Back for Bolder Boulder

Spent the first day driving from Mountain View through California, into the Sierra Nevada’s on I-80, then through the entire state of Nevada. Lovely, lovely, lovely. And HOT! Whew! Both windows wide open, and I was still sweating. I always travel with chocolate (my new found love) and it was completely melted, like butter. Craziness. And the scenery, wow, absolutely stupendous. The mountains were steep, covered in snow and greenery. I found myself envious of the cows, eating the grass and watching the sunset over the mountains. Gosh. While I was passing through Reno, I confirmed my loan for my house, yay! (As you can imagine, through all of this Kashi business, I've been working through the whole process of buying a condo - which is even more complicated than buying a house.) After 13 hours in the truck alone, with one rest stop and two gas stops (the truck holds 80 gallons of fuel), I stopped in Salt Lake City. And even though it was dark, I could see and smell the thick, white salt all over the ground.

Spent the night with the Kashi family at a house in Salt Lake and headed out bright and early with Kerri to Boulder. The scenery through Utah was gorgeous, but Wyoming was dry and flat. Empty. The biggest stop in the state was “Little America.” There were billboards advertising the place 200 miles before and after Little America. When we got close, every ¼ of a mile had a billboard for Little America. And, it turns out, it’s just this tiny little place with a hotel and a truck stop. Wow! What a state Wyoming is. J As soon as we entered Colorado the ground became lush and the air a little moister and much cooler. Colorado is such a beautiful state. And the Rockies- breathtaking every time.

Oddly enough, when we arrived at the house we booked for the week, up Sunshine Canyon, it was wide open and a mess. Turns out, the owner thought we were coming the next day - so he apologized and cleaned for a couple hours with his 10 and 14 year old kids. The house is huge and a little bit eerie. It was dark and silent, and was a long night. Kerri was nervous, being from the city. The silence can be overwhelming if you're not used to it -and I feed off of fright, so our night wasn't the best spent. The next morning, the maid came in to clean, while I swung on a hammock. The owner felt badly about our arrival situation, so he gave the two of us a gift certificate to "The Med," which is supposedly the best restaurant in Boulder. We spent the day walking through Boulder, stopped at vgburger - the best organic fast food restaurant in America, had a delicious hemp chai and walked along Boulder Creek. We went to OmTime for a 6 o'clock Anusara class, and did some wild poses. What I really love about Anusara, is the spiral idea and the holding of postures. I always come out of Anusara shaking and feeling good, but vulnerable. I always have to be careful who I talk to and what I do immediately following the class. We finished off our night at "The Med" -- Mediteranean Restaurant. And oh my goodness, was it delicious. The ambiance was lovely. We waited to sit outside, because it was such a beautiful day, and the colors were outstanding. Everyone looked so happy and healthy. And the food was superb. We had a glass of Malbec from Argentina, fresh Prince Edward Isle mussels in a tomato broth, fresh olives, a lovely fillet of fennel encrusted halibut over sauteed spinach and garlic embedded in a cheesy risotto and a divine strawberry, apple crumble with homemade vanilla bean ice cream. Our waiter was a cross between Al Pacino and John Tutoro, and very good at his job. We spent the entire $100 gift certificate plus a some. What a way to spend a day in Boulder, Colorado!

Thursday, I went to Denver to visit my family. It was my Aunt’s birthday and my second cousin's (who was up from Louisiana) the next day, so we celebrated over a vegan salad made fresh by me and a vegan dessert. Yum! It was so lovely to see my family. They are such good people.

After heading back up to Boulder with my cousin Hampton, we had an afternoon set up and a little party out our house, including Alison, my boss who is leaving Relay, the crew, Dave, our Kashi guy (from the commercials) and friends and family. It was lovely. We're sad to see Alison go. The empty eerie house suddenly became full of life and warm.

The Boulder event was rainy the whole weekend, which is strange weather for Colorado. But, we somehow managed to give away tons of Kashi bags. This was the busiest event we've ever had. I couldn't believe it. The rain certainly didn't keep people away. The people in Boulder are so polite and happy. Few complained about waiting in line, in fact, most were happy to wait because they appreciated what we were doing. Such big Kashi fans in Boulder. It's always been my favorite event because of the Coloradans.

We also had a nice dinner on Relay to thank Alison for her work. It was a lovely surprise. I picked the restaurant, "Sunflower" in downtown Boulder. It was a delicious eco-friendly restaurant. I also got to go to an Oxygen Bar finally. I've been wanting to go for months. Kerri and Giovanna came with me. Notice the crazy picture above my head. Is that what was supposed to be going on in my body and mind while I was breathing in "Joy" O2?

My family came up for breakfast and a visit to the site on the final day. It's always so nice having family stop by, even if just a little while. A nice change of pace for me, and reminder of how awesome my job is.

Now, off to Portland, Oregon.

5th weekend in California

Giovanna, Kerri and I chose to rent a house in Berkeley for 3 nights.  The location was just beyond downtown, in North Berkeley on Sierra St, right off Sonoma, for those of you that know the area.  Unbelievable!  Gorgeous.  So many flowers in bloom.  Every breath of air was filled with the scent of roses.  Scrumptious.

Berkeley itself was a lovely city.  Everywhere you turn, you stumble upon an organic, vegetarian, vegan or local restaurant.  Most of the shops were locally owned.  I went to YogaKula for a night of Anusara Yoga and it completely relaxed me.  I had an exceptionally heavy load of work this week and was fortunate to be in a beautiful place to do it.  So lucky.

On to Mountain View, which is only 30 minutes south of Alameda.  We left the owners of the house some Kashi bags and picked up the trucks in Oakland.  I stopped at a beautiful whole foods in Mountain View and crawled into my hotel.  I was just so packed with things happening, I needed a break.  So, I uploaded Randal Williams mp3 on meditation, my master teacher from Kripalu, and relaxed for a bit.  I find my mind has just been racing - waking up in the morning to the thoughts of who I need to e-mail or call next, or check on this event and the next.  I forgot how important it is to relax, take sometime for myself, and that my performance on the job will be that much better.  It's so easy to get run down with work that's always on the go.  Remember Yoga, remember peace and meditation.  And breath.   I'm a Libra, and I need that balance in my life.  I also tend to lean toward over-doing, over-working, and I need to remind myself that.  I still had a great time in Berkeley, but could have done more for myself.

Once we all got to Mountain View and the temperature began to climb, Kerri and I hid out in at Avalon Yoga Studio, where we spent an hour and a half in an awesome Vinyasa Yoga class.  The teacher, Annika, gave us a soothing workout, if you can imagine.  She chanted for us and brought us through a vigorous vinyasa flow.  We did poses I’d never tried before and poses I’ve been working on for years – like the scorpion http://yoga.about.com/od/yogaposes/a/scorpion.htm, hand stand and astavakrasana http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/171 (wowsers!).  This class really worked all of my muscles and opened my hips more than ever.  When I got back to my hotel room, I literally could feel the fluids in my body providing my muscles the food they needed to continue on with the day.  So great.  I always seem to stumble upon these awesome Yoga teachers.  There are so many in the US.  We Americans are so lucky, certainly don’t have to go anywhere but here to get great Yoga.  It’s all right here.  If you need to know a studio to go to or have any recos for me for my next up coming events, let me know.

The event in Mountain View was excellent.  Although it was 100 degrees both days, we kept our cool, and had many an excellent conversation over the weekend.  People in Mountain View are wide open to health foods and love Kashi.  It was such a thrill to be around happy people that enjoy travel and food, my two favorites.  And, of course, it makes my job a lot easier when the consumers realize what an awesome promotion we are a part of.  It’s always nice to get a little reminder of what a great tour this is, and how well it affects people. 

Having done this tour for 2 years, I’ve definitely noticed a change so far.  Many of our daily visitors know what Kashi is now, and want to find more readily available in big shopping centers, like at Wal-Mart and Target.  But I’ve also noticed more people willing and able to go to Whole Foods, which is just about everywhere these days.  It’s nice to be known and appreciated, as a healthy food choice.  It’s no longer these hard-core health enthusiasts who recognize Kashi; it’s becoming the every day Tom, Dick and Jane.  Although, sometimes the Jane's are still new to the concept of health, Kashi is making it easier for those folks to take that little step from Captain Crunch to Honey Sunshine, aka. white sugar and processed white flour to 7 whole grains and organic corn with a natural sweetener – honey.  I’ve been a hard core health enthusiast for years, and I still eat and enjoy Kashi every day.  There are so many varieties nowadays, pleasing everyone’s pallet – sweet chocolate to plain simple grains.

Anyway, enough advertising my company (though I can never praise it enough), and on to Boulder.  Can’t wait!

4th week - into the woods and out again

Stopped overnight in San Francisco Sunday night. You know, I think I've had it with cities. There isn't much enticement there for me anymore. I've done most of the things I've wanted to do in a city.  I felt cramped and stuck in vast, dirty streets packed with tourists. I drove by these little tiny doors that lead into apartments above shops on main streets and I couldn't understand the draw anymore. Mind you, I've spent several years living and wanting to live in cities, but I've done it, and I'm finished with it. The desire is gone. That may come back, of course, but I'd be very surprised.
With that said, and felt, Jason recommended Sierra Hot Springs for our 5 days off. He's got some hot ideas, so I listened and made my way up the windy roads past Lake Tahoe, Truckee and into Sierraville, CA.  What a great idea that was! The ride was tough because it was raining, I was super tired from the weekend of camping and working and was ready to stop moving - but I pushed through and landed on the other side, Sierra Nevada Heaven. I don't think I've had a better week for as long as I can remember.

Here is an example of my day:
Organic Kashi Cereal Breakfast with Blackberries, Strawberries and Banana.
Temple Dome Hot Spring in the AM for an hour, then dip into the cold spring for a minute.
Swim around in a larger hot spring pool for a bit.
Hike up a Mountain to a Water Fall.
Deep Kripalu Yoga Practice by myself in the sun and 7 winds breeze.
Breath.
Lunch, including fresh Organic California Avocados.
Take a nap with a little kitty cat.
Walk into the woods and stumble upon a hammock. Rest and look at the trees.
90 minute Aromatherapy/Shiatsu Massage with the best therapist I've ever had.
Meditation Pool for a long, warm soak beside a wooden wind chime.
Watch the sunset over a cup of Yogi Meditative Tea.
Mexican Food for din din and locally made organic cookies for dessert with dark chocolate.
Meet the most interesting and unusual people and have long conversations.
Watch a movie or read a book or meditate.
Sleep.

What a life, huh? I highly recommend Sierra Hot Springs to anyone and everyone. It's superb. And utterly relaxing. The views are breathtaking and the people are kinder than ever. What a laid back, simple home to live in for a week. I'm so happy I went. Thanks, Jason!

On Friday I drove back into the more populated areas.  From towns of 207 people or less to 800,000 people in only 47 square miles.  (Remind me, why we live like this, when you can drive 3 hours away to open land and clean air?)   I came down from 5,000 feet to Sea level.  All in just 3 hours.  What a change.  
My weekend was a whirlwind.  In less than 40 hours, the crew and I set up, worked a 20 hour event and tore down.  Other than 7 hours of sleep, I worked every minute of those 40 hours.  We had a 5:30am set up on Saturday and worked a full event that day.  Fortunately, the fair was hopping.  No one had time to look at their watches until 5pm, and we closed at 6pm with enough energy to get to our hotel.  It was crazy busy.  We gave away 2,800 bags in the just two days - 16 hours.  That's a lot of talking and a lot of bag stuffing.  My goodness!  We are all proud of the work we did this time around and can't wait for another event like this, aka. Boulder.   

One thing I have to say about Alameda; many of the people were just plain rude.  It was a beautiful Mother's day on Sunday and half the people were grumpy because they had to stand in a line to get a FREE Kashi bag.  Did I mention it was free?  People's behavior in masses tend to be outrageous and often times totally inexcusable.  But, I've been on tour for 3 years, and it never changes.  So, I know to expect it, and am always optimistic - looking for change.  Thank goodness I'm not working in the tent I worked my first year.  The Taste Here Tent, where people were shoveling in bowl after bowl of free cereal and spitting bits of Kashi in my face while asking me a question as loud as possible about why there were so few samples to be had.  Oh dear.  People, people.  I was really shocked at the grumpiness at the event and the entitlement they felt.  But I did my best to cheer them up, by entertaining them over the microphone during my announcements and doing a lot of smiling, which tends to soften most hearts.  Once I get a hold of their eyes, many can't help but rise to the occasion by bringing back their sense of humor.  So... I'm working on my own optomism and faith in the human race.  Man was Alameda a tough one.  You know though, the more challenging, the better, I think.  Lots of demands and pressure for speed with this job.  Makes me wonder: Why does no one have time anymore to stop and smell the flowers anymore, or perhaps appreciate what they've accomplished so far.  Our society is always on to the next issue.  No wonder why Yoga is becoming more and more popular.  Even if you are an exception to the average population, you're surrounded by all these loonies, so you've got to find a hideaway that gives you space to feel like yourself and a sense of safety.  Golly!  I need to get back to a studio soon.  Alameda was nothing like Sierraville, where everyone is happy and taking there sweet time, literally. 

Humph.  We can do it though.  Get back to our peace of mind.  Just smile and take life one step at a time, while thoroughly enjoying each step.  Sensing the temperature of the air, feeling the grass massage the bottom of your feet, enjoying the Vitamin D the sun is lending your skin.  When's the last time you took your shoes off and walked on the grass?

Third Stop -- Heading Up the Coast

Immediately following the San Diego event, the crew and I headed up to beautiful Big Bear Lake. It was a few hours drive northeast, at about 2 hours east of LA. The drive was outstanding. On my way, I stopped in La Jolla to drop off a few things at the Kashi home office, and what a lovely office - Kashi products everywhere, smiling employees on the walls, an excellent choice of healthy cook books and the bathroom was fully stocked with foot spray, organic soap, organic hand lotion and body lotion, body spray, aloe for the sun, you name it. What a caring place to work. As for the rest of the drive, after heading off the freeway on to CA-330 and CA-18 for about 35 miles, I was stunned at how gorgeous California really is. I was literally driving on the side of mountains in San Bernadino National Forest. Absolutely breathtaking. I couldn't get enough.

I rented a house for 2 nights for the crew, and we spent those 2 days together as a group. It was really pleasant. I was the last to arrive, but the crew saved me the master bedroom. Giovanna cooked a lovely dinner, as is becoming a usual event. Then, unfortunately, I spent several hours of my first night in the ER waiting room for Kerri, the Yoga teacher, because she injured her tail bone a week back, and it hadn't seemed to be getting any better. Everything turned out alright, but I felt terrible for her - I've been there, with my own tail bone issues having had a pilonidal cystectomy a couple years back. Her case wasn't as severe, but she was certainly in a lot of pain and was especially nervous because the internal bleeding is at the base of her spine. (She's home and getting well now.)

The next day, Lexi and I went hiking up Cougar Crest trail. We reached the Pacific Crest, about 2 miles up and took in the views of the lake and mountains, which were incredible. Again, another lovely dinner made by Giovanna with a little help from the rest of us.

Wednesday, Kerri and I drove into Los Angeles for a Yoga class and a raw lunch at Juliano's Raw Restaurant, my favorite restaurant in LA. Fabulous Yoga and meal. Couldn't have done it better in LA.

Heading to the next event, I drove us along the Pacific Coast Highway-1 to drive beside the sea. It was, yet again, stunning, soothing and delicious. The sunset was filled with every color of the rainbow and the vineyards by the freeway were rich with deep-green and choloclate-brown tones and lots of blooming grapes. Full of life. I felt like I was looking at a reflection of myself. :)

We ended the night by driving into Bradley, CA camp grounds (4 and a half hours north) to pick up Kerri's things and headed to Salinas (2 hours north) to spend the night with Camille, our caterer, who offered to bring Kerri to Oakland, CA to fly to St Louis for her week off. We decided to send Kerri home for the week in hopes for her to heal faster. She was willing to take her vacation week then, rather than camp with an infected tail bone. Good choice, I think.

The next morning, I drove to Whole Foods in Monterey, the closest in the area, where I witnessed a 9 car accident on the PCH (so California - so over crowded with cars and people), bought out the entire store for the event and then spent the next 3 hours heading back into Bradley, CA toward the camp grounds. Again, the views on the road were breathtaking. I was laughing and singing with my sunroof and windows wide open. I drove past huge Organic farms, including Earthbound Organics, and scooted up and down the hills into another forest where the trees looked like they were reaching down to lift up the road, drooping onto the earth, and the lakes were dark grey masses. A little eerie, having no cell phone service and therefore, no connection to my company, family and friends. But refreshing, too. No distractions. Just overwhelmingly happy me, the crisp road and the thick earth.

The 4 crew members left spent 3 nights camping at Lake San Antonio. We had a great time listening to the birds, wild animals, and thousands of campers getting ready for the triathlon. I am not so good at sleeping on the ground at first, but I got used to it - probably because I just got more and more exhausted with sleepless nights. I was awakened by the animals sniffing out our food and muching on a bag of chips. A deer walked through the campsite in broad day light, literally 20 feet away from us. The birds came by, pecking at our dishes and stove. We had a fire every night, drank a few beers, Jason broke out his guitar a couple times, and had several visitors from Power Bar at night. I could sense the envy toward Kashi. The last night we had our local temp staff camp with us since they had no where else to go. We were really in the middle of deep forest; the closest hotel was an hour away. Giovanna opted for her final night in a hotel; she couldn't take being outside anymore. And Camille slept our last night in my tent, which helped me relax a little. (I dfeinitely prefer camping with a fellow camper in my tent.) Camille and I told crazy stories from events past and laughed like crazy for hours before we drifted into sleep. I've known Camille for 3 years now, ever since my first Kashi tour. She's catered a few events in the past, and this year she bid on the entire first half and got it. She's basically on tour with us too, just doesn't get reimbursed the way we do. So, we've been seeing a lot of her lately. I'm glad to say.

The event was pretty slow, a lot of the same people day after day, and the sun was strong. But the consumers kept coming by to stretch and eat a bowl of cereal. Triathletes are really into Kashi. And, gosh, it was really amazing to look at the bodies at this event. I was teaching Yoga most of the weekend, filling in for Kerri, and I got to cool down many of the athletes after they finished the triathlon. What an impressive sport. The racers were of all ages, 7 - 75. I was extremely impressed with the patience they took to train and the stamina to compete in one race for 4-6 hours. Wowsers! The last day of the triathlon was actually part of the Olympic trials, which was a nice surprise. I hadn't realized how serious and big this specific event was until I was in it.

After tearing down, and getting the heck outta dodge, I drove up to San Francisco to spend my first night, after 3 nights of camping in a big, huge hotel bed. Ahh...

Did I say I love my job?