This is a story about another one handed moment with children.I just got home from Winco, a grocery store here in Boise, Idaho. After paying for the food, I was waiting by the restrooms for my mother. As a young boy was leaving the "boy's room" he noticed I do not have two hands. That starting a funny, beautiful, and special one-handed moment for a…

One of the longer standing students in the Boise Dharma Center moved to Port Orchard, Washington a while back. When he proposed to his wife he asked me of bestow the wedding vows in (somewhat low-key) Buddhist wedding ceremony on a boat on Lake Union in Seattle, Washington.By AlejAndro Anastasio - Storytelling

When I attended Indiana University I truly wanted to expand my experience of knowledge. I did not really want good grades. I sincerely wanted to learn and grow. Therefore, I took many odd, unique, obscure, and personally challenging classes. I was also required to take two years of a foreign language. I chose to study the African foreign language o…

I have been practicing and studying the martial art of Aikido since 1997. I have been teaching Aikido since 2002. It is hard to do Aikido that long and that deeply without knowing the name of, watching the movies of, and knowing the Aikido history of Steven Seagal. I have never trained with Seagal Sensei. But I, and two of my Aikido students, did g…

On March15, 2023 I will left for my third visit to Kathmandu, Nepal. I am sharing this podcast in 2024 from my visit in 2023 as I stopped podcasting for a while shortly after I returned from Nepal last year. I recently returned from Nepal this past April 2024 and this is a recording from last year that fits my timing and pilgrimage this year.Thanks…

This is a story about another one handed moment with children.I just got home from Winco, a grocery store here in Boise, Idaho. After paying for the food, I was waiting by the restrooms for my mother. As a young boy was leaving the "boy's room" he noticed I do not have two hands. That starting a funny, beautiful, and special one-handed moment for a…

It is hard to believe it has been 8 years since I began podcasting. Especially with taking almost a year off and not posting a 7-Year Anniversary podcast last year. However, here I am not and catching up!!By AlejAndro Anastasio - Storytelling

Funny stories about having one hand in Nepal.By AlejAndro Anastasio - Storytelling

I took a long break. My last podcast posted on June 21, 2023. Pretty much 10 months.Life has a way of changing for us. Or should I say changing us. An old friend of mine once said, "It is funny how life gets in the way of life." But sometimes life unfolds in ways that redirect us. Many times in goods ways and in many ways there are bad times. Life …

This past late March and early April I returned to Nepal for my third Buddhist Pilgrimage. This year my main intention was to visit the small town of Halesi and the famous and sacred Maratika Cave. This is a very special place for Tibetan Buddhists. The journey there from Kathmandu is a minimum of three days by car both ways. But it is said to spen…

I came up with an idea that is not new while interacting with my mother. She wanted to do something that I thought was not worth her time. I even offered her some money not to do it. But she refused. Later that day she told she should of took what I had offered. And it that moment, the "Tin Can Theory" was coined.Thanks for listening! I invite you …

Over the past three visits to Nepal I have had a number of interesting interactions with monkeys. The first year I was pretty sure I was going to have to do battle with a gang of Monkeys at Swayambhunath Stupa. Last year I saw a monkey bully a young lady and take her fruit drink. I actually saw him decide he was going to take advantage of her and t…

I decided to spend one full day at Boudhanath Stupa. Most of my time in Kathmandu and at my hotel (near Boudhanath Stupa) was usually in "home base" mode. Meaning I am generally spending a number of hours at Boudhanath but not all day. I typically leave to go to the Monkey temple, to shop in the Thamel District, or am off to visit one of the many B…

This year I took the time to visit the birthplace of Buddha in Lumbini, Nepal. It is a short 35 minute plane flight and an important pilgrimage site. Though the trip was just an overnight visit, I had a very special time in Lumbini, Nepal.Thanks for listening! I invite you to share this podcast, offer a comment or leave some feedback.Show Notes: My…

I have been doing a weekly podcast for the past six years. Today's podcast celebrates my 6 year anniversary with a thank you to all my listeners and supporters. Let listen to what the start of year 7 brings!Thanks for listening! I invite you to share this podcast, offer a comment or leave some feedback.Show Notes: 6 years and 315 podcasts deep.Reso…

There are times indeed when traveling to remote Buddhist locations in small villages that Western conveniences fail to exist. Or at least in the way we want them to. These are the simple things like coffee, a soft bed, heat, and a hot shower. This year I traveled to the small village of Halesi, Nepal to visit the caves of Maratika. I went five days…

A sitting toilet is not very common in the general public space of Nepal. And certainly not outside the city of Kathmandu. This means there is a lot of squatting and pooping in Nepal. Additionally, there is a cultural non-use of toilet paper. Also, public bathrooms tend to be pretty gritty overall and the desire to put one's bag or backpack on the …

An interesting thing has started to unfold in Kathmandu, Nepal. I had a similar experience in Tibet. However, I am starting to use this "trick" more and more in Nepal. This most recent visit had this gestured interaction truly take hold for me. I call it the "Beggar's Pass." It is a one handed thing and worthy of a podcast.Thanks for listening! I i…

This will be my third pilgrimage visit to Kathmandu, Nepal. Each time I go I have very unique one handed experiences based on the Nepali cultural perception of not having two hands. Most of the time it is not a big deal. But sometimes it kinda is a big deal. Either way it is good practice in not clinging to what other people think. And it makes for…

In transition and floating from airport to airport with many layovers going from Boise, Idaho USA to Kathmandu, Nepal. Way back in the early 90s during my "Seattle Days" I earned the nickname of King Floater. I was sleeping on people's couches and working full time waiting to leaving Seattle for Boise. I cannot say I was homeless but I was certainl…

On Wednesday, March 15th I will be leaving for my third visit to Kathmandu, Nepal. This is my countdown to Kathmandu. If you been following the podcast you know I am posting all my podcasts in advance. Therefore, I am not sure when you are listening to this or in what order. But this is my last podcast before I board my flights to Nepal.Thanks for …

This is just about my hunt for what I call "the perfect travel bag." I am mostly referring to urban laptop/book bags or a travel backpack. I have bought quite a few over the years and have tried many brands, sizes, and configurations. Despite all of that, I am still looking for the perfect bag.Thanks for listening! I invite you to share this podcas…

I was recently speaking with a friend of mine and we got on the topic of doing taxes since we both run businesses. I mentioned to him in the past I did not do my taxes for 5 years. Then I told him how I eventually ended up working with H&R Block. My friend was laughing so hard as I was telling him about the moment I stopped running from my taxes. M…

I recently went to get validated and fingerprinted as the last part of the TSA Pre-Check process. While there I had a very short one-handed conversation with a mother and her two daughters. The older one asked me why I am the way I am in a way I have never heard. This is that story.Thanks for listening! I invite you to share this podcast, offer a c…

This is a story about a moment I had traveling with my mother. She wants to do a bit of international travel before she gets too old. So I took her to Hawaii as it was one of her dream vacation destinations. Traveling with my mother is a whole different experience. I can truly say I learn a lot about myself and her. This is one of those lessons I l…

As an authorized Dharma Teacher and long-time leader of the Boise Dharma Center, I have been called upon for some of life's bigger moments. I have bestowed wedding vows and married couples. I have been asked to speak and eulogize at people wakes and funerals. My name is on a list at my local hospital if someone wants to speak with a Buddhist. Of al…

It has been almost three years the student loan payment pause has been active. Seven times there has been an extension on the pause. Currently, the Supreme Court is schedule to hear a case brought forth suggesting student loan forgiveness is illegal. So much is unknown regarding student loan reform payment pause, and forgiveness. Here is my student…

I have a few very clear memories of Jimmy Carter. Not so much his actually presidency. It was all the fervor and excitement leading up to his election. Then after leaving office, President Jimmy Carter has done an incredible amount of humanitarian work. All this is on my mind as he has decided on home hospice care as he approaches the end of life. …

I can only say it was a normal day later in the evening walking into the grocery store. Little did I know I was about to have a Kung Fu Ice Cream Moment.Thanks for listening! I invite you to share this podcast, offer a comment or leave some feedback.Show Notes: The funny and cool random things that unfold in our life at the uniquest of moments.Reso…

My tickets are bought and I am on my way to Nepal this March 2023 for my third Buddhist Pilgrimage. I am super excited to return to visit sacred Buddhist sites, do some shopping for my small online dharma store, visit old friends, and practice a lot of dharma.Thanks for listening! I invite you to share this podcast, offer a comment or leave some fe…

I went to San Diego for an Aikido Seminar that I started going to 19 years ago. It was great to see old friends, make new friends, and do some training. I was hanging after-hours at JiAi Aikido dojo with a couple other Sensei and other people sleeping at the dojo when this funny one handed Aikido story was shared.Thanks for listening! I invite you …

All my life I have watched my mother love Egyptians, their history, and the Great Pyramids. It is her dream vacation. I am planning on taking her this year.Thanks for listening! I invite you to share this podcast, offer a comment or leave some feedback.Show Notes: My mother's dream vacation. Repaying my mother's kindness.Resources: My mother wants …

Many people I have encountered toward the end of last year and into the new year have mentioned how difficult their 2022 was for them. Not many people at all said they had a good 2022. Mostly people mentioned in a very provocative tone they hope 2023 will be better than 2022.Thanks for listening! I invite you to share this podcast, offer a comment …

My year 2022 in review.Thanks for listening! I invite you to share this podcast, offer a comment or leave some feedback.Show Notes: 2022... What an interesting year.Resources: Happy New Year 2022, Day 1 - Podcast #244.Contact. Follow. Share.instagram | facebook | twitter | pinterestHow to review the podcast on iTunesIf you enjoyed, benefited or wer…

This podcast is a simple reflection of what I have been noticing in my body in my late forties and early fifties. This is not your standard "my body hurts as I age" commentary. But more the one-handed overtones I have been feeling in my body as I age.Thanks for listening! I invite you to share this podcast, offer a comment or leave some feedback.Sh…

When I was in the first few years of primary school, something extremely uncomfortable happened to me and another student born with disabilities. I attended St. John The Baptist, a private Catholic Elementary (grades 1 to 8) school in South Bend, Indiana. When I look back on it I can understand the intention of what they were doing. It does seem li…

Part 2 of a two part contemplation about the quality of two one-handed interactions I have had with people around me. They are two side of the proverbial "same coin." These two interactions have been in my thoughts often of late. So much that I noticed I would consider them in the same stream of thinking. It was at that point I thought they would m…

Part 1 of a two part contemplation about the quality of two one-handed interactions I have had with people around me. They are two side of the proverbial "same coin." These two interactions have been in my thoughts often of late. So much that I noticed I would consider them in the same stream of thinking. It was at that point I thought they would m…

Today, Tuesday November 29th 2022 I turned 54 years old. I just want to share a few things that have been popping up for me at this time on social media.Thanks for listening! I invite you to share this podcast, offer a comment or leave some feedback.Show Notes: A cool YouTuber named @Sprouht asks older people a series of questions about aging, bein…

This past week I did a very short Aikido demonstration here in Idaho at a local dojo's 25 year anniversary celebration. There were a lot of people, children, demos, and laughter. At a slower moment during the event a young boy approached me and asked me a most incredible question.Thanks for listening! I invite you to share this podcast, offer a com…

The beginning of twenty years seems so long. At the end of twenty years, the time passed seems so short. Such a milestone is twenty years of anything. For me it is twenty years of doing Aikido (a bit longer) and teaching Aikido. Twenty years (also a bit longer) employment at the Bureau of Reclamation. Twenty years since my father passed away. Twent…

I was originally going to do this podcast two weeks ago on the day it happened. However, I contracted covid and everything got tossed around for about a week. But one day just about two weeks ago, I ran into 5 different people who either lived near the 10th Street Dojo in Boise's North end, were students of 3 Shapes Aikido, or were the parents of s…

This is part 2 of my two-part series about getting the Coronavirus. This is after about 5 days past getting tested. I will continue to share how much it sucked, how the symptoms changed over a couple of days, and how I am feeling today.Thanks for listening! I invite you to share this podcast, offer a comment or leave some feedback.Show Notes: Now I…

I contracted Covid. I actually got it from my brother. This is a two part podcast just to share my personal experience with how I felt and how it progressed.Thanks for listening! I invite you to share this podcast, offer a comment or leave some feedback.Show Notes: I felt like I was always going to puke but never could The raging headache lasted fo…

This past Saturday I went to the Boise Bicycle Project's 15th Annual Appreciation Party. I am a member of this great community bike shop and love to shop and work on my bicycles there. Often I will do many of the rides and special events hosted by the Boise Bicycle Project including the Annual Appreciation Party. Over the course of this year I have…

A guy ran a red light and hit me blind-side style in the front driver side quarter panel.Thanks for listening! I invite you to share this podcast, offer a comment or leave some feedback.Show Notes: I could have died!Resources: The Buddha Path - Understanding the impermanence of life.Contact. Follow. Share.instagram | facebook | twitter | pinterestH…

What an amazing week of family, reunions, and a beautiful wedding. It was such a much better time than I had expected.By AlejAndro Anastasio - Storytelling

I had no idea the olive business was so tough. This year was a mad scramble of uncertainty as we tried to find an olive dealer who had them in stock and who would ship the olives.By AlejAndro Anastasio - Storytelling

Family matters... As does the matters of a family. This week I am heading back to Indiana for a family reunion and to attend my brother's son's wedding. I have not really seen a lot of my extended family in an incredibly long time.By AlejAndro Anastasio - Storytelling

I have been looking at a number of more comfortable mouse options at work. This Logitech mouse is really making a difference in my one-handed life.By AlejAndro Anastasio - Storytelling