Its not everyday you get to talk to people in Rwanda but I am lucky to have a a great friend, Miki, who lives in Rwanda. When the stars and the moon align and the internet is strong we get to catch up about life. Last week, under ideal conditions, we were able to connect and chat for over an hour. He had just gotten back from an amazing outdoor journey. He had traveled across Africa then boarded a Tanzanian owned German WWII ship with 200 other locals for a 3 day voyage to the beaches of his destination. After a summit hike and some relaxing camping Miki had plenty to talk about.
Check out his pics:
https://plus.google.com/photos/112968800450545208514/albums/5869558740618448241
He asked me "So how are you doin?" I was speechless, I mean I barely have traveled in the past year. How could any of my experiences measure up to his? As I started talking, he was interested in my life and what I was doing too. I was telling him about my busy work schedule and life in Silver Spring.
It dawned on me during that conversation, how we each struggle with these questions. I mean think about it, we have these phrases like "YOLO" and "Grass is always greener on the other side" We question where we should go and big lifecycle steps. The truth is, we each have to wake up everyday realizing we are each on an adventurous journey. Whether we are climbing Mount Everest or putting together a business plan for an innovative venture, we are exploring the unknown. That trip, is the best trip of our lives each and every time. Our decisions, even a small experience, will shape the rest of our lives. These are the adventures we live everyday. I hope I can hear about your adventures sometime soon!
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
NO Fear
Wow...what an emotional day yesterday. Its amazing to see the outpouring of Love and Thoughts on the internet and TV of those who were spared of this tragedy. Id like to share two posts that really caught my attention:
- So much for productivity today. I need to hear from all my friends and family in Boston.
- Five hours ago Boston was the happiest city in the country, and we will recover.
This is AMERICA and days like this prove why we are the greatest nation on earth. As a nation, we have pulled together to aid in this time of need and solve a problem. Its actually quite remarkable to me, especially when you see the polarized views our nation has in political issues.
Watching as everything last night unfolded I was awe struck by the police and cameramen walking, even running, to the blast to help those in need, as so many others ran away. I cant imagine doing that. What selfless people knowing that they would put themselves at risk. Thank you. Its interesting though to see the subtle aspects of the effort come together slowly but surely, reaffirming the essence of teamwork.
- The men and women running from the marathon to the hospital, without stopping, to donate blood
- The medical response team, in place for the runners, developing a mobile intake tent as a central location
- Effort on behalf of Israel to help develop hospital disaster teams
- FBI, not standing firm as the lead investigators, allowing other agencies to work with them
- Police asking innocent bystanders to review the footage and look for suspicious people at the airport
- Cooperation of those living/working within the locked down crime scene
- The media covering every development
These HEROS are what makes up our great country. These HEROS save lives. These HEROS are Americans.
Stand proud today, we will not live in fear because we are a proud nation. These are the events that will define our lives and our actions will be captured in a picture, video or even a memory for years to come, be proud of your actions.
Peace & Love
- So much for productivity today. I need to hear from all my friends and family in Boston.
- Five hours ago Boston was the happiest city in the country, and we will recover.
This is AMERICA and days like this prove why we are the greatest nation on earth. As a nation, we have pulled together to aid in this time of need and solve a problem. Its actually quite remarkable to me, especially when you see the polarized views our nation has in political issues.
Watching as everything last night unfolded I was awe struck by the police and cameramen walking, even running, to the blast to help those in need, as so many others ran away. I cant imagine doing that. What selfless people knowing that they would put themselves at risk. Thank you. Its interesting though to see the subtle aspects of the effort come together slowly but surely, reaffirming the essence of teamwork.
- The men and women running from the marathon to the hospital, without stopping, to donate blood
- The medical response team, in place for the runners, developing a mobile intake tent as a central location
- Effort on behalf of Israel to help develop hospital disaster teams
- FBI, not standing firm as the lead investigators, allowing other agencies to work with them
- Police asking innocent bystanders to review the footage and look for suspicious people at the airport
- Cooperation of those living/working within the locked down crime scene
- The media covering every development
These HEROS are what makes up our great country. These HEROS save lives. These HEROS are Americans.
Stand proud today, we will not live in fear because we are a proud nation. These are the events that will define our lives and our actions will be captured in a picture, video or even a memory for years to come, be proud of your actions.
Peace & Love
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Beach Buggies 2013
Yesterday marked a major milestone in a big project Ive been working on for the past 6 months, really over half a decade. For those of you who dont know Beach Buggies is a beach oriented transportation service. We will be operating in New Jersey shore points this summer in our first season!
This business started off as an idea on the beach and has slowly developed into a business plan and now a pre- operational business. Yesterday we welcomed James to the team. James is a college student on Co-Op and will be one of our Managers. Over the next month we will work together to finalize all of our careful planning. As my mom says, dot your i's and cross your t's. I always wondered why the left j's out of there, I mean there is a dot for a j too.
Driving up from D.C. yesterday I had a lot to anticipate and I was a bit nervous. James and I have been talking and video chatting for the past few months but we had never in person. After meeting James for the first time and we began orientation week. Boy was it overwhelming. Lots of conversations, lots of information, and lots of updates. What a trooper, James took it all in stride and continues to bring great ideals to the table.
Cant wait!!! Very Excited!!!
This business started off as an idea on the beach and has slowly developed into a business plan and now a pre- operational business. Yesterday we welcomed James to the team. James is a college student on Co-Op and will be one of our Managers. Over the next month we will work together to finalize all of our careful planning. As my mom says, dot your i's and cross your t's. I always wondered why the left j's out of there, I mean there is a dot for a j too.
Driving up from D.C. yesterday I had a lot to anticipate and I was a bit nervous. James and I have been talking and video chatting for the past few months but we had never in person. After meeting James for the first time and we began orientation week. Boy was it overwhelming. Lots of conversations, lots of information, and lots of updates. What a trooper, James took it all in stride and continues to bring great ideals to the table.
Cant wait!!! Very Excited!!!
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Passover 2013
A year that will live on in infamy. Yes 2013 was a new page in the passover book, or should I say haggadah. This year I, Jared Pashko, led the seder.
It all started sunday afternoon while I was talking to my mom. We were having our usual pre-passover discussion about what we think each person gets out of the seder. Mom was bummed, as was I, that so many people were coming for the food and not the fun. I mean whats not to like about using scallions to whip each other and theatrics only topped by the best broadway play in our reenactment of the 10 plagues. Well, I guess thats neither here nor there. One thing led to another and the topic came up, "Jared maybe you should lead the seder" to which I replied "Maybe but I need to prep and I dont know if ill have time today" And sure enough I didn't.
Before I knew it people were here, we were celebrating with some libations in the kitchen and dad was asking everyone to take their seats. Just as I got seated mom comes over to me and proclaims " Jared, you will be leading the seder tonight!" What? Here? Now? with no warning. But indeed I did without any preparation.
I think all will agree my seder was quite different from my Dad's, who does a great job. I on the other hand read slow and steady not allowing the grumbling bellies of the participants to sway my conviction to complete the Passover seder. As we pressed on, we read, and sang, and reenacted. I do believe people had fun. Each time the haggadah instructed us to a song sheet the whole table clamored together like a symphony and as we began, our biggest opera voices came to life with loud bellowing chants. In hindsight that may have been the libations. I think the little ones enjoyed the singing and festivities. When we made it to the retelling of the passover story I employed an new storytelling strategy for the passover table, Madlib Live. I would simply read through part of the story and pause when we got to an interesting part. "Once upon a time in _________" "My belly" some one would shout out. And so on we went adding in our little joke correcting any mistakes for my younger cousins along the way.
Alas, with a few cups of wine, the 10 plagues, the retelling, singing, and who could forget the 4 questions we made it...Dinner time. Yes as much as I tried most of my guests were still interested in only one thing. Dinner! As me and my mom sat at 1:00am finishing up the dishes and chatting our conversation seemed much like the pre-passover chat. Looking forward to next year!
It all started sunday afternoon while I was talking to my mom. We were having our usual pre-passover discussion about what we think each person gets out of the seder. Mom was bummed, as was I, that so many people were coming for the food and not the fun. I mean whats not to like about using scallions to whip each other and theatrics only topped by the best broadway play in our reenactment of the 10 plagues. Well, I guess thats neither here nor there. One thing led to another and the topic came up, "Jared maybe you should lead the seder" to which I replied "Maybe but I need to prep and I dont know if ill have time today" And sure enough I didn't.
Before I knew it people were here, we were celebrating with some libations in the kitchen and dad was asking everyone to take their seats. Just as I got seated mom comes over to me and proclaims " Jared, you will be leading the seder tonight!" What? Here? Now? with no warning. But indeed I did without any preparation.
I think all will agree my seder was quite different from my Dad's, who does a great job. I on the other hand read slow and steady not allowing the grumbling bellies of the participants to sway my conviction to complete the Passover seder. As we pressed on, we read, and sang, and reenacted. I do believe people had fun. Each time the haggadah instructed us to a song sheet the whole table clamored together like a symphony and as we began, our biggest opera voices came to life with loud bellowing chants. In hindsight that may have been the libations. I think the little ones enjoyed the singing and festivities. When we made it to the retelling of the passover story I employed an new storytelling strategy for the passover table, Madlib Live. I would simply read through part of the story and pause when we got to an interesting part. "Once upon a time in _________" "My belly" some one would shout out. And so on we went adding in our little joke correcting any mistakes for my younger cousins along the way.
Alas, with a few cups of wine, the 10 plagues, the retelling, singing, and who could forget the 4 questions we made it...Dinner time. Yes as much as I tried most of my guests were still interested in only one thing. Dinner! As me and my mom sat at 1:00am finishing up the dishes and chatting our conversation seemed much like the pre-passover chat. Looking forward to next year!
Monday, March 18, 2013
Bed Dance
You may call it snuggle time, cozying up, wiggling, all tucked in but you all know that moment im writing about. That second when you get into the bed and you realize you have arrived. You made it through the day and you are now back in that oasis of love where you can sleep the night away.
And then there is the opposite, wake up time. When that alram goes off, there are no words to describe the sadness we feel at that moment. I've known that feeling for a long time, probably since high school. Recently it took a whole new turn when I got a new bed and without warning mornings became 10x harder. Its just so comfy I dont want to ever get out. This morning was the latest in a string of challenging wake ups. When that alarm goes off the first thing that runs through my mind is how I can get in any more sleep. And boy does it suck, mornings were my time to work out and now my schedule has been thrown off, working out in the afternoon, and skipping days. I know you can relate, and I hope I cant beat the bed and wake up on time the rest of the week, ON TIME.
That brings me back to the title of this post, Bed Dance, dont forget to appreciate that oh so cozy snugglefest you can sleep in every night and how fortunate we are.
Hope this is the start of a great week!
And then there is the opposite, wake up time. When that alram goes off, there are no words to describe the sadness we feel at that moment. I've known that feeling for a long time, probably since high school. Recently it took a whole new turn when I got a new bed and without warning mornings became 10x harder. Its just so comfy I dont want to ever get out. This morning was the latest in a string of challenging wake ups. When that alarm goes off the first thing that runs through my mind is how I can get in any more sleep. And boy does it suck, mornings were my time to work out and now my schedule has been thrown off, working out in the afternoon, and skipping days. I know you can relate, and I hope I cant beat the bed and wake up on time the rest of the week, ON TIME.
That brings me back to the title of this post, Bed Dance, dont forget to appreciate that oh so cozy snugglefest you can sleep in every night and how fortunate we are.
Hope this is the start of a great week!
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Blue Man Group
I find it fitting after such a long time to post about something truly memorable and interesting. I know a lot of my posts in the past have been updates or random rants, but this one is really cool! Enjoy
This past week my baby bro celebrated his 21st. Aside from drinking, he decided we would go and see the Blue Man Group. I was the only person in the family who had seen them before but a performance almost a decade ago really counts for nothing. The new show was totally different in so many ways, and in others the same. My favorite part is how they challenge societal themes through each skit and the feeling they leave you with. This show touched on the Digital Age, 3-D interaction, Attention Span, and self described Information Overload. Needless to say the performance was sick. Here is a video I took towards then end of the show.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
You know what really grinds my gears.....
The woman across the street who keeps putting notes on my car. Thats what grinds my gears. Its crazy there are like 100 spots on the street and 9 days out of the week I park right infront of my house, no big deal. Anywho some times there is someone parked there so then, as i would imagine everyone would do, I look for the next best spot. Usually i rate the spots based on convenience, distance, space, and of course the view. Im just kidding i park right across the street. This woman has the audacity to write a note on my car not once, not twice, but three times, one of which was in the rain, to inform me that she would not like me to park there anymore. For your reference the notes read, please dont park here. NO explanation, no name, no nothing. I find this particularly bogus cause its a public street. And there were other spots with equal distance to her house so i have no idea why this would be such a perplexing issue that a woman that i have never meet had to inconvenience herself three times for no reason at all. To conclude screw her and never write notes on peoples cars. Its called a hit and run for a reason.
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