Monthly Archives: April 2012

I Love my girlfriend but can’t afford to take her to expensive places – Great Free Date Ideas!!!

So, you are head over heels in love.
You just look into her eyes and know she is the one.
The one you dreamed about all your life and now that your dreams are complete, paranoia sets in.

How do I keep her interested?
Will she get bored and move on?
She is way to beautiful to be with me.
I am doing ok financially but I how can I afford to buy her expensive things and take her on high priced dinners and trips?

Oh no!
I can’t win.
Wait, wait wait, there are other options.

We are here to help. You are surrounded by 26000 miles of earth who’s beauty and opportunity are waiting at your feet.

Here are a few sure fire and FREE ideas of great things to do with your partner (in crime).

As long as you understand her interests, keep the relationship exciting, diverse and spicy and continue to show her the affection and love she deserves, you will have a long and amazing life together.

1. Wash the car or bathroom together. It is an activity you can do together and more importantly you will both get wet and soapy. I hope I don’t have to explain anymore about this activity.

2. Keep an eye on your local bars and restaurants online and on Facebook. Some offer free food or drinks if you like them or sign up for their newsletter. Free drinks…Bonus!

3. Look around your kitchen. Round up all the food and spices you have, Google what you have and you may just find a great recipe or two you can make that will make her smile and full enough to want to cuddle in bed.

4. Volunteer together. Look for a run, fund-raiser, music or arts festival and work it together. That way you are helping a good cause and getting some free entertainment.

5. Camping under the stars. How romantic is that.

6. Potluck party!!! Call, text, Evite, Facebook all your friends and have an impromptu party where everyone brings a bottle, mixer or snack. Instant party and all you need to provide is the front door.

7. Why not a little education. Go to a museum or art gallery. Many only ask for donations at the door or have totally free admission.

8. There is a model in all of us. Break out your point and shoot, SLR or IPhone and have a couple photo shoot. Go to the beach, bedroom, river, gazebo or anywhere fun and scenic and take photos of each other and then you can make a virtual or physical collage.

9. Hit the rivers and ponds. Go cliff diving (Not in the crazy Acapulco kind of way) or swim and frolic together.

10. People watching and storytelling. Sit at the park with a coffee, tea or latte and try and create a story about all the people that walk by. Be imaginative. It can be better than the movies.

11. Learn a new skill. Can you sing or play guitar or even hula hoop. Teach each other your special skills.

12. Find a free music or comedy showcase. In many cities there are hundreds of free shows from young up and coming performers that are free of charge. You may even have a friend or two in a band. Go support them.

13. Flash mob. You know you always wanted to try it. Learn more at improveverywhere.com

14. If you are in a town where there is a talk show or game show, get tickets. They are typically free and you can say you were part of the audience. Total bragging rights to family and friends.

15. Join clubs that offer free trips or group events (www.meetup.com). Many have biking or running clubs that you can do together and maybe make some new friends.

16. Watch the sunrise or sunset. It is a classic but always one that reminds you of how important you are to each other.

17. Indoor card games…You know what I mean.

18. Dog walking. Hopefully one of you has a dog. If not, borrow a friend’s dog and offer to take them out for a walk together.

19. Health first. Find a farmers market and browse all the vendors. If you are feeling the urge, buy an apple or peach and have a little light fruit or veggie snack together.

20. Go to an open mic night and do a reading or play a song. Showcase your talents and witness others showing their skills and confidence.

21. Sit on a street corner or in the park with a sign that says “Information” and offer advice and tips to tourists who are looking for things to do locally.

22. Make a music video. With flip video cameras, IPhones, IFilm, YouTube and so many other free software options, you can let out your creative side and make a funky music video as a couple.

23. Samples, samples samples – Hop over to Costco or Sam’s Club one Saturday, browse and take advantage of all the samples offered throughout the store.

24. Yoga at the beach or in the park. All your need is a mat, some technique and you have a mental and physical task you can do together.

25. Be a child. Get a group of friends together and play “Duck, Duck Goose” or “Hide and Seek”


Remember – Original Poem

My will is gone but not forgotten
Like a runaway train, I am off the tracks and out of control
My soul is homeless; living on the streets searching for new meaning

Each sunrise deteriorates the spirit

Under the stars, the night protects this fragile pawn naked to a world controlled by neglect and tortured by hatred

Ignite a flame
Rekindle the light that awakened fondness
Remember the hugs
Remember the smiles
Remember the late night talks and always a clear conscious when your head hits the pillow

The flame burns not for today but yesterday
It cannot return to the restfulness it once knew but be comforted by the thoughts represented by this light


Don’t Blink Now..Life is happening (You may cry)

“Hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away. Hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away”
- Elderly Woman Behind a Counter in a Small Town – Pearl Jam

I was walking the beach one evening. The air was crisp, the waves crashed in the distance and the reflection of the stars off the face of the ocean created a mystical light show reinforcing the wonder that is all around us.
It was in the moment, deep in thought that I reminded myself of the importance of perception. We all have good and bad in our lives. It is those that can soak the positive energy that feel the presence of true happiness. We all have the ability to feel the goodness of a warm breeze and the scent of fresh lilacs. When we are overpowered by the negative, we often fall into an abyss which we cannot return from. I enjoy swimming in the positive.

In all the frailty of existence we must continue to take advantage of this gift of life. To often we exhibit behaviors of greed, addiction, laziness, routine and denial instead of embracing the endless path of adventure knocking on our door.

Each breathe is a miracle.
Every step is the beginning of a new journey.

Life is as fragile as a bird in flight guided by the freedom of the wind but subject to the poisons that surround us. As we grow, we become aware of our senses and capabilities and begin the journey that will create a unique path that will be looked back upon for generations to come. Others will learn from the choices we make. Our pathway is a personal adventure of discovery, one that will force us to make decisions that will shape the next move in the chess game of life.

Our very being is a shelter for mind, body and soul, protected from the elements but aware of the piercing pain the thorns can inflict. This being will be forever etched never to be forgotten.

How often are you asked the question “What are you skills?” whether that is on a date, an interview, in casual discussion or in a personal moment of reflection. As we are raised, our mental capacities become more aware of our surroundings and capabilities. Like superheroes, we start to see areas of excellence that sets us apart from one another. Once we have discovered these gifts, we have a duty to utilize them for good. No good for ourselves alone but the good we can bestow on others and the legacy we leave as our footsteps are washed away by the oceans powerful waters.

In the blink of an eye, life begins……

Crawling across the room, falling and laughing
Building a fort out of a cardboard box
Playing on the swings
Going to camp and leaving your parents for the first time
The innocence and passion of the first kiss
Hitting the game winning shot in the State Championship in front of a thousand screaming fans
Holding up that diploma with pride and seeing your family weep in tears of happiness
Sitting up at 2 AM writing a paper and feeling the pressure of responsibility
Making decisions about your future for the first time
First day on the job
The grief of watching a loved one lowered into the ground
Falling in love
Declaring forever your dedication to the person you will spend all eternity with
Welcoming a new life into this world as you looking into the baby blues of your newborn
Watching your children run around the house
Waving them off to school for the first time
Watching the car pull away as they begin the next phase of their lives
Sitting on the rocking chair, sipping ice tea and remembering why you fell in love in the first place.
Watching the setting sun…

Life is a dream.
It is a series of opportunities to make imagination a reality
It gives you the potential to reach for the stars or lay under them with someone you love

Don’t forget to dance…The music is all around you.


Oriental Blossom – Original Poem

Make love through song
Harmonies flow through your outstretched arms
Eyes of crystal radiance transcribe verses of centuries past bellowing in the chimes of the morning bells

The artist brushes strokes of silky hair over the innocent curves of your smile

When your minds wakes up only the soul can release the temptation of absence

Let the sky lead the birds to the coldest of all warmth led by the lost but safe from the humanity of humans

Through prayer; inspiration
Bow your heads to the silent heroine singing the lyrics of our deepest thoughts


Autumn Angel – Original Poem

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Auburn moonlight touched by the grace of chiseled stone

The artistry of imagination paints colors of subtle perfection

In the eyes a hint of yearning
Each beat a reminder of a gift
That is the spirit of the soul

Fingers outstretched in thought
Time passing before the night sky

The touch of the silky lining of the skin with hints of jasmine

Clarity a halo hovering above her guided soul

Alone she is surrounded by a world opening its eyes for the first time


It’s Just Me – Original Poem

A call away is all I have to say
Grey clouds surround the sliver lining

You believe in you

Us is a faded memory

We are all victims
Becoming machines as machines become reality

Words on a keyboard; kisses on the screens
Hugs never felt by human flesh

I have peaked on the mountaintop
High above the blue skies only to fall
Stumbling past shadows into a fiery pit of self-inflicted isolation

Millions stare into the soulless mirror
Looking at a reminder of a former self

Be gone, be gone

Live and breathe a life once known
Destroy the monsters in the closet and raise the sword of victory as the bed sheet cave blows in the wind


Philip Humber throws a perfect game – Thank You Philip for letting us witness perfection

On April 21, 2012, the 21st perfect game in Major League Baseball history was thrown by 29 year old Philip Humber of the Chicago White Sox in Seattle against the Mariners.

The perfect game is the single greatest achievement in all of sport. A single pitcher faces 27 batters and dismisses each and every one. No walks, no hits, no errors, no runs. Pure perfection. To add to the drama of the moment; in the bottom of the ninth with two men out he faced his third 3-2 count of the afternoon. One pitch too high, too low, too outside and the perfect game was ruined. At another moment, he was down 3-0 and fought back to conquer his batter. As I imagine millions witness, the final out was in the highest level of drama as the strikeout got away from the catcher and a throw was needed to first to complete the mission to greatness.

It is moments like this that everyone comes together and routes for the lonely man on top of the dirt mound to achieve his moment of perfection. Now the most trended item on Twitter and soon to be spread around the world, this is a moment that will bring tears to young men, fathers and even a few young ladies.

In an iconic manner, the 21st perfect game of all time was achieved on April 21, 2012.

Philip Humber Throws a Perfect Game – ESPN Blog

Philip Humber Statistics

As Vin Scully said in For The Love of the Game, “it is the loneliest spot in the world.” It is the pitching mound, where one man, surrounded by eight others controls the destiny of a game. They must become a general in the battle, using strategy and research to understand their opponents. It is a one on one battle for an entire game. On a rare sunny afternoon in the Western corner of the United States, one man stood alone, took all his childhood dreams and made them a reality. It is these moments that make legends and these legends that makes us all believe we can accomplish anything.

Today, I was one of many that rallied for an unknown. It was a moment where I witnessed history and become a believer in the pure competition and sportsmanship that is baseball and life.

Philip Humber, congratulations on perfection!


Wicked – Original Poem

Running toward the shine of a soft moment of glorious paradise
Never stopping for the truth along the path

Words disguised as feelings playing off the lips of deception
Oh, this time it is real on the stones of false promises

The glass hides the images of emotions bleeding in silence and flowing down the cracks in the perfect pathway

Can you see the ghost recite absolute proverbs hiding under a costume designed by the demons we created with time

We are all chasing shadows trying to buy a life only on loan from the heavenly spirits

The epilogue will read that life was a failure in a world where success is a cliche of desperation blinded in a euphemism of children reciting the words of teachers trying to maintain innocence as long as the rains of aging hold back

Compassion hold tight as inexperience grows to hate and hate to awareness leading to the denial of the infinite end

The sun sets on another quiescent day and all is at peace for the moments we rest our wicked minds


Competition Has No Limitations – 7 Year Old Girl wins NJ State Wresting Championship in NJ (Even beat the boys)

*Provided by the East Brunswick Patch

The East Brunswick Wrestling Club has a tradition of sending its athletes to the top.

This year alone several wrestlers finished high or won tournaments throughout the season, including nine kids who qualified for the NJ Kid’s State Championship and one young lady who qualified for the NJ Girl’s State Championship.

When the tournaments were over, it was 7-year-old Stephanie Yarnall who became the club’s first state champion, winning the New Jersey Girl’s State Championship.

“Stephanie really enjoys the sport, her coaches, her teammates and especially when people that don’t know her come up to her to congratulate her. Every time she gets on the mat, she gives it her all. She practices very hard and will even do pull ups at home,” said her father, Keith Yarnall.

The 40-pounder posted a record of 22-10 this season, her second year on the mat, a fact that doesn’t surprise her father, who says Stephanie simply does not want to lose. Keith Yarnall, a coach with the club for eight years, said she got her start after seeing her brother wrestle.

“Her older brother has been wrestling for about four years, so she has been around the sport for some time,” he said in an email. “We asked her if she wanted to try it. She said ‘yes’ with no hesitation and we brought her to a couple practices and she really enjoyed it. You could see she picked things up very quickly.”

For Stephanie, a first-grader at Parkview School in Milltown, hitting the mat has become more than just a sport. It has become a place where she can see all her hard work pay off. And when she’s at home, Stephanie is just like any other girl. She loves to spend time with her friends (she even brings them to some of her matches), plays with Barbie dolls, tries on make up and spends time as a St. Bart’s cheerleader. But you would never know it when you see her wrestle, said her father.

“Stephanie has two sets of friends—school and wrestling,” he said. “The wrestling friends treat her like any other teammate because they know how hard she works. She has brought a couple of her school friends to matches to watch her, and they are very impressed.”

Despite the hard work and success, Stephanie is still very much a little girl, and gets as nervous as anyone else when asked to perform.

“Last year we figured the toughest part was to get her out on the mat, once we do that, she will be OK,” he said. “She cries easily, before during and after the match. Sometimes it has nothing to do with her match. I have seen her crying, winning 12-0, so its up to her coach and/or myself to at least keep her as calm as possible. The best matches (from a coach or a fathers point of view) is when she pins the opponent in the first period. She says she gets nervous because she doesn’t like to lose (of course, who does), and I try to explain its not all about winning but she is just out there to win every match.”

To quote the excited mother: “It is a very special article for all of us. We’re soooo proud of her”

Original link to East Brunswick Patch


My Grandmother: 10 Years of Missing You – by Raquel Avila (Original Poem)

It’s hard to believe
In 10 years, we haven’t seen that radiant smile
In 10 years,
We’ve missed you…our grandmother

Our mother
Our friend and confidant
Our role model
Our guiding light

It’s hard to believe
In 10 years, we haven’t heard your voice
In 10 years
We’ve missed…your verses, your discipline,
Your jokes, your strong-minded words
Your loud laugh
Your way

It’s hard to believe
It’s been 10 years since I’ve felt
Your touch, your warm embrace,
Your hands holding mine through hard times,
The comfort food you prepared,
Wide open arms, always

We may not physically see you,
But we feel you smiling at us from Heaven every day
We have seen your grace
But we wish you would’ve met our sons and daughters
When the daffodils bloom, we celebrate your birthday
Your will lives on in all of us
Your blood flows through our bodies
And your memory lives on every day.


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