tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92402372024-03-13T00:39:13.492-04:00The World of AF GrantThe adventures, exploits and mishaps of AF Grant. Featuring Globe Trotting Travels, Metal, the New England Patriots, Larry The Lizard, Lori, Homer, and much more.AF Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15622485814667912429noreply@blogger.comBlogger361125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9240237.post-31167612612098178502014-02-05T22:22:00.006-05:002014-02-05T22:22:49.782-05:00Two of Sadie's Favorite Things...<h3>
Snow and sticks</h3>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/04hR44LR7V8" width="560"></iframe>AF Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15622485814667912429noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9240237.post-76493567531451910792014-02-04T20:56:00.001-05:002014-02-04T20:56:09.095-05:00Homer and His Lessons Live On<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Exactly one year and one month ago, my favorite dog in the world, Homer, was struck and killed by a car in front of our house. The next morning I wrote a blog post about the life lessons Homer taught me. In March, that post grew into an ebook, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BOC0MVK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00BOC0MVK&linkCode=as2&tag=afgrantcom-20" target="_blank">Homer the Hound Dog's Guide to Happiness</a>, which has gotten rave reviews from readers all over the world.<br />
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That blog post was also shared with author and publisher Louise Hay, when a friend pointed me to her Facebook post asking for stories of pet loss for a book she was writing.<br />
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Today, that book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/140194387X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=140194387X&linkCode=as2&tag=afgrantcom-20" target="_blank">You Can Heal Your Heart</a>, is released. It is all about grief and healing a broken heart from a variety of situations. When co-author, David Kessler, called me a few months ago to let me know my story was going to be in the chapter on pet loss, he warned me that our names would probably be changed. He said Homer became Buddy in the final manuscript. I told him it would mean a great deal to me if Homer was Homer. He agreed to check with the book editor.<br />
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Just last week I spoke with David again, he informed me that "Homer is Homer and Andy is Andy". I was thrilled! "Lessons From Homer" is the subhead in the pet loss chapter. I'm anxiously waiting to hold the book in my hands. This blows me away for many reasons. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K-FYLWuSiWE/S9TsBcyisMI/AAAAAAAAACE/lRhgyRGbJns/s1600/Louise_AF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K-FYLWuSiWE/S9TsBcyisMI/AAAAAAAAACE/lRhgyRGbJns/s1600/Louise_AF.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Louise Hay and me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
First, Louise Hay is an icon of personal triumph and growth. Her book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009CRP2ZA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B009CRP2ZA&linkCode=as2&tag=afgrantcom-20" target="_blank">You Can Heal Your Life</a>, was a life-saver for me. I've lost count of how many times I've read it. A couple years ago I had the chance to meet and chat with her, and her presence was such pure love, I never wanted to step away.<br />
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More surprisingly, and what moves me to tears every time I think of it, is that in a mere 13 months Homer went from being a lifeless body I cradled in my arms, to having his love and wisdom span the globe, impacting thousands, even hundreds of thousands of people. I somehow feel more connected to Homer now than ever. I can't wait to see what he does next.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/140194387X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=140194387X&linkCode=as2&tag=afgrantcom-20" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/140194387X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=140194387X&linkCode=as2&tag=afgrantcom-20" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dGB4lyvFmFI/UvGZ-IMEIeI/AAAAAAAAAfA/eWIrdrimBVE/s1600/YouCanHealYourHeart.jpg" height="320" width="218" /></a></div>
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AF Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15622485814667912429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9240237.post-19617554773452920202014-02-02T14:21:00.000-05:002014-03-23T15:55:06.302-04:00Holotropic Dance PartyYesterday I took part in my 7th Holotropic Breathwork and it was by far the most celebratory one I've done. From the very first moments I was laughing and dancing on my mat, having a grand ol' time.<br />
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For those who don't know; Holotropic Breathwork is a group event of self-exploration that uses rapid, deep breathing and loud, evocative music (think tribal drumming, instrumentals, ancient chants, nothing has English lyrics) to enter a non-ordinary state of consciousness. It can seem very much like an acid trip, but you aren't under the influence of anything except for your self. After breathwork you draw your experience in a mandala. I can't draw for shit (especially after a 2 1/2 hour Holotropic trip), but I love my mandalas. I even wrote a book about my prior <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CJ0W9Z8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00CJ0W9Z8&linkCode=as2&tag=afgrantcom-20" target="_blank">Holotoropic Breathwork experiences</a> because I want more people to know about this process and give it a try.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-svBD_L1pW6Q/Uu6iptTFCqI/AAAAAAAAAes/dkMYaeUfXZQ/s1600/Mandala7Strings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-svBD_L1pW6Q/Uu6iptTFCqI/AAAAAAAAAes/dkMYaeUfXZQ/s1600/Mandala7Strings.jpg" height="176" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dancing on strings</td></tr>
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My session was very music driven. At the start I was tiny and jumping on guitar and piano strings trying to avoid the one being struck, then as the music became more drumming tracks I was hiding under different drum heads, avoiding being struck. It was all a fun game. Felt like I was part of a con man's shell game, that I was the pea. Even though I'm actually just lying on my back on a matt and this is all happening in my mind (or in some other realm?) I was dancing, swaying, and gyrating to the music the whole time.<br />
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As the songs went on, I found myself in this huge underground dance club all carved out of stone. It looked like Stonehenge had been rebuilt as some sort of goth, gay, fetish, dance club. I was like a tourist being shown all around and these huge German muscle men who were dripping in sweat and oil kept coming up to me saying, "We want to oil you up." I laughed out loud each time, because they kept reminding me of the Saturday Night Live characters, Hanz and Franz, saying "We want to pump you up!"<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UoBX9ek_Vxs/Uu6ipacAwOI/AAAAAAAAAew/Hb6c9OsmZiI/s1600/Mandala7Orgy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UoBX9ek_Vxs/Uu6ipacAwOI/AAAAAAAAAew/Hb6c9OsmZiI/s1600/Mandala7Orgy.jpg" height="156" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orgy</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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There was a different style of mayhem and debauchery in every corner of this place; it had orgies, hula dancers, African Masai warrior dancers, people pouring hot wax onto each other, and all sorts of scenes out of something like Eyes Wide Shut. It seemed like every culture and every fetish was represented and I just kept laughing at each new sight, each new discovery. The music was cranking, the bass was pumping, lights and glitter were flying everywhere - then the Pope arrived! He was atop the whole scene in an elevated DJ booth. Turns out this secret underground club is beneath the Vatican!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xOUTEph7-ls/Uu6iodtVDCI/AAAAAAAAAeY/bxbQ0dYykrk/s1600/Mandala7DanceParty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xOUTEph7-ls/Uu6iodtVDCI/AAAAAAAAAeY/bxbQ0dYykrk/s1600/Mandala7DanceParty.jpg" height="231" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pope goes clubbing</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The Pope was going totally sick throwing streamers and glitter all around, loving everyone, reigning over the debauchery and fun. The Germans kept offering to oil me up and tried teaching my different dances. I just laughed and laughed and laughed. Everyone was insanely buff and gorgeous (like when Homer Simpson tells a story and he looks like Hercules in his mind.) I commented to people around me that this was some sort demented Dance Party USA, the Pope yelled out, "No! It's Dance Party Universe!"<br />
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The music slowed down a bit and became this amazing, heavy bass riff. I turned to follow a couple German muslceheads into a tunnel. Actually we were all earthworms now and were creating a tunnel through the rock and dirt to leave the Pope's bash. We burrowed and tunneled further and further into the ground, as the bass kept getting louder and deeper, shaking everything around us.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0gqebDUK2QU/Uu6ioepx-8I/AAAAAAAAAeU/HHZgq21Mxgc/s1600/Mandala7Hell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0gqebDUK2QU/Uu6ioepx-8I/AAAAAAAAAeU/HHZgq21Mxgc/s1600/Mandala7Hell.jpg" height="193" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hell bass jam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We finally broke through to some sort of cave and there was Nikki Sixx from Motley Crue, Gene Simmons from Kiss and the Devil all playing bass. Nothing but bass, and it ROCKED! We were all headbanging in hell! The Devil had this amazing red, glass upright bass. He said he was just a misunderstood character out for some fun. It was all I could do to not leap up on my mat and start throwing my fists in the air. It was like I was at the best, most intense concert ever. It was definitely turned up to 11!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ej0wqVzrwr0/Uu6ipSEiCUI/AAAAAAAAAe0/m-6o4E-u61o/s1600/Mandala7Light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ej0wqVzrwr0/Uu6ipSEiCUI/AAAAAAAAAe0/m-6o4E-u61o/s1600/Mandala7Light.jpg" height="200" width="183" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lighter of Light</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The music moved into a slower, lighter, orchestral section and I ascended up out of hell. It was still very much in a rock and roll theme as I was raised up on some infinite rising platform straight out of a KISS stage show. As I rose higher and higher, I received messages of, you are much more than that, you have a bigger role than to just rock out. This was the first period of tears in my breathwork. (Unlike my initial breathwork experiences a few years ago which were nothing but tears.) I was overwhelmed with love and joy, also with a sense of purpose and meaning. I was shedding tears of joy, not pain or sadness. I was told I'm a "Lighter of Light" - which is a phrase I've heard repeatedly in recent months as I've worked in my Akashic Record.<br />
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Then I entered a very serene and peaceful period. Similar to a very deep state of meditation. It was timeless and blissful. I recall one scene of yelling at my wife, Lori, who wasn't there, "Enough with the raisins!" Every time she comes across food with raisins she goes on and on about how much she hates raisins, and raisins ruin food... Muffins and cookies with raisins were served that day and that all popped into my mind somewhere between Heaven and hell.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k8YPjXELfns/Uu6ipFczojI/AAAAAAAAAec/e92qgPYsoQo/s1600/Mandala7Homer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k8YPjXELfns/Uu6ipFczojI/AAAAAAAAAec/e92qgPYsoQo/s1600/Mandala7Homer.jpg" height="177" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The only other time I remember crying was when I felt my late dog Homer's presence. Homer is actually part of a book by Louise Hay and David Kessler coming out on Feb 4, called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/140194387X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=140194387X&linkCode=as2&tag=afgrantcom-20" target="_blank">You Can Heal Your Heart</a>. Sobbing, I asked Homer if he was happy with what I've done with his lessons, his story. He was. He told me he was proud of me and so appreciated my work in spreading his wisdom. The book from Louise Hay comes out exactly 1 year and 1 month from the day Homer was killed. Then I saw our first cat, Garfield. I remember saying, You guys didn't even know each other. Many years passed between Garfield getting killed by coyotes and us getting Homer. They said, we know each other now! And then our other deceased cat, Samantha, whom did share our home with Homer too sauntered by. The music transitioned into a beautiful harp composition and Homer was now playing the harp with his tail.<br />
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I was filled with so much love, peace and joy. I wallowed in those emotions for the remainder of my time. When I opened my eyes about 2 1/2 hours after I'd closed them, I didn't feel out of it or disoriented. I was so ready to get to my mandala, I had been drawing it in my mind all along. Wishing I had the skill the get the amazing scenes in my head onto paper. But alas, I'm still a kindergartener when it comes to marking up paper.<br />
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Here is the entire mandala.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J052IL-vG-8/Uu6iop7garI/AAAAAAAAAeE/Hr-lX1qYfCM/s1600/Mandala7Feb2-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J052IL-vG-8/Uu6iop7garI/AAAAAAAAAeE/Hr-lX1qYfCM/s1600/Mandala7Feb2-2014.jpg" height="265" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dance Party Universe!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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At home that night, Lori and I were watching Saturday Night Live and one of my favorite characters, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8osfRW-KTgc" target="_blank">Stefon</a>: showed up again. Stefon is the city correspondent on Weekend Update and I realized that my Dance Party Universe was one of Stefon's clubs. This place has everything...<br />
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This breathwork was also special because I introduced a friend to it. At first she was nervous and scared, asking why would anyone do this more than once? Three hours later, it was "I can't wait to do this again!"AF Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15622485814667912429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9240237.post-3852163938131341692014-01-05T13:06:00.000-05:002014-01-05T13:28:50.195-05:00Sunday MorningOn this January morning I was looking out my home office window and had one of those amazing little moments. One of those moments of insight and introspection that may mean nothing to anyone else, but which brought tears to my eyes.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xql_eEu9ISY/Usmjn-OARLI/AAAAAAAAAdU/SiA4t3z7L7Y/s1600/grey1-5-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xql_eEu9ISY/Usmjn-OARLI/AAAAAAAAAdU/SiA4t3z7L7Y/s320/grey1-5-14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I looked out my window seeing the grey, gloomy sky, then gazing higher above, almost straight up, I saw clear blue sky. Such a gorgeous expanse of limitless blue with white puffy clouds zooming by. The clouds were moving so fast it looked like a time lapse film that compressed the cloud movements of an entire day down to seconds. I looked back at the horizon - the grey clouds sitting there motionless.<br />
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In the peripheral vision of my right eye, I could see dark, ominous trees. I turned to them to see a field of leafless, dark shapes with translucent rays of light poking though, giving the branches ominous highlights. It was rather eerie and menacing, a bit of a traditional Halloween scene.<br />
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I realized all of this was happening at the same time. All of these scenes, these views, were real; and my mood, my emotions, my outlook, changed depending on which one I focused. The overall scope was too grand for me to see all three aspects at the same time. I had to choose what I wanted to see; what I wanted to focus on. I got to choose what I wanted to experience. <br />
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The sky is always blue. It is the clouds that are sometimes grey. The sun is always shining, we just don't always see it. <br />
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Life is always good, we just aren't always aware of it. Sometimes we are deceived by the filters, the clouds, the temporarily leafless, scary trees. It is all good.<br />
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<br />AF Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15622485814667912429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9240237.post-4013409487891534632013-12-30T21:13:00.003-05:002013-12-30T21:13:33.676-05:002013 was...<div>
It was the year I got my worst day out of the way quickly. It was the January 4th I lost my best dog, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SudEIIUU37g" target="_blank">Homer</a>. It was also the year I became a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/author/andygrant" target="_blank">best-selling author</a> (three times!) and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BOC0MVK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00BOC0MVK&linkCode=as2&tag=afgrantcom-20" target="_blank">one of those books</a> was all about Homer, so it was especially meaningful. <br />
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It was the year of a great visit to Detroit (of all places!) for Metallica's 2nd <a href="http://blog.afgrant.com/2013_06_01_archive.html" target="_blank">Orion Music and More festival</a>, where not only did I see my 32nd Metallica show, but also a secret performance of "Kill 'em All" under the name of Dehaan and I got to get my mitts on one of Jame's guitar while Lori sat behind Lars' drum kit. I also won tickets to an advance screening of their IMAX 3D movie, "Through The Never," which was the most amazing filmed concert experience ever!<br />
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It was the year I finally left corporate America, after threatening to do so for 90% of my career. Woohoo!<br />
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It was the year of certifications as I earned them in: Positive Psychology, Soul Entrainment, <a href="http://navitascoach.com/akashic-records/" target="_blank">Akashic Records</a>, <a href="http://navitascoach.com/2013/12/infinite-possibilites-training/" target="_blank">Infinite Possibilities</a>, Playing the Matrix, and a few others I'm sure I've forgotten about. It was the year of meeting <a href="http://navitascoach.com/2013/09/meeting-anita-moorjani/" target="_blank">Anita Moorjani</a>, Mike Dooley, Andy Dooley and hundreds of other new best friends. It was also the year I was interview on <a href="http://talkingaboutsuicide.com/2013/10/27/talking-with-andy-grant/" target="_blank">TalkingAboutSuicide.com</a><br />
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It was the year Lori and I had our first joint speaking engagement, our first experience teaching together, our first classes taught at home, and the first time she filled in for me to teach a class. It was also the first time we both interviewed for the same job and the first time I wanted someone else to get a job I interviewed for. It ended up being the year Lori got her dream job, being a life coach at a local hospital.<br />
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It was the year I maintained a yoga practice and got hooked on Body Combat classes. It was my first full calendar year of living the Virgin Diet (well, most of the time). It was the year of my first on-line, on-demand course, <a href="https://www.udemy.com/the-power-of-gratitude/?couponCode=site" target="_blank">The Power of Gratitude</a>, and also the first time I taught a webinar.<br />
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It was the year Sadie, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePD1_BoigHQ" target="_blank">the three-legged wonder dog</a>, bounced into our lives. It was the year I worked on five feature films, but still have yet to be seen on a theater screen. It was another great year of friends, family, concerts, movies, books, classes, clients, fun, love and growth. Thank you for being a part of it. What more could I ask for?<br />
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2013 was my best year so far, and I've got an even better feeling about 2014. Bring it on!</div>
AF Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15622485814667912429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9240237.post-31156701225288003792013-11-01T13:37:00.000-04:002014-01-06T13:37:44.827-05:00Talking About SuicideI recently discovered a very cool website, <a data-mce-href="http://talkingaboutsuicide.com/" href="http://talkingaboutsuicide.com/">TalkingAboutSuicide.com</a>,
working to remove the stigma of suicide attempts by allowing people to
openly share their stories. The site was created by Cara Anna, a
journalist and suicide attempt survivor, and has dozens of frank, open
discussions about depression, suicidal thinking, attempts and what comes
after.<br />
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In case you didn't realize it, I am a survivor of years of suicidal thoughts and multiple suicide attempts.<br />
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You can read my full interview here.<br />
<a data-mce-href="http://talkingaboutsuicide.com/2013/10/27/talking-with-andy-grant/" href="http://talkingaboutsuicide.com/2013/10/27/talking-with-andy-grant/">http://talkingaboutsuicide.com/2013/10/27/talking-with-andy-grant/</a>AF Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15622485814667912429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9240237.post-14963869759390580272013-10-16T13:13:00.000-04:002013-12-30T21:20:17.603-05:00The Power of GratitudeMy first online course is live, and over 650 people have signed up in the first week! I am blown away.<br />
<br />
The course is, "<a href="https://www.udemy.com/the-power-of-gratitude/?couponCode=navitas1" target="_blank"><b>The Power of Gratitude</b></a><b>: Learn how to improve the quality of your life with an attitude of gratitude." </b>It<b> </b>is based on my in-person gratitude workshop, but it ended up being longer than my live event (over four hours of content!) and it is cheaper than attending the live event too. Plus, you decide when to take it, what speed to go through it, and you’ll always have access to it. I decided to launch it at the amazing price of only $37, but I want reward my people with a special deal of only $19. That’s right, use the link here and you get this 4 hour+ course for less then twenty bucks!<br />
<a href="https://www.udemy.com/the-power-of-gratitude/?couponCode=navitas1" target="_blank">https://www.udemy.com/the-power-of-gratitude/?couponCode=navitas1</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/4BkPCsYfcjI?rel=0" width="420"></iframe><br />
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Check this rave review: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“This course is incredible. It really made me stop and think about so many things I take for granted each day. I enjoyed doing the exercises that were included in the course. Your energy and enthusiasm are contagious!” ~Sue</blockquote>
In the course we will explore gratitude from a spiritual, energetic, and scientific perspective. Whether you’ve been keeping a gratitude journal for years, once had a gratitude practice but have stopped, or even if you think the notion of gratitude having any effect on your life is utter nonsense I invite you to join me. You will take part in a number of journaling exercises and learn simple rituals you can use on a daily basis to bring about an attitude of gratitude in your life. I’ll share my story later, but let me say up front that everything I’ll teach you is something I used to think was a ridiculous waste of time – that is until I tried it.<br />
<br />
I will share with you scientific studies from the field of Positive Psychology proving the amazing power of gratitude on your health, happiness, relationships and well being. You don’t have to believe I word I say, just be intrigued enough to put some of the practices I’ll share with you to work and then decide for yourself. <a href="https://www.udemy.com/the-power-of-gratitude/?couponCode=navitas1">Sign up now!</a>AF Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15622485814667912429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9240237.post-68685716587698478762013-06-10T01:04:00.001-04:002013-06-11T12:49:26.843-04:00Orion Music and More 2013 - Day 2<!--?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?-->
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kPUZLF1qvsk/UbVhnRHmqtI/AAAAAAAAAbI/f133paZ3hoM/s1600/P6090276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kPUZLF1qvsk/UbVhnRHmqtI/AAAAAAAAAbI/f133paZ3hoM/s320/P6090276.JPG" width="320" /></a>A superb day and an outstanding weekend.</div>
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The day kicked off with our self-guided tour of downtown Detroit, then we were on the first bus to Belle Isle for day 2 of Orion Music and More. All the transportation and entrance problems that plagued many yesterday seemed to be cleared up today.
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Our first stop was the Metallica Museum, which is full of old gear, artwork, stage props and some handwritten lyrics. Then it was music time as I managed to see 10 different bands today. </div>
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I caught All Shall Perish, a very heavy, hardcore band who got a serious mosh pit going right from the start, then Cauldron who looked and sounded like Kill ‘em All era Metallica. After those more traditional metal acts things got really interesting. The Dirtbombs are a 6 piece band with two bassists, three drummers and a guitarist - but wait there's more! They alternate. A drummer swaps with a bassist and vice versa. They covered INXS’ Need You Tonight with a drummer taking lead vocals into the crowd then taking a drum into the crowd for their final song. Sick and fun. But the funniest band of the weekend is Fidlar, a 4 piece punk band (who introduced themselves as Metallica, LOL) with such classic 2 minute sing along choruses as; “I drink cheap beer, so what, F you!” “I sit home and drink alone, you are such a whore!” and the power ballad “I didn’t know I was so good at making you feel awkward.” Plus all these songs were signed by women at side of stage for some hearing impaired fans. It was hilarious! If these guys show up at a dive near you, go see them.
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Then Metallic’s own Rob Trujillo jammed with the unrelated yet similarly named skate board husband and wife Trujillos for a jam know as Trujillo Trio. They were straight ahead thrash who were then joined by Mike and Rocky from Suicidal Tendencies for a raging version of Institutionalized.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Destroid</td></tr>
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I saw a few songs by the drums and guitar duo, Japandroids. They didn’t do it for more so I wandered over for a couple songs by Vista Chino until Fu Manchu started. I dug them a lot as they were pretty straight ahead hard rock and did a great cover of Godzilla by Blue Oyster Cult.
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Up next, I dove back into the EDM tent to see Destroid, and I've never seen anything like it before. Three cyborg, Cylon-like creatures playing drums and synth guitars and commanding people to dance and obey them in evil robot voices. Fun as shit! They got a serious pit going and I was totally energized for the main attraction.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rAZ5Q_SHELk/UbVhokn7X4I/AAAAAAAAAbQ/VbgXj6EAU-Q/s1600/P6090404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rAZ5Q_SHELk/UbVhokn7X4I/AAAAAAAAAbQ/VbgXj6EAU-Q/s320/P6090404.JPG" width="320" /></a>Metallica. After the surprise set yesterday, we all knew more surprises would come. They did. I had no idea what song might show up next. At least two songs were premieres for me. Another 6 probably haven’t been heard by me live in over ten years. They sounded tight and looked so amazingly happy. They are really at the top of the world.
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The more songs you don’t recognize, the more excited I was.</div>
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Setlist:</div>
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Blackened
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For Whom The Bell Tolls
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Disposable Heroes
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Harvester of Sorrow
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The Day That Never Comes
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Carpe Diem Baby
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I Disappear
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Sad But True
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Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
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Orion
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One
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Master of Puppets
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Battery
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Nothing Else Matters
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Enter Sandman
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Turn The Page
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Creeping Death
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Seek & Destroy </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Make a Wish kids join Metallica on stage</td></tr>
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Detroit is the new home for Orion. While last year's show at Atlantic City was certainly easier for us to attend, if I had to decide right now - I think I'll be visiting Detroit again.</div>
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Here is all the official Orion photos, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/orionmusicmore/sets/" target="_blank">broken down by band</a>.<br />
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<b>UPDATE: 6/11/13</b><br /><span class="userContent">Last night I finally figured out the
significance of "Dehaan" the fake name Metallica performed under on
Saturday. Their upcoming Imax 3D concert film, Through The Never, is
more than a concert film, it has a narrative and actors too. The lead
actor is Dane DeHaan. So if you recognized that from the get go (which I
did not), you might have been in the front row for the big surprise.</span><br />
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<span class="userContent">Final numbers: Came back with 5 new Metallica t-shirts, 1 new pick, and shows #31 and #32 under my belt. In all, I saw 16 bands over the weekend. And for first time in my life, I got to hold one of James' guitars in my very own shaky hands! And Lori got to sit at Lars' drum set. Sick!</span><br />
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<span class="userContent"> </span> </div>
AF Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15622485814667912429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9240237.post-12713997424422935542013-06-09T00:51:00.005-04:002013-06-09T00:52:17.345-04:00Orion Music and More, Day 1<!--?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?-->
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">We started off the morning exploring Detroit and the Renaissance Center. Lori and I hopped on the People Mover and took 15 minute ride on this monorail thing which is only two cars long and had a total of 3 other passengers. All we could do was think of the legendary Simpsons monorail episode and laugh. But Detroit has some really cool, unique architecture and some quite beautiful spots downtown - it was surely worth the 75 cents the 15 minute tour took. Met one guy who is a local and said he was going to Orion later too.</span><br />
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Then we roamed the river walk and bizarrely futuristic hotel/GM HQ/mall thing. Took a lot of Larry pictures then hopped on first bus to get to Orion.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Globe of Death!</td></tr>
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After about half the attendees entrance was rejected by malfunctioning scanner systems, we got in, bought 3 new Metallica shirts and entered Kirk’s Crypt since we spotted a very short line. The crypt is a showcase for all of Kirk Hammett’s horror movie memorabilia. It was bigger than last year and more freaking people dressed up inside and turning it into a haunted house. We watched a demo with a makeup pro turning a girl into a zombie too.
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Then we had killer food from Detroit’s world famous Slows Bar-B-Q; Triple Threat on a Stick and Mac & Cheese.
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After that it was time for the first bands to start. Caught The Bronx and liked them a lot. Then we moved on to local band Battlecross who were the heaviest of heavy with tremendous in sync head banging and a great cover of Slayer’s “War Ensemble.” After that we roamed in the Met Club tent and got to pose with Metallica’s gear, check out the new Metallica pinball machine and cavort with a whole lot of other Metalli-crap, followed by the car show and Globe of Death - a cool motorcycle stunt show, which was also something done by The Simpsons.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dropkick Murphys</td></tr>
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The next band was Boston’s own Dropkick Murphys and I must admit I had no idea these guys were big anywhere outside of New England, but they got a big crowd and rocked hard. They also represented Boston in a major way, thanking everyone for support after the marathon bombing, playing their Red Sox, Bruins and Mickey Ward inspired songs, plus Shipping Up To Boston and a cover of AC/DC’s T.N.T. - just when I thought that was the highlight they told us Metallica was playing a surprise set of old shit - we bolted and I got there as The Four Horsemen was starting and I quickly realized they were playing Kill ‘Em All from start to finish. Heaven! This surprise was cool beyond words. I’d only recently accepted they’d play only once, then they pull this out. I love this band. Needless to say, they kicked ass and then it tool a little bit to find Lori again. With her full permission, I left her behind as I raced to see the mighty Metallica. She got there too, but by then there were thousands of bodies between us.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Secret Metallica Gig!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AswcEAM5Lso/UbQHtjCg4RI/AAAAAAAAAac/wGsv_CYjnFM/s1600/P6080161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AswcEAM5Lso/UbQHtjCg4RI/AAAAAAAAAac/wGsv_CYjnFM/s320/P6080161.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kill 'em All, start to finish.</td></tr>
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We eventually found eachother and headed to the EDM tent for Bassnectar. Lori didn’t last long, but I had a blast. He played some Hendrix, Nirvana, Beatles and even Motorhead all remixed, sampled and dancified with an insane amount of bass. The kids loved it. It was the next generation mosh pit, everyone going off in sync but without the violence.
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The Red Hot Chili Peppers closed the night. Most of the hits are a bit slow, for my taste, to follow Kill ‘Em All and Bassnector, but once they cranked into Higher Ground I was rejuvenated. Man, I forgot how many radio hits RHCPs have had over the years. Much like last year, the bus ride home was a blast with the whole bus singing Creeping Death, and one out his mind fan trying to choreograph different verses for front and back of the bus, and then even calling for the elderly bus driver to take a verse. The driver responded by turning up the volume. Smart dude.
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Great day. And tomorrow is the REAL Metallica show - can’t wait to see what tricks they pull out next. </div>
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AF Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15622485814667912429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9240237.post-31368849563999551572013-06-07T20:52:00.000-04:002013-06-07T20:52:34.126-04:00Metalli-stats<br />
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I'm writing this at 35,000 feet above the ground flying to Detroit for Metallica's Orion Music & More festival. </div>
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This next Met show is my first show since the last show which was the best show ever. Last June at the <a href="http://blog.afgrant.com/2012/06/orion-music-more-much-much-more.html">inaugural Orion</a> in Atlantic City, I won snake pit passes and was in the 2nd row as Metallica played their Black Album in its entirety. I'd be lying to say I'm not disappointed they are only playing one night as opposed to two this year, but I am psyched to see what surprises the band might have in store for me, plus discovering a slew of new bands to become a fan of (last year I fell for Ghost and Volbeat), and I'm really excited to dive into the EDM tent (Electronic Dance Music). I don't know squat about it but every now and then I hear a hard rocking bass-heavy track that makes me think I'm ready for an all night rave. </div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9240237"></a>Sunday night will be my 31st Metallica show. This is the fifth time I've flown to see them, and the trip gives me a new city and state not just for concerts but for visiting at all. The goal is to visit all 50 states, this puts me at 29 I believe. </div>
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My Metallica t-shirt count is now at 102 with more to be purchased this weekend. And one of the coolest things about these festivals is meeting people who put my numbers to shame. In Atlantic City, the tiny woman in front of me in the front row was at her 50th show. And she lives in Japan!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Larry The Lizard picks up his Orion pass</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GM Renaissance Center, Detroit</td></tr>
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AF Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15622485814667912429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9240237.post-11834544960716077262013-04-26T22:28:00.001-04:002013-04-26T22:29:07.758-04:00My Personal Experiences with Holotropic Breathwork<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CJ0W9Z8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00CJ0W9Z8&linkCode=as2&tag=afgrantcom-20" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NZZcYB9ERjA/UXs1j83bqJI/AAAAAAAAAYU/SZCRRMR1RJs/s1600/HealingMysticalStates.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Mystical-States-Breath-ebook/dp/B00CJ0W9Z8/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1367028436&sr=1-1&keywords=personal+experiences+holotropic+breathwork" target="_blank">Healing and Mystical States Are Just a Breath Away: Personal Experiences with Holotropic Breathwork</a> is all about my experiences with Holotropic Breathwork - an amazing modality for healing via non-ordinary states of consciousness.<br />
<br />
The book covers six of my first-hand accounts of breathwork. I dig deep into my journals and share details for the first time. I'm doing this because I want more people to now about the powerful, mind-warping trips they can take merely with their breath.
Holotropic Breathwork is the most powerful personal growth and transformation tool I have encountered. It was nothing short of miraculous for me.
<br />
<br />
In case you didn’t realize it, you don’t even need a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/kindle-store-ebooks-newspapers-blogs/b/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&linkCode=ur2&node=133141011&tag=afgrantcom-20" target="_blank">Kindle device</a> to read Kindle books. There are apps that allow you to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&docId=1000493771&linkCode=ur2&tag=afgrantcom-20" target="_blank">read Kindle books</a> on just about every device from a PC to an iPad.<br />
<br />
Get the whole collection!<br />
<br />
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AF Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15622485814667912429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9240237.post-29710112394585086482013-04-26T21:33:00.001-04:002013-04-26T22:04:30.403-04:00Loving Yourself: A Workshop for Men<div>
<strong>I'm teaching a new workshop next month - Loving Yourself: A Workshop for Men – on Thursday, May 9th 6:30-9:30pm at </strong><strong><a href="http://www.createheaven.com/index.php/angels/calendar/" target="_blank">Heaven on Earth</a>, in Pembroke Ma</strong></div>
<br />
No, this isn’t about masturbation. This is a live workshop about what we truly want and desire most, yet so few men are willing to even speak of it: Love. We will focus where I believe love starts, self-love.<br />
<br />
Do you feel unable to ask for the love and support you want?<br />
<br />
Do you feel blocked in expressing your love for others? What about for yourself?<br />
<br />
If you can’t fully love yourself you can never give or attract the amount of love you desire and are worthy of.<br />
<br />
Ladies, we adore you, but you will not be able to attend this event. This is an experiential workshop especially for men. The evening will be a combination of guided meditation, lecture, and exercises rooted in energy work and research from Positive Psychology.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Nk0Ux0cNtHo?rel=0" width="420"></iframe><br />
Unconditional love is the greatest gift you can give to yourself. Let’s make it happen.<br />
Be sure to bring a notebook and pen for journaling exercises and to capture your “aha” moments.<br />
Thursday, May 9th 6:30-9:30pm. $49. <a href="https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07e77zjeh596c38851&oseq=&c=&ch=" target="_blank">Click here to register</a>.AF Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15622485814667912429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9240237.post-81566570653346024202013-03-04T21:46:00.001-05:002013-03-04T23:22:34.760-05:00Homer the Hound Dog's Guide to Happiness: 6 Life Lessons I Learned From My Dog!Today, two months after losing my beloved dog Homer, I'm proud to announce that the eBook full of his wisdom, love and photographs is available. <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BOC0MVK">Homer the Hound Dog's Guide to Happiness: 6 Life Lessons I Learned From My Dog</a>!</i> can be downloaded for the Kindle, and in case you didn't realize it you don't need a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/kindle-store-ebooks-newspapers-blogs/b/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&linkCode=ur2&node=133141011&tag=afgrantcom-20" target="_blank">Kindle device</a> to read Kindle books. There are apps that allow you to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&docId=1000493771&linkCode=ur2&tag=afgrantcom-20" target="_blank">read Kindle books</a> on just about every device from a PC to an iPad.<br />
<br />
<div id="postBodyPS">
<strong>Homer the Hound Dog’s Guide to Happiness: 6 Life Lessons I
Learned From My Dog!</strong>(Insights and photographs courtesy of my dog of 9 1/2
years)<br />
<br />
When my dog Homer (affectionately called Homey)
died suddenly in early January, 2013 it was one of the most emotionally painful
events in my life. Homer had been by my side every day for over nine
years.<br />
<br />
In my initial days of grief, I began to realize all the
wonderful things Homer taught me. I even consulted an animal communicator, or
pet psychic. The messages received from Homer confirmed that I had to write
this book.<br />
<br />
This guide to happiness allows Homer to live on, touching more people. </div>
<br />
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AF Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15622485814667912429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9240237.post-43501005909065545022013-01-09T10:39:00.002-05:002013-01-09T10:39:43.788-05:00I want to say thank you...More love for Homer.<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SudEIIUU37g?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
AF Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15622485814667912429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9240237.post-33039781791058032982013-01-05T19:35:00.000-05:002013-01-05T19:59:58.153-05:00Life Lessons From My Dog<!--?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?-->
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<div>
Six Life Lessons Homer Taught Me</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Live In The Moment</b></div>
<div>
The present moment is all that matters, nothing in the world lives this way quite like dogs and Homer rocked that out hard.</div>
<div>
He jumped off our bed each morning ready and eager for the day. He never held a grudge or was stuck in the past. When Lori or I came into the house, whether we’d been gone five minutes, five hours or five days, Homer was waiting at the door. Tail wagging, face radiating, absolutely thrilled to see us again. He greeted every moment like it was a long lost friend.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Treat Everything Like It's Your First Time</b></div>
<div>
Each meal, each treat, each walk, each person was met by Homer with such vigor, excitement and fun. His energy and enthusiasm was infectious. Everything was a celebration. Homer had a lust for life unlike any other dog I’ve met.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Ask For What You Want</b></div>
<div>
Homer was a master manifester. He would sit, whine, stare, drool, beg… whatever it took to get what he wanted. It never failed to work. His perseverance and tenacity was amazing. People always gave in and gave him a treat, pet, hug…whatever it was that Homer wanted.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T9gG1n1Iytc/UOjJaQz4J4I/AAAAAAAAAXM/0kmuFzFlP_I/s1600/IMG_0300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T9gG1n1Iytc/UOjJaQz4J4I/AAAAAAAAAXM/0kmuFzFlP_I/s320/IMG_0300.jpg" width="239" /></a><b>Unconditional Love</b></div>
<div>
Give and receive it. Be a conduit of love. Homer enjoyed other dogs but he loved people. He lived to sniff, snort, and smell people, and nothing made his eyes light up like being pat by a stranger when he was out for a walk. </div>
<div>
Homer loved and protected our kitten, Marge, to such an extent that when Marge became fully grown and would lunge at Homer and smack him in the face with her paws, he wouldn’t even bark at her. He just took it, because he loved Marge.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Don’t Judge</b></div>
<div>
Don’t judge yourself or others. Most of the time Homer was a Zen Master - so sweet, easy going and relaxed. Once, a neighbor's dog bit Homer in the cheek. Homey just stood there shocked, like “What’s your problem, man?" But when thunder or fireworks struck; lookout! He would be a shaking mess and bolt for a spot in the basement without any windows to ride the storm out. It was his own personal panic room. He didn’t care what I thought, what you thought, and he didn’t cast judgment on himself for his anxieties, his many anxieties. He was also the rare dog that hated car rides. He would start drooling and trembling just seeing us pack luggage. The back seat of our car would be a lake even after a short drive with Homer in the car.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Leave An Impact</b></div>
<div>
Homer was hit by a car and died Friday Jan 4, 2013 at the age of 9 1/2. The outpouring of love and support from friends, family and neighbors has astounded me. Homer gave nothing but love and has left a sad hole.</div>
<div>
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The sky seemed duller when I first opened my eyes this morning. The house too quiet. Life itself seems stiller, emptier.</div>
<div>
It hurts to wake up and not have him laying at my feet.</div>
<div>
It hurts to look out any window and not see him in the yard.</div>
<div>
It hurts to see his tracks in the snow, knowing their won’t be anymore.</div>
<div>
It hurts to not hear his many sighs and moans; he was like an old Jewish man.</div>
<div>
It hurts to not to have my living alarm clock wake me up to get him breakfast.</div>
<div>
It hurts to put on my socks and shoes without him coming to sit beside me.</div>
<div>
It hurts to walk into each room and find it empty.</div>
<div>
It hurts to not hear his early warning system when anyone comes down our driveway.</div>
<div>
It hurts to not put my used dish on the floor for my heavy breathing dishwasher.</div>
<div>
It hurts to see each toy, knowing it won’t be played with again.</div>
<div>
It all hurts because there was so much love and joy.</div>
<div>
Now it has moved on. We were spoiled.<br />
<br />
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AF Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15622485814667912429noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9240237.post-23426284862682874412012-12-31T21:21:00.001-05:002012-12-31T21:49:07.663-05:002012: That's A Wrap!The year that was, what a year it was. This was the year I did more than I ever thought possible. Instead of assuming I didn’t have time for things, I decided to find out how many things I could do with my time. There was some sadness, sickness and death, but overall 2012 was outstanding.<br />
<br />
It was by far the best year for my acting career. I worked multiple days on four feature films with such stars as Tom Hanks, Josh Brolin, Kate Winslet, Sandra Bullock and Steve Carell, one TV movie and the web series <a href="http://cvsrz.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cheerleaders vs Redneck Zombies</a> with included a fun filled day and night for our premiere at Six Flags New England in October.<br />
<br />
Saw some great movies that lots of others did too; Hunger Games, The Avengers, Ted, Django Unchained and some of my favorites that it seems almost nobody else went to: Cabin In The Woods and Looper top that list.<br />
<br />
Didn’t make it to a lot of concerts, but the clear highlight of the year, if not the decade and possibly my life was Metallica’s <a href="http://blog.afgrant.com/2012/06/orion-music-more-much-much-more.html">Orion Music and More Festival</a>. At the two-day extravaganza in Atlantic City Lori and I both got to be in the snake pit for night 2 when they played the Black Album in its entirety. There was also my dream lineup on The Tour - Motley Crue and Kiss, plus Tesla, Scorpions, and System of A Down.<br />
<br />
In the world of fun, I drove a Lamborghini and Lori drove a Ferrari on her birthday. And of course there was another trip of a lifetime as we visited the Galapagos Islands in December. That was an awesome trip, I love visiting places where animals have no fear of man. There aren’t many such spots left in the world. We enjoyed outstanding weather, scenes, activities, animals and people and I now love snorkeling.<br />
<br />
I don’t think I’ve ever attended more courses, classes and live training events. The list includes Reiki, Photo Reading, Project Management, Positive Psychology Certificate, Social Media Expos, Brendon Burchard’s Experts Academy and High Performance Academy, Product Launch Formula… JJ Virgin turned my food world upside down and I enjoyed a full year of Group Power and Centergy exercise classes. At a time when many people are setting weight loss resolutions once again, I’m weighing less than I have in over twenty years.<br />
<br />
I became officially certified as an Enwaken Coach and had more energy coaching clients than ever with <a href="http://navitascoach.com/">NavitasCoach.com</a> and I joined forces with other energy coaches at <a href="http://essencecoaches.com/">EssenceCoaches.com</a>, I also taught my first live workshop and had my first paid speaking engagement. I tried cranial sacral massage, reflexology, got certified in Reiki level II, got a new tattoo, took part in multiple master mind groups and did Holotropic Breathwork for my sixth time.<br />
<br />
This was the first year without Patriots tickets after 10 years of sitting at Gillette Stadium, and surprisingly I never wished I still had them. And I was once again thrilled that I sold my Super Bowl tickets instead of witnessing a Pats loss in person.<br />
<br />
What is 2013 bringing….<br />
More learning, teaching, and growing. More concerts (Lady Gaga and another round of Orion are definite), acting, and the goal travel destination is Antarctica.
Lori and I have been talking about speaking together for a while, it is actually happening January 12 when we’ll both talk to a local NAMI group. I’m preparing more Larry The Lizard books, my own book, live workshops and an online course. And whatever else catches my eye in the next twelve months. Bring it on!
AF Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15622485814667912429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9240237.post-17221020680808146972012-08-31T12:12:00.000-04:002012-08-31T15:17:22.422-04:00Guest Blogging and Positive PsychologyI've had the pleasure of being a guest blogger on a couple sites this week.<br />
<br />
I invite you to check out <a href="http://www.namimass.org/keep-the-good-going-the-choice-is-yours">"Keep The Good Going: The Choice Is Yours"</a> on the NAMI Mass blog. NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness and I spoke at the Massachusetts convention last October.<br />
<br />
The other blog post is at <a href="http://essencecoaches.com/">EssenceCoaches.com</a>, a new group of energy coaches I'm part of. I'm a featured coach this week and wrote a short piece on <a href="http://www.essencecoaches.com/transformation-2" target="_blank">Transformation</a>. I was also interviewed along with two other coaches on the <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/essence-coaches-radio/2012/08/28/essence-coaches-meet-the-coaches" target="_blank">Meet The Coaches Blog Talk Radio</a> program Monday night. Check out <a href="http://www.essencecoaches.com/coaching/andy-grant" target="_blank">my bio page</a> to learn more about <a href="http://www.essencecoaches.com/about" target="_blank">essence energy work</a>.<br />
<br />
Both posts were greatly influenced by the Certificate in Positive Psychology program I'm currently taking. It is being taught by professor and author, <a href="http://www.talbenshahar.com/" target="_blank">Tal Ben-Shahar</a> and has been outstanding so far. Earlier this month I spent an immersion week at <a href="http://kripalu.org/" target="_blank">Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health</a> in the Berkshires of Western Mass as part of the program. It was an amazing week of lectures, exercises, new friends and many things I don't normally do, like yoga every morning and dance yoga with a hundred people. It made for quite a strange transition going from Kripalu to working on <a href="http://cvsrz.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cheerleaders vs. Redneck Zombies</a>!<br />
<br />
I've visited Kriplau a couple times before for Holotropic Breathwork, but had never been there for a full week or had time to explore their many offerings. This time I tried Cranial Sacral Therapy, Reflexology and <span class="userContent">Neuromuscular Therapy.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="userContent">Cranial Sacral was not at all what I expected!
I thought it was some sort of head massage but it was a full-body,
slow-motion wrestling sort of thing. I was twisted into all sorts of shapes and positions that I was surprised I could be in, yet I was so calm and relaxed I could have fallen asleep. And it definitely put me in altered
state - swear I was seeing sound waves at dinner after my session, and it felt like I was
on a major delay from someone asking me a question and me having any
clue that I should respond. Very, very trippy. My altered state only lasted for an hour or so (I think) and I will definitely try this again.</span> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="userContent">I've heard of Reflexology for many years but this was my first experience with it. It was quite cool and relaxing.
Nothing near as trippy as Cranial Sacral. It was wild to have so many
sensations in my feet which I thought had two options; ticklish and
numb. Bizarre to have my lip twitch or an arm jolt due to touching one
point on a foot.</span> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent">Neuromuscular Therapy, which is
the most painful thing I've ever experienced, was much more than a traditional massage. I was so close to
screaming STOP! Great practice for going to my happy place and breathing
into pain. Whoever created this must be a big fan of banging his head
against the wall because it feels good when you stop.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent">I get to do it all again in April when we have another immersion week. Already looking forward to it. </span>AF Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15622485814667912429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9240237.post-89479813642698297142012-08-23T20:10:00.004-04:002012-08-24T20:38:53.319-04:00Cheerleaders vs Redneck Zombies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-psivxHmWJE8/UDbBAlraDGI/AAAAAAAAAVc/fANmA-vqdpo/s1600/PublicityDoorTease.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-psivxHmWJE8/UDbBAlraDGI/AAAAAAAAAVc/fANmA-vqdpo/s200/PublicityDoorTease.jpg" width="160" /></a></div>
It has been a banner time for my extra work, or background performances as snotty people might say. This year I've been in scenes with Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin, and Steve Carell to name but a few. Three cheers for being blurry bits in the background!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9-ltqOLOZWA/UDbATf0Gz0I/AAAAAAAAAVE/X8dEQMAnqxE/s1600/AFwithMeredith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="165" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9-ltqOLOZWA/UDbATf0Gz0I/AAAAAAAAAVE/X8dEQMAnqxE/s200/AFwithMeredith.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zombies and Cheerleaders in a gentler time.<br />
AF Grant with Meredith Prunty</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For the second time in my illustrious career I get to play a zombie. Not just any zombie, but a redneck zombie! What might that mean for a zombie? You'll have to wait a bit until this web series premieres later this fall to find out. Ever since I got into the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) in 2008, I've only gotten extra work, but on this project I'm a featured human once again. At least before becoming a zombie. Most actors rush to review a script for how many lines they have or try to figure out how much screen time they'll end up with. I prefer to see how much killin' I get to do or how grisly my death is. This project covers both criteria nicely.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kh_CbtsEfMM/UDbA6AqN6WI/AAAAAAAAAVM/TJZX-nqqBjY/s1600/EmmyAFZtaylor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kh_CbtsEfMM/UDbA6AqN6WI/AAAAAAAAAVM/TJZX-nqqBjY/s200/EmmyAFZtaylor.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zombies love making new friends.<br />
With Emmy March and Taylor Kudalis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Last weekend was publicity day and most of the cast and crew got together for some video and stills mayhem. The real production will be in September and episode one should hit the web around Halloween.<br />
<br />
You can actually be a part of it by <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jasonbachand/cheerleaders-vs-redneck-zombies-a-web-series" target="_blank">making contributions to the project</a>. You can give as little as a dollar, but giving more will get you some goodies, all the way up to being an executive producer. How sweet is that? You can buy yourself a title, just like in Hollywood. So if you want to see me kill some cheerleaders, or if for some reason you want them to survive, <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jasonbachand/cheerleaders-vs-redneck-zombies-a-web-series" target="_blank">consider a contribution</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
Check out the <a href="http://cvsrz.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">official site</a>. You can also follow along on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CheerleadersVsRedneckZombies" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.<br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EdMClHhOymg/UDbA8u5MQBI/AAAAAAAAAVU/axG-CXv6Yyk/s1600/SlapFight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EdMClHhOymg/UDbA8u5MQBI/AAAAAAAAAVU/axG-CXv6Yyk/s320/SlapFight.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stand back. It's a slap fight!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6DhpoLgKgLU/UDbBCaqnkZI/AAAAAAAAAVk/XMxK1Z5kvxM/s1600/WholeGangPublicityDayAug19-2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6DhpoLgKgLU/UDbBCaqnkZI/AAAAAAAAAVk/XMxK1Z5kvxM/s320/WholeGangPublicityDayAug19-2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The CvsRZ cast and crew.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qn07_PRF9cw/UDbFTMZyvNI/AAAAAAAAAV4/p1nyqzV6dHE/s1600/3Zombies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qn07_PRF9cw/UDbFTMZyvNI/AAAAAAAAAV4/p1nyqzV6dHE/s320/3Zombies.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the zombie horde.<br />
With Savannah Reinitzer and Mark Burzenski.</td></tr>
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AF Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15622485814667912429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9240237.post-55810647799129426922012-06-25T23:40:00.000-04:002012-08-24T20:38:02.884-04:00Orion Music & More - much, much more<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C5dmfwtOL9g/T-pL0U38T6I/AAAAAAAAATg/qI6nuhx7pyo/s1600/orionlogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C5dmfwtOL9g/T-pL0U38T6I/AAAAAAAAATg/qI6nuhx7pyo/s200/orionlogo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Metallica's first (annual?) <a href="http://www.orionmusicandmore.com/" target="_blank">Orion Music & More</a> festival was easily the best festival of any kind I've been to. Top notch location, planning, transportation, logistics, bands, set times, staging.... even prices were reasonable. Bottles of water I've seen go for $8 at most venues were only $3, plus there was free water refilling stations. The last big giant outdoor mess I went to was Woodstock '94 and it was a big giant mess.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rDPQQRslcc0/T-kt53U19OI/AAAAAAAAATI/_vHk5spTva8/s1600/2012-06-24+12.57.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rDPQQRslcc0/T-kt53U19OI/AAAAAAAAATI/_vHk5spTva8/s200/2012-06-24+12.57.55.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lori in Kirk's Crypt</td></tr>
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James Hetfield said repeatedly from stage that they decided to have "a backyard BBQ" and thanks for showing up, but it was so much more. This was really a Metallica Theme Park - between the Custom Car Show showing off a few vehicles from James and 100 others, Hit The Lights Films curated and hosted by Lars Ulrich, "Kirk's Crypt" showcasing a sampling of Kirk Hammett's massive horror movie props and memorabilia collection - complete with live girls and ghouls making it more of a haunted house than just a tent full of stuff, Skate board ramps with pros and Robert Trujillo showing their stuff, a Metallica Museum of art and artifacts, 30+ bands hand picked by Metallica playing on four different stages, and most them were introduced by a member of Metallica. This truly was Metallica's back yard and they played perfect hosts.<br />
I must admit I only went to this for Metallica and I hadn't even heard of many of the bands playing, but I left a fan of many of them and isn't that the point of this sort of eclectic festival?<br />
<br />
Day 1, June 23, 2012<br />
We are on the 1st shuttle bus from our hotel, the Borgata, at 11am (only 4 people on it) and were at Bader Field before gates opened at noon and started meeting people from all over the world right away. I've been in the Metallica Club since 1994 and my fellow clubbers have consistently proven to be the coolest people on the planet.<br />
We had tickets to see Lars' dad Torben Ulrich's film "Before The Wall: Body & Being" and were in the front row for an hour of discussion with Lars and Torben and the "gift of gab" is definitely a family trait. It was a fun and funny experience.<br />
Since we had bumped into comedian Jim Breuer that morning at the Borgata (he really does always look stoned) we hit the comedy portion next (it was also the only stage with shade). Lars showed up to introduce Don Jamieson and then James introduced his good friend Jim Breuer who is living his dreams combining metal and comedy. He was a blast!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zyv3W4lUqwU/T-kuxuU2phI/AAAAAAAAATU/-i7H1lsg0L4/s1600/2012-06-23+19.39.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zyv3W4lUqwU/T-kuxuU2phI/AAAAAAAAATU/-i7H1lsg0L4/s200/2012-06-23+19.39.56.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rob jams with Suicidal Tendencies</td></tr>
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By this point in the afternoon I had yet to see a band, though I did hear The Sword cover "Cheap Sunglasses" from afar, so it was time to take my position for <a href="http://lineup.orionmusicandmore.com/band/suicidal-tendencies" target="_blank">Suicidal Tendencies</a>, a punk/skate/metal fav of mine since the 80's, and since this was Roberts first band I was confident of a reunion. I placed Lori near the sound board and moved deep into the crowd at The Damage Inc. stage. ST were introduced by Robert, who said he wouldn't be here today if not for this band. They opened with 'You Can't Bring Me Down" and then right into their biggest/oldest hit, "Institutionalized" (the infamous "all I wanted was a Pepsi" song) and the place went frickin' nuts. I was scared a few times. Boots, bodies and blood were flying. I didn't know till later that someone went down hard and was taken away on a stretcher. I tossed a few willing participants up for some crowd surfing and had an awesome time. Robert did indeed strap on a bass and jammed 4 or 5 tunes from "Infectious Grooves" - a bass heavy side project from ST. Heaven. When I turned to leave I couldn't believe how large the crowd had gotten.<br />
<br />
Then it was Metallica time. Ride The Lightning night - the first Met album (yes album!) I bought back in high school. Our outstanding Met Club Ultra package got us into an exclusive area up close to the stage. As the thousands behind us chanted "VIPs suck!" I smiled to myself with metal glee.<br />
Lori made some friends as I left her behind to go deeper by another 20 feet or so towards the stage.<br />
Metallica played arguably the best show (this was #29 for me) I've ever seen complete with four songs I've never heard live before and one song, "Escape" that they played for first time ever! James joked right until the very start of it that he didn't want to play and could they just skip it. It's a song the entire band never wanted to see on their set list. While it is the weakest song on the album, I've always liked it and thought it sounded great live. Another highlight was "Trapped Under Ice," a personal favorite they've only played a handful of times.<br />
They opened four epic favorites: "Hit The Lights", "Master of Puppets" (my sides already ached from singing/screaming), "The Four Horsemen" (holy shit!!), and "Sad But True" -- followed by new song "Hell and Back" (from EP of 4 tracks from Death Magnetic sessions) then into all of Ride The Lightning, for the first time anywhere, but played in reverse order to keep me having to think, I guess. The amazing night ended with "Battery," "One," and "Seek & Destroy". Wow.<br />
But there was still another day. A day with passes into the Snake Pit - the hole within the Metallica Stage!!<br />
<br />
Day 2<br />
Decided today was going to be about seeing bands. We caught a few songs by the moody, distortion heavy three-piece <a href="http://lineup.orionmusicandmore.com/band/a-place-to-bury-strangers" target="_blank">A Place to Bury Strangers</a> and then checked out <a href="http://lineup.orionmusicandmore.com/band/liturgy" target="_blank">Liturgy</a> - a two piece band. Two guys shredding on guitar. Nobody else. Interesting. Their bio lists four guys, so maybe two slept late, I don't know.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KnCTD6Wsqx4/T-kmEf96qxI/AAAAAAAAAS8/NBfagSS9W_s/s1600/2012-06-24+14.23.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KnCTD6Wsqx4/T-kmEf96qxI/AAAAAAAAAS8/NBfagSS9W_s/s200/2012-06-24+14.23.35.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ghost</td></tr>
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I had been told ahead of time to see <a href="http://lineup.orionmusicandmore.com/band/ghost" target="_blank">Ghost</a> and I'm glad I did. They were on the main stage at 2pm and were introduced by James who said, "it's never too early for scary." Ghost are a group of anonymous ghouls from Sweden under white masks and robes lead by a skull faced Pope. I loved the music and the act. It felt so good to get a subtle head nod of approval from the Evil Pope. They were the most polite satanists you could ever meet and a good time was had by all. James stayed for the whole set and was rocking out at stage right.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LJNYMVWdiEc/T-klht-4AaI/AAAAAAAAASs/rU2Mgh3vNvA/s1600/2012-06-24+16.02.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LJNYMVWdiEc/T-klht-4AaI/AAAAAAAAASs/rU2Mgh3vNvA/s200/2012-06-24+16.02.13.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robert Introducing Soul Rebels</td></tr>
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Next we caught the <a href="http://lineup.orionmusicandmore.com/band/soul-rebels" target="_blank">Soul Rebels</a>, a brass group from New Orleans who opened for Metallica at their 30th anniversary Filmore Shows in December. They got introduced by Robert, and were a lot of fun. They even covered "Enter Sandman". Saw another first - moshing to a brass section.<br />
Next up was another comedian, Shuli Egar, from the Howard Stern show. He was pretty funny, but I needed some metal. So I left Lori there and went to see <a href="http://lineup.orionmusicandmore.com/band/volbeat" target="_blank">Volbeat</a>, a metal band from Denmark who are a top 10 act in Europe. I'd never heard of them, but everyone I met talked about them, which was verified by the massive crowd at the Fuel stage waiting for them. James introduced them too and stayed for their set as well. They did a Johnny Cash cover and that fit them well, all dressed in black and rocking hard. They won me over.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xrl2yRqO48M/T-klQn75_nI/AAAAAAAAASk/1t7yppxGDoM/s1600/2012-06-24+18.43.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xrl2yRqO48M/T-klQn75_nI/AAAAAAAAASk/1t7yppxGDoM/s200/2012-06-24+18.43.31.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eric Church</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Then it was time to prepare and get into the snake pit. I even persuaded Lori to join me there for Eric Church so she could decide herself to stay or not. Eric Church was another act I'd never heard of but I guess they are a pretty big deal in country. But they aren't country like I expected - they had pyro, smoking guitars and Black Sabbath riffs. I'm shocked to say I was front row and going off for a country act.<br />
After that we could hear a blazing set by Avenged Sevenfold from across Bader Field as we waited for the return of the Mighty Metallica and the first time playing of the Black Album in North America. I was one person away from the front stage barrier. In front of me was a 5' tall woman from Japan at her 50th Metallica show. I made it my mission to keep her safe - cuz I wasn't gonna have clearer lines of sight over anyone else.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--bd32b2zFAw/T-kkFf7Mt0I/AAAAAAAAASE/6b9k_rMs3yo/s1600/2012-06-24+22.02.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--bd32b2zFAw/T-kkFf7Mt0I/AAAAAAAAASE/6b9k_rMs3yo/s200/2012-06-24+22.02.35.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kirk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They opened with the same two songs as Saturday night then varied it with "Fuel", "Bellz" and another rare personal favorite from Justice For All, "Shortest Straw". Then into the career changing, blockbuster, Black Album, in reverse order. I absolutely loved the deep tracks "Struggle Within", "My Friend of Misery" and "The God That Failed." Hell, I loved every single song, even the one I never really cared for, "Don't Tread on Me." As I did the previous night, when they played "Nothing Else Matters" I thought of Lori. (when we first met 16+ years ago she didn't know what a Metallica was. Then a few live shows, "Nothing Else Matters" as our wedding song and BANG, she's in the fucking pit! How lucky am I?)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OwGrIk7k9CY/T-kkgh-YwLI/AAAAAAAAASM/m_dTggOQ1UU/s1600/2012-06-24+21.46.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OwGrIk7k9CY/T-kkgh-YwLI/AAAAAAAAASM/m_dTggOQ1UU/s200/2012-06-24+21.46.37.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
At the end of Sandman I abandoned my front position to dig into the back and find Lori for the encores, "Blackened" (SWEET!), "One" and "Seek & Destroy." I caught a pick from Kirk after having one tossed by James rebound off my head earlier in the show and we limped away exhausted, enthused and grateful for yet another amazing show. Can't wait for next year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WR7jEO8GDNs/T-klJe2FNVI/AAAAAAAAASc/DYlpV3bA3dI/s1600/2012-06-24+21.09.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WR7jEO8GDNs/T-klJe2FNVI/AAAAAAAAASc/DYlpV3bA3dI/s320/2012-06-24+21.09.57.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James & Rob</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2nbyF0rPI6I/T-kjpz97PGI/AAAAAAAAARw/oKHMxqOhhv0/s1600/2012-06-24+22.58.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2nbyF0rPI6I/T-kjpz97PGI/AAAAAAAAARw/oKHMxqOhhv0/s320/2012-06-24+22.58.01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final bow at Orion</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CnQy1g1btkU/T-kjqqNMTrI/AAAAAAAAAR4/m0J8b2rqEsQ/s1600/2012-06-24+22.59.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CnQy1g1btkU/T-kjqqNMTrI/AAAAAAAAAR4/m0J8b2rqEsQ/s320/2012-06-24+22.59.28.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">good night!</td></tr>
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<br />AF Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15622485814667912429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9240237.post-25743505918319273872012-06-22T08:14:00.001-04:002012-08-24T20:38:25.249-04:00The PilgrimageLong time, no post. It's been a jam packed year so far - and ALL GOOD. I've worked as an extra on two films (with more expected), and last month alone I was in three different training programs, the highlight of which was Brendon Burchard's Experts Academy. Next month I start a 10-month Positive Psychology course that I'm very excited about. <br />
But all of that pales in comparison to what I've got going on <a href="http://www.orionmusicandmore.com/" target="_blank">this weekend</a> and how it relates to last fall when I was feeling suicidal. Boils down to one word... Metallica.<br />
<br />
If you are in New England, join me at my full day energy workshop July 21 - "<a href="http://navitascoach.com/2012/06/masteringyourpersonalpower/" target="_blank" title="Mastering Your Personal Power">Mastering Your Personal Power</a>." Have a great summer!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_MzSGEjHr24?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>AF Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15622485814667912429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9240237.post-35585694492052282222012-03-11T21:26:00.000-04:002012-03-11T21:33:12.623-04:00Holotropic Breathwork Round 6: The Joyous MillipedeYesterday I took part in my sixth <a href="http://holotropic.com/about.shtml" target="_blank">Holotropic Breathwork</a> experience and it was the most fun-filled one yet. My prior experiences have ranged from traumatic roller coaster rides of emotion with lots and lots of tears to extremely blissful meditations free of any visuals or sensations.<br />
<br />
In fact, my prior session in September 2011 was so uneventful I was in no rush to breathe again. Luckily, I've turned Lori onto this and she wanted to do it again. This weekend was her fourth time and the third time we were partners. In Holotropic Breathwork each breather is teamed up with a sitter for a breathing session, then roles are switched for the next session so each person does both roles before the day is done.<br />
<br />
Lori went first and seemed to have a very happy and content experience. Her hands flowed and danced about while she had a big beaming smile on her face for almost the entire first hour. Then she went into a long period of stillness and quiet only to have a more visible experience singing and sliding about on her mat for another twenty minutes before being quite and still again until the music stopped after 2 1/2 hours.<br />
<br />
This round for me was the first time I truly had no expectations. I had already had life changing experiences and experiences that felt like glorified naps, whatever was going to show up today - I was cool with it. I was rewarded with a very cool and joyous ride. It was the most flat out fun I've ever had in breathwork. There wasn't a single tear shed.<br />
<br />
The music is a huge component of breathwork and the soundtrack was full of great tribal drumming and the most vocalization I'd encountered. None of it was in English, but I was converting some of it into messages that fueled my experience.<br />
<br />
I don't really recall the music starting. There was a point I felt like I'd just landed on the mat, noticed the music was cranking and I thought I better get my breath cranking because I have no idea how long I've zoned out for. I started my deep, non-stop breathing and the music had all sorts of singing in some language, I'll guess Hindi, that started creating the most amazing scene. It was a combination of Muppet sort of folks, dozens of Plush Larry's, and the Star Wars cantina band. Characters were all sorts of shapes and sizes, a few blue puffy guys were even playing the cello. I was smiling so much, filled with such joy and entertainment I was laughing out loud as I lay on the mat with my eyes closed. This "show" went on for a while and it felt like the most fun I could ever have inside my head - or where ever this was happening. At times all the Plush Larry's created a chorus and were singing to the music playing in the room.<br />
<br />
At one point I realized I was a millipede and I was racing through the jungle trying to get to the source of the music before the song stopped. It was a very tribal sounding piece of music with some singing and I wanted to find the people and join in on the fun. On the mat I was moving my feet, legs and shoulders a lot - in fact Lori later told me I was moving my mat and lots of the stuff around me, but my arms weren't used. Which makes perfect sense since I was a millipede. As the tempo of the music sped up I moved faster and faster, yet my millipede self never felt panicked. He was so digging the music, full of joy, he/I just hoped to find the party before they stopped. At one point I burst out laughing again because I saw an old blue VW bus and Hurley from Lost was driving. He yelled out an encouraging, "Dude!" to me and was gone.<br />
<br />
The music changed to another track but it was close enough in theme to keep my millipede-self going and I came upon a fire where a bunch of natives were dancing and celebrating. I tried to stand up and join in. I wanted to dance with them. But millipedes can't stand up. I kept trying and falling down. But there was no sense of frustration. There was never a time when I was going to give up. Trying was fun. It made me think about learning to walk - that kids just keep trying and the trying is fun. During the time I'm shifting, squirming and shimming up and down my mat and I was going into a bridge pose trying to get my millipede self standing up. It was an insane amount of fun.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sktrIO-fYj4/T11Pd5H05ZI/AAAAAAAAAKE/L7r8sPBr97A/s1600/IMG_0621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sktrIO-fYj4/T11Pd5H05ZI/AAAAAAAAAKE/L7r8sPBr97A/s320/IMG_0621.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mandala March 10, 2012</td></tr>
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Next thing I recall was that my legs turned to roots and I became one with the earth. I started having a bit of ayahuasca flashbacks and swear that old taste was in my mouth as I became a plant and then the earth. So I was the entire planet for a while, knowing, realizing and feeling that all the creatures and people I had seen were me. They were part of me and created by me all at the same time. Then some metamorphosis happened I shot up into the sky as pure energy and spent something between 20 minutes and a millennia soaring through the cosmos and floating amongst the stars.<br />
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Pretty, pretty cool.AF Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15622485814667912429noreply@blogger.com2Littleton, MA, USA42.5372893 -71.512802242.4904898 -71.5917662 42.584088799999996 -71.4338382tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9240237.post-77111904344226795522012-03-04T17:52:00.000-05:002012-03-11T17:53:48.522-04:00Live Workshop: Energy Tools To Rock Your Life!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UR0k7vVIz0s/T10eSFWbr-I/AAAAAAAAAJ8/3ZI4C9qsmLg/s1600/LoveLife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UR0k7vVIz0s/T10eSFWbr-I/AAAAAAAAAJ8/3ZI4C9qsmLg/s1600/LoveLife.jpg" /></a>
I happily announce my premiere workshop, “Energy Tools To Rock Your Life” on Thursday April 5, 2012 at <a href="http://www.createheaven.com/">Heaven on Earth</a> in Pembroke Ma.<br />
To register online <a href="http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=5xudaxbab&oeidk=a07e5n29bpw0e414218" title="CLICK HERE">CLICK HERE</a><br />
<br /><strong>Do you ever feel scattered, disconnected or scared to take the next step in your life?</strong><br />
Imagine being centered, focused and excited about your journey.<br />
<br /><strong>Do you ever feel disempowered, not heard or maybe even invisible to the world?</strong><br />
Imagine reclaiming your personal power, decreasing struggle and creating your life instead of reacting to it.<br />
See yourself living a life free of doubts, fears and limitations.<br />
<br />As Oprah said in her farewell show:<br />
<strong>“You are responsible for the energy that you create for yourself, and you’re responsible for the energy that you bring to others….</strong><strong>All life is energy and we are transmitting it at every moment. We are all beaming little signals like radio frequencies, and the world is responding in kind.”</strong><br />
<br />Energy work is much better experienced than explained and this evening will be all about experiences. You will experience your own energy. You will learn tools that you can use on a daily basis to better your life; such as how to get yourself present in any moment, to feel more grounded, to tap into the joy of life. You will learn how to reclaim your own power and better create boundaries so you will no longer feel like some people suck the life out of you. There will also be laser coaching for a brave volunteer or two, discussion about other modalities such as EFT and Ho’oponopono and plenty of Q&A.<br />
<br />Come out and play!<br />
<br /><strong>April 5, 2012</strong> <strong>Energy Tools to Rock Your Life</strong> 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.<br />
Andy Grant <em>Heaven On Earth Pembroke, Ma</em> $45 (for 1) $40 (2 or more)<br />
Register Online <a href="http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=5xudaxbab&oeidk=a07e5n29bpw0e414218" title="CLICK HERE">CLICK HERE</a>AF Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15622485814667912429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9240237.post-75556051932175538212012-02-05T12:49:00.003-05:002012-02-05T14:07:30.296-05:0010 Years with The Patriots at Gillette Stadium<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XQrumk_o2TQ/Ty65UA2qWPI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/-NluEuDnUXg/s1600/AFGrantSeat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XQrumk_o2TQ/Ty65UA2qWPI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/-NluEuDnUXg/s200/AFGrantSeat.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My seat of 10 years at Gillette Stadium</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Back in August of 2000 we signed a 10 year contract for four Club Seats in the under-construction new home of the Patriots, which after first being named CMGI Field, became known as Gillette Stadium. As I pass the time waiting for Super Bowl 46 tonight, I've been reminiscing.<br />
<br />
Our journey with the Patriots began with tickets to the AFC Divisional Playoff game on January 19, 2002. The final game at the old Foxboro Stadium. The game which came to be known as The Snow Bowl (or the Tuck Rule game for Raider's fans) and started the legends of Tom Brady, Bill Belichik and Adam Vinatieri. Lori passed on going so I got to bring three of my best friends. Lori never passed on another game.<br />
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<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Umw2hRAT5NM/Ty66e3YRrUI/AAAAAAAAAJg/PI_tp0MNBRE/s1600/LoriSeat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Umw2hRAT5NM/Ty66e3YRrUI/AAAAAAAAAJg/PI_tp0MNBRE/s200/LoriSeat.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lori says goodbye to her seat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Our final game was the AFC Championship game between the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens on January 22, 2012. I really let all the details soak in since I knew it was our last game. Loved the "Go Pats" written on the belly of the transport plane that did the flyover during the National Anthem. The anthem was performed by Steven Tyler who then sat in owner Robert Kraft's suite, which was just over our head, and the big screen cameras found him every time an Aerosmith song was played during the game. He would get up and shimmy and sing along with the whole crowd - very fun. Another treat was the honorary captains - four of my favorite Patriots; Tedy Brushci, Drew Bledsoe, Troy Brown and Ty Law. They too all were in the owners box and anytime they stood up the crowd went nuts and the old familiar cheers of "DREEEEEEW" or "BRUUUUUUUSHCI" would erupt. I loved every time the Minutemen fired the muskets (took me a few years before that stopped making me jump, and I always enjoyed noticing opponents get freaked out by the guns). Also noticed how they started using more pyro for field goals once it became apparent how the game was going to unfold.<br />
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We brought <a href="http://www.larrythelizard.com/">Larry The Lizard</a> so he could enjoy his seat one more time and took pictures throughout the stadium. The Patriots have won every game he's ever attended.<br />
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The reason my family of two bought four club seats was because that was the only way to guarantee Super Bowl tickets if the Patriots ever made it to the big game. So before the new stadium was even open we were able to go to <a href="http://www.afgrant.com/superbowl/index.htm">Super Bowl 36</a> - the most amazing sports event I've ever attended. We went just hoping for a competitive game, we left with the foundation of a football dynasty. I still get chills watching any clip from that game. I thought it was a once in a lifetime experience.<br />
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Then we went to <a href="http://www.afgrant.com/patriots/sb38.shtml">Super Bowl 38</a>, this time as VIPs with the team. We were guests at the Patriot's victory party following the game. AMAZING! Robert and Myra Kraft walked right by me with the Lombardi Trophy. We mingled with Willie McGinest, ( Willie's family sat a few rows in front of us at all the home games) Jarvis Green, Ty Law (he owned the two seats next to me for his last couple years with Pats), Matt Light... Lori got to <a href="http://www.afgrant.com/images/sbxxxviii/P2020198.jpg">meet her favorite player</a>, Ted Johnson. Aerosmith and Kid Rock played live. And I'll never forget listening to Rodney Harrison telling the story of breaking his arm in the game but not being able to get off the field and having to make another play.<br />
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I had a bad feeling in the undefeated season of 2007 and sold my tix to Super Bowl 42, very glad I did. I sold them to a friend who was a Giants fan, so I could at least feel happy for someone after the game. I feel so gross when forced to see clips from that game, but the Giants earned it. That David Tyree catch that I can't watch was awe inspiring.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zviXryANnA4/Tx3zuU0nohI/AAAAAAAAAJE/AKR703nU9JQ/s1600/P1220911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zviXryANnA4/Tx3zuU0nohI/AAAAAAAAAJE/AKR703nU9JQ/s200/P1220911.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating another AFC Championship, 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I am so grateful to the entire Patriots organization, the NFL (even when they threatened to sue me in 2006 for images on this very website), to Cisco stock for making it financially possible, the fans who sat around me, especially my boy Chuck Smith and his family who bought the four seats behind me and shared many games and two Super Bowl trips with us, to our friends and family we brought to games, to all those who bought tickets from me (I really like you, LOL), to the players families we got to know in the Club, for eight (I think) home playoff games, five Super Bowl appearances, seeing three championship banners raised, two live Super Bowl experiences, one undefeated regular season, and one totally sick <a href="http://www.afgrant.com/halloween02/index.htm">Halloween/Anniversary party</a>.... "WOW!" is all I can say.<br />
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Still hard to believe. Ten years of Patriots games and they went to the Super Bowl five of those years. Stunning! Beyond all expectations. These are the good old days. How can it get any better than this?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9GoXARVa7OA/Ty7TZrHVmGI/AAAAAAAAAJo/dcg0nrxd3uw/s1600/SuperBowlXLVI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9GoXARVa7OA/Ty7TZrHVmGI/AAAAAAAAAJo/dcg0nrxd3uw/s320/SuperBowlXLVI.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>AF Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15622485814667912429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9240237.post-10733486123183378062011-12-31T18:25:00.001-05:002011-12-31T18:26:36.661-05:00Everyone's HumanTime for me to come clean about why I haven't made a video in three months. I've learned that I don't have to be perfect in order to help, teach and serve others. I'm human just like you. I'll always have doubts and insecurities to face because the only constant in life is change. I'm not a fraud because I still may struggle at times. In fact, I'd be a huge fraud if I claimed to never struggle.<br />
<br />
I was so resistant to doing this video that the technology seems to have felt it too. Forgive the slight sync issues with the audio/video. I think the essence comes across regardless.<br />
<br />
Wishing you a fantastic new year!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Iq8clcD88Y4?rel=0" width="480"></iframe>AF Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15622485814667912429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9240237.post-6494651243622261682011-09-19T21:20:00.000-04:002011-09-19T21:20:27.818-04:00Totally Awesome To Be Alive!Saturday was my fifth experience with <a href="http://holotropic.com/">Holotropic Breathwork</a>, the fourth time in the past year, and the second time Lori and I teamed up as partners. Once again it was unlike any prior time. I fell into a very deep meditative state even before the music and breathing was supposed to start. Suddenly I found myself laying on my mat, realizing the tribal music was cranking and I needed to get breath fast and deep. I had no idea how much time had passed and I thought "Oh no! I'm missing it." This went on a few times, I thought I wasn't getting much out of it. I had very few conscious memories or experiences. I was either in the room thinking I was missing it or I was in some zone so deep I got no "story" from it. I remember laughing out loud a few times at my thoughts that I wasn't getting anything - some part of me knew better. A few times when the bass of the music had the floor vibrating it felt like every cell of mine was vibrating and ascending. As I floated above into some golden dimension, I took one step forward and completely lost my balance and "landed" back on the mat, in the room, with the music cranking and people breathing and wailing around me. I laughed again. I felt like, ah you think you are ready for this enlightenment? Think again kid! I was considering opening my eyes with a disapointed feeling when the music stopped. Three hours had gone by - wow. Yesterday I felt out of it, wondering what was I integrating since I didn't have much memory of things happening. But today I woke up feeling so ALIVE, so AWESOME that I declared it to be Totally Awesome To Be Alive Day.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tA41oeHrbdw" width="420"></iframe><br />
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Lori enjoyed her experience and looked gorgeous as she went on her ride. She was doing all sorts of cool motions with her hands, sort of a mix of sculpting and dancing at times. She sat up on a number of occasions and it took all my control not to wrap her up in a hug. Her session ended really cool as the creator of this process and a founding father of Transpersonal Psychology, 80-year-old Stan Grof laid down next to her and held her hand. She opened her eyes and looked at him like a new-born baby. She said, "The Universe is purple! Do you see it?" Stan, replied "No, but I'm glad you do." She went on to say, "No matter how much you give, it all comes back to you." It was beautiful to watch.AF Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15622485814667912429noreply@blogger.com0