Hood Climb

On Saturday December 24th, a friend Ben Mayberry and I set off to summit Mt. Hood. (11,250ft). I've had the urge to get out and climb, and the fact that I'm currently forced to take 3 weeks mandatory vacation (not that I'm complaining) presented the opportunity for me to plan, gear up, and go. Luckily, Ben responded to my request for a climbing partner shortly after I sent out the question, to the few people I know who's interested in climbing.

On Friday I rented plastic boots, an ice-axe, crampons, and a helmet at a local shop. The boots smelled like nasty feet smell, but I was super stoked to be climbing Hood that it didn't bother me. At 4pm I tried to take a nap but only managed to get about 1hr of sleep. I dug through my dad's old ski clothes and yanked some thick gloves, a hat, and wool socks to use on the climb, which turned out to be the best decision i made that day. After the nap, I got in touch with Ben who suggested we leave at 12am that night, and start climbing as soon as we arrived at Timberline lodge. The idea was to reach the summit in time for the sun rise and be down, off the mountain by 9am. Though very intense, I agreed and knew that the early start could be beneficial.

Fall, 2011, in Portland

It had been a late start to fall, in my opinion. The trees are just starting to change color and spill their leaves. I had forgotten how beautiful and peaceful this season really is, that is until i had walked downtown, and saw hundreds of yellow leaves float above and around a public sidewalk where people had walked. Eventually they would make their way down to the pavement, pile up, and later get swept away by a public worker. However, we'll see how I feel about Fall, now that the rain has started, and doesn't want to stop...

I've reunited with my old friend Joachim a little bit ago. I had lived with him in San Diego my senior year of university, and being from France, he found a job in Portland (of all places). What a great coincidence and person to have around this time of year.

On other thoughts, I've been working for over 1 year now and everyday, my inner self reminds me not to be complacent. An 82 hour week can induce zombie like conditions. Good thing there are things to look forward to, otherwise this state would be almost impossible to get out of (without deep scars of self guilt, reassessing how you may have not gained, nor consciously desired a better path for yourself, during your time of lackluster submission). I owe thanks to my friends (far and near), the changing seasons, and the inspirational feats of others for helping me, slowly but surely, to survive and to keep the flame alive :)

I've had the past four days off...what a treat, and Baker's back in town! But a 4 day break doesn't compare to the contingent lifestyle the road brings.. Here's some pics from a hike in the hills of Central Oregon.

Chillin w/ Wren

Wren and I scan the web for cheap flights to another shade of life. Free of mind fucks. She wants to sail from Spain to Israel. I'm willing to head in any direction, as long as trees grow near.

Let's dance, let the wind pick up, and blow us off into the sweet undiscovered places of our reality.

One day, soon. Halləluya!

September is Ending

Nothin' new to write
Just gotta hold tight
..and prepare for my flight

Smmer Session

At last! After many long years and failed attempts, the brothers, minus a couple, + Jack were able to return to their most religious spot to experience one of their most religious activities.... Boogie boarding at Shorties! Yes, i called it boogie boarding, and what a time we had.

The sun was low, and its gold warmth shield warmed the surface of our wet-suits. We were brown boys + a whitie, like a couple of islanders defending their turf, warriors preparing to battle the surf. As we walked towards the uncertain future, towards the blue abyss, towards our planet's black hole, we held our boogies steady, strapped on our fins, and prepared for the ocean's violent wrath.

Charging into the surf with the most tactical concentration, picking out the line of entry, judging the best time to step foot, we were surprised to be greeted with an eerie calmness of slow rolling mounds of water.. There was no challenge, there was no sign, the set had passed.

Once passed the break, and an easy pass it was, what little rest did we have until the battle had begun. Out of shape and out of breath, I hold back while Baker charges forth. I watch as he disappears in front of the wave. A moment later I see him near the shore fighting his way back to the mother ocean like a baby sea turtle fights to escape its beach. However, Chris being a smart sea turtle, he avoids the gulls, and the surfers, and directs himself past the break. At the same time, I push the turbo button and expel all my energy. I kick and paddle, kick and paddle. Before I know it I'm flying through the water, breaking right, away from the direction Chris is headed. I look back and see him throw up a warrier cry and tribal 'owwww owww' (hang loose) with his paddle hand. That's what it's about, living in that section of reality, in the surfer's eye.

***

It all starts with a spontaneous decision. The morning commenced with Chris making a mess of my roommate's down mattress cover. I won't get into detail, but when brothers reunite after a long part, the good times begin to roll, and so does the whiskey. And Jack and Chris, being the true and genuine gentlemen that they are, they deserved a good night out, and a lot of whiskey.

Luckily, the day ended with an amazing boogie session on the most beautiful section of coast on planet earth. It's times like these that keep the flame burning. It's people like this who will always keep that flame lit.

 

Spring Time

When I was growing up, Spring had been my lease favorite season. I can remember my senior year of high school when it rained, every day, all day for 90 days straight. I've had enough of the gray, and I was ready to jet. But today, 5 years later (after returning to the Northwest), I'm learning to appreciate this season a lot more. For one reason, it doesn't rain nearly as much as during the Winter time, and another, things grow! Yep, the trees are no longer naked, and the birds living in them seem to be happier this time of year.

Last night I hosted a little dinner provided to us locally, by our lovely mother Earth. The fish we had eaten came from the Willamette which my father had caught. The lettuce came from our garden, and the beer we drank was brewed down the street. It was nice to catch up with Ben, an old friend from elementary school whom I haven't seen in a while, as well as the other folks who had came over.

All that being said, I'm looking forward to the changing seasons, scenery, new experiences and insights. Hasta lueago, chao.

Light Bulb

Ahaa! I figured it out! After staring at piano keys for the past 3 hours, I'm finally able to stomp in and out of Major, minor, 7th, Maj 7, and m7 chords!!!!!! Oh how I can entertain myself. Try for it yourself, you'll find endless possibilities of musical delight.... Midway through I picked up my guitar and a light bulb flashed over my head, realizing how parallel the instruments are. It's all theory! Weeeeeeee!

...now on to other, more difficult chord structures...

Yah

Alright, so it's been a while since my last blog entry.. The only reason why I'm realllllly writing this tonight, is so my account won't cancel itself aha, and also a new friend of mine mentioned that she has a blog, which in turn inspired me to get back to writing a little bit. To make a long story short, and to summarize the time since I've last written... In a sequence of events, Jerome and I drove up to Oregon Spent the summer in Europe/lost all my money. Met up w/ old friends, had the greatest of time. Came back, lived at home,moved out to 'downtown' Portland, got a job as an Equipment Engineer at a solar company Working my ass off, moved in w/ a friend Now, I'm waiting for summer I don't enjoy working, especially at a super serious position.. it's craziness, but it's an alright experience. It's nice to work for a renewable energy company, but even tho it's for a good cause, it's still a corporation... then again, tis nice to work w/ good people. And it's nice to save up money for future adventures. I have future plans, but don't want to spoil them so I'm not gonna mention any detail :) Overall, i feel working/saving will pay off. Anyways, I'm done writing.. tired. Hopefully my next update w/ be more interesting HA! ciao