What Mati Is Up To

Summer Salad

2011-06-08T08:30:00.001-05:00

Summer Salad
Originally uploaded by Mathew A. Koeneker

I whipped this Summer salad together all from ingredients gathered at my local market the Ferguson Farmers' Market. It is a really easy prepare in hot weather.

1) Start 3-4 beets boiling --- you will know that they are ready when you can insert a fork easily.
2) Rinse beets in cold water, skin, and dice.
3) Rinse and break up baby lettuce
4) Rinse and cut the stems off the broccoli
5) Sprinkle lightly with Mendora Bleu Cheese or another milder variety so as to not over-power your palate.
6) Add 3-5 roasted pecans as a garnish
7) Top with a red wine basalmic vinagrette
8) Lightly salt and pepper to taste

Enjoy!
Mati :-)

Quote of the Day

2011-06-08T08:19:00.002-05:00

Every decision you make - every decision - is not a decision about what to do. It’s a decision about Who You Are. When you see this, when you understand it, everything changes. You begin to see life in a new way. All events, occurrences, and situations turn into opportunities to do what you came here to do.
- Neale Donald Walsch

Melancholy with a side of hot sauce.

2011-06-04T00:57:00.001-05:00

One one hand I am am rather sad that one of my all time favorite bands the New Orleans Radiators are retiring this month and another of my all time favorite bands Widespread Panic is making noises about an extended and indefinite hiatus. I grew up with these bands and will miss shows, tour, and friends. On the other hand, I am looking forward to new music, bands, experiences, festivals etc. I think for my 40's I am going to get back to my 20's but maybe just a wee bit smarter this time on the merry go round. :-)

Peas & Cornbread,

Mati

Happy Memorial Day + Thank You For Your Service!

2011-05-30T16:20:00.000-05:00

On this day I am reminded of all of my friends and family who have served our country in its times of need.

Thank you Great Uncle Bert for fighting in Europe against the Nazis.
Thank you Dad for fighting in the Pacific against the Japanese.
Thank you brother Steve for your service in the Air Force.
Thanks to all of my Fraternity brothers who took up arms...Badger, Tree, Spicerack, and the rest of you.
Thanks to all my school mates esp. John Reardon....you are missed dude.
Thanks to my peeps online who have or are serving.

Thanks to all those whom I never knew but gave the most ultimate of gifts so that I could be free!

Sincerely,
Mati :-)

Quote of the day

2011-05-01T12:03:00.002-05:00

Live with intention.
Walk to the edge.
Listen hard.
Practice wellness.
Play with abandon.
Laugh.
Choose with no regret.
Appreciate your friends.
Continue to learn.
Do what you love.
Live as if this is all there is.
- Mary Anne Radmacher

Words to live by

2011-04-10T00:44:00.000-05:00

Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it.
- Bill Cosby

Tis Baseball season!

2011-03-27T19:54:00.002-05:00

Pre All Star Game Photo Walk
Originally uploaded by Mathew A. Koeneker
Yay, baseball season is upon us.

Namaste,
Mati :-)

Orgone, Mike Gordon, & Galactic - 03/17/2011 (mp3's)

2011-03-27T18:06:00.000-05:00

Howdy my friends,

Better late than never, I wanted to get you the free links on MEGAUPLOAD for the mp3's of the St. Patrick's Day concerts at St. Louis' very own Pageant nightclub. A big thank you to the venue, artists, fans, tapers, and all the rest of you music phans. These mp3's were recorded by ScottT of the MOHead taping community. There are some other folks that will be tracking and seeding the flac's of the shows for your listening pleasure sometime soon.

Orgone http://www.megaupload.com/?d=LL52C2HI
Mike Gordon http://www.megaupload.com/?d=C8TKKALE
Galactic http://www.megaupload.com/?d=5ZZR2N51

Download and enjoy!

Namaste,
Mati :-)

Galactic, Mike Gordon, & Friends

2011-03-18T11:36:00.001-05:00

Galactic, Mike Gordon, & Friends
Originally uploaded by Mathew A. Koeneker

Happy Friday and hopefully the end of your work week. Try and take at least one day off this weekend and attempt to recharge your soul.

I attended the Mike Gordon and Galactic triple threat attack with the band Orgone as the opener last night at the University City's premier live concert venue -- The Pageant. For an all ages show, the staff were nice and on top of things. No one kept trying to take my glass and replace it with a plastic cup which has always been a personal pet peeve of mine.

The show even went till about 12:20 am which is late when curfew is considered. Each act played one decent set and then sat in with each other a few times before a grand finale with everyone on the stage. It sure was crowded. The addition of Cyril Neville absolutely brought the funk levels up a notch.

The band is currently touring in support of it's new album YA-KA-MAY which was released Feb 9, 2010 on Anti Records. The album features established legends such as the Rebirth Brass Band, Irma Thomas, Big Chief Bo Dollis, Allen Toussaint and Walter “Wolfman” Washington with younger artists like Trombone Shorty and Corey Henry, John Boutté, Josh Cohen and Scully, and Glen David Andrews, as well as groundbreaking new “Bounce” artists like Cheeky Blakk, Big Freedia, Katey Red, and Sissy Nobby. The end result is New Orleans like it’s truly meant to be heard, and pure GALACTIC.

It was nice to be welcomed back into the fold of the taping community seeing as how I have been absent for awhile. I will amend this post with hyper links for bands, clubs, etc. a little bit later today. I will also find a source for the show and get that info into your hands as well. Thanks to all the hard work by Klaus, Kinder, ScottT, SteveB and all the rest.

As to the many other folks that ran up and gave me a hug and/or hearty hello, it was grand to see all of you again. There are just too many of you to mention, so I will just send you all some positive vibrations.

An interesting sidebar is a small test that I ran. If you like to keep your ticket stubs in pristine condition as I do, take a high resolution picture and save it on your phone. The hand held infrared scanner devices that the wardens of the door use will read the scanned and imaged ticket quite well.

Namaste,
Mati :-)

A Gaelic Blessing

2011-03-17T15:25:00.002-05:00

Go raibh tú daibhir i mí-áidh
Agus saibhir i mbeannachtaí
Go mall ag déanamh namhaid, go luath a déanamh carad,
...Ach saibhir nó daibhir, go mall nó go luath,
Nach raibh ach áthas agat
Ón lá seo amach.

Translated: May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings,
Slow to make enemies,
quick to make friends,
But rich or poor, quick or slow,
...May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.

Namaste,

Mati

PS. This was snagged from my friend Heater's earlier post. :D

Why the Gramaphone is worth a visit.

2011-03-10T09:22:00.005-06:00

It was about time for this little bear to emerge from his relatively self imposed musical hibernation. I decided to break my fast with an attendance at one of St. Louis' neater new clubs...the Gramaphone.Their 3rd anniversary is actually this Friday evening with a benefit for KDHX 88.1 FM -- our city's premier community radio station. More on that a bit later.

The venue is a well marked venue located on Manchester Avenue just within the The Grove neighborhood with good signage and ample off street FREE parking that I felt safe leaving my car. It is a non-smoking venue although the do have a nice covered back patio that suffices for that. The staff from the doorman to the bartender to the audio engineer were a quite affable. Seating was plentiful from the bar, to cocktail tables, to some slightly elevated cozy booths and couch areas. The dance floor was old school, wooden, and of decent size for quite a few to shake their tail feathers. One point I would make is that a pair of Etymotic in ear plugs or even the cheaper foam ones would stand you well as the sound is quite loud on the dance floor. For all of you drinkers: the beer selection was pretty darn impressive, the mixed drinks were tasty to boot, as to the hit to your pocket book...everything was priced very economically. My one tip would be that the 2 main speaker stacks could come somehow be hung or mounted from the ceiling which in my humble opinion would dramatically improve the overall acoustics. All in all, a nice overall package that lets you get a mere foot from the artist you are attending. I was reminded of the many great clubs that many of us were first exposed to music in.

The crowd last night could have been attended a bit better from my perspective but it was Ash Wednesday night in St. Louis, cold, misting, and threatening potential late night snow which when combined tend to keep your average St. Louis fan cozy and warm in their home. To that, all I can say is that you missed a great performance.

New Orleans' native Glen David Andrews comes from another of those many great family's with a wonderful tradition in all things music. You might recognize the name as he is Trombone Shorty's cousin. He was playing the trombone and on vocals with his mostly native NOLA band backing him up on trumpet, skins, guitar, stand up bass, and keys with the occasional vocals. The music ranged from Earl King to the Jackson Five so this was a Nawlin's brass band that has the chops to occasionally break free from that great style to play funk, r & b, and what I am sure were a couple of their our tunes. Glen as the band leader had the chops to get the sedentary, at least in the beginning, audience up and shaking their collective bootys. He and his band are well worth keeping track off as they have the talent, vibe, and cross-cultural appeal that is so important in moving forward.

It was nice to see several familiar faces as well as meet several very friendly club patrons. The Regional Arts Commission, KDHX, and the Washington University graduate school of Fine Arts were represented. Ladies and gentlemen, it was a pleasure..see you soon. :-)

Note to the wise: the club will be celebrating it's 3rd anniversary with a Southern roots and soul band by the name of Uncle Lucius who hail from Texas this Friday. The cover is nominal and a portion of the proceeds go to benefit our local musical treasure....KDHX 88.1 FM! So get your butts out there and go see and hear some live music this week.

Namaste,
Mati :-D

Disclosure: I was not paid to write this review. My tickets were comp'ed by KDHX. I do on occasion volunteer as a live audio engineer for KDHX. This was prepared and sent using the Blogaway Android client from my Samsung G1 smartphone.

Dream Come True Rose

2011-02-14T20:24:00.001-06:00

Dream Come True Rose
Originally uploaded by Mathew A. Koeneker

On this Valentine's Day, I am once again reminded of all the blessings that I have to wit the wonderfully genuine people that consider me their friend and or family. Here is one of my favorite roses captured in the Missouri Botanical Garden Rose Garden. May its title come true in all of your lives.

Love,
Mati :-)

Today's Tidbit or What New Facebook Tweek Snuck By

2011-02-13T13:31:00.002-06:00

If you've seen a recent post about FB restricting which of your friends show up on your News Feed, it's real. You can't fix it from the iPhone app or the Droid app. You need to scroll all the way down to the bottom of your News Fees and the iPhone App's News Feed' bottom just displays, "Load more messages". Maybe that eventually stops, but I couldn't get to the true bottom of my News Feed on the iPhone app.

You need to be on the full site. You can do by accessing FB on the iPhone's Safari browser if you click "full site" after logging in (you automatically log into the mobile version of the site... need Full). The same goes for the Droid's browser.

From News Feed scroll ALL THE WAY DOWN. Eventually there will be a bottom and an "Edit Options" button. Hit it. You'll find FB has "Show posts from:" set to "Friends and pages you interact with the most". Change that to "All of your friends and pages" and SAVE.

I for one would like to see all of my friends quips, quotes, stories, funny pictures, anecdotes, and pratfalls.

That is all.

Happy Sunday!

Namaste,

Mati

Brass Balls Recipe

2011-02-11T04:18:00.000-06:00

Brass Balls recipe

rating

8.9

24 votes

serve in

Shot Glass

alcohol

21%

options

1/3 ozGrand Marnier® orange liqueur
1/3 ozpeach schnapps
1/3 ozpineapple juice

Mix the three, and chill'em. Then pour and serve.

Monarch Butterflies Feeding

2011-01-31T17:10:00.001-06:00

Monarch Butterflies Feeding
Originally uploaded by Mathew A. Koeneker

Just a thought, think of warmer times and the ice will soon be a memory. Be safe out there.

Mati

Today's Tidbit

2011-01-12T11:54:00.002-06:00

There once was a man who complained of having no shoes –

until he met another man with no feet.

Think twice before you complain today.

Someone always has it worse off than you.

Namaste!

Mati :-)

Am I Too Transparent?

2010-12-17T14:52:00.001-06:00

In this age of Facebook, Twitter, Friendfeed, Posterous, Brightkite, Tumblr, Glue, Blogger, and on and on, could it be that I have become too transparent? I know that I am not anywhere near as transparent as some who regale us with tweets and status of the minutia of their daily lives. I won't go into detail but you know who I mean.

Yet, I do check in on Brightkite which tweets out my location posts and status updates. Yes, my Twitter stream is dumped into my Friendfeed and Facebook status stream updates. Yes, I do have my street address, e-mail address, mobile phone number, and Google Voice out there for my friends and family to access as needed. My parent's feel that this is disclosing too much personal info. I would counter that any good on-line snoop can find out that information about me and most likely more. Why not make it easier for my family and friends to find me, see what I have been up to, contact me any way that they prefer, and remember my birthday? I really can't come up with a valid reason not to be transparent about these things.

However, I do tend to draw a gray line that is most definitely case by case specific. The specifics of my health are not something that I tend to discuss in open forums. I might allude to something but tend keep the specifics to private lines of communication. I just don't feel that this topic is meant for public consumption as I am not a public figure. In part, I would admit to a bit of fear of potential discrimination. My disease does not define me but I do fear that it could in the eyes of some esp. here in the Midwest.

I also tend to leave my intimate and family matters out of the stream as:

a) most would probably not care

b) I would not subject ya'll to that

c) I would hope that we are allowed some privacy in our lives

What are your thoughts?

How much information do you share?

Are you even aware of how you are sharing your information?

Do you feel that our society is becoming or has become too transparent?

Namaste,

Mati

Tis the season....

2010-12-13T15:54:00.002-06:00

Hola Friends,

I am not sure what it is about this time of year. Could it be the holidays, the season, the end of the calendar year, or do we just take stock of where our lives and relationships are periodically? I am just not sure but I have noticed a positive trend in the numbers of people reaching out to check on me and vice versa.

Whatever the reason, I think that is a great trend and should be kept up. It is difficult to "bury the hatchet" metaphorically especially with those that we love and care for. We get all tied up in the "blame" game of "he said" or "she said". We need to push on thru these divisive thoughts and get to the other side where we can work on becoming the better people, friends, and family that we know that we are capable of.

The Past is just that....the Past. We cannot change it but we can use it as a tool to grow and change and hopefully to not doom us to repeat the same mistakes that many of us seem dead set on doing. I am a great example of how this should not work as I let the filter of my past behaviors and action take over and lead to believe that "no good can come of this".

BS is my answer. Good is where we make it and find it in our lives.

So, I ask that you take a few minutes out of your hectic schedule and just remind yourself of all the good that is happening around you. Then, take it a little farther and think about someone that you used to interact with on a daily if not weekly basis and somehow the relationship just foundered.

Could it be that something so seemingly insignificant as a card, text, e-mail, of phone call could be sent out just saying that you love, care for, and miss person xyz in your life? By no means will every re-connection be as easy as that but if you start putting a concerted effort into reconnection as opposed to disconnection; you will begin to see wonderful fruits from your labors.

Sometimes, we just have to open up and put ourselves out there warts and all and hope for the best. It will not all be peaches and cream but when things blossom you will wonder why you have waited so long.

In closing, the dance of our lives is always twirling around us. Don't just wait till the end of the year, the Holidays, or even someone getting ill to reach out and swing a loved one into a sweet two step.

Namaste.
Mati :-)

Dead Can Dance

2010-11-10T08:32:00.001-06:00

Here's a cool YouTube video I saw this on a friend's Facebook page. It moves at almost an uncomfortable pace as it completely allows the viewer to immerse and think about what they are seeing and hearing. The cinematography and score are great. It made me, at least, reflect that however low I get, my life is still pretty darn blessed.

Peas & Cornbread,

Mati :-)

Location : 21 Almeda Pl, St Louis, MO 63135,

Posted via Blogaway

Location : 21 Almeda Pl, St Louis, MO 63135,
Posted via Blogaway

GAT is where it's at!

2010-09-15T17:40:00.001-05:00

The Garage a Trois show that I attended last night at the Old Rock House in St. Louis was a knock-out performance. Run don't walk to catch this stellar rock band when they pass thru your town. They brought the heat in two solid sets that had me dancing my rear end off.

--MAK

Sleep?

2010-08-24T05:52:00.001-05:00

I wish that i could standardize the nightly amount of sleep that I am able to get. It would make for a much smoother day to day existence. The up side to insomnia is that it does allow one to thoroughly plan how the next day is going to play out. I do so wish that I had been able to grab even a few hours of rest. I just decided that I will be taking a nap this afternoon. I have completed my To Do list and avoided any drama with the kidz that are now making up the majority as tenants in my building. When did I become the grumpy old man? I have to admit that I am really liking my Droid phone more and more each day as I have tricked out my device with an assortment of nifty applications and shortcuts. I am seriously rethinking the whole netbook idea as I can do just about everything from my mobile handset. As it is just about time to wake up...haha..I will put the mobile down and get my gameface on to face the day.

--MAK

Location : 98 Church St, Ferguson, MO 63135,
Posted via Blogaway

Today's Tunes

2010-07-08T05:49:00.001-05:00

http://www.last.fm/music/Ben%20Folds/_/Dog

Ferguson Fireworks

2010-07-05T06:11:00.001-05:00

Just trying out embedding a video from my droid that I took last night at January - Wabash Park of the fireworks finale. Enjoy.

MAK

Blursday Medical Stuff

2010-07-01T11:59:00.001-05:00

I woke up early again and made the decision to clean the apartment and go thru paperwork. Yay! Dropped off my friend, Brian, to borrow his Mom's van. Then it was off to the library where i did a wee bit of research and discovered how to mount the USB memory card via my Windows 64 box as well as found a nifty new Droid blogging client.

Now is doctor and therapist time and i am killing some time in the lobby as i am a lil early. I am truly lucky to have the team of healthcare professionals that i have.

That's all for now and i will check in with you later.

PS. I truly appreciate all the kind thoughts directed towards my Dad who is recovering nicely from his surgery.

LOL,

Mati

Test

2010-07-01T10:56:00.001-05:00

Just a test post from my new droid phone.

MAK

Test

2010-07-01T10:55:00.001-05:00

Just a test post from my new droid phone.

MAK

Let's Say You've Gone Back In Time

2010-01-21T20:21:00.001-06:00

via boingboing.net

Good stuff to keep in mind.

RIF = Reading is Fundamental.....yep that nails it pretty well. Go read yourself a book; you won't regret it. :-D

2010-01-10T12:52:00.001-06:00

A Kayaker's "The Night Before Christmas" With apologies to Clement Clark Moore

2009-12-25T18:20:00.001-06:00

`Twas the night before Christmas at our house on the water,
Not a creature was stirring not even an otter;

The dry bags were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas would drop paddling goodies there;

The children went off to bed without daddling,
Soon their heads were filled with dreams about paddling;

Mamma in her fleece `kerchief and me in my wool cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the water there arose such a splatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what's the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the water looked the whiteness of snow
It shone the luster of mid-day on the sea shore below,

When what to my wondering eyes did reveal
But a great big old kayak and nine mighty seal,

With a spry old paddler, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than orca on course they soon came,
And a whistle he blew and then shouted their name;

"Now Splasher! Now Bracer! Now Eddie and you Flo!
On Rocker On Roller, Curly, Larry and Moe!

To the top of the dock, and up the beach now Haul!
Now Paddle Away! Paddle Away! Paddle Away All!"

Off the beach, to the air and away they did fly,
With beautiful edge turns silhouetted against the night sky.

Up to the house-top on course they now flew,
With a kayak full of toys, and old St. Nicholas too.

In a twinkling, on the roof, there came such a sound,
The sound of a kayak running aground.

As I grimaced at the noise thinking here must be a hole,
Down the chimney came St. Nick, and snapped up with a roll.

He was dressed in a drysuit from his head to his foot,
And the gortex was tarnished with ashes and soot;

With a bundle of toys on his back which did sag,
He looked like an old paddler carrying a heavy dry bag.

His eyes how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his noise like a cherry,

The beard on his chin was as white as sea foam,
It looked like it needed a brush or a comb;

The stump of a whistle he held tight in his teeth,
The cord from the whistle circled his neck like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed like a fish called a Jelly.

He was a happy ol' kayaker, a right jolly old salt,
And I laughed when I saw him, It wasn't my fault;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
He gave me the high sign, I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
Filled the dry bags with goodies then turned with a jerk,

Laying a finger aside of his little red nose,
A Brace he did do and up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his kayak, to his team blew the whistle,
And away they all paddled like a water borne missile.

I heard him exclaim, ere he paddled out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

"And may happiness and good health always be yours,"
May you always return, safely back to the shore"

- Terry Gowler - Mount Vernon, WA

5 Ways to Treat a Hangover, Seriously - Liquor Store

2009-12-25T17:35:00.001-06:00

Perspiration! Prickly Pear Cactus Seriously? Yes. Researchers at Tulane University and University of California, San Francisco have found that prickly pear extract is proven to lessen inflammation, one of the major causes of hangovers. Treating a hangover isn’t the model of object you like to research, however sometimes your psyche is as result fried the after that morning that you might use the help.

via liquors-store.com

Tulane for the holiday win!
--mak

Quarterly check-ups should not freak me out as much as they do. I am a survivor -- this is my mantra. At least, the care givers are all so nice. :-D

2009-12-14T09:04:00.001-06:00

Good grief....I think the vampires took a pint this morning. G-D love them, though. They are beautiful people. :-D

2009-12-08T09:24:00.001-06:00

YAY! I have been accepted to the U of MO as a transfer student and have scheduled an appt. to meet with an advisor. Now..for a job to pay the bills. :-D

2009-12-07T16:56:00.001-06:00

Trying out The Majestic Restaurant & Bar for breakfast with the usual suspects. Somehow, I made it here first.

2009-12-05T09:48:00.001-06:00

http://www.worldaidsday.org/

World Aids Day -- 12/01/2009

2009-12-01T15:27:00.002-06:00

via 2.bp.blogspot.com

Today is the day we commemorate World Aids Day. It is sad for me to still see and hear the stigma, ignorance, and even hate that surrounds this disease. There are a lot of places that you can go on the web to gain a better understanding of this plague. Several big misunderstandings are as follows. HIV = AIDs. It doesn't. Only "they" the despicable underbelly of our society can get this disease. Also not true. This disease is striking young, old, gay, straight, drug using, and non drug using. In short, anyone can catch this disease. There are quite a few precautions that you can take to reduce your risk. I won't go into them all but wearing a condom is one of them. Check out the following three websites to gain a better understanding of this disease.

http://www.thebody.com/

http://www.poz.com/

Do yourself a favor. Do the world a favor. Go get yourself tested. The worst that can happen is that you find out that you are positive. There are treatments that slow the progress of the HIV disease. You can stop unwittingly spreading this disease. Working together we can stamp out this modern plague and prevent future generations from having to deal with it.

Today is the day that YOU can make that step and get tested. Knowledge is the best weapon we have. Just do it. :-)

Here in St. Louis you can get tested for free in quite a few places. One of which that comes to mind is the:

Saint Louis Effort for AIDS
1027 S. Vandeventer #700 >> Saint Louis, MO 63110
314.645.6451 >> Monday - Friday >> 9 am - 5 pm
http://www.stlefa.org/

For all of you animal lovers.......

2009-12-01T14:01:00.001-06:00

Calling all animal lovers..

This is pretty simple... Please ask ten friends to each ask a further ten today!

The Animal Rescue Site is having trouble getting enough people to click on it daily so they can meet their quota of getting FREE FOOD donated every day to abused and neglected animals. It takes less than a minute (about 15 seconds) to go to their site and click on the purple box 'fund food for animals for free'. This doesn't cost you a thing.

Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate food to abandoned/neglected animals in exchange for advertising.

Here's the web site! Please pass it along to people you know.
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/
(Verified on Snopes.com)

--mak

Mathew A. Koeneker

"Be Kinder Than Necessary,
Because Everyone is Fighting
Some Kind of Battle."

JUSTICE - Why must she be so blind?

2009-11-30T17:12:00.001-06:00

"It is a pity that the only justice that can be found in my country
is that of the all mighty dollar. Dear Lady, please take off the blindfold.
All you get is the best money can buy, TRUTH has no bearing."

That is my rant for the day. I just had to get that off my chest.

--mak

Mathew A. Koeneker

"Be Kinder Than Necessary,
Because Everyone is Fighting
Some Kind of Battle."

The poem running thru my head......

2009-11-16T22:50:00.001-06:00

INVICTUS - by William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance,
I have not winced or cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance,
My head is bloody but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears,
Looms but the horror of the shade.
And yet the menace of the years,
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate;
I am the captain of my soul.

A poem that resonates with me. Surrounded by darkness but focused on the light.
--mak

365 Day Picture Project

2009-11-02T21:09:00.002-06:00

I am not sure how how I can keep picking just one. Maybe I will get lazy and start capturing less photographs. Check it all the latest here. The project set is here. :-)

Namaste,
--mak

An Irish Blessing

2009-11-01T17:59:00.001-06:00

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sunshine warm your face, the rain fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again, may G-D hold you in the palm of his hand.

This small blessing always brings me peace.
May it do so for you as well.

Namaste,
--mak

Mathew A. Koeneker

"Be Kinder Than Necessary,
Because Everyone is Fighting
Some Kind of Battle."

What I learned from "Grandma's Boy"

2009-11-01T01:57:00.003-05:00

In a nutshell, the main character is me, Mati. I was an accountant from almost twelve years between brokerage house and hotels. And it was eating me up on the inside. I became self-destructive. Screw that....time for some self construction.

I have hit close to the bottom and survived with the help of my family and friends.

Time to be a career renegade and re-invent myself.

More work, family, Judaism, exercise, school, volunteerism, photography, and paddling on the way. Time to see if the octagon is the shape that help bring me more stability in my life. Time to to put a stop sign to the negative crap that I have been stumbling around in and take a fresh positive start.

The blog will be getting daily attention as one of my outlets as well as my starting a photographic essay of the next year in my life. Some of of it will be serious and no doubt some of it will be downright silly. I hope that you can be there for the good, the weird, and the crazy wild ride that it promises to be.

--mak

Happy Birthday Mom

2009-10-25T20:24:00.004-05:00

Happy Birthday Mom! I would not be here today without your many sacrifices.

Love always,
Mati :-)

PS. I like the pix on flickr better.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/matik72/4043817902/

What I just said -- pretty much.

2009-10-23T17:13:00.002-05:00

Just a brief note to ya'll on my blog. ;-)

http://ping.fm/gL5kr

Gut Shabbos! :-)

--mak

via Ping.fm

A short "Thank You!"

2009-10-23T17:07:00.002-05:00

Let me just say that I once was great at social communication back when I was traveling more and chatting on the telephone. Then came the beginning of social networking as we now see it, and I crawled under a rock and hid out in my gilly hole. Now, the worm has turned and I am back trying to keep up with all of you my true friends. You know who you are. :-) Friendly acquaintances are pretty darn nice as well. As they often turn into life long deep friendships. Sadly, I am still just too lazy to actually write a letter and mail it. Love ya and wouldn't be here without ya...seriously. :-)

--mak

Words to live by:

2009-10-22T21:52:00.001-05:00

James Craemer

M...thats how i roll...you cant take it with you, ya know....good friends, good music, good food..tis what make this race worth running

Darn if that bucko isn't good or what. :-)

--mak

Make a splash!

2009-10-22T16:40:00.000-05:00

Just what does that kayaking freak mean by that?

Late as usual, or one could say that Every day should be Blog Action day especially as we leave a footprint no matter how small and insignificant it may well seem. Well, that is easy enough, YOU can make a difference. So get on out there and start splashin'.

YOU can make a difference.

IF this Spaceship Earth is going to keep on truckin' and supporting our existence, we all need to chip in, lend a hand, and do OUR PARTS to making this Earth last for generations upon generations.

Namaste mi hermanoes,
mak

Late to the race but still in the game.

2009-10-21T07:35:00.001-05:00

I am a bit late to the race but still in the game.

What do I mean?

It has taken me almost a month to get up the courage to half disclose my health status that leaves un-insurable if I let my COBRA lapse. Yes, I am one of the millions of fellow Americans that are living with a serious, debilitating, and eventually terminal illness. Yet, I look healthier than many half of my age (almost 40).

Lest I forget. Go here for more information and to see the posts of those that submitted on time. ;-)

I am still leering of disclosing too much. Such a fraidy cat, I know. This was mainly to show my solidarity and hope that those suffering from the myriad of "invisible illnesses" might find hopeof their own, a cure, and know that there is at least one more person, ME, out there, fighting the good fight.

Namaste,
Mati :-)

PS. A big shout out and props to those caregivers both professional and private as you make living with this disease a whole lot more bearable. *Hugz* :-)

Here are some of my stats and personal goals for this blog.

2009-10-21T06:54:00.005-05:00

Dear blog, I promised that I would do my best to spend some more time with you in 2009 and continue the trend in upcoming years. Thanks for the being there to be the medium for my muse.

Goal #1: Beat my monthly posting average. So far so good, I just have to keep it up.

Goal #2: Double my post ratio for the year. So far, I have 39 posts for 2009 to still write.

Goal #3: To do a better job of defining just what niche my blog fills. This one has been a bit more difficult as this blog seems to have taken on the many passions of my life. From health & medicine to extreme sports such as white water kayaking and endurance kayaking marathons.

2008 - 59 posts.
2009 - 80 posts to date (with 2 in the can and almost ready)
2008 monthly average 4.92 posts per month
2009 monthly average 6.67 post per month to date
2008 Top month - October
2009 Top month (so far) - March

Just a sitrep to keep me on my toes.

Namaste,
Mati :-)

Op-Ed Contributor - A Case of Chronic Denial - NYTimes.com

2009-10-21T06:52:00.001-05:00

EARLIER this month, a study published in the journal Science answered a question that medical scientists had been asking since 2006, when they learned of a novel virus found in prostate tumors called xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus, or XMRV: Was it a human infection?

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Vivienne Flesher

Related

Health Guide: Chronic Fatigue

XMRV is a gammaretrovirus, one of a family of viruses long-studied in animals but not known to infect people. In animals, these retroviruses can cause horrendous neurological problems, immune deficiency, lymphoma and leukemia. The new study provided overwhelming evidence that XMRV is a human gammaretrovirus — the third human retrovirus (after H.I.V. and human lymphotropic viruses, which cause leukemia and lymphoma). Infection is permanent and, yes, it can spread from person to person (though it is not yet known how the virus is transmitted).
That would have been news enough, but there was more. XMRV had been discovered in people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome, a malady whose very existence has been a subject of debate for 25 years. For sufferers of this disease, the news has offered enormous hope. Being seriously ill for years, even decades, is nightmarish enough, but patients are also the targets of ridicule and hostility that stem from the perception that it is all in their heads. In the study, 67 percent of the 101 patients with the disease were found to have XMRV in their cells. If further study finds that XMRV actually causes their condition, it may open the door to useful treatments. At least, it will be time to jettison the stigmatizing name chronic fatigue syndrome.

via nytimes.com

What popular media and science are not telling you. I hate having to find this sort of thing out from Op-Ed pieces.

--Mati :-)

Doubles his publication ratio: Schmap Stlouis Widget

2009-10-21T06:34:00.008-05:00

Yay! I had another of my pictures selected for inclusion n the St. Louis version of the Schmap Travel Guide. At this stage it is cool to be able to say that I have doubled my publication percentage by 100%. True that really only means that I have now had two pictures published. The neat thing is seeing my name in the byline. Brother Bill, I think think that you can identify with me here. I included their widget in this post and you can click through to view not only my to submissions but all of those that were included. Both of the pictures that of mine that were selected where taken in the Missouri Botanical Garden. Also quite neat to see some St. Louis Photography names that I not only recognize but also kayak with. What a wonderfully small village that we live in.

Enjoy...I know that I am basking.

Yours truly,
Mati :-)

What's On My Mind

2009-10-19T01:52:00.001-05:00

"Hang onto your spirit. Everything else is fleeting."

Mati :-)

"Be Kinder Than Necessary,
Because Everyone is Fighting
Some Kind of Battle."

'I Have Something to Tell You'

2009-10-17T17:31:00.001-05:00

I Have Something to Tell You" had made its point: Know your status, speak your truth, protect your partners, erase the stigma.

via sfgate.com

The Word!

Chocolate chip cookies

2009-10-13T22:44:00.001-05:00

Chocolate chip cookies
Originally uploaded by Mathew A. Koeneker

The cookie pan was a tad too small and they almost became one super cookie to rule them all.

--Mati :-)

Cajun Fried Faux Crabcakes

2009-10-13T22:13:00.001-05:00

Cajun Fried Faux Crabcakes
Originally uploaded by Mathew A. Koeneker

Dinner was nom, nom tasty. And I think the chocolate chip cookies will hit the spot just right with a nice cold glass of soy milk.

--Mati :-)

Cajun Fried Faux Crabcakes

2009-10-13T22:07:00.001-05:00

via flickr.com

Dinner was quite tasty. Made with imitation crab meat so as to keep kashrute, I hope. :-)

--Mati