tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-361398272024-03-12T20:27:59.103-07:00International VagabondThis blog is dedicated to all those who are independent thinkers full of dreams and the quest to realize them.Holistic Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07485237354960174866noreply@blogger.comBlogger312125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139827.post-22359667926004092622019-12-13T16:02:00.003-08:002019-12-13T16:02:24.304-08:00Holistic HimI feel like we have been duped. The healthcare system is rigged against us and is for profit. Grocery stores sell us 3D printed food grown with pesticides and processed foods full of sugar and corn.<div>
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Its time to get holistic.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.internationalvagabond.blogspot.com</div>Holistic Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07485237354960174866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139827.post-84560950365972931722018-11-21T17:39:00.002-08:002018-11-21T17:39:53.462-08:00It Takes 40 Days to Change a Habit: Day 1 11/21/18Yesterday, my wife challenged me to write more--more specifically to get in the habit of writing, and thus told me that it takes 40 days of habitually doing something to get in the habit of doing it. Naturally, she ensued this proposition and challenged me to write 500 words for the next 40 days. I used to write all the time, I loved to write. I wrote a lot of stuff on this blog. I think I still love to write, but just haven't done it in a while. I like the prospect of this challenge, cause it will make me write again. <br />
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It takes discipline and a little motivation, but who knows, maybe I might come up with something cool. As far as grammar, punctuation and style are concerned, that is why I have turned back to this blog. I have always been pretty keen to adhere to the rules, stylistically that is. I borrowed a book from my friend last year, The Elements of Style, by Strunk and White. It is the bible of style, at least in college, but that was published in 1923 and still holds a lot of clout.<br />
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How do we characterize style now with emojis, do you punctuate after an emoji or is the emoji serving as a more artful expression of exclamation or questions :)<br />
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Isn't it funny that the origin of emojis kinda of came out of interlacing two completely unrelated items of punctuation together?! Thank God the future is here :)<br />
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Damn, only 249 words, I've only completed half of my assignment on the first day of doing this before I had to check and see how many words I've written.<br />
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Speaking of college, remember when you had a write a paper that was either measured in number of words or pages. How many times did you mess with various fonts, line spacing, or insert a giant quote to take up space?!<br />
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Today is the first day of the assignment, the day before Thanksgiving and the first day it has rained here in California, probably since April...We just had the worst wildfire ever, which is a devastation, a giant and tragic devastation of a whole community burned to the ground. Close to home, like last year and the year before that. <br />
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Understanding the wonders and natural nuances of our natural world are ever more at risk. We as humans have colonized this planet completely, and politics have created borders, drawn lines, inspired conflicts to a world full of beauty and natural amazing and wonderful things that have brought us to be able to inhabit this planet. We as humans must be smarter, stronger, greener, bond together and get rid of the costly, polluting, easy and greedy ways that allow us to live so conveniently in this modern world. It's no longer natural and we are losing touch with that. <br /><br />I've always loved nature and continue to love it, its beautiful watching the weather patterns move across my dining room window as I sit and eat my favorite snacks, wiring for the first time in a long time, and taking on this challenge, to write 500 or more words a day for at least 40 days.<br />
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Until tomorrow...<br />
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~535 Words<br />
~Listening to Tribalistas Radio on Spotify<br />
~Mood: Content<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.internationalvagabond.blogspot.com</div>Holistic Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07485237354960174866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139827.post-79063335936794861162018-11-10T20:47:00.001-08:002018-11-10T20:47:41.321-08:00Right WriteWhat I should really do is write...do what's right? What is right when my world has been so left? Political views that skew far left like the things I've left behind. One nation under pressure, one individual under my own strain nothing except trying to build my name, it's an insane game, establish my repertoire as things come down to the wire. Let's start a to-do list, first, the things I desire: simplicity, happiness, bliss, the ability to relax and be honest, a passionate kiss, watching people mix. What more to life than never to miss. Try, fail, try again, succeed, exist.<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.internationalvagabond.blogspot.com</div>Holistic Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07485237354960174866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139827.post-13129936043047639782018-11-10T20:34:00.001-08:002018-11-12T13:19:32.127-08:00Holistic Him: First Entry 11/10/2018<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Holistic Him</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A lifestyle brand that encompasses the growth of where I am mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally and professionally.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Searching for a way to do my part and not mess up the fragile environment of this beautiful earth while trying to live a modern, yet sustainable lifestyle. Living a fast paced life and traveling for business and leisure can be intense and it takes a holistic gentleman to consistently be in top form. From figuring out how to eat healthy at home and on the road, practice yoga, and maintain a sustainable and holistic life-work balance Holistic Him is a lifestyle blog, podcast, online store and interactive class that embodies the true nature of what it takes to be a holistic gentleman.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I carefully sought out the things I need and use in life and sourced them from holistic, traditional and hand crafted sources that take pride in the things they do. From caring about raw ingredients in our food, to sourcing sustainable and eco-friendly fibers for goods, fused with modern advances in technology to bring you an array of products that have a holistic nature about them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With so many things are mass produced and have harmful effects on the environment we often wonder, how does one holistically change the way you live? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At Holistic Him we make it easy with our meticulously curated products that are holistically made, fairly traded and sustainably produced. We couple that with our blogs, podcasts and a selection of books, interviews with holistic gentlemen and ideas on how to become a holistic gentleman or enhance your holistic attractiveness.</span><br />
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Eco Friendly Accessories for the Modern Man</h2>
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For Holistic Lifestyle Men</div>
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Be Holistically Attractive.<br />
Home. Business. Travel. Leisure.<br />
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Be Mentally Attractive.<br />
Yoga. Books. Philosophy. Art.<br />
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Be Globally Attractive.<br />
Language. Culture. Food. Sustainability.<br />
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Be an Holistic Gentleman.<br />
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Be a Holistic Gentleman?<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.internationalvagabond.blogspot.com</div>Holistic Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07485237354960174866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139827.post-42396650110443287892015-03-18T04:55:00.002-07:002015-03-18T04:55:23.006-07:00What is St. Patrick's Day to you? <h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;">Blog post published <a href="http://usbgpulse.com/posts/19648/what-is-st-patricks-day-to-you-" target="_blank">USBG Pulse</a> March 17, 2015 </span></span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Possibly one of the most prominent “drinking holidays,”St. Patrick’s Day was historically noted for paying homage to St. Patrick by lifting the Christian Lenton, or Lent, restrictions on eating and drinking for the day, which propagated the popularity of drinking on March 17th.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">As a bartender, what does St. Patrick’s Day mean to you? Do you look at St. Patrick’s Day as an event that can make or break the month of March? Do you pull a 20-hour shift and rake in two months rent working at an Irish pub? Maybe you take the night off to indulge in the revelry and shenanigans of the holiday, or you work at a fine dining establishment and cherish in the slow nature of the night concocting a special with some new promising Irish whiskeys or Guinness inspired cocktails?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">In San Francisco, we were fortunate to have Ireland native Andrew Sweeney, who is immersed in the traditions of Irish culture, especially whiskey production, take us through his extensive and delicious line of Irish whiskeys. It was not only educational but also eye opening—from the smooth Kilbeggan to the fruity Greenore and peaty Connemara. After many decades of being rendered obsolete, Irish whiskey has made a re-emergence, with the fastest growth of any whiskey category, including scotch and bourbon. The Irish whiskey market is booming, with many distilleries opening up even as we speak. From single malts to single grains, peated drams and specialty finishes, these delightful whiskeys are already available to the US consumer or coming very soon. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Perhaps it’s time to rethink your Irish traditions and expand your horizons beyond the traditional Jameson and Guinness. In any case, whichever your tipple may be, and wherever you end up, indulge responsibly and encourage your guests to appreciate the finer things in life as they pay homage to their revered St. Patrick.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Special thanks to Mr. Andrew Sweeney for providing the photographs<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">, USBG SF, Jennifer Sobb and Beam Suntory. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Treasurer, Northern California USBG</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.internationalvagabond.blogspot.com</div>Holistic Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07485237354960174866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139827.post-82346293775373156942015-02-19T22:55:00.001-08:002015-02-19T23:30:01.566-08:00Battle of Tequileros 2015: El Vampiro by Trent Simpson from La Urbana for the Win!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a long ride from conception to competition, but in the end perseverance, determination and an innovative twist on a classic tequila cocktail, El Vampiro, wins the <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wqutv08m63yyeet/AAB9Q7HjFNXBjoOGy4oYj3tma?n=65872736" target="_blank">2015 Battle of Tequileros</a>! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQoEHZ9ErvfUCVzW3yfP3XlOrWbtcFinjq2dN47txzkM3rCRiD1nA9MpHnnX7oNQ9XXrI6NkkvvFybS2e3DICR4b2RSagImfLO6elJoeqoADDGneyvsqgq3_nL-Yvb0sIsBNsPtg/s1600/Battle-of-Tequileros-544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQoEHZ9ErvfUCVzW3yfP3XlOrWbtcFinjq2dN47txzkM3rCRiD1nA9MpHnnX7oNQ9XXrI6NkkvvFybS2e3DICR4b2RSagImfLO6elJoeqoADDGneyvsqgq3_nL-Yvb0sIsBNsPtg/s1600/Battle-of-Tequileros-544.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Serving as a fundraiser for the <a href="http://www.usbgfoundation.org/" target="_blank">USBG National Charity Foundation</a> the annual competition was sponsored by <a href="http://donjulio.com/" target="_blank">Don Julio Tequila</a> and was held at the lovely event space at Tres in San Francisco.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_e_mnVLSO54kUi9NpYFCbBlfMoxz5J907EoWU3wdC8Vnt1gykwS3Zs0DS02_zBWsIxMgvG4jXONKxm5OpHnaMdFb4yOBEa1CknTTl27CZPvB0AwKLoxtzoMtyu0nMFPB5m4h-w/s1600/Battle-of-Tequileros-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_e_mnVLSO54kUi9NpYFCbBlfMoxz5J907EoWU3wdC8Vnt1gykwS3Zs0DS02_zBWsIxMgvG4jXONKxm5OpHnaMdFb4yOBEa1CknTTl27CZPvB0AwKLoxtzoMtyu0nMFPB5m4h-w/s1600/Battle-of-Tequileros-10.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Below, I've chronicled some highlights from my entry/submission, pictures from the competition and recipes for how to make your very own Vampiro cocktail at home!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqoLXe_KywDdMAGn8jMzp27-7f5oMpRHN-2mjE9r-Aw7VsoLH4i2zzNTD4wuQ1LGjTqtTxHCk_6gYPYgAENkT3DRF64HU-n9BDhpvCHYJUcKalrIUsNqBBG5yu39EZnaVfnBflg/s1600/Battle-of-Tequileros-290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqoLXe_KywDdMAGn8jMzp27-7f5oMpRHN-2mjE9r-Aw7VsoLH4i2zzNTD4wuQ1LGjTqtTxHCk_6gYPYgAENkT3DRF64HU-n9BDhpvCHYJUcKalrIUsNqBBG5yu39EZnaVfnBflg/s1600/Battle-of-Tequileros-290.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">El Vampiro</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 oz Don Julio Blanco</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.75 Fresh Lemon Juice</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.75 Purely Syrup: Ginger Root</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3 Dashes Bitter Truth Celery Bitters</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 oz Jugo de Vampiro* (layered on top)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Method:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Combine Don Julio, Lemon Juice, and Ginger Syrup in a cocktail shaker.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguY87wByc-SWMVKrGzUSJ34WdGu9SpTW-9pwoUcEkIN2exPNIkePyShLjFU9RE-glUo1Y2cc-lUrFdywp01wKBADD785jghCjfb52u_liLuDYkWL0xlImgOYwt7mnqU2_GzN4VXQ/s1600/Battle-of-Tequileros-257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguY87wByc-SWMVKrGzUSJ34WdGu9SpTW-9pwoUcEkIN2exPNIkePyShLjFU9RE-glUo1Y2cc-lUrFdywp01wKBADD785jghCjfb52u_liLuDYkWL0xlImgOYwt7mnqU2_GzN4VXQ/s1600/Battle-of-Tequileros-257.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZzZsYTCLfNjAnnT-9SBiXWHJm6hA0u_92ijO8uG9S59TktXeZP04bvPkyr3VQG6RPYpKfFYkr4doChVUwD13DVPMC-sYwcK0RDszMvZIXA587uD3wJqO_RGkRCV97s2S95gCyg/s1600/Battle-of-Tequileros-259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZzZsYTCLfNjAnnT-9SBiXWHJm6hA0u_92ijO8uG9S59TktXeZP04bvPkyr3VQG6RPYpKfFYkr4doChVUwD13DVPMC-sYwcK0RDszMvZIXA587uD3wJqO_RGkRCV97s2S95gCyg/s1600/Battle-of-Tequileros-259.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Add ice and shake. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHChBDvYnfM2y9F2isIs_dZ3xsHZLeaghUIuLPXERv_MbxeWqGsKNvPsTqkNPOhLi9e96-Rs4cVSwck1oc1eU2A5DWO6mYWzGwDl4m42lOsQ4J36ADQl8MxdHhpIGQq7gvEN0IZQ/s1600/Battle-of-Tequileros-262.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHChBDvYnfM2y9F2isIs_dZ3xsHZLeaghUIuLPXERv_MbxeWqGsKNvPsTqkNPOhLi9e96-Rs4cVSwck1oc1eU2A5DWO6mYWzGwDl4m42lOsQ4J36ADQl8MxdHhpIGQq7gvEN0IZQ/s1600/Battle-of-Tequileros-262.jpeg" height="213" width="320" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; text-align: start;">Add three dash</span><span style="color: #222222; text-align: start;">es of Celery Bitters to glass over ice. Strain cocktail into glass.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSxs05twitcrxA8qHX72xgMPPSmT6dM3l1d5qmFEBiEkyfcMBpgX-Y0vPm3yX8UHr25pNJqyPnA7WlhojFmbweIN6y_1drgvivMveoyGyGIyuFTJJQqEc_BYabt7-337Q_EFM-A/s1600/Battle-of-Tequileros-267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSxs05twitcrxA8qHX72xgMPPSmT6dM3l1d5qmFEBiEkyfcMBpgX-Y0vPm3yX8UHr25pNJqyPnA7WlhojFmbweIN6y_1drgvivMveoyGyGIyuFTJJQqEc_BYabt7-337Q_EFM-A/s1600/Battle-of-Tequileros-267.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> With separate mini carafe add Jugo de Vampiro. Add celery swirl garnish and straw. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ61Wi3p4t8e5NSwVAgXTUigo_p5hP13PKe4KSA6RJORVHkp9uu1IZJiwYe9Lj5ILJezB0gYB_t7M2N1SepY_l5Vcsbk3cL7Z58_ZbeyHebnpA2xjo48UpfPcuwxqRz3KEEv0HXg/s1600/Battle-of-Tequileros-273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ61Wi3p4t8e5NSwVAgXTUigo_p5hP13PKe4KSA6RJORVHkp9uu1IZJiwYe9Lj5ILJezB0gYB_t7M2N1SepY_l5Vcsbk3cL7Z58_ZbeyHebnpA2xjo48UpfPcuwxqRz3KEEv0HXg/s1600/Battle-of-Tequileros-273.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdtpTY7syqjRCmS7hjjRmCchQP2A9gzbnJqukFibD44_Pv2lPcIlPaCouqi6llmkyt9AfTXMrucbbpEAULsNDGOxaLr7msDlBj6B1ewegjQ3aQ0uIzzrO8BUR87heAPp3LC_AHQ/s1600/Battle-of-Tequileros-274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdtpTY7syqjRCmS7hjjRmCchQP2A9gzbnJqukFibD44_Pv2lPcIlPaCouqi6llmkyt9AfTXMrucbbpEAULsNDGOxaLr7msDlBj6B1ewegjQ3aQ0uIzzrO8BUR87heAPp3LC_AHQ/s1600/Battle-of-Tequileros-274.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZjW6pVP5g2aqE4-RioERUUEr3wCQ-d3PCwrUImOn-wZZk4yEwB6TANGCSWTa2Q60ER8dvZAxYv6jQtaCOxLs8jKDsNx-xmzu6MJhZtdjdD9ehTu74gO7cBIVOkwvPDyOPFte3g/s1600/Battle-of-Tequileros-276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZjW6pVP5g2aqE4-RioERUUEr3wCQ-d3PCwrUImOn-wZZk4yEwB6TANGCSWTa2Q60ER8dvZAxYv6jQtaCOxLs8jKDsNx-xmzu6MJhZtdjdD9ehTu74gO7cBIVOkwvPDyOPFte3g/s1600/Battle-of-Tequileros-276.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Present to judges.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZ6fbGTz8siE6YFEdJq8nyeV6y7oV81JSJE2YM_3th2TlXOndr3F0VSf71On61kV01chpQ4Epn2n8V7VcYMZHYgaW9G_1G65ysOWHkUgfd-HldZ2Aee2wVFoCnXu22fnw1l_rxw/s1600/Battle-of-Tequileros-280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZ6fbGTz8siE6YFEdJq8nyeV6y7oV81JSJE2YM_3th2TlXOndr3F0VSf71On61kV01chpQ4Epn2n8V7VcYMZHYgaW9G_1G65ysOWHkUgfd-HldZ2Aee2wVFoCnXu22fnw1l_rxw/s1600/Battle-of-Tequileros-280.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5-BjiIeRHmlUAAzGsanbw0w6z-YLvZpDuLxqDg9L596xL6duUu8on1w-9bdaN62M5VKjfrlkNvGw6LWYKmEw7b9_AswPN6-0vO9mg4bcyo5KO8Sk453sE7XoDX5_tatECKnqtw/s1600/Battle-of-Tequileros-269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5-BjiIeRHmlUAAzGsanbw0w6z-YLvZpDuLxqDg9L596xL6duUu8on1w-9bdaN62M5VKjfrlkNvGw6LWYKmEw7b9_AswPN6-0vO9mg4bcyo5KO8Sk453sE7XoDX5_tatECKnqtw/s1600/Battle-of-Tequileros-269.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*Recipe and Ingredients for Jugo de Vampiro</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Ingredients: </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All ingredients can be found at the CUESA Ferry Building Farmers Market in Saturday or foraged in the vicinity of San Francisco. For complete list of farms, see below.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 Purple Baby Beets (peeled)<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 Large Gold Beet (peeled)<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3 Celery Stalks<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 Carrots<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5 Sprigs of Mint<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8 oz of Ginger<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">15 Blackberries<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 Pink Grapefruit (peeled)<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 Meyer Lemons (peeled)<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 Valencia Orange (peeled)<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 Yuzu (for zest), or Bergamot Orange<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6 oz Marshall Farm Bay Area Blend Honey<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6 oz Water<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 oz Don Julio Añjeo<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 oz Smoky Mezcal<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Juice all fruit (preferably with a <a href="http://www.brevilleusa.com/beverages/juicers.html" target="_blank">Breville</a>) and produce except for yuzu, fine strain. Take a saucepan and add juice over medium to low heat. In a separate container combine honey, zest of and yuzu and hot water, stir together and slowly add to pan with juice. Keep heat low, be sure not to boil, stir frequently. Continue stirring over low heat and remove any foam that rises to the top, taste for sweetness, if necessary add more honey. Remove from heat and let cool. Add Don Julio Añjeo and Mezcal to fortify, whisk vigorously. Place in mason jar or container for use in cocktail, makes about 8-10 servings and lasts up to 3-4 days.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Local Farms: <a href="http://www.cuesa.org/seller/hamada-farms" target="_blank">Hamada Farms</a>, <a href="http://www.dirtygirlproduce.com/" target="_blank">Dirty Girl Produce</a>, <a href="http://www.cuesa.org/seller/marshalls-farm-natural-honey" target="_blank">Marshall Honey Farms</a>, <a href="http://www.cuesa.org/seller/everything-under-sunf" target="_blank">Everything Under the Sun</a>, <a href="http://www.cuesa.org/seller/lagier-ranches" target="_blank">Lagier Ranches</a>, <a href="http://www.swantonberryfarm.com/" target="_blank">Swanton Berry Farm</a>.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">El Vampiro draws from many facets and walks of life, first from my love for Agave spirits, second from my passion for making cocktails and dedication to community events and education through the <a href="http://usbg.org/" target="_blank">USBG</a>, and thirdly, the abundance of local resources we have at our fingertips living in San Francisco. <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My cocktail is a play on the classic tequila cocktail, El Diablo, with my Jugo de Vampiro NorCal cordial as the perfect compliment to Don Julio. This initial inspiration allowed me to put my love and passion for the craft into this cocktail--especially being able to utilize spirits of such quality like Don Julio that provide a wonderful foundation to build a cocktail. In order to accentuate both the sweet and peppery notes of Don Julio Reposado, I was inspired by a traditional Mexican Beverage called "Jugo de Vampiro" to launch my ideas into action. The inspiration for the name comes from a Lucha Libre fighter, Vampiro Metálico which seemed fitting in conjunction with the ingredients in the cocktail. I was able to elevate a basic recipe to feature some of the amazing produce and citrus we have at our grasp here in Northern California--I harvested local meyer lemons, blackberries and rosemary from a friend's backyard and urban hikes through parks in SF. Its nice to be able to utilize nature to inspire what we do for a living.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was also inspired by the <a href="https://kokomoculinary.wordpress.com/2014/08/04/don-julio-farm-to-shaker-event-july-8-2014/" target="_blank">Don Julio Farm to Shaker </a>trip where we went together with the Don Julio team and USBG to Marshall's Honey Farm. I enjoyed the trip so much that have incorporated their Bay Area Blend as the sweetener. <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lastly, I am constantly inspired by the incredible <a href="http://www.cuesa.org/markets" target="_blank">CUESA Ferry Building farmers market</a> for its variety of colorful fruits and vegetables and friendly farmers. I was delighted to find all the ingredients such as local beets, celery, carrots and yuzu and inspired by the offerings to add more flavor and a personal spin to the recipe. We also have a plethora of incredible local products sometimes at your back door. I am excited and honored to use my friend and co-workers' organic syrup company <a href="http://www.purelysyrup.com/new-products-1/ginger-root" target="_blank">Purely Syrup Ginger Root</a> in the cocktail.<u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This competition is a great way to realize how fortunate we are, tie in educational activities such as the Farm to Shaker USBG event, and accentuate our love and passion for the craft. With so much abundance around us, how can one not be inspired? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Special g<span style="color: #141823; line-height: 19px;">iant thank you to Don Julio, Tres, Aeromexico and </span><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1348037757" href="https://www.facebook.com/lcnavarro" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;">Luis Navarro</a><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"> for putting on an amazing event. A giant thanks, congrats and props to all the fellow Tequileros who did an amazing job as well--the competition was fierce and I look forward to drinking some agave with all of you soon! Also, huge thanks to the judges </span></span><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=541094255" href="https://www.facebook.com/david.nepove.9" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;">David Nepove</a><span style="color: #141823; line-height: 19px;">, </span><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=559333516" href="https://www.facebook.com/cocktailgeek" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;">Marcovaldo Dionysos</a> <span style="color: #141823; line-height: 19px;">and <a href="http://ivyroom.com/" target="_blank">Ronaldo Colli</a>, thanks for understanding my vision. Much love to </span><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=723800911" href="https://www.facebook.com/tony.devencenzi" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;">Tony Devencenzi</a><span style="color: #141823; line-height: 19px;"> and </span><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=611983445" href="https://www.facebook.com/reza.esmaili.507" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;">Reza Esmaili</a><span style="color: #141823; line-height: 19px;"> for being amazing hosts. The Vampiro is on the menu at </span><a class="profileLink" data-gt="{"entity":"283920615076415","path":"\/ajax\/pagelet\/generic.php:ProfileTimelineSectionPagelet"}" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=283920615076415" href="https://www.facebook.com/laurbanaSF" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;">La Urbana</a><span style="color: #141823; line-height: 19px;"> so come by and get your own!</span></span></div>
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<span class="userContentSecondary _c24" style="color: #4e5665; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also won two free tickets anywhere in Mexico, so I'll be taking suggestions on where to go...Tulum, Oaxaca, Manzanillo, Sayarita?! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>¡Salud, y nos vemos en México!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Written by <a href="http://boozesf.com/" target="_blank">Trent H. Simpson</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Photos by <a href="http://mollydecoudreaux.com/" target="_blank">Molly Decoudreaux </a></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.internationalvagabond.blogspot.com</div>Holistic Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07485237354960174866noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.4194155000000137.373502 -123.06486250000002 38.176356999999996 -121.77396850000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139827.post-21897725868363279302014-02-13T15:05:00.001-08:002014-03-03T12:17:45.620-08:00"El Valiente" Trent Simpson's Entry for Northern CA 2014 Bacardi Legacy Cocktail National Competition: Feb 18th in Miami<br />
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<b>"El Valiente"</b></div>
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<b>Trent Simpson's Entry for Northern CA 2014 Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Regional Competition: Feb 10th at Bergerac, in San Francisco.</b><br />
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The cocktail I have created, "El Valiente" represents my legacy by defining all the characteristics that make up not only a good cocktail, but a great bartender as well. We need to be brave and daring, but have the audacity to make something bold that still maintains the integrity of what goes inside the glass and who serves it. All of these qualities have inspired me to be forever in legend and legacy, "El Valiente!"</div>
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Glassware: Old Fashioned (10oz)</div>
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Ice: Large Cube</div>
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Recipe:</div>
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1.5 part(s) Bacardi Superior / Smooth and Almond notes</div>
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1/2 part(s) Averna/ Herbaceous and Caramel</div>
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1/2 part(s) Dry Curaçao Pierre Ferrand/ Dry and Orange</div>
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1 part(s) Lime Juice/ Freshly Squeezed</div>
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1 part(s) Egg Whites/ Freshly Cracked</div>
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1 part(s) Bundaberg Ginger Beer/Carbonated, mildly sweet and somewhat spicy</div>
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In a mixing tin add all ingredients minus the ginger beer. Seal well and dry shake vigorously. Add</div>
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ice and shake again, vigorously as well. Strain cocktail into Old Fashioned Glass containing Glass containing a large crystal clear ice cube. Carefully add ginger beer, garnish* and serve.</div>
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*Garnish: Carefully peel large twist of Valencia Orange with a channel knife or peeler. Express essences of citrus peel over the cocktail and form into twist. Then, insert delicately on cocktail so it rests on the ice, absorbs a little but of the foam, and hangs ever so slightly over the rim of the glass.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://loteria.elsewhere.org/cache/CAAR/CAAR-12_630_elsewhere-diag.jpg" href="http://loteria.elsewhere.org/cache/CAAR/CAAR-12_630_elsewhere-diag.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" data-mce-src="//images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Floteria.elsewhere.org%2Fcache%2FCAAR%2FCAAR-12_630_elsewhere-diag.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" src="http://loteria.elsewhere.org/cache/CAAR/CAAR-12_630_elsewhere-diag.jpg" height="320" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; cursor: default;" width="221" /></a></div>
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<b>Inspiration:</b> The inspiration for this cocktail comes from the character "El Valiente" from the Latin Bingo game, "Lotería." In imagining what this character would drink, I figured a seductive fizz with a decent amount of citrus and spice would be perfect. Bacardi Superior has a dry and subtle character that mingles with Averna and is accentuated with froth and citrus. Just like this cocktail, "El Valiente" is brave and daring, refined and sweet, your best friend, or worst enemy depending on how you play your cards.</div>
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- Trent Simpson</div>
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San Francisco, CA</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.internationalvagabond.blogspot.com</div>Holistic Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07485237354960174866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139827.post-77497236520098586442014-02-01T15:49:00.002-08:002014-02-01T15:49:42.252-08:00Joga Bonita: Leblon Cachaça World Cup Cocktail Competition Semifinal Entry<br />
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Oi!</div>
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This was my formal submission for Round Two of the Maison Leblon 2014 World Cup Bartender Competition. I didn't win, but there is some thoughtful information here that I thought I would share! I have answered the questions and described how to make my cocktail, the "Joga Bonito" cocktail for the global semi-finals for the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZUKoTPSEgg">Maison Leblon World Cup Cocktail Competition of 2014.</a> I hope you enjoy, congrats to all the winners and I'll still see you in Brasil! And if anybody from the top 11 can't make it, give me a ring and I'll fill in!<br /></div>
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Saude!</div>
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Trent Simpson</div>
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<br />ROUND 2 QUESTIONS:<br /><br />1. What inspired you to become a bartender? <br /><br />In all honesty, the art of perfecting the art of the Caipirinha and bringing it back the American people was one of my deepest inspirations for becoming a bartender. I could write a laundry list of other things that inspired me, but the strongest driving force was Brasil, Cachaça and Caipirinhas. I was infatuated with the combination of limes, sugar and cachaça from my travels to Brasil after my senior year of High School. I desperately needed to bring this secret back to the States, but needed to perfect the methods, or "Jeito de fazer" the perfect Caipirinha. I spent a whole year "studying" in Salvador da Bahia my Junior year in college. My biggest inspiration was a man, a bartender, a legend, who called himself, "Jesus." He always had the most beautiful outdoor Caipirinha bars at all the best events, parties and beaches I was going to. Was he stalking me, or were we just like minded people?! His technique and pizzaz, coupled with his amazing display of elegantly cut fruit and enormous personality created a lasting impression. After returning, I started working in a restaurant my senior year of college, I envied the bartenders and I knew it was my calling. I made Caipirinhas every chance I had, for guests at my house, and pop up bars and at parties. When I graduated, I took off to Brasil again--in a sort of "Sem Destino" way-- looking for a my opportunity to live on the beach, and be like "Jesus" making drinks for people and welcoming fellow travelers at all the best events. His "jeito" always inspired me to be the best, most accommodating and fun bartender, I never knew that "Jesus'" inspiration, and a sugar cane based spirit, fresh fruit and sugar would lead me down such a wonderful career path.<br /><br /><br />2. How long have you been bartending?<br /><br />Professionally, I have been bartending for over seven years, starting with my tenure at Bossa Nova in San Francisco. However, I started mixing drinks when I was (at most) 16 for my Mom's Friday Afternoon Parties. I was also fetching Single Malt Scotch for my Dad and Uncle in our late night family poker games over the holidays, blending my own virgin concoctions. Since then, I have strived to make the perfect Caipirinha, or Cosmo, or any cocktail for anyone at any given time. After I graduated college I traveled again to Brasil for more research, and learned to perfect Caipirinhas, Batidas and the overall Jeito Brasileiro. When I finally made it back to the states, inspired by Caipirinhas and Brasil, I made my play to get a job bartending. I succeeded and got a gig as a barback at a Brasilian restaurant called Bossa Nova. I worked 4 nights a week hoping for the day to make my own drinks behind the bar, and finally I got my first bartending shift. From Bossa Nova, I have grown my career into a full fledged professional bartender and my desire for the profession and commitment to the craft has never been more prominent. From my days of fetching Scotch or making "Batidas" for fellow "mochileros" in Pousadas on my travels around Brasil, to being known for mixing up "Trent Dogs" in my dorm room in Washington DC--I have always been a bartender in some capacity. After seven years of making a living of it in San Francisco, I am a proud member of the Executive Council for the Northern California Chapter of the United States Bartenders' Guild and look forward to every shift.<br /><br />3. What do you think makes you a good bartender?<br /><br />Bartending a profession that covers so many facets that are intrinsic to being a 'good bartender' and takes a lifetime to master. From service, to cocktails, ambiance, presentation, technique, and technical skill, being a good bartender is ultimately about making a great experience for the customer. Its so important to make every customer that comes through the door feel comfortable and happy, engaging them in conversation and delivering a quality product that suits the particular needs while having fun, being efficient and smiling at the same time. If one can properly achieve all of these attributes with each customer, then I would render these qualities essential to making one a good bartender. I strive to achieve all of these facets with everyone that walks through the door to my bar, or comes to indulge in a libation with me in my living room. I love the fact that you never know who is going to sit down in front of you, and I love being able to cater to the people from all walks of life. I strive for these experience on a day to day basis, and in order to consider myself a good bartender, it is essential to achieve this day in and day out. However, with any profession, there always room for improvement in every facet of the job, and if we constantly seek to improve, as I always am, then one can consider themselves as on the path to being a good bartender. <br /><br /><br />4. When you're not behind the bar, where can you be found?<br /><br />I love to go to the beach, play futebol, ski, golf, travel, cook, garden or visit nature and enjoy outdoor activities on my free time. I enjoy exploring the city I live in, San Francisco, and Bay Area because it has so much to offer. From wine country to beaches, parks, pick up soccer games, and world class bars and restaurants, there is a lot to keep me busy when I'm not behind-the-stick. Some of my favorite things to do are: take a quick jaunt through the Marin Headlands while listening to a new playlist, such as the Leblon HOTBAB on Spotify, and end up at a little seaside cafe and eat some fresh clams, sip a Leblon Caipirinha and watch the sunset along Stinson Beach. Or, maybe maybe a cruise into Tilden park to escape the wind and enjoy a few holes of golf, drive the windy roads and grab some fresh produce from a local farmers market to put in a delicious libation for later. I like to live life to the fullest, find little treasures everywhere, in work and play, live and love, teach and learn from others how to find the finer things in life!<br /><br /><br />5. You're life's motto is:<br /><br />My life motto is based on a combination of the messages in two of my favorite songs, "Vamos Fugir" by Gilberto Gil and "Deixa a Vida me Levar" by Zecca Pagodinho. If you let life take you, life will take you for the better, you can escape, travel, or just live, but as long as you are happy, then life will be great. In a nutshell: If you live everyday better than the next, then every day will be the best day of your life!<br /><br />6. What does it mean to you to 'Be Brazilian Be Leblon'?<br /><br />Being Brasilian and Being Leblon translates back to my life's motto where one must live life first, with an ora of happiness at the forefront. Like Steve Luttman says in his book, How to Be a Brazilian, "What truly distinguishes Brazilians is the certain jeito about them--a certain warmth and spontaneity that's as indescribable as it is infectious." Thus, for me to describe it here is no small task, but what I do know it that from loving family to enjoying free time, laughing, celebrating, eating and drinking and dancing--if you cherish the good things in life, then every day will be the best day of your life. Being Brazilian and Being Leblon relates to how Brazilians live on a day to day basis, and we all know how awesome that is! For me, I see Being Brazilian and Being Leblon as a mantra to always live life first. Whether on the beach or at a backyard churrassco, at a giant festival or a birthday celebration, Being Brazilian is Being Leblon and vice versa.<br /><br /><br />7. Why do you want to be a part of Team Maison Leblon and travel with us to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil?<br /><br />In 2007 when FIFA announced the World Cup would be held in Brazil, I knew I wanted to go under any circumstances. Being a part of The Team Maison Leblon and travel to the World Cup in Brazil would be a culmination of everything I am passionate about in my life. From my profession as a bartender, to my hobbies and favorite sport being soccer, my love for travel, especially Brasil, and my commitment to contribute to a team. I spent two years of my life living and learning the culture and language of Brasil. Based in Salvador da Bahia I was able to take part in what it truly means to "Be Brasilian," and now I would want more than anything to use that knowledge to "Be Leblon" as part of the Team Maison Leblon World Cup 2014. "Deixa a Vida me Levar, Vida Leva Eu." I've let life take me, I've traveled, I've worked hard and I've enjoyed every minute of it all. Most importantly, life has brought me to this intersection where it all seems to make sense for what I want most: Live, Love and become a member of the Leblon Maison World Cup 2014 World Cup Team, it will make me the happiest person in the world! <br /><br /> <br />8. If chosen for Team Maison Leblon, what will you do over the next seven months to spread the word about Leblon?<br /><br />Leblon's marketing has always inspired me--its sexy, seductive and intrinsic to the culture and message of what Brasil and the Brasilian people are all about. Just like the players on the "Seleção Brasileiro" it takes a certain "Cabeza" to be part of the team. You need a top level of skill, commitment, charisma and, but most importantly a proper "jeito" and strong commitment to the greater goal, to be part of the most renowned squad in the world. For me this will be the most renowned bartending squad in the world, and I would be honored to be an integral part of it! If selected, I promise that I will do everything to uphold the values of Leblon, Brazil, Professional Bartenders around the globe and commit my passion for the craft to make this exceptional team the best it can be. From social media, to blogs, customers who approach me at my bar and random strangers on street corner to close acquaintances and family, I will tell them and the world professionally, excitedly and "com muito orgulho" that I am the right person to be on the Maison Leblon 2014 World Cup Team! If chosen, I will feel "Pura Alegria" for the next seven months and use that energy to promote us all, Vamos Maison Leblon 2014 World Cup Team!<br /><br /><br />Cocktail Entry: "Joga Bonito"<br /><br />My cocktail, "Joga Bonito," is a representation of the diversity of Brasil, the beauty in which Brasilians play futebol, and is homage to the delicious flavors and culture that one can put in a Caipirinha, especially when using the finest ingredients, such as Leblon Cachaça. We are all going to watch the Seleção Brasiliera go for their sixth championship in 2014, so I invite you to take a journey with me as sip my cocktails along the way. From round one, I was proud to present the Hexa, a cocktail that combines the flavors from my terroir in San Francisco, and represents my desire to go to Brasil and be a part of the Maison Leblon World Cup Team. For round two, I present the "Joga Bonito," a cocktail that encompasses everything wonderful about the game of futebol, the complex and unique flavors of all Leblon products, embodies the spirit of Brasil and embraces the mantra: "Be Brasilan, Be Leblon."<br /><br /><b>Joga Bonito:</b><br />Ingredients you will need:<br /><br />Leblon Cachaça<br />Leblon Reserva Especial<br />Cedilla Açaí Liqueur<br />Passion Fruits (Maracuja)<br />Turbinado Sugar<br />Starfruit (Carambola)<br />Rosemary Sprigs (Alecrim)<br />Cinnamon Sticks (Canela)<br />Cloves (Cravo)<br />Sphere Shaped (Tovolo or 2.5" sphere cube equivalent) Ice Cubes<br /><br />Glass:<br /><br />Double Old Fashioned 11 oz<br /><br />Ice:<br /><br />Preferably (but not necessary if not available) shaken with Kold Draft Ice<br />Use Tovolo Mold Sphere Ice Cube for Presentation if available<br /><br /><b>Recipe:</b><br />Joga Bonito<br /></div>
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<br />1 oz Leblon Cachaça<br />1 oz Leblon Reserva Especial<br />1 oz Passion Fruit and Cinnamon (Maracuja e Canela) Reduction*<br />1/2 oz Cedilla Açaí Liqueur<br />Clove and Rosemary Studded Starfruit Slice**<br /><br /><b>Method:</b><br />Combine all ingredients minus Cedilla in a mixing glass, add ice, seal and shake vigorously to the rhythm of a samba beat for eight seconds. Strain over a large sphere shaped ice cube in a double rocks glass. Carefully take the Cedilla Açaí Liqueur and drizzle over the back of a barspoon, creating a cascade effect (por-do-sol). Attach garish to rim of glass. Feel free to add flexible straw if desired.<br /><br /><b>Preferable Background Music:</b><br />While preparing:<br /><br /><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/praia-e-sol-maracana-futebol/id373450044" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Aline Calixto & Serjão Loroza, "Praia e Sol (Maracanã, Futebol)</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdamG35IbW8" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Marcelo D2, "1967"</a> or latter selections from Leblon HOTBAB Spotify Playlist<br /><br />While Drinking:<br /><br /><a href="http://youtu.be/G36GxxLB3yw" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Gonzaguinha, "O Que E O Que E?" </a><br /><br /><a href="http://youtu.be/Aq7lq6ZsvWc" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Samba de Raiz, "Coração Em Desalinho"</a><br /><br />Take a sip, indulge and imagine the Seleção playing with a lead in the 90th minute of the final match of the 2014 World Cup, sit back, enjoy, but most importantly Live, Love, Leblon and Joga Bonito!<br /><br /><br />*Passion Fruit Reduction Preparation:<br /><br />First, cut open two Passion Fruits and scoop out contents into a blender. Blend for 1 minute. Fine strain to remove pulp and seeds.<br /><br />Measure amount of Passion Fruit Purée and put in sauce pan on low heat. Slowly add half amount of Turbinado (for example 4 oz Passion Fruit Purée to 2 oz Sugar) to pan and stir constantly until sugar is dissolved. Grate a fine amount of cinnamon (about the amount of a pinch) into reduction, only about 3-4 seconds worth, just to get the essence of the cinnamon and not over power. Do not let reduction boil. Keep stirring for 1 minute after sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool. Store in a squeeze bottle (refrigerated can last up to 4 days) for easy use in cocktail preparation.<br /><br />**Garnish Preparation:<br /><br />Clove Studded Starfruit with Rosemary Sprig (Note: Photo is of Persimmon due to seasonal availability in San Francisco)<br /><br />Carefully remove outer, extreme edge (brownish and firm part of pointed part) of Starfruit and slice into .5 cm wide star shaped pieces. Carefully remove and seeds with knife if necessary. For each star shaped piece, add five cloves, one to each point of the star. Depending on the size of the Starfruit, you may want to use a larger piece towards the middle better to hold the cloves in place. Then, place a small sprig (less than 1 cm in length) of rosemary through the center of the star. Cut a tiny sliver on one of the inside points of the star shaped garnish, big enough so it will sit on the rim of glass, but not too deep as to break apart or invade cloves and/or rosemary. Prepare as many as needed and place on separate plate for easy access to garnish on rim of glass once cocktail is prepared. Attach to side of glass. <br /><br /><b>Joga Bonito Embodies the "Espiritú do Brasil:"</b><br />Using both Leblon Velhada and Leblon Cachaça represents the duality of modern and new cultures in Brasil, older styles of play and new techniques, history and innovation, and most importantly the the wonderful fact the old and young people alike will stop whatever they are doing to watch the game. Passionfruit, or Maracuja, is one of the most delicious fruits in Brasil, and represents not only the passion for the game, from not just Brasilians, but myself, and the world, for the sport of futebol. However, the passion doesn't stop there: Brasilians have passion in everything they do in their culture from music, to flirting or namorando, going to the beach, festivities and festivals like Carnaval or São João, talking, drinking and dancing. Brasil is all about passion, taste it in the cocktail. The Cedilla Açaí Liqueur not only represents the Amazon region and the lush rainforest, but also the "beleza natural" of the country and tropical vibe, laid back lifestyle and commitment to health Brasilians embody. The Starfruit or "Carambola" garnish represents the title, the glory, and the quest to be the best. The 5 cloves represent the people of Brasil and the previous championships. If Brasil wins, it will be their unprecedented sixth championship (Hexa Campeão) and everyone will add another star to their jersey! Cravo is also there with Canela representing the rich and complex history, and prominent literature movements such as Brasilian Modernism, with Jorge Amado's timeless novel, <i>Gabriela, Cravo e Canela</i>. The Rosemary (Alecrim) adds the "verde" to the Carambola which delivers savory element to the cocktail and represents the flag's motto: "Ordem e Progresso." The Joga Bonito is served in a double rocks glass on a large sphere ice cube, representing not only a soccer ball, the blue in the Brasilian flag, unity and tranquilidade as the Cedilla creates a cascading sunset in the glass. The Joga Bonita represents not only Brasil, but the world we live in--this is the World Cup after all, so the Joga Bonito is the World in a Cup! Enjoy responsibly, but always Live Love, Leblon, and Joga Bonito, e nos vemos no Brasil!</div>
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Saude!</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.internationalvagabond.blogspot.com</div>Holistic Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07485237354960174866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139827.post-3950586958640340462013-10-11T22:06:00.001-07:002013-10-11T22:06:49.418-07:00Quick Rant: This Government Shutdown Thing Really Irks Me<div>I don't care so much about normal "non-essential" Government employees getting paid, I hope they do get paid if this thing reaches a swift and reasonable solution! But the rich law makers who can actually pull this off are definitely getting paid, and don't need it!!!! Seriously, Wake Up People! Can we make our voices heard in real life? Or, have we furloughed ourselves from rational thought amongst what we believe Government is?!</div><div><br></div><div>This is ALLEGEDLY, "A government of the People, by the People and for the People..."</div><div><br></div><div>We are the people! So stop reading this and go be people!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vb7MmBqoDPSZXeYWVVdPBh3PgpnPow5nquZOVaBPrdjm9QQawktMkCVarhn-2n-zGBXggStoHn3rM7bS2REGB2jidxSbCynNgD58O_im2R5iWeFHfIq-0otwTkwgqVp_5JD_pA/s640/blogger-image--1374062193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vb7MmBqoDPSZXeYWVVdPBh3PgpnPow5nquZOVaBPrdjm9QQawktMkCVarhn-2n-zGBXggStoHn3rM7bS2REGB2jidxSbCynNgD58O_im2R5iWeFHfIq-0otwTkwgqVp_5JD_pA/s640/blogger-image--1374062193.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>http://money.cnn.com/2013/10/09/news/economy/federal-employees-pay/</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.internationalvagabond.blogspot.com</div>Holistic Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07485237354960174866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139827.post-84030918612198951622013-07-31T09:49:00.000-07:002013-07-31T09:59:51.602-07:00Trent Simpson's "Rumo ao Hexa" Distilaria Maison Leblon 2014 World Cup Cocktail Competition TryoutI love Brasil, I love futebol, I love to bartend and I love Cachaça and Caipirinhas. Here is my "Creative Entry" or Audição for the Maison Leblon 2014 World Cup Bartender Team. If I win, I will be part of 11 bartenders that will go to Brasil to represent team Leblon during the 2014 World Cup in Brasil! <br />
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My Official Entry, "Rumo ao Hexa"<br />
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Leblon Cachaça Contest Video:<br />
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I hope to see you in Brasil for the 2014 World Cup, where I'll be shaking it up behind the bar!!!!<br />
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Saude!!<br />
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Trent<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.internationalvagabond.blogspot.com</div>Holistic Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07485237354960174866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139827.post-85854725909838344242013-04-01T10:37:00.001-07:002013-04-01T10:55:40.472-07:00Selected Anecdotes part 1: From, "THE SELECTED MORDANT, MISCHIEVOUS, and SOMETIMES METAPHYSICAL MUSINGS of J. Bell"With hashtags and social media rampant its hard to compose a full sentence these days. I remember when I started blogging and my grandfather, a notable writer, professor, journalist and "Self-Styled Liberal" couldn't quite fathom the 'uncanny' nature of an unedited piece of written garbage. "You can just post whatever you want." I told him, and I loved the idea, an ardent writing instructor, he wasn't amused by my lack of virtue and respect for the written word.<br />
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So I took some time off. And I still haven't edited. I would like to, but more importantly I would like to write, again. Inspired by the man who mentored me my whole life, its time to write again in that same old blog non-sense he hated. Writing is alive, we use it in the present context, does that still count for blog posts?<br />
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What inspires someone to write something more than witty hashtags and photos uploaded onto a stream-matrix of smartphone frenzy?
For me it is life. Recently, I took the train home on my hiatus between quitting two jobs to start a new one. Yep, I spent 32 hours from Emeryville to Denver on Amtrak. I was curious who rode trains. People from all walks of life ride trains. Some for the scenery, some because they have the time, some to get to a certain place at the right time, etc. Alas, the characters on trains and the conversations can fill pages of empty blogs, and I shall write those, in due time. Train rides aside, I spent some time in my childhood room that my mother has now converted into a pretty sweet 'hotel-esque' suite. Yep, my childhood room transformed, boxes and books that made the cut, set out on bookshelves. A history of our family, photo albums and yearbooks coupled with a sense of modern comfort (I think she could do quite well on Airbnb.com if she listed it).
There were many things that I had to keep and many things to throw away, and little I could take back to my one bedroom apartment in San Francisco. However, two things caught my eye that I pilfered for the time being, one of them being,<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">THE SELECTED </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">J. Bell</span></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I have only begun to read these literary tipples and have already found two anecdotes that I am proclaiming social network worthy. We shall get to the point:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Believe it or not, there was a time when people stood up for something, wrote about it and it got published. In my Gradfather's (J. Bell) article, "Getting in the ol' liberal mood again," he comments on the state of politics in Orange County post-communism, "There were no grays, and people didn't have to think." He writes, "We had suddenly been deprived of our Devil. But Americans are resourceful, and Orange Countians are especially resourceful. We came up with new devils.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> Homosexuality and aborton."</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Now, the nature of my blog article hinges on a photocopied piece of paper inserted into the flap of J. Bell's "Musings." </span></span>On a page entitled "readers respond" (Yes, no capitals)a man by the name of B. Wilson writes, </span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">"I have a comment this morning about the writing of Joseph Bell. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> He supposedly is touted as an award-winning journalist and longtime UCI writing instructor. He begins sentences with "and" and "but." His punctuation and grammar are very poor.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> An example, there's a sentence in his article this morning, "Homosexuality and abortion." </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">That is not a complete sentence. Please instruct him to use correct grammar and set a good example for your readers."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This guy wants the newspaper to instruct the instructor. Just a thought Mr. Wilson, my Grandfather's "sentence" in his article, you know the one, "Homosexuality and abortion," is actually a paragraph. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">So put that in your literary pipe and smoke it. Yes, its true, my grandfather has been instructing the written word at UCI for many years, and for better or for worse he has been instructing me my whole life. Mr. Bell wrote a column many years as well and I am excited I can look into his work, his "MORDANT, MISCHIEVOUS and SOMETIMES METAPHYSICAL MUSISINGS." The newspaper doesn't capitalize his name and he does start sentences with "and" and "but." But, he doesn't teach it, in fact, he probably shakes his head if he were to see it. But, I don't care. My grandfather once wrote a whole paragraph in three words, "Homosexuality and abortion." </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I remember my grandfather always wrote in <span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Courier. <span style="font-family: inherit;">And, by the looks of it, he attempted to print it as well...</span></span></span><br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.internationalvagabond.blogspot.com</div>Holistic Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07485237354960174866noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139827.post-27876884050478881512013-03-28T15:15:00.000-07:002013-03-28T15:15:15.462-07:00Fee FreePast, present and future, no need to resent. Forgetmenots and lack of hyphins, spelling incorrectly articulated manuscripts in shambles and copywriters' nightmares. Free to known man, a blog of wit and charisma, laid out in a vat of unemployed time, dwindled ideas put to rest by succumbing to society in some sort of sense. Working in the financial district now on the other side of the line. Its corporate bonus week, spend it wisely, spend it with me, spend it wisely, spend it on me, but spend it or not, think about how you can set the world free.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSjG-dHSZH8Tb5-cXpMEoSRw1DyzvU76NDO_bF39dQOuReqaODzMeLW_w3RJSDqXtBS8ejSUkmVGBqrooyoAJlVr5c0udVUyQxzDYMD7KfFd8zYa8lpeHDCbNI-I-QYLZwvSOUg/s1600/IMG_2307.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSjG-dHSZH8Tb5-cXpMEoSRw1DyzvU76NDO_bF39dQOuReqaODzMeLW_w3RJSDqXtBS8ejSUkmVGBqrooyoAJlVr5c0udVUyQxzDYMD7KfFd8zYa8lpeHDCbNI-I-QYLZwvSOUg/s320/IMG_2307.jpg" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.internationalvagabond.blogspot.com</div>Holistic Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07485237354960174866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139827.post-2267452433611693362012-11-02T21:55:00.000-07:002012-11-02T21:55:04.201-07:00Letter to Self: Start Blogging More: San Francisco, NOPA, Nov. 2 2012,I have been absent for a while. I don't know why. I used to write in this blog, for fun, for me, without a theme while staying true to myself. I wrote it not like I didn't care if anyone would actually read it, but in case someone did, it might touch them in some way or another, even one person. That's how I used to write, for myself, and for others, if they chose to listen. I'm neither an advocate with a big mouth, nor a soft spoken person. However, I communicate by writing, and I haven't been communicating. So please, read write comment share, use smart phone to show your friends--anything..something! Something that makes them smile! Something that makes you laugh, something that you are <i>passionate</i> about in your true heart and soul.
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I'm very lopsided when it comes to technology, but it is indeed a large part of my life, so why not utilize it for the world to see, that is if anyone is watching! I got a camera about six months ago, and finally uploaded the picture. From inside my NOPA living room to Bolinas to Russia and back I hope to write in a photo essay manner, a window into my soul.
I love to travel and recently went to Russia. A land new to me, led around by the most gorgeous guide. I got to see a little piece of her, her history, her family and the area which she grew up in that led her to me. We also went mushroom hunting in her local forest, and scored big time! We hunted them, picked them and cooked them! So delicious! We also took a cat with us, Gagarin. Look for posts entitled, "1 (one) Cat to Russia," tying together the cat's escapades with our travels and fun stories.
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Mushroom Hunting in Russia:
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Also, on a more serious note, I want to dedicate the next lot of blog posts to my Aunt Carol, my cousins, Michelle, Nicole and Chris, my uncle Charlie, and all family and friends of Carol Simpson!
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Can we all read it and remember about compassion , love, positivity, nature and who positive thoughts have a direct positive influence in the Universe? There was a place special to all of us "Simpson's: called the Crazy "S." I want to relive those memories, growing up there I hope you see this Carol and realize that yes, I went to Russia, foraged wild mushrooms in the countryside and ate them! Yep, I eat all sorts of different things now--so maybe I'll write about those things!
If we can all direct our positivity towards Carol and her family we can provide the energy boost necessary to overcome and be able to laugh and play! I hope to rekindle some memories, bring back familiar scents and shed some love from San Francisco!
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.internationalvagabond.blogspot.com</div>Holistic Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07485237354960174866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139827.post-4656768360907289892012-04-16T23:56:00.003-07:002012-04-16T23:56:55.649-07:00Pisco on the RocksWith the exuberance and joy of a six year old, I find myself tending bar at a burning man art warehouse also home to Oro Pisco. There exists a deflated bouncy castle and Ferris wheel full of skeletons, an intelligent light cube that distracts even the most focused of the dumbfounded attendees. Synchronicities and paradoxes shake hands and we all think to ourselves, "What the fuck." But the Ferris wheels of life often need a little lubrication as do our bouncy castles. We can often feel nestled within our comfortable domain, living and doing some routine bullshit, until one day you finally decide to break out of your radius, hop on a bus to nowhere and blow up with your own hot air an inflatable house of mystery for all to bounce on...
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTZRN4yFcFQyH-luxH4WesLo29zOz0YkEQT5UvR7boSNuUdMbxz4V390Ub05nYKNosqOd19xkdKHNlR5J3JLKClNDkHB_4ddLJHlAbuR2gsVw6YBgiva8NbXtLQLU4P8mSYbnYA/s1600/IMG_1009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTZRN4yFcFQyH-luxH4WesLo29zOz0YkEQT5UvR7boSNuUdMbxz4V390Ub05nYKNosqOd19xkdKHNlR5J3JLKClNDkHB_4ddLJHlAbuR2gsVw6YBgiva8NbXtLQLU4P8mSYbnYA/s320/IMG_1009.JPG" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.internationalvagabond.blogspot.com</div>Holistic Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07485237354960174866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139827.post-55114343554812247962012-04-16T23:49:00.001-07:002012-04-16T23:49:26.619-07:00Verse Versus VerseVerse I
Devoid of public opinion larceny and slander, the once coveted member of society meticulously planned his immanent revenge. Held hostage by taxes and quarterly profits the lonely soul now became a vagabond on a voyage of a lifetime trying only to witness what some Buddhists call true suffering. For to witness and experience true suffering then one can really understand. Having employed evil and ridiculed Mignons for satire, his perturbed soul will look long and far for such misery--as they say though, misery finds company.
~Versus~
Verse II
Avidly seeking a simple place in this world where a decent human, well educated and quite intuitive can robustly compromise the capitalist system. Amidst the dawn of a new era in innovation and technology, considered as a true people person. Dwelling on past experience of world travel and touching poverty--the trash filled dirt sifting through my hands, only to find treasure within true happiness, but alas, having it grab me by the balls, toss me around on a violent spin cycle and come out fresh, wrinkled and hung out to dry. Those close pins pinch, but the hot sun and the afternoon breeze gallivanting through those nimble threads dries up any pain and energizes the vigor to button up once again and trudge into the deep waters of the cravenness abyss we call life. With a scent of fresh spring in the end we all iron out the wrinkles of fate and irony and become once again fit to wear in public, strut our stuff, attend soirees and articulate profound dialogue to top cunning linguists about truth in life. Because life is about truth, and there inlays the truth--happiness.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_7vk6mmkguoa1AmuZdW_QMAK2bXPuYjl6OZZOTfXXNdKwriteVpi0BeO7o3vB4SnNku4QqwZzZWDVR8o3AvFYpE5N3i_Ir-J_pn2u9a3Wf0q8O85dYLPx_GBZE1EigCDEckMqg/s1600/IMG_0942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_7vk6mmkguoa1AmuZdW_QMAK2bXPuYjl6OZZOTfXXNdKwriteVpi0BeO7o3vB4SnNku4QqwZzZWDVR8o3AvFYpE5N3i_Ir-J_pn2u9a3Wf0q8O85dYLPx_GBZE1EigCDEckMqg/s320/IMG_0942.jpg" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.internationalvagabond.blogspot.com</div>Holistic Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07485237354960174866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139827.post-83344625175227418022012-03-10T12:23:00.002-08:002012-03-10T12:23:52.607-08:00We Need to Reform EducationWatch this video!
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6jZHNjc4Xk0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.internationalvagabond.blogspot.com</div>Holistic Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07485237354960174866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139827.post-5419937797002301852012-01-18T20:38:00.000-08:002012-01-18T20:38:51.032-08:00My Transcendent Window: A VideoDo you have exactly two minutes?! Take a deep breath, relax and enjoy the zen of my 2 minute video: <i>My Transcendent Window:</i>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YXFt2SpHhrk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Thank you for watching, I hope you are more relaxed now.
-International Vagabond, SF CA 2011-2012<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.internationalvagabond.blogspot.com</div>Holistic Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07485237354960174866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139827.post-53327905290229722942012-01-18T19:07:00.000-08:002012-01-18T19:07:46.739-08:00A Spiritual Place<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Somewhere along the Big Sur coast along Highway 1, there is a little pull over gas station, a coffee shop. restaurant and a spiritual garden. The energy is good here, tucked away on the other side of the cliffs from the roaring Pacific Ocean. The cliffs, you took pictures of them at every pull-out along the Highway.
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You saw the cows grazing in the glorious meadows that overlook the ocean, felt the breeze finally reaching shore after traveling through the trees, rustling the leaves in a forest in Siberia, down the planes of Mongolia that altered the breeze from the butterfly that flapped its wings.
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This very wind, continues soaring through the Asian metropolises and across the endless ocean. It picks up speed as it reaches landfall, the waves crash along the shore and the breeze scurries up the cliff wall to pound you with the freshest air in the world as you exit your car door and scream a shriek of freedom, yeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
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Peace and Love from International Vagabond, California 2011-2012<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.internationalvagabond.blogspot.com</div>Holistic Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07485237354960174866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139827.post-8043266010352800092012-01-06T13:08:00.000-08:002012-01-18T18:51:39.182-08:00My Transcendent Window: An EssayIn the morning, almost directly out of bed, I make my coffee. Sometimes I jolt out of bed thinking I've slept in too long, the tea kettle is full and whistling, like a locomotive arriving at a small town in Nebraska, yes, I have that obnoxious Alessi kettle. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFMBFaoBhOZJvKtqPiHKwuXSigx3zC3jHE_idUJoVuCrfgMmn5VwgjLSLdHZyuP_yP06FG2iFfmEIbfdkdZsQKK7mzK_zu-Fkj-zFRhknj2rCYzHz1yVzw-Om1j-F707LhCyVNg/s1600/IMG_0197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFMBFaoBhOZJvKtqPiHKwuXSigx3zC3jHE_idUJoVuCrfgMmn5VwgjLSLdHZyuP_yP06FG2iFfmEIbfdkdZsQKK7mzK_zu-Fkj-zFRhknj2rCYzHz1yVzw-Om1j-F707LhCyVNg/s320/IMG_0197.jpg" /></a></div> If you don't have an Alessi fetish like I do, the kettle provides the hot water maker with two tones of boiling alarms similar to that of 1860 freight engines. If you don't get there in time it drowns out the sirens, buses and banter from outside any busy urban intersection. I work as a bartender at nights, and have my days free to write. Hire me, and I'll write it, say it, sell it, blog it, and create it into whatever your needs may be--or not and let me dissolve into the masses like everyone else, holding my flag of "living the dream" high and planting it in my studio apartment rooftop compost bin.
My flag waves vigorously on the border between Western Addition and Nopa, blanching the neighborhood with tasteless fear. I've ground the coffee and rigged my primitive get up ready for the obnoxious boiling water to be poured flawlessly over the old school filter and holder system I have. Maybe its a lack of space in my "sunny" apartment, maybe its because I'm somewhat old fashioned or maybe its because I've bought at least 6 different coffee machines in my life and they all sucked and somehow I don't have one anymore. Nevertheless, its probably a combination of these factors that unite to produce my current cup of deliciously bold, italic and underlined coffee. This semi compulsive but not nearly obsessive and yet a bit simplistically intricate method of preparing coffee has become a current trend in San Francisco. But really, is brewing your cup of coffee one cup at a time really a trend? My dad used to make it this way in the middle of the Windrivers with a gas stove and a frying pan, battered and rationed grounds from the bottom of his 67 pound backpack 8 miles into the middle of the wilderness. However, this philosophy, in San Francisco, as far as trends are concerned, allegedly, started by Phil of Philz coffee. As a long time coffee fanatic, not surprisingly Philz one of the first places I went to when I moved to SF. Yes, 97% of the reason I moved to SF was because I was certain they had good coffee, and good coffee shops. This is not lie. After Philz I used to treck my way to Ritual in the mission, with their coffee mug and logo that seems to resemble the hammer a sickle, this revolutionary coffee was idyllic; from their short espressos that taste like a bowl of peeled citrus to their $5.25 quadruple mochas, tattooed baristas and foreign money on the wall. I should have wrote a coffee manifesto there, but I wasn't cool enough then, and now I work across the street and am probably even less cool. I might have been cool enough when I became unemployed and couldn't afford those mochas and "citrusy" espressos, but would scrounge up some BART money and find a corner to sit in and write, all day, and not search for work. I remember, during those unemployed times we all took part in circa 2007-2008, I treated myself to a Ritual mocha on my birthday/. I took it and sat in Dolores park, maybe it was a Monday, or a Tuesday, never-the-less the park wasn't saturated with the Sunday crowd, moreover, sprinkled with the "industry" crowd, and at this point in time there wasn't much industry because it was 2007 and we were all more or less unemployed. I sat on that grassy knoll and saw a man down the hill on the other side of the sidewalk, his inner light shining. I finished my coffee, took my shoes off to feel the earth and meditated. A phone call from my dad interrupted my transcendence, but because it was my birthday, I answered. He wished me happy birthday and I assured him the job search was going well--it wasn't. I was enjoying myself as a true vagabond, blossoming in some sort of new age spirituality that I was just starting to comprehend. I had just healed my broken foot with herbs, salts, meditation and healing touch and was certain spirituality could conquer capitalism, it didn't.
From my Transcendent Divisadero corner window, I have strategically placed an Ikea shelf on the window sill and watch the flawless camaraderie of neighborhood shopkeepers, distributors and enjoy this view of utmost "cititude" of the quaint urban atmosphere this humble abode has provided for me. In order to achieve this living space, I've developed a strong work ethic in an industry that coincides with my lifestyle very well. As a San Francisc
o barkeep, my job stretches two neighborhoods, I talk to over 300 people a week, concoct more than 400 cocktails, entertain diners, create libations, organize glassware, count money and provide change. "Change always comes from within," a poker player buddy (also a bartender) always told me. Change does come from within, sometimes, for me at least, within the cash register and sometimes, after a good cup of home brewed coffee one cup at a time, change can come from within your soul.
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Photo by Nikolay Zverkov check him out at: <a href="http://nomoney-nolove.livejournal.com/">http://nomoney-nolove.livejournal.com</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.internationalvagabond.blogspot.com</div>Holistic Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07485237354960174866noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139827.post-54197367009198095142011-12-29T22:17:00.001-08:002011-12-29T22:32:16.105-08:00A little time off...Spiritualism..."Clarity at its finest..."To all those forgotten blogs, blogposts and procrastinated individuals...This may be a letter to myself...So many blogs that I leave neglected with videos that don't fit the formatting of the page. broken links, misspellings, unedited articles, unmonitored crap, but does someone really stumble across this? And if so, what do they think, damn, this guy should have really controlled his thoughts more, or, damn this guy has some good thoughts here and there, too bad he can;t seem to develop his clarity. <br /><br />Ahhh, clarity, so many professors told me to focus on my clarity. Concise.<br /><br />What about conscience thought?<br /><br />What about unconscious thought?<br /><br />What about spiritual thoughts that manifest themselves through my words, on pages for all to see? Or for only me to see. In a form of unedited nonsensical patterns, words and phrases...lost in the digital world, its so cut and dry here, you have to speak its code for it to understand you correctly. But we have to embrace our world and this moment. Right now is truly the moment we are in, to think is to manifest energy into the Universe...from one energy to the next, evolving lifetimes, millions and billions of years, infinite travel, the Universe is all ABUNDANT and AROUND US! It is engulfing us in its infinite vortex! <br /><br />The world is manifesting with protests, and awakenings happening at an alarming rate, but seriously, why did it take this long? The Earth is Evolving.<br /><br />How the hell come isn't there renewable energy for all? How the hell come we can't all just get along? <br /><br />Utopian ideas don;t work because power corrupts.<br /><br />Does history repeat itself?<br /><br />Do we learn from our mistakes?<br /><br />Does anyone really know a TRUE history?<br /><br />Tap into your collective energy and let history guide you through the present into a Beautiful Future! <br /><br />Literature and Books!<br /><br />Handwritten letters!<br /><br />Poetry written in sand as the waves wash it up into its infinite depth as the tide slowly erases a distant memory, an insight to life expressed for the simple cause to live in the moment and let nature take its course.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXag_K-_LmKBIYjteOJQZIVmTgwh8He_MOx9N3VxGja0reYrO3BfhZE3w2AseO7izl1cNZGhnEXM5398h9EnpKVJ-_uyozwcwDRBUiOMp11usS-PLGeu074rutuSzARcXudY6WgA/s1600/shane-mcadams-ballpoint-pen-2-576x579.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 318px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXag_K-_LmKBIYjteOJQZIVmTgwh8He_MOx9N3VxGja0reYrO3BfhZE3w2AseO7izl1cNZGhnEXM5398h9EnpKVJ-_uyozwcwDRBUiOMp11usS-PLGeu074rutuSzARcXudY6WgA/s320/shane-mcadams-ballpoint-pen-2-576x579.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691805407862171698" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.internationalvagabond.blogspot.com</div>Holistic Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07485237354960174866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139827.post-57808394576205166022011-06-23T10:53:00.000-07:002013-10-11T22:01:26.694-07:00Slow Money and Slow Food Make Communites GrowAuthor Anna Lappe will be at Point Reyes Books on Saturday July 2 at 10:00 talking about her latest book, <span style="font-style:italic;">Diet for a Hot Planet: The Climate Crisis at the End of Your Fork and What You Can Do About It. </span> <br /><br />Get inspired by <a href="http://slowmoney.org">slow money </a>and make the Slow Money Principle: We must bring money back down to earth. <br /><br /><iframe width="260" height="89" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Hp4NiLhm7Tk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.internationalvagabond.blogspot.com</div>Holistic Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07485237354960174866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139827.post-83028293128064514812011-03-22T12:35:00.000-07:002011-03-22T12:39:35.950-07:00The World RevolvesA poem by Trent Hartman submitted to Trans Fair USA in hopes of winning a $10,000 grant. See link to page below.<br /><br />Over-saturated Markets <br />Create overproduction plethora.<br />Our world, not a third world.<br />Malingered with courage--<br />Interlaced with harmonious beauty.<br />We are constructs of interconnected<br />Trade routes--<br />In search of...<br />Fairness.<br /><br />To submit your own poem <a href="http://www.fairtradeusa.org/get-involved/blog/fair-trade-poetry-contest#comment-form">click</a> <br /><br /><img src=http://www.fairtradeusa.org/sites/all/themes/fairtradeusa/logo.png><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.internationalvagabond.blogspot.com</div>Holistic Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07485237354960174866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139827.post-35301806740199956422011-02-07T11:51:00.000-08:002011-12-29T22:36:09.508-08:00'Spiritulismo' PoetryI engaged 'upone' a spiritual voyage<br />Spiraling deep into the unknown real<br />Energies and synchronicities<br />Emergencies obsolete<br />Opaque worlds disappear into transparent illusions<br />Shadows cast upon languages lost<br />Upheaval in traditional society<br />I transform my reality <br />Into whatever I want it to be.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2lC9L-kWM9NSg7G9qfKJ3vYyhhSL8RWCTNtcDnTId29cbnkRX7LWkkpMolrzr0dCNCgbuPgMjF8od0lu0olr8bam2KlPRTBuNUMcuXG7ZYLCL6ny6s5YFeUuHi0fkMT7c11uHg/s1600/IMG_0034_2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2lC9L-kWM9NSg7G9qfKJ3vYyhhSL8RWCTNtcDnTId29cbnkRX7LWkkpMolrzr0dCNCgbuPgMjF8od0lu0olr8bam2KlPRTBuNUMcuXG7ZYLCL6ny6s5YFeUuHi0fkMT7c11uHg/s320/IMG_0034_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691806403952536514" /></a><br /><br /><br />trent hartman<br />2011<br />SF, CA<br />DIvisadero<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.internationalvagabond.blogspot.com</div>Holistic Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07485237354960174866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139827.post-87978232349616942962011-01-11T10:55:00.000-08:002018-11-10T20:50:08.063-08:00Serious Synchronicities 1/11/11Its about to be 11:11 am here in San Francisco, CA on January 1, 2011.<br />
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Can be written: 11:11 1/11/11<br />
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That's a lot of ones!<br />
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Make a wish, we are in a fantastic time, keep your energy positive and your dreams alive! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1a6o8OZMWEMjjgKur50e2ox0mM06YLTusyV1SKTQPkAkKiJg5TZlondhkFMPPz8xV7ApJsK2SGdG9SIOfqIMUAFDm3NNPd3sLkoGLKzgS52TN1_c7k7A2j0Zsddf8fDFgTBpUg/s1600/168374_798794123064_5307507_43441284_2142380_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561005645401118930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1a6o8OZMWEMjjgKur50e2ox0mM06YLTusyV1SKTQPkAkKiJg5TZlondhkFMPPz8xV7ApJsK2SGdG9SIOfqIMUAFDm3NNPd3sLkoGLKzgS52TN1_c7k7A2j0Zsddf8fDFgTBpUg/s320/168374_798794123064_5307507_43441284_2142380_n.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.internationalvagabond.blogspot.com</div>Holistic Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07485237354960174866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139827.post-71959417274011182812011-01-08T17:45:00.001-08:002011-01-08T17:45:53.752-08:00Retrograde Free...Live Free!"We enter 2011 in a magical time-space. On December 29th 2010 Mercury went direct in the center of the galaxy in the constellation of Sagittarius. This means that for the first time since 1997 we have no retrogrades. So for the last 14 years there has been resistance, challenge, or obstacle in our lives on one level or another. We enter this New Year free from resistance. According to Mark Borax, author of Soul Level Astrology that 20 degrees Sagittarius is all about “Changing Water into Wine”. This sets the gateway for 2011, the year that ushers in 2012 to be quite auspicious. The Mayan Culture called the time after 2012, a time of co-creation. During this month without retrogrades we will be given a dress rehearsal for co-creation and be able to see and experience the true essence of magic and personal freedom. A good thing to do at this time is to remember where you were in 1997 and advance yourself from that point of memory. This is a gateway to personal freedom. Accept it! Allow it! So Be it!"<br /><br /><br />-International Vagabond is mobile! Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /> <br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.internationalvagabond.blogspot.com</div>Holistic Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07485237354960174866noreply@blogger.com0