Bob's Blah Blah Blog

You gave me the permission to see things my way and follow the paths from which those visions emerged. There are very few people in this world who have experienced the support, love and encouragement you have given me. Because of you, I found the courage to make my way in this world without apology and without regret. As I look forward, you will always be in my sights, and in my heart.

Happy Mother’s Day. I wish I was there to share it with you.

You have been, and continue to be
A rock in times of instability
A warm heart when the cold sets in
Shelter when it rains
An open mind in times of question
A smile in times of sadness,

Mother, wife and friend.

You are our joy, our hope and our love.

Late last year I received an wonderful and unexpectedly early birthday present from Sandy, a hammered dulcimer. One of the reasons this was such a special present is that, while I have always wanted to learn how to play one, I rarely talked about it. So it came as quite a surprise when the mystery detour we took on the way to meet some friends landed us a complete stranger’s house, enquiring about the Green River hammered dulcimer he had for sale. I fell in love with it immediately, the price was right and we were back on the road in less than 30 minutes – my back seat loaded up with the promise of this beautiful instrument.

As beautiful as it was, we knew it needed a little work to get it into playing condition. Since I know very little about hammered dulcimers, I had no idea where to start. Well, after a couple months of research, I have located a source for strings and parts and badly needed guidance and should have it tuned up and ready to play in a week or so.

I can’t wait. Thank you again, sweetie for this little bit of magic in my life. I will treasure it forever.

There is This is why I love Seth Godin. Such a simple story, told to simple perfection.

If you are a business owner, ever want to own your own business, or you are responsible for how your business is marketed, take 3 minutes to read this. I promise you won’t regret it.

The lesson from two lemonade stands

I just listened to BT’s new single, “Every Other Way” and was blown away.

This may not what many electronic music aficionados are used to, but fans of BT will hear strong references to his past couple of releases, particularly,”This Binary Universe.” This nine minute plus release features layers of Brian’s signature blips, bleeps along side choice analog instruments along side a mesmerizing melody carried by guest vocalist Jes’ vocals, which range from sublime to soaring,

From the very first note to the last, this nine minute plus offering has something interesting to offer. If you like electronic music, this is a must listen. If you don’t, give it 30 seconds. You just might find something brand new for you music collection.

For those of you who know these sites, they are most likely part of your required viewing. For those of you who don’t, you will want to make room in your schedule.

fora.tv
Videos about the people, issues, and ideas changing the world from the world’s top universities, think tanks and conferences.

ted.com
Started in 1984 as a conference to bring together people from the worlds of Technology, Entertainment and Design, TED is a non-profit dedicated to ideas worth sharing.

factcheck.org
A nonpartisan, nonprofit “consumer advocate” for voters that monitors the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. politicians.

water.org
You can’t live without fresh water. For $25 you can save someone’s life which could change yours.

flickrvision.com
A new, addictive and most interesting way to look at the world. Did I mention addictive?

Do you have a site you would like to add to this list?

I’ve been watching the BBC’s “Planet Earth” and it is nothing short of breathtaking. At some point during the show, Richard Attenborough’s narrative proclaims Earth to be a “fragile place” in order to add some dramatic tension to the unveiling of the stunning crystal formations deep within a cave. I caught myself nodding in agreement, then, I hit the pause button. Something wasn’t right. That sounded good, but what did it mean? Is the earth really that fragile? If so, how could these crystals, or the tiny insects from the previous episode, or the newly born joeys from the episode before that — all survive? How does such a “fragile” environment endure the intense seismic activity, meteor storms, sun flares, core radiation, tidal waves tornados, lightning and every other form of natural threat to the planet, let alone that which caused by humans?

The answer was in the narrative itself. Volcanic eruptions a thousand times more devastating than an atomic bomb. Lightning strikes that wipe out thousands of miles of forest, home to species endangered not by man, but of the very circumstances of their existence. Millions of years of constant climate fluctuation that leaves a story of destruction, death — and rebirth in its diary.

Then a thought occurred to me. Maybe the earth is not intended to provide a safe, stable habitat to any of its inhabitants. The earth will continue its cycle of destruction and creation — with or without us. And maybe we have to pretend we are part of the cause in order to deal with the inevitability of our own demise on this planet. Just as other species have come and gone on this great blue marble, so will we come to pass — if not of our own accord, of some larger plan we have no knowledge of whatsoever — the natural evolution of our planet.

So I was curious. What did I not know? In a time when all I read is how we are diminishing the life expectancy of our earth, destroying its critical natural habitats and running its native life into extinction, I found countless news stories from the last few years that remind me how little we really know about our planet — and its ability to protect, evolve and create new life. I learned that not all discoveries of new species were under the protection of depths not explored, or heights not conquered. That species continue to die, survive and evolve of their accord every day. That we are helpless in the grand scheme of our existence.

Today, British scientists formally announced their discovery of forty or more new animal species in a volcanic crater on the island of Papua New Guinea. Before you turn the page, we’re not talking about a few new microscopic organisms or some little spider that lives under a rock. These explorers have found a real life, “Land of the Lost” — and not a crappy Land of the Lost starring Will Ferrell either. Grunting fish, giant rats the size of a large, well-fed cat and a bat that nobody has ever seen before highlight the find, and there may be more out there. Stay tuned for next week’s episode for the conclusion to our story.

In September of 2007, World Wildlife Fund scientists announced the discovery of 11 new animal and plant species in Vietnam including a snake, five orchids, and two butterflies among others.

During the last few years, over 50 new species of animals and plants were discovered in yet another ‘Lost World’ on the island of Borneo. In fact, over 361 new species have been identified on Borneo since 1994. Among them are tree frogs, a whole range of vegetation and 30 brand new types of fish including a catfish that sticks to rocks.

And there seems to be more surprises as technology allows us to explore the depths of our oceans.

These newly discovered sea worms cast off green glowing body parts to confuse attackers.

Here’s an eyeless crustacean with a head equipped with powerful prehensile limbs and poisonous fangs nobody knew about until 2006.

And not too long ago, University of Alaska Fairbanks scientists uncovered 7 new species in a region of the Arctic Ocean said to be teeming with marine life previously unknown to us.

And lest you think these new discoveries are limited to uncharted forests, volcanic craters and the darkest depths of our waters, new flora and fauna are regularly being discovered right in our (relatively speaking) back yards. A few of these new discoveries over the last several years include:

• Fifteen new birds in North America
• Six new bats in Guyana
• Eight new fungi in Western U.S.A.
• Two tiny strange worms and a new crustacean in the Canary Islands
• 12 new plants in Mexico

What an amazing and wonderful world we live in. If only we knew it better than we think.

And yes, I have an agenda in sharing this with whoever may come across this information — pure, unadulterated fascination with knowledge not driven by any political or economic concern. We should all try that more often. For I believe that science funded by special interests — whoever those special interests may be — is nothing short of a marketing plan disguised as fact.

There are so many people who are special to me in the world. Out of all of them, Sandy is the mostest of all time! Today, her family and friends have all wished her well and celebrate her birthday with her from near and far. But today is the day I thank the heavens she was born. She has made me complete and gives me hope for everything beautiful in this world.

I am so honored to be on this journey with you sweetie. Thank you for bringing me along!

One of my several recent side projects has been developing and maintaining a fan site for The Crystal Method, an electronic band I’ve been a fan of since their album “Vegas” debuted back in 1997. Through that project, Bruce and I had the honor of spending some time with Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland before and after their May 16, 2009 show in Atlanta.

Here is the interview we did that afternoon before the show. I will post photos from the show and backstage soon. Hope you enjoy!

Visit The Crystal Method Fan Site for more videos, interview, photos and music. You can also check out their amazing new album, “Divided by Night” on Amazon or iTunes.

One of my favorite lines from “The Big Lebowski” is when Sam Elliot is sitting at the bar, summing up the events that unfolded in the film — and to some extent, explains the inevitability of life itself. For those of you not acquainted with this brilliant moment in film making, here’s Sam Elliot himself issuing his words of wisdom in a way only Sam can deliver them.

The last few months has been a struggle for my family and “tha bar.” And, well.. I am happy to say we’re finally pickin’ the fur out of our teeth and getting on with life in a manner we’re far more accustom to. Thanks to everyone for your support, thoughts and prayers! We couldn’t have made it without you!