OPEN MINDFUL

The Southern Experience. I am now officially 1 month and a week Happily removed from the mecca and whirlwind that is Manhattan. Yes, I am pleasantly and happily surprised. The flight was looong. Yet, upon arriving in Texas, I was startled to realize how CLEAN, everything is here. The streets are immaculate. I sometimes wonder looking around and marvel at how this urban cleanliness is so easily and successfully achieved. I was used to seeing trash baskets every two steps and walking through litter, even in the best of neighborhoods up there. It must be a pride thing? A unity of the common residents and citizenry to preserve their grounds for the greater good. Overall, I remain and continue to be impressed! Additional bonus points in the Southern Experience, include the SPACE and square footage of Everything. You name it, apartments, condos, retail stores, parks, movie-theaters, restaurants, cars, people, & all are much more spacious. No more cramming in tiny places. There is ROOM to...

Recently this past weekend, was the Pride Parade and celebration in the city. This barrage of people, eccentric characters, and lifestyles is a unique culture and segment of our society. The neighborhoods of Chelsea and the West Village were inundated with people, barricades,activity and more. It seems as though everyone participated, whether they were gay, straight or whatever. True, Open Mindedness. In a discussion with a fellow human, in the evening we discussed the gay rights and advancements in our society, world and culture. He seemed to feel as though there was not as much equality and progress made as there should be. I agreed, with him that it is valid issue, modern and prevalent topic in our society. In so far as it's progress, reminded him that yes, The United States is a free country, with liberty and justice for all. We both agreed, amongst other numerous wonderful reasons, this freedom makes America great and attractive to foreigners as well. I suggested and correlat...

The energy continues to amaze, as the weather warms up and the spring season settles in. People continue to cruise the streets with a happier and more joyful bounce to their step. The sunshine, diversity and plethora of shopping, dining, and living options is boundless. Each neighborhood has its own unique feel. Recently while being out and about caught eyes and ran into a previous girlfriend from Russia. She invited me to sit with her and her friend. She was the same wonderful and plea sent girl, I recalled. Her foreign English accent was fun and different. Her friend was from Alabama. I mentioned my home states somber feel, towards the most recent National Championship outcome. As the evening advanced, I cruised 3rd avenue, and witnessed the bountiful amount of people, different restaurants and places. The east side was similar, yet just a fun as the west side. No discrimination here. I posed a question to a fellow walker, "How comes there's no East Side Highway?" He me...