The Audacity of Nobility

I have two options: I can go back to sleep, or I can rise to face and conquer the mountains of my life. I've been loafing, wafting, adrift at sea, awaiting a moment of destiny or some great revelation to bring me to my knees. I haven't found what I wanted. Though, I haven't been trying. I've let myself become victim to my fear and anxiety. I've been settling for mediocre at best, refusing to come face to face with those things that I feel are most important for me to embrace. I've lived by and large more sheltered and depressed than adventurous and optimistic for a good few years now. I can't stomach it any more. I can't bear to watch the beauty and love and people I hold most dear pass me by as I make my home in a box off the beaten road. This simply will not do. Perhaps I've been dealt some unfavorable hands in my 22 years so far. What reason does that give me to believe my "luck" has run dry? I've been blessed by so much, yet I've chosen to forget those things which brighten my heart. Living in a self made drought of love, I let fear rule me and weed be my crutch to hobble through this shadowed valley. For any bridges I have burnt or hearts I've rubbed the wrong way, I apologize to the depths of my soul. It was never personal, but it was all my person. I haven't believed in myself and I lost faith in all else.

My father was irrational. His tendancy to become entirely irate given the most miniscule of circumstances taught me to tread as lightly as I could and avoid any and all confrontation. This has bleed into me refusing to confront myself and, more epically, I fear emotional confrontation. Love I have down-pat. Passion burns in the deep of my heart. But I've come to severely undervalue sharing it with others. This isn't all due to my dad, and fear isn't the only thing he taught me. My dad was admirable in his steadfast (often foolish) dedication to his values. He lived to serve as best he knew, and from that I know can draw inspiration. In 2009, he dropped a bomb that rocked my world and shook my perception of reality. His past was always a mysterious shroud. All mystery was blown to the wind when he decided to become a woman that summer. Little did I know, this had been a hidden desire of his for the near 60 years of his life. His struggle with it almost ended him in his early 20s. Other things were in store, though. In the coming decades, he made his bed with Christianity and with my mother. While I can't agree with their passionless relationship (one that didn't make sense to me for so long, yet I never questioned it until this final piece fell right into my lap), I am more thankful than anything that their paths brought me here.

This is my paradox: my dad, who wasn't your traditional father by any means, raised me to hold true to my convictions and then, in the third act, brought the greatest irony possible into the story of my life. Since then I have witnessed him, once James Conners, now Jane Ireland, become more passionate and loving than I have known him to be for my entire existence. What then do I learn from this? A little bit everyday, but I can say I have learned that if you refuse to be yourself and follow your passions then you are doing the world a grand dis-service.

To deny your heart is to deny your life. I've been denying my joy of life. Moving from state to state, job to job, going through the motions and avoiding heartfelt connections because I don't want to lose something that I hold dear. It's almost a selfish downward spiral. The fear of having to let go kept me from holding on. So I drifted into the stars and watched the world turn 'round. I'm done being a passive observer. I came to the understanding right around the time that my dad came out that the world wasn't all rainbows and ponies. I knew there was hurt and deception, but I had previously turned a blind eye, thinking that society as a whole was in good hands here. As a whole, we have been missing a picture. A very important one.

Our consumer mindsets have drowned us in the here-and-now demand culture that we live in. While it still goes on, with every day the fact that something is wrong becomes more evident. From banks manipulating our financial stability to neighbors putting up fences that grow higher and higher. I'm no exception. The walls I have built are near impervious. Though I can't deny the beams of light that still managed to cut through. The problem with living behind a wall is that even when light dawns on your face, the best you can do is peer through the cracks.

I was born in 1989. That year a famous wall representing opression, fear and restraint was desolated in Berlin. Expression was free to run rampant throughout the streets. No longer was the grass greener on the other side. I'm done with the other side nonsense. This is my side, and this is the most glorious side known beyond man-kind.

My dad had the audacity to take a step that, from his world, was strictly forbidden. This step that's colored in shades of grey has brought undeniable color. For that, I commend him. Jane Ireland, I'm happy your steps have brought me, I'm displeased that you mistreated me, I undesrtand you did what you believed was right, and I commend you for being so noble as to step outside the box in pursuit of your dreams.

To my mother: I hold the deepest and most sincere awe of your love, compassion, dedication, and stead-fastness. You have an iron will grown from soils of pure love. You're beautiful and your sacrifice is more noble than all the epics of the past combined.

This brings me to now. The close of 2011, a week from Christmas. I'll have plenty of time to rest later. I'm a fan of adventure, love, and all that is magnificent in the world. I'm going to settle for nothing but celebrating each day of my life and each encounter I have from now on. I walked in love once, I never left that path, but I sure took a note from Rip Van Winkle along the way. I'm lacing up my shoes and embracing the world once more, eager to show that even the darkest shadow needs its light.

Hold on to your hats ladies and gentlefellows. Gabriel Evan Conners is back. I don't have all the answers, but I'm not letting that stop me. Perfection is unique.

I went searching for a homeless man.

I went searching for homeless man. I wound up joining the army. Well, the salvation army. I've been searching, rather, yearning for some time in life. I was wounded by life's trials and I hadn't found the courage to accept the world as I found it and my actions along the way. I wanted my answer to just waltz into my life. I've discovered that you're never going to find what you're looking for by sitting around or sticking to your usual routine. If you find yourself lacking, go find your luster.

I'm moving to Colorado in a week. From the plains of Oklahoma, this is quite the marvelous change in scenery. My move, ever-so timely with the awakening of my desire and passion, is beyond symbolic. This winter will usher forth the most resilient season of my life!

The adventures I will have and the things I will discover will be the stuff of legends. I have no desire to live my life as anything but epic so I shan't. For too long I have dealt on the negative things from my past. For so long was I distracted that I found myself underground, shaded from the light of the beauty of the world. I see myself in Plato's eyes, a man emerging from a cave, stumbling from the light, and coming to... To feel the rushing wind and realise he's on the side of a mountain. Talk about epiphany, can you see?

I found the homeless man. And I gave him bread, mac and cheese (still warm!) and a cookie. :)

Love the world--save the world

Once upon a fancy plate

I found a delicious meal. French chicken, asparagus, balsamic glaze... my mouth waters. Water, which has been lacking from these lands for some time. Thankfully we've had some rain recently, though it came in heavy waves and definitely did not linger long enough. A tease here and there, amidst the blazing sun a sprinkle treats our hate of heat. Though with enough heart we press through the desert looking forward to when fall will bring forth the delightful dessert: cool weather. Golden leaves, the crisp smell of earth and apples wafting from the orchard. This is bliss. As for the summer, well... hell is a stretch but it might not be far off. At least for my car #noairconditioning. I take two shirts to work. One to wear on the way, one to wear when I get there. Oh the wonders of sweat.

Speaking of sweat in the blistering heat, props go to those who live each day working in this weather. I'm putting my hands to the plow here and I'm forging new earth, making way for a season of fruitful birth. I'm working at Panera Bread, seeing how long it takes me to move up and conquer some parts of that company. I'm also going back to the grindstone of academia, starting classes at TCC here within the week. This marks a momentous occasion for me seeing as I left my academic career burning down in flames when I took my leave from OSU. We will see what fruit will bear from my adventures. I can tell you now it's going to be delicious and I will stack it all nice and neat and serve it upon a fancy plate for all to eat. Scrumdiddlyumptious!

Ciao!

via de la café

A good morning and day to all! I come to you out of warm spirits of that ancient and delightful beverage... coffee. Here I sit, sipping from a shot in the dark, which happens to be right on mark! In short time I'll make my way to the Sweet Basil, a nice Thai place here in town where I'm working. The princeton review is supposed to call me today, it seems I may have a job teaching ACT stuff, which is pretty neato seeing as they pay around 20/hour.

I've been thinking about a wealth of things lately... nothing unusual, but I just might shed light on some various mysteries of the world... only in time, though, for duty, in her sweet call, beckons my hand in dance.

Ciao!

New Poat

In the spirit of typos, I have typed many "o"s in my life. ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

There ^ are a few more for your enjoyment!

I've come out of two weeks of tons of work, though half of it was just training and because of the specific employment status I have I wont get paid for it :/. BUT, now I get to work and, in fact, WILL be getting paid money. Yes, currency in the form of US dollars will be awarded to me for my time working for Micahtek. Yay for liquid resources. I'd rather have a host of other things, but the way things work these days I need money to get certain things done, and there are certain things I need to get done.

I now am, more or less, liberated for the time being. In celebration of freedom, I present to you a little poem of I scribed recently:

Ages past

Yearnings repressed                      

Passion regressed

Overcast mess…                                              

A spark *

Hope dances on the horizon.

I follow loves lead

Pushing through                              

Breaking out

I stumble, meet the dirt once more        

My heart says my home isn’t on the floor

These hands are stronger than before

But, just as a man emerging from a cave

The light so blinding set me in a daze

Feeling the truth

           I let it lift me up

With eyes readjusted

           Brushed the dirt off my cuff       

Little did I know

           I was on a mountain

Vision expanded

           Around me, light abounding

My essence is united

I cannot deny this:          

The dawning of Love.

~~~~~~~~
I'm also branching out a bit and venturing over to the land of tumblr to see what glories it may hold. See/follow
redcobbler.tumblr.com if you're so inclined!

A blog

It seems high time for a new blog! So here, without further delay, is red cobbler delight! The snow has faded and I have once more fallen in love with spring-time weather, though we are back in a colder spell for the time being... but by no means is it too cold. Not at all! It looks like we'll be seeing some rain in a few days, which is wondrous. I do love the liquid life source as it precipitates from on high. Speaking of rain, I wrote an ode yesterday. Well, I wrote two odes yesterday. But the one currently on topic is:

Ode to Rain
I lay, awaiting the downpour
I found it on the horizon
I saw it move through the sky
Now I feel it in the air
It reigns the atmosphere
To usher forth an outpour clear
Cleansing, refreshing, renewing is its call
My body, the earth, welcomes this purifying fall...
I await to waltz with this glorious rain!


I do love the rain, it tends to bring such a magical touch to the world. So far as my place on this world goes, I am setting up camp in Tulsa for the time being. I had some ideas to migrate to Bixby and move to OKC by march but stepping back and widening my gaze from a financial standpoint has changed my plans. How I dislike being bound by economical matters. However, things are on the up and up with my fiscal ventures, for I now have two jobs and will, before long, have three streams of income. My roots will rejoice and the trees will blossom forth in stupendous wonder!  I will no longer be playing chess with only pawns and a king.

Speaking of pawns, let's talk about fawns. Or maybe just... goats! We're at it again, this time our Canadian friends, with the help of University of Wyoming, have raised a mutant spider-goat!!!! It's not quite as bad as it sounds, though it is rather odd. Spiders happen to produce an incredibly durable fiber that mankind has been drooling over for ages. This company has figured out how to combine one spider gene with a goat to create a spider-silk-milk producing goat that will fuel an industrial revolution of super strength lightweight fibers. Click the goat for a bbc article over the chaps.

Day 2 of the two week training for my new job is on the doorstep. I plan on having a good night's rest for it. I bid your night be full of dreams so sweet and your day as dazzling as the shining sea!

Love,
Gabriel

Working / out / to south Tulsa / to OKC

Alright now, lets get down to the dirty business. Sweat stains. Yup, I said it. White work undershirts never have been so very unbecoming. In another world perhaps I would celebrate them. Let's take a journey into that realm for a moment. Oh dear discolored spots! Your marks of labor and grand perseverance! I commend you this day, today I mark as a memorial to your great essence, your sweet perfume of glory and splendor! Here I stand, wielding you proudly, high atop the mounts I raise my arms to the sky and parade you before the world; may all look upon you and know your fantastical beauty. You're a trophy of all that I have striven to accomplish, whether under the beating sun or fighting the cold weather beading down upon the ground. I celebrate your magnificence!

Soon I'm going to start adding borders or
something to my pictures... they need a little pizazz

While we're dancing around the subject, let's take a look at a nifty device for working out. This will tone your abs, upper more than lower but it still gets the lower abs, upper pectoral, shoulder traps, triceps and the nice mid-lower back. It's brilliantly simple and the genius is due to my brother, Benjamin Conners. If you want to see it in live action, observe. You basically just grab both ends, stand on your knees, and extend forward so you're almost prostrate then pull back in. The weights act as wheels. Anything with wheels will do, or even a wine bottle would work (a bit awkwardly, though). This thing will eat you up!


So I'm now working on my resume, I've got to adorn this baby with some of my glorious achievements. Regarding employment, I was supposed to talk to a certain Carol at Starbucks in Utica Square yesterday, but as things unfolded she didn't make it in, leaving me hanging until another day. Now this got me thinking... I'm working at Polo Grill right now in the evenings, though business just isn't quite cutting it. Granted, the weather has an entirely large role in this fact, but it wasn't quite working before this snowpocalypse either. At this point, the place is tying down my evenings when I could be working on a much more fiscally productive level elsewhere. I have an open door into a company down in south south Tulsa (Micahtek), and there is also a new Target that just opened up in Bixby. These, together with an offer to stay in a house right on the banks of the Arkansas River, seem too fruitful to pass by. My strategy for getting to OKC is now shifting to south Tulsa and is getting kicked up to overdrive.

Well Gabe, what might be driving you with such intensity to get down there, you may ask? The most beautiful gem to have ever shown her face in the history, past present and future, of the universe, I say! Yes, a gem... more specifically, I'd say an Emerald. The purest Emerald. An Emerald that is so brilliant and marvelous she can emit her very own light. A light that transcends all the known spectrum and shines into eternity! And by this Emerald, this gem, I do mean a woman. A beautiful woman who puts other women to shame, though she would never in an eon intend it to happen. It's sort of a side-effect, if you will, of being so very beautiful. She bubbles inspiration from the depths of my heart and mind and let it be known that I even have plans to raise OKC to greatness while there.

Be excited and go play in the snow! (If you have it, that is... if not, get some ice from the freezer and pretend it's a brick from a miniature ice castle. See if that helps :)

- Gabriel

...The music floats on the breeze...

Good day wonderful people traversing the internets! I sincerely hope your travels are of a joyous and uplifting nature. Last night I headed down to Bixby to spend some time with a good friend/family of mine, though not before running through Utica Square and catching some free coffee from my wonderful baristas at Starbucks. The trip was marvelous and enlightening as usual, I'd especially like to note a billboard I passed in downtown Tulsa...

I've got nothing against a nice pair of shoes... but you know, if this is where PSO thinks our priorities should be, I think Oklahoma needs a new public service company. A toast to new, less expensive energy! Perhaps, dare I say, free energy??

From time to time, I like to direct my energy to ventures of a culinary nature. My most recent creation was my breakfast this morning. However, my breakfast isn't very enthralling so instead I'll present to you an idea for a delicious sandwich/portabella burger. We start with bun of choice, or maybe a red leaf lettuce wrap. The sauce I'm thinking will be avocado based, perhaps involving some hummus (this is an experiment, mind you). Nextly comes the grilled portabella mushroom, lightly soaked in some balsamic vinegar and maybe a little citrus edge for good measure. Roasted red pepper should also be added. Beyond this I'm not too sure, maybe some caramelized onions, those go good with everything. The creation is dynamic enough already, so I'd try it out and see where to go from there. Delicious.

Backpedaling to coffee and things of a delicious nature, I believe I may be under the employment of Starbucks in the near future. This is an essential step in achieving my glorious destination of Oklahoma City and laying conquest to the southern lands. More on that to come. And now? Polo time.

Apparently we are getting another storm system tomorrow (Tuesday) evening. Don't let the cold winds blow out your flame! Stay warm and share the fire by loving both yourself and others.

Ciao!

Gabriel

Snow bound Love

Yesterday I embarked on an epic journey throughout snow-ridden Tulsa. Along the way I encountered many a fallen vehicle to Winter's prowess, pictured here is but one of the accolades this snow fall has acquired. Safe to say, someone didn't get their milk today. (It's a Borden Milk truck) I imagine Tulsa residents can live without their leche for a few days, though after a stroll through multiple food stores it is evident that people like their eggs, bananas, and toilet paper. I almost think a small country could be run off the three of those.


In conquering the lands, I fulfilled both my pent-up desire for adventure and an errand run, as I returned with necessities to frivolities ranging from drinking water to gin! Speaking of gin, I'll be back. And back I am, colorfully intense drink in hand. Now seems a suitable and necessary time to toast, so foremost here's a cheers to love, ever deserving of praise and admiration! A second toast to innovation and new exciting ventures. I've been having a host of inspirations as of late and I see that the government is doing something to prepare for the creative forces that are bursting forth about the country. A 'Startup America' alliance has been formed, backed by Obama and marked with the brand of such big companies as IBM, Intel, HP, AOL, and Facebook. The gist seems to be for the companies to pour millions into an incubator fund and Facebook is taking a good step in organizing jump starting events across the states. Smart Planet Blog - Startup America. I've been thinking about entrepreneurial incubators and I feel we're on to something here; I'm very glad to see Facebook involved.

While the snows of life may slow you down, never stop venturing for that which your heart yearns. In celebration of this season and all those lovers yearning for their respective loves, I present to you both an awesome picture over which I claim no ownership and this little piece I just crafted:





Season's Love, An Ode of the Heart... for February

This month sees the cold fall of snow. As Winter's majestic hand beckons the earth sleep below a spotless throw. Though through this hibernation the heart of earth resonates, its pulse drums anticipation like the Egyptian nation.
Now when this cool-temped temptress lifts her kiss, the world rejoices at the sheer magnificence of the Sun's bliss. She casts her rays of untainted love to every mount, man and shrub. The earth springs forth in holy green glory as my heart radiates from the beauty she emanates.
Oh what marvelous light!
That surrenders my heart and renders my soul to the ground.
The wind: her graceful walk, caresses my spirit with each wispful step.
The sun: her grin, her smile redirects the flow of the Nile and brings life to a once barren land. The trees rise, their aged wisdom clearing a path to the skies. I look up-
-Suddenly,
I'm face to face.
The purest Beauty is known in this place.

- Gabriel

Sugar in the Raw

Welcome to the realm of snow. Here, her cool arms envelop the earth in a light-hearted embrace; each delicate crystal finds its place amidst the others in an interlocking blanket of seamless white fluff. My photojournalism is quite under-par for a rich and gorgeous snow of this magnitude, but to show the half-day accumulation I have placed a stool in the clean fall o'er yonder sidewalk. As you can see, roughly 10 inches mark what I am considering to be about the average low level, but some areas (especially drifts around cars) saw at least 5 feet!

Shifting to an area where snow is hardly seen, Egypt is still in unrest as protesters press to reach 1 million in Tahrir square. Pro-Present Government protesters have moved into the square, screwing up the orderly protests and instigating scrimmages in the streets.



This picture has been deemed epic and will be on display for your viewing pleasure. Egypt, Tahir Square (Cairo)









I am on a quest of employment, morning to be specific. I believe starbucks may find its way into my list of employers very soon... News from the home front is in somewhat of a stasis beyond that, especially characterized by the snow drifts in between my apartment and the road. To compensate for some energy lost to the snowy hibernation, I am indulging in a French press of a dark and decent French roast coffee. The Press (roughly ground coffee that sits in boiling water for a few minutes before filtering) is one of the best ways to brew your coffee. You get a depth and smoothness of flavor that drip machines lack.

Speaking of coffee and things that may accompany it, todays title is a tribute to the pure and golden sugar cane sweetness. A packet of this beautiful substance made its way into my wallet. It floated in there on the wings of a baroque violin concerto; or the wings of an angel, at least.



Ciao,
Gabriel

A siren in the night

Attention all travelers through the cobbler! This marks the first post of my computer's new era. Having passed through fire and water and after battling from the lowest dungeons to highest peaks, now emerges Inspiron the White. It threw down the enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside!

I've been frequenting the river-walk near my residence.  Along the way I took a hazy portrait of the Public Service Company of Oklahoma across the Arkansas River:








Also, an EMS was about the night on life-saving duties, here is a brief capture of this stallion as she meets the night head on in a fury of light and sound:

Speaking of emergency services, how about Egypt? There is some intense calamity over in that region, and I feel as if the beast that is rearing its head there right now is only the tip of a rather expansive iceberg. The coming days will prove quite intriguing in how they develop. Mubarak (the president of Egypt) has said he is having the government resign and he'll make a new one today, Saturday. This guy must be pretty good to make a new government in a day... but is he not a pivotal part of the former (bad?) government?
I note that China is restricting broadcasts and news concerning the antics in Egypt. Such a seed let loose in China could prove unhealthy to their government.    


I've been working to plant new seeds and expand a number of things in my life recently, included on the "list," if you will, are reading materials and exposure to sources of inspiration.

Pictured here are some of my most recent acquisitions, two of the authors came with good recommendation by my uncle, I like what I've seen so far. 

Blink, by Malcolm Gladwell, is quite the interesting journey. The premise of the work is based on the essentially instantaneous judgments/conclusions the mind will arrive at without "intentional" conscious thought and contemplation, your discernment of sorts. It is a testament to the power and effectiveness of split-second decision making as compared to drawn out contemplation. Though I haven't read past the first chapter, I find his approach rational and fantastical enough to carry on.

America (the book) is essentially Jon Stewart's Comedy Central show in book form, concerning most things political, historical, and cultural of America. It's hilarious and I'm loving it. Compliments of Ray Roscoe Crawford III. 

I mentioned the da Vinci purchase earlier, though here you can see and behold it!

Ron Chernow is a celebrated biographer and his work over Alexander Hamilton was quite revered among historical and literary circles. I had read a smidgen of his Hamilton book and so decided to seize an opportunity to pick up this monument to Washington for enlightenment.

I leave you now with my thoughts to chew on and my heart to love!

Gabriel

Magnets da Vinci

Good day fellow travelers of the interweb! In keeping with my celebrations of hand-eye coordination, today I performed a brilliant skillet flip of over-easy eggs. It was bellissimo!

Whilst doing my laundry, I came across an article about how many Tulsa-area school boards are suing our Attorney General, Scott Pruitt, for directing public school funds to send disabled peoples to private schools. This is interesting, I would think the funds should go specifically to improving the public sector's means of accommodating disabled persons, especially as the disabled population isn't going anywhere.
Perhaps initial investments may seem more costly than utilizing the private options, but the long run will prove the success of our public system if we act towards it. We'll never see our systems evolve if we don't give into them. Just because our financial system is screwed up doesn't mean we should live in fear of (smart) investing, speaking in general, this will only pull us further away from the future and regress our economy to the point of implosion. That's how I feel, at least.
< Scott Pruitt, Attorney General of Oklahoma




Speaking of feelings, let's talk about romance. Magnetism is quite a unique thing, who you're drawn to, what you're drawn to, and some venture to wonder... why you're drawn. Let's not argue with magnetism, rather, let us discuss it. I really just used romance and feelings as a segue, sorry to those wanting to delve into matters of the heart :/. I've been thinking about magnets lately. There exists extensive untapped potential with magnets and electromagnetic forces that I'm 100% convinced will play pivotal roles in the explosion of energy "producing" (more like harnessing) technology. We'll say magnets are the shoulders of the energy revolution! Be excited. They also are going to be involved with innovative mass transit systems. This is something that will be very handy.

I need to set my hand to fixing up this place, layouts, graphics, gizmos and gadgets, etc. Soon enough Red Cobbler will flourish with a brilliant display! In the mean time, thanks for putting up with the clouds ;).

Oh, I was about the town on some errands and I came across a book sale. Naturally I chose to peruse the shelves/disheveled floor space of this little establishment and I found and purchased an old volume on Leonardo da Vinci; it should make for a grandfully enlightening read.



Revel in the glory of each day, love the wind as it caresses your face, take hold of the beauty you find and don't let it go. Now is the time for you pick up your feet and dance with the sun. We haven't a moment to lose, take my hand and we'll waltz until we fly!

Love,
Gabriel




.

I think

it is time for my second post. I just committed the most excellent execution of throwing away a grape. An underhand toss behind my back , bouncing the grape beautifully off this little nook between the cabinet and door edge resulting with a perfect parabolic ricochet into the trashcan below! How much of that was planned and how much happened by other genius mechanisms will forever remain a mystery. However, we do know it happened and it was magical!

I've been thinking about many things lately. One of them being the dissent in Ivory Coast.This Alassane fellow seems to have won the public election fair and square and Mr. Gbagbo (incumbent) is refusing to give up power. This situation is enough in and of itself. What I don't get is why Alassane would support a ban on exporting a good that fulfills 1/3 of the global demand for said good, Cocoa (chocolate beans). Cote d'Ivoires number one export is Cocoa, this would undoubtedly harm the economy to the same degree it will harm Gbagbos income, which is the target. It just seems a tad over machiavellian for the guy of the people to do. If I had the money, I would watch and see if the market value for chocolate companies dropped as a response and then I'd invest in them.

Alassane Ouwattara

Laurent Gbagbo














Also, I've been thinking about vertical gardens:

The magnificent things have just begun becoming marvelous incorporations into our architecture. I have an inkling that nature-inspired themes in architecture are going to be huge very soon.

And, for your delight, a little piece I wrote some time ago. I thought it was blog-worthy ;)

What I bring before you, one and all, is the tale of an epic heart. That's loved and suffered scorns of life beyond the point of no return. It's gave itself and dug itself to the very core of the earth; taken by surprise, it knew not how to survive, just how to press on. Having traveled through the fires of the depths of the world, it met the middle and melted under the passions there unfurled. Such is where this heart makes its home today: intertwined with the heart of Earth, transcending eternity.

May your day be filled with all that you desire from it!

Gabriel

...and brilliance dawned upon my face

Ladies and gentlemen, people of Earth and otherwise, your life has become revolutionized! You have entered into a realm where the sun never rests; for even when she passes out of sight, the moon carries her brilliance as a beacon through the night.

Welcome to the Red Cobbler

Prepare for glory