jacob mathai

Sweet Basil:

Summer travels

2011-08-10T14:49:00.000-07:00

I sense that summer is rapidly concluding on us here in the PNW. I'm not complaining, it's been great while it's lasted. Here are some random shots I've taken this summer from the Pacific Coast in Oregon and Provence, France.

Coast :

Provence:

From Provence

Urban farming update: My first harvest

2011-06-29T08:24:00.000-07:00

Here are some shots of the first harvest from my urban farming experiment in Portland. We're looking at sugar snap peas, sweet basil, and some leafy greens (mescaline). Yum ...

Paris images

2011-06-18T21:08:00.000-07:00

Here are some shots I took in Paris this month You can see the entire album here. We stopped in Paris for a few days before heading south to Provence. What a gorgeous city!

A flower market in Paris

From Paris 2011

A Notre Dame gargoyle close up

From Paris 2011

Pont des Artes

From Paris 2011

Crepes

From Paris 2011

Along the Seine

From Paris 2011

St Michaels Square

From Paris 2011

June gardening update

2011-06-17T12:12:00.000-07:00

I peeked in on my raised bed this morning and saw this sugar snap pea staring back at me. There was something really fulfilling about seeing something I grew from seed that I can't fully explain or rationalize.

Here are some other flowering peas growing up a trellis and my neighbor's house in the background.

Here is another view of the my adventures in vertical gardening with sugar snap peas. Looking at this photo makes me happy for some reason.

US 101: Neakahnie mountain

2011-05-14T16:16:00.000-07:00

From Neakahnie mountain

Here are a couple of shots I took on my phone at Neakahnie mountain today on the coast off 101. It is a short and fun hike. The views and wildflowers make it worthwhile and keep a look out for some large (bald) birds in the jet streams.

From Neakahnie mountain

Blue skies

2011-04-24T16:51:00.000-07:00

I went on a hike in Washington this weekend to clear my head and to take advantage of the gorgeous weather. Here are a few photos from our hike. I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend a beautiful day. In other news I've started reading The Most Human Human by Brian Christian. The book chronicles a contest in England where humans and computers interact with a panel of human judges in a classic Turing test; The simple objective is for the judges to distinguish man from machine through a series of questions; Easier said than done.
The book is tackling the basic existential question: "what makes us distinctly human?" Where it gets good is how we're redefining what makes us human as technology increasingly advances ('encroaching' on our sacred domain) and this is NOT sci-fi. Good times.. The sun is shining .. I think I'm going outside now.

Vegetable gardening in Portland

2011-04-17T16:46:00.000-07:00

I've taken the leap into vegetable gardening this year. My motivation is simple -- eat something I've grown myself and show it to my father when he visits us in Portland. He'd get a big kick out of that. My first foray into the exciting world of vegetable gardening was planting some seeds indoors. I soaked the seeds in paper towels for ~2 days and many of them sprouted right in the paper towels. I asked around the neighborhood and finally settled on seeds from the Territorial Seed Company. I can't say enough about quality this outfit and the knowledge level of their staff and gardening in the Pacific NW.

Here is a shot of my sugar snap peas and cucumber starts at about 2 weeks.

The next challenge I am facing is the lack of great sun at my home and well Portland in general. I found a spot with 3-4 hours of sunlight southern exposure on our property; There is one small problem -- it is on my driveway and there is no good place to garden. Enter a raised bed or accept defeat. This is getting complicated. So with some help from the Chicken Gardener (yes..that is what I said), I put in a 4x6 cedar bed. I added some river rocks for drainage and the location is on a slight incline so I don't anticipate allot of problems. I build a cold frame out of pvc pipe and a 2mm plastic tarp to get an early start on the season and filled her with dirt.

Here is a shot of the bed and the cold frame without the tarp.

After consulting with Joan across the street (a very vegetable savvy person), I planted my sugar snap peas and a tomato plant this afternoon and covered the structure with a translucent 2mm tarp. I hope the last of the frost is behind us. More updates to come. Happy gardening.

I love this bridge

2011-04-11T22:04:00.000-07:00

I had a great time in San Francisco this past week. I attended a Linux Foundation Event and I continue to be amazed by the power of free and open software and how it transforming the world as we know it. Some very kind tourists saw me fussing with my iPhone camera trying to take a photograph with my favorite bridge and well .. offered to take this shot. Did I say... I love living on the west coast.

On the reading front, I've just completed Haruki Murakami's Norwegian Wood; Yes like the Beatles song. The book is a good read --reminds me of 'The Catcher in the Rye". While on a plane ride to Germany, the story starts with a song triggering a series of memories for the main character Toru Watanabe. My favorite quote in the book is " Memory is a funny thing. When I was in the scene, I hardly paid it any mind. I never stopped to think of it as something that would make a lasting impression, certainly never imagined that eighteen years later I would recall it in such detail. I didn't give a damn about the scenery that day. I was thinking about myself" and then the story unfolds.
In other news, I'm planning a vegetable garden with some raised beds and 3 varieties of tomatoes. I spoke to someone at Territorial Seed Company for 30 minutes and learned so much about this vegetable (or fruit). Thank god for places like that. I'll post more gardening developments as they emerge. Bye for now.

Prospere Pierre-Louis

2011-03-19T19:54:00.000-07:00

3 Loas, 1990 Acrylic on Canvas 20x24

Here is a painting I bought last week by the late Haitian artist Prosper Pierre-Louis. He is considered a master and was a member of the renowned Saint Soleil art movement in Haiti. He was not formally educated and taught himself to play the violin and drums at a young age. As a young boy, he assisted in religious rituals with father who was a Vodou priest; Elements of that religious practice influence his work heavily. Although some characterize him in the the primitive arts, Prosper Pierre-Louis' work is complex; If that sounds like a oxymoron, it is and I recommend experiencing this duality that makes his work so unique and compelling.

His paintings often depicting Vodou loas or spirits often in vibrant colors. The paintings are mystical and free flowing and 2 dimensional. This specific painting just spoke to me and my experience has been that art is as much about how you feel as it is about how it looks. Every time I walk by it I pause and see something new. This piece depicts 3 free flowing Loas with arms outstretched forming a circle. I like the sense of continuity and how the three Loas are connected ; There is no real sense of where the Loas (or painting for that matter) begins or ends.

Let the Great World Spin

2011-02-27T15:48:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading Colum McCann's novel 'Let the Great World Spin' and if you're a New Yorker, I suggest picking up this book. Set in the difficult summer of 1974 (Vietnam and WaterGate era) it chronicle the lives of an unconventional Irish priest, heroin abusing prostitutes, upper east side socialites, and a judge whose lives all cross paths in the big apple. The unlikely event that ties their lives together is a man dancing in air on a tight rope between the Twin towers. The city pauses in disbelief and wonder as this man captures the imagination of even the most cynical. McCann's descriptions of the city and particularly the Bronx resonated with me -- gypsy cabs, bodegas, and gum ball machines. A masterpiece and the best book I've ever read about New York City and the amazing people who are its' lifeblood.

There were so many quotes that resonated with me; Here's one: 'Find in others the ongoing of ourselves' and in a way it sums up how the seemingly disconnected lives of a hooker, priest, judge, an artist, tight rope walker and me the reader are all very connected in the fabric of a great world that spins on.

Charles Darwin Research Station

2011-01-02T15:37:00.000-08:00

This is my likely my last post on the Galapagos Islands and like our trip, it ends on the beautiful Island of Santa Cruz. I was surprised and a little disappointed at how developed Santa Cruz island really was. It has over 30k residents and is the bustling epicenter of the the Galapagos. Unlike mainland Ecuador, the Galapagos islands are booming economically and many people are emigrating here in search of a better life. This population shift driven in large part by tourism dollars is probably the biggest ecological risk to the Galapagos islands and its indigenous species. I found this sobering and I found myself hyper aware of my impact on my immediate surroundings. If only I could be so self aware all the time.

From Santa Cruz, Galapagos

Visiting the Charles Darwin Research Center and on Santa Cruz was inspiring. Amidst the island bustle, this biological research center was helping preserve the Galapagos terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The center manages several key conservation programs including giant tortoise captive breeding programs. Donating to this worthy cause can help ensure that giant tortoise populations are protected for future generations and I would love to come back here and volunteer my time and give back.

From Santa Cruz, Galapagos

Seeing a giant tortoise in the wild is breath taking. I watched one in particular slowly make its way to a watering hole for a drink Time passed at a surreal rate. I was astonished at the size and presence of these creatures. They can grow over 600 pounds and four feet in length and unlike turtles, they live entirely on land. Many are over 100 years old and giant tortoises first appeared on earth 250 million years ago. It is quite possible that I encountered a tortoise on Santa Cruz that also was around when Darwin first visited here. The research center releases hundreds of tortoises back into the wild from their captive breading programs all across the Galapagos islands annually and is ensuring a brighter future for this fragile ecosystem.

From Santa Cruz, Galapagos

Isabella & Hiking Sierra Negra

2010-11-14T10:22:00.000-08:00

Isabela Island

The second island in the Galápagos archipelago that we visited after San Cristobal was Isabela. Named after a Spanish Queen, Isabela is one of the youngest and largest islands in the archipelago. She was formed by 6 volcanos; 5 of which are still active. We hiked the Sierra Negra and Chico and got to see up close Isabela's volcanic history.

Isabella is an amazingly bio-diverse place; Life and evolution is happening everywhere around you. It was the least human inhabited island we visited and also the most animal, marine, and plant rich. I'm sure those two facts are related. The plane ride to Isabela was hair raising. It was a 5 seater and one of those experiences where you put your life in the hands of someone you've just met. The marine life here is unmatched. Being so close to so many marine iguanas stands out. Watching them regulate their body temperature in the mid day sun and occasionally nod their heads in a territorial gesture was a first. There were thousands of iguanas perched on every volcanic rock as far as I could see.

Seeing a resting white tip reef shark, actually about a dozen of them, on the bottom of a shallow channel was a surprise. I've seen them in open water, but never resting in the shallow. Snorkeling on Isabela was like a dream. We swam with a dozen or so wild giant sea turtles in and that was a chance of a lifetime. My hope is that generations in the future can say the same. There are active conservation efforts underway on the islands, however the effects of humans are undeniable.

Hiking Sierra Negra

Hiking the Sierra Negra and Chico Volcano brought me close to Isabela's volcanic past. How can a place with such a violent volcanic past be so bio-diverse ? Isabela challenges the idea that destruction and life can exist without one other; It reminded me of the relationship between Shiva and Brahma in Indian mythology. The second part of the hike is a little more difficult in that there is little or no cover from the sun and it can get warm in afternoon. The terrain is unmatched and seeing lava caves and volcanic formations at this scale is mind blowing.

If you look closely at the picture below, you''ll see a Galapagos hawk perched in this tree. He seemed most curious about our group. The colors in the rocks are astonishing. Elements like sulfur color the rocks bright orange and yellow in sections.

On the Origin of Species

2010-11-13T16:26:00.000-08:00

The second part of our trip to Ecuador was all about visiting the Galápagos Islands. I've been fascinated with this place ever since I watched a nature program about Charles Darwin's expedition on PBS thirteen with my father when I was ten years old; It is funny how some stuff just stays with you. The Galápagos are an archipelago of volcanic islands near the equator in the eastern pacific ocean. They are located about 60 miles off the west coast of South America and were made famous by Charles Darwin during his famed voyage of the Beagle. Darwin credits his study of endemic species in the Galápagos as a major influence on his theory of evolution and natural selection. We were lucky enough to visit three islands : San Cristobal, Isablela and Santa Cruz. We got a taste of what inspired Darwin to shake up the scientific world like he did.

San Cristobal:

The first island we visited was San Cristobal and it's one of the oldest islands in the archipelago and was the first stop Darwin made on his voyage of the Beagle. After visiting the island's interpretation center, we tested out the water by snorkeling in Darwin Bay. This place was the first stop that Darwin made on his famed journey. A wetsuit is a good ideas as the water is cold and the volcanic rocks can be sharp if you are not mindful. I had my first encounter with a somewhat territorial male sea lion bull at Darwin Cove. He was big and moved through the water very quickly. It was overwhelming to see this enormous male swimming towards you to let you know who's cove this really was and in a split second he's gone and you're alone in the water. This early encounter foreshadowed things to come. I started to appreciate just how wild this place can be.

From San Cristobal, Galapagos

The first thing that struck me about San Cristobal was that wild life was everywhere. I foubd Sea kayaking was both fun, frustrating, and challenging. Negotiating the currents was difficult and coordinating in a tandem with Simmy added an unanticipated layer of complexity. The kayaks were a great way to see nesting birds in the sea cliffs around San Cristobal, that is of course when they're going in the right direction.

From San Cristobal, Galapagos

On day two we took a boat to Kicker Rock (Sleeping Lion) which is a a popular dive and snorkeling site known for its birds and sea life. It was probably the toughest snorkel I've ever done. The site is basically two volcanic formations in the ocean with a narrow channel that runs through the middle. The boat dropped us off on one side and we would snorkel through the channel ; The catch is the waves are tremendous, the rocks are sharp and there are sharks.

From San Cristobal, Galapagos

Otavalo & Laguna Cuicocha

2010-11-06T12:34:00.000-07:00

Around Otavalo

The first part of our trip to Ecuador was exploring Otavalo and the Andean highlands north of Quito. We spent a day exploring Otavalo and its indigenous Indian markets. They say the markets date from pre-Inca times and it is a historical gathering place for trade and commerce.

I was surprised at how developed the market was and the sophisticated sales techniques of the merchants; many of which were multi-lingual and well traveled. Otavalo is renowned for textiles, Indian jewelery, leather, tapestries, and music. The alpaca textiles can get pricey and it probably smart to find a reputable merchant. I really enjoyed visiting Jose Cotacachi's workshop just outside Otavalo. Talking to his brother and seeing up close how they used traditional weaving techniques and natural dyes painstakingly to weave these amazing patterns was enlightening.

The Inca inspired music is equally intriguing. I spent some time with a family that still made musical instruments by hand. There were a variety of wood winds, small guitar like stringed instruments called charangos, and a variety of percussion instruments; The most intriguing of which was the rain stick. I was somehow co opted into play the unnamed ancient instrument in the photo below and quickly appreciated how much effort is involved in making music with it. Thankfully, Simmy didn't think of snapping a photo of my musical venture. Unlike myself, the woman in the photo has music running in her veins.

Hiking Laguna Cuicocha

The drive through the Andean cloud forest to Laguna Cuicocha is awe inspiring. I was sitting in the back of the van pinching myself from time to time. Cuicocha is an emerald colored crater lake and caldera below the Cotacachi Volcano in the eastern Andes. Think of a caldera as a volcano that has collapsed in on itself and in this case has been collecting glacial run off and become an emerald colored lake. It is breath taking. Find a quiet spot and you'll feel why the Indians consider this place sacred.

The terrain is bio-diverse to say the least. Expect to encounter a myriad of mountain flowers, birds, and if you're lucky, maybe a speckled bear or the infamous elusive red van. That's it for now and see you soon.

Giant Sea Turtle

2010-11-02T14:42:00.000-07:00

Here are shots of us snorkeling off the coast of San Cristobal with a cooperating marine turtle. The island is in eastern Galápagos Islands and is the first stop Darwin made on his famed voyage. The water was still with a sandy bottom at this snorkel spot-- unlike the infamous kicker rock.

Swimming upstream

2010-09-26T18:23:00.000-07:00

We flew in my parents for a week to celebrate my mother's birthday. We rented a rustic cabin near Mt Hood to relax and spend some time together. I am happy to say my mobile was out of range. It took all of us (except Scrumpy) a little while to slow down our pace to the forest. Besides relaxing, we went on a great hike with perfect weather along Trillium lake and took these pictures.

On our last morning we were fortunate enough to see our first wild salmon run. Hundreds of fish returning to the rivers where they were born to spawn and complete their cycle of life. It was beautiful and sobering to watch; I couldn't help but think about my own existence as these amazing creatures swam upstream and struggled against the current to return home and spawn.

Happy Birthday Mom

Along the Zig Zag River behind the cabin

Scrumpy after being naughty

Magic Fairy Dust

Relaxing at the cabin

Simmy and I

Wild Salmon swimming the river to spawn

Prime Number

2010-09-18T20:38:00.000-07:00

I completed the American Lung Association's Trek Tri-Island last weekend. It is a charity ride on 3 islands in Washington's gorgeous San Juan islands. I joined a team from Portland and it was memorable; Add it to your bucket list. My favorite island was Lopez followed by Orcas, and then San Juan. Orcas was a bit more hilly than I had anticipated and its a good thing to keep in mind for next year. My team was amazing and a wonderful and welcoming group of people. My number was 67 and well that's a prime number so here's to clean air and muscle cramps and living.

Waiting for the Ferry to dock at Orcas

My Team

Lunch Break on Doe Bay on Orcas Island

Meet Rocinante (Roxy)

From Nepal : Trekking along EBC and Eastern Himalayas

3 Peaks

2010-09-06T17:55:00.000-07:00

Here are some shots of a great hike to Tom, Dick, & Harry mountain above Mirror Lake near Government Camp, Oregon. (about 50 mile from Portland) It was supposed to rain today and the weather gods were being extremely kind. It actually turned out being perfect hiking weather. Rainier, Hood, & Jefferson came out to play and I joked that it has to be a sign of good fortune so close to my birthday.

From Tom,Dick, & Harry Mtn

So completely switching gears, I just stated reading a Steinbeck book that I can't put down (thanks Claire!) and this quote spoke to me. "A journey is a person in and of itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards, policing and coercion are fruitless. We find after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us. Only when this is recognized can the blown-in-the-glass bum relax and go along with it." Wise words from an amazing man. I think I'll try and steer by that for the next year of my life. I like it already ... I am just here for the ride.

From Tom,Dick, & Harry Mtn

No Fish Guts

2010-09-05T11:03:00.000-07:00

From Scappoose Bay

Well, I went to Scappoose Bay with Bill yesterday to try out some eddyline kayaks. I have to admit I was a little nervous because the boats were narrower (read:less stable/more tippy) and longer (read:faster) than I've used before. That said, I've only been kayaking 4x and the first time was in the ocean on my honeymoon with Simmy and the other three times were here in Oregon on the Willamette and in the Columbia. I have flipped a total of 1 time and since been safetly trained on very basic kayak rescue techniques. All in all, I enjoyed quiet moments on the water; when you are not even paddling. There are other moments when drunken motor heads literally create waves and anxiety for me as my tiny craft wobbled in the water as they whiz by. It is gonna take some fish guts and time to develop my confidence. Here's to my bucket list and if doesn't kill me -- it should make me stronger. I did like the eddyline journey; I just need to get used to the speed. And it is still not as cool as h*tching a ride to California and back Bill.

From Scappoose Bay

Lost Lake

2010-08-22T20:35:00.000-07:00

A friend of ours from the dog park lent us an amazing book of local hikes in the northwest. She (Thanks Claire!) even prioritized her favorite and she sure knows her stuff. The drive through ZigZag via Lolo pass to Lost Lake was a little hair raising. There was about 5 miles of gravel forest road that had me a bit concerned, but the scenery was unmatched. When I got to there, you could feel why Native Indians called it the heart of the mountain. I think this Scrumpy doing her version of a mountain pose. I love this shot and it is a truly tranquil place.

From Lost Lake

Here I am, on the upper Salmon river trail at Canyon viewpoint. Imagine a hearing a roaring canyon below and a view my camera can't do justice. I am going to bring Simmy back here one of these weekends.

From Upper Salmon River Trail

Cape Lookout

2010-08-14T22:04:00.000-07:00

From Cape Lookout

I hiked along Cape Lookout on the coast this afternoon with Simmy and Scrumps. It was 90 degrees in Portland and a considerably cooler 58 degrees on the coast. I'm glad I had warm clothes with me and an extra pair of shoes. Cape Lookout is officially one of my favorite hikes in the area. An amazing natural place. We stopped in at Oceanside on our way home and ran into people we know from Portland. Small world and a fun day. Enjoy the summer.

From Cape Lookout

St John's bridge

2010-08-08T13:01:00.000-07:00

Had a really great time at the Providence Bridge Pedal this year and rode over 10 bridges this morning. Door to door the ride was 50 amazing mile. The St John's bridge is a Gothic masterpiece and my favorite.

Tinkering with Black Swans

2010-07-05T11:03:00.000-07:00

The summer has been unusually mild this year in the pacific north west. A great opportunity to catch up on my reading. I'm halfway through Nassim Taleb's The Black Swan and I am still tackling the concepts Taleb introduces. In short, the book is about randomness and uncertainty theory and that is only scratching the surface. A black swan is a high impact event (i.e. the internet or 9/11), the impacts of which are undirected and unpredicted. Other characteristics of a Black Swan are they are considered outliers, they don't connect to events or trends in the past, they come as a surprise, and they have lasting impact. Taleb further argues that once such an event happens, as humans we are predisposed to retrofitting it to a set of patterns or a story that helps us rationalize it; We effectively concoct an explanation, after the fact, to make the random Black Swan event more predictable and explainable. We rationalize the randomness by not acknowledging it. I'm mentally still tackling this revelation.

Taleb explores the intersection of epistemology and the limitations of our human knowledge to cope with a world that is perhaps far more random (less patterned) than we might think or be predisposed to. What if the past was really no indication of the future? What if our greatest tool (the mind) was limited and could only reduce the randomness to a set of patterns that we put on a pedestal called science and mathematics ? Gosh this would explain so much seemingly irrational human behavior. He sights examples ranging from 9/11 to economic collapse as events that noone saw coming but that all the pundits and experts understood and predicted in hindsight. The amazing pattern matching tool we call the brain can be a double edged sword in a world where randomness and uncertainty may play a more significant role than we know. There is allot there to think about as I interact with the world around me.

analog, randomness, and snails

2010-06-13T17:01:00.000-07:00

Simmy and I visited Paris in June to take some time off and to celebrate her birthday. We decided to rent an apartment, albeit a tiny apartment, but still a world better than a drab hotel room and a small step closer to the feeling of living in such an amazing city. This wasn't our first visit so we were spared from standing on all the lines waiting to see places like Notre Dame and the Louvre.

From Paris, France 2010

Our morning jogs along the Seine were fun and I was surprised we didn't observe a larger running culture in Paris. Jogging was a nice way to see the city and to work off some of the calories from our dinners. We had a chance to visit 2 supper clubs which are basically dinner at someone's house where the guests don't know one another. I highly recommend it, if you get a chance; it is a great way to spend an evening abroad. The concept is simple -- put random people in a room, serve dinner, and watch what happens. One of the evenings we attended a supper club hosted by an american named Jim Haynes and this amazing man has been serving Sunday dinners to strangers for over 30 years. All you have to do is call him on Sunday afternoon, pay the cost of the dinner, and be open minded. I met some fascinating people that I don't see myself having crossed paths with otherwise. There is something to this concept and it is enhanced by the randomness of the interactions and conversations. As I write this -- it just occurred to me that he's probably having dinner at his place now and I wish I was there.

From Paris, France 2010

A few weeks back I visited the NYC High line and I actually found its predecessor in Paris south of the Bastille. It's called Promenade Plantee and it is a restored above ground railroad that has been converted into a marvelous green space with amazing gardens and flowers. It is an elevated park and was converted in 1994, 15 years before the NYC High line in Chelsea. THe relationship between Paris and NYC is something I need to think about more. Digging through stacks of old records at the flea market in the Marais was lots of fun; almost made me want to go analog. I say that as I type away on my mac -- maybe just a record player. Until next time .

From Paris, France 2010

Seated Harlequin

2010-05-29T16:35:00.001-07:00

From NYC 2010

It is Picasso's "Seated Harlequin" and its on special exhibit at the MET. The Harlequin (jester/clown) was one of Picasso's alter egos. The work is breath taking and a master piece.

Spending time in another part of the exhibit focused on his cubism phase, I had to sit down to soak in the genius this man was. He was pushing the envelope in every direction. The level of abstraction he was working in in his cubist phase is astonishing. I'm looking forward to seeing more of his stuff in France.

Greening the West Side

2010-05-29T16:07:00.000-07:00

From NYC 2010

I was in NYC this month and decided to visit the High Line green space. I read about the High Line in the New York Time sometime this year and found the idea of an elevated green space in a city a novel idea. If you are unfamiliar with it, the High Line is an elevated 1.5 mile rail structure running on Manhattan's west side. The tracks were originally used to transport meat and agriculture in and around the meat packing district. It has since been converted into a lush green space with a ton of architectural touches that are pleasing to all your senses.

Imagine walking around in a english garden, with some northern european architectural styling elevated forty feet in the air in Manhattan and that is what the High Line is like. Grab a book, find a shady bench and I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

From NYC 2010

If you look in the lower right (in the photo above) you'll see the old railroad. Amazing.

From NYC 2010

Second look

2010-04-17T19:19:00.000-07:00

I was coming out of the YWCA on SW 10th and had a sense I needed to look behind me. Trust your instincts and here is why. Took out my bike for the first time this season and put in about 35 miles -- almost made it to Sauvie Island. Here's to an upcoming summer in Portland.

A windy path

2010-03-28T12:01:00.000-07:00

I took this photo outside of my window at work a couple of days ago. I was at work early, it was still overcast and you could see and hear spring everywhere. I particularly liked the effect the book's reflection cast in the window. It looked like a windy path worth exploring. It transported me to visiting Japan and walking around old Kyoto.

Short of going there, I've been diligently working in our Zen/English hybrid garden. Here it is so far and I love the Portland Nursery. I even planted some carrots.

balance

2010-03-06T21:43:00.000-08:00

I spent a wonderful day with Simmy & Scrumpy in the gorge. Here we are sitting on a bluff near Angels Rest admiring the view and having fun with some zen rock piles. Someone passed by and and offered to snap this photo us and it I think it captured the moment well. I didn't realize the irony of the giant balanced stone we were sitting on while arranging the small rock piles; It was lost on me until I looked at the photo. I'm guessing lots of things in life are like that.

Here is some video of us hopefully making the first of many zen rock piles in 2010. My friend Madelon quoted me quoting Rumi last week and I think I'm going to quote her, quoting me, qouting Rumi here: "one day your pain will become your cure". Enjoy the little things.

Fire in the hole

2010-02-11T19:09:00.001-08:00

Finding time for myself this past month has been hard. Between work, trying my best to be present and genuinely engaging a team of 16 direct reports is taxing and , no I am not complaining. In our daily stand up meetings I've asked the team to begin answering a NEW question every morning 'what are the obstacles to your success today'? Amazing what you learn when a leader learns to ask the right questions. My job is not to zoom in on their inability to be perfect or point out everything that they do wrong; we all know perfection is a problem without a solution and asking them for something that can't be solved is demotivating in the long term. My job as a leader is to remove obstacles in their path so they can do their jobs more effectively. That's my management insight of the month.

In other news -- I caved in and went iPhone and am still smiling when I think about how intelligent and practical a device it is. It is changing so many of the ways I collect, consume, and produce data. Other than that -- looking forward to some snow shoeing in the coming days. I took this photo near the entrance to Forest Park in Portland near NW Thurman. The whole photo was wabi sabi -- beautiful and imperfect.

New epoch

2010-01-02T10:51:00.000-08:00

Simmy & decided to surprise our folks in New York for new years this week and I think it turned out pretty good. I rang my father on his home phone line and asked him to open the front door to receive a package and there we all stood is disbelief for about 10 seconds as the synapses fired -- revealing the surprise. It is wonderful to be home and NOTHING compares to my Mom's cooking; Playing legos with my 4 nieces is priceless and just the way to start off the new year.

As I reflect on the last decade I can't help but think about how fortunate I am. So many things to be thankful for including getting married to my wonderful wife, our dog Scrumpy joining the family, great opportunities to learn and grow professionally and personally, an awesome group of people to work with everyday, an afternoon picnic on the great wall of China, snorkeling with reef shark in the Caribbean, seeing Everest and the eastern Himalayas, sea kayaking in the Gulf of Thailand, leaving home in NY & moving to the west coast (such an awesome personal growth experience & opportunity), seeing the first African American president sworn into the office, watching the internet transform everything around me, and always having an awesome support network of friends and family to lean on when the waters gets rough. So much to reflect upon and be thankful for.
There are darker things this past decade that will stay with me too. Coming out of the subway station near Chambers Street on the morning of September 11th and looking up at the World Trade Center for the last time; It still lingers in my mind. Although I wish otherwise, the world changed that day and I know that we can never come back; If I could have access to a undo button in my life it would have certainly been on that day. Spending half a day inside of Dharavi and the slums in Mumbai was shocking and humbling. I felt as if all my senses were awakened to harshest reality I've ever witnessed. I have never experienced that level of abject poverty in my life.; I couldn't speak and I felt guilty as the car drove me back to my hotel. These experiences weigh on my conscience and are undeniable components of my frame of reference.

All of these experiences have shaped and changed me in profound ways; I guess that is the point of life. As I look to the coming year and beyond (mostly beyond) here are the areas I want to work on and develop:

Continue to grow and develop as a human being
Take allot more chances and risks (credit to Andy)
Become a solid lap swimmer in the next 12 months (w/ allot of help from Emerson)
Take a shot at working for myself (see #2)
Maybe start a family
Be more straight forward
Move all my personal web crap into AWS
Make sushi and then eat the sushi
Hug Simmy more
Attend all** of Gordon's meeting
Teach Scrumpy how to catch a frisbee
Make my parents smile more
Be happy

Here's to 2010, beyond, and the next epoch.

**all=most :)

Altitude sickness

2009-12-19T19:43:00.000-08:00

I've wanted to write down my reflections on EBC for a while now; Part of me has been avoiding it and the other part doesn't even know where to start. The entire experience was transformational and a few times I found myself real close to the edges of my understanding of reality.
I'll start here; I don't think I appreciated what altitude sickness was until I was having breakfast in KhumJung and I started feeling lightheaded and the thought of another day of 8 hours of trekking ahead of me started to sink in; I just wanted to curl up into a fetal position and close my eyes. Was this really happening ? What the heck was I thinking? How does that song go ? Welcome to your life, Jacob ... there is no turning back.
Tea house trekking in the Himalayas taught me lots of thing; Walking too fast makes you kind of miss the point of talking a walk. Actually the pilgrimage (the walk) is the experience; It is primal and encoded deep inside all of us -trust me. Laying on the bluff waiting for clouds to move was just as fun as the moment you lost your breath and realized that Everest was smiling down on you; I looked over at Simmy and the valley around us, the Sherpas, the world suddenly went still . Pure happiness and energy --the rest is difficult to describe -- feels like contentment. It's like when Voltaire said "Man is free at the moment he wishes to be" and that's how that moment felt to me.

From Nepal : Trekking along EBC and Eastern Himalayas

Wandering in the Kathmandu Valley

2009-10-24T08:48:00.000-07:00

I've always had a romanticized view of Nepal and the Himalayas. It was the mysterious place nestled between India and China that was a resting place for pilgrims, travelers, and merchants for thousands of years; Maybe one of the original melting pots in the world -- a glimpse of what the future could hold. Nepal was the place that absorbed so much culture from its surroundings and neighbors - yet distinctly remains well...Nepal. It was the home of the Himalayas and Mount Everest, the birthplace of Buddha, Ancient temples and UNESCO sites, Buddhist and Hindu shrines, and everything that captured my imagination since first locating it on a map in Mrs Renton's sixth grade social studies class.

Arriving in Kathmandu can be overwhelming -- have patience and some passport size photos to streamline visa processing; You're not in Kansas anymore. I found the sights, the smells, and the pulse of the Kathmandu valley drumming to an unfamiliar beat. There was something going on in every corner I gazed and the backdrop was an ancient city with a mystery I knew I could only scratch the surface of. Anxious and jet lagged, I woke up at dawn our first full day in Kathmandu; I had to get out there. Walking around the open air markets and seeing bags of colorful spices reminded me of Cochin. The amount of functional art in the form of ancient shrines and stupas in the valley was astonishing. Sitting on the raised floor in the Tibetan prayer flag shop, I kept gazing out over the square and getting distracted by all the sights and sounds.

I watched in awe countless times as common people made early morning offerings to statues of Ganesh and Saraswati from the 4th or 5th century. Seeing ancient art in such a functional context was entirely new to me. It was like walking through an open air museum with pieces more valuable than I've seen in the South Asian wing of the MET.

The old shopping arcade of Asan Tole seemed unchanged for thousands of years. The brilliant colors and smells of the spice and vegetable markets still linger in my mind - what a sensory experience.
I've always had a connection to Hanuman (so says my Father) and arriving in Kathmandu's Hannuman Durbar Square was a wonderful experience. When you manage to find a quiet spot and finally convince all the touts and tour guides that you are 'ok' ... you begin to soak in the wonder of the place. Watching the flickering butter lamps and merchants selling vegetables in the open air -- I can't help but imagine how little it has really changed over time. I had my first encounter with a Sadhu (actually two) and a living goddess (who knew ? ) aka a Kumari in Durbhar Square and that is a right of passage of sorts in Nepal. One of Sadhu's them spoke decent English and they both insisted I take their photo for a nominal fee of course; How could I resist ? The Kumari was a young (pre-pubescent) girl who is worshiped as the incarnation of the goddess Durga. It was fascinating to see people line up to bring this young girl gifts and offerings in her palace compound. I can still see the third eye painted on her forehead.

Nepal, at least for now, stands in defiance to the one world monoculture. I encourage you to wander there if your circumstances permit. Have an open mind, don't fight it, and Namaste.

Summiting Mount St. Helens

2009-09-01T22:20:00.000-07:00

Simmy & I signed up for Mt St Helens climbing permits this year. I scheduled it for late August so we could get a chance to train and prep for the climb. I had no idea what I was in for and like most things that leave an impression on me, that sounded about right. The day of the hike started early with a 3:30am drive to the mountain. I had no frame of reference for what the next 10 hours would be like. It was a long day to say the least; Aside from the physical fatigue, I think the core of the experience is about overcoming a mental barrier. I don't know if my body would agree with that assessment. The hike to timberline was fairly straight forward, but the scramble through the boulder fields was killer. I remember just trying to locate the next pole and getting fooled several times by the false peaks. The final obstacle between a determined self and the summit is a scree field that seems to go on endlessly into the distance. You only appreciate the scale of the task when you see tiny ants (people) walking around the rim from the base of the scree field and get some perspective on what stands between you and the summit.

From Summiting Mt St Helens

The weather was absolutely perfect; I could not have asked for anything more. The sky was clear and we had amazing views of Mt Rainer, Spirit Lake and the crater. The scale of the crater and the idea that you are on an active volcano is a humbling experience. Seeing a couple of rock slides in the crater and not being able to hear them reinforced the scale of what we were looking at. It was magnificent. I read a quote from Sir Edmund Hillary that read "It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves." -- I have a new and very personal appreciation of that now.

We're not in Kansas anymore

2009-08-08T17:56:00.000-07:00

I read a quote this week titled "life and career are competing in a zero sum game". I was instantly transported to my college adviser Stephen Bram's office at NYU . We met about once a month in his office on Broadway in the East Village and I'd pretend to be keeping up with him, but most of the time just keeping my head above water and trying to get over the fact that he wrote the book "Theory of Moves" which also happened to be the course ware for the class he was leading -- "Game Theory". Did I mention he's from MIT and probably one of the smartest people I've ever met. Back to the future -- so I wasn't sure what to make to of that quote 'life and work are competing in a zero sum game" -- Hey ... but I enjoy my life and career... How are they competing? I still don't know what to make of this statement. If the points or bounty in the game map to 'My Time" -- I can see how the more time you spend on career the less for life and vice versa. Maybe the answer is finding the right balance between life and career or in game theory speak - the Nash Equilibrium. If you're wondering what the map is all about -- we'll I think my Nash Equilibrium is preserved if I hit that red point before the end of the year. =)

View Larger Map

I had a chance to to meet and hear Tom Mendoza of NETAPP last week and it was memorable. He gave a talk about company culture and provided some management insights around building strong teams. The messages that resonated with me where "share the mission with the troops" and to focus on creating 'an environment' where smart people can innovate and prosper and let the magic happen. I was making small talk with Tom before the venue and my upcoming trekking trip to Nepal and the Himalayas region came up. He seemed intrigued and asked "How one trained for 'multi day hikes into the Himalayas". I didn't expect the question and I think he knew the answer. Like most things, it is mostly mental. Your mind has to be in the right and then your body will follow: Let's hope both are calibrated correctly for Simmy & I.

That is probably a good transition -- in an attempt to maintain the Nash Equilibrium in my life & career game matrix -- I am taking off for three weeks to Nepal and the Kathmandu valley this fall. I hoping to get at least 2/3 of the EBC trek complete if not more and maybe visit some ruins in the valley. In trying to book accommodation and just schedule things like local 'in country' flights in Nepal -- I quickly realized that we're not in Kansas anymore' and it will be a little more rough going than the I expected; And that is just the kick in the pants I need.

Maelstrom at the Met

2009-07-11T15:28:00.000-07:00

Took these shots on the roof garden at the Met today in New York. The artist is Roxy Piane and the piece is called Maelstrom. What a great afternoon in the city.

Out and About

2009-07-05T08:46:00.000-07:00

From silver star mountain

I've registered for a permit to summit Mount St Helens in August and although it not a super technical climb, it is certainly something I've wanted to accomplish since moving to this part of the country. I've been prepping since about May with a variety of hikes in Oregon & Washington and even completed the Gorge Ride which was an amazing experience. The ride down from the Rowena crest is a surreal experience; I don't think I've traveled that fast on a bike before. In terms of hikes, I hooked up with a great hiking outfit out of Washington and they do some of the most wonderful hikes I've seen in this area. I got a chance to complete Dog Mountain twice, Hamilton Mountain and my favorite so far -- Silver Star Mountain. On a clear day you can see 5 peaks from here. Here are a couple of pictures from the last couple of weeks. Enjoy the summer everyone !!

From Dog Mountain

les nympheas

2009-05-25T15:52:00.000-07:00

From paris

Simmy and I spent about a week in Paris this month and I was pleasantly surprised with the great time I had. We stayed at a small inn (kind of no-frlls) in the Marais district on the right bank and it reminded me allot of my place on the upper east side of Manhattan ; less touristy and allot of boutiques, museums, and incredible dining. The architecture and food are sometimes sensory overload as both are sometimes equally elaborate and over the top ; But hey -- this is France.

I would highly recommend the Musee d'Orsay and the Musee de l'Orangerie ; 20 minutes in front of Monet's les Nympheas was beter than any course I took in college on French Impressionism; Unbelievable. Oddly enough, my second favorite exhibit in Paris was of a Dutch painter .. Vangogh while he lived in Paris; Check out the room in the Musee d'Orsay and you'll stop dead in your tracks. It was by far the best arranged group of painting by a single artist I've ever seen assembled in a single room. The French understand how create the perfect museum space for these masterpieces to occupy. An amazing gallery. Regarding the Louve -- I thoroughly enjoyed sitting outside the Louve along the water fountain; It is one of my favorite places on the planet to sit, watch, and experience a different culture ; I found the interior of the Louve too large and gaudy and the scale of the collection was overwhelming and ultimately disenchanting.

From paris

Our Carte Orange cards were a great investment and the best way to get around Paris. Don't get me wrong -- if you don't walk and walk until your feet hurt -- then you are missing part of the experience ; However the Paris Metro is the second best option to scoot around the city. Finding the different Art Nouveau Metro entrances scattered throughout the city was part scavenger hunt and part living art class. The entrances were designed by Hector Guimard in the early 1900s , a masterful artist who lived in Paris in the early 19th century. I can see why so many creative people and artists like Vangogh and Hemingway were drawn to MontMarte cafes and Latin Quarter side streets for inspiration and thought provoking conversation. All the ingrediants must have been present to ignite their sense of inspiration.

From paris

Feng Shui

2009-04-25T07:16:00.000-07:00

Along the trail yesterday, I almost missed this arrangement of stones Scrumpy pointed it out me as we passed by the stream and she decided to take a dip in the water. I wonder how much hstuff like this we miss everyday - I know someone probably assembled it -- it is the best definition of Feng Shui I've ever experienced and it doesn't even contain a word. Wikipedia can't do that.

From Angels Rest 09

Hamilton Mountain Loop

2009-04-19T20:10:00.000-07:00

I hiked the 9 mile Hamilton Mountain Loop today on the Washington side of the Gorge with the MSHI. It had some elevation gain (2400 ft) and some breathtaking views of the Gorge, Mt St Helens, and Mt Hood. There are a few notable waterfalls -namely the Hardy and Rodney Falls which are a great place to take a break and cool off. The Pool of the Winds is pretty amazig to see. This is definitely one of the best and difficult hikes I've been on this year.

From Beacon Rock & Hamilton Mountain Loop

Gardening

2009-04-12T19:13:00.001-07:00

From Spring 09

Starvation Creek

2009-03-29T19:23:00.000-07:00

From Lower Starvation Creek

I was feeling ambitious this weekend and went hiking with a group in the pouring rain near Starvation Creek west of Hood River. It was some great views of the Gorge and pretty good elevation. The trail head is about 1 hour east on I-84 - you'll see signs for Starvation Creek. The ascent is steep and fast for the first 700-800 ft and there are 3 creeks to cross over view foot. Lot's of fun and you'll probably get wet ! The views of the Gorge get progressively better as you ascend. Bring a good pair of boots and the waterfalls are gushing !!

From Lower Starvation Creek

How to castrate a bull

2009-03-21T14:27:00.000-07:00

I did a little bit of traveling in February; I had a chance to to visit Seattle and San Francisco on separate trips related to work. The drive up to Seattle was nice and getting out of the office more often is definitely a nice change. I had a chance to meet Dave Hitz and just finished reading his book "How to castrate a Bull" where he recalls planting the seed that grew into a 4 billion dollar a year company called Netapp. A fascinating story and truly an impressive human being. A couple of things resounded with me :

Simplicity is not simple
Whining is the evil twin of vision
Living in the past can be deadly
Recognize new eras quickly
Anyone can castrate a bull

You'll need to read the book to appreciate the last one. In other news I trying to get back in shape for the cycling season and am lookig forward to some long rides in the gorge in the coming months. I went to the Portland Farmers Market and it was wonderful. We brought home some carrots, scallops, cheese, and fresh baked bread and pasta. Let's see what we come with.

Global village

2009-01-18T16:43:00.000-08:00

I read a passage on Marshall McLuhan today that summarized my holiday in Kerala. McLuhan coined the phrase "Global village" and it refers to the way technology and media is transforming traditional space time barriers. It is enabling people to live on a global scale and the world is truly a small place. Kerala is the undisputed gem of the Indian subcontinent. I encourage everyone to go see old world charm and progressive thinking coexisting. I particularly enjoyed old Cochin ; buying fresh fish on the coast, that we later prepared for lunch, just felt right; and the prawns were out of this world. Alleppey is the Venice of the East and you are overcome by a sense of calm just driving through this region. Visiting the regions where my parents were born was incredible and well worth the long flight there.

I think I've rediscovered the best kept secret in Asia . The shopping and food near Bazaar Road could occupy me for months. Seeing the wholesale spice markets and curio shops was well worth the sometimes annoying shop keepers. I would suggest checking out the reputable antique dealors, flower oil fragrance shops, and the textile dealers.

I took this photo outside of my auto rickshaw. I would encourage everyone to take a hair raising ride on on of these vehicles in chaotic traffic at some point in their lives. The great irony in India is that the bikes are the best way to get around. The tourists get stuck in traffic! The blur is the man on the bike whizzing by my auto that is stuck in traffic.