Archive for September, 2005

5:40a, M-R

20th of September MMV

Now I live in a cave. No, that’s overstating it maybe. A very dark room mostly underground, with two widthwise windows on the top sixth of the east wall. The sort of place where I’ll look out the window at blue skies but still be unsure wether it’s sunny out.

I’m about to embark on this new adventure. My classes start on monday and I’ve been making mild attempts at trying to get used to the schedule that I’ll have, come the 26th. It mainly consists of me declaring to Laura “Okay, I need to get to bed early tonight.” We talk for an hour or more when I look at the clock and start cursing myself yet again. “Damn, I wanted to get up on-time (5:40a or so… getting ready for school) tomorrow.”

Now for the last week or so, I’ve actually awoken at 5:30a as my alarm is set. However rising from my haze, and sleepy bed is another matter. Well… what am I gonna do so early in the morning anyway? Satisfied with my own logic, I’ve returned to that place, guilt free. But last night I came up with a plan. So if I come up with something to do before I go to bed, then perhaps I won’t so easily relinquish my consciousness to the depths of sleep!

And so far it’s working. I’m up, although by this time I’d already be late for my shuttle ride, at least it’s a start.

“I look out my window, and what do I see? A crack in the sky and a hand reaching down to me…” Okay well not really but David Bowie might as well be right, because it’s sure as hell is dark enough.

Different

14th of September MMV

good carrots.. er.. easter egg?I’ve spent so much time in my life trying to identify myself. I’m unique god-dammit. So much time divorcing myself from the things that allow others to know stuff about me, things that might otherwise give them reason to not even meet me.

I remember getting to a point in my young adulthood where I prayed regularly—an image of a man that was listening to my emotions, caring for me when eleven years of life was just a little too much to handle.

Then that faith was given a black eye. I started to learn about the concepts of lemmings—bleached souls, indignant to curiosity and everything that was challenging—and all the hurt they cause. Undriven, might as well be dead. I wasn’t that. I would never be that. I would never have religion. Dead weight for my hare’s energy. So I let my hair go, and it ran long. Assumptions became rampant and predictable (or so I assumed), almost fun to anticipate. I devoted myself to everevolutionism. Antisedentaryism. Perpetualchangeism. Ispitinthineface(inthemostsubtleofways)ism.

In the rubble, wake, and debris of so many recent travesties to my fellow genus; 2792, 190, 27963, 756, 118000, thousands dead. I am compelled to stop and think about those in more dire situations than me. Ponder their woes, sympathize with what is difficult about their struggle for happiness and take action as my compassion drives me.

I dedicate my life to compassion. Representation of those less considered. Amplification for those not listened to. Tears for those less appreciated—I love reminders. Stop. Relax. Be. It’s a lot of fucking fun man.

When I start to identify with those souls I can’t help but feel companionship. A big-picture moment to breath. I feel almost spiritually connected around the notion that I’m not so unique that I, we, do have support in this struggle. See… we’re all in this together. I tell myself. Those words have already lost their meaning, but for a second I understood what I meant.

“Keep her in your prayers” she said. My usual scoff, normally quick to defend it’s territory, is caught off guard. Perhaps recently put off, by something from within. An emotion not anticipated (not even batman can think of everything). For a second I ponder the implications me… pray? I guess that’d be unique.

Close Encounters of the * kind

11th of September MMV

So sorta last minute I decided to join some of my new friends on a trip to the Eugene area. the reason was a concert with this singer-songwriter who I don’t recall, Hot Buttered Rum, Mofro, Blackalicious and lastly, Michael Frianti & Spearhead.

I decided to go in part because the people who I was going with (Jeff, Steph, Dave and RP-R), whom RP-R and I met at Pickathon, were working with Harmony Event Medicine and so if we went together, I would be allowed to camp the night with that group. So, Jeff and I drove down that afternoon got our tickets and entered. It was a fairly intimate space despite being outdoors. Essentially it is a vinyard owned by a woman who decided it would be fun to host such shows. Little did I know, that being involved with HEM, comes with perks, the most thrilling of which had to be the “backstage” access.

So the second band, Hot Buttered Rum, a string band from the bay area, spent some time between talking about their Straight Veggie Oil (SVO) bus, and after they finished, RP-R, Dave and I decided to make our way backstage to ask questions about it (considering my latest educational-track choice, I thought it appropriate).

So we talked at length with Bryan Horne (the basest) when a tall (apparently 6′6″) man with dreadlocks and a voice lower than he is tall, walked up with a woman (who I later learned was his girlfriend—as well as a birthday girl) and started asking questions of the four of us about the bus.

-are you the guys who are runnin’ on veggie oil?
-yeah that’s us, you want to see it?
Bryan spoke up.
-yeah
RP-R introduced herself, and Michael responded.
-What’s up sista’

With an arm around the shoulder, sideways-hug. We all got some of the spiel again, this time a little more refined, as it was now the second time. We discussed the benefits, mileage, systems, spearhead’s rental bus, and then migrated onto the HBR’s bus eventually Michael and friend left

This ride was tite in multiple senses of the word. But also plush. We were invited atop the roof, crawling out vent holes, where we were greeted by Nat Keefe (who plays guitar, I believe) tossing a frisbee. So as we caught it threw it back and caught it again I couldn’t help but think. “I love how playful these guys are—they must get really starved for company aside from eachother—it’s so cute!”

5th of September MMV

a freshly bloodied elbowWhere I come from, layouts are the ultimate sign of commitment—perhaps things that might compare include the ring, or a lover’s name tattoed on one’s shoulder—so naturally, definitive evidence of such a commitment are of much value when eliciting anamnesis—during bragging sessions. The “receipt” if you will, to dangle in your friends faces. A point for the story, two if it’s good. Five if there’s a bruise and ten if there’s blood. This is a wound like so many derived from that most wonderful game of Ultimate—initially a minor abrasion, which when scabbed, evolves into so much more. Especially when that scab is completely re-moved, in a situation near identical to that which created the first injury. Isn’t it pretty? No more layouts for a bit ):