The Swells

Summer is moving along quite smoothly.  The milestones come and go with the breeze and plans are already surfacing for winter activities.  My world is growing and shrinking with a confusing consistency.  In one moment, the whole picture is so visible the beauty is overwhelming.  The next moment I'm buried beneath all of the ugly details that come with reality.  This process repeats itself as I swim between the swells.  It's all good though.  The water is warm and clean and the sun is shining.  Our garden is growing with serious vigor and the prospect of finding a new place to live is very entertaining.  It will be interesting to see how this summer is reflected upon and I imagine that some of the choices made in the next few weeks will largely shape that reflection.  My goals and perspective remain the same throughout...  To do as much as I can and no more.  I will let you know how it is all going the next time we speak.  Until then, Be Well. 

Process : Product

These past couple of weeks have been filled with short servings of some very curious realities.  Each of these little worlds were so close, as if they were viewed through the keyhole of an unlocked door.  It can be a bit overwhelming to see so much potential laid out before you.  I have had to employ some powerful tools in order to keep from lunging at these passing opportunities.  

Regardless of all of these alternative paths the one I have laid out already, the one I am currently walking is pretty perfect.  There are challenges, rewards, scenery and some far out characters.  This journey is almost entirely of my own design and as I look down the road I can see clearly that I am heading right where I want to go.  

Clutter...

Im not sure what to write right now, but I wanted to get this picture up before too long.  I have started a new sketchbook with the specific goal of saturation.  As the spring time comes on hard its pretty clear that our once sparse landscape is about to fill out.  My personal schedule has recently lulled a little as a few old projects wrapped up but future commitments are piling up for a pretty hectic spring tempest.  I guess its best that I just enjoy this short calm before the storm and spend my time investigating a few of the inspirational projects that have been kept on the back burners.  Think... Worm Herding.

Edgy...

Things are moving forward, slowly but surely.  It's funny because they are going exactly according to plans... almost uncannily so.  Winter larders are running thin and as spring approaches, the prospect of fresh new growth precariously rests on the heads of falling stocks.  There are many opportunities to make it through this transition but with limited supplies, being resourceful will be key.  

The five year plan for the last four years is almost in full effect.  The business is growing.  Our work is well received and it will be interesting to test our points of leverage.  I have a feeling that the potential is far beyond anything I can imagine...  and I am a pretty good imaginer.  All we can do now is be patient and keen, stick to the plan and make sure that we are doing all of the work that needs to be done.  With that being case... I better get back to work. 

HABITats

I recently tied two of my worlds together in a very real way.  After living and working in two seemingly separate habitats for the past six years, a short bike trip and boat ride put it all into perspective.  It was a very encouraging realisation that these two places are so much closer than one might think.

It was also very encouraging to spend time in the presence of genuine superheroes.  Some people just understand what is really valuable in this world.  To share those things with them is a good step towards gaining that understanding for yourself.  

In the mean time I am back at home trying to keep the fire stoked, but not too hot; keep the pans clean, but well seasoned and to keep an eye on the future while not losing sight of whats right in front of me.  If all goes as planned it should be a pretty good year.

PS-  If you ever get to see the original drawing for this post... consider yourself blessed.

Mad Fat Businessing

It is soo much fun when you love what you're doing.  It's even more fun when you're doing something that you have been dreaming of for years... literally.  And it's even more fun when you're doing all of it with your good friends and a parrot on your shoulder... literally.  Things are picking up speed and the spring is already coming.  I have been making lots of good connections and really starting to see what the future will look like.  The forecast is... lots of gardens, lots of drawings, lots of workshops, lots of friends, lots of work and lots of fun...

On the Horizon...

Its hard to measure work. I am sure there are physics equations and technical definitions but understanding just how much you can handle is a really tricky problem. I am some sort of limbo... maybe its more of a calibration period. It seems like I need to do more though when I look at my list of things to do its a pretty healthy page of tasks. Future projects loom while past projects linger and I am watching it all from behind the windshield of a rusty old truck. Either way I can still see where I am headed and it looks to be pretty sweet. The short terms will soon be wrapped up and the most epic project to date will soon get off of the ground... or into the ground... depends on how you look at it.

For an explanation of this picture...  http://www.cascadiaweekly.com/pdfs/issues/201003.pdf

Homework

The challenges of writing your own schedule seem particularly special.  When the road in front of us goes wherever we tell it too, its hard not to move too fast.  I have been trying to keep as busy as I need to, though I will continue to calibrate my system.  Right now I work in and out of my bedroom, in the morning, in the night time, in the afternoon, or not all.  Its pretty fun and as the line between work and life gets more and more fuzzy, I say let it go.  If it works out right, we won't even go to work anymore as everything we need is right at home.

Settling Down...

It seems like the transitional theme is going to carry through the holidays.  Having been in and out of my new home so much, I am little disorientated  but damn am I ready to lay some roots.  It's like I stepped away from town just far enough to see the beauty of the bigger picture.  A few pieces of what I enjoy so much are starting to come together, including but not limited too, a guerilla art gallery, putting gardens on top of athletic fields, super funky dance parties and splitting wood with friends.  As the winter approaches I am feeling pretty warm and cozy... but deep down on the inside I cannot wait for this spring.  See you there.

Move in...

The process of moving in to my new home is mostly complete but the culture shock piece is just about to hit.  It is pretty amazing how great this new environment is and it will be challenging to shed some of the old habits which keep me from making the best of this opportunity.  I feel like this is the time to really take hold of what I want in life and never let go.  Everything is in its perfect place and the future of our culture is so close I can taste it... or at least walk outside and harvest some for me and my friends.

Homeward...

Moving is exciting.  Especially when there is no rush to it.  I am taking my time to make certain that all loose ends will be wrapped up.  I am also working on the transference of momentum so that I can land in the Ham with a fair amount of force.  Some projects are wrapping up as others are coming into the coffer.  All is going well even in spite of a sharp little reality check.  My right arm has been on the fritz as of late.  Nothing too worrisome, but a good reminder to be grateful for what you have... and to stretch out, relax a little and to stand up straight.  All of which are good habits to work on.