Up or down its up to you!

Often when I begin a blog post, I feel a strong urge to define the reasons as to the length of time between entries.  Its as if I need to explain why I haven't been posting with relative frequency.  As I sit and ponder who I am trying to explain these reasons to, I realize it is not necessarily for the readers, its actually for me.  So I usually wade through the process of apologizing to the blog, or rather to myself, about how I have not been writing.  This saga seems to be ongoing, as my last update has over a hundred words devoted towards the topic.  Yet again, I find myself wondering the reasons behind the stories I choose to share: are they for me or are they for you as a reader?  This peculiar subject, that is explored continuously, helps inject a spirited motivation of debate for beginning each post.  A pattern is developing and I am content with these motions that assist in introducing the words to the screen.

Picking a title is usually a challenging decision, as sometimes the title is clear long before I begin writing, while other times I must start writing prior to the title surfacing.  Tonight is one of those occasions the title has eluded me.  And with that in mind I dive into the depths of the Tales of Andouille.

Summer is undoubtedly in full swing now and Montana is magical this time of year.  The weather is absolutely magnificent.  If you have not experienced Northwest Montana in the summertime, then you probably haven't fully lived and you may consider your life to be less than its worth.  For those of you who have tasted the sheer delight of the Flathead Valley in July/August, clearly you are aware of what I speak of.  The long days, the endless skies, the colorful array, all contribute to the pure enjoyment of a typical day.  I feel blessed to be living in such a place, where crystal clear lakes beckon the swimmer to jump in and feel alive, the lush green hills invite hikers with unforgettable scenery and uncrowded trails, the big skies dazzle the mind with infinite displays of color and shapes, all completed by a backdrop of beautiful mountains as well as a plethora of other outdoor activities to occupy the mind and invigorate the body.

It's hard to believe August is almost halfway complete!  I love how calendars have a way of reminding us how much we are truly enjoying time available to us.  I'm somewhere in between feeling like I have been working all the time, and finding time to play, so the balance is fairly even. This is a unusual spot for me to be in, especially since we are deep in the throngs of our busiest season at the Restaurant.  July and August are by far the two busiest months of the year.  In the past my summers would come and go like the wind on a prairie.  Now, however, I have found a greater harmony with time, and it has made all the difference.  There are still weeks when 70 hours are spent at work- that said, 70 is far more manageable than 90, especially when there is a day off during that week!

The Restaurant is going extremely well and business is booming.  July was our second busiest month in the history of operating, and almost broke the record for first place.  August is slamming so far, things are definitely happening in a ascending direction here at the Restaurant.  Speaking of ascension, the staff at the Restaurant is climbing towards the peaks of excellence.  This is a real treat to witness, pride represents a piece of the feelings I have for the progress we have all made over the years together.  The beauty of this ascending development is not only in the growth of each individual both professionally and personally, yet also in the essence of my ability to delegate more tasks, as well as, have time for myself outside of work.  It's taken me such a long time to reach this point, as I've striven for years and years to actually make this happen.  The fact that its evolving and materializing before my eyes is a incredible testament to the hard work and energy of all the players on the team of Cafe Kandahar.  The pursuit of perfection is to be pursued but never attained.  Excellence is found in the realization that goals can be achieved through focus and dedication, consistency, and a willingness to always be better no matter the circumstance or situation.

Things have come full circle for me.  A cycle is complete and I now find myself back at the beginning, or the top, or the peak capacity point for realizing the road I have traveled has led me there and back again.  I speak of the home I now reside in, for when I moved to Whitefish some 11 years ago, I dreamt of living in the very same house I now call home.  My two dear friends Mark and Dorian lived in a cabin above Whitefish Lake next to a incredibly intelligent and unique individual named Skip.  Skip owns the property as well as the cabin.  Back then the cabin was a small two bedroom place with a stellar view of Whitefish Lake.  I have very fond memories of spending time at that cabin.  How lucky am I to reside in the very cabin I once dreamed of.  Not to mention the place has been remodeled since then, with bigger windows, a single bedroom, and a large living area.  Fortune does not always come in some form of currency, for this treasure yields a far greater reward than any monetary amount. 

Keeping true to the focus of this blog, yes, I have been running.  Only my runs have not been very far distances, they are more like a short jog.  Yet I have run a mile on several occasions.  I'd like to get back into the routine a little more, finding time has been difficult lately.  I do a lot of running around at work, in the kitchen, short sprints and deft moves are my specialty.  Speaking of deft moves, I've been exercising my dance abilities with my favorite band from, the Phish from Vermont.  In fact, just last weekend I was enjoying a two day affair at the Gorge, flying to Hollywood Bowl in L.A. for a night, then abruptly changing my plans and embarking on a quick excursion to Lake Tahoe for a show also.  The Lake Tahoe switch was brought about by a dreamgirl, and the chance was there to take a leap of faith and follow my heart. 

Some have suggested that I do not get so personal with my blog for anyone can read this.  Those very same people have never broken their pelvis, nor have they lied on a hospital bed wondering if they would ever walk again.  To those people I say:  here is my life, take it or leave it.  I've got nothing to hide, nor would I want to, as sharing my experience with all of you is not only an offering of who I am, its also a reflection of what I choose. 

In the past month, I've met Joe Montana, Thierry Henry, Bill Romanowski, Tyler Florence, and a few other notables throughout this game of life.  Its all par for the course, or grist for the mill, in the life and times of Andy Blanton.  I'm happy to be me, I'm even happier to share this part of me with you.  I also spent some time with a incredible being, Shri Mahayogi, an enlightened yoga master from Japan.  I have yet to be in the presence of such a powerful and amazing indiviudal.  I watched in pure amazement as he took on different forms while sitting in his presence.  I saw my Dad in him, then a young child, then a wise sage, then a old Japanese man, then him again, then another being, it was a transformative experience.  I feel as though I no longer have any questions about life, at least for the time being, his words echoed the truth and the essence of the source we all come from and return to.

My yoga practice is progressing to a sweet and deep place.  My meditation practice is also bearing tremendous fruits.  My body and mind are opening to places further than my imagination.  It is true that consistent practice does work, particularly for strenghtening and deepening ones asana.  I'm practically a poster boy for this, since it was only a few months ago that I was still in a wheelchair.  I am eternally grateful for my health and happiness, after all I am responsible for my own well being.  Its good to be alive, even better to be well.  Remember that each step, each breath, every moment, every thought, its all precious, and it all effects the next step, breath, moment, and thought.  The seeds of life are constantly sowing patterns of the future, what you plant is what you choose to grow.  How will you nuture the seedlings so you may reap what you sow?  The question remains, however, the answer is up to you.  Up or down its up to you!  Bam, there it is, the title.  And just like that, so comes the ending.

Love
andy