Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant Pledge $1 Million For Tornado Relief

Reblogged from CBS Baltimore:

OKLAHOMA CITY (CBSNewYork/AP) — The Oklahoma City Thunder are giving $1 million for tornado relief, matching a $1 million pledge by star player Kevin Durant.

The Thunder announced Tuesday that they'll give $1 million to the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and other disaster relief organizations helping after Monday's disaster in suburban Oklahoma City. Earlier in the day, Durant pledged $1 million to the Red Cross from his Durant Family Foundation intended to match other donations and be an incentive for more people to give.

Read more… 154 more words

Durant is awesome!!!

Guts, Heart and Glory: Get Serious

Good workouts rock! Now that’s a workout. When you go to the gym, either get serious, get out of the way, or go home! Those new Planet Fitness commercials make me laugh! Why do people who are in shape get called lugs on this planet? Oh yeah– I forgot- because Planet Fitness is “not a gym!” Hum? How can we get in shape there in that case? I have been in the gym for years and have yet to meet a man or woman fitting the image in those stereotypical commercials. People with no guts will have no glory and weak people find comfort in calling strong people lugs. It takes guts, heart and brains to train- so remember that! Smart equals sexy! Bring it!!

Ear Candy: The Killer Purps

~Felicia’s new purple headphones
(Beats Solo HD by Dr. Dre)~

I have been so impressed by ear candy over the last year. How did I ever live without real headphones? Laugh if you will but where I go— my genre blind iPod and headphones go. It was time to upgrade to the killer purps. My last set was black and red, but then Dr. Dre went and released his color line with King James by his side! This high definition sweet set has titanium coated driver technology for precise sound and distortion free bass. What can I say? This woman has needs!

Plato once said “music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” I do agree. It is natural for my body and mind to diffuse into sound. With music I get by, move forward, push harder, feel love, shake fear, become a fantasy, dry tears, and devour lyrics. My mind transforms with words and beats. Adrenaline provoking music is also critical to my workouts! I always have time for those things which make me feel alive.

~Dr. Dre and LeBron James~

A Referral, Followers, and a Visit to Dream Land

–’Cause I “Ain’t No Joke”–

Today was a good day for several reasons. First of all– I love the approaching summer sun on the weekend. I also had a great referral, I upped my followers, and I went to dream land!

It’s sweet to get more props for my web site from the Honolulu born mystery/thriller author Tricia Fields. She is directing readers to me through Good Reads. I can’t wait to hook up with this creative force at the 2013 Tony Hillerman Writers Conference. Tricia is currently reading Young Men and Fire by Norman Maclean. Hum?? I may have to see what that book is all about?

Today I hit a benchmark of 500 followers. I try and offer a wide range of topics to keep you all interested. Since I started My Voyage Through Time in 2011, I always told myself I would be happy to reach or touch just a handful of people who really care and are not plastic. It is nice to know that many more than I expected joined my voyage- so thank you!

Lastly– today I went to dream land. They revamped my local Sports Authority and it’s just awesome!! It is now my favorite store next to Whole Foods! Body and mind go hand in hand, so you have to work on both. The authority made me ooze sheer love with: neon Nike gear; life size pictures of real super heroes; shiny free weights; and Under Armour football/baseball gloves in every color that I don’t have yet (I use them for weight training and already have several pairs).

I guess I can say it was a good day. Peace and good thoughts.
**F

–Daryn Hits a Body Bag–

–Sports Authority in Santa Fe, New Mexico–

A Lady, A Hero and Hooks

Today I took the day off from the gym because I had a few errands to run. When I was leaving work two people caught my eye in the lobby. There sat a gentleman and a young lady caught up in their own creative world. I was immediately intrigued by the duo and wondered what they were up to? I decide to approach them on my way out so that I could ask. My first question was “are you making jewelry?” As it turned out, they were “tying flies” to snag Pike in Pilar, New Mexico. I told them “my brother is a fisherman and he would love you!” Hum? They had set up shop in the lobby of my building and they were working away.

While I ran one of a few scheduled errands I couldn’t help but think about these two people. Who were they? Why were they tying flies? Were they grandpa and grandchild? What was their story? I know I love history more than running errands, and by this point I can probably add more than coffee because I made a mad dash back to work. In a split second I had decided that I wanted to know more. I approached the busy workers with a smile while asking many questions. It is always so refreshing to meet new people who want to share their stories. In a short amount of time I had learned all about these people. I also set up a phone interview with the gentleman for this evening.

~Dr. Dinwiddie and Jamie Groves Working~
Photograph by Felicia Lujan_3.5.2013

Since the first of the month I had been contemplating which woman I wanted to research and write about in honor of National Women’s History Month (2013). The more I thought about that particular young lady, the more I realized I should focus on a woman who is currently making history. I was so amazed that a 24 year old woman was so mature, caring, creative, and patriotic. This special woman and her hero/mentor/grandfather figure had a worthy story to tell. This month is indeed Women’s History Month and the Library of Congress is featuring an exhibit titled The Women of Four Wars. Ms. Jamie Groves and Dr. Stu Dinwiddie are honoring our wounded warriors in a very special and unique way which is right in line with that exhibit.

Jamie Groves and Dr. Dinwiddie are not related. These individuals just work together to help disabled veterans, still Jamie thinks that Stu is “the granddaughter that he never had.” For the last six months, they have been tying flies and giving them to Albuquerque veterans as part of Project Healing Waters. The mission of that organization is dedicated “to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active duty personnel and veterans through fly fishing and fly tying education and outings.” It is such an awesome project that I was so honored to learn about. Dr. Dinwiddie is also a disabled veteran who now uses his time to help others along with his youthful partner. He has become Jamie’s mentor by teaching her to fly fish. Dr. Dinwiddie said that he was taught how to fly fish at 14 years old and that he learned from the son of Aldo Leopold!

~Jamie Groves Tying a Pike Fly~
Photograph by Felicia Lujan_3.5.2013

~A Jamie Groves Handcrafted Pike Fly~
Photograph by Felicia Lujan_3.5.2013

Jamie truly is a rare woman. At 24 years old she is contributing to the well being of those who made a difference in New Mexico history by protecting our freedom. She is passionate about what she does and insisted I didn’t take her picture until she “was working” and showing me the Evergreen Hand. The Evergreen Hand is a special tool invented and developed by Jesse Scott to assist disabled veteran fishermen. I was astonished to learn that Jamie will be teaching wounded warriors who have lost a hand or arm how to tie a fly with one hand. After watching them for a while, I don’t think I could tie one with two! This wonderful woman told me proudly that she sits on one hand to practice. This is how she knows that she can teach others. Dr. Dinwiddie told me that Jamie was touched on a recent visit with wounded women. Her participation in this project makes a world of a difference in a male dominated sport/hobby.

I am always so intrigued by the hidden history of our community. These two people are involved in a project so worthy of a mention. I was honored to take the time to learn so much. I learned about a lady and a hero making a difference in the lives of our wounded warriors one hook at a time.

Custom Crafted Rods by Stu Dinwiddie

Phone: 505.470.3673

Email: rsdinwiddie@plateautel.net

Rousey: Beautiful, Focused, and Deadly

Today on a special featuring an interview with Ronda Rousey, someone said…

“No body becomes
a fighter because
they have an easy life.”

Ronda Rousey rocked it out yet again in the 1st round of UFC® 157. She made Liz Carmouche submit with her deadly arm bar. This has become her signature death move!

It was the 1st night for women in the UFC, it was Rousey’s 1st time defending her title, and it was over in the 1st round for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion. Absolutely awesome!!

Ronda Rousey rockin’ it out~ UFC® 157

Ronda Rousey’s ground work~ UFC® 157

Ronda Rousey made Liz Carmouche submit with her deadly arm bar in the 1st round of UFC® 157.

Ronda Rousey takes it~ UFC® 157

Ronda Rousey accepts her win with Joe Rogan~ UFC® 157

A Rowdy Woman & UFC 157

I can’t wait until Saturday night. On February 23, the world will watch as the 1st women rock the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The main event of UFC® 157 will feature Rousey ~vs~ Carmouche at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Rousey “the trash talker” is the 1st and current UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion. She was also a Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Champion.

I put it all down for Ronda Rousey. She will take Liz Carmouche to the floor with some Judo or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu on Saturday night. “Rowdy” Rousey is an American Olympian from Cali. If you look up her pictures you may think this bombshell can’t possibly drop bombs~ but think again! She is straight awesomeness and has won medals for the Olympic and other games (bronze, silver and gold).

Kim Kardashian is lucky she’s pregnant right?! She only heard about the Queen of arm bars talkin’ trash. I don’t think Kimmy would want to feel the Rousey “strikeforce” of the 1st woman signed by the UFC! I’m just sayin’~ Ronda’s awesome…strong women rock!! Don’t let her beauty fool you.

Sports Culture | Miami Heat White House Visit (2013): #NBA #HeatOBAMA #Obama #LOL #Heat [Champion Since.]

Reblogged from Champion Since.:

Yeah!! Yeah!!! Yeah!!! Yeah!!!! Loved this! Miami Heat White House Visit (2013) posted by one of my favorites "Champion Since." This is what I'm talkin' about! Get ready to see the Heat take it yet again this year! Nice... :) Felicia

Inner Strength: Fit for Life

~~Barbara Massey~~
Bodybuilding Competition in her mid 40s.

It isn’t everyday that I get a chance to interview someone while I am in the gym. With a short amount of time and so much to do it is difficult if not impossible to even speak! I almost always opt to deliver a quick wave “hi” to those I know while my headphones blast into my ears. One day last week I took the time to have an interview with Barbara Massey. She mentioned that she had recently won an award, so I thought she should be acknowledged for that. While we huffed and puffed on the treadmill, I tapped into the hidden history of this inspiring woman.

For over a decade I have know Barbara. Honestly, since I do very little talking at the gym I have never had a good chance to get to know her on a more personal level. I have been using my web site to feature people who I feel have an interesting story to tell. This is a great way to bring personal stories to a collective audience in a unique way. While I was a journalist, this was always the kind of writing I enjoyed most. This gives me a chance to learn, while honoring the accomplishments of those who deserve to be recognized. And so begins the story of Barbara Massey who recently received a part-time staff Excellence Award from the Santa Fe Community College.

~~Barbara Massey~~
Bodybuilding Competition in her mid 40s.

Barbara is a personal trainer here in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I see her almost everyday as she attempts to whip men and woman into shape. I think that her awesome personality has made her a good fit for many of her clients. She is easy going, but teaches her clients about strict form and proper nutrition. It is no surprise that this former California surfer girl also ran track, pushed through marathons, studied dance, and fought real fires. The epitome of inner strength and fitness, Barb competed in her first body building competition when she was in her mid 40s. She was almost a decade older than I am at that time and so it is short of amazing that she was in such beautiful shape.

The first personal memories I have of Barbara are tied to Body Pump. Several years ago a group of Santa Feans decided to take classes to become certified Body Pump trainers. I guess we had a wild hair! The weight-based program has a focus on group fitness. The program is sponsored by Les Mills International, but was created by Phillip Mills in 1991. The classes are 60 minutes long and work eight muscle groups while listening to predetermined music tracks. The classes were instructed using free weights and barbells, so Barbara was a natural fit. I don’t believe that Body Pump had anything on her American Council on Exercise (ACE) Certificate, and her American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certificate.

~~Barbara Massey~~
Mandrills Gym, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Excellence Awards are given to people who are excellent for a reason. Barbara Massey is genuine a model of inner strength and fitness. For a woman in her 60s she is a cut above the rest. Not only does she strive to enhance the lives of her clients, but she also makes every effort to improve herself. All of these things make Barbara a special woman who is worthy of our recognition.

Flaws

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
I am flawed. Deeply flawed.
I think we all have our flaws.

~~~~Lance Armstrong
(2013 Interview with Oprah)
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Tonight I watched Oprah’s special interview with a fallen hero. Lance Armstrong didn’t flinch while answering tough questions. Part of me felt sorry for him. Seeing a man who was once seemingly unstoppable simply crumble was rather heartbreaking. He used the word flaw in several forms. He used the word several times exposing his humanness. At one point Oprah asked him “what was the flaw or flaws that made you decide to risk it all?”

His interview reminded me of some comments recently posted on my web site. The comments were made on “Lace: My New Theme.” I made my own quote to accompany my theme which reads “lace is intricate like a beating heart. There are always hidden flaws in flawless designs.” After publishing that post, I had a very thoughtful comment by Fay Moore. I appreciate those people who do not look at everything superficially. I wanted to share her comment and my comment back as I feel they shed light on the human condition.

Fay Moore Says:
January 18, 2013

Lovely, haunting visual. The black and white palette suggests examination of two sides of an issue: truth versus falsehood, dark versus light, fluff versus heft. Just an observation: it feels a bit sad at first glance. That may or may not be purposeful.

Felicia Says:
January 18, 2013

Hello Fay— I absolutely loved your thoughtful observations and comment. The symbolism in this theme is there for people to interpret as they see fit.

The black and white, two sides, dark vs light, is an awesome interpretation. It was not intended to seem sad visually, however I can see how you came to that conclusion given the fact the I used a web site screen shot which features a previous post. My poem “Sea of Tears” had an eye releasing tears, but not out of sadness. The tears were to create an ocean at the request of a loved one.

The quote that I authored can also be interpreted as a bit sad, but really I wanted to convey lace as a symbol of our humanness. We are perfect beings, yet we are flawed (just like lace). We are also intricate creatures.

Thanks for a closer look at my seemingly superficial theme. With a closer look, we can learn so much more if we are awake!

Have a good weekend my friend!

***Felicia

Dwight’s a Size 18??

~My shoe inside a picture of Dwight Howard’s shoe~

Oh my gawd!!! We are in Foot Locker right now and we are trippin’ on the size of Dwight Howard’s shoe! For real! His foot is more than twice my size. Talk about a little person! Now that’s a mind melt. The man with monster gunz also rocks monster feet… Oh~ and I also got my very first pair of Fatbaby Ariats at the cowgurl store!

A Holiday Wish from the Pojoaque Valley

~The Christmas lights on the home my mother and father built in the Pojoaque Valley~

It was a beautiful day in the Pojoaque Valley. I can really appreciate my home town now that I am a woman. As usual, I spent time at my mom’s and then my dad’s.

At my mom’s house we decided to skip a gift exchange for the adults. Instead we had an awesome meal. We ate steak, shrimp, scallops, salad, and baked potatoes. Gilbert hooked us up with some crab as well. It was a delicious meal. Before we ate, my ten year old nephew (who is also my God Son) said grace and it brought tears to our eyes.

My dad’s house was filled with the usual sweet treats that Julie and Kate have been making for years. I was so full that I didn’t touch the food. They had made so many things to eat. Even though I did not eat at my dad’s house, I made sure to bring home a bowl of my grandma’s special bread pudding. Yum!

When I was leaving the valley the darkness was settling in. Christmas lights sparkled bright. The color of the sky was just lovely. All of the homes looked so beautiful. I thought about how peaceful my little valley is. This is where I grew up. I do love this place~ it is my home.

I got back to Santa Fe just in time to see the MIA take OKC in the Christmas day game! Yes!! That made the day complete. King James is one step closer to being recrowned in 2013! I guess if it *had* to be, a win by LA mightttt be ok now the Dwight Howard plays for them.

It was a good day. I am ready to get back on track and shake off the holiday lbs.

Until later~
Merry Christmas my friends.

Only a Hardcore

~My Shadow on the Demon’s Track at Santa Fe High~

The dictionary defines “hardcore” using the phrase “unswervingly committed.” A hardcore person is uncompromising, dedicated, or chronic. Only a hardcore person would run on a snow laced, chilly, and desolate track right before Christmas (with 101 things left to do). I’m just chronic like that ! Good or bad? I guess it depends on who it is you’re asking!

Finding My Game Face

…Game Face… Team USA~ Women’s Heptathlon~ Photograph by Tony Duffy

This week I’m going to have to dig deep to get back on track. My trip to the bay was very educational and was fuel for my mind, but I did fall off my game plan in the gym.

Tomorrow will be my first day back in the real gym for almost two weeks. There was a small gym I was able to hit it in a couple of times last week, still that was a far cry from my usual routine! I need to find my game face again!!

There is one exhibition I could kick myself for not tracking down while I was in Washington, DC. The Smithsonian Institution’s Arts and Industries Building on the National Mall displays some amazing images of women.

Why didn’t I make time to go look for “Game Face?” This exhibit and book poses the question~ “what does a female athlete look like?” The answer is~ they look *awesome! Just imagine them game facing it in a 2,500 square foot exhibition! Nice…

Maybe I can find the book? Well….. after I find my game face again! This may be one of my most favorite sites ever.
Check out Game Face for yourself.

“The exhibition at The Smithsonian shows female athletes doing what they do well: everything. Women and girls featured embody a fierceness that is quickly becoming acceptable to an American audience once unreceptive to, even disgusted by females on the field.”
–The Dallas Morning News

Vision of a Champion

~Screen shot of my new piece of exercise equipment~

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

The vision of a champion is
bent over, drenched in sweat,
at the point of exhaustion,
when nobody else is looking.
~~~Mia Hamm

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

That is such an awesome quote! Sometimes what we call a champion isn’t a real champion at all. Hamm has also said “true champions aren’t always the ones that win, but those with the most guts.” What matters is the blood, sweat, tears, and heart we put into things.

The winter is slowly creeping in. It gets harder to hit the track when it’s cold with a lil man riding on my coat tail. He likes to workout as well. Last weekend it was real cold on Sunday and he got sick after running a couple of laps. One of the things about practicing selfless parenting is putting kids first. It isn’t always easy when I know I need to work off Friday night’s snacks, but I try.

For a while I have been looking for a good cardio machine to bring home. I kinda needed one for those days it is cold to take D out to the track. Good ones can cost a pretty penny. After years in the gym I have become spoiled by “gym quality” machines. Who wants a feeble little treadmill or a flimsy stationary bike? Not me!

I am super psyched because I have finally locked down a gym quality stationary bike (plug-in and all). I picked it up used~ anyhow it is a better fit in my house. It was likely being used to hang clothes in its former home! Of course over the weekend it was already used several times. Daryn has put a few miles on that puppy! Haha… Nice! Maybe for once I will drop a size over the winter? Maybe???