Muzack

Friday, July 15, 2016

A Dream Is A Soft Place To Land

Oh, little blog, how you evade me.  Writer’s block is or even just inspiration seems to strike at the most inopportune times.  I have been writing this blog for years with many bouts of absence between.  I’ve since started different ones, but this one, my first; I cannot seem to give up.  At first it started with a strict purpose: travel and my experience with it, whether through road trips, plane rides, reading, listening to someone else’s experiences through music or just my dreams.  Looking back through it, it reads more like a diary of sorts, basically what I was doing or feeling at the time.  Maybe I should re-title it “Musings of an Incoherent Mind”.   Alas, this song by Sara Bareilles sums up for me how badly I want something, grasp it, realize it or let go. 

“A dream needs believing
To taste like the real thing
Like a stranger you recognize
So pure so electric
So sure so connected
To those little believers inside
May we all be so lucky
But dreams are elusive
The kind we’ve got so used to
It’s nothing I can feel
Nothing I can hold
Nothing I can have
Nothing I can own
Dreams come and they go…
But hold them and keep them and know that you need them”

The little dreamer in me believes that all dreams can come true, and will, even if they are a bit uneven and disordered.  Perhaps one day I’ll become a tattoo artist and the next a para glider and the day after that a Tibetan monk.  Whatever the case, it will all be happy travels. 


                         Image by Vincent Bourilhon

Monday, May 2, 2016


Image result for havasu falls




Check this out.  I'm recently very inspired by waterfalls.  This one is in the Grand Canyon, Havasupai Falls to be exact, and is yet another hidden gem on my to-do list.  I have posted details about this wonder previously, but this video captures the beauty and experience very well.  Enjoy and I hope to see some of you there soon!

https://www.facebook.com/thisisinsidertravel/videos/1607313599595803/



Visit Insider Travel for more cool travel videos.  You won't be disappointed.



Friday, April 15, 2016

Image result for wolvesHello all!

Today I give you a short post for my busy morning, and something completely in sync with my thoughts for today:

As the music on my blog suggests "I'm running with the wolves tonight".



"Wolves and women are relational by nature, inquiring, possessed of great endurance and strength. They are deeply intuitive, intensely concerned with their young, their mate and their pack. Yet both have been hounded, harassed and falsely imputed to be devouring and devious, overly aggressive, of less value than those who are their detractors".
- Clarissa Pinkola Estes
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/wolves.html

While keeping that in mind, I urge all of you to keep moving towards your goals. As Confucius said, "Wherever you go, go with all your heart."

Image result for travel susan sontag

Keep Running!


Monday, February 1, 2016

Black History Month - In Rememberance of a Legendary Time and an Inevitable Future

February: Black History Month

For this one month people publicly recognize and honor a tragic and triumphant history and appreciate those who fought for civil rights, (not just racially or individually fueled by bias or anger), but for human rights as a whole. Many inspirational people, from those with the highest influence to those much more subdued in their popularity, all have poignant messages that are far-reaching. Here are some of my favorite quotes to signify this human experience we all share:


"The battles that count aren't the ones for gold medals. The struggles within yourself--the invisible, inevitable battles inside all of us--that's where it's at." - Jesse Owens


"Diversity is not about how we differ. Diversity is about embracing one another's uniqueness." – Ola Joseph



"Never be limited by other people's limited imaginations."
- Dr. Mae Jemison, first African-American female astronaut




Thank you to all the greats, From Jackie Robinson to Arthur Ashe; Maya Angelou to Alice Walker; James Baldwin to Zora Neale Hurston; M.L.K to Malcolm X; W.E.B Dubois to Bobby Seale; Lena Horne to Sydney Poitier; Marian Anderson to Stevie Wonder... the list goes on and on. The lessons you have taught us - all of us from any race,sex,creed,religion and so on - have shaped us not just into the individuals our future generations. Simply put, thank you.





Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Friday, October 16, 2015

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

To Journey, or not to journey

Hello again all,

If you follow me, you already know that I love adventure. That being said, hiking has always been an interest of mine.  Living in Michigan, I'm used to frigid temperatures, so naturally I would not mind going somewhere north of me, preferably Canada.   Yet, yesterday I happened upon a new location....

Havasu Falls in Arizona just seems nothing short of amazing.  Since my family is planning a trip out there next summer, it just seems fitting. Sure, the Grand Canyon is awesome, but this goes one step further.  Talk about amazement!









The fact that one can even hike here is a feat. It is 12 miles down the canyon to the Indian Reservation where this little gem lies.  Heat, thirst and sheer exhaustion are definite concerns, but luckily guided tours with knowledgeable guides are offered through different companies (see http://www.wildlandtrekking.com/havasu-falls/havasupai-tours.html).

However harsh the elements, I, for one, think it must be a mind-blowing experience.  Surrounded by nature, history and culture, the journey itself is the reward.

Journey on!

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

A Temporary Shift in the Wind


So, to all you Internet junkies out there, I am away from home more often than not, so I've been looking for little side jobs to make extra cash online instead of at the office.  I've been perusing sites, picking people's brains and hitting the occasional "jackpot", if you will.

I can say after quite a bit of looking on my part,  http://start-surves.com/?pg=faq is proving promising, thanks to a little (actually pretty extensive) list by a fellow birdy blogger on dreamhomebasedwork.com.

If there is anywhere else that is legit, please feel free to post it in the comments for all fellow readers. Share the love!




Tuesday, June 16, 2015

The Things We Do For Love

Here we go again, my travel itch is back (in more ways than one)...

Everyone has a passion, whether it be fashion, food, cars, etc. Mine is quite obviously travel.  Even if it takes me to far off places and unknown territory, I will pursue the love of my life (and invite all whom I know to accompany me).

"Like walking through the rain and the snow when there's no where to go and you feel like a part of you is dying.  The things you do for love"...  -10CC

First stop this year 5/22/15:  Mackinac, Michigan

File:Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, MI.jpg


Next up,  Miami, Florida 7/5/15



Then, Phoenix (and surrounding), Arizona 8?15



Next year (hopefully), Ireland or Israel




But most definitely Fiji, for my honeymoon!.. That's right, I finally found my match in Andrew McArthur!  2016 here we come!

 



As the saying goes, life is good!




Monday, February 23, 2015

Inspiration for the Days of Our Lives

Today i'm feeling pretty inspired to go out and seize the day.  I seem to find my inspiration through various venues.

Have a look:




I want to visit every place I can, no holds barred.


I want to paint and create like the best and most memorable artists. (Van Gogh).   



I want to sing with the angels.  

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=video&cd=6&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CDgQtwIwBQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DSqYG3f4PaWc&ei=-ybQVPrqDu3GsQS3rIGIDA&usg=AFQjCNElqrKBznsxVH6-etLg2c-dLapGgA&sig2=cGRnOsA1VIEmdxhLGK381g





Sunday, January 4, 2015

Sunday Funday!



I'm absolutely in love with my newborn niece, Cecelia Ivy Pahl.  This Sunday I celebrate her coming home (or maybe tomorrow, lol).




Friday, January 2, 2015

Re-birth

Happy New Year all!

I was happy to ring it in with friends, family and the excitement around the coming of my sister's baby.

  We all feel so blessed to have each other.

New adventures await us all.  It's up to us to embrace them and have the courage to endure or embrace changes when necessary.

Enjoy life!

Monday, December 1, 2014

Rainy Days and Mondays

Happy December 1st! Don't you just love this time of year? (Complete sarcasm).

Everyone loves a good vacation, especially me.  I wish life was just a big vacation, traversing different unknown places constantly.  What joy that would bring me!  I have had my fair share of very unpleasant and downright frightening experiences, though.  From getting lost in distant countries to encountering machete wielding soldiers and driving through monsoons, I have feared for my life more than I would have liked to. Even through daily life at home, events can lead you out of your daily routine and make it feel like you're in unfamiliar territory.   Yet through every unexpected experience you learn something.  My love of travel will never be diminished.  Maybe it's just the rebel in me, but I'll never fear venturing off of the beaten path.  Adversity builds character, right?  I'll always weather the storm...


Courtesy: BrookeShaden.png





Courtesy: Unknown

“And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.” ― Haruki Murakami 

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Time is on my side

Yeah here's a sappy one for ya, but I think this resonates with everyone at one point through space and time...  And that's the truth ya'll.

Buzzfeed: The 50 Most Romantic Things That Ever Happened. Wartime goodbye

Time is on my side, yes it is
Time is on my side, yes it is
Now you always say
That you want to be free
But you'll come running back (said you would baby)
You'll come running back (I said so many times before)
You'll come running back to me
Oh, time is on my side, yes it is
Time is on my side, yes it is
You're searching for good times
But just wait and see
You'll come running back (I won't have to worry no more)
You'll come running back (spend the rest of my life with you, baby)
You'll come running back to me
Go ahead, go ahead and light up the town
And baby, do everything your heart desires
Remember, I'll always be around
And I know, I know
Like I told you so many times before
You're gonna come back, baby
'Cause I know
You're gonna come back knocking
Yeah, knocking right on my door
Yes, yes!
Well, time is on my side, yes it is
Time is on my side, yes it is
'Cause I got the real love
The kind that you need
You'll come running back (said you would, baby)
You'll come running back (I always said you would)
You'll come running back, to me
Yes time, time, time is on my side, yes it is
Time, time, time is on my side, yes it is
Oh, time, time, time is on my side, yes it is
I said, time, time, time is on my side, yes it is
Oh, time, time, time is on my side
Yeah, time, time, time is on my side

-Courtesy of The Rolling Stones

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Many the Miles

Insomnia sucks, as I'm experiencing right now, but it has its perks. Such as quiet time to think and explore thoughts and formulate ideas, travel through the conscious, what have you.  As I sit here I think of one of my favorite poems that embodies this concept: Robert Frosts' "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening".  Yes it is an old go-to, so much so that I remember choosing to recite this piece for speech class when I was in the 6th grade.  It seems like a simple winter's evening journey by a weary traveler, but it also alludes to life and the ruts we get stuck in where we just want to slow down and take in our surroundings although knowing we have obligations to fulfill and a path to forge. 


"Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there's some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep".

- Robert Frost

 
Oy vey, I'm tired...

Friday, September 12, 2014

Metamorphosis


My word for the day!
To describe metamorphosis I would say that time keeps ticking and we keep changing. We move along with it with the pace of a hare or the pace of a tortoise.  Every now and then the form you take on surprises you.  I may be the turtle one day and the hare the next.  Time will only tell what we can achieve. 

1919 Children's book print Milo Winter art by catchingcanaries, $9.00

It was half past six and the hands were quietly moving forwards.”
― Franz Kafka, The Metamorphosis

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Tbt (Throw Back Thursday's)

A poem I once wrote reminds me of who I was, where I've been, and how its shaped me.  Here's a tbt for ya.

Hold My Hand

"Sometimes I need a shoulder to cry on
Sometimes I need a friend to dance with
I may need to laugh or cry,
Sing or sigh
But through all of these emotions
I'll always appreciate
Someone holding my hand"

Not Shakespeare, but I try...




Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Destination Weddings


 I am currently out of my home state helping a good friend of mine get ready for her quickly approaching wedding. (A quick word of advice: never be a bridesmaid. It is exhausting). In lieu of her east coast nuptials, I decided to peruse some exotic, unknown, or just unique places for destination weddings. Many suggestions abound for beautiful distant lands, but I attempt to take it just a step further with these five less than likely choices.

1. Vera Cruz




This very tropical lush region Is a very prominent city in Central Mexico due to its exports and influx of tourists.  Another perk that sets this city apart is the rich culture. For those couples interested in knowledge of different ways of life, many archaeological remains have been located in surrounding areas, and couples can spend time with their guests learning about the abundance of folklore that still permeates our own culture to this day (Mechling, 1999). Not to mention the fast-paced every day life and even spicier nightlife that your party-loving guests may be seeking.
Best times to go: February (for Carnival celebrations) to June
Best places to stay: NH Vera Cruz or Gran Hotel Diligencias (if you're willing to splurge).
Events and attractions: Plaza De Armas for night life or Boca Del Rio for a quiet respite from city life and delightful restaurants specializing in fresh fish dishes.

2. Castle Chateau D'Esclimont



Contrary to many couple's ideas of what is available and affordable, castles are not too difficult to acquire for ceremonies.  (And no I'm not talking about Disney World).  This castle located between Paris and Versailles features 150 wooded acres' stone bridges and romantic balconies and a perfectly French ambiance.
Best times to go: Spring or Fall
Best places to stay: If not at the castle itself, The Ibis hotel - 7 miles away or the Mecure hotel -9 miles away.
Events and attractions: The Charles Cathedral, Touring the Riviera, Shopping on the Champs

3. Burning Man


Way out of left field, and certainly non-traditional, theses festivals echo a 60' and 70's hippie-esque vibe. Dedicated to community,art and self expression, the yearly festivals are much more than your typical art fair. These music festivals have couples flocking to get married amongst off beat music and like-minded crowds of people getting married at the same time. Black Rock City in the desert in Nevada is the most obvious of choices for these events. Your guests are sure to have an exciting concert experience all while seeing you get hitched and mingle with old and new friends to sounds known and unknown.  "Its organized chaos" (Levin, 2013).
Best times to go: Usually just a week from late August to early September.
Best places to stay: Hotels: Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, Best Western Inn. RV Campgrounds: Big Bend RV Park or River's Edge RV Park.
Events and attractions: The festival of course! From live low-key bands to intricate art installations and absurd people watching, it's bound to be invigorating to say the least. Don't forget to look up the 10 principles that represent this project's philosophical beliefs. blog.burningman.com/10principles/

4. St. Vincent and the Grenadine




An Eastern Caribbean hot-spot, this place is perfect for the walking along the beach, margaritas-sipping, laying in the sun couple.  Wedding packages here include spa treatments and even glass bottom boat rides entirely exclusive for those. VIP residents.
Best times to go: December to April
Best places to stay: Buccament Bay Resort, Paradise Beach Hotel
Events and attractions: The spectacular botanical gardens, an awesome bat cave for diving and Mesopotamia Valley for those tough hiker

5 ,  Alaska



While it's not exactly international travel., I've never seen the northern lights, and how perfect would it be to have your closest friends and family witness your vows to each other under such an enchanting night sky.  That would save on decorations since mother nature decided to throw the most beautiful light show that one could imagine.
Best times to go: early May or late September through October,(Olsen, 2013).
Best places to stay: the south central region.. great for wilderness, wildlife and fantastic restaurants and dancing.
Events and attractions: glacier gardens, cruises, whale sightings.


And destination weddings aren't the only extravagance to be taken. Have a great Honeymoon in Fiji, Cesar and Andrea!

Monday, June 30, 2014

The Art of Emotion

As the famous poet Margaret Malloy says "Even Grief Can Become an Art".  We feel so strongly in our emotions that it transcends cultures, space and time.  It is a human similarity we share regardless of race or creed.  We don't have to travel far to identify with this universal emotion.  But, yes, we can turn it into beauty and find peace.   

 
 

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Books, Check 'em Out

I recently went to the library and checked out (amongst about thirty other books, as I always do), "1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die". I have only gotten through the years from the 1700s to the 1800s thus far. These are my three top picks on my "to-read" list:

Don Quixote



Dangerous Liaisons



The Fall of the House of Usher



Happy summer reading!