adventures

I once knew this guy named Adam and he once noted that it had been a long time since he had seen the ocean, and he guessed that he should. I think he had a valid point.

There is something incredible about the ocean. I think its a combination of its size and constancy and change. Same kind of thing with mountains and the open road.

Another guy I once knew named Trey asked "Can't this wait til I'm old? Can't I live while I'm young?" I think he had a valid point too.

If autumn is the time for revolution, I think summer might be the season of adventure. I don't think that is really true, because I watched Alexander Supertramp engage in his escapades throughout the year. And I know real adventurers know no season. But I suppose idle summer hands (like those of idle college students) create more adventuretunities. And my hands have been itching.

The problem with adventure is what you have to give up. The old-school explorers and sailors were giving up everything for adventure. Soldiers who join up to go on adventures give up a lot. Even beatniks and hippies and bums who go out on the road or to the woods for adventure give up their place in society. It takes a lot to give it up and live in a van down by the river or to quit your job and backpack through India for a few months. Adventures are not easy.

I believe that somewhere in everyone there is an internal need for adventure that can be met in a million different ways.

Buying a house is definitely an adventure. So is having a child. Or a dog. Or a killer puffer fish.
So is climbing mountains, bonking, getting altitude sickness and splurting from both ends. So is canoeing. So is beach camping. So is sailing a catamaran. So is teaching the future of our nation. So is being married. So is trying new food.

So when your hands start itching for adventure and you feel like you've got to be a Kerouac or a Supertramp or a Persig or a Columbus or that guy from Kon Tiki or a Hilary or a Finn or a pirate/cowboy/revolutionary sailing/riding into the sunset, remember that adventure comes in all kinds of packages and to appreciate the everyday adventures instead of pining away for the adventure that might be a billion times better in your head or requires too much of a sacrifice.

Remember that, but don't forget to keep wanting adventure.

nothing

after a couple days of not blogging, its not hard to start back up again.
let a couple weeks go by and you begin feeling like you really have to have something worth saying to blog again.
the feeling gets stronger after 8 months or so.
i decided the feeling is wrong.











so i am posting about nothing.

thinking of renaming the blog "Archibald Quarterly"

On this autumnal day, I feel like I must sit by a fire, with my dog, a cardigan, and a pipe. Sitting is not enough though. I crave revolution; I want to be a part of something bigger than myself. Maybe the age of revolutions is over. Maybe I was born too late. Maybe, if a revolution did occur in my backyard, I would not even have the chutzpah to step outside. I guess the thing with revolutions in the Fall is that someone has to start them. And what would be the revolutionary cause for which I would fight? Is there anything really worth fighting for?
I heard once the only real purpose for revolutions is to be able to love who you want, how you want, when you want and where you want...
I think that's worth donning a Phrygian cap and marching somewhere. But against whom does one revolt when our rallying cry is love?
I guess I, with my pipe, my cardigan, and my dog will just sit by the fire until we figure out the answers to these questions.

if atticus wrote a book of philosophy what would it say?

listen more than you speak.
live with excitement.
enjoy everyday things everyday.
life is too short to not do what you want.
love unconditionally.

i feel like i would buy his book and like it.

you are what is most beautiful about me

this painting won the 2008 archibald prize.
when i find myself in an existential mood, i feel justified by the amazing people i call my family and friends.

The Menagerie

We tried our hand at zoo keeping...

Then there was a terrible accident...

And we had to downsize.

noun verb sentence structure (with one exception)

the sun warms.
the dog plays.
the wife loves.
the sky rains.
the clouds shade.
the trees wave.
the frisbees fly.
the kids learn.
the chair sits.
the faces smile.

i am happy.

This weekend we had a rare treat in Shreveport...Snow! Yes, actual snow. Not just a winter mix. For the entire afternoon on Friday we had snow fall to the ground. No, there wasn't any accumumulaction, but still it was snow. As I was driving home from work all bundled up (thermals and all)... I thought here is a little piece of Oregon right here in Shreveport. Now if we could just get a mountian... we might live in the perfect place! I miss my Oregon peeps...yo!
love, whit

Patrick Swayze - She's Like The Wind

brookshires

aware

i read a book tonight about growing up in prague during the cold war. the kid drew a lot. and liked the beatles. finally made it to america. his children asked him why he came, and if he was an "early settler." he said he came for drawing. he took his family back to prague, and they couldn't understand what was so horrible about it. things change. freedom is an amazing thing.
speaking of changing, i like to drink water while i'm peeing sometimes to give me perspective on the cyclic nature of the world around me. everything changes. becomes something else. then back to what it started as. and back again. there. and back again. just incredible. this world. lets keep it.
been listening to a lot of npr lately while sitting in my club chair, wearing a cardigan and house shoes and pretending to smoke a pipe. feeling better informed, and like i can carry on an interesting and intelligent conversation. that feels good.
i need art films, literature and music right now. two weeks off. beautiful wife. oregon. sister. brother. fajah. majah. excellent.
then the cycle will bring me home. awareness is half the battle. in bed.