Competitive

Who would have ever thought that jabbing the Xbox controller's button randomly during "Street Fighter" could bring out the competitiveness at its epic height? Say no more - watch. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

Labrynth a.k.a. Labryrinth

Call it wild imagination but the first thought that entered my mind when I saw this dead tree was "The Labyrinth". It brought back memories of Jennifer Connolly and David Bowie from the movie, "The Labyrinth". Maybe a newer memory can be created from from the movie "Pan's Labyrinth". I digress yet again ...

Its amazing how the simple things in nature can bring out such vivid imagination. Lets try some, shall we? Can you see the dead tree's branches reaching its tentacles out to grab you? What about the colors of the bark, luring you into its possession? How about the lonely road that makes you wonder whether you will ever reach your destination? Watch the thief stealing the shadow! And the poor weeping willow ... What wild mind games?!?! Its can be endless.

Nature has a way of bringing back the simplicity of life. When one is out there in the wilderness, all you are concerned about is, shelter, food, and sleep. Look around -- see the beauty that surrounds you. Watch it engulf you. See it submerge you into bliss. You would be amazed what a transforming act it can be. Try it, you wont be disappointed.

Pictures were taken on my first overnight backpacking trip to Granite Springs. Carrying my full pack with 1.5 days worth of water and hiking through the elevation made me appreciate nature at its best. At the end, I am a stronger and a more appreciative person!

The art of cooking

Cooking is a lost/forgotten art. While many TV shows from "Top chef" to "Kitchen Disasters" entice their audience with entertainment, it certainly has not motivating people to go back to the kitchen. Has it? Lets face it, its cheaper to go out and eat rather than make the effort to go buy groceries, take the time to chop 'em up, and cook a decent meal. Maybe I should re-phrase: its cheap entertainment to watch food TV shows than to cook!

Ever heard of the yummy processed food? What about "ORGANICS"? These are just some of the few glitz/fashion statement used by the food industry. Let me tell you, even the most organic food I have tasted here does not come close to the "regular/normal" food I have eaten outside of America. Now how do you explain that?

And the end of the day, we all need food to sustain. Why not eat healthy or healthier? How about titillating those taste buds with real, good food? Why not take the time to treat our body good? In short, Garbage in = Garbage out.

Pictures were taken at the Culinary Institute of American in Napa, CA. The wine glasses were the residual of an event being setup. The "classroom" is where the finest of Chef graduate in America. Does it not make you want to put on an apron?