the end of your birthday month, next September.

You have so much to look forward to!

You will find yourself at the right place at the right time, and influential people will go out of their way to open doors for you.

You aren't used to help like this and when it comes, it may seem like a miracle. I bet you can hardly wait! Happy New Year!

Advice to Virgos (Kate, Mark, Alison, Jean)

Good advice for job seekers! Especially when the industry is about to split open again... Patience, Patience!

"Try NOT to give your final answer on any important matter during Mercury retrograde. If at all possible, that means you should not sign any contracts, nor even give a verbal promise until after January 6. "

Self Commitments

Education
Continued Health
Self Employment then a great job
Ice Skating!
Extended Family
Mountains, Trees - Reintroduce the Wildlife Spiritual Self
Write - focus on Nature or a topic (of interest!) that could sell itself.
^^**^^*^*^*^*^*^^*^*^*^^^^^^*^*^*^*^^*^*^*^*^^*

Thoughts - This means it's time to recommit to myself. I saw this morning a suggestion to make a list of soulful fun things to do to kindle free stuff into ones life (Jane Chotsky from SouthBEachDiet pages). Not a bad plan actually, and much more goal oriented than "I will not spend more than I make" - which is a trifle hard at the moment since I am making only a few dollars a month.

Education - will cost 300-400 per class. Have 1 writing, 2 diversity, 1 jr. writing, and probably a few senior classes. 400x3 = 1200 for base gen ed classes. jr writing is about 800+. 125 per semester advisor fees. This BA could certainly boost my job propsects by 40% or more. It could mean continuing at current salary rather than dropping.

Health - Have already renewed a year at the gym. Any day now ought to feel well enough to go back. Need in fact to go several days prior to travelling to handle and stress (positive or otherwise). Using "fast" as an opportunity to eat well again. Don't need the low sodium to call me, but it's a good idea. Keep working with R. and D. - positive attitude counts for more than anything I suspect! Water water water water water... Did I mention water?

Wildlife - trip with mom and peg to botanical gardens sounds good. also a digital photo expedition for snow and trees.

Ice skating! - Hard work - need some water and cha cha to prep for this, is this what is holding me back? Pick up those padded skates at 49.99

Extended family - well it sounds like Jan 3rd or so will be maryland bound. could perhaps make Thurs/Fri for Kate, but suspect 2nd week is better. Have gifts for Maine.

Writing & Projects - This blogging in itself feels good. I really didn't have muhc opportunity during the Secure Mail project. Good to be back again! Next steps - Write proposal for Taste of India, send over a scan of business card. Other: 82thebar, Steve Anderson, Mips Project, Horsey4 need help?

Normal employment opps seen or considered: Avanade, CT companies, Pfizer, HealthDirect, IBM, e100Group, Advo, Xerox, Konica, ABB, National Wildlife Foundation, World Health Org, United Nations, National Org of Atmospheric Associ, DNC, Greens, State, Fed, HWG, National Geographic, PMP in March, etc...

Nick Yarnall

Nick Yarnall

Undergraduate Majors - College of Social and Behavior Sciences - UMass Amherst

3160150Social Thought and Political Economy
Challenge yourself in an interdisciplinary major. Engage in a critical examination of society to develop capacities for critical reading, writing, and thinking. Explore issues involving the relationship between individuals and society, and confront fundamental questions not usually addressed by traditional academic disciplines.

For more information contact: Social Thought and Political Economy Program, Machmer Hall
(413) 545-0043

Diane's AstrologyZone

3160150 Oh
diane!!!! this one's for you! "you have every reason to anticipate enormously good news this month. Your status is about to make a significant leap, dear Pisces. You will go farther, faster than even you think possible"

AstrologyZone

3894780 After months of clashes with your partner, tensions will ease in time to enjoy the holidays. Let bygones be bygones — be glad for the greater honesty between you.


Bring tears to my eyes!

Diane's Blog

Ah, I met Curtis and Bunny 11 months ago! what a great journey! May next year be even better! May I be able to give back all the friendship that was treated to me this past 2003!

AstrologyZone

This sounds interesting, what or to whom do you suppose it refers??? "Now let's turn to your close relationships, soon to show enormous improvements when Mars moves out of Pisces, a placement it has held for seven long months. You will be glad to see this phase end, as you have been subject to much tension and criticism, if not from your closest partner then from the outside world in general. You have just lived through Mars opposed to the Sun, a very tough aspect indeed. If you are in a close relationship, you probably suffered through a rough patch, for Mars was not about to let you sweep any problems under the rug — you were being almost forced to face them head-on."

AstrologyZone

Astrology Zone gives same advice as my family.... save now, skip big purchases... my advice to myself.. learn to save, prove it to yourself.. put off work agreements til Jan 6 (no problem! :D )...

AstrologyZone

Could it be true, or was petey just teasing me about St. Thomas? He was stressed at work the day after our conversation about breakup and he's seemed gleefully happy about being together again. Mr. Snuggles rocks!

drinks in brasil

Caipirinha is a lethal mix of cachaça, lime parts crushed in a glass with brown sugar and crushed ice. The Caipirinha cocktail has become so popular in Brasil that prices go up to twice the price of a 1L bottle of Cachaça.
By the way, Brazilians prefer the Caipirovka, made with Vodka, because it is kinder to your throat, and more chique. Caipirissima is made with rum, a wrong choice.