spark and awe

Old school business lunch Chicago-style.

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 18:52:58 -0700

Old school business lunch Chicago-style.

My photos have been included in a new book!!!: “A Room...

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 09:58:00 -0700

My photos have been included in a new book!!!: “A Room With A View: Compilation of iPhone Shots From All Over The World”. The editor is the wonderful @mifjuz and includes the work of stellar Instagram photographers! I am so proud, and humbled to be included in such a beautiful collection. Gratitude and love to Millo and all of the featured Instagram talent:

@spybou @galgibaga @murcielaguillo @nicky127 @gorgonzolat

@tenebrogg @harrington69 @mauricioherrero @journeyofnow

@cryingjune @mifjuz @skeide @thomas_k @dimitriskarathanos

@nimnom @vitchub @mikhomisho @nialloleary @kainxs @vershu

@saturninofarandola @avantgraph @trochou.

The link to the book webpage is http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2351179.

Can’t (many layers of lost) move.

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 01:01:21 -0700

Can’t (many layers of lost) move.

both sides now…. (joni mitchell) i see so many sides....

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:36:09 -0700

both sides now…. (joni mitchell)

i see so many sides. so very many sides. it’s deafening. silencing. chains.

Slowly finding out what it is to be human again.

Thu, 26 May 2011 18:12:30 -0700

Slowly finding out what it is to be human again.

Well, I’m walkin’ down the line I’m walkin’ down the line An’...

Wed, 25 May 2011 14:17:00 -0700

Well, I’m walkin’ down the line
I’m walkin’ down the line
An’ I’m walkin’ down the line
My feet’ll be a-flyin’
To tell about my troubled mind

-Bob Dylan

Happy Birthday Bob.

CLEARCUT It has been one year exactly since I exited the doors...

Mon, 16 May 2011 13:55:00 -0700

CLEARCUT

It has been one year exactly since I exited the doors of the corporation I worked for for over thirteen years. While being laid off was one of the most traumatic experiences of my life, I wouldn’t wish it to be otherwise. Once I had worked my way up to a position of high financial responsibility in an office rife with politics and dishonesty, my spirit began to suffer. My body as well.

In the past year, I worked on a small organic farm, from spring through halloween. I listened to birds’ wingbeats and song. I watched seeds become massive photosynthesizing machines, and tiny fluffs become magnificent meat and laying birds. I employed my body in challenging new ways - nurturing and harvesting the whole lot. On Saturdays, we built a display of our bounty, exchanged food for money or food stamps, and communed with the locals. The outdoor kitchen was a challenge - but kept us acclimated and in-tune. I watched as a young family raised their children without plastic toys or television. I admired their creative, original thinking, and strength of character.

I have also spent time with family. Real, good time. Not a quick trip through town. Instead: easy, spontaneous. I helped my eldest brother with his business. Took my niece to the beach. Stood still, down-trail from a wild bobcat near the ocean while she sat and watched me. Saw three owls in the wild. Snowshoed to the top of the ridge behind the family cabin, through blizzard and the remains of the big fire. Shared time in the snowy woods with A, building fires and playing cards. Stood by while my younger brother won big at the blackjack tables. Knitted for my mother while sitting in my best friend’s house in the city. Hiked the crazy staircases of Bernal Heights and watched the moon rise. Listened to my mother play piano, tell stories, laugh.

Since then, I’ve been more focused on trying to figure out what’s next. Unfortunately, the farm plan fell through. Though, I did learn a great deal from those few months of business start-up experience. A grant-writing course I took is nearly complete. And I’ve been taking a very large amount of photographs.

The best thing about 2011 is my freedom. I’m not quite sure where it’s going next… but I’m excited to unfold it.

"Instead of dirt and poison, we have chosen to fill our hives with honey and wax; thus furnishing..."

Thu, 12 May 2011 21:28:54 -0700

““Instead of dirt and poison, we have chosen to fill our hives with honey and wax; thus furnishing mankind with the noblest of things, which are sweetness and light.””

- Jonathan Swift

and the farm died.

Wed, 11 May 2011 17:16:51 -0700

rain for a soundtrack. cold seeps in through windows unsheltered (to capture as much light as the grey will allow). i put on my wool slippers and boil water for tea.

it’s been a quiet couple weeks since my dream of a farm (and being my own boss) died. the farm partnership failed before the seedlings could reach light. in the emptiness of mourning and doubt, i have accomplished little. sleep trouble. anger. lethargy. tears.

i know it will pass. don’t need anyone to tell me that.

the hard part is seeing the light. relating to the ideas of confidence, purpose, drive. i just don’t relate right now. my momentum was blind-sided. my hope was snuffed. my purpose kicked in the gut.

My spirit grandfather, Howard Hansen. Today you will have open...

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 11:31:06 -0700

My spirit grandfather, Howard Hansen. Today you will have open heart surgery. You are the strongest man I know. You have an enduring spirit. You will come through today with the strength of Byak, the raven, at your side.

The sun finally came out at Haystack.

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:39:08 -0800

The sun finally came out at Haystack.

Sunbreak off the Oregon coast. Wishing a boat for sailing to...

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 11:53:43 -0800

Sunbreak off the Oregon coast. Wishing a boat for sailing to the light.

Looking toward Manzanita, through falling snow. A mixed...

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 16:24:00 -0800

Looking toward Manzanita, through falling snow. A mixed exhilaration, of looking down a thousand feet, of cold snow on skin, of miles of waves waving.

Haystack at Cannon Beach. Rain, hail, and snow. Sand filled...

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 10:12:12 -0800

Haystack at Cannon Beach. Rain, hail, and snow. Sand filled wind, sun, and seagulls.

Thank you great ocean, earth, and sky.

body as instrument…….

Sun, 20 Feb 2011 12:18:14 -0800

body as instrument…….

Glorious gull wing (Taken with Instagram at Seattle)

Sun, 06 Feb 2011 15:32:29 -0800

Glorious gull wing (Taken with Instagram at Seattle)

A. made an amazing dinner last night. We started with this...

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 18:33:03 -0800

A. made an amazing dinner last night. We started with this beautiful arugula, orange, and kalamata olive salad drizzled in white balsamic and blood orange olive oil. A great bottle of red zinfandel. Local and organic Sweet Water farms beef burgers topped with goat cheese, sauteed onions, and baby arugula. Sweet potato, desiree, and russet potato fries encrusted in pepper and Italian Vignalta sea salt (enfused with garlic and rosemary).

Thank you A. for such a soulful, grounding and satisfying meal.

"We’re members of each other—all of us—everything. The difference is not whether you are or not, but..."

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 12:27:27 -0800

“We’re members of each other—all of us—everything. The difference is not whether you are or not, but whether you know you are or not. Because we’re all under each other’s influence. We’re all are affected by one another’s others lives and decisions. And there is no escape from this membership.”

- Wendell Berry

how to bury a rooster chase off bloody-taloned hawk, too small...

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 22:56:00 -0800

how to bury a rooster

chase off bloody-taloned hawk, too small to carry off her kill.

tie the dog up to the fence nearby, to guard him. gather my senses.

seek the wisdom of an elder. what to do now?

collect shovel, gloves, bird. walk out to the far side of the field.

find soft spot between blackberry and madrone for digging.

dig earth. breathe. dig earth. look to the treetops. no sign of hawk. rain.

see elder friend coming, with iron bar and kindness.

dig earth. drive down & loosen. dig earth. drive down & loosen. dig earth.

fold limp soft neck feet and feathers into new emptiness. place stone.

fill soft earth and worm. replace sod. lay moss fringed branch over him.

open palms out to rain. see him flying. stunning feathers. painting field and sky.

there are no fences now. nothing to keep him down.

fly.

Water. Bird.

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 14:31:00 -0800

Water. Bird.