There’s a better day coming, but it sure ain’t here yet.
Hello again, folks.
I’ve returned for no apparent reason to talk about nothing much at all.
Just a bit of housekeeping to keep the record straight.
For what it’s worth…
Like a Dagwood sandwich, life has become a bit more than I can squeeze into a single bite.
So be it. I enjoy a good challenge…
The Point
I’ve been considering the nature of this little blog, which as neglected and ignored as it is, still stands as an artifact of my existence. Sporadic and random, but still here.
As is so often the case in life, I find myself contemplating growth and my journey through time and space. Much more so recently, as life grows more and more “interesting”.
The point being, I’ve been thinking about putting this space to use as an instrument of resistance to the fascist takeover of these United States.
For whom it may concern, I am entering the following into the ongoing public record:
Recent events have developed to the point where I am compelled to declare my support for freedom, democracy, the constitution, and decency. I want there to be no doubt that I stand proudly against fascism and the billionaire class currently engaged in violating our rights and civil liberties, while stealing and hoarding all the world’s resources.
Let me state a few things for the record, even if they might seem obvious and redundant:
I am not a Trump supporter.
I am not interested in arguing the point, I will block you or do whatever is required to remove you from my awareness.
I am not a traitor to my country, constitution, and all that is decent, so therefor I can not tolerate MAGA.
I am not sitting idly by while the orange turd sucking menace tries to sell us all into bondage.
I will speak out, I will fight back, I will use my voice – and that means this space.
I will also continue to post whatever I feel like sharing, and to celebrate life in every way I can.
Final point: fuck the MAGA cruelty and their entire agenda. My life is mine to live as I see fit.
So fair warning, if you don’t want politics in your feed, you should mute this blog.
I had begun the process of adding this blog to the Fediverse some time ago.
Believe it or not, I got distracted.
Yup – it happened again.
But now, after some considerable delay, I am happy to announce that I have added and configured the plugin to include this blog as part of the Fediverse.
So if you’re on Mastodon, you can follow along at hippyjo.com-blog@hippyjo.com.
Here’s a little post to make it all official…
On Losing my Way
Coming undone, being let go – I find freedom in losing my identity.
Eventually I find my way, gaining confidence, testing the waters.
A quick retreat, lots to consider – maybe withdraw, hide away? No. Surely not today.
Breathe deep and stretch out, recalibrate the pace. It’s all about the journey, it’s not a race.
Looking back, I can see my way forward, things that I lost and wasted, places I detoured.
Correcting my course, making up for lost time, here in the moment, presence of mind.
I seek absolution, and compassionately I grant it.
Time for learning anew, each day, again, rinse and repeat, in and out…
It has been a long cold while since I posted an update of any sort.
In an effort to not post a stream of inane garbage, I have self-censored and delayed everything into nothing.
Now for my next amazing trick, I will resurrect this corpse of a blog from the dead…
Considering Social Media from Self-Inflicted Solitude
“Nothing we see or hear is perfect. But right there in the imperfection is perfect reality.”
Shunryu Suzuki
I have largely withdrawn from the interwebs and have been considering their role in my life.
Some of these things are simply amazing, and stand as marvels of humanity’s progress and achievement, while so much of the rest is just terrible.
Most insidious is the effect it can have on your psyche and daily trajectory, dissolving your time and focus into nothingness and/or creating a sense of urgency and importance where there frankly is none.
Time and time again, I see the primary constant is the exploitation of people’s attention. Little nuggets of value are sprinkled among the never-ending flow, just enough to keep your primal attention span engaged.
I don’t like the idea of being manipulated, nor being used like some farm animal.
I’ve always admired the monkey who was smart enough to open his own cage and escape the lab.
So I choose freedom and reconsider my associations. I conceive a new plan…
Goodbye Facehole and Fuck Off Twitter
I don’t want to be anti-social, I just don’t believe I’m being well-served by the current paradigm. I see a growing trend among other like-minded individuals.
Oh yeah, and fuck Elon Musk.
Recognizing the traffic gathering down at the water hole doesn’t mean you have to drink that mess. You can still interact with everyone who gathers there without putting yourself deeply in the middle of the muck.
No longer shall I feed my content to the behemoths who only manipulate and exploit for their own ends (and shit all over the water hole in the process).
I will give them breadcrumbs to starve on, and divert interested parties to a place where I control the narrative – literally.
Lost in the Static: My Own Streaming Service
No illusions or allusions of grandeur here, but I can’t help but consider the trend of every media studio trying to set up their own streaming media subscription service. The “big networks” are quickly becoming an antiquated concept, and a new way of engaging with media is emerging where there are more options and less amazing stuff gathered in any one place.
Except for Disney+ maybe.
Bastards…
And so it goes with blogs as well. I’m fully aware of the traffic stats here. This is an exercise in growth and discipline, not a narcissistic plea for your attention.
I also see the latest trends with Facebook and Twitter as illustrating a similar and growing movement, as people withdraw and reorganize around different solutions.
I like this.
Network = Net Worth
I will use them for my own design.
I will use their network to grow my own, and in the process push them a couple of steps out of the food chain.
I will post announcements of new content residing on my blog, like a signpost at the watering hole.
A sign pointing towards an unfiltered source of content. An opportunity to check in for something a little more substantive.
The good stuff is back at the hut.
I Take What I Like
Of course, I am not pretending to abstain from all of the social media and ever-growing content out there.
Don’t be silly.
I will take the best and love it fully, and I will engage and make the most of what the world has to offer.
However, I will be much more mindful of how I engage my attention.
Like any tool, much of what it accomplishes depends entirely on how it is used.
Gratitude
I can’t help feeling like an old dinosaur, as I retreat to my comfort zone and build a base of operations to contemplate the kids on my grass.
I decorate it with whimsy and random indulgences. I celebrate and recognize the influences of what got me here. I try to remember all the wonderful things I have learned and found along the way, things that might help explain or at least entertain.
I will share more frequently, recognizing the value in chronicling the time spent living. For my own selfish reasons, I will document life focused on growth and compassion, and share it freely.
My intention is to focus on the positive as much as possible, but I reserve the right to keep it real when shit gets heavier than normal.
This is an exercise in daring greatly, in living as fully as possible, and giving myself permission to someday find that I have grown.
So let it be written, so let it be done.
A Simple Commitment
I will try to add value to the world in some form or fashion. I will try to be both kind and brutally honest. I will try to express my gratitude for each of you and your attention, and share the artifacts of my life with simple honesty, hope, and joy.
Sincerely
Thank you for visiting, and whatever it is that brought you here, I hope you now find yourself richer in some way.
Checking in and marking off another day in paradise…
I’ll try to keep this positive, despite all the trouble in
the world right now.
In catching up with life, the universe, and everything, here are some quick points to make about the last 6 months:
I’m fine, despite the rumors
to the contrary.
Learned some things, and found
some new perspective – more to come.
Lost some “friends”, but got
my sanity and life back, so a good trade overall.
Reunited with some old
friends and we got the band back together- even if it was only for a limited
set.
Ultimately, I found my way
back to the place I need to be despite the chaos of the world and the lousy
company I was keeping. I’m working on my routine so I can be here more often…
Don’t have a clue what I’m talking about?
That’s OK, it wasn’t meant for you – and no worries. It don’t
mean shit Mr. Natural!
Mr. Natural knows more than you. Believe it!
For those of you who do have a clue, consider your next move
carefully. I know a man with a hog farm…
Situation Normal?
Let me be blunt for a minute. The “new normal” sucks. It sucks even worse watching people be dicks to each other.
But I remind myself and you that these people are scared and out of touch with their potential to be decent. We need inspired minds to find ways to bring healing and compassion back to the forefront of everyone’s minds.
What a challenging time to be practicing compassion and tolerance! So many asses needing a good solid kick…
Important to Remember
Still, I am grateful for the blessings in my life, and I am cautiously
working towards a better tomorrow.
Among the blessings in my life is a network of people who continue to show the better side of humanity, for no reason other than it is what they believe is the right thing to do.
The situation is challenging but it is not hopeless, and we are not alone in our efforts. Thank you all for just trying to be decent people – I shudder to think about what it would be like without your efforts.
In keeping things positive, here is a small sampling of the moments that have caused me to pause and appreciate everything and nothing at all in the past year:
Two miles away…Ben’s flowers from the corner.More of Ben’s flowers.One of Ben’s sunflowers.Sunset over the Pacific from Marin Coast.Sunset over San Jose from Penitencia Creek Trail.The cat who likes to visit in the middle of the night.Ben grows a lot of flowers.I grew different kinds of flowers.A close-up of some of my flowers.These guys are always watching and waiting…Graffiti for nature.Harvest time…Abandoned low-level weapon in my neighborhood.Good ideas.Where the kind grows.Another beautiful day comes to an end…
Looking north and west across San Jose towards Sunnyvale and Mountain View – 11/15/2019
A shifting of light reveals the sights of the valley in muted green, gray, and foggy blue hues. Streetlights still shine in the coming glow of dawn, competing for attention in a sparkling cityscape that quietly glistens with potential and intrigue.
Laid out for my inspection and inspiration, I take note of all the great works and great failings of this crossroads of prosperity and change. I am both humbled and motivated to witness and be a part of it.
I walk on.
My morning routine has changed over time, but this path grows more constant and continues to provide a perspective that increases my awareness and informs my ever-opening mind.
Lessons learned, and lessons still in play, I rise and climb this hill as a metaphor for my life.
Momentarily, I can see the past and the future all laid out in the pre-dawn quiet. I savor the calm before the game is fully in play. The fragile calm before the city has come alive in the bustling chaos of another day.
As I descend into the valley again, I make note of the beauty along the way. I remember to be thankful for all that is. Mindful, I walk in peace and contemplate my world.
My neighbors arise and begin to come out into the morning chill and begin their days.
Children head off to school, lugging their backpacks and musical instruments while others are driven like tiny delicate royalty. They are all greeted the same by teachers and custodians alike.
Still more people emerge and race off on their way to cubicles, offices, factories, and stores- providing the lifeblood for another day in paradise.
Domestic bliss left behind, the masses converge on the jammed and humming highways and city streets- giving proof once again that we are not done with this world. We still have much ass to kick.
Life goes on, once again, in all of its infinite ways. For better or for worse, our momentum has brought us here to another day together.
Last night someone left an encouraging message on the sidewalk, written in chalk. Temporary messages like this somehow seem more meaningful when you find them intact- I share it with you:
Anonymous message in chalk on a sidewalk.
You can shine brighter than a star
Just be who you are
~ Anonymous
Encouraging words written for no one and everyone bring an auspicious welcome to your day. So breathe deep, and face the day happy if you can.
Sitting at the kitchen table, looking out the front windows.
Fire burning approximately 2-3 miles away.
A fire is burning on the hill, and the Breakfast with the Beatles show is playing on the radio (KOZT.com).
PG&E has turned off the power “for our protection”. The generator is roaring away to power the refrigerator, the internet router, the radio and the charging of devices. But even still, without power the well can’t pump water- so less than optimal conditions, but it could be worse.
Life continues, and we hunker down wishing the best for the single helicopter occasionally glimpsed through the smoke, dropping giant buckets of water that seem ridiculously tiny compared to the size of the fire.
This is the the third year in a row that fire has come to Potter Valley- and I am starting to think of the fire as an unwelcome relative that comes uninvited, eats all your food and trashes your place, brings their lowlife friends over, and then breaks all your stuff before demanding to “borrow” money and finally getting drunk and causing the cops and fire department to be called to your house.
ENOUGH! Seriously, I don’t want to even think this is the new normal…
To the south of us the situation is much worse, as the Kincade fire is heading towards Healdsburg and Windsor. A grim reminder of what has been and what might again be our fate- like, in a few hours possibly.
Or, the winds might calm down and they might put it out. You have to hope for the best in these situations, as you pack your emergency supplies and bug-out bag…
Meanwhile, my heart goes out to all the refugees who are now traveling as evacuees and hoping their homes and possessions are not fueling the fire. And for those who have already lost their homes, such devastating tragedy can not be adequately addressed with words. Just know you are not alone, for better or for worse.
If this is like past years, the community will come out and you can count on random acts of kindness to throw contrast into the overall scene of sadness. Be grateful, be generous, recognize it is NEVER enough.
Be kind, don’t give up, watch out for your neighbor and don’t lower your guard – anything can happen.
So let it be, all you need is love- and thank you Beatles.
The gap in time since I last posted anything. So much time, so much life, so much change.
I will get into all of that eventually, I’m sure. Meanwhile, here is the break in the gap- the lapse in the pause.
The aquaponics system is out of commission, it met it’s end this summer, due to some malady that happened while I was away.
Symbolic for so much in my life, the pieces are in various states of dis-assembly and cleaning- awaiting the next moment in time they might be put into use.
A reset, a clearing of the decks, a new beginning to mark the ending of an old way of being- I say goodbye and farewell to those who must go, and welcome to those who are here.
Hi there! I bring you a brief update on things- more detailed stories to follow…
Summer was great overall, and we had pretty amazing weather. Of course this is expected and recognized as one of the main reasons so many people want to live here. It’s a nice place to be if you don’t mind all the people!
Above: Looking west across San Jose and the valley.
Since June I’ve tracked the flow of tourists, commuters, and highway repair crews while the grass covered hills went from green to gold. I spent way too many hours on the road going back and forth between San Jose and the Farm up in Mendocino County. I’m not complaining, I’m just saying- I saw things. I saw a lot of things, man… But more on that later.
The Farm in Mendocino County
Mom’s garden grew like crazy, we gained two new cats, and we managed to get some solid improvements to the infrastructure around the farm.
Mom and her garden.
Two new cats
Harvest came, and before it was over, so did the fires. After much drama and being evacuated, we were among the lucky ones whose houses and livelihoods didn’t burn to the ground. Many of our friends were not so fortunate. I hope to never experience anything like it again, though I am so thankful to everyone who helped, and so awed by everyone who lost everything and still went out of their way to make my parents more comfortable.
Above: Banner in Santa Rosa thanking the firefighters, police, EMS, PG&E, and military personnel who came to our aid.
Now all eyes are looking forward to rebuilding and improving. For some people this will mean moving on to new and different places, while for others life will bring new opportunities to fill in what has been burned away.
Me, I’m expanding operations and getting ready for the rains to come. I’ve got plans for next year…
Above: Newly tilled soil, awaiting the seeds for organic soil builder.
Now things are settling down again, and I think I can catch my breath. Of course I’ve got stories to share still, and more pictures to process and post. While I work on that, take care of yourself and I will see you next time!
