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Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Blog”

My First Day as a Christmas Tree Salesman

Turner December 14, 2011 Blog, Odd Jobs

After my first day at my Christmas tree sales job, I make my first video entry. Be gentle.

Christmas Tree Salesman
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🌏 Award Winning Travel Blogger
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📍 Currently: India
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Just so there is no confusion of the type of man y Just so there is no confusion of the type of man you are dealing with here, here is me at the Taj Mahal in 2020. Also are pics of me there in 2005. Notice the classy touristic poses, including the lifting the top of the Taj pose and equally classic mantel fire place pose. 12 years a nomad and a little has changed. Also, let’s not forget, the Christmas themed border of said photos that the Indian photographer gave me. This was pre digital camera days where you had to hire a photographer or use disposable cameras. These guys still exist, surprisingly. Anyway, still a world wonder, and despite the tourist hordes, still worth a $20 entry to visit. Although, the views from across the dried up river and ‘baby Taj’ next to there, are more gratifying of a travel experience.
Buddha had the Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya, but I’ve Buddha had the Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya, but I’ve got the Magnolia tree in Bellevue. I started meditating one year and three months ago. I remember the exact moment I decided to learn to meditate. I was traveling in Malawi Africa and one morning I went to ask a new friend if he wanted to go kayaking with me. When I went to look for him, I stumbled upon him meditating. He didn’t flinch when I called his name. He sat in stillness. I could feel his stillness and still can. He meditated in complete equanimity. I wanted that. That calm, that control and that clarity. I had tried Headspace and Calm app before but didn’t stick with it. Nothing wrong with Andy or some celebrity voice over, but I just couldn’t feel it more than something to consume like a latte. Maybe I’ll try again someday. This time I tried Sam Harris’s Waking Up which not only has daily meditation guidance but also has a framework into different Eastern teachings. It was a foot in the door. Since then I’ve done about 10 retreats in India (but you can do them anywhere), some Buddhist, some Yog, just about anything. From Tibetan loving kindness meditation to vipassana at the very place the Buddha achieved enlightenment, to most recently Osho’s dynamic dancing and Sufi meditations during my Yoga teacher course— I am into this meditation stuff now.The feeling. The calm. I can rest, or at least be okay with the seeming boredom of meditation. The boredom comes, but really it’s just not being aware enough. Not paying enough attention to the Now. I am a distraction addict after all. I like entertainment all the time. Netflix, achieving, doing something to avoid, as Hunter Thompson called The Fear, the comedown from drugs. My drug is distraction. I still have to remind myself everyday to Sit. To watch my thoughts rather than be my thoughts. But I am for sure, mountains away from the start of my journey. I still will follow emotions down a rabbit hole, I still beat myself up for not doing enough , not achieving enough, which is especially easy to feel during this downtime. But if I am just 10% better than before, that is 10% less time failing to recognize the beauty of this present moment.
Well in my wildest imagination I never thought my Well in my wildest imagination I never thought my 8 months in India would end like this. A 2 hour police station permission process to get a travel pass , 7 hour taxi ride, 6 hour airport wait and check in in Delhi, 10 hour flight to Amsterdam, 7 hour layover with only a tulip shop and cheese shop that sold beer open, an 11 hour flight to LAX with 300 empty seats, the fastest customs ever and a 2 hour flight to Seattle with only airline employees onboard —- but I made it. Feeling pretty lucky as many of my fellow Americans were still very stuck in India in lockdown. I can’t say that I found enlightenment, but I can say that the path to freedom doesn’t seem as far off as it once was. In short, something has awakened deep inside this guy who was seemingly void of all spirituality. I’ll be back. Until my return India, thank you.
Truth Truth
A few days late posting this one, but before the i A few days late posting this one, but before the internet and life exploded with nonstop yoga classes and my news feed exploded with nonstop corona chat, I got to partake in my first Holi festival in India. Long story short, you out colors on people to start a clean slate with them for any past misgivings. It’s a raging party with colors and water fights. It took me back to the college days.
Finally made it to the Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya. Thi Finally made it to the Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya. This is the tree that Buddha became enlightened under over 2000 years ago. The energy is wow, man. Pilgrims come here from all over the world to pay respects to Buddha. It is a once in a lifetime trip for them. Although, to be real, the spiritual quest never ends. Hopefully it just keeps getting deeper. There is chanting, gongs, people reciting sutras. It does make me wonder though, how many people actually focus on the actual meditation and following Buddha’s teachings? You see the devotional stuff everywhere—people worshipping statues and Buddha as a god —crying, flowers and gifts, incenses, but Buddha declared he is just a man and offered instruction on how to attain liberation. Meditation and reflection offers a path to freedom that Buddha laid out and yet how many actually focus on their journey and don’t get caught up in the ritual of worship🤔🤷‍♂️ when I saw the Dalai Lama speak earlier this year, he specifically called out practitioners for forgoing the practices on the journey, such as meditation, for blind worship. Anyway, Bodhgaya has got some serious energy and I could sit for hours under the Bodhi tree, now I just need to get to 49 more days like Buddha and maybe I could catch a glimpse of enlightenment.
On the eve before my first vipassana session in Sa On the eve before my first vipassana session in Sarnath, I found myself in Kushinagar— a city in India, a few hours from Nepal, where the Buddha left his body. To leave ones body is an expression for those that believe in reincarnation (Hindus & Buddhists). There are several sites around Kushinagar where Buddha relics, his cremation or devotees from different countries erected tributes to him. It’s an interesting place, as most of the Indians there are just casually hanging out or are disinterested -they are usually Hindu, Christan or Muslim after all. Kushinagar is a pilgrimage site for Buddhists, so you see people from the rest of Asia there, and this token white guy. I had been in a downer mood from the violent honking in the nearby city and high pollution levels but this place’s energy def fixed that right up, at least momentarily. Anywho, tomorrow I go to Sarnath, the place where Buddha taught his sermons for my first Vipassana, which is heavy duty insight wisdom mediation. A typical day is 430am to 930pm. I can barely read my kindle for 10 minutes without distraction, so I reckon this might be the most difficult thing I have ever done🧐🤨🥳 Have you ever done Vipassana? What was your experience?
The magic of India’s holiest river. I sent these The magic of India’s holiest river. I sent these little flowers down to wish good vibes but plunked it off the bat trying to capture the video. Some might say karma. Some might say millennial narcissist. Some may even say I deserve to lose that good blessing for not being fully in the moment. Who is to say? But after another retreat in meditation at an ashram I can say that awareness, aka living in the present is something that I struggle with. I over use my head. A lot. Not very successfully I might add. And while it is a constant struggle not to focus on the future or obsess over past actions, with a little bit of meditation each day, maybe I can improve a little each day and be a little more present in life. Presence DW is the best gift you can give the world and your loved ones. That and fish tacos. You are welcome 😛
Varanasi thug life. And by thug life I mean me, cr Varanasi thug life. And by thug life I mean me, crawled up in the fetal position sick with a fever. Getting sick whilst traveling is an awful experience. But in India with a festival going on Hindi music blaring and shaking your room like the a tornado — it’s wonderful. But for real, Varanasi is crazy. One of the oldest cities in India, it is also one of the holiest. Bodies are cremated on the Ganges with sticks and loved ones say goodbye to their loved ones to embark on their next life. Unlike in the West—No tears shed. They believe in reincarnation after all. So this is just a send off to the next life. Next to the fires people bathe, drink and swim in the Ganges. For me with my fever, I stumbled around. Getting lost in the old town. Winding streets. Dead ends. Cow shit. Shooters running you down. It’s Wild. I have yet to see so much traffic anywhere. So if you are looking for something mystic, wild, interesting, challenging — Varanasi is your spot. Buddha preached 20 minutes north in Sarnath. That is google maps 20 minutes, India traffic 1.5 hours. 🤣🤒😂🤷‍♂️🤔
Not gunna lie. I really like sitting in the little Not gunna lie. I really like sitting in the little cut outs in all these Indian Palaces. The nooks and crannies are so ornate. Getting a serious design heart throb going. This Palace is known as baby Taj, as in baby Taj Mahal — except it’s us way more decorated.
Not one to take pictures with ‘holy men’ as th Not one to take pictures with ‘holy men’ as there is often money changing hands for the tourist shot but he seemed so jolly. My five day fever ended and I’m back in the game. Alive and feeling the vibe again. Amazing how we ‘want this’ or that all the time. It’s incessant. The chatter. But when your health goes - all you ‘want’ is to not feel awful. Well cheers to you jolly ‘holy man’.
Feeling the spirit of the Buddha. Sarnath is where Feeling the spirit of the Buddha. Sarnath is where Buddha preached his sermons after he got enlightenment. You can feel the energetic in the air. There was a group of Tibetans on pilgrimage, singing and paying respect. Powerful stuff. India has stressed me out and is utter chaos, but when I get back to all things Buddha, peace seems to follow.
In love with the Stepwell’s in India. They remin In love with the Stepwell’s in India. They remind me of these pictures of never ending staircases. These real life stepwells are by the palaces and are def a highlight. Could spend hours there.
Jodhpur— the blue city in Rajasthan India. Cool Jodhpur— the blue city in Rajasthan India. Cool palace. Blue building. And yet I can’t manage to shoot a picture to save my life. Regardless, I’m in love with the old doors in these cities.
The largest sundial in the world. What a pleasant The largest sundial in the world. What a pleasant surprise. Most ‘sites’ are places or forts or old buildings. Never have a I encountered an entire area with celestial measurement tools. This happens to be the largest sundial in the world.
Merry BudMas! That’s a Buddhist Christmas in the Merry BudMas! That’s a Buddhist Christmas in these parts. I decided to forgo Xmas this year with the fam. No eggnog, college football, golf, presents under the tree and lingering thoughts of yesteryear. I forwent ‘thoughts’ altogether. Or rather, tried to notice them and let them go In the Malaysian jungle. We do weird things in our 30s. Anyway, I missed Christmas and went on a silent retreat. 5 days. Malaysian jungle with nothing but me, my wild mind, bugs and monkeys. The jungle is loud. I worked on a different kind of mediation. Open Awareness. Eyes open and you just allow everything thing you see. You ask, ‘what am I aware of right now?’ And with a jungle as alive as this one — you get gibbons, bugs, hawks, monkeys, monks etc. The idea is to anchor your mind when it wanders to your 5 senses. And you keep moving. Overtime your thoughts becomes more spread out. You can use this style in your everyday life. From the loud Starbucks to annoying office colleagues bragging about their kids finger painting. Anyway, it was an eye opening meditation session. Literally. But onward I march on my quest for spiritual enlightenment. To the top of the mountain - Only to realize I didn’t need to climb the mountain in the first place. Doh!
Oh these famed Instagram shots. I forgot my ball g Oh these famed Instagram shots. I forgot my ball gown. It was a nice view, despite the heat and 1000 steps. Parts of Indonesia really give me the Galapagos vibes. Which makes sense since, you know, volcanoes and lizards lurking about and all. Looking forward to going back someday and exploring more islands, farther out. Incredible diving and instagram shots for all!
Not sure why I have a Gandolf stick but it seemed Not sure why I have a Gandolf stick but it seemed appropriate when some of these Komodo dragons are 3.5 meters long. Biggest lizard in the world they say. You can find them on Komodo island and Rinca island. There has been a lot of talk about shutting the islands down to tourism and making it a $1000 entrance fee, so I wanted to jump in to see them before. Not sure if that is true or it is worth it to be honest. Visiting middle of the day in extreme heat, the dragons are mostly just lazying around, avoiding the sun and moving. Basically me in tropical countries after one beer these days. Anyway, apparently all it takes is one bite from these guys to kill. They have poisonous bites and their prey will eventually die. They then consume the prey without too much hassle. They have a funny waddle when they run too.
It’s easy to get captured by Indonesia’s blue It’s easy to get captured by Indonesia’s blue and turquoise waters, but it really has the whole package. Mountains, clear waters, and incredible pink skies at sunset. A little faint rainbow even made a cameo.
Not a bad day out in Indonesia. Can’t really go Not a bad day out in Indonesia. Can’t really go wrong no matter where you turn it seems. Surprised it took me so long to come here.
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