Into the storm

Making the most of the temperate weather of the moment, in advance of a storm, birds will fly inland, stopping along the way to feed. They are preparing themselves for the lack of ideal dining conditions in the days ahead. From my office I noticed more shorebirds than usual busily working the marshland. They moved in a group so as to be sure not to miss any tasty morsel. It's a sign....

When the wind arrives they will hunker down placing their heads into the wind. Their tightly streamlined bodies rippling over their feathers conserving their body heat in the falling temperatures. We should take a lesson from the birds, it is wise to prepare for the storms that may face you...

So it is supposed to rain for a week solid....

The weather reports are all full of dire warning about wave after wave of wet windy weather headed straight to the Bay Area. Flooding is to expected, with nary a minutes reprieve. What's a poor walker to do?

Well, seize the day of course and go out and take a good long walk. And that is just what I did yesterday. I had a couple of meetings (appropriately enough, planning meetings) in the morning, and then I donned my shoes, grabbed a coat along with a couple of extra layers and headed out from the Sausalito Yacht club for the bridge.

The end goal was the Ferry building in SF, hopefully in time to grab a bite and the 4:00 Ferry back to Sausalito. As I walked the cool air pelted my face and I decided to stop at a small touristy shop to buy the little pink knit hat I saw "on sale" for $5.99. The hat is not one I normally would wear. Emblazoned with "San Francisco USA" it does everything buy scream "I'm not from around here." Which of course we know is not the truth since I am after all the "REAL MARIN GAL!" But as I walked I was glad to have it on, warming my ears and keeping my hair from wildly flying about.

This particular walk I have done a number of time now, and if you look back at the blog archives you will see a variety of photos of those walks. This time, alone and a little cold, and certainly a little rusty for a walk of this length, I was determined to take my time and look closely as I walked for new angles, new details I may have missed before.

So take a look at my walk...as Cathy heads into the wind, ahead of a storm.

Fireboat off Sausalito waterfront..Maybe they are preparing too?

Breakwater off Bridgeway

No matter what the weather there always seems to be a gull on this statue...

My tourist special

On the bridge, bundled up people

In the background these Aussie's were prepared with their flag

The view is always so much better on the shoulders of your Dad

Walking down the path from the bridge
The bricks were paid for by people who donated in the names of family for posterity

The work has begun for the demolition of Doyle drive. These trees are on the side of the staircase that takes you down to Crissy Field.
Fort Point at the base of the bridge

Me along the Crissy Field beach

The work in progress for the big re-routing of Doyle Drive. Since they are doing so much work over here and the road way will be temporarily taken through this area, word has it the 3-day camp will need to be relocated. This is sad because the venue was breathtaking and the grass very soft.

But I guess there is no stopping it now.

No sir...
Good news for duck and such, they don't have to be relocated.

Nor the egrets.

Nor the Sr. Francis

Nearing the Marina Green...

Looking up Divisadero. Now that's a hill....I remember driving a clutch on it... FUN!

No comment

Another angle of the marina behind the harbormaster

Along the seawall there are benches where people have dedicated the bench to their loved ones. I particularly liked the sentiment on this one... "A man should so live that at the close of every day he can repeat "I have not wasted my day' mZohar

The gate at Fort Mason

The Festival Pavilion.

A reminder about earthquakes. We do live in earthquake country. My prayers to the people of Haiti. Have you donated yet? Maybe this could be the beginning of a long overdo rebuilding of that poor nation. One organization I have always sponsored is Mercy Corps. Hard at work there now, they were there prior to this devastating event. To donate go to MERCY CORPS

Looking over the side of a barrier on the way to Aquatic Park

There is an old building I think it is a fire building that they are set to renovate and earthquake retro fit. The fret work on the eaves of this roof are beautiful.

This is where Van Ness Avenue ends.

Boats hauled out

This artist soul was making sand sculpture. He made one of a turtle that reminded me of one that Katie had made in Tonga. That, like this one will, has long since washed away.

Another man was making sculptures with wood and very hard packed sandballs.

I took the turn to walk down Hyde Street Pier

Fisherman's Wharf

Bodins Bakery

Street performer. It seemed that there were more than usual this trip. Maybe with fewer tourists out, I just could see more. This fellow moved to Michael Jackson music.

There are manypiece of street art along the embarcadero. This one at Pier 39. You can't easily see the colored glass in the same colors as the primroses below.

Here are the water works for the Aquarium. They are very clean... and neat!

Not like this old boat. It looks like it is ready for Captain Ron.

There is a dinner theater along the embarcadero, and I have always loved their huge painted billboard display.

Is it a he or a she????

Ta Da! At the Ferry Building

Reward - Melon AquaFresca

The Ferry "Marin" home...

Then of course once you are home you find other ways to prepare for the storm, like cuddling up with the one you love.

It's a new year and it is time we all prepare to make it a great one. I have done some looking ahead to my personal goal in 2010 and I can thank 2009 as being the year that taught me the importance of balance in my life. I am excited about the future. I am even more excited because I truly believe I can change it for the better. The days ahead will not be without their challenges, nor will they be without their reward. The open we are to this the more likely we are to learn from the challenges and savor our successes.

How about you? What's your future look like? When the weather is rough, will you have your head into the wind so when the conditions are right, you can take flight? Or will you be battered about, with no direction or purpose, a victim of your circumstances?

I have to tell you.... this walking is quite enlighting.... you have to come along.

From Peru

Our eldest daughter is currently doing an intership in Peru for the State Department.

Sorry to so completely steal this from my daughter's email and post it without permission,

but it is decidedly entertaining. Enjoy....

"The VIP was here today, but we didn't see him --

he was off meeting with the president and doing VIP type
things.

We did gather around the TV and listen to his press
conference for a
few minutes. He doesn't speak any Spanish, so they had
someone translating all of
his answers. Someone was asking him about
U.S.-backed programs to
combat narcotrafficking in Colombia, and whether we might
see some
more implementation in Peru. So he delivered this mini-speech about
drug traffickers. At one point, he chuckled to himself and said
something along the lines of, "In the United States, we have a game
called whack-a-mole. It's similar to how I see the drug trade in South
America. You might get them somewhere, but then they're going to
reappear somewhere else."

Later, I was on my way to lunch, and a Peruvian with the press section sidled up to me with her notebook.

She cleared her throat and thought for a moment.

"Excuse me, please?"
"Yes?"
"I have one question for you."
"Go ahead."
"In United States, there is a game, whack-a-mole?"
"Yes, there is."
She pulled out her pencil, poised to take notes. "But please tell me, how do you spell 'whack'?"

Just thought I would share this because it made me smile....

Speaking of smiles, 2010 is making me smile. Yesterday I went to a goal setting session that our manager gives called Vision Quest. It was more than business planning, it was life planning.

Picture this and come along for the ride...we are all held back by some pretty serious baggage. How many times have you told yourself what you cannot do. I certainly was a prime example of this, when it came to physical things, before I started my 3-day journey last March. I would never have been able to complete the walk, unless I gave up that useless, old rhetoric. I started out saying, I am going to do this walk. I didn't tell anyone for 2 weeks, but I started walking. I started to believe it was possible so I took a huge risk and said it our loud "I am doing the Breast Cancer 3 day." Next thing I know other people are believing it too... after that there was no stopping me. It all began by allowing the idea to be possible.

Take a deep breath and close your eyes. You are no longer held back by anything. Anything is possible. Imagine a place you would love to be 5 years from now. Who is there. What are you doing. What does your life look like. Make it as detailed as you can.

In this very simplified version of what I did yesterday you may find that still there are barriers in your way. It is hard to start believing you can do what you dream most of doing. Of being what you have always hoped to be. It is even a little scary. But when you let go of boundaries and limits and you truly start to believe anything in possible, you are no longer afraid to venture out and grab what you want.

The 3 day walk taught me this in a way I never thought I'd understand. I thought for the most part my life had few limits. I was successful and confident and not afraid of attempting most things. But...when it came to physical things (exercise, sport, weight and such)...I knew I just couldn't be expected to be able to compete, because I was incapable. Now, by taking those first few scary steps, I came from believing to knowing to actually doing to celebrating my victory over that fear.

My wish for you all is to let go of your limits and soar.

I feel like I am soaring when I read Allison's words about her journey. It a vicarious feeling I get imaging her spreading her wings and enjoying the view. Good for you for pursuing your passion. Have a great flight.

Sitting in my new office

100 Shoreline Hwy. Ste 115, Mill Valley

The clouds are creeping left to right over Richardson Bay. The water has receded from the shore leaving an expanse of tidal mud potholed like a shiny moonscape. The birds sit at the water's collecting delicious treats with each peck. I hear the sound of the freeway faintly in the background. A man rides by on his bike by my window as though he were lost. Strawberry Point, with its homes clinging to the side of the cliff, and Belvedere in the distance reminds me I am a Realtor and they are the objects of my affection. This is my new office.
It took me a long time to decide whether to leave my Corte Madera office. Here was the merry band of renegades who mutinied and left Pacific Union one year ago. Here, were the great people who supported me in my walk. I always found the people there genuinely warmer than most Realtors and an extended family of sorts. But in opening the Mill Valley office I was presented an opportunity to grow once again. Since it is a new office, the direction it takes will take on the personality of those who are first there. I hope I will be part of a positive and exciting time for Alain Pinel in Marin. I look forward to being here. Besides... those Corte Madera folks can be the target of some great walks north.

New years, new directions and it is time to examine what works and what could be improved upon. Last year taught me how important it is to do something beyond yourself... and this I do not plan on changing. The new office sits right on the walking path that I have used countless times in my training for the 3 day. It has the added benefit of being very close to Patti's home. I could pick up my phone right now and call and say.. I am coming over and be at her houseboat sipping a class of chardonnay in 5 minutes. Hmmmm. sounds like a good idea... Or I could dtart from here for our great walks to Cavallo point. Choices, choices.

Come to visit me.

It's going to be a great year!

It's a New Year and a New Walk!

New Years.

It's a challenge and a promise all at the same time.

On one hand you know the year ahead will not be perfect. Certainly there will be times when you will be overwhelmed with work, with crisises. It is after all... life and life does that to us. All the better then for the promise the new year holds.

For me, by embracing another go at the Breast Cancer 3 day, I know the year will hold moments of personal triumph. Because of the wonderful people who will be walking with me, it will also be a year of deep connection with people I care about. Two of those people are my daughters.

When your children grow and move away it feels a lot like you have lost a part of your anatomy. I remember leaving Allison at Kindergarten the first time. I honestly felt like my arm had been cut off. When I left Katie at nursery school for the first time I hid around the corner and listened to see if she would be crying. Cellphones are great, but have you ever discovered sarcasm doesn't translate well in text? (I have gotten into more than one misunderstanding with my daughters this way over the years) There is never really any substitute for being together. I am truly excited that we three will be together, because there are no people more important to me in this world. Knowing Katie made the committment to come from Washington State, and Allison from Denver, and knowing they will be training far away from our training walks means even more. Thank you both for inspiring me.

I am thrilled that Patti will be continuing her walk with me this year too. Last year she faced cancer, and stood up to it and won! This year she and I both, survivors will continue grow together as strong warriors. I love our walks to Cavallo Point, and hope to have many many more.... in addition to bridge crossings and maybe winery jaunts.... Patti, my friend and sister 2010 will be our year!

Also joining us will be my friend and Katie's God Mom Stephanie. Stephanie felt moved to take this journey because while she followed my walk, she found out two associates of hers also were diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I am so happy Stephanie will walking with us. Over the years we have been as close as you can get, she and her husband Chuck, and Glenn and me. But as life presents its challenges and we get involved with work and other things, we haven't seen as much of each other as either one of us would like. In 20-10, we will be able to talk and walk, discover our strength and blow our husbands away (figuratively not literally).

Cathy Shea is another new member, and I am very much looking forward to getting to know her. Cathy is a Breast Cancer survivor and a friend of Patti's. When a survivor takes this walk there is a magical thing that happens. With every step you feel more and more powerful. Every step is a step toward control over your own life. That was the best gift of 2009 for me, I regained my power, over cancer and in doing that gained power over my own life.

So here it is 20-10. My business life will be juggled with my personal life and that... that is a good thing. One thing I discovered last year was how much better work is, when you feel you have spent some time doing something else. Especially if that is an important thing like help in ending Cancer. Things in balance always function better and that includes your life.

Are you ready to take up the challenge of 2010? If you are, find your passion, put your soul into it and watch how your whole life blossoms. You may still have a neighbor who annoys you, or a range that needs replacing. You might get a flat tire and have to change it yourself. A dog might bite you, or you could lose your front tooth... but I guarantee you this... for me, after a day like that, I know, the minute my feet hit the pavement, and I start walking, I feel like those things are pretty small after all. They are not nearly as important as the wind in my face, and the beating of my heart. They don't carry a candle to having my two daughters and great great friends along side me. They pale in comparison to the idea that thousands of woman will be walking together as the fuel that powers the engine that finds a cure for cancer.

WALK with me.

Have a great 2010!

or....

DONATE as your first donation of the year.

Make this year a year of promises fulfilled.

The essense of a person

We each look at life and death a little differently I believe.

I have known people who have died. I have known people who were younger than me, people who were older. I have had relatives die, and clients and co-workers, but I have never had a friend from that inner circle die until now. As fate must have it, it won't be the last time either. Some people might wonder why it was a shock to have Om die. After all he had a double transplant, and has had health issues his entire adult life. Maybe the answer is, it is a shock for two reasons. Om has battled and won, and perhaps, we were lulled into the belief he could continue his victories for a little while longer.

Or maybe...maybe its a surprise because he was one of us.

Today was Om's burial. Over the course of the past few days there was a Christian service, a Hindu service and finally this burial. It was people's time to say goodbye. To me it is somewhat odd to stand over a body to say goodbye, especially one that in the end failed him, because, that body is just an empty vessel. Om doesn't occupy that space anymore.

In both the Christian and the Hindu services this point was made. The body is not the person. The soul is the person. It is the soul that gives us our humanity. The twinkle in someone's eyes comes from this essence. The brilliance of a mind emanates from their soul. The humor and kindness, the artistic flare and the inventor's creations all are sprung from this intangible essence that makes us who we are.

It was evident that Om's soul had touched and continued to touch many people. As one after one, people rose to speak about those things that made this man uniquely Om. Looking around the crowd from tear streaked face to stoic stares, each person was trying to come to terms with a world without their Om Lal.

People turn to you at times like this and ask why? The answer is because we all have our time to go. When we are blessed by knowing truly special people, it is sometimes a hard truth to accept. Om fought and beat death many times, because that was who he was, a fighter. But ultimately this is a fight we cannot win, not any of us. I am just thankful, that while he graced this earth, I was blessed by knowing him.

The future will be different for all of us who knew and loved him, but no one more than his wife Ena. The one thing I know is that Om would want us all to be there for Ena. I envision some good long walks in our future. We will be there for her and help her hear the music again, because in the music she will find Om.

My eyes open and I hear the music

It plays as I watch my mother's eyes

I feel my heart beat in rhythm, rising and falling with the days.

When I found my true love my heart could not contain the beat

My feet moved in a dance with my beloved

As we spun and moved to the music around us.

But the day came when my heart stopped beating and

I wondered where the music had gone.

I closed my eyes and awoke to become

not a listener but a creator of the music I sought

And I danced the dance of angels.

Goodbye Om.

Endings and Beginnings - Choices

It's been a long time since I have gone for a walk. In the midst of the Holidays, there is not the time nor the inclination to open the door and venture out into the cold. There are things to be done, and people who are visiting; parties need their planning and gifts need their wrapping. You, you made need a walk, but its put on the back burner. Although you enjoy each day and the people in it, your walk is in temporary holding waiting for you to take flight. After the presents are opened and your guests have returned to their homes, it's time to think, is now a good time?

This morning as I woke up I felt energized to get the walking gear on and head to the Ferry Building. I sat down and looked at Weather.com only to see a forecast of showers throughout the day. My mood took a dip as I went upstairs and sat at the dining table to sip on my coffee. I stared out to the heavens and saw grey clouds clinging persistently to the sky, but no rain falling. The stone patio was damp from the rain that had fallen earlier, but I saw no new drops. I had a choice. Should I believe the forecast or take a chance? What's the worse thing that could happen? I decided the worse thing would be to stay home and watch my optimism darken with the skies. I put on the New Balance 1011s, and three layers including a rain jacket and stepped out into the unknown.

I decided to hedge my bets and not go into the city. If I walked to the office in Corte Madera, I might be able to stag a ride home making the day a 6.5 mile walk, imminently do-able, with less chance of being drenched. I noticed birds I hadn't seen (or hadn't paid attention to before). Set among the swamp grass, there were around 50 of these brown colored birds. They were nearly invisible until they took wing. As they flew their undersides lit up with the undersides nearly neon white marked with inkblack tipped wings. Their brightness stood in stark contrast to the drab sky.

Team: Are We There Yet has a few new members and I am excited for them to take flight. My daughter Katie is joining us this year, along with long time friend Stephanie Cihak and Patti's friend Cathy Shea. Each of us have our own reasons why we have commitment to this effort. The overall goal is to end cancer. For some of us the cancer that we try to end is from a very personal battle. For others, it is in honor of those who we have known who have fought cancer, some of whom lost their battles. Then there's the personal challenge of walking 60 miles in 3 days. I am thrilled when I hear that I inspired someone to join. I am excited to know that whatever their reason is in the beginning, the journey will be a lot like those birds today. The journey will open up new discoveries as they take flight. I am excited to be there to watch their magic as they soar. (If you would like to join our team or make a donation, visit our team website )

Part of today's walk was to compare Alain Pinel Offices. We have opened a new office in Mill Valley. I can walk to this office in literally 15 minutes. It sits along the shore of Richardson Bay. I know that if I wanted to I could move to this office and that move would have advantages.

1. It is lots closer for most of my clients, and it is easier to get to for the SF clients who come to Marin.
2. It's quieter with fewer people, and that sometimes is a good thing for work.
3. Because it sits along the water, there are water views and my Feng Shui gal Amy said, I would benefit from a workplace with an East Facing water view...
4. Change can invigorate you.

but....... I knew Corte Madera has its pluses too.

1. It's located off the freeway and has great visibility.
2. The support staff in the office is fantastic and the management spends most of its time there. There's lots of energy.
3. I have a nice large office and have my marketing pieces all printed with the 101 Nellen address on them...
4. I dislike change.

So I would appreciate your opinion because I am truly torn. What should I do? You tell me. Glenn would say don't make any sudden decisions. Pick an office......

MILL VALLEY

CORTE MADERA

I had hoped my walk would clear this dilemma up as well as brighten my mood. My heart is still heavy from the loss of our friend Om. His memorial services will be this Tuesday and Thursday. I hoped each step would help make me stronger for the emotional journey of this week. I think the thing that will make me stronger will be the arm of my husband. I hope he can find the same strength in my arm. It will be fitting the memorials are on New Years Eve, because on New Years Day we will have another choice; Shall we huddle in the swamp grass and disappear for awhile, or shall we together take flight and blind the world with our collective brilliance? And finally what would Om want us to do.

Life is full of these choices. Sometimes it is easier to hide. Change always carries with it some sadness for the things you leave behind. I hope the new year will be one in which we all venture forward and embrace each day. I hope you find the courage to take flight and the courage to look around you to see the magic.

Walk on friends... walk on.... because it is the only true way you can honor not only the future but today and equally importantly the past.

A changing wind

Today the sun has come out, just like any other day, but maybe a little brighter. A light rain storm blew through the Bay Area yesterday, and with it came a changing wind. This morning you can see forever. Beyond the Bay and off to the hills in the distance, the Farallon Islands sit on the horizon so clear you can almost make out the rocks on their shore. A changing wind.

The night before last, our dear friend and warrior Om, lost his battle.

Om went to school with my husband Glenn. Although Om was a brilliant man and designed some impressive innovations in the tech world, I am not the right person to tell you about that, because I really never knew that part of Om. I knew quite a bit about a different Om.

A zest for life.

Although a disease doesn't define a person, in Om's case he lived with diabetes which caused many close encounters with death for years. It robbed him of his health, impacted his eyesight, almost cost him a leg. But it never took away his zest for life.

Some people tip toe through life. Om danced. I don't know if he always danced, but certainly once he married his wife Ena, Om danced. He possessed a joie de vivre that few do.

A couple of years ago, I got a call from Om. He asked me if I would consider going on Deal or no Deal with him. He LOVED this show and thought nothing could be better than to be a player on that show. In his mind I made a good candidate for his support group, along with Ena and his niece. Now you have to picture Om. His health was not good. His heart was not functioning properly and he was easily tired. He was on the transplant list for a heart and kidney, but he wouldn't qualify until he could go a certain length of time without a heart incident. But Om was committed to the idea of doing this show. We got together at his house to practice.

To be selected for Deal or No Deal you have to send in an audition tape and we were getting that put together. I had had shirts made for the support group to wear that said OM on one side and NO DEAL on the back. Om's niece's pitch was to remind the producers, her uncle had had a brief run at fame already as the Mosquito in an ad for a travel website. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOPcYdjAFws

He was ready for run #2. Ena said something along the lines, you have to pick Om because we love to dance! We each did our part as we tried to prepare a pitch for the show. Om's pitch was he was doing this to help bring attention to the thousands of people waiting for a transplant. He wanted to inspire them to hang in there. But he also wanted to make a DEAL! But about 20 mins into it, Om looked as though he might faint. The prospect of the game show went on hold as he continued his battle with his health. "We'll do this after you get better," was my thought.

Friends are important.

Om loved his friends. I really can't speak about other friends, except I know he felt close to his neighbors and enjoyed their yearly get togethers. I know he loved his family, and his children and of course his angel of a wife Ena. But I witnessed many times how much he valued his buddies from High School. If there was an event, despite health issues, Om would be determined to be there with his buddies.

The first time I knew how much they meant to him, might have been the first time even he knew how much they meant to him. We had a trip to Turkey planned. A sailing trip, our first bareboat cruise. Dana, Chuck, Stephanie and Glenn and I were planning on going, Om wanted to go too. He had recently had heart surgery and his health had been bad. Honestly, if I can speak for myself, I was a little skeptical this was a good idea. But Om was determined.

He and Ena glowed on this trip. Om brought along a huge satellite phone to keep in touch with business. Honestly I don't remember him using it though. I do remember him in the Turkish bath with the other buddies, walking in and realizing for the first time it was a coed bath with one hot naked girl in it. They quickly backed out of the room to return with boxer shorts and towels wrapped around them...

And I remember him sitting in the cockpit turning to the buddies and saying "for years I have thought about nothing but how sick I have been. This is the first time I am thinking about how well I am." I believe that was a turning point for Om. Everything I saw from him from that trip on was more about what he could do, versus what he could not.

Tenacity.

A perfect example of this would be September three years ago. Our daughter Allison was getting married in Columbus Ohio. Om wanted to go. He had to go, his buddies were all going to be there and it was important. But Om was undergoing Dialysis nearly everyday.

He found a center in Columbus, and coordinated with his Doctors, so he could undergo dialysis in Columbus. I don't think anyone ever impressed me so much with a tenacity that was driven by love. When I saw him dancing with Ena at the reception I was thrilled to know the photographer captured the utter look of complete contentment on both their faces.

Last year, before Christmas arrived, Om had a kidney and heart transplant. We visited him in the hospital. There were the warnings about germs and safety, and there was Om. The color in his face had already improved. they threw in a cataract surgery and he could see without his glasses for the first time I recall. He was excited about the life he was regaining.

During the past year he enjoyed parties and he danced at Mike Cihaks wedding. He came to support us at our Wine Wars in Marin. He planned on attending our holiday party and the Cihak's Christmas Eve. His health had taken a turn for the worse after a bout with a virus. The other night he was not feeling well, his wife insisted they go to the hospital. Om said no, they had an appointment the next day, it could wait. After staying up with Om until the early morning hours, Ena went off to bed for a few mintues rest.

Later, Ena walked into his room to find Om had died during his sleep.

He fought a courageous battle. He honored us all by showing us how much friends mean and how it is important ALWAYS to see the things you can do, and not be bound by the things that would restrict us.

I will always picture him with a huge smile on his face, grabbing his Ena, and leading us ( on another cruise) through Spanish streets to find a place to dance.

The winds come and have changed our lives and Om is no longer here with us. We all are very sad and will miss him so much. But I really truly believe he is smiling. Because I know without a doubt the man is dancing.