I don't have the "official" photographer's pics back from the big day yet, but here are some of the bridal shower pictures from Pamela...

http://share.shutterfly.com/view/flashShareSlideshow.jsp?sid=0AatGTRm4bNmLtA

Jennifer posted some snapshots from the shower as well...

http://share.shutterfly.com/view/flashShareSlideshow.jsp?sid=0AasWTFszat2LJCg

and the dinner reception...

http://share.shutterfly.com/view/flashShareSlideshow.jsp?sid=0AasWTFszat2LKXA

Willie took some great candids at the reception too...

http://share.shutterfly.com/view/flashShareSlideshow.jsp?sid=0BaNHLVu3ZMnLA

I've been having trouble finding quiet peace lately, so I'm putting some consistency back into my meditation practice that had been sorely neglected for several months.  Although I usually use the Aramaic mantra "maranatha" as a clearing... tonight a psalm that my friend and teacher James introduced to me in the springtime popped into my head.  It is the deconstruction of Psalm 46:10...

Be still, and know that I am God;

Be still, and know that I am

Be still, and know

Be still

Be

Namaste  :)

This is a repost...  good information for everybody.  Spread the word, people!  Namaste  :)

"

I would like to point out a few things here. As I have stated before, laws wil be come so stringent that keeping people from moving freely will be easy, as everyone wil have some sort of infration on their record. This is facilitated by guilt or innocence complete arbitary. DUI laws were pretty tough to begin with.  But that is just my opinion. There is a disturbing part about the field sobriety tests and checkpoints you should pay close attention to.
- Probable cause: Police have to give a reason to pull you over. Without a reason, any evidence and situations that arise from the stop are not admissable in court. This article states that they make it POLICE POLICY to lie to the judge. They say you are weaving, AFTER they pull you over and smell booze. Not the way to should be; pull you over BECAUSE you were weaving.

-Refusing a field test that MOST SOBER PEOPLE FAIL will automaticaly result in a 12 month suspension of your licence: Note, if you are under the legal limit and thus innocent of the crime of DUI, but refuse a rigged field test (remember, most sober people fail, one drink or two means certain doom), they take your licence anyway EVEN IF YOU ARE INNOCENT. Now, the cop might not like the look on your face and cause you to lose your livelyhood and destroy your life..on a whim, all while being under the legal limit and totally innocent. If you fail the field sobiety test (the one that 90 of sober people fail) they can still charge you with a DUI because you were "slightly impaired". The passing or failing is completely up to the officer, and if you refuse the subjective test, you lose your ability to ean wages and care for your family for 12 months.

I think there is something bigger behind this or maybe I am being paranoid. By making it so easy to be a "criminal" and allowing police (who get your records and info and anything else they decide to make availible to the computer system when they pull you over) to determine penalty or not, they can target groups or individuals for purposed of controling their movement. This can be done with prosecution (a $5000-$15,000 bill) innocent or not. This can be done with passport refusal, once you and your supposed violations are in the system. Or they can take your license at will....

And yes, I have had three personal friends over my lifetime die from drunk drivers.


repost from Karl
you do have the right to refuse a field sobriety test. However, by refusing, your license will automatically be suspended for 12 months! Exercise your "rights" carefully.

Something else, you will be charged with your highest BAC. So, if it is between .08 and .15 at the scene, it will probably be higher when your blood test is taken. You could go from a Standard DUI to an Extreme DUI just while sitting in the police car.

Read on...

I went to a unique & very informative presentation this morning regarding DUI's and the new Arizona laws. At the presentation we heard from two highway patrol officers, a prominent DUI attorney and then a public relations firm. The police officers went through the new punishments and BAC (blood alcohol content) thresholds that were just passed. They also demonstrated to a sober person what happens when you do get pulled over for a DUI (the "example who is a prominent and well known person" failed when sober).

My assessment is the new DUI rules have significantly changed the risk reward decision about drinking a few drinks and then driving. The main changes is they have significantly lowered the BAC (blood alcohol content) thresholds.

I used to think that it was no problem to have a couple of drinks with dinner and then drive home. The new lower BAC are now so low that someone who is a good citizen and just has two drinks has a lot of risk.

The thresholds and punishments for first time DUI offenses are as follows (second time offenses are drastically worse):

Standard DUI:
BAC over 0.08 (three drinks for most men and two drinks for most women) Mandatory jail time of 10 days - No plea bargaining (second offense - 30 to 90 days)
Mandatory suspension of driver's license for 90 days (second offense - one year)
Mandatory installation of ignition interlock device in car for one year (Cost: $1,000 plus $100 per month)
Court fees - $1,500 (second offense - $3,000), points, increased insurance, attorney fees, etc.

Extreme DUI: BAC over 0.15
Mandatory jail time of 30 days - No plea bargaining (second offense - 60 to 120 days)
Mandatory suspension of driver's license for 90 days (second offense - one year)
Mandatory installation of ignition interlock device in car for one year (Cost: $1,000 plus $100 per month)
Mandatory alcohol monitoring - 30 days (second offense - 90 days plus 30 days of community service)
Mandatory vehicle impoundment - 30 days
Court fees - $2,500 (second offense - $5,000), points, increased insurance, attorney fees, etc.

Super Extreme DUI: BAC over 0.20
Mandatory jail time of 45 days - No plea bargaining (second offense - 180 days)
Mandatory suspension of driver's license for 90 days (second offense - one year)
Mandatory installation of ignition interlock device in car for 18 to 24 months (Cost: $1,000 plus $100 per month)
Mandatory alcohol monitoring - 30 days (second offense - 90 days plus 30 days of community service)
Mandatory vehicle impoundment - 30 days
Probation - 0 to 1 year (second offense - 0 to 5 years)
Court fees - $3,000 (second offense - $6,000), points, increased insurance, attorney fees, etc.

Felony DUI - 0.08 or above but with a MINOR in the car less than 16 years old
Felony charge
Mandatory jail time of 30 days - No plea bargaining
Suspended driver's license for three years
Ignition interlock device - Installed in car for 18 months or possible loss of car ($1,000 plus $100 per month)
Fees (up to $150,000), points, increased insurance, attorney fees, etc.
Possible probation for up to 5 years
Note: If a person under 21 is pulled over and they have had ANY alcohol (even the day before they turn 21), they would be subject to the above rules plus will loose their drivers license for a minimum of two years with no plea bargain available and it will be on their record for 7 years.

Here is the even scarier part - it does not take that much to blow an 0.08! The following is a chart for the BAC of a person after eating food:

Men

80 lbs100 lbs120 lbs140 lbs160 lbs180 lbs200 lbs220 lbs
1 drinks 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02
2 drinks 0.06 0.08 0.06 0.06 0.05 0.04 0.04 0.04
3 drinks 0.15 0.12 0.10 0.08 0.07 0.06 0.06 0.05
4 drinks 0.19 0.16 0.13 0.11 0.10 0.09 0.08 0.07
5 drinks 0.24 0.19 0.16 0.13 0.12 0.11 0.10 0.09

Women80 lbs100 lbs120 lbs140 lbs160 lbs180 lbs200 lbs220 lbs
1 drinks 0.06 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.02
2 drinks 0.12 0.09 0.08 0.07 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.04
3 drinks 0.18 0.14 0.12 0.10 0.09 0.08 0.07 0.07
4 drinks 0.24 0.19 0.16 0.14 0.12 0.11 0.10 0.09
5 drinks 0.30 0.24 0.20 0.17 0.15 0.13 0.12 0.11


Other facts:
This BAC is not affected by whether a person can handle alcohol. It is a chemical formula based on your blood content, not how you act.
A person can get a DUI with lower than 0.08 BAC if they fail the field sobriety test
The BAC is at it highest 2 hours after the last drink is taken. The BAC will not start going down until 2 hours after the last drink (i.e. stalling at the police station will probably not help).
The police officer said that they are starting to see a very high incidence of woman DUI after social lunches.
The most common infraction people are pulled over for, especially at night, is the wide left or right turn
When the police department has a DUI task force in place in an area, they will basically pull everyone over that is driving through the area (i.e. regardless of whether a driver did something wrong). If they do not smell alcohol on your breath, they will give the driver a verbal warning. If they smell alcohol, they will say you were weaving.
Here is the advice from the DUI defense lawyer (besides don't drive even after you drink).

If you are ever pulled over and the officer asks you to get out of the car, there is a 90 to 95% chance you will be arrested unless you have had nothing to drink. The premise is he would not have asked you to get out of the car unless he suspected you were drinking or on drugs. The main purpose of the field sobriety test and the questioning (every question) is designed to gain evidence on you that you were "even slightly impaired".

As an example, you could fail the field sobriety test, go to the substation and blow a 0.06 and still get a DUI because they have proved that you were slightly impaired. The field sobriety test is very very difficult to pass even with no drinks. In addition it is a subjective test and no one knows, except the police officer, what really happened.

Here are the guidelines the lawyer gave us in the event you have been drinking and are pulled over.

One to two drinks (200 pound male)
Politely say, "No, I do not know". Give the officer your DL, registration and proof of insurance.
If the officer then asks you to get out of the car, politely tell the officer that you do not want to answer any more questions or do a field sobriety test until you have talked with a lawyer.
The officer will probably get upset and ask you many other trick questions and comments. Stay polite and firm (you are protected by the constitution to not speak and you not speaking cannot be used against you in court).
The police officer will then handcuff you and take you to the police substation.

Three or more drinks
There is a 99% chance that you will probably be going to a police substation for a blood or breath test. It is almost impossible to pass the field sobriety test after drinking three or more drinks (again, you might still be below 0.08 BAC).
Politely decline to answer any questions including "do you know why I pulled you over?". Your response should be that you want to speak to your lawyer before you answer any questions.
Stay polite and firm.
You should give the officer your drivers license, registration and proof of insurance card.
The police officer will then handcuff you and take you to the police substation.
When you get to the police substation, they will take away your cell phone and put you into a room with a phone and a yellow page book.
Do not take a breath, blood or urine test until talking with the lawyer.
You should then find a 24 hour lawyer from the yellow page book. You will probably get an answering service who will tell you that the lawyer will be calling you back shortly. You would tell the police offer that fact.
You would then follow the advice of the lawyer which will probably be to then take the test but not answer any questions or do any agility tests.
If they tell you that they are going to get a warrant, you should then submit to the blood test because the penalties are increased.
Ask to be released to obtain an independent blood test at a hospital. It probably will not help you defense but at least you probably will not spend that night in jail.

The world is changing!!!!!!!!!!!

The message they are sending me is to not drink and drive, have a designated driver or take a taxi home if you have been drinking (regardless of how far you are from home). Also, never have even one drink if you will be driving with a person under 16 years old in your car.

The other must is to have the phone number of a taxi company (Phoenix Orange Taxi and Car Service - 480-626-5334) or car service in your wallet or purse. My family has setup an account with Transtyle Transportation (480-948-6131) whereby we can use them without the minimum hourly charge. I am sure there are many more in the valley.

"

I listened to a new day

Wondering if it's not self-fulfilling prophecy

To be behind this protective shell

Wanting to be alone to not let hurt in

But somehow hurting all the more

From feeling so lonely without you.

Knowing that we are reflections of each other

I know that we are living loving spirits

With so much to give and offer

That this meltdown will not last long.

I can truly love you unconditionally now

Without attachment to a result

Which despite the momentary pain

My heart tells me is the right path.

I honor you exactly how you are.

You are a beautiful spirit.

Namaste  :)

My normal way of being

Doesn't want to bother anyone

Yearns to be of service to others

Dutiful, I have been called

Why does this backfire painfully

When I so direly am in need of assistance

That I would not ask for, but

Actually hope for and run to support

That vaporizes into nothingness.

Then I find that resigned place

Where I retreat into solitude.

It is easier there

Because the only person I can blame

For disappointing me is myself.

And that is a familiar conversation

That requires less practice.

I don't want to reach out anymore.

I cannot cry out loud enough

To make it matter.

The tears stream unimportant.

Let me rest in my turtle's shell.

At least I can find comfort within.

It's not that you have no value

Or an unappreciated offer.

I just cannot process right now.

I'm on exhausted overload,

Without capacity to add one more

Drop of sadness to my heart.

That's my story.

I know, it's out of character.

The thai-yoga massage studio is finally open across from Mandala Tearoom and near the Scottsdale Waterfront... Roberto demonstrated taiji and Gabriel talked about the value of interactive stretching:

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/myfox/pages/InsideFox/Detail?c..4769182&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=5.2.1

When was your last bodywork session?!  It's yoga for the lazy person  :)

I came home this afternoon to find our dog lying motionless on the patio.  She still had a faint heartbeat and was breathing, so I rushed her to emergency animal care.  Unfortunately, she continued to have complications, seizures, and finally went into cardiac arrest tonight.  I'm in shock; she was just running around the house, chasing circles around me, happy to see me...

If you believe in doggie heaven, please pray for this little sweet blonde princess, long-hair chihuahua Chiquita.  I know she's in good company, trailing our dalmation Phoenicia around and napping with our golden retriever Cinnamon.  May she rest in peace and always be remembered in joy. 

It also drives in the message of everyone's limiting carbon sacks... take a minute today to tell someone you love them, spoil your pets with some extra tummy rubs, and meditate in gratefulness for a few moments on all of the wondrous blessings that envelop your life.  Namaste  :)

I left out every bread crumb I could find 

Even crumpled up the cracker boxes too

Tried to make an obvious trail

For you to find your way to my door again

Sting sings so purely in my head

"Free free set them free"

Over and over, over and over

So I opened all the windows

And out you flew, angel; into the endless blue skies.

Will you return because I love you

With everything I am?

Are boundless love and a crunchy crouton path 

Enough enticement?

Please come visit when you have time;

I miss playing with your wings.

In a land far away, in a parallel universe today

There was a petite goddess of love

Who wanted nothing more than to love and be loved

Exactly as-is, in the here and now

Accepted, heard, understood, gotten and free.

Once - what felt like lifetimes and miles away

She thought she had found a place of comfort in her skin

To march to a different 160 bpm drum (with kabuki and glowsticks)

Expressed and powerful, ready to conquer the world

Yet growth and development called, cajoled, pulled

To journey out of the known into change

When every old habit and joy suddenly became "wrong"

That's when the pod woman came.

They looked mostly the same but layer by layer

Like an onion peeled back to the core

Blue tried with all her might to become the Other

Threw away everything familiar on her shelves

Replaced them with promises of healthy, better and new

Imitated every mannerism that she could find

But the skin didn't quite fit - scratchy, dry, irritating

Every morning in the mirror became a depressing ritual

Realizing that the efforts still had not the desired results

"How long would the metamorphosis take?" 

It was like the caterpillar, expectantly knowing

Vibrantly yearning to be a blue butterfly

Had emerged out of the cocoon a brown moth

"No, no, no... there must have been some mistake;

When will I get to be... Her?"

Maybe she had been misguided, wanting the sign to say:

You are who you will be, not who you are

Instead of the present truth of the moment:

You are who you are, not who you used to be

She couldn't remember anymore what it was like

Being content and at peace and in love with herself.

That was so long ago - a fairy tale?

Ah, yes.  Body Snatchers 101.

It's a good reminder to stay in integrity

Because without integrity, nothing works.

Drama-free living only exists when we're authentically divulging

How humanly inauthentic we have been.

The ironic sad story is that the caterpillar

Truly came out a blue butterfly to all who saw her

Only she could never own it in her heart

An imposter, a fraud, in the looking glass

Knowing that she could never be Her in true love.

Power, freedom and self-expression. 

Amen.  And so it is. 

I see the divine in ME reflected in YOU.

I see the divine in YOU reflected in ME.

I see God in your face, my face, they are the same.

One.

Right, that's what peace feels like.

Thanks for the reminder.

I sure needed that.

Namaste  :)