Over the last weekend the extended family of the Karate Dojo where I teach and work out lost a great soul and a caring spirit. His loss has been hard to take, not just for myself, but my family, my friends and all that knew him. We've pulled together to put this into perspective and to help each other where we can.

However, I wanted to remember the great things about Jared and share some of those with you so that you would know how much I respected and felt honored that part of my life got to have him in it, even though it was for a shorter time that I wanted.

Let me begin by saying that this was an extraordinary gentleman, gifted, happy, able to enjoy life in a way that many of us older people have forgotten. Always smiling, laughing, having a good time...

He impacted many people this way. Maybe, in the end, living a happy, honoring and grateful life is the best gift that Jared gave us.

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This is a composite picture of nine images (taken with a Canon 200mm lens) and 38 eclipse images layered over one another. The eclipse occurred July 22, 2009.

Miloslav Druckmüller and colleagues took the photos at the Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands as part of an international expedition organized by the Institute for Astronomy at University of Hawaii.

The image shows how magnetic waves emanate from the sun in brilliant nano-flares.

The 2292 x 1572 image is also available showing all the nearby stars.

Source: Miloslav Druckmüller, Peter Aniol, Vojtech Rušin, Ľubomír Klocok, Karel Martišek, Martin Dietzel

Click on the picture for a larger image.

All I can say is that this is one of the coolest wedding entrances ever. With over 47 million views as of this posting, others have tended to agree. I loved it so much that I went to iTunes and bought the song from their link and now am listening to it thinking of this video.

How can one not feel good after watching this. I wonder if Chris Brown would sing at a wedding vows renewal for these two when the time is right.

Wow!

I have posted 2 videos after the break.

The first video is from YouTube and available below. These folks are great and I have no idea if the wedding guests wee expecting it.

The second video is kind of a video reply from a group that spoofs "what if they divorced" and is pretty good too. It's just a parody, so take it as a giggle.

Jill and Kevin have decided to donate the proceeds of this video to the Sheila Wellstone Institute who was an advocate, organizer, and national champion in the effort to end domestic violence.

Have a look at the 2 videos after the break and you'll see what I mean...

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It's well known to a fair number of my friends that I drink coffee and frequent Starbucks in Seattle. Well, in launching this site, I have spent more time than usual (which is saying a LOT) in putting the finishing touches on the site prior to going live.

A lot is said about the quality of the staff of a business when someone appears "parked" in their location; heads down, coffee cups everywhere, a recognition that those bleary eyes are the result of lack of sleep. Yup, the staff at Starbucks got to see that a lot over the last while. Always there with extra coffee, always hot and always with a smile and a laugh.

Well, I for one, am VERY thankful to the gang and really appreciate them. A great staff and a great place to have a coffee.

A special thanks to Zach, Zach (yes, both of them), Phil, Jene, Anna (the manager), Brittany, Jacob, Devin, Laura, Calais, Justin, Melissa, Matt, Richard, Travis, Lauren and Anna (the manager). Also, thanks to Lacy and Gretchen who came from another Starbucks to help while remodeling was going on as well as having to put up with me at their own location from time to time.

I'm pretty sure I would not have made my launch date without these folks.

The New York Times work on an interesting piece on How to Self-Diagnose Your Financial Health by Tara Siegel Bernard that has some good points and resources to help.

Equating a financial checkup to a medical checkup, the case is made that we need to do this on a regular basis. I agree and I'm doing this myself.

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