Thank You!

Thanks to all of my wonderful clients and friends for your support in the "Best of CitySearch" competition!!!

Because of you, I received 1st place honors in the following categories:

Best Therapeutic Massage
Best Thai Massage
Best Deep Tissue Massage
Best Shiatsu Massage
Best Sports Massage
Best Swedish Massage
Best Reflexology & Foot Massage
Best Pregnancy & Prenatal Massage

I placed 2nd in:
Best Couple's Massage
Best Massage
~Congratulations to Woodhouse Day Spa for your wins in those categories!

...and 3rd in:
Hot Stone Massage
~Congratulations to Zen Blend Day Spa for your well-deserved recognition.

Thank you, again, from the bottom of my heart for all of the love and support I have received from all of you!

Best massage in Austin, Best therapeutic massage in Austin, TX, healing massage,love, warm touch, loving touch, energy work, metaphysics, shaman, alternative medicine, stretching, personal care, relaxation, stress-relief, improved circulation, help, nutrition, range of motion, myofascial release, extreme sports, yoga, karate, bicycling, Texas, celebrity, acrobatics, gymnastics, circus, performance arts, running, triathalon, ironman, ascension,

It's That Time Again

Citysearch is taking votes for their "Best Of" selections. I am competing against all of the health and med spas in Austin and the surrounding areas. In most categories, I am the only independent therapist to make the list. If you care to vote, click here.

If you aren't already on Citysearch it will ask you to register, but it is free.

You can vote for me in each of the following categories: Therapeutic Massage, Thai Massage, Deep_Tissue_Massage, Shiatsu Massage, Best Massage, Sports Massage, Swedish Massage, Reflexology & Foot Massage, Pregnancy & Prenatal Massage, Couple's Massage, & Hot Stone Massage.

I am listed as Erik "Kuykendall - Positive Pressure".

Thank you to everyone who helped me be listed as #1 in Citysearch "Best Of Austin" for 2009. Here's to making the list again this year.

Murray Kyle - A Conscious Roots Groove

Today we begin our journey back to the States. I want to thank everyone who helped us along our journey. We experienced more love and generosity than we ever expected. This adventure has reawakened my sense of wonder, connection and appreciation. I will miss all of you and think of you often.

This is from Murray Kyle's new conscious roots album, "Up From The Ground".

Thanks to Rio, who sent me this one, it really started our travel day off on the right note.

What Did You Do For Canada Day?

This is what I did:

(photo by Arlene Waghalter)

Then came the fireworks. I was the one behind the camera this time.

Canadians really love their Canada Day. When you mix in FunFest, the merriment doesn't stop.

Room With A View

The photo below is from our new front porch. I was starting the fire for dinner.

This one is of our first meal. Awesome!

Earth Chalkin'

An afternoon of chalk in the back yard:

Pinks and browns and blues and blues and blues

Transformed into an essence of the earth

Afraid for years, not of bodies, not of personalities

Afraid for years of misrepresenting, maligning

Afraid to disappoint, afraid, afraid, afraid

Peace, learning and satiation found only in creation

A lifetime of art, creativity, love, joy and thankfulness.

Darn Beetles!

I was sitting in one of my gardens this evening and heard munching.   Upon investigation, I found numerous large brown beetles eating the leaves of our lettuce and broccoli.  

The photo below is some of our squash, which the beetles do not appear to like:

As we are growing completely organically, we would greatly appreciate it if anyone has an idea about how to control the beetles other than picking them off the plants and throwing them in the park?

Johnny Cash - Done Differently

I grew up in Texas and saw Johnny Cash at the Houston rodeo when I was about 5 years old. You could say I have been a Cash fan almost my entire life.  His "Ring of Fire" is etched in the minds and hearts of Texans and millions around the world.  

Adam Lambert throws out the original arrangement, supplants it with a more Middle Eastern score and makes it his own.  I included the long version for context. If you only want to watch the singing portion, it begins about 1:40 in.  

I know what you are thinking: "I can't believe he posted an American Idol video."  I can't either.  I hope that he loses the American Idol competition and just allows this to jump start his career.  The kid is discovered now, he don't need no stinking corporate handlers.

P.S.  Please forgive me for posting something that has a Coca-Cola subliminal throughout. 

Astral Cowboy Photography - My New Blog

With the New Year comes a new blog.  I am introducing the "Astral Cowboy Photography" blog. 

 I have not decided exactly what the format will be, but it will be my photoblog and will likely not have any of my more controversial banter on it.  I will likely continue to maintain this blog with my art, news and hopes for the future.  

If you like my photos and art, this is where I plan to post just that.

Dragonfly Chalk Design

I did this last year on the back porch of our old apartment. I did it for a dear friend in Canada.  It was easier and harder than I thought it would be.  Either way, I was pleased with the result.

  

 The piece was 3 or 4 feet across.  I have a new piece of slab I am working on, but have not quite got the hang of working on it.  I need a light out there! 

A Google Gift

Google was good to me today.  I was looking at some of the traffic for my site and I had a visitor from Raleigh, NC who found me by Googling: "laws against black and female presidential candidates". Now that it is on my site, I will always be in the choices when people search that line.

If you found your way by Googling this very line...Welcome!  Please take some time to dig through my site and comment.  I entertain all thought and do my best to respond to most comments.

I Think I Am back.

Ok...After that FISA thing, I just had to take a break.  I went to Long Beach for the National Rowing Championships, then off to Malibu to surf.  (pictures to follow)

I am back and expect to be blogging on a pretty regular basis.  I don't know how much politics I will be able to stomach, but I hope to share more photos, arts, music and whatever weirdness I think might interest you.  Yes, I'll probably end up with some political commentary, you know I can't keep my mouth shut about those things forever.  

Thank you for all of your e-mails and phone calls.  It is nice to know that I am blogging to so many friends and potential friends.

Canada Bound

I'm off for another BC photo tour; my intention is to put a book out by Christmas. I just got my plane ticket for tomorrow morning and I leave the house before 6 am. I'm still not through packing, paying bills and washing dishes...but I will be.



I will return to the states on the 14th.

Forgive Me

This is a letter to my friends, family, peers and readers:

Please forgive me for having so many posts that illuminate destructive forces and quiet injustices. I keep logging on to research and write about art & photography OR produce art & photographic works. I end up writing about some corrupt "representative" or injustice. I want to tell the world to just chill out for a while so we can all have some fun, create & share art and breathe deeply again.

In my research, all that I have learned and all I wish I could un-learn; I discovered there is beauty, wonder and miracles that balance the destruction and chaos that have become so evident in the world we live in. It can be quite challenging to recognize these qualities still exist. I assure you (and myself)...They are there.

I promise to continue to bring you interesting art, events, photography, music and videos to temper all of the other stuff that can make a person feel as if they have just returned from an aerobics class. Thank you for all of your support, feedback and patience as this project has evolved.

I wish you all love, longevity and boundless happiness,

Erik

Off to Dallas

Off again, off again. I'm on my way to see my Dallas clientèle and go to the Scorpio Party. I should be back on Monday. Have a great time this weekend...to all of my East side friends showing their work this weekend.

Magical Bullwhip

I love bullwhips!
I love the way they move, their power, grace, predictability and unpredictability. This is a self-portrait taken on a bright August day.

This whip has been through a great deal, but I loved the way it was weighted so I used it for my daily whip practice. Recently, I added a wrapped cotton wick on the handle fashioned from a towel and bailing wire.

What's more fun than whips?

Fire and whips!

We're In Our New Place!

After several days of tossing boxes and running back and forth. We have finished moving out of our old place. It may take a few more days to get moved in to our new place, but at least we have internet access again.

Life is beautiful.

I am so tired.

Erik Kuykendall, Massage Therapist, Austin

I'm adding this post because I was checking my site traffic and found that someone Googled Erik Kuykendall, massage therapist, Austin and it directed them to a portion of my site that I don't feel is necessarily representative of my bodywork. So, hopefully, the next time someone Googles my name and massage in Austin, Texas; this link will appear.

I specialize in intuitive mixed-modality work that draws from many techniques including Shiatsu, Thai Massage, Touch for Health, Swedish, Sports, Deep Tissue, ROM, Acupressure and specialized work for circus performers and extreme athletes.

To schedule an appointment, please e-mail me.

We're back!

It was a fantastic trip and we could have stayed forever...if it were not for immigration laws.

I got lots of pictures and will be working furiously on the book.

I am re-energized and excited about getting everything done to get our emigration process moving in the right direction.

The Astral Cowboy Canadian Photo Trip

I am off to Canada!!!

I am off to Canada and will be available for massages in Austin again as of the 8th of October. If you are interested in getting on the schedule when I return, please send me a quick message with the best days and times for you and I to meet and I will try to return everyone's calls and e-mails quickly when we return.

This trip is my first out-of-the-country trip as a professional photographer. I hope to have the photo books available for sale within 2 months of my return. Thank you for all of your support.

There are no ordinary moments.
I wish you peace, health and joy,

Erik

Positive Pressure Massage