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It is our most pervasive myth. Love is something you fall into. You are going along your daily life and BOOM, there she was just a walking down the street! I saw him standing there, and I knew. Cue the soundtrack! We have come to believe in chemistry, and kismet, and that we fall in love, like it was a camouflaged hole that we stumbled upon. The problem with this theory is that we also fall out of love. And then there is all the disappointment, and fingerpointing, and ultimately, we amputate that person from our lives, because the love wasn’t perfect.

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I used to avoid South Asheville at all cost. After moving to the south side a couple years ago, I have grown very fond and extremely comfortable here. Biltmore Park has grown and flourished into its own little community. Further, inviting big city names to become a part of our town. Dining with Metro favorites such as P.F. Changs and Brixx. Luxury hotel rooms in the Hilton. Education in town, instead of abroad with Western Carolina University. Specialty Shopping with REI and Orvis are here, now.

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i was on my way to the grocery store when i got a call from my brother. when he heard that i was going to brave the crowds at the market, he asked if i might take a peek at some fresh, organic, whole chickens or turkeys for him. you see, he is not gonna be at the beach celebrating thanksgiving with my parents, lina, & me this year. he needs to stay home. but, he’s cooking some yummy thanksgiving stuff anyway.

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my love asked me to bring her a peppermint mocha from starbucks on my way home today. yes, the fika girl even goes to starbucks every now & then. as i was driving, i started thinking about what i would be "giving" today for my 40 days of giving. pretty soon, i had settled on the idea of possibly paying extra so that the person behind would get a free coffee. but, i had to wait to scope out the starbucks situation when i got there.

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i got a text the other day from a friend. a fairly new friend, actually. someone that my wife and i have connected with, and all three of us have felt that this newly found friendship has the potential to be a great one. anyway, i received this text from the friend, who is experiencing an amazingly reflective time in her life right now, asking if we all wanted to get together for beers. the main reason? for her to share with someone all of her thoughts and feelings. she needed a sounding board, someone to just listen and be present with her.

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the fika girl is back... with an all new 40 days series! read on to find out...

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XAVL is a celebration of creative culture, with 30+ artists demonstrating the creative process in real time, including live painters and graphic designers, installation art, photography, fashion, videography, music, and much more!   This is an all-day event, with workshops and panel discussion taking place during the day (2-6:30pm) and main event with music, etc from 8:15pm-2am.  There will be giveaways from Make Noise and Ableton as well as a raffle for a $750. Producer Bundle prize pack (Moog Minitaur + QuNexus).  Tickets on sale now at Harvest Records / The Moog Store  / Online: http://xasheville.eventbrite.com / At the door if event does not sell out beforehand.

The X event has 3 main intentions:

1. Present the creative process in an ecstatic and engaging way, live and uncut.

2. Allow attendees to follow the creative process in real time, giving them an added appreciation for the talents, mediums and forms of modern of expression.

3. Feature cutting-edge local and national talent, furthering the spirit of collaboration as we shape the evening and our future together.

Lineup Includes:  Fashion by Royal Peasantry. Live painters Josh Spiceland, Makasi Siriwayo, Andy Reed, and Caesar Weasel. Nine Bar Creative will have three graphic designers working as a team to demonstrate work flow and the creative process (their screens will be projected live for all to see). Design curator Craig McAnsh (of Mojo Coworking / NATiVE Marketing), Music performances by Jeremy Ellis! , Aligning Minds, Marley Carroll, and Panther God. Plus: Dance by Kathleen Hahn; Photography by (SIC) Images and Micah Mackenzie; Videography by Imaginari Studios; 3D mapped stage design by 27 Folds; Timelapse installation by Daniel Lowe; Performance Art by Jeramie Bellmay… Plus daytime music workshops and panel discussion.

http://xavl.org

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Most people drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway enjoying the view of trees and foliage especially during the season of Fall. And while this is part of the splendor of the Parkway, there is another aspect that many people miss during their drive.

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2013 ASHEVILLE, NC – Tonight at midnight, comedian Mike Lawrence, who is booked to appear live in Asheville at Asheville Brewing Company’s The Mill Room on Friday, November 1st, will appear on Comedy Central’s new series @Midnight hosted by comedian Chris Hardwick.

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A Special Place For Rest and Healing Did you ever notice how we are drawn to the ocean? When we are there we breathe easier, we relax, and we rejuvenate our body and our mind . This is the essence of Salt Therapy. A visit to Asheville’s Therapeutic Salt Cave provides guests with 45 minutes of pure relaxation and rejuvenation, as all five of their senses are engaged by the healing power of nature. Being in the cave for 45 minutes is equivalent to being at the ocean for 4 days, without the pollution. Although manmade and constructed next to other downtown storefronts, the resembles the Polish salt mines from which it’s 20 tons of salt was extracted, deep beneath the earth’s surface. It is by far the purest salt available on Earth, uncontaminated by any toxins or pollutants. Jodie Appel, co -owner, says the caves constant temperature between 68 and 72 degrees and 50% to 60% humidity. creates a unique microclimate, a soothing oasis in which the mind can relax and the body can reach an elemental balance and begin to heal itself. Asheville’s Salt Cave is the first and only of its kind to be built in the …

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